In the saloon.
Charlie is wiping his neck, speaks to the bartender: Henry, I'll need a bottle and three glasses. He wipes his forehead too.
Johnny and Scott are sitting at a table.
JL: Oh, he's awfully tired. (he fiddles with the string from his hat.)
SL: I know.
JL: Why didn't he want you to buy the drinks?
SL: He's a proud man, Johnny.
JL: Yeah, I kinda like him.
Charlie comes over, sets three glasses down on the table.
CW: He wouldn't let me pay for the whiskey. It's free! He left a bottle---compliments of the Kid.
Charlie sits and starts pouring.
CW: Well, that's Kirby ta me. He prob'bly figures I'll get good an' drunk and not be able ta work.
SL: Charlie . . .if you think you should quit, we'd understand . . .
CW: Oh no, no, no. I wouldn't want that. Fella kinda feels he can do the big job, if and when it comes. He can handle the real bad things, trouble is all them little things, ya keep sayin' they don't count and ya talk yaself into not payin' any attention. Then ya get old, like me! Ain't never had any of the big fights and ya've lost all the little ones! Time's given out, all ya can do is try and make it up before it's too late. I'm doin' that.
He takes a drink-drains his glass in one gulp. Scott raises his own glass and sips from it.
CW: That swallow was just enough. (to the boys) Have another?
Scott shakes his head, holds up his hand to refuse. Charlie heads over to the bar. Johnny quickly downs his glass and the Lancers follow Charlie.
CW, to barkeeper: Henry, put my name on this bottle, poke it back there somewhere, tell Kirby thanks.
The exit. It's getting pretty dark. Johnny unties his horse, then stops to speak to Charlie.
JL: Charlie, you sure you're gonna be all right, cause we don't' mind stayin'.
CW, hold up his hands: Oh, no, no, no. Kirby won't hurt me. Your stayin' only makes things worse. People will talk more. The Kid ain't as bad as ya think.
JL: Okay.
Charlie waves and the boys ride off down the street. Charlie walks off in the opposite direction, past one man leaning against a post with his hat covering his face, then he almost walks into another, starts backing away . . . .. it is revealed that one of the men menacing Charlie is Kirby's man with the white feather in his hat.
Charlie: No, no, now wait a minute, wait a minute fellas . . wait a minute. He looks very frightened and ominous music plays.
Commercial break.
SCENE 12
Murdoch is standing listening to Charlie, who is back to us, seated. One sleeve is missing, torn right off of his shoulder. Johnny is in the background, lounging in his pink shirt.
Charlie: It coulda been for a lotta reasons, it was dark, I don't know who it was, coulda been robbers, lookin' for money.
ML, with a chuckle of disbelief: Charlie!
CW: Well, you can't prove it was Kirby's men. Surrrre, they find I was workin' on the jail, that mighta been a reason . . I just can't believe the Kid would do that, not ta me . . . and ya can't prove it, Mr. Lancer. (Charlie is bare-chested-his shirt is just gone! And his face is dirty and bruised.)
ML: No, no, Charlie, I can't prove it.
Charlie gets up, and walks off camera. Now we can see that we are at Charlie's place. Scott walks onto the screen to stand beside Murdoch.
ML, to Scott: I think it's time we got used to the idea that we made a mistake.
Scott looks down, while ML continues speaking: We should have never let Charlie do that, we gotta stop it. You tell 'im when he comes out, I'm gonna tell Kirby. (Scott gives a little nod partway through ML's speech, then folds his arms across his chest until he finishes.)
SL: I think one of us should go with you.
ML: No.
SCENE 13
Abrupt scene change, suddenly we see Kirby in his string tie and fancy vest, we are at his saloon and Kirby is angry.
Kirby: Don't lecture me, Mr. Lancer, you started this, you hired Charlie.
ML, wearing his hat: I didn't have him beat up.
Kirby: That beating saved his life, did you know that? There are people in this town who would've killed him. Pete Bonell and his gang were quite ready, I had to do what I did.
ML, looks down: I'll tell Charlie that.
Kirby, looking concerned: How bad was he hurt?
ML: About fifteen years.
Kirby: I hope you don't think that I wanted to hurt Charlie, I almost went crazy trying to figure out something else. You're very lucky, Mr. Lancer, you can do what you want, I have to do what others want.
ML: No you don't???? Oh, Kirby, you can be your own man, that jail's not gonna hurt you any.
Kirby: I don't know that.
ML, big sigh: Well, I'll tell you something, you'd better know that jail's gonna get built if I have to nail every nail myself. I'm not a carpenter; neither are my sons. You'd better send more men if you come after us.
Murdoch exits, leaving Kirby behind, looking unhappy.
SCENE 14
Knocking sound. We are looking into a hotel room, Bonell is at a table with three other men, playing cards. Bonell has his white mug handy, as usual.
Bonell: Get that, will you? (He is speaking to the man who was his 'body guard' earlier, the one in the vest.)
One of the card players gets up and goes to the door. It's Murdoch, he is very tall!! Fills the doorway. . . Bonell is dealing the cards, he does not look up at ML's entrance.
ML: You Bonell?
Bonell: Yeah.
ML: I'm Murdoch Lancer.
Bonell: Yes, I know who you are.
ML: I came about the jail. Kirby says you've been pressuring him, I want it to stop.
Bonell: I always heard you were direct, so I'll be too. I'll do everything I can to see that you fail in this thing-short of direct intervention.
Bonell, disparagingly: I'm not in the habit of playing little games, in little towns. (He picks up his white mug and takes a drink)
ML: I suggest you tell Kirby that.
We hear the sound of a hammer. Bonell tosses his cards to the table and gets up to go look out the window. Charlie is back at work.
Bonell turns to look at Murdoch.
ML: I hope we never have to talk again, Bonell.
Bonell: uh hmmm. Well, that's up to you, Mr. Lancer.
Bonell walks back to the table, rubbing his chin, while Murdoch exits the room. Bonell picks up his cards and says: Your bet.
Outside, Murdoch walks over to the construction site and speaks to Johnny, who is seated in the wagon bed once more. When he sees ML, Scott comes over, he is wearing his hat and gloves. Johnny is bareheaded.
ML: Johnny, didn't you tell him he was through?
JL: Murdoch, he wouldn't listen to me.
ML: All right, I'll tell him.
JL: Murdoch. You can't fire Charlie. You know, in the beginnin', I thought we were wrong, mixin' into this. I don't feel that way now. And there's only one reason (sigh) and that's that old man---(camera shot of Scott in profile turning to look at Charlie-we can see CW hard at work through a window opening)
JL, continues: Look at him . . he's so tired he can hardly pound a nail, got a bellyful of tears he can't lose (JL looks down) cause Kirby did what he did. Murdoch, Charlie's got only one thing left, and it's that jail and if you take it away from 'im, be the same as killin' him.
SL: It'll kill them too. He nods in the direction of the townsfolk gathered to watch Charlie at work.
Harvey the Blacksmith yells: Hey Charlie, then something unintelligible. Then Charlie waves back with his hammer in his hand, we can still lsee him through the framed and empty window.
ML: It was always this way-I'd forgotten . . (he walks away from his sons as he delivers this speech. . hard to tell who he's talking to, exactly!!) cow towns, stage stations, rail heads, one little start . . you always think it can go straight to the end. Well, I guess if Charlie can stay with the Lancers, the Lancers can stay with Charlie . . . (he goes back over to the boys, who are smiling.) You're gonna have to keep a mighty close eye on him.
JL: Well, that won't be so bad.
SCENE 15
Suddenly, we are looking at a door and hearing a knock. The door opens and its Kirby, it's night time now, it's very dark outside. As he enters, Kirby removes his hat. Camera shifts to reveal the Lancers inside, JL is seated and Scott behind him, ML standing beside Johnny.
CW: Hello, Kid.
Kirby: Hello Charlie. (to the Lancers) It's all right, I just . .I just want to talk to Charlie.
CW: Sure, Kid, ain't nothin' wrong with that . . you just step outside, in the yard.
Kirby, to Lancers: And I promise you, there's nothing to be afraid of . .
Charlie exits first, Kirby goes out the door behind him.
ML: You'd better go out the back, keep'em in sight---
The boys do as he says, head out the door.
Outside, Kirby and Charlie are standing and talking.
Kirby: What's it gonna take, Charlie . . to make you give all this up?
CW: Now, you know better'n that Kid, ain't nothin' gonna make me quit.
Kirby: I've tried to hold Bonell back as long as I can, Charlie, I . . from now on, I just can't be responsible for what might happen.
CW: Don't you worry none, everything'll work out all right.
Kirby, sighs: Well . . Charlie, I'll try and talk to Bonell again and see . . .I just don't think it's gonna do any good.
CW: You do that .
Kirby: Good night, Charlie.
CW: Good night, Kid.
Kirby walks away and Charlie stands holding on to the hitch rail. Scott and Johnny approach. Charlie turns to greet them..
CW: I told ya there's be no trouble here.
SL, hands on hips: Well, you were right, Charlie . . . . we'll bed down in the barn.
CW: There's covers and everything out there, just come get me if you need anything more
JL: Thanks, Charlie.
CW: Good night, boys.
Boys: Good night.
They head off to the barn, while Charlie goes back inside. Murdoch is seated, wearing his hat, waiting for him, drinking from a tin cup.
ML: Everything all right, Charlie?
CW, hands in pockets: I don't know . . I think so, but I'm not sure . . (he walks away as ML takes a drink) Oh, the Kid'll work it out, can't blame what happened on him (he sits) It was them others. Deep down, I know that . . . sure as the world. (poor CW sounds as if he is trying to convince himself more than Murdoch)
Suddenly there is a ringing sound.
CW: That's the fire signal, Mr. Lancer!
They exit, the boys join them. The next shot is of flames, there are people running around. We see Harvey the Blacksmith sounding the alarm, it's a triangle hanging from a tree. Harvey yells out some instructions, including telling people to "get some shovels".
The three Lancers stand and watch. While the flames are on screen, we hear an unidentified man say "Poor old Charlie . .look what they done to his jail!"
People are running in the darkness, shot of Charlie watching. Dramatic music. Someone shouts: "Come on, get that water over there!'
SL: Those buildings catch, half this town will burn.
JL: Maybe that wouldn't be so bad . . .
ML stands silently behind the boys. Everyone else is racing around working, frantic, talking. "You ain't gonna save that jail," someone says. The final shot is of Charlie sadly shaking his head. Commercial break.
SCENE 16
Daylight. Scott kicks some burned boards aside. He is holding his hat and gloves, he has his gun belt over his shoulder. Murdoch is standing nearby, so is Charlie Wingate. Johnny is in the background, kicking at something that falls over. He has his hat hanging down his back. Pink shirt for JL, same beige one for SL.
ML: Long night.
SL: Well, we managed to save everything but the jail.
He puts on his hat and then starts to wrap his gun belt around his waist.
JL: Well, what're we gonna do now?
ML: Let's start with Kirby.
Murdoch leads the way, Scott follows him, still fastening his gun belt. The two of them walk around the burned out structure, while Johnny goes out the back and meets up with them.
SCENE 17
Inside the saloon, Kirby is sitting alone, in a downcast pose.
The Lancers burst through the batwing doors, Murdoch is in front. Kirby doesn't even look up at them.
Kirby: I didn't have anything to do with it.
SL: On your feet, Kirby!
Kirby, talking fast: I didn't have anything to do with burning down that jail. Pete Bonell and his gang, he came in here last night and burned it down!
The barkeeper is visible behind Kirby, listening, there does not seem to be anyone else in the saloon.
Kirby: He's gonna make this town his headquarters, gonna build an empire here, bring all of his men here. (he's still speaking very fast and not looking at the Lancers) Nothing I can do to stop him, nothin' you can do either.
ML: Where is he?
Kirby: I wouldn't fool around with him if I were you. You cause trouble for him, he'll come back and burn down the whole town.
JL: You let us worry about that.
ML: Where is Bonell?
Kirby: When he left here last night he said he was gonna camp at Fremont pass.
The Lancers quickly exit and Kirby watches them go.
SCENE 18
Outside. The three Lancers are on horseback riding up hill. Nice scenery.
Next we see some men in a small clearing with a campfire, one in blue has his hands tied behind his back-it's Kirby's bartender! (how did he get here so fast???)-he's sitting on a large rock. Bonell, dressed in black, is standing nearby and there are two of Bonell's men as well, one holding a rifle on the prisoner. They hear the sound of riders approaching-amazing hearing!!
Bonell's man leaves the clearing and next we see him pointing a rifle at the Lancers. He tells them: That's far enough! Get down off your horses. I said dismount!
They dismount.
Bonell's man: All right. Drop your guns!
They do so, tossing them to the ground.
Bonell's man: Right, through here.
Scott goes first, then Murdoch, then Johnny. JL holds the edge of his hat as he walks past. Bonell greets them.
Bonell: We've been expecting you Mr. Lancer.
ML: Obviously.
Bonell, gestures at the seated man: This gentleman here rode all the way out to tell us you were coming. I'm not used to such courtesy.
The Lancers have formed a lineup. Scott stopped and ML walked past him, then turned to face Bonell. SL is in the middle between ML and JL. One of Bonell's men is to Johnny's right and the other is behind the group. Scott is tucking his gloves into his empty holster. Bonell walks to our right, to stand and speak to Murdoch. During their conversation there are alternating close-ups of the two men.
Bonell: So I invited him to stay, so you could confirm his story.
ML: Why?
Bonell: You've been a fool, Lancer, and I almost was. Do you think I really care about Spanish Wells?
ML: You burned up that jail last night.
Bonell: My men and I rode out yesterday afternoon, the jail was still standing.
(close up of Murdoch's puzzled expression) I have no intention of risking gunfire over some small town.
ML: You trying to tell me you had nothing to do with setting fire to that jail?
Bonell: Nothing . . . you know what he came up here to tell us? (Bonell walks over towards the seated man in blue). His message was that you were gonna kill us-on sight. We were warned to fire first. I don't like being used! (He kicks the seated man in the leg! The prisoner flinches)
Bonell, crossing back to ML: I suggest you return to Spanish Wells, that's where your real argument is.
ML: Who sent him?
Bonell: You got a man in that little town of yours, who's all eaten out inside. Something about fellas who grew up hungry-never want to stop eating.
ML: Kirby?
Bonell throws something on the ground, but doesn't answer.
JL: We're in the wrong place.
ML: So is Charlie. . .
SCENE 19
Abrupt scene shift to Charlie's tools sitting on the ground, we see a saw. CW picks up an adze and starts working on one of the timbers.
The Blacksmith is at work.
Harvey the Blacksmith: Hey Charlie! (CW looks up at him) Soon's I get done with this iron, I'll come over there and give ya some help! (Shot of other townsfolk watching too)
Charlie, waves and shouts back at him: Always can use a little help, Harvey!
Harvey chuckles, says: "son of a gun". Charlie keeps working.
SCENE 20
At the saloon. It's pretty dim inside. Kirby is there, wearing a dark jacket over his fancy vest, and his man in the white feathered hat enters.
White Feather: Kirby, that old man---
Kirby: I can see! (Long pause)
Kirby: Now listen and listen very carefully. Blaine is up at the livery stable, I want ya to go get him. Then you find yourselves a place opposite the jail and stake yourselves out. I'm gonna go talk to the old man, when I walk away, if he isn't with me, I want ya to kill'im.
Kirby walks off camera.
White Feather, in disbelief: Kill him? (he follows Kirby)
Kirby: That's the word.
White Feather leaves, Kirby straps on a gun belt.
SCENE 21
Quick shot of the Lancers galloping along, then we go back to Charlie at the jail. Kirby is approaching, wearing a black hat. His men can be seen up above the hotel on a balcony. The shopkeeper across the street in the white apron sits down with a rifle across his lap. Charlie is looking around and waiting, hands on hips. Harvey steps in behind him with a shotgun that he cocks.
CW: What is all this, Harvey?
Harvey: Well, 'pears ta us like you got a little trouble and I think it's about time some of us helped ya.
Charlie looks around at everyone again.
CW: I ain't got no trouble I can't handle.
Harvey: Now look here, Charlie, you know durn well-
CW: Don't you worry none, Harvey, if I need help, I'll call ya.
Harvey reluctantly leaves while Kirby continues to approach, his men remain in position. Charlie resumes sawing a plank. Harvey pauses as he walks away, gives Kirby a long look.
Kirby: Old Man, I wanna talk ta you.
CW: Sure thing, Kid. (he puts his saw down.) Just step right in, like the fella says. (Charlie stands with his hands on his hips.)
Kirby: No, Charlie. This is it, this is the end of the line. Now I want you to come with me. (He steps towards Charlie)
CW: Aww, I can't do that Kid, I got work ta do here.
Kirby: Now, Charlie, ya got ta stop this, while ya can.
Charlie shakes his head "no", but doesn't speak. Through out the ensuing conversation, the camera alternates close ups of the two men.
Kirby: Now, listen to me Charlie. Big things can happen in this town, and big things can happen for you and me. But we gotta keep an open town; we get this jail up and get a marshal in here, they're gonna squeeze us to death. (he squeezes his fist very tightly as he says this)
CW: Always before, Kid, everything was you. But now. You've growed up-you don't need me. Always before, you was it, now it's me---(he points to himself)
Kirby: Charlie, then come and live with me. I'll take care of ya, anything you want, anything! I'll get it for ya! (Kirby puts his hands on CW, clutches at his vest.
CW, shaking his head: That ain't it, Kid, I wanta take care of me. Don't ya understand, I hafta take care of me.
Kirby: That's not true, Charlie.
CW: Yes, it is. You've got the saloon. You got money, you've got years ahead, all I've got is me. Now, I know I ain't much, but I'm all I've got. (He turns slightly and points at the structure) This jail is gonna be the only thing ta prove I ever passed through here. Kind of a monument like.
Kirby is very exasperated now. He takes his hat off and walks away a few steps, looks up and sees his men still in position on the Mawson Hotel balcony, guns ready. Kirby turns back to Charlie.
Kirby: Charlie, I don't think you know how much this means to me-what I'll do ta stop it.
CW: I know Kid. I know it was you had me beat up.
Kirby lowers his gaze.
CW: I know it was you burned all this down. That's why I gotta finish this jail.
The two men look at each other without talking. The camera moves back and forth between them twice before Charlie resumes speaking.
CW: Up ta then, I kinda figured you might be the one worthwhile thing I was gonna leave behind.
Kirby: Oh, Charlie . . .please. . . . please. . . (Kirby is begging here.)
CW shakes his head sadly, Kirby looks as if he is in pain.
Kirby, yelling: Why can't you realize you can't do this alone!?
CW: I'm not alone, Kid, you are.
Kirby just stares at him. Ominous music plays. Kirby shakes his head, he covers his face with one hand. Suddenly, at the end of the street, the Lancers come into view, all three of them, on horseback. Kirby looks up and sees them, he lowers his hand and says "No" in a tone of angry disbelief. The Lancers dismount, ML first, then the boys. Murdoch looks up, immediately spots Kirby's men on the hotel balcony. He walks towards Charlie and Kirby.
ML, to Kirby: Bonell sends regards, says if you want Lancers killed, you're gonna have to do it yourself.
Kirby walks towards ML: If I have to, I will.
Charlie is standing behind Kirby, up on the platform of the jail, watching. There is a shot of Kirby's men, looking at each other, then White Feather takes aim---his bullet just misses CW's head!!! Kirby throws his hands up, yells Stop! Stop! The second man on the balcony shoots and Kirby goes down. Murdoch draws his gun and turns to fire up at the two men.
Johnny rolls to safety across the street. He's under the hotel balcony, firing upwards. Shot of CW looking bewildered.
Shot of Scott crouching and gripping a hitching rail, while Murdoch hustles over and takes cover nearby. Both of them are shooting. While the Lancers and Kirby's men shoot it out, Charlie goes to see how Kirby is.
Cut back to Scott, who fires and seems to hit White Feather, while Murdoch gets the other guy. Scott looks over his shoulder at ML, slowly they both rise to their feet.
Camera goes to CW who is kneeling beside Kirby. Charlie looks up with a stunned expression as SL and ML approach. Scott turns to look up at the balcony and the Mawson Hotel sign, but Johnny hasn't appeared yet. As Scott turns back to look at Charlie, we can see JL emerge from a curtained window.
CW, in a tone of disbelief: Kid's dead.
On the balcony, Johnny is rounding up the two men. We hear him say : All right, come on, inside. . .
Murdoch, to CW: He's been dead for a long time, Charlie.
CW: I, ah . . . don't understand . . (he's still stricken, shakes his head a bit) . .any of it . . Why? . . did I do bad by him?
ML: Sometimes there is no 'why'. You get a boy, old enough to lead his own life, and then you say, Dear God, here he is, do the best You can.
Murdoch pauses, then shakes his head with a tight-lipped expression: You did your best, Charlie.
Charlie is still looking sadly down at Kirby. The camera shifts to Harvey's hand releasing its pressure on the trigger of his long gun. He sighs, looks sadly at Charlie, then walks over to a saddle on a fence rail, and puts his weapon in the sheath. The white aproned shopkeeper across the street stands and leans his rifle against the wall, then picks up his broom and starts sweeping.
SCENE 22
Opens with a shot of a hammer pounding a nail into a sign which reads:
CHAS WINGATE
1871
There is the sound of applause, and we see Charlie in a dark hat and black string tie-clean shaven--- and smiling. There is a view of the three Lancer men clapping. Johnny is in his pink shirt, ML a blue plain number with a tan vest and SL in the ever popular beige job. Scott is wearing his gloves and has his hat settled quite low over his handsome face. The jail is a white building, with a window on either side of the centered door. There is a larger sign over the door that reads: Spanish Wells Jail.
Charlie bows a bit. He puts his hammer in his tool box, and carries it over to the Lancers.
CW, gesturing with his thumb over his shoulder towards the jail: Some day, somebody's gonna look at that and say 'I wonder who he was!'
ML, chuckles: You did a good job, Charlie!
CW: It cost a lot.
Scott looks down when he says this. Charlie looks at the jail again.
CW: But the Kid I knew long time ago woulda liked it though.
(as he speaks, he brushes his cheek with one hand, turns to face the Lancers)
CW: I sure wanna thank you Lancers.
ML: You already have, Charlie.
Charlie gives a little salute with upraised hand and then walks away to a smattering of applause. We see Harvey hand Charlie his jacket, pats CW on the back. Charlie also meets up with the white aproned shopkeeper, who stops him and puts something in the pocket of CW's jacket. They both 'bow' by dipping their heads at each other, then Charlie continues down the street, carrying his tool box and his jacket.
Camera returns to the Lancers. Johnny is looking over his shoulder at the jail. They are all back to the camera, and start to walk down the street. Cut back to Charlie, and at the bottom of the screen the Lancers come back into view. We see JL bend down and pick up a rock or something, shake his hand and then toss whatever it is down the street. . ..
THE END
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