All language subtitles for Tales of Wells Fargo S06E26 - To Kill a Town

Been a long time, Mr. Hardie.

'Bout four years, I'd say.

Right after you held up
the Clarington stage.

I thought after
that, you'd learn

the outlaw business
didn't pay too well.

Outlaw business is the
only business I ever knew.

The job last week, they
caught me with my feet

flat on the ground.

Sorta had your touch.

Well, the trouble
with a skillful man is

his work begins to
take on a pattern.

I thought it was little
more than coincidence

that you and the big
payroll showed up

in Preston at the same time,

so I told the sheriff there.

The rest you know.

Are you ready?

Let's go.

So that's the mighty
Lou Reese, huh?

He don't look so tough to me.

200 apiece was the agreement.
You got your money.

Aren't you being mighty cautious

just to get your
hands on that man?

Mr. Pete, when a
man's spent his life

doing the sneak, then
he gets a feeling

when it's being done to him.

That rough country up
ahead'll help out a lot.

We'll hang him tonight.

Would it be simpler
just to shoot him?

Hanging is a unique experience.

I want Mr. Reese to
know just how it feels.

All right, you can
hand me that bacon

out of those saddle
bags now, Reese.

Mr. Hardie, I'm a
pretty patient man,

but you're wearing
me mighty thin.

Just get the bacon.

You know it's
gonna be awful hard

to lift this saddle and
a fork at the same time.

How 'bout turning me
loose, just for the meal?

I admire a skillful
man, Mr. Reese.

Regardless of what
that skill is.

Now tonight you're gonna start

learning to eat left-handed.

Hardie?

How long you think
they're gonna give me?

How long you got
left, I imagine.

Appears to me you repeated

one time too often there, Reese.

Well, I can't say that
concerns me too much.

Well they tell me that
the new penitentiary

the state built is almost
impossible to break out of,

if that's what you got in mind.

Break out?

Never entered my mind.

I think I've been sort of
waitin' and hopin' for this

for a long time.

I'm old and tired,
and all of me's been used up.

Don't sound too bad.

Regular meals,
good place to sleep.

Every man needs a home,

even if it has to be a jail.

I can't say it hasn't
been fun while it lasted.

Regular game of wits.

The last few rounds with you,

each of us won a few battles,

but... does seemed
like you won the war.

Reese?

This is Normalie.

What do you want?

Hey, you keep your hand
away from that gun, mister.

I don't have much
business with you.

Just want to relieve you of
your prisoner, that's all.

Soon as we hang him,
we can all go home.

Reese, I hope you've
gotten pretty good

at handling that saddle.

I'm gonna make a dive behind

that rock you're
sitting in front of.

And I suggest you follow.

Mr. Hardie, I hate to
keep harping on it,

but about this saddle.

Goin' to jail's a whole
lot easier than hanging.

I don't figure I've got
too much to worry about.

This Normalie doesn't seem
to think too much of you.

He's got a right.

We were involved with
some stolen horses,

and to save my own skin
I hinted to the owners

where they could find him.

I hear some of his
men cut him loose

from the rope just in time.

A waste of time though.

He was born to be hung.

Mr. Hardie, it would seem to me

that we're not gonna
get very far this way.

It seems to me you're right.

All we lacking right
now is an alternative.

I know about a little
town up in the mountains

where we'd be safe.

That sounds like
the alternative.

New Madrid.

Where?

Down the canyon a ways.

The only way in and out

with a high, narrow
canyon like this,

few men in that
town can hold off

a whole army from getting in.

Well, I suppose,
from that same token,

just a few men up here
can keep a whole town

from getting out.

You gotta a good point,

but us without food and water,

and me without a saddle

and miles of nothing
out there but Normalie.

All right, let's go.

Reese! Why, it's Lou Reese.

By golly, it's Lou Reese.
Lou, Lou!

- Hey look everybody!
- How are you, buddy?

It is, it's Lou Reese!

- Welcome back!
- It's been a long time.

By golly!

Four years you've
been gone this time!

- Four years!
- Welcome, Lou!

Good to see you.

Can't tell you how good it
is to see you, Mr. Reese.

You and your friend get the best
room in the hotel, all on me.

I'm afraid we won't be able
to accept your hospitality.

We've only be here
long enough to

rest the horses a little while.

But we will need to pick
up a saddle from ya.

Well I guess I can scare one up.

This is Mr. Hardie,
my riding companion.

Howdy, Hardie.

Any friend of
Mr. Reese owns this town.

Our pleasure, Mr. Hardie.

But these horses aren't going to
be ready to travel before morning.

I'll fix up that room.

Lou Reese!

Beat you by a half a second.

How 'bout that?

Jason Moore beatin'
the outlaw of 'em all.

You're not very funny, kid.

Oh, Mr. Hardie and I had
a little trouble back there.

We may have some callers
we don't wanna see.

Oh we're not much of the
fighting kind, Mr. Reese.

But nobody's gonna
bother you in here.

We'll see to that.

I'll get your horses some feed.

I'll get 'em to fix you
boys some hot meals.

Being an outlaw
hadn't seem to dim

your popularity
in this town any.

I'm not just popular, Hardie.

I'm only two feet shorter
than the mountain.

Home town boy makes good and all
that sort of thing, huh?

No, out of town boy
once saved this town

from an Indian raid.

I see.

You sure?

My point being,
Mr. Hardie, is that right now

it would seem that our
relationship has become reversed.

How ya like these?

New wardrobe?

Reception you got down there,

you've sure got
this town fooled.

Yeah, they're waiting
in the saloon now

to buy me a drink.

Join me?

You goin' down to have a drink,

you can bet your boots
I'm gonna join you.

Come in.

Oh, don't mind me. During the
day, I'm just the chambermaid.

During the day, huh?

You make it sound
like there's more.

Oh, at nights I
work in the saloon.

You know, sing a
little, serve a little.

It's so much for a girl to do.

I suppose there is.

You ready?

My name's Clarissa.

Pleased to meet you, Clarissa.

Oh, you say hello like goodbye.

We'll be seeing
more of each other.

We'll be leaving
here the first thing

in the morning.

Oh.

Mr. Hardie says we're leaving.

I say... maybe.

Good day.

Reese.

You remember one thing.

To those people in
there, you might be

something pretty special,

but to me you're
still just a prisoner.

What does that mean?

It means we leave here
the first thing in the morning.

Mr. Hardie, you just
don't understand.

I haven't made up
my mind about that yet.

Even though there's no
telegraph or law in this town,

when I leave here,
you're goin' with me.

Mr. Hardie, the best
thing you can do

is hold your temper and let
us both see what happens.

That way I won't have
to tell these folks

you're arresting me.

That way you can live awhile.

Ah, you shoulda seen him
those long years ago.

Not so much here, more up here.

What a man he looked.

How scared we all were
when he rolled into town

with his men, remember?

I remember
like it was yesterday.

Lou Reese and his boys.

You know, I was sure
you were gonna rob us

and cut our throats.

Well, the thought
had occurred to us,

but we hated Indians
more than we liked money.

Well sir, them Apaches
was all around us.

Up above on the cliffs,

throwing down fireballs
on the buildings,

trying to force us
to leave this canyon.

How I'd like to been there,
riding with Mr. Reese.

Oh, that was long
before your time, Sonny.

Let me fix you
another drink, Lou.

Hey, don't call me Sonny.

The name is Jason Moore.

Sure.

Okay now, you say it.

Jason Moore.

You remember it.

Okay, now you can
finish your story.

Well, it was just that
without saying a word

to any of us, after dark out
of the mouth of the canyon,

Lou Reese and his men sneaked up

around those Indians
and killed them all dead.

You know, Mr. Reese?

Either you born too early
or I was born too late.

Hey, what a combination
we woulda made.

Jason Moore and Lou Reese.

Taking over towns.

All the money we could spend!

Pretty women at our feet.

Let me go!

Let her go, kid.

Didn't you hear me?
I said nobody calls me kid.

I called you what you are.

An irresponsible kid.

Unless Mr. Reese
tells me to stop,

I'm gonna have to kill you.

Now that presents me with
a very interesting problem.

I don't think I need any help.

There's no need
in killing this boy.

A man's riding down the canyon.

He's all alone.

Too bad they didn't all come.

We coulda gotten this over with.

Must wanna talk.

You know that guard
you got down there.

If he don't quit shaking' he's
gonna fall right off that wagon.

Go on back with the others.

Where's Normalie?

He and Chris are just
outside the canyon.

You know, when it
comes to strategy,

that Normalie's real good.

Didn't see no reason
to walk into a trap.

Besides, I can take
Reese back alone.

Hey, you let me
tell you something.

Then you tell Normalie, in this
town Reese can do no wrong.

He tries to take him, all
he's gonna get's killed.

Yeah, it's a mighty mean-looking

bunch you got down there.

Look Mister, why don't
you save everybody

a lot of trouble
and give us Reese?

You just tell him what I said.

Yes sir, it's
a mighty secluded place.

Let's get him into the hotel.
I'll take care of him there.

You coulda got yourself killed

protecting your prisoner.

Normalie didn't think
very much of you.

Willing to go to
a lot of trouble

to prove his point.

Any idea what
he's planning to do?

I have no idea.

If the Apaches had
a plan, I imagine

Normalie'll think of
it sooner or later.

If we could get
out of this canyon,

we could handle it the same way,

but I gotta a
notion that Normalie

is smarter than an Apache.

We'll find out.
As soon as it gets dark.

Fire in the entrance.

The Apaches had something we
didn't have to contend with.

I guess you and I won't have to
settle our differences for a while.

There's no place to go but back.

Where you goin'?

Now Mr. Hardie,
you just saw for yourself

I can't get outta here.

Just wanna pay my
respects to an old friend.

I've been waiting a long time.

Thought you were taking
care of the wounded man.

Oh, I was, I was.

But it's only a scratch.

Couple of days and
Joe'll be as good as new.

Now which brings us to you.

What are you doing here?

Mr. Hardie, I have a very
grave confession to make.

I'm not a very nice girl.

Take stealing, oh
I'm very good at it!

It's just that not very
many people come here

and when they do, they
have to stay here,

so when I'm cleaning their
rooms I take what pleases me.

Today I stole from you.

You couldn't have stolen much.

I don't have much.

You had this.

Now a Wells Fargo agent
riding with a famous outlaw.

Now there can only be
one answer for that.

I don't think the
townspeople would like that.

So to keep them
from finding out,

I was gonna ask you
for quite a bit.

And what might that be?

Something I want very much.

I wouldn't want to see
the townspeople kill you.

Really I wouldn't.

So I think we can come to terms.

We'll talk tomorrow?

Reese!

I was just passing by.

I thought I recognized you.

Just a pile of
rotten lumber now.

What's got you so interested?

I used to know somebody
that lived there.

A long time ago.

Her name was Mary Garner.

You know, she's dead.

Yeah, I heard.

I heard she was once
a beautiful woman.

She was the most beautiful
woman I ever saw.

Yeah, well she wasn't
after a few years

with that hot shot
she ended up marrying.

He was the kind that could
take the beauty out of anything.

After he took her
away from here,

she never even got
a place like that

to call her own.

How do you know
so much about her?

Well I ought to, I'm her son.

I just got back here about
a year ago after she died.

Mary's son!

You know, Mr. Reese,
seems you and me

got a lot in common.

We're both mighty
handy with a gun.

Both walk heavy on
the pumpkin rollers.

And we got a mutual acquaintance
with the same woman.

Lady, the word is lady!

The kindest, gentlest
lady I ever knew.

Look Mr. Reese, I didn't
mean no disrespect.

I don't know why
you're doing this.

I got a real high
admiration for you.

I'm sure you do.
Trash admiring trash.

I leave so she can have a chance

and what does she
get out of life?

You for a son.

It was Bill's and
my time on guarding.

Then we heard the horses run

and then there they
was, two of 'em!

That's Bill, and
they coulda shot me.

This well-dressed one,
he just looked at me

and grinned.

They threw us down this note,

and ride out as
fast as they come.

Says, "Reese, until you
walk out of this canyon,

I'll kill one citizen a day.

Signed Normalie."

So far he's a man of his word.

One thing about the outlaw business,
it sure keeps you fellows jumping.

This is not outlaw business.

It's a personal vendetta
that's gonna get

a lot of innocent people killed.

What did you and Jason find out
at the mouth of the canyon?

They're keeping a man up there.

There's no one
gonna get through.

The other two are up there.

We're like fish in a barrel.

Reese, if you had to
try to get a man hung,

wish you'd picked one
a little more forgiving.

Well at least it's
fortunate I have friends.

Yes, it is.

And they're all standing
behind you right now.

You sure don't deserve it.

You want me to walk
out of the canyon

and let Normalie hang me?

I should.

But I probably wouldn't let you.

However, if he doesn't
leave pretty quick,

we may have to
make a run for it.

You said there wasn't a chance.

I said there wasn't
much of a chance.

But I can't stand by
and see all these people

sacrificed just
to save your skin.

You forget, Mr. Hardie.

You're in my town.

We only leave if I wanna leave.

Right now, I'm of a
mind to stay a spell.

I can't believe
it's your own skin

you're really concerned
about saving right now.

Just what do you think?

I think it's the boy, Jason.

What do you know
about Jason and me?

He went up the canyon
a little while ago.

He told me what
happened last night.

Said how sorry he was.

That he wanted to make
a good impression on you.

He asked me if I couldn't have

straightened things
out between you.

Not quite the same lad
I met yesterday afternoon.

So he's not the same lad.

What about it?

You got upset with him.

Jason, well he took it that
you really cared about him.

That means a good deal to him.

You do care, you're
probably the only one

since his mother died.

It wouldn't hurt you
any to have somebody

to care about, either.

You better go get
something to eat now.

Clarissa!

All the women were told
to stay off the street.

You could've gotten
yourself hurt.

Maybe even killed.

Now don't do that again.

I won't.

Not if my safety's
important to you.

I'll get the water.

Last night, about my
knowing who you were,

I said we'd talk today.

Yes, as a matter of
fact I think you said

my safety from this town
rests in your hands.

I also said that I wanted
something very much.

Something you can give me.

Wouldn't be too much
trouble for you.

What is it?

When you leave,
take me with you.

Clarissa...

I don't mean it, what you think.

Women have many wishes,
and they can only go so far.

Especially women like me.

My only wish is you'd
just take me to a town.

Then you can forget about it.

It's not too much to wish.

Then you'll do it?

When Reese and I leave here,

it's gonna be a very hard trip,
and a very dangerous one,

and one we might not
come through alive.

No, I can't take you with me.

You'll be sorry, I'll see to it.

Right now, perhaps you feel
like you can tell them.

But you won't.

When someone's been
dealt a bad hand,

that doesn't
necessarily mean that

they're bad at all.

Way down deep inside,
I think you're very good.

As far as your being
able to tell this town,

you won't.

I don't think you could.

Well, let's get you and this
water back to your patients.

Well, how's it goin' Mr. Pete?

Nobody's stirred down
there for over an hour.

Well, we've got the canyon
entrance bottled up.

They can't climb
these sheer cliffs.

Looks like we're gonna have
ourselves quite a party.

Normalie, that 200
bucks was to buy

Chris and me for a couple
of days to help you

pick up an old friend.

Not bottle up a whole town.

They won't hold out much longer.

They can hold out
longer than we can.

What are we gonna do about food?

We're not gonna wait that long.

You know what this is, Mr. Pete?

Looks like yellow rock.

It's a very special
kind of yellow rock.

With a very special name.

Arsenic.

These rocks around
here hold plenty of it.

No sir, Mr. Pete, we won't have
to wait long at all.

Let's climb these
hills around here

and get all of
this stuff we need.

Cold, clammy skin,
fever, stomach ache.

There's so many of them.

What can it be?

Only one thing it could be.

- Water.
- Water?

Slight metallic taste.

It's arsenic.

We've been drinking
this water for years.

But you've never had an outlaw
sitting up at the source of it.

- Bad, real bad.
- Yes it is.

Is there any other source
of water in this town?

That's all we got.

One thing New Madrid's
had to be proud of.

Sweetest water this
side of the Missouri.

You get out and gather
up all the water

that anybody might have
had stored before today.

Not much chance of finding any.

That spring was always
there when we had a thirst.

Do the best you can.

And when it runs out?

I wouldn't drink that
water if I were you, boy.

Who said anything
about drinking water?

Ah, that's right. You don't like
the word boy, do you?

Mind telling me why?

'Cause this country is meant

for those who are strong enough

to hold onto a piece of it.

You be anything but a man and
they walk right up your back.

And if you're strong,
you take what you want.

Is that it?

Sure.

Be somebody folks
look up to and fear.

That's it.

My old man, he used to whip
the hide off me for nothing.

He did that because he was
the man and I was the boy.

Once when we moved south,
I'd sneak out his gun

and go off into the woods

and I'd practice until
my hand would bleed,

learning to draw and shoot.

I had it pictured in my mind
that someday I'd take him on.

But somebody beat me to it.

If ever a man won't
be missed, it's...

But you still got your talent.

You got what you were after.

You bet I got my talent.

You've seen the people here.

They're scared plenty of me.

And someday it won't
only be these people

in this stinkin' town.

I'm gonna be like you.

I'm gonna be known all around.

Yeah, be your own man.

You see some money, you take it.

That's right.

Somebody gives you trouble,
you lean on 'em, hard.

Yeah, and I will.

Yeah, you get a
reputation as an outlaw.

There won't be a prison
where you won't be

looked up to and admired.

Of course, you won't have
a home, unless you're in jail.

You won't know what a good
man really looks like.

You'll be hungry,
chased like a dog.

You'll now what the feel
of a bullet is like.

You'll learn to get
used to the hatred

you see in the eyes of men.

But that won't
matter, will it Jason?

Because you'll be feared.

You'll be your own man.

You know, I don't
understand you.

And I want to.

It's mighty important
to me to be your friend.

Yeah, I know Jason.

It's a terrible
thing to be alone.

That's something that
you wouldn't know.

A man like me is always alone.

Except that time when
I knew your mother.

There was that time.

There was nothing I could
give her but unhappiness.

Funny, all those years ago

when there was nothing
good I could do for her.

Maybe now.

Maybe now.

You're looking pretty tired.

You don't look any better.

How are the patients?

Fortunately, I think
they're gonna be all right.

We found some milk
and some raw eggs.

And the good water?

We've got enough to last
'em through tomorrow.

No further.

Now you better get some rest.

We're gonna be riding out
of here before morning.

If we ride fast,
darkness on our side,

we might make it
through the canyon.

Are you saying we go?

Yes.

This is my town, Hardie.

These are my friends.

I'll decide if we go.

And it may just be that
I wanna stay around awhile.

After what's happened,
maybe you can

keep these people behind you.

From where I stand, you can't.

When I go outta here
I'm taking you with me

if I have to take you in a sack.

It may just be
that that's the way

it'll have to be.

Make sure you're up to it.

Is she sick?

Just plain tired.

She's been working with me
since this thing started.

Needs some rest.

She oughta be in bed.

I'll take her upstairs.

You go on back to sleep.

You've earned it.

Mr. Hardie?

I couldn't have told
those people who you were.

Forgive me for ever wanting to.

Well, I don't believe you
ever really wanted to.

Clarissa, Reese and I are gonna

make a run for it tonight.

Once we're gone,
the town won't have

any more trouble.

And if we make it,
and that's a big if,

but if we do,
then as soon as I can

I want to come back
here and take you

to some town where
we can get you a job,

and you can make something
out of your life.

I promise you that.

Can I say thank you?

In my own way?

Oh, Mr. Hardie.

Clarissa's tired,
we're all tired,

but two more sick
ones just came in.

I gotta have some help.

Let's let her sleep
for right now.

I can give you some help.

The barkeeps told
me you were leaving.

Yeah.

You're not gonna get
out of that canyon.

Not with those men
hidden up there.

We can try.

- Hey, let me go with you.
- No.

You better go, kid.

I'll talk to you before I go.

When she died, I found
this among her things.

I think she'd have
wanted you to have it.

Mr. Reese, that Normalie,
he's down at the barricade,

unarmed and alone.

Says he wants to see you.

When a man comes in truce,
he should be given more respect.

Especially when he wants
to offer you your life.

What is it?

Alone.

All right.

You know it's all right
to wanna kill a man

if you've got a reason.

And it doesn't
cost you anything.

Go on.

Sitting up there with
nothing more to do

but take a pot shot
now and again's

given me time to think.

And the more
I thought, the less mad

I got with you, Reese.

You give me Hardie and
I'm all through with you.

Well, I can respect
a man wanting to kill

if he's got a reason.

But Hardie?

I'm disappointed
in you, Normalie.

I don't want to kill him.

Just use him.

If I could take him,
I've got the key to the mint.

How?

Wells Fargo money shipments

are coming through this
country all the time.

Hardie telegraphs one of them

to make an unscheduled stop,

and, well the rest is
just a matter of detail.

Well, how about it, Reese?

You want your freedom,
or do you want

that rope around your neck?

Well now, Mr. Hardie
may be hard to convince.

At daybreak, Mr. Hardie
sees me and my men

riding north, our
patience all wore out.

He takes you south.

We can double back.

Well, how about it?

It's a deal.

We'll meet you at Castle Rock.

Mr. Reese, I'm sure
glad I met up with you.

Even if it did put
a loop around my neck.

Well, he went for the deal.

We get Hardie tomorrow.

You must have made it real
attractive for Reese, huh?

I promised him his freedom.

Freedom?

After all we've been through?

Mr. Pete, I said I promised.

We'll still hang him.

Well, looks like they've ridden
outta here. What do you think?

I don't know.
Your guess is as good as mine.

Could be a trap.

Yeah, better odds than getting

gunned down at the
mouth of the canyon.

Nobody gonna argue with that.

When you planning to leave?

As soon as you're ready.

Still not going outta
here without you, you know.

You know, Mr. Hardie?

Whatever Wells Fargo pays you,
it's not enough.

You're a mighty stubborn man.

Well, your prisoner's
ready to ride.

Good.

Hold it, Hardie.

Don't, Jason.

You're not taking Lou Reese
outta here, not while I'm alive.

You go outta here,
you go outta here alone.

Now Jason, don't try that again.

You goin' outta here?

Not without Reese.

He's gonna be all right.

Let's go.

This Hardie, he's a
Wells Fargo agent.

He's planning to take
Mr. Reese to jail.

That true?

That's true.

Now wait a minute.

Wait!

Listen to me.

This is the way I want it.

I can't explain why, but
this is the way it has to be.

But he's planning
to take you to jail!

This is the way it's gotta be.

Don't interfere.

There's no way to thank you.

No way at all.

Something the matter
with your saddle?

No, but I'm glad it
looks like there is.

It's been a long, hard
ride for me, Mr. Hardie.

I've had to make a decision
and I've just made it.

What decision?

Well, back there at the village,

one word and I coulda
been a free man.

Yes, I've thought about that.

It's puzzled me a little.

Perhaps you could
have been a free man.

But you didn't take it. Why?

I think I know.

Jason?

You think a good deal
of the boy, don't you?

Perhaps enough even to try to
set a good example for him.

Enough to turn
myself into a fool.

Maybe a dead one.

What do you mean?

All I have to do is
ride you right on down

there to Castle Rock,

and I'll have my freedom anyway.

But I've got something
else in mind.

Right now, there
are three rifles

trained on us.

All we can do is keep
going straight ahead.

Whose idea was this?
Yours or Normalie's?

Doesn't make any difference,
as long as it doesn't turn out

the way it was planned.

There's a little place
to duck into the rocks

about 30 yards straight ahead.

When we get there,
get in there fast.

I sure could stand
the loan of a gun.

Now Mr. Hardie, if
I'd wanted you dead,

I'd a had them do it back there.

What do you want, Reese?

A gun.

- Reese!
- Normalie!

Normalie!

You'll find Normalie
over there in the rocks.

You're givin' up awful
easy, aren't you Reese?

Why?

I get so tired these days.

I'm looking forward
to those regular means,

and a permanent
roof over my head.

Yes sir, I'm really
ready this time.

All right, let's go.

There's one thing.

Normalie was wanted
up in Montana.

Sizable reward on his head.

I earned it,
didn't I Mr. Hardie?

Yes, I suppose you did.

I want you to see
that the boy gets it.

I want it to pay
for his education.

I want him to have a future.

You tell him that's what I want.

I'll do that.

All right, let's go.

Ah, you shoulda seen him
those long years ago.

Not so much here, more up here.

What a man he looked.

How scared we all were
when he rolled into town

with his men, remember?

I remember
like it was yesterday.

Lou Reese and his boys.

You know, I was sure
you were gonna rob us

and cut our throats.

Well, the thought
had occurred to us,

but we hated Indians
more than we liked money.

Well sir, them Apaches
was all around us.

Up above on the cliffs,

throwing down fireballs
on the buildings,

trying to force us
to leave this canyon.

How I'd like to been there,
riding with Mr. Reese.

Oh, that was long
before your time, Sonny.

Let me fix you
another drink, Lou.

Hey, don't call me Sonny.

The name is Jason Moore.

Sure.

Okay now, you say it.

Jason Moore.

You remember it.

Okay, now you can
finish your story.

Well, it was just that
without saying a word

to any of us, after dark out
of the mouth of the canyon,

Lou Reese and his men sneaked up

around those Indians
and killed them all dead.

You know, Mr. Reese?

Either you born too early
or I was born too late.

Hey, what a combination
we woulda made.

Jason Moore and Lou Reese.

Taking over towns.

All the money we could spend!

Pretty women at our feet.

Let me go!

Let her go, kid.

Didn't you hear me?
I said nobody calls me kid.

I called you what you are.

An irresponsible kid.

Unless Mr. Reese
tells me to stop,

I'm gonna have to kill you.

Now that presents me with
a very interesting problem.

I don't think I need any help.

There's no need
in killing this boy.

A man's riding down the canyon.

He's all alone.

Too bad they didn't all come.

We coulda gotten this over with.

Must wanna talk.

You know that guard
you got down there.

If he don't quit shaking' he's
gonna fall right off that wagon.

Go on back with the others.

Where's Normalie?

He and Chris are just
outside the canyon.

You know, when it
comes to strategy,

that Normalie's real good.

Didn't see no reason
to walk into a trap.

Besides, I can take
Reese back alone.

Hey, you let me
tell you something.

Then you tell Normalie, in this
town Reese can do no wrong.

He tries to take him, all
he's gonna get's killed.

Yeah, it's a mighty mean-looking

bunch you got down there.

Look Mister, why don't
you save everybody

a lot of trouble
and give us Reese?

You just tell him what I said.

Yes sir, it's
a mighty secluded place.

Let's get him into the hotel.
I'll take care of him there.

You coulda got yourself killed

protecting your prisoner.

Normalie didn't think
very much of you.

Willing to go to
a lot of trouble

to prove his point.

Any idea what
he's planning to do?

I have no idea.

If the Apaches had
a plan, I imagine

Normalie'll think of
it sooner or later.

If we could get
out of this canyon,

we could handle it the same way,

but I gotta a
notion that Normalie

is smarter than an Apache.

We'll find out.
As soon as it gets dark.

Fire in the entrance.

The Apaches had something we
didn't have to contend with.

I guess you and I won't have to
settle our differences for a while.

There's no place to go but back.

Where you goin'?

Now Mr. Hardie,
you just saw for yourself

I can't get outta here.

Just wanna pay my
respects to an old friend.

I've been waiting a long time.

Thought you were taking
care of the wounded man.

Oh, I was, I was.

But it's only a scratch.

Couple of days and
Joe'll be as good as new.

Now which brings us to you.

What are you doing here?

Mr. Hardie, I have a very
grave confession to make.

I'm not a very nice girl.

Take stealing, oh
I'm very good at it!

It's just that not very
many people come here

and when they do, they
have to stay here,

so when I'm cleaning their
rooms I take what pleases me.

Today I stole from you.

You couldn't have stolen much.

I don't have much.

You had this.

Now a Wells Fargo agent
riding with a famous outlaw.

Now there can only be
one answer for that.

I don't think the
townspeople would like that.

So to keep them
from finding out,

I was gonna ask you
for quite a bit.

And what might that be?

Something I want very much.

I wouldn't want to see
the townspeople kill you.

Really I wouldn't.

So I think we can come to terms.

We'll talk tomorrow?

Reese!

I was just passing by.

I thought I recognized you.

Just a pile of
rotten lumber now.

What's got you so interested?

I used to know somebody
that lived there.

A long time ago.

Her name was Mary Garner.

You know, she's dead.

Yeah, I heard.

I heard she was once
a beautiful woman.

She was the most beautiful
woman I ever saw.

Yeah, well she wasn't
after a few years

with that hot shot
she ended up marrying.

He was the kind that could
take the beauty out of anything.

After he took her
away from here,

she never even got
a place like that

to call her own.

How do you know
so much about her?

Well I ought to, I'm her son.

I just got back here about
a year ago after she died.

Mary's son!

You know, Mr. Reese,
seems you and me

got a lot in common.

We're both mighty
handy with a gun.

Both walk heavy on
the pumpkin rollers.

And we got a mutual acquaintance
with the same woman.

Lady, the word is lady!

The kindest, gentlest
lady I ever knew.

Look Mr. Reese, I didn't
mean no disrespect.

I don't know why
you're doing this.

I got a real high
admiration for you.

I'm sure you do.
Trash admiring trash.

I leave so she can have a chance

and what does she
get out of life?

You for a son.

It was Bill's and
my time on guarding.

Then we heard the horses run

and then there they
was, two of 'em!

That's Bill, and
they coulda shot me.

This well-dressed one,
he just looked at me

and grinned.

They threw us down this note,

and ride out as
fast as they come.

Says, "Reese, until you
walk out of this canyon,

I'll kill one citizen a day.

Signed Normalie."

So far he's a man of his word.

One thing about the outlaw business,
it sure keeps you fellows jumping.

This is not outlaw business.

It's a personal vendetta
that's gonna get

a lot of innocent people killed.

What did you and Jason find out
at the mouth of the canyon?

They're keeping a man up there.

There's no one
gonna get through.

The other two are up there.

We're like fish in a barrel.

Reese, if you had to
try to get a man hung,

wish you'd picked one
a little more forgiving.

Well at least it's
fortunate I have friends.

Yes, it is.

And they're all standing
behind you right now.

You sure don't deserve it.

You want me to walk
out of the canyon

and let Normalie hang me?

I should.

But I probably wouldn't let you.

However, if he doesn't
leave pretty quick,

we may have to
make a run for it.

You said there wasn't a chance.

I said there wasn't
much of a chance.

But I can't stand by
and see all these people

sacrificed just
to save your skin.

You forget, Mr. Hardie.

You're in my town.

We only leave if I wanna leave.

Right now, I'm of a
mind to stay a spell.

I can't believe
it's your own skin

you're really concerned
about saving right now.

Just what do you think?

I think it's the boy, Jason.

What do you know
about Jason and me?

He went up the canyon
a little while ago.

He told me what
happened last night.

Said how sorry he was.

That he wanted to make
a good impression on you.

He asked me if I couldn't have

straightened things
out between you.

Not quite the same lad
I met yesterday afternoon.

So he's not the same lad.

What about it?

You got upset with him.

Jason, well he took it that
you really cared about him.

That means a good deal to him.

You do care, you're
probably the only one

since his mother died.

It wouldn't hurt you
any to have somebody

to care about, either.

You better go get
something to eat now.

Clarissa!

All the women were told
to stay off the street.

You could've gotten
yourself hurt.

Maybe even killed.

Now don't do that again.

I won't.

Not if my safety's
important to you.

I'll get the water.

Last night, about my
knowing who you were,

I said we'd talk today.

Yes, as a matter of
fact I think you said

my safety from this town
rests in your hands.

I also said that I wanted
something very much.

Something you can give me.

Wouldn't be too much
trouble for you.

What is it?

When you leave,
take me with you.

Clarissa...

I don't mean it, what you think.

Women have many wishes,
and they can only go so far.

Especially women like me.

My only wish is you'd
just take me to a town.

Then you can forget about it.

It's not too much to wish.

Then you'll do it?

When Reese and I leave here,

it's gonna be a very hard trip,
and a very dangerous one,

and one we might not
come through alive.

No, I can't take you with me.

You'll be sorry, I'll see to it.

Right now, perhaps you feel
like you can tell them.

But you won't.

When someone's been
dealt a bad hand,

that doesn't
necessarily mean that

they're bad at all.

Way down deep inside,
I think you're very good.

As far as your being
able to tell this town,

you won't.

I don't think you could.

Well, let's get you and this
water back to your patients.

Well, how's it goin' Mr. Pete?

Nobody's stirred down
there for over an hour.

Well, we've got the canyon
entrance bottled up.

They can't climb
these sheer cliffs.

Looks like we're gonna have
ourselves quite a party.

Normalie, that 200
bucks was to buy

Chris and me for a couple
of days to help you

pick up an old friend.

Not bottle up a whole town.

They won't hold out much longer.

They can hold out
longer than we can.

What are we gonna do about food?

We're not gonna wait that long.

You know what this is, Mr. Pete?

Looks like yellow rock.

It's a very special
kind of yellow rock.

With a very special name.

Arsenic.

These rocks around
here hold plenty of it.

No sir, Mr. Pete, we won't have
to wait long at all.

Let's climb these
hills around here

and get all of
this stuff we need.

Cold, clammy skin,
fever, stomach ache.

There's so many of them.

What can it be?

Only one thing it could be.

- Water.
- Water?

Slight metallic taste.

It's arsenic.

We've been drinking
this water for years.

But you've never had an outlaw
sitting up at the source of it.

- Bad, real bad.
- Yes it is.

Is there any other source
of water in this town?

That's all we got.

One thing New Madrid's
had to be proud of.

Sweetest water this
side of the Missouri.

You get out and gather
up all the water

that anybody might have
had stored before today.

Not much chance of finding any.

That spring was always
there when we had a thirst.

Do the best you can.

And when it runs out?

I wouldn't drink that
water if I were you, boy.

Who said anything
about drinking water?

Ah, that's right. You don't like
the word boy, do you?

Mind telling me why?

'Cause this country is meant

for those who are strong enough

to hold onto a piece of it.

You be anything but a man and
they walk right up your back.

And if you're strong,
you take what you want.

Is that it?

Sure.

Be somebody folks
look up to and fear.

That's it.

My old man, he used to whip
the hide off me for nothing.

He did that because he was
the man and I was the boy.

Once when we moved south,
I'd sneak out his gun

and go off into the woods

and I'd practice until
my hand would bleed,

learning to draw and shoot.

I had it pictured in my mind
that someday I'd take him on.

But somebody beat me to it.

If ever a man won't
be missed, it's...

But you still got your talent.

You got what you were after.

You bet I got my talent.

You've seen the people here.

They're scared plenty of me.

And someday it won't
only be these people

in this stinkin' town.

I'm gonna be like you.

I'm gonna be known all around.

Yeah, be your own man.

You see some money, you take it.

That's right.

Somebody gives you trouble,
you lean on 'em, hard.

Yeah, and I will.

Yeah, you get a
reputation as an outlaw.

There won't be a prison
where you won't be

looked up to and admired.

Of course, you won't have
a home, unless you're in jail.

You won't know what a good
man really looks like.

You'll be hungry,
chased like a dog.

You'll now what the feel
of a bullet is like.

You'll learn to get
used to the hatred

you see in the eyes of men.

But that won't
matter, will it Jason?

Because you'll be feared.

You'll be your own man.

You know, I don't
understand you.

And I want to.

It's mighty important
to me to be your friend.

Yeah, I know Jason.

It's a terrible
thing to be alone.

That's something that
you wouldn't know.

A man like me is always alone.

Except that time when
I knew your mother.

There was that time.

There was nothing I could
give her but unhappiness.

Funny, all those years ago

when there was nothing
good I could do for her.

Maybe now.

Maybe now.

You're looking pretty tired.

You don't look any better.

How are the patients?

Fortunately, I think
they're gonna be all right.

We found some milk
and some raw eggs.

And the good water?

We've got enough to last
'em through tomorrow.

No further.

Now you better get some rest.

We're gonna be riding out
of here before morning.

If we ride fast,
darkness on our side,

we might make it
through the canyon.

Are you saying we go?

Yes.

This is my town, Hardie.

These are my friends.

I'll decide if we go.

And it may just be that
I wanna stay around awhile.

After what's happened,
maybe you can

keep these people behind you.

From where I stand, you can't.

When I go outta here
I'm taking you with me

if I have to take you in a sack.

It may just be
that that's the way

it'll have to be.

Make sure you're up to it.

Is she sick?

Just plain tired.

She's been working with me
since this thing started.

Needs some rest.

She oughta be in bed.

I'll take her upstairs.

You go on back to sleep.

You've earned it.

Mr. Hardie?

I couldn't have told
those people who you were.

Forgive me for ever wanting to.

Well, I don't believe you
ever really wanted to.

Clarissa, Reese and I are gonna

make a run for it tonight.

Once we're gone,
the town won't have

any more trouble.

And if we make it,
and that's a big if,

but if we do,
then as soon as I can

I want to come back
here and take you

to some town where
we can get you a job,

and you can make something
out of your life.

I promise you that.

Can I say thank you?

In my own way?

Oh, Mr. Hardie.

Clarissa's tired,
we're all tired,

but two more sick
ones just came in.

I gotta have some help.

Let's let her sleep
for right now.

I can give you some help.

The barkeeps told
me you were leaving.

Yeah.

You're not gonna get
out of that canyon.

Not with those men
hidden up there.

We can try.

- Hey, let me go with you.
- No.

You better go, kid.

I'll talk to you before I go.

When she died, I found
this among her things.

I think she'd have
wanted you to have it.

Mr. Reese, that Normalie,
he's down at the barricade,

unarmed and alone.

Says he wants to see you.

When a man comes in truce,
he should be given more respect.

Especially when he wants
to offer you your life.

What is it?

Alone.

All right.

You know it's all right
to wanna kill a man

if you've got a reason.

And it doesn't
cost you anything.

Go on.

Sitting up there with
nothing more to do

but take a pot shot
now and again's

given me time to think.

And the more
I thought, the less mad

I got with you, Reese.

You give me Hardie and
I'm all through with you.

Well, I can respect
a man wanting to kill

if he's got a reason.

But Hardie?

I'm disappointed
in you, Normalie.

I don't want to kill him.

Just use him.

If I could take him,
I've got the key to the mint.

How?

Wells Fargo money shipments

are coming through this
country all the time.

Hardie telegraphs one of them

to make an unscheduled stop,

and, well the rest is
just a matter of detail.

Well, how about it, Reese?

You want your freedom,
or do you want

that rope around your neck?

Well now, Mr. Hardie
may be hard to convince.

At daybreak, Mr. Hardie
sees me and my men

riding north, our
patience all wore out.

He takes you south.

We can double back.

Well, how about it?

It's a deal.

We'll meet you at Castle Rock.

Mr. Reese, I'm sure
glad I met up with you.

Even if it did put
a loop around my neck.

Well, he went for the deal.

We get Hardie tomorrow.

You must have made it real
attractive for Reese, huh?

I promised him his freedom.

Freedom?

After all we've been through?

Mr. Pete, I said I promised.

We'll still hang him.

Well, looks like they've ridden
outta here. What do you think?

I don't know.
Your guess is as good as mine.

Could be a trap.

Yeah, better odds than getting

gunned down at the
mouth of the canyon.

Nobody gonna argue with that.

When you planning to leave?

As soon as you're ready.

Still not going outta
here without you, you know.

You know, Mr. Hardie?

Whatever Wells Fargo pays you,
it's not enough.

You're a mighty stubborn man.

Well, your prisoner's
ready to ride.

Good.

Hold it, Hardie.

Don't, Jason.

You're not taking Lou Reese
outta here, not while I'm alive.

You go outta here,
you go outta here alone.

Now Jason, don't try that again.

You goin' outta here?

Not without Reese.

He's gonna be all right.

Let's go.

This Hardie, he's a
Wells Fargo agent.

He's planning to take
Mr. Reese to jail.

That true?

That's true.

Now wait a minute.

Wait!

Listen to me.

This is the way I want it.

I can't explain why, but
this is the way it has to be.

But he's planning
to take you to jail!

This is the way it's gotta be.

Don't interfere.

There's no way to thank you.

No way at all.

Something the matter
with your saddle?

No, but I'm glad it
looks like there is.

It's been a long, hard
ride for me, Mr. Hardie.

I've had to make a decision
and I've just made it.

What decision?

Well, back there at the village,

one word and I coulda
been a free man.

Yes, I've thought about that.

It's puzzled me a little.

Perhaps you could
have been a free man.

But you didn't take it. Why?

I think I know.

Jason?

You think a good deal
of the boy, don't you?

Perhaps enough even to try to
set a good example for him.

Enough to turn
myself into a fool.

Maybe a dead one.

What do you mean?

All I have to do is
ride you right on down

there to Castle Rock,

and I'll have my freedom anyway.

But I've got something
else in mind.

Right now, there
are three rifles

trained on us.

All we can do is keep
going straight ahead.

Whose idea was this?
Yours or Normalie's?

Doesn't make any difference,
as long as it doesn't turn out

the way it was planned.

There's a little place
to duck into the rocks

about 30 yards straight ahead.

When we get there,
get in there fast.

I sure could stand
the loan of a gun.

Now Mr. Hardie, if
I'd wanted you dead,

I'd a had them do it back there.

What do you want, Reese?

A gun.

- Reese!
- Normalie!

Normalie!

You'll find Normalie
over there in the rocks.

You're givin' up awful
easy, aren't you Reese?

Why?

I get so tired these days.

I'm looking forward
to those regular means,

and a permanent
roof over my head.

Yes sir, I'm really
ready this time.

All right, let's go.

There's one thing.

Normalie was wanted
up in Montana.

Sizable reward on his head.

I earned it,
didn't I Mr. Hardie?

Yes, I suppose you did.

I want you to see
that the boy gets it.

I want it to pay
for his education.

I want him to have a future.

You tell him that's what I want.

I'll do that.

All right, let's go.