Part One

---

EZRA:
Draw poker.
NATHAN:
How do you do that?
EZRA:
Well, over the years, I've acquired a certain, uh, tactile sensitivity.
BUCK:
A feel for stackin' the deck.
CHRIS:
Heh heh heh heh.
NATHAN:
You deal those cards so fast, how do we know you didn't cheat?
EZRA:
You don't.
BUCK:
Hell, Ezra, this hand's got as much chance as a one-legged man at a butt-kickin' contest.

EZRA:
He folds.
BUCK:
Gimme a beer, please. Hey, Hank? Hank Connolly?
HANK:
Buck Wilmington. I remember you. You still that loudmouth, whoremongering good-for-nothin'?
BUCK:
You still as ornery as a mule with a rattler up his backside? I think you are. What are you doing
here?
HANK:
Got some business with my son-in-law.

CHRIS:
What do you want?
HANK:
I heard you were here. Been riding for days to find you. Chris Larabee... I need your help.

JD:
Hey, fellas... you are not gonna believe what's rolling down the street. Look at this. Take a look, Ezra. Look at that.
NATHAN:
I don't think they're from around these parts.
JD:
What are those things hanging off their hats?

EZRA:
Those are called "weepers." Proper attire for a period of mourning.
MA NICHOLS:
What a sewer.
HANK:
They're after me. they're lookin' to avenge what I did. I found the fella... who shot your wife and kid. He murdered... Sarah and Adam. And I shot him with this gun.

MA NICHOLS:
All right boys. Split up... and find the old man.

CHRIS:
I already killed that man.
HANK:
I don't know who you killed, but this fella was behind it. He may have not done it with his own hands, but he was behind it.
BUCK:
Who did you kill?
HANK:
David Nichols. He had his ranch across the valley from Chris Larabee's.
CHRIS:
David Nichols? I remember him. He didn't strike me as no killer.
HANK:
He was from a bad family. And the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, Chris Larabee. And that Nichols fella was from a bunch of cold-blooded killers.
[saloon doors swing open]
VIN:
Looks like the circus is in town.
HANK:
Ain't no circus. That's the Nichols family. And they're after me on account of I killed one of their kin. And they been chasing me from town to town.
EZRA:
Wait. The Nichols brothers? The Nichols brothers from Kansas City?
HANK:
You heard of 'em?
EZRA:
Oh, who hasn't? Oh, boys, boys, big Jack Nichols was the most infamous racketeer west of the Mississippi. He expired in prison about 10 years ago, but he left behind a brood of notorious cutthroats and reprobates who now have the distinction of running their criminal enterprise in a very business-like manner.

CHRIS:
You brought these people here?
HANK:
I couldn't lose 'em. They just kept a-comin'.
CHRIS:
You should've come to me. I would've taken care of him.
HANK:
I killed him. He came right up to me. and before he said "howdy-do," I shot him.
CHRIS:
You should've come to me, Hank.
HANK:
I don't need no permission from Chris Larabee to kill my daughter's murderer.
CHRIS:
If what you say is true, then you live with it!
JD:
They're headin' this way.
BUCK:
We can hide him in the church.
JOSIAH:
Follow me. We can slip out the back.
JOHN NICHOLS:
Excuse us, Sirs, but can we ask you a question?
JD:
Heh heh. You just did. I was just joking.

VIN:
Get off him.

MA NICHOLS:
Oh, there's no need for that, now. I'm sorry to trouble you, son, but have you seen an old, ruddy-faced man around here? He's about 6 feet tall, clean shaven, wears a doe-colored plainsman.
JD:
I ain't seen nobody like that.
JOHN NICHOLS:
You sure?
VIN:
You heard him.
MA NICHOLS:
I am sorry to trouble you, sirs. You've all heard me describe the old man. I will pay a reward of $100 in gold to anyone who can tell me where he is. John... let us go find the church. I need a priest.
VIN:
You all right, Kid?
JD:
Yeah, I'm fine. Just dustin' the floors.
EZRA:
And I thought my mother was bad.

---

BUCK:
Chris, he's your father-in-law. You can't just walk away. You owe him that much.
CHRIS:
I don't owe that son of a bitch nothin'.

BUCK:
She was your wife. Sarah was his daughter. Now, Chris, he has suffered, too.
CHRIS:
I ain't gonna protect him. Ain't gonna watch him die.
BUCK:
I understand. You wanted vengeance, and he beat you to it, but he is family.
CHRIS:
You're so concerned, you protect him. Hyah!

---

PETER NICHOLS:
Hey, Boy. I'll pay you 2 bits you help me with these trunks.
CASEY:
I ain't a boy.
PETER NICHOLS:
Well, well, well. What's a lovely young lady such as yourself doin' in this dusty old town?
CASEY:
I live here. Whereabouts are you from?
PETER NICHOLS:
Kansas City.
CASEY:
Really? That's a big city.
PETER NICHOLS:
Well, I suppose it is.

JD:
Is there a problem here?
CASEY:
No, JD we were just talkin'.
PETER NICHOLS:
I'll give you 2 bits you help me with my trunks inside.
JD:
Heh heh heh. You obviously don't know who you're talkin' to.
PETER NICHOLS:
I guess I'll find out soon enough. Good day, young lady.
CASEY:
Quit, JD

---

HANK:
There she is, the one that's trying to kill me.
JOSIAH:
That old lady?
HANK:
She's a manslayer.
NATHAN:
Looks like she's trying to come inside this church.
MA NICHOLS:
Wait outside.
JOSIAH:
Stay right here. Welcome.
MA NICHOLS:
Where's the priest?
JOSIAH:
No priest. Just me.
MA NICHOLS:
A house of God should be clean.
JOSIAH:
Well, this church serves many paths, even dusty ones.
MA NICHOLS:
Look at yourself. You're not a man of God. You're a...philistine. A handyman.
JOSIAH:
Jesus was pretty good with a hammer.
MA NICHOLS:
Well, if you're all that this pesthole of a town has to offer, I guess you'll do. I need confession.
JOSIAH:
Aah! Confession.

---

NICHOLS BROTHER:
Know he's around here somewhere.
NICHOLS:
I can smell him.
VIN:
Looks like a flock of circlin' buzzards. Just haven't found the body yet.

EZRA:
Heh heh. An apt description, Mr. Tanner. But they are also people of sophistication. Perhaps if I
parley with them, I might uncover their designs.
VIN:
Go parley, Ezra.
EZRA:
Greetings, gentlemen. What brings you good folks to our quaint and dusty little backwater?

NICHOLS:
We're waitin' for our ma.
EZRA:
I see. Might I interest you boys in a game of cards or a drink while you wait?
NICHOLS:
Gambling's a sin.

EZRA:
Then it would be our moral duty to have a drink. Oh, well. Enjoy your stay. That went well.

---

BUCK:
Vin.
VIN:
Buck. Where's Chris?
BUCK:
He took off. Yeah, to his shack in the hills.
VIN:
Reckon he's none too happy that the hunt's off.

BUCK:
Well, he spent a long while looking for Sarah's killer. Reckon it'll take him a little time to adjust.
VIN:
I just don't understand why he won't help his own kin.
BUCK:
Hank thought Sarah was the sweetest flower on the prairie. She was. And he thought Chris was a no-good, hot-headed beer-guzzlin' carouser. Of course he was right. But there was something special between Sarah and Chris. I mean... you could see it. She changed him. When they were together, I've never seen 2 people...happier in my life. Old Hank, he never saw the good in
Chris. When they got hitched, he never spoke to either one of them again. Not until today.

---

---

MA NICHOLS:
Forgive me, Father, for I am about to sin.
JOSIAH:
You saying you haven't sinned yet?

MA NICHOLS:
Don't worry, I will. I will sin in grand fashion. I will break the sixth commandment. And then I will rejoice.
JOSIAH:
Death is never a reason for rejoicing.
MA NICHOLS:
He took my boy from me, my precious firstborn.
JOSIAH:
Revenge won't bring your son back, Ma'am.
MA NICHOLS:
What's your point?
JOSIAH:
[sighs]
I can't forgive you for something you haven't done yet.
MA NICHOLS:
It's as good as done.
JOSIAH:
You know, the navajo believe that the spirit of the dead comes back for revenge.
MA NICHOLS:
Pagan malarkey.
JOSIAH:
Come back as coyotes, whirlwinds. Why don't you let the coyotes bring your son peace?

MA NICHOLS:
I've heard better preaching coming out the backside of a horse.
JOSIAH:
The bible says forgive as you would be forgiven.
MA NICHOLS:
The bible says an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. I won't rest until Hank Connolly's dead. Who's here?
JOHN NICHOLS:
Ma! He's out here! Ma! Ma! I got him! I got him! Ma! Ma!
MA NICHOLS:
I'm gonna kill ya, Hank Connolly!
CHRIS:
Hank, grab on!
MA NICHOLS:
You and anyone that helps you!
JOHN NICHOLS:
Aah!
MA NICHOLS:
So help me, Almighty God.

---

MA NICHOLS:
Peter, I sent your for the doctor.
PETER NICHOLS:
Ma, he is the doctor.
NATHAN:
I'm a healer, Ma'am.
MA NICHOLS:
A healer? What is wrong with this town?
JOHN NICHOLS:
Aah.
NATHAN:
Try and relax. This might hurt a little bit.

JOHN NICHOLS:
Aah. Oh, ma, it hurts.
MA NICHOLS:
Be a man, John.
JOHN NICHOLS:
Aah.
NATHAN:
Yep, it's broken. We're gonna have to set it. Can somebody get him some whiskey?
JOHN NICHOLS:
[groans]
MA NICHOLS:
Don't worry, Johnny. It may hurt now, but it's nothing compared to the suffering we will inflict on the man who did you harm.

---

HANK:
So this is your home, Chris Larabee?
CHRIS:
Yeah. We'll stay here tonight, figure out what we're gonna do in the morning.
HANK:
You probably expect me to thank you.
CHRIS:
No. I don't.

---

NICHOLS BROTHER:
Come here, sinner. The Lord will help us loosen your tongue.
NICHOLS:
Gotta keep my tools clean. My tools of righteousness. Well oiled and ready to go. Don't you agree?
SHOPKEEPER:
Yeah. Cleanliness is next to Godliness.
NICHOLS:
God loves this gun. God works through my hands. God... pulls the trigger. That's why I never miss. What's the name of the man riding the black gelding?
NICHOLS BROTHER:
Hold still.
SHOPKEEPER:
I--I don't know.
[click]
SHOPKEEPER:
Aah. Chris Larabee. His name... Chris Larabee.
NICHOLS:
Where does Chris Larabee live?

EZRA:
Uh, gentlemen, perhaps I can be of some assistance.

---

PETER NICHOLS:
Excuse me, Miss? Miss? Can you tell me where I might find the sheriff?
CASEY:
We don't have a sheriff here.
PETER NICHOLS:
No sheriff?
CASEY:
Well, there's 7 men hired to protect this town. They're the law in these parts. Bet they have a lot of sheriffs in Kansas city.
PETER NICHOLS:
You should come see for yourself. A woman like you come to Kansas City... you'd start a wildfire.

CASEY:
What you mean?
PETER NICHOLS:
You'd be the prettiest girl in town.
CASEY:
Well, I'm not one for fancy dresses and hats with feathers and all.
PETER NICHOLS:
That's what I like about you. You're... complicated. Mm-hmm.

JD:
What are you talking to that fella again for?
CASEY:
We were just talking about the big city.
JD:
And why are you wearing a dress?
CASEY:
It's called a skirt, JD ladies wear them in the city.
JD:
The city? You're not in the city, Casey. You're not a city girl. Why do you want to dress like that? That's not like you.
CASEY:
How would you know, JD? I'm complicated.

---

NATHAN:
Your mother seems like she's a real pious woman.
JOHN NICHOLS:
That she is.
NATHAN:
Well, I guess I can't understand why she'd be so bent on killing somebody.
JOHN NICHOLS:
Mama loves us all, but she loved David the most. He was taken away from us. We got to avenge that.
BUCK:
Hey, Doc.
NATHAN:
Yeah.
BUCK:
You set that arm real tight?
NATHAN:
Yep.
VIN:
So he won't be able to shoot anybody.
NICHOLS:
The old man is staying with someone named Larabee. We know where he lives. So let's ride.
JOHN NICHOLS:
Thanks, Doc.
NATHAN:
You can't ride until that bone sets.
JOHN NICHOLS:
It'll have to wait. I gotta ride.
NATHAN:
Some people never listen.
EZRA:
Hold your horses, boys. This building doesn't appear to be on fire.
VIN:
They know where Larabee lives.
EZRA:
Well, I should hope so. I gave them explicit directions.