Walker: Independence (2022) s01e04 Episode Script

Pax Romana

1
How do you want to do this, hmm?
Why do you have a gun?
I'm a single woman,
living in Independence.
- Is that really a reason to have a whole
- Of course it is.
You look under any mattress in town,
you're gonna find enough
hardware to reenact Gettysburg.
I still have questions.
I'm sure you do.
I'm just wondering
Is there any world where
we can answer those questions
without all of this, hmm?
You know,
believe it or not, I'm the one
who was afraid of you.
Me?
Why?
Some things didn't add up about you.
Small things.
The way you reacted
when they brought
Liam Collins' body into town.
He was your husband, wasn't he?
And, if you were keeping that a secret,
stands to reason you might
have been the one to kill him.
I loved my husband.
I didn't kill him.
I know.
I can tell by the way you hold my gun,
you don't seem like the killing type.
Who are you?
'Cause right now you sound
like some kind of detective.
I'm a Pinkerton agent, Abby.
As good of a showman as I am,
I am a better investigator.
If you're a Pinkerton,
then you can help me.
I-I'll fill you in
on everything we know so far.
"We"? Who's "we"?
Of course it's you two.
You know, you're seeming awful chummy
for two guys who were brawling
in here the other night.
Part of the ruse?
You actually making coffee,
or is that part of your Pinkerton cover?
Do you need them?
More specifically, him?
I wouldn't be alive
if Calian hadn't rescued me.
- And Hoyt has put himself on the line for me.
- Mm.
If you join us, we can
arrest Tom Davidson.
Uh, no, no, no. That's
not how this works.
Abby said you could help us.
I said I could help her.
I didn't agree to be part of
some family of misfits.
Hmm.
Well, good, that's fine then.
Three of us, we can handle
things on our own.
Oh, that's really comforting,
you know, coming from a man
who's more arrestable
than Davidson is right now.
How's that now?
Well, Abigail may have mentioned
something about
a bank robbery, subsequent
kidnapping, et cetera.
Hell, Abby. Ain't nothing sacred?
I don't even know why I'm even here.
This isn't about any one of us.
It's about stopping Tom.
For good.
Please.
All right, hey.
Listen.
If you want to do this,
you have to prove beyond
a shadow of a doubt
that he killed your husband.
Okay? If we rush this, he walks.
And I lose my chance to figure out
what else he's doing out here.
Trust me, none of us want that,
but it's damn near impossible
I know that it's hard,
but you have to be patient.
And you have to stay
out of trouble, all right?
- Fine.
- Fine.
Try not to get arrested
before Davidson does, hmm?
What?
Why's everybody looking at me?
Dazzling drinks. Girls galore.
A show so good
your jaw will hit the floor.
Step right up. Get your tickets here.
For the next ten minutes, I'll even
Amos Acorn's the name.
Healing's my game.
Worms, consumption, or a cold?
I got what you need, young or old.
It's hard to believe
how fast it's all growing.
Wasn't too long ago the town's founders
came together and put
this place on the map.
Called 'em the 12 apostles.
I got stories about them.
Yeah, I bet. You like history, do you?
Well, suppose so.
Hard not to, being named
after a Roman emperor.
What's that now?
Augustus.
Man responsible for Pax Romana.
Roman Peace.
Yeah, see, there were a lot of,
lot of wars and unrest in Rome,
but after Augustus took charge,
you know, things changed.
Named after a peacekeeper
and here you are,
keeping the peace.
You know, this town's
on the verge of change, too.
But like you said, sometimes
it takes some unrest.
Could be a lot of bullet holes
to get to that Pax Romana of yours.
Kai.
Need you to mend this for me.
I'll pick it up later.
- Yes, Sheriff.
- Good man.
So, what happened?
Thought you liked keeping that
as a reminder to stay vigilant.
Yeah.
I guess I don't need reminding.
I played cards with the devil ♪
- Huh? Oh.
- I made a bet with the ghost ♪
- I made sure ♪
- Behind your ear.
Wow.
Find a cure for a crooked soul. ♪
Howdy, beautiful.
Don't "beautiful" me.
Last I saw you, you were riding off
without so much as a goodbye.
Well, I'm here now, aren't I?
Heard you're singing at Hagan's tonight.
- What's it gonna be this time?
- Hoyt.
We should talk.
Lucia!
Calian!
Calian.
Señor Reyes.
I'm sorry I was late
to meet you and the elders.
It won't happen again.
You can repay me by taking Lucia home.
I have to stay in town
for a Council meeting today.
It'd be my pleasure.
Kate knows what she's doing, I hope.
You know, seems pointless to me.
Sitting on our hands.
Look at him.
Acting like he owns the damn place.
Aunt Teresa, so good to see you.
I see his name's still on it.
I've got it under control.
Course you do, Thomas.
Who do you suppose that is?
Well, we could take a stroll.
See the sights.
- Hear the sounds.
- Mm.
Those my things?
Where's my lavender soap?
I didn't have time to go to Austin.
I've been very busy.
It's my fault.
Who's this?
Abby Walker.
I work for Sheriff Davidson.
I-I was meant to get your soap.
I'm-I'm very sorry.
I will go get it.
Not to worry.
I like a girl with initiative.
Thomas, that one is a keeper.
You out of your mind? What was that?
You heard her.
We're going to Austin to get soap,
with a stop in Hays County
along the way.
- Hays County?
- Mm-hmm.
Mm-mm. I got arrested
there about a year ago.
No hurry to go back.
What if I told you that I was
looking through Tom's files,
and I saw that that's where the judge
who appointed him sheriff works.
Maybe he knows how Tom got
appointed sheriff overnight.
Now that's the kind of
sitting on our hands
- I can get behind.
- Mm.
So, where are we in from today?
Well, I don't remember
traveling with you,
so we aren't in from anywhere.
Delightful.
So, just for the Founders' Day
celebrations, then?
My, you're a chatty thing, aren't you?
I prefer "friendly".
Well, Mrs. Davidson, here we are.
Best room in the house.
It's so hot, I'm melting.
Here. The canteen.
Don't backwash.
You hit that bump on purpose.
As happy as I am to take
a little shine off your penny,
water's supposed to last us
to Hays County.
You ever consider
the possibility you might need
to just lighten up a tad bit?
Occasionally throw caution to the wind,
see what happens?
Well, that's easy to say
for someone who never has to face
the consequences of their actions.
Let's say you do prove Tom killed Liam.
If you become a bitter,
dried-up husk of a person
in the process,
did you really get him?
Or did he get you?
I see you already partake
in a variety of tinctures and tonics
from your local apothecary.
You got anything that doesn't
taste like donkey sweat?
Try this one, with elderflower.
Still prefer whiskey.
It's not bad.
Can I interest you in a bottle?
It's half off in honor of Founders Day.
In that case, I'll take two.
Smart choice.
I use elderflower in my cordials.
I shall return shortly
with your merchandise.
Of course, I likely have
a more sophisticated palate than you.
No offense intended.
On the contrary, I'm the one
who should take offense,
given that you've turned
down all my offers.
Ah, you must be Teresa Davidson.
And you must be
either the richest
or the dumbest man in Texas,
Mr. Hagan.
Those are my only two options?
Well, I have been rather generous,
and now I'm growing a bit impatient.
Tell you what.
I've brought the contract.
Let's cut a deal right now,
then we can split a bottle
of whiskey together tonight.
Mrs. Davidson, there you are.
I left your things for you in your room.
Isn't that your job?
Actually, her responsibilities
extend well beyond luggage.
That show you mentioned,
- that's Kate's domain.
- Huh?
And that's just the start of it.
She's got a bigger brain
and a bigger set of balls
than you and I put together.
I honestly don't care.
I would, however, like a
decision before the show.
Well, you just leave
that contract with me,
and I'll have my lawyer look over it.
Fine.
Since when do you have a lawyer?
I don't.
That show better be damn good tonight.
Sharks in the water.
All right.
Hey, kids, this is supposed
to be a full dress rehearsal.
Why aren't you in costume?
Kind of hard to wear something
that's been chewed up
and spit out by a rat.
Chewed? What are you
Yeah, I smell a rat, all right.
Costumes don't shred themselves.
Where are we gonna get all new ones made
in just a few hours?
Hi.
Hi, Kate.
Kitchen's not open.
Uh, yeah, sadly, I am
not here for the food.
Uh our costumes were ruined.
Do you think you could
help me make some more?
I should mention, I do
need them by tonight.
I am aware that's not a lot of time,
and also, I cannot pay you.
That's okay.
You need me.
And it will be good advertising.
Taffeta is sturdy and holds shape,
but silk moves with the body.
For your skin
jewel tones.
And more lace,
like windows to, uh, your beauty.
As for the design
um, similar to this.
I never imagined something like this.
Most people don't.
But what we wear tells
the story of who we are.
The laundry, the restaurant,
those are jobs.
But this
this is my passion.
Well
I love it.
Thank you.
Texas prairie probably
don't hold a candle to Boston.
You miss the water?
I do.
But this place has its own beauty.
Wish I had my paints.
What's your favorite thing to paint?
It's not so much what as how.
Liam used to wake up in
the morning and go for a swim.
I loved to sit on the balcony and paint.
Pull over, pull over.
Whoa, whoa.
What?
What the hell's gotten into you?
You.
And Liam.
He said he never felt more free
than when he was jumping in
the Charles River in the winter.
But I never went.
Always too cold, too early,
too afraid of the consequences.
This is my chance to feel free.
What's the matter, Rawlins?
You scared to take the plunge?
Good times ♪
Are you coming, Hoyt?
Play on, play on ♪
Don't waste your time ♪
I play on, play on ♪
Play on. ♪
Could you help me?
I'm, uh, more used to undoing these,
but I'll give it a shot.
Yeah, I'm sure.
Thank you.
- Shall we?
- Yeah. Yeah.
We should bring the others out here.
Calian and Lucia. For sure Lucia.
I'd say Kate, but the
pond might freeze over.
We've been finding this
all along the property line.
We can fix the fence,
but things will still be broken.
Your new neighbors, the Davidsons,
they preying on you
'cause you won't sell?
We think so, but it's not just us.
The Parkers to the west,
the Wagners to the north.
These people think they can
just take what is not theirs.
There are some
who will take all they can,
still never have enough.
I'm sorry.
It's okay.
Let me help you with this.
It's like this.
Welcome to Sung's Restaurant.
- Would you like some water or tea?
- Oh, tea'll do.
Cozy place you got here.
Those shoes have seen many miles.
Where are you from?
And here I thought
you was just having fun.
You know, it's been a few years.
I got to say, I'm surprised, Kai.
How do you know my name?
Hard to forget.
You and me both spent some time
in San Francisco, didn't we?
Guess maybe you wouldn't remember me
as good as your little girlfriend would.
Such a loyal customer.
Lisa, was it?
- Lily.
- You know,
I heard all about how you tried
to help her escape from that brothel.
Did you kill one or two tongs
on your way out?
What do you want?
After what you did,
I have to think that you'd have
some money hidden away somewhere,
just in case.
Why don't you hand that over to me,
and I'll pretend that I never see'd you?
How do I know you won't take this money
and tell them anyway?
Well, you don't.
But I'm not trying
to get anybody killed here.
It's just business, friend.
You like wearing those metal shoes?
Whoa. Whatever you found out,
doesn't look good.
Judge Carter won't see anyone
without a court date.
Apparently, he's all booked up.
I got arrested in the saloon
around the corner.
Wasn't pretty.
Is this a good idea forming
or a bad one?
Well, you said we could use
a court date, right?
Looks like I'm gonna have to
face the consequences.
Damn it.
Drunk and disorderly.
Attempted transfer
of fraudulent currency.
Use of vile language toward
an officer of the law.
Attempted nuptials with farm animals
- in a house of worship.
- Uh
- And general malfeasance.
- Mm.
Don't recollect all that.
Yeah. Bit of a problem
with the moonshine.
I understand you came here
to take full responsibility
for your actions and
to face these charges?
Yes, Your Honor.
And you've brought your lawyer?
Legal advisor, yes.
It's admirable that
you've turned yourself in,
but this, this is a
quite a list of charges, Mr. Rawlins.
Thank you.
I mean, um, I'm sorry, sir.
Your Honor, while Mr. Rawlins'
charges are lengthy,
none rise to the level of incarceration.
I was hoping to work out
some kind of compromise.
If the property is voluntarily returned
within a reasonable amount
of time before prosecution,
the punishment shall be half
and the fine shall not exceed $25.
Heard a woman just
graduated law school up north.
Listening to you, you could be next.
I'm down from Independence.
I actually work for the sheriff there.
Tom Davidson. Good man.
Yes, how long have you two
known each other?
Oh, well, I actually never met him.
Aren't you the judge
who appointed him sheriff?
"Appoint" is a strong term.
I'd heard your new sheriff went missing,
so I thought of Tom.
He was a lawman back
where I'm from in Texarkana.
His family is very influential there.
How'd you hear the sheriff went missing?
Teresa Davidson told me.
She'd been in Independence,
stopped in here on her way home.
So, I, uh
appreciate you getting
my sentence reduced to a fine.
And paying it.
That's all the money I have
until I get paid,
but it went to a worthy cause.
- Yeah, well, I'll pay you back, eventually.
- Hmm.
Until then, consider
this a down payment.
Take a look at the page I dog-eared.
That's a week before Liam was killed.
We were still on the trail
from Boston to Independence.
That's the only time
Teresa's name's in that book all year.
We need to show this to Kate.
Somebody picked a hat.
Yeah, well, the hat picked me.
Does it hide your face?
Nate?
Nate? Nate, can you hear me?
Somebody get help.
What did he eat or drink lately?
Uh whi-whiskey. Eggs.
Cured meats. Whiskey.
Those. W-Whiskey.
Look, I appreciate your concern,
but I always get sick before a big show.
Not like this, you don't.
We need to talk.
It turns out, the Davidsons
were lobbying the judge
a week before Liam was killed.
So Tom may have pulled the trigger,
but you're saying Aunt Teresa
pulled the strings.
Yeah, but to what end?
Town Council.
They decide what gets built,
where it gets built,
where the money goes.
It's everything the Davidsons want.
With Tom as a lawman and a lawmaker,
there will be no one
to question his actions.
He can get away with murder.
Oh, God.
He's been poisoned.
This is cyanide, smell.
Like almonds.
Teresa must've had that smarmy
salesman spike the bottles.
Girls are wondering about tonight,
with Hagan sick and all.
Listen, I can't believe
I'm about to say this,
but the show must go on.
Whew!
- Hey.
- Say, they poisoned Hagan,
what say we poison the well
with the Town Council?
They'll be at the show.
You think the best move right now
- is to roast the sheriff?
- No.
But I am sick and tired
of him getting what he wants,
and this is one way to stop him.
Can you learn new music?
Prima vista.
- Huh? Oh.
- I can sight-read.
Yes.
Oh, I'm tone deaf,
but I did steal an accordion once.
Yeah, whatever you need. I'm in.
Even with all this loss,
the ranch struggling,
my parents only see one way of life.
They want me to stay home,
marry a rancher, be just like them.
Perhaps there's another path for you,
one you can make for yourself.
The women in my tribe
don't ask permission
to live their lives.
Do you ask their permission
when you go to town?
They don't understand what I see there.
They're scared of change.
In you or the town?
What's wrong?
I'm afraid I've lost
the trust of my elders.
That makes two of us.
You are absolutely incredible.
Thank you.
I may need to ask you for another favor.
You need another costume?
Well, some armor would be nice.
Let me help you.
I remember when I came to
get you from that awful asylum.
You were dirty, unshaven,
like a little feral animal.
I stood there watching you for
an hour before you even noticed.
That was a long time ago.
Don't I know it.
And look at you now,
the man I raised you to be.
Now, there have been some mistakes,
but I know what you're capable of.
The show's about to start.
Are you coming?
You go on.
You're the face.
I'll be here watching, like I always am.
Ladies and gentlemen, may
I have your attention, please?
Welcome to the 35th Annual
Founders Day Show.
Now hold on to your hats.
First up, he is the fastest,
the handsomest draw in all the West.
Ladies and gentlemen, Hoyt Rawlins!
Bang, bang.
You look awful.
Can I get you anything?
One of those elixirs you love?
What do you want?
They say the mind's
the first thing to go.
Sign this contract so I can get
home to my bed and my dogs.
You're a loon.
Trying to kill me?
Over this place.
Let me be very clear,
if I wanted to kill you, I would have.
I gave you ample opportunity
to make a deal.
Now, you can lead a horse to water,
but if that horse is too dumb to drink,
well then, sometimes you just
got to get him real thirsty.
Since his boots hit the ground ♪
Oh, the rumors abound ♪
He's got big, big plans
for this itty-bitty town ♪
But why now? ♪
Why here? ♪
Tell me, what does
he want out of us? ♪
No one knows his secrets ♪
Not even his best pal, Gus ♪
Does anyone here really know him? ♪
Anybody privy to his past? ♪
With intentions
so vague and mysterious ♪
I sure hope his good looks will last ♪
He's an outsider, town divider ♪
You're not careful,
he'll spike your cider ♪
Who is Tom D? ♪
I think we all agree ♪
We don't know him, can't read him ♪
What's his story? ♪
Beats me ♪
All right.
It's the classics I truly adore.
You heard of Medea?
She was a schemer and a murderer.
She fancied poison just like you.
She died alone, violent,
painful death.
Hopefully just like you.
I've always been
a fan of Achilles myself.
Those pesky little heels.
Everybody's got one.
Mine is my nephew.
I love that boy like
he's the son I never had.
But yours, yours is that Kate.
I see how much you care for her.
It really is very sweet.
Sure would be a shame
if anything happened to her.
But I'm sure that you would do
just about anything
to prevent that, wouldn't you?
He's an outsider, town divider ♪
You're not careful,
he'll spike your cider ♪
Who is Tom D? ♪
I think we all agree ♪
We don't know him, can't read him ♪
What's his story? Beats me ♪
Acting gregarious, it'd be hilarious ♪
If he weren't so nefarious ♪
Oh ♪
He's an outsider, town divider ♪
You're not careful,
he'll spike your cider ♪
- Who is Tom D ♪
- Oh, come on, Sheriff,
It's just a little fun.
We don't know him,
barely seen him ♪
An insult's an insult,
no matter how you dress it up.
Don't know him, barely seen him ♪
Need I remind you of
our conversation earlier?
Pax Romana.
What's his story? ♪
Beats me, beats me ♪
Beats me ♪
Beats me. ♪
Tom ran off like a petulant little boy.
Town Council looked like
they were chewing on bees
- every time you sang that chorus.
- Mm.
Yeah, no way they're letting him
waltz onto that council.
Looks like everyone's
drinking up a storm.
Made more money tonight
than we have all year.
I I'm gonna tell the boss.
Hey, so, you're never gonna believe
What the hell are you doing in here?
Oh, you don't know?
We own this place now.
No, you don't.
- He would never
- Sign this?
Cute song.
Lyrics were real catchy.
- Lot of folks seemed to think so.
- Yeah.
I ran into Francis Reyes.
He wants to get to know me
before I take Hagan's seat
on the Council,
doesn't want to rush into anything.
And that's okay,
'cause I can be one charming
devil once you get to know me.
Which you will,
'cause now we're in this together.
The hell makes you think
I would run this place with you?
You'll run it for me,
because you love it here.
And you're not going anywhere
because you can't.
I was just coming to find you.
You got something you want to tell me?
I'm sorry, Kate.
It's not as simple as you think.
No, no, no. I think that
it is quite simple, actually.
I think that you are a coward.
I think that you are a gutless old man.
You are too weak to stand up
for what matters,
and you are too selfish to stand
up for who matters.
How could you do this?
I'm tired, kiddo.
Tired of late nights,
the hustle, the crowd.
When I was younger, hmm,
it was exciting.
Now, it's just too much.
So I thought I'd take my money
and live out the rest
of my days like a king.
You will die alone
on a bed of white feathers.
Thinking about the show?
Now I am.
You made me forget
about not being there.
Not being able to perform.
Not too late, you do
have an audience of one.
Many more, if you count the stars.
This is to honor Hagan.
Do you think that
she can fill his shoes?
Well, she is spirited,
but she's no fool.
You just need to keep an eye on her.
Yeah. You really have to go?
I have a lot to prepare for, my boy.
As do you.
You know what needs to be done.
For our family.
For our family.
Oh, wait, don't forget your soap.
Oh.
Even has a little bow.
That Walker girl
I think she'd be good for you.
Caught the show.
I thought you were leaving town.
Eh, I don't like being a loose end.
I need to lay low for a spell.
That's something you know all about.
I do what's required to survive.
I gave you all I had.
The little I came here
with went into my shop.
"Little"? You think
them tongs would agree?
Pay up, or I'll ride my ass
straight to San Francisco,
tell them exactly where you is.
See, I think them tongs,
they would love to see the business
that their money paid for.
That's all of it.
You ever wish you could
go back and change the past?
Do things differently
so you're not always
looking over your shoulder
for the rest of your life?
Is everything okay in here, gentlemen?
Oh, evening, Sheriff.
I was just visiting my old friend here.
Didn't sound too friendly to me.
You think you can come here
and shake down one of my citizens?
If I ever see you in my town again,
I'm gonna shoot you on the spot.
You ain't worth the bullet.
I'll make it so that
no amount of your potions
will stop the pain.
Now, run.
Hey, Kai?
Any chance you made that suit
for Kate Carver at the show?
Might have you make some more.
Don't forget what happened here tonight.
Did you have fun with my girlfriend?
We talked about you too much.
I think you got some decisions to make.
I wouldn't wait too long,
or she might make them without you.
I reached out to my Pinkerton contact.
I have a meeting in a week.
What made you change your mind?
Sitting across from Davidson,
knowing that he had family in town
for one day,
and they managed to poison
someone and get away with it.
I had a gun pointed
at my head last night.
It's not half as scary
as what I see coming.
If we're gonna beat it, we'll
need all the help we can get.
And then there were four.
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