Original subtitles

(dramatic music)

(spurs jingling)

- Excuse me, ma’am.

Who’s in charge around here?

- She’s around here somewhere.

Who are you?

- Nobody.

(dramatic music)

(birds chirping)

Any service around here?

- I believe that’s why they call it a ghost town.

- Hmm.

Census Bureau would say otherwise.

- (laughing) Census Bureau?

You can’t even find this place on a map

unless you’re really looking for it.

I don’t know why you would be neither.

- That being as it may, didn’t used to be a ghost town.

Place had damn near 20 riders a day through that door.

- Had.

That was before the mine dried up,

then the railroad turned its back

and folks packed up and left.

- Town’s only as dead as people leaving behind.

- Or the people that stay in it.

You aiming to fix that?

- I’ll do you one better, friend.

I’m looking to buy it.

Is there a barkeeper out here anywhere or what?

- You riding through?

- And you are?

- I own this place. (tense music)

I asked you a question.

- Heard the town’s had trouble.

(sighs) Whiskey.

- Town has always had trouble.

What worries me is when a stranger shows up right before it.

- What, you think I’m the kind that brings it, trouble?

(dramatic music)

- I think folks wearing that much dust

or either running from something, or running toward it.

- Just a long trip. That’s all.

- [Barkeep] From?

- Baton Rouge.

I ain’t running, ma’am. Just looking.

- Well, look careful.

New faces makes this place twitchy.

Twitchy towns gets people killed.

- Well, I’ll tread soft.

Don’t aim to stir nothing that isn’t already boiling.

Mm.

(tense music continues)

(tense music continues)

(pistol cocking)

- You fixing to tuck me in?

- You sleeping here?

- Ain’t ’cause I’m dangerous.

It’s ’cause the streets are worse.

- That’s a funny way of saying you like free lodging.

- Well, sheriff don’t mind it.

Says it keeps me from getting shot,

or doing the shooting or one of those.

I can’t remember.

- You keen on wasting bullets dealing with ghosts?

- Ghosts don’t bother me.

It’s living folks that do.

(tense music)

- Speaking of that sheriff,

any idea where I might find him?

- Well, I wish I could help you out.

Gave me the keys to that cell before he left town

and I haven’t seen him since.

- Man.

Well, tell me about that barkeep.

(tense music)

(door opening)

(Wyatt clears throat)

- You again. - Mm-hmm.

- Listen mister, you got a name?

- Wyatt.

- All right, Wyatt.

I’m gonna tell you this just once,

so listen good and well.

- Okay.

- There is nothing to steal or win in this town,

and those who stick around long enough

find that out the hard way.

- Hm.

(coins clinking)

Whiskey.

- Did you hear me?

You need to leave.

- You know, I wonder what kind

of creatures you all have over there,

sprouting outta the ground in that cemetery, hmm?

Do the dead come to life when

the sun goes down, or is it wolves, you know?

The kind that hunt innocent men down at night

when the, when they’re walking the streets.

Or is your concern for my being here

much more civilized?

Whiskey.

- Look, I don’t know you

and yeah, it’s strange when someone such as yourself

goes into Dead River

with so much coin to spare.

- What’s his name?

- Who?

- Behind every angry woman, there’s an evil man that comes

around from time to time.

So what’s his name?

- Harlan Ridge.

Talk to me about old Harlan Ridge, will you please?

(coin clinking)

- He’s an outlaw.

- Okay.

- Runs with a posse.

Comes into town every week or so.

- [Wyatt] And they stake a claim in the street?

- Whenever he’s here.

Basically does whatever he pleases.

- He run your sheriff outta town?

- They put him in the ground.

(tense music continues)

- You know, earlier you were asking if I was just riding

through and the truth is, yes I was.

But darling, seems to me we now got two problems

on our hands that need fixing.

Ah.

- Is that right? - Mm-hmm.

You need someone to rid your mind of Harlan Ridge’s palace.

And I need to know how I can purchase this town.

- Purchase.

- Cash in hands.

(both chuckling)

- Cash.

Who are you?

- Wyatt Earp, at your service.

(energetic western music)

(wind blowing)

(man groans)

(door creaks)

You planning to stay the night

or you just fancy my hospitality?

- Well, it certainly ain’t your hospitality, Marshall.

This just happens to be the only place

where they don’t chase me off with a broom.

- Call me Wyatt.

You know, most men aim to stay out of a cell.

- Yeah.

Well, most men ain’t marched

across three territories

and buried half their company along the way.

So for me, four walls and a lock

beats sleeping with ghosts.

- Oh, you could ask for help.

There ain’t no shame in that.

- There is for me.

- I own the town now.

- The only thing I ever owned was a uniform.

Even that was took by time.

So Marshall, if I could just borrow your bed

when the nights get cold,

- You’re welcome to the cot,

long as you don’t cause me trouble.

- Ain’t no trouble left in these bones.

- Get some rest. Sun will be up soon enough.

And if you don’t mind,

I may require some assistance

with Mr. Ridge in the morning.

- Assistance?

- You still own a pistol, don’t you?

(soft tense music)

(hoof beats falling)

(shot firing)

- Mary Lou, get on out here and tend to these horses.

Useless as tits on a nun.

Y’all go in there and bring her on out here.

Get on it.

- Well, there ain’t nobody in here.

- What do you mean there ain’t nobody in there?

- There’s nobody in the damn saloon.

- Hey boss, over there.

(dramatic western music)

- Gentlemen.

- (spits) Who the hell are you?

- Name is Wyatt Earp.

I’m a servant of the law.

- Law?

What law?

- United States Marshall’s office.

- And so what business you got here at Dead River?

- Well, I’m glad you asked.

My business here is just that, my business.

Now, Mary Lou is no longer your concern.

And actually as a matter of fact,

you do not have my permission

to even be standing here on my street.

You hear me?

So I suggest that you and your friends ride on outta here

before something unfortunate happens to you.

- Your street?

Hell, this fella, he’s lost his damn mind.

- Too much whiskey.

(outlaws laughing)

- Last time I checked, Wyatt Earp,

you don’t own nothing in this territory.

- You might wanna put that back where you found it.

- Or what?

- Or me and my deputy gonna start shooting.

- What deputy?

That wet behind the ears mongrel is your deputy?

Lemme tell you something, Wyatt Earp,

Dead River is my town.

Mary Lou is my woman.

I calculate there’s three of us and just two of you.

And I like my odds.

(gun cocking)

- Final answer.

Very well.

- Bloodshed it is then.

(dramatic music)

(shot firing)

(shot firing)

(shot firing)

Oh, Harlan, Harlan, Harlan.

Hmm. What a sad day.

What was that you were saying

about my mongrel deputy?

Is that what it was? Oh.

Oh, and just so you know, the town belongs to me.

I bought it.

Oh, save it. (dramatic music)

It’s getting warm out and I’m not really interested

in a big discussion with you.

So it’s been a pleasure. (chuckles)

Hmm.

Adios, Harlan.

(shot firing)

Deputy, clean this mess up, will you?

- Yes sir.

(energetic western music)

- He’s just like the stories.

- Can’t tell if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

- Guess we’ll find out.

- Look what the cat dragged in.

You’re late.

- I was early.

- And you didn’t think to help?

- Way I saw it was why spoil all your fun?

- Well, we need to talk and not here, my office.

- Office?

- Get up.

- What’s this for?

- Conversation.

- You asked me to come here, Wyatt.

You in some sort of trouble?

- Not trouble, but strategy.

There is a difference most days.

- What’s the play?

- Well, I wanna make a deal with a thief.

- Hell, I knew you was getting soft,

but I did not expect you to take up charity.

- Save the jokes.

He’s dangerous. Slippery as precast.

And he does want something though.

That makes him useful.

- Useful how?

- Well, he claims he’s got names.

Men moving stolen rifles through town.

Says he’ll hand ’em over if we grant him a night’s freedom

and a train to California.

- And you believe him, Cain Braddock?

- No, but you shadow him, quiet.

And he’s so much as breathes wrong,

well, you bring him in, cold or warm.

- Then the deal is just back.

And this is my payment then, for this job?

- Gideon, I mean, you know better than anyone.

Every thief thinks he’s smarter than the law.

I’m just letting this one prove he ain’t.

I bought this town, right here.

See that?

I bought this town so that he can feel safe.

Unwatched.

Braddock, he’s got quick hands, quicker tongue.

Thinks he can outtalk a rope.

- Now that’s the Wyatt Earp that I remember.

- We don’t talk about this with no one, ya hear?

Not the others out there.

Not my brothers, not yours.

For this, it’s just you, me,

and a thief who thinks he’s about to get lucky.

- I got you. - Yeah.

He’s due here in the morning.

Should be easy to track him if he’s close.

Can you ride?

- I’m on it, I’m on it.

- One more thing.

After this, that personal debt?

Consider it paid.

You’re a free man.

(Wyatt sighs)

- Well, hi Mary Lou.

- Georgia.

- I haven’t seen you in a day or so.

- Mm, I’ve had my hands full.

- I see that.

So what brings you in today?

- I need some extra supplies,

for the extra mouth in my saloon.

Extra mouth as in that striking young lad

that rode in this morning?

- I hadn’t seen no striking young lad in my saloon.

(Georgia laughing)

- Well, I don’t know about that, Mary Lou.

Does he have a name?

- Wyatt Earp.

- Hm. The Wyatt Earp?

Hm.

- I don’t really follow all that business and stories.

I keep my feet on the ground, Georgia.

- Well, Wyatt Earp always rides into town

with a Doc Holliday.

Did you see Doc Holliday?

(tense music)

- I wouldn’t know what Doc Holliday looks like.

- Mm.

Can you find out for me? (laughing)

Cloves, right?

If you could find out, that would be great.

- I’m sure it would.

For you.

(tense energetic music)

Who’s that fella just left town on horseback?

- A friend.

What time’s your saloon open?

I could really use a drink.

- He looked like trouble to me.

- Well, he ain’t.

He’s the opposite, if you want the truth.

- Opposite.

- He’s the kind of man you call when you wanna

run trouble up a tree.

(footsteps approaching)

- All right, I got rid of the bodies like you asked.

- Good man.

So I got a friend joining us tomorrow morning

and I wanna show him some Texas hospitality.

- What’s that mean?

- Well, it means that I don’t wanna speak with him here.

- So where?

- The saloon?

- Y’all gonna get blood all over my floors?

- That depends.

- On?

- His demeanor.

(dramatic music)

- Nice try.

(Gideon panting)

- Move another inch and you die.

Now turn, slow like.

Who sent you?

- No one sent me.

- Don’t lie to me. Who sent you?

- Easy now.

If I reach for my iron, this whole meeting goes sideways.

- This ain’t no meeting.

You got about three seconds to answer,

or I’ll shoot you dead where you stand.

- I’m here on account of Virgil Earp.

- (laughing) You lie real pretty.

Virgil ain’t got no business with me.

- Wyatt’s gone missing.

He knows you two been talking about God knows what.

And since you’ve been the last breathing man

to have seen him, he just asked

me to come in here and find you.

That’s it.

- You lie.

- Think about it.

Virgil sent me here all quiet like, off the books.

No badge, no brothers, no trail.

He just wants to offer you a chance

before he brings the thunder.

- How the hell am I supposed to know where Wyatt is?

- Well, he must have given you some clue

where he was headed.

- He didn’t.

- Very well.

I’ll be on my way.

But the message is the message.

- All right.

Say I believe you.

Let’s say Earp really did send you.

Why is he sending a man like you?

- Because I lie better than most men breathe.

(shot firing)

(Gideon coughing)

(outlaw chuckling)

- Too slow, cowboy

(shot firing) (dark music)

(outlaw chuckling)

- Morning.

- I want your word that no one else dies.

- What do you mean?

Ever or just today?

- Today.

I wanna hear you say it.

- You wanna hear me say out loud that

no one else will die today?

Okay.

Very well, Mary Lou.

No one else will die this day.

Better?

- If you meant it.

- I did not.

- You may own this town,

but you never said anything about killing

no one didn’t have it coming to them.

- I’m a United States Marshal,

and I say who has what’s coming to ’em.

Do you understand me?

Hmm?

Folks think that being the law

is wearing a badge and speaking loud.

The truth is, it’s much quieter than that, honey.

(tense music)

It’s waking up knowing that every man in town is judging you

before the sun even hits the street.

It’s watching drifters size you up.

The second they cross the line between right and wrong.

Yeah, some days I feel like a fence post

in a windstorm just standing,

’cause there’s nobody else to, look at me.

Look at me.

I never asked to be the law.

But when trouble comes, and it always comes,

you either step forward

or watch the whole town fall backward.

Pick your poison. Hmm?

So I stand.

That’s what I’m here to do.

Not ’cause I’m fearless,

because fear don’t look good wearing this badge, honey.

And you better see it.

You better see it.

You know it’s funny how you had no problem

with me killing Mr. Ridge.

Hmm.

(Mary Lou breathing heavily)

(tense music continues)

- Your friend make it back in town?

- I was about to ask you the same.

- I haven’t seen him. - Hmm.

Well, Gideon can handle himself.

I’m sure he’s on his way.

- And this other fellow you got coming?

- What about him?

- You need anything with me on that?

- No.

Just stand there

and look unusually disinterested as always,

I’ll handle the rest.

- Should be able to manage.

- Bring me a bottle of whiskey.

A good one, if you don’t mind.

(bottle and glass thumping)

Cards?

You know, there’s a polite way to do that.

(Mary Lou scoffs)

- She seems like trouble.

- Not always.

(rapid footsteps falling)

All right. Changed my mind.

Go out just outside the town

and look for my good friend, Gideon.

He won’t be hard to find.

- Any message when I get there?

- No, just hightail it back here when you’re done

and wait for me in the Marshall’s office over there.

Will you?

- Yes, sir.

(dramatic western music)

(tense music)

(footsteps falling)

- Mr. Earp, you have a guest.

- Mr. Braddock, please make yourself at home.

- Drink? - Oh, we’re covered.

Thank you Ms. Mary Lou.

- Some place you got here, Wyatt.

- Hmm. Well, I rather enjoy it.

Please sit.

(chair scraping)

- Where is everyone?

- (sighs) I believe the term is ghost town.

(Wyatt chuckles)

Mr. Kane Braddock,

welcome to Dead River.

You care to try your luck before we get down to business?

(tense music)

(Cain sighs)

(coins clinking)

- Two.

- Show ’em.

- Two pair, kings and queens.

(Cain chuckles)

- [Wyatt] Four of a kind, aces.

- (chuckles) You’s luckier than Holiday.

- Doc?

Oh, that’s a good man right there. Great card player.

You ever, you ever play some cards

with old Doc?

Faro’s his poison of choice?

- No.

- You ought to give it a shot.

You may fare better than you do here at poker.

You know, actually in the spirit of good deed

and business, keep it.

- You’re one of the names of them outlaws

that have been trailing those gun shipments, ain’t you?

- [Wyatt] Straight to business. I like it.

- What about what I asked for?

- [Wyatt] One night in town, train ticket

to the great state of California?

- [Cain] That’s right.

- Well, you got a warm bed waiting

for you to just cross the street.

And my deputy should be arriving here any moment.

So it appears as they say, we have a deal.

- All right.

There’s six though.

- [Wyatt] Six?

- Is that problem?

- Problem? No.

I faced steep rides before.

Barely.

- I figured you’d call your brothers in for this.

- [Wyatt] That’d be up to me. Please continue.

- Alright.

These fellas, they don’t steal for the shine.

They steal because a man without a rifle

come the turn of the century, (chuckles)

might as well be a ghost already.

Law hoards fire power like it...

Like it’s righteousness.

They tuck it in behind a badge or behind closed doors.

And the rest of us are just told

to pray or behave.

I watched posses ride past with Winchester smiles,

deciding who got to live just by counting--

- All right. All right.

You can skip the preambles.

- Coaches, mostly.

They watch ’em, get the ones with the fewest riders.

They wait until dark, strike when there’s just enough

sunlight to where the poor folks can’t even

see the faces of who they are.

- Which are hidden anyway.

- That’s right.

- Say Cain, can you write?

Ink, can you write on paper?

- A little.

(Wyatt chuckles)

- Mary Lou.

Fetch me some ink and paper for my friend here.

- Anything else?

- That’ll do, thank you.

- What’s this all about?

- Well, this is about you writing the names

and descriptions of what this posse looks like.

What, you thought I was

just gonna take your word for it?

(tense music continues)

Whenever you’re ready.

Deputy, welcome back.

You see?

Your grand ticket out west awaits.

By the way, why California?

- I got a brother out there.

- I’ll be damned, a brother.

- Why is that so hard to believe?

- Oh, nothing to worry.

I just, as you know, I have a brother of my own.

Right.

(tense music)

(thunder crashing)

(foot steps approaching)

- That thing you asked for?

(tense music continues)

(wooden knocking)

(paper rustling)

- Looks good.

- So what’s your plan?

- Name’s on that list,

you bring ’em to Virgil,

he’ll track ’em down and then he’ll wait for me.

You see that that, deputy?

Sleeping like a newborn baby.

Thinks he can just walk on into town

and get away with what he’d done.

Hmm.

Deputy.

They think guilt’s a monster that keeps you awake.

Most people it is. (thunder rolling)

Those who still argue with themselves.

I’ve settled my arguments years ago.

The faces that visit me at night, they don’t shout no more.

And they stand there, they look at me,

and then they leave.

I’ve learned the trick of breathing

through the weight, in and out.

Same as always. Same as tomorrow.

And tomorrow...

(gun cocking)

Tomorrow’s got a name, a number,

a door that locks behind it.

Tonight has a, a pillow, thin as a promise,

and a darkness that don’t judge.

I stretch.

I listen to my heart, keep time.

I drift.

(thunder rolling)

Sleep ain’t forgiveness, deputy.

It’s acceptance.

And acceptance,

it’s the only luxury they can’t take from me.

(thunder rolling)

- Well, what’s tomorrow for this poor fella?

- Glad you asked

(thunder rolling)

Tomorrow?

For that man?

Tomorrow, the Grim Reaper knock on this man’s door.

(tense music)

(Wyatt imitates gun firing)

(birds chirping)

- What, Wyatt?

Wyatt?

(boots thumping)

(birds chirping)

(Cain sighing)

(footsteps thumping)

Wyatt?

Wyatt?

Damn ghost town.

It kind of gives you the creeps now and then.

Where the hell’s everybody at?

Wyatt?

(tense music)

Wyatt?

Anybody?

Wyatt?

(tense music)

Wyatt?

Anybody?

Hello?

Anybody?

Where the hell’s everybody at?

Wyatt?

Wyatt?

Mary Lou?

(Cain chuckles)

Might as well get some breakfast.

Ahh...

Wyatt.

Damn ghost town. Where the hell is everyone?

Jesus Christ.

Okay.

Wyatt?

- Enjoy your sleep?

- My train ride?

- Down on the pew beside you.

(Cain chuckling)

- Your deputy got my horse ready?

Remember, we had a deal.

I gave you them there names

and this old ticket was my reward.

You said that yourself.

(tense music continues)

- I learned early that justice don’t wear a robe.

It wears dust.

Squints into the sun,

counts the rounds in its cylinder.

It knows that every choice costs something.

- I’m not following.

- Folks think being the law is a badge

and a piece of paper with the judge’s name on it.

Well, they’re fucking wrong.

The law is the space between fear and order.

And someone’s gotta stand there when the wind picks up.

(gun clicking) - Wyatt...

- I’ve buried friends who believed in mercy too soon,

and enemies that don’t believe in nothing at all.

I’ve watched men swear they were innocent

with a straight face and a shaking hand.

And I’ve watched good men do bad things

’cause no one else would.

Out here, justice don’t come clean.

It comes necessary.

(indistinct) town against the man,

today, against tomorrow.

And you decide whether or not the line holds or it breaks.

- Wyatt, we had a deal. Come on now.

- They call me hard, but hardness is what

keeps the night from swallowing a place whole.

When the town knows it has a limit,

when it knows there’s someone out there

who will answer the knot after midnight,

(Cain breathing rapidly)

well, it sleeps a little easier, Cain.

Yeah, I never enjoyed pulling the trigger,

but I sure as hell enjoy knowing

I don’t have to pull it twice.

(gun clicking)

Out here,

(gun clicks)

justice in the west is final, because chaos never is.

(shot firing)

(door creaking)

(Cain panting)

- You sumbitch...

(dramatic music)

You sumbitch, goddamn you...

- Someday the rails will reach everywhere

and men with coats will argue the law in warm rooms.

And they’ll say we were brutal,

and yeah, maybe we were, but we built the quiet

that they’ll take for granted.

And when I’m gone, if there’s a street

where children can walk

and not have to look over their shoulders,

well, then the dust on my boots will have meant something.

(gun clicks)

(shot firing)

(triumphant music)

Take care of that.

(triumphant music continues)

There he is. Welcome back.

How was the trip

- Virgil sends word, three days.

- Three days?

Okay.

- New Mexico.

- Yeah.

Virgil says it, New Mexico it is then.

- Well, I’ve never been that far west,

but I’ve heard men say (gentle music)

that the sunrise paints the sky.

- Are you asking me for a job, sir?

(deputy clears throat)

- Marshall, I have completed every task you’ve asked me.

I can shoot. You’ve seen that firsthand.

There’s just not much to show for that would keep me here.

- So an official deputy.

(birds chirping)

- Sir, I think I would be good at it.

- You think?

- I know.

- You know, I just recalled, you never told me your name.

- It’s Johnson, Jack Johnson.

- Wyatt Earp.

It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jack.

- So assuming I got the job?

- Indeed.

Welcome to the United States Marshal’s Office.

We’ll ride at sunset.

- Thank you, sir.

- Oh, and Jack, you get ready.

We got an adventure ahead of us.

(dramatic music)

- Yes, sir.

- Young Jack Johnson. That’s a good name.

Like it.

(footsteps falling)

- What’s this?

- What I promised you.

- You are something else, Wyatt Earp.

(Wyatt chuckles)

- Well, I’ve been called a lot of things in my lifetime.

Lawman, a cheat, a cheat quick shot.

But something else, well, that’s a new one, darling.

- Drink?

(soft music)

Hear you’re taking Jack with you.

- He told you?

- Came in here right before you did.

Wanted to share the news. Say goodbye.

(energetic western music)

- Lemme ask you, what’ll do you do?

Jack comes with me, you’ll be all alone.

- I thought I would rebuild, plank by plank.

Make this place more fitted for travelers.

- Travelers.

- Thought you could help me with that.

Get the word out to your people.

- Indeed I can.

Well, best be on my way.

Town’s yours now.

Good luck to you, Mary Lou.

- Will you ever be back?

Will I ever see you again?

- Well, I imagine you might.

But then again, my imagination tends to

run away with itself from time to time.

(energetic western music continues)

- Wyatt.

- Deputy.

(birds chirping)

(doors creaking)

- Oh...

- Well, what’d she say?

- Oh, you know this and that.

Her undying love towards me and the like.

(Wyatt chuckles)

(birds chirping)

It’s a long run to Albuquerque, Jack.

These are the jokes and you better get used

to liking ’em, and fast.

- Yes sir.

- Now.

(energetic western music continues)

(wind blowing)