Original subtitles

You don't choose. I choose.

Soon.

You goin' down to Texas? Yeah, well, it's gonna be a long one. Mm.

- Come on. Get him over here! Get him over here!

No!

Stay down, you dang fool little Indian.

- ...you and me. - No!

Oooh.

Y'all leave them be.

Who's askin'?

I ain't askin'. I'm telllin'.

If y'all don't haul tail outta here,

you'll be sorry you didn't.

Only one's gonna be sorry around here is you.

That so? Now don't make me wop you this foot upside your head.

Go ahead and try, you dumb nigg--

I was gonna say nincompoop.

Ah!

No, no, no.

No, no, no, no!

Y'all go git. Git!

-Oh my God. Say something! -Go on.

He killed the sheriff!

Been lookin' for you for quite a while, Johnny.

Now that we can add murder to the sentence,

you're gonna be well worth the wait.

Well, I was buying some feed when there he was.

Outlaw Johnny Black, plain as day,

heading into the bar lookin' just like his wanted poster!

- Hat wasn't quite right though. - Then what'd you do?

Well, that's when I went and fetched the sheriff.

Lotta good that did. He shot the sheriff dead before he could draw.

Poor Cecil!

I reckon his hat must be named Cecil.

Cause that's the only damn thing I shot!

And these wrist irons are too tight!

Serves you right for bustin' out

of those shackles back in Amarillo.

Good luck tryin' to bust out of those!

I been tryin' to tell y'all,

Brett Clayton's coming to rob your bank.

And I came to put a bullet in him.

Not a damn hat which is what I done.

-Shut up, goddamn outlaw! -Goddamn?

Well, you must be talking about the goddamned sheriff

'cause he's the only one that God damned with a bad ticker.

Seems like y'all blaming me for doing his work.

You using the Lord's name in vein

is only gonna make it worse for yourself, Outlaw!

Worse? How could it be worse?

Y'all fixin' to hang me for killin' a damn hat.

You're right. I am a goddamn outlaw.

Goddamn, goddamnit!

I warned you about slippin' those off again.

Don't make me use your fancy-ass pistols on you.

If these ain't the slickest colt six shooters

I've ever seen. Get a pretty penny for 'em.

- He ain't gonna need 'em where he's going. Eh?

- Come quick! Brett Clayton robbed the bank! - What?

Damnit! There's a $5,000 bounty

on Clayton's head, dead or alive.

Let's get 'em!

Come on. Come on, let's go!

Let's go!

Sorry, pa.

And now what we been waiting for.

Bullseye Black and his family!

Yeah! Yeah! Whoo! Here they come!

- Bullseye Black coming right here!

Afternoon, ladies and gentlemen!

Most of you know me as Reverend Black!

I'd like to introduce you to my beautiful wife Vern.

And our handsome son Johnny.

Before this evening is over,

you're gonna know why they call us

the first family of trick shooting!

- Woo! - -Are you ready, Johnny?

Yeah!

That's my boy!

Here we go.

Oh, boy.

Oh...

Gets 'em every time.

As you see here, I've got a normal, average deck of cards.

- Here. - Oh!

Vern,

when you ready, darling, give 'em a toss.

Whooo!

Whoa!

You. Yeah, you. Come on up here.

See if you can find any damage done to these cards.

What you got there?

Well, I'll be doggone.

It's the Jack and the Ace of spades.

- Blackjack! Blackjack!

Alright, ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much.

And don't forget. We're looking to see you at the church revival this evening.

I told ya.

Now ain't that the dang crack

shootingest thing ya'ever did see?

If I didn't see it, I wouldn't believe it.

That Nigra could out shoot even you Brett.

-I think it was trickery! -Trickery or not, that's some dang fine shootin'.

Goose grease quick!

Hey, Jed?

If I hear you praise that Nigra again in my presence,

I'm gonna blow that pea brain of yours out the back of your skull,

do you understand me?

-Yes, boss. -Good.

That goes for the rest of you.

Nigras shouldn't be on White Man's land anyhow.

That's right!

And this here is "Cherokee Flats"

nestled in the Chippewa valley,

just west of the Choctawhatchee River.

I mean, that's White man's land if ever I heard it.

We got us a job to do. We're not here to stand around

and watch a bunch of Nigra card tricks. Let's go.

Listen, everybody, shut up!

Alright. Shut up!

Will you people please shut the hell up?

Ladies, those screams, they ain't helping.

-That's all of it Brett. Let's go. -Alright.

Thank you very much.

Wait a minute. You.

You a card dealer, ain't you?

You got your cards on ya?

Come over here a minute. I want you to do something for me.

About there.

Take your cards out.

Keep going. Take 'em out.

Make me up a full house. Aces high.

Relax.

Calm down. You're alright. I ain't gonna hurt you.

You got it. Good. Good.

Show you how it's done.

Now, when I count three,

you're gonna toss 'em up in the air.

Alright?

Good.

One...

...two...

...three.

Damn.

You see what you made me do? Did you see that?

I told you to toss 'em. Not hurl them all over hell,

you stupid shit!

Now I got to waste nine more bullets.

No, no!

Alright. Let's git.

Do you have any final words or prayers?

Me and the Lord ain't on the best of terms.

Besides, I wouldn't waste my breath on a town

that would hang a man for killing a hat.

Father, give him his last rites.

God didn't save Jesus from the likes of fools like you.

Don't reckon he's gonna help me none,

but I do think he's got one hell of a sense of humor.

Johnny Black,

this is a partial list

of the crimes you're accused of.

"Train robbery, horse thievery, improper

-White women eye contact..." -Bill,

please tell me y'all caught Brett Clayton

and put a bullet in him.

No luck. He had too much of a head start on us.

Cleaned out the vault and killed four of the bank tellers

- One hell of a sense of humor! - "Kung Fu treachery.

Bilking the Bishop."

It's okay. Go on.

Come on.

He said he stole from jailhouse.

He didn't happen to steal this money out of the saddlebag, did he?

Ah.

I think he stole it, too.

Well, no matter.

You didn't have to save my wretched hide no way.

Besides, I get to live to kill Brett Clayton another day.

Bye-bye.

Bye-bye.

Huh?

Hyah!

Hyah!

-What kind of rocks are these here? -Well, these are

flint rocks, sure as day.

That's what I thought.

Haul ass!

You don't choose. I choose.

I choose.

Now how many of you is still holding on...

- ...to wrongdoings done unto you? - -Yeah?

How many want to get even? Huh?

How many don't have any forgiveness in your heart?

- Yes, Lord! - I'm talking about forgiveness

in your heart. What is forgiveness?

Hmm?

Forgiveness is a choice.

- Yes. - Oh, yes.

It's a decision.

A decision to release a person

of their obligations, of their bondage,

of their wrongdoing to you.

- Oh, yes! -Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free.

Yeah. Preach it.

Only to discover...

...that prisoner was you.

- Amen. - Amen.

Hallelujah.

Thank you for staying

into the wee hours of the evening.

Got a little carried away, I guess.

See you next week.

That was some mighty fine preaching, pa.

Oh, well, thank you, Johnny.

Put those down for a minute.

I want to ask you something.

Tell me, son.

Tell me what you got from the sermon in your own words.

I reckon that forgiveness suits the forgiver.

-Mm. -But... what about justice?

If'n we keep forgivin' the wicked,

won't they just keep being wicked?

Hmm. That's a good question, son.

But some things we just have to leave to the lord.

You know, I, I wasn't always a righteous man,

but thank God he left me with one good eye.

So that, so that I could see the good in others.

See that he had a plan for all of us.

Just like he's got a plan for you, Johnny.

Oh, yeah, he's got a plan for you, but you just can't see it yet.

I want you to always trust what's in your heart, son.

No matter how tough things get, no matter how rough it seems... you follow your heart,

and it won't steer you wrong.

-You understand? -I think so.

Make room, we're coming through to find that preacher.

-Where is he? -You stay here.

Bring him out.

Well, ain't you just full of tricks?

First, you're a gunslinger,

now you're a Bible thumper?

Well, I assure you, sir, I'm just a child of the lord like yourself.

A child of God,

you hear that?

He don't know me at all.

But I know you.

You might can fool these folks, but you can't fool me.

Uh... you, you, you look a bit parched.

How about some water, huh?

Gen, Gen...

bring some water for these men.

You can keep your Nigra water...

and tell me how you tricked these folks into thinking you can shoot

the spade out of an ace and a jack.

Oh, I assure you that's no trick, sir.

Just, just a lot of time from practicing,

shooting, you know, junk that ain't fit for nobody.

Well, good, then you won't mind

obliging me with a personal demonstration.

Well, sir...

I'm sorry, the show is over. You missed it!

Besides, I'm not in the habit

of bringing cards and pistols to church.

Well, it's a good thing... I am.

Took the liberty of fetching 'em from your ranch.

Colt 44 Whitneyvilles!

Fancy guns. Might wanna lock up sometimes

'case folks happen by and are not as civilized as us.

Yeah.

On your count, preacher man.

Sir, in the name of Jesus, please,

- let us be. - -I don't answer to no Jesus.

And I damn sure don't answer to no nigra.

So strap those on, or start digging some graves.

Al-- Alright, alright, alright.

Sure.

There you go.

Sweetie.

I love you.

James...

Johnny, you mind your mom, and don't waiver from your faith

no matter what happens here.

-Daddy, no, just-- -No.

Do as you're told.

The rest of you folks, go on home now.

What's the point of a show, preacher, without an audience?

Ain't gonna be much of a show.

It's pitch black out here.

I couldn't do that on my best day.

You're probably right.

Well, here, let me make it easy on you.

Let's see if you can shoot something...

...that shoots back.

Oh, no, sir.

Had enough of that in the war.

Promised the Lord never again.

Oh, that's real sweet.

So you're saying you're choosin' to spare me, is that it?

Listen here.

You don't choose. I choose.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil.

My God.

James.

Hang in there, boy.

We better find some water.

You don't choose. I choose.

Whoa.

Water. You stay right there.

Fill up this bucket, and then we gonna be on our way.

Huh?

Brett Clayton... I'm gonna... I'm gonna kill you.

You don't choose.

You don't choose.

I choose.

You don't choose. I choose.

I'm gonna kill you.

Well, I guess the Lord didn't see fit to take you home just yet.

- The Lord forgot about me a long time ago.

Then why did he save you?

Where's my manners?

Name is Percy.

Reverend Percy Fairman, Jr., to be exact.

And yours?

Johnny.

Well, Johnny, seems a might strange you out here

on foot without a horse.

If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were on the run.

That's nothing to be ashamed of.

We've all had our past,

but as long as your path is directed

and anointed in the direction of God,

your salvation is assured.

I was on my way to Hope Springs, Oklahoma.

Gonna pastor a little church there.

The pastor up and died, and uh, I was happening through when I saw you.

And it's a good thing too, because you were

babbling on about some man named Clayton.

Seemed like you were living just to spite the man.

You know, John 2:11 says, "If a man hate in darkness,

he doesn't know where he goes because the darkness has blinded his eyes."

-You know, the bible teaches that-- -Listen, listen, preacher man,

now I don't care what you, John 2:11, or the bible says.

Now you can save all that snake oil talk for your sheep.

Well, then I guess you're a wolf.

'Cause only a wolf would bite the hand that saves it.

Well, I ain't ask you to.

A minute ago, you said it was the "Lord" saved me according to you, right?

See, the problem with you preachers is

you seem to use God as you see fit.

I'll leave you be.

Bessie Lee Price.

Give me that!

"My dearest, dearest Percival.

These years of longing for you

are worth the joy that it brings.

'Cause I know we'll both be happy here in Hope Springs."

And, and it rhymes too!

Well, I might be a, a wolf, but pastor, you a dirty dog!

Oh.

Uh, "I feel we are destined to be--"

You know, for a preacher man,

you, uh, you pack a pretty mean wallop.

Wasn't always a preacher.

Back in my secular days I was a prize fighter.

Kinda convenient, you taking up with a woman from Hope Springs

right after the Pastor dies, huh?

So you're just gonna go in there and take his place, huh?

No.

Bessie and me been writing for two years.

She is supposed to meet me in Leesville, Georgia.

When the Pastor died, it seemed only right

I'd... help out the congregation in Hope Springs.

- Uh, now you know, Bessie is a fat woman name. - Is that right?

-Mm-hmm. -Well, here is Bessie.

Take a look here.

Ooh! Well, color me corrected.

Ain't you the lucky man.

Yes, sir!

Gonna ask her to marry me

as soon as I get there.

So, uh, you send her a picture of yourself?

Well, no, not rightfully so.

It figures.

If I was ugly as you, I wouldn't send her one either.

-Something's wrong. We gotta git. -What are you talking about?

It's too quiet.

Animals don't lie.

I don't see anything.

How about now?

Duck!

No!

-No! -Percy! Move, fool!

No! We come in peace!

We come in peace!

Ugh.

Ho!

Huh? Huh?

Oh, hell no!

Hiyah!

Drink up, fellas.

You ain't no good if you sober,

and you still ain't no good if you drunk!

Maw Belle, you just too much!

Ah, sugar, I ain't too much. You just ain't enough!

Aww!

You sure know how to hurt a fellow.

Oh! And I know where to hurt 'em too!

♪ You ain't shit! And you ain't shit! ♪

♪ And you ain't shit at all ♪

♪ Winter, summertime ♪

♪ Spring and the fall ♪

♪ You ain't shit! And you ain't shit ♪

♪ Ain't no doubt about none of it ♪

♪ You ain't shit! ♪

♪ And he ain't shit And you ain't shit ♪

I'll have a--

Believe me, I am no...

...stranger to the Lord, Jesus and whatnot.

What's your name, Preacher man?

Percy Freeman. I mean, Reverend Percival Fairman, Jr.

Where you from?

Leesville, Georgia. Where I was a pastor.

Why you keep changing your voice?

A question we must all ask ourselves from time to time.

You didn't happen to see an outlaw by the name of Johnny Black

in your traveling, did you?

That do look like him.

Hat's different.

What kind of preacher carries two Colt Whitneyvilles?

Well, we got snakes, wolves and Indians out there.

Six shooter's a little more effective than a bible.

You know, being a God-fearing man myself,

I know my share of the good book.

Why don't you give me one of your favorite psalms or... passages then.

Bessie Price!

Looking exactly like the picture that you sent me in that letter.

Percival Fairman Junior!

Why on earth would you choose this God-forsaken place

as your first stop in town?

We've been waiting for you to show up at the church all day.

Well, I wanted to see where the sinners were,

so I know how many souls to pray for and... whatnot.

Oh!

Well, I must say you are far more rugged than I imagined.

My word, you're as hard as a horse!

-Well, now. Shall we go to the... church? -Yeah.

Hold on a second. I ain't done with the good Reverend yet.

Bessie, do you know this man?

Never seen him in person, but we've been writing each other for two years.

How you know it's him?

-Well, I-- He-- Um... -Because...

Bessie, your, your words

in your letter,

are etched in my heart.

And it goes,

"My dearest, dearest Percival.

These years of longing for you are worth the joy that it brings...

...because I know we'll both be happy here in Hope Springs!"

- Oh! - Aww!

Oh!

-So now, shall we then go to the church? -Mm-hmm.

You don't mind if I tag along, do you?

Be my guest, Marshall.

I was beginning to think I lost you to another woman.

If I could just have a little food and water.

I, I'll be on my way.

Listen. It, it's a mistake. Look-- I--

You're very lovely, but I'm supposed to marry someone else.

Anybody understand English?

It's been a mistake!

No!

Put me down!

I said it's been a mistake!

He's here, he's here!

He's here! He's here!

Here! Here!

Get it up.

It was a...

Surprise!

Oh!

Now, if we would only raise our hands that fast

unto the Lord...

-...we would be... -Delivered?

Delivered is good.

And led unto him with...

- With? - An anointed...

An anointed what?

With an anointed heart which will lead us unto him.

Exactly!

- Preach! Preach! - Yes!

- And also, we would... - We would

- praise his holy name with... - Amen!

With? Everybody, say it together.

With music to him with timbrel and harp.

Okay, how come you didn't know the tremble part?

-Timbrel. -Timbrel.

- Timbrel. Timbrel. - Timbrel.

-It's a verse. -It's a verse.

And it is a verse, a verse--

-No, it isn't. -It's not what it is.

-It's... it's a psalm. -It's... it's a psalm.

Which is music...

It's a psalm.

-Psalm 149:3. -Which is music to my ears!

Oh!

And it goes...

Let them praise

his name with dancing

and make music to him with timbrel

-and harp! -Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Praise him! Let him use you! Let him use the preacher!

- Preacher! - He's just tired.

Lord, I know you work in mysterious ways, your wonders to perform.

But what gives?

Maybe I did something I don't remember,

but whatever it was, I promise never to do it again

if you just get me outta here.

Lord, just send me a sign.

Thank you, Jesus!

Alright. Packed you some extra blankets.

You can stay here for the time being until we get matters sorted

with the late Reverend Tharrington's home.

God rest his soul.

Well, how did he die?

Killed by that evil land baron Tom Shealy's men.

Now Clancy, we don't know that for sure.

Everybody in here who got a good set of eyes

and common sense knows

that he killed the Reverend

and stole his property.

Every time a Black man builds up a town of value,

White folks come in,

take it from us, and paint the town white.

Whitetrification. That's what it's called.

-Whitetrification! -Mm.

That's right.

Now the Reverend bought that house

and willed it to the church,

okay? And you'd be there right now

if it wasn't for Tom Shealy trying to steal it.

If it wasn't for Jessie Lee, it would've gone already.

Well, who's Jessie Lee?

Ah. Town Counsil president.

Knows the law too. Mm-hmm.

Jessie Lee has been saving us

from Tom Shealy's trickery

for the past three years.

Ought to become Mayor.

Well, as Jessie Lee's sister,

you are preaching to the choir.

Tell you what we need to do,

we need to pull that turd

out of office

and make Jessie Lee the Mayor--

Alright, Clancy. That's enough of that.

The Reverend doesn't need to hear all that.

He needs to get settled in and prepare for Sunday.

Prepare?

Well, we got five congregations

coming to hear you preach your inaugural sermon on Sunday.

We got folks coming from as far as Cook County!

-Mm-hmm! -Yes, indeed!

Give you all of tomorrow to prepare for Sunday.

Been a long time since I've heard

some good old fashioned, down home preachin'.

- Come on, boys. - -Can't wait to hear some word

-from the good book now. -Mm.

Let Him use you!

Pretty stout fella, ain't he?

Uh-huh.

You know, I could stay here a piece.

Make sure you get settled in alright.

Nah, nah, you, you go on. I'll be fine.

Well, it was nice to finally meet you.

I'm getting the hell outta here!

Reverend, I forgot to give you the key to the--

What are you doing?

I'm hanging my feet out the window like Jesus.

What?

If you wanna go to heaven, you wanna go feet first, right?

Yeah. Yeah, okay, I guess so.

I know Jesus had Mary wash his feet,

I just never done it by the window.

This is... Ooh, Lord.

Get my feet up here.

Um... Here's your key.

-What's the key to? -Safe deposit box.

Safe deposit box?

Yeah. The one at the bank.

Hmm.

-How much is in there? -Huh,

roughly $5,000 of the church's money

which you're now in control of.

Is it still open?

No.

It's not open till Monday.

Hmm. Well, I guess I can wait that long.

-Huh? -Huh?

-What? -What?

You-- Okay.

Reverend, how long we supposed to keep our feet out this window?

When the time is right, we'll know.

We'll know.

I wanna know now. My feet's cold.

You know,

there's something not right about this new preacher.

I'm gonna find out what.

Damn, that Jessie Lee!

I offered twice what this whole town is worth!

Yeah, you, you certainly did. May, may I call you Tom?

I'll, I'll take your cold stare as a no.

-Do not call him Tom. -Nah.

Uh, Mr. Shealy, uh,

Jessie Lee and the rest of the townfolk

feel that since they cultivated the land

long before you ever showed up here,

they feel like this is their rightful home,

and, uh, hmm, well, I got to agree--

You got to agree what?

It's so refreshing to have somebody

to ask me how I feel.

Well, sir, I have to agree that

they should take your offer!

I mean, you and those pretty blue eyes,

you, you offered them twice what that land is worth!

And I keep telling them--

Then why are they listening

to Jessie?

You're the goddamned mayor!

Well, see, Jessie's got that book learnin'

and that intangible quality

where you just know...

I don't know why

I have you two around.

You're about as useful to me as Reverend Tharrington.

Well, he, he's dead.

That's right.

Oh. Oh, he's saying that we as useless as a dead man.

What, uh, what time is it?

Oh! It's time to be anywhere else except here.

-Well, how about that. -Good day.

How about that. Alright. Let me just cut--

I'm gonna cut in. Yeah.

- Read that. - Excuse me.

Out loud! Here. Let me help you.

See, "We, the federal litigation bureau have come to a ruling

as to the authenticity of Reverend Tharrington's signature, stop.

It is our assessment that the signature Mr. Shealy obtained

is a forgery, stop.

We advise those responsible

to be brought to justice immediately

and for the forgery to stop." Stop.

Well, I don't know how this happened.

Now did he or did he not sign that signature in front of you?

Oh, no. I believe one of my men went and collected it from Reverend Tharrington.

That's not what you stated earlier.

-Well, I think-- -You know what I think?

I think Jessie Lee was right to bring me down here.

I believe you're trying steal land from a dead man

and I'm beginning to believe you may even had something to do with his death.

And if you did, by God,

all the money you got is not gonna keep me

from watching you hang for it.

Now, you listen here!

No. You look here.

I'm watching you, Shealy, and if I find out

you got something to do with this,

I'm gonna tie you to the back of my horse

and parade your ass through town.

Just before I throw your long ass in jail.

Come on, boys.

Have a good day.

That Jessie Lee is a thorn in my side, and I need it removed.

You tell Crackshot

to earn his keep!

We're on it, Boss.

Good morning!

What the hell are you doing in here?

Now that is no way to speak

to your future wife.

I am here because I thought

I would join you for break--

Hallelujah.

I brought you something for you to put in your mouth on this morning.

Everybody loves my hot buns.

So I thought I'd come over here and give you some.

Figured it's been a long time since you had any.

I, uh-- I covered them up

to keep them hot, steamy, firm, moist. Just the way a man likes them.

I've also got warm honey, and warm cream you can...

...pour on, lick off, drench and splatter all over everything.

If you'd like.

Believe me, I don't mind.

- Now... - Well--

I hope you don't mind, I just

feel obliged to bless the food, I...

-Something just, uh, come over me. -Oh.

Just come over me too.

Let me sit these buns down, and I'll get right down on my knees.

No, no, no, Bessie. You just stay on up

and, uh, you just go on and start without me.

Well, you don't know my appetite!

I'll have that whole thing down my throat,

cream and all before you can even--

Bessie, Bessie, Bessie,

could you just start without me

and, and stop talking?

Oh!

Oh.

Bob!

Bob, hold your fire.

It's Marshall Cove!

-What in the hell's going on? -Crackshot Bob.

He demanded to see Jessie Lee or he said

-he gonna keep target shooting. -Where's the Marshall?

I'm gonna have to ask you for your guns, Bob.

You're scaring the women and children.

You're free to ask as I'm free to keep shooting.

No town ordinance says I can't shoot targets as I please.

You as a lawdog should know that.

I mean, I, I mean, come on, Bob. What if, what if you hit someone?

I only hit what I'm aiming at.

You wanna draw on me?

Go on, make a move.

Or turn tail and go and fetch me Jessie Lee.

-Reverend, what the hell are you doing? -Target shooting.

And clearly you don't mind.

That's far enough.

I said stop!

Stop me.

You just shot Crackshot Bob!

Well, he drew on me first.

Well, he tried to.

You do that shit again, I'm gonna shoot your nuts off alphabetically.

But I'm Crackshot Bob.

Well, now you just shot.

Look, uh...

I'm sorry y'all had to see that.

I just can't stand bullying sons of bitches.

I mean the Lord can't stand bullying sons of bitches.

What the hell kind of preacher are you?

Well, what kind of lawman are you?

-Now you listen here-- -Hiding behind them--

-I'm here to enforce U.S. Law. -You could've waited--

And you're gonna tell me what?

Jessie Lee's coming!

Whoa!

A storm is a'comin!

Men... women... children...

All we have is our hands,

and our feet to walk.

Rain comes down, and it ain't gonna go back up.

Uh-uh.

And all the while we know that the bolwevil

don't change.

But we can.

Can you?

Are you... a bolwevil?

That's right!

And it don't matter what the book says.

It's not about what you have in your pocket.

Uh-uh!

It's what your pocket

has in you!

It ain't the man who milks the cow. Uh-uh!

But the cow that milks the man!

And what's that cow gonna tell me?

- Moo? - That's right!

But we know that the answer

is deeper than that.

Oh I gotta pee.

Yep, yep, yep. I gotta pee this very instant.

Margie, Cheryl, would you tend to my brother, please?

That's Jessie Lee?

Sure is. Best thing that ever happened to this town.

Pretty and smart as a whip.

The Lord worked overtime when he made her.

Her?

Yeah!

Thank you. Thank you.

Who-- Well, who's the--

Uh, that's her brother Elmer.

He got kicked in the head by a mule.

Ain't been right ever since.

So Jessie Lee's a girl.

Jessica Lee Price is more than a girl.

She's a woman,

and a whole lot of woman at that!

-You sure right about that. -Yeah.

Excuse me, Mr. Preacher.

Reverend, or whatever you call yourselves.

So, you're the new Reverend, huh?

I guess.

Well, the old Reverend never carried a gun.

Well, if he had maybe there wouldn't be any call for a new one.

I'm not sure what you think you've done here,

but I can assure you that you have set us back a good two years.

Well, how so?

The last thing we need is someone

starting a physical war with the white man.

We must arm ourselves with legal knowledge

and change our circumstances

through those means, Mr. Fairman.

I'm not sure if you know, but the pen is mightier than the sword.

Not when you need a sword, it ain't.

All that's gonna happen is Shealy is going to send more men in.

Well, until that happens, we don't have to worry about

one of these children or women

catching one of that jackass's stray bullets.

Yes.

Then we all have to worry.

Didn't the Bible say to turn the other cheek?

I don't know. I mean, probably. Y-- Yeah.

But it also said you can hit a bully with a slingshot.

And this here is mine.

White folks have an army,

in case you haven't noticed.

Well, I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees.

But maybe that's me.

Well, y'all suit yourselves.

You know what I think?

I think you ain't no preacher at all.

Bessie Lee, you sure this is the man been courting you through the mail?

He knew what I said in my letters.

You know what the Bible says about false prophets, Mr. Fairman?

Peter 1, verses 1-22, "But false Prophets..."

Please, continue.

I don't like to be put on the spot.

I know it,

- but-- - "But false prophets...

...also

rose among the people.

Just as false teachers secretly bring

destructive heresies even denying

that the master brought 'em, bringin' s... destruction

upon themselves."

I need some water!

Do you know this vile man,

Reverend Fairman?

Reverend Fairman?

Hurtest him not for he is one of the Lord's children.

He smells more like one of the Lord's dead possums!

You ain't no Reverend Fairman!

I'm Reverend Percy Fairman, Jr!

-Your name-- -Hush that man!

He knows not what he sayeth or who he iseth.

Honey, I'm scared. That man looks depraved.

Bessie Lee.

Oh, Jesus.

You are my little sister,

and I love you,

but that-- man is not what he portends to be.

And what is that?

He's a man, ain't he?

If he, if he's a lil' different.

Hell, if he even made up being a preacher, he's a man,

and he is mine!

You are so damned rigid!

You say you don't need a man. Well, I ain't you.

So you leave me be to make my mistakes.

And I plan to make 'em over and over with that man tonight

and every night after that!

Let me go!

I'm going to write a telegram.

To send to the authorities to clear up this matter

before it festers into something

we can't close up.

Elmer, stop!

Come on, Elmer.

Mr. Fairman, I sincerely hope

that I'm wrong about you.

I look forward to hearing your sermon tomorrow.

Me too.

Now if the savage

would just promise to calm himself

we can get him some water,

and I can have a private conversation with him

- to show him the err of his ways.

Uh-huh.

Are you calm yet?

You took my name, my church,

and possibly my future bride,

and you expect me to be calm?

Well, the last time I saw you,

you had an arrow sticking out of your chest.

I thought you was dead.

And robbing the dead

makes it that much better?

What took you so long anyway?

And why do you look all like that?

I don't even want to talk about it.

Right now, I just want my life back.

And you can go on with your heathenish way

-of robbing and stealing. -Not just yet.

I've got to be you for few more days.

What?

I'll be Reverend Fairman,

and you'll be my Deacon

from back in Georgia, come to follow me to my new parish.

Yeah. We'll say that

the long journey got you all squirrely.

I know.

I will claim to have

lost my voice

from begging the Lord into saving you

from being such a heathen,

and you, you can do my sermon on Sunday.

Come Monday, once the bank opens,

I can make my withdrawal,

and I'll be gone.

And leave you to the life of your intention.

Now why in God's name would I agree to do something like that?

Because you're a survivor and so am I.

And I got a purpose to achieve,

and if you hinder me from that purpose,

I will shoot you deader than beef jerky.

Nice to meet you, Reverend Fairman.

Yup, that's a 44 slug

from a Colt Whitneyville alright.

What kind of preacher carries

a goddamned Colt Whitneyville?

And how did you let him outshoot you?

Hell, he don't know.

We had to explain it to him 11 times already

and he was the one looking straight at him.

- What happened? - You see?

He shot your gun out before you could draw.

Then he plugged you in your leg and left you laying in the dirt,

crying like a dang schoolgirl!

What'd you do?

What did any of you half-assed idiots do? Huh?

I want you to find out who this

preacher man is and send him to his maker.

Now remember everything I said.

It'd be sad to shoot you.

But I'd get over it faster than you might imagine.

Oh...

Healing that man...

...took a lot out of me.

But no matter what the cost is to me,

-I think it's worth it to save a man's soul. -Oh.

That journey sure put the devil in him,

but now he's back and better than ever.

Y'all, get ready for

Deacon.

Oh, praise the Lord! Hallelujah.

Here he is.

What is his name?

Deacon.

We know.

What is his name?

That's his name too.

Uh... first or last?

-First -Last.

It's his first

and his last name.

So he's Deacon Deacon.

He's actually Deacon Deacon Deacon,

the third.

From a longline of Deacons...

...named Deacon... who were...

- ...Deacons. - Deacons.

Alright.

Oh. Oh!

Oh!

Reverend Fairman said

that the Lord has taken his voice

as a price for healing me,

and tomorrow, Sunday morning,

I, Deacon

Deacon Deacon

will preach in his place.

- Oh. - -Well, who wants to hear

a Deacon who just stepped out

of the stone age an hour ago?

We have congregations coming as far as Hogswaddle.

Now how we gonna explain a cave man preacher?

John 7:24.

"Judge not by appearance, but judge a right judgment."

"For we walk by faith, and not by sight,"

Corinthians 5:7.

Matthew 7:1.

"Judge not, lest the be judged.

For God has not brought his son into the world

to condemn the world,

but that the world might be saved through him."

John 3:17,

"And therefore do not pass judgment

before the time, before the Lord has come

who will shed light on all things that are in darkness

and expose the purposes of the heart.

And everyone shall receive their commendation."

Corinthians 4:5.

- Oh. That was beautiful, Deacon Deacon Deacon. - Amen.

Why thank you. Not as beautiful as--

You go on take the bed.

It's too soft for me.

Besides, it's gonna be yours permanently after Monday.

You mean after you steal the church's money from the bank?

And where'd they steal it from, huh?

Folks trying to buy "salvation?"

Tithing is not a purchase,

but of course, you wouldn't know that.

They need a special outhouse in Hell for you

for stealing from a church.

Ain't nothing sacred about a damned man-made building.

Then why are you whispering?

Shut up!

People donating all this money for what?

So the, so the preacher can have a,

a fancy chair like this?

Ain't nothing but a chair. Keep my butt from hitting the floor.

And what, this maple desk? I guess the Lord need

a preacher to have a desk like this to keep the weight of a bible.

Or this fancy jewel-crusted inkwell.

Now you gonna tell me that the Lord--

What is it?

It's from the late Reverend Tharrington.

What does it say?

In the event of my demise, please find this map

which leads to the hidden treasure that's on my property.

-Well? -Nothing.

You get some rest.

You got a big day tomorrow.

I know you lost your voice, so don't even bother trying to speak.

Bessie's gonna do all the speaking for us.

I know where I am, and I know what I'm doing.

Last time, you wanted me.

And your friend here,

ooh,

tells me you want me right now.

Am I right?

Oh, it's you.

So, what brings you out here at, uh, 12 midnight?

I see you got your voice back.

Comes and goes.

So, what brings you?

Mine is the next house over.

I saw some lights and wanted to make sure

it wasn't Shealy's men out here snooping around.

By yourself?

At least I'm hoping you brought your pencil.

And my eraser.

And you? What are you doing out here?

Well, since this is supposed to be my property eventually,

I figured I'd come out here

and see the view.

What do you think?

It's beautiful.

Probably the most beautiful thing I ever did see.

The stars, the scenery,

it's amazing, isn't it?

I was beginning to believe nothing like this really existed.

Me too.

Life is full of surprises.

You never know what's in store.

Well, I sure am looking forward to what comes next.

Jessie!

- Dammit! - Jessie!

No, Elmer, I'm fine!

I'm, I'm caught in the bed trap again!

- Look, I, um, I have to... - Yeah.

It, it burns! Yeah. It hurts!

Trapped again. It's, it's on the butt!

It's on the butt! Yeah.

Perfume?

You sure woke up on the right side of the bed this morning.

Every day you wake up is the right side.

Had a great night, Praise Jesus!

Me too.

You know there's some things I'm gonna be missing about this town.

In time, you'll get over it.

Yeah. I suppose you're right.

Besides, I got to continue on my road to vengeance.

Happy hunting.

Yep, and,

shame I'm gonna have to leave with...

-...the church's money like that. -Lord will forgive you.

Church won't even know it's gone.

Hey, what's gotten into you?

The holy spirit.

And the fruit of the spirit is,

love, joy, peace, patience, self-control...

Well, self-control most of the time...

But come on. And faithfulness.

Against such things there are no laws.

See you in the pulpit.

Good Sunday, Sister Jessie.

Oh. I understand.

Listen, uh,

last night, I really don't know what came over me.

I haven't been with anyone in a--

Well, honestly, I've just never been with anyone.

And I might've been out of my place. I,

I realize you've been courting my sister, and...

Well...

Well, Bessie has agreed to watch Elmer tonight,

so if you are so inclined...

I'd sure like to continue where we left off last night.

Until tonight then.

Mm.

There's my friend. He misses me.

Yeah. Yeah. Oh!

Oh, yes! You close that door, sugar. And you help me out of this dress.

We can get a quick one in before the--

As we all know now,

the right Reverend Percival Fairman, Jr.,

is suffering from laryngitis.

Oh, and he won't

be able to perform his inaugural

sermon this morning.

- Oh! - Oh,

can I get an amen? Can I get an amen?

- Amen. - Because

it is due to his exorcism

of the lost soul of our newly beloved

Deacon Deacon Deacon.

- Whoo-whoo! - Whoo!

Who is going to preach in his place.

- Alright, alright, that's enough! That's enough!

Alright. Now the choir is gonna give us a rendition

of "Lord my eyes."

Perfume?

Had a great night. Praise Jesus!

There's my friend. He misses me!

Self-control... Well, self-control most of the time,

but come on.

Percy. What the hell did you do?

What do you mean?

Did you take liberties

with Miss Bessie

and have her thinking it was me?

It was more like she was takin'

-liberties with me. -What?

The flesh is weak, but that woman's love is strong!

Man, you should've been there.

Well, I guess you kinda were,

but I didn't mind being you last night.

Well, I say, maybe I didn't mind being me.

I guess I just couldn't help myself,

-but to help myself. -What the hell?

You're supposed to be all Jesus Christ,

and you're gonna do something like this?

Now you gonna have me looking like I'm--

It's a miracle!

The Lord has seen fit

to restore Reverend Fairman's voice

just in time for him to preach his inaugural sermon himself!

Praise the Lord!

Amen! Whoo!

Thank you, Jesus!

Come on now, Reverend.

Y'all, uh...

Now...

...I never been much on apologizing, and...

...y'all seem to be very good folks,

and so I hope you...

...find it in your hearts...

...for a little forgiveness.

Forgiveness.

-Forgiveness. -Forgiveness.

-What is forgiveness? -What is forgiveness?

-Forgiveness is a choice. -Forgiveness is a choice.

Mm-hmm.

- It's a decision. - A decision...

...to release...

...someone of their obligation, their bondage...

- Yes. - ...to you.

Of their wrongdoing...

- Yeah. - ...to you.

...to you.

-Matthew 6:14. -Matthew 6:14.

If he forgive men their trespasses,

your heavenly father

shall forgive you.

That's right.

- How many of us... - It's the Lord's word.

- ...hold on... - ...hold on to the pain

others have inflicted upon us?

To forgive is to set a prisoner free.

Only to realize...

...that prisoner was you!

...that prisoner...

...was you!

Always trust what's in your heart.

And it won't steer you wrong.

Huh.

We must heal from the hurt of our past.

Yes.

It seems to me the only path to that healing is love.

We must love ourselves enough to forgive our enemies.

For us to move forward,

we must forgive their transgressions,

so we can live our righteous lives...

- Yes! - ...without hate.

- Amen! Yes! - Amen!

- Say turn it loose! - Turn it loose!

- Turn it loose! - Turn it loose!

Forgive us our trespasses as...

We forgive those who trespass against us!

Blessed are the merciful for...

...they shall receive mercy!

Unforgiving people are...

Unforgiving people!

Let the church say, turn it loose!

- Turn it loose! - Turn it loose!

Turn it loose!

Marshall, if you would be so kind

as to shackle my hands behind me.

Lord, please give me the strength...

- Yes. - ...to free myself

from the shackles I wear of my own doing.

Free yourself!

Now folks, we've known shackles better than anyone.

Yes, Lord. Amen!

If you have unforgiveness in your heart,

then you are shackled to your past.

Mm-mmm. Amen. Amen.

- To your history. - Yes! Mm-hmm.

And if you are shackled to your history, you are not free

to possess your future.

Your destiny.

Yes!

- Say turn it loose. - Turn it loose!

-Turn it loose! -Turn it loose!

Now we can't change the past.

- We can't change that. -And our spirits ain't built to carry it with us.

Mm-hmm. Talk to 'em about it.

Now forgiveness

doesn't change your past neither.

Okay. Okay.

But it sure can change your future.

That's right! Amen!

What God has before us

- is much greater than what's left behind us. - -Yes!

Leave your shackles behind you!

And raise your hands to see what God has

in store for you. Turn it loose!

- Turn it loose! - Turn it loose!

Turn it loose! Turn it loose!

Turn it loose!

Now how did he get them shackles off?

-Percy! -Yelling your own name ain't gonna help you.

Deacon Deacon Deacon!

You have the nerve

to spend last night doing what we were doing,

and then go after my sister?

I am surprised you still had the strength.

Now that wasn't me.

It sure looks like you.

No. I, I mean with her.

I mean, that wasn't me.

I mean, it was, it was dark, remember?

-Oh, so you do remember? -No, no, no!

I wasn't with who--

I wasn't who you was with.

Are you saying I don't know who I'm sleeping with in the house of the Lord?

Exactly.

Oh!

So who has been writing me

for the past two years?

Uh... me?

And last night, who was that

who met me under the stars

and made plans to continue tonight?

- Well, that would be me, but I can explain!

-I can't even look at you! -You just did.

Yes, I can, but not for long 'cause it hurts.

Do me a favor

and stay far away from me

and my sister from now on.

You hear me?

Jessie, please, you-- Oh.

- Oh, my God... - Don't you ever touch me

or my sister ever again

for as long as you live, Mr. Preacher man.

Bessie Lee!

I'm coming.

-Bessie Lee! -Don't even-- I don't know!

I do know! I do...

Percy, where are you?

I don't care how much it costs.

I don't care how long it takes.

I just want those Ruff Riders to come here

and burn this town to the ground

if they have to.

I will not be denied.

Get out!

-Percy. -Oh, hello, Satan.

I bet you didn't think I knew who you were, did you?

Barkeep, don't give him any water.

I gave him water and he made my life a living hell.

Percy. You got to tell Bessie

she was with you the other night, or--

Or what? You're gonna shoot me.

I know you don't care.

Because come Monday,

you'll be gone with the church's money.

No, no, no, listen. I'm gonna stay on for longer.

Now this town is about to come into a whole heap of money,

and I want to make sure Tom Shealy

and his men don't try to steal it.

So you can steal it yourself.

Uh.

Percy, you got me wrong.

Thus sayeth Satan.

You know, Satan was an angel too.

- That's why you knew the bible. - No. No.

My daddy was a preacher, and I just remembered some of the mumbo jumbo.

Mumbo jumbo?

Oh, you really are Satan, aren't you?

You know there's a special outhouse in hell

reserved just for you.

Now get out of my face,

and get thee behind me, Satan,

before I knock you one more time.

You're drunk.

I'm drunk.

But not too drunk to do this!

Preacher, I need a word with you outside.

You boys stay inside and oversee the cleanup.

Wanna tell me about this?

I got this off the press yesterday.

Johnny Black carries two custom Colt 44 Whitneyvilles.

Sound like anybody you know?

Now what I need to tell you is more important than me.

Now I'll surrender myself,

but I need you to listen.

I know why Tom Shealy had the Reverend killed

and wants his property so bad.

I'm listening.

I need to show you something that the late Reverend drew up

that'll answer everything.

But I want your word

that you'll uphold the law as it pertains to the rights of ownership.

By my oath to God!

I will say, after hearing your sermon today...

...you got me.

I'll go get it and be right back,

unless you wanna come with me.

No, I trust you, Reverend Fairman.

It's Johnny.

You know that my authority extends to granting pardons as well.

Now you're a born-again man, there's no doubt about that.

And in addition to the idea of locking up that scoundrel Shealy,

I'll see to it

that your past stays in the past.

I'll be right back.

Evening Marshall.

Hand me those guns.

We left him with the preacher!

How'd you get passed my boobytraps?

Practice.

I thought I told you never to come near me again.

This ain't about me and you.

So this is what Shealy was up to?

Oil on church property?

Do you know what this means?

Yeah, and so does Shealy,

which means he'll do anything in his power to get it,

including killing everybody in his path.

So, you gotta make sure your government folks

protect this town from what's coming.

Where are you going, Preacher?

Might as well tell ya. You gonna find out anyway.

I'm meeting up with my gang in Beaumont.

My name is Johnny Black.

I am no gentleman, and I am no preacher.

I'm on the run from the law, and they're probably gonna try

to pin the murder of Marshall Cove on my head as well...

...but I'm innocent.

So, everything you said to me was a lie.

Not everything.

I swear you're the most beautiful thing I ever did see.

Great work, Eddie.

Two birds with one bullet!

No one in the way to stop us now.

Except Jessie Lee.

Oh, I got plans for her.

Bring in those two bottom feeders.

Mr. Shealy.

Tell Jessie I prepared my final offer.

If she doesn't give me the deed to that Tharrington property

in the next 24 hours...

...I got the Ruff Riders coming to burn this town to the ground.

The word'll be...

...White women raped by Black men.

-M-- Mr. Shealy-- -No, no, no, no,

no one will care past that. Not even the government.

So, if, uh, if, if we get this deed signed then you can

turn them Ruff Riders around?

Absolutely!

And then you two can enjoy the prominence

of being the elected leaders of this town.

Right.

But make sure that deed is signed.

The fate of this town rests in your hands.

- Make sure phase two goes off without a hitch.

Outlaw Johnny Black.

I mean, it's in writing right there!

Wanted Dead or Alive! Enough! Enough! Enough!

It's right here. It says it on the poster. The Outlaw Johnny Black!

Hush! Hush! Hush! Hush! Hush!

Everybody just hush and let me explain.

That's right let Deacon Deacon Deacon have the floor.

My name is not Deac--

My name is Reverend Fairman.

But, it--

Johnny and me met in the desert

before we came here.

We got attacked by Injuns,

he thought I was killed, and he took

my name to duck the law.

Ducked the law alright.

Put a bullet in his back!

Oh, ye of little faith!

Johnny may be a man of questionable past

but a cold-blooded murderer

he is not.

He brought me this last night.

- It will clear up a whole lot. - Hey,

this the note he found on Saturday

'fore he rode out at midnight.

Hmm.

So, who was here

at midnight?

I'm a whore.

Oh! Oh. Oh, no.

There's oil been found on the property.

Enough

to keep this town

in prosperity for a century.

Ooh! Hallelujah!

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

And enough reason for Tom Shealy

to kill the late Reverend and to bury the facts with us.

And that is why we must arm ourselves

and prepare for the worst!

Violence? Ain't you the one

- that said the pen was mightier than the sword?

Not when you need a sword it ain't.

Here come Shealy's lap dogs now.

Hang your pitiful self, Clancy. Skit!

-Scram! Skit! Scram! -Skit! Scram!

Jessie,

I'm afraid that if you don't

get that deed signed,

Shealy's gonna level this town.

Evoking the dreaded WWRBBM!

White woman raped by Black men?

I'm afraid so.

That is a flat out lie!

It doesn't have to be true.

It's unwritten, and it seems

to supersede all constitutional laws.

Hell! It even works when there are

no White women living in the damn town.

Just the mention of it, and it's...

That is why we must--

Hiya!

That is why we must--

Not in front of my kids!

That is why...

...we must decide

if we are going to live on our knees

or die on our feet.

I say, a life worth living

is a life worth defending.

Hallelujah!

Who's with me?

Who's with me?

I, I'm still trying to find a man. I ain't had no man in--

Now, when you say who is with me...

-Yeah. -...does that refer to who?

Gotta milk a cow...

You probably don't know this,

but I have brittle bones like a bird.

-If I throw a punch, I could crack my spine. -Oh.

-And my knees... -I ain't had no children.

I still got good children bearing years left.

-My knees is shot! -They'll buckle.

They'll, they'll, they'll bend backwards also like a bird.

Ever seen a bird walk with backward knees?

I was thinking about going to the saloon and...

I suggest the lighter skinned ones of us...

...go first.

Oh...

What happened?

You fainted.

Oh, Deacon, you must think the worst of me.

- Me think the worst of my Buttercup?

"The wind's of change shall not heed the path of my sail."

Percy? It is you!

Oh!

Everyone! Everyone! I think they found Johnny!

I think they found him. Come on!

Found Johnny? Come on!

Oh, my Jesus.

Almost made it to Beaumont, didn't you?

Hope you like your new home, Johnny.

Your bounty oughta triple on account of killin' the Marshall.

We'll work three man shifts until the federal Marshall gets here with our bounty money.

I'll take those cell keys.

Not that I don't trust you, Sheriff, but I don't trust you.

Y'all best just go on home.

You can see him tomorrow when he's on his way to his hanging

after I get my money.

Go on! Get outta here.

As a man of God, would I be permitted to offer him some resolution?

Hello there, Reverend.

Well, I guess this is the end of the line, I...

It's only right I, I say I'm sorry.

Make sure these people do right by this town now.

You know, you might be right...

there might just be a special outhouse in hell just waitin' on me.

Oh, I didn't mean that.

Look, uh, I'm sorry.

No, Percy, you stop.

The only person put me in here is me.

Now this was my destiny

long before I met you.

My only regret is I didn't get a chance

to do what I feel I was meant to do.

Kill Brett Clayton?

No, Percy.

You see, these past few days I had what you might call a, a revelation.

See, uh, I been living with all this hatred.

This hatred in my heart. Hatred for my Daddy's killers,

hatred for my Daddy for not shooting them down.

I... I've been livin' with all this hatred because...

...it's the only thing I had.

And when I heard my Daddy's words coming out of my mouth,

I dunno, something...

...something stuck!

I finally understood why he did what he did.

And... and it freed me.

I spent my whole life...

walking around holding onto hot coals that was burning nobody but me.

Once I turned them loose, seemed kinda silly to wanna pick 'em back up.

What was it that you thought you were meant to do?

I reckon I wasn't meant to live this life alone,

you know, just me and my hatred.

Least with Jessie Lee, I, I got to feel something...

different before shipping off.

Well, it ain't over.

The Lord ain't through with you yet.

Now who you fooling?

I'd be dead already except they didn't

set the bounty for Marshall Cove's death yet.

Look here...

This here is my first Bible.

Funny story about this thing.

Back in my fighting days, a group of White fighters came to town.

They said they wanted to challenge the champion.

That was me at the time.

Now any dark fellow knows that if a White man challenges you,

you better lay down as soon as he hits you good.

That's if you don't want any trouble.

Well, I did as expected, and that cracker stood over me

laughing and waving his arms,

and right then I got to thinkin'...

about all our people...

- ...who had to sit there and look at the same thing

but didn't have the strength to do anything about it.

And right then and there I made up my mind enough was enough.

So I got up, I dusted off my britches,

and I commenced to whippin tail!

Boy, I turned that Toubab every whicha way but loose.

White folks was sittin' with their mouths wide open.

It was so quiet,

you could hear a boll weevil

peeing on cotton five miles away.

-Black folks just cheered! -Mm.

-What'd them White folks do? -Well, you know they did.

They hung my Black tail from the highest tree.

I still have the scar on my neck.

Well, they rode off and left me hangin' there.

And I said to myself, Lord, please don't let me die like this.

I said, Lord, if you save me, I'll serve you for the rest of my life.

And right then, that branch snapped.

-I hit the ground. -Hmm.

Who knows how long I laid there.

But I woke up and untied myself, and, uh...

-...this here book was right there next to me. -Hmm.

One of them men that hung me must have left it behind.

Anyway, I picked it up

and began my journey.

And I been preaching freedom in Christ ever since.

Well,

I don't think this branch is going to break, Reverend.

Well, you never know.

Read John 8:31-32.

I think you might find some comfort in it.

I gotta go.

Percy, where you going?

- I'm here to see Johnny Black.

Now I came here to see him, and I mean to talk to him!

-Excuse me! -Bessie!

Y'all mind?

Where in blazes did Percy go?

He left yesterday and hasn't been back all night.

Bessie, I don't know.

He didn't say where he was going, and I'm just...

I'm so worried about him.

Well, how are you? How, how are they treatin' you in here?

About as well as expected I suppose.

How's Jessie?

She's alright.

Hmm.

You know, I never seen my sister Jessie

look at anybody the way she does you.

-When she comes to visit, please-- -No!

Now, I want you to promise me you'll keep her away from here.

I don't want that woman holding onto no ghost!

Now you know I'm right.

And did she, uh, contact the authorities about that piece of business?

She's sending the telegram right now.

By herself?

No. Elmer's with her.

What?

This is to be sent

immediately please.

- Not so fast. - You're coming with us.

Mm.

Mr. Shealy. Always a pleasure.

Always a pleasure.

-Uh-- Oh, right. -No.

Right, right. Uh, sir, we, uh...

...we gave them townpeople

and, uh, Jessie 24 hours.

-Just like you said. -Exactly like you said, sir.

Exactly. And I just don't think that they ready to comply.

Why don't you just focus on another piece of land, Mr. Shealy?

Because that's the land I want.

And it's the land I shall have.

The man knows what he wants, Mr. Shealy.

But these townpeople, you don't understand.

I mean, they just ain't gon budge.

- And Lord knows, you know Jessie.

She ain't gon budge neither.

Well, let's just see if Jessie has budged.

Let's see if Jessie

-has budged at all. -Jessie!

Eh, struggle all you want.

You didn't get that deed signed

when you had the chance, and you forced my hand.

So you tell the townsfolk

that if they don't give me a signed deed

for the Tharrington property by sunset today,

I'm gonna shoot ol' Jessie Lee

and feed her to the coyotes for a nighttime snack.

-You get me? -Yes, sir.

And, and once that deed is signed, then the land is legally yours.

I mean, you'll stop them Ruff Riders from destroying the town, right?

Just get it signed.

Yes, sir.

Hmm.

I'm sorry, Jessie.

I had no choice.

Clancy, let--

Let's go.

Lot of good that's gonna do

where you're going, Outlaw.

Couldn't agree more, Bill.

You gentlemen watch ol' Johnny here a piece.

I'm gonna go check out that wire and see how much he's worth.

Don't you hurt a hair on his head.

They may offer us more for him alive

just so they can have the pleasure.

Ready?

There we are.

You filthy bastard!

You'll never get away with this!

Ooh, I already have.

Have you seen yourself lately?

It's a shame.

I've always admired you, Jessie.

Really. For your, for your courage, your intelligence...

...among other assets.

Call.

Any chance I can get some water back here?

Shut up, boy,

I'd be quiet if I were you.

Ain't no boys here. Now you heard what Bill said.

Now if I die of thirst,

y'all might not get all your money.

I don't give a hot damn what Bi--

Alright. All of you, get up!

Take off them gun belts.

Slowly.

Back up.

What the hell is goin on--

Kinda wish you would.

I would sooner bed Lucifer.

Oh, no, no. You've got me wrong, dear.

In this whole town,

the two of us have the most in common.

No. We, we are the most educated, determined,

leaders of our various flocks.

That sounds like a flock alright!

Don't tempt me, woman! I can strip you bare

and take you right here if I so choose,

so you just watch

-how you address me. -You could never take me.

I am a devout child of the Lord, Mr. Shealy,

and I fear no evil.

Mm.

What about the rest of the townfolk?

You know, I have got the riders

coming here to level this town

along with your precious little flock.

Now, you wanna save them?

Stop being so stubborn.

If you think I'd take the word of a jackal like you,

you truly take me for a fool.

Eddie! Ride out

ahead of the Ruff Riders

and tell 'em to go right to work.

Take her to the maid's closet.

Uh,

I'm gonna give you a little more time to think about this.

Now, I'd use that time wisely

because your time left on Earth may be measured in minutes.

Something tells me I'll see you punished well before that happens.

Hmm.

Alright.

I see you saved me the trouble?

What the hell are you talking about?

It's Shealy, he's got Jessie Lee.

-You've got to go save her. -If this is a trap,

you're gonna be my first target.

Who do you think slipped Percy

the jailhouse key?

And I got you these.

Hmm.

Let's go.

Get Shealy out here!

What's with you, Sheriff?

Get your ass up here with that deed!

Nah.

If you wanna see this deed,

you're gonna have to listen to me and do as I say.

What?

The tables have turned now.

And when you turn the tables,

you get a whole new meal out here.

The shoe is on the other foot.

See, I was your boots before.

- But now I'm not even in your wardrobe closet, yeah.

Johnny! Help me!

Matter of fact, listen.

When I hand this over to you,

you will agree to stop the marauding horde.

I mean, if you can't, I understand, you know.

'Cause stopping marauding hordes ain't that easy. You know?

But you know what? All you cracker ass bastards is under arrest!

I don't know if you recognize my voice,

but if you don't drop your guns by the end of this sentence--

That wasn't a complete sentence!

So you're the Outlaw Johnny Black.

And you're the bastard I'm gonna enjoy watching dangle from a rope.

Guess who's house I'm gonna wind up owning?

Well, you might be too late 'cause the Ruff Riders will be here any moment.

-Ruff Riders? -Yeah. He hired them to destroy the town so he can get the oil.

White women raped by a Black man accusation?

Every goddamn time.

And Brett Clayton's their new leader.

You tie these men up

and take Tom Shealy into town.

I'm gonna ride ahead and mount an offensive.

-Jessie, where you going? -Where you think?

Where the hell you going?

Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Well.

Wow. Look at that, boys.

About the cutest thing I ever saw.

I'll tell you what I'm gonna do.

I'm gonna start by killing the young'uns

- so you can see how compassionate I am.

Now, hold on.

Hold on.

This town is gonna be rich.

Whatever Shealy was paying you,

we'll pay double.

He gonna double it.

So what you're not getting,

is that sometimes, it ain't about the money.

Sometimes it really is just about the pure enjoyment of it all.

Yeah. Now see, I enjoyed that.

Seeing the look on a Nigra's face

when you show him his rightful place.

Brett Clayton!

- And who the hell are you? - You know,

I've had a bullet with your name on it for over 20 years.

And I've been dreaming of the day I'd give it to you.

But now, I know you ain't worth the gun powder.

You see, I learned something these past few days.

I know that killing you will never bring back my daddy.

Or cleanse the hurt that you caused.

The only way to cleanse that is by forgiving you.

That way, I'm rid of you for the rest of my life.

So on behalf of my father, myself,

and in the name of Jesus, I forgive you, Brett Clayton.

- That's right. - Now,

if you and your men will just turn and leave,

there won't be any bloodshed.

Oh.

Won't be any bloodshed.

Look around.

We're 30 guns to your five.

Think again!

I brought some reinforcements.

How in the hell did he hear me?

- Acoustics. - A what?

What's a coustic?

Well, still ain't enough.

How about now?

Aw, come on.

Thanks to the Doc for taking that slug out my back

that I can repay the favor, Eddie.

I've absolved you of your crimes.

You're a free man.

But you, Brett Clayton are worth $10,000 dead or alive.

Don't matter. We're still at about a seven gun advantage.

Does it now?

Oh, son of a bitch!

Missed you up in Beaumont.

Heard you got rustled up out here.

There's your big boss now.

Good luck getting your money.

You know, some things ain't about the money.

Like I said.

Seriously?

Hey, Eddie!

Here we go!

Do the right thing now.

I fear no evil.

You don't choose. I choose.

Johnny! Johnny!

You don't have to do this! Vengeance is mine,

sayeth the Lord!

Well, justice is mine today.

Take ol' Brett to Border Town

and split that bounty 60/40

favoring your end of course.

He's all yours, Bill.

I ain't going nowhere

I mean, I'll be right here

to collect my 60%, just so we clear.

And there's a lot more money coming to this town that we'll know what to do with.

Well, I think I know what we'll do.

This is gonna be a town of the future.

A place where Black, White, Mexican, Indian, Chinese, and Chinese lookin'

can raise families in a healthy environment

that celebrates our cultural differences

and uses them to enhance our overall community and way of life.

To Hope Springs!

To Hope Springs!

And our new sheriff, Johnny Black!

Johnny Black!

Whoo!

Boy done good.

Sho did!