Original subtitles

[ Cattle Mooing ]

[ Mooing ]

Howdy. You the yard manager?That's right.

You have a shipment of southern cattle here for Shiloh Ranch?

Shiloh Ranch. Oh, right here.Mmm.

Just sign right there.

You'll find 'em over in the "C" section.

That's the first gate right near the rail siding.

Thanks very much. I'll be back as soon as I make arrangements for the cars.

Hey, mister, you're not talkin' about cattle cars, now are ya?

Well, I wasn't plannin' on shippin' 'em to Medicine Bow in day coaches.

Well, it wouldn't make any difference. Wouldn't get there anyhow.

The trestle crossing over Killer Canyon is washed out,

and there'll be no rail traffic out of here for the next two weeks.

Two weeks?Maybe longer.

Oh, I could drive 'em back faster than that.

Well, why don't you?Well, for one thing, I only brought two men with me.

That wouldn't be enough to handle a herd of that size. And for another--

There's no need of goin' through the whole list, mister.

I don't see where you have much choice.

One thing is certain. You can't leave 'em here. The feed bill would kill ya.

Guess you're right.

Well, you know this town. Where would I look to find some experienced trail drivers?

Well, if it was yesterday, I'd say any saloon.

But most of the, uh, free hands are already signed up with another spread.

Oh, great. I tell you what.

How about renting me some of your office space for a little while?

All right. Go ahead. Make yourself at home. Use my desk, huh?

Thanks very much.I'll take this here.

[ Cattle Mooing ]

Cattle drive.

Nice to have you with us. We move out first thing in the morning.

What do you think?Uh-uh.

He don't look like the kind of man I'd like to work for at all.

Besides, we were promised a ride home by railroad.Right.

You can still have it...

if you want to wait around here two weeks without pay.

He just convinced me. Why the change in plans?

Oh, I just figured you boys were getting a little soft.

I believe it.

Looks like one more hand oughta do it for a herd that size.

Probably.

Well, I just hope you found some good ones.

I've seen these pickup crews before.

Most of 'em act like they're doin' you a favor just by riding along.

Well, Randy, uh, wanna see what the rest of this town looks like?

Good idea.Yeah.

Trampas?Huh?

You know, sun-up comes awful early on a morning when you start a cattle drive.

I was right. He ain't the kind of man I like to work for at all.

[ Mooing ]

Hyah!Ho!

[ Man ] Ho! Come on, there. Let's move 'em.

Come on! Move! Move!

Easy down there. Whoa!

[ Man Whistles ]

[ Shouting, Whistling ]

[ Mooing ] [ Man Whistles ]

[ Man Whistles ] Ho!

[ Mooing ]

[ Whistles ] Ho!

[ Thunderclap, Rumbling ]

How's it goin'?All right so far.

Sure is fixin' to bust loose somewhere though.

Right here, if we're not lucky.

They're pretty spooky, and that heat lightning isn't helpin' any.

What do you think I volunteered to ride drag for?

Them steers take a mind to start running, I'd just as soon be in back as anyplace else.

Very funny. I'm sure the boys up front will appreciate your humor.

I bet they will.

They are pretty jumpy though.

And Shiloh's only a day away. Might be better to bed 'em down.

[ Thunder Rumbles ]

I think you're right. I'll tell the boys.

[ Rattling ]

[ Horse Whinnies ]

- Stampede! - Stampede!

The right flank, Trampas! Hold 'em on the right!

[ Whinnies ]

Hey! Hey!

[ Coughs ]

[ Groans ]You all in one piece?

Yeah. Thanks to you.

You know somethin'?

You just saved my life, and I don't even know your name.

Eddie. Eddie Laredo.

Well, I'm real glad to know you, Eddie Laredo. Real glad to know you.

I'll go see if I can find your horse.

Thanks.

[ Mooing ]

What do you know about him?

[ Sighs ] Just what he told me when he signed on for the drive.

He was headin' north.

How far north?I don't know.

Good hand?

Well, he knows enough not to go takin' any stroll in front of a stampede anyway.

Well, I-I mean, is he a--

Is he a good enough hand to be a regular at Shiloh?

Capable enough maybe.

But he's been here two weeks, and I think I'm the only one who knows his name.

Man's a loner, Trampas.

[ Cattle Mooing ]

Go ahead. Ask him if you want to.

[ Sighs ]

Howdy.Hi.

Good book? Hamlet. Shakespeare.

It's kinda deep for a cowpoke, ain't it?

All depends on the cowpoke.[ Chuckles ] Yeah.

Where you, uh, headin' after we reach Medicine Bow?

No place special.

Uh, we could use another hand at Shiloh.

A regular, I mean.You offering me a job?

[ Chuckles ] Not me. Foreman is.

He says there's a spot for a hand like you, if, uh, if you want it.

What'll I tell him?

Well, uh, tell him yes. And tell him thanks.

Oh, I don't want to do that. Might spoil him.

Besides, uh, he's gettin' the best of the deal.

I hope so.

Please, God, I hope so.

Randy?Good morning, Judge.

Thought I saw you come in. Anything wrong?

Oh, nothin' serious. Broke a posthole digger out on the line.

Virginian sent me to get another one.

Cook thought we could use some extra coffee.

Mm-hmm. Then you're expected back at the fence line right away, huh?

Yes, sir.

Well, I thought you could do an errand for me, but first things first.

I'm sorry, Judge. But some of the other boys are around.

Uh, Trampas and Eddie are out cuttin' fence lengths. I could send one of them in.

No, I'll find 'em myself.

He's workin' out real well, isn't he, Judge?

Who?Eddie.

- Did you think he wouldn't? - No.

It's just-- Well, temporary hands aren't usually the kind that want to stay on.

- Eddie seems to be different. - That makes the opinion unanimous.

What do you mean?

Oh, Trampas, Betsy, you. Uh, Eddie Laredo seems to have made quite a hit.

Well, he didn't save my life the way he did Trampas's.

I don't understand all those fancy books that him and Betsy are always talkin' about.

But when you're on a job with him, he pulls his weight.

And at the end of the day, he doesn't get in anybody's way.

I'd say a man like that would be a welcome addition to any crew goin'.

And I'd say you were right.

You sure you don't want me to look them up on my way back?

No, no.

You can build a fence without a posthole digger,

but the first rule about running a successful ranch...

is always have a pot of coffee over the fire.

You better get out there as soon as possible.

Got it.

Wait.

Pull.

This thing's binding.

Morning.Morning, Judge.

Much more to go?Oh, about an hour.

Say, there's a letter waiting for me in town. Would you mind going in for it?

Would I mind? That's the same as asking me if I'd like to take the rest of the day off.

[ Chuckles ]

Uh, mind if I take Eddie here with me?

That's all right, so long as you finish up here.

By the way, Eddie, my daughter tells me you asked to borrow some books from my library.

You don't mind, do you, sir?

Not at all. Help yourself.

Come on. We'll get it done in a half hour.

No, it'll take an hour.

Howdy!

Hop off, cowboy.

That's him, Bojo-- the fella with Trampas.

Yeah? What about him?You know? The new hand at Shiloh.

More Shakespeare?No.

Mmm. "Collected Poems, by Percy B. Shelley."

Wait'll the boys at the ranch get a look at that.

Well, I'm one up on most of 'em. I can read it.

[ Chuckles ] That's right.

You want somethin', Bojo?

No, just lookin' at this fine-lookin' animal here.

You know, Trampas, it takes a lot of muscle to run a horse like this.

Now, you think your friend can handle him?

Oh, he can handle a horse real fine.

And the man standin' next to him, if he has to.

Oh, you don't say.

[ Horse Whinnies ]

Go on, ride him, Shakespeare! Stay with him, boy! Stay in there!

[ Bojo Laughing ]

[ Shouting ]

Hold him!

Hold him, Eddie. Ride him!

Yahoo!

Oh.[ Laughs ]

You all right? Huh?

Yeah.I'll get your horse for you.

Ho, son. Ho. Ho, now. Ho, ho.

[ Laughs ]

Now, how could that happen to an expert rider like him?

Honey, you should've seen yourself.

Why, you took off that horse like a buzzard with a tick.

More like a mud hen to me.

[ Laughing ] I think you went 10 feet in the air.

Had these burrs under your saddle.

I wonder how they got there.

Oh, well, you're not sore, are you? It's just a joke.

Come on in. I'll buy you a drink.

We was just jokin'. Trampas.

Eddie, you're not gonna let it go at that?It was a joke.

Eddie, listen to me. Stories like that get around. You gotta live in this town.

It was a joke, Trampas. Let it go.

Eddie, come on. Let's take 'em right now.

Listen, let it go!

Hey, Eddie, you forgot your book of poetry!

I'll give it to him.Uh-uh.

He wants it, he'll have to come and get it.

[ Chuckles ]

[ All Laughing ]

[ Voices Laughing ]

[ Laughing Continues ]

You need company?

Come on. I'm taking you home.Not tonight.

I'm expecting company.

Mmm. What kind of books have you been reading?

Molly.

Beat it, mister. You've just been replaced.

Yeah. Maybe you should try a little Shakespeare.

I'll show you who's gonna be replaced. Get up to your room, Molly!

Beat it. I said beat it!

Eddie, that's enough!

[ Groaning ]

[ Screams ] Help, somebody!

Eddie. Eddie, wake up.

What's the matter?Uh, Ryker wants to see you.

Who?Emmett Ryker, sheriff's deputy.

Is somethin' wrong?You better get dressed.

What's this all about, Emmett?

I have a warrant for the arrest of Eddie Laredo, Judge.

What charge?

Maybe I better tell you all at the same time.Mornin'.

Uh, you wanted to see me?What time you get in town last night, Eddie?

Last night? Well, I was in the bunkhouse all night, not in town.

He was in his bunk when I came in last night,

and he was still there when I got up this mornin'.

That's a fact. He doesn't wander too far from the ranch.

That's a pretty swollen hand. How'd it happen?

Well, I don't know.

I guess yesterday, when I fell.

You know, when the horse threw me.

You sure it didn't happen when you beat up Bojo Sanders?

- When I what? - Bojo? Eddie?

You know Molly Weems, Eddie?

Yeah. Met her yesterday.

Last night, too, according to what she told the sheriff.

She said you made advances to her outside the saloon.

When Sanders tried to stop you, there was a fight.

Are you tryin' to tell us that Bojo Sanders is pressin' charges for assault and battery?

County prosecutor's pressing charges, Trampas.

Bojo died late last night.

You ready?

But it's a mistake. It's gotta be a mistake.

Apparently there's an eyewitness.

Well, that could be a mistake too. [ Horses Galloping Off ]

Isn't there something you can do, Judge? Could you help?

Well, I'm going into town anyway. I'll talk to Brad Carter.

[ Sighs ]Company, Laredo.

Eddie, this is Brad Carter. He's agreed to represent you in court.

Nice to meet you, sir. In court?

The county prosecutor's decided to charge you with murder.

But I didn't kill anybody.

Relax. From what Judge Garth tells me,

it looks as though this won't get past the preliminary hearing.

Well, what's that?

The court hears the prosecution's evidence...

and determines whether or not it's strong enough to warrant a trial.

And from everything I can see, his case is weaker than the drinks at a church picnic.

Him. He's the murderer. Eddie Laredo.

Be absolutely certain now, Miss Weems.

Your accusation may cost this man his life.

Oh, I'm very certain. He killed Bojo.

Your witness.

Miss Weems, you testified that when the defendant stopped you,

you were on your way home from the saloon.

That's right.

Had you been doing any drinking?

How many?

Three? Four?

[ Sighs ] I don't count them.

But we can assume that you had a number of drinks.

Objection.

I submit, Your Honor, that the witness's condition on the night of the murder...

is very relevant to her testimony.Overruled.

Now, Miss Weems, after you had a number of intoxicating drinks at the saloon--

I was not drunk.

you walked alone to your hotel at what time?2:00 a.m.

You told the court earlier that the defendant startled you when he addressed you.

May I ask why?Well, I didn't see him standing there.

Well, it was too dark.

It was too dark for you to see him standing there.

Miss Weems, have you ever been in trouble with the law before?

Objection.

Your Honor, the purpose of this hearing is to explore the nature of the charges,

not the background of the witness.

Your Honor, it's a matter of record...

that this woman has been jailed as an unsavory and disreputable citizen...

in at least two cities.That has no bearing on this case.

Now, just let him finish, Walt, please.

She admits she'd been drinking heavily that night.

She admits that the street was too dark for her to see the man clearly.

Now, in the name of justice, Your Honor,

can we dare to prosecute a decent, honest, hardworking young man...

on the very questionable testimony of this woman?

Well, if an eyewitness isn't good enough--

This is a nice, quiet, hardworking boy.

He doesn't accost women in the street, and he doesn't beat men to death.

Now, if you want me to spend the whole day parading character witnesses back and forth,

I can do that, but the fact remains that the prosecution's eyewitness...

turns out to be nothing more than a drunken woman!

Oh, Your Honor--

Now, just go sit down, boys.

It's the opinion of this court that there is insufficient evidence...

to bring this case to trial.

I'm dismissing the charges. [ Gavel Raps ]

Court's adjourned.

Mr. Carter, Judge Garth, I don't know how to thank you.

If they were all this easy, Eddie. Judge.

You're still a murderer, Eddie Laredo. You fooled the whole town.

Just a bashful little bookworm, all wide-eyed and innocent.

Well, your play-acting is not going to last forever.

And when you forget your lines, you'll take your bows from the end of a rope,

and I will be leading the applause.

♪ For ages and ages I worked for my wages ♪

♪ But tomorrow I'll be broke again ♪♪

Ho-ho, you good-lookin' devil, you.

Come on there, Eddie. We'll show you how to sprinkle your wages all over Medicine Bow.

No, thanks. I'd just as soon let the money age in the envelope.

Well, now, course that's up to you.

It does seem kind of wasteful, though,

when you could invest it so wisely in whiskey and women.

But if that's the way you feel about it.

♪ For ages and ages Come on, Trampas. Let's go.

How about it, Eddie? You comin' with us?

This is one payday you got a right to celebrate.

No, thanks. Another time.

You're, uh-- You're not stayin' in because of Molly Weems, are you?

[ Footsteps ]

Hey, Trampas, come on. The wagon's ready to roll.All right.

Now look, if, uh, you change your mind, it won't be hard to find us.

You keep talkin'. They're waitin' for you out here.

You're badgering me yourself.

Hey, Molly. You gonna help me celebrate?

Oh, you better look out there, old buddy. Strange things begin to happen...

to Molly's eyesight when she-- [ Clears Throat ] celebrates too much.

All right, Belden. I've had about enough of that talk for one day.

Well, I was just makin' conversation.

And what are you callin' me Belden for? My name's Grant, Ulysses S.

I said, I've had about enough of that kind of talk.

And this here's my friend, Robert E.

All right, have your joke. But don't expect me to go along with it.

Now look what you done, Belden. Now I gotta celebrate alone.

[ Thud ]

[ Knocking ]Who is it?

Josh.Who?

Josh, Molly. Come on, open up. [ Thud ]

Josh, my foot. Get out of here.

Get out of here.

Get out of here, Laredo.

Molly, is that any way to greet a friend?

What do you want? Your book?

All right, take your poetry and get out of here.

I don't read poetry, Molly.

I live it.

How do you expect me to act poetic with that gun aimed at me?

[ People Chattering ]

[ Laughing, Chattering ]

[ Hooves Clopping ]

[ Sighs ]

[ Sighs ]

[ Cattle Mooing ]

[ Bellowing ]

[ Bellowing In Distance ]

Mornin'.Mornin'.

Big night last night?Big enough.

How about you?Oh, the usual thing.

Read a little, took a walk, then to bed.Mmm.

That book must have mighty long fingernails.Fingernails?

Oh, I know. You, uh, got those scratches shavin' too close this morning.

That razor of yours needs a manicure.

What are you talkin' about? I didn't even shave this morning.

Here, take a look at yourself.

I must've scratched myself in my-- my sleep or somethin'.

Or somethin'.

All right, Romeo, who is she?What?

Come on, Eddie, you don't have to play games with me. I saw you leavin' town last night.

Judge.

Trampas, you and your boys kicked up a little dust in town last night, didn't you?

Well, yes, sir. But, uh, they're all on the job this mornin'.

Were you with 'em, Laredo?

No, I kept the dust down in the bunkhouse all night.

Uh, somethin' wrong, Judge?

Molly Weems was murdered last night. Beaten to death in her room.

You boys had better go on in.

Ryker wants to talk to all of you.

Guess we better get started.

Just a minute, Eddie.

Before the rest of the hands show up, there's somethin' I want to know.

- Why did you lie to the judge? - Lie to him?

You were in town last night, Eddie. I saw you.

It couldn't have been me. I told ya.

It was you, Eddie. You were ridin' your horse...

and wearing some fancy shirt and hat.

Trampas, I told you. I read a book. I went to bed.

- You don't think I had any-- - I don't know what to think, Eddie.

I'm sure of one thing-- either my eyes are bad...

or you're a barefaced, gold-plated liar.

Let's find out which.

There's nothin' wrong with my eyes.

Pearl-buttoned shirt.

There's blood on it, Eddie.

Whose blood is it? Yours or Molly's, huh?

Collected Poems of Percy B. Shelley.

Molly picked this up the other day...

when you dropped it in the street.

When did you get it from her? Last night? Or isn't this your book?

I don't read poetry.It's your book, Eddie.

You're talkin' to the wrong man.Don't give me that.

I know who I'm talkin' to.

I'm talkin' to Eddie Laredo. I'm talkin' to the man that killed Molly Weems.

Eddie Laredo couldn't kill anybody. He hasn't got the guts.

He lets a pig like Bojo make a fool out of him and girls like Molly laugh at him.

Yeah.

He makes men trust him too.

He lets 'em go out on a limb for him.

Men like Judge Garth, Carter. Men like--

Come on, Eddie. You're comin' with me.

[ Grunting, Gasping ]

[ Rifle Cocks ]Eddie.

[ Footsteps Approaching ]

Please, somebody help me.

Please.

Well, it's better. Much better today.

Either you're the best nurse I've ever had,

or Trampas has been following instructions or both.

Oh, don't give her too much credit, Doc.

It was a long ways from my heart.

About an inch.[ Chuckles ]

He hasn't been following your orders, Doctor. He hasn't stopped talking for three days.

That's a chronic complaint. I wouldn't expect a little thing like a bullet to cure that.

Now, just don't think that you're stronger than you really are.

[ Groans ]You're going to be in bed for quite a while yet.

Just so I'm up in time for the trial.

They're not going to prosecute Eddie for shooting you, Trampas.

He's being charged with murder.

[ Sighs ] Poor Molly.

You remember what she said about his play-acting? Well, she was right.

She had to get herself killed to prove it.

I understand the boy claims he doesn't know anything about Molly's murder.

Then why'd he try to kill me? I'll tell you why.

Because I saw him in town the night of the murder.

I called his bluff on the scratches, the book, the bloody shirt.

Then he took a rif--See what I mean about him talking, Doctor?

I'm afraid this time it was my fault, Betsy.

Now, I want you to take it easy. Rest.

Do you understand that? I'll look in again tonight.

I'll walk out with you, Doc.

Let me fix the pillow. Oh. Okay. [ Door Opens, Closes ]

Well, it's still a little early, but I think he's gonna be all right.

Oh, the sheriff asked me to give you a message for him, Henry.

Eddie Laredo has asked to see you.

[ Hooves Clopping ]

[ Sighs ]

Did you win or lose, Walt?[ Chuckles ]

The verdict was guilty. [ Sighs ]

Cattle rustling. Ten years-- hard labor.

The defendant was 19 years old.

There are times, Henry, when I wish I'd gone into business with my brother...

manufacturing self-hardening putty.

Nineteen, huh?Mmm.

Not much younger than Eddie Laredo.

Yeah. But that's about as far as the comparison goes.

The young man who was convicted of rustling I can feel sorry for.

- He took a chance and lost. - And Laredo?

What are you driving at, Henry?

Well, to be honest, Walt, I'm not quite sure myself.

I can't seem to equate the things I've heard about him--

the things I must assume to be true if he killed Molly Weems--

with what I've seen with my own eyes.

I-- What do you think of him, Walt?

Oh, I think he's one of the rare ones, Henry.

Doesn't place any value on human life, not even his own.

Doesn't even seem to mind that Brad Carter won't defend him.

Says he was going to plead guilty anyway.

Has he admitted his guilt?

No. Just doesn't care.

So Eddie Laredo hangs.

He got away with murder once, Henry.

I'm not going to let it happen again.

Without one word raised in his defense.

Without counsel.

I don't intend to deprive him of his rights.

And if you'd like to help find him an attorney, you're more than welcome.

Yeah.Henry.

I'm not a blood-thirsty man.

But as far as Eddie Laredo is concerned,

I've never met anyone who deserves hanging more.

I'd like to see him, Emmett.

How's Trampas?Well, he'll be out of commission for a while.

Doc Spaulding says he's pretty lucky.Lucky?

Shot down by a man he thought was his friend?

He'd be lucky if he stuck to fighting with his enemies.

I'd appreciate it if you'd tell him that for me.

Tell him all the boys in town are pulling for him.

He's too unlucky a poker player for us to want to lose him permanently.

Mmm. Thank you.

Hello, Eddie.

You wanted to see me?

[ Door Closes ]

How's Trampas, Judge?

As well as might be expected.

He-- He won't die, will he?

Please don't let him die.

Who are you worried about, Eddie-- Trampas or yourself?

I don't care what happens to me.

That's not the way Trampas tells it.

He told me why you tried to kill him. What's your explanation?

I don't know.

You shot him because he saw you in town the night Molly Weems was murdered.

No, sir!Because he found the blood-stained shirt...

you were wearing when you killed her.No, sir!

He was gonna show that shirt to Emmett Ryker.

- Judge, I swear, no! - What are you sayin'? He's lying?

I don't know! Can't you understand that?

I just don't know.

Judge Garth, I'm so confused.

You don't know what it's like.

[ Sighs ] Do you deny shooting Trampas?

I guess I can't deny that.

You must've had some reason. What was it?

I don't remember.

I know it sounds funny, but I can't help that. It's true.

I swear to heaven, Judge. I don't remember.

You remember... after the shooting,

when I came into the bunkhouse before they took you away?

You asked me to try to help you.

Yes, sir.

I don't know if I canhelp you.

I don't know if I want to.

But I do want to know about the shooting,

so will you tell me what you do remember?

Well, I remember--

I remember hearing a-a shot,

and it sounded like it was a million miles away.

Then I saw Trampas...

and the rifle--

And the rifle was in my hands.

Now, I don't know why I shot him.

I don't even remember pullin' the trigger.

Why did you kill Molly?

I didn't kill Molly.

You didn't, or you don't remember?

Thank you, Emmett.You won't forget to tell Trampas hello for me?

No. Has Brad Carter been in?

To see Laredo? He came in the day of the shooting.

Not since?Not unless he got by me somehow.

Mm-hmm.

Brad.Well, Judge Garth. How are you, sir?

Like to ask you something, if you've got a minute.

I've always got a minute for you, Judge, but I have a client waiting at my office.

Got another one waiting in jail.

Laredo?You talk to him?

I heard his whole story.

And it was all I could do to keep from laughing in his face.

[ Chuckles ] He doesn't remember shooting Trampas.

He doesn't remember killing Molly Weems.

Now there's a great defense for you, isn't it?

Not guilty on the grounds of a bad memory.

You seem to be prejudging your own client.

Well, first of all, he's not my client anymore.

But even if he were, I'm not sure I understand what your interest in him is.

I don't blame you, Brad. I--

It's obvious the boy's a killer, but I don't know, I-- Something about him, I--

Well, there I'll agree with you.

He's one of the most cleverly diabolical murderers I've ever met.

I'm sorry, Judge. I'd like to be more impersonal about it,

but my conscience keeps getting in my way.

Well, every man, guilty or innocent, is entitled to his day in court.

Eddie Laredo had his day in court.

The Bojo Sanders case. I helped clear him of those charges.

Made it possible for him to walk out of this courthouse...

and commit two more acts of violence.

That's a burden I'm gonna have to live with for a long time.

I don't intend to add to it.

Good day, Judge.

You should be in bed.

Eddie goes on trial tomorrow, doesn't he?

Yeah.

You don't believe him, do you?

Well, I can easily understand how you must feel.

I don't know what to figure.

Cold as ice, he pulls me out in front of stampeding cattle.

Cold as ice, he tries to kill me.

How am I supposed to feel?

Confused, I suppose, like me.

Did you know that before they took him away,

after the shooting,

he cried?

He pleaded for help.

Doesn't sound like the same Eddie that stood over there and--

Well, that's just what I mean.

How can you figure out a man that acts like two different people?

[ Knocking ]

Come in.

Glad you could make it, Doctor.

No trouble at all, Henry. It's always a pleasure to spend some time with you after a hard day.

Well, I intend to make you work for your brandy tonight.

You will have brandy, won't you?Well, if you'll join me.

Yeah.

Sit down. Put your feet up.

Now, I've been put in the proper frame of mind.

What medical advice is it you're going to attempt to wangle out of me...

without paying for an office call?

[ Chuckles ]

Well, as a matter of fact, I-I am going to try to wangle something out of you--

your participation in a small experiment.If I can help.

A short time ago, I came up with a-- a rather startling solution...

to a... confusing set of circumstances.

I wonder if you'd arrive at the same conclusion.

- Which is? - I'd rather not say yet.

Do you know Eddie Laredo?

Only by reputation.

Which reputation? He has two, you know.

That of a quiet boy-- shy, easygoing--

and that of a man with a... violent temper,

a man who could kill with his bare hands.

You saw the hole he put in Trampas. That's hardly the work of a shy, easygoing boy.

Exactly.

And that's part of the problem.

Depending on who you're talking to,

Eddie might be one of, I don't know, two different people.

Now, what might make a quiet, easygoing boy become a cold-blooded killer?

Perhaps he isn't really the quiet type.

Maybe that's just a pose.

That thought occurred to me, too, as it did to other people, I suspect.

But-- I don't know.

There could be another explanation.

Stevenson shows us in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde...

that the forces of both good and evil are present in all of us.

[ Chuckles ] I doubt whether Eddie Laredo has any secret potion...

that would enable him to separate the two.

Well, let's say he's a mixture of good and evil.

A mixture, yes. But not completely good one day and completely bad the next.

Well, haven't even those so-called good people been guilty of committing crimes?

Well, yes, but they're usually driven to it by circumstances...

or bad judgment... or... emotional instability.

Emotional instability?

It's possible, then, for a man to become so emotionally unbalanced...

that he loses complete control over his actions?

Well, certainly it's possible.

We call it insanity.

That's what I've been waiting to hear.

Now, wait a minute, Henry. Let's not jump to conclusions.

I haven't examined this boy, but from what I hear,

I doubt whether I could certify him insane.

"And on the aforementioned date, the accused did willfully and maliciously...

"and of his own accord administer a violent beating to one Molly Weems,

"from which beating death was the direct result.

For these crimes herein described, Edward Laredo stands charged with murder."

Edward Laredo, are you represented by counsel?

[ Garth ] May it please the court--

I'll represent the defendant.

Is that all right with you, Mr. Laredo?

Yes, sir. I appreciate it.

Well, you've heard the charges against you.

To these charges, Edward Laredo, how do you plead?

Uh, Your Honor, my client and I haven't had much chance to confer.

I respectfully ask for a short recess.

Your Honor--[ Gavel Raps ]

You can't mean it, Henry.

You're not really going to plead that killer innocent?

By reason of insanity. Yes.

How can you even think of claiming such a thing?

One look at him tells you he's as normal as you or I.

Walt, we admit the possibility he committed those murders.

But that he's normal? Of that I'm not convinced.

Well, I think the jury will agree with me.

Look, I don't say he should be set free, but does he deserve to be hanged?

I'll make a bargain with you.

If you'll recommend leniency-- life imprisonment--

and if the court approves, I'll plead him guilty.

Murder is still a hanging offense.

I'll not help set a precedent that could give a cold-blooded murderer...

the right to commit a crime and escape punishment--

create a situation whereby a murderer could come into court claiming he can't remember.

No, sir.

Well, then you've got a fight on your hands.

I've never run away from a fight before.

Well, gentlemen, let's get back and try the case.

[ Crowd Chattering ]

Now, the attitude of the law with regard to insanity...

is defined in a precept known as the McNaughton Rule.

Now, simply stated, it is this:

If, at the time he committed a criminal act,

a man was incapable of distinguishing between right and wrong,

he's to be regarded as legally insane.

Now, gentlemen, it's my fervent hope that before this trial is over,

you will come to believe, as I do, that at the time he killed Molly Weems,

the defendant was not capable of understanding...

the wrongfulness of his act.

Your Honor.

I feel that it's incumbent upon this court to explain to the jury...

that the McNaughton Rule was never intended to imply that insanity was a state of mind...

that can be turned off and on.

To the contrary. A man is either sane or insane.

And no man can be sane today, insane tomorrow and sane again the day after.

[ Gavel Rapping ] [ Spectators Chattering ]

Now, let's have order, Mr. Prosecutor,

and allow the court to decide what obligations are incumbent upon it.

Now, you may call your first witness.

Yes, sir. I've seen Eddie wear this shirt before.

When?The night Molly was killed.

You mentioned earlier that you found this shirt among the defendant's belongings.

Was there anything unusual about it?

There were blood stains on it.

Your witness.

Trampas, is it true that Eddie Laredo once saved your life?

Yes, sir.You became close friends after that.

Can you describe his personality, his general behavior?

Well, he was, uh--

uh, quiet, easygoing, never one to kick up a fuss.

I see. Quiet, easygoing.

Yet you testified he shot you down in cold blood, didn't you?

Yes, sir.

Can you describe his behavior just before the shooting?

Well, sir, that's kind of hard to explain. Uh--

Well, he, uh, acted different than usual.

This Eddie Laredo--

this quiet, soft-spoken, easygoing fellow who didn't want to kick up a fuss...

but who stands accused of two deliberate murders...

was acting abnormally when he committed the one act of violence...

that can be proved against him, wasn't he?

And you'd never seen him act that way before.

- No, sir. - Thank you.

I'd never called him a murderer before either.

[ Chattering ]

[ Gavel Rapping ]

I examined the defendant at great length last night,

and I found him to be lucid, cogent and rational.

Would you consider him to be mentally unbalanced in any way, Doctor?

No, I wouldn't.Thank you.

Your witness.

Dr. Spaulding, when you examined the defendant,

did he, uh, mention the crimes for which he's charged?

Only that he didn't remember having committed them.

Didn't remember.

Loss of memory.

Now, how might that happen to a man?

Well, there might be several reasons.

The most common might be a blow to the head, concussion,

skull fracture, certain illnesses.

- And insanity? - That's possible, yeah.

Now, Doctor, would you kindly define insanity for us?

Well, in general,

it's a term which applies to an individual who has lost his ability to reason.

And does all insanity take only one form?

No, I'd say there would be many forms.

How many?

Well, I'm not qualified to answer that, Henry.

Medical science is a long way from solving all the mysteries of the human mind.

Well, then you would say there are some forms of insanity...

with which you are not entirely familiar?

Yes, you might say that. Yes.

Your Honor, it seems to me the defense is once again...

trying to lead us down the path toward on-again, off-again insanity--

an illness of his own invention.

[ Judge ] Objection sustained.

Now, let's not have the witness making conjectures.

Uh, Dr. Spaulding, how does an insane person behave?

- I beg your pardon? - How does he behave?

We all know that all murderers are not necessarily insane.

We also know that all mental patients are not necessarily homicidal.

But what else do we know or not know?

I mean, are they all wild-eyed? Do they rant and rave?

Of course not. There is no set pattern of behavior.

Now, Dr. Spaulding, have you ever observed a mental patient...

who, on occasion and for short periods of time, is lucid, cogent, rational?

Yes, I have.

Well, now, might not the opposite be also true?

Could you say, beyond the shadow of a doubt,

that it would be impossible for a normally lucid person...

to be subject to lapses of insanity?

No, sir.

Thank you, Doctor. No further questions.

One moment, Doctor.

I have two questions only.

When Eddie Laredo told you that he couldn't remember the crime in question,

what was your reaction?

I didn't believe him.

Finally, once and for all, as a medical expert,

do you consider the defendant, Eddie Laredo, to be insane?

No, sir. I do not.

[ Sighs ] Daddy, aren't you gonna go to bed?

I don't think I'd sleep. [ Sighs ]

It's going badly, isn't it?

I thought they'd understand.

Thought I'd be able to persuade them.

Well, what would happen if you did?

Oh, the jury would recommend leniency, life imprisonment.

But I haven't convinced them, I--

And if I fail tomorrow, I--

Daddy, what convinced you?

Eddie's story.

And my own lopsided... instincts.

The way he told his story.

If only the jury could hear it from his own lips.

But I can't put him on the stand.

The prosecution would tear him apart.

[ Sighs ] Well, I'm not Eddie,

but if it were me, I'd much rather face the prosecutor than the hangman.

All right, Henry, call your first witness for the defense.

I call the defendant, Edward Laredo.

[ Spectators Chattering ] [ Gavel Tapping ]

Then I saw Trampas on the floor.

And the rifle... was in my hands.

You don't remember pulling the trigger?No, sir.

[ Chattering, Scoffing ]

You don't remember fighting with Trampas?

No. He was the best friend I ever had. I wouldn't fight him.

And the previous night, the night Molly Weems was killed, how did you spend your time?

Went to bed early in the bunkhouse.

Trampas claims he saw you in town-- Molly Weems's place.

No, sir.

The scratches on your face the next morning-- how did they get there?

I don't know.

[ Chattering, Laughing ]

[ Gavel Rapping ]

I swear. I'm telling the truth.

Judge, I swear by everything that's holy, I don't know.

Your witness.

Young man, you really puzzle me.

Doc Spaulding says you're a sane, reasonable man.

Even your attorney says you're insane only sometimes.

[ People Chuckling ]

And yet, you seem to have such terrible problems with your memory.

May I ask why your memory is so bad?

I don't know.

You don't know, or you don't remember?

[ Laughing ] [ Gavel Raps ]

Order. I must have order in this court.

Oh, forgive me.

I shouldn't treat this lightly, I know.

A bad memory can be a serious affliction.

Have you always had trouble remembering things?

No, sir.

On the job, for instance, when you're given a chore to do,

do you forget what it is as soon as you're told?

No.

What about your birthday? Uh, can you remember that?

March 18.

Well, now, that wasn't too difficult, was it?

Let's try again, shall we?

Can you remember where you were born?

Central City, Colorado.

Excellent.

Now, this may be a bit more difficult, Mr. Laredo.

Can you possibly recall your mother's name?

Mary.

Good boy.

Can you describe her for us-- the color of her hair, her eyes?

Your Honor, this line of questioning is pointless.

It's designed to harass the witness.

To the contrary, Your Honor. It's designed to help him.

The defendant remembers some things, forgets others.

Perhaps, if we start back far enough, we might find the truth.

Proceed.

We were talking about your mother.

Can you remember the color of her eyes?

No, I can't.

Oh, dear. Memory trouble again.

She died when I was born!

I am sorry.

Well, let's see what else you can remember. Your father, for instance.

Can you recall his name?

Josh. Josh Laredo.

Now, I realize this isn't easy for you, Mr. Laredo.

I-I mean, a man who can't remember things that happened just a few days ago...

is bound to have trouble with this.

But try, my boy.

Did you ever go to school?

Yeah, he was a good-lookin' man.

And he wasn't afraid of anything or anybody.

Not old Josh.

We were talking about your schooling.

And he had friends. Real friends.

Who? Who are you talking about? Your father?

Men friends. Women friends.

Oh. Then he must have treated his women very nicely.

Sure.

But he could've been rough with them, too, if he had to be.

Rough with them, hmm?

Then I assume you learned about women from him?

Oh, I can be rough with 'em too. That's how they want it.

Is that how Molly Weems wanted it?

I didn't know the lady that well.

[ Spectators Chattering ] [ Gavel Taps ]

Perhaps you don't remember the lady, hmm?

Well, let's put that memory of yours to work again.

Since you seem to recall your father fairly well, tell us more about him.

Who?

Your father, of course.

Oh, my old man. He was a nice enough guy. Not too smart though.

Oh?He was shot in the back by a jealous husband.

What about his clothes?

Whose?Your father's clothes.

Were they fancy? Silk shirts with pearl buttons?

Maybe.Like this one?

Maybe.

Strange. You can remember your father's clothes so easily,

but you have trouble remembering your own.

- Who says so? - All right, look at this shirt.

Can you remember wearing it?

Mister, this shirt has blood on it.

I don't wear shirts with blood on 'em.

How did the blood get there?

- Ask Eddie. It's his shirt. - I beg your pardon?

Mister, that's Eddie Laredo's shirt. Ask him, will ya?

I've been under the impression that you are Eddie Laredo.

Did he tell you that?

You told us that when you gave your name to the bailiff!

Mister, you're a liar!

Young man, any more answers like that, and I'll hold you in contempt of this court.

You want to know something, Judge?

I've got nothing but contempt for this court.

Any bunch of nitwits who'd confuse me with a no-account slob like Eddie!

[ Gavel Raps ]That's enough.

Deputy Ryker, remove this man from the courtroom.

Just a minute. Did you kill Molly Weems?

What difference does it make? This isn't my trial. It's Eddie's!

What kind of game is this, Henry? What are you trying to--

Look at him, Walt. Does he look like he's playing a game?

You want someone to hang?

Well, Laredo's your man, not me.

What else is he good for? No one'll miss him.

No one will even know he's gone.Come on, Laredo.

Get your hands off me! You've got no right to hold me!

Laredo killed her! Her and that loud-mouthed cowpoke too.

You know how I know? Because I saw him. I saw him kill her!

Now leave me alone! Get off!

Hold it, Laredo!

[ Screams ]

I gotta-- I gotta see Trampas.

It's all right, Eddie. It's all right.

I think I understand it now.

[ Sighs ] [ Knocking ]

Trampas, come on in.Uh, no, thanks, Betsy.

I just came up to deliver a message.

Well, there's a fresh pot of coffee on the dining room table.

No, thanks, Betsy.

And if that message is what I think it is,

this coffee is only going to get cold.

Well, uh--

And I happen to know that you've already missed your supper in the bunkhouse.

[ Chuckles ] I'm convinced.

Much obliged, Betsy.

Going toget cold?

Now, I assume that that, uh, message you're about to deliver...

has something to do with Daddy not coming back from town yet.

Well, the judge says not to wait supper.

He's going to stay in town and talk to Doc Spaulding for a while.

Well, I didn't wait supper, but thanks anyway.

Well, you know me. I'd do anything for a cup of cold coffee.

[ Chuckles ]

Um, Trampas, how's Eddie?

Lucky Emmett Ryker was smart enough to aim and hit him in the leg,

good enough to hit what he was aimin' at.

Doc Spaulding says he ought to be up and around in a day or two.

And then what?

Back to the courtroom and hear what the jury has to say.

But there can't be any doubt, can there, after what happened today?

Well, I have to admit, I didn't think so.

But the judge says you can't ever be sure.

He's afraid some people might think it was an act.

Eddie was just pretending. Tryin' to fool 'em all over again.

Oh, this-this waiting is just awful.

When-When will we find out?

Same time Eddie does.

- Good night, Betsy. - Good night.

[ Betsy Sighs ]

[ Door Opens ]

Has the jury reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

Will the defendant please rise?

[ Coughs ]

Announce your verdict, please.

We find the defendant guilty,

but with a recommendation for mercy.

[ Judge ] So be it.

The defendant, Edward Laredo,

will be transferred under guard to the territorial penitentiary,

where he will be confined as a prisoner...

from this day forward until the end of his life.

Henry.

Congratulations.

We all learned something today, thanks to you.

Learned something?Mercy, compassion and wisdom.

Yeah, we won the case, but we lost Eddie.

Lost him? Looks like we just got around to finding him.

Let's hope he finds himself.