02x08 - .45 Calibre

[bunniefuu]

No sign of the marshal.

If he's in town, he's sure
staying out of sight.

Well, we've got to get
rid of him first,

otherwise touching off that
bank might get a little rough.

Al, why don't you go down to
the corner, keep your eye open.

After we get
rid of the marshal,

how do you figure
to handle it?

The bank will still be here.

With Blanton dead,
we can come back anytime.

Sure, but how are you
gonna get rid of Blanton?

Simple.
Me and Al go in here
and have a drink,

somebody's bound
to recognize us,
that'll bring the marshal.

When he comes,
we'll have a nice little
surprise waiting for him.

Back there
at the wagon, go ahead.

Two shots.

Hey, do you see what I see?

That's the Torrey brothers.

You stay put and keep
an eye on them.

Where are you going?To tell the marshal.

I seen him over to
the stables when we come in.

Hold it right there, boys.

Cole Blanton.

What are you doing in a quiet
little town like Laramie?

Watching this quiet
little bank.

Figured the Torrey brothers
would have an interest in it

sooner or later.

Well, I can't abide with a man

that does too much
deep thinking.

How about you, brother Al?

Never could, Wes.

We're both kind of
disappointed in you, Cole.

Seems like--

[ g*nsh*t ]

Jess?

A stage from Laramie
is coming in.

Need a hand
before I take off?What for?

I'm finding out just how little
we do around here.

Ben's been handling
your chores and mine too

and he's not even
breathing hard.

Yeah, he's a good hand,
all right.

Say, sounds like you're
planning on taking life easy
while I'm away.

Well, I'll be the boss,
isn't that what bosses do?

I mean, when they're
not running off to Denver

or some such place.

I haven't left yet.

[ carriage approaching ]

Hello, Frankie.

Hi, did you hear what happened
in Laramie this morning?

How could we, you're
the first stage through today.

Cole Blanton is dead, k*lled
by one of the Torrey g*ng.

Marshal is dead?

Yeah, he didn't have a chance,
shot in the back.

There was three
of them on it,

Hightailed it out of town before
anybody knew what happened.

Well, that's the way
it'd have to happen.

Blanton would have got
him in a fair fight.

Maybe I better
stay here, Jess.Why?

It's pretty obvious, isn't it?

With Blanton dead and
the Torrey g*ng on the loose.

You don't think they'll
come around here, do you?

If they do, I'll give them
the money and the cookie jar

you keep it in.Don't be funny.

I'm not worrying about
what they'll steal,

if they k*lled Blanton,
where are they gonna stop?

Somebody's got to call them.

Yeah, and that's
a job for a lawman.

You're a gentleman rancher
with a big deal in Denver.

You think the government's gonna
hold up a public land auction

while you're off chasing
the Torrey g*ng?

Cole Blanton was
an awful good man.

I know that.

There's a lot of good men
to take his place.

Al and Wes Torrey are their
worry. Now get on that stage.

Slim, do me a favor, huh?

Yeah, what?

Have fun while
you're in the city.

Hey, Jess.

Take it easy,
don't stick your neck out.

It's the only one I got,
I don't figure on losing it.

All right. I'll be back
as soon as I can.

Don't worry, we'll mind
the store. Right, Ben?

Yep.

He's gonna have to go.

Well, I thought you
liked his work.

I do, but he talks too much.

They're all yours, Frankie.

See you, Jess.
Get up then.

Westbound's coming
in here as scheduled, Ben.

You gather up a fresh team,
I'll unhitch.

Good morning.

Can I get you folks some
coffee or something to eat?

No, thanks, we'll make
it to Laramie fine now.

I see you're the new marshal.

Deputy Marshal.
My name is Clark.

Vern Clark.

This is Miss Louisa--

I'm sorry, dear,

it may take me a little
while to get the habit.

This is Mrs. Clark.

How do you do?Pleased to meet you, ma'am.

You're not from around
these parts, are you?

Norway, 3 years ago.

I keep trying
to lose the accent

but it is a little hard to do.

I'm on my way to
see Cole Blanton,

you probably know him?

That's right.

I'm gonna be
working with him,

breaking in
as a peace officer.

You mean you never
wore a badge before?

Oh, I've had plenty
of experience,

but that was
mostly back east.

Keep hoping
that I might find

some better
opportunities out here.

Ma'am, are you sure you
wouldn't like some coffee

or something inside?

No, thank you.

Oh, go ahead.

Something's
on your mind, say it.

Louisa and I have
an understanding about my job.

About this business of you
breaking in as a marshal,

you're likely to learn
a lot faster than you'll like.

Let's have it.

Cole Blanton is dead.

He was shot in the back
not more than 3 hours ago.

I hope this isn't your idea
of something funny.

Not likely.

Right now you're
the law in Laramie.

Did they get the man
who did it?

No, there were
three of them.

Al and Wes Torrey
and one of their g*ng,

they all got away,
that's the way I heard it.

Torrey brothers...

wanted for m*rder
and armed robbery

in about
a dozen places.

Blanton wrote me he's
been after them for years.

Looks like he made
just one mistake,

he finally caught up.

You didn't like
the marshal?

I respected him.

Blanton never was much
for making friends.

I don't think
you told me your name.

No, I didn't.

My name is Harper.

Jess Harper.

Sounds familiar.

You look familiar too.

Any idea where I might
have seen you before?

Lot of places.

Like where?

Like maybe on some
old wanted poster.

Too fast
with a g*n?

Vern, please.

I figured it was better
than being too slow.

Besides,
I'm in the clear now,

and I got the papers
to prove it.

You want to see them?

Maybe I better.

Hmm, signed
by a territorial judge.

Good enough for you?

Seem to be in order.Thanks.

Now don't get your
back up, Harper.

I got to know
something about a man

before
I deputize him.

I got a job.

So have I, Harper.

The Torrey g*ng
has got to be wiped out.

I'm forming
a posse,

all the men with it
will have to give up

their regular work
until this job's finished.

Maybe Mr. Harper
isn't interested

in that kind of work.

I'm not interested
in getting shot,

if that's
what you mean.

Now no one's
forcing you.

I wouldn't want
anyone with me

who had to be
talked into it.

In that case you're likely
to be the only man

in that posse,

'cause there's a lot more
to the Torrey g*ng

than the three
that hit town.

Louisa, you go on
ahead to Laramie.

I'll get a horse
from Harper here

and do a little scouting
around before I go in.

Looks like
a good mount.He'll do.

I'd like
to give you something

for the mileage
I'll be putting on him.

No problem.

Just don't ride him in any holes
you can't get out of.

Let's strip down
this stage team, Ben,

before they stiffen
up on us.

What do you think
I was doing,

going to use this
curry comb on myself?

[ Jess laughs ]

Whoa!

Mrs. Byrd,
what's wrong?

Let me have
a fresh team, Jess.

Chet has been shot, I got
to get him to the doctor.

Ben, bring up
a fresh team, quick!

How did it happen,
Mrs. Byrd?

Well, some men rode in
this morning.

They were three
of them, I think.

One of them
had a horse gone lame.

They started to help themselves
to Chet's best roping horse.

You know how he feels
about that mare.

Well, he went out to
the barn to talk to them,

I was watching
from the kitchen window.

He didn't have a chance
to say anything

before one of them
shot him.

They were
three of them, you say?

That's right.

They come
through here?

No, but I heard
they were in Laramie.

Here, maybe Chet
could use some water.

Your husband is dead,
ma'am.

Oh, no.

[ sobbing ]

We won't
need them now, Ben.

Oh, no.

See what you can do
for her, huh?

Where are you going?

I'm going to town.

[ sobbing ]

You suppose
anybody in this town

reads that bulletin
board out there?

Sure, marshal,
everybody reads it.

What time did you call
the meeting for?



Well, you got
more than an hour.

They'll be here.

Another drink?

Might as well.

You're the new marshal,
huh?

That's right.
Buy you a drink?

That's a nice
new badge,

I guess you just
bought it, huh?

Oh, it's an old one
of Cole Blanton's,

all I did was
shine it up.

It's gonna take more than
that to fill his place.

I know that but...

well, I have to
start somewhere.

Yeah, well, you picked
the wrong spot

'cause Blanton was gonna
make me his deputy

until you showed up.

Oh, I see.

Well, in your place, I guess
I'd feel the same way.

Uh, I'll tell you what,

I could use a few deputies
right about now

if you're good
with a g*n.

First you take my job
and now you to tell me

you want to hire me,
huh?

You eastern fellows move
mighty fast, don't you?

I'm sorry you feel
that way about it.

Yeah, well, you're
gonna be a lot sorrier.

[ groans ]

You sure would be within
your rights to lock him up.

Well, there wouldn't be
much use in that.

Look at his clothes,
he probably

hasn't had a square meal
in a week.

Yeah, he's been down
on his luck, all right,

but what does
that matter?

Figure it this way...

I've been down on my luck
a couple of times too.

Here, take him across
the street and fix him up, huh?

Come on.

Didn't expect to see you
around again so soon, Harper.

Yeah.

You here
on business or pleasure?

Business,
your kind.

What made
you change your mind?

A neighbor woman.

Torrey boys
just made her a widow.

And now you want to
help round them up?

That's right.

I sent word around
about getting up a posse.

We're meeting
inside in an hour.

I'll be there.

All right,
that's the set-up.

The rest won't matter
till we catch up with them.

Now who's riding with me?

You expect us to go up
against Wes and Al Torrey,

take on
the whole outfit,

when they've been
running circles around

practically every lawman
in the territory.

A United States marshal's
been k*lled

on a Laramie Street,

and a local rancher
known to every one of you

has been gunned down within
sight of his own front door.

Now doesn't that mean
anything to you?

Blanton got himself k*lled
doing what he was paid for.

It's tough, I know,
but that's the way
those things are.

And none of us getting shot's
gonna bring back

Mrs. Byrd's
husband neither.

That the way
the rest of you feel?

You going along
on this job, Jess?

That's right.

Well, I guess I might
as well join up too.

Besides, I need
some fresh air.

This place is beginning
to smell pretty bad.

You're drunk,
Charley.

Sure, I am,

you don't think
I'd do this if I was sober.

I'll be all right,
marshal,

as soon as you get me
on the horse.

Come on,
Sam,

one of those sidewinders
cleaned your place out
the other night.

Remember
what you said you'd do

if you got your hands
on them?

I'll tell you
something, Foley,

you leave a sidewinder alone,
he'll leave you alone.

And you
mess with him,

you deserve
what happens to you.

Looks like this is all
the help we're gonna get.

I don't like this.

They're making it too easy
for us to follow.

I'll take any breaks
they want to hand out.

Anything this easy
doesn't make sense.

Looks like smoke coming
from that draw.

It might be
a campfire.

How long will it take you
to make your way

to the top
of that ridge?



Try for 10.

Take Charley with you
and block off their retreat.

I'll move in on foot
and flush them
out of there.

We're a mighty
small group,

splitting up like that's
gonna spread us kind of thin.

Can't worry about
that now, Jess.

We'll make a move
in 10 minutes.

All right.

I'll take a look.

Something's wrong.

You stay here, I'm gonna see
if I can stop Clark.

It's been
more than 10 minutes,

and I don't feel
so good.

Well, that makes
two of us.

You stay put, if I'm right
you'll be safe enough.

[ g*nshots ]

JESS: Just don't ride him
in any holes

you can't get out of.

MAN: Blanton got himself k*lled
doing what he was paid for.

It's tough, I know,

but that's the way
those things are.

JESS: 'Cause there's
a lot more to the Torrey g*ng

than the three
that hit town.

[ g*nshots ]

Marshal!

Good rabbit hunt,
one out there
with long legs.

I'm gonna
go after him.

Come on,
let's get out of here.

You ever
break and run?

No.

But that doesn't mean
I never will.

I sure wouldn't rule
it out, that's a fact.

Oh, stop it,
Jess.

Strop trying to alibi for me,
it only makes it worse.

You got to have
a yellow streak

and find it out before
you know how it feels.

I don't want
your sympathy.

I'd like it better if you said
what you really think

about a man
who runs scared

first time somebody
cuts down on him good.

Depends a lot
on what a man does
the second time.

Why would that be
any different?

The way I see it,
there's a time when
anybody can be afraid.

If it's the first time
a man has to decide

between living
and dying,

I kind of respect the fellow
who's honest enough

to admit he wants
to go on living.

What about
that second time?

If a man's really yellow
he doesn't have to worry

about the second time,

'cause he knows he'll
never go that route again.

All right, Jess.

And I'm telling you
all I know about it.

I'm yellow.

There's not gonna be
any second time for me.

That's kind of hard
to believe, marshal.

'Cause if you were
really yellow,

this wouldn't
bother you so much.

Besides according
to that bulletin board

across the street,
you k*lled Al Torrey

in a running gunfight.

I did all the running,
you did all the fighting.

You were the one who--

Who told the paper
a yarn like that?

I did.

You didn't think
for one minute

I'd let
that story stand.

Jess, I may be
a poor excuse for a man,

but I'm not ready to resign
from the human race yet.

Nobody is asking you to.

You figure I ought
to feel like a big hero

walking around town
everybody believing

I k*lled Al Torrey.

In the first place,

Charley Wilkes would make
sure they all knew better.

In the first place,
old Charley was too busy

running to know
what you did.

But I know,

and I don't want any part
of trading on your nerves,

is that clear to you?

No.Why isn't it?

Because this town
has to respect and follow

the man
with the badge!

Right now,
that's you.

Not anymore.

I have taken it off,

I'm through.

Wes Torrey might
not see it that way.

How do you mean?

First they ambushed
Blanton,

then they leave an easy trail
and they ambush us.

They must figure this town
is pretty disorganized

and defenseless
right now.

They could just about wipe us
out the way it stands now.

That's why you got
to put on that badge,

go out on that street
and start giving orders!

I can't, Jess.

What you said about
no second time

for a man with a real
yellow streak?

I'm not going that route
again and I know it.

Somebody has to!

All right,
you deputized me,

I'll see
what I can do.

But if you
change your mind,

I'll be in the corner room
three doors up the hall.

One man with a r*fle
can watch

most of the main street
from there.

I sure could use
some help.

I heard it,

not that I wanted to,
Vern.

I wish these walls
were a foot thick.

I told you
I was a coward.

You think I'd lie
about a thing like that?

I ran because
that's all I could do.

All I could think of
was to run!

[ bell tolling ]

It's him.

He's out there
doing your job.

Let him if that's what
he wants to do.

What do you
want to do?

Hide?

Isn't there anything
I can say?

Louisa, will you stop
riding me?

What am I supposed
to do, Vern?

Let you alone?

Pretend
it never happened?

Sure, the Torrey g*ng
is tough

but they've got
to come after us.

They've got to ride right down
the middle of that street,

and when they do,
we'll be ready for them.

Now all that matters is
how many of you are with me.

This is about the craziest
thing I ever heard.

Blanton, Foley
and Sam Walters

tried to fight the Torreys
and they're all dead.

If we'd left
the g*ng alone,

they wouldn't have
bothered us again.

He the g*n-slinging
marshal that k*lled Al Torrey?

No,
that's Jess Harper.

Where is Marshal Clark, Jess?

Don't worry about
the marshal, he'll be here.

Now how many of you
men are with us?

Well, I don't know
about the rest of you,

but I'm going home
and locking my door.

And if Wes Torrey comes
to town looking for the men

that k*lled his brother,
I don't want any part of it,

and nobody's
dragging me into it!

Nobody here is gonna
drag you anyplace.

The Torrey brothers will do that
if they take over this town.

Now I'm talking to
the men in the crowd,

the rest of you can go on home
and hide under your beds!

What are you doing here?

I figured you'd be halfway
out of town by now.

Yeah, I'm kind of
surprised myself.

What do you want?

Well, I've been thinking,
I should have been there today.

If I was, maybe Sam and Foley
could have got away.

You said you needed
some help.

All right, I'm here.

Charley?

Well, I did a pretty
fair piece of running today

but I didn't do any fighting.

Sure you want to take another
chance with me, Jess?

Yeah, I'm sure, Charley.

Thanks.
Now what do you
want us to do?

First off let's get
some of them wagons

and try and block off
part of the street.

If it looks like
we're ready for a fight,

they just might not
want to start one.

Let's get another.

You ready?

Louisa, I made up my mind.

I'm gonna try Jess's way.

I've thought it all out.

He's right, I think if I was
just a coward running away,

it wouldn't bother me,
it'd be natural.

Anyway,
I've got to find out.

I thought
you'd like to know.

Honey, are you asleep?

Louisa, answer me.

What are you
doing here, Louisa?

LOUISA: Waiting for you, Jess.

Come in a minute, won't you?

Is something wrong?

That depends.
What do you want?

Well, I can't stay
with a man I don't respect,

even if he is my husband.

I just heard a door
close down the hall.

You wouldn't by any chance
be trying to make

your husband jealous,
would you?

There's nothing
I'd like more.

Why, anything is better
than the way he feels now.

Only, how do you reach
a man who's lost his nerve?

He may not have lost
as much as you think

and if he knows
I'm in here with you,

we're both liable
to find that out.

All right, mount up.
We're going in to get them.

I don't like it, Wes.

Now who asked you?

Nobody but I got
a right to talk.

And I say that riding
into a town in broad daylight

when they know you're coming,

well, that's like
asking for a b*llet.

Al would've never
done it this way.

You heard what More said,

nobody much is gonna
stand in our way.

Or do you want them
to spell it out?

Well, there's a couple
of cowpokes

and the town drunk talking
a lot about fighting,

nothing to worry about.

That's good enough for me.

Now we're going to go into
that town and clean it out.

And I'm going to nail me
that marshal that k*lled Al.

Now let's go.Hold it, Wes.

Now Al was asking
for what he got,

he shouldn't have
rode off alone like that.

This whole thing began
to taste like bad luck to me

when that happened,
and it still does.

Taste any better now?

Anybody else, speak up.

Get on your feet.

I want you riding up front.

Louisa, come here a minute,
something I want you to see.

What's he doing out there?

Probably fixing
to blow my brains out.

But there's nothing--

He doesn't know that.

It's working out just the way
you wanted it to, isn't it?

I had to do something, Jess.

I just couldn't stand seeing
him the way he was,

but I didn't mean to--

Here it comes.

Jess! Jess Harper,
come on out!

Where are you going?

I'm gonna try and talk some
sense to your husband

before he makes this
any worse than it is.

No, he could k*ll you.
I'm the one to talk to him.

That's right, and you'd
probably make it worse.

Now do me a favor
and stay put, will you?

You coming out, Harper?
How long do I have to wait?

You had a lot of fancy
talk for me a while ago.

What's the matter?

Isn't there any left?

I told you to stay put,
now get back.

Don't sh**t, Clark,
you'll hit her.

Get out of the way, Louisa,

I want to show you just
how brave he really is.

There's a stage
coming in, marshal.

Unless you want us to look
like a couple of tanglefoots,

let's call this quits.

You're either going to get
p*stol whipped or shot,

choice is up to you.

Clark!
Look out!

Look out!

Get back, stay away
from the door.

You're lucky you
only got creased.

Don't ever press
your luck like that again.

[ g*nshots ]

There's one behind
the water trough.

I can't get a shot at him.

Maybe I can set
him up for Sloan.

Better move, or we'll be
caught in the crossfire.

Go ahead, I'll try
and keep them busy.

Where's Torrey?

He's behind those boxes,
I think I winged him.

You know, they'll be talking
about our town marshal

for the next 50 years.

Clark, Torrey got away.
He's around here somewhere.

Let's get everybody
off the street.

Right, you folks
better scatter.

I'm pretty sure
Charley winged him,
I don't know how bad though.

Hope we can find him
before dark.

Sloan, get some men.
Have them block off every
road and trail out of town.

Right.

Jess, I'd like to
have you stay with me.

You probably know best where
we ought to start looking.

Let's try up here.

[ dog barking ]

Well, he got this far

before he stopped to
bandage up his wound.

I don't know we'll
trail him from here,

probably stopped
the bleeding.

Town is closed off, so he's got
to be around here somewhere.

We'll start out and search
till we find him.

One thing we got to do is keep
the people off the street,

that way if he does show up
at least we'll know
who we are sh**ting at.

[ hens clucking ]

Charley.

[ horse whinnying ]

It's all right, just a horse
kicking up, come on in.

Any sign of him?

Nothing up here
but hay, marshal.

Could be he's dead
wherever he's holed up.

Yeah, that's possible
but we have covered
every likely place.

It's hard to believe
that he'd be missing.

We'll find Torrey
come daylight.

Why don't you go
back to the hotel?

I don't want to take any
chances on his getting away.

He won't, not if he's alive.

We'll keep looking.

Your wife's waiting
for you, go ahead.

I'm so tired I could go
to sleep standing up.

Then we better keep walking.

Looks like you forgot
something, Louisa.

You forgot to say goodbye.

Vern, those things I said,
I'm so ashamed.

Forgotten.

I hope you'll do
the same for me.

I turned from you
when you needed me most

and then you proved
you didn't need me at all.

No such thing.

I'll always need you,
all my life.

I was so frightened,

I didn't think it was possible
to feel such fear.

I'm still shaking.

I know
the feeling.

Hearing the g*ns,

watching the men die
right in front of me,

I'll never forget it.

Probably not
but you'll get over it.

No.

I'm the coward,
not you.

I'll never
get over it.

You're wrong,
I know,

I have learned
more about fear

in these last
couple of days than...

in all the books
I ever read about it.

One thing
about a day like this,

it beats a man down
pretty good.

About
Jess Harper...

I'll never be able
to face him again.

Jess understands
a lot more about people

than you give him
credit for.

Vern,
look at me.

He didn't touch me.

I just wanted
to make you mad, I...

I thought maybe
that might work.

I'm sorry.

Don't be.
It worked.

Was that the man
you were after?

I don't know.

You stay right here
until I get back, honey,

and better
lock the door.

Get Clark!

Come on,
marshal.

Don't make a sound
or I'll k*ll you.

Now come here.

I said come here.

I want you
to fix this bandage
and I want a good job.

Now tear up
that pillowcase.

Go on.

Don't get any ideas.

What are you doing
about them bandages?

I can't.Well,
then cut them.

You got shears
haven't you?

You're learning quick.

Packing up, huh?
Maybe I'll take you
with me

when I'm finished
with the marshal.

Then you know
I'm his wife?

You don't think
I've been crawling around

on these rooftops all night
for nothing, do you?

You know, I picked you
special for this.

You've got
enough bandages now,

bring them here.

I'm gonna have to
soak this one off.

Lady,
don't play with me

or you won't be here
when your husband gets back

and you wouldn't
want to miss that.

It will be your last chance
to see him.

Now pick up them
bandages.

We're gonna do
a real good job.

Give me a minute with Louisa
and then we will see

if Torrey
is still in town.

First we'll start by looking
in that stable again.

If he's in there,
I don't see how I missed him.

We all missed him,
come on.

Louisa?

Vern, watch out!

You can have the first shot
if you want, marshal.

Let her go,
Torrey.

Step a little closer,
marshal,

I don't feel very good.

I don't want to miss the man
that k*lled my brother.

No, don't,
please don't, he...

He didn't k*ll
your brother.

Be quite, Louisa.

Yeah, shut up.

All right, now,

if you didn't k*ll him,
who did?

I did!

Whoa, whoa.

Want to water
the horses, Frankie?

Oh, we'll make it in
all right.

All right,
thanks again.

See you.

Hello, Slim.

Hi, Jess.

Welcome home.Thanks.

How was Denver?

It was all right.
What's wrong
with the kitchen?

Nothing, I just got tired
eating inside.

Thought I'd try my hand
at barbeque.

And it looks
just about done.

It looks good.

Anything happen
while I was away?

No,
nothing much.

Kept minding the store
like I promised you.

You sure
nothing happened?

Well, our new marshal
did get himself caught

between a rock
and a hard place,

but that worked out okay.

I stopped of at
the Silver Dollar in Denver,

you know the place?

Yeah, they got
a left-handed banjo player.

That's right.

And he was singing
a new ballad,

you know
what it was about?

Nope.
What?

It was all about
brave marshal Clark

and brave Jess Harper

and how they wiped out
the whole Torrey g*ng.

Now what have you got
to say about that?

Just one thing.

Yeah?

You can't believe
a left-handed banjo player.