The Sheriffs of Savage Wells (2026) Movie Script

1
(dark music)
(tense dark music)
(Bart shouting)
(horse neighing)
[Silas] Come on!
Come on, shoot!
(gun bangs)
Keep up! Come on!
Keep up!
(gun bangs)
Come on, buddy, shoot him!
Keep moving!
(tense music)
Come on, come on, come on!
(horse neighing)
(gun bangs)
(riders shouting)
Come on, here!
Come on, boys!
(tense music continues)
(lasso swooshing)
(Bart grunts)
(horse neighing)
(tense music continues)
- Woo! We ain't never had a
lawman that close on our heels.
- D'you think that
sheriff caught Bart?
- Might've.
But he ain't gonna get us.
We're gonna see him first.
- [Jesse] Any sign of him?
- [Woman] Drop your weapons.
And tell your cousin
there to do the same.
- A woman?!
- [Woman] An impatient
woman. Drop 'em.
(uneasy music)
All of them.
Kick it over here.
(dramatic music)
- That's not a
woman. That's a child.
- I'm older than I look.
Fortunately for me, you
ain't smarter than you look.
Time to go, boys.
- Who are you?
- Paisley Bell, sheriff
of Savage Wells.
(bright epic music)
- Sheriff!
I heard the Grantland Gang
was shipped off to Laramie.
- You heard correct, Jenny.
- You're a pretty
good sheriff, Miss Bell.
- I try to be.
- Do you think you'll ever be
as good as Sheriff O'Brien?
He's the most famous
sheriff in the world.
They write about him in
the Laramie newspaper.
- He's been
sheriffing for years.
I've only had a few months.
I can go prove as
good as him in time.
- Do you really think
he's done all the things
people say he's done?
- Marshal Hawking has
written about Sheriff O'Brien
in his telegrams,
so I'd wager the rumors
about him are true.
(gentle music)
(bird screeching)
(dog barking)
(horse neighing)
- Let's sit you up.
Now I'll send you home
with some powders.
- Finished up?
- Your daughter's
here, Mr. Bell.
- I've been here
with Dr. MacNamara.
- Hi, Papa.
Did I overreact in
bringing him here, Gideon?
- He's noticeably more
easily confused than before.
- I've been telling
myself I'm imagining
how quickly he's deteriorated.
- You're not imagining it.
You need to prepare
yourself, Paisley.
He'll only grow
more distant in time.
- He's also more
often frustrated.
He used to be
unceasingly patient.
- It's impossible to predict
how the deterioration of
his mind will change him.
The only thing I
can say for certain
is that it will change him.
- It's a good thing then
that this town has allowed me
to be acting sheriff.
I need the job and the income.
- You have been a very
good interim sheriff.
- Interim?
Do you know something
I don't, Gideon?
- The town council
met last night,
and we all agreed
that Savage Wells
ought to have a
permanent sheriff.
- I'm being made
the official sheriff.
(Gideon sighs)
- Mayor Brimble sent out
a telegram this morning
letting everyone
in the territory know
that we're on the
hunt for a sheriff.
Anyone interested is to report
to town a week from today
so we can sort
through the candidates
and give the best ones a chance
to try on the job for size.
- I've been doing
this job for months.
Was the town council
even gonna tell me
about this sheriff roundup?
- I'm telling you.
- I need this job.
I've earned this job.
- I know and now you know
this is how the job
is going to be filled.
- Time to go home, Papa.
- Where... Where is that?
- It's not too
far. I'll show you.
- Will Joshua be joining us?
- Joshua?
- Don't ask.
(gentle music)
(birds chirping)
(church bell ringing)
(soft dramatic music)
(soft dramatic music continues)
(people chattering)
- Morning, everyone.
Thank you all for coming.
Now...
Oh, are you also here
for the job of sheriff?
- Mm-hm.
- What's your
name? Cade O'Brien.
- Cade O'Brien.
- [Crowd] Cade
O'Brien? (murmuring)
- Hold on, I'm just...
No need to go.
Alright.
- Looks like we're down to two.
- [Paisley] Three.
(bright music)
- Oh, now, now
this is decidedly odd.
- "Decidedly Odd" is my
nickname in this town.
Put my name as a
candidate for sheriff.
- A woman? (snickering)
What kind of daft town is this?
- I've been acting as sheriff
of this "daft town" for months.
I'm more than qualified.
- I've been sheriff of a few
towns. Kept 'em peaceful, safe.
- What about you? Do
you have any experience?
- A bit.
- "A bit"?! Well, everyone's
heard of Sheriff O'Brien.
He's been cleaning up
the West for a decade.
Just rumors of him
arriving anywhere
are enough to send criminals
running for their lives.
The US Marshals,
they've been begging
him to join up for years.
Why he's... he's...
He's a legend.
- That's quite the introduction.
- As flattering as this is,
we're not here to
make a spectacle.
Let's head inside.
- Oh... Ah...
Follow me.
(light music)
- You have three
candidates here,
how do you mean to move forward?
- Well, each candidate
will be sheriff for a day
and then, after a
couple of weeks
of the three of you taking
turns to be sheriff,
we should know
who's the best fit.
- Strange approach.
It's not a bad one.
The one's not
sheriffing for the day,
may they hang around?
Personally, I'd like to see
how the others handle the job.
- No skin off my hide.
- I don't mind either.
- Who goes first?
- Mr. O'Brien?
- [Rice] Well, I'll go second,
- Which puts me
third in the rotation.
- Well, good, good, good.
Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Rice,
you can stay at the hotel.
We have a hotel.
- I guess we'll see each
other in the morning then
so we can watch the
legendary Cade O'Brien
do what he does best.
- You're also meaning to
go head-to-head with me?
- It's either this or a
shoot out on the street.
- I don't shoot women.
- And I don't shoot peacocks,
so I guess we're both safe.
- Saints, preserve my sanity.
- May the best sheriff win.
- I will.
I haven't yet found
out who you are.
- Gideon MacNamara, town doctor.
Member of the town council.
And your nearest neighbor
if you get this job.
- That Ms. Bell, she's about
as stubborn as a Kilkenny cat.
- She is.
She's also a fine woman.
- What are the chances you mean
to tip things in her favor?
- Paisley would never
accept charity or cheating.
- She really means to make
a go for the job of sheriff?
- There's not a chance
Paisley will step aside
without a fight.
(crickets chirping)
- What in the blazes are
ribbons doing in a jailhouse?
- A dear lady, Mrs.
Wilhite, sells them here
a few days a week.
She has, ever since
her husband died.
She was in need of both
money and company.
The sheriff at the time
chose to show her compassion.
- She could sell her ribbons
at any of the shops in town.
- The one chosen as sheriff
decides to toss her out,
she'll have to.
- You don't like my ribbons?
Those Grantland boys like them.
- The Grantland gang?
- Caught them rustling
some cattle nearby.
I invited them to spend
some time in here.
- Invited?
- [Paisley] With a bang.
- I think you could grow fond
of the ribbons, Mr. O'Brien,
if you're around long enough.
- If you make a crotchety ol'
cuss like me fond of ribbons,
you'll be a regular
miracle worker.
(Mrs. Wilhite laughing)
- Miss Paisley!
Mr. Holmes says for the sheriff
to come to the
mercantile right away.
- Coming to see how it's done?
- I'm coming so
I can bail you out
when you get in over your head.
- No, I insist.
- Okay no, please no,
I insist, Mr. Jones.
- No, Really,
really, Mr. Oliver.
- What's happening here, man?
- I'm sorry.
- I'm sorry.
- I don't need an
apology. Explain.
- Mr. Oliver was here before me,
so I mean to let
him step inside first.
- [Mr. Oliver] I
don't mind though
letting Mr. Jones go ahead.
- I insist.
- [Mr. Oliver] But,
please, Mr. Jones.
- [Mr. Jones] Nope.
You were here-
- They're Canadian.
- Whichever one of you
is oldest, go inside.
Next time, youngest goes first.
Alternate, understood?
- Yeah.
- Sorry.
- Oh! Oh, sorry.
- Great sorry.
- There have been ample
apologies. Go inside.
- That was well handled, Cade.
- He is a legend.
- [Jenny] Mr. Holmes is inside.
- Oh! Sorry.
- Mr. Holmes, you
sent for the sheriff?
- It's Wednesday.
- Wednesday?
- Why were we summoned?
- I'll know soon enough.
What does the sheriff
do here on Wednesdays?
- Delivers
Mr. Gilbert's groceries.
- Last delivery I
made as a sheriff,
I was handing a
team of bank robbers
over to Marshal Hawking himself.
- Just pretend it's
a notorious outlaw.
You can even
shoot it if you like.
- Mr. Holmes.
(Mr. Holmes chuckles)
- Yes, Ms. Bell?
- The Gilbert place is
in the other direction.
He'll recognize it by the white
picket fence, the gray brick
and the man up in
the tree with the rifle.
- The what?
- His name's Andrew.
He's generally very reasonable
and only a touch
protective of the house.
Good luck.
(gentle playful music)
- What do you want, stranger?
- I've come with
groceries, Andrew.
- How'd you know my...
Hey, do you get premonitions?
I've been looking for
somebody who does.
- I knew you were
gonna say that.
- How long you been in town?
- Since yesterday afternoon.
- Will you let me know
if you get any inklings
of things to come?
- Sure will.
- You can leave the groceries.
Come by again. I
promise not to shoot you.
You ain't one of the enemies.
(gentle music)
- An armed man with
odd notions in a tree.
That's a tragedy
waiting to happen.
- That kid O'Brien is a very
sheriffy kind of person.
- He'd be a good sheriff
for a violent town,
but I don't think he
understands Savage Wells.
(Rice snoring)
I'm the only one of the
candidates who does.
That ought to
account for something.
- [Cade] Mrs. Wilhite.
- I see Andrew didn't shoot you.
- He's a reasonable fella.
- You didn't threaten
him, did you?
- [Cade] No need.
- That's a report from Marshal-
- Hawking. I know
- That one is two
weeks outta date though.
We should receive another
before the weeks out.
- No need telling me what I'm
already aware of, sweetie.
- Don't talk down to me.
- Hush your bickering, you
two. I see a customer coming.
(door creaking)
- [Mr. Lewis] Good
afternoon, Mrs. Wilhite.
- [Paisley] This is Mr.
Lewis, the town banker.
- Oh, Mr. Lewis. I do hope
you've come for some ribbon.
- I have. Blue ribbon in fact.
You really are trying
for the job of sheriff?
- I've been the sheriff
unofficially for months.
Why is it suddenly so strange?
- Changes are coming.
The bank is growing.
We need a real sheriff.
And they're a better fit.
(gun clicks)
(gentle downcast music)
- Papa?
Papa! You aren't
supposed to cook.
- Ah, but I know how to cook
fish. My papa just taught me.
- I'll fetch some bread.
I'm close to securing a new job.
One where I can
help a lot of people.
- Mary-Catherine is
forever helping people.
- Mama was remarkable.
I have to secure this job.
(gentle dramatic music)
(hammer tapping)
When this sheriff
job doesn't work out,
you could become a carpenter.
- Stubborn woman
sure can beat the devil.
- My mother used to say,
"Often as not, it's a man's
mouth that breaks his nose."
- Paisley! Paisley!
He's done it again. You
have to write it down.
- If you're here about
sheriff business,
you'll have to wait
until Mr. Rice returns.
- Then again, if it's urgent.
- Clark is heartless.
Write it down.
- She came on her own, Abbott.
- A heartless sneak thief.
Paisley's gonna write it down
this time. It is official.
- Mr. Abbott,
Mr. Clark, Cade O'Brien.
- [Both] Howdy.
- Annabelle chose
to come live with me.
- [Mr. Clark] You
enticed her! Tricked her!
- These two men have spent-
- I'm sure I could
sort it out on my own.
- We're supposed to share
Annabelle. Share her.
- There's always
the judge's solution.
A fried chicken dinner.
- Absolutely not.
- I think we need to hear
Annabelle's side of all this.
- Won't work. She'll go to the
first person who feeds her.
- We tried letting her decide,
but her tiny little
chicken brain
just won't remember
what it wants.
- Tiny little..?
Annabelle's a
chicken, ain't she?
- Ah, Jerusalem
crickets! (laughing)
You thought we were
fighting over a woman?
(both laughing and chattering)
- That was quite a trick.
- Trick?
I tried to tell you
but you insisted you
didn't need my help.
- Because I'm not entirely
sure that your help
wouldn't end up undermining me.
- And you taking over
the chicken dispute
when it was Rice's day
wasn't undermining him?
- Rice was gone.
There was a problem.
I'm efficient, not underhanded.
And I'm a straight
shooter. Are you?
- No trickery from me.
I promise to give you any help
you inevitably admit you need.
- I suspect you enjoy brangling
with someone who
can keep up with you.
- And you figure that's you?
- If it's a challenge
you want, darling,
I'll happily oblige, but
I won't go easy on you.
- Now where would
be the fun in that?
(bright music)
- Excited for your
day sheriffing?
- It's been my day for months.
This ain't nothing new.
- Paisley. The millinery
has been robbed.
- Tell Mrs. Carol
I'll be right there.
- How much money does the
milliner shop keep on hand?
- It's my day as
sheriff, Mr. Rice.
- Burglary is out
to be handled by-
- My day.
- Mind if I tag along?
- And do what exactly?
Observe. Meet the
milliner. Stay outta your way.
Mm-hm.
(Mrs. Carol sobbing)
Mrs. Carol, I understand
you've been burglarized again.
- Someone has come in
during the dark of night
and made off with all
of my paper cherries.
Write down that they
are quite fashionable.
These criminals
have excellent taste.
They'll be after your
ribbons before long.
- I'll keep watch
tonight as usual,
but I do believe your robbers
will see the error of
their ways once more.
- Thank you, Paisley.
- My pleasure.
- [Mrs. Carol] Thank you.
- You ain't gonna
solve this crime?
- Already have.
- If you need anything
else, let me know.
- He winked at me.
- So, who's our thief?
- Mrs. Carol.
- Stole her own paper cherries?
- That don't make no sense.
- She misplaced
them. It happens a lot.
I'll come back tonight,
find them and return 'em
to her tomorrow morning.
- Why don't you tell her
to find them herself?
A sheriff has a
lot to do without a-
- A sheriff's job is to
take care of their town.
Sometimes that
means not humiliating
a kind-hearted old lady.
And another thing, "if you need
anything else, let me know"?
This is my day, Cade O'Brien.
You undermined me
in the first 10 minutes.
- It was a habit.
I stepped on Marshal
Hawking's efforts once.
- And he didn't shoot you?
- He finds me too
valuable to shoot.
- Well, maybe
he'll offer you a job
when Savage Wells doesn't.
- Would you miss me?
- Not for a moment.
- I don't believe you.
- And why not?
- For one thing, your eyes
sparkle when we banter.
For another, you're
still holding my hand.
Have a good day sheriffin'.
Tomorrow, I'll show you
how it's really done.
(gentle music)
(birds chirping)
(door creaks)
Did you know Paisley's
breaking into the hat shop?
- She's very good
at picking locks.
- She's an odd sort of woman.
She'd make an
odd sort of sheriff.
- Most sheriffs you know
don't break into shops?
- Or smell nice.
And she doesn't dress the part.
- I'd say in terms
of a female sheriff,
Paisley's inventing the part.
- She was sheriff for months,
why is everyone so baffled that
she's vying for the job now?
- Probably because a woman
sheriff is a new thing.
Partly because the
town doesn't realize
how much she did for us
while she was sheriff.
(light music)
- Good evening.
How's everything?
- You are in a fine
mood this evening.
- Nothing brings
a twinkle to my eye
quite like picking a lock.
- How's your father?
- Some days are
better than others.
- I wish there was
more I could do.
- So do I.
- A box of cherries?
You're not trying to
make a pie, are you?
- With paper cherries?
- Might still be an improvement
over your last attempt.
- So you don't bake then?
- I can. That particular
pie just went wrong.
- Horribly wrong. (chuckles)
- Well, I should get going.
Papa gets easily confused
when I'm home later
than he thinks I'll be.
Evening.
- Evening.
- Evening.
She must have known
the right way to look
to find those cherries so fast.
- She knows the
townspeople very well.
- I admit that's an
advantage she has over me.
- I'm having a few
people over for dinner
day after tomorrow.
Join in and you'll have a
chance to get to know them too.
- I'd appreciate that.
Night.
- Night.
(birds chirping)
- Mr. Lewis, right? The banker?
- [Mr. Lewis] That's right.
- I'm glad you happened by.
I have a question for you.
You said a few days ago
that changes were
coming at the bank.
What are you anticipating?
- Nothing's been decided,
but the Western Bank of
Omaha is considering making
the Savage Wells
branch very important.
- Sounds like something
the sheriff of the town
ought to know about?
- I will make sure
whoever's chosen
knows everything
just as soon as I do.
- You'd have Jenny's vote if
she were on the town council.
- I'll see if I can
get the lass appointed.
- That'd likely be a
violation of your vow
not to approach this
competition underhandedly.
- I'd not actually
rig the council vote.
I'm a man of my word.
- I've known a few men
of their word in my life.
The only thing they taught
me was that people lie.
(door creaking)
- Sheriff! My Jenny
stuck up in the tree.
Please, she needs your help.
- Show me where she is.
(tense music)
- She's right up there!
Oh, Jenny's never
climbed that high before.
- None of us can
make that climb safely.
- [Cade] Andrew
Gilbert can make it.
- [Jenny] I'm scared, Mama!
- You should send for
Dr. MacNamara, too.
Hold tight, Jenny.
We'll have you down quicker'n
a cat with her tail on fire.
- I'm scared, Mama.
- Oh, I don't think I'll breathe
until she's backed
down on the ground.
- Andrew can get her down.
- [Jenny] Too high, Mama.
- Here he is. I've
fetched him for you.
That's him?
Come on, boy. Look lively.
- He's waiting for
you to step back.
He doesn't like strangers.
- Why isn't he assisting
Mr. O'Brien step back?
- Andrew trusts him.
- We're wasting
time. Move back, Rice.
(dark anxious music)
Right here, I got you, Jenny.
You frightened your
mother outta her wits.
Best throw your arms around
her neck and say you're sorry.
(gentle music)
- [Mrs. Fletcher]
Thank you, Sheriff.
- Thank Andrew.
- [Mrs. Fletcher]
Thank you, Andrew.
- [Cade] Well done.
- Good thinking, Cade.
- Why is Andrew
so afraid of people?
- War changed him.
Andrew keeps to himself in
a fantasy land of sorts.
- Lived near a battle, did he?
- Andrew ran off
and joined the fighting
when he was only 12 years old.
- How old is he now?
- 24.
- He don't look it.
- He does. If you're close
enough to see him properly.
He's a fragile old soul,
stuck in the darkest
memories of his own past.
Andrew spends his days
up in a tree with his gun
waiting for the enemy to return.
He's hoping for even a moment's
extra warning to save lives.
- He's looking
for a premonition.
- Exactly.
- And when the dust has settled,
I had both train
robbers locked up,
despite them being uncatchable.
- Hawk says he
prefers assignments
that everyone
says are impossible.
- Marshal Hawking?
- Yeah, we worked
together a few times.
- Impressive. Very impressive.
- When the Grantland
Gang showed-
- And we heard all about that.
Now have you either of you
been to Laramie lately?
I hear it is quite dangerous.
- [Rice] I've spent
some time in Laramie.
It's one of my favorite towns.
Not much ranching up there.
- [Person] Sheriff?
- Hi, Ned.
- Rumor has it, we've two
shoot-from the-hip types
vying to be our
permanent sheriff.
You go on in there and you
tell them two sheriffin' types
they met their match in me.
- Tell 'em yourself.
Come inside.
(people laughing)
- Cade, Rice, this is Ned.
- Use the name.
- I am not calling you that.
- You wrote it down. That
makes it official yet.
Call me by it.
- This is "Dead Ned,
the Wyoming Kid."
- If those persuaders
are loaded,
I'll have your head
before you have a chance
to so much as look at 'em.
- They're unloaded.
- Why do they call you Dead Ned?
- 'Cause I'm dangerous.
- Off with you now.
And don't let me hear
you've been causing trouble.
(Ned stumbles)
This town's entertaining,
Mayor, I'll give you that.
- But you haven't
seen all of it yet.
- I wouldn't mind
seeing a bit more.
Here to show me around?
- Yes. Follow me.
(door creaking)
- Who do I get to meet next?
A soothsayer? A resident ghost?
- I'm not spilling
all our secrets.
- Not even a secret about you?
- How about one about you?
- You want a secret?
Very well.
My name is not actually Cade.
And before you ask, no plans
to tell you what it is.
- I'll be sheriff tomorrow,
you'll have to tell me then.
- I'm finding myself
in a charitable mood,
so I'll share another secret.
My secret is
I never kiss a fellow lawman.
Personal rule of mine.
- Well, just so you know,
whatever your name actually is,
I don't have the same rule
about not kissing lawmen.
(gentle music)
- You didn't make this.
- Paisley did.
- Gun-toting,
sharp-tongued Paisley?
- The very same.
She's a godsend.
When I host dinner parties,
she does the cooking.
That's how she pays for the
doctoring that her father needs.
(hand knocking)
Okay, and that will be
the rest of the guests.
- I'll go let Paisley know.
- Why are you in here working
rather than out with
the other guests?
Won't Joshua be
wondering where you are?
- No. Papa Joshua will not be-
- [Mr. Bell] Who are you?
- Cade O'Brien.
- Do you live near Abilene?
- We're in Savage Wells,
in Wyoming Territory.
- I know where I live. Abilene.
- He is...
He grows easily confused
and it frustrates him.
- Gideon says the
guests are here.
Uh, so, how far does this
dead Ned take his act?
- He swaggers and talks
stuff, but nothing more.
You'll never have to shoot him,
which I suspect
will disappoint you.
(gentle music)
- I'm no cold-blooded
killer, Paisley Bell.
- I didn't call you a
cold-blooded killer.
- Wrap it in fine
paper if you want,
but saying I'd be disappointed
to not shoot an innocent man
ain't exactly a compliment.
- At least hand
the dinner rolls over
before having a shoot-out.
- Shoot out?
Paisley, you really shouldn't
wear your gun all the time.
I'm Miss Dunkle,
the school teacher.
I am so pleased to
meet you. (chuckles)
- Where are you two from?
- Ohio, though I've lived
in Wyoming Territory
for a near decade,
sheriffin' a few places.
- I grew up working in
a factory in Boston.
Then I fought in the war.
Been out West ever
since, sheriffin' too.
- You both have
lived such full lives.
Savage Wells must
seem like a dull place.
- All I've known, since
the start of the war
is death and violence.
Savage Wells may be
dull but it's peaceful.
People here can live
their lives unafraid.
I've been looking for a place
like this for a long time.
- Has the town
council come close
to choosing our new sheriff?
- We wish we were closer,
but it's been harder
than to expected
to really get to know
the sheriff candidates.
- Abilene has a
Marshal, not a Sheriff.
- Oh, what can we do to help
everyone get to know us better?
Town meetings?
Demonstrations of skill?
- What skills do
you have in mind?
- Disassemble, clean and
reassemble a weapon for one.
- Quickest draw and truest aim.
- So these
demonstrations would be
a bit of a friendly competition?
- I have no objection.
- Me neither.
Might suggest we add to the list
best strategy for
guarding a stagecoach.
- And sewing.
- Sewing?
- It would demonstrate
self-sufficiency
and the town could
see how each of you
handles an unusual challenge.
- And Paisley could sew a dress
and the men
could all sew shirts.
- And wear their creations to
the town social in a few days.
- Sewing? It ain't got nothing
to do with being sheriff.
- That's what makes it
an unusual challenge.
- Like it or not, it sounds
like we have our first contest.
(Mayor chuckling)
Paisley's more
brass than I expected.
She's good at sheriff'n
this sleepy place,
even if no one seems to
give her credit for it.
- The life hasn't
been fair to her.
I wish there was more I
could do to change that.
- You two care a
lot about each other.
I have to keep
reminding myself of that.
- I do care about her, mostly
'cause our Granny Aisling
would come back and haunt me
if I didn't look after Paisley.
- Your granny?
- Paisley's my cousin.
- I thought maybe you two
were sweet on each other.
- That's disturbing.
- You truly aren't?
- If you ask me one more time
if I'm courting my cousin,
I'm gonna punch you in the face.
(Cade laughing)
- Cousins, huh? I like that.
(animal howling)
(crickets chirping)
(gentle sleepy music)
- Excellent choice. This color
will bring out your eyes.
- Say, any idea what
Paisley's working on?
(coins clanking)
- Good luck on
the sewing contest.
- Thank you, Mrs. Carol.
(uneasy music)
Marshal Hawking.
- Sheriff O'Brien.
- Not yet.
(Cade chuckling)
What brings you to town, Hawk?
- I was just on my way to
settle a matter in Luthy
and I had to stop by to see
if there's any truth
to a rumor I heard.
- What's the rumor?
- That Cade O'Brien
is vying to be sheriff
of the most boring town
in Wyoming Territory?
- (sighs) After a decade of
cleaning up the vilest towns
of the West, I figured I've
earned a touch of boredom.
- And after nearly
a decade of asking,
I figure I've earned the right
for you to join my deputies.
- Ain't gonna happen, Hawk.
- Get to see the
whole territory.
Forge a connection with
the other deputies.
It's better pay and you'd
be ridding this territory
of the most violent,
dangerous criminals.
- I'll leave all that to you.
I'm finding I like Savage Wells.
- Sleepy little town like
this has nothing to offer.
Then again.
- Quit gawkin' at the locals.
Come have some
coffee before you ride on.
- Noticing ain't the same
as gawking. (chuckles)
(people chattering)
- Is this your sheriffing
competition dress?
- Hm. Do you think
it's enough to win?
- You're about to find out.
- Will your mother
be here shortly?
She usually isn't late.
- She's likely
fussing with her hair,
wanting it to look just perfect.
- Paisley, come on.
She's here.
- Excellent.
Time to determine the
winner of our first contest.
- Friends, friends.
Neighbors.
Now, you've all heard
about the contest
that the sheriff candidates
have agreed to take part in.
Well, tonight, we have the
results of the sewing challenge.
(guests applauding)
- [Mr. Holmes]
Paisley first. Please.
(guests applauding)
- [Mayor Brimble] Wonderful,
Paisley. Now, Mr. Rice?
- This challenge
was designed to see
how we would
handle the unexpected.
Something were to arise not
as important as sheriffing.
Well, I would just do my job.
So I spent my time with the
banker discussing his needs
instead of sewing some shirt.
'Cause I already have one.
- I, I, I, I suppose it is a
way to answer the challenge.
Legitimately.
Cade?
- I grew up
working in a factory,
fastest seven-year-old
shirt-maker in Boston.
(guests applauding)
- I hate you.
- No, you don't.
- I really hope
the next challenge
is actually
something sheriffing.
- So do I.
- Alright. Alright.
We have decided that the winner
of the first contest is...
Is Paisley.
(guests applauding)
- Oh, what's the next challenge?
- We'll decide that tomorrow.
For tonight. Enjoy the sociable.
(bright cheerful music)
- If I may be so-
- Sheriff O'Brien, surely
you'll have to dance with me.
- Sure, I will.
- [Mayor Brimble] How are
things at the bank, Mr. Lewis?
- Excellent.
Western Bank of Omaha is very
impressed with my branch.
They're contemplating
significant changes.
- What do you think?
How's that punch?
Pretty tasty, huh?
Drink up.
Drink it up.
Cake looks pretty tasty. But
I want that piece of cake.
It looks better than that one.
You're a blustering old fool.
- I am not a fool.
- Did you put
liquor in the punch?
- Sociable needed livening up.
- [Paisley] Liquor's
been poured in.
- Goodness me.
- Don't take the punch now.
- Oh, you killed the cake.
- You've been drinking
the punch, Papa?
- Uh-huh.
Paisley, what are you doing?
- It's your day
as sheriff, Rice.
How do you want to handle this?
- Yeah, I'll take Ned to
the jail so he can sober up.
Can you handle it here?
- You'll rue the day
that you arrested Dead
Ned, the Wyoming Kid.
- I need to take Papa home.
He was already overwhelmed
and now he's accidentally drunk.
The town really looks
forward to these sociables.
See if you can salvage this one.
Sorry, folks.
(crickets chirping)
(door knocking)
(gentle music)
Is the sociable over already?
- Not yet. I've come to see
how your father's doing.
(gentle music continues)
- Are you sure you haven't
come to escape Miss Dunkle?
She is doggedly determined
to snag herself a husband.
Through fair means, thus far,
though foul can't be far off.
- Who knew sociables
could be some dangerous.
(Paisley chuckling)
So, how is your father?
- Asleep.
The liquor made him
drowsy, not belligerent
and the senility makes
him confused, not violent.
It's not much to be
grateful for, but I am.
- Well, I've learned
to be entirely grateful
for any situation
that isn't violent.
- You said at the dinner party
you've been looking
for a peaceful town.
- I've waded knee-deep
in death and suffering
for too many years.
- My father was running
the bank in Abilene
when two bank robbers
killed the Marshal.
Savage Wells has been a
welcome haven after that.
- I didn't answer the call
for a sheriff here on a whim.
I've needed a place like this.
- It is a wonderful town.
Even if the mischief tonight
meant I didn't get to dance.
- Well, any woman who
wants to dance, ought to.
- If you're mocking me-
- I would very much
like to dance with you,
you stubborn woman.
(gentle music)
You smell nice for a sheriff.
You're a mighty fine
dancing partner for one too.
- You've been doing
a strange amount of
flirting with me lately.
I can't make sense of it.
- Then, I ain't
been doing it right.
- [Paisley]
Then, it is flirting?
- Then I really ain't
been doing it right.
- It's just that I'm
out of practice.
No one's flirted
with me in years.
(gentle music)
- If you ever want
to end that drought,
you come find me.
See you in the morning.
- See you in the morning.
(gentle music continues)
(door creaking)
- I will make
certain to check Ned
for booze at the next sociable.
- You believe you'll
be chosen to share it?
- I think I've made a
good showing for myself.
- The town is all abuzz.
We promised them last night
there'd be another contest.
- We're all insisting
it be something more
sheriffy for you this time.
- I'm requesting marksmanship.
- Marksmanship it is.
(bright music)
Now we got five
cans for each of you.
- I'll go first.
(energetic music)
(crowd murmuring)
(gun bangs)
(crowd applauding)
- He only missed one can!
(playful music)
(gun bangs)
(gun bangs)
(crowd applauding)
- Miss Paisley!
This is for you.
- Thank you, Jenny.
"Tansy is loading her wagon.
You had best head
out that way quickly
before she begins
her deliveries."
- Who's Tansy and
what's she delivering?
- Oh, she's our
resident moonshiner.
Nothing to fret over.
- Moonshine is illegal
and often violent.
- We need to nip
this in the bud.
- You're both wrong about this.
- We'll not stand by,
while the moonshiner
descends upon this town.
- O'Brien's right, we
need to act quickly.
- Fine. Gimme half a minute.
(dramatic music)
(gun bangs)
(crowd applauding)
Let's go harass a
harmless moonshiner.
- Where'd you learn
to shoot like that?
- Abilene.
(gun bangs)
(crowd applauding and cheering)
- That was that was your can.
- [Paisley] Tansy's steady,
but if you rush in
weapons ablaze,
she'll likely respond in kind.
- She's a criminal.
- Do you always rush in
without any information?
Seems a fool-hardy
way to be a sheriff.
- Knew that weaselly
lawyer'd rat me out.
Told you I was loading the
wagon today, didn't he?
- Judge's ruling
requires him to.
- I have a right to
earn an honest living.
- That you do, but so long as
you call yourself a moonshiner,
the law in these parts
will keep an eye on you.
- Who's the pretty boy?
(Cade chuckling)
- I never been
called that in my life.
- Is he your fella?
- Not at all. His
name's Cade O'Brien.
He's making a run for sheriff.
- That one too?
- Shown himself good at it.
I'm trying for the job as well.
- Well, you work plenty
hard for that lazy dog
that wore a badge before you.
- Since there's a
possibility one of these two
will be filling that role,
mind if I show him around?
- As long as they don't tamper
with my Savage
Wells White Lightning.
I'll not stand for it.
- Of course not.
(Tansy chuckling)
- She named the
moonshine after the town?
- The town is named
after her moonshine,
which was named
after a couple families,
the Savage family
and the Wells family.
They lived in the area and
were fond of her wares.
- Strange old town.
- You got that right.
Those the nearest neighbors?
- That's the old Parker
place. It's empty.
But even if it weren't, her
activities aren't a secret.
- She openly brews and
sells. I don't like it.
- She's not brewing anything
alcoholic with this set up.
- (spits) It's tea.
- Sweet tea, iced tea,
light tea, dark tea.
- Why the secrecy?
This ain't criminal.
- She comes from a family
who boasts generations
of moonshiners.
Calling herself one is her
way of proving to herself
that she's worthy to be
a member of her family.
She's clinging to what she lost.
- Just when I thought this
town couldn't get any stranger.
- Being sheriff here
means you'd have the keeping
of this town of outcasts.
They don't deserve to be
patronized or laughed at.
They deserve to be watched
out for and cared about.
I'm fighting for this
job because I already
care about them and I
can be that kind of sheriff.
If you can't, then you'd
best pack up and go.
- This town doesn't
deserve you, Paisley Bell.
(gentle music)
- Mr. Lewis.
I assume you've come with a
matter of concern at the bank.
- The Western Bank
of Omaha has decided
that the Savage
Wells branch will serve
as the head of operations
in this area of the country.
All of the money to be
dispersed to each branch
from Wyoming to
Montana territories
will be deposited here.
Enormous amounts of
money will be arriving,
the first in only a few days.
It will be heavily
guarded on the way here,
but from the edge of town
until it's locked up
in our cast iron safe,
it is the responsibility
of Savage Wells.
- How much money
are you talking?
- One or $2,000.
- Mmm.
- You'll have more money
passing through here
than most folks
will see in a lifetime.
You need to settle the
matter of your sheriff now.
- We have a few days.
- I'll give you a
thousand reasons
why you don't even
have a few hours.
- We'll make certain the
deliveries are well guarded.
Thank you, Mr. Lewis.
- I've seen plenty of
men filled with lead
over far less than
a thousand dollars.
Word will spread.
Criminals will circle like
vultures, watch and plan
and deciding if Savage
Wells is an easy target.
- That's true enough. This
town needs a strong arm.
- It ain't as simple as that.
People in this town will die
if we don't approach
this in the right way.
With this change at the bank,
the council really only has
one option for sheriff now.
- And that option is you?
- What it means is,
that option ain't you.
- I've made as good a
showing as either of you.
- Would-be criminals wouldn't
be as likely to try anything-
- If the sheriff is a man?
- I know it ain't fair.
The Western Bank
of Omaha lit a fuse,
and the people of this town
are sitting on the dynamite.
- Mr. O'Brien is right. This
town's safety is at stake.
- Now wait just one minute-
- By show of hands, all in
agreement that Mr. O'Brien
and Mr. Rice are the best
choices in front of us now?
(uneasy music)
- I am sorry, Paisley.
- [Mayor Brimble] That
decision's been made then.
Leave the badge, Paisley.
- I've been keeping this
town together for months.
I have met every expectation
during this rotating
trial of sheriffs,
and all you can say
is "leave the badge"?
- Leave the badge... Please?
(badge clanking)
- Well, that sure
got her dander up.
Gotta do what's
right for this town.
- Which is why you
can't be sheriff either.
- Hold on here-
- My name alone will
repel would-be thieves.
- I could do this job.
I'd be blasted good at it.
- Yeah, so could Paisley.
And she ain't in the
running anymore either.
- I won't be dismissed
out of hand by you, Cade.
I could guard those
bank deliveries.
I could face down anyone,
anyone who would even
dare attempt a robbery.
- People are still killed
during thwarted robberies.
I don't wanna see
anybody in this town die.
They'll be safer with a sheriff
whose presence prevents
violence before it happens.
Time for a decision.
(gentle somber music)
- I'll have my things
cleared outta your jail
in another minute.
- You gotta understand, Paisley.
- Understand what?
That I was plowed over?
That no one in that meeting
said I could be a good sheriff?
- You're a remarkable sheriff.
But if criminals
staked out this town
and found a woman
wearing this badge,
they try for the money every
time, every single time.
- I could have dealt with that.
- Not without endless violence.
Towns go bad fast. I don't
want that happening here.
- I was not even
given the chance
to prove that I
could prevent that.
- If I'm wearing this badge
would-be robbers and
murderers will stay away.
I'm leveraging my reputation
to save this town,
to keep it peaceful!
This isn't how I-
- When you first
started flirting with me,
I wondered if it was
just a strategy for you.
But then I started to believe
you actually meant it.
To dance with me
and talk sweet to me
only to turn around and
feed me to the dogs?
I've known cruel
people in my life, Cade,
I hate that you're one of them.
(crickets chirping)
Papa?
- Paisley, where have you been?
- Wasting my time, apparently.
- I couldn't find any
food in the larder.
You need to help me look.
(birds chirping)
- Come on in, Andrew.
Do you spend all
year up in the trees?
- Not when it's cold.
Branches get icy and my
leg don't work right.
Got shot in Shiloh and
never got the bullet out.
- War is an awful
thing, isn't it?
- But even with the
cannon smoke and gunfire
and the shouting, you would've
known exactly what to do.
I didn't.
- Despite what I
told you, I don't have-
- I have a second sight? I know.
I figured it out.
- I shouldn't have lied to you.
I didn't know you very
well and you had a gun.
- I wouldn't have shot you.
You're one of the good ones.
- You're one of the good
ones yourself, Andrew.
- If you ever need
work done around here,
especially when I
can't be up in a tree-
- I accept, gratefully.
- Thank you.
(door creaking)
(door creaking)
- Paisley, I was hoping
I'd see you today.
That meeting last night-
- I have bigger
problems than that.
I have less than $20 to my name.
That's not nearly enough
for the coat Papa needs,
repairing the roof, food to eat.
I spent the morning looking
for work without any luck.
Mrs. Carol said no, there's
no point in trying the bank,
and the mercantile
doesn't need anyone.
Mr. Holmes offered me
extra eggs free of charge
and Papa mentioned a few times
this morning he's been hungry
so I couldn't reject the offer
no matter how much it stings.
- I didn't realize things
had become so dire.
- I don't know what to do.
- You could come help me see
the patients now and then.
- The eggs were charity enough.
I'm not accepting any from you.
- Have you asked Mr.
Cooper if he's hiring?
- Restaurant is
busiest in the evenings
and that's when papa
struggles the most.
- But even if you
had a couple of hours
to work in the afternoons,
it would still be a little bit
of money to keep you going,
until you found something else.
- I lost my brother in the
war, my mother shortly after,
and now I'm slowly
losing my father.
For months, I was a
blasted good sheriff.
And now I'm the
town charity case.
I don't know how much more
of this I can endure, Gideon.
- Things are gonna turn
around. You'll see.
- I'd feel better about
tomorrow's bank delivery
if this town'd let
me hire a deputy.
- Wish there was
the money for it.
- I managed to scare
a few volunteers,
I'm just not sure it's enough.
- Have you thought
about asking Paisley?
- I suspect she's spittin' mad
at me and I don't blame her.
She'd probably bite my head off
if I suggest she join my team.
- What can I get for you two?
- Steak and potatoes.
- Same.
Paisley, wait-
- I've work to do, Cade. I can't
afford to lose another job.
- You've avoided me
for three days now.
I've missed you.
- If I promise to get arrested
the next time you're lonely,
will you quit crying
yourself to sleep?
- So we're back to this, are we?
- Back to what?
- Back to deciding which
of us is the porcupine
and which is the pincushion.
- I'm always the pincushion.
You saw that with
the town council.
You participated in that
with the town council.
- You're right.
You were given the
short end of the stick
during that meeting and
I was a part of that.
I'm sorry.
First bank delivery is tomorrow.
The town'll get to
see if I can live up
to all my own bluster.
- Who do you have keeping watch
during the bank deliveries?
- I've asked Andrew.
Gideon suggested-
I thought maybe-
- Ask Mr. Oliver.
He's a good shot
and has a calm head.
- Good idea.
- I could have been
good at your job,
but no one would
give me the chance.
(anxious music)
- [Driver] Whoa.
(anxious music continues)
- [Man] You the new sheriff?
- Cade O'Brien.
- I'm Stevenson.
Been delivering for the Western
Bank of Omaha for two years.
Just come up from Laramie.
- Here please.
- I'll watch the street.
I've guards in different places.
You'll be well-protected.
- Thank you, Sheriff O'Brien.
(anxious music continues)
- [Stevenson] I can't say I
ever heard of a town this small
with so many lookouts.
- And they came
highly recommended.
- From someone you trust?
- [Cade] With my life.
- I'm glad to hear it, as
it's my life on the line
during these deliveries.
(horse neighing)
(uneasy music)
- Sorry, I'm late getting
supper made, Papa.
Come down, I'll get it started.
(crickets chirping)
Papa?
- Thank you.
- How the bank delivery go?
- Gideon, I can't find Papa.
I've looked all over
and around the house.
He gets disoriented so
easily and it's getting dark.
- We'll find him and bring
him back. I swear to it.
(tense music)
- Papa!
- Mr. Bell!
- [Paisley] Papa!
- Mr. Bell!
Whoa. Whoa.
Mr. Bell!
(tense uneasy music)
- Papa!
- [Mr. Bell] Mary-Catherine?
- Mr. Bell!
- [Mr. Bell] Mary-Catherine?
- He's over here.
Mr. Bell!
- [Mr. Bell] Mary-Catherine?
- Are you hurt?
- I... I don't know.
- Let's get you outta the water.
Your daughter's looking for you.
- My daughter?
- Papa!
- My Paul-
- Papa!
(Mr. Bell coughing)
- How long has his chest
been rattling like this?
- I first noticed
it this morning,
but it sounds worse now.
- Let's get him to Gideon
as quickly as possible.
- I don't think he's
in immediate danger.
Sleep will do him good.
- If you're coddling
me, so help me, Gideon.
- No. No coddling.
I promise.
I'll make a tonic for
him. It'll help him rest.
- Thank you.
I can't leave him alone anymore.
He wouldn't be safe.
But I can't pay anyone to
watch him, while I'm working.
- I'd be happy to
keep an eye on him.
Bring him by the jailhouse.
- The jailhouse you
tossed me out of?
- Let me start making the
amends I owe you for that.
Please.
- You're asking me to trust you.
- I am.
Which I know is a lot.
- I can't pay you.
- I ain't asking you to.
- Gideon will likely insist
I don't pay him either.
I appreciate it, but
I also feel guilty.
- Gideon's a good man.
- Maybe you've a
bit of good in you too.
A triple jump?
Here I was thinking I
had a chance this time.
- I warned you I was a very
good checkers player. (laughing)
- [Paisley] When I was
young, he used to let me win.
- Well, come join us, love.
- Love?
- I'm just trying to
make up sweet to her.
See if I can't escape
the death glares
she sometimes gives me.
- Or the death glares
Joshua will give you
if he knows you've been
flirting with her. (coughing)
(door creaking)
(Mr. Bell coughing)
- See here O'Brien. I
have a complaint to lodge.
- I've needed a good
laugh. Let's hear it.
- Our next bank
delivery is even larger
and you've assigned Mr. Oliver
to the inside of the bank.
He couldn't scare a mouse.
- He came recommended
by Miss Bell.
I'd wager the Grantland
gang would tell you
not to underestimate her.
- There's a reason you
weren't chosen as sheriff.
Now kindly keep
your nose out of this.
Keeping the bank safe is an
important part of your job.
I suggest you do it.
(uneasy music)
- You've questioned my judgment,
insulted a woman I regard
and implied I'm
shirking my duties.
Since you have no
confidence in me,
you can guard the
deliveries by yourself.
- I...
I would appreciate it if you
continued to oversee them.
- I'll do it, but
only so your idiocy
doesn't get anyone
in this town killed.
I care what happens to
them. You should too.
- This is a big opportunity.
I suppose, I'm letting my
nerves get the best of me.
- [Cade] Now, back to my
inevitable win at
the checkerboard.
- You're inevitable defeat.
- Don't count me out.
Might suddenly become the
best checker player you've ev-
(Mr. Bell chuckling)
You can't start laughing
before I even finish
my speech, man.
(both laughing)
Howdy, Andrew.
Do you play?
- I like checkers.
- So do I.
(footsteps tapping)
- Thank you for
standing up for me.
- Mr. Lewis is a pest.
You were a fine sheriff, whether
folks like him see it or not.
- You're starting to make
me regret calling you cruel.
- I'm just happy you're finding
reason to think I'm not.
- You did listen to my
advice about Mr. Oliver
and the bank delivery.
So at least I know
you're not stupid.
(Cade chuckling)
- Any other people
I'd be not stupid
to include among my guards?
- Tansy, without
question. Mr. Clark.
- Excuse me, I'm
looking for the bank.
- Joshua?
- Paisley?
You're supposed
to be in Abilene.
- You're supposed
to be in Omaha.
- I'm the new bank teller here.
- Bank is further down the
road. You can't miss it.
- Listen, we should...
We should talk.
- Time for talking
past years ago.
- Feel free to tell
me to go hang,
but I'm fair dying of curiosity.
- This isn't something
I've told anyone.
- I'm not a gossip.
- Joshua Delancey was a clerk
at my father's bank in Abilene.
We were engaged.
He left for Omaha to
find us a place to live
and he never came back.
Never wrote.
- He owes you an explanation.
- I'm not sure I wanna hear it.
I endured a lot of things in
that horrible, violent town.
None of it broke me, until him.
(gentle music)
I am a penny short.
- Well, that's close enough.
- I'm not going to cheat you
and I'm also not
going to accept charity.
- I'll pay for it. All of it.
- This isn't your
concern, Joshua.
What can I put back
that'll bring the total
down by a penny?
- Actually, if you
would take an order
to the jailhouse for me, I'd
consider that a good trade.
- I can do that.
Thank you.
- Good day, Paisley.
- Paisley.
Paisley, you have
to at least talk to me.
- [Paisley] Oh, I do, do I?
- Miss Paisley, are you on
your way to the jailhouse?
- What do you think
of Joshua Delancey?
- There's something
about him I don't like.
- [Gideon] That something
wouldn't happen to be
their one-time
romance, would it?
- It ain't the romance
that bothers me.
It's that he hurt her.
- I suspect that he's the reason
that she struggles
to trust anyone.
- Definitely a few something's
about him I don't like.
- [Joshua] Paisley,
you're being irrational.
- Not a wise thing to say
to a woman who's armed.
- From Mr. Holmes.
The telegram on top was just
handed to me by the mayor.
- Your pa and
Andrew are on their
fifth checker game of the day.
- I wouldn't mind
checking in on Papa.
- I won't give up easily.
- Giving up easily is
what you do, Joshua.
(door creaking)
- Mary-Catherine
should be back soon.
She went...
Hey, I don't remember
where she went.
- Where did you meet your wife?
- At a... At that dance?
- Dance.
- Yes.
- Talks about your mom a lot.
- He does at home
too. It breaks my heart.
I'm holding up, I promise.
- And you don't need to be
holding up alone, I promise.
- Seen anything interesting
from your tree lately, Andrew?
- The new bank clerk
has been going out
to the old Parker Place.
I think he's wanting to buy it.
- It's from Marshal Hawking.
"Cade. Arriving
in SW in two days.
Heard there're 2200 reasons
the town warrants a look in.
Hawk."
- 2,200 reasons?
- The amount of the
last bank delivery.
Thanks, by the way, for
suggesting Tansy and Clark.
You've a mind for these things.
- For planning heavily-armed
deliveries of money?
That's generally not the way
a woman wants to be described.
- Oh, would you prefer I said
you were "prim
and proper" instead?
(Andrew cheering)
(Mr. Bell laughing)
- I let you win.
- Another!
- Okay.
- Your bank has been entrusted
with the $2,000 delivery?
- [Mr. Lewis] $2,000.
- That is quite-
Thank you, Miss Paisley.
(owl hooting)
(crickets chirping)
(hand knocking)
(hand knocking)
- [Cade] Who's that?
- [Paisley] Santa Claus.
- Are you plumb outta
your skull, woman?
You know what time it is?
- You can lecture me
later. This is important.
I'm going to break
into the bank.
(Cade chuckling)
Marshal Hawking's telegram
said the last bank delivery
was 2,200, and
Mr. Lewis bragged today
that the bank received $2,000.
- Mr. Lewis ain't the sort to
give himself $200 less credit
than he feels entitled to.
- I wanna look at the
bank account book
and see what amount he recorded.
- Let's break into the bank.
- Put a shirt on.
(tense music)
Hold the lantern up
here so I can see.
(light suspenseful music)
- Can you decipher one of these?
- I ran the bank
the last few months
my father was still in charge.
Hmm.
- What? What'd you find?
- That Mr. Lewis shouldn't
do his ciphering in ink?
- I'd wager, you do all
your ciphering in ink?
- Of course.
Are you trying to
distract me, Cade?
- Not trying, but
apparently succeeding.
- Here's the entry
for the bank delivery.
$2,000. So, where's
the other 200?
- Boxes locked in Omaha
and can only be unlocked
with key that's in this bank.
Our culprit's either
Lewis or Joshua.
- The Joshua I knew
wouldn't be involved
in something like this.
- People change.
- So what's our battle plan?
- Cover our tracks here.
Tomorrow, we'll figure
out what comes next.
Wasn't expecting
you until tomorrow.
- I just couldn't wait
to find out if this town
would faint dead
away to have both
the legendary Cade O'Brien
and the myth that
is Marshal Hawking
in Savage Wells
at the same time.
- Your humility is inspiring.
- I heard a rumor that
one of the candidates
for sheriff was a woman.
- Paisley Bell.
She's the one who rounded
up the Grantland gang.
She'd have made a
blasted good sheriff
if she'd been
given half a chance.
- Sounds like I'd be
wise to snatch her up
as a Deputy Marshal.
- Do you think the
Marshal service
would allow a
woman in that role?
Sit down, Cade.
Papa's staying at Gideon's
today. His cough is back.
Paisley Bell. Have a seat.
- Marshal Hawking.
You have impressed Cade O'Brien.
That's not an easy thing.
- He is hardheaded.
- But he also knows what it
takes to be a good lawman.
Or law woman. I'll
take his word on that.
- If you're patronizing me,
I'll string you up,
Marshal or not.
- I mean to learn
what I can about you,
while I'm in Savage Wells.
First things first, how are
the bank deliveries going?
- The amount that's being sent
doesn't match the amount
that's being recorded.
We're attempting to sort out
where the money's going missing
and who our culprit is.
- Culprit?
I'd reckon what you
have are culprits.
- Maybe Mr. Lewis and Joshua,
or one of them is working
with someone else.
- We need to sniff
out the answer.
But carefully.
You two up for
a bit of snooping?
- Always.
(suspenseful music)
- Cade says you've managed more
than just capturing
the Grantland gang.
- And a stage robber.
Two thieves targeting
nearby ranches.
And I'm the one who
sniffed out the problem
with the bank deliveries.
And sorting out the people
in this odd little town
takes some cleverness.
- Deputy Marshal needs to
be a good shot, unshakeable,
but also needs to
be good with people.
- You really think I'd
be a good Deputy Marshal,
even though I'm a woman?
- There are a great
many circumstances
in which a woman
would warrant more trust
than a man ever could.
- I'm not looking to be
a nanny with a badge,
if that's the job
you'd be offering.
- You'd be a full
Deputy Marshal,
all the same rights and
duties as the others.
(door creaking)
(light suspenseful music)
- This offer of yours is
sounding less hypothetical
all the time.
- And if I were to make
the offer in earnest?
- I'd be tempted.
(indistinct voices outside)
Search as quickly as you can.
I don't know how long Cade
can keep Mr. Lewis and Joshua
busy at the bank.
- Mr. Rice is still in town.
You could add him
to your team of guards.
- I'll keep my same team.
Will Joshua be here
for the handover again?
- Yes. Lucky for us.
He's likely to be made a
manager himself someday.
(tense music)
- Mmm. Take a look at this.
Joshua's been ciphering
how to divide 200
by three people, I guess.
- Three people?
- 200 is the exact
amount that's missing.
It's not ironclad proof,
but it's a thread to chase.
- How much money are you
expecting for the next delivery?
- 3,000.
Of course they
said 2,200 last time,
but ended up
lowering the amount.
- They told you they lowered it?
- Well, no, but that
was all we received.
I had Joshua send a telegram
regarding the change
but haven't received a response.
- Let me know if anything
changes at the next delivery.
- I will.
- These criminals are
playing it close to the vest.
We need to force
their hands somehow.
- They won't wanna wander around
with a suspicious
stack of money.
They'll likely stash
it somewhere.
- Andrew says Joshua's been
going to the Parker place a lot.
It's isolated enough to hide
money without being seen.
- If that is what's happening,
we need to catch these thieves
with the money
to make this stick.
- Has Hawk made you an
offer to join the Marshals?
- I think he will.
And it's tempting.
I'm not certain what
I do about Papa,
while I was on assignment.
- I'll look after your papa
anytime you need me to.
(gentle music)
The rest of Wyoming
ain't like Savage Wells.
The US Marshals
round up criminals
with ice in their veins.
- I know it would be dangerous
but I'd have a regular
job, which I need,
and I'd be making a difference,
which matters a lot to me.
- Can't help hoping you'd
not have assignments often
that'd take you away from here.
- You must really like me, Cade.
- (chuckles) I flirt
with you like mad.
Heavens, woman,
every time we're together,
I barely keep myself
from kissing you.
- Just barely?
(gentle music)
- Fergus.
My given name is Fergus.
- I believe I'll call you that
when I'm put out with you.
- I didn't know there was
a time when you weren't.
(light playful music)
We've reasoned to
believe Joshua Delancey,
with the help of
possibly two others
we've not been able to identify
has been skimming money
off the bank deliveries.
We need to catch
them red handed.
This trio of lawbreakers is
likely to split their money
at either the old Parker Place
or Joshua's room at the hotel.
Mr. Oliver, after the
delivery, stay close by.
If the criminals are
meeting at the hotel,
I'll need you at my side
to help me apprehend them.
- Yes, Sheriff.
- Mrs. Wilhite, I need you
acting as lookout at the hotel.
Should anyone come inside
during the delivery,
I need you to give a signal.
- I could wave a ribbon
- Waving might draw attention,
stand out front and
fuss with it a little,
enough for me to see.
Blue ribbon if
someone comes inside,
red, if no one does.
- I can do that.
- I need you to
create a distraction
just outside the bank
when Joshua steps out.
Draw attention long enough
for me to get a signal
from Mrs. Wilhite
and give silent
instructions to Mr. Oliver
without Joshua noticing.
If they aren't meeting at the
hotel, I'll go fetch my horse
and head to the Old Parker Place
slowly enough for Joshua
to get there first.
We have to catch these
criminals, all of them,
with the stolen money.
- You keep this mum.
We don't know who the
other two culprits are
and we can't risk
them finding out.
- You must not think any
of us are the other ones.
- Dead Ned, the
Wyoming kid ain't a thief.
Paisley told me I
could trust Mr. Oliver
and he's proven her
correct time and again.
And I've come to know
Mrs. Wilhite very well
these past weeks.
She's no criminal.
- We won't let you
down, any of you.
- Tomorrow afternoon then.
- What is it you need
from the two of us?
- Paisley and Hawk
could be hiding out
at the Old Parker Place.
I need Tansy and Andrew watching
the house from a distance.
- I can see the Parker house
real good from my tree.
- [Gideon] What's
my role in all this?
- Be ready with
your doctoring skills
in case this all goes bad.
(foreboding music)
- $200 short.
- Money's missing?
- It's so brazen a thing to do
with Marshal Hawking in town.
And I learned just this morning
that Joshua never sent
the telegram to Omaha.
(foreboding music continues)
(riders shouting)
- I'm Dead Ned the Wyoming Kid.
Probably heard all about me.
- Excuse me, I need to-
- I'm a fast draw.
I'll show you.
Not with real guns,
just imagine I'm pulling
my hand just like this.
And I make myself
look real mean like-
- It's very impressive.
Now, if you'll excuse me.
- [Ned] He ain't
going to the hotel.
- No, he ain't. It's the
Old Parker Place then.
(tense music)
- Two fellas rode
inside the Parker Place.
Joshua's already in there.
- Did you recognize
either the two fellows?
- I didn't see their faces.
- Can you make it
sound like a hoot owl?
- I sure can.
- Anyone else comes anywhere
near that place, you hoot.
(ominous music)
(rock taps)
- [Person] Who's there?
Show yourself!
I'll shoot you without
a second thought.
(tense music)
(gun smacks)
(ominous music)
- One down, two to go.
(Andrew hooting)
(suspenseful music)
(tense music)
- Rice.
- I'll get him. You
check the house.
(uneasy music)
(tense uneasy music)
(tense music)
- [Paisley] Joshua?
Joshua!
- I came to catch
'em to get proof.
They're trying to frame me.
- [Paisley] Who?
(ominous music)
(tense ominous music)
- Framing you and
double crossing them
should have been easy.
(ominous music)
(gun bangs)
(birds chirping)
(gun bangs)
(Hawking groans)
(guns banging)
(horse neighing)
(tense dramatic music)
(guns banging)
(Hawking groans)
(gun clicks)
(gun bangs)
(uneasy music)
Toss down your weapon, Sheriff.
(uneasy music)
I am not bluffing. Both of you.
Toss your guns or I will shoot.
- Do what he says.
- Quit being so yellow-bellied,
Cade, and shoot the man.
(gun bangs)
(tense music)
Cade!
(gun bangs)
(Mr. Lewis thuds)
(ominous music)
- [Cade] Paisley!
- (groans) Quit
squeezing my arm, Fergus,
or I'll shoot you too.
Lewis shot me.
Caught me off-guard.
- Rice got me. Tansy got him.
- Ow!
- Well, Tansy's guarding Rice.
I don't know how he's doing.
- Get to town so Gideon
can tend to you both.
- First you almost shoot
me, then you send me away?
I'd hate to see your approach
with a woman you don't like.
- I ain't ready to
joke about this.
I love you, Paisley Bell.
- You better.
(gentle music)
- [Gideon] Mr. Lewis was the one
who planted the incriminating
note in Joshua's room?
- Yes. And recruited Rice after
he didn't get
the job of sheriff.
Now, it's just a bullet hole
and you got the slug out.
This seems unnecessary.
- Now, you're lucky Cade
likes stubborn women.
- Mm-hm.
- You know, you and Cade are
perfect for each other.
Finding that is rare.
Finding that in the middle of
nowhere is almost a miracle.
- Maybe some unmarried woman
who loves noxious medicines
will move to Savage Wells.
- Yeah. I for one am
not holding my breath.
- Is your arm as
bad as all that?
- Gideon just being an old fuss.
He didn't try to make
Hawk use a sling.
- I didn't dig a bullet
outta Hawk's arm.
Well, I'm gonna go
check on Joshua.
He probably could do
some more powders.
- So what about Stevenson?
- I couldn't save him.
Rice and Lewis will cover
and stand trial in Laramie.
(gentle music)
- Lucky for us, we both
have very good aim.
Neither of us would've come
out of this well otherwise.
- Lewis was standing so close
to you when I took that shot.
What if I'd missed?
- I didn't doubt you for
a moment, Cade O'Brien.
- I did.
I'm gonna be reliving that
moment in my nightmares
for years to come.
- Pull yourself
together, Fergus.
- Fergus? I'm in trouble, am I?
- I've been shot and had
a bullet dug outta me.
I need you to quit your
crying and hold me.
(gentle music)
(birds chirping)
- I'll drag these two
out to the wagon.
You grab the
paperwork, Deputy Bell.
- Deputy Bell? I
do like hearing that.
- [Hawking] Don't even
think about it. Keep moving.
Keep it moving.
- Paisley?
Paisley, are you
going somewhere?
- To Laramie for a little while.
You'll be staying
here with Cade.
- He pulled me out of
the river. I remember.
I don't always remember
things, but I remember that.
(gentle music continues)
- [Andrew] It is your turn.
- [Mr. Bell] Is it?
- [Andrew] Sure is.
(bright music)
- Thank you for taking care of
Papa while I'm on assignment.
- Your first assignment
with the US Marshals,
and it's taking those two
to Laramie to face justice.
Not a bad beginning.
- Are you even going to
miss me, you hardheaded man?
- More than you know.
How long are you
gonna be gone again?
- Hawk says two weeks.
- Mm.
Two weeks is too long.
I suppose it can't be helped.
Come back to me whole, Paisley.
- I will.
I'll always come
back to you, Cade.
(bright music)
- [Rider] Yeah, let's go.
- I love you, Cade O'Brien.
- You better.
- Woo!
(bright cheerful music)
(bright cheerful
music continues)
(bright cheerful
music continues)
(bright cheerful
music continues)