01x05 - The Brazen Bell

[bunniefuu]

Here comes the captain!

All right,
lay into it!

Keep workin', there!

Molder?

Turned down?

The warden just got
the word from
the governor.

There isn't much point
in my diggin' today,

if they're gonna
hang me tomorrow.

Captain didn't say
nothin' about that.

You better keep at it.

Sorry.

This is it, Molder.

You said
this would be it.

Yes, Dog, this is it.

When?

Now. Pass the word.

Molder says now.
I don't know.

Molder's got nothin'
to lose anymore,

but some of us are gonna
be k*lled for sure.

Some of us won't.

Yeah, but...
which of us?

You back out now,
you're gonna get
k*lled for sure.

All right.
All right, Dog.

All right.

Ronnie...now.

What's going on?

Throw 'em away, boys.

We're through diggin'.

You know what
this means, men.

Solitary on bread
and water.

We know what it means.

All right.
You asked for it.

Let's march 'em back.

Line up! Close in!

Keep away
from them tools!

Get him!

No sense wasting shells.

He won't get back to
the prison till nightfall.

They'll be lookin' for us
come suppertime anyway.

Molder, me now.

I reckon you fellas
never heard

about a man
called Kipling.

But I'll tell you
what he said.

He said, "He travels faster
who travels alone."

You mean you're gonna
leave us here like this?

No, I'll just take
a little head start.

Molder, take me
with you!

You're gonna need
clothes and money

and things
that take killin'.

You ain't no good
at that. I am.

Stand still!

Give me the keys.

Here they are, boys.

Let's go.

Good idea the mayor had--

this "city limits" sign.

Why?

Otherwise,
people might think
we were just a town.

Daddy, what's
the difference between
a town and a city?

A sign.

Terrible thing--

October, and no teacher
for you kids yet.

Awful.

What's it say,
Mrs. Carter?

Sometimes it's better
not being able to read,
Mr. Torson.

A bunch of convicts
escaped from
a state prison.

"Late dispatches
confirmed rumors

"circulated in
Medicine Bow yesterday

"that 11 convicts escaped
from the state prison
at Laramie

"early Thursday morning,

"led by Dan Molder,
former Casper attorney,

"condemned to the gallows
for the m*rder of his wife.

"Molder's last-ditch
appeal for a reprieve

"had been rejected
by the governor

"just three days
prior the escape,

"which culminated two years
of clever legal maneuvers

in which the attorney
sought a loophole
in the law."

Looks like
he finally found one.

You send
any of them fellas
to jail, Judge?

There weren't any
state prisons in
the territory in my day.

We let 'em cool off
in the nearest jail.

Unless it was
horse stealing or worse...

you couldn't try
those cases in town.

Always someone around
with a rope or a g*n

to find the defendant
guilty

and pass sentence
before it got to court.

Seems to me like things
were a lot better
in those days.

That was two kegs
of roofing nails...

A drum of kerosene
and half a dozen
ax handles.

Make you a good price
on some one-inch rope.

Got a thousand-odd feet
back at the warehouse.

We're all
stocked up. Sorry.

Regular price,
four cents a foot.

Shiloh Ranch is
my biggest customer.

I'll let you fellas
have it for three cents
a foot,

if you take the lot.

Can't use any more
right now, Mr. Lemmiker.

Tell you the truth,
all I want for myself

is 2 1/2 cents.

You can keep the other
half-cent as a commission.

I'm not a rope salesman.
I'm a ranch foreman.

No offense intended.
They all do it.

A thousand feet
at half a cent a foot

adds up to five shiny
silver dollars
for your pocket.

Also adds up to
cheatin' Judge Garth,
don't it?

Now, hold on. He's still
gettin' a bargain at
three cents a foot.

You're askin'
the wrong man,
Mr. Lemmiker.

The Virginian's
got scruples.

What's "scruples", Pa?

I hope you're not
askin' the wrong
man, son.

Get on with your work.

You all that honest,
or you just holding out

for more than
half a cent a foot?

I don't know. I think
the Virginian's smart.

Maybe Judge Garth put
Lemmiker up to it...

to test him.

I just don't like
to do my thieving

in the presence
of witnesses.

My mother always said--
"Big ears, big mouth."

Steve, you're
all the time wondering

about
the Virginian's past.

You just learned
something mighty important.

What?

He had a mother.

Morning, Molly.
Morning, Judge.

Is this what you people
call a scoop?

Hardly. The rumor
was hit two days ago.

And it's still
drawing a crowd.

They make me sick.

Bloodshed is the only
thing that gets a rise
out of my readers.

Think we'll ever get
civilized out here?

Oh, I don't know.
A few years back,

this story wouldn't have
raised an eyebrow.

Now it's something
to shout about.

Nevertheless,
I still wish they had
wider interests.

Here come
three citizens who do.

They're not interested
in looking at the paper.

Just the publisher.

We're ready
to roll, Judge.

Morning.
Morning.

Morning.

I suppose Betsy
wants to ride back
to Shiloh with you.

Yes, sir. She's still
over at the store

trying to talk Lemmiker
into stocking up on some
diamond engagement rings.

I think it's shameful
the way you lead
that child on.

How do you
put up with it, Judge?

Doesn't strike me
as being any more
shameful

than the way you lead
these fellas on.

Yeah.

The Judge is right,
Miss Molly.

When are you gonna
choose between us?

Mr. Trampas,
talk is cheap,

and I haven't heard
any mention

of a diamond
engagement ring, either.

Judge, can you spare
your foreman for
two or three days?

Why?

I'd be obliged

if you'd get sworn in
to fill in for me here.

Me and my deputies
have been ordered south

with more than
a hundred other lawmen.

We're gonna
bottle up the trails and
head off those convicts.

What convicts?
Read all about it.

I'd feel
better knowing I left
a good man in charge.

I reckon Shiloh can do
without the Virginian
for a few days.

I don't know, Judge.

Thanks, Judge.
It's Saturday,

and things have a way
of gettin' out of hand
Saturday nights.

In the newspaper business,
that's what we call
an understatement.

No offense, Judge,
but your Shiloh cowpokes--

Well, I figure their foreman
would be the best man

to keep a lid on 'em.

Wait a minute, now.

Saturday night in town
is the only night we got

where he doesn't
ride herd on us.

I get
any deputies?

Anyone you want.
Pays a dollar a day.

I'll take these two.

Why us?

I figure you boys will be
the biggest troublemakers
in town tonight.

Who, us?

I think the Virginian
shows a real flare
for crime prevention.

Molly, I think
you'd better come
out to Shiloh

for dinner tonight.

Wouldn't want you boys
distracted

from your official
duties here.

Thank you, Judge.

Frankly, I wouldn't
feel safe in town.

Miss Molly, you'd be
as safe in town tonight

as my own mother.

Miss Molly,
you just learned

a piece of
valuable information
about the Virginian.

What?

He's got a mother.

Come on, I'm buyin'.

We took an oath today,
remember?

I got sworn in
to something,

but I didn't
swear off anything.

How many of these
boys are wearin'
their Colts?

With those convicts
on the loose,
I don't blame 'em.

Wait a minute.
You start takin'
a man's g*n away from him,

you're askin'
for trouble.

I didn't say anything
about taking 'em away.

See how many of
these boys you can get

to hand over their
hardware peaceably.

I'll make the rounds.

- Wait a minute--
- Trampas.

Heard about you being
the law here tonight.

Now, you wouldn't
arrest me, would you,
Trampas?

Not if you behave.

I'll see you in jail.

You know...I think
I'd better stick around

and give Steve a hand.

You're goin' down
to the depot.

Gotta be a deputy
on hand when the train
comes through.

Come on.

Careful
crossin' the tracks.

You're supposed to be
on your feet when we
take off the mail.

What for?
To protect it.

The heck with it.

No one's writin' me.

Turn up your collar.
It's chilly.

Doesn't look very
promising, Sarah,
does it?

Beggars
can't be choosers.

A friend from Casper
said they were quite
desperate here.

I can well believe it.

It seems so unfair
to you, Sarah--

wilderness like this.

I'm your wife, Arthur.

Young man?

You!

Will you see
to our trunk?

We--We beg your pardon.

We didn't know.

He's some sort of
police officer.

Are there
any porters here?

Porters?

Someone to see
to our baggage.

Uh, no, ma'am. No.

We have a trunk
in the baggage car.
It's quite heavy.

Perhaps you'd be
good enough to
help us with it.

Heh. A dime.

I'm sorry, ma'am.
I'm not allowed
to take bribes.

Kind of layin' down
on the job, aren't you,
Deputy?

I had my arms
full of Colts.

Who was it?

Circle J boys.

Excuse me, folks.

You can't just
leave us standing here.

I think there's going
to be some kind of
trouble, Sarah.

We'd better move on.

Arthur, you'll
injure yourself.

Young man!

You are to take us
to a hotel.

Well, there it is, ma'am.

It's the only hotel
in town.

I thought you was with me!

Trampas!

Who's your lady friend?

Are there no
responsible citizens
in this town?

Not on a Saturday
night, lady.

Mr. Lilley and I
couldn't possibly stay
at a place like that.

In that case,

I recommend
Shiloh Ranch.

It's a fine old
boarding house

about 15 miles
out of town.

They don't have--

I'll be glad to
drive you out there myself

in the sheriff's rig.

Old Judge Garth
will make it comfortable
for you at Shiloh.

And the rates
are mighty reasonable.

Uh, right over there.

Very well.

Will you bring our
baggage along, please?

What do you want to
tell them a thing
like that for?

I wish I'd brought
a magazine along

to show you the pictures.

They're called kiss-curls,

and they go all the way
around to--

Oh, I'm sorry.

No, go right ahead.
My main reason in
asking you here

is to expose Betsy
to the female influence,

which, unfortunately,
has--

Daddy! What a perfectly
awful thing to say.

You're supposed to tell Molly
you're glad she's here

because she's
beautiful and charming
and things like that.

Oh? Well, that just
proves my point.

I don't know how
to talk to a girl.

Neither does anyone else
around here.

The Virginian does.

I'd like to see him
help you with those--
those--

Kiss-curls.

Ki--There are just
some words

that don't fit
into a man's mouth.

Maybe it's
the escaped convicts.

Excuse me.

At least it's clean.

And quiet.

Good evening.
We'd like to see
your accommodations.

My what?

We wish to arrange
for room and board
here temporarily.

Temporarily?

Are you Judge Garth?

Yes.

This is Shiloh Ranch?
You are the proprietor?

I am the proprietor.

We were told that
you could put us up.

Just who are you?

I don't think
I like your tone.

Well, I know
I don't like yours.

Whoever you are
or wherever you're from,

out here we knock before
we enter a man's home.

This is not
a public house?

This is not.

This is--or was,
until you came in--

a very private one.

Sarah, I--

I feel we are
the victims of
a practical joke.

We understood lodgings
were available here.

We are sorry
to have troubled you.
Come on.

Just a minute.

Who sent you?

One of the hooligans
in town.

A deputy sheriff,
judging from his badge.

I believe he was called,
uh...Trampas.

Oh.

Well, I regret this.
Perhaps--

You needn't waste
your sympathy on us.

We may appear ridiculous
at the moment,

thanks to your perverted
local sense of humor.

Though I must say
it is well-suited

to the uncouth,
uncivilized behavior
we've witnessed here.

Sarah, this gentleman
had nothing to do--

My husband happens to be
a very distinguished man.

We came to your town
because we had heard
he was needed.

But it's quite apparent
his services will not
be appreciated here.

Services? Are you
a minister of the Gospel, sir?

Mr. Lilley is a teacher.

He was, until recently,
headmaster of
Chrichton Hall,

the finest preparatory
school in Vermont.

He holds degrees
from Oxford and Harvard.

Oxford is a university
in England,

and Harvard is
a university in Boston.

A teacher!

Well...Mister, uh,
Lilley, is it?

You are
most welcome here.

Make no mistake
about that.

Ha ha!

They still won't
get us far,

but they're better
than walking.

At least we get
out of these stripes.

Of course, Mr. Lilley,
you understand

I have no official position
in the community.

Which means that
when the Judge wants
something done,

it gets done.

I'll say.

I think the town
will approve of you,
Mr. Lilley.

And when you've met
some of the more
respectable citizens

at church
tomorrow morning,

I think you will
approve of the town.

But if they'd been
content to go so long
without opening a school--

Oh, no, we haven't
been content, Mrs. Lilley.

We've had no alternative.
We began looking for
another teacher

the moment
the last one left.

But education
for minors

is compulsory
in this state,
is it not?

Yes, but people here
are also hard to compel.

Many children
help support the family.

However, I can assure you
you'll have a classroom,

and you'll be able to make
some extra money on the side
with private tutoring.

I can use a little
education myself.

Oh, my dear sir,

you flatter me.

After all, your own
degree in law--

No, you flatter me,
Mr. Lilley.

I have no degree,
no formal education.

Then your title--

Oh, I was a judge,
all right.

And I did preside
in a courtroom.

But in my day,
a knowledge of law

wasn't as important
as a sense of justice.

Looks like he's more
my size than he is yours.

He's got
a couple of things
fit me just fine.

You're a smart man,
Molder.

I learned a lot
from you.

Especially about
traveling fastest

when you travel alone.

Not me, Dog. Kipling.

You going to k*ll me?

That's right.

Then you'll be needing
this map.

A lot of towns
to go through before
you get to Canada.

Burnville, Larsen...

Medicine Bow.

You don't need me, Dog.

You got it all
figured out by now.

How to get through
those towns, that is.

Presuming you find 'em.

I've been guiding us north
by the stars, Dog.

I guess you picked up
that little trick by now.

I don't think you're
gonna k*ll me, Dog.

I don't think I have to
worry about that at all.

Till we get to Canada.

Chrichton Hall--
it burned down?

It was in the telegraph
dispatches a few months ago.

Several students
were k*lled.

That was Chrichton Hall,
wasn't it?

Yes, Miss Wood.
That was Chrichton Hall.

We've come out west
to forget it.

Oh, I am sorry.

In the newspaper office,
we call everything a story.

We sometimes forget
they're not stories at all,

but real events that
happened to real people.

I'm sure.

If you will
excuse us, Judge,
we'll take advantage

of the hospitality
you offered.

It's been a very
long day for us.

Of course. Betsy, will you
show Mr. and Mrs. Lilley

to the guest room?

Your Honor, I--

I think I'd better be
getting back to town.

I'll have one of
the hands ride with you.

You weren't
much help, you know.

I'm sorry.

You're very anxious
for Mr. Lilley to
stay on, aren't you?

I've always maintained
I was gonna send Betsy
east to school,

that she could get
a good education
right here in Wyoming.

Mr. Lilley seems to be
just the man for the job.

Yes, but Mr. Lilley won't
only be Betsy's teacher.

He'll be the whole
town's teacher.

Haven't your editorials
been deploring
the lack of one

for some time?

You know,
it's hard to follow
a woman's reasoning.

You're forever digging
your spur into my
social conscience.

And the minute I get
public-spirited,

you haul back
on the reins.

Well, it's just that
I'm not sure about
Mr. Lilley, is all.

I take back
what I said

about it being hard
to follow a woman's
reasoning.

It's easy if you just
remember it's a woman.

The trouble with you
is you're judging
Mr. Lilley as a man,

not a teacher.

You win.

But then, tell me--
what do you think
of Mrs. Lilley?

She's isn't gonna be
the teacher--he is.

Wha--
Evening, Miss Molly.

Evening, Judge.

Well, what are you
doing here?

Orders from the Virginian.

I'm going to see Miss Molly
back to town.

The Virginian asked you
to come for me?

Well, not exactly
in those words--no, ma'am.

He just said I was to
lend the arm of the law

to anyone who looked
like they needed it.

And I figure a pretty woman
riding home at this time
of the night needs it.

What, with escaped
convicts and all.

Just you be sure
I don't have to rassle

with the arm of the law
on the way.

And another thing.
Yes, sir?

That'll be $5
deducted from your salary
at the end of this month.

What for?

One night's accommodations
for your guests...

here at the boarding house.

Good night, Molly.

Good night, Judge.

Arthur Lilley--
doing the work
of a janitor.

Well, we shall have to
teach the parents

to send their children
to school on time...

without any summons
from me.

Judging from the parents
we met yesterday,

that seems
highly unlikely.

Don't think
about it, Arthur.

Sarah, I think
it might be wise

if we were to
tell these people

why I really left
Chrichton Hall.

You saw their faces
in church yesterday.

Do they look like
the kind of people
who would understand

the motives
of a man like you?

Cowardice is not hard
to understand.

Self-preservation.

Well, brought you
your first pupil.

Good morning.

Not under duress,
I hope.

Oh. No, this is
just a little
housewarming gift.

Very thoughtful
of you, I'm sure.

But what that place
really needs are
the bare essentials

of civilized
housekeeping.

Mrs. Lilley, the people
that you met yesterday

have organized
a collection drive.

I'm sure you'll both
be quite comfortable
in a day or two.

Hey, Wilma!

Excuse me.

Well, they seem to be
showing up for it.

And excuse me, too,
please.

I have some books
in the house

which I think
may be useful

until I can determine
what the town should order.

You go ahead.
Molly and I will help
corral them for you.

Thank you.

There's one of the reasons
I felt it'd be a good idea

for you to come out
and introduce Mr. Lilley
to his class.

Aw, cut it out!
Come on!

Maybe we'll have
a talk with young Luke.

Oh. Excuse me.
Be right back.

Hey, Luke,
cut it out!

Ha ha!

Luke.

Luke!

I want
to talk to you.

Come in.

Oh. Excuse me,
Mr. Lilley.

Just thought
I'd leave this here.

Judge...

I've never even
touched a g*n.

No? I'll send
one of my hands down

to show you
how to use it.

I would prefer
not to learn,
if you don't mind.

Well, Mr. Lilley,
I don't want to be
an alarmist,

but a g*n in the house
is still basic
in these parts.

You know, mountain lion,
bear, rattlers.

Escaped convicts?
Oh.

Mrs. Lilley,
I assure you--

We've heard the talk,
Judge.

We really appreciate
your thoughtfulness,

but I could never bring
myself to use a g*n
in any extremity.

I can't even
bear the sight of one.

Well...

suppose we put it
out of sight.

Then, in case
you need it...

it'll be here.

And remember, Luke,
we've had a hard time

getting a teacher
this year.

So I want you
to sit quietly

and to listen
to Mr. Lilley.

Yes, Miss Wood.
Heh heh!

Well, what did he
have to say?

I did all the talking.

I told him the trouble
he gave the last teacher

was not to be tolerated
this time.

Good.

And I warmed him
this teacher was a man

instead of a woman.

Considering how
you feel about Mr. Lilley,

that was a bold bluff.

Well, let's hope
Luke doesn't call it.

Your Honor, I think
it'd be a good idea

if you preceded Daniel
into the lion's den.

Hey!

The old courtroom look
I haven't used in years.

Never fails.

Amazing.

My, they seem
a well-behaved lot.

Good morning, children.

Good morning, teacher.

I am Mr. Lilley,

your new teacher.

And together,
we are going to learn.

I wonder who's gonna
learn the most--

the class
or the teacher.

Everything's
under control.

No reason why it can't
stay that way.

No reason at all...
except that you left.

Now, as we determine
the proficiency
of each student

at reading and writing--

that is to say,
when I'm able to find out

how well each one of you
can read and write--

I don't think I have
your full attention.

Uhh!

Aaah!

Shut up.

Shut up, all of you!

Don't touch it.

It's only a water snake,
Mr. Lilley.

Hey, that's my snake!

Well,
I'm throwing it out.

You?

You put that
in my chair?

You...insolent,
stupid--

What did you say?

What did you say?

Aah!

Is it terribly
painful?

No.

You can't go back
to that class.

I have to.

I'll talk
to Judge Garth.

If he was eager
for you to stay on her,

he must protect you.

I can't ask him to sit
in the classroom with me.

Well, I can.
Sarah, please--

Who are you?

My name is Lilley.
This is my wife.

We know who you are.
We mean you no harm.

Yeah.

My husband is only
the schoolteacher.

Schoolteacher, eh?

Who's in the school?
Nobody.

I asked him.

The children
have all gone home.

When do they come back?

Not until
I ring the bell.

Ain't a g*n
in the place, Molder.

What kind of
a hole is this?

There ain't
nothin' here--

no grub, no coffee,
no whiskey.

Where do you got
everything?

We've only
just moved in.

We haven't had
a chance to--

Relax, Dog.

We're going to get
everything we want.

Delivered right here
to the door.

How are we gonna
do that?

We're going
to ring a bell.

How are things going?

Just fine.

My husband will do
whatever you ask.

You have nothing
to fear from him.

Before we make
our next move,

let's get a couple
of things straight.

Dog...what do you think
is going to happen

when this town finds out
we've got their children?

They're gonna
bust wide open.

Exactly what we don't
want them to do.

We want them helpful.

They'll be helpful.
They got no choice.

When their kids
get hurt,

people don't stop
and think.

If there's anything
we learned in prison,

we ought to have learned
that when men have
nothing to lose,

they go wild.

It's only when a man
has a great deal to lose

that he can be
dealt with.

That's why we've got
to be careful

not to push
this town too far.

Just far enough.

Sure, Molder.
Anything you say.

You got me this far.
All the rest got caught.

Anything you say goes.

And when we get
to the school,

hands off those kids.

If just one of those kids
yells for his ma or pa,

it'll stampede
every ma and pa in town.

Then, no matter how many
of them get hurt,

we're finished.

We'll send our schoolmarm
into town,

have him tell the folks
just how nice we're
treatin' their brats.

And the folks in town
are gonna do everything
they can

to be just as nice to us.

They're inside now.

All of them.

Don't cry, Mary Ann.
They won't hurt us.

And after they
let us go, my father
and the Virginian

will put 'em
back in jail.

Who's the Virginian?

He's the foreman
for my father.

And he's the sheriff
while our regular
sheriff is away.

And who is your father?

Judge Garth.

A judge, eh?

All right!

We don't need
all of you anyway.

You can go home.

You, too.
You two over there.

You two kids go.
You, over there, go on.

You in the green, go on.

You there, fella, go on.

The fellas in the back.

Both of you fellas on
the other side over there.

Go on.

Not you.

You stay put.

The rest of you,
get over there.

And keep your mouths shut.

You tell that town
they've got two hours

to deliver
these supplies.

And I want you back
right away with
the food, understand?

Yes.

Keep your eye
on those kids, Dog.

In case anybody from town
gets within g*n range
of here...

you know what to do.

And, uh...

we'll be waiting for you.

Me, Dog, the children...

and your wife.

You stood there,
ringin' the bell
for our kids,

knowin' those K*llers
was waitin' for them?

I'm sorry.

When I go back,
I'll do anything you want.

I would've gone back
last time.

Only they
wouldn't let me.

Last time, Mr. Lilley?

At Chrichton Hall.

It wasn't much
of a fire at first.

But...

I ran.

And because I ran,
there was a panic.

And some of my children
didn't get out.

And you turned
our children over
to this--

Mrs. Barnes,
they have the Judge's
daughter, too.

Excuse me.

But if you give
these men what
they ask for,

I'm sure they'll let
the children go.

You're sure.

They let the smaller
ones go, didn't they?

Mr. Lilley,
smaller children
don't travel well.

They asked for
four horses, not two.

They take my boy, Lilley,
I'm going to k*ll you.

Is that r*fle still
behind that sofa?

Yes, sir.

They asked your wife
to cook for 'em?

I'm supposed to bring
the food back now.

Steve...

take Mr. Lilley to
the sheriff's office.

He's to teach him
to use a Winchester
at close range.

You go on and get
this food for 'em.

Mr. Lilley?

You got us
into this, Judge.

I'm not so sure
I'm willing to
see you get us out.

Your own cowpokes
have to take orders
from you. We don't.

I've got a plan,
Mr. Barnes.

If you've got a plan,
I'll listen to you.

Can't you understand?
Mr. Lilley is
the only man

who can get back inside
that schoolhouse.

My husband and I will
go along with you, Judge.

Mrs. Lilley can get
that g*n inside
the schoolroom.

And we'll be waiting
down by the house.

When Mr. Lilley
starts sh**ting,
we'll make our move.

We're gonna be
risking our lives on
a coward's g*n

We'll be risking our lives
to save our children.

Isn't this what we've
condemned Mr. Lilley
for not doing?

Where are you going?

There's an apple tree
out there. I'm hungry.

And while you're out there
pickin' off apples,

somebody's just liable
to pick you off.

Not as long as you're
in here with the kids.

Might even be
somebody out there

that's dumber
than you are...
who'd forget that.

Come on. We'll leave
when the schoolmarm
gets back.

Maybe he ain't
comin' back.

He'll be back.

Why should he?
These ain't his kids.

That's his wife,
isn't it?

If she was yours,
would you come back?

He'll be back,
Mrs. Lilley.

Oh, thank you.

Come and sit down.

Don't try that again,
little lady.

You get the idea,
Mr. Lilley?

Well...the idea
is obvious.

But the ability...

All right, let's
try it once more.

Now, I'm Molder.

You grab the g*n,

and you open up
as fast as you can.

Mr. Lilley, you're
not gonna have time
to draw a bead.

You're gonna
have to grab that g*n

and fire from the hip,
just like that.

But with all
the children in the room,

I thought
I had better aim.

You'd better be standing
close enough to Molder,

so you can't hit
anything else but him.

Point blank. Bang!

Except you're
gonna be loaded.

Perhaps I'd better try it
now with a loaded g*n.

You can't do that,
Mr. Lilley.

Molder would hear
the shot, figure
something was up,

and then what?

It's the same thing
when the g*n is loaded.

Except for the noise
and the kick.

And the fact that
it can k*ll a man.

Here's the food
they asked for.

Where is everybody?

They've gone off
to get their g*ns.

I want to go back
to the school
with Mr. Lilley.

What?

Well, they might
let a woman in.

I reckon they would
let you in.
And then what?

Well, I could be
of some help to him,

and of some comfort
to the children.

You're not going.

Now, look, you can't
keep me from covering
a story.

What's happening
up at that school
is news.

Yeah, but that's not why
you want to go up there.

Miss Molly,
if I can keep myself
from going up there,

I can keep you
from going up there,
if I have to lock you up.

He's right, Molly.

I want to thank you
for the second time today.

Second time?

The first time
was out there

for not saying
"I told you so"
about Mr. Lilley.

I don't know now,
Judge.

He could've
simply run away.

But it took
a kind of courage to
face those parents.

I'm counting on his having
a kind of courage.

He can pull a trigger.
Good.

You'll have to
persuade your wife

to take the r*fle
out of the house,
into the school...

under her cape.

You look as though
you had some doubts

about whether he could
pull the trigger or not.

I'm sure he doubts
if I can do it...

when the weapon is
pointed at a human being.

Well, can you,
Mr. Lilley?

I don't know.

Molder won't be
an easy man to
get the drop on.

It's only fair to
warn you that the only
chance you'll have

will be
a fighting chance.

A mighty slim one
at that.

I understand.
The shots I fire

will merely be a signal
for you to attack.

You really don't
expect me to survive.

We'll make our move
as fast as we can.

It's possible
that you may only have
one of them to deal with.

I got this
from Doc Spence.

It's deadly
and very fast.

Get it in
their coffee.

If you're lucky,
you may not have to
use the g*n at all.

Get it cooked
and get it
back here fast.

We'll hurry.

Schoolmarm?

You have any trouble
in town?

Are we getting
what we want?

Yes, they were loading
the wagon when I left.

They told me to
tell you that they'll
do anything you want.

As long as
they're not harmed.

All right, get moving.

Now she's with him.

What's to keep him
from runnin' away?

The whole town,
that's what.

How could they
have let us go?

They're not watching us.
They don't expect us
to leave.

That's right.
Not even they
expect us to leave.

What do you mean?

Start the meal.
We don't have
much time.

I don't want
one of them
coming down here

to see what's
keeping us.

What are you going
to do with that?

I'm going to use it,
with your help.

Have you gone mad?

When we bring
the food in--

Mm-hmm.

I want you to
take off your cape...

thus...

and lay it
on my desk.

So.

They'll k*ll you.

They'll k*ll us both.

Very possibly.

Don't you understand?
We can escape now.

Those children
are hostages.

Arthur, you're a teacher--
a brilliant one.

If you're so concerned
about the children,

what about all
the others who need you?

Is that what you're
concerned about?

I'm only trying
to save you.

I believe that.

You have always
urged me to run away.

A coward needs
to be protected.

What?

This is
a lethal poison.

You understand me?

You want me--

We have no choice,
Sarah.

I am not going to gamble
those children's lives...

to save ours.

Stay put.

You--serve it up.

I wouldn't have
thought that you'd be
interested in poetry.

I've had
some schooling.

That's right.
You were a lawyer,
weren't you?

The only kind of poetry
I've seen for the past
few years

is the kind that's
written on prison walls.

Nothing like this.

Have you ever seen
that kind of poetry,
schoolmarm?

No.

Sarah?

What's the matter?

My wife isn't well.

Here.

Drink it.

There is nothing in
the cup but coffee.

I told you,
my wife isn't
feeling very well.

This has all been
too much for her.

Here, I'll drink it--
Oh! It's hot!

Aaah!

You k*lled her.

There's somebody
out there.

Who's out there?

I don't know.
The parents, I suppose.

What are they
waiting for?

Their children.

You wouldn't
understand that.

That would take some
spark of human feeling.

What do you and those
law-abiding hypocrites
outside

know about
human feeling?

You're the people
who build prisons,
aren't you?

It was a prison
that made that half-wit
the k*ller that he is.

You expect me to worry
about what happened
to one woman

or what might happen to
a half a dozen kids?

You ever read the poems
in those books of yours,
schoolmarm?

There's one in there
by Robert Burns.

Something about
"man's inhumanity to man".

"Man's inhumanity to man...

makes countless
thousands mourn."

Hey, Molder.

What is it?

What you said before--

about me being a half-wit.

I don't like that.

Shut up.

She was tryin' to
get away, wasn't she?

Just because
she was a woman

doesn't mean
she wasn't figurin'
to cross us some way.

Killin' a woman don't
make me a half-wit.

You got sent up
for killin' a woman.

I said, shut up.

What do you want?

I would like
to go out to her.

She's dead, in case
you've got any doubts.

I just can't
let her lie there.

We'll be out of here
just as soon as
the supplies arrive.

Human feelings,
eh, schoolmarm?

Or maybe you've got
something up your sleeve.

Thanks to
that half-wit,

I still don't know
about the coffee.

Are you afraid of me,
Mr. Molder?

All right, schoolmarm.

We'll give your wife
a decent burial.

You say the parents
of these kids are
waiting outside?

Her father, too?
Probably.

The Judge, eh?

We'll let the Judge
bury your wife.

We'll sentence a judge
to a little hard labor.

And he'll be wondering
if a death sentence

is hanging over his head
all the time he's digging.

Just like it was for me
in prison, schoolmarm.

Pick and shovel work.

All the time, they were
getting ready to execute me.

That's what you'd call
poetic justice, isn't it?

While you get the Judge,

we'll get some supper.

Dig in.

Hold it.

You try it first.

I say we rush 'em now
and take our chances.

Our chances?
And our children?

We haven't run
out of time yet.
Steve?

Let's give 'em
what they asked for.

You get the supply wagon
and the horses.

Wait a minute.
You're beginning to sound

like that yellow-bellied
schoolteacher.

Judge, it's a long way
from here to Canada.

There's a lot of
people in between,
and more up there.

I'm just wondering
if we've got the right

to turn those K*llers
loose on 'em.

The way the sheriff
left it, it's my
responsibility.

What I want
to know is...

if I decide not to
give 'em those horses

and supplies
they asked for,

where do you stand?

Betsy's up there.

There's one of 'em
dead center in the window.

I could
pick him off easy.

The one that's left
will still have
the hostages.

He knows he's through
if he hurts those kids.

I figure he's bluffing.
Maybe.

But it's not a bluff
I'd want to call.

The schoolteacher's
coming down.

Judge Garth?

They've ordered me
to stay in sight.

They want you
to come out.

What for?

To bury my wife.

They're trigger-happy
now, Judge.

You can't go.
They'll g*n you down
for sure

after you've finished.

That's true, Judge.
Molder said as much.

But he was sure
I would come, wasn't he?

Because of my daughter?

Judge, that r*fle is
still in my wife's cape,

and they don't know it.

Molder's guarding
the front window.

He'd be the only one
to see you.

If you can bring yourself
to trust me,

I think I can distract him
long enough for you
to get the g*n.

How?

With a poem.

A poem?

When I have Molder's
full attention,

when I'm certain that
his eyes are not on you,

I'll step up next to him
at the window.

That's when you must
get the g*n--when you
see me at the window.

It's too big
a risk, Judge.
You can't take it.

Wouldn't you?

I'd like to
get my books,
if you don't mind.

I have no interest
in 'em.

All right, let's go.
Where?

As close as we can get,
just in case Molder
doesn't like poetry.

You take the back,
you take the side,
I'll back up the Judge.

Just a minute. Before,
you said you didn't
want to take the risk.

That's just the point.
If the Judge does get Molder,

one of us had better be sure
to get the other one

before he has a chance to
take it out on those kids.

Here's one that I think
might interest you.

Yeah?

Yes. It was sent to me

by a colleague of mine
from Oxford.

It's by an English writer.

What makes you think
that might interest me?

Well, it--

it concerns
penal servitude.

It's about a man
who k*lled his wife

and died on the gallows.

That was your crime
and your sentence.
Was it not?

What are you
getting at?

Well, it really doesn't
condemn the prisoner

as much as the prison.

Maybe that judge
out to read it.

It's entitled
The Ballad of
Reading Gaol.

It's by Oscar Wilde.

It was inspired
by his own prison term.

There are some passages
in it that are really
quite moving,

if you'd care
to look at it.

You read it to me.

All right.

"And at every drifting
cloud that went

"With sails of silver by.

"I walked,
with other souls in pain,

"Within another ring,
And was wondering

"if the man had done
A great or little thing,

"When a voice behind me
whispered low,

"That fella's
got to swing.

"Dear Christ!
the very prison walls

"Suddenly seemed
to reel,

"And the sky above
my head became

"Like a casque
of scorching steel;

"And though I was
a soul in pain,

"My pain
I did not feel.

"I only knew
what haunted thought

"Quickened his step,
and why

"He looked upon
the garish day

"With such
a wistful eye.

"The man had k*lled
the thing he loves,

And so he had to die."

"Yet each man kills
the thing he loves,

"By each let this
be heard,

"Some do it
with a bitter look,

"Some with
a flattering word,

"The coward does it
with a kiss,

The brave man
with a sword."

"Some k*ll their love
when they are young,

"And some when
they are old;

"Some strangle with
the hands of Lust,

"Some with
the hands of Gold:

"The kindest
use a knife...

"...because
The dead so soon
grow cold.

"Some love too little,
some too long,

"Some sell,
and others buy;

"Some do the deed
with many tears,

"And some without a sigh:

"For each man
kills the thing he loves...

"...Yet each man
does not die.

"He does not die
a death of shame

"On a day
of dark disgrace,

"Nor have a noose
about his neck,

"Nor a cloth
upon his face,

"Nor drop feet foremost
through the floor

"Into an empty space.

"I know not
whether Laws be right,

"Or whether Laws
be wrong;

"All that we know
who lie in gaol

"Is that the wall
is strong;

"And that each day
is like a year,

"A year whose days
are long.

"This too I know--
and wise it were

"If each could know
the same--

"That every prison
that men build

"Is built with bricks
of shame,

"And bound with bars
lest Christ should see

"How men
their brothers maim.

"With bars they blur
the gracious moon,

"And blind
the goodly sun:

"And they do well
to hide their Hell,

"For in it
things are done

"That Son of God
nor son of Man

"Ever should look upon!

"The vilest deeds
like poison weeds

"Bloom well
in prison-air:

"It is only
what is good in Man

That wastes
and withers there..."

"...every stone
we turn by day

"Becomes one's heart
by night.

"With midnight
always in one's heart,

"And twilight
in one's cell,

"We turn the crank,
or tear the rope,

"Each in
his separate Hell,

"And the silence
is more awful far

"Than the sound
of a brazen bell.

"And never a human voice
comes near

"To speak
a gentle word:

"And the eye
that watches
through the door

"Is pitiless
and hard:

"And by all forgot,
we rot and rot

"In soul and body
marred.

"And thus we rust
Life's iron chain

"Degraded and alone:

"And some men curse,
and some men weep,

And some men
make no moan..."

Oh, Daddy.

Doctor Spence will
be here in a minute.

I'll never be able
to ring that bell tomorrow.

Mr. Lilley?

I could come
and ring it for you.