Scene 11.
Scott doesn't go too far, we see him riding behind a building and dismount. He ties his horse, then walks to the edge of the building, removes his hat and peers around the corner.
Shot of the street and the saloon, but no people visible.
Camera returns to view of Scott and we can see someone coming around behind his horse. It's Jenny. We can hear her footsteps, but apparently Scott can't!! He gives a delayed startle reaction and quickly turns once she begins to speak.
Jenny: It's a pity a fella like that never learned to keep his mouth shut.
Scott: What're you doing here?
Jenny: Oh, I got bored. Besides, I figured I'd never see you again in one piece.
Scott does not reply to this, he is still looking around the corner, towards the saloon.
Jenny: Hey, you-you ain't gonna try goin' after him, are ya?
SL, giving her a direct look: That's exactly what I'm gonna do.
Jenny: You're as big a fool as he is! You're both gonna get yourselves killed over some girl that don't even care nuthin' for that lunkhead!
Scott: Now, what makes you think that you know what she wants?
Jenny: Oh, c'mon now, that ain't so hard to figure. Any girl that'd run with Dave Macall doesn't want to be bothered with a sheephead like that Josh of yours. (big sigh, pause, then she continues) I been watchin' you with him, you kinda know that too, don't you?
Scott doesn't respond. He looks down the street. Camera shifts to his pov and we can see men exiting from the saloon.
Jenny: Something I .I kinda can't figure out, though-how a fella like you ever picked up with a fella like him.
Scott looks at her.
SL: One day Josh came to the ranch from the high country. He couldn't read and he couldn't write. He was too big and too proud and too ashamed to go to the school in town, so he asked me to help him. And I did.
Jenny: And you helped him, and you helped him and you're still gonna help him. And I'll make you a bet he doesn't even thank you for it!
Scott watches the street for a moment, as four riders head out, probably looking for him.
SL: One day, we were clearing some stumps, with dynamite, in a field. Now one of the bigger jokers in the crew hollowed out a dynamite stick and lit it and threw it at me. . . . Now, that big sheephead. . . saw it. . . and threw himself on that stick of dynamite. It was very funny. And everybody had a big laugh.
There is a pause while Jenny considers what Scott has just told her.
Scott: Now you go back to the barn and you stay out of sight.
He reaches out and pulls her hat down over her face. She removes the hat and smoothes her hair with one hand while he goes to untie his horse. And he walks past her, he looks at her, but neither of them has any more to say. The camera lingers on Jenny's face as Scott leads his horse away.
SCENE 12.
(the script provides a scene within "the cantina", it's still nighttime and Sheriff Burgess is drinking coffee in the almost deserted bar. Macall comes down the stairs, asks Burgess if there is any word, and after receiving a negative response, Macall gives the "lawman" his instructions.
Macall: All right. I'm gonna join the hunt. . . in the meantime, put a guard on the terrace outside the girl's room-just in case our visitor gets away, doubles back.
Burgess nods and Macall moves swiftly to the swinging doors. As he reaches them, he turns monce more in afterthought.
Macall, wrily: Better get some sleep, Burgess. If we don't get him, you're gonna have a lot of explaining to do, come morning. . .
He turns and goes out. As the swinging doors flap behind him, the scene shifts to Scott in a dark alley.)
We see Scott tying up his horse and then moving along a side street, staying close to the buildings, in their shadow (it's still daytime). He steps over a hay bale. "Sneaky" music helps him move along. He slips under the railing to stand on a shadowed staircase, a change in the music lets us know that Scott sees something, but we don't' know what it is. He then springs out to dash up behind a man standing some distance away, about to light a cigarette. Scott gives him a chop to the neck and the man goes down.
(in the script, it's still nighttime and we see the guard from Scott's pov early on. His approach is a more drawn out process with the camera cutting back and forth between the guard and Scott. The guard actually hears a footstep, looks up and sees nothing. Then:
Scott explodes out of the shadows, rips a punch into the guard's gut. As he doubles over, Scott chops down on his neck, sending the guard face forward, unconscious. )
Scott bends over the fallen man, quickly looking up and down the street to see that all is clear. He also quickly makes a readjustment to his hat, pushing it back further on his head! He bends down to roll the man over,--the "victim" seems to be rather cooperative in the roll and helping WM to grab a hold of his left arm. Scott drags the man some distance and then back into the dark area next to the staircase. (The victim continues to be helpful, keeping his knees bent and holding his right arm up and out of the way.)
Scott disappears from view momentarily, then he reappears with his gun drawn. He mounts the staircase.
SCENE 13.
In Laurie's room. She is dressed in a dark red dress with a black patterned print, deep V neckline also edged in black, long sleeves. She is standing in front of a dresser mirror brushing out her hair.
Suddenly the door opens and Scott enters. As he shuts the door, the camera moves to Laurie's face. She is surprised but her expression is unreadable as to whether his arrival is a good or bad surprise.
(in the script, Scott enters via a window and Laurie is described as wearing a "spangled" dress)
Scott did not have his gun drawn when he entered-he uses both hands to open and then close the door. As he looks up at Laurie, he raises his right hand in a silencing gesture.
SL: Keep your voice down . . (nodding towards the door) they may have another guard posted outside. (he stays by the door, but glances around the room)
Laurie: Are you alone?
SL: I wasn't. . . Josh was with me, but they grabbed him. I saw the guard outside and thought maybe he was in here. (slightest hint of a smile) I'm glad to see you're all right.
Laurie says nothing, but Scott responds to what he thinks he sees in her expression as the camera shifts to Laurie's face.
SL: Oh, don't worry.. . I'll get him back. (camera on Scott once more) We'll come back for you. You'll be all right til then?
Laurie nods. Scott murmurs something like "later" and makes a motion towards the door.
Laurie, who has remained standing in front of her dresser, now steps towards Scott.
Laurie, sharply: Scott . . .
He turns back.
Laurie: You haven't got a chance. . . why don't you just get Josh and-
SL: And what? (she doesn't answer, camera shifts to her) Let you and Macall live happily ever after? (he says this still not really considering that it might be true)
Laurie stares at Scott and he looks back at her.
Scott, in half disbelief: Laurie. . . (shakes his head a bit) Don't tell me that's the way it is. . . (he is clearly puzzled)
Laurie turns abruptly and takes a few steps away from him. I don't know how it is . . I just want a chance to think . . . Even if I was sure I wanted to go . . Even if you were to free Josh-get back here-How far do you think we'd get. . . I'd only slow you down . . .
Scott has been staring at her, now he straightens himself up a bit and walk over behind her. He rests both arms on the bedpost, expels a lengthy, audible breath and then waits a beat before speaking.
SL: I don't know who's the bigger fool---Josh or me. (he shifts position, half turning, so only his left arm is on the post) Now somebody told me it'd turn out this way and I didn't believe them.
Laurie is still standing facing us, but back to Scott, her eyes are downcast but she has little expression. She lifts her head to reply: You and Josh, you're always pressing me. Come here, come there, do this, do that. I never had a chance to figure out how I feel myself.
Scott reacts angrily to this, steps to Laurie, takes her arm and forces her to turn and look at him.
SL: How you feel?! What about Josh's feelings? He put his life on the line because he thought you needed him.
Laurie, petulantly: I know everything you can say . . I've said it to myself. . . but it is my life! It's not my fault I'm pretty. I didn't ask Josh to fall in love with me . . . if I decide to leave, I'll do it on my own. . . Now---if you really care about Josh. . if he's half as important to you as you say-
SL, cuts in: I know, you told me. . Find him and get him out. . .Well, finding him is not going to be hard, 'cause it's the law that grabbed him. He's lying in a cell right now-getting him out's not gonna be so easy.
Laurie, placatingly: I'll help you, Scott. . . any way I can. Whatever you think, I don't want anything to happen to Josh. (he just stares at her) I swear it, Scott. . . the last thing in the world I want is for Josh to get hurt because of me. . . .
SL: He may not know it yet. . . but he's been hurt already.
SCENE 14.
At the jail. The door to the cell block opens. Josh is in a cell; Sheriff Burgess unlocks the door so that his deputy can enter the cell with a tray of food.
Burgess, to Josh: Stay where you are.
The deputy puts the tray down inside the cell, then exits, while Burgess watches with his gun drawn.
Burgess, while locking the door to Josh's cell: Compliments of Mr. Macall. Could be your last meal.
Josh ignores the tray and steps to the bars.
Josh: How's my girl?
Burgess ignores his question.
Burgess: I figure you'll swing tomorrow at dawn. (he chuckles a bit) Be a shame to go out on an empty belly.
Josh, tightly: I asked you a question-how is she??
Burgess: Ask Mr. Macall. . .
Josh reaches through the bars in anger, but Burgess quickly steps back out of reach. He exits, pulling the door to the cell block shut. The camera zooms in on Josh's angry face.
Out in the main room of the sheriff's office, Burgess grabs a tin cup and crosses to the stove and a coffee pot. Removing a handkerchief from his back pocket, he picks up the pot and pours himself a cup. He sticks the handkerchief back into his pocket, then walks over to look out of the window as he takes a drink. Ominous music plays as we suddenly share his pov and see Scott out in the street, approaching the office, leading his horse, followed by Laurie. Burgess sets his cup down, opens the door and exits the office.
Out in the street, we can see that Laurie is holding a gun on Scott as he ties his horse to a railing next to the animal that Josh was riding. They step up onto the wooden sidewalk and move towards Burgess, who is waiting just outside his office.
Burgess: What's this?
Laurie, speaking quickly: He broke into my room-Macall left me a gun just in case something like this---
Burgess, cutting her off: Inside!
Camera in the office, Scott enters, followed by Laurie and then Burgess. The Sheriff heads over to the cell block door to unlock it.
Burgess, to Laurie: Nice going, gal. Just throw him in here with---
While Burgess is speaking, the camera is on Scott and Laurie behind him. We can see her hand the gun to Scott, Burgess turns and sees this as well. He glares at them a moment before making a move for his own weapon.
Scott: I wouldn't, friend.
Scott tells Burgess to sit down, and tells Laurie to get the Sheriff's gun. She takes Burgesses weapon and also the keys and then continues past him into the cell area. Scott tells Burgess to sit down once more and this time he complies.
Inside the cell area, Laurie closes the connecting door, then goes to unlock Josh's cell.
Josh: Laurie, how'd you get in here?
Laurie answers him while she is working on the lock: Scott's outside. . . there are horses just a little ways down the street.
Josh comes out of the cell, holding his hat.
Josh: Are you all right? (she nods) Where's Macall?
Laurie: Out of town. We'd better hurry.
(the script calls for Laurie to avoid Josh's attempted embrace here, then he catches her hand)
Josh stands in front of her, holding his hat in both hands.
Josh: Everything's gonna be all right, you'll see. When we get back to the ranch, you're gonna have the kinda weddin' and honeymoon you always dreamed of-
(the script describes Laurie as touched by this, and indicates that she starts to put a hand to his face. As filmed, she simply looks down before delivering her next line)
Laurie: Josh, I've got to tell you something. . .
Josh: You just tell me you love me. That'll be fine for now. (as he speaks, he puts on his hat and then takes the keys from her) Josh opens the door and lets Laurie go into the office ahead of him. The camera shifts to Scott, standing near the window.
Scott, to Josh, gesturing with his gun at the Sheriff: Lock him inside.
Josh takes Burgess by the collar and roughly shoves him onto a cell and locks the door. Another shot of Scott watching out the window, then Josh returns to the office.
Scott: Let's go.
The three of them head towards the door-it looks as if Laurie is following Scott and Josh. Josh removes his hat as he leaves. Scott and Josh go to their horses, when suddenly Josh realizes that Laurie is not behind him.
Josh: Now where's Laurie??
Scott unties Josh's horse, then moves to his own.
Scott, in a low voice: She'll meet us later. Let's go.
Josh puts on his hat, but we don't actually see the two of them mount up as the camera cuts to a couple of men crossing the street. We here Scott's voice "C'mon, boy", then the two men suddenly see something and start shooting. The camera shifts to Scott and Josh riding away hard, then back to show that several more of Macall's men are hurrying to their horses.
Scott and Josh ride around a corner and out of sight. The camera shows the street as five riders join in the pursuit. Laurie is shown watching from a doorway. Suddenly, the last rider halts, it's Macall who has caught a glimpse of Laurie. He stares at her, then rides over to where she is standing and dismounts. Neither one speaks as he walks over to her, then grabs her shoulder. But before he can say anything, the camera cuts to Scott and Josh riding down a back alley. They ride into an open barn-like door, which closes just before the pursuing riders tear around the corner after them. The four men gallop past, and as soon as they are gone, the large door opens and Scott and Josh ride out, heading off in the opposite direction.
SCENE 15.
Close up on Josh, he is angry!
Josh: You're lying, Scott! She'll be here. . . she loves me and she'll be here!
He turns and we see that Scott is seated behind Josh. Josh lowers his face to Scott's as he finishes these lines. They seem to be inside a barn of some sort, and Jenny is with then, standing in the background, just listening.
Scott: Josh, I should've told you before . . . it's my fault as much as hers . . . . .
Josh, cutting in, still very angry: You told me, Scott. You told me from the time I started callin' on her! (camera on Scott's face, serious expression and sad eyes) The time when you didn't come to town for the party! (Scott looks down at this, then the camera zooms in on Josh) And you told me every time you came near us! I think you're jealous-that's right. She's such a beautiful gal and you just couldn't stand the thought of me and her being together! (He's shouting now)
Scott, raising his own voice angrily now: Josh, I saw her, and I talked to her. She's not going to leave him!
Shot of Jenny, listening in growing discomfort.
Josh: I don't want to hear no more of your lies! You hear?! You shut up! Shut up!
Josh waves a finger in Scott's face then starts to walk away. Scott rises to his feet.
Scott: Now Josh, where are you going?
Josh doesn't answer, but he's heading to the door.
Scott moves after him, reaches out to grab him: Josh!
Josh whirls around: I'm goin' to get her . . .
Scott: Will you listen to me---
Josh pushes Scott away hard, he ends up bumping against a support post. He starts to head back towards Josh, who is standing there waiting and ready. Meanwhile, Jenny, who is behind Josh, picks up a rifle and uses the butt end to hit Josh over the head. Josh stands there momentarily, stunned. His knees bend, he shakes his head a bit, then drops to his knees. Scott draws back a bit as Jenny hits Josh again and he topples face first forward to the floor. Jenny lets the rifle slip from her grasp and both she and Scott move towards josh. Scott stands with one foot on a bale of hay while Jenny kneels beside Josh. She appears to gently turn him over, but we can't actually see Josh here, and we never see him again in this scene. Jenny removes her hat, looking very concerned. She looks up at Scott, biting her lip. Scott gives her a sidelong look, a knowing smile playing on his own lips. Jenny looks back down with a half smile of her own.
ACT FOUR
Scene 16.
Still in the barn, it's dim inside, Jenny is kneeling on the floor with Josh's head in her lap. Scott is standing, hands on hips, looking down at him.
Jenny: Did you see that I had ta hit him twice before he'd go down? Now any one of those woulda felled a steer. (she is impressed)
While Jenny is speaking, Scott is taking a coil of rope off of a peg on the nearby support beam. He crouches beside them holding the rope.
Scott: I saw that.
Jenny: He woulda racked you up good if I hadn't done that. He's so BIG. . . . and so DUMB.
Scott: How's his head?
Jenny: Oh, don't worry about him, he'll be comin' around before you even know it . . .
SL: Good.
Throughout this exchange, Jenny has been tenderly wiping Josh's face. Scott is busy tying the rope around Josh's ankles.
Jenny: Hey, what're you doin'?!
Scott: Trying to make sure I get him back to the ranch in one piece.
Jenny: Well, that ain't gonna do no good!!
Scott: Look, thanks for all your help. Now, I'll get you that fifty dollars when I get back to Morro Coyo. Now you just be a good girl and. . . run along.
(the rather patronizing "be a good girl" is not in the script)
He finishes up the ankles and then moves to lift Josh's upper body so that he tie his arms.
Jenny: But you can't keep him hogtied up all his life!!
Scott is tying Josh's arms behind his back. There is a groan from Josh.
Scott: Now you let me worry about that, will ya?
Jenny: Look, he's gotta get rid of some of that baby fat and now's as good a time as any.
SL: He's coming around.
Josh is murmuring to himself. Scott asks Jenny to help roll him over.
Jenny, brightly to Josh: Gave ya two good blows, I did!
Josh: What's this?
Scott reaches slightly behind to pick up a four legged stool, he sits on it, adjusts his holster out of the way, and looks down at Josh. Almost as an afterthought, he thinks of the rifle leaning against the support post, snatches that and puts it across his knees.
Scott, to Josh: If you try to go back to that town of Macall's, you're a dead man. So I'm taking you back to the ranch if I have to drag you every foot of the way.
Josh still has his head in Jenny's lap. He looks up at Scott: Don't do this to me, Scott. Lemme just talk to her. . .
Scott: Josh (he really drags out his name here), she wrote to him. She wanted him to come, can't you understand that?
Josh: Now she was lyin'! She just said that ta get me outta there safe.
Scott: Josh, that's not the way it was.
Josh: Don't do this to me Scott. I ain't gonna end here no matter what you say. I'm going back for her.
Scott: Josh . . . If I bring Laurie right here. . . and she tells you right to your face, will you believe her?
Josh, shakes his head: She wouldn't do that. She wouldn't do that to me, Scott.
SL: Right here, Josh, right to your face.
Jenny: Josh, a man would have ta be a four way fool not to believe that! Now I figured you for a three-way one, which ain't necessarily all bad . . ..
Josh: Stay outta this, Jenny.
Scott: Well?
Josh, without looking at either of them: All right, Scott. Bring her here.
Scott, handing Jenny the rifle: If he gets loose and tries to follow me . . shoot him in the leg.
Scott gets up off of the stool, reaches for his hat hanging on the post. Jenny laughs a bit, then, gun in hand, moves to take Scott's seat.
Jenny: All this over one girl . . It's some kind of madness, now ain't it?
Scott nods, looks down at the hat he's holding in his hands.
SL: A very special kind of madness.
Jenny looks up at him and significant music begins to play: Scott, you think anyone would ever do this for me?
Scott: When the time comes and you want someone that much -(he reaches out with one hand to stroke her hair) I've a feeling he'll do just about anything for you.
(sigh)
He smiles at her and leaves.
Jenny starts talking to Josh: You know, I only seen that Laurie of yours but once. Didn't pay much mind. Um . . what kinda hair did she have?
Josh answers softly, as we hear the hooves of Scott's horse departing.
Josh: Black. So black it glistened. So long she could sit on it.
Jenny brushes at her own short blond hair with one hand.
Jenny: Sit on it? Now who'd wanna sit on their own hair?
Josh doesn't answer or even look at her.
Jenny: 'Sides, long hair keeps getting' in the way. A gal can get a lot more chores done if she doesn't have her hair keep getting' caught up in things.
Still no response from Josh.
Jenny: She looked like she had that kinda. . . . pale, wishy-washy kinda skin. Bet a day's work out in the sun, she'd come back more speckled than a ginger bird.
Shot of Jenny, sitting on the stool, inspecting her own hands while Josh lies at her feet.
Jenny: Now, maybe they ain't soft as that Laurie's, but I bet they could . . .they could get a lot more done for ya.
Josh props his head up a bit at the base of the support beam. Suddenly, Jenny puts the rifle aside and kneels down beside him.
Jenny, angry: Now you lissen to me when I talk to you!!
She reaches out and grabs his face, turns it to her and kisses him squarely one the lips. It is a long, angry kiss. Then she releases him, gets up, grabs the rifle and walks away.
Josh looks after her. She gives him a sideways look back, and a little smile. He smiles back up at her. The camera goes back and forth a bit, between them both smiling.
Scene 17.
Back in town, Macall is leaning against a porch post, his man Vance Davis is to our right, Sheriff Burgess is back to us, talking with Macall. We can se Laurie in the background, standing in a doorway. The Sheriff is a bit nervous, he clears his throat several times as he addresses Macall.
Burgess: Well, ah, we been doing some talkin' around town, Mr. Macall. We know you've done a lot for us, but. . . . we figure this is a good time for you and your boys to move on . . .
Macall, with a sardonic smile: Like maybe tonight?
Burgess: Look, now that word's out, we're gonna have a U. S. marshal and a whole pack of lawmen on our hands . .
Macall: We're staying til tomorrow-Sheriff. (he places a snide emphasis on the title)
(cut from the script, Macall adds: We got a little ceremony to take care of . . the Sheriff starts to protest, and and Macall says simply: Don't say any more. Also in the script, Burgess addresses Macall as "Dave".)
The Sheriff leaves. Davis watches him go.
Davis: That's too bad. We had a good deal here. . . Think it's too late to catch up with the other two?
Macall: The sod-buster and that pretty boy Lancer? They gotta be ten miles from here and still running!
Davis reacts with amusement, then he moves off down the street. Macall pushes himself away from the post, then steps towards Laurie. At the same time, she approaches him.
We hear Scott's voice, but don't see him: Would you care to settle for thirty feet?
Macall starts to go for his gun, then freezes as Scott continues speaking.
SL: Don't move. (we can see him a short distance away as he steps around the corner). It's just that pretty boy again . . . (nice closeup of SL with his gun extended and pointing at Macall)
The camera shifts to inside the saloon. We hear Scott's voice telling Macall to "get on that horse", but we see the bartender wiping off a table. Suddenly, something outside attracts the barkeep's attention, and he moves to the window. Quick shot of Scott, Macall and Laurie on horses.
Bartender: Looks like your boss is elopin' early and he's takin' his best man right along with him . . .
Davis and some of Macall's other men go to the window and look out.
Davis: It's Lancer and he's got Dave and the girl!
Three other men start to move towards the door, but Davis stops them.
Davis: All right!! Hold it! We can't jump him now. . . We're gonna take this nice and easy. . . .
Scene 18.
Shot opens with the three riders arriving at the barn. Macall dismounts, tosses his horse's reins over a corral fence and then leans back against the fence with his arms resting on the top rail. Scott is still on horseback.
(during the following conversation, the script describes Laurie as "strangely silent, withdrawn". Later, she looks at Macall in a "strange evaluating way".)
Scott dismounts and heads towards the barn, keeping his gun at the ready and an eye on Macall.
(As filmed, Josh and Jenny come around the side of the bar, but according to the script, Scott looks around and see no sign of Josh and Jenny, the barn seems to be deserted. Then, suddenly, a rifle comes down from out of the shadows and knocks the gun out of Scott's hand.)
Josh: Hold it, Scott.
He and Jenny come around the side of the barn. Josh is holding a rifle, and Jenny, hatless, is walking at his side.
Josh: Sorry, Scott. I figure it's time I start takin' care of my own life.
SL: Now, listen to me Josh-
Josh: Why? You done all you could for me. Now it's my turn.
Josh and Jenny have been walking towards the others. Macall and Laurie are standing on the other side of Scott. Scott starts to speak, but Josh doesn't let him say anything.
Josh: Drop it, Scott. (Scott hesitates) Drop it.
Scott still takes a moment to think about it, then sighs and drops his gun to the ground with an exasperated movement. His frustration is evident.
Josh, to Macall: Now you, Mister, you get on inside.
Macall starts to speak, but Josh won't let him say anything either.
Josh, louder: You get on inside!
Scott opens the barn doors behind him, gestures with one hand for Macall and Laurie to go in, he follows them. Josh and Jenny go in as well; Jenny has Scott's gun.
Once inside, Scott removes his hat and holds it in one hand. It's pretty dark inside the barn. While Josh is focused on Macall and Laurie, Scott starts to make a motion towards Jenny (this is not in the script).
Jenny makes a noise, draws back and then trains her gun on Scott.
Jenny: Nope. Let him do it his own way for once.
Macall steps up close behind Laurie. They are both facing Josh.
Macall: You can see how it is, boy. Now why don't you just go away and leave us alone?
Josh ignores him, but addresses Laurie: Laurie. . . talk to me, just tell me what happened.
Scott: Don't do this to yourself, Josh. Let them go. I told you the way it was.
Camera on Laurie as her eyes shift and she apparently makes a decision.
Josh: Laurie?
Suddenly, Laurie breaks free from Macall and throws herself into Josh's arms.
Laurie, sobbing: Oh, Josh. . . it was terrible. . . terrible.
Macall, Scott and Jenny all react. Jenny moves to take the rifle from Josh's hand as he embraces Laurie and pats her back.
Josh, very gently: Tell me what happened.
Laurie: Just hold me, Josh! Hold me!
Quick shot of Macall's men arriving at the barn.
Josh is holding Laurie, but he doesn't look down at her, he seems to be glaring at Macall.
Josh: It's all right, you're safe. You're with good old Josh.
Laurie: Tell me you love me, Josh.
The camera shoots over to Scott and then to Macall, who are both listening and reacting. Jenny can be seen behind Scott, looking rather bewildered.
Josh: I've always loved you, Laurie. Did he hurt you?
Laurie doesn't answer, just sobs more.
Josh, to Macall: Mister, I'm gonna kill you. (Macall starts to point and speak, but Josh keeps talking as he puts Laurie to one side in order to advance towards Macall.) I'm gonna kill you here. . .
Scott: Josh-----no!
Josh removes his hat, ignores Scott.
Josh: Right here. (he moves towards Macall)
Macall picks up a length of wood, steps backwards away from Josh.
Scott: Don't do it, Josh! That's not the way it was, I know! (to Laurie) Laurie! Tell him the truth! (Scott reaches for Josh) Josh, no!
Josh swings and Macall goes down. Then Josh turns angrily on Scott.
Josh: You stay outta this!
Scott is equally angry: You said you wanted to grow up----well, do it, now!
They confront each other.
Josh, very tight and angry: All I know is we ain't got no chance of bein' happy long as he's alive.
Scott: You don't have a chance anyway.
(this line is not in the script)
Josh stares at Scott, who stares back. Scott glances at Laurie, sees she isn't going to add anything.
SL, still angry and emphatic: If you want to blame anyone, blame me! I brought Laurie to Morro Coyo! She was working for Macall! There was something between them even then.
Close up of Josh as this registers on him. Scott continues to speak quickly and emphatically, then abruptly slows.
SL: I wanted to tell you, many times, tried to, but I. . . .but I thought that it was. . .
Josh: You thought it would be funnier to laugh at stupid Josh! Didn't you?! (now he turns on Scott)
SL, backing away a bit: If that's what you want to believe, all right. But let them go.
Josh, getting angrier and more bitter: Funny Josh! See Josh walk! See Josh run! See Josh jump! Everybody laugh! Everybody laugh while Josh falls flat on his face!
Scott assumes a defensive stance as he expects a physical attack from Josh when suddenly a new voice is heard:
Davis: And it could happen again. . . All right, drop the gun.
Jenny obeys and tosses the guns to the floor. Macall's other men enter beside Davis who has come in a back door, near where Macall has been lying.
Macall pulls himself to his feet. He is holding his hat, wipes at the corner of his mouth with a bandanna. Then he regroups, puts his hat on, tucks the bandanna into his jacket pocket, swipes the brim of his hat with one hand, transforming himself back into the man in charge. There is a close up of Laurie as she takes this all in.
Macall: Well, well, looks like we got a brand new dealer coming out. . ..
He steps up behind Josh, and takes his gun from the holster, then points it at Josh's back.
Macall, to Davis: Where are the horses?
Davis: Out front.
Macall: Wait outside for me. We'll be headin' straight out. . . south for the border. . .
Macall holds the gun on Josh in a threatening manner. Scott steps up.
SL: You've got nothing against him, Macall. As a matter of fact, if you've got any sense, you ought to be thanking him right now. . . .
Macall considers this: You know, you're right. . . sorry big fella. Looks like we both split the losing hand. . . .
He starts to cross in front of them to exit through the front door, but as he turns to back away from Josh and Scott, Laurie comes up behind and puts her arms around him.
Laurie: Dave! Dave! You've got to understand. . when I saw you standing there, helpless and a t gunpoint. . I stopped thinking clearly. . .
Macall is facing us, he is listening but he's not buying it. He does not look at Laurie. The camera shows us that Josh is listening as well, and realization is beginning to hit . . .
Laurie, the words tumble out: All I knew was that you'd be in jail thinking about me and when you'd get out, I'd be old and ugly and it'd be such a waste of the two of us. . .and for a moment, something inside of me broke and I stopped knowing what I . . what I was saying. . you can understand that, can't you Dave? Dave?
During this speech, the camera shifts to Scott and Josh who are listening carefully. When we watch Macall's face, we can see that he does understand, all too well. Laurie circles around him to stand in front, tries to initiate an embrace.
Macall: Sure I can, Honey. . . (he looks at Josh, then pushes Laurie away) See you around.
Macall moves away and exits. Laurie calls after him: Dave! Dave Macall! You can't do this to me! Dave! You hear!
Scott gives Laurie a look, then moves right and off screen. In the background,Jjosh is picking up the guns.
Laurie turns to Josh: Josh? Josh? (she starts towards him.) Josh, I . . .
He extends his arm, pushing her away. Jenny is just standing there, off to the left. Scott comes back on screen to hand Josh his hat; Josh gives Scott his gun, then accepts the hat, and stands there holding it to deliver his next line to Laurie: Like the man said. . . see you around.
Laurie looks briefly at Scott-nothing there. Josh is turning to Jenny, taking her hand and smiling down at her. She smiles up at him.
Laurie, bewildered: Dave! she calls, then exits.
(in the script, she says I love you, Dave! I've always loved you, Dave! Also the script does not have this smiling and hand holding between Josh and Jenny)
Josh glances briefly at Scott, then the three of them leave the barn, Josh, Jenny and Scott, bringing up the rear as he puts his hat on.
(in the script and cut:
Laurie's cries echo off into the distance. Jenny looks after her curiously.
Jenny: Do you think he'll take her back?
Scott nods: I think they deserve each other. . . .
Josh stands there with his horse, head hanging down in defeat.
Josh, to Scott: I guess I'll be gettin' back now. . . Scott nods, Josh mounts up.
Scott, to Jenny: I'll take you back where you came from. And get you that fifty dollars along the way . . .
Jenny shakes her head stubbornly: No . . I wanna ride with him.. . . (she looks at Josh) less you got some objections?
Josh looks at her, then shrugs, feigning indifference.
Josh: Might as well. Better'n ridin' alone. . . .
Jenny: Is that all you got to say?
Josh: Just get on. . .
She clings lovingly to him, her head resting against his broad back, the two ride away.
Another cut scene: as they ride along, Josh trying to conceal a very contented smile, they encounter Johnny, Murdoch and a US Marshall with some deputies.
Josh: You figure I oughtta wait up and go with the posse???
Scott; Right now, I think that's the kind of decision you've got to make for yourself.
Josh, looks at Jenny, then asks Scott a question: What would you do if you was me?
Scott: I guess I'd look at myself and figure I'd been awful lucky . . .
Josh nods slowly: See you back at the ranch. . .
He turns his horse around and then pauses. He looks back at Scott.
Josh: You know something. . for a long time, all I wanted to be in the world was like you. (he looks at Jenny) But now I guess I don't feel like that no more. . .
The posse parts for them and Josh and Jenny ride right through the middle of them totally oblivious of their existence.
Murdoch looks after them, puzzled, then turns to Scott: What happened?
Scott shakes his head: It's a long story.
Murdoch: Well, what does it all come down to?
Close up on Scott as he considers the answer to this question for a long moment, then gestures south, then says wearily: They went that way
The End)
Scene 19.
This is how the show actually ended. We see the front of the Lancer hacienda, and Murdoch is coming out as Scott rides up. Scott, by the way, is riding his horse with the white blaze and stockings.
Murdoch: Well, what happened to you? Thought you'd be back with Laurie by now.
Scott rides past him: We were delayed.
Murdoch: You did bring her back?
SL, shaking his head a little: Not exactly.
Scott dismounts as Josh rides up with Jenny riding behind him. She dismounts and we have a shot of Murdoch reacting to the sight of a different female with Josh.
Murdoch is speaking to Scott but still staring at Josh and Jenny: Umm . . . Johnny rode off with the . . the posse. I didn't think I'd be needed so I came straight back here. (he turns to Scott who has come to stand beside him)
Josh: Uh, Mr. Lancer, would it be all right with you if Jenny stayed in the main house for a couple days?
Murdoch, delayed reaction response; huh? Oh. . yes, yes, that'd be fine.
Josh stands holding his hat in front of him, while Jenny, hatless, stands beside him: I think that's for the best, Scott. I mean, we ought to start figuring on finding some one to take care of her, you know what I mean?
SL: I know exactly what you mean.
Josh, glances down, then speaks to Scott: You know. . for a long time, all I wanted in the world was to be like you. . . (he looks at Jenny) But I don't feel like that no more.
Shot of ML looking at Scott. Jenny gazes lovingly at Josh, who takes her other bag off of the horse and then escorts her inside.
ML turns to Scott and stops him before he can speak: I know. I know. It's a Long Story.
SL: Very long.
ML: Would a piece of wedding cake and a cup of coffee persuade you to tell it to me?
SL: Well, the coffee sounds fine, but I think we ought to save that wedding cake.
They go into the house chuckling, Murdoch putting his arm on Scott's shoulder.
THE END
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