Original subtitles

♪

♪ Just take a look around ♪

♪ All around ♪

♪ All your answers are waiting to be found ♪

♪ Look around ♪

♪ No one tells a bird how to leave the ground ♪

♪ To fly around ♪

♪ Or which way the wind blows ♪

♪ He knows ♪

♪ He just knows ♪

♪ And he goes ♪

♪ Just take a look around ♪

♪ Use your eyes ♪

♪ When you can't figure where your pathway lies ♪

♪ Use your eyes ♪

♪ No one has to tell rivers how to rise ♪

♪ To grow to size ♪

♪ Or a stream where to flow ♪

♪ They know ♪

♪ You don't have to think for days ♪

♪ You're smarter right now than you dream ♪

♪ If you ♪

♪ If you just follow natural ways ♪

♪ Why, nothing's as hard as it seems ♪

♪ As hard as it seems ♪

♪ So take a look around ♪

♪ All around ♪

♪ If you're wondering how happiness is found ♪

♪ Look around ♪

♪ Get a feel for the music all around ♪

♪ Hear it sound ♪

♪ And then go where it goes ♪

♪ And then go where it goes ♪

♪ Just let your heart be free ♪

♪ Let it be ♪

♪ You'll soon see ♪

♪ Your heart knows ♪

♪ It knows ♪

♪ It just knows ♪

♪ It knows ♪

♪ It just knows ♪

♪ It knows ♪

♪ It just knows ♪

♪ It knows ♪

♪ It just knows ♪

Spencer Flats?

How do you like that?

I lost my saddlebag back there, Cloud.

I don't have a bean or a pot to cook in.

Whoa, whoa, boy, whoa.

Easy, boy, easy. Cloud, easy, easy.

What the...

Hello?

Anybody back here?

Hello? Anybody up there?

No... couldn't be.

It's too good to be true.

If I'm dreaming, don't wake me.

Care for dinner? Don't mind if I do.

- Sister... - Shh!

He's such a fine-looking young man.

It seems a shame to have to shoot him.

Well, we ain't got no choice.

I don't think it's polite to shoot a person

before he's had his dinner.

Well, it's been decided, remember?

Now you go through the kitchen,

and I'll get at him through the back door.

Now come on.

Oh, ma'am.

Well, you don't know how glad I am to find someone here.

- For a while, I didn't... - Put your hands up, young fella.

Now there's no need for that.

I fully intend to pay you ladies for this... this meal.

Oh, that won't be necessary.

It isn't often we have gentlemen callers.

Annie. Come on, on your feet.

- On my feet? - On your feet.

I think there's been some mistake...

Outside with you.

Yeah, but it's blowing something terrible out there...

Come on, come on, get.

Yes, ma'am.

You know, sister dear, I think he's right.

Why, the weather outside ain't fit for,

well, hardly anything.

Now just step aside, Annie.

The night's just fine for what has to be done.

- No. - I ain't messing up this floor.

Takes too long to clean.

Now, I don't want to be the cause

of any extra work, but aren't you two

just a little curious to who I am?

We know!

Oh, you know.

Yeah, we know, and that's about enough talk out of you, mister.

Della, your manners.

My name is Annie. Annie Spencer,

and this is my sister, Della Spencer.

Perhaps you noticed the similarity

in the name of the town?

No ma'am, I...

I mean, yes, uh, it's quite a coincidence.

No coincidence, Mr. Slaughter.

Mister who?

You see, our father founded this town.

Yes, our father, Colonel Spencer,

the finest man who ever drew the breath of life.

He's gone now.

Pity.

Did you say "Slaughter"?

Well, now some folks might call it that,

but I prefer to remember it as his going out

in the arms of the woman he loved.

Oh, that's too bad.

Bad?

How could that possibly be bad?

Well, I mean it's too bad that he had to pass on

in such a happy moment.

Happy for him, maybe,

but it like to broke mama's heart.

Yeah, well, I can understand that.

I mean, your mama holding your beloved pappy

in her arms at the time of his passing.

Mama wasn't holding her beloved pappy.

She was holding a shotgun.

You see, mama came in and found papa

in the arms of the woman he loved,

so she sent him to his reward.

You mean, she...

We do.

Now you gonna get outside,

or do I have Annie get the mop buckets?

Della, I just noticed that...

I figured we was in for a visit.

Found your horse across the street.

Well, I'm sure glad to see you.

Who are you? What are you up to?

He's Deke Slaughter.

That right, young man?

Well, what are you asking him for?

I caught him. It was me.

I caught him eating your dinner.

Is that right, son?

Yeah, I guess I did eat, uh...

He was helping himself to the liquor, too.

What about that, boy?

Just a beer. One.

A beer?

Well, I can't see that as a shooting offense.

Now, Teddy, you know very well that he...

I also know that you made a terrible impression

on this young man.

He ain't worth a nervous twitch!

Speak for yourself, dear.

Mr. Slaughter, I reckon you understand

with the three of us living out here,

we have to be a mite cautious with strangers.

A mite?

Well, we've been out here a long time, nearly seven years.

No, Teddy, it's closer to 11.

It'll be 11 years this June.

I remember exactly.

No, no, Annie, ain't no such.

Now, it was nine years in October.

Now, Della, you just recall...

Sonny, care for another beer?

I'd like to talk first.

There's one thing we gotta clear up right now.

- My name ain't... - Mr. Slaughter?

Why don't you close your mouth?

Have a mug of the finest draft outside of Yuma, how's that?

All right.

And then of course the last miners left in June.

No, honey, you got it wrong. The miners didn't leave in June.

- It was wintertime. - How could it be wintertime?

It was wintertime 'cause I saw their footsteps in the snow.

How could there be snow in June?

Just the three of you been keeping this town

going all these years?

That street out there wasn't always like you see it now.

It'll come back again one day

if we relocate that vein of gold.

Gold?

Yeah, that's the big nugget.

Colonel discovered it and built this town on it.

That vein played out one day all at once.

Vein as wide as your hand one minute.

Next minute, it was gone.

Is that why you're staying,

waiting for that gold to come back again?

Oh, no, Mr. Slaughter.

We just wouldn't leave the town

that was named for our dear papa.

It was Colonel's wish that the town live on after him.

Yeah, but how can you? There's only three of you now.

Well, we ain't aiming for it to stay that way.

You depending on that vein of gold to come back someday?

Not necessarily.

I think we've been bending

Mr. Slaughter's ear long enough.

Looks like he could use some rest.

No, I'm not as tired as I thought.

Why don't I just pay for the meal and the beer...

$2 oughta be plenty... And be on my way?

Maybe, uh... $4?

Bad night, mister.

Ain't a fit night out for a man nor beast.

Yeah, you might be right at that.

Why don't I just tend to my horse,

and we can talk about accommodations later?

The storm's let up a little. I'll take care of your horse.

From the looks of him, he ain't going anywhere soon.

You can get a room at the hotel right across the street.

Come on, Mr. Slaughter, I'll show you the way.

All right.

I'll get my hat and go with you.

Well, here we are, Mr. Slaughter.

Trampas.

- Hmm? - Never mind.

Now you just sign this register.

My, it's been a long time since we had a guest.

Excuse me.

I can see that.

- Here you are. - Thank you, ma'am.

Uh, how do you spell "Slaughter"?

What did you do that for?

Della, we just can't be sure.

It is him.

He admit it?

You expect him to admit it?

He could only come from Yuma.

Likely you're right,

but you just can't shoot him until you're sure.

Teddy, this is the most notorious outlaw

to ride these prairies.

Now, he is gonna die.

He is gonna die right here in Spencer Flats.

This is the last resting place of Deke Slaughter!

Okay, okay.

But it's gotta be done legal.

I'll get a wire out for the Sheriff in Clay Creek.

The Sheriff ain't coming out in weather like this.

Then we'll just have to hold Slaughter here

till he does get here.

And it'd be better if he doesn't know about it.

Well, it just means we have to sneak up on him all over again.

Well, maybe, but that's the way it's gotta be.

He can't go anywhere without his horse.

You mind what I say, Della.

You like it?

Well. Kind of grand, ain't it?

Papa always called this the lovers suite.

Lovers?

Mm-hmm, papa had such a romantic touch.

- Ma'am? - Yes?

You were saying.

Oh, oh, yes, you see, papa fell in love

with a girl named Behedabelle Hatton.

Huh?

Hiddy Hatton. The dance-hall singer, you see.

Oh.

And he had this room furnished just for her.

Oh, well, sure is pretty, isn't it?

You see that bed?

He brought that bed all the way from Boston.

Oh, Boston, huh?

Well.

Still sits fine.

Papa said he loved her,

and he didn't care what happened to him.

And it happened to him right there.

Right here?

Mama came through that door

and let him have it with both barrels.

Uh, through that door?

Oh, you would've loved it here then.

All the people and the singing and dancing.

Why, you know we had the opera through here

at least once a month.

And papa, oh, he was so handsome with his...

big beautiful mustache.

And his white hat sitting astride Old Buff.

Old Buff? His horse.

How did you know that?

Well, Old Buff just sounded like a horse's name.

Oh. Oh, you didn't know papa.

Uh, no.

Uh, I guess your sister is like your papa.

Oh, my, no, she's a much better shot than papa.

Oh. Better than mama?

Nobody was better than mama.

Well, I don't know about your sister,

but she seemed awful handy with that shotgun.

Oh, she's not like that, really.

It was that telegram, I'm sure.

- Telegram? - From Yuma.

Yeah, I guess that's what did it, all right.

Uh, just what did that telegram say again?

Well, what did they say?

Didn't get it all. Trying to raise them now.

Reckon them lines are down.

Didn't figure they'd hold this long in the weather.

Well, what about the Sheriff?

Did you tell him what was going on here in Spencer Flats?

I told him, Della, I told him.

- They're sending a sheriff. - When?

I don't know. I wasn't on long enough to get him,

but he'll be here.

I'll give him 24 hours.

Della, I told you that the stranger ain't going nowhere

with that horse of his, so take it easy.

The Colonel wouldn't have taken it easy.

The Colonel would have done just like I'm telling you.

This is my town. I'm the mayor, right?

Then it is my responsibility.

And I say I'm giving that sheriff 24 hours

to get here, or we do it my way.

All right, all right, 24 hours or we do it your way.

Unless'n he makes a mistake before then.

I thought I told you to get to bed.

Oh, why, Della, I couldn't think of sleeping,

not with having somebody around to talk to and...

And to think about and to dream about.

Now what do you mean by that?

Um... I mean, weren't you thinking about retiring soon?

Now, listen, Annie, don't you go getting any ideas.

You owe something to Spencer Flats, remember?

Oh, Della, I do wish I could be more like you.

You're so forceful and trustworthy.

Always thinking about the town's needs

before your own.

Well, you inherited all of daddy's weaknesses

and none of his strengths.

I just can't help myself.

Well, just don't you go helping yourself

to part of Deke Slaughter.

Why not?

Well, for one thing, he's too young,

and for another, he's a killer.

Della, I'm not picky.

You are a fool, little sister.

You are a fool.

When it comes to men, you ain't got

any better judgment than a jug-headed jackrabbit.

Papa always said I had a romantic nature.

Not like some people I know.

Well, some people you know gotta see things get done.

Like seeing that young fella don't wander off up there.

I could do it.

All I gotta do is to slip into his room

and steal his boots.

Why, no self-respecting gentleman would walk around

without his boots on.

You couldn't pick the seed out of a cotton ball

without raising the dead.

Oh, I bet I just could.

Why, and... if I slip in there

and get his boots so he can't go sneaking off, he's mine.

Until you shoot him.

Wager?

- Wait a minute. - Hmm?

If he should wake up and come running out...

Whatever's fair.

But don't worry.

♪♪

Out of the way, sister.

Oh, D-Della. No, no, no, no, no!

Hey, I was dreaming... I mean... I mean, I'm innocent.

It's a mistake!

Sister Della, he's telling the truth.

That don't mean a thing.

Well, it most surely does,

and if you'll just listen, I'll explain everything.

Well, it better be good, or I'll come back

and get him with both barrels.

Uh, Della, honey?

Hey, w-what are you doing with my boot?

I had him twice in my sight. Bang, I had him.

Oh, sister, you're giving me the vapors.

That is two times today he has tried me.

Now, best place for Deke Slaughter's

under the ground.

Well, he ain't going nowhere 'cause I got his boot.

Ow!

Whoa.

What'd your do with your shoe? How do you like that?

Now neither one of us has a shoe.

Look real close, I think you'll find

that's my mule you're on.

Yes, ma'am, but I left...

Hold it, Della.

Son, you wasn't trying to run away or nothing.

Now, I can't say your hospitality's

been the best I've seen.

- Just climb down. - See what I mean?

Every time I turn around,

she's measuring my nose with that thing.

I'd say he's got a point there.

Be a mite unnerving if he ain't who you think he is.

He's Deke Slaughter all right.

Look at them eyes. Them shifty eyes,

just like telegram said.

Ma'am, you still don't think I'm Deke Slaughter.

Why, h-he's in prison in Yuma.

He ain't anymore.

Broke out yesterday. He's headed this way.

If he was there like you say, you would've mentioned it.

Unless you've got something to hide, Mr. Slaughter.

Ma'am, my name is Trampas, and I can prove it.

You got identification, son?

Yeah, it's in my saddlebag.

No, it isn't, I lost my saddlebag.

Wait a minute!

You can wire Medicine Bow, Shiloh Ranch.

They'll identify me.

Can't. All the lines are down.

Yeah, but you don't need to worry, son.

Sheriff's coming. You can have your chance then.

We gotta find some place to lock him up.

Ma'am, I give you my wor...

The word of Deke Slaughter?

Teddy, fetch them chains from the other shed.

- Chains? - Sorry, son, but she's right.

Word ain't worth much, especially holding that mule.

Can't say much for the bed partner you found me.

I can heat it up to keep you warm

if you're lonesome.

Mr. Birdwell, now,

you don't think I'm Deke Slaughter, do you?

Well, let's just say I'm kinda skeptical.

Any man breaks out of Yuma has gotta have

a lot more going for him than you've shown up to now.

Why don't you just let me go? Tell them I escaped.

I couldn't do that. They wouldn't believe it.

Besides, I made a promise to the Colonel.

The Colonel.

Promised the Colonel I'd look after his daughters

no matter what happened to him, to them, or to the town.

Who'd have thought we'd have a three-way catastrophe?

Still, a man makes a promise, he's gotta stand by it.

Even if that Della blows a hole in me with that shotgun?

You know she's itching to.

You gotta understand, son,

that burying Deke Slaughter here means a lot to her.

Flats'll be famous again. Might even bring people here.

S-she's crazy.

You know that. She's crazy.

Well, most of us are a little strange now and then.

They've got hearts of gold.

Wouldn't do nobody no harm.

I remind you the gold has run out,

and those two are trying to kill me.

Yeah.

But if you were that Slaughter fella,

ain't no harm done now, is there?

♪♪

They'll kill me.

The 24 hours is nearly up.

I thought we had that settled. He's well-entertained.

That's until the Sheriff come. Well, he ain't come.

What do you want to do, pull him out here and shoot him?

I can do it.

Can and doing is a mule pull apart.

Now you listen to me, Della.

Well, I think we'll have a little peace around here now.

Well, it's about time you got here.

We've been expecting you.

Mister, am I glad to see you. Birdwell's the name.

This is Della Spencer.

Morning, ma'am.

You say Spencer?

Something wrong with that?

No, no, it's been some time

since I've been through Spencer Flats.

It's changed.

You look around, you'll find the town ain't changed.

Just ain't enough people around to love it.

Oh? How many people are there in Spencer Flats?

Four, temporarily.

Soon as you take the prisoner

we'll be back to a nice round three.

- The prisoner. - Yes, the prisoner.

I caught him. It's Deke Slaughter.

- Now, Della, you can't be sure. - It's Slaughter all right.

Like I said in the wire, this fella just come

riding in out of the storm.

- We don't know if it's really Slaughter. - Teddy!

He's right, ma'am, comes to justice,

you can't be too careful.

Long as he gets what's coming to him.

Now you're talking.

Of course, I can tell you in a minute if it's Slaughter.

You know him?

Not exactly, but I can pick him out.

Well... what are we waiting for?

♪♪

This is Sheriff O'Dell. Says he can identify Slaughter.

Well, now, Sheriff, I'm sure grateful you got here.

- Grateful? - Yeah.

If I told you what's been going on around here.

This mistaken-identity business has given me

a long hard road to hoe past couple of days.

For the record, just who do you say you are?

My name's Trampas. I work out at Shiloh Ranch.

Trampas.

Well, that's as good as ever I heard.

Of course, they always did say

that you was a liar could win a witch's heart.

- But Tramp Ass. - Trampas.

- Ain't nobody named Trampas. - Then you mean he is Slaughter.

Now hold on a minute!

Well, now mind you, I never met him before.

Then you can't be dead sure.

I didn't say that. No, we got pictures.

Yeah, he fits the description,

right down to those shifty eyes of his.

Shifty eyes, did you say, hmm?

Too close together, if you'll notice.

Mm-hmm.

No, he's Slaughter, all right.

I told you.

Now look, mister, I don't know if you're

just having a little fun or what your game is,

but these aren't exactly the kind of folks

that know a tall tale from the real thing.

You're gonna get me in a little too deep,

about six feet deep.

My, they sure do tell it right. You never give up.

Why, that slick mind of yours is always working.

Now come on, give it up.

You're preying on the good nature of these fine folks.

Well, we do thank you, Sheriff.

Now you must be hungry after such a long ride.

We'd be honored if you'd share our repast.

A generous offer. Humbly received, ma'am.

- Well, come along then. - Now, don't you go away.

You coming, Teddy?

No, wait, hey, hey.

He's lying. Can't you see that?

I'm not Deke Slaughter. The odds, maybe he is.

Like he says, you sure make people believe.

That's 'cause I'm telling you the truth.

- He's the Sheriff. - Did you see his badge?

No.

Well, have you ever met the Sheriff in Clay Creek?

I do a little monthly shopping in there,

but I never had no cause.

Well, then why don't you go ask and see his badge?

I mean, if he's lying about one thing,

he's probably lying about that.

It ain't polite to ask a man to see his badge.

It ain't polite?

And if I hang, that's being courteous?

He's sure right about one thing.

You don't give up easy.

Hey, look... hey...

More sweet potato pie, Constable?

He's the Sheriff, sister.

Oh, I know that, but "constable" sounds...

Well, you know what I mean, don't you, Sheriff?

- Uh, Sheriff, uh... - O'Dell.

I don't care what you call me as long as you call me for dinner.

I can't recall when I had a better one than this one.

Another beer, Sheriff?

Sheriff O'Dell, are you married?

No, ma'am.

You might say that I'm married to my job.

No, being a lawman's almost as bad as, say,

old Deke Slaughter down there.

What time you ain't in jail, you're on the run.

Well, that sounds very dangerous.

Yes, ma'am.

You know, my papa always used...

He ain't got time for idle talk, sister.

He's gotta think on what's ahead of him.

Now why don't you just go get some more roast beef?

Yeah, I suppose you're right.

When the meal's so good, I plumb forgot.

Well, we do thank you.

Um, transporting a prisoner must be mighty tricky business.

Thank you kindly. Yes, ma'am.

I can tell you I had my share of trouble in that situation.

Mm-hmm.

And on a trail in open country,

it must be a temptation for a prisoner to escape.

Well, that man Slaughter, he's a runner, all right.

You sure do have an understanding

of a lawman's problem, ma'am.

She understands it, all right.

Seems a lot of risk to go to

just to shoot a man when he's supposed to hang anyway.

True.

But I don't imagine that it matters much

how a man like Slaughter dies.

That don't sound like Sheriff talk to me.

Teddy.

Uh, as long as it's done

by an instrument of the law, I mean.

Would you mind showing your badge,

just out of curiosity?

Uh...

You just have to excuse Teddy, Sheriff.

Sometimes he don't mind his manners.

I suppose it's living out here alone so long.

It's quite all right, ma'am.

I'm not averse to displaying the mark of the law,

what with the storm and all.

- Yes, the storm. - I assure you.

He lost it.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no. I must have it here somewhere.

Uh...

Now you see, Teddy?

Yeah, guess I owe you an apology, Sheriff.

Quite all right.

Well, now, I suppose I'd better see to my animal.

I have a long ride ahead of me.

Sheriff, what if there was a way

you didn't have to take the prisoner back?

I mean, what if there was a way for him to be tried,

convicted, and hanged right here in Spencer Flats?

Well, like he says, the law has its ways, you know.

A court, a proper charge.

But he was caught horse stealing right here.

Now that's... That's a hanging offense.

Is that right?

It's right.

Well, it sure would save me a long, dangerous ride.

Wait a minute. You can't do that.

We got no court here.

Even if we did have, we haven't got enough to make a jury.

Of course, if there was a judge...

A judge? Well, I'm the mayor. I'll make one.

- You? - Who better?

Well, since you seem to be the opposition,

you could handle his defense, Mr. Birdwell.

Mm-hmm! So be it.

And... and you could be the... the... uh...

- Prosecution. - Prosecution.

You do me honor, ma'am.

I don't mind telling you that'd be a feather in my cap

if I left Deke Slaughter's marker

- over a grave in this town. - Mm-hmm!

And sister, dear, sister, you could be a... a...

Bailiff?

A bailiff, yeah, a bailiff.

What does a bailiff do?

You'd be responsible for the prisoner

for the duration of the trial.

I accept.

You serious about this, Sheriff?

You willing to have your prisoner tried here

under these circumstances?

Mr. Birdwell, technically, I have no authority

inside the town of Spencer Flats.

I can only hope to carry out your wishes.

Well, we wish to have a trial.

A nice, long trial.

A nice, short trial.

And then we'll hang him.

Come on now.

Well, ruined my good spurs.

Evening.

What happened? You lose your shotgun?

Don't need one now. The law is here.

He's going to take care of you with all the trimmings.

When are we leaving?

You ain't.

Better eat your supper.

Ain't gonna be a lot more.

What are you talking about?

The trial.

There is gonna be a trial right here in Spencer Flats.

You can't do that.

Spencer Flats.

The town that buried Deke Slaughter.

Colonel would've liked that.

It's got a ring to it.

What'll happen to you when they find out

you buried the wrong man?

You ain't worthy, you know that?

You just ain't worthy.

Why, on account of you, this town is gonna...

Is gonna...

Well, they're gonna bring in whole stages full of people

just to look at your marker.

You couldn't arrange for it

to happen a little sooner, could you?

A marker?

A stage.

Like I said.

You just ain't worthy.

A man like you should be proud.

Should be proud to do something good.

There was a time when this town was a prideful thing,

people looking forward to tomorrow and laughing.

I bet you thought I never laughed.

Well, no, ma'am. Why, you're a regular riot.

Well, I did.

And it's gonna be like that again.

No more days turning into dust

and hoping the sun don't come up tomorrow.

You're gonna change that, Mr. Slaughter.

Do you hear?

Yes, ma'am. Whatever you say, ma'am.

What are you doing here?

I'm a defense attorney, remember?

Oh, does that mean you two gotta talk?

- That is customary. - Oh.

Bring the tray with you when you come.

She'd be happy if you delivered my head on that thing.

Now, that's no way to talk about the judge.

She's the judge?

Well, whatever Della is, she's fair.

I've been going through this book, and if I was you,

Slaughter, I throw myself on the mercy of the court.

I told you, I'm not Slaughter.

I'm... oh, no, this is just... This is crazy.

It's just plum crazy.

And I want to see that phony sheriff.

He ain't phony. I seen his star.

- Up close? - Up close.

Well, did you ask him any questions about his credentials?

I mean, let me ask you something.

I mean, is it ethical for a sheriff

to allow his prisoner to be tried by two ladies

who are a little bit... pfft... You know what I mean?

I man, after all, you must have asked him

some questions about his behavior.

- Afraid I couldn't do that. - Why not?

Reckon it wouldn't be ethical, to carry on a conversation

with the sheriff pertaining to you.

Yeah, but you're handling my defense.

That's true, and rightly so. Except for one thing.

What's that?

The Sheriff's handling the prosecution.

He's han... Well, there's another reason

he wants to see me six feet under.

Birdwell, you gotta get me out of here.

I can't do it.

Still, if you was to get away on your own,

sure save a lot of trouble.

Right this way, Sheriff.

Right here's the register. You sign the register.

Oh, did you say sign?

Oh, yes, it's the law.

Every guest must affix their signature to the register.

Well, now, would you look?

Is this old Deke Slaughter's signature?

Well, he signed it.

Well, can you imagine, Deke Slaughter,

the last man to put pen to this book.

You know, someday, that's gonna be worth a heap of change.

I don't want to mess it up with my worthless old scratching.

Well, now, I thank you for telling me that.

That's very nice of you.

We can just dispense with the signing.

I think you're gonna be comfortable here, Sheriff,

real comfortable.

Much obliged, ma'am, yes, much obliged.

How does Spencer Flats look to you?

Oh...

ripe.

Ripe, Miss Annie, yeah,

like harvest time down on the farm,

like new-mown hay.

Oh, I just love the way you say "hay."

Would you like a double bed or a single?

Looks like a fine day for a trial.

A hanging, you mean.

Morning, Mr. Birdwell.

Sheriff.

Wonder if I could have a last visit with my client.

Oh, afraid not. Preliminaries are over.

Says in the book prisoner's entitled.

Nah, you wouldn't want to try to defeat justice,

would you, counselor?

Miss Della wouldn't like that. Come on.

♪♪

All right, I think everything is r...

Now what'd you do that for?

When they tried Claude Melton, they had flowers.

Where'd you find flowers at this time of year?

Oh, all right, all right.

Well, Miss Bailiff,

will you see that the prisoner is seated?

Yes, ma'am.

Hello, Mr. Slaughter. Come right this way.

You sit down right there.

Do you, uh, notice anything, Mr. Slaughter?

Oh, flowers. That your idea?

Yes, now how did you know that?

Oh, just a lucky...

guess.

Well, be seated, be seated.

Mr. Prosecutor, are you ready?

- I reckon so, Your Honor. - Teddy?

Della, I ain't never told you much,

but you've got to understand that this is not a legal court

- to try a man for his life. - Oh, hush up, Teddy.

I think, Your Honor, the term is "motion denied."

I thank you. Motion denied.

Hush up, Teddy, and take a seat.

Don't worry, son. We ain't licked yet.

All right, Sheriff. Let's get started.

Well, Your Honor, I... I think the court knows

better than anyone why we're all here.

So I won't waste your valuable time

with a lot of useless words.

The prisoner's charged with horse stealing,

and that's a hanging offense

'cause a man left without transportation in this country,

same as murder.

- Della, you know that we... - Hush up, Teddy.

I think, Your Honor, you say "out of order."

Oh, I thank you. You're out of order.

Anything else?

Well, just the matter of testimony, Your Honor.

Oh.

What's that for?

The swearing.

When... when they tried Claude Melton,

there was a lot of swearing.

Well, there ain't gonna be any swearing in my court.

I saw the prisoner steal the animal with my own eyes.

Now, has the prisoner anything to say

before I pronounce sentence?

Della, aren't you forgetting something?

Teddy, you're out of order.

Uh... the defense, Your Honor.

Oh.

All right, get on with it.

The prosecution claims

that the prisoner stole Della's mule.

Now, did you steal that mule, son?

No, if you'll look over in your stable wall over there,

- you'll see I left an IOU. - And the horse.

So you see, Della, there wasn't any stealing at all.

Just an exchange.

As I remember, it takes two to make a contract, Your Honor.

That's right. You're out of order, Teddy.

Your Honor, "immaterial."

Oh, well, it's whatever he says.

Go on, say it.

Della... er, Your Honor.

Well, come on, Teddy, get on with it.

My client has just reminded me

that the charge is horse stealing.

You saw him in the barn.

Was that a horse he was riding?

Of course not. It was my mule, Bess.

Uh-huh, now has anybody here ever seen anybody

hung for stealing a mule?

I would like to remind Your Honor

that the man that we are trying here

is no ordinary horse thief.

Why, horse stealing, that's just a tiny,

little old crime for Deke Slaughter.

Della, it said in the book that he can't say...

Oh, let him go on, Teddy.

You see, Your Honor, they never proved

that old Deke did more than armed robbery.

He was just too slick for them.

But believe me, he's more than a thief and a liar.

I hear tell that he done murder.

One of his own men in the Nevada desert.

He just killed him in cold blood.

Now the way I see it, you got a chance here

to see that he don't work any more of his evil.

The charge is horse stealing.

That's a technicality!

A technicality.

You... you gotta take care of all the people,

not just this town.

Find him guilty,

you will be performing a service for the whole country.

Well, has the prisoner anything more to say?

Hmm? Oh.

Nothing except I wonder how come the Sheriff

knows so much about Deke Slaughter.

Why, the way he talks, you might think

he might be Deke, 'cause he knows I'm not.

Why, he talks like he knows which side of the bed

he gets up on.

I am sick of all this palavering.

Now, I pronounce the prisoner guilty,

and I sentence him to hanging.

All right, Sheriff, do your duty.

Yes, ma'am, I'll see if I can't find a rope.

- Birdwell. - Now, wait a minute, wait a minute.

- You can't do it this way. - Why not?

You can't hang a man without a scaffold.

That's lynching.

Why, it seems all the same to me.

I reckon so, unless you want

Spencer's Flat to be known as a hang town.

You know how folks are about those things.

Likely no town ever amounted to anything that had that name.

My, your friend's coming right along with that scaffold.

You sure seem in an awful hurry.

Oh, just say my work don't allow me

to stay too long in one place.

You know, if I were Slaughter, which I'm not,

I'd be a little worried.

There could be lawmen headed this way.

That storm blew out a day ago.

Well, Sheriff?

What do you say?

I'd say you have a powerful eye for detail, Miss Della.

Why, I'd be proud to lie under a marker like that myself.

Well, we're thinking on something

a little more fitting later on.

- That's a comfort. - Mm-hmm.

And... and we're gathering stones

to make a fence all around here

so the horses won't run you down.

But you're gonna be right out here in front of everybody.

Oh, Deke, a man couldn't ask for a finer end than that.

You volunteering?

And I want you to know that I'm gonna come

and visit you every single day.

And we'll sit here, and we'll talk and we'll have...

- Uh, Miss Spencer? - Hmm?

I'd like to do my talking now.

You see, there's something you don't know.

Now, now, Deke, you don't want to go

grieving these ladies with a lot of words.

All you can cause is more pain.

Well, if he's got something on his chest.

Oh, no, ma'am.

Just the service he's rendering here

is better than anything he's ever done.

Why, with this whole town blossoming round him,

it's almost too much monument for one man.

Well, you feel like that, Mr. Slaughter,

you ain't gonna have a stone marker.

No marker?

No stone marker.

It's gonna to be marble, pearly white marble.

Now, w-what you think of that, Sheriff?

That's touching, Miss Della, real touching.

I've been looking everywhere for you.

What about the scaffold? Is it ready?

It's finished.

Good.

Come sun up, we'll see what kind of a job you done.

It'll work.

- Della. - Yes?

You know I've always done right by my promise to the Colonel.

There comes a time when allowing you to do just as you please

just ain't what's best for you.

What you trying to get at, Teddy?

What I'm saying is you ain't going through with this hanging.

Come sun up, sun down, three weeks from next Sunday,

I ain't gonna let you do it.

Maybe you ain't got no say in it.

Look, I went along with you because it seemed reasonable.

That young fella could've been Deke Slaughter.

But I'm betting once those lines are up,

that everything he says is true.

I'm gonna see that he gets his chance.

And what about the Colonel?

- Colonel? - Yes, the Colonel and his town.

The Sheriff says like as not the law will be in here soon

to cart Slaughter out.

What do we do then, wait another nine years?

Seven, Della.

I am not letting you ruin our chances.

And I'm betting the Sheriff don't see it your way neither.

All right, Della, just don't get yourself all riled.

You are a meddling, disagreeable, stubborn old man.

Mark my word, Teddy,

living in this town has done something to you.

Spareribs. What about spareribs?

My papa always said my spareribs were larrupin' good.

No, thanks, Miss Annie. I'm a little off my feed.

- Huh? - What I mean is,

I'm not exactly overcome by appetite.

- Oh. - Oh, come on now, help the lady.

Condemned man always gets to choose what he wants.

All right, spareribs.

Oh, wonderful.

I know you won't be disappointed.

I know.

How do you know that?

Don't you see his crystal ball?

Now come on, hurry on.

Oh, you're funnin' me.

We have to have our supper, you know.

You have to be so awful impatient?

It's not you they're hanging out there, it's me.

Well, you could say I am a little edgy.

And you got any thinking to do, you better get on with it.

Time's getting short.

Yeah, well, Slaughter,

there is one thing that puzzles me.

Where'd you come up with that badge?

How come you're so sure

that I ain't a real lawman looking for a reputation?

They do that, you know.

Well, I doubt that many of them have iron burns on their wrists.

Hmm. Much obliged.

I'll have to watch that next time.

Yeah, well, now you owe me one. How'd you get the badge?

Oh, it was luck, mostly. I lost my horse in the storm.

Oh, that's too bad.

Yeah, that old oat burner I got in Yuma didn't last a day.

This fella O'Dell, he happened along,

and I needed clothes, I needed a horse.

The star was just a bonus.

And then there's me, the real bonus.

Well, now you gotta try to understand.

It ain't that I got anything against you personally.

Oh, I know that.

It's just that when they fill in that grave out there,

I got me a whole new start.

Yeah, well, sooner or later somebody's going to find out

that ain't Deke Slaughter buried out there, that's...

Long as those two old loonies hang around,

they'll believe it right enough.

By then, it'll be clear sailing.

Oh? You going straight?

Yeah, I got me some money put back.

I tell you, this outlaw-in’s getting to be

tougher work all the time.

You know, figuring by the hour

what with running and hiding and all,

it don't pay as much as day wages.

Oh, Slaughter, you're fooling yourself.

A man just don't change.

Times are gonna get tough or something will come up

that you just won't be able to turn down.

Now you stop that!

Now you got any ideas about opening your mouth,

I ain't changed yet.

That hole out there's big enough for all of you,

and you just remember that.

Listen, you do that, and, uh,

I'll see the ladies send you out in style.

Oh, that's real nice. After all, it's your funeral.

That's good. That's very good.

I thought Miss Annie was bringing supper.

Oh, she's busy.

Searching for the proper mourning dress, I suppose.

All right, put it down and go on back.

I figure if you didn't mind, I'd like to stick around.

It don't get much but women talk around here.

You two will be gone tomorrow.

All right, let me take a look at this.

Oh, oh, what is this?

Well, I figured under the circumstances.

Oh, no, prisoner can't have it.

It's against the law.

But there's nothing that says that we can't share a glass.

Can't I have one?

No.

Teddy!

Is this what you're looking for, old man?

I just don't know.

Now what did you expect to pull, huh?

I don't know, like you said, I'm just an old man.

Why you...

Hey!

Teddy? Teddy!

Hey, Birdwell.

Is he hurt? Is he all right?

Trampas, I swear I don't know what I'm gonna do with you.

Now hold on, there's no call for that.

Teddy? You all right?

Teddy!

Where's that gun?

Where's his gun?

Where's his gun?

Te...

Better go and try to convince them.

Della? Annie?

- Annie. - Oh, Mr. Slaughter, how nice.

But should you be out without your ball and thing?

Now, now, Annie, never... Forget about that.

Listen, do you know where your sister is, Della?

- Della? - Mm-hmm.

Well, let me think.

Uh... uh, she went out, I think.

Oh, she went out. All right, list... Annie?

Why don't you go over to the hotel?

- Teddy needs you. - Teddy needs me?

- Yes, over at the hotel. - Mr. Slaughter?

No, no.

Trampas.

Oh.

Trampas?

Della!

Della? Della?

Now I know you're in here. I want to talk to you.

I declare!

Oh, Miss Annie, am I ever glad to see you.

- You are? - Certainly.

- Because if you... Miss Annie? Miss Annie? - Hmm?

If you weren't here to get me that key,

why, that Slaughter fella, he'd get away.

You don't say.

Yeah.

- Teddy? - Uh, M-Miss Annie?

- Teddy? - M-miss Annie? The key, p...

- The key? - Oh, yeah.

Why thank you kindly.

Della?

Now, Della, uh...

y-you gotta listen to me.

That other fella's Deke Slaughter.

You hear me?

Della?

- Hold it, Slaughter! - Get down!

- What's he shooting at me for? - Because he's Slaughter like I told you!

I don't believe you.

You believe me now?

Della, Trampas, watch out!

Teddy!

You got any more shells for that gun?

No.

Then get over there and stay there.

♪♪

I give up! I give up!

He's all right?

Fine.

He ain't dead, is he?

I don't know.

No, he ain't dead.

Come on, Slaughter.

Come on, get on your feet.

Finally got him cleaned up.

Now I know where they got the expression "dirty outlaw."

He was a mess.

That's too bad we had to end up in that dirty old mine of yours.

Hey, how's your head, Deke?

You gave him enough of a headache

to last all the way to Clay Creek.

Oh, the girls decided to let him go, huh?

Oh, they argued a little at first,

but when I pointed out that he was your catch.

I'll say one thing about Della.

She sure got a sense of fair play.

Once she got over the urge to shoot him in his tracks,

she got to seeing it my way.

Well, I guess old Spencer Flats

is gonna stay about the same way it has the last nine years.

Uh, seven.

And...

What the?

Teddy. Teddy, looky here.

- Isn't... isn't that... - Shh, shh, shh!

Of course it's gold, boy.

How do you think I bought supplies

for these two all these years?

How do you think I keep this town up in the shape it's in?

But I thought that...

Once word got out,

this town'd be crawling with people.

Isn't that what you want, this town crawling with people?

That'd be the worst thing that could happen.

You've seen enough of those two to know that.

Wouldn't be no time till they had 'em locked up,

put 'em away from normal people.

Now they've got the whole town.

It's their town and their dreams.

Ah.

So that's your promise to the Colonel, huh?

You know, boy, you catch on fast.

Maybe I was wrong about you.

Well, I'll see you downstairs.

You come down pretty soon because like I told you,

Della's real reasonable for the moment.

Well, I'll see you, boys. Soon, I hope.

Hey, Tramp Ass, listen...

No, no, no, no, that won't be necessary.

Listen, I think that we oughta get out of here quick.

Mm-hmm, we'll be going pretty soon,

soon as I finish with my bath

and say goodbye to the nice ladies.

Yeah, well, what happens then?

Then I take you to Sheriff of Clay Creek,

and he takes you on to Yuma.

No, them folks are cutthroats, they're a bunch of savages

living out in the middle of nowhere.

Oh, come on, Deke, I've been to Clay Creek.

It's a nice town, nice people.

Besides, I'm not taking you all the way to Yuma.

All right, anything happens to me,

I just want it to be on your conscience, that's all.

All right.

All right, I'll tell you what I'll do.

You make all the decisions.

Now that sounds like a reasonable, warm human being.

Come on, we'll be on our way to Yuma.

- Let's go. - I'm not going to Yuma.

Well, now, wait a minute. You just told me...

Yeah, I said you could make the decisions.

We can either go to Clay Creek...

No, I told you I wouldn't be caught dead in Clay Creek!

Oh, all right then, you can stay here

and take your chances on trial at Spencer Flats.

Well, of course...

Clay Creek is a much shorter ride than Yuma.

They'll be sending me along eventually anyway.

'Less'n something unexpected happens.

Look, c-could we hurry along?

We don't want to keep those good folks

waiting there in Clay Creek.

We'll be going pretty soon.

Just let me just soak here for a little minute,

then we can say goodbye to the nice folks of Spencer Flats.

Bye. Ride carefully.

Yes, ma'am.

Della. Teddy.

Well, Deke, let's go. After you.

I said right from the beginning he's a fine young man.

That he was.

I don't know.

Things are really awful round here.

I don't know what's going on. Darn town.

Really just terrible what's going on here.

What'd you say?

I'm saying someday, somehow,

this town's gonna mean something.

Someday, somehow.

And you mark my words, Teddy Birdwell.

You know, Della,

for once, you may be right.

Whoa.

What are you doing?

Oh, you wouldn't understand, Slaughter.

You just wouldn't understand.

Come on.

- Say, Tramp Ass... - Trampas.

That's it, Trampas,

I don't suppose you'd consider maybe...

No, I can't.

You have any idea just how lonely it is

there in Yuma's prison?

I heard. Heard it's terrible.

Well, would you write to me once in a while?

Sure, I'll keep in touch. Come on!

♪♪