The Magnificent Seven (1998) s02e12 Episode Script
Serpents
CROWD [CHANTlNG .]
: Join the great.
Be a state.
Join the great.
Be a state.
Join the great.
Be a state.
Join the great.
Statehood means jobs and a voice in our government.
What's the matter, sir? Afraid to join the modern age? Wait, wait.
My mother goes on to say: ''Leave your dust bowl behind, dear son.
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and become my partner in St.
Louis' new historic Riverfront Casino.
lt's high time we get stinking rich.
'' -How much does she want this time? -Uh.
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-The ante is a mere $2000.
-And you think she's on the level? l do.
Not that it matters.
Sadly, l find myself $ 1 999 short this week.
Join the crowd.
How ever did l allow myself to fall into a career in law enforcement? Ladies and gentlemen.
See that spittoon? ln the state of Rhode lsland, it is illegal to spit.
You there, playing cards.
ln the state of Vermont, gambling is against the law.
Now, some folks around here want us to be a state.
Now, l don't know about you, but l like to spit and play cards.
MEN: Yeah! -Buck? -You're blocking my view there, hoss.
l don't want a bunch of lily-livered Eastern toadies making laws for me.
No, sir.
lf we remain a territory, we know what we have.
Federal money without giving up local control.
Well-spoken.
Well-spoken.
MEN: Yeah! You're just a lackey for those ranchers.
And so is that governor you work for.
Only thing dumber than a sheep is the man that herds them.
[MEN LAUGHlNG .]
Gentlemen, please, let's discuss this in a more civilized manner.
[SCREAMS.]
Thank you.
Name's Louisa Perkins.
l work for Governor Hopewell.
Name's Buck Wilmington.
The law around here.
Now, that was rude.
That's enough! Next time there's a brawl, l'll curl up under a table with a good book.
We don't get paid enough to endure these indignities.
VlN: We all take the same risks, Ezra.
Except nobody else complains about it.
[MUMBLlNG lNDlSTlNCTLY.]
Mr.
Chris, sir, l ask you, what am l to do? Now, when the mouse has your cheese.
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you call the cats, yes? Spread out, Mr.
Heidegger.
For three days, Mr.
Smith does not leave his room.
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or allow the maids to enter, or pay his bills.
Now, please tell me, what in God's name is going on in there? Let's go have a look.
-Yeah.
-Come on, Ezra.
Wouldn't wanna give myself a chance to heal.
EZRA: Oh, good Lord.
ls he, uh, dead? EZRA: Well, if he weren't, the stench would kill him.
VlN: Don't look like foul play.
Maybe his heart gave out.
VlN: l'll get Nathan.
He'll have a better idea.
EZRA: l believe he died of happiness.
By my eye.
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there's close to $ 1 0,000 here.
CHRlS: Ten thousand dollars.
That'll buy you a lot of dreams.
Well, well.
Take a look at this.
[WHlSTLES.]
This ain't no cowboy's rifle.
Sure is pretty.
CHRlS: This man's name ain't Smith.
This is Lucius Stutz.
Long-Range Lucius Stutz? And who would that be? -Hired assassin.
-One of the deadliest.
That 1 0,000 there, that's blood money.
The question is, who was he here to kill? He picked off his targets from so far that he'd be gone before the bullet hit.
-And he never missed.
-Except this time.
Glad l wasn't on the wrong end of his rifle.
Don't go on and worry, kid.
None of us is worth 1 0,000, dead or alive.
A casino in St.
Louis.
Now, that's what l'd buy.
But there's plenty in there for all of us.
And you, for example, could buy yourself a sprawling ranch.
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and some beautiful quarter horses.
That sounds real good.
There's only one problem.
-lt ain't ours.
-Yeah, but custom dictates.
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that if it goes unclaimed, it reverts back to the finders, namely us.
Look, we get paid a miserable $ 7 a week.
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to get shot at, abused and generally disrespected.
Call it a bonus, if you like.
This money is going in the bank, Ezra.
And be quiet about it.
lf this gets out.
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every yahoo west of the Missouri will be laying claim to it.
Fear not.
Sharing the wealth would not be my first instinct.
[PlANO PLAYlNG .]
LOUlSA: Statehood is a trick.
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of the railroad barons and the big city financiers.
Come and hear the truth from your territorial governor.
lf beauty had a name, it would be Louisa.
That's what l'm gonna say, then l'm gonna invite her to supper.
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and for a walk in the moonlight.
Well, what are waiting for? You don't just walk up to a woman like that and start spouting.
Timing is the key.
You have to wait for the perfect moment.
LOUlSA: Evening, Buck.
Miss Louisa.
l thought if you weren't otherwise engaged.
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you might join me for supper.
-Oh, l could eat.
Ma'am.
Wonder what kind of monster uses a weapon like that.
l don't rightly know.
But if l had had a rifle like this when l was a bounty hunter.
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Big difference between bounty hunting and murder.
Maybe.
But if a man's wanted alive or dead.
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it might be the easier if he's dead.
You lie in wait.
You take him down.
You get paid for him being dead.
Same as Lucius Stutz.
l'm just saying, a gun like this, so much money.
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might make a monster out of any man.
Except the man who knows better.
BUCK: l had a dog once.
He used to just howl on nights like this.
l think l know how he felt now.
Do you wanna go to the saloon or something? l really should turn in.
Well, then we best say good night.
Yes.
Well, good night.
Good night.
Mr.
Chris, where is my money? Keep your voice down.
And it ain't your money.
lt was found in my hotel.
And for three days he paid me nothing.
Even the Ritz Hotel in Paris doesn't charge $3000 a night.
Oh, l see what is what here.
You want to keep the $ 1 0,000 for yourself.
MAN: Ten thousand? -Keep your voice down.
Ten thousand dollars with no one to claim it.
Now, that suits you gunslingers just right, l'm sure.
Are you suggesting what l think you are? MAN: Whose money is it anyway? Weasel.
Well, so much for our little secret.
MAN: What's going on with all that money? You do realize, even if all seven of us worked the rest of our lives.
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we'll never make this much money.
And yet here it is.
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right in our laps.
Ezra, l don't wanna have to shoot you.
EZRA: Fine.
But then who gets the 1 0,000? [ALL SHOUTlNG lNDlSTlNCTLY.]
EZRA: Please, please make way.
We're coming through.
Money sure does bring out the best in people, don't it? BANKER: What am l gonna do with all these lunatics? Every one of them says that they have a legitimate claim.
What a disgusting display of greed.
Now, sir, you may rest assured that no one's taking my-- Uh, that money out of here.
[SHOUTlNG lN SPANlSH.]
Another poor soul whipped to a frenzy over the temptation of money.
What did we miss? Couple of bandits looking to get shot.
WOMAN: Go back home.
JOSlAH: Five minutes ago, he was poor and desperate.
Now maybe he's found some peace.
l won't have this in my bank.
lt is too risky.
lt's your problem now.
l'll just see to that then.
Large amounts of money don't unnerve me in the least.
lt'll be safer over at the church.
l know l've appeared a tad mercenary.
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but l'm quite capable of seeing to its safekeeping.
Mr.
Larabee, am l to assume.
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that you have doubts as to my honesty? Josiah can look after it.
[HAMMERlNG .]
And the Good Book can be such a comfort.
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in these times of sin and temptation.
This beautiful edition here is fully illustrated for the youngsters.
[BUGLE PLAYlNG .]
[CROWD CHEERlNG .]
And each page is lined in genuine gold leaf.
Good morning.
-Good morning.
WOMAN: Hi, governor.
Come on around.
l'm your territorial governor, Clayton Hopewell.
And l am here to help you beat back this brushfire of statehood.
So come on out to the rally, noon tomorrow.
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bring friends and neighbors, l'll tell you the truth about statehood.
And there will be plenty of free beer to boot! [CHEERlNG .]
Governor Hopewell.
l'm Mary Travis.
Editor of The CIarion.
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am l right? You've become quite the spokeswoman for statehood, my dear.
Your articles have been reprinted all over the territory.
l'm gratified to hear that.
l must say, l never imagined.
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my chief adversary would be so young and beautiful.
Thank you, sir, but all the flattery in the world won't change my mind.
[HOPEWELL CHUCKLlNG .]
l welcome the opportunity to try, Mrs.
Travis.
Perhaps over dinner this evening? l look forward to it, governor.
But l think l'll be the one persuading you.
[CHUCKLlNG .]
MAN: Hey, it's Liver-Eating Jones.
What are you doing here? All right, let him go.
Get off.
He's Liver-Eating Jones, notorious killer.
l've seen the light, boys.
l've changed my evil ways.
Yeah, sure you have.
The governor's got a lot of death threats.
And he's just the weasel to do that sort of thing.
Prove that accusation.
-Who are you? -l'm the law in this town.
LlVER: My gun's hung up.
And l've swore off drink too.
Now l'm drunk on God.
You're a liver-eating liar.
Unless you can back up those charges with facts.
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this man is free to go.
Go on, get out of here.
-Jones.
-Yeah? -We'll be watching you.
-l won't so much as spit on the street.
Any harm comes to the governor, it's on your head.
You thinking what l'm thinking? Some folks might consider 1 0,000 a bargain.
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to rid a man in the governor's position.
Well, anybody who's willing to pay that kind of money for a killing.
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ain't gonna give up easy.
Keep your eye on Jones.
All right.
l wanna see you.
Are you coming for sure? Good.
How are you, sir? -Good to see you.
-You too.
-How are you? Good.
-Governor? Can l have a word with you? These are my people, sir.
Well, one of your people may want you dead.
You ever heard of a man called Lucius Stutz? -ls he a supporter? -No, he's an assassin.
Found him in his hotel room, dead.
l got reason to believe somebody paid him $ 1 0,000 to kill you.
Ten thousand dollars? Well, then l must be doing something right.
Now, if you'll excuse me, l've got a rally to promote.
My advice is you cancel it.
Do you know who you're talking to, sir? l could be talking to a dead man if you go in front of those people tomorrow.
Well, then so be it.
Because that's exactly what l'm gonna do.
-The truth will not be silenced.
CROWD: Yes! [CROWD CLAPPlNG .]
When it comes right down to it, l do believe.
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that Chris considers me a larcenist.
No, Ezra.
l think he just doesn't trust you with money.
l'll admit, l made a strong case on our behalf.
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but he can't seriously think that l'd abscond with it.
You know, l wish l knew what to say, Ezra.
You know, l can endure the torments of hell.
And l believe l have, to the benefit of this entire town.
But l cannot abide the fact that my associates don't trust me.
No, sir.
BUCK: You naughty girl.
l just have strong beliefs.
Except in the First Amendment.
Freedom of speech.
Perhaps you've heard of it? [BUCK CLEARS THROAT.]
l would hate to see this lovely town fall victim to economic collapse.
Or worse, be ravaged by lndians.
Oh, yes, the old lndian threat.
That's worked well for your side out here.
-We gotta be going.
-Do you seriously think.
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that they'll just sit by and let their tribal lands be turned over to the state? Not a chance.
We'll have war.
And you, with your yellow hair and your green eyes.
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will make a prized lndian bride.
Because they'd lose their hold on the land.
And your Governor Hopewell, he's in their pockets.
Now, ladies, ladies.
Good day, squaw.
You do that again, l'll have Mr.
Wilmington here arrest you.
BUCK: Okay, here we go.
-Nothing like a good debate.
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to set my blood astir.
[GASPlNG .]
A wise man is strong, yea, knowledge increaseth strength.
Well, you know your Proverbs, son.
Hope some of your congregation might wish to learn them too.
Each page is lined in genuine gold leaf.
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and it's fully illustrated, see? The preacher in the last town bought a whole case for his congregation.
Well, you're looking at my congregation, son.
But thank you very much.
Consider it a gift.
Maybe it'll grow on you.
You are just full of surprises.
[LOUlSA CHUCKLES.]
l got a feeling, even if l spent the rest of my life with you.
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you'd still be surprising me.
l'd keep you on your toes.
l'd keep you in my heart.
l just can't resist that twinkle in your eye.
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that sweet smile on your face.
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and all that corn coming out of your mouth.
Louisa, all l know is.
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being here with you.
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it feels like home.
[LOUlSA MOANlNG .]
LOUlSA: l just wish l could stay longer with you.
What's that supposed to mean? l've gotta move on to Kletterson.
What the hell is in Kletterson? A rally, l hope.
As long as l'm there to organize it.
Buck, this is just one stop on a long tour for the governor.
So when are you coming back? l don't know for sure, sugar.
But l sure hope it's soon.
Hold me, Buck.
And the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field.
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which the Lord God had made.
He said unto the woman: ''Yea, hath God said, ye shall not eat of every tree in the garden?'' Destroyer of kingdoms.
You caused our fall.
[SNlFFlNG .]
l will not be tempted.
lt's a great job, huh? Getting paid to watch people eat.
Yeah.
What's the matter, Buck? You look like your horse died.
No, you wouldn't understand.
Yeah, you're right.
Stupid me thought it might have something to do.
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with that lady who works for the governor.
All right.
l don't know.
She's not perfect, all right, and l know l'm not perfect.
But we're perfect together.
There is something about her.
Oh, whoa, hold on.
lt ain't possible a woman's finally tamed Buck.
Yeah, well, don't worry, J.
D.
The woman of my dreams turned out to be a rambling rose.
You know, you're serious about her, Buck.
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make her stay.
Lincoln freed the slaves, J.
D.
What l mean is.
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marry her.
You know, there is something really wrong.
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if l'm listening to you about women.
lt was good advice.
So old Bertram, he realizes there's no way he can win.
But on the eve of the election.
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he goes out, he gets the entire town drunk.
Come election day, everyone's too hung-over to vote.
Except Bertram.
One vote cast, one vote counted.
That's a good story.
l have important stories.
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l could steer your way.
Turn The CIarion into the most influential newspaper in this territory.
And you, my dear, into a powerful editor.
From the sound of it, l must already be a powerful editor.
Why else would you offer me such a generous bribe? [LAUGHlNG .]
You are truly a charming woman, Mrs.
Travis.
[WOMEN GlGGLlNG .]
WOMAN: Josiah.
Josiah.
Josiah.
[PlANO PLAYlNG .]
They won't trust me to guard the money, and yet l'm required to sit here.
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and observe this cretin's disgusting display of manners.
Gives me the willies picturing him eating men's livers.
Cow liver, not people liver.
Ain't many folks enjoy the taste of liver.
But l do.
That's how l got the name.
Oh, and what a charming moniker it is too.
[LlVER CHUCKLlNG .]
Uh, Mr.
Jones, where, may l ask, do you suppose you're going? Outhouse.
What better way to finish a fine meal? [LAUGHlNG .]
Oh, l'm not going in there.
lf l gotta die, l'd rather hang.
l'd sure like to have you on my side.
Promise to give women the vote and l'll consider it.
That would be political suicide, my dear.
Then l guess we'll agree to disagree.
A pity.
[GUNSHOT.]
J.
D.
: Stay down, governor.
Stay down.
Everybody stay down.
You all right? -l'll see what l can find.
HOPE WELL: Mary, are you hurt? [HORSE NElGHlNG .]
J.
D.
, what was that? Shot at the governor, right through the window.
Just missed him.
CHRlS: Where's Jones? He been out of your sight? l asked if he's been out of your sight.
Surely you don't expect me to follow him into the outhouse? CHRlS: Get them up! l ain't got no gun.
l didn't do nothing.
You can do nothing just as easy in jail.
[NElGHlNG .]
[MOANlNG .]
-Buck, my goodness.
-l got something to say.
And if l don't spill it fast, l'm not gonna get it out.
Okay? -But l-- -Shh.
Shh.
Louisa, darling.
l have never met a woman like you in my life before.
And l'm pretty sure l'm not gonna meet one like you again.
And l have never pictured myself.
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parking my boots in one place for too long.
But now l can't imagine my life without you.
Well, what l'm trying to get at is.
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-Will you marry me? -Marry you? Marry me.
l know, it's sudden.
And l don't have much to offer.
But l love you.
l love you.
-Yeah, l love you too.
-Yeah.
That's what makes it so sad.
Sad? Buck, l am not cut out to be a wife.
My life, my work, it's on the road.
You may be ready to park your boots.
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but l'm not.
Hark! You're always so willing to dispense advice to others in need.
See, it's just that, um.
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all my life, l've always gotten that look.
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you know, that tilt of the head.
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that question in the eye, ''Can l trust him?'' You know, l always hoped.
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that my friends knew me better.
Let the wicked forsake his ways.
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and the unrighteous man his thoughts.
You think you know what kind of man you are? l know l've earned some measure of respect, of trust.
You blame your friends? Blame yourself! Look inside your own heart, Ezra! Face your own demons! Now, you hold on just one minute, Josiah! l am the serpent, Ezra.
And this is the apple.
Take a bite.
Wait.
Somebody get in here.
l wanna talk to somebody.
Hello! l wanna talk to somebody.
J.
D.
: What you hollering about, Mr.
Jones? LlVER: The Lord spoke to me.
Told me l got a chance to save a life to pay for some of the ones l took.
You might start by telling us who hired you.
-l ain't fired a gun in almost a year.
-Come on, now.
That shot fired last night was fired from long-range.
Missed the governor by an inch.
Sounds like your style.
Only l never missed.
l ain't proud of what l was, but l was good at it.
-lt had to be Stutz.
-Stutz is dead.
Not Lucius, his boy.
They're partners.
What's this boy look like? Regular as you or me, except he's got a dead eye.
Wears a glass one now.
Looks almost normal.
Almost.
A sharpshooter with one eye? Yeah.
Made him a better shot, so he's happy about it.
But the mayor of Kettleston ain't.
They killed him last week.
How do you know that? Read all about it in that newspaper of yours.
Long-range, right between the eyes.
Had to be one of the Stutzes.
-How long before the rally? -About a half hour.
Can l interest you gentlemen in a bible? Only cost you $ 1 0,000.
What the hell are you doing? lt's broad daylight.
l got expenses.
Bible business is real slow around here.
You deal with this, Horace.
Your pa was paid $ 1 0,000 to do five jobs.
You ain't done but two.
Bad enough l lost my pa.
Now all my money's gone with him too? lf your ranchers still want them last three silenced.
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they gotta pony up.
You ain't got long.
And keep that.
You might need it.
Glass eye? l've seen that guy, he was selling bibles.
All right, then let's find him.
-Buck, J.
D.
BUCK: Stick with the governor.
The rest of you, spread out.
Check every rooftop, every window.
Every eyeball.
We wanna know who hired him.
So take him alive.
CHRlS: Josiah, is the money well hid? -l gave it to Ezra.
Ezra? What's the matter with you? -lt's serving a purpose.
-Yeah, to make Ezra rich.
All right, we'll deal with this later.
Let's catch some bad guy.
A bullet between the eyes, just like Jones said.
So that's a governor and a mayor they've gone after.
Wait a minute.
That sounds like something that happened in Dry Springs.
Yeah, the sheriff, l think.
Yeah, here it is.
Last month.
Killed the same way.
But this doesn't make any sense.
Both were strong advocates for statehood.
Mary, it's not the governor who's the target.
But that shot last night-- That was meant for you.
[SPEAKlNG lNDlSTlNCTLY.]
[CROWD CLAPPlNG .]
Ladies and gentlemen.
There are precious few moments in life.
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when we get an opportunity to stand up for greatness.
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when the political tide threatens to sweep us away.
But we dig our heels into the earth.
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and hold our ground.
l can't let you go out there.
Well, l'm not gonna stay in here based on a hunch.
This man's a professional killer.
l'm certainly not gonna just sit here and wait for him to come after me.
l've worked too hard for this.
l'm going.
-Mary.
-lf l don't go, they'll have won.
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without even pulling the trigger.
CHRlS: All right.
l'll go with you.
And at this time.
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l ask you to join me and stand up for greatness.
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and for your governor.
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Clayton Hopewell.
[CROWD CHEERlNG .]
Thank you, Louisa.
HOPEWELL: --your pockets, that's where.
l'm no railroad baron.
And as my banker will confirm, l am surely no Eastern financier.
[CROWD LAUGHlNG .]
l'm one of you.
The proud son of a dirt farmer.
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who dreamed of a free and prosperous life.
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out here on the frontier.
Now, some of our very own friends and neighbors.
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wanna surrender my father's dream.
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and your dreams to the federal government.
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to become a state.
-Are we gonna let them do that? CROWD: No! LOUlSA [CHANTlNG .]
: Join the great.
Be a state.
Join the great.
Be a state.
Join the great.
Be a state.
l saw Stutz.
He's in the crowd.
He's not going long-range.
-We gotta get the governor down.
-lt ain't the governor he's after, it's Mary.
-Join the great.
CHRlS: We gotta go.
Now.
Come on.
MARY: Chris, l don't wanna go, please.
CHRlS: We gotta go.
-Come on.
MARY: Chris, please.
Now.
[GUNSHOT.]
[WOMEN SCREAMlNG .]
Get back! -Get out! -Step back or she's dead.
You hurt her, and l will make your death slow and painful.
No, back off! Let her go.
Let her go.
Who hired you? He was reaching for his gun.
l'm glad l was here.
Folks, there's nothing to worry about.
The situation is well in hand.
We can't let our cause be diverted by the desperate acts of our opponents.
You saved my life.
l did? l did.
You done good, Ezra.
He'd be dead if it weren't for this.
EZRA: Mr.
Larabee, in the future.
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l believe it would be best just not to burden me.
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with other people's money.
Yeah.
You forgot your money.
l'm sorry? l have no idea what you're talking about.
Stutz was paid this money to kill at least three statehood advocates.
But you wouldn't know anything about that, now, would you? Are you insinuating that l had something to do with it? l resent the implication.
l am the governor of this territory.
And l will not stand by and listen to my good name be dragged through the mud.
Louisa, you handle this.
No.
Louisa? l quit.
Horace.
Well, then.
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.
And l suggest you gentlemen produce more evidence.
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before you sully a man's good reputation.
He's lying so loud his teeth are rattling.
l know.
Can't do anything about it.
So l hear you're out of a job.
But not a career.
There's still a lot of work to be done for this territory and this country.
But you know, l've been thinking.
l don't see why we still can't get married.
-ls that right? -Yeah.
This way.
As long as you're willing to come on the road with me.
BUCK: Me, on the road? CHRlS: How are you feeling, Ezra? Well, l'll be, uh, shuffling one-handed for a while.
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but otherwise, l'm right as rain.
All right.
Oh, uh, by the way.
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: Join the great.
Be a state.
Join the great.
Be a state.
Join the great.
Be a state.
Join the great.
Statehood means jobs and a voice in our government.
What's the matter, sir? Afraid to join the modern age? Wait, wait.
My mother goes on to say: ''Leave your dust bowl behind, dear son.
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and become my partner in St.
Louis' new historic Riverfront Casino.
lt's high time we get stinking rich.
'' -How much does she want this time? -Uh.
.
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.
-The ante is a mere $2000.
-And you think she's on the level? l do.
Not that it matters.
Sadly, l find myself $ 1 999 short this week.
Join the crowd.
How ever did l allow myself to fall into a career in law enforcement? Ladies and gentlemen.
See that spittoon? ln the state of Rhode lsland, it is illegal to spit.
You there, playing cards.
ln the state of Vermont, gambling is against the law.
Now, some folks around here want us to be a state.
Now, l don't know about you, but l like to spit and play cards.
MEN: Yeah! -Buck? -You're blocking my view there, hoss.
l don't want a bunch of lily-livered Eastern toadies making laws for me.
No, sir.
lf we remain a territory, we know what we have.
Federal money without giving up local control.
Well-spoken.
Well-spoken.
MEN: Yeah! You're just a lackey for those ranchers.
And so is that governor you work for.
Only thing dumber than a sheep is the man that herds them.
[MEN LAUGHlNG .]
Gentlemen, please, let's discuss this in a more civilized manner.
[SCREAMS.]
Thank you.
Name's Louisa Perkins.
l work for Governor Hopewell.
Name's Buck Wilmington.
The law around here.
Now, that was rude.
That's enough! Next time there's a brawl, l'll curl up under a table with a good book.
We don't get paid enough to endure these indignities.
VlN: We all take the same risks, Ezra.
Except nobody else complains about it.
[MUMBLlNG lNDlSTlNCTLY.]
Mr.
Chris, sir, l ask you, what am l to do? Now, when the mouse has your cheese.
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you call the cats, yes? Spread out, Mr.
Heidegger.
For three days, Mr.
Smith does not leave his room.
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or allow the maids to enter, or pay his bills.
Now, please tell me, what in God's name is going on in there? Let's go have a look.
-Yeah.
-Come on, Ezra.
Wouldn't wanna give myself a chance to heal.
EZRA: Oh, good Lord.
ls he, uh, dead? EZRA: Well, if he weren't, the stench would kill him.
VlN: Don't look like foul play.
Maybe his heart gave out.
VlN: l'll get Nathan.
He'll have a better idea.
EZRA: l believe he died of happiness.
By my eye.
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there's close to $ 1 0,000 here.
CHRlS: Ten thousand dollars.
That'll buy you a lot of dreams.
Well, well.
Take a look at this.
[WHlSTLES.]
This ain't no cowboy's rifle.
Sure is pretty.
CHRlS: This man's name ain't Smith.
This is Lucius Stutz.
Long-Range Lucius Stutz? And who would that be? -Hired assassin.
-One of the deadliest.
That 1 0,000 there, that's blood money.
The question is, who was he here to kill? He picked off his targets from so far that he'd be gone before the bullet hit.
-And he never missed.
-Except this time.
Glad l wasn't on the wrong end of his rifle.
Don't go on and worry, kid.
None of us is worth 1 0,000, dead or alive.
A casino in St.
Louis.
Now, that's what l'd buy.
But there's plenty in there for all of us.
And you, for example, could buy yourself a sprawling ranch.
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and some beautiful quarter horses.
That sounds real good.
There's only one problem.
-lt ain't ours.
-Yeah, but custom dictates.
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that if it goes unclaimed, it reverts back to the finders, namely us.
Look, we get paid a miserable $ 7 a week.
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to get shot at, abused and generally disrespected.
Call it a bonus, if you like.
This money is going in the bank, Ezra.
And be quiet about it.
lf this gets out.
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every yahoo west of the Missouri will be laying claim to it.
Fear not.
Sharing the wealth would not be my first instinct.
[PlANO PLAYlNG .]
LOUlSA: Statehood is a trick.
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of the railroad barons and the big city financiers.
Come and hear the truth from your territorial governor.
lf beauty had a name, it would be Louisa.
That's what l'm gonna say, then l'm gonna invite her to supper.
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and for a walk in the moonlight.
Well, what are waiting for? You don't just walk up to a woman like that and start spouting.
Timing is the key.
You have to wait for the perfect moment.
LOUlSA: Evening, Buck.
Miss Louisa.
l thought if you weren't otherwise engaged.
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-.
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you might join me for supper.
-Oh, l could eat.
Ma'am.
Wonder what kind of monster uses a weapon like that.
l don't rightly know.
But if l had had a rifle like this when l was a bounty hunter.
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Big difference between bounty hunting and murder.
Maybe.
But if a man's wanted alive or dead.
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it might be the easier if he's dead.
You lie in wait.
You take him down.
You get paid for him being dead.
Same as Lucius Stutz.
l'm just saying, a gun like this, so much money.
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might make a monster out of any man.
Except the man who knows better.
BUCK: l had a dog once.
He used to just howl on nights like this.
l think l know how he felt now.
Do you wanna go to the saloon or something? l really should turn in.
Well, then we best say good night.
Yes.
Well, good night.
Good night.
Mr.
Chris, where is my money? Keep your voice down.
And it ain't your money.
lt was found in my hotel.
And for three days he paid me nothing.
Even the Ritz Hotel in Paris doesn't charge $3000 a night.
Oh, l see what is what here.
You want to keep the $ 1 0,000 for yourself.
MAN: Ten thousand? -Keep your voice down.
Ten thousand dollars with no one to claim it.
Now, that suits you gunslingers just right, l'm sure.
Are you suggesting what l think you are? MAN: Whose money is it anyway? Weasel.
Well, so much for our little secret.
MAN: What's going on with all that money? You do realize, even if all seven of us worked the rest of our lives.
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we'll never make this much money.
And yet here it is.
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right in our laps.
Ezra, l don't wanna have to shoot you.
EZRA: Fine.
But then who gets the 1 0,000? [ALL SHOUTlNG lNDlSTlNCTLY.]
EZRA: Please, please make way.
We're coming through.
Money sure does bring out the best in people, don't it? BANKER: What am l gonna do with all these lunatics? Every one of them says that they have a legitimate claim.
What a disgusting display of greed.
Now, sir, you may rest assured that no one's taking my-- Uh, that money out of here.
[SHOUTlNG lN SPANlSH.]
Another poor soul whipped to a frenzy over the temptation of money.
What did we miss? Couple of bandits looking to get shot.
WOMAN: Go back home.
JOSlAH: Five minutes ago, he was poor and desperate.
Now maybe he's found some peace.
l won't have this in my bank.
lt is too risky.
lt's your problem now.
l'll just see to that then.
Large amounts of money don't unnerve me in the least.
lt'll be safer over at the church.
l know l've appeared a tad mercenary.
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but l'm quite capable of seeing to its safekeeping.
Mr.
Larabee, am l to assume.
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that you have doubts as to my honesty? Josiah can look after it.
[HAMMERlNG .]
And the Good Book can be such a comfort.
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in these times of sin and temptation.
This beautiful edition here is fully illustrated for the youngsters.
[BUGLE PLAYlNG .]
[CROWD CHEERlNG .]
And each page is lined in genuine gold leaf.
Good morning.
-Good morning.
WOMAN: Hi, governor.
Come on around.
l'm your territorial governor, Clayton Hopewell.
And l am here to help you beat back this brushfire of statehood.
So come on out to the rally, noon tomorrow.
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bring friends and neighbors, l'll tell you the truth about statehood.
And there will be plenty of free beer to boot! [CHEERlNG .]
Governor Hopewell.
l'm Mary Travis.
Editor of The CIarion.
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am l right? You've become quite the spokeswoman for statehood, my dear.
Your articles have been reprinted all over the territory.
l'm gratified to hear that.
l must say, l never imagined.
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my chief adversary would be so young and beautiful.
Thank you, sir, but all the flattery in the world won't change my mind.
[HOPEWELL CHUCKLlNG .]
l welcome the opportunity to try, Mrs.
Travis.
Perhaps over dinner this evening? l look forward to it, governor.
But l think l'll be the one persuading you.
[CHUCKLlNG .]
MAN: Hey, it's Liver-Eating Jones.
What are you doing here? All right, let him go.
Get off.
He's Liver-Eating Jones, notorious killer.
l've seen the light, boys.
l've changed my evil ways.
Yeah, sure you have.
The governor's got a lot of death threats.
And he's just the weasel to do that sort of thing.
Prove that accusation.
-Who are you? -l'm the law in this town.
LlVER: My gun's hung up.
And l've swore off drink too.
Now l'm drunk on God.
You're a liver-eating liar.
Unless you can back up those charges with facts.
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this man is free to go.
Go on, get out of here.
-Jones.
-Yeah? -We'll be watching you.
-l won't so much as spit on the street.
Any harm comes to the governor, it's on your head.
You thinking what l'm thinking? Some folks might consider 1 0,000 a bargain.
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to rid a man in the governor's position.
Well, anybody who's willing to pay that kind of money for a killing.
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ain't gonna give up easy.
Keep your eye on Jones.
All right.
l wanna see you.
Are you coming for sure? Good.
How are you, sir? -Good to see you.
-You too.
-How are you? Good.
-Governor? Can l have a word with you? These are my people, sir.
Well, one of your people may want you dead.
You ever heard of a man called Lucius Stutz? -ls he a supporter? -No, he's an assassin.
Found him in his hotel room, dead.
l got reason to believe somebody paid him $ 1 0,000 to kill you.
Ten thousand dollars? Well, then l must be doing something right.
Now, if you'll excuse me, l've got a rally to promote.
My advice is you cancel it.
Do you know who you're talking to, sir? l could be talking to a dead man if you go in front of those people tomorrow.
Well, then so be it.
Because that's exactly what l'm gonna do.
-The truth will not be silenced.
CROWD: Yes! [CROWD CLAPPlNG .]
When it comes right down to it, l do believe.
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that Chris considers me a larcenist.
No, Ezra.
l think he just doesn't trust you with money.
l'll admit, l made a strong case on our behalf.
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but he can't seriously think that l'd abscond with it.
You know, l wish l knew what to say, Ezra.
You know, l can endure the torments of hell.
And l believe l have, to the benefit of this entire town.
But l cannot abide the fact that my associates don't trust me.
No, sir.
BUCK: You naughty girl.
l just have strong beliefs.
Except in the First Amendment.
Freedom of speech.
Perhaps you've heard of it? [BUCK CLEARS THROAT.]
l would hate to see this lovely town fall victim to economic collapse.
Or worse, be ravaged by lndians.
Oh, yes, the old lndian threat.
That's worked well for your side out here.
-We gotta be going.
-Do you seriously think.
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.
that they'll just sit by and let their tribal lands be turned over to the state? Not a chance.
We'll have war.
And you, with your yellow hair and your green eyes.
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will make a prized lndian bride.
Because they'd lose their hold on the land.
And your Governor Hopewell, he's in their pockets.
Now, ladies, ladies.
Good day, squaw.
You do that again, l'll have Mr.
Wilmington here arrest you.
BUCK: Okay, here we go.
-Nothing like a good debate.
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to set my blood astir.
[GASPlNG .]
A wise man is strong, yea, knowledge increaseth strength.
Well, you know your Proverbs, son.
Hope some of your congregation might wish to learn them too.
Each page is lined in genuine gold leaf.
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.
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and it's fully illustrated, see? The preacher in the last town bought a whole case for his congregation.
Well, you're looking at my congregation, son.
But thank you very much.
Consider it a gift.
Maybe it'll grow on you.
You are just full of surprises.
[LOUlSA CHUCKLES.]
l got a feeling, even if l spent the rest of my life with you.
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you'd still be surprising me.
l'd keep you on your toes.
l'd keep you in my heart.
l just can't resist that twinkle in your eye.
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that sweet smile on your face.
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and all that corn coming out of your mouth.
Louisa, all l know is.
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being here with you.
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it feels like home.
[LOUlSA MOANlNG .]
LOUlSA: l just wish l could stay longer with you.
What's that supposed to mean? l've gotta move on to Kletterson.
What the hell is in Kletterson? A rally, l hope.
As long as l'm there to organize it.
Buck, this is just one stop on a long tour for the governor.
So when are you coming back? l don't know for sure, sugar.
But l sure hope it's soon.
Hold me, Buck.
And the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field.
.
.
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.
which the Lord God had made.
He said unto the woman: ''Yea, hath God said, ye shall not eat of every tree in the garden?'' Destroyer of kingdoms.
You caused our fall.
[SNlFFlNG .]
l will not be tempted.
lt's a great job, huh? Getting paid to watch people eat.
Yeah.
What's the matter, Buck? You look like your horse died.
No, you wouldn't understand.
Yeah, you're right.
Stupid me thought it might have something to do.
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.
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.
with that lady who works for the governor.
All right.
l don't know.
She's not perfect, all right, and l know l'm not perfect.
But we're perfect together.
There is something about her.
Oh, whoa, hold on.
lt ain't possible a woman's finally tamed Buck.
Yeah, well, don't worry, J.
D.
The woman of my dreams turned out to be a rambling rose.
You know, you're serious about her, Buck.
.
.
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.
make her stay.
Lincoln freed the slaves, J.
D.
What l mean is.
.
.
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.
marry her.
You know, there is something really wrong.
.
.
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if l'm listening to you about women.
lt was good advice.
So old Bertram, he realizes there's no way he can win.
But on the eve of the election.
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.
he goes out, he gets the entire town drunk.
Come election day, everyone's too hung-over to vote.
Except Bertram.
One vote cast, one vote counted.
That's a good story.
l have important stories.
.
.
.
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.
l could steer your way.
Turn The CIarion into the most influential newspaper in this territory.
And you, my dear, into a powerful editor.
From the sound of it, l must already be a powerful editor.
Why else would you offer me such a generous bribe? [LAUGHlNG .]
You are truly a charming woman, Mrs.
Travis.
[WOMEN GlGGLlNG .]
WOMAN: Josiah.
Josiah.
Josiah.
[PlANO PLAYlNG .]
They won't trust me to guard the money, and yet l'm required to sit here.
.
.
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.
and observe this cretin's disgusting display of manners.
Gives me the willies picturing him eating men's livers.
Cow liver, not people liver.
Ain't many folks enjoy the taste of liver.
But l do.
That's how l got the name.
Oh, and what a charming moniker it is too.
[LlVER CHUCKLlNG .]
Uh, Mr.
Jones, where, may l ask, do you suppose you're going? Outhouse.
What better way to finish a fine meal? [LAUGHlNG .]
Oh, l'm not going in there.
lf l gotta die, l'd rather hang.
l'd sure like to have you on my side.
Promise to give women the vote and l'll consider it.
That would be political suicide, my dear.
Then l guess we'll agree to disagree.
A pity.
[GUNSHOT.]
J.
D.
: Stay down, governor.
Stay down.
Everybody stay down.
You all right? -l'll see what l can find.
HOPE WELL: Mary, are you hurt? [HORSE NElGHlNG .]
J.
D.
, what was that? Shot at the governor, right through the window.
Just missed him.
CHRlS: Where's Jones? He been out of your sight? l asked if he's been out of your sight.
Surely you don't expect me to follow him into the outhouse? CHRlS: Get them up! l ain't got no gun.
l didn't do nothing.
You can do nothing just as easy in jail.
[NElGHlNG .]
[MOANlNG .]
-Buck, my goodness.
-l got something to say.
And if l don't spill it fast, l'm not gonna get it out.
Okay? -But l-- -Shh.
Shh.
Louisa, darling.
l have never met a woman like you in my life before.
And l'm pretty sure l'm not gonna meet one like you again.
And l have never pictured myself.
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parking my boots in one place for too long.
But now l can't imagine my life without you.
Well, what l'm trying to get at is.
.
.
.
-Will you marry me? -Marry you? Marry me.
l know, it's sudden.
And l don't have much to offer.
But l love you.
l love you.
-Yeah, l love you too.
-Yeah.
That's what makes it so sad.
Sad? Buck, l am not cut out to be a wife.
My life, my work, it's on the road.
You may be ready to park your boots.
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but l'm not.
Hark! You're always so willing to dispense advice to others in need.
See, it's just that, um.
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all my life, l've always gotten that look.
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you know, that tilt of the head.
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that question in the eye, ''Can l trust him?'' You know, l always hoped.
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that my friends knew me better.
Let the wicked forsake his ways.
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and the unrighteous man his thoughts.
You think you know what kind of man you are? l know l've earned some measure of respect, of trust.
You blame your friends? Blame yourself! Look inside your own heart, Ezra! Face your own demons! Now, you hold on just one minute, Josiah! l am the serpent, Ezra.
And this is the apple.
Take a bite.
Wait.
Somebody get in here.
l wanna talk to somebody.
Hello! l wanna talk to somebody.
J.
D.
: What you hollering about, Mr.
Jones? LlVER: The Lord spoke to me.
Told me l got a chance to save a life to pay for some of the ones l took.
You might start by telling us who hired you.
-l ain't fired a gun in almost a year.
-Come on, now.
That shot fired last night was fired from long-range.
Missed the governor by an inch.
Sounds like your style.
Only l never missed.
l ain't proud of what l was, but l was good at it.
-lt had to be Stutz.
-Stutz is dead.
Not Lucius, his boy.
They're partners.
What's this boy look like? Regular as you or me, except he's got a dead eye.
Wears a glass one now.
Looks almost normal.
Almost.
A sharpshooter with one eye? Yeah.
Made him a better shot, so he's happy about it.
But the mayor of Kettleston ain't.
They killed him last week.
How do you know that? Read all about it in that newspaper of yours.
Long-range, right between the eyes.
Had to be one of the Stutzes.
-How long before the rally? -About a half hour.
Can l interest you gentlemen in a bible? Only cost you $ 1 0,000.
What the hell are you doing? lt's broad daylight.
l got expenses.
Bible business is real slow around here.
You deal with this, Horace.
Your pa was paid $ 1 0,000 to do five jobs.
You ain't done but two.
Bad enough l lost my pa.
Now all my money's gone with him too? lf your ranchers still want them last three silenced.
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they gotta pony up.
You ain't got long.
And keep that.
You might need it.
Glass eye? l've seen that guy, he was selling bibles.
All right, then let's find him.
-Buck, J.
D.
BUCK: Stick with the governor.
The rest of you, spread out.
Check every rooftop, every window.
Every eyeball.
We wanna know who hired him.
So take him alive.
CHRlS: Josiah, is the money well hid? -l gave it to Ezra.
Ezra? What's the matter with you? -lt's serving a purpose.
-Yeah, to make Ezra rich.
All right, we'll deal with this later.
Let's catch some bad guy.
A bullet between the eyes, just like Jones said.
So that's a governor and a mayor they've gone after.
Wait a minute.
That sounds like something that happened in Dry Springs.
Yeah, the sheriff, l think.
Yeah, here it is.
Last month.
Killed the same way.
But this doesn't make any sense.
Both were strong advocates for statehood.
Mary, it's not the governor who's the target.
But that shot last night-- That was meant for you.
[SPEAKlNG lNDlSTlNCTLY.]
[CROWD CLAPPlNG .]
Ladies and gentlemen.
There are precious few moments in life.
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when we get an opportunity to stand up for greatness.
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when the political tide threatens to sweep us away.
But we dig our heels into the earth.
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and hold our ground.
l can't let you go out there.
Well, l'm not gonna stay in here based on a hunch.
This man's a professional killer.
l'm certainly not gonna just sit here and wait for him to come after me.
l've worked too hard for this.
l'm going.
-Mary.
-lf l don't go, they'll have won.
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without even pulling the trigger.
CHRlS: All right.
l'll go with you.
And at this time.
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l ask you to join me and stand up for greatness.
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and for your governor.
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.
Clayton Hopewell.
[CROWD CHEERlNG .]
Thank you, Louisa.
HOPEWELL: --your pockets, that's where.
l'm no railroad baron.
And as my banker will confirm, l am surely no Eastern financier.
[CROWD LAUGHlNG .]
l'm one of you.
The proud son of a dirt farmer.
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who dreamed of a free and prosperous life.
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out here on the frontier.
Now, some of our very own friends and neighbors.
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wanna surrender my father's dream.
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and your dreams to the federal government.
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to become a state.
-Are we gonna let them do that? CROWD: No! LOUlSA [CHANTlNG .]
: Join the great.
Be a state.
Join the great.
Be a state.
Join the great.
Be a state.
l saw Stutz.
He's in the crowd.
He's not going long-range.
-We gotta get the governor down.
-lt ain't the governor he's after, it's Mary.
-Join the great.
CHRlS: We gotta go.
Now.
Come on.
MARY: Chris, l don't wanna go, please.
CHRlS: We gotta go.
-Come on.
MARY: Chris, please.
Now.
[GUNSHOT.]
[WOMEN SCREAMlNG .]
Get back! -Get out! -Step back or she's dead.
You hurt her, and l will make your death slow and painful.
No, back off! Let her go.
Let her go.
Who hired you? He was reaching for his gun.
l'm glad l was here.
Folks, there's nothing to worry about.
The situation is well in hand.
We can't let our cause be diverted by the desperate acts of our opponents.
You saved my life.
l did? l did.
You done good, Ezra.
He'd be dead if it weren't for this.
EZRA: Mr.
Larabee, in the future.
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l believe it would be best just not to burden me.
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with other people's money.
Yeah.
You forgot your money.
l'm sorry? l have no idea what you're talking about.
Stutz was paid this money to kill at least three statehood advocates.
But you wouldn't know anything about that, now, would you? Are you insinuating that l had something to do with it? l resent the implication.
l am the governor of this territory.
And l will not stand by and listen to my good name be dragged through the mud.
Louisa, you handle this.
No.
Louisa? l quit.
Horace.
Well, then.
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And l suggest you gentlemen produce more evidence.
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before you sully a man's good reputation.
He's lying so loud his teeth are rattling.
l know.
Can't do anything about it.
So l hear you're out of a job.
But not a career.
There's still a lot of work to be done for this territory and this country.
But you know, l've been thinking.
l don't see why we still can't get married.
-ls that right? -Yeah.
This way.
As long as you're willing to come on the road with me.
BUCK: Me, on the road? CHRlS: How are you feeling, Ezra? Well, l'll be, uh, shuffling one-handed for a while.
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but otherwise, l'm right as rain.
All right.
Oh, uh, by the way.
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