Place of Bones (2023) Movie Script
1
("O DEATH" PLAYING)
O death
O death
O death
Won't you spare me over
Till another year
Well what is this
That I can't see
With ice cold hands
Taking hold of me
Well I am death
Nothing can excel
I'll open the door
To heaven or hell
O death
O death
O death
Won't you spare me over
Till another year
Spare me over
Till another year
Spare me over
Till another year
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
- (BIRDS CHIRPING)
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
(HESTER SIGHING)
Hester. That's enough.
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
PANDORA: I said
that's enough, girl.
Poppa said the chores
had to be done every day
if we was to survive.
If we were to survive.
Means the same thing, Momma.
It's the way
Poppa would have said it.
You're an educated woman.
You'll speak English the way
it was meant to be spoken.
Why?
There ain't nobody... (SIGHS)
There isn't anyone around here
to listen to me
speak incorrectly, except you.
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
(SIGHS)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
We ever going to have
chickens again, Momma?
PANDORA: Hard to say.
HESTER: I'm awful hungry.
Well, patience
is a virtue, Hester.
The Lord will provide.
I'd be real grateful
if He'd provide somethin' soon.
(SIGHS)
(GUNSHOTS ECHOING)
- (INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
Go to the smokehouse,
get the big knife.
(PANTS)
(GRUNTS)
(HESTER PANTING)
Get inside the house.
(PANTS)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
- (INSECTS CHIRPING)
(SOLEMN MUSIC PLAYING)
- (OWL HOOTING)
Will they come, Momma?
It's your bedtime.
Go to sleep
and say your prayers.
But do you think they'll come?
Well, that's God's decision,
not mine.
I'll keep watch.
Yes, Momma.
Turn the lamps down tonight,
just in case.
(SIGHS) The God of my rock,
in him will I trust
for he is my shield
and my high tower.
My savior and my refuge.
Thou savest me from violence.
PANDORA: I call on the Lord,
who is worthy to be praised:
so I shall be saved
from mine enemies.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
- HESTER: Are we safe, Momma?
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
Hard to tell. (SIGHS)
I believe so. At least for now.
Then I'm gonna visit Poppa.
(CROW CAWING)
(EMOTIONAL MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
Momma...
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(SHOUTS) Momma!
PANDORA: Hester?
Hester!
He's breathing.
Let's grab him.
- Okay.
Let's bring him in.
HESTER: Okay.
(BOTH STRAINING)
(BOTH PANT, GRUNT)
(GRUNTS)
- (PANTS)
(BOTH PANT)
(MELLOW MUSIC PLAYING)
(BOTH PANT)
Hester, let's bring him
in the house.
(SIGHS) But, Momma...
PANDORA:
Go grab the brown blanket.
Just do as I say.
(HESTER PANTING)
Lay it flat.
You want to roll him over?
HESTER: (STRAINING)
Is he dead, Momma?
PANDORA: Near enough.
He's lost a lot of blood.
(CALHOUN GROANS)
PANDORA: Okay.
(BOTH GRUNT, STRAIN)
PANDORA: Let's grab it.
- (GRUNTING)
PANDORA: Grab the leg.
HESTER: Okay. All right.
(CALHOUN GROANING)
- (BOTH GRUNTING)
Those are bullet holes,
aren't they?
One in his leg,
and one in his side.
This one went through clean.
It nicked the fat.
It's this one that worries me.
It's a rifle shot,
it broke the bone.
(WOUND SQUELCHING)
I don't know
if I can stop the bleeding.
Get the big knife
and heat it up on the stove.
HESTER: Yes, Momma.
- (SIGHS)
(INHALING SHARPLY, SIGHING)
(PANDORA SIGHING)
(CALHOUN GROANS)
Sit on his chest
and hold him down.
Well, is he going to fight?
Just do as I say
and stop asking questions.
(GRUNTS)
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(PANDORA INHALING SHARPLY,
SIGHING)
Okay.
(GRUNTS)
- (BONE CRACKING)
(GROANS)
(GRUNTS)
(GROANS)
PANDORA:
(PANTING) Okay. Okay.
(GROANS)
(FLESH SIZZLES)
(GROANS, MOANS)
Will he live?
- (GROANS)
If we pray hard enough,
God may hear us and save him.
I've done all I can.
He's different.
Different than the others,
isn't he?
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
There's a man in the house, Tom.
A man. I know I promised,
but... I had no choice.
I have questions
that he needs to answer,
and our safety depends on it.
(MELLOW MUSIC PLAYING)
You see,
there's money involved...
(SCOFFS) ...and you know
what that means.
People will be looking for him.
People with greed and avarice
in their black hearts.
I will protect our homestead.
I will protect our daughter,
just as you would
if you were here...
(SNIFFS)
HESTER: (SHOUTING)
Momma! Come quick!
He's awake, Momma, he's awake!
(CALHOUN GROANING)
How are you feeling, sir?
CALHOUN: Yeah.
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
(SIGHS) Name's Calhoun, ma'am.
Austin Calhoun.
Pandora Meadows.
And this is my daughter, Hester.
I found you out in the grass.
Oh, did you now?
Well, I'm right grateful
to you, young lady.
(GROANS)
Best you lie still.
(PANTS) How bad is it, ma'am?
Your leg is shattered.
Goddamnit! Son of a...
Pardon my crooked tongue.
It's been some time
since I was around
some genteel company
like yourselves.
It was a heavy bullet,
probably from a big bore rifle.
It took away part of the bone.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
Yeah, that'd be Bob's.
Sharps, all right,
and he was always
a crack shot with it.
If he was a crack shot,
he woulda got you in the heart.
Hester...
- It's true!
It's all right, ma'am,
she's right.
You see, I... I put one
in Bob's guts before he was able
to get his shot off...
- I'd prefer if we do not discuss
such matters
in front of my daughter.
I find Mr. Calhoun's
conversation
most edifying, Mother.
(GROANING) Edifying?
Is that a good thing?
Go get some fresh water
from the cistern.
(SIGHS)
Mr. Calhoun, please don't say
nothing else edifying
until I get back.
Anything else.
She is a clever one.
PANDORA: Too clever
for her own good.
(CALHOUN GROANING)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
Oh, by God,
look at that!
Huh. I never seen nothing
like it in my life!
I had it sent from New York.
It was designed
by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
Who's... (CHUCKLES)
Well, ain't that something.
Oh.
Now that the young'un's gone,
I guess we can
get down to business.
Your saddle bags?
I reckon you took a look inside.
PANDORA: I did.
Mm. Begs the question,
you ever gonna
let me leave this bed?
I have no interest
in the money, Mr. Calhoun.
(CALHOUN CHUCKLING)
I find that a mite hard
to believe.
I'm not a liar, sir.
Well, then, go on,
give me those bags,
if you got no interest in them.
(SHOUTS) Come on now,
march 'em over here
and put 'em in my hand!
You disappoint me, Mr. Calhoun.
(GROANING) Well. (INHALES)
You ain't the first lady
that told me that.
Here. Here. Yeah.
Where is it? (SCREAMS)
Goddamnit! (GROANS)
- HESTER: Momma!
Momma, you hurt Mr. Calhoun.
He asked for his saddle bags,
so I gave them to him.
(GROANS)
Are you all right?
Your mother is just,
uh, mad at me.
She... she just don't appreciate
my choice of labor.
Aren't you a drover?
- CALHOUN: Not hardly.
Mr. Calhoun is a thief.
That's a bit harsh, ma'am.
Well, the truth often is.
(GROANS) Oh.
Do not touch my daughter.
I... it's all right, Momma.
- (CALHOUN SIGHING)
(GROANS) Don't think
too hard of me, girl.
You see, me
and my old friend Bob Kenny,
we fell on some hard times.
Real hard, desperate.
And we...
- (MELLOW MUSIC PLAYING)
Well, we decided to make
an unexpected withdrawal,
you could call it,
from the Union Bank
down Valverdi Way.
Withdrawal?
- They stole the money, Hester.
Stealing is a sin, Mr. Calhoun!
Well, the good folks in
Valverdi thought so, too,
because they shot poor Bob dead
right there in the street
and then they rode after me
like the hounds of hell
after that money.
But you got away.
I did. For a time. Yeah.
(SIGHS) Life has a way
of catching up with you
right when you think
you're in the clear.
How many men
did you kill yesterday
before you got yourself
"in the clear?"
Three.
But they gave me no choice.
You're an evil man, Mr. Calhoun.
A killer and a thief.
And may the Lord
have mercy on your soul.
(CALHOUN CHUCKLING)
Well...
I think that the good Lord
gave up on me a long time ago.
(GROANING)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
- (INSECTS CHIRPING)
We could have meat, Momma.
No.
Why? I'm so tired of mush.
As am I.
But we'd have
to share it with him.
Is that a bad thing?
Unacceptable.
Do not ask me again.
(CALHOUN GROANING)
Oh...
- Supper, Mr. Calhoun.
(GROANING) That's very kind
of you, darlin'.
(CHUCKLES) Oh, I'm hungry.
Corn mush.
Ain't that a treat.
(CHUCKLES) Awful, isn't it?
Dawh, it's awful.
Tell ya, a pig
wouldn't eat this.
(LAUGHS)
(BOTH LAUGH)
Got somethin'
on your mind, darlin'?
Those men you killed?
You had to, right?
Oh, it was me or them.
There were no other choice
far as my thinkin'.
Hester, come eat your supper.
Mr. Calhoun can feed himself.
Sure seems like the pickin's
are mighty slim around here.
Ugh. I don't really see
how you two manage
out here all on your own.
We get by.
Not with this slop, you don't.
(SCOFFS)
Well, I'll tell you what.
(GROANS)
How about I give you
20 dollars, huh?
That'd get you enough supplies
to last through winter.
No, wait, wait. Take 40.
That'll get you to spring.
In fact... (GROANS)
...I will throw in
my lucky gold coin!
We don't want your blood money.
Goddamnit, is you a woman
or a consarned mule?
PANDORA: You speak to me
like that again
and I'll throw you out
on your ear.
(GROANS) Oh, mm-mm.
You know, I like to think
of myself as a patient man,
but my nerves are worn
as thin as my hide.
Now, hah!
I don't want to hurt nobody.
- (OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
But I will fire this lead
into your brain pan
if you don't do exactly
as I tell ya.
Now you plant yourself
right there like a cactus.
Hester, go on out to the barn
and get the horse and wagon.
PANDORA: We have no horse.
HESTER: Ate it.
The wagon's been busted down
since last spring.
Broken down.
What? You tellin' me
you livin' all the way out here
without even a horse?
How far is the nearest town?
Ninety-five miles, due west.
(GROANS) Neighbors?
They all left a long time ago.
(GROANS)
PANDORA: You finished
with your supper, Mr. Calhoun?
Easy, ma'am!
You really think I'd leave
a loaded gun in your saddlebag?
What kind of fool
do you think I am?
I removed the ammunition.
(CALHOUN CHUCKLING)
Can I at least finish my mush?
PANDORA:
You lost that privilege.
(GROANS)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
- (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(ROPE CREAKING)
(CALHOUN GROANING)
(GROANING)
(MOANS)
Are you awake?
I'm sorry.
(WOOD CRACKLING)
- (PANDORA EXHALING)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
- (BIRDS CHIRPING)
(EARS RINGING)
(GROANS)
What the hell?
(SCREAMS) My leg!
(SCREAMING)
My leg! What have you done?
Stop thrashing about,
you'll pull the stitches out.
(SCREAMING) Oh! Whoa! No!
No!
Oh, you scarred it, bitch!
I'll kill ya!
You speak to me like that again
and I'll throw you out
to die in the dirt!
Better you left me out there
to get eaten by the buzzards!
You had no right.
PANDORA: I had no choice.
It had to be done.
(GROANS) The hell it did!
Gangrene was setting in.
It was either lose your leg
or you were a dead man.
Gangrene?
I didn't smell nothin'!
No, no, you did it out of spite!
For the last time,
I was trying to save your life.
(SCOFFS) Well,
you ask me next time
before you go
and make me a cripple!
PANDORA: You are
a pitiful excuse for a man.
My grandfather lost his leg
in the Battle of Monterrey,
and he lived a long
and productive life.
CALHOUN: Well, I ain't nothing
like your granddaddy!
PANDORA:
You most certainly are not.
CALHOUN:
Worst kinda thief there is!
Worse than a horse thief!
I don't think Mr. Calhoun
is very happy
about what we did.
- CALHOUN: Ya stole my damn leg!
Can you blame him?
He's lost a limb.
CALHOUN: How am I supposed to...
- But we didn't hurt him.
He's the one
that got himself shot.
CALHOUN: Look at it!
- Well, he's angry.
Like most men.
And like most men,
he'll never accept the trouble
he's gotten into
is caused entirely by himself.
- (CALHOUN SCREAMING)
Was Poppa like that?
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
At times. (CHUCKLES)
He was a stubborn man.
(CHUCKLING)
But he had principles.
I always admired him for that.
I miss him.
As do I. (SIGHS)
More than you could ever know.
(SIGHING)
CALHOUN: Oh.
I can't even look at it!
There's nothin' there to see,
ya took it!
You stole my...
you stole my leg!
(GROANING) Oh, God!
You think that I rob people,
look what you robbed me of!
My leg! You stole it!
You call me a thief?
You stole my goddamn leg!
A whole leg! It's mine!
It's my property!
- (SIGHS)
It says here that the mort...
mort... mortality rate
for leg amputations
is 46 percent.
And that's in a hospital.
What's that supposed to mean?
That if a hundred people
got their leg cut off,
46 would die.
I know what the odds are.
I ain't dumb, girl.
What's your point?
My point is,
is that my momma did a good job.
You're still alive.
(GROANS)
You call this livin'? Huh?
Look at it!
And according to the...
That book right there,
well, hell,
I already had better
than a 50-50 chance
of survivin'!
So don't go pattin'
your momma on the back
like she's some
Florence Nightingale.
Do you ever have anything nice
to say, Mr. Calhoun?
Not lately.
- (SIGH)
(GROANS)
Momma!
- Read Middlemarch.
Out on the porch,
you can sit in my rocker.
I've already read that one. I...
Read it again.
(GROANS)
- (PANDORA SIGHING)
I have a proposition for you.
CALHOUN: Yeah.
Not sure I want to hear it.
Eventually,
your leg will heal...
You mean, my stump will heal.
Since your leaving here is
beneficial to both of us,
I would like to propose
the following agreement.
I will walk to Buffalo Creek
and I will buy you
a horse and a saddle,
and a bottle of whiskey
and a change of clothes.
And then I will return
with the provisions,
and you can be on your way.
Oh, well, it sounds promising,
but a mite bit one sided.
I mean, there's a lot
in it for me,
very little in it for you,
which puzzles me.
(GROANS)
You ain't gone
and changed your mind
about my money, have you?
How many times do I have
to tell you, Mr. Calhoun,
your ill-gotten gains
do not interest me.
Then what does?
The truth.
Yeah, well, that's a card
I don't deal too often.
PANDORA: I've noticed that.
Those shots we heard,
those men you killed.
Were they friends of yours?
CALHOUN: Acquaintances.
PANDORA: Not a posse?
CALHOUN: No,
we lost them at the border.
(CHUCKLES)
They figured that money
wasn't worth dying for.
(CHUCKLING)
So the Bob Kenny story
was hogwash.
CALHOUN: Oh, no, no, no.
Bob was there.
Along with Teche Masters
and Ed Singleterry.
But, no, Bob did not
get killed in the robbery.
In fact, nobody did.
Well... (GROANS)
...except for the teller.
And then, you got greedy.
CALHOUN:
Wasn't like that at all.
No. See, we'd been
ridin' hard all day,
and we finally bunked down
in this clearing
up over the ridge there.
The four of us, well, we got
to drinkin' somethin' heavy
and uh... I'll admit it!
I started lookin'
at that saddlebag,
thinkin' about the money,
but I guarantee you,
them other three were thinkin'
the same thing I was
'cause that's right
when the shootin' started.
And when the smoke cleared,
well, three of us had been
dispatched to Peter's gate
and I was the last one
left alive. (CHUCKLES)
So you believe it's over?
CALHOUN: Ma'am?
No one looking for you?
No one looking for the money?
No one to come here,
and give us trouble?
(SIGHS)
Look, I am just guessing
at what I am about to tell you.
I can't vouch
for what's about
to come out of my mouth.
- Get on with it!
Hell...
Bob Kenny. (GRUNTS)
He was an ornery cuss,
but, uh, he's got this brother,
Bear John?
Whew, he makes Bob
look like a sugarfoot.
If he finds out
that somebody left a slug
in his brother's guts,
he's likely to want to exact
a level of revenge
that I don't quite care
to contemplate.
Oh, but, ma'am, there ain't
nothing to worry about.
There's no way
that Bear John knows
what happened to his brother,
much less that he's...
Does this Bear John
know about the robbery?
Uh... yes, ma'am.
And were you planning
to meet up with him
after the robbery?
Yeah, he and his bunch.
And how far from
the rendezvous point were you
when you decided to take matters
into your own hands?
You gotta understand
somethin' here.
How far, Mr. Calhoun?
- (MUSIC CONCLUDES)
A day's ride.
And does he know the direction
that you were coming from?
Now, I know
this doesn't look good...
It does not, Calhoun!
A fair warning would've been
much appreciated, you bastard.
Hey, now!
My mother was a very kind woman.
Now, granted,
my father I did not know.
How many men
ride with Bear John?
(SIGHS) Three.
And do any of them
know how to track?
One.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
- CALHOUN: Cherokee Jack.
He ain't Indian,
but he can find a mouse
in a wheat field.
Once he finds your track,
he lets out
this little bird whistle.
(IMITATING BIRD WHISTLE)
That's when you know
you're in trouble.
But, uh, he ain't the one
to worry about, though.
That's Minor Wilson. Ooh,
he's the one you gotta fret.
He's a real back shooter,
that one.
Ain't worth a gob of spit.
Then there's Little Pete, ugh.
Oh, Pete's just yellow.
Like the piss in snow,
a gutless coward.
But, uh, none of them
holds a candle to Bear John
when it comes to just
pure meanness and evil intent.
WILSON: Say, Bear,
how long you reckon
we gonna keep sittin' out here
waitin' on your brother?
You registering
a complaint, mister?
Nah, I was just askin'.
You're not happy
with the entertainment?
Entertainment's fine...
just think it's time
we get goin'.
Point taken.
If he don't show up by tomorrow,
we'll go lookin' for him.
(WILSON GRUNTING)
He must'a gotten held up,
huh, Bear John?
Aw, gee, you might be
on to something there, Pete.
Maybe...
he got himself killed.
Nah, Bob's too smart for that.
(CHUCKLING) Smart?
Bob's a dumbass.
You calling my brother
a dumbass?
WILSON:
He's riding with Calhoun.
Ain't that the definition
of a dumbass?
You know I'm man enough
to admit when I'm wrong.
Bob is a dumbass. (LAUGHS)
But...
he's still my brother.
If he don't show by sunrise,
we'll go lookin' for him.
WILSON:
That's good enough for me.
In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun
Don't ever shine
And I shiver
When the cold wind blows
Oh, if I minded
What my grandma did say
Then where
Would I be tonight
Come on, Pete!
You got me feelin'
a romantic kinda way!
Hey, darlin,
how about you and I
take a little walk?
You stay put, Lilith.
What'd you say?
These are ladies.
Both of these women
are under my protection.
They don't do nothing
until I tell them to.
Don't push it, mister.
Look, I don't want no trouble.
Then I suggest
you shut your mouth.
Get your ass up, girl. Come on.
She's ain't going nowhere
unless I get paid.
A dollar a roll.
(SCOFFS) A dollar.
Yes. A dollar.
These are ladies.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
I'll give you two bits,
and I'm still overpaying.
I don't think
you heard me clearly, sonny boy.
So I'm going to say it
one more time.
These are ladies, not whores!
(GASPS)
- (HORSE NEIGHS)
WILSON: I don't think
you heard me correctly.
(GRUNTING)
- (LADIES GASPING, SOBBING)
WILSON: Ladies.
I'm not that bad of a guy.
Just lookin' to dance.
Ladies!
Ladies! Come on.
BEAR JOHN: You know, I think
he's gettin' better at that.
WILSON: Ladies.
(SIGHS)
I'm not diggin' a hole for that.
Are these men really
as rough as you say,
or are you just
spinning me another tale?
Trying to get me to clear out?
Oh, no, they're killers.
Stone cold killers.
On the off chance they find us,
we oughta get some place
more safe.
And where exactly
would we go, Mr. Calhoun?
Oh, we're back
to "mister," are we?
For the time being.
Have you considered the fact
that you're in no condition
to walk anywhere?
Well, then just leave me here
and save yourself and the girl.
Maybe I can spin a tale
tall enough to keep Bear John
from cuttin' my throat.
My husband and I built
this place with our own hands.
He's buried
on that hill up there.
He'll never leave here.
Nor will I.
Well, he's the only thing
left planted around here,
'cause all the rest
done dried up and blowed away.
Is everything a joke to you?
You're not as funny
as you think you are.
We had a farm here once.
We had cattle, we had horses...
And then the land
seemed to die with him.
But it's gonna come back.
But you're a sad, pathetic man.
You've never had anything
you didn't steal!
At least I had something.
Hester, go get Poppa's bullets.
Yes, Momma.
(SOLEMN MUSIC PLAYING)
(SCOFFS)
(CALHOUN SIGHING)
Ma'am, you bein' a lady
of the cross and all,
now may be the time
to dust off the good book
and get to praying over it.
And praying awful hard, too,
I may suggest.
You are an irreverent man.
If I didn't think
you knew how to use a weapon
with some competence,
I would shoot you down
like the dog you are.
CALHOUN: Oh!
You're finally admittin'
you need me
for the coming fracas.
I've been waiting for you
to say somethin' about that.
This what you shoot
in your pistol, Mr. Calhoun?
(GROANS) It is.
I've never seen
nothin' like this before.
I've never seen
anything like this before.
(SIGHS) Yes, Momma,
but I truly haven't
seen anything like it.
Well, that right there
is called a cartridge.
If you bring me my gun,
I'll show you how it works.
Hester!
Mr. Calhoun gets no ammunition
until absolutely necessary.
Kinda pointless for me
to murder the two of you now,
ain't it, ma'am?
Like you said,
we need each other.
Nonetheless.
(SIGHING) You are a hard woman,
Pandora Meadows.
A stick of dynamite
wouldn't crack your shell.
(SCOFFS)
(SIGHS) And I know
I ain't telling you
nothin' you don't already know,
but we're gonna need rifles.
That lot right there won't do
till they're knockin'
on the door,
and we don't want 'em
that close.
Well, Daddy's Sharp
is out in the barn.
The breech block's cracked.
I'mma grab it.
- Hester.
Hmm. She kinda
reminds me of you,
only she got
some life left in her.
You know this ain't
no place for that girl.
She deserves better.
And so do you.
Do you ever stop talking?
(SIGHS) On the slim chance
that we survive this,
does that offer still stand
for you to go into town
and get me a horse
and a bottle of whiskey?
HESTER: Momma,
you're going into town?
I thought you said
we couldn't go there.
You told me that...
- Hester, that's enough.
But, Momma,
if that means that...
Hester! Show him the rifle.
(GROANS)
Can you fix it?
CALHOUN: Nope, that breech
is definitely busted.
Ah, you put a bullet in that,
it'll blow up in your face.
Hm. Ah.
This ain't good for nothin'
but, uh, a club
or maybe a paddle.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
Well, what kind of rifles
should we have?
Oh! Now that's
a good question.
Maybe one of them Winchesters
that Teche stole
down in Abilene.
It's a repeatin' rifle,
loads real quick,
but not too accurate.
That buffalo buster
Bobs though, ooh!
That'll shoot the lantern
off a firefly.
Kapow! But it's, uh,
slow to reload.
Well, you should have
grabbed them, Mr. Calhoun.
Mr. Calhoun was too busy
saving his precious saddlebags
to think sensibly, Hester.
(PANDORA SIGHING)
(INSECTS CHIRPING)
(CALHOUN SNORING SOFTLY)
(PANDORA BREATHING SOFTLY)
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
- (CALHOUN SNORING)
(INSECTS CHIRPING)
- (ANIMALS CALLING)
(WOLF HOWLING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
(COAL SIZZLING)
Bear, it's funny
who we meet along the way.
Ladies.
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
Hester?
Hester?
Hester!
Hester!
Hester!
(GROANS) Ooh!
(EMOTIONAL MUSIC PLAYING)
(HORSES SNORTING)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
She's gone.
I guess she gone
and got herself some sense!
She knows it's suicide
stickin' around here.
We oughta follow suit.
I hold you personally
responsible for her safety.
If she doesn't come back,
I'm going to slit your stomach
and watch you bleed out.
Easy, ma'am!
I didn't have nothin' to do
with her runnin' off!
Why did you
find it necessary to mention
the need for rifles
in her presence?
(GROANS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(HESTER PANTING)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
- (INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(PANTING)
(SNIFFLING)
Are you Bob?
SINGLETERRY: Help me...
- (SCREAMS)
(PANTING)
- (GRUNTS)
(SCREAMS)
(GRUNTING, PANTING)
Dear Lord, please forgive me!
(PANTS)
(GRUNTS, PANTS)
(PANTS, GRUNTS)
CALHOUN: Oh.
(MEAT SIZZLING)
- CALHOUN: Oh, my. Oh, my!
Don't it smell
just like heaven in here?
PANDORA:
It's the last of our meat.
CALHOUN: Mm! Mm!
(EXHALES)
Had I known Hester
was such a headstrong gal,
I never would've
mentioned them rifles.
I intend to share
this meat with you,
'cause we need our strength
for what is to come.
(INHALES) But I can't
listen to you talk.
If you say one more word,
I will toss your portion
in the outbuilding.
Do I make myself clear?
Oh...
(MEAT CONTINUES SIZZLING)
CALHOUN: Mm!
- PANDORA: No noises.
(DISTURBING MUSIC PLAYING)
- (HORSES SNORT)
(HESTER PANTING)
(GROANS, CONTINUES PANTING)
- (MUSIC FADES)
CALHOUN: Mm! Mm! (MUNCHES)
(MUFFLED) Oh, ma'am.
(SIGHS, MUNCHES)
This is the best
cut of meat I ever ate.
Uh. It is finely salted,
fried right through. (MUNCHES)
Oh, makes me feel
like a man again.
(CHUCKLES)
(SIGHS, MUNCHES)
- (SNUFFLES)
And you know, uh... (MUNCHES)
- (CONTINUES MUNCHING)
(SMACKS LIPS) ...we ain't
really seen eye to eye
on much of nothin'...
(KNIFE SCRAPING)
- ...but, uh,
if we gonna
survive this together,
well...
- (CUTLERY CLINKING)
(MUNCHES) ...well,
we goin' have to get close.
(MUFFLED) Or you can just, uh,
kill Bear John and his boys
with that there look
you're giving me.
(CONTINUES MUNCHES)
What's that for?
Well... (SMACKS LIPS)
...well thank you!
Mm! (MUNCHES)
- PANDORA: Hester.
My foolish, foolish girl...
(DISTURBING MUSIC CONTINUES)
- (HESTER GROANS, PANTS)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC BUILDS)
- (PANTS, GROANS)
(GRUNTS, GROANS)
(PANTS)
(GROANS, GRUNTS)
(PANTS)
(GUN THUDS)
(CONTINUES PANTING)
I'm sorry, Momma.
I'm sorry.
(GROANS, BREATHES HEAVILY)
(SNORTS)
(HORSES SNORT)
BEAR JOHN: Oh, hold on.
Hold on. Hold on.
(SNORTS)
Pete.
(HORSE GRUNTS)
- (MUSIC FADES)
(FLIES BUZZING)
- (HORSE CONTINUES GRUNTING)
(LEAVES RUSTLING)
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
(INHALES, SIGHS) Damn it, Bob.
(EXHALES)
(CLICKS TONGUE)
This ain't right.
It wasn't supposed
to go like this.
(INHALES DEEPLY, EXHALES)
(ROCK THUDS)
You are a dumbass.
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
BEAR JOHN: Any sign of Calhoun?
Naw, he ain't here.
That low life son of a bitch.
What about the money?
WILSON: No.
Rifles and horses gone too.
Damnit.
(EXHALES)
Hey!
Looks like
someone took a bullet.
Crawled out on their belly.
Had to be Calhoun.
Let's hope the son of a bitch
took a gut shot.
CHEROKEE JACK:
I don't think so.
No food, no guts in the blood.
Leg or arm.
Leg probably,
since he's crawling.
Why would he take the rifles
if he was hurt that bad?
That don't make sense.
You'd have enough trouble
draggin' the money off.
You think
someone else did this, Jack?
Maybe got 'em
when they were sleepin'?
Signs say all the shots
took place in this spot.
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
- He shot Teche first.
Took his time,
'cause everyone was asleep.
Nice, steady aim,
then he blows his brains out.
Next up is Singleterry.
Didn't have the luxury
of a careful aim this time.
Shot 'im as he was
throwin' off his blanket.
Then he went for Bob.
(SCOFFS)
CHEROKEE JACK: Now, Bob's up
and ready with his Sharps.
They both shoot,
Calhoun survives, Bob doesn't.
Yeah, well, he sure
as he'll ain't gonna survive
when I get to him.
CHEROKEE JACK:
The part I don't understand
is why Singleterry
ain't been dead near
as long as these two.
What are you talking about?
You know, Bob and Teche here
died days ago.
Ed kicked off
earlier this mornin'.
Someone beat his head in
with a rock.
So, what are we dealing with?
Yeah, that's what
I'd like to know.
(LITTLE PETE GRUNTS)
- BEAR JOHN: What the fuck!
Hey! Get your hands
off them boots!
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
- (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(PANTS)
(WHIMPERS)
Damn!
(GROANS)
You wanna set off
a stick of dynamite, huh?
Let 'em know we're coming?
(INTENSE MUSIC BUILDS)
You find me the bastard, Jack...
and my cut of the money's yours.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC BUILDS)
- (BREATHES SHARPLY)
(PANTS)
- (AXE THUDS)
(HESTER PANTS, GROANS)
(PANTS)
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(PANDORA CONTINUES PANTING)
(HAY RUSTLES)
- (PANDORA PANTS)
Eh. Well, that's either
for me or the hay.
(INHALES)
She ain't got no horses.
(BREATHES SHARPLY)
(GRUNTS, NEIGHS)
(HOOVES CLOPPING)
You ain't gonna
stick me with that, is ya'?
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
(CALHOUN GROANS)
(SIGHS, GROANS)
Ma'am, I know
that I'm risking your wrath
by rehashing this query,
but what in God's name
are you doin',
livin' all the way out here?
That girl,
she oughta be in school,
gettin' her learnin' in!
Meetin' people. Hmm?
People like you?
Naw, they ain't all like me.
I'm a rare breed.
I disagree, Mr. Calhoun.
The world is a foul place.
My husband and I
built this ranch
to escape the outside world.
And I have no intention
of ever leaving it.
And?
You're gonna need this
if you wanna get
any killing done.
(THUDS)
- (PANDORA EXHALES)
Huh!
Would you look at that!
A crutch! (LAUGHS) I'll be...
You know,
this is the nicest thing
on this ranch,
'cause, uh, the rest of it
ain't worth a gob of spit.
Mr. Calhoun, a man of your ilk
came here once,
hired by my father
to bring me back home.
My father didn't approve
of this ranch...
- (EMOTIONAL MUSIC PLAYING)
...or my husband.
And he felt
he had the right to own me
until the day I died.
My husband intervened,
God rest his soul,
and then this man,
with his... (INHALES)
...his rough talk
and his shiny guns,
he shot my husband down,
in front of my daughter and me.
Eh...
I hope he met the devil
at the end of a rope.
PANDORA: There was no need.
I cut his throat
from ear to ear,
and I watched him die. (INHALES)
So, there will be
no more talk of this,
ever again.
(CALHOUN SIGHS)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(HORSE GRUNTS, SNORTS)
WILSON: What's he doin'?
BEAR JOHN:
What the hell you doing?
The trail's over here.
Hell, Bill Hickok
could follow this track!
LITTLE PETE: What's Wild Bill
got to do with this?
WILSON: He's blind.
LITTLE PETE:
Bill's going blind?
(WHISTLES)
(PANTS, GASPS)
(WHISTLING CONTINUES)
(EXHALES SHAKILY)
(PANTS)
(HORSE GRUNTS)
BEAR JOHN: What is it?
- (MUSIC FADES)
CHEROKEE JACK:
Take a look at these.
Got a second trail.
Someone on foot,
carryin' rifles.
On foot...
Think I know
where them rifles came from.
How fresh them tracks?
Can't be more than
a few hundred yards away.
All right, you go on.
We'll catch up.
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
(HESTER PANTS)
(GROANS)
- (DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)
(CALHOUN GROANING)
(BREATHING SHARPLY, GROANING)
(GRUNTS, GROANS)
(EXHALES)
- PANDORA: I'm holding on
to the ammo.
(CALHOUN SCOFFS)
- PANDORA: For now.
(IMITATES GUNSHOT, CHUCKLES)
(REVOLVER CLICKING)
Will you stop
playing with that gun?
Well, I wanna be prepared.
These are hard men.
So, you've said.
You take some kind
of perverse pleasure
in constantly reminding me
of their prowess?
I don't even know
what that means.
But I do know
that they will kill us dead
in the dirt.
Well, then we'd better
kill them first!
(INTRIGUING MUSIC PLAYING)
(WINDOW CLOSES)
(PANTS) Close the shutters.
(DOOR CLOSES)
- CALHOUN: Yes, ma'am.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)
(PANTS, GROANS)
(PANTS) Okay. Come on.
(GROANS)
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(PANTS)
(EXCLAIMS, PANTS)
(GROANS, PANTS)
(CHEROKEE JACK GROANS)
- (GROANS, PANTS)
(EXCLAIMS, WHIMPERS)
- (MUSIC ABATES)
(GRUNTS)
- (CHEROKEE JACK GRUNTS)
(HESTER GROANING)
- (CHEROKEE JACK GRUNTS)
(HESTER GROANING)
(EXCLAIMS)
- (CHEROKEE JACK GRUNTS)
(HISSES, EXCLAIMS)
- (SINISTER MUSIC BUILDS)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(CHEROKEE JACK PANTING)
- (CONTINUES BREATHING HEAVILY)
(EXCLAIMS, GROANS)
- (LAUGHS)
I think I heard something
out by the barn.
Finally.
(HESTER PANTING)
- (LAUGHS)
(HESTER WHIMPERS, GRUNTS)
(GROANS)
- (CHEROKEE LAUGHS)
(HESTER GROANING, PANTING)
CHEROKEE JACK: No, no, no.
(SCREAMS)
(CHEROKEE JACK GRUNTS)
- (GRUNTS, GROANS)
(MUFFLED SCREAM)
(GROANS, MUFFLED)
- (CHEROKEE JACK PANTS)
(HESTER BREATHING SHARPLY)
- Anyone inside that house?
(HESTER BREATHES SHARPLY)
- (CHEROKEE JACK PANTS)
Are you sure?
I'd hate to get my head shot off
by a sodbuster.
(HESTER SCREAMS, MUFFLED)
CHEROKEE JACK: If you scream,
I'll cut you bad. (SIGHS)
- (HESTER BREATHING SHARPLY)
CHEROKEE JACK: You understand?
(BREATHES SHARPLY)
(PANTS)
Is there a man in that house?
Call himself Calhoun?
(PANTS)
Now, what'd you go runnin'
after them rifles for, huh?
(PANTS, CHUCKLES)
- (KNIFE SWISHES)
CHEROKEE JACK: (PANTS)
Why don't I start
by prying out one of them
pretty front teeth--
(KNIFE THUMPS)
- (GROANS)
(EXCLAIMS)
- (GASPS, PANTS)
(CHEROKEE JACK GROANS)
(WHIMPERS)
- (GUN COCKS)
(GRUNTS, GROANS)
(EXCLAIMS)
- (GUNSHOTS FIRE)
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
- (HESTER
AND CHEROKEE JACK EXCLAIM)
(MUSIC FADES)
(GUNSHOT ECHOES)
Well, that didn't take long.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
(CHEROKEE JACK GROANS)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
- (CONTINUES GROANING)
You bitch! (GROANS)
(EXCLAIMS, BREATHES HEAVILY)
(CONTINUES GROANING)
(PANTING)
PANDORA: Hester!
(TENSE MUSIC BUILDS)
- CALHOUN: Ma'am! Ma'am!
Don't go out there! Don't!
- Hester!
CALHOUN: Ma'am! Don't--
Get back in here!
They're tryin' to draw you out!
(GRUMBLES)
- (PANTS)
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
- (GROANS)
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
(GRUNTS)
- CALHOUN: I see ya, Jack,
ya mangey coyote!
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
- (CHEROKEE JACK GROANS)
(PANDORA GRUNTS, PANTS)
- CALHOUN: Get back in here!
(CHEROKEE JACK GROANS)
CALHOUN: Come on now.
It's time.
(PANDORA PANTS)
- (RAPID GUNSHOTS)
(PANTS)
- (GUNSHOTS FIRE)
(MUSIC FADES)
(GUNSHOTS ECHOING)
Well, that doesn't sound good.
Pete! Go take a look!
Why me?
- Because he told you to.
Yeah, 'cause I told you to.
Worthless shit.
- (MUSIC CONTINUES)
(GUNSHOTS ECHOING)
CALHOUN: What the hell
was you thinking?
Could've got yourself killed!
Hester's in the barn.
Hester! Hester!
- (MUSIC ABATES)
PANDORA: Can you hear me?
(PANTING)
Girl's dead, bitch!
(EXHALES) You're lyin'!
Boy, she was
a pretty, little thing!
Till I splattered her blood
all over this here barn!
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
CALHOUN:
Watch your mouth, Jack!
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
CALHOUN:
She's a good, Christian lady!
(SOBS)
CHEROKEE JACK:
Figured it was you, Calhoun!
Boy, you never could shoot
worth a shit, huh?
Even with that
fancy pistol of yours!
CALHOUN: I see you with some
blood on your shirt, huh?
You let a little girl
touch you up like that?
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
- (SOBS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)
Now, I know that even you
ain't low enough
to kill a young lady!
CHEROKEE JACK: Not only
did I kill her, Calhoun...
I'm gonna kill you...
and that bitch.
(IN HUSHED VOICE) Jack! Hey!
CHEROKEE JACK: And anyone else
in that house!
(BREATHES SHARPLY)
Stop it! Just stop it!
- (EXHALES)
(GUN COCKS)
Hey, Jack!
- (CHEROKEE JACK GROANING)
Up here!
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
(WHIMPERS)
- CALHOUN: Goddamn, woman!
Warn me next time
you fire that thing off.
I almost soiled my britches!
Man on the ridge.
- CALHOUN: What?
(LITTLE PETE WHIMPERS)
(GROANS) You hit him?
PANDORA: I saw his hat fly.
CALHOUN:
Well, was it on his head?
It was in his hand.
Then what good
is that gonna do us?
I knew we needed them rifles.
Mister...
- (COCKS GUN)
...my daughter
is laying dead in that barn...
because you needed your rifles.
Now, I haven't
much left to live for...
so I suggest
that you concentrate
on killing these men
that you brought down on us...
and keeping your mouth shut,
otherwise
I'm gonna shoot you myself.
(EXHALES)
(LITTLE PETE PANTS)
What'd you find?
Jack's down there.
Looks like he's been hit.
How bad?
Lots of blood on his shirt.
I tried to get his attention
when somebody took a shot
at me from the house.
Who was that? Calhoun?
- LITTLE PETE: (PANTS)
I... I can't tell.
The place is boarded up
like a fort.
Shutters on all the windows,
gun slots in all of them.
All right, go get the rifles
from the horses.
And bring as much ammo
as you can carry!
(LITTLE PETE GROANS, PANTS)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
Two men on the ridge.
Eh, I see 'em.
That's Bear John
and Minor Wilson, all right.
I can smell 'em.
BEAR JOHN: (INHALES)
Man, this ain't good.
Shooting our way in
ain't gonna work.
Well, we should set fire to it.
Hell, I'd love to see
Calhoun burn.
Yeah, me too, if he's in there.
That you in that house
there, Calhoun?
I don't know
if I should answer 'em, ma'am.
Might not be good for ya
if he knows I'm here.
I'm sure your friend
out there by the barn
will tell him sooner than later.
I suspect you're right.
(SIGHS, INHALES) Yeah, it's me!
BEAR JOHN: There's no need
for nobody to get hurt!
You just toss the money out,
and we'll be on our way.
CALHOUN: (LAUGHING)
You expect us to believe that?
"Us?"
What's he talkin' 'bout "us?"
(SHOUTS) Us?
You got someone in there
with you, Calhoun?
CALHOUN: A woman!
With a big,
old Walker Colt on her!
BEAR JOHN:
Well, don't that just figure...
you hiding in there
behind a woman's skirts!
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Ma'am?
You just come on out of there.
You got no stake in this.
We won't hurt you.
(LAUGHS FORCEFULLY)
CHEROKEE JACK: Don't think
she's gonna buy that one,
Bear John.
I killed her daughter...
dead here in the barn.
(GROANS)
Well, that just complicated
the fuck out of things.
Ma'am...
under the circumstances,
I don't suppose
there's any offer
we might suggest
to put an end
to these hostilities?
You promise
there'll be no more killin'?
You promise to ride out of here
with no more violence
if I throw the money
out the door?
(IN HUSHED VOICE)
No, no, no, no.
You got it, ma'am!
My word of honor!
You give us the money,
and we'll be on our way.
Don't you trust them!
I don't, not for a minute.
CALHOUN:
Don't give them my money!
This isn't your money.
Well, it ain't theirs, neither!
Hey, I killed men
for that money!
It's mine!
You may have to kill a few more.
What is this?
Oh, shit!
Where the hell is Pete
and his rifles?
We don't do nothing
till we see the money.
(DOOR OPENS)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
That's too easy.
Yeah.
CALHOUN: Can't thank you
enough, ma'am. (EXHALES)
See, that right there,
that's my retirement money.
Takin' that to California,
open myself a saloon,
maybe settle down
with a little seorita, huh?
You'll spend it on cheap whores
and cheaper whiskey
before you get out
of the territory.
Yeah, I suppose
you're right about that,
but a man can dream.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY, INHALES)
BEAR JOHN: Hey, Jack!
Go get them saddlebags!
(INHALES)
CHEROKEE JACK: Are you crazy?
I ain't goin' out there.
(SMACKS LIPS) Son of a bitch.
(GRUNTS, EXHALES)
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
Goddamn it, Bear John,
I killed the woman's kid!
She ain't just gonna
let me walk out there
and grab them saddlebags!
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
Okay! Okay! (SIGHS)
I'm going!
(CHEROKEE JACK GROANING)
(GRUNTS)
(GROANS, PANTS)
Now let's not do
nothing rash, ma'am!
(GRUNTS)
I'm hurt real bad. (GROANS)
(PANTS)
No need to shoot me.
I'll probably end up...
bleedin' out on the trail.
Alone. (PANTS, GROANS) In pain.
(EXHALES)
You'd just be wasting
your precious ammunition.
(GROANS)
(GUN COCKS)
- (CHEROKEE JACK PANTING)
Just take the money and go.
Yes, ma'am. (PANTS)
(GROANS, PANTS)
BEAR JOHN: Make sure
the money's in there!
(PANTS)
No money!
Just some book
and a goddamn creepy doll!
Take your gun out of the holster
and throw it on the ground
away from you!
(EXHALES)
(DOLL THUDS)
- (PANTS)
Do as she says,
or I'll cut you down!
(GROANS)
(PANTS)
And the Derringer in your boot!
You want my
goddamned undies too, Calhoun?
Ma'am, I feel betrayed!
We had an agreement.
- PANDORA: We do!
You and your men come down here
and turn over your weapons,
and I'll give you the money,
just as I promised.
This bitch is smart.
You know, that ain't fair,
you changin'
the rules on us like that!
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
- (GROANS)
(EXCLAIMING)
- (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
Hester! (GASPS)
I'm fine, Momma!
(CHEROKEE JACK GROANING)
(GUN COCKS)
- (CHEROKEE JACK GROANING)
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
- (GROANS, CHOKES)
(GAGS, COUGHS)
(CHOKES)
All right, I guess
that's the negotiations over.
(GRUNTS)
(RAPID GUNSHOTS)
- (INTRIGUING MUSIC PLAYING)
(GUNSHOTS CONTINUE)
(GASPS, BREATHES HEAVILY)
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
(PANDORA CONTINUES SHOOTING)
Ma'am, don't waste your ammo.
You ain't gonna
hit 'em from here!
Hey, Pete!
We need those Henrys
and more ammo. Now!
(PANTS) I'm comin',
hold on a minute!
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
- (PANTS)
BEAR JOHN: Gimme a rifle!
(SHOOTING CONTINUES)
- Uh, Bear, I got some bad news.
(HESITATES)
The horses, they're gone.
You had one job, Pete!
Well, I... I tied 'em up
like ya told me!
- (GUNSHOTS FIRE)
(GAGS, GROANS)
I think I got one.
(LAUGHS, SUPPRESSED)
Sure you did!
(LAUGHS FORCEFULLY) Yeah.
- (GUN COCKS)
(INHALES)
Bear!
(CHOKING, COUGHING)
Help me! Please.
Sure thing, Pete.
- (GUN COCKS)
(PANTS, GROANS)
We're gonna need a better plan.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
(BREATHES SHARPLY)
CALHOUN: (SMACKS LIPS)
Well... (SIGHS)
...lookin' like we got ourselves
a temporary standoff.
For how long?
Guessin'
sometime after dark. (EXHALES)
Be hard to see 'em
once the sun goes down.
I figure...
(GROANS) ...that'll be when
they'll come down off the ridge
and try something. (GROANS)
(CHUCKLES, INHALES)
Now, let's have a look
at that money! (LAUGHS)
(INHALING, SIGHING)
(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING)
(INSECTS CHIRPING)
CALHOUN: Steady, ma'am. Ma'am!
I have to get Hester
out of the barn.
CALHOUN: (GRUNTS) Well,
what you're gonna do
is get your fool self killed!
Not if you shoot them
before they shoot me.
(CHUCKLES) You are puttin'
an awful lot of faith in my aim.
You better not let me down.
- (EERIE MUSIC PLAYING)
(SIGHS)
(GUN COCKS)
That's pretty good coverage
down there.
I figure we can get pretty close
before we even get spotted.
You head down toward the barn.
And I'll see if I can get around
by the other side there.
All right.
PANDORA: (IN HUSHED VOICE)
Hester.
(HESTER GROANING)
It's me, Momma.
(IN HUSHED VOICE)
It's I. (CHUCKLING SOFTLY)
"It's I"
is the proper grammar, Momma.
(PANDORA GASPING)
- (HESTER SHRIEKING)
PANDORA:
Do you have the rifles?
HESTER: Uh, yeah.
They're right here.
PANDORA: I'm so proud of you.
(HESTER PANTING)
- We're gonna run for the house.
Are you ready?
- HESTER: Yeah. Yeah.
(BREATHES SHARPLY)
- PANDORA: (IN HUSHED VOICE)
Go. Go, go. Run.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
BEAR JOHN: Ladies.
(DOOR CLOSES)
(DOOR THUDS)
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
- (GUNSHOTS FIRE)
(GUNSHOTS CONTINUE)
(WHIMPERS, EXCLAIMS)
CALHOUN:
You dropped the rifles!
Close the door, now.
She can take care of herself!
(PANDORA PANTS)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
- (MUSIC ABATES)
BEAR JOHN: Go for the house.
Well, that was a stupid move.
You've gone,
and got yourself trapped.
(EXHALES, GROANS)
- (SHUSHES) Go on.
CALHOUN:
Get over here behind me.
(BREATHES SHARPLY)
- CALHOUN: All right?
(PANTS)
- (DOOR KNOCKS)
(DOOR CREAKS)
(GRUNTS, GROANS)
(EXCLAIMS)
(SIGHS)
(CALHOUN SHUSHES)
(CALHOUN GRUNTS, YELLS)
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
- (CALHOUN GRUNTS, PANTS)
(EXCLAIMS, GROANS)
(REVOLVER CLICKING)
(GRUMBLES) Don't, please!
No!
- (GUNSHOTS FIRE)
(GROANS, CHOKES)
HESTER: (GASPS, SOBS)
Momma! No!
(SOBS) Please
don't hurt us, mister!
Please! (SOBS HEAVILY)
Oh, it's gone way past hurtin'.
(CONTINUES SOBBING)
(INHALES) Way past.
Where's the money?
BEAR JOHN: You know,
this could've been real simple
if you two had just stuck
to our agreement.
(SINISTER MUSIC PLAYING)
See, now I'm gonna be forced
to do things that are...
better not discussed.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
(SOBS)
Come on.
- (CONTINUES SOBBING)
Come take a seat.
(SHUDDERS)
Sit down!
(SOBS)
(SHUDDERS)
Oh, yeah,
you're a lovely little thing.
(CONTINUES SOBBING)
Bit washed out, but...
nothing a little color
in your cheeks wouldn't fix.
(GROANS, PANTS)
That's better.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
A bit of work,
and we'd have you gussied up
better than a two-dollar whore.
(INHALES)
- (SHUDDERS)
(SMACKS LIPS) Now...
(CONTINUES SHUDDERING)
- (INHALES)
...have you ever been
with a man?
(SNIFFLES, INHALES SHAKILY)
Just my daddy.
Your daddy?
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY) Hmm. (INHALES)
I'm asking
if you've ever been fucked?
(IN SHAKY VOICE)
I don't know what that means!
(SMACKS LIPS) Oh, don't worry.
(SHUDDERS)
- You will.
(GRUNTS)
- Whoa! Whoa!
That's a mean little sticker.
- (GROANS, GRUNTS)
Just take that off you there.
(SOBS)
- Oh, it's...
what you got
ol' Cherokee Jack with, huh?
(KNIFE THUDDING)
- (CONTINUES SOBBING)
PANDORA: Hey, mister!
(FIRE CRACKLING)
- (SINISTER MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SOBS, BREATHES SHAKILY)
Well...
you are a hard woman.
Ain't many could take a kick
like I gave you and keep still.
It was two kicks.
BEAR JOHN: So it was.
- Hester, get over here!
(SHUDDERS, BREATHES SHARPLY)
Now, don't you do
anything rash, ma'am.
Let's just talk things over
before things go bad, shall we?
Ah, nah, nah, nah,
there's no need to do that!
There's plenty of money
to go around for all of us.
That's what
Mr. Calhoun said to me.
I didn't take him up
on his offer,
and I say the same to you.
All right.
Well, give it all to me, then.
I'll just ride out of here,
and you'll never see me again.
(CASH RUSTLING)
- (PANTS)
Ma'am... (EXHALES)
...I believe that from here,
I could draw my pistol,
and I could shoot you
before them greenbacks
hit the flames.
You're welcome to try.
You know, I'll kill ya.
If that money burns,
I'll kill ya.
You and the child.
I'm not a child,
you son of a bitch!
How long you think this little
standoff's gonna last? Hmm?
Hell, I can just wait
until that fire burns out.
I'm in no hurry.
(BREATHES SHARPLY)
Damn it, woman...
just give me the money,
and I'll leave you in peace.
I swear to God.
A man of your character?
After what I've seen today,
I don't think so!
You calling me a liar?
- PANDORA: I am!
You're coarser,
but you are so much
like my father.
You're so much like him.
Ah, shit,
I ain't got time for this.
(GROANS)
(RAKE SWISHES)
(GROANS)
- (GASPS)
(BREATHING SHARPLY, GROANS)
- (PANTS)
(GROANS)
- (BREATHES SHARPLY)
Thank you for saving us.
(GAGS, IN HUSHED VOICE)
It's my pleasure, ma'am.
(GROANS, BREATHES HEAVILY)
You have to do me a favor.
(CHOKES, GROANS)
Anything.
- (CALHOUN SIGHS)
(BREATHES SHARPLY)
One-legged man
ain't no good for Hades.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
You gotta put me
in the grave "whole."
You gotta bury me with my leg.
But I'm afraid I can't do that.
(CHOKES)
Why? (BREATHES HEAVILY)
We ate it this morning.
You ate most of it.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
PANDORA: I wanna thank you
for helping us through this
and bringing us more meat
than we've ever had before.
(CHOKES)
You and these men
will surely see us
through the winter,
and into the spring.
Thank you, Mr. Calhoun.
- (SIGHS DEEPLY)
PANDORA: Thank you.
- (IN SHAKY VOICE) You...
(CALHOUN GROANS)
...you, you...
(KNIFE SWISHES)
- (EXCLAIMS)
(CHOKES)
(HESTER GRUNTS)
- (GURGLES BLOOD)
(EXHALES SHARPLY, CHOKES)
(BLOOD DRIPPING)
(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
(IN HUSHED VOICE)
Thank you, God.
(DOOR CREAKS)
- (BIRDS CHIRPING)
(DISTANT CHOPPING)
HESTER: Can we go back
into town sometime soon, Momma?
We've had
this discussion, Hester.
I know you think
there are bad people there,
but not everybody's bad.
Not Mr. Clausen
at the general store.
He was a nice man!
He used to give me those
red-and-white peppermint sticks.
We're not going to town.
You'll understand
when you're older.
I'm old enough.
We won't have
this discussion again.
(GRUNTS)
Now, put Mr. Calhoun's head
away from the rest.
(GRUNTS)
- He deserves our respect.
(MELLOW MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC FADES)
(SINGS) Shall we gather
At the river?
Where bright angel feet
Have trod
With its crystal tide
Forever
Flowing by the throne of God
Yes, we'll gather
At the river
The beautiful
Beautiful river
We'll gather with the saints
At the river
That flows
By the throne of God
("IN THE PINES" PLAYING)
In the pines
In the pines
Where the sun never shines
And I shiver
When the cold winds blow
Little girl
Little girl
What have I done
That makes you...
(HESTER GRUNTS)
- (PANDORA GRUNTS)
(BONE CRACKING)
...treat me so
(SCREAMS)
- In the pines
In the pines
Where the sun never shines
And I shiver
When the cold wind blows
If I minded
What my grandma did say
Then where
Would I be tonight
In the pines
- (GUNSHOTS FIRE)
In the pines
- (CALHOUN GROANS)
(KNIFE SWISHES)
Where the sun
Never shines
And I shiver
When the cold wind blows
Help!
In the pines
In the pines
Where the sun...
(GROANS)
...don't ever shine
And I shiver
When the cold wind blows
In the pines
In the pines
In the pines
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
(SONG CONCLUDES)
(DRUM BEATS)
(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)
(SINISTER MUSIC BUILDS)
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(MUSIC ABATES)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC BUILDS)
(MUSIC BUILDS)
(MUSIC FADES)
("O DEATH" PLAYING)
O death
O death
O death
Won't you spare me over
Till another year
Well what is this
That I can't see
With ice cold hands
Taking hold of me
Well I am death
Nothing can excel
I'll open the door
To heaven or hell
O death
O death
O death
Won't you spare me over
Till another year
Spare me over
Till another year
Spare me over
Till another year
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
- (BIRDS CHIRPING)
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
(HESTER SIGHING)
Hester. That's enough.
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
PANDORA: I said
that's enough, girl.
Poppa said the chores
had to be done every day
if we was to survive.
If we were to survive.
Means the same thing, Momma.
It's the way
Poppa would have said it.
You're an educated woman.
You'll speak English the way
it was meant to be spoken.
Why?
There ain't nobody... (SIGHS)
There isn't anyone around here
to listen to me
speak incorrectly, except you.
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
(SIGHS)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
We ever going to have
chickens again, Momma?
PANDORA: Hard to say.
HESTER: I'm awful hungry.
Well, patience
is a virtue, Hester.
The Lord will provide.
I'd be real grateful
if He'd provide somethin' soon.
(SIGHS)
(GUNSHOTS ECHOING)
- (INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
Go to the smokehouse,
get the big knife.
(PANTS)
(GRUNTS)
(HESTER PANTING)
Get inside the house.
(PANTS)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
- (INSECTS CHIRPING)
(SOLEMN MUSIC PLAYING)
- (OWL HOOTING)
Will they come, Momma?
It's your bedtime.
Go to sleep
and say your prayers.
But do you think they'll come?
Well, that's God's decision,
not mine.
I'll keep watch.
Yes, Momma.
Turn the lamps down tonight,
just in case.
(SIGHS) The God of my rock,
in him will I trust
for he is my shield
and my high tower.
My savior and my refuge.
Thou savest me from violence.
PANDORA: I call on the Lord,
who is worthy to be praised:
so I shall be saved
from mine enemies.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
- HESTER: Are we safe, Momma?
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
Hard to tell. (SIGHS)
I believe so. At least for now.
Then I'm gonna visit Poppa.
(CROW CAWING)
(EMOTIONAL MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
Momma...
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(SHOUTS) Momma!
PANDORA: Hester?
Hester!
He's breathing.
Let's grab him.
- Okay.
Let's bring him in.
HESTER: Okay.
(BOTH STRAINING)
(BOTH PANT, GRUNT)
(GRUNTS)
- (PANTS)
(BOTH PANT)
(MELLOW MUSIC PLAYING)
(BOTH PANT)
Hester, let's bring him
in the house.
(SIGHS) But, Momma...
PANDORA:
Go grab the brown blanket.
Just do as I say.
(HESTER PANTING)
Lay it flat.
You want to roll him over?
HESTER: (STRAINING)
Is he dead, Momma?
PANDORA: Near enough.
He's lost a lot of blood.
(CALHOUN GROANS)
PANDORA: Okay.
(BOTH GRUNT, STRAIN)
PANDORA: Let's grab it.
- (GRUNTING)
PANDORA: Grab the leg.
HESTER: Okay. All right.
(CALHOUN GROANING)
- (BOTH GRUNTING)
Those are bullet holes,
aren't they?
One in his leg,
and one in his side.
This one went through clean.
It nicked the fat.
It's this one that worries me.
It's a rifle shot,
it broke the bone.
(WOUND SQUELCHING)
I don't know
if I can stop the bleeding.
Get the big knife
and heat it up on the stove.
HESTER: Yes, Momma.
- (SIGHS)
(INHALING SHARPLY, SIGHING)
(PANDORA SIGHING)
(CALHOUN GROANS)
Sit on his chest
and hold him down.
Well, is he going to fight?
Just do as I say
and stop asking questions.
(GRUNTS)
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(PANDORA INHALING SHARPLY,
SIGHING)
Okay.
(GRUNTS)
- (BONE CRACKING)
(GROANS)
(GRUNTS)
(GROANS)
PANDORA:
(PANTING) Okay. Okay.
(GROANS)
(FLESH SIZZLES)
(GROANS, MOANS)
Will he live?
- (GROANS)
If we pray hard enough,
God may hear us and save him.
I've done all I can.
He's different.
Different than the others,
isn't he?
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
There's a man in the house, Tom.
A man. I know I promised,
but... I had no choice.
I have questions
that he needs to answer,
and our safety depends on it.
(MELLOW MUSIC PLAYING)
You see,
there's money involved...
(SCOFFS) ...and you know
what that means.
People will be looking for him.
People with greed and avarice
in their black hearts.
I will protect our homestead.
I will protect our daughter,
just as you would
if you were here...
(SNIFFS)
HESTER: (SHOUTING)
Momma! Come quick!
He's awake, Momma, he's awake!
(CALHOUN GROANING)
How are you feeling, sir?
CALHOUN: Yeah.
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
(SIGHS) Name's Calhoun, ma'am.
Austin Calhoun.
Pandora Meadows.
And this is my daughter, Hester.
I found you out in the grass.
Oh, did you now?
Well, I'm right grateful
to you, young lady.
(GROANS)
Best you lie still.
(PANTS) How bad is it, ma'am?
Your leg is shattered.
Goddamnit! Son of a...
Pardon my crooked tongue.
It's been some time
since I was around
some genteel company
like yourselves.
It was a heavy bullet,
probably from a big bore rifle.
It took away part of the bone.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
Yeah, that'd be Bob's.
Sharps, all right,
and he was always
a crack shot with it.
If he was a crack shot,
he woulda got you in the heart.
Hester...
- It's true!
It's all right, ma'am,
she's right.
You see, I... I put one
in Bob's guts before he was able
to get his shot off...
- I'd prefer if we do not discuss
such matters
in front of my daughter.
I find Mr. Calhoun's
conversation
most edifying, Mother.
(GROANING) Edifying?
Is that a good thing?
Go get some fresh water
from the cistern.
(SIGHS)
Mr. Calhoun, please don't say
nothing else edifying
until I get back.
Anything else.
She is a clever one.
PANDORA: Too clever
for her own good.
(CALHOUN GROANING)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
Oh, by God,
look at that!
Huh. I never seen nothing
like it in my life!
I had it sent from New York.
It was designed
by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
Who's... (CHUCKLES)
Well, ain't that something.
Oh.
Now that the young'un's gone,
I guess we can
get down to business.
Your saddle bags?
I reckon you took a look inside.
PANDORA: I did.
Mm. Begs the question,
you ever gonna
let me leave this bed?
I have no interest
in the money, Mr. Calhoun.
(CALHOUN CHUCKLING)
I find that a mite hard
to believe.
I'm not a liar, sir.
Well, then, go on,
give me those bags,
if you got no interest in them.
(SHOUTS) Come on now,
march 'em over here
and put 'em in my hand!
You disappoint me, Mr. Calhoun.
(GROANING) Well. (INHALES)
You ain't the first lady
that told me that.
Here. Here. Yeah.
Where is it? (SCREAMS)
Goddamnit! (GROANS)
- HESTER: Momma!
Momma, you hurt Mr. Calhoun.
He asked for his saddle bags,
so I gave them to him.
(GROANS)
Are you all right?
Your mother is just,
uh, mad at me.
She... she just don't appreciate
my choice of labor.
Aren't you a drover?
- CALHOUN: Not hardly.
Mr. Calhoun is a thief.
That's a bit harsh, ma'am.
Well, the truth often is.
(GROANS) Oh.
Do not touch my daughter.
I... it's all right, Momma.
- (CALHOUN SIGHING)
(GROANS) Don't think
too hard of me, girl.
You see, me
and my old friend Bob Kenny,
we fell on some hard times.
Real hard, desperate.
And we...
- (MELLOW MUSIC PLAYING)
Well, we decided to make
an unexpected withdrawal,
you could call it,
from the Union Bank
down Valverdi Way.
Withdrawal?
- They stole the money, Hester.
Stealing is a sin, Mr. Calhoun!
Well, the good folks in
Valverdi thought so, too,
because they shot poor Bob dead
right there in the street
and then they rode after me
like the hounds of hell
after that money.
But you got away.
I did. For a time. Yeah.
(SIGHS) Life has a way
of catching up with you
right when you think
you're in the clear.
How many men
did you kill yesterday
before you got yourself
"in the clear?"
Three.
But they gave me no choice.
You're an evil man, Mr. Calhoun.
A killer and a thief.
And may the Lord
have mercy on your soul.
(CALHOUN CHUCKLING)
Well...
I think that the good Lord
gave up on me a long time ago.
(GROANING)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
- (INSECTS CHIRPING)
We could have meat, Momma.
No.
Why? I'm so tired of mush.
As am I.
But we'd have
to share it with him.
Is that a bad thing?
Unacceptable.
Do not ask me again.
(CALHOUN GROANING)
Oh...
- Supper, Mr. Calhoun.
(GROANING) That's very kind
of you, darlin'.
(CHUCKLES) Oh, I'm hungry.
Corn mush.
Ain't that a treat.
(CHUCKLES) Awful, isn't it?
Dawh, it's awful.
Tell ya, a pig
wouldn't eat this.
(LAUGHS)
(BOTH LAUGH)
Got somethin'
on your mind, darlin'?
Those men you killed?
You had to, right?
Oh, it was me or them.
There were no other choice
far as my thinkin'.
Hester, come eat your supper.
Mr. Calhoun can feed himself.
Sure seems like the pickin's
are mighty slim around here.
Ugh. I don't really see
how you two manage
out here all on your own.
We get by.
Not with this slop, you don't.
(SCOFFS)
Well, I'll tell you what.
(GROANS)
How about I give you
20 dollars, huh?
That'd get you enough supplies
to last through winter.
No, wait, wait. Take 40.
That'll get you to spring.
In fact... (GROANS)
...I will throw in
my lucky gold coin!
We don't want your blood money.
Goddamnit, is you a woman
or a consarned mule?
PANDORA: You speak to me
like that again
and I'll throw you out
on your ear.
(GROANS) Oh, mm-mm.
You know, I like to think
of myself as a patient man,
but my nerves are worn
as thin as my hide.
Now, hah!
I don't want to hurt nobody.
- (OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
But I will fire this lead
into your brain pan
if you don't do exactly
as I tell ya.
Now you plant yourself
right there like a cactus.
Hester, go on out to the barn
and get the horse and wagon.
PANDORA: We have no horse.
HESTER: Ate it.
The wagon's been busted down
since last spring.
Broken down.
What? You tellin' me
you livin' all the way out here
without even a horse?
How far is the nearest town?
Ninety-five miles, due west.
(GROANS) Neighbors?
They all left a long time ago.
(GROANS)
PANDORA: You finished
with your supper, Mr. Calhoun?
Easy, ma'am!
You really think I'd leave
a loaded gun in your saddlebag?
What kind of fool
do you think I am?
I removed the ammunition.
(CALHOUN CHUCKLING)
Can I at least finish my mush?
PANDORA:
You lost that privilege.
(GROANS)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
- (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(ROPE CREAKING)
(CALHOUN GROANING)
(GROANING)
(MOANS)
Are you awake?
I'm sorry.
(WOOD CRACKLING)
- (PANDORA EXHALING)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
- (BIRDS CHIRPING)
(EARS RINGING)
(GROANS)
What the hell?
(SCREAMS) My leg!
(SCREAMING)
My leg! What have you done?
Stop thrashing about,
you'll pull the stitches out.
(SCREAMING) Oh! Whoa! No!
No!
Oh, you scarred it, bitch!
I'll kill ya!
You speak to me like that again
and I'll throw you out
to die in the dirt!
Better you left me out there
to get eaten by the buzzards!
You had no right.
PANDORA: I had no choice.
It had to be done.
(GROANS) The hell it did!
Gangrene was setting in.
It was either lose your leg
or you were a dead man.
Gangrene?
I didn't smell nothin'!
No, no, you did it out of spite!
For the last time,
I was trying to save your life.
(SCOFFS) Well,
you ask me next time
before you go
and make me a cripple!
PANDORA: You are
a pitiful excuse for a man.
My grandfather lost his leg
in the Battle of Monterrey,
and he lived a long
and productive life.
CALHOUN: Well, I ain't nothing
like your granddaddy!
PANDORA:
You most certainly are not.
CALHOUN:
Worst kinda thief there is!
Worse than a horse thief!
I don't think Mr. Calhoun
is very happy
about what we did.
- CALHOUN: Ya stole my damn leg!
Can you blame him?
He's lost a limb.
CALHOUN: How am I supposed to...
- But we didn't hurt him.
He's the one
that got himself shot.
CALHOUN: Look at it!
- Well, he's angry.
Like most men.
And like most men,
he'll never accept the trouble
he's gotten into
is caused entirely by himself.
- (CALHOUN SCREAMING)
Was Poppa like that?
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
At times. (CHUCKLES)
He was a stubborn man.
(CHUCKLING)
But he had principles.
I always admired him for that.
I miss him.
As do I. (SIGHS)
More than you could ever know.
(SIGHING)
CALHOUN: Oh.
I can't even look at it!
There's nothin' there to see,
ya took it!
You stole my...
you stole my leg!
(GROANING) Oh, God!
You think that I rob people,
look what you robbed me of!
My leg! You stole it!
You call me a thief?
You stole my goddamn leg!
A whole leg! It's mine!
It's my property!
- (SIGHS)
It says here that the mort...
mort... mortality rate
for leg amputations
is 46 percent.
And that's in a hospital.
What's that supposed to mean?
That if a hundred people
got their leg cut off,
46 would die.
I know what the odds are.
I ain't dumb, girl.
What's your point?
My point is,
is that my momma did a good job.
You're still alive.
(GROANS)
You call this livin'? Huh?
Look at it!
And according to the...
That book right there,
well, hell,
I already had better
than a 50-50 chance
of survivin'!
So don't go pattin'
your momma on the back
like she's some
Florence Nightingale.
Do you ever have anything nice
to say, Mr. Calhoun?
Not lately.
- (SIGH)
(GROANS)
Momma!
- Read Middlemarch.
Out on the porch,
you can sit in my rocker.
I've already read that one. I...
Read it again.
(GROANS)
- (PANDORA SIGHING)
I have a proposition for you.
CALHOUN: Yeah.
Not sure I want to hear it.
Eventually,
your leg will heal...
You mean, my stump will heal.
Since your leaving here is
beneficial to both of us,
I would like to propose
the following agreement.
I will walk to Buffalo Creek
and I will buy you
a horse and a saddle,
and a bottle of whiskey
and a change of clothes.
And then I will return
with the provisions,
and you can be on your way.
Oh, well, it sounds promising,
but a mite bit one sided.
I mean, there's a lot
in it for me,
very little in it for you,
which puzzles me.
(GROANS)
You ain't gone
and changed your mind
about my money, have you?
How many times do I have
to tell you, Mr. Calhoun,
your ill-gotten gains
do not interest me.
Then what does?
The truth.
Yeah, well, that's a card
I don't deal too often.
PANDORA: I've noticed that.
Those shots we heard,
those men you killed.
Were they friends of yours?
CALHOUN: Acquaintances.
PANDORA: Not a posse?
CALHOUN: No,
we lost them at the border.
(CHUCKLES)
They figured that money
wasn't worth dying for.
(CHUCKLING)
So the Bob Kenny story
was hogwash.
CALHOUN: Oh, no, no, no.
Bob was there.
Along with Teche Masters
and Ed Singleterry.
But, no, Bob did not
get killed in the robbery.
In fact, nobody did.
Well... (GROANS)
...except for the teller.
And then, you got greedy.
CALHOUN:
Wasn't like that at all.
No. See, we'd been
ridin' hard all day,
and we finally bunked down
in this clearing
up over the ridge there.
The four of us, well, we got
to drinkin' somethin' heavy
and uh... I'll admit it!
I started lookin'
at that saddlebag,
thinkin' about the money,
but I guarantee you,
them other three were thinkin'
the same thing I was
'cause that's right
when the shootin' started.
And when the smoke cleared,
well, three of us had been
dispatched to Peter's gate
and I was the last one
left alive. (CHUCKLES)
So you believe it's over?
CALHOUN: Ma'am?
No one looking for you?
No one looking for the money?
No one to come here,
and give us trouble?
(SIGHS)
Look, I am just guessing
at what I am about to tell you.
I can't vouch
for what's about
to come out of my mouth.
- Get on with it!
Hell...
Bob Kenny. (GRUNTS)
He was an ornery cuss,
but, uh, he's got this brother,
Bear John?
Whew, he makes Bob
look like a sugarfoot.
If he finds out
that somebody left a slug
in his brother's guts,
he's likely to want to exact
a level of revenge
that I don't quite care
to contemplate.
Oh, but, ma'am, there ain't
nothing to worry about.
There's no way
that Bear John knows
what happened to his brother,
much less that he's...
Does this Bear John
know about the robbery?
Uh... yes, ma'am.
And were you planning
to meet up with him
after the robbery?
Yeah, he and his bunch.
And how far from
the rendezvous point were you
when you decided to take matters
into your own hands?
You gotta understand
somethin' here.
How far, Mr. Calhoun?
- (MUSIC CONCLUDES)
A day's ride.
And does he know the direction
that you were coming from?
Now, I know
this doesn't look good...
It does not, Calhoun!
A fair warning would've been
much appreciated, you bastard.
Hey, now!
My mother was a very kind woman.
Now, granted,
my father I did not know.
How many men
ride with Bear John?
(SIGHS) Three.
And do any of them
know how to track?
One.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
- CALHOUN: Cherokee Jack.
He ain't Indian,
but he can find a mouse
in a wheat field.
Once he finds your track,
he lets out
this little bird whistle.
(IMITATING BIRD WHISTLE)
That's when you know
you're in trouble.
But, uh, he ain't the one
to worry about, though.
That's Minor Wilson. Ooh,
he's the one you gotta fret.
He's a real back shooter,
that one.
Ain't worth a gob of spit.
Then there's Little Pete, ugh.
Oh, Pete's just yellow.
Like the piss in snow,
a gutless coward.
But, uh, none of them
holds a candle to Bear John
when it comes to just
pure meanness and evil intent.
WILSON: Say, Bear,
how long you reckon
we gonna keep sittin' out here
waitin' on your brother?
You registering
a complaint, mister?
Nah, I was just askin'.
You're not happy
with the entertainment?
Entertainment's fine...
just think it's time
we get goin'.
Point taken.
If he don't show up by tomorrow,
we'll go lookin' for him.
(WILSON GRUNTING)
He must'a gotten held up,
huh, Bear John?
Aw, gee, you might be
on to something there, Pete.
Maybe...
he got himself killed.
Nah, Bob's too smart for that.
(CHUCKLING) Smart?
Bob's a dumbass.
You calling my brother
a dumbass?
WILSON:
He's riding with Calhoun.
Ain't that the definition
of a dumbass?
You know I'm man enough
to admit when I'm wrong.
Bob is a dumbass. (LAUGHS)
But...
he's still my brother.
If he don't show by sunrise,
we'll go lookin' for him.
WILSON:
That's good enough for me.
In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun
Don't ever shine
And I shiver
When the cold wind blows
Oh, if I minded
What my grandma did say
Then where
Would I be tonight
Come on, Pete!
You got me feelin'
a romantic kinda way!
Hey, darlin,
how about you and I
take a little walk?
You stay put, Lilith.
What'd you say?
These are ladies.
Both of these women
are under my protection.
They don't do nothing
until I tell them to.
Don't push it, mister.
Look, I don't want no trouble.
Then I suggest
you shut your mouth.
Get your ass up, girl. Come on.
She's ain't going nowhere
unless I get paid.
A dollar a roll.
(SCOFFS) A dollar.
Yes. A dollar.
These are ladies.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
I'll give you two bits,
and I'm still overpaying.
I don't think
you heard me clearly, sonny boy.
So I'm going to say it
one more time.
These are ladies, not whores!
(GASPS)
- (HORSE NEIGHS)
WILSON: I don't think
you heard me correctly.
(GRUNTING)
- (LADIES GASPING, SOBBING)
WILSON: Ladies.
I'm not that bad of a guy.
Just lookin' to dance.
Ladies!
Ladies! Come on.
BEAR JOHN: You know, I think
he's gettin' better at that.
WILSON: Ladies.
(SIGHS)
I'm not diggin' a hole for that.
Are these men really
as rough as you say,
or are you just
spinning me another tale?
Trying to get me to clear out?
Oh, no, they're killers.
Stone cold killers.
On the off chance they find us,
we oughta get some place
more safe.
And where exactly
would we go, Mr. Calhoun?
Oh, we're back
to "mister," are we?
For the time being.
Have you considered the fact
that you're in no condition
to walk anywhere?
Well, then just leave me here
and save yourself and the girl.
Maybe I can spin a tale
tall enough to keep Bear John
from cuttin' my throat.
My husband and I built
this place with our own hands.
He's buried
on that hill up there.
He'll never leave here.
Nor will I.
Well, he's the only thing
left planted around here,
'cause all the rest
done dried up and blowed away.
Is everything a joke to you?
You're not as funny
as you think you are.
We had a farm here once.
We had cattle, we had horses...
And then the land
seemed to die with him.
But it's gonna come back.
But you're a sad, pathetic man.
You've never had anything
you didn't steal!
At least I had something.
Hester, go get Poppa's bullets.
Yes, Momma.
(SOLEMN MUSIC PLAYING)
(SCOFFS)
(CALHOUN SIGHING)
Ma'am, you bein' a lady
of the cross and all,
now may be the time
to dust off the good book
and get to praying over it.
And praying awful hard, too,
I may suggest.
You are an irreverent man.
If I didn't think
you knew how to use a weapon
with some competence,
I would shoot you down
like the dog you are.
CALHOUN: Oh!
You're finally admittin'
you need me
for the coming fracas.
I've been waiting for you
to say somethin' about that.
This what you shoot
in your pistol, Mr. Calhoun?
(GROANS) It is.
I've never seen
nothin' like this before.
I've never seen
anything like this before.
(SIGHS) Yes, Momma,
but I truly haven't
seen anything like it.
Well, that right there
is called a cartridge.
If you bring me my gun,
I'll show you how it works.
Hester!
Mr. Calhoun gets no ammunition
until absolutely necessary.
Kinda pointless for me
to murder the two of you now,
ain't it, ma'am?
Like you said,
we need each other.
Nonetheless.
(SIGHING) You are a hard woman,
Pandora Meadows.
A stick of dynamite
wouldn't crack your shell.
(SCOFFS)
(SIGHS) And I know
I ain't telling you
nothin' you don't already know,
but we're gonna need rifles.
That lot right there won't do
till they're knockin'
on the door,
and we don't want 'em
that close.
Well, Daddy's Sharp
is out in the barn.
The breech block's cracked.
I'mma grab it.
- Hester.
Hmm. She kinda
reminds me of you,
only she got
some life left in her.
You know this ain't
no place for that girl.
She deserves better.
And so do you.
Do you ever stop talking?
(SIGHS) On the slim chance
that we survive this,
does that offer still stand
for you to go into town
and get me a horse
and a bottle of whiskey?
HESTER: Momma,
you're going into town?
I thought you said
we couldn't go there.
You told me that...
- Hester, that's enough.
But, Momma,
if that means that...
Hester! Show him the rifle.
(GROANS)
Can you fix it?
CALHOUN: Nope, that breech
is definitely busted.
Ah, you put a bullet in that,
it'll blow up in your face.
Hm. Ah.
This ain't good for nothin'
but, uh, a club
or maybe a paddle.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
Well, what kind of rifles
should we have?
Oh! Now that's
a good question.
Maybe one of them Winchesters
that Teche stole
down in Abilene.
It's a repeatin' rifle,
loads real quick,
but not too accurate.
That buffalo buster
Bobs though, ooh!
That'll shoot the lantern
off a firefly.
Kapow! But it's, uh,
slow to reload.
Well, you should have
grabbed them, Mr. Calhoun.
Mr. Calhoun was too busy
saving his precious saddlebags
to think sensibly, Hester.
(PANDORA SIGHING)
(INSECTS CHIRPING)
(CALHOUN SNORING SOFTLY)
(PANDORA BREATHING SOFTLY)
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
- (CALHOUN SNORING)
(INSECTS CHIRPING)
- (ANIMALS CALLING)
(WOLF HOWLING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
(COAL SIZZLING)
Bear, it's funny
who we meet along the way.
Ladies.
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
Hester?
Hester?
Hester!
Hester!
Hester!
(GROANS) Ooh!
(EMOTIONAL MUSIC PLAYING)
(HORSES SNORTING)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
She's gone.
I guess she gone
and got herself some sense!
She knows it's suicide
stickin' around here.
We oughta follow suit.
I hold you personally
responsible for her safety.
If she doesn't come back,
I'm going to slit your stomach
and watch you bleed out.
Easy, ma'am!
I didn't have nothin' to do
with her runnin' off!
Why did you
find it necessary to mention
the need for rifles
in her presence?
(GROANS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(HESTER PANTING)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
- (INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(PANTING)
(SNIFFLING)
Are you Bob?
SINGLETERRY: Help me...
- (SCREAMS)
(PANTING)
- (GRUNTS)
(SCREAMS)
(GRUNTING, PANTING)
Dear Lord, please forgive me!
(PANTS)
(GRUNTS, PANTS)
(PANTS, GRUNTS)
CALHOUN: Oh.
(MEAT SIZZLING)
- CALHOUN: Oh, my. Oh, my!
Don't it smell
just like heaven in here?
PANDORA:
It's the last of our meat.
CALHOUN: Mm! Mm!
(EXHALES)
Had I known Hester
was such a headstrong gal,
I never would've
mentioned them rifles.
I intend to share
this meat with you,
'cause we need our strength
for what is to come.
(INHALES) But I can't
listen to you talk.
If you say one more word,
I will toss your portion
in the outbuilding.
Do I make myself clear?
Oh...
(MEAT CONTINUES SIZZLING)
CALHOUN: Mm!
- PANDORA: No noises.
(DISTURBING MUSIC PLAYING)
- (HORSES SNORT)
(HESTER PANTING)
(GROANS, CONTINUES PANTING)
- (MUSIC FADES)
CALHOUN: Mm! Mm! (MUNCHES)
(MUFFLED) Oh, ma'am.
(SIGHS, MUNCHES)
This is the best
cut of meat I ever ate.
Uh. It is finely salted,
fried right through. (MUNCHES)
Oh, makes me feel
like a man again.
(CHUCKLES)
(SIGHS, MUNCHES)
- (SNUFFLES)
And you know, uh... (MUNCHES)
- (CONTINUES MUNCHING)
(SMACKS LIPS) ...we ain't
really seen eye to eye
on much of nothin'...
(KNIFE SCRAPING)
- ...but, uh,
if we gonna
survive this together,
well...
- (CUTLERY CLINKING)
(MUNCHES) ...well,
we goin' have to get close.
(MUFFLED) Or you can just, uh,
kill Bear John and his boys
with that there look
you're giving me.
(CONTINUES MUNCHES)
What's that for?
Well... (SMACKS LIPS)
...well thank you!
Mm! (MUNCHES)
- PANDORA: Hester.
My foolish, foolish girl...
(DISTURBING MUSIC CONTINUES)
- (HESTER GROANS, PANTS)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC BUILDS)
- (PANTS, GROANS)
(GRUNTS, GROANS)
(PANTS)
(GROANS, GRUNTS)
(PANTS)
(GUN THUDS)
(CONTINUES PANTING)
I'm sorry, Momma.
I'm sorry.
(GROANS, BREATHES HEAVILY)
(SNORTS)
(HORSES SNORT)
BEAR JOHN: Oh, hold on.
Hold on. Hold on.
(SNORTS)
Pete.
(HORSE GRUNTS)
- (MUSIC FADES)
(FLIES BUZZING)
- (HORSE CONTINUES GRUNTING)
(LEAVES RUSTLING)
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
(INHALES, SIGHS) Damn it, Bob.
(EXHALES)
(CLICKS TONGUE)
This ain't right.
It wasn't supposed
to go like this.
(INHALES DEEPLY, EXHALES)
(ROCK THUDS)
You are a dumbass.
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
BEAR JOHN: Any sign of Calhoun?
Naw, he ain't here.
That low life son of a bitch.
What about the money?
WILSON: No.
Rifles and horses gone too.
Damnit.
(EXHALES)
Hey!
Looks like
someone took a bullet.
Crawled out on their belly.
Had to be Calhoun.
Let's hope the son of a bitch
took a gut shot.
CHEROKEE JACK:
I don't think so.
No food, no guts in the blood.
Leg or arm.
Leg probably,
since he's crawling.
Why would he take the rifles
if he was hurt that bad?
That don't make sense.
You'd have enough trouble
draggin' the money off.
You think
someone else did this, Jack?
Maybe got 'em
when they were sleepin'?
Signs say all the shots
took place in this spot.
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
- He shot Teche first.
Took his time,
'cause everyone was asleep.
Nice, steady aim,
then he blows his brains out.
Next up is Singleterry.
Didn't have the luxury
of a careful aim this time.
Shot 'im as he was
throwin' off his blanket.
Then he went for Bob.
(SCOFFS)
CHEROKEE JACK: Now, Bob's up
and ready with his Sharps.
They both shoot,
Calhoun survives, Bob doesn't.
Yeah, well, he sure
as he'll ain't gonna survive
when I get to him.
CHEROKEE JACK:
The part I don't understand
is why Singleterry
ain't been dead near
as long as these two.
What are you talking about?
You know, Bob and Teche here
died days ago.
Ed kicked off
earlier this mornin'.
Someone beat his head in
with a rock.
So, what are we dealing with?
Yeah, that's what
I'd like to know.
(LITTLE PETE GRUNTS)
- BEAR JOHN: What the fuck!
Hey! Get your hands
off them boots!
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
- (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(PANTS)
(WHIMPERS)
Damn!
(GROANS)
You wanna set off
a stick of dynamite, huh?
Let 'em know we're coming?
(INTENSE MUSIC BUILDS)
You find me the bastard, Jack...
and my cut of the money's yours.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC BUILDS)
- (BREATHES SHARPLY)
(PANTS)
- (AXE THUDS)
(HESTER PANTS, GROANS)
(PANTS)
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(PANDORA CONTINUES PANTING)
(HAY RUSTLES)
- (PANDORA PANTS)
Eh. Well, that's either
for me or the hay.
(INHALES)
She ain't got no horses.
(BREATHES SHARPLY)
(GRUNTS, NEIGHS)
(HOOVES CLOPPING)
You ain't gonna
stick me with that, is ya'?
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
(CALHOUN GROANS)
(SIGHS, GROANS)
Ma'am, I know
that I'm risking your wrath
by rehashing this query,
but what in God's name
are you doin',
livin' all the way out here?
That girl,
she oughta be in school,
gettin' her learnin' in!
Meetin' people. Hmm?
People like you?
Naw, they ain't all like me.
I'm a rare breed.
I disagree, Mr. Calhoun.
The world is a foul place.
My husband and I
built this ranch
to escape the outside world.
And I have no intention
of ever leaving it.
And?
You're gonna need this
if you wanna get
any killing done.
(THUDS)
- (PANDORA EXHALES)
Huh!
Would you look at that!
A crutch! (LAUGHS) I'll be...
You know,
this is the nicest thing
on this ranch,
'cause, uh, the rest of it
ain't worth a gob of spit.
Mr. Calhoun, a man of your ilk
came here once,
hired by my father
to bring me back home.
My father didn't approve
of this ranch...
- (EMOTIONAL MUSIC PLAYING)
...or my husband.
And he felt
he had the right to own me
until the day I died.
My husband intervened,
God rest his soul,
and then this man,
with his... (INHALES)
...his rough talk
and his shiny guns,
he shot my husband down,
in front of my daughter and me.
Eh...
I hope he met the devil
at the end of a rope.
PANDORA: There was no need.
I cut his throat
from ear to ear,
and I watched him die. (INHALES)
So, there will be
no more talk of this,
ever again.
(CALHOUN SIGHS)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(HORSE GRUNTS, SNORTS)
WILSON: What's he doin'?
BEAR JOHN:
What the hell you doing?
The trail's over here.
Hell, Bill Hickok
could follow this track!
LITTLE PETE: What's Wild Bill
got to do with this?
WILSON: He's blind.
LITTLE PETE:
Bill's going blind?
(WHISTLES)
(PANTS, GASPS)
(WHISTLING CONTINUES)
(EXHALES SHAKILY)
(PANTS)
(HORSE GRUNTS)
BEAR JOHN: What is it?
- (MUSIC FADES)
CHEROKEE JACK:
Take a look at these.
Got a second trail.
Someone on foot,
carryin' rifles.
On foot...
Think I know
where them rifles came from.
How fresh them tracks?
Can't be more than
a few hundred yards away.
All right, you go on.
We'll catch up.
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
(HESTER PANTS)
(GROANS)
- (DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)
(CALHOUN GROANING)
(BREATHING SHARPLY, GROANING)
(GRUNTS, GROANS)
(EXHALES)
- PANDORA: I'm holding on
to the ammo.
(CALHOUN SCOFFS)
- PANDORA: For now.
(IMITATES GUNSHOT, CHUCKLES)
(REVOLVER CLICKING)
Will you stop
playing with that gun?
Well, I wanna be prepared.
These are hard men.
So, you've said.
You take some kind
of perverse pleasure
in constantly reminding me
of their prowess?
I don't even know
what that means.
But I do know
that they will kill us dead
in the dirt.
Well, then we'd better
kill them first!
(INTRIGUING MUSIC PLAYING)
(WINDOW CLOSES)
(PANTS) Close the shutters.
(DOOR CLOSES)
- CALHOUN: Yes, ma'am.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)
(PANTS, GROANS)
(PANTS) Okay. Come on.
(GROANS)
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(PANTS)
(EXCLAIMS, PANTS)
(GROANS, PANTS)
(CHEROKEE JACK GROANS)
- (GROANS, PANTS)
(EXCLAIMS, WHIMPERS)
- (MUSIC ABATES)
(GRUNTS)
- (CHEROKEE JACK GRUNTS)
(HESTER GROANING)
- (CHEROKEE JACK GRUNTS)
(HESTER GROANING)
(EXCLAIMS)
- (CHEROKEE JACK GRUNTS)
(HISSES, EXCLAIMS)
- (SINISTER MUSIC BUILDS)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(CHEROKEE JACK PANTING)
- (CONTINUES BREATHING HEAVILY)
(EXCLAIMS, GROANS)
- (LAUGHS)
I think I heard something
out by the barn.
Finally.
(HESTER PANTING)
- (LAUGHS)
(HESTER WHIMPERS, GRUNTS)
(GROANS)
- (CHEROKEE LAUGHS)
(HESTER GROANING, PANTING)
CHEROKEE JACK: No, no, no.
(SCREAMS)
(CHEROKEE JACK GRUNTS)
- (GRUNTS, GROANS)
(MUFFLED SCREAM)
(GROANS, MUFFLED)
- (CHEROKEE JACK PANTS)
(HESTER BREATHING SHARPLY)
- Anyone inside that house?
(HESTER BREATHES SHARPLY)
- (CHEROKEE JACK PANTS)
Are you sure?
I'd hate to get my head shot off
by a sodbuster.
(HESTER SCREAMS, MUFFLED)
CHEROKEE JACK: If you scream,
I'll cut you bad. (SIGHS)
- (HESTER BREATHING SHARPLY)
CHEROKEE JACK: You understand?
(BREATHES SHARPLY)
(PANTS)
Is there a man in that house?
Call himself Calhoun?
(PANTS)
Now, what'd you go runnin'
after them rifles for, huh?
(PANTS, CHUCKLES)
- (KNIFE SWISHES)
CHEROKEE JACK: (PANTS)
Why don't I start
by prying out one of them
pretty front teeth--
(KNIFE THUMPS)
- (GROANS)
(EXCLAIMS)
- (GASPS, PANTS)
(CHEROKEE JACK GROANS)
(WHIMPERS)
- (GUN COCKS)
(GRUNTS, GROANS)
(EXCLAIMS)
- (GUNSHOTS FIRE)
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
- (HESTER
AND CHEROKEE JACK EXCLAIM)
(MUSIC FADES)
(GUNSHOT ECHOES)
Well, that didn't take long.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
(CHEROKEE JACK GROANS)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
- (CONTINUES GROANING)
You bitch! (GROANS)
(EXCLAIMS, BREATHES HEAVILY)
(CONTINUES GROANING)
(PANTING)
PANDORA: Hester!
(TENSE MUSIC BUILDS)
- CALHOUN: Ma'am! Ma'am!
Don't go out there! Don't!
- Hester!
CALHOUN: Ma'am! Don't--
Get back in here!
They're tryin' to draw you out!
(GRUMBLES)
- (PANTS)
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
- (GROANS)
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
(GRUNTS)
- CALHOUN: I see ya, Jack,
ya mangey coyote!
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
- (CHEROKEE JACK GROANS)
(PANDORA GRUNTS, PANTS)
- CALHOUN: Get back in here!
(CHEROKEE JACK GROANS)
CALHOUN: Come on now.
It's time.
(PANDORA PANTS)
- (RAPID GUNSHOTS)
(PANTS)
- (GUNSHOTS FIRE)
(MUSIC FADES)
(GUNSHOTS ECHOING)
Well, that doesn't sound good.
Pete! Go take a look!
Why me?
- Because he told you to.
Yeah, 'cause I told you to.
Worthless shit.
- (MUSIC CONTINUES)
(GUNSHOTS ECHOING)
CALHOUN: What the hell
was you thinking?
Could've got yourself killed!
Hester's in the barn.
Hester! Hester!
- (MUSIC ABATES)
PANDORA: Can you hear me?
(PANTING)
Girl's dead, bitch!
(EXHALES) You're lyin'!
Boy, she was
a pretty, little thing!
Till I splattered her blood
all over this here barn!
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
CALHOUN:
Watch your mouth, Jack!
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
CALHOUN:
She's a good, Christian lady!
(SOBS)
CHEROKEE JACK:
Figured it was you, Calhoun!
Boy, you never could shoot
worth a shit, huh?
Even with that
fancy pistol of yours!
CALHOUN: I see you with some
blood on your shirt, huh?
You let a little girl
touch you up like that?
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
- (SOBS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)
Now, I know that even you
ain't low enough
to kill a young lady!
CHEROKEE JACK: Not only
did I kill her, Calhoun...
I'm gonna kill you...
and that bitch.
(IN HUSHED VOICE) Jack! Hey!
CHEROKEE JACK: And anyone else
in that house!
(BREATHES SHARPLY)
Stop it! Just stop it!
- (EXHALES)
(GUN COCKS)
Hey, Jack!
- (CHEROKEE JACK GROANING)
Up here!
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
(WHIMPERS)
- CALHOUN: Goddamn, woman!
Warn me next time
you fire that thing off.
I almost soiled my britches!
Man on the ridge.
- CALHOUN: What?
(LITTLE PETE WHIMPERS)
(GROANS) You hit him?
PANDORA: I saw his hat fly.
CALHOUN:
Well, was it on his head?
It was in his hand.
Then what good
is that gonna do us?
I knew we needed them rifles.
Mister...
- (COCKS GUN)
...my daughter
is laying dead in that barn...
because you needed your rifles.
Now, I haven't
much left to live for...
so I suggest
that you concentrate
on killing these men
that you brought down on us...
and keeping your mouth shut,
otherwise
I'm gonna shoot you myself.
(EXHALES)
(LITTLE PETE PANTS)
What'd you find?
Jack's down there.
Looks like he's been hit.
How bad?
Lots of blood on his shirt.
I tried to get his attention
when somebody took a shot
at me from the house.
Who was that? Calhoun?
- LITTLE PETE: (PANTS)
I... I can't tell.
The place is boarded up
like a fort.
Shutters on all the windows,
gun slots in all of them.
All right, go get the rifles
from the horses.
And bring as much ammo
as you can carry!
(LITTLE PETE GROANS, PANTS)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
Two men on the ridge.
Eh, I see 'em.
That's Bear John
and Minor Wilson, all right.
I can smell 'em.
BEAR JOHN: (INHALES)
Man, this ain't good.
Shooting our way in
ain't gonna work.
Well, we should set fire to it.
Hell, I'd love to see
Calhoun burn.
Yeah, me too, if he's in there.
That you in that house
there, Calhoun?
I don't know
if I should answer 'em, ma'am.
Might not be good for ya
if he knows I'm here.
I'm sure your friend
out there by the barn
will tell him sooner than later.
I suspect you're right.
(SIGHS, INHALES) Yeah, it's me!
BEAR JOHN: There's no need
for nobody to get hurt!
You just toss the money out,
and we'll be on our way.
CALHOUN: (LAUGHING)
You expect us to believe that?
"Us?"
What's he talkin' 'bout "us?"
(SHOUTS) Us?
You got someone in there
with you, Calhoun?
CALHOUN: A woman!
With a big,
old Walker Colt on her!
BEAR JOHN:
Well, don't that just figure...
you hiding in there
behind a woman's skirts!
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Ma'am?
You just come on out of there.
You got no stake in this.
We won't hurt you.
(LAUGHS FORCEFULLY)
CHEROKEE JACK: Don't think
she's gonna buy that one,
Bear John.
I killed her daughter...
dead here in the barn.
(GROANS)
Well, that just complicated
the fuck out of things.
Ma'am...
under the circumstances,
I don't suppose
there's any offer
we might suggest
to put an end
to these hostilities?
You promise
there'll be no more killin'?
You promise to ride out of here
with no more violence
if I throw the money
out the door?
(IN HUSHED VOICE)
No, no, no, no.
You got it, ma'am!
My word of honor!
You give us the money,
and we'll be on our way.
Don't you trust them!
I don't, not for a minute.
CALHOUN:
Don't give them my money!
This isn't your money.
Well, it ain't theirs, neither!
Hey, I killed men
for that money!
It's mine!
You may have to kill a few more.
What is this?
Oh, shit!
Where the hell is Pete
and his rifles?
We don't do nothing
till we see the money.
(DOOR OPENS)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
That's too easy.
Yeah.
CALHOUN: Can't thank you
enough, ma'am. (EXHALES)
See, that right there,
that's my retirement money.
Takin' that to California,
open myself a saloon,
maybe settle down
with a little seorita, huh?
You'll spend it on cheap whores
and cheaper whiskey
before you get out
of the territory.
Yeah, I suppose
you're right about that,
but a man can dream.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY, INHALES)
BEAR JOHN: Hey, Jack!
Go get them saddlebags!
(INHALES)
CHEROKEE JACK: Are you crazy?
I ain't goin' out there.
(SMACKS LIPS) Son of a bitch.
(GRUNTS, EXHALES)
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
Goddamn it, Bear John,
I killed the woman's kid!
She ain't just gonna
let me walk out there
and grab them saddlebags!
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
Okay! Okay! (SIGHS)
I'm going!
(CHEROKEE JACK GROANING)
(GRUNTS)
(GROANS, PANTS)
Now let's not do
nothing rash, ma'am!
(GRUNTS)
I'm hurt real bad. (GROANS)
(PANTS)
No need to shoot me.
I'll probably end up...
bleedin' out on the trail.
Alone. (PANTS, GROANS) In pain.
(EXHALES)
You'd just be wasting
your precious ammunition.
(GROANS)
(GUN COCKS)
- (CHEROKEE JACK PANTING)
Just take the money and go.
Yes, ma'am. (PANTS)
(GROANS, PANTS)
BEAR JOHN: Make sure
the money's in there!
(PANTS)
No money!
Just some book
and a goddamn creepy doll!
Take your gun out of the holster
and throw it on the ground
away from you!
(EXHALES)
(DOLL THUDS)
- (PANTS)
Do as she says,
or I'll cut you down!
(GROANS)
(PANTS)
And the Derringer in your boot!
You want my
goddamned undies too, Calhoun?
Ma'am, I feel betrayed!
We had an agreement.
- PANDORA: We do!
You and your men come down here
and turn over your weapons,
and I'll give you the money,
just as I promised.
This bitch is smart.
You know, that ain't fair,
you changin'
the rules on us like that!
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
- (GROANS)
(EXCLAIMING)
- (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
Hester! (GASPS)
I'm fine, Momma!
(CHEROKEE JACK GROANING)
(GUN COCKS)
- (CHEROKEE JACK GROANING)
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
- (GROANS, CHOKES)
(GAGS, COUGHS)
(CHOKES)
All right, I guess
that's the negotiations over.
(GRUNTS)
(RAPID GUNSHOTS)
- (INTRIGUING MUSIC PLAYING)
(GUNSHOTS CONTINUE)
(GASPS, BREATHES HEAVILY)
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
(PANDORA CONTINUES SHOOTING)
Ma'am, don't waste your ammo.
You ain't gonna
hit 'em from here!
Hey, Pete!
We need those Henrys
and more ammo. Now!
(PANTS) I'm comin',
hold on a minute!
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
- (PANTS)
BEAR JOHN: Gimme a rifle!
(SHOOTING CONTINUES)
- Uh, Bear, I got some bad news.
(HESITATES)
The horses, they're gone.
You had one job, Pete!
Well, I... I tied 'em up
like ya told me!
- (GUNSHOTS FIRE)
(GAGS, GROANS)
I think I got one.
(LAUGHS, SUPPRESSED)
Sure you did!
(LAUGHS FORCEFULLY) Yeah.
- (GUN COCKS)
(INHALES)
Bear!
(CHOKING, COUGHING)
Help me! Please.
Sure thing, Pete.
- (GUN COCKS)
(PANTS, GROANS)
We're gonna need a better plan.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
(BREATHES SHARPLY)
CALHOUN: (SMACKS LIPS)
Well... (SIGHS)
...lookin' like we got ourselves
a temporary standoff.
For how long?
Guessin'
sometime after dark. (EXHALES)
Be hard to see 'em
once the sun goes down.
I figure...
(GROANS) ...that'll be when
they'll come down off the ridge
and try something. (GROANS)
(CHUCKLES, INHALES)
Now, let's have a look
at that money! (LAUGHS)
(INHALING, SIGHING)
(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING)
(INSECTS CHIRPING)
CALHOUN: Steady, ma'am. Ma'am!
I have to get Hester
out of the barn.
CALHOUN: (GRUNTS) Well,
what you're gonna do
is get your fool self killed!
Not if you shoot them
before they shoot me.
(CHUCKLES) You are puttin'
an awful lot of faith in my aim.
You better not let me down.
- (EERIE MUSIC PLAYING)
(SIGHS)
(GUN COCKS)
That's pretty good coverage
down there.
I figure we can get pretty close
before we even get spotted.
You head down toward the barn.
And I'll see if I can get around
by the other side there.
All right.
PANDORA: (IN HUSHED VOICE)
Hester.
(HESTER GROANING)
It's me, Momma.
(IN HUSHED VOICE)
It's I. (CHUCKLING SOFTLY)
"It's I"
is the proper grammar, Momma.
(PANDORA GASPING)
- (HESTER SHRIEKING)
PANDORA:
Do you have the rifles?
HESTER: Uh, yeah.
They're right here.
PANDORA: I'm so proud of you.
(HESTER PANTING)
- We're gonna run for the house.
Are you ready?
- HESTER: Yeah. Yeah.
(BREATHES SHARPLY)
- PANDORA: (IN HUSHED VOICE)
Go. Go, go. Run.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
BEAR JOHN: Ladies.
(DOOR CLOSES)
(DOOR THUDS)
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
- (GUNSHOTS FIRE)
(GUNSHOTS CONTINUE)
(WHIMPERS, EXCLAIMS)
CALHOUN:
You dropped the rifles!
Close the door, now.
She can take care of herself!
(PANDORA PANTS)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
- (MUSIC ABATES)
BEAR JOHN: Go for the house.
Well, that was a stupid move.
You've gone,
and got yourself trapped.
(EXHALES, GROANS)
- (SHUSHES) Go on.
CALHOUN:
Get over here behind me.
(BREATHES SHARPLY)
- CALHOUN: All right?
(PANTS)
- (DOOR KNOCKS)
(DOOR CREAKS)
(GRUNTS, GROANS)
(EXCLAIMS)
(SIGHS)
(CALHOUN SHUSHES)
(CALHOUN GRUNTS, YELLS)
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
- (CALHOUN GRUNTS, PANTS)
(EXCLAIMS, GROANS)
(REVOLVER CLICKING)
(GRUMBLES) Don't, please!
No!
- (GUNSHOTS FIRE)
(GROANS, CHOKES)
HESTER: (GASPS, SOBS)
Momma! No!
(SOBS) Please
don't hurt us, mister!
Please! (SOBS HEAVILY)
Oh, it's gone way past hurtin'.
(CONTINUES SOBBING)
(INHALES) Way past.
Where's the money?
BEAR JOHN: You know,
this could've been real simple
if you two had just stuck
to our agreement.
(SINISTER MUSIC PLAYING)
See, now I'm gonna be forced
to do things that are...
better not discussed.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
(SOBS)
Come on.
- (CONTINUES SOBBING)
Come take a seat.
(SHUDDERS)
Sit down!
(SOBS)
(SHUDDERS)
Oh, yeah,
you're a lovely little thing.
(CONTINUES SOBBING)
Bit washed out, but...
nothing a little color
in your cheeks wouldn't fix.
(GROANS, PANTS)
That's better.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
A bit of work,
and we'd have you gussied up
better than a two-dollar whore.
(INHALES)
- (SHUDDERS)
(SMACKS LIPS) Now...
(CONTINUES SHUDDERING)
- (INHALES)
...have you ever been
with a man?
(SNIFFLES, INHALES SHAKILY)
Just my daddy.
Your daddy?
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY) Hmm. (INHALES)
I'm asking
if you've ever been fucked?
(IN SHAKY VOICE)
I don't know what that means!
(SMACKS LIPS) Oh, don't worry.
(SHUDDERS)
- You will.
(GRUNTS)
- Whoa! Whoa!
That's a mean little sticker.
- (GROANS, GRUNTS)
Just take that off you there.
(SOBS)
- Oh, it's...
what you got
ol' Cherokee Jack with, huh?
(KNIFE THUDDING)
- (CONTINUES SOBBING)
PANDORA: Hey, mister!
(FIRE CRACKLING)
- (SINISTER MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SOBS, BREATHES SHAKILY)
Well...
you are a hard woman.
Ain't many could take a kick
like I gave you and keep still.
It was two kicks.
BEAR JOHN: So it was.
- Hester, get over here!
(SHUDDERS, BREATHES SHARPLY)
Now, don't you do
anything rash, ma'am.
Let's just talk things over
before things go bad, shall we?
Ah, nah, nah, nah,
there's no need to do that!
There's plenty of money
to go around for all of us.
That's what
Mr. Calhoun said to me.
I didn't take him up
on his offer,
and I say the same to you.
All right.
Well, give it all to me, then.
I'll just ride out of here,
and you'll never see me again.
(CASH RUSTLING)
- (PANTS)
Ma'am... (EXHALES)
...I believe that from here,
I could draw my pistol,
and I could shoot you
before them greenbacks
hit the flames.
You're welcome to try.
You know, I'll kill ya.
If that money burns,
I'll kill ya.
You and the child.
I'm not a child,
you son of a bitch!
How long you think this little
standoff's gonna last? Hmm?
Hell, I can just wait
until that fire burns out.
I'm in no hurry.
(BREATHES SHARPLY)
Damn it, woman...
just give me the money,
and I'll leave you in peace.
I swear to God.
A man of your character?
After what I've seen today,
I don't think so!
You calling me a liar?
- PANDORA: I am!
You're coarser,
but you are so much
like my father.
You're so much like him.
Ah, shit,
I ain't got time for this.
(GROANS)
(RAKE SWISHES)
(GROANS)
- (GASPS)
(BREATHING SHARPLY, GROANS)
- (PANTS)
(GROANS)
- (BREATHES SHARPLY)
Thank you for saving us.
(GAGS, IN HUSHED VOICE)
It's my pleasure, ma'am.
(GROANS, BREATHES HEAVILY)
You have to do me a favor.
(CHOKES, GROANS)
Anything.
- (CALHOUN SIGHS)
(BREATHES SHARPLY)
One-legged man
ain't no good for Hades.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
You gotta put me
in the grave "whole."
You gotta bury me with my leg.
But I'm afraid I can't do that.
(CHOKES)
Why? (BREATHES HEAVILY)
We ate it this morning.
You ate most of it.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
PANDORA: I wanna thank you
for helping us through this
and bringing us more meat
than we've ever had before.
(CHOKES)
You and these men
will surely see us
through the winter,
and into the spring.
Thank you, Mr. Calhoun.
- (SIGHS DEEPLY)
PANDORA: Thank you.
- (IN SHAKY VOICE) You...
(CALHOUN GROANS)
...you, you...
(KNIFE SWISHES)
- (EXCLAIMS)
(CHOKES)
(HESTER GRUNTS)
- (GURGLES BLOOD)
(EXHALES SHARPLY, CHOKES)
(BLOOD DRIPPING)
(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
(IN HUSHED VOICE)
Thank you, God.
(DOOR CREAKS)
- (BIRDS CHIRPING)
(DISTANT CHOPPING)
HESTER: Can we go back
into town sometime soon, Momma?
We've had
this discussion, Hester.
I know you think
there are bad people there,
but not everybody's bad.
Not Mr. Clausen
at the general store.
He was a nice man!
He used to give me those
red-and-white peppermint sticks.
We're not going to town.
You'll understand
when you're older.
I'm old enough.
We won't have
this discussion again.
(GRUNTS)
Now, put Mr. Calhoun's head
away from the rest.
(GRUNTS)
- He deserves our respect.
(MELLOW MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC FADES)
(SINGS) Shall we gather
At the river?
Where bright angel feet
Have trod
With its crystal tide
Forever
Flowing by the throne of God
Yes, we'll gather
At the river
The beautiful
Beautiful river
We'll gather with the saints
At the river
That flows
By the throne of God
("IN THE PINES" PLAYING)
In the pines
In the pines
Where the sun never shines
And I shiver
When the cold winds blow
Little girl
Little girl
What have I done
That makes you...
(HESTER GRUNTS)
- (PANDORA GRUNTS)
(BONE CRACKING)
...treat me so
(SCREAMS)
- In the pines
In the pines
Where the sun never shines
And I shiver
When the cold wind blows
If I minded
What my grandma did say
Then where
Would I be tonight
In the pines
- (GUNSHOTS FIRE)
In the pines
- (CALHOUN GROANS)
(KNIFE SWISHES)
Where the sun
Never shines
And I shiver
When the cold wind blows
Help!
In the pines
In the pines
Where the sun...
(GROANS)
...don't ever shine
And I shiver
When the cold wind blows
In the pines
In the pines
In the pines
(GUNSHOTS FIRE)
(SONG CONCLUDES)
(DRUM BEATS)
(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)
(SINISTER MUSIC BUILDS)
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(MUSIC ABATES)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC BUILDS)
(MUSIC BUILDS)
(MUSIC FADES)