Great Day in the Morning

GUNSHOT

GUNSHOT

Thank you, gentlemen, and ma'am.

-I've always been lucky, but never expect three aces!

-Were you alone down there?

-I'm most always alone, but I welcome company now.

-Where you from? Georgia?

-North Carolina.

-Just as bad.

I can smell a Southerner a mile off.

A smell I don't like. Ungodly, slave-trading secessionists.

Not fit to live. Sorry we saved your hide.

Well you did and I owe you, but don't make me forget that.

Listen to that talk. Just like a whip-lashing Reb.

And a tinhorn to boot by your look.

Put that away, Zeff.

Wait for the war to start before fighting it.

I agree.

I'm Owen Pentecost. I'm on my way to Denver.

So are we. I'm Stephen Kirby.

This is Zeff Masterson.

I hired them to ride with me to Denver.

They're taking orders from me.

If you can take orders you can ride with us.

Yours to command, ma'am.

Forget it, Zeff.

Aim your whiskers at Pike's Peak and keep them pointed that way.

As soon as I find what I want, watch my belongings till tomorrow.

Then your job is done.

Those all your pretties,

-all those packs, all those mules?

-Not to wear, to sell.

-I'm opening a store.

-Catering to ladies at the frontier?

Why not? I know style, I've money. Took a chance on Denver women.

Holy Jehosaphat! I've been riding shotgun on a load of lace drawers!

Good evening. I'm Father Murphy.

Church is over there. Mass tomorrow at six and nine.

-Thank you. Crossing the Rockies is something to be thankful for.

-I like to say thank you.

I like to sleep late, but I'll gamble on anything, even church.

Toss a coin, Kirby.

Heads for the church. Tails for the devil.

Tails it is.

-Care to make it two out of three?

-No, thanks.

The lady looks tired. Perhaps I can help you get settled.

This is Phil, porter and room clerk.

These folks just got in to town. Before they tell you, they call me Phil the Cannibal.

It was only once!

A man eats something he shouldn't, they call him names!

The lady wants a room with a bath. Hey, boys, a free leg show!

Every gal oughta wear them pants! > There oughta be a law!

They don't mean any harm. They used to make fun of my skirt.

I'll see you to your room, Anne.

I paid you to see me across the Rockies. I can cross the room alone.

No Southern chivalry, please, Mr Pentecost.

I heard the excitement.

They sure are tight pants.

Must make you uncomfortable. Your wife?

-No.

-Your girl?

No.

You thinking about staking a claim?

-Will you sleep better tonight if I tell you?

-Won't sleep at all, I just got up.

Time to go to work. Go ahead, tell me.

We were travelling companions. To save you asking, so were two others.

What's a man from dear old Dixieland doing out here?

Most Southerners are leaving before the war starts.

You must like to take chances.

-What's your name?

-Owen Pentecost.

High sounding name.

Guess maybe that's why you took it.

I just heard you got back, Zeff.

Folks are anxious to hear the news. Is there going to be a war?

-Are we gonna fight or just talk?

-There'd better be a war. The North won't stand for this.

I'm itching for the day we stamp out those slavers.

It ain't natural, brother against brother.

Don't call that scum my brother! I had me a brother.

He stood side by side with John Brown from Kansas.

They hung him like a dog... alongside John Brown.

Stay away from him.

Nobody helps him. He's got it coming.

He's one of those Missouri men. Half North, half South...

..on the fence looking for the safe side.

This ain't no soft war and there ain't no brothers just friends

and enemies!

Every loyal man knows that's the truth.

< Sure we do.

You've won the round and the fight.

Zeff makes a lot of sense. We've a lot of enemies here.

We don't wanna see your ugly face in town, so get moving.

-Stop shooting off your mouth and cracking heads.

-They need cracking.

Sure they do, but at the right time.

Get them riled and they'll riot. Next thing it's the military.

Let 'em come. We'll start the war right here.

I don't need soldiers. It took me a long time to get to run this town.

-A good part of town's already in your pocket.

-I got more pockets!

I need time, then we take care of the army.

Boss, there's a new man inside, a Southerner.

He's been putting a big dent in the faro bank.

I'll be right there.

Zeff, we're on the same side, only wait a little.

Might be a long war.

What are you waiting for? Start the game.

Mr Pentecost, I'm Jumbo Means, proprietor.

When I set out to see the world, some drunkard said, "The elephant's loose!"

He immediately signed the pledge.

Since then an elephant's been my good luck charm.

Now, what is the secret of your remarkable luck?

An indifference to elephants.

One of us must be wrong.

Which one, Mr Pentecost? Shall we see?

-I'll pass the time with you.

-I'll get a table ready.

Why are you so good to me?

I get a percentage of the profits.

Doin' all right, aren't you?

There's room for improvement.

For a smart girl?

For a smart girl.

And this is the spot, the best place in downtown Denver.

You found elephants?

Trained ones. When they get wild they're dangerous.

There's a man here from our part of the country.

Owen Pentecost. Are you acquainted?

-No, but if he's from the South we'd like to welcome him.

-We could use a friend. So few of us.

I hope it'll be peaceful... Sunday morning, too.

Your luck still holds, sir. That's the second straight win. >

You're not betting?

I don't think the hand's worth it.

A pretty hand to throw away, but it can't beat four kings.

Yes, four kings, Mr Jumbo.

I know your hand as well as you know mine.

Then you're cheating, sir.

Maybe you might call it that.

Marked cards, I can read them as well as you can.

Expect me to shut my eyes and lose my shirt?

Thanks, Pentecost. And he did have four kings.

Fast work. You're a useful man to know.

Southern trash. I'll run you all out.

< Not With Lincoln in the White House. PIANO PLAYS "Union Forever"

This is no put in of yours, Rogers.

-You Northerners stick together, why shouldn't we?

-PIANO PLAYS "Dixie"

Name's Rogers, Pentecost. Robinson, Rollaston, all from Georgia.

Heard of you, heard a great deal. We might have a lot to talk about.

-Are you one of us?

-I'm from Vermont.

Go back to Georgia, all of you.

Colorado will belong to us Union men,

the only part coming to you is six foot down. PIANO PLAYS AGAIN

Shut up with that music.

-I guess you don't wanna hang around, Mr Pentecost.

-His crowd is your borned enemies.

-There are no flags on gold, North or South. I've got a poker game going.

-Not with me, sir.

Since you're a stranger here I'll give you another chance.

A new deck...

and an honest deal.

Anything you want,

honest or dishonest.

Make it dealer's choice.

I don't trust that Pentecost one little bit.

Maybe we been judgin' him wrong. He's a Southerner born and bred...

You ain't thinking of lettin' him snoop around the mine?

He said he might have a lot to talk to us about.

We know nothing about him, except that he's hobnobbing with Yankees.

If he came alone he couldn't do no harm.

Might be nice to talk to a man from home.

We got bad ones at home, too, and I'm a-bettin' he's one of them.

One hundred.

One hundred,...

..and five hundred more.

Up two thousand.

Call.

Well, I'm done, finished. You've taken all my cash.

But I intend to have it back, Mr Pentecost.

All legitimately, I promise. Just one more hand.

What are you betting? IOUs?

No, the Circus Tent.

Bar, hotel, warehouse, stock, everything.

Everything against my own money.

All right.

Call to you, five cards high.

Since I don't trust you any more than you trust me,

shall we leave it to the lady to deal?

First card to our guest.

Three eights.

Strong hand.

Just in case you act disappointed if you don't draw the third queen.

You get your queen, I'll put the gun away and you'll have your money.

My last card, please.

You asked me to deal.

You lost.

Now, you either gotta pay up or get killed.

Yes, I lost, Mr Pentecost.

But I'm not a loser.

Let her tell you that.

That cheatin', no good woman.

We're not dead. Across there would be a good place to open up again.

What are you gonna use for money?

There's plenty of patriotic money for a loyal man.

All of a sudden you're drunk.

I never show it till I relax. I'm very relaxed now.

Come here.

You know something? Jumbo's right, that WAS a crooked deal.

-But only the last card.

-That was supposed to be another queen for Jumbo.

-I saw you switch it.

-I thought it'd be nice to be under new management.

Don't get relaxed just cos you're the new owner.

And don't get too flattered that I slid a card from the bottom.

-Men are awful quick to flatter themselves.

-Sure, we're dogs. Unfeeling dogs.

-I wonder what a feeling dog is like.

-Not like Jumbo.

He did me out of a hunk of my cut. His books are a great work of fiction.

Sad fiction at that, I bet.

-I don't cry.

-I can see you're not the crying kind.

Not that I haven't done my share.

Men?

What else? All the way from Boston to San Francisco and back to Denver.

But I always end up laughing.

Like now?

Like now, I think.

-How do you know I won't give you a dirty deal?

-I don't.

But you gotta be better than Jumbo.

And you look a whole lot better.

HE LAUGHS

Feel better, too.

What are you doing so far from the old plantation?

There was a little trouble. I took the blame.

-For something you didn't do?

-Oh, I did it. That's why I took the blame.

Get out of here.

-You shouldn't leave your door unlocked.

-The lock's broken but this pistol isn't.

Didn't know this was your room, sort of stumpled against the door.

-I'm sleepy.

-Well, then go to bed.

Not too sleepy to see how different you look. Buckskin does a lot for you

but silk does more. That little bit of silk much, much more.

I'm in no mood for visitors, Mr Pentecost.

-I'd hate to have to shoot you to prove it.

-You're safe as if you're in your own room.

I like that ribbon in your hair, makes you look sweet and feminine

and pretty and feminine.

Very smooth and feminine.

You make a good hotel man, Owen.

Just that nice personal touch to please the guest.

Hotel man?

-I'm the new proprietor. I won the place.

-On a decision.

I wish you a good night.

Or a good morning,

or a good afternoon, or a good whatever it is.

Jumbo's room.

I'll have it fixed up, move out all the little elephants.

No sense in doing it now, you'd only see more of them.

Well, if hair ribbons are your weakness, why didn't you say?

HE SNORES GENTLY

Rogers, come here.

A HORSE APPROACHES

-Where's the head man?

-He's comin'.

Call this Southern hospitality?

You seem to prefer Yankees. What brings you here?

-I've never seen 2 million in gold.

-Neither have we.

-That two million in gold you've taken out of the ground.

-What gives you the notion that we have it?

Heard it in a saloon in Atlanta.

You believed it? Some drunk blabbin'.

Why do you think I came out here?

-2 million in gold must be a purty sight to set your eyes on.

-Maybe your hands, too.

-I'm trying to help.

-We don't need help.

Let him talk, he's from home. What part?

-North Carolina.

-Almost as good as Georgia. Go ahead.

You're in trouble.

Mining for three years. Had plenty of chance to get away but you waited too long.

War's coming any day now.

When it does, Yankee troops are gonna get in your way. Unless...

What? What can you do?

There's a big warehouse belongs to the Circus Tent, got a lot of wagons there, strong ones.

Plenty of guns, food, for the long trip back.

-Will you show me that gold?

-Why?

-I want 50,000 for what's in my warehouse.

You dirty renegade. Sellin' out your country.

I'm sellin' out my wagons in a respectable, profiteering way.

The money isn't ours. Belongs to the South to fight the war.

-They can have the rest of it.

-For a minute I thought that you were a loyal man.

Sure I'm loyal.

Got an undying loyalty to myself and no-one else, nothing else.

If you're thinking of shooting me, let me remind you that Jumbo Means is after the Circus Tent.

When he gets it, where are you gonna get your wagons?

Waiting to hear from you.

But think fast.

Where's Miss Boston?

Out in the warehouse.

What's all this?

An inventory.

This is a list of everything you own.

Looks very official.

-You even signed your name.

-I belong on that list, too.

I don't like owning things, certainly not people.

All you want is money for gambling, drinking, maybe travelling?

I'm staying it takes two weeks to get your laundry in this town.

If you get restless, this oughta pay your way to China or wherever.

-What are these?

-Mining claims Jumbo took in for a half a ham or a keg of whisky.

They're yours.

-Any good?

-Some, I guess. They haven't been worked much.

-Why?

-Lots of reasons. Folks run out of money, turn lazy,

get discouraged.

Let's encourage them. This town needs a good old revival meeting.

-With you doing the preaching?

-With me doing the preaching.

I've got a sermon that'll fetch them a gospel of gold.

-Talking about gold perks you up.

-What's wrong with gold?

Especially in the colour of a woman's hair?

I don't care about the colour of a girl's hair.

As long as she has a reasonable amount, I don't complain.

MEN CHATTER

It'll be drinks on the house when I'm through talkin'.

MEN SHOUT APPROVINGLY

Let me tell you why I invited you.

You're gamblers or you wouldn't be in Denver, so here's a game for everyone,

North and South, friend or enemy.

They've had enough of your gab, what's your game?

I don't blame you for being suspicious, Mr Jumbo.

I wouldn't be surprised if some cheating might not have gone on right here.

That's why I'm moving this new game outside.

It'll be the biggest gambling table you ever saw, reaching for miles.

And big stakes. You can't lose, you might win, so listen to the lady.

Mining claims. Take your choice.

Gold in maybe all of them. Who's gonna be dealt in?

There ain't no gold here. Your pals from Georgia got it all.

There's plenty of gold, only it's not going to find you. You've got to dig it out.

-I ain't even got a shovel or a pick.

-He had to sell 'em to buy grub.

I'll stake any man who wants to work to buy whatever he needs.

Wagon, warm clothes

and a new dress for his wife in that new store.

When anybody strikes gold, I want half and I'm gonna get half.

No excuses, hard-luck stories, double crossing. Half is mine.

Who'll be the first to sign up?

-Sign the paper and you get your money and your tools.

-Gimme one o' them papers!

-No, Lawford, he's a swindlin' Rebel.

-I don't care, I'm busted.

He'll rob you blind. Him and that cheatin' woman.

I know her like a book.

You never got past the cover, elephant boy.

MEN LAUGH MOCKINGLY

What about you, Mr Kirby?

Doesn't seem natural, you not interested in gold.

Peculiar you never talk about gold.

Everybody in Denver does, except Father Murphy.

Heaven's paved with gold, that's enough for him but what about you?

If it's a secret, it's a secret.

Pick out a good one for me, Pentecost.

So, now we're in the gold-mining business.

Chances are you'll end up with more lead than gold.

-Do you wanna sell your percentage?

-I'm hanging on to what I've got.

Sentimental value.

Owen...

if there's a war, I'm North, a Yankee. You're South.

What happens to us?

I shoot you, I guess.

Oh!

-Oh, good evening.

-Can't let Denver's fashion centre open without celebrating.

Only champagne in my warehouse. Bet it's the only one from here to San Francisco.

-It's very neighbourly of you.

-You're a special kind of neighbour.

That's getting cold.

Takes a little longer to chill it in spring water.

You're a strange man, Mr Pentecost.

There are many things to admire in you,

some to be afraid of.

Afraid of? What?

Well,...

I don't think you'd ever give yourself the worst of it, with man or woman.

Ann, you are something special, a lady.

It's the first thing I noticed, it's born in you.

-SHE GIGGLES

-I'm glad you're positive about it.

A beautiful lady, high on her pedestal, so out of reach.

See how simple it is, your ladyship?

I prefer to come down from a pedestal under my own power.

When you do, I'd like to be around.

KNOCK ON DOOR

It's the last of the stuff, Ann.

-First customer?

-No, just looking.

Before you put me to work alongside Kirby I'll say good night and good luck.

Enjoy the champagne, Kirby.

-You're angry, Stephen, but you have no reason to be.

-I hate to see another man taller in your eyes.

-You're imagining things.

-He's a new type for you, you're curious.

-There's no need to analyse my emotions,

-Maybe there is.

Anyway, I...I have to leave now.

Good night, Ann.

FOOTSTEPS

KNOCK ON DOOR

Come in.

Sir, Captain Kirby reporting to Colonel Gibson.

Forget the salutes, my boy, till we put our uniforms on again.

-How do you like secret service?

-It's a change now I'm a gold-miner.

And I'm a writer, my wife says I couldn't have picked a worse disguise.

She thinks writers are depraved and romantic. She even wanted to help.

-Is Mrs Gibson coming, sir?

-Good heavens, no.

If Mrs Gibson has a fault, and she won't admit it, it's talking too much.

Anything from Washington, sir?

Nothing. The whole idea is crazy.

We couldn't bring in troops. That'd be martial law and this is peacetime.

But they order us to stop that gold going South.

-If we don't they'll shoot it back as cannonballs.

-I say start the war now and move the troops in.

But Mr Lincoln is too namby-pamby for his job.

-They say the man prays.

-He's a good Christian, I suppose.

I'm a good Christian but praying's not gonna prevent this war.

North and South are natural enemies like husband and wife.

Oh, that young lady you were with today, I hope she's not inquisitive.

Oh, no, she hired me as a guide at Fort Larame, never asks questions.

Mighty few of those left.

Nothing like a strong, silent woman.

Must be caused by an accident at birth, wouldn't you say?

-I suppose you want to be getting along. Good night.

-Good night.

Oh, yes.

Forget what I said about Mr Lincoln. I'm praying to be a general.

-Good night, sir.

-Good night.

-Your servant, ma'am.

-I'm afraid I'm in a hurry, Mr Pentecost.

-Stephen has invited me to see his mine.

-Our mine he and I are partners.

-Nothing like lunch with a woman for a tired miner.

-I'll tell him you said good appetite.

I'm going that way, myself.

If you don't mind, that is. Got a lot of partners to see.

I get off here.

Wish Kirby good luck.

I have enough lunch for three, if you'd care to join us.

So I won't be lonely? Thank you. Mind waiting a minute?

Howdy.

Glad to see you.

-Hello, Lawford, how are things?

-Well, not very good. That's a fact.

All through for the day?

-I'd be wasting my time putting any more work in this claim.

-Maybe you're giving up too soon.

I'm no greenhorn, I know when there's gold and when there ain't.

Been prospecting more than two years, wife and kid in Michigan gave up on me,

kinda hard writing them the next time's gonna be the lucky time.

-Dig those ashes out of that hole, Lawford.

-What for? There's nothing in there.

-If there's nothing I'll pay you for your time.

-I didn't make a strike.

Why'd you cover up the hole?

No special reason.

What did you hit down there?

White quartz? Is that what you didn't want me to see?

Easy, soft veins you can get at with a pick and shovel?

Dig.

I found it, struck over a week ago. I clawed gravel till my hands bled.

What's mine is mine!

-I got friends who wouldn't stand seeing me robbed by no secess'.

-We made a deal.

You ain't collecting nothing! GUNSHOTS

I'm sorry you had to see it.

He reached for his gun, so did I.

And you won.

Would you rather it was the other way?

I hate all killing.

First thing to do is get the body back to town.

MEN CHATTER

Get away from there, you buzzards!

-Who is it?

-Keep your hands off!

We brought him to you, father.

-I don't know if he's one of yours.

-What does that matter?

Matters that Lawford is lying here dead. All your praying ain't gonna change that.

-We got a way of dealing with murder.

-Sure it's murder, Mr Jumbo? Mighty fast verdict.

You can't talk your way out of this.

-Hanging's too good for him.

-Needs a whippin' with a whip that'd lay his back open.

I knew she'd cause you trouble.

Go riding with her and look what happens. She has her own man to do her killing.

You're as bad as he is. Cheatin' trash, both of you!

Be quiet. Have you no respect for the dead?

Why be so quick to shed more blood? Bring him in the church.

Look out, Owen.

That's the only one I'm wasting. Try that again, there'll be a lot more going to church.

Before more get killed, let me tell you how it happened.

-WHISPERS:

-I'll tell them. Self-defence is no crime.

They'd never believe you, they'd try and hang you.

I was with Owen Pentecost today, all day.

We stopped by Jack Lawford's claim and...

and found him dead.

CROWD MURMURS

CHILDREN SHOUT EXCITEDLY

A DOG BARKS

Here, here, here.

Keep out of this, let 'em fight fair and square.

That round lasted long enough. What's this all about?

-That kid got out of my coach and started fighting.

-He started it.

-I just asked if you knew where my father was.

-And all I said was, "What's your old man's name?"

All right.

When I said "Jack Lawford" you laughed, said he might be one of two places. Then the other kids laughed.

-That made me mad so I started swingin'.

-Aw, you can't take a joke.

-Your old man's dead.

-That's enough.

Don't you talk that way to my boy.

Let's get away from here.

He...He is dead,

isn't he?

Yes.

But I want you to know you're with friends. What's your name?

Gary. Gary John Lawford, middle name's after my father. Did you know him?

Yes.

How...How did it happen?

Well, let's get settled first and then we can talk. I'll take care of you.

He's coming with me.

-He'll stay with me.

-How can he stay with you? You, of all people.

How could you face him day after day?

-Do you think room and board is going to make it up to him?

-I'm handling this my own way.

I didn't know about Jack Lawford. Musta died since my last trip.

Poor kid ain't got nobody, told me his mother died.

Some friends sent him out here.

Well, I guess it's time for a drink. I'm an orphan, too.

Get some soup, Phil, and some ham and eggs.

-Yes, sir, soup's on the fire.

-That all right, Gary?

I guess so.

This is all wrong, keeping him here with you, and you know it.

Or is this the way a gambler like you pays his debts?

We'll make this a fine room for you, Gary.

How did it happen?

You can tell me, I won't cry.

All right.

He was killed in a gunfight.

He did the best he knew but ran up against something he couldn't beat.

Who? Who was it?

Who killed him?

No-one has found out, yet, Gary.

Taste this, Gary, you'll feel better.

I'm glad you're here, we're gonna be great friends.

HE SOBS Don't be afraid to cry.

Even big men cry sometimes.

Eatin' time.

Thanks, Phil.

Say, Miss Boston, is this answer right? Let me take a look.

Never make a mistake when I do that.

Correct.

How come you need all this learnin'? You a rich fella now.

Mr Pentecost and I are partners, just like him and my father.

Owen only has two of these, and now one of them's yours. Let's try it on.

There.

Spittin' image of the boss.

That's right, Gary, be like him. Take it from someone who knows.

CHILDREN SING TUNE OF "John Brown's Body"

# Jack Lawford's body lies a-mouldering in the grave

# Jack Lawford's body lies a-mouldering in the grave

# And his son don't give a hang

# Jack Lawford's body lies a-mouldering in the grave

# Jack Lawford's body lies a-mouldering in the grave

Don't bother with those boys, Gary, wait till Owen gets home.

I don't need him. I'll shut them up myself.

-Stop him, before he hurts somebody.

-Let him crack a couple of heads.

SINGING STOPS

We ain't done nothing!

What's the idea riding down these poor boys?

If you have anything to say, don't hide behind kids. Sing it to me.

-Go on back, Gary, concert's over.

-This is my fight, not yours.

-Milk's better for you.

-You can have your bottle, I'm getting something better.

You're all right. Learning fast.

Mad at me?

Yes.

Well, no.

You taught me how to ride teach me about this.

How do you get it out so fast? Give anybody a shot but still win.

That's what everyone says.

Teach me how to work a gun like you do.

Little young for guns. You're just a boy, Gary.

Not if I can shoot like a man. Then I'll find out who killed my father.

Isn't that what you'd do?

Yes, that's what I'd do.

I'm sorry I was mad at you, even for a little while.

-Let's get started.

-Where?

-Your first lesson.

Throw them as high as you can.

GUNSHOT

Gosh! You didn't even look.

I looked.

I don't see how you did it so fast.

-You'd been standing in front of me you'd never have found out.

-I'll never shoot like that.

You wanted to learn? If I teach you, you will. Let's try it over here.

More shots. They're coming from over there.

Now let's see you try it.

Here, get used to the feel of it.

Huh! What does he wanna do?

-Make that boy everything he is himself?

-What is he?

-Outside of someone who interests you.

-It's the boy I'm thinking of.

Straighten your arm.

It's heavy.

-But perfectly balanced.

-It sure is heavy.

-I'd like one I can handle.

-No gun is a toy, it's meant to kill with.

I can teach you to hit what you aim at, but I can't teach you to kill what you shoot at.

Let's try it again.

That's it.

You're getting awfully worked up over a little shooting lesson. GUNSHOT

With his own gun, that he's killed with.

As far as I know he's killed a couple of Indians. Anybody else?

-GUNSHOT

-I don't know his record, but someone ought to teach him a lesson.

Oh, I wish I were a man.

Sometimes I think it would be much easier for everyone concerned if you were.

KNOCK ON DOOR

KNOCK ON DOOR

Come in. Please.

Thanks for inviting me over.

I'm afraid this isn't a social occasion.

What is it, a bargain sale?

I saw you and Gary this afternoon.

I can't drive it from my mind.

You're teaching that boy to shoot.

To kill, to be a gunfighter like yourself.

-Think I'm not bringing him up right?

-Haven't you done enough to him, murdering his father?

So it's murder now?

-Next case.

-What?

Trial's over, your honour, you found me guilty, goodbye.

You're guilty more than you think.

I'll tell you why you're training that boy to use a gun.

So the boy can save me the trouble of suicide, isn't that what you're thinking?

It's on your mind, or you wouldn't say it. If you have a conscience.

Or at the last minute will you be yourself and shoot the boy?

You're quite a girl, Ann. Think nothing of toting petticoats across the Rockies. A real pioneer.

-Is that sarcasm?

-Compliment. Don't be so sure you can read my mind.

-Or heart, too, for that matter.

-I can read Gary's heart and mind.

He loves you, worships you.

-Then, one day, he'll find the truth.

-I'll tell him when he's ready.

And then how he'll hate you.

He'll try to stop loving you until it nearly drives him crazy.

That's what loving and hating someone can do.

Are we still talking about the boy?

Or is that your feeling, too?

Don't try to put words in my mouth.

Why not? Aren't you proud of hating me?

Just ashamed of nearly loving you.

Never did much talking about love.

You don't know the meaning of the word.

Got plenty of hate in you, don't know how much love.

More than you know, but not for you. Not any more.

-Nothing's over that fast.

-Killer like you, everything dies fast.

-I hate your hands on me...

-Is that what makes your heart beat so fast?

I never want to see you again.

-I want to forget I ever knew you.

-I'll make it easy for you.

BUGLE PLAYS

BAND PLAYS "John Brown's Body"

We're with you, Abe Lincoln!

-They won the battle but we'll win the war!

-Remember John Brown!

Clean up Denver, clean out the Rebels.

The only good Rebel is a dead Rebel!

Let's wipe out the South!

Remember John Brown!

We'll pull the Rebels off the map!

CHILDREN CHANT

Well, it's started.

Fort Sumter surrendered.

Won't last long, be over in 90 days.

The Yanks back east have no stomach for war.

You don't need a stomach, you just need a law, and guns and money, and Lincoln's got them.

-You ain't a Yankee sympathiser, are you?

-No.

-Them men paradin' are your enemies, as well.

-Your neighbours aren't your brothers tonight.

-Better wait till it quiets down.

-I knew you'd be on our side when the time came.

-You belong to us, now.

-I belong only to myself.

I'm not joining any parade, yours or theirs.

I like walking alone, no ties.

Don't ask questions, don't answer.

Man's gotta be sentimental to fight a war.

Gotta have a lump in his throat about God and country and home and mother, all the pretty things.

No lumps.

-What are you going to do?

-About the war?

What any sensible man would do stay alive.

Keep your paws off them guns, all of you!

Now, Mr Gunslinger Pentecost, you buy the drinks

so we can wish a long life to President Lincoln.

You'll drink, or we'll pour it down your throat.

And then we're gonna clean you out.

We ain't harmin' the woman if she keeps out of the way.

Unbuckle your gun belts and drop 'em.

Maybe you'd rather take mine from me. You'd like that.

I can't think of nothing I'd rather do.

Except to cut you down with your own lead.

GUNSHOT

You shot your own man.

The rest of you get out before somebody else gets killed.

Maybe it'll be you. We still got you three to one.

Maybe it'll be me, but if anybody wants to be sure of being alive, now's your chance.

GUNSHOTS

-My man's in there!

-So's mine!

GUNSHOT

Don't worry, they missed me.

Gary! Put that gun away!

GUNSHOT

I got him! I got him!

Get the others!

No! No!

Stop it!

CROWD MURMURS

Are you all right?

I'll be...

back on my feet in no time.

Sure you will.

Oh, it's not bad, just a crease. Pretty close to the right place.

See what happened to the doctor. I'll fetch him.

Nothing but a twinge, it's OK.

These Colts are exactly like mine, only I ain't gettin' the same results.

Seein' you standin' by our side down there was quite a comfort.

The way it should be.

Don't be carried away, I was just trying to save my own skin.

Can't you see he doesn't feel like talking? He's done enough for you.

Hurt much?

Knocked the wind...out of me for a while.

I was too scared to cry downstairs, I...

I thought I'd go crazy until I could see you breathing.

When you opened your eyes and looked at me...

I-I didn't mean to eavesdrop. Door was open, you know.

Here's the doctor!

Your very good health!

Ahh!

Epidemic's got you, too, eh? It's all my fault.

Never woulda been hit if he hadn't tried to stop me from shooting.

I guess he didn't want a gun in your hand, Gary.

The kid needs more lessons, that's all.

I'll have to keep you ladies out. Gotta undress our friend.

Stay and help, young fella, I've delivered two babies and took out six bullets tonight.

-Goodnight.

-He'll get along better with one nurse than two.

-If you feel that way.

-You got a good idea how I feel about him.

Enough of an idea to know you're in love with him.

It's easy to tell. Just looking at me looking at him and you know it.

Yes. Now, I hope you're satisfied.

Don't try to be so superior.

I wasn't even trying.

All right, Miss High And Mighty, I can throw low punches, too.

You're crazy about him, only you don't know how to love a man.

-You'd like to believe that.

-You wouldn't be happy unless you could change him all around.

Loving a man isn't always storybook pretty,

but that doesn't stop you loving him, no matter what he is.

Can you do that? Can you?

That's a one-way love. I'll give a man as much as you - everything,

but it's got to work both ways.

Yes, I love him,

but I also pity him.

All right, men. To our friends.

If it ain't Mr Kirby. I never knew you was a soldier.

Kind of had a feeling you might be army.

Who thought this up? We were mourning our dead.

Mourn your dead all you like, they don't rate these flags. Can't let you do that.

These men weren't heroes, they were killed in a brawl, not a battle.

We were avenging Fort Sumter. We were licked there, too.

Civilians aren't supposed to wear army caps!

I issued them. I've got friends back east, powerful friends.

I don't care if you and the Secretary Of War are kin. You can't belittle his friends.

You've got a suspicious friend giving aid to the enemy.

You still a sergeant? No.

Army regulations say sergeants are sacred, but not ex-sergeants.

Martial law has been declared as of now.

I could use 100 volunteers. Nobody in Denver carries guns unless he joins up.

You need a quartermaster, ammunition, supplies, dry and wet.

You've got the job, only I set the prices.

The rest of us are going to keep order and prevent contraband from going out. That's gold.

Rebel gold? That's right.

Just so I won't hit you again, I'm making you top sergeant.

I don't know that I want the job. I'll take it.

What do you know about soldiering? Come on, make a double line.

Don't you know what double means?!

You had a hankering for war, now you're gonna get one!

Stomachs in, chests out! Now you look a bit like soldiers!

ATTENTION!

All present and accounted for.

Sergeant, as soon as we're finished here, post two sentries up at the Southerners' mines.

Marv, that job's for you and Toby. Right, Sergeant. At ease.

As soon as you take the oath, you can carry guns and rate flags on your coffins.

Now, raise your right hand.

BRANCH CRACKS

Colonel Gibson, they got away, sir, gold and all.

Marv and Toby are dead at the hands of them hellhounds.

You're making a military report, not delivering an obituary.

Marv seen them. They got about 20 men loaded with saddlebags of gold.

They can't be far out of town. They're headed for the warehouse behind the Circus Tent.

Nothing could be better. Got 'em all together. If only I had my own men.

We don't need help if we fight for Abe Lincoln and John Brown.

You didn't do too well by them at Pentecost's bar.

-We were tricked.

-So was Napoleon at Waterloo.

-Assemble your men, surround the warehouse, I'll be over there directly.

-Yes.

Kirby...I have a special job for you.

Sir, request permission to be in on this fight with Pentecost.

That sounds more like a private fight.

Well, it is, sir.

Since our objective is to put Pentecost out of action, I can promise you an enthusiastic job.

Sorry, Kirby. Now, these troopers must think they're on a sightseeing trip.

You leave here at once, you should be able to meet them here.

I don't know how many they'll have left after we clear out that warehouse, so take command.

Yes, sir.

You hadn't ought to be out of bed, you ain't healed good yet.

I saw you let them in the warehouse.

Don't you be mad at me and don't be mad at them neither. They wanna see you.

Go to bed. I'll handle them.

Might as well know, I'm joining up with them.

-Why?

-Cos I'm from Arkansas like some of Mr Rogers' men out there.

I ain't saying I hate the Yanks, some are my friends,

but when my folks start shootin' at their folks, I belong at home.

It's a choice every man has to make, it isn't always easy.

Way I see it, a man can't turn his back on his own people.

All men aren't alike. It's always hard to be different.

That don't mean it's always right to be different.

Shucks, I don't know. I ain't got brains, I do what comes natural.

We heard Yank troops were on their way. How about the wagons?

There they are, get your men busy loading them.

-We have things to talk about.

-I don't think so.

We could use your gun and that luck.

And not forgetting your brains. It's not gonna be easy getting home.

We're gonna have to be a lot smarter than I know how to be.

We're miners not soldiers, we don't mind to fight, but we need a leader, a captain.

-The sooner we get started the better.

-You'll go with us?

-Yes.

We're not asking you to waste your time. We'll pay you 10,000, including your guns.

If you're hiring my guns, they're worth more than that.

Have a look.

If you think you can get past them, go ahead. My price is 100,000.

It ain't our gold to give away. If you weren't a Southerner, I wouldn't have you at all.

-Blood's thicker than water.

-Mine's more expensive.

Owen.

-I'm leaving with Rogers and his men.

-Tonight?

Yes.

What made you change your mind? Did someone play Dixie?

-Yes, someone did.

-What about me?

Circus Tent is yours and the gold in the safe, for you and Gary.

I'm not talking about money. I cheated to get you, I'm not letting you go.

Take me with you. I'll do anything, I'll wash, I'll cook.

Don't leave me, Owen.

Nobody else can go along, least of all a woman.

If you wanna die, that's why you're going, because of her.

I mind very much dying, it's not because of any woman.

You'll forget me in a week.

I'll remember you as long as I'll remember anything.

-What are you doing up in the middle of the night?

-I've been saddling up my horse. Ready to go?

No, you're staying with Boston. You and she are partners now.

No, you and I are partners all the way. You told me that the first day I got here.

You made the boy a copy of you and now you wanna turn him loose.

You can't walk out on people who love you. I'm a partner, too, every minute of all the way.

You and Boston aren't Southerners. You wouldn't be welcome with the Rebels. They're calling us traitors.

-If you're one, I wanna be one, too.

-You're a Northerner, like your father and your people.

My father's dead and you're the nearest thing I have to a father.

-If he were alive, he'd want you to be on his side.

-He's not alive, so I'm going with you.

It's my fault he's not.

I killed him.

No, Owen. It isn't true, Gary.

I told you he run up against something he couldn't beat. It was me.

He never had a chance. Call it murder if you want to. Now you know.

Go after him. Help him get over it. Promise me you will.

Owen.

Kiss me.

Kiss me hard.

What do you want? You looking for the boy? Have you seen him?

He seemed anxious to get away. Anything wrong?

Tell me where he is. If not, I've no time to be bothered with you.

You're going to catch cold.

You must have seen which way he went. He's over at my place.

What's he doing over there?

Wait a minute. How does he happen to be in your place?

No mystery. I saw him heading for your warehouse,

told him there was going to be shooting and no-one was allowed in the street except the military.

All right.

He won't come out, not tonight. He's got to come out.

You tried locking me in a room once before. You're not fast enough on your feet - too fat!

I don't like being called that, not by a woman, not by you.

You fool! You silly, fat fool!

You lost me the Circus Tent and you.

You never had me!

You didn't try to fight him off, did you?

You're sick! Sick in your dirty, diseased mind!

Many times I wanted to kill you when you were together.

No! Jumbo, no! He's running away from me. He doesn't love me.

This is Colonel Gibson. Any resistance will be hopeless, but I wanna avoid bloodshed.

You will open those doors, come out unarmed,

you will be treated fairly as military prisoners.

You have two minutes, then I will lay siege to this building.

MEN CHEER

Go back, they'll lock you up, that's what they did to some others.

-Gary, you shouldn't be here.

-I had to watch, he's in here.

A minute gone, a minute left.

He got away!

For a minute I wished he was dead, but I don't know.

I've marked out where Captain Kirby is meeting the cavalry troop.

-One of us is sure to get through.

-The rest is in Kirby's hands. Now, off you go.

Who goes there? I got orders for Captain Kirby.

-I thought you wanted to keep a lookout till dawn.

-Saw all I want.

Cavalry the other side of that hill. Get the wagons to go.

Too risky in the dark. They'd be sure to hear us.

I want them to hear us. Switch the gold around so I've got two empty wagons.

Wait here till you hear the cavalry and then off you go that way.

-Suppose you don't fool 'em.

-Then you're in trouble.

I want to start before the Yankees are awake.

They catch up with one of us, find the wagon empty, the other man saves himself.

Yep, if that happens to be you, you'll find your 100,000 waiting for you in Atlanta.

You can deduct for the wagon and team I'm driving.

I ought to feel free to treat it like it belongs to me.

-You're still working with us?

-I pay for what I get.

I figure it's worth, let's see, make it an even 100,000.

-A whole 100,000?

-Can't pick up bargains in the wild.

That's generous of you.

-It just goes to show...

-Shut up about it before I change my mind.

-Get the men mounted.

-Mount up, boys.

Two men take care of him!

Take six men and go after that wagon.

The rest of you men, spread out over that hill!

I didn't know it was you I was following in here. Where's Rogers?

They won't get far. There's only one way to go and I can travel twice as fast as they can.

There's more than one way out. You'll never catch them. You've lost, Kirby.

I've been looking forward to seeing you alone.

I've often wondered if I could shoot a man in cold blood.

The betting'd be ten to one against. You can't play form on a man with a gun if he's riled up.

-I'm riled up enough and do you know why?

-You're a professional soldier, so it must be a woman.

Don't be so light-hearted about it.

You've always been after Ann, but I thought everything was open,

-but when Masterson blurted out that you and she...

-There was never anything like that.

Ann's not for me. I might have thought different once, not any more.

-It's easy to talk, twice as easy to lie.

-Don't I know it.

But I guess this is a time to tell the truth.

Tell it to myself as much as to you.

There are two people in the whole world I need and want.

One of them, I can't ever have - Gary.

The other one is not Ann.

-Boston?

-Yes.

Since you're going back to Denver and I'm not, tell her...

Love is a word that never came easy to me, Kirby, but it does now. Tell her that.

Can you walk four miles?

The stagecoach for Santa Fe passes by over that way.

Might be hot walking.

-What's it going to be - Colonel Pentecost?

-Just plain Private, so a salute's coming to you.

We've lost him. No use wasting any more time around here.

Subtitles by Steve Fiske & Claudia Cohn, Intelfax, for BBC Subtitling - 1999