01x23 - Duel at Alta Mesa

[bunniefuu]

[ horse approaching ]

Morning.

How much further
to the Patterson Ranch?

You got business up there?

Yeah, why?

Been some mighty strange
goings-on up their way lately.

Man can count
himself lucky

if he don't have to get
mixed up in it.

I've been eating
trail dust for
nearly two days.

Now,
I appreciate your advice

but I'm likely
not gonna be able to take it.

Patterson Ranch
is six miles straight ahead.

Big place, can't miss it.

I'd be much obliged
for some of that water.

Sure.
Help yourself.

Thanks.

I think I've seen you
around here before.

Where are you from?

Laramie.

Know Patterson, do you?

Nope.

Never laid eyes on the man.

Son, why don't you
do yourself a favor

and turn around
and go on back to Laramie?

You won't find no work
in these parts no how.

And Patterson, he...

he don't take much
to strangers.

Wally, breakfast is ready,
better come in.

Well, good luck, son.
You'll need it.

Well?

I can't be sure.

That's not him.
This fella's got dark hair.

Well, who is it?
Do you know him?

No.

I got a sure way
of finding out.

If he wants trouble,
he's coming to the right place.

[ g*nsh*t ]

Don't try it.

What are you doing here?

You put that iron away
and I'll tell you.

What kind of a--

[ g*nsh*t ]

Hold it right there.

I asked you a question.

What are you doing here?

I want to see Mr. Patterson.

So you want to see
Mr. Patterson, huh?

And what do you want to see
Mr. Patterson about?

That's between him and me.

Yeah?

Well, supposin' Mr. Patterson
doesn't want to see you?

Mister, I'm getting
mighty tired of eating dirt.

One day soon,
I'm gonna rub your face in it.

Sure.

I wasn't reaching for a g*n.
I was reaching for a letter.

All right, take it out.

Real slow.

Throw it over here.

This letter's addressed
to Slim Sherman.

You're not Slim Sherman.

Show it to Mr. Patterson.

How did you get it?

It's a long story.

All right, on your feet.

We'll let Mr. Patterson decide
what he wants to do with you.

What is this, a private army?

What's going on around here?

Move.

Hold it right there.

Now drop your g*n.

Look,
I came here to see--

I said drop your g*n.

Hold it!

Now what's going on here?

I found him down
at the gate.

He was sneaking
on the property.

If he was at the gate,
he wasn't sneaking.

But your orders were to--

I know what my orders were!

He had this letter.

Give it to me.

He isn't Slim Sherman.

That's all right.
Go outside.

Can I have the g*n?

- What for?
- Well, you hired me--

I hired you
because I was told

you were a good man
with a g*n and with your hands.

The way this fella's
been handling you,

you're not worth your keep.

- But, Mr. Patterson.
- You're fired!

- But I--
- You're fired!

Now collect your gear
and get off the property.

My name is Jess Harper.
I work for Sherman--

I know all about you.

Come in the other room.

[ footsteps approaching ]

Sherman should have
come himself.

Well, he couldn't, sir.

He had to go up north
on a cattle drive.

Letter sounded urgent,
so he sent me.

I didn't ask for you,
I asked for Slim.

Look, Mr. Patterson.

I can leave this place
a lot faster than I came.

Slim only sent me
as a favor to you
because you own a stage line.

Now that doesn't mean--

He should have
known better!

This job calls for a man
with a clear head

and a fast
pair of hands.

Meaning I don't have 'em?

Rick?

Rick, who's that man
talking to my father?

I have no more to do
with the Patterson family.

I've been fired!

Rick, this is important.
Who is he?

He didn't even
talk about my pay,
just threw me out!

I'll see
that you get your money.

It's all right
for you rich people, you--

Who is he?

I don't know,
Miss Gloria.

All I know is that
he had a letter

that your father had written
to Slim Sherman.

- But that's not Slim Sherman.
- I know that,

I wouldn't be having
all this trouble if he was.

Do you think
he's a g*nman?

I mean, a paid g*n?

He could be.

See all that a*tillery
he's packing.

He could be a g*nman,
couldn't he?

Ah, he could be anything.

He's real tough.

But he's not the only
tough one around here.

I just knew somebody
like this would turn up.

I knew it, I just knew it.

Will you have a drink?

No, thanks.

I want a man
by the name of Tom Mannering.

Why?

He works for me,
at least he used to.

He was a guest
in this house 2 days ago.

I caught him at the safe,

removing a strongbox
containing $50,000.

He shot me and left me for dead,
made off with the money.

Left you for dead...

and you figure he'll
come back and finish the job.

That's why
you got this place

rigged out
like an army camp, huh?

I don't like to be shot at.

Then why don't you tell it to
the sheriff or the U.S. marshal?

The money belongs
to the stagecoach company

and the loss of it
would ruin them.

Yeah, it could.

Now if this ever came out,
if I went to the marshal,
it would have to come out,

our credit
would be ruined.

They'd say that we couldn't
meet our current payroll.

Sounds pretty serious.

Yes, it is serious.

There's a lot of potential
competitors around here.

Men like Gallagher, he'd like
to get back in the game.

Give 'em an opening
and we're ruined.
I want that money back.

And maybe Tom Mannering
has to be k*lled.

That's no concern of mine.

I want that money back.

You look like the kind
of a man who could do it.

You know the country
around here.

I make it my business
to learn things like that.

[ door opening ]

Well, how's the shoulder
this morning?

I didn't send for you, doc,
and I don't need you.

You dug a slug out of my arm.

That's all I needed you for.

I'm busy,
so good afternoon, sir.

Oh, I just want
to take a look at it.

Are you going to get out of here
before I have you thrown out?

Very well, Mr. Patterson.

Is that the way you thank
a man for saving your life?

Bah!

I was digging slugs out of
my carcass before he was born.

Now Tom Mannering
used to live in a little town

called Alta Mesa
on the Mexican border.

I know where it is.

I have an idea
that's where he's heading.

Now you get
that money back,

k*ll Mannering
if you have to.

Well, that's all,
get riding.

Yeah, I'll do that.

Right back
to the Sherman Ranch.

What?

You heard what I said.
I don't want any part of this.

Would $5,000
change your mind?

You're wasting your time.

What you want is
a hired k*ller.

I'm not your man.

You miserable
little bootlick, I oughta--

[ door closing ]

All on account
of that saddle tr*mp.

I should have
put a b*llet in him

first time
I laid eyes on him.

Oh, take it easy, Rick.

Take it easy nothing.

Swung on me,
lost me my job.

Oh, simmer down, ain't nothing
you can do about it now.

You want to bet?

Mr. Harper?

Yeah?

Is my father sending you
after Tom Mannering?

What do you Pattersons
think you are?

What gives you the right
to walk up to anybody

and start
asking questions?

He didn't steal that money.

He won it fair and above board
in a poker game.

I don't care if he won it
or stole it,

or your father gave it to him
for a birthday present.

I'm sorry
I ever came here.

I almost got
gunned down coming in,

now I'll probably
have to sh**t my way out.

I'll catch up
with you later.

Wait a minute.

My father knew that Slim
would do whatever he asked,

that's why he sent for him.

Slim's no k*ller, not with
a g*n or any other way.

All he cares about
is getting the money back.

He doesn't care
whether Tom gets k*lled or not.

And he knew
Slim would take the job.

Why?

Don't you know?

If I knew,
I wouldn't be asking.

Because he's under
obligation to my father,

a big obligation.

About 3 years ago
he nearly lost his ranch,

and my father lent him the money
to stay in business.

Slim never told me that.

He's the kind of person
who honors an obligation,

so that's why
my father sent for him.

Well, I don't like your father
or his methods.

A lot of people
don't like my father,

but he gets things done.

Yeah, he gets
things done, all right.

I'm going back
in there now

and unless you want that porch
cluttered with bodies,

you best
walk along with me.

Get out.

Right after you tell me

if there's any truth about
Slim owing you something.

How did you hear that?

Just give me
a straight answer.

That happens to be
a private matter.

If a man owes me anything,
I don't advertise it.

No, but you sure call on him
if you need him.

While I'm sitting in
a wheelchair, yes.

But don't you get the idea
that I built this company

by sitting
behind a desk.

I never ask any man to do
anything I won't do myself.

Then you better tell me
what this fellow looks like

'cause I'm going after him.

Give me that drawing pad
over there.

That's a portrait of him.

You'll have no trouble
recognizing him.

It's a good likeness.
My daughter drew it.

Just one thing, I'm doing this
for Slim, not for you.

I don't want your affection.
I don't want your friendship.

I only want back
what belongs to me.

Not Lorne Gallagher
or anybody else

are gonna drive me
out of business.

Not while I'm alive anyway.

You'll get your money back.

The rest is up to you.

Are you going
after him?

I'm going after the money.

Please let me go with you.

Sure, you can ride
on my back all the way.

Look, I just can't sit here
and wait--

Look, I'm doing a job
I don't like,

only because
Slim would want me to.

Now I've had enough of
you Pattersons, all of you.

Please let me go.

I'm in a hurry.

Even you should know
I can ride faster alone.

You're gonna k*ll him.

Only if I have to.

Ah...

I'm glad you're not dead...

'cause I ain't got time
to bury you.

Let a little out there,
and a little there.

It's going to look just fine
on you, Mr. Gallagher.

What do you think, honey?

Oh, it's lovely.

I'll take
all three of the suits.

You like
the other ones too?

Oh, they're lovely.

It's a pleasure to be serving
you again, Mr. Gallagher.

You haven't been in
for quite some time.

Not since Patterson put me
out of the stagecoach business.

Remember those days, honey?

Oh, they were lovely too.

Well, don't be surprised

if I'm back in it again
before long.

Oh, and that'll be lovely.

Take Linda over
to the salon, buy her a drink.

Yes, Mr. Gallagher.

See you later, honey.

Did you meet Mannering?

He didn't show up.

I promised him $5,000
to deliver that strongbox.

Something must have
gone wrong.

Something went wrong
all right.

'Cause he's got
the strongbox.

You sure?

I'm sure.

He had to sh**t Patterson
to get it.

He must have
broken it open.

What was in it?

None of your business.

One thing's sure,

it had to be something
worth more than $5,000.

If I know Mannering,
he's on his way to Alta Mesa.

Did he k*ll Patterson?

No, but likely
he'll wish he had.

Patterson's got a hired g*n
on his trail right now.

We'll split up.

Jerry, you ride with me
straight to Alta Mesa.

Starting from here
we got a chance

of getting there
before Mannering does.

What about us?

You and Gene
ride across country.

Whoever's on Mannering's trail,
take care of him.

We only got a look at him
from a long way off.

Not much chance
we'd recognize him again.

If you have any doubts
about it, try asking him.

I don't care how much crow bait
you leave in the trail,

get rid of him.

- We'll handle him
all right.
- Just see that you do.

If he doesn't
get some money from Mannering,

he'll try getting it from me.

I figured that's what's
in the strongbox, money.

How much?

Enough so you won't
have to worry about it.

What are you following me for?

I told you not--

I think my leg is broken.

[ moans ]

It's not broken.

Now go on home,
I can't take you with me.

You'd hold me up too long,
just like you're doing now.

It's a free country.

You can't stop me from
following you if I want to.

Maybe not,
but you can't keep up with me.

I'm moving fast.

I could pick him off

as soon as he shows
at the top of the next rise.

You think he's our man?

I don't know, could be.

Keeps on the course
he's riding.

You drop him now,
we'll never know.

We got time.

[ crickets chirping ]

[ twigs cracking ]

Hold right there.

Now us three,
we're gonna have a little talk.

Come on, turn around.

That's just to make sure

you're enjoyin'
the conversation.

We've been following you.

You-- you ride
a nice, straight line.

Nice, straight line
right for Alta Mesa.

Is that where you're headed,
Alta Mesa?

Are you looking
for Tom Mannering?

He's not very talkative,
is he?

He will be.

[ groans ]

I guess you're not talking
answered our question.

That's all we wanted
to know.

Thanks.

Maybe I wouldn't be
any trouble.

Maybe I could be some help
if you take me along.

You really want to find
this fella, don't you?

I love him.

Yeah, I had that figured out
a long time ago.

That's one of the reasons
I didn't want to take you along.

Well, if you'd stop
to listen for a minute,

I could give you a better reason
for taking me.

Like what?

I can get that money for you
without any sh**ting.

I know I can.
Tom and I don't need it.

All right, if you're that sure,
I'll take a chance.

Besides, being a man
who just had his life saved,

I can't really keep
saying no, can I?

Thank you.

You won't be sorry,
now there won't be any trouble.

[ horses galloping ]

Trouble started already.

There's nothing
to worry about, is there?

You got his g*n.

He'll get another g*n.

Just a matter of time.

Jess...

I'm sorry. I just got to rest
for a little while.

We haven't got time
to rest.

I want to make it
to Red Bluff before dark.

You think Tom is there?

Well, if he's headed
for Alta Mesa,

he had to pass
through there.

That's what
I want to find out.

Look, Gloria, this has been
a rough trip for you.

Why don't you cut back to
the road and go to Alta Mesa?

If he's there,
he's there.

And if he is there,
by the time I got there,

he might be dead.

You ready?

Yes.

I guess we take the road
to the left.

Yeah.

Making better time
than I expected.

We'll sure beat Patterson's
hired g*n to Alta Mesa,

if Ray and Gene haven't
taken care of him already.

We'll make Alta Mesa,
all right,

if we don't k*ll
our horses.

You sure are anxious
to get that strongbox.

How much is in it?

Come on, let's go.

- Is that Red Bluff?
- That's it.

Well,
we made it before dark.

I'll see if I can find out
anything about Mannering.

Thanks for the use
of the bed, Joe.

Are you leaving?

Yep.

That's my man down there.

Figured he'd be
coming through here.

Made pretty good time,
especially with that girl along.

That's the way
they travel.

That's for
putting me up.

Oh, you don't have
to pay me.

Yeah, I'll get it back
from Gallagher.

Traveling expenses.

- So long, Joe.
- Good luck.

Well, that fella
down there,

he's the one
that's gonna need luck.

[ chuckles ]

Yeah, I think
I've seen this man.

He was through here yesterday
and I'm pretty sure.

Hey, Ben,
you were in here.

Do you remember
that man that came through,

the big spender?
Isn't this the man?

I don't know.

He could be.

Yeah,
does look like him.

What do you think,
Ray?

All right,
saddle tr*mp.

I got a score
to settle with you.

Go ahead, draw.

Anything wrong?

I hope not, Andy.

Letter from Jess.

I'm not crowdin'
you, am I?

Well, I just
wanted to see.

It might be easier on both of us
if I just read it aloud.

Okay, you go ahead.

I'll sit right here.

"Dear Slim.

By the time you get this I'll
probably be halfway to Mexico.

But don't think I'm having
a good time 'cause I'm not.

Old man Patterson was as hard
to handle as a prickly pear

and his daughter
is just more of the same.

Between...

Between them, I don't know
who to believe,

so about
the only thing I can tell you

is that Patterson
lost a lot of money

belonging
to the stage company."

I wish Jess would
learn how to write.

"And I'm gonna do
my best to get it back."

I bet if anybody can,
Jess will.

"Right now it looks like
whoever's got the money

went south with it.

Even though I've only
been shot at a few times

in the last day or so,
I'm beginning to get

the idea somebody
doesn't like what I'm doing.

Well, that makes
two of us.

Regards, Jess."

- There's a P.S.
- I see it.

"Tell Andy and Jonesy
I'll bring 'em back

a hatful of scorpions,

if they let you hire
anybody to take my place."

Well, is there anything
on the envelope

to let you know
where it come from?

Can't make out
the postmark, Andy.

Slim,
if Jess were in trouble,

he'd let you know,
wouldn't he?

I think so, Andy.

I hope so.

Best thing we can do is wait
until it blows itself out.

How long you think
it'll last?

Who knows?

Might as well make ourself
comfortable.

How long do you suppose
this is gonna keep up?

I want to get
to Alta Mesa.

You sure do but
I just as soon get there

before the sand scrapes
my face off.

Of all the times
for a wind to come up.

Sure cold in here,
isn't it?

Oh, no, you'll be cold.

I'll be all right.

Thanks.

Sounds like it's
lettin' up.

I'd like to get out of here
pretty soon so we can reach

Alta Mesa by sundown.

We've been following
a pretty warm trail.

I think we're gonna catch up
with Mannering tonight.

It's been quite a trip,
hasn't it?

Yeah, it sure has.

Are you sorry
you brought me along?

No, I'm not.

And I'll be sorry
to see you go.

I'll be sorry
to leave you too, Jess.

You really mean that?

Yes.

I wonder what Mannering
would have thought of that?

I don't know.

I guess I'm not sure
about a lot of things lately.

Are you sure
you love him?

Don't ask me that.

Wonder what
it would have been like

if we'd have met
a long time ago.

Who knows?

Maybe I'd have been
a lot happier.

Haven't you been happy?

I've been lonely.

I never had a home,
I mean, a real home.

My father's always tried
to give me everything,

money and--

And that's all?

He just doesn't realize
that I'm his daughter,

that I've got
a will of my own.

He doesn't like anyone
running his life.

But he wants to run
yours for you.

Always.

Always says
it's for my own good,

but it's my life
and I want to live it.

I don't want anyone else
making my decisions for me.

Like about Mannering?

Maybe Tom isn't
the right man for me.

Maybe my father's
right about that.

But he's wild,

he's always taking off
and going somewhere.

He's free.

Maybe that's what
I like about him.

Well, I hope things
go all right for you both.

Sounds like it's lettin' up,
we better get started.

Well, it's not
much of a hotel.

But maybe you can
get cleaned up in it.

I don't care what it looks like
as long as it has a bathtub.

I'll water the horses.

Jess...

If you find Tom, there won't
be any sh**ting, will there?

That's up to him.

- Gloria.
- Oh, Tom.

What in the world
are you doing here?

Looking for you.

Well, this certainly
is a surprise.

Well, let's not
just stand here.

Come on upstairs,
I got a suite.

A suite?

Yeah, I'm rich now.

Oh, Tom,
this is nice.

Well...

all right now,
tell me everything.

How did you know
I was here?

Well, Father hired this man to
follow you and I came with him.

Do you know my father
has been telling everybody

that you stole
that money?

Is he in town?

This man
your father hired?

Oh, yes.

Uh-huh.

No sh**ting,
Tom, please.

Let him have the money,
we don't need it.

We'll get married and
everything will be all right.

Tom, I've worried
so much about you.

I, uh...

I see you're still toting
around this little g*n.

You know, now that the subject
of marriage has come up, Gloria,

I don't think you should be
carrying around the a*tillery.

Unfortunately, well,
you and I can't get married.

It's impossible.

You see, I already
have a wife.

No doubt you'd like
to congratulate the bride.

I'd like you
to meet her.

Dolly, come on out,
we've got company.

Honey,
this is Gloria Patterson.

Oh, yes, Tom told me
all about you.

You helped a lot.

Matter of fact, Tom would
have never got the chance

to steal all that
beautiful money

if it hadn't been for you.

You stole it?

You didn't win
it in a poker game.

I thought you said
she was smart.

She's pretty stupid.

You be quiet.

What's the matter, honey?

You mad 'cause you aren't
woman enough to hold on to Tom?

Don't you dare talk to me
like that, you little wretch!

I thought you said
she was high class.

Listen to her...

she sounds worse than I do.

Attagirl, Dolly.

Give it to her.

Tom! Tom!

[ screams ]

Good, Dolly.

Sí,that's him,
all right.

You know
where he is now?

Over at the hotel.

Thanks.

All right, stop.
That's enough.

- Come on.
- Tom!

Get out of here!

Now listen,
get out of here.

I don't need you anymore.

I hope Jess kills you.

Unless I do it first.

Hello, Gallagher.

Thought you could
play games with me, huh?

Now we don't have
to fight.

I'm sure
we can settle this.

Hold it.

I wasn't going for my g*n,
I don't have any.

There's no need
for sh**ting.

Let's be reasonable.

All right, I'm listening.
Where's the money?

Don't worry
about the money.

[ g*nsh*t ]

Tom.

Tom.

Oh, Tom.
Tom.

All right,
where's the money?

Come on, hurry up!
Where is it?

In the bureau.

In the bedroom.

[ g*nsh*t ]

[ g*nsh*t ]

You're a good man, Jess.

A fine job.

Yeah, well, five men
got k*lled in the doing.

I hope it was worth it.

It'll save
the stagecoach line.

Sure.

It just seemed something
better could come from it.

Oh?

You see, I've never had
a real home, Mr. Patterson.

So maybe that doesn't
qualify me to talk about it.

But on the other hand,

maybe it qualifies me
to talk about

what a real home should be.

What are you getting at, Jess?

Your home, sir.
This place here.

You're a successful
businessman, you--

you got a beautiful home
and a beautiful daughter.

Why can't you make
a real home out of it?

What makes you
think I haven't?

Fact that your daughter
picked the first chance

she had to run away
from it.

Well, whatever I did
was for her own good.

Yeah, this is a free
country, sir.

Don't you think
she oughta have a vote

in what's best for her?

Well, maybe
she should have.

I don't think she'd be so
anxious to run away again.

And if she did
have to go away,

I'm sure she'd have
a better reason.

Well, perhaps
it's not too late

to make another
try at it, dear.

Is it?

Of course not, Dad.

I better
get started back.

Good-bye, Jess.
And thanks.

Good-bye, Mr. Patterson.

Good-bye, Jess.

Good-bye, Gloria.

[ door opens ]

[ door shuts ]

Jess.

Yeah?

Am I gonna see you again?

Probably, Gloria.

I move around a lot.

Well, I mean...

Do you want
to see me again?

You know I do.

But there's something
more important.

Well, what?

Well, the way things
are gonna change now.

Maybe the next time
I come back this way,

you'll know better
whether you want to see me.