HG says, "Good, I'll be right there." (pause) "Oh, Scotty, I want you to meet a friend of mine. His name is Murdoch."
SL:, "How do you do, sir?"
ML smiles slightly, "Hello Scott". Shakes his hand. "Glad to meet you."
Scott leaves and HG closes doors, then turns to ML, "You may call that decision my one moment of weakness. Now it's your decision....if you truly love the boy I know what you'll do."
Fades out on Murdoch's face....
Scene fades back into Murdoch's face. JL asks, "What'd you say?" ML says, "About what?". JL says, "About Scott and Boston." ML says, "Oh, that was nothing ath ah----SL interrupts with, "What about me?". ML dismisses it with, "Like I said it was nothing....Have a pleasant ride?" When SL enters, he speaks to ML, but nods at JL and JL nods back. I like that detail. SL says, "Mostly. " SL puts gloves in hat and sets it down, sitting down. "Murdoch I think you and I are overdue for a little talk." JL looks at both ML and SL stands up slapping his hands together, "Think I'll go find....ah....Teresa". he taps SL's shoulder and SL smiles watching him leave. SL looks at the floor moves his foot around and says, "There's....ah...something I've been wanting to ask you. Well...." ML says, "Go on and ask it." SL sighs crosses his arms, closes his eyes and says "Well ". . . he sort of claps his hands together, It's....it's the past, I guess it doesn't die that easy." ML says, "It will if you let it...no reason to dredge up the past. Close up of Scott (LOVE THIS SHOT) what we've got is here and now...that has to be all that counts...you understand that don't you, son?" SL nods his head softly, "Yes I understand that...it means don't ask questions...especially why you never came to Boston to claim me." ML says "I wanted to take you with me...there just wasn't any way." SL says, "But you're my father". ML says "Nobody knows that any better than I do and I'm grateful." SL says, "Grateful for what (SL stands up) you let somebody else raise your son!".ML puts his hands on SL's arms. ML says, "Listen, Scott all I ask is one thing if you've got any decisions to make don't make them out of anger." SL picks up his hat and walks away.
NEXT SCENE
Julie is packing. HG knocks and enters. Noticed that HG seems to be coming into her room from the outdoors. HG says, "May I come in" Julie doesn't answer keeps packing. Qualms, my dear.....When I advised you of what your function would be you assured me that under the circumstances there would be no qualms. Julie looks at HG and keeps packing. Julie says, "That was before I realized how ugly it would be." HG says, "Ugly? ......AH, yes I suppose I should have accounted for that reaction.....Did I ever tell you, my dear that I've lived my life as a master accountant? Julie just looks at him. Accounting for every dollar every reaction every emotion and then one day I came to realize that those 60 careful scrupulous years had brought me nothing but money, power, position.....it's inconceivable to you isn't it that those cherished goals should com to mean nothing....that a lonely hollow old man could hunger for something more. Julie says, "You'll never get him back. Never. HG replies with, "Julie, never underestimate an accountant.".
Julie takes her bags outside and puts them in the carriage. SL comes out of door of Hacienda. SL says, "Julie" walking over, "You forgot to say goodbye". Not looking at SL Julie says, "It's no use Scott. I can't go through with it. SL says, "Go through with what?" Julie says, "This make believe game that I'm supposed to play, the romantic decoy. Looking at SL she says, "Your grandfather forced me to come here. I was a trick to get you to come back to Boston." SL looking upset says, "Go on. sounds interesting." Julie says, "There was nothing else for me to do. He said that'd he'd bankrupt my fathers company if I didn't cooperate. My father is a sick old man. I don't want to see my father destroyed.....What would you have done, Scott?" SL says, "I don't know. But at least I'm grateful to know the truth. HG walks out towards them. "That was an unfortunate mistake, Julie. Very unfortunate. I had counted on your discretion." SL says, "No grandfather, I think the mistake was all yours." HG says, "I think not boy. You will return with me to Boston if not for Julie for other more convincing reasons. A number of years ago when you were a child your father presented something of a threat to me. As a cautious man I took steps to protect myself. I had the Pinkerton Agency investigate him. Gentlemen" The Degans walk out smiling. "This is Carl and Billy Degan. The Pinkertons were fortunate enough to pick them up again after all these years. They have something to tell you Scotty. Something about your father. Scene fades on closeup of Scotty.
SCENE 12
Scenes opens in Great Room. Murdoch sits down opening book. SL walks in with HG and stops. Teresa is knitting, JL is sleeping at the chess game with JH. ML says, "Something wrong, Scott?". SL says, "Somebody want to wake up Johnny. He might as well hear this too......Since we're all together. Teresa nudges JL with here foot saying, "Johnny." JL picks his head up and puts it back down. JH says, "Yeah, wake up it's your move." ML says to SL, "Well go on." SL says, "I've....I've decided to go back to Boston with my grandfather." JL sits up abruptly and turns looking at SL. ML and Teresa both hesitate as if they were about to say something. HG says, "IT was a surprise to me too, I must say a pleasant surprise." patting SL on the back. SL says, "Excuse me" leaving room, JL gets up and follows him out stopping for a moment to look at HG. Scene fades on ML.
Notice the smile on HG's face as he looks towards ML
Everyone is outside and SL comes out carrying bags. JL says, "So, just like that huh? You suddenly decide you're going back to Boston." SL says, "That's right." He puts bag in buckboard. JL walks around. JL says, "What's the matter big brother, you get a little sand in your boots and you got to run home." ML says, "Johnny." JL says, "I want to know why, Murdoch that's all." SL says, "I'm just not cut out for this kind of life, that's all". JL says, "Oh, pfft." SL says, "Anyway, you got along all right without me before you'll do just fine from now on." HG says, "I'm sure Scotty feels a deep regret. But after all he did live 24 years of his life in Boston." Teresa walks over, "Scott, we don't want you to go." SL says, "I know . There's no reason why you can't come to Boston to visit me." He looks at ML when he says this, even though its Jelly who answers. JH says, "Boston's a long way off even if we was invited." ML says, "Planning on taking the afternoon stage?" SL says, "Grandfather left a few things at the hotel.....We'll go there first then cut out south and pick up the train." ML says, "Good idea, save a lot of rough travel ." SL says, "Yeah" looking away. ML says, "Son" (shakes his hand) "take care of yourself." SL looks away again. "If you ever feel that you..." HG says, "Scotty, we better be on our way". SL gets on buckboard looks around:. JL says, "Bye, Scott". Scott and HG leave Lancer in buckboard. JH says, "Never did see anything so all fired fancy about Boston, even when I was there." JL playing with a rock says, "Seems to me, Murdoch, you could have tried a little harder. YOu could have put up a fight." ML says, He's a man, Johnny. He's not a little boy, it's his decision." JL says, "Yeah, that may be good enough for you, but it's not for me." JL throws rock and walks away, JH follows him.
Scene 14
Scene opens with JL at hotel. Clerk says, "Nope, Mr. Garrett didn't leave any belongings here. All he did was come by to have a talk with the Degans." JL questions, "Degans?" Clerk says, "Two brothers, they must work for Garrett or something. He came in three days ago, left $100 for their keep. They have been livin top of the hog ever since." JL says, "Degan? They from around here?" Clerk says, "I never seen them before. Now, you wanna talk to them," They walk towards bar room. "There they are down at the end of the bar. They've been bellied up almost every day since they been here, drinkin on Mr. Garrett's money. JL says, "Hmmm, thank you. I think I will talk to them." JL walks over to bar, putting his coat down and stopping in between the brothers at the bar. JL says, "Howdy, buy you a drink?" BD says, "Here that, Carl. The man wants to buy us a drink, like we're dirt poor or somethin" CD says, "You keep your hands out of your pockets friend. We're buyin the drinks here. Hey barkeep, slide us another glass." JL says, "Very nice of you, much abliged." BD says, "You can thank Mr. Harlan Garrett of Boston." JL says, "Well, why don't I make a toast to Mr. Harlan Garrett from Boston." BD says, "He's been mighty good to us." JL says, "Yeah, he must be a real friend of yours." CD says, "I wouldn't exactly call him a friend but he's sure got lots of money." JL says, "Oh, boy. If only I had a friend like Mr. Garrett, huh?" CD says, "Hard pickins to find that kind of luck." BD says "Little more than luck I'd say. Don't forget Murdoch Lancer helped out a litte bit too." JL says, "Lancer?" CD says, "Shut up, Billy." JL says, "Hey, come on now. Don't worry about me. I'm just making a little conversation that's all." CD says, "Sounds more like your askin questions and lookin for answers." BD says, "Who are you mister?" JL says, " Johnny.....Lancer". CD says, "Ain't got nothing more to say to you. We're mindin our own business." JL says, "Your business seems to include a lot of interest about Murdoch Lancer. I just want to know why?" CD says, "Don't know what your talkin about?" JL moves his hat so that the gun is now visible-- points gun at CD and says, "I think you do." CD ways, "We are peaceful citizens, mister. We ain't done nothin wrong." He says this loudly so that the entire bar will hear and look their way. So CD is the "smart" Degan. JL puts gun away and says, "All right, but if I find out different, I'm gonna come back and talk to you again." JL leaves room and CD hits BD saying, "What'd you run off at the mouth like that?" BD says, "I didn't say anything." CD says, "Not much you didn't." BD says "Ain't nothin he can do anyhow, was our pa got murdered law was on our side." CD says, "If'n we was going to the law....Remember when Mr. Garrett paid us." BD, "Yeah". CD says, Catch a look at this wallet?" BD says smiling, "Fat as a stuffed toad." CD says, "He's headed for the train junction as I recall." BD says, "Right on our way."
Scene 15
ML is getting a drink of water and JL is pushing dirt around with boot. JL says, "That's right, Degan. Two brothers, Carl and Billy Deegan, a little older than me, dirt scratchers, they know you Murdoch and they know Garrett because Garrett is payin' 'em off." ML says, "Degan. ....I knew him, Johnny.....It happened a long time ago, Johnny. See, I had received word that Scott's mother was very seriously ill. I'd been riding steady for about two days....." Scene fades into the past, ML is telling the story. "It was about 10 miles outside of Cartersville. I was cutting through the badlands. I had to ride through a narrow canyon when he started gunning for me." Degan to boys, "Go no get back....get back" ML says, "I only wanted to disarm the man, but he forced me to kill him. But he wasn't alone like I first thought, the man had a family, two boys. Maybe a wife. I wasn't sure. I could feel them watching me but I couldn't see them. His name was Degan. His motive must hve been robbery== nothing else made any sense."
Back to present. ML says, "I went back to the canyon as soon as I could. The wagon was gone, the only thing they left behind was the grave." JL says, "What about the law?" ML says, "I went to Sacramento, made my statement to the federal marshall. I was cleared. I thought that was the end of it. I guess other people had different ideas." JL says, "Oh, Murdoch. Been a lot easier sharing it with someone." ML says, "There are some things in this world a man tries to forget, Johnny. Killing a man is one of them."
JL says, "Old Garrett found out and used it as an ax over Scott's head, huh?" ML says, "That's my guess. Scott went along with it because he thought he was protecting me from a murder charge......Come on, Johnny. Let's go meet a train"
SCENE 16
SL and HG are riding down the road to catch the train. HG says, "Can't we at least talk, Scotty. It's going to be a long trip." SL says, "I think we've said just about everything that has to be said." HG says, "Is it possible that we could lose so easily what we had for so many years?" SL says, "We didn't lose it, you threw it away." HG says, "Well there's time, plenty of time for mending, you'll see. Scotty, once we get back to Boston....Gunshot is heard and SL is hit falling off buckboard and rolling. HG yells, "Scotty!" HG takes reins and buckboards goes off down the road. Flashes to Degans, BD says, "We got the other one!" CD says, "The old man's gettin away, come on!" The Degans quickly head for their horses and HG is seen on the buckboard rolling down the road.
Scott is trying to sit up, JL and ML come along on horseback, see SL and dismount running over to help him. JL is holding SL and he's trying to get up says, "Ambush. Grandfather, I've gotta help him." JL says, "You're not going nowhere." SL still trying to get up says, "Yeah...I've got to help.....JL says, "Stay down." ML says, "Somebody (Couldn't make out the name) ranch is right over the hill. Get him over there." ML gets up and heads for horse. JL helping SL says, "Get the horse." JL helps SL over to horse SL says, "Gotta help....."JL and ML get SL on horse SL says, "I gotta help. I've gotta help him." JL mounts behind SL holding him, ML mounts horse and says, "Hurry up and get him over there, Johnny." JL says, "Murdoch, stay here". ML says, "And get help". Riding off, JL yells, "Murdoch!" JL rides off towards ranch.
HG is trapped behind a large boulder and the Degans are firing at him. BD says, "We're gonna scare that old man to death. He'll be beggin us to take his money." CD says, "Ain't no time for funnin, show him what we got, come on. They start firing, HG fires back. "Old goat's got a gun." BD says, "Aint' gonna make no difference, we got more than he has." ML comes riding down the road, BD says, "Hey, who's that?" ML rides dismounts quickly and runs over by HG. HG says, "Murdoch" CD says, "Makes no difference we'll kill him anyway." HG says to ML, "Murdoch, they killed Scotty!" ML says, "As usual, Harlan your making one of your momentus conclusions too soon. Scott's still alive."Looking at gun. "If that thing is loaded I could use some help." ML and HG start firing with the Degans firing back. CD says, "Come on. We can get around behind them. Come on" The Degans start moving around back, pause to shoot at them and BD looks off saying, "Carl, look there!". JL is coming with help, they chase the Degans down and catch them. HG says, "They...they could have killed me, Murdoch." ML says, Probably. HG sasy, If you'd let them your troubles would have been over. Why didn't you, Murdoch?" Close up of ML, "I've got no troubles, Harlan. Not anymore."
.
SCENE 17
Scene opens in great room. JH and JL are throwing something at each other. WHAT ARE THEY THROWING!!!!! Same things that JL was eating earlier when he asked ML about Scott and Boston. He's eating them in the opening scene of Zee also. SL is sitting on the couch while Teresa is bandaging his head. JH says, "Oh. I'm gonna have to wear my glasses...I chewed that right down....now stop that...pfft." (HG is standing by doorway looking in, ML walks up. HG says, "Another dawn, another time. Ironic...the losers become winners and the winners losers." ML says, "I can't think of no reason to look at it that way. Harlan." HG says, "When you get to be my age there is only one way to look at it." HG looks at ML saying, "I won't offer an apology for what I wanted to do only for how I tried to do it" Shaking his hand" Murdoch, I'm sorry. Perhaps if we could have brought ourselves to this 25 years ago. Perhaps....Perhaps..."
JL is picking up the floor, SL sees his grandfather saying, "Grandfather we better hurry if we're gonna catch that stage in town." HG looks at ML, "ah, well Goodbye Murdoch." ML says, "Goodbye Harlan" HG walks towards his bags and SL joining him saying, "I'll get those for you, sir." . HG says, "You still remember your good manners." SL picks them up pauses, saying, "I'll...ah...I'll try to get back to Boston sometime." HG says, "Yes, Scotty you do that....sometime."
SL and HG leave getting on buckboard and riding out. ML and JH come out to watch. JH says, "Aw, I'd soon see a hard drought come visit as him." ML says, "Even a hard drought can do us some good, Jelly." JH says, "How's that?" ML says, "Makes us appreciate what we sometimes take for granted."
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