04x02 - w*r Hero

[bunniefuu]

The way everybody's acting,
you'd think we's carrying
a million in gold.

Yeah, this is one time
that the brass on board's worth

more than any gold shipment.
I tell you that.

Well, according
to the itinerary, general,

our next stop is
Sherman's relay station,

only another 15 miles.

Fifteen miles!

That's about fourteen
and a half too far.

It's coming, Obie.

Good.

We'll take our time,
wait till they're close.

Hey, they're stopping.

They're making it easy
for us.

Captain, I'll be using
your mount.

You and Sergeant Carruthers
can stay with the coach.

Sir, my orders
are to take you--

Captain, you have
just received your orders.

Yes, sir.

Is there a shortcut
to that next way station?

Yes, sir.

Due east over the ridge.

That's fine.

Now that we don't
have to stop them,

the target for all of us
will be the general.

Hold it.

Now what is that
old bearcat up to?

Father.

Can't you be patient?
It isn't much further.

There are people waiting
for you in Laramie,
important people.

Lucy, I just want
to stretch my legs,

just get the dust
out of my lungs.

Even just be alone for a bit,
I'll be all right.

You don't seem
to realize,

you're not just
a general anymore.

Just a general?
I always thought

that was a pretty
important thing to be.

You're just gonna let him
ride on alone, captain?

You heard
his orders, Harper.

I'm not about
to disobey him.

Well, I got my orders too,
from the stage line.

I'm taking
your horse, sergeant.

You can have my nice
soft seat up on top.

Harper,
take care of him,

he's been under
quite a strain.

I'll do my best,
ma'am.

If your father's gonna be
the next president,

he ought to start thinking
of others instead of himself.

Obie, what do you make
of all that?

I've got no idea.

But it's making our job
a lot simpler.

Bring the horses,
Jason.

Giddy up.

Harper, you heard my orders,
I'm riding alone.

I heard them.

But I'm not
in your army, general.

And I never was.

I was hired
as your escort.

To do my job,
I have to ride with you.

You don't think I can
take care of myself, huh?

I wouldn't know about that.

Somebody seems to think
you need looking after,

so here I am.

Yeah, so I see.

I'm fed up
with talking politics.

I was just riding
to blow the cobwebs out.

As far as I know,
we got nothing

to talk about, sir.

Well, I'm glad to hear that.

That makes you just
about the only man
in the whole country

that doesn't want
to tell me something.

Let's keep it that way.

Mike's still scouting
for that stage?

Yes, and I'm afraid
he'll break his neck doing it.

Well, I suppose
we shouldn't blame him.

'Tisn't every day
we have the next president

of the United States
coming through here.

Now wait a minute,
he's not elected yet.

- He's not even nominated.
- He will be.

Daisy, help me,
will you?

Hmm.
Slim, you knew him.

What kind of a man is he?

Well, when I knew him, Daisy,
he was-- he was hard driving,

he was strict
but he had to be,

and he was a fine officer.

I guess his record
in the w*r proved that.

And he did
a lot to put an end

to the Indian troubles
out here.

Well, isn't all
that in his favor?

Sure, but that still
doesn't mean

he's gonna be
a good president.

Maybe not.

But I like what I've heard
and read of him.

He comes straight to the point
and says what he thinks.

Hey, maybe he could use
a good campaign manager.

I think I'll suggest you
for the job.

Slim.
Aunt Daisy.

It's coming!
It's coming!

I'll get the coffee
ready, Slim.

All right.

The general,
where is he?

Isn't this his coach?

It was until he decided
to leave it.

I wouldn't worry, Lucy.

Your father's
a fine horseman.

He'll probably be
along any minute.

He should have been
here before us.

You know your father,
he probably went off
on some tangent.

That's exactly
what I'm afraid of.

That man Harper,
is he reliable?

Is he with the general?

Do you always answer
one question with another?

That depends on how
it's asked, ma'am.

If Jess Harper
is with General Barton,

I'm sure you have nothing
to worry about.

I'm sure we don't.

Ah, the general
was tired of the coach,

your man Harper
is riding with him.

Perhaps we can wait inside?

Oh, sure.

- I'm Slim Sherman.
- Jeremy Thorne.

This is General
Barton's daughter.

I hope we won't be
putting you to any trouble,

Mr. Sherman.

Won't you come in?

Oh, and that's--

that's an invitation, miss,
not a question.

General.

I used to do this
as a boy, Harper.

Very relaxing.

Gets all the kinks out.

Well, this ain't
the Potomac,

and you're not using
silver dollars.

Eh?

Yeah, I get your point.

I suppose my problems
don't amount

to much alongside
General Washington.

Maybe not, but right now
I figure mine do.

You got problems?

Just one,
getting you to Laramie.

They'll all be waiting,
won't they?

You're not dealing
with troops now, general.

You can't keep
a town waiting.

Besides, your daughter
will be worried.

It's time we ride.

Is that an order?

If that's what it takes
to get you moving,

yes, sir.

You know, another time
and another place,

you'd have
your hands full

telling me
what to do, Mr. Harper.

But right now all I can do is
envy your single-mindedness.

You stay that way.

Take my word for it,

keep your life
simple and straight.

That way, you can get
some sleep at nights.

Thanks for the advice.

You coming?

I'll get the horses.

[ g*nshots ]

Cover our flank, Harper.

Go on, get moving.

Nice sh**ting.

Two of them are hit.

How about you?

Oh, I've been
hurt worse.

Well, we put them
to running, Harper.

I doubt
if they'll be back.

Yeah, at least
not for a while.

I'll take care
of this best I can.

- Here.
- Then we're clearing out.

Um, ow.

I wonder
why an ambush.

The w*r isn't exactly
ancient history, you know.

A lot of people
like to see you dead.

Including you, huh?

w*r ended for me
a long time ago, general.

What are you, Harper?

Republican, Democrat?

I don't pay much attention
to the party.

I'm more interested
in the man.

Oh, then I suppose
you'd think twice
before you voted for me.

I'd think twice before
I voted for anybody.

Got it.

I really think
it's best, Lucy.

It isn't just the people
in Laramie,

we can give them an excuse
for the general being late.

But the men from the party
are a different story.

After all, they traveled
all the way out here
just to meet him.

I'm sure you can handle it,
Mr. Thorne.

Now hold on.
Jess and your father
shouldn't be this late.

If you're going into town,
you ought to get in touch
with the sheriff.

We can organize
a search party.

I don't believe
you understand, Mr. Sherman.

Suppose we do stir up
the sheriff and
the townspeople,

and then we find
the general has been hunting

or fishing
or simply sightseeing.

Now wouldn't that make us
all look a little foolish,

including the general?

She's right, Sherman.

Might be that politics
is a little over your head.

Why don't you let us
worry about it, hmm?

Captain and I will
smooth things over, Lucy.

Thank you, Mr. Thorne.

All right.

Giddy up.

Ha.
Ha.

I don't mean to upset you,
Miss Barton,

but seems your father
just might be in trouble.

My father is one thing,

the general
with the presidency

almost in his hands,
that is quite another.

I see,
so that comes first.

Well, I won't look
for your father,

but you won't mind
if I check on Jess, will you?

Rider coming, general.

You don't think
they're gonna try again?

I'm not waiting
to find out.

Take cover.

Well, you'll never get
a better shot.

No need to.

What's the matter, general?

Don't you recognize
one of your former officers?

I had a lot of them,
Harper.

Yeah, well, this is the one
I told you about.

My partner.

Sherman.

Well... he's put
on a few pounds.

Most of us have.

Over here!

General.
Where in the blazes
have you been?

- Where do you think?
- Hello, Sherman.

We were worried
about you, general.

No use to worry,
I was in capable hands.

What happened?

Oh, we had a little
skirmish a ways back.

Mr. Harper here
acquitted himself

very expertly
in driving them off.

Them?

Yeah, there were three of them,
that's all we know.

General got nicked
in the arm.

I figure Daisy
could patch him up,

so we could go on
into Laramie.

Well, we'll have
to take him.

Mr. Thorne and the captain
took the coach into town,

said they were gonna
smooth things over

with those men
you were supposed to meet.

Yes, Mr. Thorne
would do just that.

He's very good
at oil pouring.

But, Mr. Harper,
I can't say

that I agree
with your diagnosis of my...

little scratch.

This thing could be serious.

Tell me
at this relay station,

can you put up
a few people?

Well, we've got
the extra bedroom,

and there's the bunkhouse.

Fine.

Lucy can have the room,
I'll quarter in the bunkhouse.

That stubborn
old w*r horse.

I pulled him out
of a close scrape

and he moves in
on us.

Not much
we can do about it.

He's just set
against going into town.

I'm glad he was your C.O.
and not mine.

We've already had to cancel
the general's reception

for this afternoon.

Is this a foretaste
of what it's going

to be like to campaign
with him?

You can plan it
for tomorrow noon.

I think I can have him
here by then.

I strongly suggest
that you do that.

You were sent out here
to bring him into Laramie.

Yes, Mr. Thorne.

And what about the speeches
he's been making?

I thought you were going
to write them for him.

I did.

He tore them up.

Did you tell him that attitude
may cost him the nomination?

Yes, many times.

And so did his daughter.

Gentlemen, we may have made
a mistake in the man.

Oh, he's a popular hero,
a name,

but he's too stubborn
for his own good and ours.

There are other men.

Like yourself?

Naturally I have
certain hopes.

Mr. Thorne, I don't quite know
how to stress this,

but your political future
is tied in with the general's.

Without him you're dead.

Bide your time, you'll make
the best running mate

this country ever knew.

Just bring the general around
to the party's views.

That's easy to say.

Well, I think
you can find a way.

Now this is the speech
the general will deliver

tomorrow afternoon
in Laramie.

You'll give it to him,
Mr. Thorne.

And make sure that he agrees
to every word of it.

If he won't,
there is not much point

to either one of you
showing up.

Thorne.

What are you doing
here, Loomis?

You were supposed
to contact me

in Cheyenne,
not Laramie.

We decided to do our work
elsewhere than planned,
Mr. Thorne.

Just in case those plans
included setting us up
for a hanging.

You haven't tried already.

Oh, you might say
we had a practice run.

And the general?

Just a scratch, we think.

Where is he?

- I don't know exactly.
- Is he coming into Laramie?

Eventually, yes.

But it doesn't make
any difference now.

I want the whole thing
called off.

- Called off?
- Here's the rest
of your money.

Paid it in full.
Now just forget the whole
thing, get out of town.

We didn't go into this
just for the money.

I know, that's why
you were picked for the job.

But the general
at this time

has become
very important to us.

Whatever you say,
Mr. Thorne.

Then you're leaving.

What else is there to do?

Good.

Glad I saw you in time.

I think it might be better
if we didn't meet again.

You know something,
Jason?

I'm not at all sure
that Mr. Thorne is acting

in the best interest
of everyone who hired us.

We ain't
for sure leaving,

not after just laying
Quinn in his grave.

This is supposed to be
the final payment.

I just figure
we got an advance.

Don't worry, Jason, I haven't
forgotten my brother,

or that the general k*lled him,
not for a minute.

How's your hand?

Just aching to hold
a r*fle, Obie.

You'll get that chance...
and soon.

Golly, Jess.

General Barton's gonna stay
in our old bunkhouse,

ain't that something?

Yeah, it sure is, Mike.

Next thing you know,
we'll have to have a pass
to get in the barn.

Come on,
give me a hand.

If there's anything
else you need, sir,
just let me know.

Uh, no, Sherman,
don't leave.

Lucy, I'm very tired.

You just don't realize
what's at stake, do you?

Yes, I do.
Just a little bit more than
anybody else around here,

I'm beginning to think.

Then why are you throwing
this chance away?

You seem to be doing
everything you can

to lose the nomination.

Because I--

I'm sorry to drag you
into a family quarrel like this

but this is
a public matter now.

You see, Sherman,
they're trying to get me
to soft-pedal some of my views,

get them to conform
to those of the party.

In short, they want
to turn me into a puppet!

You cannot always have
everything your own way,

at least not at first.

I'm used
to having my own way,

and I'm used to winning,
that's all I know!

Do you think
I should give in,

let them tell me
what to do?

Frankly, sir, I can't see
anyone telling you

what to do
about anything.

Well, maybe you will be
able to after you get

to know my daughter better.

Now, Lucy, I really am tired,
my wound hurts very much,

and I'm planning on sleeping,
do you mind?

Yes, truthfully I do.

But arguing with you
two old army mules

is just too much for me.

I never realized

how unreasonable
Lucy can be at times,

but then I...

I never did really get
a chance to get to know her.

She's just concerned
about you, sir.

I guess
you're right.

Well, Sherman, they used
to call you Slim, didn't they?

Still do, sir.

All right, then, Slim,
my name is George,

not general,
not sir.

George Barton.

I don't know, sir.

I-- I doubt if I could call
you George any easier

than I could call
General Grant Ulysses.

Here, let me
give you a hand.

Yeah, thanks.
You know, I'm sorry

about keeping
your friends waiting today,

but you see, Slim,
I'm playing a game.

I'm trying to find out
just exactly

how badly those politicos
from back east really want me.

Well, you can stay here
as long as you'd like, sir.

Well, thanks, thanks.
I...

I am tired.
I can't sleep!

I haven't had a good night's
sleep for weeks.

That's not like you, sir.

As I recollect,
you were the only one

that could sleep
before a battle.

Yeah, that's right, I could.

But you see...

this is a kind of a battle that
I don't know how to fight.

Well, nobody should have
to tell you about fighting, sir.

Hmm.

I hope you're right.

Thanks for reminding me.

Oh, and, Slim...

keep 'em out of here
for me, will you?

That's an order.

Yes, sir.

Uh?

George.

The general's
getting some rest,

he wants
everybody kept out.

[ horses approaching ]

He won't be getting
much rest, I can tell you.

- General here,
Sherman?
- Inside, resting.

Good.
I've got to see him.

You better make it later.

He's pretty tired.

I'm afraid you
don't understand.

This is urgent.

It'll still have to keep.

I'm just following
his orders.

Are you suggesting
that you try to keep us

out of there
by force?

I will
if I have to.

Captain, you better
straighten this man out

before I do it myself.

You'd better
let him in, Sherman.

Mr. Thorne has been handling
this whole trip.

He's very close
to the general.

Close enough to
call him George?

That's not
very funny, Sherman.

Sergeant,
cover this man.

I don't see anything funny
in two so-called army men

who won't carry out
their commander's orders.

I don't think
you're in a position to argue.

We seem to have you
outnumbered, Sherman.

I'd say the odds
were against you.

Mr. Thorne...

the odds
have just changed.

This is ridiculous,
Sherman.

You've no right
to try to keep me
from seeing the general.

I do as long as he doesn't want
to see you, Mr. Thorne.

And he doesn't,
you or anyone.

Look here, Sherman--

You look, captain!

The general's wounded
and he needs his rest!

Why didn't you tell me this,
sergeant?

I hadn't had much
chance, sir.

Is it bad?

I don't think so, sir.
It's his arm.

He and Harper
were attacked.

Oh, I had no idea.

Under the circumstances, I--

Mr. Thorne.

There's no use
arguing with them.

They don't know what's
important and what isn't.

I think your father's
important,

that's good enough
for me.

I'm pleased to know
he's in such good hands.

Come inside,
Mr. Thorne.

I didn't realize
what had happened, Sherman.

I'm sorry.
Sergeant and I'll see
that he's not disturbed.

Thank you, captain.
We'll take care
of your rig.

Slim...

you might be a big man
with our next president.

I don't think the first lady
will let you anywhere

near the White House.

I wonder if she's gonna try
running the country, too.

Jess, I... I feel sorry
for the old man.

I haven't even been
able to talk to him.

He'd either been asleep
or surrounded by those people

ever since
we got here.

As I told you, Lucy,
it's most important.

It was practically
an ultimatum.

Either he agrees
to this or he's out.

Let me have it.

I'll make him agree to it.

He's got to get
some sense into him.

You're so much
like your father,

you even try
to do things his way.

Forcefully, directly.

Seems to get results.

You're a woman.

You ever thought of trying
another approach?

I agree in the main with what
the party stands for,

except for a few issues
that they're deliberately
sidestepping

on which I'm gonna
back to the full.

Now I want a better
reconstruction program

for the south,
a fair one.

I hold that we need reforms
in our land policies

right here in the west.

We've got to do something
about the Indian situation.

And then finally,
we've got to put a check

on the power of the railroads
and the other big interests.

Now these are the things that
are getting me into hot water.

We've been hurting
a long time of those things.

People want them.

The people, yes,
but some of the other groups

that are backing the party
financially, they don't.

That's why they're putting
the pressure on me.

But you should stand up
and tell the people that!

You're absolutely right.

Thank you, Mrs. Cooper.

It means a great deal
to have someone like you

on my side.

General...

I reckon I was a little
hard-nosed this afternoon.

But I'll tell you this.

If you meant everything
you just said right now,

I might even vote for you.

Well, Harper, with you
and Mrs. Cooper on my side,

I don't see
how I can lose.

MIKE: Me too.

I can't vote
but I can show you

the best fishing holes
around here.

Thank you,
young man.

I am sure that
that's some advice

I'd be very happy
to take.

Nice night out,
general.

Lucy was wondering
if you'd care

to join her
on the porch.

Well, it sounds
like a good idea.

Come on, Slim,
you can help

fill me in
on the local politicians.

Oh, I think Lucy wanted
to talk to you privately.

Yes, I'm sure,

but after having
such a pleasant meal,

I have no desire to spoil
my digestion with an argument.

Come on, Slim.

Well...

Thorne was right
about one thing,

it is a nice evening.

He was right about
some other things, too.

Oh.

I suppose he had
a top-level conference
in town today, hmm?

He did.
And they want you to give
this speech to the people

in Laramie tomorrow,
without changing it.

I don't even
have to look at it.

I know what's in it,
and you know I can't stomach
any part of it.

I expected
you'd react that way,

but remember
it's your decision.

It's not mine.

Hey.
Is that all
you got to say?

I think I've said it
all before.

Too often perhaps.

You want him to compromise,
make deals, is that it?

I only want him to get
what he deserves.

The highest honor
this country has to offer.

I'd give my life
for him.

Your life?

You really want the presidency
for me that much?

Yes, I do, for you.

And for Mother.

She'd want it to.

Yeah.

Yeah, I'm sure
she would.

I haven't given you much,
have I, Lucy?

I've always been proud of you
and I always will be.

Even if I did...
compromise?

Why do you make it sound
like such a dirty word?

Yeah, it's like a bribe.

You take it once,
the next time it's easier.

Pretty soon,
there's no stopping.

If you let this go by,

you will never again
get a chance to do
anything important.

Well, how can you say
that what I'm doing now
isn't important?

Can you compare commanding
a frontier army to the work

you'd be doing
in Washington?

If I help bring
peace to the West,

it's important
to the whole country.

Then you have to do it alone.

I have spent
my whole life

on some dusty,
dirty army posts,

practically cut off
from civilization,

ordering clothes
from a catalogue.

I won't be coming out west
with you again.

I just can't live
this way anymore.

Now wait,
Lucy.

See, I...

I've been so busy, I...

I didn't realize
you didn't have a chance

to live the life

that you'd like to like
any young lady should.

You... you've devoted your life
to me, haven't you, Lucy?

Wasn't that my duty?

Well, I guess in a way
it was but...

and I guess
with your mother gone,

I have neglected my duties
as a father.

All right, Lucy...

I'll do it your way.

It is better,
believe me.

Miss Barton, why don't you try
thinking of him

as your father
instead of a general?

His whole life has added up
to this moment,

and he was ready
to pass it by

just because
he suddenly came down

with an acute case
of ideals.

You could use
some of those yourself.

I saw how you twisted
his insides

to get your own way.

The truth galls you,
doesn't it?

Now if you're gonna start
using your womanly charms,

why don't you try
acting like one?

Instead of some kind of a cold
female commander-in-chief.

Hi!

Shh.

[ hens clucking ]

You may count
on me, Mr. Thorne.

I'll have the general
in town at noon sharp.

Fine, Lucy.
I'll have everything ready.

You're sure the general's
still asleep?

Well, he hasn't stirred.

Sherman's right,
we better not disturb him.

He'll need the rest.

He sure will.

With the general not showing up
in town last night,

maybe your shot
winged him good.

I doubt it.

He's probably
at the relay station.

We still got a chance
to hit him

before he gets into town.

[ wagon approaching ]

Someone coming,
let's get to cover.

Just the man
I wanted to see, Jason.

I don't care
about the driver

but I want
Thorne alive.

[ horses approaching ]

They look like the same
ones that were after
the general.

Get them moving!

[ g*nshots ]

Leave him be.

What are you doing
here, Loomis?

I told you
to clear out.

Where is the general?

No, that's all off now.

Our plans have changed.

Not mine.

Where is he?

The relay station.

Is he coming into town?

Is he coming into town?

Not right away.

He's been resting
in the bunkhouse.

You wounded him,
it's pretty bad.

Not half as bad
as it's gonna be.

Thank you, Mr. Thorne.

You've had this coming
for a long time.

We aren't having
much luck, are we?

No, I guess not,

but just being here
is enough for me.

It is?

I thought
we came here to fish.

Yeah, that's right.

Well, what do you want
to do?

Move on upstream.

All right.

You lead the way,
captain.

- And, general...
- Yeah?

If we move in
a little quieter,

maybe we won't scare
all the fish away.

Well, Mr. Sherman,

you were the one who said
we should let him sleep,
look at this.

The most important
meeting of his life
only a few hours away,

and the general decides
to go fishing.

He must have gone
with the boy.

Have any idea
where they might be?

Could be
a lot of places.

Where's Mike been
going lately?

Well, he's been
having luck up the lake.

He's also been
fishing the stream.

Um, they might be anywhere
where there's water.

With what happened yesterday,
we better start looking.

Yeah, I suppose
you're right, captain.

You and the sergeant take
the west trail to the lake,
I'll take the stream.

I want to go along,
in fact, I insist that I go.

All right, Miss Barton.
I don't have time
to argue with you.

I'll saddle you a horse.

Don't worry, Miss Barton.

Mike will take good care
of the general.

He hardly ever gets lost.

I've seen those men
before, Mike.

They're dangerous,
I tell you what you do.

You head back for the ranch
as fast as you can.

Tell Slim
that I need him.

Tell the captain
and the sergeant too.

I want to capture
those men,

find out why they tried
to k*ll me.

Are they the ones?

Yeah, they sure are.

All right, now you go fast
but do it quietly.

I'll take a shortcut.

Good boy.

I think we're wasting time
riding together.

Why don't I go this way
and you go downstream?

Sure you can take care
of yourself out here?

The daughter
of a cavalry officer?

I think I can manage,
Mr. Sherman.

Slim!

Slim!

Gonna chance moving in
on the way station?

Won't be easy.

Well, we'll give it a try.

All we need's
one lucky shot.

Father.

OBIE:
You're trapped, general.

Throw out your g*n
and then come after it!

Give it up, general!

The girl won't get hurt
if you come out alone.

No, you-- you can't surrender,
you never have, Papa.

Papa?

You never called me
that before, Lucy.

Please, don't give up,
not just for me.

I agreed to do that
last night, didn't I?

I was wrong, Papa.

You are what you
have to be, a fighter.

Thank you, Lucy.

We're on the same side now.

I hope you haven't forgotten
how to take an order.

What are you gonna do?

I'm gonna draw their fire,
and when I do,

you make a run for it
down the river.

You've waited
too long, general.

Is it a deal or not?

Jason.

Get over there
behind that next rock.

[ horse approaching ]

They're flanking us, Obie,
let's get out of here!

We're getting the general.
Forget about the other one.

Drop it.

- All right, Mike,
you be a good boy.
- Yes, sir.

Yeah. Thank you.

You know, folks, I dislike
making speeches all the time,

but I can't leave
without telling you

what these last few days
have meant to Lucy and to me.

We don't exactly know
where we're headed,

but this time, we're going
together, in all honesty,

saying what we believe in
and believe in
what we're saying.

We wouldn't be leaving
without your help.

Matter of fact,

without the help
of Jess and Slim here,

I wouldn't be
headed anyplace.

We all want to wish you
a lot of luck, general.

Thanks.

There are three votes
for you in Laramie
you can always count on.

Three and a half!

We'd better ride,
if we're gonna make

that big welcome they got
planned for you in town.

LUCY: I think they'll wait
for the general, Slim.

Don't rush him.

Now that's the kind of talk
I like to hear.

Come on, Slim.
Let's get going
while I'm still ahead, huh?

Okay, tiger.