01x15 - Night of the Quiet Man

[bunniefuu]

[ horse whinnying ]

Spencer's kid,
isn't it?

Yeah,
it is...

or was.

That's his old man
back there.

I only wish
I'd known.

Terrible thing.

Why would a young fella
like this get involved?

Probably thought he could keep
the old man out of trouble.

They're both out of it now.

And I want to compliment you,
McCambridge on the way

you handled this.

I like a man who can stand up
to a fight and win it.

I suppose I should be.

Glad you feel that way,
judge, but...

what happened here tonight

kind of leaves
a bad taste with me.

But they tried to k*ll you,
both of them.

That's right.

And I'm becoming
more like them every day.

I told Spence to walk out
of here while he still could.

It was too late for him.

But maybe
it's not too late for me.

Good morning.

Good morning.

John McCambridge.

I've seen that name here
somewhere before, haven't I?

You do all your
reading upside down?

Well, habit, I guess.

Sure, I remember now.

You're the marshal
at Dodge that--

I haven't been in Dodge
in three years.

Now if you'd just
give me my room key,

- I'll be much obliged.
- Yes, sir.

Best room in the house,
marshal.

You were a marshal,
weren't you?

Hi, boys.

Sherman,
Rogers, Harper.

- Are we all set?
- All set.

Harper, you, Henderson
and the others

will have
the consolidated herd

at the Platte River
by the 10th.

That's two weeks
from tomorrow.

The cattle buyers
will meet you there.

We'll be there
on time.

Not that
that has me worried.

I'm troubled
about your trip back.

Your money
will be safe.

You boys turn up lost,
strayed or stolen,

it's gonna be
a real poor town
for a long time to come.

Well, there will be
guards on the money

practically all the time.
Rogers arranged that.

I did.
Thick men, all of them.

Jess...

I wish
I was going with you.

Yeah, so do I,

but somebody's
got to stay here

and take care
of the dull routine.

All right, let's move out
and join the herd.

Hey, that's Kurt Lang,
isn't it?

It sure is.

What's that gunslinger
doing here in Laramie?

Oh, he's probably
just riding through.

I hope so.

Men like Lang
aren't wanted around here.

You and Brodie
stick around.

I've got to make
a couple of stops in town

before I go back
to the ranch.

Yes,
Mr. Rogers.

[ mocking ]
Yes, Mr. Rogers.

He's the boss, Ames.

Well, that don't make him
no better man than me.

No, just richer.

Come on,
I'll buy you a drink.

Best thing
I heard all day.

Brodie, do you know
what Rogers did to me?

I should. You've been
sounding off enough about it.

He picked my pocket,
that's what he did.

Sent that
Henderson

with that trail herd
instead of me.

It cost me $100 bonus.

What do you want,
money?

I know where there's 500 just
waiting to be picked up...

if you're man enough.

I'm man enough
for anything.

You saying
I ain't?

Oh, not me.

I know how much
you practice with that g*n.

Now where is this $500?

Standing right there.

Lang?

Yeah.

Five hundred
dead or alive.

Saw it tacked on a fence outside
Abilene less than a year ago.

How come it ain't
been picked up by now?

Well, like I said,
it takes a real man.

But two men
might be even better.

And you brace him,
I'll back you up.

You will,
huh, Brodie?

From
how far back?

From right here.
And you can
depend on me, pal.

You want to see me,
boy?

I'm gonna k*ll you.

Good-bye, kid.

Lang, don't do it.

You stay out of this,
Mac.

He's still
in one piece.

I just parted his hair
for him, that's all.

You gonna wreck things
before I even get 'em started?

He chose me,
I should have k*lled him.

Sure.

And then his friends
and relatives, one by one,

and then their friends.

He's not hurt.

Hurt?
I told you to stop.

You think I was saying it
just for exercise?

Kid made me mad.

I know,
and I don't blame you for it

but I give the orders,
Kurt.

You take 'em or you ride,
what's it gonna be?

- I'll take 'em.
- Good.

Come on, we'll go to my room,
we'll start setting things up.

Easy, boy.

Another inch down,
you wouldn't be here at all.

What are you gonna do
about it, sheriff?

About what?

A gunslinger, a man
with a price on his head,

rides into town, almost
kills one of my top hands.

I'll tell you.

One, Lang rode in town,
he's riding right on out.

Two, there's no price
on his head.

Abilene canceled that
about 6 months ago

when they caught
the right man.

Three, if Ames here is
gonna play bounty hunter

and pick a fight
with a g*nman,

I can't see
where you and him

has got any complaint
about what's happened.

You've had a burr
in your tail

ever since I sent Henderson
off in your place.

Now you know why.

I can't depend on you
to use good sense.

Now get out of here
and wait for me down
at the stable.

Yah!

Slim?

Yeah.

You look more like your old man
every time I see you.

Mac.

It's been a long time.

Didn't recognize me,
did you?

No, it must have been
the clothes.

For a minute I figured you
for a runaway banker.

Where's Andy?

He and Jonesy took off
for Aunt Hilda's
for a while.

Be back in a week or so.

Come on in the house,
I'll heat up some coffee.

Good.

Thanks.

I guess I better
get down to cases, Slim.

I want to catch that
next stage back to Laramie.

What's the rush?

Plans, boy.

I got lots to do.

I'm gonna be
a ranch owner.

Around here?

- Mm-hmm.
- Well, great.

Anything I can do
to help you get started?

Matter of fact,
there is.

I want you to sell me
that property

your dad used to call
the pocket.

You must be joking,
Mac.

What would you do
for grass in that valley?

It's almost solid rock.

There's water there.

A little hard work
is all that's needed.

Why?

There's plenty of better range
left around here.

I'm sure there is.

But that valley of yours
just suits me fine.

I'm prepared
to pay for it.

I'm sorry, Mac,
that land is not for sale.

Well, you know
how hard Dad worked

for every foot
of this ranch.

No, I couldn't sell
any part of it,

not even to you.

Slim,
look at it this way.

The land I want
is of no use to you, is it?

No, and it wouldn't be
much use to you either.

Now wait, let me be
the judge of that.

Would you call


Fair price?

That's about five times

what that piece of
hard rock is worth.

What did you do, Mac,
find gold up there?

No, it just suits me
and I want it,

for a ranch.

Well, I can't sell it
to you, Mac,

but I'll tell you
what I will do.

I'll lease it to you
for 10 years,

or for as long
as you want.

Ten years...
that oughta do it.

If I haven't made it by then,
the rest don't matter.

How much?

You name it,
but remember,

the land is
practically worthless.

I hope you're wrong.

And I'm sure gonna try
to prove you are.

I want to thank you,
Slim.

Making this deal
means a lot to me.

I still think
you're making a mistake,

but it's a pleasure
to take your money.

Driver.

Yeah.

Let me out
at that next turn.

It's still a long walk
to Laramie.

Thank you.

Hi! Yah!

Kurt.

Everything work out?

Yeah.

Sherman went for it
all the way.

Looks like
we got company.

Dayton and Sanders,
good timing.

Yeah.

Howdy, Bill, Ed,
glad to see you.

Long time.

Lang, I heard
you got dry gulched.

You can believe that
when you see it.

I sent you up
for 5 years, Ed.

How come
you're out so soon?

Good behavior.

As long as he's in jail,
he couldn't get in any trouble.

Anybody talks as little
as he does is bound
to get along there.

When he's got something
to say, he talks.

I hope you got
a howdy at least, Ed.

- Howdy.
- Anything else?

- One thing.
- What's that?

Is this gonna
work out all right?

Well, we're gonna give it
a pretty good try,

I can promise you that.

Let's go.

It looks like
Lang and his friends

are planning
to stay a while.

Mm-hmm.

Looks like they're
buying shovels too.

You know, Brodie, those
shovels could come in handy,

for digging graves.

Whose grave,
yours?

I'll get them.

You'll never
have a better chance.

Next trip they make,

when they came to the door
with their arms full.

Yeah.

Is something wrong?

Oh,
there certainly is, sir.

It looks like we're getting
some new neighbors.

Are those gunslingers moving
in near the Double Circle?

Well, I don't know where, sir,
but it sure looks like

they're planning
on staying a while.

I don't like that.

I don't think
anybody else around here
likes it much either.

Something's got to be done
about this and fast.

Me and the boys
will take care of them.

No. The Double Circle ranch
doesn't start trouble.

Well,
if there's trouble, sir,

they'll start it,
we'll finish it.

We may have to.

I'm gonna talk
to the sheriff about this.

Meanwhile, you follow them,
let me know

where they've holed up.

And don't tangle with them
unless they force it,

you understand?

Yes, sir.

Ah, home.

Who's on lookout?

- Doc--
- Something wrong?

We were followed
out of town.

Four of them.

All right, you boys know
what to do.

We keep
right on unloading.

Lang, remind me
to put up a sign.

Private property,
no trespassing.

Would you like to try that
fancy draw of yours again,
Mr. Lang?

No need.

That's right, pappy,
you do the talking.

While you can.

You know, pappy,

I'm gonna teach you
a little lesson.

And when I get
all through with you,

I'm gonna go to work on that
gunslinger friend of yours.

I see.

Let me ask you
a question.

Is all this just pure
cussedness on your part

or have you got
some other reason?

Little bit of both.

You see, my boss
is kind of particular

about his neighbors.

Your boss?

Cole Rogers.

Oh, Mr. Rogers is a big man
in these parts.

Why didn't you
tell me that before?

Bill, Ed,
their r*fles.

[ g*nshots ]

Take their g*ns,
Lang.

Now, sonny,

you were gonna
teach me a lesson.

Give these fellows
an excuse to g*n me down.

They don't need
an excuse,

but you've got a point.

Stay out of this,
boys.

Come on, get up.

Well, leave him be,
he's finished.

All right,
how about you?

Any pearls of wisdom you want
to pass along to old pappy?

No.

Maybe you two heroes

want to teach
the old man a lesson.

Load him on his horse
and get out of here.

You can pick up your g*ns
at the sheriff's office

in a couple of days.

You ever come back
wearing them

and I'll bury you here.

That goes for your boss
or anyone else in Laramie

comes looking for trouble,
you understand?

Sheriff, every one
of them is a k*ller.

Kurt Lang, Bill Dayton,
Ed Sanders

and Doc Malloc--

They had us
under their g*ns all the time

they were
beating me up.

Why, we were lucky
to get out of there alive.

You're the law.

What are you
gonna do about it?

I'll investigate it,
Cole.

- Oh.
- Investigate.

Right.

There's usually about
three versions of something,

yours, mine,
and what really happened.

Are you siding with a bunch
of professional gunmen?

No.

But I don't recommend
riding out there

and busting in
on them either.

Ames and Brodie
already found that out.

Then maybe you better
take a look at this.

- Joe Buckhorn.
- Uh-huh.

Last I heard of him,
he was holed up
out on the reservation.

This town's getting to be
a crib for every g*nman

in the territory.

Don't you think it's time
you did something about it?

There's no warrant out for
Joe Buckhorn that I know of.

If he settles down here,
I'll run him off.

Looks to me like
he's riding right on through.

Well, I'll tell you where he's
riding right on through to,

that hideout they got up there
in the Sherman ranch.

That's right, sheriff.
I'm giving you
fair warning.

If you don't do something
about this situation, we will.

- Hi, sheriff.
- Slim.

You're out
early this morning.

Had breakfast yet?

Thanks.

This is business.

About that land
you leased McCambridge.

You mind telling me
why you did it, Slim?

Well, no.
Mac wanted to ranch.

Every hand
he's brought in is a top g*n.

What kind of ranch
is that?

Kind of hard to believe
you didn't know it.

The fact is I didn't.

Well, your neighbors
are getting kind of nervous,

Cole Rogers
in particular.

I can't say
as I blame him.

The Double Circle's already had
one dust-off with your tenant.

One more could start
a mighty nice little w*r.

Well, I guess
that leaves it up to me.

I let Mac in.

I didn't say that,
Slim.

You didn't have to.

No, Mac's
my responsibility.

I'll ride out and see
what I can do.

Need any help?

If I do,
you'll hear from me.

All right, drop it.
Don't move.

Slim! Put away
those irons.

Nice reception.

Thanks.

I'm real sorry, Slim,
you know that.

But, son, you got to learn
to read signs.

All right,
back to work, boys.

You just come close
to finishing off our landlord.

The joke's on me,
isn't it, Mac?

I'm attacked on my own land
by gunslingers,

- working for my friend.
- Mistakes happen.

I know.
I made one where I let you
sell me the business

about wanting this land
for a ranch.

That was the truth.

Was it?

Okay. Maybe it
wasn't the whole truth.

Come here, Slim.

Is that an order
or an invitation?

If you don't mind,

I just want to show you
something.

What's that look like?

A house, barn, corral,

everything just the way
I had it planned.

Next comes
the breeding stock.

Only now I guess
I better forget about that.

There's one thing
I want to know, Mac.

Why the private army?

They're my partners,
Slim.

We're all in this together
for equal shares.

Why them?

Because this is
their last chance

to live like
human beings.

Without a place like this,
they will die one by one.

Shot down in some dirty saloon
or dusty street by a kid

or God knows who out
to make a reputation.

Or by someone like you were,
when you wore a badge?

Yes.

I k*lled
a lot of men.

I hated it, but that's
part of the job.

Then I started thinking

maybe there was
something I could do,

something to change
the setup.

I tried it down
in Texas.

Well, what happened?

I thought I'd have trouble
selling the men

I wanted to help.
I was wrong.

The law-abiding citizens

were the ones
who didn't want it.

Oh, they're all
for reforming K*llers,

so long as the reforming
is done someplace else.

That's why
you wanted this valley?

Because it's off
by itself?

And because a few men

could hold it
against a few hundred.

And they might
have to.

I should have told you about it
from the beginning.

The deal is off,
Slim.

We'll move on
soon as we can, all of us.

Well,
now wait a minute.

We made a bargain,
we shook hands on it.

No, you didn't know
what you were
letting yourself in for.

A bargain's a bargain.

You mean that?

I do.

You gave me
a chunk of money.

When we Shermans
get our hands on cash,

we don't give it up very easy,
not without a struggle.

Hello, Slim,
what's up?

Let's go inside.

That's quite a story,
Slim.

Meaning
you don't believe it?

I'd like to.

It'd help me sleep nights
a lot better

than I've been
doing lately.

Trouble is, McCambridge
and his bunch

picked a real bad time
to settle down,

if that's
what they're doing.

No matter what time
they picked,

it'd be just as
tough for them.

No, no.

But the money
from the cattle drive

will be on its way to Laramie
pretty quick.

If I was ramrodding
a bunch of g*ns

the way McCambridge is,

I'd pick the time
and the place

pretty much the way
he's done it.

No, Mac's
an honest man.

He always has been
as far as I know.

Wouldn't be the first time
an honest man without a job

went into business
with a g*n.

You're jumping to conclusions
kind of fast, aren't you?

It seems to me
I heard somewhere

that a man is innocent
till proven guilty.

I'm not judging
McCambridge, Slim.

But I am staying
pretty suspicious,

that's what
I'm paid for.

All I'm saying is,
you oughta give him a chance.

I will,
but if there's trouble,

you know the first place
I'll look.

Any coffee left?

Some.

You lose him?

Of course not.

Went into town
straight to the sheriff.

Jawed at him quite a spell,
then he headed out

for his relay station.

Good.

Do you think
Sherman believed you?

All the way.

Do you think
the sheriff believed him?

I don't know.
Sheriffs are sheriffs.

When I was one, I didn't
believe anything I heard

and only half
what I saw.

Maybe this one
is different.

Heard from
Joe Buckhorn.

Pretty big hunk of cash money
coming in on the stage

day after tomorrow.

Yeah, I know.

You didn't tell me.

That's right.

You figuring on leaving me
out of something, Mac?

Because if you are...

I never could abide a man
who can't finish a sentence,

especially
if it's a threat.

I'm not threatening.

I'm telling you,
that's all.

I won't be left out.

Follow orders
and you won't be.

That's another thing,
Mac.

I never was much on orders,
especially ones I don't like.

Well, you'll take 'em here
and like 'em,

otherwise you can
go someplace else.

I'm not so sure
I can't outdraw you,

you sitting there
like that.

I don't want to lose you,
Bill, you're a good man.

But if that's the way
you feel about it,

I'll spot you the difference
in positions.

You still
like the odds?

No.

But I wasn't
gonna draw on you.

You just wanted to see
what I'd do.

Yeah,
I just wanted to see.

Now you know.

You want to go into business
for yourself or take orders?

I'll take 'em, Mac.

Fine.

Good night, Bill.

[ g*nshots ]

Old Dave ran
a one-man shirttail outfit

but I respected him
as a neighbor.

Now he's dead, m*rder*d
on his own doorstep,

and his place burned
to the ground.

We know
who's responsible,

but are we doing
anything about it?

Well, wait a minute.

We don't
really know who is.

Don't we?

This ever happened
before in Laramie?

A man robbed
of every dollar he had

and brutally m*rder*d
by a bunch of gunslingers?

Cole,
I think we ought to--

I'm thinking
a few days ahead.

There'll be a lot of money
from the cattle sale

coming in here
by the stage.

And McCambridge
and his bunch of sidewinders

only started
with old Dave.

By the time they finish
they'll own this whole town.

We got to stop it now
before it's too late.

How many of you
are with me?

Becker?

I say
it's a matter for the law.

The sheriff failed to do
the job, now it's up to us,

unless you want one of them
to put a g*n at your head.

All right,
count me in.

Stop right there.

You know
why we're here, Sherman.

I do.

Then move aside.

No.
That's far enough, Ames.

Don't make me
have to use this.

Nobody is pushing
a fight but you.

It comes to this,
Rogers.

You've got to cross my land
to get to that valley,

and you're not crossing
my land.

You're siding
with McCambridge.

I guess that figures.

I'm siding
with what's right.

You go back
and get the sheriff

and bring
a warrant out here

and I'll not only
let you through,

but I'll ride
with you.

Well,
that's fair enough.

Well, you change
your tune real easy, mister.

I'm my own man.

- Let's go
find the sheriff.
- Yeah?

Well, the sheriff's
not even in town.

Who knows
where he's hiding out?

If you really want to find him,
he's at Dave's place.

All right.

But if McCambridge
and his outfit get away,

you better be ready
to answer for it.

Hi, Jess.

I see you brought
your a*tillery with you.

Yeah. Hey, what happened
to the place?

Looks kind of rundown.

What did you ever do
before I got here?

We got by.

How was the drive?

Oh, first grade, got top
dollar for every steer.

On the way to the bank
with the money now.

You need a fresh team
into Laramie?

No, the one we got in Cedar
Creek's still going strong.

What's for supper?

What do you want?

Anything but steak.

I had enough beef on that
drive to start growing horns.

How about
pork and beans?

That sounds
almost good enough to eat.

See you around sundown.

All right.

Hey, Jess.

Yeah.

Keep your eyes open.

Yeah, I'll do that,
both of them.

Just turn around
and put that saddle

right back
on your horse.

What for?

McCambridge
wants to talk to you.

And why the g*n?

Just in case
you feel like arguing.

Now let's go.

What's the idea,
Mac?

Heard about
the night riders

and Rogers meeting
in town.

Wasn't sure whose side
you'd be on.

Well, thanks.

Well,
you just keep hiding out

and sending men
to shove iron at me,

and it's not gonna be too hard
to change sides.

Yeah, I guess I should
have known better.

But you've got to
believe this, Slim.

Not one of my men
had a single thing to do

with any of this deal
and that's the truth.

Well,
you stick to that.

Stop acting guilty.

Why don't you go back
to the ranch?

One more question,
the lawman.

Whose side is he on?

Well, he's not on yours.
He's not anybody's.

Rogers is doing his best,

but the sheriff is a hard man
to stampede.

But for how long?

Every crime around here from
chicken snatching to m*rder

will be laid
on our doorstep.

Well, just be sure
that you and your outfit

can account
for yourselves.

You won't have to worry
about the rest of it.

Hey, Jess,
you home?

[ horse approaching ]

Jess?

You'll be all right,
Jess.

Who did it?

You must
have seen somebody?

No.

Last--
last thing I remember,

a b*llet knocked me
off my horse...

then you here.

Are you sure
you didn't see anybody?

No.

Try to stay quiet.

I'll bring Doc Hanson
back as soon as I can.

Five good men
are dead,

and a lot of others
are gonna be bankrupt.

Rogers was right,
Slim.

I should never have
listened to you.

Now wait a minute,
sheriff, I--

[ horses approaching ]

You're through,
mister.

If I have any influence
in the territory,

you're going to jail
for letting this happen.

You bought yourself
a share of trouble too.

You've got it all
figured out, haven't you?

Enough to know
you're tied in McCambridge.

This is his work
pure and simple.

Well,
I'm glad you're so sure.

Hey, Mac.

Don't draw.

He's not carrying a g*n.

Put your iron away, Slim,
there won't be any sh**ting.

That's right.

Just a rope and the limb of
a tree is all that's necessary.

There won't be
any lynching either,

not while I'm still
wearing this badge.

You want to tell us
about this?

Wish I could.

The fact is, I don't know any
more about it than you do.

Why, sure, he just
happened to be here,

out taking
a walk maybe.

He came here because
I asked him to,

and he came unarmed
for the same reason.

You might listen
to what he has to say.

Sheriff, I can't prove a thing
about where I was,

or my men
when this happened,

but what kind of a fool
would it take

to try to pull a deal like this
right in his own front yard?

No kind of a fool,
just the opposite.

An old law man that knows
every trick in the book,

starting with hitting
close to home,

where no fool would ever
think he could get away with.

There's an easy way
to prove it.

All we got to do
is round up the others.

Save your breath.

I sent them away
when I came here.

It was my idea that got them
into this mess to begin with.

Well,
what are we gonna do,

stand here and let him
talk us to death?

Somebody had to
come up with the idea

they could get away with just
about whatever they wanted

and blame would fly home
to roost on my outfit.

Not good enough,
Mac.

Then I'm probably wasting
my breath to say it.

But I'd like
to tell you this.

If I'd had any part
in murdering that homesteader

or these four men,

or if it was any
of my boys,

I'd be running
right now,

and I'd be
running scared.

You don't count
so good, do you?

There were five men
and they were all k*lled.

I only counted four.

Well,
how about Jess Harper?

He was riding with it.

Well, that's right,
but how did you know?

Oh.

Well, some of the boys
from our outfit

rode into town
with the cattle drive.

They said that Jess
was riding the strong box.

What makes you think
Jess is dead?

Well,
he ain't here, is he?

That's right.

No, he's not here.

He's at my place
getting a b*llet

fished
out of his shoulder.

You know, we might save
everybody a lot of time

if we just
ride over there.

Let Jess tell us
who hit the stage.

I got work waiting
for me at the ranch.

- Come on, Ames.
- Work can wait.

We're going
to the Sherman place.

Wait a minute.

We'll do the work
right here, boss.

Just another little
shootout that'll look like

the McCambridge g*ng,
only this time,

they're gonna lose
the big man himself.

Ames?

[ g*nsh*t ]

I'm sorry I had to
get in your way,

but I wanted him alive
so he could show us

where they hid
the money.

So long, Slim.

We gave it
a good try.

You'll be back
at the place, won't you?

No, not for long.

I'll collect my gear
and move on.

But why?

It's all over, Slim.

My boys are probably
all scattered by now.

They'll die
the way they lived.

Take 10 lives
for every one of their own.

Too bad
it didn't work out.

Too bad for everyone.

Just a minute.

Maybe
you can get 'em back.

For what?
More of the same?

We can't expect
these men to straighten out

and live
normal lives,

and be under a cloud of
suspicion at the same time.

It's best this way.

No matter what direction
you take out of here?

No.

Try the northwest,
Oregon territory.

A place called
Cedar Bend.

I just bought
some land there.

I'd like to know
somebody was working it.

Maybe you
and your boys could.

Good country.

Northwest.

No, the boys are gone,
I better be on my way.

Well,
I never figured on this.

Hope he takes me up
on that offer.

You know, I wouldn't be
surprised if he did.

It might be
a coincidence but...

they're riding
northwest.