Elkhorn (2024) s01e06 Episode Script

ANNOUNCER: Previously
on Elkhorn
ARTHUR: We reprinted that
obituary from the Times.
To lose one’s wife and
mother on the same day.
DOCTOR: We’ve done everything
we can Mr. Roosevelt.
Your wife’s body is failing.
Then get another doctor.
SEWALL: One day or another,
you won’t feel as you do now.
ROOSEVELT: I’m here Alice.
No, Alice, please.
Alice stay with me.
The past is the past,
and to dwell on it would be
weak.
[GUNSHOT]
[ANIMAL GROWLING]
Easy.
He’s coming down,
he’s coming down.
Another cartridge
in there quick.
[FUMBLING WITH CARTRIDGE]
[ANIMAL GROWLING]
Take the shot.
[FUMBLING WITH CARTRIDGE]
[BEAR GROWLING]
Take the shot.
[GUNSHOT]
[THEME MUSIC] ♪
[THEME MUSIC] ♪
[THEME MUSIC] ♪
[INSECTS CHIRPING]
[FOOTSTEPS]
[FOOTSTEPS]
SEWALL: Bit late for a
stroll, isn’t Mr. Roosevelt.
Walking moves the mind, Bill.
And no better time
than now, than when
the world is at it’s quietest.
We having a meeting?
No, Wilmot.
Go back to bed.
You needn’t be
concerned with me.
Now if you don’t mind,
I have work that
needs to be done.
SEWALL: Wearin’ holes in the
floor is what you’re doing.
Ah.
[HAMMERING]
[HAMMERING]
Oh!
Ooh! Thunderation!
Ooh!
- You alright?
Yeah, Yeah. Just
getting clumsy, I guess.
Yeah. Well I’m off to get
more lumber for the coop.
Alright.
Well Uncle, you are gonna have
a hard time chopping that wood.
Unless of course, you are planning
on digging up that whole tree.
[LAUGHTER]
Oh
now I think we might
be owed a proper nap.
Yes sir.
MERRIFIELD: Morning fellas.
What the heck happened to y’all?
[DOW YAWNS] Shoot, if I
didn’t know any better,
looks like you just rode
the entire Oregon Trail.
DOW: Oh, it’s Mr. Roosevelt.
For three night in a row
he’s been stomping
back and forth
ever since he got
- SEWELL: Hey
coop ain’t gonna build itself.
Gimme that axe.
Yes sir.
MERRIFIELD: Something
I ought to know?
[SEWALL SIGHS]
Not for us to say.
[KNOCKING ON THE DOOR]
[DOOR OPENS]
[DOOR CLOSES]
[CLEARING THROAT]
Mr. Roosevelt.
No, afraid the sun’s
a bit too hot for me.
If there’s business, please
be quick with it. I’m
under something of a deadline.
MERRIFIELD: What’s all this?
It, uh, for your hunting book?
What?
Oh
no, no.
My departed wife’s family,
well they’re printing a
collection to honor her, and
I’ve been asked to
write a proper eulogy.
That’s no easy thing.
Oh well. You needn’t
be concerned with me.
I’ve written plenty of things
in my day. I just need to
find the right words.
I’d, uh,
I’d like to propose something.
Ah, finally
business then.
MERRIFIELD: Nope. Not business.
I’d like to propose a hunt.
The hunt. You
know the one that
you’ve been wanting to
undertake ever since
you and I met.
You mean,
Wyoming?
The big horns?
MERRIFIELD: That’s right.
Mr. Roosevelt
I think it’s about
time you got yourself
a big trophy of your own.
Wow Bill, That
sounds delightful.
But I couldn’t possibly leave
before finishing up here.
Remember what you told me, uh,
about a grand hunt like that?
How it uh
Makes a man hardy?
Resolute.
Strengthens muscles.
Fills out the lungs.
MERRIFIELD: Clears the head.
Now
if it’s words you’re
looking for
I think a head clearing
might just do the trick.
What do you say?
You up for it?
How soon can we depart?
MERRIFIELD: Whoa.
Yeah.
May not look like much but
he is the best teamster
in the territory.
[GRUNTING] [FIGHTING]
[GRUNTING] [FIGHTING]
Should we intervene?
[GRUNTING] [FIGHTING]
MERRIFIELD: For which side?
[GRUNTING] [FIGHTING]
BRAWLER: Ah! Get off of me!
[GUNSHOT]
Ah! [PUNCH]
[KICK]
[BODY FALLS TO THE GROUND]
LEBO: You got some nerve Merry,
spoiling in on another
man’s negotiations.
MERRIFIELD: Yeah.
Real sorry about that Lebo.
LEBO: What about you mister?
Fancy some furs?
My beaver pelts are the
softest south of Winnipeg.
MERRIFIELD: This here is
Mr. Theodore Roosevelt.
Mr. Roosevelt.
Norma Lebo.
Mr., uh, Lebo.
We would like to inquire
about your services as a guide
for a hunting expedition
to the Big Horn Mountains.
LEBO: Well
seein’ as how I’m
down a customer
can’t discuss nothing until
a pelt’s been purchased.
Ah
[SNIFFING]
Big Horns, huh?
MERRIFIELD: That’s right.
No quick trip that.
We’re up for it.
LEBO: And that mountain pass,
that’s Cheyenne land, you know.
Cheyenne? You mean?
LEBO: The ones
that got Custer,
yeah.
[WATER SPLASHING]
[YELLING]
You’re crazy Lebo.
LEBO: Crazy would be
accepting such an insulting
offer for my wares!
Cheyenne, plus
river, rain, bandits.
You sure you’re up for it?
You know I’ve often
been misjudged,
and those who do
often regret it.
LEBO: Haha, well lucky for you,
I’m a man who regrets nothing.
MRS. LEBO: Oh no! He’s
not goin’ anywhere!
LEBO: Oh for the-will you
just leave us in peace, woman?
MRS. LEBO: You don’t want
this one leading you.
He’ll run right off.
Last time he went hunting,
said he’d be back
just three weeks.
He wasn’t back for three year.
LEBO: Wasn’t long enough.
Seems to me ma’am,
that you could use a guarantee.
MRS. LEBO: What’s that there?
It is
your guarantee.
If your husband fails to return,
you’ll be compensated
for up to three years.
Is this amount suitable?
MRS. LEBO: Yeah.
I reckon it’ll do.
Still,
I’d prefer he come back.
ROOSEVELT: "All the
past we leave behind."
What’s that now?
Whitman.
"All the past we leave behind,
we debouch upon a
newer, mightier world,
varied world,
fresh and strong
the world we seize,
the world of labor
and the march,
pioneers!
"O pioneers!"
LEBO: Spirited sort, ain’t he?
You have no idea.
LEBO: Hey. Go on, get.
[HORSE BLUSTERS]
Bull elk, huh?
Far as weaponry,
what’ve you brung?
Well, we got shotguns,
repeaters, Winchester 73s.
LEBO: Well that won’t do.
Good for goat sure. But
when a bull starts charging
you, you’re gonna be
wishing for a little
more stopping power.
I know a feller. Uh,
a bit of a detour,
but he’ll have what you need.
Come on get.
[KICKING DOOR]
Open up, Gerry!
Let me do the dealin’.
This one ain’t a sweet
heart like myself.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
You in there, you ol’ mutt?
[DOOR OPENS] [COCKS RIFLE]
Took you long enough.
What do you want, Lebo?
What do you think?
Looking to buy.
After you, Mr. Roosevelt.
Get you boys a drink?
No. Thank you.
Best get what we need
then be on our way.
Gerry, you got anything
a little bigger caliber?
PADDOCK: Mostly use
it for buffalo, but
there ain’t a livin’ thing
this can’t bring down.
As I’m sure you can attest.
PADDOCK: Oh, come on now.
Ain’t no reason we
can’t be professional.
Well, I’m less inclined when
your profession is violence.
PADDOCK: My profession
is whatever pays me,
and whoever pays me.
Nothing more.
LEBO: This thing
feels like a cannon.
PADDOCK: That’s the
Remington rolling block.
What’s the caliber?
PADDOCK: Forty-five government.
LEBO: Whoo.
That’s some stopping power.
PADDOCK: That’ll bring down
a thousand pound buffalo
from 500 yards.
How much?
PADDOCK: Fifty.
Appreciate your patronage.
Happy hunting, Mr. Rooz-velt.
LEBO: Boy
I tell you what.
If I had my way,
no two nights ever see
me in the same bed.
No sir [LEBO CHUCKLES]
Course, my wife see it a
bit different. [CHUCKLING]
It must be nice
having a wife doesn’t
mind you’re away.
That ain’t none of your concern.
I mean no harm by it.
Just saw the ring;
couldn’t help but wonder.
MERRIFIELD: Lebo,
I swear if you don’t
shut your trap-
A man can’t ask a simple
question? ROOSEVELT: Perhaps,
we just have a bit of silence.
[CLEARS HIS THROAT]
[THUNDER ROLLS]
[GIGGLING]
[RAIN FALLING]
BEVERLY: Ma’am.
I can take that from you sir.
ROOSEVELT: Thank you Beverly.
Come now Teddy. Your
family is waiting for us.
They can wait just
a moment longer.
What are you up to?
What do you mean?
Well the last time
you stole me away
from a party was
on Harvard Yard.
You got down on one knee.
That wasn’t my finest moment.
ALICE: Oh, I
remember it fondly.
Fondly? You refused
my proposal.
ALICE: I didn’t refuse, I
simply said you should
ask another time.
And besides
how would you ever
learn perseverance?
But the past few months
have been wonderful,
and your family has been
ever so gracious.
Now
what is it you
wanted to show me?
I hope this is the right time.
Alice,
would you make me the
happiest man on Earth,
and marry me?
Mm hmm.
MITTIE: There you are Teedie,
Come now. Everybody
is waiting.
Yes, of course mother.
MITTIE: Come now, Alice.
Join the family.
I can’t wait to.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
Merrifield.
Morning, Mr. Roosevelt.
What is it?
Well, I thought I’d inform
you that our guide is missing.
Missing?
I was up early this
morning and saw
that his bed roll was gone.
I assumed he’d be
back by now, but
well, clearly he hasn’t.
Lebo where are ya?
His wife warned us
good didn’t she?
Now it looks like that flea
bag has up and left us.
I don’t suppose, if
it comes down to it,
you know the way back?
I’d be lying if I said I did.
Lebo! MERRIFIELD: Lebo!
ROOSEVELT: Lebo!
Lebo!
Maybe we go searching.
Couldn’t have gotten far.
Didn’t take a horse.
MERRIFIELD: Yeah,
but which way?
I’m sorry Mr. Roosevelt,
this is all my fault.
I thought for sure he’d stick with us.
- Wait.
Did you hear that?
Mm mm.
Ah.
Ah, that coffee
sure smells good.
MERRIFIELD: Lebo,
what the heck you
doing under the wagon?
I always sleep under the wagon.
[CHUCKLING]
Still got a ways
’til the mountains.
Someone’s coming.
LEBO: Ah, here
comes the cavalry.
WALLOP: You headed into town?
MERRIFIELD: More
passing through.
WALLOP: You’re uh
[CHUCKLING] Yes
Theodore Roosevelt.
I heard you were setting
up shop in the Badlands.
My name’s Colonel
Francis Wallop.
I’m the commander
of the uh, well,
what’s left of this regiment.
ROOSEVELT: It’s an honor
to meet you, Colonel.
WALLOP: What brings
you to Wyoming?
ROOSEVELT: Thrill of the hunt.
WALLOP: I tell you what, I’m heading
back to my camp few miles south.
Why not join me?
I could have my men restock
your provisions and uh,
you could dine with the
officers as my guest.
We’d be delighted.
WALLOP: Well uh,
as gentleman of Congress,
we do require formal attire.
Not to worry, sir,
I never forget my dinner jacket.
LEBO: You know, never
would have thought to
bring a dinner jacket to a hunt.
Have to start doing
that just in case.
Lebo,
you ain’t gonna
have another case.
LEBO: Y’know, I’ve
guided my share of these
silk-stocking type dudes.
They ain’t like us.
I never cared for
Army chow anyhow.
My guide says that there are
Cheyenne in the territory,
are they dangerous?
Sometimes, they can be fearsome
when they wanna be,
but the war is over.
To the valiant foe.
[SCOFFS]
Not what they used to be.
[SIGH]
World’s changing.
Heck we’re not going
to be here much longer.
They keep pulling us back
East,
slowly but surely.
So,
Mr. Roosevelt,
what manner of game
is worth such a trip?
We’re after the mighty bull elk.
Well, there’s not very many
left, big horns I’m afraid.
What do you mean?
WALLOP: Too many settlers.
Too many hunters, trappers.
World’s changing.
When Alexander saw the
breadth of his domain,
he wept.
ROOSEVELT: For there were
no more worlds to conquer.
WALLOP: You know, there
might be something, um,
more deserving of your sights
than a bull elk.
Please go on.
WALLOP: About a week ago,
corporal went missing
over at, uh, Crazy Woman Creek.
We sent out a search party.
What happened to him?
Perhaps you should
see for yourself.
He was barely breathing
when they found him.
A few more hours, who knows.
What did this?
Old Ephraim.
A grizzly, Mr. Roosevelt.
A man-eater.
Predator by nature.
Now, now that its
prey is being hunted
to near-extinction-
it’s looking for food
anywhere it can find it.
Then what choice is there?
It must be dealt with.
Let’s make camp here.
[HAMMERING]
[HAMMERING]
[GUNSHOT]
MERRIFIELD: Ambush!
[GUNFIRE]
[GUNFIRE]
Where the devil are they?
Bill can you see anything?
LEBO: This ain’t no ambush.
Come on.
[GUNFIRE]
What?
What do you mean?!
[GUNSHOT]
[GUNSHOT]
LEBO: Yep.
Cheyenne.
[GUNSHOTS]
[GUNSHOTS]
[GUNSHOT] I believe
we’ve been spotted.
LEBO: It’s fine, it’s fine.
[SPEAKING CHEYENNE]
MERRIFIELD: You speak Cheyenne?
LEBO: I’d be some poor
guide if I didn’t.
[SPEAKING CHEYENNE]
[SPEAKING CHEYENNE]
KOPEHE: Not soldiers?
No, hunters.
KOPEHE: More of you?
MERRIFIELD: Not here,
but the army camp will
be expecting us back.
KOPEHE: You do not
look like a hunter.
How do you shoot like that?
How about I show you.
A competition,
three shots each.
MERRIFIELD: Well,
we wanna keep it
friendly, Mr. Roosevelt.
Exactly,
friendly competition.
What do you say?
[GUNSHOT]
[COCKING RIFLE]
[GUNSHOT]
[LAUGHTER]
[GUNSHOT]
[CHUCKLING]
[GUNSHOT]
[CHUCKLING]
ROOSEVELT: Hmm
Two and two,
why don’t we make this last one
a little more interesting.
Mm hmm.
Accurate up to 500 yards.
I believe it’s your shot.
[GUNSHOT]
Ooh
[LAUGHTER]
Close,
but now I believe it’s my turn.
[GUNSHOT]
[CHEERING]
[LAUGHTER]
My goodness that was fun.
Wasn’t it?
You, sir, are an excellent shot.
[SPEAKING CHEYENNE]
The great bear.
You have his spirit.
It’s an honor.
MERRIFIELD: Yeah this
looks as good as any place.
What do you say we set
up camp here tonight?
Yeah, that’s a big bear.
ROOSEVELT: Yes.
Yes it is.
Well then.
That’s as far as I go.
MERRIFIELD: What
are you saying?
I’m saying my wagon will be
waiting for you when you get back.
Lebo, you pigeon-hearted fool.
Lebo,
that wasn’t our agreement.
Our agreement didn’t
include no grizzlies.
You’re talking 900 pounds.
Ten feet standing.
Beast like that’ll tear out
your gullet in one swipe.
Start feeding on you while
you still drawing breath.
Y’all wanna take on Ol’ Ephraim,
be my guest.
I ain’t going one step further.
Well
he may be pigeon-hearted,
but he may be right.
What do you want to do?
Must be dealt with.
How close do you think we are?
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
We may be real close.
Yeah, it’s fresh.
Couple hours at the most.
We are in his domain
now, Mr. Roosevelt.
We need to keep down wind
and keep our eyes peeled,
most important
keep quiet.
Let’s go.
[INSECTS CHIRPING]
[INSECTS CHIRPING]
[INSECTS CHIRPING]
ALICE: Teddy, did
you sleep at all?
Politics don’t sleep.
So why should I?
I see.
Well then as your constituent,
I have a request.
I shall grant it.
Anything.
Could you please order my
husband to get some sleep?
I’m afraid that’s not up to me.
But once this bill
gets to the floor.
He will have more time.
I promise.
This is the life I’ve chosen,
the life we’ve chosen.
ALICE: And I wouldn’t
change it for the world,
but things are going to change.
I’m afraid that’s not up to me.
[LAUGHTER]
You have to be careful with me,
with us.
This is amazing.
Alice, I-I
I’m going to be a father.
Things really are
going to change.
MERRIFIELD: Bad dream?
Yes
it was.
You know [CLEARING THROAT]
it’s funny.
I can write 500 pages
on the War of 1812,
but I can’t seem to write
a single page for her.
I would know.
Lost my wife too, you know,
a few years back.
Bill.
Sickness took her quick.
Why did you never tell me?
Ain’t often in the mood.
As you can imagine.
Yes.
Of course.
MERRIFIELD: I still
think about her though.
Every day.
Sometimes,
I just can’t help smiling.
May I ask,
how do you do that?
Do what?
Remember someone with joy,
instead of sorrow?
It ain’t like that.
And it sure ain’t something
you ever get past.
You learn.
You learn to take the joy
with the sorrow.
You learn to take ’em together.
[INSECTS CHIRPING]
[BEAR CHUFFING]
[COCKING RIFLE]
We went looking for him.
[BEAR CHUFFING]
Seems he found us.
[BEAR CHUFFING]
MERRIFIELD: I reckon
he smelled our cooking.
Leaving us the
ones being hunted.
[GUNSHOT]
[BEAR GROWLING]
MERRIFIELD: He’s coming down.
He’s coming down.
Put another cartridge
in there quick.
[BEAR GROWLING]
[FUMBLING WITH CARTRIDGE]
[BEAR GROWLING]
Take the shot.
[BEAR GROWLING]
Take the shot. Take the shot!
[GUNSHOT]
[PANTING]
Whoo.
Whoo.
[LAUGHTER]
That’ll get your blood pumping.
I don’t know about
you, Mr. Roosevelt, but
my heart was pounding there.
[INSECTS CHIRPING]
What’s wrong, Mr. Roosevelt?
You just bagged the biggest
grizzly I’ve ever seen.
It had to be dealt with.
[INSECTS CHIRPING]
I’m sorry, Bill, I just-
I thought this hunt
would change things but-
it hasn’t changed a thing.
Well,
I know one thing has changed.
This here grizzly won’t
ever hurt another soul.
MERRIFIELD: Lebo! You
should’ve been there.
Biggest grizzly I’ve ever seen.
Come charging right at us.
Mr. Roosevelt took him
down with one shot.
Is that a fact?
MERRIFIELD: Go
ahead, tell him sir.
We were in his
domain, after all.