Original subtitles

Howdy.

Me and this hayburner here could use some water

if you got it to spare.

Sure, help yourself.

Don't drink us dry, though. Laramie stage is due.

I'll save them some.

Much obliged.

You bet.

[ stagecoach approaching ]

Ho...

Oh, you missed it by more than a foot,

Mose, you're losing your touch.

Oh, no, you don't, Jess, I seen you move,

that's three you owe me.

All right, simmer down, I'll pay.

Ten-minute layover, step out, stretch your legs.

You trying to tell me you didn't know

this punk kid was waiting to back-shoot me?

I don't even know who he is.

Anytime I'd figure you're worth six footin'.

I'll do it myself.

Ha.

You really don't know who he is?

Why should I?

One pretty good reason, Slim.

Meet Billy O'Neill, Abbey's kid brother.

He's been dogging my trail for a week now.

Tried winging me once before.

Lucky for me, he can't shoot very straight.

I won't miss next time!

Next time?

What makes you think

you're gonna be around for a next time?

Ease off, boy.

You're getting in over your head.

I don't care what happens to me.

I'll kill you for what you did to Abbey.

What happened to Abbey?

You'll see it for yourself soon enough.

She's coming to Laramie.

She's coming to pick up the same dirty life

you drug her into before.

Yeah, after I reopen the Nugget,

Abbey and me are getting married.

Seems like I heard that about five years ago.

Yeah, I guess you did.

That's what Abbey told you, wasn't it?

Well, I'd penny any fraud charge

the federals hung on me, kind of,

you know, delayed things a little.

But nothing's gonna stop us this time.

There, I think that'll take care of that.

Oh, thank you, ma'am.

It has been a real pleasure meeting you.

I want to ask you something.

Yeah?

When you headed for prison,

Abbey left, too. Where did she go?

Why, back to Abilene with her folks.

Where else would a woman go to wait for a man?

She'd still be there too

if you hadn't sent your trained baboon after her.

I'll tell Marty that when he gets here with Abbey.

No, you can tell him.

Now, look, Billy boy,

the law is gonna keep you out of my hair

until that sister of yours can talk some sense into you.

I'm taking you in!

And I'll ride along just to make sure

Billy gets there in one piece.

Well, suit yourself.

But like I told you, Slim, Abbey won't be there--yet.

Again, my thanks, ma'am.

I'd feel most honored if you'd be my guest

when the Nugget opens.

We'll have tables for ladies

and, of course, you'll want to hear our Abbey sing.

Slim always did.

You want me to go to town, Slim?

I don't know this Frank Mannus,

but I sure take pleasure

in knocking that smile off his face.

And that just might be the reason I'm going, Jess.

And you cause anymore trouble, I'll crosstie you over a horse

and take you in that way.

Now, get going.

I'll be back in the late stage.

All right, Mose.

Here's your complaint, Sheriff.

Assault with intent to kill.

Hold it till Abbey gets here. If she can straighten him out,

you can tear it up.

Well, boys, I've got things to do.

This town has changed, Mannus, for the good.

It sure has-- noticed that coming in.

More buildings, more people...

more business.

I don't think Mort was trying to sales-boost the town, Mannus.

I think he had something else on his mind.

Oh?

Just what did he have in mind?

You run the Nugget like you used to

and I'll lock you up so fast

you won't even hear the door slam.

Mort, are you trying to scare me?

Take it for what it's worth.

Step out of line, and I'll close you down for keeps.

I've served my time.

I have no desire to serve any more.

But if you want to keep wearing that piece of tin,

don't try to hang anything on me that won't fit.

Oh, uh...

we're gonna have a big opening celebration in a few days.

You're both invited. On the house.

Clear night.

Yeah.

You want to talk about it, Slim,

or do you want let it eat your insides out?

I guess I am feeling too sorry for myself.

But it kind of shakes you up

when you think you got something hogtied

and staked out for good and it...

climbs on your back again.

You mean Mannus?

I mean Abbey.

I wanted to marry her once, Jess.

But I couldn't give her what Mannus could...

the things a girl like her should have.

Well, if she turned you down for him and for that reason,

maybe you're better off.

No, I was different then.

I was no prize,

just out of the army after the war.

Took me a while to unwind, and...

and running wild seemed like the only way to cool off.

That happened to all of us, I reckon.

Yeah.

But Abbey was special.

She was different.

How many times has that been said?

You still feel the same, Slim?

I don't know.

You'll know when you see her.

Ten-minute layover, folks, step out, stretch...

Stretch yourselves and have some refreshments.

Thank you.

There's coffee inside, ma'am.

I'd like some.

Is this still the Sherman Ranch?

Yes, ma'am, that's right.

And Slim...

is he here?

Coffee's in the house, mister, not in the barn.

Never touch it.

Mister.

Marty.

Don't be a fool.

Stay away, Abbey,

I'll make this corral-sitter eat some dirt.

No, Marty, please.

[ gunshot ]

Get down on your knees, cowboy,

or you'll be chewing on the next one.

Now, let's start over, even!

Ease off, Jess.

Well, I see you're still an errand boy

for Frank Mannus.

I always did look out after Frank's property, remember?

Wait in the coach, Marty.

I want my gun.

You'll get it when we leave.

I'll change the team.

I'm sorry, Slim.

I didn't want it to be like this.

How did you want it to be, Abbey?

We were friends, I thought.

Can't we still be?

Once you told me

you and Mannus were gonna get married...

and he told me the same thing a couple of days ago.

He was here?

Yeah, same time as your brother.

Billy?

What happened?

Well, they're both all right.

Billy's a poor shot. The sheriff's holding him.

Well, at least until you get there.

Things were going to be so simple,

and now Billy's in it.

And you treat me as if I were some sort of Jezebel.

What am I supposed to do, Abbey?

Stick my chin out again?

No, of course not.

But I kind of hoped that I could look at a crowd of customers, or...

or walk down the street, and...

and see a friend, that's all.

You can, Abbey.

I thought it was gonna be different when I saw you again.

I guess it isn't.

I'll be around.

Did I hear someone say coffee?

Yeah, it's inside.

Come on in, I want you to meet Mrs. Cooper.

Ho-yah!

Shh.

Well?

She's a beauty, Slim.

A man would have to be blind not to like her.

Don't look at me,

nothing wrong with my eyesight.

Wait'll you you hear her sing-- sounds like a nightingale,

whatever that sounds like.

Slim, uh, gonna go into the golden Nugget

when she opens?

I don't think anything could keep me away, Jess,

including Frank Mannus.

You think that was smart telling Abbey

you want to give her kid brother a job?

I think it's very smart.

That fool Billy's just crazy enough to try to pull something

that busts things wide open.

I want him where we can watch him.

Ah, I don't think so.

Now with her taken up with Sherman again,

it's gonna get us into nothing but trouble.

Marty, you'd better stop thinking.

You're skinning bark off the wrong tree.

That Sherman's become a real big man hereabouts.

I want him on our side.

Let Abbey have her fun. He'll come running...

straight into a wall.

Grow up.

Mannus kept the money coming all the time he was in prison.

What?

That's right.

He helped to feed you and buy your clothes.

You owe him more than you think.

All the more reason to hate him.

I don't care what his money did for me.

It still turned you into a cheap dancehall floozy

that men stare at and pour over and try to--

Now I know you can't stop me.

I thought I could talk you into going home.

Not now, Abbey.

All right.

Then I'm asking for your help.

I'm not here to marry Mannus.

Then why are you here?

To make him pay for what he's done.

Kill him if I have to.

Kill him, why?

When I first worked for him in Wichita,

there was a man,

not much older than you are now.

He was young and eager, a rancher.

We were going to be married, settle down.

It was an accident, they said, but I'm sure it was Mannus.

I've stuck with him since, Billy,

because he is going to pay for it someday.

Abbey, I--I had no idea--

I know.

And I couldn't tell you.

Billy, there's been no other man,

except maybe Slim here in Laramie,

but with this hanging over my head,

it wouldn't be fair to him even if...

You can stay, work for Mannus, help me.

Work for Mannus?

He agreed. That way we'd be close.

I can't tell you anything more right now,

but he has some counterfeit plates,

$20 gold certificates. They're worth a fortune.

If used right...

they can be the end of Mr. Frank Mannus.

[ indistinct speech ]

Gentlemen, what do you think?

Hey, you'd never know the place was shutdown.

Good food, honest tables, and Abbey singing.

It's a combination to make a man rich.

Well, just about everything's free tonight.

What are you gonna do when they have to start paying?

Well, things might be a little slow for a while.

You don't build your trade overnight.

That's why I was hoping you drop in, Slim.

Oh, you were?

Yeah. I got a proposition for you.

I need what you might call a junior partner.

I have a lot of new people here in town I don't know.

You do. You could learn this business

in no time, and make a pile of money at it, too.

Are you on a level? Me in this saloon business?

You'll think about it.

You'd make big money, and you'd make it quick.

I think I ought to warn you, Frank.

I'm not in town just for the celebration...

You mean Abbey?

Mm-hmm. I'm back in the running again.

It's a free country.

All the more reason for you to take me up on my offer, I'd say.

You really do mean it, don't you?

Slim, you know me,

I'd never let sentiment interfere with business.

You chew on it a while, and let me know.

Time for Abbey to do the number.

Excuse me, gentlemen.

What do you make of it, Mort?

He's smart.

I think you ought to take him up on it.

You what?

Can't talk to you in here. stop by the office later.

All right, gents! All right.

Now, it is my pleasure to present the pride

of the Nugget, the beautiful, the gorgeous...

Miss Abbey O'Neill!

[ whistling ]

♪ I want you for my baby ♪

♪ I want you for keep ♪

♪ No more chasing round the town ♪

♪ No more I feel like a clown ♪

♪ I want you for my baby ♪

♪ I need you so bad ♪

♪ No more chasing rainbows ♪

♪ And no more having ♪

♪ To pretend ♪

♪ I want you for my baby ♪

♪ I mean all the time ♪

♪ I've made my mind up ♪

♪ That you will wind up ♪

♪ Mine ♪

♪ All mine ♪

♪ I want you for my baby ♪

♪ I need you so bad ♪

♪ No more chasing rainbows ♪

♪ No more having to pretend ♪

♪ I want you for my baby ♪

♪ I mean all the time ♪

♪ I've made my mind up ♪

♪ That you will wind up ♪

♪ Mine ♪

♪ All mine ♪

Barkeep, champagne.

Abbey, that was better than ever.

Yes, ma'am. I even forgot to eat.

[ laughs ] Thank you.

Mr. Mannus?

Yeah, well, hey, where is that champagne?

You better come, sir, there's been a terrible accident.

Miss O'Neill's brother.

Billy.

Where is he?

Well, I sent him out in the storeroom

for some more glasses, and them whiskey barrels

that were stacked up, they fell on him.

He's dead.

[ crows ]

I'll tell you who gave little Billy the combination

to the safe, very simple, just by watching

who gave him the currency to the cashier's box, you.

Ah--

Don't tell me!

I still think she gave it to him,

and told him about the plates.

Marty, how could she give him when she didn't have?

I told you to quit trying to think.

Well, somebody told him!

He was looking for the plates and found them!

Yeah, somebody.

Hey, you know, that Sheriff Cory's

been awful nice to me.

Could be he got some kind of word from Denver,

and he's just been walking easy.

Could have been even using the kid.

Might have got to him when he had him locked him up.

You figure he knows the buyers are coming from out of town?

I don't know.

But if that lawman tries to tangle with 'em,

he'll never know what hit him.

Well, we've talked to everyone we could, Slim.

Without evidence or witness,

Billy O'Neill's death was an accident.

Yeah.

Abbey had every man so walleyed in there,

nobody knows where Marty was or Billy.

Marty took over for him at the cashier's table,

and the barkeep sends Billy for some glasses.

Until somebody can prove it some other way,

that's what I've got to believe.

Yeah, I know, Mort.

I'm sure glad the doc gave Abbey a sedative.

It took her pretty hard.

You staying in town? I mean, for the funeral?

Yeah, that's the least I can do for her.

Good.

I wanted to talk you about this.

From the marshal's office in Denver.

Swell.

That's just what I need.

I know, but I've got to tell you...

"Frank Mannus and the counterfeiter

"were cellmates in prison,

"and the man got out three weeks before Mannus did.

"Marshal was following him, felt pretty sure

"that he had some plates for $20 gold notes

"and no one but an expert could tell that they were counterfeit.

Man was murdered, plates were never found."

Well, that's one they can't pin on Mannus,

if he was still behind bars.

Oh, he was still in the pen, all right.

Marty Carr was on the loose in Denver at that time.

Abbey O'Neill was with him.

And you picked a fine time to hit her with this.

I didn't pick the time, Slim.

When you wear a badge, there's always a job to do.

Then, you go do it.

You get a warrant, search the Nugget, Carr and Mannus,

but not Abbey.

I can't do it that way.

There's bigger fish than Abbey or Carr, or even Mannus.

There's a ring of counterfeiters from back east

maybe trying to buy those plates.

If they ever get a hold of them,

the treasury department's in for some real trouble.

Then why don't they send some marshals in to handle it?

They did.

I found out yesterday that both of them met with...

accidents.

Now, Mannus and the big guns

he's dealing with aren't playing around, Slim.

So, until someone gets here,

I've got to handle it as best I can.

That's why I want you to string along with Mannus.

So I can put a noose around Abbey, huh?

Maybe so you can clear her, Slim.

Thank you, Slim. I'm glad you were there.

I've decided something, Abbey.

I want to stay in town for a while,

just in case you need me.

I'll be all right.

For your own sake,

please don't get mixed up in my troubles.

Thought you wanted a friend around?

What happened to Billy reminded me of something...

I'm bad luck, Slim.

Well, I'm just gonna have to find that out the hard way.

Can I take you up to your room?

Don't bother.

I'd just as soon be alone.

Abbey, if you don't feel like working tonight--

Thanks, Frank, but I'd rather.

That way I won't have to think.

All right.

What a woman.

Not many like her these days.

Or any other times.

Fact is, I told her I'm gonna stay in town for a while.

I'm interested in that offer, if you're still making it.

Yeah, you want to learn the trade, huh?

That's right.

Welcome to the Nugget, partner.

Let's go inside and talk business.

Now don't ask me the why for it.

All Slim said was for you to send him

his best suit and a razor on the next stage into town.

Well, what's he been doing,

spending all his time in a saloon?

Yep, he's helping to run it.

Have you been drinking, Mose?

No, I ain't been drinking.

And if you don't want to take my word for it,

you go and ask him for yourself.

I've got to get rolling.

Ho-yah!

Well, I can understand his staying in town

for her brother's funeral but this...

Thought we had to worry about her moving out here,

not him in there.

But he has every right to bring the woman of his choice here.

It's his ranch.

I know that, Daisy. I just hope he remembers it.

What are you going to do?

What Mose said. Ask Slim.

Marty.Hmm?

I told you he'd come in handy.

Gives the place some class,

and there isn't a man in this room

who wouldn't trust him with their last dollar.

And that's exactly what we're going to get from him.

Good evening, Abbey.

A good house tonight.

I don't get it, Slim.

What are you doing here?

Didn't Frank tell you?

No.

I'm learning the business.

Might even own half of this place someday.

Did you ever hear of anybody owning half a headache?

Why'd you want to cut yourself in on this?

Maybe I'm tired of ranching,

playing nursemaid to stage teams.

I've got nothing against money though.

Besides, it seemed like a pretty good way to see you.

Slim, he's using you.

You're just a front to him,

something to throw away when the paint wears off.

Billy was sitting here last night.

Have you forgotten that?

Abbey?

I want to know something, Frank.

Yeah, what now?

What are you trying to do to Slim?

Oughtta drop, Abbey, we got more important things tonight.

Not as far as I'm concerned.

You're wrong, Abbey. This was just delivered to us,

The buyers are here.

So soon?

Yeah, so soon.

They're checking the town first,

then they're coming in.

They want us to be ready. We better make plans.

They weren't supposed to be here yet.

I know that. That's the way they do business,

hard and fast.

Marty, check outside. Let me know if they come in.

What's it all about, Slim?

I'm gonna ride up tomorrow and tell you.

Tell me what?

I got a chance to make some money, Jess,

get into another business.

Just for the money?

All right, there are some other reasons.

Well, they're personal.

I'd like to get it settled now.

You don't have to account for me,

but I think you owe Mike and Daisy

some consideration.

I'm gonna see them tomorrow, Jess.

You're in the way.

You work with a mighty low class of people

in your new business, Slim.

I'll handle this, Marty.

The boss wouldn't like to have your saddle-bum friends

in here, Sherman.

Mister, I've had just about enough out of you.

It's not worth it, Jess.

Well, maybe you can stomach him but I can't!

Now what?

This saddle bum came in here looking for trouble.

Sherman tried to help him.

I was just keeping you from kicking him to death.

We've got no room for troublemakers in here.

Throw him out.

My pleasure.

Now, wait a minute.

You make up your mind.

Is it him or us?

All right, boy. No rough stuff. [ chuckles ]

All right, that's all, folks.

Floor show's over, drinks on the house!

I'm sorry about your friend, Slim. He was asking for it.

Yeah, I guess you're right.

Oh, I thought I'd change, Frank,

into something to suit the occasion.

That's a good idea, Abbey.

I'll be in my office.

I've got to see you, Slim.

Come to my room as soon as you can.

Mort?

All right, tie them up and gag them. Sing to the sheriff.

And throw them into separate cells back there.

We don't want our little business meeting

with Mr. Mannus interrupted.

[ knocking on door ]

Yes?

Slim.

Do they know you're here?

Mannus closed up early.

He thinks I'm unpacking in that room he's letting me use up here.

Slim, take me away now, no questions asked.

We've got to hurry.

What are we running from, Abbey?

Please, no questions I said.

I didn't have a chance for questions

when you left five years ago.

Slim, you've got to believe me.

We're running for our lives.

I'll tell you anything you want to know...

but later.

What do you want me to do?

Well, I'll finish packing and change,

you-- you get a surrey.

And where do we go?

Just away from here, for now.

Please, Slim, if you ever loved me.

Well, then, gentlemen, before negotiations

for any transaction begin,

I believe that both parties

should indicate their ability to complete it.

Well, you see the color of our money.

We'd very much like to see your plates.

Well, that sounds fair enough, Mr. Gordon.

And I can assure you, after you see them,

you'll be willing to pay twice what we're asking for.

[ chuckles ] Hey, now, Mr. Mannus, that remains to be seen, doesn't it?

Oh, incidentally we went to a great deal of trouble

to get here, including the disposal

of two federal marshals, so we wouldn't want anything

to go wrong now, would we?

Don't worry about that, Mr. Gordon.

Well, Mr. Mannus?

They're gone.What?

If this is some trick to up the price,

it won't work, you know?

It's not any trick-- not on my part, anyhow.

Why isn't Abbey here?

Said she was upstairs changing her clothes.

Mr. Gordon, I believe I know who has the plates.

She's upstairs.

I'll get her.

Eh...

You go with him, Fritz.

Now, then, Mr. Mannus, if we don't get those plates,

we'll get something else.

The hide off your back.

Ooh-ooh.

[ knocking on door ]

Mort.

Mort.

Git up there.

That was Slim, Mort.

What's going on around here, anyway?

Guys that slugged us-- they're dealing with Mannus,

and we've got to stop 'em.

Well, Slim's dealing with Mannus, too.

You didn't try to stop him.

I told Slim to do that. He's helping me, Jess.

We had no time to tell you.

Well, this is the fine time to tell me.

It couldn't be helped.

Yeah, we're still not out of here yet.

If we make a big enough ruckus, somebody will hear us.

No, hold it, Jess.

Those gunslingers might hear us, too.

There's got to be another way out.

Well, it's your jail. If you don't know, who would?

Can you see where the keys are?

Yeah.

[ Abbey screams ]

Abbey: No, don't!

All right, Mannus, where is she?

I heard her!

Well, well, Miss O'Neill has quite a following, doesn't she?

Would you care to see her?

If I don't, you'll be the first to regret it.

Oh, I don't think I'm going to regret anything.

Get your hands off of her!

What do you do for living?

With you in your own jail, I might ask you the same thing.

I tell you, it had to be her!

It was her kid brother tried taking them once before.

I caught him right there at the safe!

Then it was no accident what happened to Billy.

Abbey, you've got to listen to reason.

If you don't give up those plates,

they're gonna kill me.

That's just what I had in mind, Frank.

Sure, I took the plates. That was my plan all along.

Knowing the kind they are, I was pretty sure

they'd kill you for not being able to deliver.

Oh, you're quite right, Miss O'Neill,

and I'd be just as willing to include you, too, you know?

Why, Abbey, after all I've done for you?

Why?

Do you remember Bobby Collin?

I loved him, Frank.

That was no accident either.

You and Marty killed him, too.

I had nothing to do with it!

It was all Frank's doing!

You crummy liar.

He's just trying to save his own neck.

I've been waiting seven years, Frank.

Waiting just to cut you down for good.

Handing him over to the law would have done it, Abbey.

No, Slim.

He's too smart.

He made me a part of it.

The law would take me, too.

Poor Billy didn't know that.

He was trying to help me.

He was about to send me to prison.

I wish you'd have told me this.

I'm sorry. I couldn't.

Slim, you deserve somebody better than me.

Few moments ago, you-- you felt different.

Abbey: It was just a way to get you away.

Shut up, all of you!

I'm only interested in one thing.

Now, seemingly, we can't beat it out of you,

but I'm willing to bet that you will tell me nevertheless.

Briegel, give me that knife of yours.

I want to show Miss O'Neill some fancy carving.

All right.

Good work, Jess.

No, no!

I'll tell you-- I'll tell.

Where do we go from here?

The Nugget will do for a start.

I need a six-gun.

All right, Miss O'Neill, keep talking.

They're in my bag.

Stop stalling! We looked there.

Now, come on! Where are they?

Hold there!

Go on, Jess, I'm all right.

Cover the door.

Come on, where are--

Slim.

Don't shoot.

Where's Slim?

Inside.

Watch him, Mort.

[ footsteps approaching ]

Mort's taking care of Mannus and the others.

Don't worry, Abbey. We got a good doc.

He's not that good...

The plates, Slim. Billy's got them.

Hey, forget them, they'll keep.

I should have forgotten you. I couldn't.

I didn't want to cheat you, Slim.

I had to do this.

Sure, sure.

First thing's first.

That slug you got was meant for me.

I want it back, Abbey.

This is something of yours...

I'm gonna keep.

Oh, Abbey.

Slim, Mort was wondering about those plates.

Well, she...

she said that Billy had them.

Thanks, Slim.

You ready to go home, partner?

You think Daisy and Mike

would have a former saloon keeper around?

What they don't know won't hurt 'em.

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