A Prayer for the Damned (2018) Movie Script
(electricity zapping)
(wind whistling)
(bell ringing)
(somber Western music)
(horse snorting)
(fly buzzing)
- Oh well, guess I won't
be needin' this today.
(Cole groans)
Now, the situation
mighta been worse
as I was scheduled to go
to Tucumcari with my wife
and family this mornin',
(Cole groans)
but that damn train
was delayed again.
My fellow medical
colleague in town
came down with the
diphtheria last week.
That woulda left you high and
dry for any sorta treatment.
Fortunately for you,
I am still here
due to a failed
railway timetable.
Oh!
- Oh! (groans)
- I've been waitin'
for the ether
for three weeks from St. Louis.
My sincere apologies for
the use of medicinal spirits
in lieu of a stronger
anesthetic.
If you wanna scream, go
right ahead and scream.
The music teacher is out
for recital this evening.
That calls to mind when I
practiced in a tent in Abilene.
Those days the streets
were so noisy,
the patient could
caterwaul his head off
(chuckles) noisier
than a Chinese laundry.
There we go.
(Cole groans)
Oh, almost, almost.
(Cole groans)
Yup.
I treated them all.
Soldiers, sailors,
now you shootists.
I just can't see what
motivates you boys.
Seems to me to be an awful
risk for such a low yield.
You usually have to split
up with another Confederate.
Still, it's a livin'.
Some of these auteurs
of the penny dreadfuls
are tryin' mighty hard
to elevate you boys
to some mythic status
like a noble Greek god,
dispensin' kinda
frontier justice
through extreme acts of bravery.
I just, I can't see it.
Now, take my granddaddy.
Now, that was a brave man.
- [Cole] Oh God.
He spent his youth crisscrossin'
the Cumberland Gap.
In those days,
injuns eviscerated
the pioneers they caught,
thought that would
prevent their souls
from enterin' the spirit world.
Yup, took some real strength
and intestinal fortitude
to face old Chief
Draggin' Canoe.
- (groaning) Jesus Christ.
Mattie, can't you tell this
son of a bitch to shut up?
- I think you just
told him, Cole.
- Easy there, fella.
You gotta stay still.
The lead will sink down deeper,
just make my job tougher.
I can't dig plus
patch three inches.
That's what the manual says.
Now,
(Cole groans)
you got yourself
into this condition,
let me do the repair work.
What was I sayin'?
Like I was sayin',
Chief Draggin' Canoe
- Oh God.
- was a real terror.
It's a wonder any
whites survived
that Henderson treaty land.
That old chief declared it was
to be a dark and bloody ground.
(Cole groans)
Oh, come on, that's a big, oh.
It's a big one.
Come on now, work
with me, sweet Jesus.
(Cole groans)
Oh fiddlesticks.
(Cole groans)
Got it.
(Cole sighs)
Ooh-wee!
Now, my family left
Kentucky after all that,
headed further west,
Texas to be exact.
Now, that was before
Travis and his boys
glorified that old
mission. (chuckles)
- [Cole] Oh Jesus.
- Now, my family just kept
movin' west, kept goin'.
- [Cole] Oh God.
- After the Mexicans
gave up at Vera Cruz, that
was a sign to push further.
- [Cole] Oh God.
- You know, by Jesus,
I was the first person
in my family in two generations
to see the East Coast again.
I went back East to get
my medical education.
Yup, medical
education back East,
and that decision kept me
behind the lines after Sumter.
- [Cole] Oh God.
- And now, way back
in '62, no '63.
Yeah, '63.
There were so many of us bein'
sent back due to lack of--
- Oh God!
Can we cut the history lesson?
[Cole] Oh God.
- Suit yourself.
Just tryin' to apply
some bedside manner,
distraction, is all.
- [Cole] I'll just look
at her, okay?
- [July] Well, she's
awfully pretty.
- [Cole] Oh yeah.
- How did this happen to you?
(Cole sighs)
- He run up against
the wrong guy.
- And who might that be?
- Ya ever heard of The Preacher.
(July whistles)
- Hardly a soul in this
territory has not heard of him.
I thought he was a legend
like the bogeyman.
Prester John in medieval times,
a religious myth to keep
the faithful in line? (chuckles)
- Believe me, he exists.
- (hisses) Yeah,
yeah, I believe you.
I see it.
I first heard of him
at a temperance union
meeting in Denver.
Some fire and brimstone pastor
ranted about this preacher
smitin' the wicked and
cleansin' the Southwest of sin.
- That is his reputation, Doc.
- Well, he's got his
work cut out for him
in this den of iniquity.
(Cole groans)
(Cole groans)
I'm so sorry.
(Cole groans)
Now, did you report
this to the law?
- Oh, no.
- (scoffs) It seems to me
the sooner you leave this
in the lap of the sheriff,
the better off you'll be.
I'll get you patched up and
send for Sheriff Duncan.
He'll take your statement.
(Cole groans)
Now, were you trackin' this man?
- No, but we're on the
trail of the same thing.
- (sighs) You fellas and your
ill-gotten financial pursuits,
I just, I don't understand it.
Whatever it is, is
it worth the risk
of runnin' up against
a man like that?
(fabric ripping)
(Cole groans)
- [Cole] Oh God, oh.
- Deep breath.
Here we go, here we go.
(Cole groans)
And there it is.
That's so sticky it won't
come off my forceps.
Now, you know it seems to me
(Cole groaning)
a more stable vocation would
be to be a dry goods salesman.
Fact is we need a good dry
goods salesman here in Sudden.
Yeah, it's a change of pace.
(Cole groans)
A different occupation,
that's for sure,
but if you folks plan
on settlin' down here,
it might just work
out for y'all.
(Cole groans)
Arcadian life-style
for sure, but--
- [Cole] Oh God.
- These are the sacrifices
we make for the ones we love.
You folks need
lodgin' here in town?
- [Cole] Oh God.
- I'll get you patched
up and I'll set you up
in the Byzantium Hotel.
It's fine lodgin'.
- [Cole] Oh God.
- Now, I'll give you a bottle,
eh, down to a quarter bottle,
of laudanum to quell
any lingerin' pain,
and then set you up at
the Byzantium Hotel.
I know Rita, she'll
take good care of ya.
Now, the new owners
just took delivery
of 15 new beds to replace
to the old ticky ones.
[July] They even got a fair
wheel in the lobby.
(Cole groans)
Ooh.
Yep, that'll do
it, almost, almost.
Bear with me.
(Cole groans)
Hand me that bottle
there, little darlin'.
We're almost done here.
- [Cole] Oh God, oh.
- [Preacher] I have seen
the face of God.
I have touched the
Almighty's robes.
He sends me visions,
dreams in the night.
He leadeth me through the
corrupted valleys of life.
Yea verily, I am the one.
I am the anointed.
He hath loosed the
terrible lightnin'
of my terrible, swift sword and
I am the righteous appointee
to spread the word and
administer truth and justice.
I shall tame this wild land.
I shall instill in
its people the word
and the truth of the message.
Yea verily. (chuckles)
Do you hear me, sinners?
Yea verily.
Do you hear me, wicked ones?
Wicked, wicked, wicked ones.
(The Pastor cackles)
(baby whimpers)
You look distraught.
Oh, do not look distraught.
Granted you are about
to feel the fiery flames
of the furnace as did Meshach,
Shadrach, and Abednego.
But first, you are about to be
in the presence of Almighty God.
Do not be distraught.
Let us find comfort in the word.
Proverbs teaches us,
Proverbs teaches us that
if the wicked is shown favor,
they do not learn righteousness.
And my personal favorite,
Revelations 5:12.
(book snaps)
Worthy is the lamb
that was slaughtered.
(baby whimpers)
Now, this land is in evil limbo.
Wickedness walks hand-in-hand
with avarice, hm, hm?
(chuckles) You are
weak, but I am strong
and I am His tool that
will wipe this land clean
of all that is an
effrontery to His holy name.
Though art weak,
but I am strong.
Confess your sins.
Confess your sins.
(grumbles) "Are ye
able?" said the master.
(grunts) Confess
your sins and embrace
my truth.
(gun clicks)
(gun firing)
(body thuds)
(baby crying)
(gun fires)
(cradle squeaking)
(somber Western music)
- All right, well he
was shot back there
'cause we found all that blood.
What is this?
Wait right there.
Huh, well now look
at this, Buck.
Looks like a page
out of a Bible.
Like somebody done
circled a verse
and they crossed out
words and wrote in,
now who in the hell
edits the Bible?
"For I am God's servant.
If thee do wrong,
be thee afraid
for I do not bear
the sword in vain,
for I am God's servant.
I carry out the wrath of God."
Well now, Buck, I'm pretty sure
I always heard
in the good book that "Vengeance
is mine, sayeth the Lord."
I don't like this.
You know who this
sounds like, Buck?
I don't like this.
All right, amigo, let's
get back into town.
(gentle piano music)
- Praise the Lord
and place your bets.
I'll take your money
with no regrets.
- Well, that plays me out.
- [Emmett] Charlie, you out?
- Too rich for me.
I'm out, lady.
- Admire your skill.
- Too good for me.
You goin', Emmett?
- [Emmett] I guess.
- [Mattie] Gentlemen.
(coins clanking)
- Welp, looks like it's
just you and me, honey.
- My name is Mattie.
Don't call me honey.
- Judgin' the way you
were hoggin' that cash
for the last hour, I believe
I will address you
however I feel like.
- And what is that
supposed to mean?
- Your tricks did not escape me.
- What on God's Earth
are you gettin' at?
- Little filly like
you, guts us three?
No outside help?
Did you mark the cards?
Use the mirror?
- I'm gonna forget
you said that.
- They tell in Santa
Fe, woman card cheat.
You be her?
- Again, I'm gonna
forget you said that.
- Ain't no tinhorn, lady.
And an Indian Affairs
agent over 10 years.
Seen it all.
I know cheatin' when I see it.
- So, you can cheat the red man.
- I was speaking of the
despicable way they treated us.
- Listen.
What are you drivin' at?
- I believe I'll have my
last three hands back.
- The other gentlemen
didn't seem to object.
- I don't give a two-penny damn
about what the
other gentlemen did.
- You can just
walk away, mister.
- Why you little bitch.
How 'bout we go get the sheriff?
- Be my guest.
I hear he's a fair-minded man.
- Course we could
settle it another way.
- Ain't nothin' to settle
here except your drunkenness.
- You know, you ain't
got much of a body,
but you do have a
real pretty face.
I can overlook the fact that
you're just skin and bones.
- Get your hands off me.
- Now, now.
You might not like it at first,
but once we get into it,
you get used to it.
I ain't never had
any complaints.
- You're some kinda tiger, huh?
- A real beast.
- Well then.
(man grunting)
I can't abide a man
that underestimates me.
(gentle Western music)
- Hey, Doc.
Doc!
Harrigan.
- Sheriff Duncan.
- [July] I see a sense
of urgency in your face.
And I see a tinge of impending
doom in your countenance.
- I need some information
and maybe an opinion.
- However I can endeavor
to aid my town's constable,
I will humbly strive to do so.
- Well this patient of yours,
is he gonna pull through?
Does it look like he's
gonna get all healed up?
- He's doin' tremendously.
Now, I'd say it'd
take a day or two,
and I can't help
to think it might
have somethn' to do
with his lady friend?
She's quite the refreshin'
elixir, if ya know what I mean.
- Good for him, and
I admire a fighter.
But now, Doc, what do we
really know about this fella?
I mean, you've been checkin'
in on him regularly.
Has he said anything else about
what he was doin' up there
or how he come to
get bushwhacked,
what his plans are, anything?
- Nope, no.
He's remained tightlipped
since his arrival.
He's not a braggadocio.
He's not your typical shootist.
(sighs) Now, he did go on
at length about The Preacher
and their altercation,
and they recounted
that they both felt
lucky to be alive,
and I tend to agree with them.
- Well, I didn't put too much
stock in his claims.
You know, that was
a pretty fanciful tale
he told you, I thought,
but ya know,
we've both heard so many
of these false fairytales
about The Preacher.
I don't know, but I
decided to check it out.
Ya know, it was pretty
easy, I just followed
those blood drops up
there in the foothills.
Well, Doc, I think
he's tellin' the truth.
I think I found the place
where he was ambushed from.
And there was a tree stump
looked almost like a pulpit.
There were some
sticks on the ground
that looked like a cross,
and take a look at this.
I found this page
outta the Bible
with all these words crossed
out and moved around.
Doesn't that look
like a pretty twisted,
warped version of scripture?
- It's sendin' a chill
right up my spine.
This is what I mean when
I say impendin' doom.
We're headed for dark times,
aren't we, Sheriff?
- Now I'm afraid so.
This time it's for real.
Now I don't wanna panic folks,
but you and I have gotta be
ready for just about anything.
I mean, if only a fraction
of those stories
of The Preacher are true, yeah,
our town just might be in for
some pretty dark days ahead.
- Now, Sheriff Thaddeus Duncan,
this just came into my mind.
Now you ain't fixin'
to exterminate
this Bible-thumpin'
vermin and collect
some sort of handsome
reward yourself, now are ya?
- (chuckles) Doctor July
Harrigan, you oughta
know me better than that.
I am no bounty hunter.
Nope, I'm a little
too smart to know
that I'm a little too old
and a little too comfortable
to be in that line
of work these days.
- Now, Sheriff. (chuckles)
- Nah, but I am kinda wonderin'
if he just didn't
leave those clues out there
on purpose for me to find
and maybe just
lure me outta town,
runnin' all over the territory
lookin' for him,
which is exactly what
I'm not gonna do.
- One thing I know about
you, Sheriff Duncan,
you ain't gonna do anything
you don't want to do.
- (chuckles) Yeah
well, (coughs) yeah.
- Now, Sheriff, your throat
sounds mighty parched
from the road.
Care to join me?
Belly up to the bar for a
tasty libation, my treat?
- (coughs) No thanks.
Nah, Doc, I gotta get over
and I gotta go
to the telegraph office
and get a message
to a marshal friend of mine.
I am gonna wanna talk
to that shootist buddy of yours,
though, as soon as he's
up and about, all right?
- [July] Alrighty, Sheriff.
- All right, thanks, Doc.
- I have a whiskey for ya.
- [Sheriff] Oh, Doc.
Let's just keep this between
you and me for right now, okay?
- My lips are sealed.
- All right thanks,
Doc, I'll see ya later.
- God speed.
(gentle music)
- [Cole] Goddamn it.
- Cannot leave you alone
for a second, can I?
- Well, the good news is
the pain is subsidin'.
I hardly touched the
laudanum today at all.
- They say that's habit formin'.
- Don't worry, I've got
enough bad habits already.
I can't afford one more.
Besides, you remain
my primary obsession.
- That is how I like it.
- The boy that brought
up my meal
said there was some trouble
in the gaming parlor earlier.
You okay?
- Oh, you know me.
I can take care of myself.
- I guess that long hair,
Custer, shoulda had you
by his side a few
years back, huh?
- I doubt that woulda done
that incompetent any good.
- I keep seein' that local
sheriff outside the window.
It's like he was out there
lookin' up at us or somethin'.
- Well, you are the
talk of the town.
- Why?
Ain't it every day
that gettin' back shot
by a deranged man of God?
Mattie?
Mattie?
- Hm?
- Don't think that
I don't appreciate
everything that you do.
- What makes you think I
don't know that, silly?
- You're good to me.
- Well, it's been a week,
and I am goin' crazy
not havin' you.
- Well, we can't
have you goin' crazy.
- Now, with your condition
and everything,
what would the doctor say?
- I'm not interested
in finding out.
Just take it easier
than usual, okay?
- Oh, you bet, honey.
- Ooh, ooh.
- Was that too rough?
(soft suspenseful music)
- Good day, dear madam.
Might you be the proprietor
of this accursed establishment?
- Pearl Duvall at your
service, kind sir.
What needs might
I assist you with?
- Duvall?
Might you be any kin to the
Duvalls of the Vermilion Parish?
- That county is in
Louisiana, I believe.
My background is
from the Northeast.
- Oh, well, no matter.
I held no grudge against
that side of the Mason-Dixon.
Now, tell me, how many
pretty young flowers
do you have in this
here colorful den?
- Mister, we have every
size, color, and creed.
- Well, may I view
the inventory?
- Well, certainly.
Girls!
- Oh my goodness,
they are fetchin'.
Fetchin' queens,
each and every one.
- So tell me, what
piques your gentleman
from the South sensibilities?
- Well, madam, as I gaze
at these precious flowers,
I am reminded
of the sin and ugliness
that afflicts our world.
We live in interesting
times where things
are not always as
they appear to be.
What might be pure
or holy to one
might just be slop
and evil to another.
Sufferin' wrong as the
wages of doin' wrong.
They counted the pleasures
that revel in the daytime,
they are stains and blemishes
revelin' in their deceptions.
So spoke Peter the rock, madam.
- Listen, honey, my girls
are God fearin' Christians.
- I am the word and the light.
- Maybe so, honey, but the
word and the light here
is between these girls' legs.
[Duvall] Now tell me,
what's it gonna be
before I kick your deranged
ass outta here?
- You are not listenin'
to the word.
My purpose is to cleanse
this land from carnality
among many other depravities.
- I shall ask you to leave, sir.
- And as part of my
cleansing this land
I shall ask for you to deliver
all cash and coin.
- What the hell?
- And you will not forsake
me and do not convince me
and do not confuse this
with highway robbery.
Yea verily I am the man.
Yea verily it is my
holy duty to relieve you
and your whole batch of whores
with this tainted money.
(gun fires)
- Do as he says, girls.
And you won't get far
with this, you bastard.
I have high-place
friends in this county.
- Madam, shut the hell up.
Now, get that box.
There's a good little lamb.
Harlots, cleanse your souls
and as the widow with her mite,
hand over everything to God's
representative here on Earth.
- I want you to quit this, Cole.
- [Cole] Been all through this.
- I know.
- Besides, been in worse
predicaments than this.
- Remember Bushwhack Anderson?
I treated that knife
wound for six weeks
after you caught him.
- And we are still livin'
off of that federal reward.
The last of the Quantrill
Raiders paid very handsomely.
This next score will
put us in good straits
for a long time to come.
- We can do somethin' else.
- Well, maybe I can take
that dry goods salesman job.
- (laughs) Oh, I
can just see it.
You in a clerk's apron sortin'
through a shipment of bustles.
Oh, hey, I do remember
the story behind this one
and behind this one, hm?
(gentle music)
Every time you go
away I just, I worry.
Hey, so much.
What if one day
you don't come back?
- I always come back.
- If that's not to be the case,
then I don't think I
can abide the beatin'.
- My solemn promise, this
will be the last time.
- It better be,
you son of a bitch.
(wind howling)
(suspenseful music)
- Let's get in here outta the
wind and have a little powwow.
- I don't think I've
had the pleasure.
- Name's Duncan.
I'm the long-time sheriff of
this fine upstanding community,
and I reckon you're that hombre
that's on that
interesting quest.
- Yeah?
- Some say it's your
own personal Holy Grail.
- Well, I'd say they'd
be a bit dramatic.
- And I'd add, it could
be your undoing.
- What's this about, Sheriff?
- Oh, over the years
I've seen a lotta folks
come and go, slim.
I've seen their hopes
and dreams dashed
by the beguilement
of the quick fortune.
- What does this
have to do with me?
- Well now, you're the guy
with the card-playin'
woman, right?
Been in town gettin'
all healed up.
- [Cole] And if that is true?
- [Sheriff] Well,
the word is, Slim, that
you're on some mythic search
for a strongbox dating back
to the late War
Between the States.
- [Cole] And if that is true?
- Well, there's been a slew
of fellas lookin' for that
since back in '66.
Now, slim, tell me, just
what makes you think
that you're entitled
to its contents?
- Listen, peace officer,
have I broken any laws?
- [Sheriff] No, sir.
I'm just lookin' out for
your safety, that's all.
- [Cole] How so?
- Obviously you ran
into a little bit
of trouble here recently,
hence your stay in our town.
- Well, I...
- [Sheriff] The Preacher, right?
- [July] Yeah.
- Isn't that it?
Now, The Preacher.
Ah, The Preacher, there's
so many stories about him
it's hard to tell
fact from fiction.
Now some folks, they don't
even believe he exists.
Yeah, the story is he
was a slave catcher
back down in South
Carolina before the war,
and I bet ya didn't know that.
- I did not, no.
- [Sheriff] No.
And during the war, somethin'
happened just caused his mind
to slip, just worse
than it was already.
He spent most of '65
in some lunatic house
down in Lafayette 'til a bunch
of drunken Union soldier boys
came in, and they just turned
everybody loose, I guess,
just for the hell
of it, I don't know.
- You remind me of
your local sawbones.
Does everyone give a history
lesson around here?
- Slim, look, this is a very
dangerous man.
I mean, he is a special
kind o' crazy.
Evil, thinks he was
put on this earth
to smite the wickedness
outta the West.
Hell, even Bill Hickok
couldn't do that.
You know I got news
from the telegraph
that there was a posse
of Pinkertons
and marshals after him,
and they got close,
oh they got close.
Close enough for him
to bushwhack three of 'em.
(grunts) And he... he
hung their carcasses
from a white bark maple tree
right outside of Lubbock.
God.
- I know the son of a bitch
is dangerous.
- The Preacher's after
that damn box, too.
He wants that fortune
to help build some sort of
place of worship where he can
just preach his invective,
and you know what I think?
- Hm?
- I say that there
is enough cow dung
all over this territory
without that crazy ass preacher
spreadin' his special
brand of manure.
Now, slim, just what
in the hell do you want
with this terrible man?
- I seen worse.
- I've had to bury so many
of you fortune hunters.
Now, slim, I'm gonna give
you a piece of advice.
[Sheriff] Now you can
take it or leave it.
It's free, all right,
take it or leave it.
Why don't you just go out
that door up the street
back to the hotel, you
cherish your woman,
revel in life, get
yourself a steak dinner
and just let go.
Be done with this bad business.
- Thanks for the advice.
- Hey, slim?
Now what's it gonna be?
- Well, I'm goin'.
- I thought so.
Hey, slim?
[Sheriff] Do me a favor.
Watch your backside.
I just hate to bury
an hombre that I like.
I'm startin' to like you.
I'll say a prayer for ya.
(speaking in foreign language)
That is one determined
crazy ass cowboy.
(ominous music)
(saloon doors clattering)
- Been lookin' for you
for 10 months
since I got outta that
hell hole Huntsville.
- What does this
have to do with me?
- You remember me?
- I can't remember every son
of a bitch in the Southwest.
- I remember you every
time I write my name.
- Why?
- 'Cause I have to do it
with my left hand.
- Again, what does this
have to do with me?
- Three years ago in Walker
County you picked me up.
Your bullet took my arm.
- Oh, I remember.
Well, I guess you shoulda
thought about that
before you went into the
cattle stealin' business.
[Cole] I recall you boys
were expert at brand changing.
- Well now I'm expert
at shootin' left-handed.
Get up, you son of a bitch.
- I'm not responsible for
some sawbones back in Texas.
[Cole] Look, you served
your time.
You could just
walk away grateful.
- You smug bastard.
I spent two years gettin'
flogged in that prison.
- Again, you could
just walk away.
- I'm gonna walk you outta town
and decide which limb you
lose in exchange for my arm.
Get the fuck up.
(suspenseful music)
- You know what my
daddy taught me?
When you're playing a losing
hand, kick over the table.
(gun fires)
(table clatters)
(dogs barking)
- You were in the right, mister.
- You better get that
Sheriff Duncan over here
before this boy bleeds all
over your parquet floor.
- Don't bother,
the sheriff's here.
It's okay, Myra, got
a deputy comin' over
to drag him over to
the undertaker's.
I knew that fella
was gonna be trouble
when he first rode in.
- Oh yeah?
- Come into town about a week
after you got patched up
by Doc Harrigan, askin' a
lotta questions about you.
- Well, I made $750
off of his conviction.
He mighta been a little
bitter about that.
They usually are.
- Listen, I'm gonna talk to you
about a couple of things.
First off, eh, don't
worry about this.
Just let me handle the judge.
He's in Las Cruces anyway, so.
I'll just put in the report
that it was self-defense.
It was.
Just sayin' you don't have
to worry about this mess.
- Oh, I'm not worried, Sheriff.
- (chuckles) Okay.
Second, I wanna
talk to you again
about this business of yours.
- Didn't we already?
- Well... I sent a telegraph
to Santa Fe askin' about you.
Interesting reply.
Ya know, you've got quite
a reputation as a dangerous man.
I mean, I should thank
God that you're, ya know,
on the side of the
law, I suppose.
- I'm just careful, Sheriff.
- (chuckles) Right.
I went up there where you
said you got ambushed.
- Yeah?
- I found some strange
things around there.
- Such as?
- Well, such as this.
- So?
I guess he really
believes in God.
- And I've done some
more fact checking.
- You people in this town
really like to press a point.
- Look, I know you can
take care of yourself.
That's pretty obvious.
What I'm tryin' to do
here is one last time
to just ask ya to let go
of this thing.
Let this thing about the
legend of that strongbox
and The Preacher,
just leave it alone.
Please.
(chuckles) Hell, we're
runnin' outta space
for graves on the
backside of town.
- Sheriff, when it's my
time, I ain't gonna go here.
- [Sheriff] And what does
your lady friend
have to say about all this?
- Did you ever contemplate
atoning for your sins?
- Yeah.
- I don't have much
to be proud of,
but that woman in the second
story of the Byzantium Hotel,
she deserves the best
that I can provide.
I appreciate your
concern, Sheriff.
In fact, it's
downright touching.
- Listen, if you weren't
so mule-headed stubborn
you'd see that--
- I can take care
of myself and her,
and that's what I intend to do.
(soft somber music)
Thank you, Sheriff.
Adios.
(coin clattering)
And sorry about the mess.
- So long.
You crazy bastard.
(suspenseful music)
(gentle Western music)
(horse hooves crunching)
- What can I do for ya?
- I'd be lookin' for
somethin' special.
(Bonnie spitting)
- It's pretty slim
pickin's here.
I haven't seen a need to order
goods in a coon's age,
not since they took
the stage away.
- Well I'm not lookin' for
any regular stock merchandise.
- Name's Bonnie Blue Jacoby.
So what the hell ya
lookin' for, handsome?
- Here tell you can help me
find the other half of this.
- God's holy trousers.
Where the hell you get that?
- My name's Cole and I'm
lookin' for the other half.
- Did you know my late husband?
- Can't say that I did.
- Well good, that's
a plus in your favor,
'cause if you'd known that
double-dealin' polecat,
I'd thrown your
sorry ass outta here.
You ain't lyin', are ya?
- No, ma'am.
- You got an honest face.
More important, honest eyes.
(chuckles) You hornswallowed
that from Sadie, am I right?
- I paid her fair and square.
Would you like to see
the bill of sale?
- No, I believe ya.
She's too wise to give
up anything for free,
so you musta done
her a real good turn.
Did ya fuck her?
- Nothing of the sort.
(Bonnie chuckles)
I just helped her out of
a tight spot, I guess.
- (sighs) What are you,
some kinda shootist?
She's the type of old gal
that would need one of them.
- Well, when somebody hires
me, I like to keep it discreet.
- Is that so?
Well then, Mr. Discreet,
I suppose you know
we were married to the same man?
- Yep.
- At the same damn time.
- They call it bigamy.
- I call it bullshit.
(match scratching)
We were both wed to Colonel
Jacoby of the late Confederacy.
You know about his role in the
Knights of the Golden Circle?
- I do.
- Is that so?
And what do you know?
- The Knights of
the Golden Circle,
a pre-war secessionist
league mired in secrecy
and steeped in codes
and shadowy doings.
Their role was to extend slavery
throughout Mexico
and the Caribbean.
After Appomattox, they
made off with quite a haul
from the treasury enrichment.
This map shows the location
of the Saddle Ridge Hoard,
moved around a dozen
or more times
in hopes of financing
the second secession.
- And what makes you
think I don't wanna
get my hands on it, hm?
- Fear and your hatred for
the late Colonel Jacoby.
- My husband was a bastard.
I had two eyes
like everyone else
when I started that marriage.
He beat me somethin' fierce.
It was the only way he could--
- You don't need
to talk about it.
[Cole] Sadie told me
that you two
were out to discredit
his wartime legacy,
and to destroy the last
vestiges of that secret society.
- Mm-hmm, yeah.
I hate every last thing
that man stood for,
so why the hell
should I help ya, hm?
- I can't think of
a reason in the world.
- You know what I say?
I say that map ain't
worth horse piss.
Fact is, mister, I don't
reckon there ever was
any gold coins in that
Saddle Ridge Hoard.
I think it was all doodley squat
to keep them boys from the
South hopin' for a dream,
a dream that ain't
ever gonna come true.
Mm-hmm.
You got yourself a woman?
- I do, the finest
in all 37 states.
- (chuckles) Then what
the hell you want
with this bad business?
God, you're all the same.
- Couple of old timers
already asked me that.
I reckon that maybe some
of this ill-gotten gain
can go to a worthy
cause for a change,
a new life for her and me.
- That's an honest answer.
Now I'm gonna be
honest with you.
You're too late.
I ain't got it.
Fella was here a few weeks ago,
a real mean son of a bitch.
I sold it to him.
Paid me in Mexican gold coins
and it's enough to get
the hell outta here.
Had you come this way
this time tomorrow,
I'da been long gone on
my way north to Chicago
where I'll be wearin'
a velvet dress,
livin' like a lady again.
- Was this man a preacher?
- Sure as hell
was, but real mean.
I ain't never heard no
preacher talk like that before.
You know, I think he knew
Colonel Jacoby in the war.
And I'm tellin' ya, he seems
pretty damn loony now.
- Well, I guess there's
nothing for me here then.
Thank you, ma'am, for your time.
- Hey, I'll say a prayer for ya.
Hey, son of a bitch, don't
ya think I remember somethin'
about that damn map?
(bright suspenseful music)
(gentle music)
- Hello.
The boy from the hotel
said you'd be right over
and here you are.
Come in, please.
- The Lord and I are
grateful that you are able
to see me on this
matter, Mrs. Jacoby.
- Oh, Parson, please let's
dispense with the formality.
Call me Sadie.
I'm a church goer myself.
I pride myself in it.
What did you say which
denomination you represent?
- Well, I have my own flock,
a relatively new order
here in the Southwest.
- [Sadie] Oh, your telegram
said you knew my husband.
- Yes, yes, I served in
the Colonel's regiment.
That is, until I was captured
just outside of Vicksburg.
Spent the balance
of the conflict
in a prisoner of war camp.
Not a pretty story
for such a pretty lady.
- (chuckles) What
may I help you with?
- Well I am writing my memoirs
on the late War
Between the States.
- Oh (chuckles), well, I
think most of the generals
have beat you to that,
all except of course
for our grand General
Governor Wallace.
He wrote that fine
spiritual tome Ben Hur.
- Well, specifically,
I am interested in
a secret organization
that your husband
served as an officer
and founding member.
- Oh, that.
Well, that is a painful
memory for me.
I, oh, Parson.
- [Preacher] No, please,
Mrs. Jacoby.
With all due respect
to your emotions,
I'm willing to pay you
handsomely for the rights
to your colonel's papers.
- Please, Parson, that is
a very raw subject for me.
- Well, please do
not disappoint me.
I have traveled at some distance
at a considerable expense
to gain this audience with you.
- You make this sound urgent.
- It may be.
- Well, since you
are most insistent,
I shall fetch his document box.
Excuse me.
(soft twinkling music)
This box was my late husband's
box of documents
and correspondence
pertaining to the war
and that damn
society he chartered.
(Sadie sighs)
Hm.
- Well, may I see the contents?
- You said you were in
a prisoner camp up North?
- [Preacher] I did.
- Strange.
No, it can't be.
- Please, Mrs. Jacoby,
time is of the essence.
- Is this about that Saddle
Ridge Hoard of gold coins?
That damn map?
- Madam, I'm sure I do not
know that of which you speak.
- It is you.
It is you.
My husband told me about you.
You were that slave
catcher before the war.
Oh, you did unspeakable things.
You lynched seven slaves
at a plantation farm
down in Mississippi
for collaboration
with the Union patrol.
Oh, your acts were so despicable
even the most hardened rebel
was disgusted with your acts.
Oh, Parson, I can't believe
I allowed you in my home.
(suspenseful music)
My husband was a very
duplicitous man,
a very dangerous
man, and he taught me
a thing or two about survival.
- Your husband, your husband
offended the Lord
with his bigamy!
Now, I have come here on
a specific holy purpose
and I would advise you
to acquiesce to my inquiry
(hand slams) immediately!
- I know my life has
been a sinful life,
but there is nothing
that can be done now.
[Sadie] You are too late.
- What the hell do you mean?
- There was a man... a good man.
He came here and he
helped me settle my debts
with my husband's other
evil men from his past.
And--
- Well.
[Preacher] Well,
who is this man?
Who is this man and
what does he have to do
with the other half of this?
- I gave that man the
other half of that map.
- Oh, milady, well that
is unfortunate for you.
(Sadie gasps)
(gentle music)
(suspenseful music)
(The Preacher spits)
(spurs jangling)
(somber music)
(dramatic music)
(gun fires)
(suspenseful music)
- Hello?
Hello!
Greetings.
I just doused the fire but
the coffee's still hot.
Want some?
- I'd be obliged.
Didn't think I'd run
into anyone out here.
- Yeah, not many take this
trail into Sudden anymore,
ever since the Army cut that
new pass through the hills.
- Fact is, I'm glad to see
someone, anyone, out here.
- What's in the sacks?
- [Cole] I guess you could
say our future.
- I don't think much
about the future anymore.
That was some time ago,
before Martha, that was my wife,
she came down with the ague.
Died from her fever
on the back of the buckboard
on the way to the doc's office.
Since then, I don't think
much about the future,
just the present.
- Well, I guess how we conduct
ourselves in the present
holds the secret to our future.
(soft gentle music)
- You said a mouthful
there, slim.
Those of us who are
alone, it's one way.
[Loner] You said "our future."
You referrin' to someone else?
- My woman, Mattie.
- [Loner] Fine-spirited name.
- Spirited woman.
Used to run a riverboat
game when I first met her.
Finest individual
with a deck of cards,
man or woman, I ever seen.
- You've roamed most your life?
- Too much.
- Be weary of the easy
solutions like this.
- Like what?
- Whatever the hell
is in those sacks.
If it came from an evil place,
it might bring evil with it.
- Sound advice.
- Why hell, mister,
that's a $20 gold piece.
- Best damn coffee I ever had.
Adios.
(soft suspenseful music)
(soft suspenseful music)
- Hello?
Slim?
- Easy, friend.
- Jesus H. Christ.
You startled me.
- Yeah, we live
in startling times.
You know it appears you've
had a visitor to this site.
- How do you know that?
- Tracks approachin', tracks
departin' your perimeter.
- [Loner] What are you,
some sorta tracker?
- Only for the truth
and the light.
- You that parson in town?
- In Sudden? (laughs)
No, though I do hope to have
my own parish very soon.
- How so?
- Now, this rider who was here
earlier, tell me about him.
- Fine man, good man,
so far as I can tell.
- Well, I'll just leave that
judgment to a higher power.
Now, what the hell
did he look like?
- Tall, six feet tall.
Dark hair, intense eyes.
Serious demeanor.
Say, what are you,
some sorta law?
- Ooh, you could say that I
am the law of righteousness!
- Say, mister, you're
beginning to scare me.
- Before I found the call,
I was a slave catcher.
Flies on the hoecake, snap!
(laughs) Oh yeah.
And then later, after the
War of Yankee Aggression,
I became a hangman, and
the Lord God Almighty
shone down his
countenance upon me
and I have been blessed
with jerkin' many
a bad soul to Jesus in my day.
[Preacher] Now, tell me,
which direction was
this man ridin'?
(suspenseful music)
(bell ringing)
(telegraph machine clicking)
- Afternoon.
I'd like to send a telegraphic
message to Sudden.
(soft suspenseful music)
- [Bandit] Hold it right
there you son of a bitch.
- Aw, shit.
- [Bandit] Ruidoso's kind
of a dangerous town.
We ain't got no sheriff.
You get your telegram sent?
- What the hell do you want?
- [Bandit] I been watchin'
you up on the ridge.
I seen you lug those
sacks off your horses.
Judgin' by the way
you was walkin',
they must weigh quite a bit.
I'm thinkin' gold,
coin, ingot maybe.
- Now wait just a damn minute.
- [Bandit] Now that's where
you got it wrong, mister.
I'm not much for waitin'.
- You don't know what
the hell you're doin'.
- [Bandit] Oh, mister, you
are wrong again.
I just may be the most
level-headed son of a bitch
in this territory, now
kindly drop that hog leg
and kick it over here
so I's can admire it.
- I don't surrender my weapon
unless there's an
immediate threat.
- Well, then consider this
a threat, you son of a bitch.
[Bandit] Ah, son of a (groans).
(gun firing)
(gun clicks)
(soft suspenseful music)
(door creaks)
(gun clicks)
- The Lord has hidden
his face from you
and you have become
easy prey. (chuckles)
Now pick up that there
gold and come with me
and let us not disturb
the gentle folk of Sudden.
Oh, you won't be needin' that.
(suspenseful music)
[Preacher] Go on over there
to the livery.
Drop them bags and let
me see the Lord's gold.
(chuckles) That is beautiful
right there. (groans)
You son of a bitch!
You unbeliever!
(gun fires)
(suspenseful music)
(Pastor groans)
- You got anything else,
you son of a bitch?
(groans) Now we need
that Sheriff Duncan.
(Cole grunting)
(dramatic music)
- God of vengeance,
shine forth.
(bell dings)
(soft ominous music)
- They found him outside
the livery stable.
I don't think he suffered much.
I do believe he was dead
by the time his
head hit the ground.
- Where's the damn box?
- Now, what box?
- He wired me from Fort Craig.
Said that he found
the Saddle Ridge gold.
It was locked up in
an old strong box.
Crazy son of a bitch.
Said it was our future.
Begged him not to go.
- That business with
that Preacher character?
- Yeah.
There was no box alongst his
belongings that was found.
- Well then, I know
what I must do.
- Miss Mattie, enough people
have been hurt in this matter.
- It's up to me to set it right.
- Miss Mattie, if you're
thinkin' about trackin'
this individual, I implore
you to reconsider.
Besides, how would
you even know where
to find this Preacher fella?
- It shouldn't be difficult.
He leaves dead men
behind wherever he goes.
- Miss Mattie, I implore you.
You do not know this
man or his capabilities.
- Correction, Doc.
He doesn't know me.
(wind howling)
(gentle music)
- [The Preacher] Yea
verily, I have seen
the face of the Almighty God
and he has shown me where
my enemies lie in wait.
(speech drowned out by music)
Like unfaithful men.
Because of the wickedness
of their deeds,
I shall wipe them from the land.
I shall kill the cherished
offspring of their wombs.
As they sowed the
wind, yea verily,
they shall reap the whirlwind.
Now listen to me,
I shall kill them, and
the evil shall tumble
into the pit for I am
the law of righteousness.
I am the truth and the light.
The Almighty God
has sent me to rule
from his anointed
throne here on Earth.
Now, listen to me.
Bow down for I carry the
sword of the Almighty God.
Stay with me and
you shall prosper.
Stray and you shall perish
for I, I have been sent
to dispense justice
to the wicked.
(ominous music)
Whosoever believeth in
me shall find treasure
and favor with the Lord.
Blessed are my flock for
they shall inherit the Earth.
- [Mattie] At last.
I find you here
among your flock,
as they sit in rapture
over your precious words.
- (chuckles) Oh dear
Lord, ignore the presence
in this, thy holy
house, this harlot.
Oh, tell me, misguided
little lamb that you are,
did you seek me out for
the salvation of your soul?
- I seek only one
thing from you.
Backstabbin', back shootin'
bastard that you are.
- Your road to salvation
is through death.
Did you know that,
daughter of Gomorrah?
- Well, I am so glad
that you understand.
I trust my actions here
today be justified.
- (chuckles) Oh,
you little witch.
Are you playin' with me?
- Sure, backstabber.
Let's play.
(suspenseful music)
(gun fires)
- (whimpers) Babylonian whore!
I shoulda made you feel
the edge of my holy blade
before I stuck it
through that bastard
you shared your bed with.
(gun fires)
(The Preacher cries out)
Whore.
- Ya know, that man was the
only good man I ever knew.
He was reckless,
but he loved me.
He and I, we were one
when we were together.
And you took that all away.
- How evil, a
gunfighter's harlot.
Oh, you shall be punished
for your abomination.
Your uncleanliness
is in your skirts.
You shall perish by the
sword of the Lord God--
- I presume you are familiar
with the Old Testament?
Book of Judges.
You know the story of King
Jabin and General Sisera?
They broke from God, raised
an army of 900 chariots.
They were defeated.
And the prophetess
Deborah predicted
the death of Sisera by a woman.
And so...
(The Preacher gurgles)
for this effrontery to God,
the woman Jael was sent
forth to deliver justice!
[Mattie] Come on.
Say hello to the Devil.
(ominous music)
(crickets chirping)
- Ya never know where a bullet
will land in this town.
- Hey, Padre, you
got a collection box
for the poor here?
- (sighs) Why yes,
my child, we do.
- [Mattie] I'd like to make
a donation.
Does the money stay here for
the poor, does it go to Rome?
- It stays here.
Food and clothes
for the Mescaleros,
possibly a schoolhouse.
- I'll take your word.
(money bag thuds)
Should be plenty
there for all of it.
- [The Padre] I don't
know what to say.
- Just make sure they get it.
I want this fortune
to be purified.
- Again, my child, I do
not know what to say.
- Say nothin'.
- Young lady.
- One request?
- Yes.
- I want you to say
a special prayer.
- As you wish.
I will create a very, a very
special prayer in your honor.
- Nah, not for me.
I wish it to be
for the forgotten,
for those who died for nothin',
a prayer for the damned.
(somber music)
(peaceful music)
(bell ringing)
(singing in foreign language)
Stardust glimmers
Starlight shimmer
(singing in foreign language)
Starlight shimmer
(singing in foreign language)
(wind whistling)
(bell ringing)
(somber Western music)
(horse snorting)
(fly buzzing)
- Oh well, guess I won't
be needin' this today.
(Cole groans)
Now, the situation
mighta been worse
as I was scheduled to go
to Tucumcari with my wife
and family this mornin',
(Cole groans)
but that damn train
was delayed again.
My fellow medical
colleague in town
came down with the
diphtheria last week.
That woulda left you high and
dry for any sorta treatment.
Fortunately for you,
I am still here
due to a failed
railway timetable.
Oh!
- Oh! (groans)
- I've been waitin'
for the ether
for three weeks from St. Louis.
My sincere apologies for
the use of medicinal spirits
in lieu of a stronger
anesthetic.
If you wanna scream, go
right ahead and scream.
The music teacher is out
for recital this evening.
That calls to mind when I
practiced in a tent in Abilene.
Those days the streets
were so noisy,
the patient could
caterwaul his head off
(chuckles) noisier
than a Chinese laundry.
There we go.
(Cole groans)
Oh, almost, almost.
(Cole groans)
Yup.
I treated them all.
Soldiers, sailors,
now you shootists.
I just can't see what
motivates you boys.
Seems to me to be an awful
risk for such a low yield.
You usually have to split
up with another Confederate.
Still, it's a livin'.
Some of these auteurs
of the penny dreadfuls
are tryin' mighty hard
to elevate you boys
to some mythic status
like a noble Greek god,
dispensin' kinda
frontier justice
through extreme acts of bravery.
I just, I can't see it.
Now, take my granddaddy.
Now, that was a brave man.
- [Cole] Oh God.
He spent his youth crisscrossin'
the Cumberland Gap.
In those days,
injuns eviscerated
the pioneers they caught,
thought that would
prevent their souls
from enterin' the spirit world.
Yup, took some real strength
and intestinal fortitude
to face old Chief
Draggin' Canoe.
- (groaning) Jesus Christ.
Mattie, can't you tell this
son of a bitch to shut up?
- I think you just
told him, Cole.
- Easy there, fella.
You gotta stay still.
The lead will sink down deeper,
just make my job tougher.
I can't dig plus
patch three inches.
That's what the manual says.
Now,
(Cole groans)
you got yourself
into this condition,
let me do the repair work.
What was I sayin'?
Like I was sayin',
Chief Draggin' Canoe
- Oh God.
- was a real terror.
It's a wonder any
whites survived
that Henderson treaty land.
That old chief declared it was
to be a dark and bloody ground.
(Cole groans)
Oh, come on, that's a big, oh.
It's a big one.
Come on now, work
with me, sweet Jesus.
(Cole groans)
Oh fiddlesticks.
(Cole groans)
Got it.
(Cole sighs)
Ooh-wee!
Now, my family left
Kentucky after all that,
headed further west,
Texas to be exact.
Now, that was before
Travis and his boys
glorified that old
mission. (chuckles)
- [Cole] Oh Jesus.
- Now, my family just kept
movin' west, kept goin'.
- [Cole] Oh God.
- After the Mexicans
gave up at Vera Cruz, that
was a sign to push further.
- [Cole] Oh God.
- You know, by Jesus,
I was the first person
in my family in two generations
to see the East Coast again.
I went back East to get
my medical education.
Yup, medical
education back East,
and that decision kept me
behind the lines after Sumter.
- [Cole] Oh God.
- And now, way back
in '62, no '63.
Yeah, '63.
There were so many of us bein'
sent back due to lack of--
- Oh God!
Can we cut the history lesson?
[Cole] Oh God.
- Suit yourself.
Just tryin' to apply
some bedside manner,
distraction, is all.
- [Cole] I'll just look
at her, okay?
- [July] Well, she's
awfully pretty.
- [Cole] Oh yeah.
- How did this happen to you?
(Cole sighs)
- He run up against
the wrong guy.
- And who might that be?
- Ya ever heard of The Preacher.
(July whistles)
- Hardly a soul in this
territory has not heard of him.
I thought he was a legend
like the bogeyman.
Prester John in medieval times,
a religious myth to keep
the faithful in line? (chuckles)
- Believe me, he exists.
- (hisses) Yeah,
yeah, I believe you.
I see it.
I first heard of him
at a temperance union
meeting in Denver.
Some fire and brimstone pastor
ranted about this preacher
smitin' the wicked and
cleansin' the Southwest of sin.
- That is his reputation, Doc.
- Well, he's got his
work cut out for him
in this den of iniquity.
(Cole groans)
(Cole groans)
I'm so sorry.
(Cole groans)
Now, did you report
this to the law?
- Oh, no.
- (scoffs) It seems to me
the sooner you leave this
in the lap of the sheriff,
the better off you'll be.
I'll get you patched up and
send for Sheriff Duncan.
He'll take your statement.
(Cole groans)
Now, were you trackin' this man?
- No, but we're on the
trail of the same thing.
- (sighs) You fellas and your
ill-gotten financial pursuits,
I just, I don't understand it.
Whatever it is, is
it worth the risk
of runnin' up against
a man like that?
(fabric ripping)
(Cole groans)
- [Cole] Oh God, oh.
- Deep breath.
Here we go, here we go.
(Cole groans)
And there it is.
That's so sticky it won't
come off my forceps.
Now, you know it seems to me
(Cole groaning)
a more stable vocation would
be to be a dry goods salesman.
Fact is we need a good dry
goods salesman here in Sudden.
Yeah, it's a change of pace.
(Cole groans)
A different occupation,
that's for sure,
but if you folks plan
on settlin' down here,
it might just work
out for y'all.
(Cole groans)
Arcadian life-style
for sure, but--
- [Cole] Oh God.
- These are the sacrifices
we make for the ones we love.
You folks need
lodgin' here in town?
- [Cole] Oh God.
- I'll get you patched
up and I'll set you up
in the Byzantium Hotel.
It's fine lodgin'.
- [Cole] Oh God.
- Now, I'll give you a bottle,
eh, down to a quarter bottle,
of laudanum to quell
any lingerin' pain,
and then set you up at
the Byzantium Hotel.
I know Rita, she'll
take good care of ya.
Now, the new owners
just took delivery
of 15 new beds to replace
to the old ticky ones.
[July] They even got a fair
wheel in the lobby.
(Cole groans)
Ooh.
Yep, that'll do
it, almost, almost.
Bear with me.
(Cole groans)
Hand me that bottle
there, little darlin'.
We're almost done here.
- [Cole] Oh God, oh.
- [Preacher] I have seen
the face of God.
I have touched the
Almighty's robes.
He sends me visions,
dreams in the night.
He leadeth me through the
corrupted valleys of life.
Yea verily, I am the one.
I am the anointed.
He hath loosed the
terrible lightnin'
of my terrible, swift sword and
I am the righteous appointee
to spread the word and
administer truth and justice.
I shall tame this wild land.
I shall instill in
its people the word
and the truth of the message.
Yea verily. (chuckles)
Do you hear me, sinners?
Yea verily.
Do you hear me, wicked ones?
Wicked, wicked, wicked ones.
(The Pastor cackles)
(baby whimpers)
You look distraught.
Oh, do not look distraught.
Granted you are about
to feel the fiery flames
of the furnace as did Meshach,
Shadrach, and Abednego.
But first, you are about to be
in the presence of Almighty God.
Do not be distraught.
Let us find comfort in the word.
Proverbs teaches us,
Proverbs teaches us that
if the wicked is shown favor,
they do not learn righteousness.
And my personal favorite,
Revelations 5:12.
(book snaps)
Worthy is the lamb
that was slaughtered.
(baby whimpers)
Now, this land is in evil limbo.
Wickedness walks hand-in-hand
with avarice, hm, hm?
(chuckles) You are
weak, but I am strong
and I am His tool that
will wipe this land clean
of all that is an
effrontery to His holy name.
Though art weak,
but I am strong.
Confess your sins.
Confess your sins.
(grumbles) "Are ye
able?" said the master.
(grunts) Confess
your sins and embrace
my truth.
(gun clicks)
(gun firing)
(body thuds)
(baby crying)
(gun fires)
(cradle squeaking)
(somber Western music)
- All right, well he
was shot back there
'cause we found all that blood.
What is this?
Wait right there.
Huh, well now look
at this, Buck.
Looks like a page
out of a Bible.
Like somebody done
circled a verse
and they crossed out
words and wrote in,
now who in the hell
edits the Bible?
"For I am God's servant.
If thee do wrong,
be thee afraid
for I do not bear
the sword in vain,
for I am God's servant.
I carry out the wrath of God."
Well now, Buck, I'm pretty sure
I always heard
in the good book that "Vengeance
is mine, sayeth the Lord."
I don't like this.
You know who this
sounds like, Buck?
I don't like this.
All right, amigo, let's
get back into town.
(gentle piano music)
- Praise the Lord
and place your bets.
I'll take your money
with no regrets.
- Well, that plays me out.
- [Emmett] Charlie, you out?
- Too rich for me.
I'm out, lady.
- Admire your skill.
- Too good for me.
You goin', Emmett?
- [Emmett] I guess.
- [Mattie] Gentlemen.
(coins clanking)
- Welp, looks like it's
just you and me, honey.
- My name is Mattie.
Don't call me honey.
- Judgin' the way you
were hoggin' that cash
for the last hour, I believe
I will address you
however I feel like.
- And what is that
supposed to mean?
- Your tricks did not escape me.
- What on God's Earth
are you gettin' at?
- Little filly like
you, guts us three?
No outside help?
Did you mark the cards?
Use the mirror?
- I'm gonna forget
you said that.
- They tell in Santa
Fe, woman card cheat.
You be her?
- Again, I'm gonna
forget you said that.
- Ain't no tinhorn, lady.
And an Indian Affairs
agent over 10 years.
Seen it all.
I know cheatin' when I see it.
- So, you can cheat the red man.
- I was speaking of the
despicable way they treated us.
- Listen.
What are you drivin' at?
- I believe I'll have my
last three hands back.
- The other gentlemen
didn't seem to object.
- I don't give a two-penny damn
about what the
other gentlemen did.
- You can just
walk away, mister.
- Why you little bitch.
How 'bout we go get the sheriff?
- Be my guest.
I hear he's a fair-minded man.
- Course we could
settle it another way.
- Ain't nothin' to settle
here except your drunkenness.
- You know, you ain't
got much of a body,
but you do have a
real pretty face.
I can overlook the fact that
you're just skin and bones.
- Get your hands off me.
- Now, now.
You might not like it at first,
but once we get into it,
you get used to it.
I ain't never had
any complaints.
- You're some kinda tiger, huh?
- A real beast.
- Well then.
(man grunting)
I can't abide a man
that underestimates me.
(gentle Western music)
- Hey, Doc.
Doc!
Harrigan.
- Sheriff Duncan.
- [July] I see a sense
of urgency in your face.
And I see a tinge of impending
doom in your countenance.
- I need some information
and maybe an opinion.
- However I can endeavor
to aid my town's constable,
I will humbly strive to do so.
- Well this patient of yours,
is he gonna pull through?
Does it look like he's
gonna get all healed up?
- He's doin' tremendously.
Now, I'd say it'd
take a day or two,
and I can't help
to think it might
have somethn' to do
with his lady friend?
She's quite the refreshin'
elixir, if ya know what I mean.
- Good for him, and
I admire a fighter.
But now, Doc, what do we
really know about this fella?
I mean, you've been checkin'
in on him regularly.
Has he said anything else about
what he was doin' up there
or how he come to
get bushwhacked,
what his plans are, anything?
- Nope, no.
He's remained tightlipped
since his arrival.
He's not a braggadocio.
He's not your typical shootist.
(sighs) Now, he did go on
at length about The Preacher
and their altercation,
and they recounted
that they both felt
lucky to be alive,
and I tend to agree with them.
- Well, I didn't put too much
stock in his claims.
You know, that was
a pretty fanciful tale
he told you, I thought,
but ya know,
we've both heard so many
of these false fairytales
about The Preacher.
I don't know, but I
decided to check it out.
Ya know, it was pretty
easy, I just followed
those blood drops up
there in the foothills.
Well, Doc, I think
he's tellin' the truth.
I think I found the place
where he was ambushed from.
And there was a tree stump
looked almost like a pulpit.
There were some
sticks on the ground
that looked like a cross,
and take a look at this.
I found this page
outta the Bible
with all these words crossed
out and moved around.
Doesn't that look
like a pretty twisted,
warped version of scripture?
- It's sendin' a chill
right up my spine.
This is what I mean when
I say impendin' doom.
We're headed for dark times,
aren't we, Sheriff?
- Now I'm afraid so.
This time it's for real.
Now I don't wanna panic folks,
but you and I have gotta be
ready for just about anything.
I mean, if only a fraction
of those stories
of The Preacher are true, yeah,
our town just might be in for
some pretty dark days ahead.
- Now, Sheriff Thaddeus Duncan,
this just came into my mind.
Now you ain't fixin'
to exterminate
this Bible-thumpin'
vermin and collect
some sort of handsome
reward yourself, now are ya?
- (chuckles) Doctor July
Harrigan, you oughta
know me better than that.
I am no bounty hunter.
Nope, I'm a little
too smart to know
that I'm a little too old
and a little too comfortable
to be in that line
of work these days.
- Now, Sheriff. (chuckles)
- Nah, but I am kinda wonderin'
if he just didn't
leave those clues out there
on purpose for me to find
and maybe just
lure me outta town,
runnin' all over the territory
lookin' for him,
which is exactly what
I'm not gonna do.
- One thing I know about
you, Sheriff Duncan,
you ain't gonna do anything
you don't want to do.
- (chuckles) Yeah
well, (coughs) yeah.
- Now, Sheriff, your throat
sounds mighty parched
from the road.
Care to join me?
Belly up to the bar for a
tasty libation, my treat?
- (coughs) No thanks.
Nah, Doc, I gotta get over
and I gotta go
to the telegraph office
and get a message
to a marshal friend of mine.
I am gonna wanna talk
to that shootist buddy of yours,
though, as soon as he's
up and about, all right?
- [July] Alrighty, Sheriff.
- All right, thanks, Doc.
- I have a whiskey for ya.
- [Sheriff] Oh, Doc.
Let's just keep this between
you and me for right now, okay?
- My lips are sealed.
- All right thanks,
Doc, I'll see ya later.
- God speed.
(gentle music)
- [Cole] Goddamn it.
- Cannot leave you alone
for a second, can I?
- Well, the good news is
the pain is subsidin'.
I hardly touched the
laudanum today at all.
- They say that's habit formin'.
- Don't worry, I've got
enough bad habits already.
I can't afford one more.
Besides, you remain
my primary obsession.
- That is how I like it.
- The boy that brought
up my meal
said there was some trouble
in the gaming parlor earlier.
You okay?
- Oh, you know me.
I can take care of myself.
- I guess that long hair,
Custer, shoulda had you
by his side a few
years back, huh?
- I doubt that woulda done
that incompetent any good.
- I keep seein' that local
sheriff outside the window.
It's like he was out there
lookin' up at us or somethin'.
- Well, you are the
talk of the town.
- Why?
Ain't it every day
that gettin' back shot
by a deranged man of God?
Mattie?
Mattie?
- Hm?
- Don't think that
I don't appreciate
everything that you do.
- What makes you think I
don't know that, silly?
- You're good to me.
- Well, it's been a week,
and I am goin' crazy
not havin' you.
- Well, we can't
have you goin' crazy.
- Now, with your condition
and everything,
what would the doctor say?
- I'm not interested
in finding out.
Just take it easier
than usual, okay?
- Oh, you bet, honey.
- Ooh, ooh.
- Was that too rough?
(soft suspenseful music)
- Good day, dear madam.
Might you be the proprietor
of this accursed establishment?
- Pearl Duvall at your
service, kind sir.
What needs might
I assist you with?
- Duvall?
Might you be any kin to the
Duvalls of the Vermilion Parish?
- That county is in
Louisiana, I believe.
My background is
from the Northeast.
- Oh, well, no matter.
I held no grudge against
that side of the Mason-Dixon.
Now, tell me, how many
pretty young flowers
do you have in this
here colorful den?
- Mister, we have every
size, color, and creed.
- Well, may I view
the inventory?
- Well, certainly.
Girls!
- Oh my goodness,
they are fetchin'.
Fetchin' queens,
each and every one.
- So tell me, what
piques your gentleman
from the South sensibilities?
- Well, madam, as I gaze
at these precious flowers,
I am reminded
of the sin and ugliness
that afflicts our world.
We live in interesting
times where things
are not always as
they appear to be.
What might be pure
or holy to one
might just be slop
and evil to another.
Sufferin' wrong as the
wages of doin' wrong.
They counted the pleasures
that revel in the daytime,
they are stains and blemishes
revelin' in their deceptions.
So spoke Peter the rock, madam.
- Listen, honey, my girls
are God fearin' Christians.
- I am the word and the light.
- Maybe so, honey, but the
word and the light here
is between these girls' legs.
[Duvall] Now tell me,
what's it gonna be
before I kick your deranged
ass outta here?
- You are not listenin'
to the word.
My purpose is to cleanse
this land from carnality
among many other depravities.
- I shall ask you to leave, sir.
- And as part of my
cleansing this land
I shall ask for you to deliver
all cash and coin.
- What the hell?
- And you will not forsake
me and do not convince me
and do not confuse this
with highway robbery.
Yea verily I am the man.
Yea verily it is my
holy duty to relieve you
and your whole batch of whores
with this tainted money.
(gun fires)
- Do as he says, girls.
And you won't get far
with this, you bastard.
I have high-place
friends in this county.
- Madam, shut the hell up.
Now, get that box.
There's a good little lamb.
Harlots, cleanse your souls
and as the widow with her mite,
hand over everything to God's
representative here on Earth.
- I want you to quit this, Cole.
- [Cole] Been all through this.
- I know.
- Besides, been in worse
predicaments than this.
- Remember Bushwhack Anderson?
I treated that knife
wound for six weeks
after you caught him.
- And we are still livin'
off of that federal reward.
The last of the Quantrill
Raiders paid very handsomely.
This next score will
put us in good straits
for a long time to come.
- We can do somethin' else.
- Well, maybe I can take
that dry goods salesman job.
- (laughs) Oh, I
can just see it.
You in a clerk's apron sortin'
through a shipment of bustles.
Oh, hey, I do remember
the story behind this one
and behind this one, hm?
(gentle music)
Every time you go
away I just, I worry.
Hey, so much.
What if one day
you don't come back?
- I always come back.
- If that's not to be the case,
then I don't think I
can abide the beatin'.
- My solemn promise, this
will be the last time.
- It better be,
you son of a bitch.
(wind howling)
(suspenseful music)
- Let's get in here outta the
wind and have a little powwow.
- I don't think I've
had the pleasure.
- Name's Duncan.
I'm the long-time sheriff of
this fine upstanding community,
and I reckon you're that hombre
that's on that
interesting quest.
- Yeah?
- Some say it's your
own personal Holy Grail.
- Well, I'd say they'd
be a bit dramatic.
- And I'd add, it could
be your undoing.
- What's this about, Sheriff?
- Oh, over the years
I've seen a lotta folks
come and go, slim.
I've seen their hopes
and dreams dashed
by the beguilement
of the quick fortune.
- What does this
have to do with me?
- Well now, you're the guy
with the card-playin'
woman, right?
Been in town gettin'
all healed up.
- [Cole] And if that is true?
- [Sheriff] Well,
the word is, Slim, that
you're on some mythic search
for a strongbox dating back
to the late War
Between the States.
- [Cole] And if that is true?
- Well, there's been a slew
of fellas lookin' for that
since back in '66.
Now, slim, tell me, just
what makes you think
that you're entitled
to its contents?
- Listen, peace officer,
have I broken any laws?
- [Sheriff] No, sir.
I'm just lookin' out for
your safety, that's all.
- [Cole] How so?
- Obviously you ran
into a little bit
of trouble here recently,
hence your stay in our town.
- Well, I...
- [Sheriff] The Preacher, right?
- [July] Yeah.
- Isn't that it?
Now, The Preacher.
Ah, The Preacher, there's
so many stories about him
it's hard to tell
fact from fiction.
Now some folks, they don't
even believe he exists.
Yeah, the story is he
was a slave catcher
back down in South
Carolina before the war,
and I bet ya didn't know that.
- I did not, no.
- [Sheriff] No.
And during the war, somethin'
happened just caused his mind
to slip, just worse
than it was already.
He spent most of '65
in some lunatic house
down in Lafayette 'til a bunch
of drunken Union soldier boys
came in, and they just turned
everybody loose, I guess,
just for the hell
of it, I don't know.
- You remind me of
your local sawbones.
Does everyone give a history
lesson around here?
- Slim, look, this is a very
dangerous man.
I mean, he is a special
kind o' crazy.
Evil, thinks he was
put on this earth
to smite the wickedness
outta the West.
Hell, even Bill Hickok
couldn't do that.
You know I got news
from the telegraph
that there was a posse
of Pinkertons
and marshals after him,
and they got close,
oh they got close.
Close enough for him
to bushwhack three of 'em.
(grunts) And he... he
hung their carcasses
from a white bark maple tree
right outside of Lubbock.
God.
- I know the son of a bitch
is dangerous.
- The Preacher's after
that damn box, too.
He wants that fortune
to help build some sort of
place of worship where he can
just preach his invective,
and you know what I think?
- Hm?
- I say that there
is enough cow dung
all over this territory
without that crazy ass preacher
spreadin' his special
brand of manure.
Now, slim, just what
in the hell do you want
with this terrible man?
- I seen worse.
- I've had to bury so many
of you fortune hunters.
Now, slim, I'm gonna give
you a piece of advice.
[Sheriff] Now you can
take it or leave it.
It's free, all right,
take it or leave it.
Why don't you just go out
that door up the street
back to the hotel, you
cherish your woman,
revel in life, get
yourself a steak dinner
and just let go.
Be done with this bad business.
- Thanks for the advice.
- Hey, slim?
Now what's it gonna be?
- Well, I'm goin'.
- I thought so.
Hey, slim?
[Sheriff] Do me a favor.
Watch your backside.
I just hate to bury
an hombre that I like.
I'm startin' to like you.
I'll say a prayer for ya.
(speaking in foreign language)
That is one determined
crazy ass cowboy.
(ominous music)
(saloon doors clattering)
- Been lookin' for you
for 10 months
since I got outta that
hell hole Huntsville.
- What does this
have to do with me?
- You remember me?
- I can't remember every son
of a bitch in the Southwest.
- I remember you every
time I write my name.
- Why?
- 'Cause I have to do it
with my left hand.
- Again, what does this
have to do with me?
- Three years ago in Walker
County you picked me up.
Your bullet took my arm.
- Oh, I remember.
Well, I guess you shoulda
thought about that
before you went into the
cattle stealin' business.
[Cole] I recall you boys
were expert at brand changing.
- Well now I'm expert
at shootin' left-handed.
Get up, you son of a bitch.
- I'm not responsible for
some sawbones back in Texas.
[Cole] Look, you served
your time.
You could just
walk away grateful.
- You smug bastard.
I spent two years gettin'
flogged in that prison.
- Again, you could
just walk away.
- I'm gonna walk you outta town
and decide which limb you
lose in exchange for my arm.
Get the fuck up.
(suspenseful music)
- You know what my
daddy taught me?
When you're playing a losing
hand, kick over the table.
(gun fires)
(table clatters)
(dogs barking)
- You were in the right, mister.
- You better get that
Sheriff Duncan over here
before this boy bleeds all
over your parquet floor.
- Don't bother,
the sheriff's here.
It's okay, Myra, got
a deputy comin' over
to drag him over to
the undertaker's.
I knew that fella
was gonna be trouble
when he first rode in.
- Oh yeah?
- Come into town about a week
after you got patched up
by Doc Harrigan, askin' a
lotta questions about you.
- Well, I made $750
off of his conviction.
He mighta been a little
bitter about that.
They usually are.
- Listen, I'm gonna talk to you
about a couple of things.
First off, eh, don't
worry about this.
Just let me handle the judge.
He's in Las Cruces anyway, so.
I'll just put in the report
that it was self-defense.
It was.
Just sayin' you don't have
to worry about this mess.
- Oh, I'm not worried, Sheriff.
- (chuckles) Okay.
Second, I wanna
talk to you again
about this business of yours.
- Didn't we already?
- Well... I sent a telegraph
to Santa Fe askin' about you.
Interesting reply.
Ya know, you've got quite
a reputation as a dangerous man.
I mean, I should thank
God that you're, ya know,
on the side of the
law, I suppose.
- I'm just careful, Sheriff.
- (chuckles) Right.
I went up there where you
said you got ambushed.
- Yeah?
- I found some strange
things around there.
- Such as?
- Well, such as this.
- So?
I guess he really
believes in God.
- And I've done some
more fact checking.
- You people in this town
really like to press a point.
- Look, I know you can
take care of yourself.
That's pretty obvious.
What I'm tryin' to do
here is one last time
to just ask ya to let go
of this thing.
Let this thing about the
legend of that strongbox
and The Preacher,
just leave it alone.
Please.
(chuckles) Hell, we're
runnin' outta space
for graves on the
backside of town.
- Sheriff, when it's my
time, I ain't gonna go here.
- [Sheriff] And what does
your lady friend
have to say about all this?
- Did you ever contemplate
atoning for your sins?
- Yeah.
- I don't have much
to be proud of,
but that woman in the second
story of the Byzantium Hotel,
she deserves the best
that I can provide.
I appreciate your
concern, Sheriff.
In fact, it's
downright touching.
- Listen, if you weren't
so mule-headed stubborn
you'd see that--
- I can take care
of myself and her,
and that's what I intend to do.
(soft somber music)
Thank you, Sheriff.
Adios.
(coin clattering)
And sorry about the mess.
- So long.
You crazy bastard.
(suspenseful music)
(gentle Western music)
(horse hooves crunching)
- What can I do for ya?
- I'd be lookin' for
somethin' special.
(Bonnie spitting)
- It's pretty slim
pickin's here.
I haven't seen a need to order
goods in a coon's age,
not since they took
the stage away.
- Well I'm not lookin' for
any regular stock merchandise.
- Name's Bonnie Blue Jacoby.
So what the hell ya
lookin' for, handsome?
- Here tell you can help me
find the other half of this.
- God's holy trousers.
Where the hell you get that?
- My name's Cole and I'm
lookin' for the other half.
- Did you know my late husband?
- Can't say that I did.
- Well good, that's
a plus in your favor,
'cause if you'd known that
double-dealin' polecat,
I'd thrown your
sorry ass outta here.
You ain't lyin', are ya?
- No, ma'am.
- You got an honest face.
More important, honest eyes.
(chuckles) You hornswallowed
that from Sadie, am I right?
- I paid her fair and square.
Would you like to see
the bill of sale?
- No, I believe ya.
She's too wise to give
up anything for free,
so you musta done
her a real good turn.
Did ya fuck her?
- Nothing of the sort.
(Bonnie chuckles)
I just helped her out of
a tight spot, I guess.
- (sighs) What are you,
some kinda shootist?
She's the type of old gal
that would need one of them.
- Well, when somebody hires
me, I like to keep it discreet.
- Is that so?
Well then, Mr. Discreet,
I suppose you know
we were married to the same man?
- Yep.
- At the same damn time.
- They call it bigamy.
- I call it bullshit.
(match scratching)
We were both wed to Colonel
Jacoby of the late Confederacy.
You know about his role in the
Knights of the Golden Circle?
- I do.
- Is that so?
And what do you know?
- The Knights of
the Golden Circle,
a pre-war secessionist
league mired in secrecy
and steeped in codes
and shadowy doings.
Their role was to extend slavery
throughout Mexico
and the Caribbean.
After Appomattox, they
made off with quite a haul
from the treasury enrichment.
This map shows the location
of the Saddle Ridge Hoard,
moved around a dozen
or more times
in hopes of financing
the second secession.
- And what makes you
think I don't wanna
get my hands on it, hm?
- Fear and your hatred for
the late Colonel Jacoby.
- My husband was a bastard.
I had two eyes
like everyone else
when I started that marriage.
He beat me somethin' fierce.
It was the only way he could--
- You don't need
to talk about it.
[Cole] Sadie told me
that you two
were out to discredit
his wartime legacy,
and to destroy the last
vestiges of that secret society.
- Mm-hmm, yeah.
I hate every last thing
that man stood for,
so why the hell
should I help ya, hm?
- I can't think of
a reason in the world.
- You know what I say?
I say that map ain't
worth horse piss.
Fact is, mister, I don't
reckon there ever was
any gold coins in that
Saddle Ridge Hoard.
I think it was all doodley squat
to keep them boys from the
South hopin' for a dream,
a dream that ain't
ever gonna come true.
Mm-hmm.
You got yourself a woman?
- I do, the finest
in all 37 states.
- (chuckles) Then what
the hell you want
with this bad business?
God, you're all the same.
- Couple of old timers
already asked me that.
I reckon that maybe some
of this ill-gotten gain
can go to a worthy
cause for a change,
a new life for her and me.
- That's an honest answer.
Now I'm gonna be
honest with you.
You're too late.
I ain't got it.
Fella was here a few weeks ago,
a real mean son of a bitch.
I sold it to him.
Paid me in Mexican gold coins
and it's enough to get
the hell outta here.
Had you come this way
this time tomorrow,
I'da been long gone on
my way north to Chicago
where I'll be wearin'
a velvet dress,
livin' like a lady again.
- Was this man a preacher?
- Sure as hell
was, but real mean.
I ain't never heard no
preacher talk like that before.
You know, I think he knew
Colonel Jacoby in the war.
And I'm tellin' ya, he seems
pretty damn loony now.
- Well, I guess there's
nothing for me here then.
Thank you, ma'am, for your time.
- Hey, I'll say a prayer for ya.
Hey, son of a bitch, don't
ya think I remember somethin'
about that damn map?
(bright suspenseful music)
(gentle music)
- Hello.
The boy from the hotel
said you'd be right over
and here you are.
Come in, please.
- The Lord and I are
grateful that you are able
to see me on this
matter, Mrs. Jacoby.
- Oh, Parson, please let's
dispense with the formality.
Call me Sadie.
I'm a church goer myself.
I pride myself in it.
What did you say which
denomination you represent?
- Well, I have my own flock,
a relatively new order
here in the Southwest.
- [Sadie] Oh, your telegram
said you knew my husband.
- Yes, yes, I served in
the Colonel's regiment.
That is, until I was captured
just outside of Vicksburg.
Spent the balance
of the conflict
in a prisoner of war camp.
Not a pretty story
for such a pretty lady.
- (chuckles) What
may I help you with?
- Well I am writing my memoirs
on the late War
Between the States.
- Oh (chuckles), well, I
think most of the generals
have beat you to that,
all except of course
for our grand General
Governor Wallace.
He wrote that fine
spiritual tome Ben Hur.
- Well, specifically,
I am interested in
a secret organization
that your husband
served as an officer
and founding member.
- Oh, that.
Well, that is a painful
memory for me.
I, oh, Parson.
- [Preacher] No, please,
Mrs. Jacoby.
With all due respect
to your emotions,
I'm willing to pay you
handsomely for the rights
to your colonel's papers.
- Please, Parson, that is
a very raw subject for me.
- Well, please do
not disappoint me.
I have traveled at some distance
at a considerable expense
to gain this audience with you.
- You make this sound urgent.
- It may be.
- Well, since you
are most insistent,
I shall fetch his document box.
Excuse me.
(soft twinkling music)
This box was my late husband's
box of documents
and correspondence
pertaining to the war
and that damn
society he chartered.
(Sadie sighs)
Hm.
- Well, may I see the contents?
- You said you were in
a prisoner camp up North?
- [Preacher] I did.
- Strange.
No, it can't be.
- Please, Mrs. Jacoby,
time is of the essence.
- Is this about that Saddle
Ridge Hoard of gold coins?
That damn map?
- Madam, I'm sure I do not
know that of which you speak.
- It is you.
It is you.
My husband told me about you.
You were that slave
catcher before the war.
Oh, you did unspeakable things.
You lynched seven slaves
at a plantation farm
down in Mississippi
for collaboration
with the Union patrol.
Oh, your acts were so despicable
even the most hardened rebel
was disgusted with your acts.
Oh, Parson, I can't believe
I allowed you in my home.
(suspenseful music)
My husband was a very
duplicitous man,
a very dangerous
man, and he taught me
a thing or two about survival.
- Your husband, your husband
offended the Lord
with his bigamy!
Now, I have come here on
a specific holy purpose
and I would advise you
to acquiesce to my inquiry
(hand slams) immediately!
- I know my life has
been a sinful life,
but there is nothing
that can be done now.
[Sadie] You are too late.
- What the hell do you mean?
- There was a man... a good man.
He came here and he
helped me settle my debts
with my husband's other
evil men from his past.
And--
- Well.
[Preacher] Well,
who is this man?
Who is this man and
what does he have to do
with the other half of this?
- I gave that man the
other half of that map.
- Oh, milady, well that
is unfortunate for you.
(Sadie gasps)
(gentle music)
(suspenseful music)
(The Preacher spits)
(spurs jangling)
(somber music)
(dramatic music)
(gun fires)
(suspenseful music)
- Hello?
Hello!
Greetings.
I just doused the fire but
the coffee's still hot.
Want some?
- I'd be obliged.
Didn't think I'd run
into anyone out here.
- Yeah, not many take this
trail into Sudden anymore,
ever since the Army cut that
new pass through the hills.
- Fact is, I'm glad to see
someone, anyone, out here.
- What's in the sacks?
- [Cole] I guess you could
say our future.
- I don't think much
about the future anymore.
That was some time ago,
before Martha, that was my wife,
she came down with the ague.
Died from her fever
on the back of the buckboard
on the way to the doc's office.
Since then, I don't think
much about the future,
just the present.
- Well, I guess how we conduct
ourselves in the present
holds the secret to our future.
(soft gentle music)
- You said a mouthful
there, slim.
Those of us who are
alone, it's one way.
[Loner] You said "our future."
You referrin' to someone else?
- My woman, Mattie.
- [Loner] Fine-spirited name.
- Spirited woman.
Used to run a riverboat
game when I first met her.
Finest individual
with a deck of cards,
man or woman, I ever seen.
- You've roamed most your life?
- Too much.
- Be weary of the easy
solutions like this.
- Like what?
- Whatever the hell
is in those sacks.
If it came from an evil place,
it might bring evil with it.
- Sound advice.
- Why hell, mister,
that's a $20 gold piece.
- Best damn coffee I ever had.
Adios.
(soft suspenseful music)
(soft suspenseful music)
- Hello?
Slim?
- Easy, friend.
- Jesus H. Christ.
You startled me.
- Yeah, we live
in startling times.
You know it appears you've
had a visitor to this site.
- How do you know that?
- Tracks approachin', tracks
departin' your perimeter.
- [Loner] What are you,
some sorta tracker?
- Only for the truth
and the light.
- You that parson in town?
- In Sudden? (laughs)
No, though I do hope to have
my own parish very soon.
- How so?
- Now, this rider who was here
earlier, tell me about him.
- Fine man, good man,
so far as I can tell.
- Well, I'll just leave that
judgment to a higher power.
Now, what the hell
did he look like?
- Tall, six feet tall.
Dark hair, intense eyes.
Serious demeanor.
Say, what are you,
some sorta law?
- Ooh, you could say that I
am the law of righteousness!
- Say, mister, you're
beginning to scare me.
- Before I found the call,
I was a slave catcher.
Flies on the hoecake, snap!
(laughs) Oh yeah.
And then later, after the
War of Yankee Aggression,
I became a hangman, and
the Lord God Almighty
shone down his
countenance upon me
and I have been blessed
with jerkin' many
a bad soul to Jesus in my day.
[Preacher] Now, tell me,
which direction was
this man ridin'?
(suspenseful music)
(bell ringing)
(telegraph machine clicking)
- Afternoon.
I'd like to send a telegraphic
message to Sudden.
(soft suspenseful music)
- [Bandit] Hold it right
there you son of a bitch.
- Aw, shit.
- [Bandit] Ruidoso's kind
of a dangerous town.
We ain't got no sheriff.
You get your telegram sent?
- What the hell do you want?
- [Bandit] I been watchin'
you up on the ridge.
I seen you lug those
sacks off your horses.
Judgin' by the way
you was walkin',
they must weigh quite a bit.
I'm thinkin' gold,
coin, ingot maybe.
- Now wait just a damn minute.
- [Bandit] Now that's where
you got it wrong, mister.
I'm not much for waitin'.
- You don't know what
the hell you're doin'.
- [Bandit] Oh, mister, you
are wrong again.
I just may be the most
level-headed son of a bitch
in this territory, now
kindly drop that hog leg
and kick it over here
so I's can admire it.
- I don't surrender my weapon
unless there's an
immediate threat.
- Well, then consider this
a threat, you son of a bitch.
[Bandit] Ah, son of a (groans).
(gun firing)
(gun clicks)
(soft suspenseful music)
(door creaks)
(gun clicks)
- The Lord has hidden
his face from you
and you have become
easy prey. (chuckles)
Now pick up that there
gold and come with me
and let us not disturb
the gentle folk of Sudden.
Oh, you won't be needin' that.
(suspenseful music)
[Preacher] Go on over there
to the livery.
Drop them bags and let
me see the Lord's gold.
(chuckles) That is beautiful
right there. (groans)
You son of a bitch!
You unbeliever!
(gun fires)
(suspenseful music)
(Pastor groans)
- You got anything else,
you son of a bitch?
(groans) Now we need
that Sheriff Duncan.
(Cole grunting)
(dramatic music)
- God of vengeance,
shine forth.
(bell dings)
(soft ominous music)
- They found him outside
the livery stable.
I don't think he suffered much.
I do believe he was dead
by the time his
head hit the ground.
- Where's the damn box?
- Now, what box?
- He wired me from Fort Craig.
Said that he found
the Saddle Ridge gold.
It was locked up in
an old strong box.
Crazy son of a bitch.
Said it was our future.
Begged him not to go.
- That business with
that Preacher character?
- Yeah.
There was no box alongst his
belongings that was found.
- Well then, I know
what I must do.
- Miss Mattie, enough people
have been hurt in this matter.
- It's up to me to set it right.
- Miss Mattie, if you're
thinkin' about trackin'
this individual, I implore
you to reconsider.
Besides, how would
you even know where
to find this Preacher fella?
- It shouldn't be difficult.
He leaves dead men
behind wherever he goes.
- Miss Mattie, I implore you.
You do not know this
man or his capabilities.
- Correction, Doc.
He doesn't know me.
(wind howling)
(gentle music)
- [The Preacher] Yea
verily, I have seen
the face of the Almighty God
and he has shown me where
my enemies lie in wait.
(speech drowned out by music)
Like unfaithful men.
Because of the wickedness
of their deeds,
I shall wipe them from the land.
I shall kill the cherished
offspring of their wombs.
As they sowed the
wind, yea verily,
they shall reap the whirlwind.
Now listen to me,
I shall kill them, and
the evil shall tumble
into the pit for I am
the law of righteousness.
I am the truth and the light.
The Almighty God
has sent me to rule
from his anointed
throne here on Earth.
Now, listen to me.
Bow down for I carry the
sword of the Almighty God.
Stay with me and
you shall prosper.
Stray and you shall perish
for I, I have been sent
to dispense justice
to the wicked.
(ominous music)
Whosoever believeth in
me shall find treasure
and favor with the Lord.
Blessed are my flock for
they shall inherit the Earth.
- [Mattie] At last.
I find you here
among your flock,
as they sit in rapture
over your precious words.
- (chuckles) Oh dear
Lord, ignore the presence
in this, thy holy
house, this harlot.
Oh, tell me, misguided
little lamb that you are,
did you seek me out for
the salvation of your soul?
- I seek only one
thing from you.
Backstabbin', back shootin'
bastard that you are.
- Your road to salvation
is through death.
Did you know that,
daughter of Gomorrah?
- Well, I am so glad
that you understand.
I trust my actions here
today be justified.
- (chuckles) Oh,
you little witch.
Are you playin' with me?
- Sure, backstabber.
Let's play.
(suspenseful music)
(gun fires)
- (whimpers) Babylonian whore!
I shoulda made you feel
the edge of my holy blade
before I stuck it
through that bastard
you shared your bed with.
(gun fires)
(The Preacher cries out)
Whore.
- Ya know, that man was the
only good man I ever knew.
He was reckless,
but he loved me.
He and I, we were one
when we were together.
And you took that all away.
- How evil, a
gunfighter's harlot.
Oh, you shall be punished
for your abomination.
Your uncleanliness
is in your skirts.
You shall perish by the
sword of the Lord God--
- I presume you are familiar
with the Old Testament?
Book of Judges.
You know the story of King
Jabin and General Sisera?
They broke from God, raised
an army of 900 chariots.
They were defeated.
And the prophetess
Deborah predicted
the death of Sisera by a woman.
And so...
(The Preacher gurgles)
for this effrontery to God,
the woman Jael was sent
forth to deliver justice!
[Mattie] Come on.
Say hello to the Devil.
(ominous music)
(crickets chirping)
- Ya never know where a bullet
will land in this town.
- Hey, Padre, you
got a collection box
for the poor here?
- (sighs) Why yes,
my child, we do.
- [Mattie] I'd like to make
a donation.
Does the money stay here for
the poor, does it go to Rome?
- It stays here.
Food and clothes
for the Mescaleros,
possibly a schoolhouse.
- I'll take your word.
(money bag thuds)
Should be plenty
there for all of it.
- [The Padre] I don't
know what to say.
- Just make sure they get it.
I want this fortune
to be purified.
- Again, my child, I do
not know what to say.
- Say nothin'.
- Young lady.
- One request?
- Yes.
- I want you to say
a special prayer.
- As you wish.
I will create a very, a very
special prayer in your honor.
- Nah, not for me.
I wish it to be
for the forgotten,
for those who died for nothin',
a prayer for the damned.
(somber music)
(peaceful music)
(bell ringing)
(singing in foreign language)
Stardust glimmers
Starlight shimmer
(singing in foreign language)
Starlight shimmer
(singing in foreign language)