[instrumental music]
["The Sun Shining Warm"]
♪ It's heartless and cold ♪
♪ In the dust of the prairie ♪
♪ And a man can't grow old ♪
♪ Where there's women and gold ♪
♪ The story is told ♪
♪ In the dust of the prairie ♪
♪ That a man can't grow old ♪
♪ Where there's women and gold ♪
[music continues]
♪ A stranger in town ♪
♪ Where a stranger ain't welcome ♪
♪ Should take some advice ♪
♪ And turn right around ♪
♪ The stranger should flee ♪
♪ Go back where he came from ♪
♪ And live a long life ♪
♪ Away from this town ♪
♪ He'd live a long life ♪
♪ Away from this town ♪♪
Evenin', stranger.
You must know everybody in town.
Everybody but one. I don't know you.
You do now.
Got a vacant room?
Day, week, or months?
I don't know.
And from the way you look at it
a man can't be too sure in this town.
I've been here six years, and I ain't dead yet.
I'll settle for a week. Eight dollars cash in advance.
- From Kansas, eh? - No.
I always put down where I'm going next, so I won't forget.
Room 10 at the end of the hall. Make your own bed.
Furnish your own towels. Your grip's where you dropped it.
Thanks for the key.
[piano music]
[crowd applauding]
["Sometime Remind Me To Tell You" on piano]
Seven, you lose. Alright, next.
Alright, get your bets down, boys. Get your bets down.
Number seven, the winner.
Seven, the winner. Get your money down, boys.
The man's getting lucky.
Eleven! Man wins again.
Get your bets down. Get your bets..
'Alright, boys, cover your bets now.'
Let 'er roll.
Eight's your point. Number eight, your point.
'He's my man.'
You can take the come bet on that.
Eight the hard way. Yes.
No, thanks.
There you are, dealer.
Next shoot.
♪ Sometime remind me to tell you ♪
♪ How much you mean to me ♪
♪ Sometime remind me to tell you ♪
♪ How happy we could be ♪
♪ Sometime remind me to whisper ♪
♪ Each dream each plan each vow ♪
♪ But why wait around for some time? ♪
♪ Might as well tell you now ♪♪
Whiskey.
Like you pour it for yourself.
Don't you know it's no fun to drink alone?
Not till after the first one.
You a stranger here?
What kinda whiskey was that?
On the bottle it says, "Rye."
But the way you take it, I don't see
what difference it makes.
I'll have another rye.
You didn't answer my question.
I'm a stranger everywhere.
Got a job?
Listen, soldier, I know that one too.
"Got a job, stranger? No?
"Why don't you join the army?
"Three meals a day, a place to sleep
nice warm uniform."
It has a little more than that.
Yeah, it has one thing more, that I could never take.
It's got second lieutenants.
(Second Lt. Stellman) 'You wanna make this a personal matter, alright.'
I don't make it anything, soldier.
You tried to sell me something
I didn't buy it. Why don't you beat it?
If I weren't in uniform, I might teach you a few manners.
If you could teach me anything you wouldn't be in a uniform.
You couldn't be looking for trouble, could you?
I could, but I'm not.
Well, that's fine.
Because this is one of the best places
west of the Atlantic Ocean to find it.
That was my first impression.
That lieutenant's a nice young boy.
I don't doubt it.
But his mouth is too big.
Like your ears.
You know, you look much better at this table.
And you must like to pick fights.
Only with second lieutenants.
We like second lieutenants here.
You see, here everybody fights, except the army.
I wouldn't know.
So, anyone who doesn't like the army--
I know what you mean.
But I'm afraid I'll have to come back, you see.
I, uh.. I like the way you sing.
[crickets chirping]
Captain Iles, commander of the post.
Mr. Haven, sir.
Well, lieutenant, I see you finally got here.
I seem to finally get everywhere.
(Captain Iles) 'Mrs. Caslon, Mr. Haven.'
- How do you do? - How do you do?
(Captain Iles) 'You've met Mr. Stellman.'
It came off beautifully, sir.
He picks a good fight.
As a matter of fact, I think I'm still a little sore at him.
- Sit down, Mr. Haven. - Thank you, captain.
So, you're operating under sealed orders.
All this mumbo-jumbo is characteristic
of the Military Information Department.
We try to use it as sparingly as possible.
I've been in this territory for a number of years.
I think you'll find it a little rougher here
than a suburb of Washington DC.
Very possibly.
(Captain Iles) 'Then why is MID'
'sending you here?'
Because two soldiers have been murdered.
Those two soldiers were killed while escorting
one of the gold stages.
(Haven) 'Is escorting gold one of the functions of your command?'
Young man, the functions of my command
look very pretty on paper, but they're not very practical
in a territory like this.
What's happening to the gold?
I permitted it to be stored in a warehouse on the post.
Captain, you're in a bad way.
Wells Fargo won't convoy gold.
You tried and failed. Two men are dead.
Gold is piling up at your post. You can't move it.
The post is undermanned.
You want the quartermaster plaque to replace 7 uniforms.
Sent to the freight office in West Rim City.
The freight building burned down with the uniforms.
I'm not operating a fire department.
And if I were, West Rim City is 60 miles away.
That doesn't concern me either.
Well, what does?
The killing of two soldiers.
They were my men, Haven.
I'm trying every way I know
to find out who murdered them.
- So will I. - Maybe harder than you think.
I don't know how you operate, but this is a dangerous job
that can get you killed.
You make it sound very difficult, captain.
Why don't you just wrap up your flag
and take it back East with you?
- Ah, look here, lieutenant. - Yes?
How will I know what you're doing?
I'll let you know from time to time.
Well, that's very obliging of you.
One thing, I, uh..
I don't want to visit the army post.
Then report to me through Mrs. Caslon here.
You can be a friend of her husband's.
He owned the Argus mine and died last year.
If that meets with your approval.
Only if it meets with hers.
I'd be delighted to help.
- Is that all? - Yes, I think so.
He really isn't that abrupt. He's just a..
Goodnight, Mary.
Goodnight, George.
- You see? - I see.
I think he secretly likes you.
He's a man who can certainly keep a secret.
Would you like a little sherry?
- Only if you'll have some too. - Excuse me.
What mine did the two soldiers try to convoy the gold from?
The Argus. It belongs to me.
Well, that brings me to a question I decided not to ask.
Then I'll answer it first.
Captain Iles has asked me to marry him.
I can understand that.
But you can't understand why Captain Iles
should be involved in the gold business?
Aye, I do now.
You must realize there's a lot of gold
from all over the territory
stored at the post warehouse.
How much would you say?
Perhaps as much as half a million.
In fact, I have about 50,000 in my safe now.
Really?
Tell me, uh, who's taking all this gold?
I don't know.
That's the worst part of it, not knowing.
I might find out.
- Don't get into trouble. - That's why I'm here.
- I know, but don't get-- - Don't worry about it.
Trouble and I are old enemies.
We understand each other.
- Goodnight, Mrs. Caslon. - Good luck.
["Sometime Remind Me To Tell You"]
♪ How happy ♪
♪ We could be ♪
[humming]
[piano music]
Every time I come in here you stop singing.
- Why is that? - You don't have to come in.
Look, I didn't come back to start a fight
or break the bank.
Why did you come back?
If you invite me to sit down, I might find out.
It might be better if you found another table.
And another girl.
Oh, no, it wouldn't.
I looked.
Would that be Charlie?
No.
His eyes follow you around like a couple of flies.
They follow me around to see that strangers don't annoy me.
Only strangers?
No one else would be so foolish.
[scoffs]
Waiter, bring me a bottle of wine, will you?
First, you're beautiful
then I like the way you sing
and now, you're a woman of mystery.
I don't wanna be a stranger, so I'll have to be foolish.
You like to take chances, don't you?
If I feel lucky.
I advise you to try the dice table.
[chuckles]
I'd rather get lucky here.
Every man has a right to his own funeral.
I, uh.. I could be your cousin from Waxahachie.
I could be Cousin John, a missionary
on his way to China.
So, Charlie probably runs the town, huh?
Why do you care?
I'm gonna spend some time here.
I just like to know who winds the clock.
It's been a nice conversation.
I hate to have it end.
Who's this?
(Charlene) 'Mick, this is Cousin John.'
From Waxahachie.
(Charlene) 'Cousin John's a missionary'
'on his way to China.'
What's keepin' him?
I think he's wondering if he couldn't do more good here.
You ain't too friendly, are you?
I like to pick my friends.
You oughta learn not to pick 'em so easy.
- Like you do your cousins. - Ask her.
I never saw him before in my life.
[crowd gasping]
You're too little to make that big a mistake.
You gonna correct me or just bleed at the mouth?
Bring him outside.
- What happened? - He wanted to be my cousin.
And she hasn't any aunts or uncles.
[indistinct chatter]
Look out! Look out!
'Kill him, Mick!'
- Mick will kill him. - That's ten to one.
Always bet on a champion. Then you can only lose once.
- Ten to one? I'll take it. - Mm-hmm.
You're down. A thousand to a hundred.
Come on, Mick!
That's it! Come on!
'That's it, Mick!'
[crowd shouting] Come on, Mick! Come on, come on.
[crowd shouting]
Get him, Mick! That's it, Mick! Come on!
[crowd shouting]
Give it to him!
- Come on, Mick! - Come on, Mick!
Get him, Mick! That's it!
[crowd shouting]
[cheering]
First time Mick ever got it.
You done a fine job, stranger.
- Alright. - Now, I can't believe it.
Mick Marion losing a fight. Me winning a thousand.
Give it to him, Prince.
In chips.
[indistinct chatter]
Care for some coffee?
Yeah. Thanks.
They told me who was fightin'.
I was gettin' ready to rent your room.
Sugar or cream?
Cream.
Myself I'd rather fight a forest fire.
So would I.
♪ When a man fights a man ♪
♪ Because of a woman ♪
♪ It means that the woman ♪
♪ Has made the man bold ♪
♪ But fighting's no good ♪
♪ 'Cause it just leads to trouble ♪
♪ And a man can't grow old ♪
♪ Where there's women and gold ♪
♪ No a man can't grow old ♪
♪ Where there's women and gold ♪
[exhales]
[grunts]
[knock at door]
Come in.
[instrumental music]
How do you feel?
Like a million dollars.
You just cost me a thousand.
Brought your hat and coat.
[music continues]
Are you always this sweet to the men who fight over you?
- Only the winners. - Oh.
- Tell me something. - What?
That fella could have killed me.
Where do you bury the losers?
You talk too much.
Yeah? What do you want?
The next dance?
I think you better sit this one out.
Have some coffee.
Yeah, thanks.
The way you run this place, I knew
you must be good at something else.
Some folks call me the town poet
others the village idiot.
Who am I to question either?
How do you feel today?
Like I crawled from Kansas City.
Figures to make you pretty famous.
A lot of folks been askin' for you already.
- Who? - That gold mine lady.
- Mrs. Caslon. - That's nice.
Couldn't do better. And Charlie.
- Charlie? - No less.
- You seem impressed. - Why not?
Charlie owns a piece of everything
including the undertaker and the sheriff.
Stage line too?
Everything but the Wednesday Bible class.
- Even owns a piece of me. - Hmm.
Gets your money while you're here
and makes you pay to leave.
Well, when you get the next verse
of that song, I'd like to hear it.
I can't find a word to rhyme with "Mick Marion."
Hmm. Try "Carryin'."
"Carryin'." Yeah.
Yeah. Carryin'.
[piano music]
Doesn't he ever stop playing?
Sam? It don't bother him. He's deaf.
Where do I find the boss?
First door, top of the stairs.
Mick been around?
He's indisposed.
[music continues]
[sighs]
[knock on door]
(Prince) Come in.
- You wanted to see me? - I did.
- They said Charlie. - 'Yes.'
You're Charlie?
That's right.
Well, this is Prince.
Don't ever gamble with him.
You mean with his equipment?
She means either.
See you later, Charlie.
Well, you surround yourself with very affable characters.
It makes me feel at home.
No, you're not that sinister.
Last night, you were Florence Nightingale in silk stockings.
Ouch!
Tell me something.
Why did you start that fight?
- I thought you did. - Really?
Well, you could've insisted I was your cousin.
Maybe that's not the way I felt about you.
Where'd you get the name of Charlie?
It was my father's. My name is Charlene.
Charlene. Now, I like that better.
You know, this'd be the first time I ever worked for a woman.
Hm, what makes you think you're gonna work for me?
You sent for me.
Alright, I sent for you.
I was doing a nice, quiet, little business.
It was because everybody was afraid of me.
Now, every time a man has
enough drinks in him to feel rugged
he'll try to do what you did.
- Oh, I wouldn't. - But they will.
Well, it's not the kind of job I want anyway.
I don't intend to start at the bottom.
Been there, it's too crowded.
Where do you wanna start?
With the money.
What'll you do for it?
Anything. Except hang.
- How's that? - Beautiful.
Where'd you get all this?
From my father.
He taught me one thing..
"As long as men think they can beat the tables
all you have to do is get a table."
Sometimes, they run out of cash
and I find myself with new responsibilities.
Such as?
Couple of stores, for one.
No, I can't see myself behind a counter.
Sawmill and a logging camp?
The logging camp is a long way from town.
Oh.
No.
I own the stage line from here to West Rim City
but that's a dud.
- Why? - Outlaws.
Money was in gold shipments
now the mines won't ship it.
I'll take that job.
You mean ride shotgun?
I mean, run the line.
What do you expect to get outta that?
A commission on all the gold I get through.
That should buy you a small beer.
- Glad to get it. - It's pretty dangerous.
Even Wells Fargo locked up
that station and quit trying.
Give me a letter of authorization.
I can't bet against you twice, can I?
Who steals the gold?
Who doesn't?
All they have to do is put on a mask
and they all look like Black Bart.
I forgot to ask you one thing.
Well, I'm working for you now.
You can ask me anything.
How do I know I can trust you?
You don't.
Can I?
Only with money.
Okay, boss?
What's your business with me?
- I'm the new manager. - Hmm?
Hey, wait a minute.
- You're not fired. - I gotta be.
There ain't work enough here
for one man, let alone two.
Well, two could loaf as easy as one.
Hmm?
[carriage approaching]
Whitey.
This is the new boss.
Just took over.
Whitey here runs the freight up the sawmill.
This is Jim Goddard, the regular stage driver.
Hello, fellas.
- I'll need the keys. - Oh. Hold on, sir.
I saw that fight last night.
- Was sure a beauty. - Let's not talk about it.
Right now, it hurts my hand to listen.
Well, I'm supposed to leave here for the sawmill
before daybreak. Is that alright, Mr. Haven?
Yeah, I guess that's alright.
Thank you, sir.
What happened to you?
My last run, I stopped the bullet.
Get a good look at him?
I wish I had.
The only things here that work.
Son, I wasted my time
I might as well waste some advice.
You're full of blood and vinegar.
But this whole thing has got something wrong with it.
Goddard only got a nick in the knee.
You may not be so lucky.
I might depend on something besides luck.
Like what, for instance?
Well, the fact they don't seem to shoot so straight.
They don't need to when they shoot so often.
Worry it over.
You know, I think I'm gonna need you.
And not on one leg.
Take it easy.
Yes, sir.
Say...what's all this?
- Something, ain't it? - Yeah, whose is it?
Ms. Charlie's, Mr. Haven.
Where do you drive her?
Same places.
Round the hills, down the river.
- Every afternoon. - Really?
You know, I think I'm gonna give you the afternoon off.
I shouldn't let you do this, sir. But I am.
Ms. Charlie might not like this.
I will.
[clicks tongue]
(Prince) 'Does this Haven move me out? Is that the play?'
Prince, you know I wouldn't part with you.
No, I always come up empty.
- Not quite. - No.
What's the matter, Prince?
I don't like Haven, or anything about him.
You said that before.
- What do you know about him? - What do you want me to do?
Have him looked up with a Social Register?
A man walks in out of nowhere--
He won against your table.
Did he play like a gambler?
Well, he knew something.
Yes, and he took Mick.
So he knows how to fight.
You like that part, don't you?
I'll tell you one thing, Prince.
I don't like this part.
You know, Prince..
...I always find you in good company.
Stand there a second.
Every time I see you, you look different.
But you always look beautiful.
Why is that?
I always have someone to lie to me.
You can take my hand if you want to squeeze it.
Now tell me what you're doing with my buggy.
It's my work. I'm the new transportation boss.
You hired me.
Where to?
I'm going to call on a gentleman.
At this hour?
His name is Mark Bristow.
At any hour, it will be strictly business.
The way you say it, he may need a lawyer.
He's a lawyer himself.
- But it won't help him. - No?
What good is a lawyer if he never gets into court?
Oh, like a doctor in a graveyard.
- Mm-hmm. - Where is this unlucky man?
Across the street.
Whoa, boy.
Think I should take the horses back and give 'em a rub down?
- Think they've gone far enough? - I haven't.
Maybe you better wait and come in with me.
- Hello, Mrs. Caslon. - How do you do?
I wonder if you'd do me a favor?
Why, surely.
Well, it's a big favor.
I wouldn't blame you if you refused.
What is it?
I wanna run some gold from your mine.
That is a big favor.
Well, I know it seems impossible to you
but...that's one reason I'm here.
to find out what makes it impossible.
Isn't that very risky?
That's why I couldn't go to anyone but you.
I'm just wondering..
...if we shouldn't speak to Captain Iles first.
Oh, you know what he'd say.
He'd advise against it.
I suppose so.
But if it works my way
it might clear everything up.
For everybody. And for Iles too.
The War Department doesn't like
all that gold around an army post.
Well, I..
We're working too much in the dark.
This may be the only way to see something.
Who else will know of it?
Just us, that's all.
And that's the idea.
- I'll arrange it. - Good.
Don't look so grim.
It's only your gold and my skin.
And smile when you walk away.
As though we've been talking about
what a dry summer it's been.
- Thank you. - Goodbye.
Charlie, you know I'll always cooperate as much as possible
but I haven't the money.
These are IOUs for gambling.
They add up to $6,000.
You wanna count them?
- No. - Your credit's over, Mark.
- My luck can turn, can't it? - Not on my table.
I've seen other people fall into this trap.
But I didn't think it would get me.
Nobody does.
I'll have Prince come in and look over your books.
Maybe we can work something out.
- But I-- - That's the way it is, Mark.
I pay off on the line
and I expect to get paid.
[instrumental music]
Oh. What brings you here?
Oh, I had a dream that you'd be back here tonight.
Why?
Maybe because you took the keys.
[chuckles]
Don't they go with the job?
Well, you know how it is with a dream.
I got the crazy idea you were gonna try somethin'.
Like what?
Well, maybe like running a shipment.
[intense music]
Then what happened?
I wanted to be some help with it.
Alright, you've been some help.
Now go on back to sleep, and I'll finish the dream for ya.
I'm ridin' with you, Haven.
I'm ridin' shotgun.
You got more than your leg hurt, didn't you?
Well, maybe I just like to ride in the moonlight
if nothin' happens.
And if it does?
Then I figure I've got a better right
to be there than you have.
Alright, get up there.
We'll go out the back way.
[instrumental music]
[intense music]
Hold it! Hold it there!
Hold those horses.
Ho!
(bandit #1) 'Keep your hands away from your guns.'
Get down from there and stand aside.
[intense music]
Alright, you, get down!
'Bring up the packhorse.'
- 'Hurry it up!' - Get over there.
Bring it out here.
[music continues]
Keep 'em up.
Take it easy.
They hang you just the same.
Alright, Goddard.
'Get moving.'
'Go on!'
Keep 'em up.
That's far enough.
Turn around.
[gunshot]
[instrumental music]
[dramatic music]
"This certifies that the bearer James Goddard
"is operating as a legally deputized...detective..
...for Wells Fargo Stage and Express Company."
[instrumental music]
Ah.
[gunshots]
Go on!
[clicks tongue]
[intense music]
Where's Joe?
- Something's gone wrong, Pete. - Yeah.
Well, I know one thing.
He was born on a horse
and he didn't just fall off
this one.
Go look for him!
[dramatic music]
Ho.
Hello, Whitey.
- Hello there, Mr. Haven. - What are ya hauling?
Uh, this is that load of grub over at the sawmill.
Huh? How'd you like to ride my horse back to town?
What about the wagon here?
Oh, I'll finish the haul.
You're the boss.
Oh, uh, anything exciting happen in town?
Oh, I don't know, Mr. Haven. I left town before daybreak.
Take it easy with him.
He's tired.
Oh, I'll give him a good rub then.
[instrumental music]
(Pete) Hey, you!
- You see a rider comin' up? - No.
You sure?
'I haven't even seen a lizard.'
Where do I put this stuff?
Where did you put it before?
I didn't, I'm a new driver.
I think it's grub.
Well, take it over to the cook shack.
Ho! Hey.
- You're the cook? - No!
Just wear this hat to keep the flies off my hair.
It don't matter to me, brother, I only haul this grub.
I'd just soon haul it back to town.
Well, take it around the corner.
Huh.
Ho, ho.
- Well, any luck? - No sign of Joe.
But there's tracks of another horse circling the mill.
That's bad.
Let's go take a look at that new driver again.
(Pete) 'Hey, driver!'
You!
Come here!
Are you sure you didn't see no rider?
Look, you want me to say I saw a rider
I'll say it! I'll say I saw a ghost.
Doesn't make any difference to me.
- When did you get this job? - Yesterday.
- What for? - Well, it's a system.
If I don't work, I don't eat.
Never found any way to beat it.
Who hired you?
Look, I'm working.
I high haul this stuff out here.
Nobody tells me where to dump it.
Everybody wants to know where I've been
and what I haven't seen. I don't know!
I get 30 cents an hour.
How smart does that have to make me?
Forget it.
I got a load for you to take in
when you're finished here.
- Sure. - How soon?
I haven't eaten anything but dust since daylight.
Alright, grab it quick.
Well, what do you think?
Well, we risk him, that's all.
Here, work on this stuff.
How about a handout?
Help yourself.
Mm. Looks pretty good.
Oughta be. Used to cook for 600 men a day.
Where was that?
Leavenworth.
Who's the boss around here?
I am.
I mean, the whole works.
You talked to the man when you came in.
That real tough-lookin' fella?
They're all tough till they get to Mick Marion.
Mick come around here very often?
Last night.
Look like somebody got to him.
How's that?
Face all beat up.
Like your knuckles.
No. I had bad luck with a crate of cauliflower.
That's what he brought up here.
Cauliflower feast.
Did you fight him?
Mick? Do I look like I would?
Just the knuckles.
[door opens]
Hey you, driver.
- Hurry up. - I'll be right out.
Not many other hands here, are there?
All up at the logging camp.
Well...I gotta go.
Much obliged. This is real fine mulligan.
I make it better with cauliflower.
It is good, isn't it? Huh.
Maybe this ain't such a good idea.
(Pete) 'You, come over here.'
See this box?
- Yeah. - Goes to Prince.
You know who Prince is?
- No. - He runs things for Charlie.
- Do you know who Charlie is? - Sure.
Alright, get up there.
Oh, one thing.
It's a gearbox you're hauling in
that's got to be repaired.
And you tell Charlie if it ain't repaired
we might have to shut down quick.
- You got that? - I got it.
Alright, then get out of here.
[instrumental music]
Draw the blinds, Bristow.
Light it up.
Can't you put that gun away?
I can, but it helps to quiet my nerves.
- Drink? - No.
We.. We'd given you up for dead, we--
- Who? - "Who?"
- Yeah. - Why...everybody.
They found Goddard's body.
Didn't you know?
What happened?
Sit down.
If you're trying to imply that
you frightened me coming here, why..
...you're quite right.
I'm neither a hero nor a fool.
They killed Goddard.
Why didn't they kill you?
Somebody must've wanted me alive.
- What for? - I don't know.
What do you want from me?
I'm gonna make a statement
which you will write and notarize.
- Is that all? - Yeah.
You'll put it away where it can't be stolen..
...or tampered with.
- I have a safe. - I can see that.
Meaning, you don't trust me?
I do. I just don't think you trust yourself.
Where do you want it put?
Mrs. Caslon has a safe. A nice fat one.
- I think I can arrange it. - Alright.
Here's the statement.
I solemnly swear
that on Thursday last
about 11 pm..
...the stage coach I was driving
was held up by five armed bandits.
The gold I was hauling was stolen.
And Jim Goddard, the guard
was murdered in cold blood.
Are you sure it was Haven you met?
Oh, don't I know my own boss?
Go in and get a beer.
Haven's wagon's across the street.
He must be back in town.
Now, I'm wondering what I get out of this.
Charlie's holding $6,000 of your IOUs.
You're busted.
This'll get you even.
Now, you're wondering why
we just don't take all that gold
and go around the world, aren't you?
Monte Carlo, Taj Mahal..
I've got a better idea for you.
Find the gold yourself
and plant the deposition
and let me hang for it.
(Haven) 'Then you'd be rich'
'and you won't even need to travel.'
Mm-hmm.
That might take some doing.
And some nerve.
Where do I sign?
Here.
Don't get so excited!
I'm perfectly calm.
And I'm asking you calmly
how you could allow that scoundrel
to transport gold from your mine, when you realize--
That man you call a scoundrel may be dead at this moment.
He may be in town at this moment! Where in fact, he is.
How could you do such a thing without telling me!
- I only did it for your sake! - My sake?
Well, he represents the United States government.
Well, whom do you think I represent?
I was only--
And while we're on the subject
what was Mark Bristow doing here?
Oh!
Mark Bristow is my lawyer, and you know it.
Ah, I'm sorry.
I wish you could see that sometimes
you're a little too sure about too many things.
[chuckles] One nice thing about us
we're always wrong together.
Mark gave me this.
That's why I was here.
You're not going to open it?
"To whom it may concern."
It may concern me.
It does.
Your friend Mr. Haven still has your gold.
Those nitwits in Washington
sending a demoted lieutenant out here
to poke around in my business.
You're getting to be a hard man to deal with.
I'm getting to deal with some hard men.
I'll take care of that.
[instrumental music]
[door slams]
Looks like a board meeting.
What's he doing with you?
I thought I might need a lawyer.
I doubt it.
I can realize how seldom legal technicalities annoy you
but I think I have one that might.
- What's that? - Just a story.
About a man who got murdered.
Thief who got shot
and a gearbox I failed to deliver.
Probably nobody would believe it
unless I got killed for it.
- Who else have you told? - 'Only Mark.'
He's a lawyer and a notary. He makes it stick.
- He finally gets to court. - I don't know anything.
I merely wrote the deposition.
You shut up.
Since you brought your lawyer
ask him if this doesn't sound like blackmail.
He can't think very clearly in the presence of a gun.
But it doesn't bother you?
No, it doesn't.
Pete, get downstairs and watch the stairway.
[door opens and closes]
What you want is a cut.
That's right.
It boils down to this.
We could make a deal, and all be very happy together.
How could that be?
(Haven) 'When I deliver the gold to you.'
You mean the gearbox?
I can even forget I looked inside.
So I stole a gearbox, I'm still a thief.
- What does he get? - He gets even.
Have you lost your mind?
It was alright when he lost his money.
Alright.
Prince will give him the IOUs
when the gearbox is delivered.
I think that's all.
'Haven?'
'You can stay.'
You'll excuse me, Prince?
You know, you roll nice dice.
You bet 'em jam up too, but one day you're gonna slip.
When you do, I'll be around to catch you.
You know, I think he will.
[door closes]
You should be more careful.
Well, I suppose so.
I almost had to have you killed.
I'd have hated it.
So would I.
I'd have missed you too much.
And too long.
Did you ever tell a woman you loved her?
All of them.
How'd you get away?
Uh, I was always in the doorway when I said it.
Never said it to me.
Let's get over to the doorway.
[door unlocks]
[instrumental music]
Don't move.
Turn around.
Now, put the gold in the wagon.
Is this a holdup?
You want to put it in the wagon?
Now, is there something you wanted to say?
Yeah.
I followed one of the bandits here when he cashed it.
Couldn't haul it on a horse so I came back with a wagon.
I know that's a lie.
Some of it's true.
But not nearly enough.
Alright, I'll..
I'll try it again.
I cashed it there myself.
I was gonna give it to them.
Wanted to buy a membership in their club.
That was the initiation fee.
Fifty thousand dollars?
You see, I thought it was worth it.
Well, you see, I don't.
You know, what you're doing may get me in trouble.
If you're still in town in 24 hours
I promise you'll be in trouble.
Now start walking.
Go on.
Well, I thought you were in jail.
I talked my way out.
You're a very glib man.
Seem to talk your way out of everything.
Uh, up to a certain point.
- What's that? - A gun.
Some champagne, waiter.
Are we celebrating something?
You know, the first time I talked to you
we had champagne.
Didn't you bring me something?
- Mm, no. - But you will?
- No. - No? Just like that?
I, uh, I went to get it..
It was there, but..
...so was somebody else.
Who?
- Mrs. Caslon. - Alone?
- No, she had a gun with her. - Didn't you have one too?
The one she had was in her hand.
You know, this, uh..
this could be that slip you mentioned.
So this nice lady held you up and took the gold, is that it?
It's like saying, I was robbed at Sunday school.
- It's no good, is it? - No.
Mick might have killed you, but you fought him anyway.
Pete, last night had a gun, but that didn't scare you.
And now this genteel petticoat
waves a gun, and you run for your life?
You make it sound very silly.
Or make it sound like what it is.
A lie.
My word doesn't seem to be very good around here.
You've only got one thing that's any good around here.
Some gold.
- Is that all I've got? - Not quite.
You've got some time.
You've got two hours to get it here.
Oh..
And you want me to fatten you up before you have me killed.
- Is that what you mean? - I said what I meant.
Two hours.
You're sweet.
- Well? - Everything's all set.
You got enough men at the sawmill?
Yeah, I have plenty.
Alright, get back out there. Get 'em into uniform.
We'll hit the post just before dawn.
I don't know what we're waiting for.
I gave him some time.
He's in the hotel, he's not doing anything.
I gave him some time!
I don't care what he does with it.
[knock at door]
- You want your IOUs? - You mean..
- Why, did Haven-- - No, he didn't.
I, I don't understand.
We don't think they're going to be any good.
I didn't have anything to do with it.
I-I-I can still make them good or I can--
- 'What?' - I..
[sighs] I can still do business.
Here, take a look at this.
The deposition, the only copy.
What do you want?
[sighs] Nothing.
All I wanna do is to get out of it.
I never had any part of it.
- This ought to prove that. - This?
Why..
I-It's a trick!
I'll..
I'll see about this.
Haven can't do this to me.
- I'll go and see this. - Sure. You see about it.
Here, take this along.
Something left to wait for?
No.
[knock at door]
- Who is it? - 'It's me. Bristow. Let me in.'
- You're gonna kill me, Mark? - You double-crossed me, Haven.
- I did? - I got the deposition back.
I took it to them.
It wasn't there, it was just a piece of blank paper.
Don't you laugh at me, I ought to kill you.
Well, they want you to, Mark.
And it may be your only out if you do, but I doubt it.
You know why?
Because even if you took them my scalp
it wouldn't buy your life.
You're in debt, you're broke, and you're scared.
And you know far too much.
There isn't any way they can use you alive.
Can you think of one?
They're, they're gonna do it, I know it.
They're gonna kill me.
Why do they have to kill me?
Us, Mark.
- This must be hers. - Yes.
She's sweet.
One thing, Mark, you might get out of town.
Oh, there's not a chance in a thousand.
There's one in a million. It's the only one you have.
Yeah, I, I might get away with it, I could try it.
Well, if you do, go straight to your horse.
Don't stop for anything.
I, I have some important papers in my office.
You haven't got anything important left
except your life, and very little time to keep it.
Yeah.
Get on that horse, and ride him till he dies.
And then run until you have to crawl and you might be lucky.
Yeah. Yeah.
[instrumental music]
[doorknob rattles]
[no dialog]
[gunshot]
Say, uh..
I'm naturally sentimental, being sort of a poet.
Naturally.
I keep a bunch of gimcracks.
An old-time sheriff's gun, a bullet from a dead bandit.
And a rosary from some fellow they hung.
Well, that's nice. A hobby, huh?
Yeah, in-in a way.
I just wondered if there was something that, uh..
that you wanted to leave me.
It's all I seem to have.
An army button.
Where's the uniform that goes with it?
I might even know.
Think I'll go find out.
[instrumental music]
- 'Where is your gun?' - I dropped it back there.
Alright, you, march.
Is that thing loaded?
You try your tricks, and you'll find out.
No tricks, sheriff, no tricks.
[gunshot]
[intense music]
[gunshots]
[horses galloping]
Hey, go on back. Mick wants to see you.
[groans]
- What happened to you? - Haven slugged me.
[intense music]
[gunshot]
[gunshots]
- Haven. - Keep him in here.
[glass shatters]
[gunshot]
[fire crackling]
[gunshot]
[gunshot continues]
[indistinct chatter]
- Captain Iles, I just-- - Don't apologize.
Just barge right in.
I'm going to tell you something--
No, you're not. You're gonna listen.
You lost some uniforms, you thought they were burned.
- They were burned. - No, they weren't.
But they are now, because I set fire to them.
What?
They're smoldering right now at the warehouse
down at the sawmill, and there's 70 men
down there who are ready to wear them.
- Wear them, what for? - What other reason?
Except to get in this army post and take the gold from you.
Now, you're about to send a detachment of men
up north on an Indian scare.
- Yes? - That Indian scare is a fake.
A ruse. You know where to send them now.
I guess I owe you an apology.
You better get down to the sawmill, captain.
'They might try it anyway.'
I, uh.. I guess I owe you something too.
Only $50,000.
[bugle call]
I wish there was something I could say or do.
There is. You can give me back my gun.
You might give this one to the sheriff.
Tell him to be careful with it. It's got bullets in it now.
I'll always remember what a fool I made of myself.
Well, I'll always try to forget it.
Are you going too?
Not with them.
[instrumental music]
You caused me an awful lot of trouble.
Yeah, but I finally brought you something.
You really didn't think Mark would use that, did you?
Maybe I just wanted to send you a gun.
Maybe.
I, uh, have to arrest you.
- For what? - Murder.
I could have shot you just now.
I didn't. I didn't kill the two men or Goddard.
Who did?
Maybe Mick, maybe Prince, who knows?
You know.
If you still have the gold, and I think you do
we might make it yet.
You see, I believe every man has his price.
- Some men don't believe that. - But every woman knows it.
Only there wouldn't be any women on my jury.
And that's why you're not as bad off as you might think.
I could find a dozen men who might think
you're capable of almost anything.
But I wouldn't bet they'd vote that way
after staring at you through a trial.
Mick is dead for the murders
Prince can hang for the rest of it.
Isn't it a little late to make any difference?
(Haven) 'Maybe not.'
Where is Prince?
[dramatic music]
It's no good.
- I'll get someone. - No.
Stay here.
Tell me something..
...on the square.
Did you ever love me?
From the first night, from the first time of song.
I tried to get away from it.
But every time it came back.
Every time I tried to get it out of my brain
I just pushed it deeper into my heart.
Say it.
I love you.
See you..
...in China.
[instrumental music]
[hotel clerk humming]
[hotel clerk yodeling]
♪ The sun shinin' warm ♪
♪ On the dust of the prairie ♪
♪ The sun shinin' warm ♪
♪ But it's heartless and cold ♪
♪ It's heartless and cold ♪
♪ In the dust of the prairie ♪
♪ And a man can't grow old ♪
♪ Where there's women and gold ♪
♪ No a man can't grow old ♪
♪ Where there's women and gold ♪♪
[instrumental music]