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FADE IN:
EXT. RANCH-NIGHT
TITLE OVER:
Central Texas, 1866
Night shrouds a ranch, lights shine from the windows of the main house, and loud voices can be heard from inside.
INT. HOUSE
TOM KENYON, an aging but still impressive frontiersman, stands in the center of the floor, gesturing for silence to a group
of vocal TEXANS. His wife, MARTHA, goes about the room passing out cups of coffee from a tray.
TOM
Alright...I think we can all
agree that Thorne is a bastard.
MARTHA
Language, Thomas...
Tom flashes Martha a grin.
TOM
Let's just say that he ain't...
MARTHA
Isn't...
TOM
...A gentleman...
(a beat)
The question is...what are we gonna
do about it?
The Texans begin shouting again.
INTERCUT WITH
INT. STUDY
CHARLES THORNE, an elegantly handsome man in his middle years sits at his desk. In front of of him a paper model of a house
sits on a metal ash tray. Thorne takes a cigar out of the nearby humidor, and places it in his mouth.
INTERCUT WITH
INT. HOUSE
Tom gestures once more for silence.
TOM
I know he's big...and he's in good
with that godda...
Martha flashes him a warning glare.
TOM
...Consarned carpertbag goverment
in Austin. But we gotta...
He looks at Martha.
TOM
...Got to...stand up to him...sooner
or later...probably sooner...
INTERCUT WITH
INT. STUDY
Thorne lights his cigar from an oil lamp. After puffing on it for a few moments, he takes it out of his mouth, and, chanting
softly in a strange gutteral tounge, places the hot end against the paper house, which ignites quickly.
INTERCUT WITH
EXT. RANCH
DAVID KENYON rides up to the bunk houses where his sisters ELIZABETH, and LAURIE are chatting. David dismounts, and looks
at the house.
DAVID
Still at it, huh?
ELIZABETH
Since nightfall...
David goes over to Laurie, who's wearing a haunted expression.
DAVID
And how are you holdin' up?
LAURIE
I'm fine...
(a beat)
...As long as I'm awake.
DAVID
They're just nightmares, Laurie.
LAURIE
So people keep tellin' me...
Laurie notices something in the air, and sniffs.
LAURIE
You smell somethin' burnin'?
Elizabeth sniffs.
ELIZABETH
Come to think of it...somethin' does
smell hot...
The main house explodes into flame. David rushes to it, but the house is quickly engulfed by the inferno, and he backs
off. Elizabeth and Laurie embrace, and try to console each other.
EXT. PRARIE-DAY
TITLE OVER:
Three months later...
A stagecoach with DRIVER and SHOTGUN RIDER bounces along the Texas prarie.
INT. STAGECOACH
JOHN, FRENCHY, and BEN sit across from IGNATIUS DONNELLY and HELENA PETROVNA BLAVATSKY. Ben has his hat over his eyes,
apparently asleep, while Frenchy attempts to play solitaire on her valise, and John attempts to read from a copy of "Ivanhoe."
DONNELLY
...Why Atlantis, of course, the lost
continent...the mother of all civilization...
how else can you explain the similarities...
John sighs and closes his book.
DONNELLY
Oh, am I annoying you, Sir?
JOHN
Only for last 30 miles, Congressman...
DONNELLY
Well...perhaps I am bit enthusiatic...
The stagecoach slows down.
DONNELLY
Oh, what's the matter now?
JOHN
There's a sharp turn up ahead...
BLAVATSKY
(russian accent)
You are familiar with this country?
JOHN
I was born and raised around here.
He looks out the window.
JOHN
Uh ohhh...
DONNELLY
What...?
(a beat)
Oh my God, the Indians!
JOHN
Nope, not Indians...
INTERCUT WITH
EXT. PRARIE
David, waits by the side of the trail with SETH THOMAS, TOMMY HIGGENS, and JACK and BOB HARPER, all are mounted with guns
drawn. The Driver brings the coach to a stop in front of them.
INTERCUT WITH
INT. STAGECOACH
Ben shifts his hat up, as Donnelly hyperventilates.
BEN
You wanna break this up, Colonel?
JOHN
Negative, Sergeant...
DONNELLY
My God...you're going to let them
get away with this?
John looks at Frenchy.
JOHN
We have women with us, Congressman.
Frenchy makes a face at John...
EXT. PRARIE
David rides up to the coach.
DAVID
Alright...you know what comes next.
SHOTGUN
Goddammit, Dave...you know we can't
just let you have the cash box...
DAVID
Okay...if you two feel you owe it
to Mr. Thorne...
The driver snorts, and reaches for the cash box behind him.
DRIVER
Not for what I'm paid...
He unties the cash box. Dave faces the shotgun rider.
DAVID
And how about you, Burt?
The shot gun rider shakes his head. David faces the coach.
DAVID
Okay, you folks in the coach...
come out with your hands up.
The passengers disembark slowly.
DAVID
Our quarrel's with Mr. Thorne...
so your money and valuables are
safe...as are you, as long as you
don't try anythin'...
JOHN
Then why trot us out?
Dave looks at John and recognizes him, but keeps his cool.
DAVE
Just keepin' everybody where I can
see 'em.
JOHN
Fair enough...
The Driver and the Shotgun rider toss the cash box to the ground. The outlaws dismount, and Dave blows the lock off with
a shot. The outlaws grab the money bags and take them to their horses, except for Tommy, who swaggers over to the women.
TOMMY
And what do we have here...?
Tommy looks over Blavatsky.
TOMMY
One ugly woman...
He turns to Frenchy, leering openly.
TOMMY
And one pretty woman.
Frenchy takes a step backward, feigning fright.
FRENCHY
Oh please...no...
DAVID
Tommy, back off!
TOMMY
Oh, I ain't gonna hurt her.
Tommy looks at Donnelly.
TOMMY
I bet you're carryin' cash, fat man.
DONNELLY
Why...I...I...I'll have you know
that I'm a United States congressman.
TOMMY
Really? Then I bet you're carryin'
a watch too...
David walks over to Tommy.
DAVID
Tommy, mount up.
TOMMY
Make me...
David pistol whips Tommy to the ground.
DAVID
You want me to take this to the next
step?
Tommy looks at David, feeling his bleeding temple. Then he gets up.
TOMMY
Just havin' some fun is all.
Tommy sullenly goes back to his horse. Dave turns and faces the passengers.
DAVID
My apologies...and give our regards
to Mr. Thorne.
He turns and goes back to his horse. The outlaws mount up and ride off.
EXT. OUTLAW CAMP-DAY
The boy rides into their camp. The rest their GANG, including several GIRLS, come out to greet them, among them Elizabeth,
Laurie, and MAUREEN, a pretty but rather shallow and vapid girl
LAURIE
Oh, I'm so glad y'all are safe.
DAVID
Yeah...They crumpled like sand.
He hugs her. Jack and Bob come over.
JACK
We told you we'd keep an eye on him.
Maureen and Seth exchange a long kiss.
MAUREEN
I wanna see it.
SETH
Okay...
Seth goes to his saddlebags, pulls out a sack, and takes it to Maureen. He opens it and her eyes widen at the sight of
the gold coins.
MAUREEN
Ooo...that sure is pretty.
SETH
There's more where that came from...
25,000 dollars worth.
David strides over to the center of the group.
DAVID
Right...it's the biggest job we've
pulled...but that means our troubles
are just startin'...
Tommy steps forward.
TOMMY
Then let's divide that gold up, and
get the hell outta here.
DAVID
We all agreed when we started, that
whatever we took would go back to
the people Thorne's stolen from,
Tommy.
TOMMY
No...you said so...and we went along.
Seth comes up, and gives Tommy a hard look.
SETH
And you said "okay" along with the
rest of us.
Tommy looks at the assembled group, and senses that his moment hasn't come.
TOMMY
Aw, hell...can't a man have thoughts?
DAVID
Just as long as it doesn't go beyond
that.
He faces the crowd.
DAVID
Okay, let's bury the gold, for now.
ELIZABETH
And once that's done...we girls have
been cookin' up a storm for the victory
celebration.
SETH
Sounds good to me.
The boys start taking sacks out of their saddlebags. Laurie clings to Jack. He kisses her.
JACK
You alright, honey?
LAURIE
No...uhhh...yes...uhhh...
She holds Jack tighter, and breaks down into tears.
JACK
Shhh...You had a bad time of it last
night...
LAURIE
I have a bad time every night now...
She rests her head on his shoulder.
LAURIE
I just wish people would believe
me when I tell you it's Thorne...
JACK
Laurie...that just ain't possible...
Laurie cries all the harder.
LAURIE
Then I'm just goin' crazy...
David goes over to Tommy.
DAVID
Tommy...do you realize how lucky
you are to be alive right now?
Tommy's expression goes grim.
TOMMY
Anytime you wanna...
DAVID
I didn't mean that...you know that
man in the Colonel's uniform...
the one whose eyes went cold as
soon you started on that gal?
TOMMY
Uh huh...
DAVID
That was my older brother.
Tommy looks sick.
TOMMY
You mean that was...?
David claps a hand on Tommy's shoulder.
DAVID
Ol' Johnny Reb...his own bad self...
you nearly became famous...
(a beat)
For bein' a corpse.
David walks off leaving Tommy to think about his actions.
EXT. MULFORD-DAY
The passengers disembark from the coach in downtown Mulford, a stereotypical Texas cattle town. John, Ben, and Frenchy
hang by the coach while Donnelly and Blavatsky head for the Sheriff's Office. Ben shudders as Blavatsky passes by.
BEN
Ugghhh...that is, quite possibly,
the ugliest woman I have ever seen
in my life...
(a beat)
And I've seen bordertown whores with
their make-up off.
FRENCHY
Careful, Ben...you're talking about
the aristocracy...that's Helena Petrovna
Blavatsky...a real, honest to God
Russian countess...or so she claims.
BEN
Do tell...and that fat Yankee congressman
travelin' with her?
JOHN
Ignatius Donnelly...of Minnesota.
Ben watches as they go into the sheriff's office.
BEN
Funny pair to be visitin' a fellar
like Thorne.
FRENCHY
The Franterni Arcanum uses all sorts
of people, Ben. Many don't even realize
it...until it's too late.
JOHN
Alright...you two go on and find
Angus...I'll go see the sheriff.
He gives Frenchy a stern look.
JOHN
No gambling...
He turns to Ben.
JOHN
...And you, stay sober.
Frenchy pouts fetchingly.
FRENCHY
It's people like you who take all
the fun out life.
JOHN
We're not here to have fun...
(a beat)
I'll catch up with you later...
FRENCHY
Alright, mon cher...but you stay
out of trouble too.
JOHN
Don't I always?
He takes his horse down the street.
FRENCHY
I don't think he'd like it if I answered
that.
INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Thorne stands over the desk of SHERIFF LOGAN MATHERS, trying to get into the face of the aging, lawman. Donnelly and Blavatsky
sit to one side.
THORNE
...And futhermore, Sheriff Mathers...
I don't intend to sit idly by while
these young ruffians continue to rob
me blind.
MATHERS sits back in his seat.
THORNE
I've told you time and again, Mr.
Thorne...I've only got three deputies,
to cover a county bigger than some
states back east...
THORNE
Then deputize Ferris and his men!
Mathers gives Thorne a cold look.
JEFFREYS
I don't deputize paid killers, Mr.
Thorne...
John enters the office.
JOHN
Morning, Logan...
Mathers rises with a smile, and shakes John's hand.
JEFFREYS
John Kenyon...as I live and breathe
Donnelly does a double take.
DONNELLY
John Kenyon?
(a beat)
Oh my God, you're Johnny Reb!
BLAVATSKY
Who?
DONNELLY
He's one of those horrible Rebel
guerillas from Missouri.
John glowers at Donnelly, who shrinks into his chair.
JOHN
First of all, you already know I'm
a Texican...second...I commanded
a regiment of light cavalry...not
guerillas...
He faces Mathers.
JOHN
I was on the stage when the robbery
took place, as were two friends of
mine. I thought you might want to
hear our version of it.
(a beat)
Especially since my little brother
was leading the gang...
(a beat)
Logan...what the hell's been going
on around here?
MATHERS
It's not my place to say...
Mathers gives Thorne a dirty look.
MATHERS
Some folks already think I'm takin'
sides...
Mathers hands John a form.
MATHERS
Write your story here, sign it
with your friends, leave it here,
and go about your business. That
should do.
Donnelly rises from his chair.
DONNELLY
My God, Sheriff...the man's a notorious
renegade...the whole country's heard
how he refused to give his loyalty
oath after the war ended!
MATHERS
Really? The Federals haven't issued
any dodgers on him, and they generally
take unreconstructed Rebs seriously.
(a beat)
And when a man comes home to see
his parents' graves, I think it's
a good idea to leave him alone.
DONNELLY
But...but...
BLAVATSKY
Oh, sit down, Ignatius. You sound
like a little girl.
Thorne gives John a sneer.
THORNE
So...Colonel...you were on the stage.
Why didn't you try to stop the robbery?
I thought cavalry officers were bolder
than that.
(a beat)
Or is blood thicker than water?
JOHN
You haven't been out here long, sir
or you'd know that talk like can get
a man killed.
He turns to Mathers.
JOHN
Sheriff...
He exits. Blavatsky's eyes follow him appreciativelyly as he leaves.
INT. DOUBLE EAGLE SALOON
Ben and Frenchy enter a crowded saloon. They see ANGUS BUCHANAN sitting at a table, and flirting with the pretty WAITRESS.
They go over to him.
FRENCHY
Hello, Angus...
ANGUS
(scottish accent)
Lad, lass...have a seat...
They sit down.
ANGUS
It did nay take ye long to find me...
BEN
There are only two saloons in town...
and the Buffalo Hump just ain't your
style.
ANGUS
Truer words were nay spoken, lad...
(shuddering)
The whiskey in that place adds whole
new meanin' to the term "blended."
Angus turns to the Waitress.
ANGUS
Send o'er a bottle, lass.
The waitress goes to the bar.
FRENCHY
Alright, Angus...you've got some
explaining to do...
ANGUS
Dinna be like that, lass...you knew
this was a different kinda war when
ye joined the Ithacan Foundation.
John enters.
JOHN
Yeah...only you didn't say how different.
John takes a seat, and gives Frenchy a kiss.
FRENCHY
What you find out at the Sheriff's
office?
JOHN
About what I expected...Thorne's
screaming like a stuck pig...and
Logan Mather's caught in the middle.
FRENCHY
Well...pig is an excellent analogy
to use when describing a Thorne.
The waitress drops off a bottle and three glasses, and heads back to the bar.
JOHN
So you've been saying...
(to Angus)
What about that, Angus? Frenchy
says that Thorne's father is a pretty
high mucka-muck in the Fraterni Arcanum.
So why did he send his eldest son
out to a place like Mulford?
ANGUS
Auld Adam's more than just a "high
mucka-muck"...he's head of North
American operations...
(a beat)
As for why his son is here...that's
a good question...
Angus pours the whiskey.
ANGUS
What we do know is that upon comin'
here six months ago, Charles bought
up the bank...not hard considerin'
the hard times hittin' the state
since the war ended.
JOHN
And once he got his hands on the
bank, and its mortages, and with
no one able to pay he began foreclosing
and foreclosing...
(a beat)
My parents wrote about it in their
last letter...
John clinches his fists, fighting to control his emotions. Frenchy reaches out and takes his hand.
ANGUS
Aye...well...I'm sorry about that,
lad...we tried to protect them as
best we could...
He downs his drink quickly.
JOHN
It's alright...I learned during the
war that you can't protect everybody
all the time...
(a beat)
...And that it hurts like hell everytime
you get reminded of that...
ANGUS
Aye, lad...it does...
(a beat)
Thorne took it easy on yer kin, at
first...yer father had paid off his
debts years ago, and Thorne knew
how popular he was. He even paid
court to yer youngest sister, Laurie...
(a beat)
She did nay encourage him...but he
kept at it.
FRENCHY
Of course...no woman ever says "no"
to a Thorne, and gets away with it.
John gives Frenchy a questioning look. Angus sits back in his chair.
ANGUS
Well...things went from bad to worse
rather quickly. Thorne started layin'
on the pressure...tax leans...lawsuits...
(a beat)
And yet...at the height of it all...
Thorne still kept tryin' to win your
sister over. He even came over to
your house and proposed to her...
on one knee at that. Said he'd leave
the family alone if she'd marry him.
JOHN
Knowing my sister, I assume her answer
was a polite "No, no, a thousand times
no.
Angus pours himself another drink.
ANGUS
Somethin' like that...and Thorne responded
by twirlin' his mustache and sayin'
somethin' like "I'll get ye yet,
me proud beauty!" And stormed back
to his house...then came the fire...
(a beat)
Which brings us to where we are now...
INT. PARLOR-NIGHT
Thorne and his guests sit in a lushly decorated room. GOPAL, a lithe, powerful, East Indian lights a cigar for Donnelly.
BLAVATSKY
Gopal...I vould also like a cigar.
Gopal looks at Thorne, who nods. Gopal gets a cigar out of a humidor, gives it to Blavatsky, and lights it. Thorne's
daughter, AMANDA, a beautiful young woman sits to one side
trying to feign interest in the conversation,
DONNELLY
I must say, Charles...although I
blush to admit it...my legs are still
shaking after this afternoon's adventure.
BLAVATSKY
I, for von, found it very exciting.
THORNE
It's all part of life on the frontier,
my friends...
(a beat)
But I'd much rather begin discussion
on our mutual interest...the lost
continent of Atlantis
Donnelly takes a long puff on his cigar.
DONNELLY
Ah yes...your letter was very intriguing...
you claim to have found evidence of
the existence of that fabled land.
Might I inquire as to the nature
of this evidence.
THORNE
It would sound strange to your ears,
Ignatius. Suffice to say, in India
I learned certain truths about life
and death, and the nature of the soul.
Blavatsky nearly leaps from her chair in excitement.
BLAVATSKY
You speak of reincarnation!
BURNETT
Yes...
DONNELLY
I've heard of it...the soul is reborn
many times until it finally achieves
Paradise...
BLAVATSKY
The term is "Nirvana," Ignatius.
CHANDRA, another Hindu servant, enters and goes to Thorne.
CHANDRA
Excuse me, sahib...but you have just
recieved an answer to the wire you
sent to Boston.
Thorne rises.
BURNETT
Excuse me, my friends, but this is
rather urgent...and may require my
time the rest of this evening.
He turns to Amanda.
THORNE
Amanda, my dear...please see that
the needs of our guests are attended
to.
AMANDA
Yes, Father...
Thorne turns to Gopal, and claps his hands.
THORNE
Gopal...come with me.
He and Gopal exit.
INT. STUDY
Thorne and Gopal enter the study. CAP FERRIS, a hulking brute of a man is waiting for them, sitting at the edge of the
desk.
THORNE
Well!
Ferris hands Thorne a telegram. Thorne snatches it away, and reads it. When he finishes it, he crushes it in his hands.
FERRIS
Bad news, Mr. Thorne?
THORNE
Yes...
(a beat)
...Kenyon and his companions are
more than they seem.
GOPAL
Are they Ithacan Foundation, sahib?
Thorne nods.
GOPAL
Then perhaps the brothers should
pay a visit to the hotel tonight?
BURNETT
No, Gopal...
Ferris rises.
FERRIS
Mr. Thorne...you do not want John
Kenyon joinin' forces with his brother.
Not by a damned longshot.
THORNE
I'm aware of the man's reputation,
Ferris. Yet the South still lost the
the war, even with him on it's side.
FERRIS
With more men and guns the Rebs woulda
pushed us back across the Mason-Dixon line,
and Kenyon was one of their best. He's
a master of hit and run...
Thorne silences Ferris with a gesture.
THORNE
Enough...I want Kenyon and his friends
observed, for now. There will time
enough to kill them later.
Thorne waves Ferris and Gopal off.
THORNE
Leave me...
Ferris exits. Gopal bows, and follows him out. Thorne sits at his desk, and takes a crystal ball out a drawer. He places
it on the desk, and he concentrates on it.
EXT. OUTLAW CAMP
The outlaw band sleeps around the remains of their campfire. Jack and Laurie lie snuggled close together. She is writhing,
seemingly in the grip of an intense dream.
THORNE (v.o.)
Phryssa...Phryssa...
LAURIE
No...no...
THORNE
It's me, Phryssa...
An image of Thorne's face appears above Laurie.
THORNE
My love...
LAURIE
No...
THORNE
Phryssa...don't resist...
LAURIE
That's not my name...
The image grows.
THORNE
But it is...remember...remember...
DISSOLVE TO
EXT. WOODS-NIGHT
Laurie, now wearing a skimpy, greco-romanesque dress, makes her way through a dark forest.
THORNE (v.o.)
You were Phryssa...a temple maiden...
a daughter of the emperor...
Laurie meets with KRATO, a handsome man, also in ancient style dress.
THORNE
And I was Krato...a priest of the
temple...
Laurie and Krato, embrace and kiss passionately.
THORNE
We we're forbidden to love, yet love
we did...in the forest outside the
City of the Golden Gates.
Still in their clinch, they disrobe, and sink to the ground.
DISSOLVE TO
EXT. OUTLAW CAMP
Laurie's writhing grows worse as she is forced to watch the image of her and Krato making love. The scene is replaced by
the image of Thorne's face.
THORNE
Remember!
LAURIE
No...that's not me...
THORNE
It is!
(a beat)
I must find you Phryssa...tell me
where you are.
LAURIE
No...I won't!
The face grows again.
THORNE
TELL ME!!!
LAURIE
No...I won't...I won't!
Laurie wakes up screaming. This wakes everybody else up as well. Tommy hits his pillow in anger.
TOMMY
Goddamit! Does she have to wake
us like that every night?
David and Elizabeth rush to Laurie's side, while Jack tries to comfort her.
ELIZABETH
You just shut your mouth, Tommy Higgins,
can't you see she's sufferin'.
TOMMY
She's makin' enough noise for it.
Jack holds Laurie close, and caresses her.
JACK
Shhh...it'll be alright... it was
just another nightmare...
LAURIE
They ain't just nightmares...Thorne's
found some way to get inside my head...
Laurie breaks down into serious crying.
ELIZABETH
Sweetie...I know it seems like that...
but that just ain't possible...
She hugs Laurie tightly.
ELIZABETH
Now, you've been through a lot.
LAURIE
No more than anybody else...I ain't
some little flibberty-jibbet who
gets the vapors.
DAVID
We all know that, honey...but you
know that Thorne can't get into
people's heads.
LAURIE
But...you don't what it's like...
his face is right there...and he
tries to make me think what he wants
me to think...
She breaks down crying again.
DAVID
You just try to go back to sleep...
TOMMY
Why bother? She's just gonna wake
up screamin' again...
DAVID
Tommy, why don't you go and relieve
Bob on watch?
Tommy rises, and picks up his rifle and gun belt.
TOMMY
Might as well...ain't gonna get back
to sleep no how.
(sotto voce)
Goddamned whimpery female keepin'
us up 'till the wee hours...thought
we was outlaws, not a bunch of frickin'
nursemaids...
He exits.
ELIZABETH
You pay him no mind, sweetie...every
jackass has gotta bray.
(a beat)
Now you just lie down...and go back
to sleep. And remember, they're
only dreams.
Hesitantly, Laurie lies back.
ELIZABETH
Come with me, Dave...
Elizabeth takes David's hand, and they go off to one side.
ELIZABETH
Laurie's got more to worry about than
just a few night shivers...
(a beat)
She's pregnant...
David looks back at Jack comforting Annie.
DAVID
You sure?
ELIZABETH
Uh huh...she's missed her out of
ordinaries...throwin' up...everythin'.
(a beat)
I'm no midwife...but I do know that
if she doesn't calm down, and soon...
she's gonna lose that baby. And
we'll probably lose her along with
it.
David looks back again, as Laurie slowly cries herself back to sleep.
DAVID
And what do you think we should do
about it?
ELIZABETH
Get the hell outta here...
(a beat)
This war against Thorne was doomed
anyway, he's too big...and Winter's
comin'...
David sighs, and thinks a moment.
DAVID
We'll wait for John...hear what he
has to say...
ELIZABETH
Well, don't wait too long on our
prodigal big brother...'cause I'm
not sure how much more Laurie can
take.
Elizabeth goes off.
INT. STUDY-DAY
Thorne and Ferris are hunched over a map on his desk. Amanda enters, dressed for riding.
AMANDA
Father, I...
(a beat)
I see you're busy...
She turns to go. Thorne raises his head.
THORNE
Not so fast, young lady...
(a beat)
I see you're going riding...
(a beat)
And what about our guests?
AMANDA
They're your guests, Father...Gopal
and the other servants can see that
they're taken care of.
Thorne walks over to her.
THORNE
You've been going out riding a lot
lately.
AMANDA
And what else is there to do around
here?
THORNE
It's just that I'm worried about
you...with Kenyon and his band rising
Cain all about the area...and there
are the Indians to consider...
(a beat)
I think that you should have an escort...
He turns to Ferris.
THORNE
Ferris, detail some of your men...
Amanda stomps her foot.
AMANDA
No! I'm 21 and I'm perfectly capable
of taking care of...
THORNE
AMANDA!!!
(a beat)
You will accept an escort or you
will not go at all.
Ferris comes over, a leering grin on his face.
FERRIS
Now, Miss Amanda...you just accept
that your daddy knows what's best...
He looks her over, admiring her figure.
FERRIS
And I wouldn't mind at all keepin'
an eye on you...
Amanda shudders, and exits. Thorne gives Ferris a cold look.
THORNE
I want you to go to town, and check
on what's happening with the eldest
Kenyon.
FERRIS
But, Mr. Thorne...
THORNE
Your men can handle escorting my
daughter...
FERRIS
Suit yourself, Mr. Thorne...
He turns to go.
FERRIS
Just don't blame me if she ends up
sharin' some Comanche dog soldier's
blanket.
THORNE
Stay away from her, Ferris...or I'll
see you in hell!
Ferris exits, laughing lavaciously. Thorne smiles evilly and lays a hand on a book on his desk. One with a pentagram design
on the cover.
THORNE
And I know some very influential
people in hell.
EXT. MULFORD
John and Ben bring a trio of horses from a corral to a hitching post at the center of town. While they hitch their horses
five men make their way towards them. PIKE, HANK, TOBE, DEKE, and GARCIA.
JOHN
You see 'em?
BEN
Uh, huh...
The band stops near the hitching post.
PIKE
Well, well, well...what do we have
here?
HANK
It looks like two Rebs still wearin'
their uniforms...
DEKE
I guess they ain't hearda Appomattox
(to John)
Hey Reb...I heard Bobby Lee was yella
coward.
John and Ben go on with their work.
DEKE
Hey...didn'tja hear me, Reb? I
said...
JOHN
We heard you...
BEN
We were hopin' if we ignored you
you'd go away.
Hank swaggers up.
HANK
Hey...you really Big Ben McShane?
BEN
Why you wanna know?
HANK
Well...I've heard folks around here
say how you're greased lightnin'
with a pistol.
He pats his gun butt.
HANK
I want folks sayin' that about me.
Ben looks up at John.
BEN
Colonel...you ever notice how these
would be gunmen always travel in
groups?
JOHN
That's because they have mush for
guts.
HANK
I'm waitin' McShane...
Ben goes back to hitching his horse.
HANK
Damn your eyes...
Hank claws at his gun, but a shotgun blast behind him causes him to stop. Sheriff Mathers comes in with a shotgun.
MATHERS
The next one I aim for meat!
PIKE
You takin' sides, Sheriff?
MATHERS
When it comes to people startin'
gunfights in this town I'm downright
partisan!
He aims the shotgun at Pike.
MATHERS
I've got one barrel left in this
scattergun, Pike...you wanna try
your luck?
Pike looks back at his men.
PIKE
Alright...let's go.
The gunmen grumble, but obey. Hank looks back at Ben.
HANK
Another time, McShane!
Mathers rams the shotgun butt into Hank's stomach.
MATHERS
Not in my county, sunshine.
Hank glowers at Mathers, but staggers after his mates. Logan goes over to John.
JOHN
Thanks for the assist, Logan.
MATHERS
Assist hell, it was their asses I
was savin'.
Frenchy comes over.
FRENCHY
I take my eyes off you two for one
minute.
BEN
Tweren't our doin', Ma...them other
boys didn't wanna play nice.
Mathers looks sternly at John.
MATHERS
John...I hate to say this to the
son of old friend...
JOHN
Is this going to be a polite suggestion,
Logan, or a, "Get the hell out of
town?"
MATHERS
It's a polite suggestion...to get
the hell outta town. I figger you
and Thorne are gonna butt heads sooner
or later. I just want you to keep
it as far away from innocent bystanders
as possible.
John unhitches his horse, and mounts up.
JOHN
Fair enough...
Ben and Frenchy unhitch and mount up.
JOHN
You have any messages for my brother?
MATHERS
Just that he turn himself in. I know
he ain't gonna do it, but this badge
says I hafta ask.
JOHN
I'll pass it on...
(a beat)
Adios...
John, Ben, and Frenchy ride off. Mathers watches them.
MATHERS
Vaya con Dios.
EXT. POOL-DAY
Amanda rides up to a small pool in a stream. She looks around, and dismounts. Then she ties her horse to a choya. While
she's doing that, David comes up behind her. She notices someone behind her, and turns with a start.
DAVID
It's just me.
AMANDA
You sneaky son of a...
He kisses her, she returns it eagerly.
DAVID
You were sayin'...
AMANDA
It doesn't matter...
They kiss again. Then she rests her head his shoulder.
DAVID
You want to go "swimmin'?"
AMANDA
Oh, I wish that I could...but I can't
stay...my father saddled me with a
pack of nursemaids...
DAVID
I saw 'em...and I saw you lose 'em
in the canyon. They won't find us.
(a beat)
Say the word, and I'll have the boys
give 'em a surprise. We'll take
their guns and horses, and send 'em
back to town ridin' backwards on
burros...naked.
Amnada stifles a giggle.
AMANDA
It's tempting...but my father might
figure things out.
DAVID
Let him...
(a beat)
And come back with me this time.
She snuggles up him.
AMANDA
Oh, I want to...I really do...but...
(a beat)
You only know my father...my grandfather
is a hundred times worse...
DAVID
Honey, he's over a thousand miles
away in Boston...he can't do anything
to us.
Amanda embraces him fiercely.
AMANDA
Oh, David...if you only knew...
INT. LIBRARY-DAY
Blavatsky sits eagerly in a plush chair eagerly devouring a volume, while Donnelly studies a notebook. Thorne watches them
both, while he sips from a sifter of brandy.
DONNELLY
These notes are highly detailed,
Charles...but if I were to show
these to the scholars at the Smithsonian
they'd laugh in my face.
(a beat)
They are men of science...and science
requires proof that can be seen and
touched...
BLAVATSKY
Filthy materialists!
Thorne finishes his brandy.
THORNE
They are no different than the high
priests I knew in my past life as
Krato...shortsighted and resistant
to new ideas...
(a beat)
I do not intend for such men to defeat
me a second time.
DONNELLY
Eh?
THORNE
Forgive me...
He rubs his eyes.
THORNE
My daughter has not returned from
her ride, and I've probably had more
brandy than I should.
Gopal enters.
GOPAL
Excuse me, sahib...but Mr. Ferris
has returned...
Thorne rises.
THORNE
Excuse me,,,this won't take a moment.
He exits.
INT. STUDY
Thorne enters the study, Ferris is there waiting.
THORNE
Well?
FERRIS
They left town before I got there,
Mr. Thorne.
THORNE
Did they? Well, I trust you thought
of having them followed.
FERRIS
I sent Caddo Joe after 'em...he's
our best tracker, and he's even quieter
than Gopal here when it comes to
sneakin' up an people...
Thorne sees Amanda trying to sneak past the open door.
THORNE
AMANDA!!!
Amanda enters the study.
THORNE
Your escort came back several hours
ago, very apologetic. It seems you
lead them on a merry chase.
(a beat)
I gave you those men to serve as your
protection...not to play Hare and
Hounds with.
AMANDA
I don't need their protection, father.
THORNE
That's not your decision to make.
He reaches out and strokes her hair.
THORNE
Your hair is a shambles...almost
like it's been wet...
Amanda gulps.
AMANDA
Yes...there's this little pool I
like to go to when I ride...the water's
so wonderfully cool...
Thorne gives her an indulgent little smile.
THORNE
Ohhh...and that's why you like to
go off on your own...so you can...
uhhh...swim...in private?
AMANDA
Y...yes...
Thorne makes like he's going to stroke her hair again, but instead he slaps her.
THORNE
Oh, Amanda, I've known about your
little romance for some time, now
(a beat)
Go and change...we still have guests
to attend to.
Amanda glowers at her father, and exits. Thorne turns to Ferris, who's grinning salaciously.
THORNE
You will not repeat a single word
of this to anyone, understand me?
FERRIS
Whatever you say, Mr. Thorne.
He exits.
EXT. CANYON
Frenchy, John and Ben ride along a small stream in a canyon.
FRENCHY
How much further to this place you
think your brother and his merry
band of outlaws have holed up?
JOHN
Not much further...it used to be
Pa's base of operations during the
revolution.
Ben looks to rear.
JOHN
I assume this means we still have
that shadow.
BEN
Umm hmmm...he's good...stays just
outta sight...and real quiet...just
like an Indian.
(a beat)
It's got my Cherokee half all hot
and bothered.
JOHN
And your hill folk half?
Ben feels the back of his head.
BEN
It's all hot and bothered too...
JOHN
Then take care of him...
Ben nods and rides off.
EXT. OUTLAW CAMP
The outlaws go about their normal camp chores. Jack is chopping wood when Laurie walks by him carrying buckets of water
on a yoke.
LAURIE
And I thought the whole point of
bein' an outlaw was to get out of
workin' hard.
JACK
Should you be doin' that in your
condition?
LAURIE
I'll let you know that my mother
was hoein' a field when she went
into labor with me.
Jack goes to her, and helps her take off the yoke.
JACK
Just lookin' out for you, honey...
LAURIE
I know...
(a beat)
Dave's been gone awhile, and Tommy's
been takin' advantage of it.
JACK
He's always talkin'...
LAURIE
I know...but this time people are
listenin'...
(a beat)
We've been livin' like wolves for
weeks, and that gold is like a
piece of meat right in front of
us...
She starts crying again. Jack gives her a comforting hug.
JACK
Shhh...it'll be alright...
(a beat)
Tommy didn't lose anybody in that
fire...he just joined up hopin'
that some of the loot would stick
to his fingers. Folks know that,
and they don't trust him.
LAURIE
I wish I could be so sure...
(a beat)
Look at me...I never usta whimper
like this. Now I bawl at the drop
of a hat...
JACK
It's the baby...you know they make
a woman...
Laurie holds Jack tighter.
LAURIE
It's ain't that...and you know it...
Dave rides into camp. Elizabeth comes to help him with his horse, but he stays mounted.
ELIZABETH
Sooo...did you have a good "scout."
DAVID
Normally, Liz...I'd love to bandy
words with you...but we don't have
the time.
Jack come up.
DAVID
Jack, get the boys together...we
have a family reunion to set up...
Jack goes off.
ELIZABETH
So...our big brother is finally comin'.
Three months too late...and three
dollars too short.
DAVID
Let's hear what he hasta say...before
we let you skin him alive, Liz.
Elizabeth turns away, angry.
EXT. TRAIL
CADDO JOE, a rough looking man of mixed parentage, stops his horse along the trail, and looks ahead. After a few moments
he nudges his horse forward. Ben leaps down from a boulder and knocks Caddo Joe from his horse, and pins him to the ground.
BEN
Howdy Joe, it's been awhile.
Caddo Joe gets his legs under Ben and kicks him off. The two men rise and face each other.
BEN
Shoulda figgered you'd work for a
bastard like Thorne.
JOE
His money spends as good as another's...
(a beat)
So, why didn't you just shoot me?
BEN
Didn't know iffen you were alone
or not.
JOE
Oh, I'm alone...
He gestures to Ben's guns.
JOE
You wanna make your play? You know
I don't carry a handgun.
BEN
Hell, Joe...I've seen you take out
gunmen with that knife of yours.
Ben pulls out his bowie knife.
BEN
Besides...I figgered you'd wanna
do this Indian style.
Joe pulls out his own knife with a grin.
JOE
Mighty obligin' of you, Ben.
Joe charges Ben, who dodges barely. Ben answers with an attack of his own. Joe meets it, and Ben kicks his legs out from
under him. Joe goes down, but spins away as Ben leaps at him. Both men rise and face each other again. Caddo Joe grins wickedly.
JOE
You are gettin' slow.
He advances slowly at Ben, waving his knife in front of him. Ben braces for defense.
JOE
It's that Cherokee blood...all those
years tryin' to be White. Now, my
daddy was a real Indian...
He charges. Ben grabs his knife wrist, and thrusts his knife deep into Joe.
BEN
Bully for him...
Ben withdraws his kife, and Caddo Joe falls.
EXT. CANYON
Ben rides up to John and Frenchy.
JOHN
Problem solved?
BEN
Uh huh...it turns out it was someone
I knew...Caddo Joe...
FRENCHY
Old score?
BEN
Nope...just happened to be on opposite
sides this...
Ben looks around nervously.
BEN
Colonel...
JOHN
What?
BEN
I think we're gettin' an answer to
that knock on the door.
John looks around and sees the walls of the canyon filling up with armed outlaws.
JOHN
Yes, I do believe you're right.
John sees David, and waves to him.
JOHN
Howdy, Dave...
DAVID
John...
JOHN
I was hoping for a friendlier greeting.
DAVID
You'll get one...just as soon as
we're sure a company of State Police
ain't followin' you.
John gives David an angry look.
JOHN
Dammit, Dave...don't you know me
better than that?
DAVID
We haven't lived this long by bein'
trustin' souls, Big Brother.
David grins and stands his rifle down.
DAVID
But I think we can make an exception
in your case.
David comes down to greet John, who's dismounting with his companions, and gives him a brotherly hug.
JOHN
You had us going there for a minute.
DAVID
We really do hafta be careful, Thorne's
pulled almost every trick in the
book to get us.
John gestures to Frenchy.
JOHN
Madamoiselle Antoinette Le Clerc...
or just Frenchy...
Dave tips his hat to her.
DAVID
Frenchy...
John gestures to Ben.
JOHN
And you remember Sergeant Major McShane,
don't you?
DAVID
Sure...
He goes over to shake Ben's hand. The other outlaws gather around them. Tommy comes up to Frenchy, grinning salaciously.
TOMMY
Hey, I remember you...you're the
gal from the stage.
FRENCHY
Nooo...
She elbows him in the gut, and flings him onto his back. He tries to get up, but finds a cocked revolver in his face.
FRENCHY
The "gal from the stage" was an act.
And men who like to bully women make
me irritable, understand?
Tommy nods.
FRENCHY
Tres bien...
She holsters her pistol.
FRENCHY
You can get up now.
Tommy rises, glowering at her.
DAVID
Okay, let's get our horses, and mounted
up. We can talk back at camp.
The outlaws disperse. John takes David by the shoulder.
JOHN
How are our sisters?
DAVID
Liz is doin' about as well as can
be expected. Laurie...well...that's
a long story...
EXT. OUTLAW CAMP
The party rides into camp, and dismounts. David takes John and Ben and Frenchy to the campfire, where Laurie and Elizabeth
are tending a bubbling pot. Laurie sees John and squeals happily.
LAURIE
John!
She hugs John tightly.
LAURIE
Oh, it's so good to see you...
JOHN
Likewise, Baby Sister...
LAURIE
Would you stop callin' me that...
I'm 19.
JOHN
You're still the youngest...
He turns to Elizabeth, who's giving him with a cold stare.
JOHN
Liz...
ELIZABETH
John...welcome home...
(a beat)
Eighteen months after the war ended...
John looks heavenward.
JOHN
Yep...I'm home...
ELIZABETH
What were you expectin'...a brass
band!
DAVID
Liz...
Elizabeth turns on David.
ELIZABETH
No...his place was here! Standin'
with us...not runnin' off to Mexico.
JOHN
I was trying to earn enough money
so we could keep our ranch.
ELIZABETH
Well, we lost it anyway, thank you
very much.
She eyes Ben and Frenchy.
ELIZABETH
I see you brought friends...
JOHN
Madamoiselle Frenchy Le Clerc...Sergeant
Ben McShane...
Ben tips his hat.
BEN
Miss Lizzie...
ELIZABETH
I remember you, Ben McShane...
(a beat)
And how Pa's ranger company useta
chase you for horse stealin'.
Ben winces.
BEN
Ouch...you like goin' for the jugular,
don'tcha?
ELIZABETH
I call it as I see it. And you'd
better remember that.
She turns back to the pot.
ELIZABETH
No if you don't mind...I have supper
to attend to.
Laurie comes forward.
ANNIE
You mind if I tag along with them
awhile, Lizzie?
Elizabeth sighs theatrically.
ELIZABETH
Just get back before too long...
this stew won't serve itself.
LAURIE
I will...
She takes John by the arm.
LAURIE
There's someone I want you to meet.
She pulls him along, and the others follow. The little group goes to the center of camp.
LAURIE
I'm sorry, Lizzie tends to a little
bit...welll...
FRENCHY
Bitchy?
LAURIE
I was hopin' to find a nicer way
to say that.
JOHN
Don't worry, Laurie...I apologized
in advance.
Ben looks back at Elizabeth.
BEN
She sure is easy on the eyes, though.
(a beat)
Beggin' your pardon, Colonel...
Frenchy laughs
FRENCHY
"Her only fault, and that is faults
enough...is that she's intolerable
curst...and shrewd and forward so
beyond all measure."
BEN
Eh?
FRENCHY
Just remembering a girl my mother
knew well...named Katerina...
The reach the center of the camp. Where Jack and Bob are talking with some of the gang.
LAURIE
Jack...Jack...
Jack and Bob come over. Jack looks at John nervously
LAURIE
John...Jack and Bob Harper...their
brother served under you.
JOHN
Would that be Corporal Ned Harper?
JACK
Uhhh...yessir...
BEN
Ohhh...Ned Harper...what a cut up...
useta keeo the whole regiment in
stitches...
Jack lets out a forced laugh.
JACK
Yeah that was Ned...a real card...
JOHN
Now, Laurie...you didn't bring us
over here just because their older
brother was in my regiment, did you?
Laurie's eyes go down demurely.
LAURIE
Nooo...Jack here is sorta my beau...
JOHN
"Sorta" your beau?
LAURIE
Yeeeah...well, you see...Jack and
me...we kinda...well...
DAVID
Aw, hell...
(a beat)
John...the boy done knocked her up...
John looks at Laurie.
JOHN
I see...
(a beat)
Mother isn't here to say this...so...
(a beat)
Laura Anne Kenyon...I am sooo disappointed
in you...
He turns to Jack.
JOHN
And then Pa would say..."you and
me are goin' to have a looong talk,
hot shot."
FRENCHY
Oh, stop teasing them...
DAVID
Besides, I already took care of that...
they're gettin' married as soon as
it's practical.
John gives Jack a stern look.
JOHN
He'd better...
JACK
Uhhh, Dave...Sandy's in camp...
DAVID
She have anythin' to tell us?
Jack jerks his thumb toward Tommy talking to his sister, SANDY, a pretty girl with a sour expression.
JACK
She just came up to visit Tommy, or
so she said.
DAVE
Well, I'd better go and see her anyway.
He and the party go over to the Higgins'.
SANDY
(whispering)
You sure you want to do this?
TOMMY
Damn right I am...I've had to back
down to Mr. High And Mighty...
He sees David and the others coming, and assumes an air of easy friendliness. Sandy follows suit.
DAVE
Hi, Sandy...something happen in town?
SANDY
No...no...I just came to see my kid
brother, here.
David turns to John.
DAVE
Sandy's our spy in town...she works
down at Mrs. O'Toole's. Thorne's
men go there for "entertainment..."
FRENCHY
We can guess the rest...
Sandy looks at David.
SANDY
Look, Dave...I hafta get back to
town...
DAVID
Go ahead...
Sandy gives Tommy a hug, mounts her horse, and rides off.
DAVID
Tommy...I need you to relieve Mark
on watch.
Tommy gives Dave a challenging look.
DAVID
Pretty please...with sugar on it.
Tommy goes off.
BEN
You're gonna do somethin' about that
boy one of these days.
DAVID
Tommy's mostly mouth...I can handle
him.
FRENCHY
I hope so...because his kind usually
cause nothing but trouble.
INT. ROOM-NIGHT
Sandy sits on a bed in a shabby little room. Gopal stands before her. She regards him with a sneer.
SANDY
So...Thorne sends one of his fancy
schmancy house boys to do his talkin'
for him. You must love that.
GOPAL
It is dharma, little flower...
SANDY
Let's cut to the chase...my brother
will deliver the girl at Spainish
Creek tomorrow. In return he keeps
5000 of the gold shipment.
Gopal smiles.
GOPAL
Most reasonable...and you, little
flower...what do you get?
SANDY
The reward, of course. That should
be enough to get me outta this town,
and buy me a new life.
Sandy rises from the bed. She pauses before a small mirror, and preens.
SANDY
And you can just tell Mr. Thorne...
Gopal undoes the sash around his waist.
SANDY
...That if he wanted a trophy wife
so bad he coulda come lookin' right
here...I'm a lot more willin' than
Annie Kenyon would be...
Gopal advances on Sandy as she continues to preen.
SANDY
I know a lot more tricks...and hell...
I'm used to closin' my eyes and imaginin'
I'm with Edmund Booth...
Gopal expertly slings the sash around Sandy's neck and pulls. Sandy gasps and struggles for a few moments, and then goes
limp.
Gopal gently lays her body on the bed.
EXT. CAMP
Frenchy sits at a barrel, laying out her tarot cards. Laurie, Elizabeth, and Maureen come over. Annie looks the cards over.
LAURIE
Are you a seer, Frenchy?
ELIZABETH
Sweetie...those things are fiddle
faddle...
(a beat)
I bet she can't even tell if it was
gonna rain tomorrow.
Frenchy reshuffles her deck.
FRENCHY
And you'd win that bet. The cards
don't provide neat, tidy, answers
to simple questions. They're like
a map, they show the way...but the
route is your choice.
ELIZABETH
That is the biggest load of humbug...
LAURIE
Liz...be nice...
Laurie faces Frenchy with a desperate expression.
LAURIE
Frenchy...could you read for me?
ELIZABETH
Aw, honey...don't waste your...
LAURIE
Liz!
She looks at Frenchy again.
LAURIE
Please...
FRENCHY
Alright...
Frenchy takes a card out of her deck.
FRENCHY
You're a Queen of Swords...
Frenchy hands the deck to Laurie.
FRENCHY
Hold them between your hands, and
concentrate on your question.
Laurie does so.
FRENCHY
Now cut them into three piles...
Laurie places three neat piles on the barrel.
FRENCHY
Choose one...
Laurie points.
LAURIE
That one...
Frenchy takes cards from the selected pile, and places them in a Celtic Cross pattern. Frenchy looks at the cards, and
her brow furrows.
FRENCHY
This is a strange one. Some of
it's pretty obvious...
She points at a card.
FRENCHY
That devil is Thorne...
ELIZABETH
No arguments there...
Frenchy points at another card.
FRENCHY
Five of wands...conflict...Nine of
swords...
(a beat)
Laurie...have you been having vivid
nightmares lately?
Laurie goes pale and trembles.
ELIZABETH
Now, sweetie...she coulda found that
out from anybody...
FRENCHY
I'll take that as a "yes."
(a beat)
Do you want to tell me about them?
Elizabeth gets in Frenchy's face.
ELIZABETH
You can just take those damned cards,
and...
LAURIE
Liz!
She faces Frenchy, fighting tears.
LAURIE
They start with Thorne's voice whisperin'
to me, callin' to me...then I see
his face...hoverin' over me... like
it's tryin' to push all the thoughts
outta my head...
(a beat)
And then the memories start...
FRENCHY
The memories?
LAURIE
Well...it's like I'm rememberin'
somethin'...but they ain't my memories...
and Thorne is there, only it's not
Thorne...and...and...
She breaks down into tears, Elizabeth tries to comfort her.
ELIZABETH
Shhh...it's alright...
She turns toward Frenchy.
ELIZABETH
Well, I hope you're happy...you got
her all worked up with your hokum...
Frenchy rises and goes to Laurie.
FRENCHY
Laurie...
Elizabeth tries to pull Laurie away from her.
FRENCHY
I'm trying to help...
ELIZABETH
How...by pushin' her into a miscarriage?
Laurie pulls away from Elizabeth.
LAURIE
Liz...would you stop treatin' me
like I'm made of glass!
She turns to Frenchy.
LAURIE
Do you know what's happenin' to me?
FRENCHY
I think so...
(a beat)
It's called a sending...Thorne is
projecting his thoughts into your
dreams...
Frenchy embraces Laurie to comfort her.
FRENCHY
I know it's scary ...but it's only
a minor magick...little more than
a trick...
(a beat)
The next time Thorne comes a-calling
in your dreams, petit, you stand
up to him. Think about Jack, and
how much you love him. Better yet,
think about your baby...that'll give
the old lecher something to think
about...
(a beat)
Just remember he only has power over
you if you let him.
She kisses Laurie on the forehead.
FRENCHY
Now you go to your beau...and hold
on to him tight...that'll give you
strength for tonight's battle.
Laurie hugs Frenchy, and exits. Elizabeth gives Frenchy an apologetic smile.
ELIZABETH
I'm sorry...
(a beat)
That was actually good advice...
hocus pocus or no...
FRENCHY
It'll do for tonight...
Frenchy looks at her locket.
FRENCHY
But I know from experiance how stubborn
the Thornes can be...
(a beat)
The big question is...what does he
want with Laurie in the first place?
Maureen laughs.
MAUREEN
Isn't it obvious?
FRENCHY
He's expending serious time and effort
to get a country girl...with hands
callused from chopping wood and slopping
pigs...when he's used to crushed velvet
and goosedown mattresses...
MAUREEN
You make it sound almost nice...
She looks at her hands.
MAUREEN
I had me soft hands before I came
out here with Seth.
ELIZABETH
Oh, like we've ever gotten a lick
of work outta you.
MAUREEN
At least I got me a beau...
Maureen turns and goes off. Elizabeth stands there a moment, tears welling up in her eyes.
FRENCHY
That last one hurt, didn't it?
ELIZABETH
Why don't you mind your own damned
business?
Elizabeth runs off. Frenchy sighs, and looks at her locket again. She opens it and looks at the portraits. Then she closes
and walks away.
INT. PARLOR
Thorne and his guests smooze and gulp brandy, while Amanda sits quietly in her chair.
DONNELLY
This Krato was a priest, you say...
THORNE
A minor votary in the Temple of
Transparent Walls...the high temple
in the City of Golden Gates. He
was assigned to the temple library.
Blavatsky claps her hands delightedly.
BLAVATSKY
Charles, do you know what this means?
By accessing your memories as Krato
ve could restore much of the lost
visdom of the ancients.
CHARLES
I hope so, Helena...but you know
how difficult it can be...
BLAVATSKY
But vith my knowledge of mesmerism
ve could...
CHARLES
That is my hope...
He turns to Donnelly.
THORNE
And you, Ignatius, shall write down
what we discover...for that book
you've been researching...together
we three can...
Amanda rises.
AMANDA
Father, I'm tired...
THORNE
Sit back down, Amanda...a hostess
does not go to bed before her guests...
BLAVATSKY
Do not be so harsh, Charles...
She smiles benignly at Amanda.
BLAVATSKY
The poor child has been bombarded
for two days by a subject she probably
finds absolutely dreary.
THORNE
Nonetheless, she is no longer a child...
He sneers at her.
THORNE
Are you my dear?
AMANDA
Go ahead, Father...tell them about
my unmaidenly behavior...in fact...
She turns toward Donnelly and Blavatsky.
AMANDA
Congressman Donnelly...Madam Blavatsky...
(a beat)
I am no longer a virgin!
Thorne leaps from his chair.
AMANDA
And the man who took it from me is
the very man you witnessed robbing
the stage yesterday...David Ken...
Thorne slaps her hard, knocking her to the floor. Blavatsky rushes to her side.
DONNELLY
Good God, sir! Was that really necessary?
THORNE
Leave my daughter to me, Ignatius.
Blavatsky helps Amanda to her feet.
BLAVATSKY
Really, Charles...you think she is
the first girl to be seduced by
a handsome scoundrel...?
AMANDA
Ohhh...but he's not a scoundrel...
he's decent and he's brave...and
the only reason he became an outlaw
is because of the crimes commited
against him an his family...
She glowers at her father.
AMANDA
By my father!
Thorne raises his hand and advances on her.
AMANDA
Go ahead...hit me again...I'm sure
it'll amuse our guests!
THORNE
Get out of my sight!
AMANDA
Gladly...
Amanda storms out of the room to the...
HALLWAY
...And runs into Ferris and Gopal, who are coming in.
GOPAL
Amanda memsahib?
AMANDA
Get out of my way...
Ferris grabs Amanda by the wrist.
FERRIS
Oh, don't be like that...
(a beat)
I just wanna be friends...
Thorne enters.
THORNE
Ferris!
Ferris pulls away slowly from Amanda.
THORNE
Do you have anything to report?
FERRIS
Yessir...
THORNE
Then go to my study, and wait for
me...
Ferris and Gopal go off. Thorne faces Amanda, his expression softening.
THORNE
Amanda...why are you forcing my hand
like this?
AMANDA
Because I'm sick of pretending to
be sweet and demure while my family
plunders and pillages beneath a respectable
veneer...
He tries to stroke her cheek, but she pulls away.
THORNE
I've tried to protect you, Amanda...
leave you untouched by what I had
to become...
(a beat)
Do not force me to remove that protection... (a beat)
Your mother did...and that is why
she isn't here today...
He exits. Amanda stands there a moment, sobbing. Then she goes running up the stairs.
EXT. CAMP
Ben plays guitar by a campfire to some of the young outlaws. Elizabeth comes over and listens.
BEN
(singing)
Oh, beat the drum slowly...and play
the fife lowly...sing the death
march as you carry me along...take
me to the valley and lay the sod
o'er me...for I'm a young cowboy,
and I know I've done wrong....
Ben finishes the song, and sees Elizabeth.
BEN
And that's enough for tonight...
He hands the guitar to one of the outlaws, and goes to Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH
Oh, don't stop on account of me...
you have a pretty voice...
BEN
Oh, I do alright with trail songs
and such...
(a beat)
Grandma McShane had herself a voice...
and she knew all the old songs...
(a beat)
Whatcha doin' out here?
Eliabeth moves a little closer to him.
ELIZABETH
I got bored...
Ben takes her arm.
BEN
I'll walk you back to...
(a beat)
Dang...there ain't anyplace around
here for me to walk you back to...
is there?
ELIZABETH
No...there ain't...
(a beat)
But I would like walkin' with you.
BEN
Okay...
They start walking.
ELIZABETH
You got yourself a gal, yet?
BEN
None regular...guess I ain't much
of a catch...given the name I made
for myself before the war.
ELIZABETH
Oh, I remember...Big Ben McShane...
horse and cattle thief...troublemaker
and fast gun...the kinda boy a father
warns a daughter against.
Ben looks at her.
BEN
You included?
ELIZABETH
Oh...the girls around Mulford thought
you were somethin'. I guess because
folks said you were dangerous...
BEN
I suppose to some folks I was...
mostly, I was just tryin' to stay
alive and stay outta jail.
They walk a little further.
ELIZABETH
How'd you get started in the first
place?
BEN
My uncle got me and my brother into
it...but that's a looong story.
(a beat)
How 'bout you...I bet you got lotsa
fellers courtin' you.
ELIZABETH
Oh, I scare beaus off, or haven't
you heard?
BEN
A pretty gal like you?
Elizabeth laughs bitterly.
ELIZABETH
Annie's the pretty one...I'm the
old maid...a mean, sharp tounged,
dried up, old maid...
Ben stops and looks sharply at Elizabeth.
BEN
Anybody who'd say that ain't got
himself a pair of eyes.
ELIZABETH
Thanks...but I know what I am...
25 and unmarried...
BEN
You just ain't met the right kinda
fellar...
Elizabeth's eyes tear up.
ELIZABETH
I did...once...
BEN
What happened?
ELIZABETH
Spotsylvania happened...he died fightin'
in the Mule Shoe...
She sinks her head on his shoulder crying hard. Ben proves surprisingly tender as he strokes her hair. She looks at him
with a tearful smile.
ELIZABETH
You know something, Ben McShane...
those big shoulders are awful nice
for cryin' on.
BEN
Glad to oblige, Miss Lizzie...
ELIZABETH
Will you oblige me in something
else?
She gives him a passionate kiss.
BEN
Miss Lizzie...
ELIZABETH
Just Lizzie...
She kisses him again.
ELIZABETH
...And I'm after more than a kiss
outta you, Ben McShane.
BEN
This is happenin' kinda fast...and
your brother's my Colonel...
ELIZABETH
The war's over...and if he can come
home with a high tone Creole cat
I can have my fun with you...
(a beat)
As for this happenin' fast...I get
the feelin' we don't have much time.
(a beat)
So...you comin'?
She goes into a thicket. Ben thinks a moment.
BEN
Damn if the woman ain't right...
He follows her into the thicket. Frenchy passes by, and stifles a giggle.
FRENCHY
"And kiss me Kate...we will be married
o' Sunday."
She finds John by another campfire talking with David and Mark.
JOHN
And what have you been you've been
doing with the loot from your robberies?
DAVID
We've used some of it for supplies
and ammunition...most of it we try
to give it back to those Thorne took
it from...
JOHN
You realize that just makes them
accessories...
Frenchy clears her throat loudly. John turns towards her.
JOHN
Yes?
FRENCHY
Can you break off for a moment...
I need to talk to you.
John looks at David.
DAVID
There's nothin' that can't wait 'til
mornin'
John rises and goes to her. They go off a bit.
JOHN
Okay....what is it?
Frenchy touches her locket.
FRENCHY
There's something you need to know...
about me...
JOHN
It can wait...
FRENCHY
No...it can't...
(a beat)
I have a history with the Thornes.
JOHN
I gathered as much...
He puts an arm around her.
JOHN
It's not important...
FRENCHY
But it is...because it effects our
lives, and the lives of your family.
She takes a deep, ragged breath.
FRENCHY
They killed my parents...first my
mother...because she refused to become
a Thorne's mistress...then my father
because he took revenge for her death...
She stands there, fighting the urge to cry.
JOHN
Frenchy...if you want to cry...
FRENCHY
I swore the day I buried my father
that I'd waste no more time with
tears...
She fingers her locket chain.
FRENCHY
...And that I wouldn't rest until
I had claimed justice from the
Thornes...
(a beat)
That's why I joined the Ithacan Foundation
after the war ended...
John pulls her close to him.
JOHN
Okay...it's personal...for you and
me both...
He kisses her. She rests her head against his shoulder.
JOHN
And we'll face it together.
INT. STUDY
Thorne sits at his desk, concentrating on his crystal again.
THORNE
Phryssa...Phryssa...
EXT. OUTLAW CAMP
Laurie thrashes around in the grip of Thorne's spell again. The image of Thorne's face appears above her.
THORNE
Soon...soon we shall be together,
Phryssa...
LAURIE
No...my name is Laurie...
THORNE
But you were Phryssa...remember...
remember...
Thorne's face fades and is replaced by an image of Laurie and Krato making love. Laurie responds by snuggling up to Jack.
LAURIE
Jack, I love you!
The image of Laurie and Krato is replaced by one of Laurie and Jack skinny dipping in a stream.
THORNE (v.o.)
REMEMBER!!!
The two images battle for control a moment, then are replaced by an image of Laurie and Jack cooing over a baby.
THORNE
No...this cannot be!
The image shimmers a moment, but holds firm.
THORNE
Phryssa...Phryssa...
Thorne's voice fades into the background. Laurie wakes up and looks lovingly at the sleeping Jack.
LAURIE
(whispering)
Thank you, honey...
She gently kisses him, and settles down for a much needed good night's sleep.
STREAM
Tommy sneaks up to a rock near a stream. He gets on his hands and knees, and digs up the money sacks. While he's doing
that,
Maureen sneaks up on him. He turns on her with a start.
TOMMY
Oh...it's you, Maureen...
(a beat)
Laurie drive you away too?
MAUREEN
No...she's havin a quiet night for
a change...
Tommy forces a chuckle as he rises.
TOMMY
I would choose tonight to sleep by
myself...
MAUREEN
That ain't why you're out here...
I guessed what you were up to when
I saw you sneak off...
She points at the sacks.
MAUREEN
And I watched you dig up them sacks.
Tommy's hand gets closer to his gun.
TOM
And watcha gonna do about it?
MAUREEN
I just thought you might like some
help spendin' it.
TOM
I thought you was Seth's girl?
She snuggles up to him.
MAUREEN
He's nice enough...but I'm tired
of haulin' water, and choppin' wood
all the livelong day with nothin'
to show for it...
She embraces Tommy.
MAUREEN
I want me some pretty storebought
clothes, clean sheets on a goosedown
bed...and jewelry...
TOMMY
That sounds awfully expensive.
MAUREEN
You think I'm gonna haul gold, and
not claim a share?
(a beat)
And I'll earn my keep.
She kisses him, and he returns it. After a few moments they sink to the ground.
EXT. CAMP-DAY
The outlaws are going about their morning camp business. David seeks out John, Ben, and Frenchy as they standing by a campfire
drinking coffee.
DAVID
Mornin' folks...
He smiles at Frenchy.
DAVID
I understand we have you to thank
for Laurie's havin' a quiet night.
FRENCHY
I just passed out some advice...
DAVID
Well, whatever you said...it sure
as hell worked.
He looks at Laurie, who's giving Jack a kiss.
DAVID
She's like her old self this mornin'...
full of jokes, and sweet as honey.
Laurie, Jack, and Elizabeth come over. Laurie gives Frenchy a big hug.
LAURIE
Thank you...
ELIZABETH
Have any of you seen Maureen?
DAVID
Not since last night...
ELIZABETH
Why that little...she would be goin'
off when there's work to be done.
David looks around.
DAVID
Come to think of it...Tommy's been
missin' this morning, too.
ELIZABETH
Oh, God...we're not about to have
that kinda trouble, are we?
(a beat)
Where's Seth?
DAVID
He's on watch.
(a beat)
Let's not start jumpin' to conclusions
until we know more.
Laurie looks at the gunbelt around Frenchy's waist.
LAURIE
Uhhh...Frenchy?
FRENCHY
Yes?
LAURIE
I was wonderin'...
She points at the guns.
LAURIE
Could you teach me how to use a handgun?
Pa taught us how to use a Hawken
rifle, but when it comes to repeaters
I'm a babe in arms.
Frenchy looks at David and John.
FRENCHY
That alright with the two of you?
John nods, while David thinks a moment.
DAVID
Okay...
He points o.s.
DAVID
The creek widens to a pond about
a mile in that direction...that's
where we do our practicin'.
FRENCHY
It'll do...
Elizabeth steps forward.
ELIZABETH
I might as well come along.
FRENCHY
Then let's go.
They exit.
JOHN
I need to have a look at our defenses.
DAVID
Well...I didn't go to West Point
like you did, Big Brother, but I
think we've done pretty well...
EXT. POND
The girls go to a small pond. Near the pond is a large stump surrounded by the remains of bottles and tin cans. Frenchy
looks it over.
FRENCHY
Not much left to shoot is there?
ELIZABETH
The boys do a lot practicin'...some
of them think they're the next best
thing to Cullen Baker.
FRENCHY
Well...we will just have to make
do...
Frenchy goes to the stump, picks up a bullet riddled can, and places it on top of the stump. Then she goes back to Laurie
and Elizabeth.
FRENCHY
I assume you two already know the
basics?
LAURIE
Always treat a gun like it's loaded,
keep your finger off the trigger
until you're ready to shoot, always
be sure of what you're shootin' at,
and never point a gun at anythin'
unless you're willin' to bust it
or kill it.
Frenchy takes out her left hand gun, and hands it to Laurie.
FRENCHY
This is a Colt Navy .36...it's got
a fairly light recoil...so you should
be able to handle it.
LAURIE
Okay...
Laurie raises the gun singlehandedly.
FRENCHY
Use both hands...
LAURIE
But I see the boys use a one handed
grip all the time.
FRENCHY
You're not ready for that.
(a beat)
Hold your right wrist in your left
hand...
Laurie does so.
FRENCHY
Cock it with your thumb...carefully...
Laurie cocks it.
FRENCHY
Aim and shoot...and remember...
LAURIE
I know...squeeze, don't jerk...
Laurie fires, the bullet hits just below the can, knocking it off the stump.
FRENCHY
Not bad for your first time.
LAURIE
But I didn't hit the can.
FRENCHY
It still would've been a killing
shot.
Frenchy gestures between her waist and her chin.
FRENCHY
As long as you're within this area...
chances are you'll hit something
he can't live without...
(a beat)
And keep firing until he's down...
I've seen people keep going after
they've taken several hits...
LAURIE
Ugggh...
FRENCHY
There's no nice way to kill people,
Laurie...in a fight it's all about
survival.
Frenchy goes back to the stump, and places the can back on it. Then she goes back to the girls.
FRENCHY
Now you try one, Liz.
Laurie hands the gun to Elizabeth who raises it, and puts a shot through the can. She then shoots a neat pattern into the
stump.
FRENCHY
You've done this before.
ELIZABETH
Once or twice...a couple of the boys
thought it might be a way to under
my skirt...
ELizabeth looks at the gun.
ELIZABETH
I'm a fair shot...but I ain't fast...
FRENCHY
I wouldn't worry about it too much...
most people who think they're fast
guns are idiots.
LAURIE
And how fast are you, Frenchy?
FRENCHY
Faster than some...slower than others...
Frenchy draws her right hand gun, and fans a tight pattern into the stump.
FRENCHY
Which is fast enough.
LAURIE
That was somethin' to see...
FRENCHY
That was me showing off...
(a beat)
And now I have to teach you how
to reload...
Tommy comes out from behind a clump of bushes with a rifle at the ready. Maureen follows, bit confused.
TOMMY
And that's what I've been waitin'
to hear.
(a beat)
Hands up, all of you!
The girls comply.
MAUREEN
Tommy...what's goin' on? We follow
them all mornin', and now this. I
I thought we were just gonna take
the gold and run.
TOMMY
I'm buyin' us some free and clear
from Thorne.
Maureen's jaw drops.
MAUREEN
What?
Tommy goes up to Laurie.
TOMMY
Thorne wants Laurie real bad...I
figger if we hand her over, he'll
let us keep some of the gold.
FRENCHY
You really believe that?
TOMMY
Shut up, you...
He turns to Maureen.
TOMMY
Maureen take those strips of rawhide,
I had you bring, and tie their wrists.
Maureen hesitates.
TOMMY
C'mon, honey...you wanna see San
Francisico, don't you?
Maureen goes to tie up Frenchy.
FRENCHY
Think about it. Maureen...you know
that as soon as the money runs out...
TOMMY
Shut up! Or you'll get this rifle
barrel in your teeth...
Maureen finishes with Frenchy, and moves onto Laurie.
TOMMY
And hurry up, Maureen...Thorne's
men are waitin' for us at Spainish
Creek.
MAUREEN
But that's only a couple of miles
from here...they might figger out...
(a beat)
Ohhh...they already know were the
camp is, don't they?
FRENCHY
This just keeps getting better and
better, doesn't it, Maureen?
Tommy swaggers over to Frenchy.
TOMMY
I told you to shut up!
He lifts his rifle.
TOMMY
This is my last warnin'.
He turns to the reluctant Maureen.
TOMMY
In for a penny, in for a pound...
now finish tyin' them up, and take
them to the horses.
Maureen nods her head, and unenthusiastically continues with her task.
EXT. CAMP
John and David go over the camp.
DAVID
...You see the rock barricades we've
set up throughout the camp?
JOHN
Yeah...they give you cover...but
not much of it...and they're set
up sporadically...so you can't concentrate
your fire.
DAVID
That's what we want them thinkin'...
David points.
DAVID
We just hold out a little while
at the barricades...then we pull
back to the ridge...lurin' them
in...then we set off our surprise...
several charges of powder, each
with a sack of pistol balls on top
of it, covered with dirt...
John looks around the camp.
JOHN
I see...
John shakes his head.
JOHN
Fighting retreats are difficult to
pull off...especially when you're
trying to lure the enemy into a trap...
you have to time them just right...
Ben comes over with Seth.
BEN
Colonel...I ain't heard any more
shots comin' from that pond.
DAVID
Aw...the girls are probably just
havin' a chin wag is all.
JOHN
You want to bet your life on that?
He turns to David.
JOHN
Dave...I want you to start moving
all your ammunition to the ridge...
don't be in a hurry...just yet...
and detail ten of your best riders
under the Sergeant's command...
DAVID
You got 'em...
Seth gives David an unhappy expression, then he looks at John.
SETH
We joinin' the army, Dave?
JOHN
We'll hold elections later.
EXT. SPAINISH CREEK
Ferris and thirty of his men, and Gopal, wait by a creek. Tommy and Maureen ride in leading horses carrying the bound girls.
They stop in front of the gunmen, and tosses several sacks at the feet of Ferris' horse.
TOMMY
Here's the gold...minus my "finder's
fee..."
He jerks a thumb at the girls.
TOMMY
...For Laurie Kenyon...plus her older
sister, and the Creole gal who travels
with Colonel Kenyon...I figgered
they'd make good hostages.
FERRIS
You done good, kid...
Tommy notices Gopal trying to edge his horse behind him. Tommy draws his gun and covers him.
TOMMY
Hey, hey, hey! Nobody gets behind
me. That includes you, towel head!
FERRIS
Gopal...get back here.
Gopal rides back.
FERRIS
Pike, get the gals.
Pike rides forward, and gets the reins of the girls horses, and takes them back to the group. Tommy doffs his hat mockingly.
TOMMY
Tell your boss it was a pleasure
doin' business with him.
He and Maureen turn their horses around and ride off. The gunmen turn to Ferris for orders.
FERRIS
Mr. Thorne said he wants his gold
back...all of it.
Several of the gunmen ride after Tommy and Maureen. They slowly close on the pair. Maureen turns and sees them.
MAUREEN
Tommy...they're followin' us.
TOMMY
I see 'em...
(a beat)
You see those rocks up ahead of us?
Maureen looks ahead at a group of boulders.
MAUREEN
Y...yeah...
TOMMY
When I make my move...you ride straight
for 'em.
MAUREEN
What move?
TOMMY
This...
He draws his gun and fires a shot into one of the gunmen. He and Maureen take off to the rocks and dismount. Tommy grabs
his rifle from it's saddle boot next to Maureen. He shoves his handgun at Maureen as bullets fly around them.
TOMMY
Take this!
MAUREEN
I ain't fired a gun before!
TOMMY
Just point and shoot..it'll help
keep their heads down.
They both fire away at the gunmen. Maureen's gun is soon empty.
MAUREEN
I'm outta bullets...
TOMMY
Then keep your head down!
A bullet richochets into Maureen. She touches the wound and gapes at the blood.
MAUREEN
Tommy...I'm hiiit!
TOMMY
Just grit your teeth, and take it.
Blood bubbles to Maureen's lips.
MAUREEN
I...I think...I...I'm...
She dies, and her body slumps against Tommy.
TOMMY
What's the matter now!
He shakes her off, then sees she's dead.
TOMMY
Shit...
Tommy turns back to face the gunmen. He gets a bullet between his eyes, and he falls back.
EXT. CAMP
John and David look o.s.
JOHN
Those weren't practice shots.
DAVID
They sounded like they came from
Spainsh Creek.
John snaps into command mode.
JOHN
Everybody to the ridge! And take
as much ammunition as you can carry.
He turns to David
JOHN
I'm sorry...we'd lose too many people
pulling back from those barricades...
DAVID
Your campaign, Colonel.
Seth comes over.
JOHN
Seth...get the girls loading as many
extra guns as they can.
SETH
I can't find Maureen...
JOHN
We have several people missing...
and no time to look for them. Now
get those girls loading, before Thorne's
men are in our laps!
Seth gives John a mocking salute.
SETH
Yes sir, Colonel sir...
John floors Seth with a punch.
JOHN
I don't expect hugs and kisses...
but I do expect my orders to be obeyed...
without commentary... do you understand?
Seth wipes the blood from his mouth, and nods.
JOHN
I said, "do you understand?"
SETH
Yeah...
JOHN
Good...because the next time you
give me sauce under combat conditions,
I'm blowing your goddamned head off.
Seth gets up. He gives John a glare as he exits. John looks at David.
DAVID
I know...we're a little short on
military discipline around here...
JOHN
Yeah...too bad we've got a war coming.
CANYON
Ferris and his men wait in the canyon as Deke rides up.
FERRIS
You see it?
DEKE
Uh huh...it looks like the lit a
a shuck...the camp's empty, and their
supplies are all scattered about.
Ferris strokes his chin.
FERRIS
I don't like it...it ain't like either
Kenyon to haul ass...
He thinks a moment.
FERRIS
Gopal...take Turpin, Harris, and
McCoy...and bring those gals to Mr.
Thorne. The rest of you, come with
me.
Three men go off with Gopal and the girls. The rest go off with Ferris.
CAMP
Ferris and his men cautiously approach the disheveled, and apparently abandoned camp.
FERRIS
Fan out...keep your eyes open...
and your mouths shut.
The gunmen widen their arc, and ride into the camp. Ferris looks up at the small ridge behind the camp. Then he hears the
hissing of fuses.
FERRIS
Awwww, shiiit!
(a beat)
Let's get outta...
Explosions go off in the camp, and they are soon followed by the screams of wounded men and horses. Rifle fire opens up
from the
ridge.
FERRIS
Fall back...FALL BACK!!!
The batterd gunmen attempt to retreat and regroup, but a rebel yell sounds from o.s. and their retreat is cut off by a
band of horsemen led by Ben.
FERRIS
Jesus!
He spurs his horse, and shoots his way out of the swirling melee'. About ten of his men are able to make good their escape
as their comrades are wiped out. The outlaws let out a ragged cheer, and come together in the camp.
DAVID
Dammit, we licked 'em!
JOHN
We just gave 'em a bloody nose...
that's all...
He goes to Ben who's grouped his horsemen in the center of camp.
JOHN
A well executed manuver, Sergeant...
SERGEANT
Thankee, Colonel...the boys performed
like they was Texas Mounted Volunteers...
(a beat)
We took a couple of casulties...but
the bastards paid for every one...
JOHN
That they did...
John looks over the horsemen, and sees Bob Harper clutching his bleeding stomach, and weaving in his saddle.
JOHN
Sergeant!
Ben leaps out of his saddle. He goes over to Bob and helps him down. Jack comes over.
JACK
Bob...
JOHN
The Sergeant's an excellent field
medic...the problem is he uses moonshine
whiskey for anesthesia...
BEN
Good for what ails you...
Ben looks Boob's wound over.
BEN
But it won't help you, son...I've
seen this type of wound too many
times...you're dyin'...
BOB
A...at least I died game...didn't
I...?
BEN
As game as any man I've seen...and
more so than most...
Bob dies, and Ben closes his eyes.
JACK
Dammit...he was just 15...I told
him to stay home...but he came anyway...
said he could hold up his end...
John turns away.
JOHN
Alright...everyone gather up what
you can carry...this place isn't
safe anymore...
(a beat)
Sergeant!
BEN
Yo!
JOHN
Take some men and scout out the pond
and Spainish Creek...
BEN
Yessir...
Ben goes to obey. John stands there a moment trying not to look as worried as he feels.
INT. BEDROOM
The girls are left in a sumptiously decorated bedroom. Frenchy gives it a mocking once over.
FRENCHY
Well...this is the nicest cell I've
ever been in.
ELIZABETH
How can you make jokes at a time
like this?
FRENCHY
They keep me from screaming my brains
out.
Laurie sits on the bed, and notices a beautifully decorated book on the night table. She picks it up.
LAURIE
This is the prettiest book bindin'
I've ever seen...I wonder what...
She looks inside it, and her eyes widen. Then she slams it shut.
LAURIE
...Oh my goodness!
ELIZABETH
What is it?
Elizabeth goes over and looks inside, and her eyes widen.
ELIZABETH
Judas!
Frenchy comes, and giggles when she sees what's inside.
ELIZABETH
I don't see what's so funny...that
book is postively...
Annie gets up and has another look.
LAURIE
Good Lord...does Thorne really expect
me do that with him?
FRENCHY
A better question might be...does
he expect to be able to do that with
you...at his age?
Laurie and Elizabeth join in the laughter.
LAURIE
It does seem a mite hopeful.
ELIZABETH
Hopeful...sweetie, it's downright...
The door is opened by Chandra, and Amanda comes in bearing a tray of food.
AMANDA
You can close the door, Chandra...
I'll be alright...
CHANDRA
I am sorry, memsahib, but my orders...
AMANDA
Are to obey me as you do my father...
or have you forgotten?
CHANDRA
As you wish, memsahib...
Chandra closes the door. Amanda quickly puts the tray on a table, and rushes to the girls.
AMANDA
I don't have much time...Chandra
is probably running to get my father.
ELIZABETH
And you are?
AMANDA
I am Amanda Thorne...the daughter
of your enemy...
(a beat)
I also happen to be in love with
your brother, David...
Elizabeth's jaw drops.
ELIZABETH
What!?!
Laurie gets between them.
LAURIE
She's tellin' the truth...Dave told
me about her.
ELIZABETH
So that's why he's been sneakin'
off on those "scoutin'" trips...
(a beat)
He told you...and not me!?!
LAURIE
Because he knew you'd throw a fit...
Elizabeth gets in Laurie's face.
ELIZABETH
Oh...I'd throw a fit, would I?
LAURIE
You're throwin' one now.
Frenchy raises her hands for silence.
FRENCHY
Ladies...can we kindly put off the
performance of "Our American Cousin"
for the time being.
She faces Amanda.
FRENCHY
And why should we trust you?
ANNIE
She's been passin' us information
for months.
FRENCHY
And how much information did she
in turn pass on to her father?
ANNIE
And would he have needed Tommy Higgens
if she was doin' that?
Frenchy doubletakes.
FRENCHY
Merde...that actually was a good
point.
She gives Amanda a hard look.
FRENCHY
But you're still a Thorne.
AMANDA
And do you have any idea what that's
like? Living with the lies, the
constant scheming and jockeying for
position...?
(a beat)
And then I met David...kind, decent...
and the first man who looked at me
and didn't see a key to wealth and
power...
Frenchy takes a long look into Amanda's eyes.
FRENCHY
You're just damned lucky I'm half
French.
Thorne comes into the room.
THORNE
Seeking aid and comfort from the
enemy, my dear?
(a beat)
No matter...
He strides over to Laurie.
THORNE
This one will be joining the family
soon enough.
Elizabeth tries to get between them.
ELIZABETH
If you think for one minute that
my sister is gonna marry you...
THORNE
She has no choice...it is her destiny.
He strokes Laurie's cheek, and she shudders.
LAURIE
Mr. Thorne...I don't know why you
think I should know you...
THORNE
Don't you...haven't I awakened even
one memory...Phryssa?
Laurie gives Thorne an angry look.
LAURIE
Then it was you...creepin' and crawlin'
inside my head...makin' me think
I was goin' crazy!
THORNE
That was not my intention, Phryssa.
LAURIE
My name is Laurie! I've never been
this Fah-rissa.
Thorne strokes her cheek again.
THORNE
But you were...long ago in Atlantis...
LAURIE
But I've never been to Georgia in
my life!
Frenchy laughs.
FRENCHY
He didn't mean Atlan-ta, petit...
Atlan-tis is supposed to be a continent
that sank into the ocean around 12,000
years ago...
She flashes Thorne a mocking look.
FRENCHY
Most people don't believe it even
existed.
THORNE
Oh, it existed...
He turns back towards Laurie, who takes a step backward.
LAURIE
Mr. Thorne...that's crazy talk...
how could we have lived all those
years ago?
THORNE
I'm not taking about our shells of
flesh...but of our spirits...
(a beat)
All will be much clearer after tonight.
He grabs her by the shoulders.
THORNE
But first, I must know...are you
with child?
LAURIE
You go to hell!
He pulls Laurie closer to him.
THORNE
Answer me, Phryssa! Did you allow
that filthy brute of a cowherd to
plant his seed in you?
ELIZABETH
No...they spent three months in
the hills just holdin' hands!
Thorne releases Laurie.
THORNE
No matter...inconvenient brats are
easily disposed of.
LAURIE
No...don't you dare hurt my baby!
Gopal enters.
GOPAL
Sahib...Sheriff Mathers has come
to see you...he is very angry.
THORNE
Is he?
He turns to Laurie.
THORNE
We will finish this conversation,
later.
He exits with Gopal.
STUDY
Thorne and Gopal enter the study, Mathers is there, trying to keep his temper under control.
THORNE
Is there a problem, Sheriff?
MATHERS
I have several...startin' with Laurie
and Elizabeth Kenyon...are they in
this house?
Thorne does a double take.
MATHERS
A scotsman named Buchanan told me.
Gopal moves to get behind Mathers.
MATHERS
Mr. Thorne...you commited a crime
when you didn't tell me about havin'
a lead to the Kenyons' whereabouts.
I could arrest you for obstruction
right now...
THORNE
That would be...unwise...Sheriff.
Mather looks back at Gopal, who's undoing his sash.
MATHERS
I'd keep that on if I you. You might
get it around my neck...but your
boss would have a bullet in his gut
before I went down.
Thorne barks an order in Hindi, and Gopal backs off.
MATHERS
Buchanan also told me what a Thuggee
is...
THORNE
I see...
(a beat)
You seem to have the advantage, Sheriff...
Thorne closes his fist, and Mathers clutches his chest.
THORNE
At least you would...if Gopal was
my only defense...
He tightens his fist, and Mathers falls to the floor.
GOPAL
Shall I dispose of the body, sahib?
THORNE
No need...any doctor would declare
his death a natural one...
(a beat)
Send for his wife...and the mortician.
And after that, have Ferris send some
of his men into town...
(a beat)
There's a certain talkative scotsman
who needs to be dealt with.
EXT. CAMP-DAY
David kneels next to John, who's drawing a crude schematic in the dirt.
JOHN
So...Thorne's set up in the old Alvarez
ranchero?
DAVID
Yeah...and he's improved it some
since you saw it last. It's a real
fort now...
JOHN
I can imagine...and old Don Enrigue
built it strong to begin with...
John studies the drawing.
DAVID
I told you about Amanda...maybe if
I can get a message to her...
JOHN
Her father's probably got her under
guard by now...
Ben comes over.
BEN
Colonel...Mr. Buchanan just rode
in.
DAVID
Who?
JOHN
A friend...
John raises and turns to Ben.
JOHN
Bring him here, Sergeant.
BEN
Yo...
Ben exits, and quickly returns with a winded Angus. John shakes Angus' hand and gestures to David.
JOHN
Angus...my brother David...Dave...
Angus Buchanan...
(a beat)
And what brings you here, Angus?
ANGUS
Bad tidin's, lad. The sheriff is
dead...heart failure...officially...
but it happened just as he was payin'
a visit to Thorne about your ladies...
John gives Angus a suspicious look.
JOHN
And how did he find out about that
so quickly?
ANGUS
A wee birdie from Inverness told
him...and that same wee birdie had
to fly outta town before Thorne's
men caught up with him.
DAVID
I don't understand...how could you
have known about the girls gettin'
captured?
Angus looks at John.
ANGUS
Ye have nay told him about the Ithacan
Foundation...or me...have ye, lad?
DAVID
Excuse me...
JOHN
It's a bit complicated, Dave...
ANGUS
And a tale well worth the tellin'
it is too...
Angus goes and has a look at the drawing.
ANGUS
It's a pretty problem in tactics,
isn't it...gettin' men inside the
walls quickly and quietly...
JOHN
Yeah...and we need to get back to
it...
Angus cocks his head as he studies the drawing.
ANGUS
Aye...Thorne's preparin' for a major
ritual tonight with Laurie...
DAVID
A what?
ANGUS
Let's just say he's plannin' to wed
your sister tonight...
INT. STUDY-NIGHT
Thorne, dressed in a magician's robe, is reading from a large leather bound tome. His lips moving as he tries to memorize
a incantation. He looks up at her.
THORNE
Don't bother me now. Amanda. Anyway
you should be changing...
AMANDA
Oh, yes...I've seen the little nothings
you expect me and the other girls
to wear...
Thorne rises, and closes the book.
THORNE
They are approbriate for tonight's
ritual...
AMANDA
I assume so...
(a beat)
Just this morning I would have been
shocked at finding out what Grandfather
and the "family "traditon" twisted
you into.
Thorne goes to an end table, and takes an elaborate headress off of it.
THORNE
And what do you know about it?
AMANDA
A lot more than I did...Mademoiselle
Le Clerc has proved a font of information
about our particular family skeletons...
Thorne puts the headress on.
THORNE
No doubt...
AMANDA
Like what really happened to Uncle
Michael.
Thorne adjusts the headress,
THORNE
Michael was killed in New Orleans...
in a stupid duel over an actress...
AMANDA
To be more precise...he was killed
in a duel...
(a beat)
By the husband of the woman he had
murdered!
Thorne looks at Amanda.
AMANDA
I know the whole story...how she
refused him...several times...and
how he then hired an assassin to
avenge his wounded pride...
THORNE
Of course...I should have remembered...
Le Clerc...
AMANDA
My God...why did Mother ever marry
into a family like this?
Thorne's expression softens.
THORNE
I was a different man when I was
younger...I thought I could escape
my heritage...through her love...
(a beat)
But I couldn't...your grandfather
won in the end...
He goes to Amanda, and strokes her hair. She shudders.
THORNE
I tried to hide it from you...keep
you innocent...but that failed too...
He kisses her on the forehead.
THORNE
Perhaps someday you will understand.
(a beat)
Come it is nearly time.
He grabs her wrist, and hauls her out of the room.
EXT. CAMP
Seth stands alone over a collection of newly dug graves, his expression his grim. David comes up.
DAVID
Seth...it's time to go...
SETH
In a minute...
DAVID
Seth...
Seth glowers at David.
SETH
You want me to say it? Alright,
she was no good! She was lazy, selfish,
and vain...
(a beat)
But she was warm and funny too...
and she was mine...for awhile...
DAVID
All I was gonna say is...the livin'
need us more than the dead do right
now.
Seth puts his hat on.
SETH
Okay...
He turns, and follows Dave to where the outlaw band has mounted up. Ben is telling them a story.
BEN
...We were just outside Mufreesboro
one night, trackin' this Yank supply
train...everybody quiet as a church
on Saturday night. Then Harley Buckner
farts...a big one...everybody jumps
and looks around, certain that every
Yank in a hundred miles heard it...
then Ned looks at Buckner, and says,
with a straight face, "That's mighty
big talk for a hairlip..."
The boys laugh.
JACK
Yeah that was Ned, alright...
David mounts up.
DAVID
Okay...get it out your systems...
remember we're supposed to be going
in quiet!
JOHN
They're just whistling past the graveyard.
DAVID
I know...I'm just...
(a beat)
There's a lot in front of me...Thorne...
the girls...Amanda...
JOHN
I'm going through it too.
He looks back at Angus, who's riding up from the back.
DAVID
I just wish I knew what that Scotsman
has planned.
JOHN
So do I...but right now he's all
we got...
Angus joins them.
ANGUS
Well...are ye lads ready to smite
the ungodly hip and thigh.
JOHN
As ready as we'll ever be.
ANGUS
That's good enough for me.
He rides forward, John looks at David, and they signal for the company to ride forward.
INT. RITUAL CHAMBER
Thorne brings Amanda into a room done up for ritual magic. Including a wooden altar draped with a black cloth. Amanda
has been changed into a skimpy temple maiden style dress. Ferris comes in.
THORNE
What is it, Ferris?
FERRIS
The men are all set up, Mr. Thorne...
THORNE
Excellent...
(a beat)
Remember...I want some of them alive...
(a beat)
The Old Ones will be hungry for souls.
Ferris shudders.
FERRIS
Yes sir...
(a beat)
But if they don't attack?
THORNE
Oh...they'll attack...they have no
choice...
FERRIS
If you say so, Mr. Thorne...
Ferris gives Amanda, and her ensemble an approving leer.
FERRIS
And may I say...that's a right pretty
dress, Miss Amanda.
THORNE
Get about your business, Ferris.
FERRIS
Yes sir...
He exits. Gopal, Chandra, and three more THUGEES enter with Frenchy, the Kenyon sisters, Donnelly, and Blavatsky. All have
been dressed up in ritual costumes.
DONNELLY
Charles...what is the meaning of
this? Why are we being treated like
prisoners?
Thorne goes over to Donnelly.
THORNE
Because you are prisoners, Ignatius.
DONNELLY
What!?!
Thorne pulls a dagger out his robes, and places it on Donnelly's throat.
THORNE
Let me put it this way...you and
Helena are about to serve the purpose
of your otherwise useless lives...
LAURIE
Mr. Thorne...I'll be this Fah-rissa
for you...I'll be whoever you want
me to be. Just please don't hurt
anyone else...
Thorne goes over to her.
THORNE
Ahhh...as sweet and caring as ever,
Phryssa...
He strokes her cheek.
THORNE
...You always winced and turned away
from the sacrifices...
He takes her by the shoulders.
THORNE
But soon you will see the necessity
of all this...
He gestures toward Blavatsky.
THORNE
Helena we need for her skills as
a medium...Iganatius, to write down
what we do for posterity...and for
future reference...
He moves to kiss her, but Laurie pulls away.
THORNE
And once it is done...your resistance
will cease...you will be Phryssa
once again...
AMANDA
Father...stop it! Can't you see
you're only frightening her.
FRENCHY
You might as well save your breath,
Amanda...he's so obsessed with her
he can't see anything else...
(a beat)
That seems to be a family trait...
Thorne releases Laurie, and advances on Frenchy, who remains unflinching.
THORNE
And you have your part to play in
this as well...as the naked altarpiece!
BLAVATSKY
But a naked voman as altarpiece is
a practice of black magic!
FRENCHY
And the lady from Russia wins a gold
star.
Thorne grabs Frenchy harshly by the wrist.
THORNE
You won't be so witty when the time
comes for the knife.
(a beat)
GOPAL!!!
Gopal comes over and grabs Frenchy by the shoulders.
THORNE
Strip her!
EXT. COPSE
The outlaws have gathered in a of cottonwoods. Angus stands in the center of the group with a candle.
DAVID
Excuse me...you're gonna what?
ANGUS
I'm goin' to cast a spell...just
a minor one...
SETH
Oh...I guess then we can't expect
an army of elves and fairies to
show up?
Some of the boys laugh. Angus looks at Seth with a deadpan expression.
ANGUS
Nay, lad...King Oberon gets annoyed
when I ask his help in mortal matters.
Angus looks at John.
ANGUS
Now, lad...are you sure about your
facts?
JOHN
Somewhat...Pa told me about the old
Alvarez bolt hole...and this is the
only place near the ranchero that
an exit could be hidden.
ANGUS
Very well then...
(a beat)
You lads form a circle...
The boys look at each other, and form a circle around Angus. Seth gives Angus a mocking look.
SETH
Do we hold hands too?
ANGUS
Actually, yes...
With no great enthusiasm, the boys take each others hands. Angus lights the candle.
ANGUS
Spirits of air and fire, hear my
call...By the powers great and small.
With this flame we seek a portal...
So by means fair and mortal...We
may well and swiftly go...to battle
those who serve the Shadow.
The flame of the candle points like a finger to a group of rocks. John and Ben go over to them and move a few, uncovering
a man sized hole.
BEN
Damn if he ain't done it.
A wave of astonishment goes through the young outlaws, and the go over to the hole. David looks at John.
DAVID
And you work for this fellar?
JOHN
Like I said, it's complicated.
(a beat)
And we're all going to see worse
before this is over...
INT. RITUAL CHAMBER
A nude Frenchy lies upon the altar while Thorne waves his dagger over her.
THORNE
...By the names of power I conjure...
Nyarlathotep, and Yog-Sothoth...Cthullu
and Azathoth...Hastur and Shub-Niggurath...
He looks at Laurie shivering in the corner, being attended to by a reluctantly chanting Blavatsky, while Elizabeth and
Amanda \watch.
THORNE
Awaken my beloved...bring her back
to me...lift the veil from her eyes...
replace ignorance with understanding...
Laurie stiffens, and her eyes glaze over.
ELIZABETH
Sweetie...what's wrong?
BLAVATSKY
Her memories are avakening...
Laurie's arms fall to her side, and she walks over to Thorne. Elizabeth rushes to her side.
ELIZABETH
Laurie...sweetie...
THORNE
She is more than Laurie now...
He faces Laurie.
THORNE
Aren't you, beloved?
LAURIE
Yes...I am Phryssa...
ELIZABETH
Nooo!
She takes Laurie's hand.
ELIZABETH
You are Laura Anne Kenyon!
ANNIE
Part of me is...I am also Phryssa...
princess of the Golden Empire...Temple
Maiden to the god who dwells beneath
the sea...
ELIZABETH
No...honey...that is some hocus pocus
he's put on you...
THORNE
Enough!
He raises his knife, Frenchy winces, preparing for the blow. Thorne brings the knife down, into the wooden altar. Thorne
sneers at her.
THORNE
It is not yet the time for blood.
He leaves the altar, and heads for Laurie.
FRENCHY
(sotto voce)
And you have no idea how happy that
makes me.
Thorne reaches Laurie, and puts his arms around her.
THORNE
Do you truly remember, Phryssa?
LAURIE
Yes...I remember everything...
INT. STOREHOUSE
Ben comes through a hole into a old, neglected, storehouse. John and David are already there, looking out the window.
BEN
(whispering)
What's it look like?
JOHN
They've got both sides of the courtyard
covered...most in the bunkhouse and
the stable...the rest in the main
house...
Ben looks out the window.
BEN
I figger you wanna take the main
house first.
JOHN
It's where the girls are.
Ben takes out his bowie knife.
BEN
Then I reckon we do it Indian style...
INT. RITUAL
Thorne has Laurie in a tight embrace.
THORNE
At last...after all these millenia...
we are together again, Phryssa...my
beautiful Phryssa...
He tries to kiss her, but Laurie pulls away, and gives him a wicked slap.
LAURIE
Do not touch me!
THORNE
What!?!
LAURIE
Arrogant fool! Did you really believe
that I would just rush into your
arms?
Thorne tries to to embrace her again, but she dodges expertly.
THORNE
But my love...
LAURIE
I am not your love...that part of
me which is Phryssa is a spirit
brought unwilling from the Land
Of The Dead...not Phryssa reborn...
anymore than you are Krato reborn...
Thorne grabs Laurie by the shoulders.
THORNE
No...I remember...I was Krato...
Laurie shakes her head.
ANNIE
Nay...Krato was merely your ancestor...
your dabblings in sorcery communed
with his shade across the gulf of
life and unlife...and you mistook
that for memory...
(a beat)
And even if you were Krato why should
I go back to you...the man who caused
my death?
THORNE
I loved you as Krato...
LAURIE
Krato only loved the royal blood
in my veins...and lusted for my
body...he cared nothing for the
lonely, unhappy, child who was Phryssa.
She pulls away from him.
LAURIE
I was a young girl condemned to a
life of celibacy against her will...
and Krato used that to seduce me...
as he had with many temple maidens
before...thinking he could father
a new dynasty upon a daughter of
the old...
(a beat)
I blinded myself to his ambition
while he stole the ancient grimoires
from the temple library...and while
he studied and schemed I slept happily
in his arms.
(a beat)
Until the day the priests discovered
Krato's treachery and blasphemy...
and we were both condemned to death...
Laurie raises her hand and points an accusing finger at Thorne.
LAURIE
And you...Charles Thorne...heir to
Krato's heritage of darkness...allowed
his damned spirit to manipulate you
to its own unhallowed ends...
EXT. COURTYARD
Ben hides around the corner of the main house. He tosses a peeble at a washtub hanging near the back door, producing a
loud bang. A few moments later the angry COOK opens the door.
COOK
What the hell is goin' on?
Ben does a fair imitation of a tom cat's cry.
COOK
Thought it was you, you miserable
little bastard...
He comes out brandishing a cleaver.
COOK
One of these days I'm gonna make
gee-tar strings outta you...you
goddamned old one-eyed sonova...
Ben comes up behind him, and cold cocks him with the pommel of his knife. Then he gestures, and the outlaws come streaming
out of the storehouse toward the open door.
INT. PARLOR
A half dozen gunmen watch the courtyard from the windows of the parlor. Ben, John, David, and a good part of the outlaw
band burst into the room. The gunmen are quickly overwhelmed without a shot being fired. John and Ben face one of them.
JOHN
Where's Thorne?
GUNMEN
You go to...
Ben punchess him in the stomach.
JOHN
Sorry, but we don't have the time
to ask nicely...
(a beat)
Where's Thorne?
The prisoner answers with a defiant glare. Angus steps forward.
ANGUS
Let me...
He faces the prisoner.
ANGUS
Now, laddie...we dinna want to get
rough with ye...
He stares at the prisoner, and gestures. The gunman pales.
ANGUS
But since yer bein' stubborn...
The gunman shudders and tries to look away.
GUNMAN
No...take it away...take it away!
The gunman sinks to his knees shaking in terror.
ANGUS
Where's Thorne?
GUNMAN
He's in a room...behind the library...
(points)
Over there...now, please...take it
away...TAKE IT AWAY!!!
ANGUS
Of course, lad...
Angus gestures again. The gunman stops shaking.
ANGUS
Come on...
They go into the...
HALLWAY
Garcia, at the top of the stairs, sends a shot into the wall next to John as he comes out the door. John draws and sends
a shot into Garcia. Garcia falls to the floor below.
RITUAL CHAMBER
Thorne turns toward the sound of the shots.
THORNE
What was that?
LAURIE
Judgement, Charles Thorne...
Thorne shouts an order in Hindi, and his thuggees draw revolvers and knives from their belts, just as the door bursts open,
and the outlaws charge into the room.
GOPAL
FOR KALIII!!!
Battle is joined between the two groups. Thorne takes advantage of the situation to grab Laurie by the wrist.
THORNE
You're coming with me!
He hauls her out a rear exit. Frenchy climbs off the altar, and tries to pull her dress back on. Chandra comes up behind
and swings his sash around her neck and pulls.
CHANDRA
Feed Kali, infidel slut!
Frenchy pulls the knife out of the altar and slams it into Chandra's gut.
FRENCHY
You first...
Chandra sinks slowly to the floor. Frenchy calmly finishes with the dress while the battle goes on, and the thuggees are
wiped out, save for Gopal, who throws down his gun, and pulls out his
tulwar.
GOPAL
Kali...guide my arm!
He charges Ben, swinging his saber. Ben calmly puts a bullet between his eyes.
BEN
You shoulda asked for more bullets.
JOHN
Casulties?
ANGUS
Just a couple of flesh wounds, lad...
that lot was more useta stranglin'
people than shootin' 'em.
John points to the rear door.
JOHN
Anybody know where that door goes?
AMANDA
To the servant's quarters, and out
the back...
John looks at Amanda, then tips his hat to her.
JOHN
Miss Amanda, I presume...
John turns to David.
JOHN
Dave...I need ten men to go with
me and take the stables. You take
the rest, and handle the bunkhouse...
JACK
I'm goin' with you...
John looks at Jack.
JOHN
Just keep your emotions under control.
He looks around, and sees Ben holding hands with Elizabeth.
JOHN
Sergeant!
Ben snaps to attention.
BEN
Yo!
JOHN
You ready to finish this?
BEN
Yessir!
Frenchy comes up.
FRENCHY
What about me?
John looks over her skimpy costume.
JOHN
Aren't you a trifle underdressed?
FRENCHY
Not as much as I was...
(a beat)
Which you didn't even notice...
JOHN
I was a bit preoccupied...
(a beat)
Let's get moving...there's plenty
of war left.
INT. STABLE
Thorne enters with Laurie in tow. Ferris and his men, turn from watching the house.
FERRIS
What the hell's goin' on?
THORNE
Kenyon's taken the main house...
FERRIS
Shit...
(a beat)
Pike!
Pike comes over.
PIKE
Yeah?
FERRIS
Take some men and fan out into the
courtyard...
Pike nods.
PIKE
Hank, Bill, Tobe, Deke, Frank, Morgan...
come with me!
The men peel off, and follow Pike out of the stable.
EXT. COURTYARD
David and Frenchy lead a small band of outlaws toward the bunkhouse. Angus hangs off to one side.
DAVID
They're pretty well forted up...
ANGUS
Aye...it'll take all night to shoot
'em out...
He looks around the courtyard.
ANGUS
...Unless we find a way to speed this
up a wee bit.
He spots a burning lantern.
ANGUS
Ahhh...the very thing...
He goes over to it.
DAVID
It's a good thought...Mr. Buchanan,
but we'll need more of 'em...and
I can't see how we'd get 'em to the
roof without gettin' shot...
ANGUS
Ye forget...I'm a mon of peculiar
talents...
He sticks his hand into the lantern, and pulls out a handful of fire. David takes a step back.
DAVID
Damn...how does he do stuff like
that?
FRENCHY
I don't think any of us really want
to know that.
Angus throws the fire like a grenade. The ball of flame flies into the window of the bunkhouse, where it goes off like
a white
phospherus round. Horrible screams come from inside. A burning gunman staggers out of the bunkhouse, and falls to the ground.
DAVID
Jesus...
ANGUS
That takes care of the bunkhouse...
let's join your brother at the stable.
DAVID
Alright...but move carefully...
The outlaws move slowly and cautiously toward the stable. There are met by withering fire from Pike and his squad. A few
outlaws go down. John and Ben come up behind the gunmen with their men. Ben lets loose a rebel yell.
PIKE
Jesus, they've gotten behind...
The outlaws fire, and Pike falls with several of his men. Hank and Turpin flee into the darkness.
BEN
Seth...come with me...
Seth follows Ben into the shadows, they pass by a haywagon. Ben gestures and he and Seth seperate. Turpin pops out from
behind a corner, and Seth guns him down.
SETH
That's one more for Maureen...
He and Ben walk down the courtyard again. Hank comes out from behind an outbuilding and shoots Seth. Ben sends a shot at
Hank, but he disappears. Ben advances cautiously toward the fallen Seth, and kneels beside him, feeling his neck.
BEN
Damn...
The click of a cocking revolver sounds behind him. Hank walks up behind him.
HANK
I didn't think Big Ben McShane would
be so easy to dry gulch.
BEN
I thought you wanted a reputation,
you bastard.
HANK
Ohhh...we're gonna do this right
McShane...
(a beat)
Get up...slowly.
Ben rises slowly.
HANK
Now, leather that Colt.
Ben holsters his sixgun.
HANK
Now turn around, slowly.
Ben turns to face Hank, who holsters his own gun.
HANK
On a three count...
(a beat)
One...two...
Ben draws and fans three shots into Hank. Then he holsters his gun and walks past Hanks staring corpse.
BEN
Three...
INT. STABLE
Ferris looks out at the burning bunkhouse.
FERRIS
Damn...that tears it...
He turns to his remaining men.
FERRIS
We're ridin' outta here...
THORNE
You're forgetting who gives the orders,
Ferris.
Ferris grins wolfishly.
FERRIS
Not you...not anymore...
He turns back to his men.
FERRIS
Take the girl...we can use her for
a...
The outlaws burst in from front and back. There is another flurry of gunfire. Ferris is shot, but he manages to escape
the stable. Thorne follows suit as the gunmen either go down, or surrender.
JACK
I'll get Thorne!
Jack goes out the door after Thorne.
LAURIE
Wait, Jack Harper, you know not what
you face!
She picks up a handgun, and goes after Jack.
JOHN
Laurie?
Frenchy grabs his arm.
FRENCHY
Not quite...I'll explain as we go.
She pulls him out of the stable.
EXT. COURTYARD
Jack walks past an outbuilding. Thorne hides behind a corner, out of Jack's line of sight.
JACK
It's over, Thorne...
THORNE
I think not...
Thorne twitches his fingers. Jack clutches his chest and sags against a wall. Thorne comes out grinning triumphantly.
THORNE
In fact...I can see a way of salvaging
a victory out of this.
Thorne twitches his fingers again, and Jack winces.
THORNE
Since my Phryssa admires your strong
young body so much...I'll simply
take it over...and send your soul
shrieking into hell...
Thorne twitches his fingers yet again, producing more reaction from Jack.
THORNE
I wish I could play with you some
more...but I don't have the time.
Goodby, Mr. Harper.
Thorne prepares to close his hand, but a shot rings out, and a blood patch appears on his back. Thorne staggers around
to see Laurie pointing her smoking revolver at him. She fires again, hitting him in the chest.
THORNE
No...
Annie fires a third time, hitting him on the other breast. Thoren falls to the ground. With his last bit of strength, he
looks up at Laurie, and reaches out to her.
THORNE
Phryssssa!
LAURIE
My name is Laurie!
Thorne dies.
INT. PARLOR
Amanda waits nervously in the parlor with Donnelly and Blavatsky. Elizabeth watches the courtyard from the window, armed
with a rifle.
DONNELLY
Is it over...are we safe from that
madman?
(a beat)
Oh...a thousand pardons, Miss Thorne...
he is your father...but...
AMANDA
He stopped being my father a long
time ago...
(a beat)
I'm going to see what's going on...
DONNELLY
Alone?
She turns on Donnelly.
AMANDA
You're free to escort me, Congressman.
DONNELLY
But...but...
ELIZABETH
Think about it, Amanda...somebody
might stick him with a pin and let
all the hot air out.
Blavatsky saves Donnelly by putting a timely hand on his arm.
BLAVATSKY
I think Ignatius should stay here
and protect Miss Lizzie and me.
AMANDA
As you wish, Madam Blavatsky...
Amanda exits.
EXT. COURTYARD
Amanda comes out of the kitchen door. She looks and sees the outlaw coming out of the stables, including David.
AMANDA
David...David!
She starts running toward him, but Ferris leaps out of the shadows, and grabs her.
FERRIS
Now look what I found...
David and John step forward as Ferris swings Amanda in front of him, and puts a gun to her head.
DAVID
Let her go, Ferris...
FERRIS
Not damned likely...
(a beat)
I want a horse, saddled and bridled...
and I'll let her go about ten miles
down the road from here...
AMANDA
Don't do it, David...his word's worth
nothing!
Ferris leers at her.
FERRIS
You be quiet, Miss Amanda...remember
I may not decide to let you...
A shot rings out. Ferris grunts and lets go of Amanda. He turns to see Elizabeth aiming her rifle at him. She fires again,
and again, and Ferris falls. John comes over to him,
and Ferris gives him a sardonic look.
FERRIS
You know something, Colonel...your
sister's a damn...fine...shot...
He dies.
EXT. CHURCH-DAY
Laurie and Jack come out of a church, they are hit with a shower of rice. John, Frenchy, and Angus help pelt them. Jack
and Laurie run to a waiting carriage.
JOHN
So...Phryssa went back to where
she came from after Thorne died?
ANGUS
Aye...Laurie has nay memory of her
brief possession by an ancient spirit.
Which is all for the best.
Angus looks around.
ANGUS
And where are our other pairs of
young lovers?
FRENCHY
David's moping by the church...Amanda's
going back east. She's afraid her
grandfather will take some terrible
revenge if she stays with him...
ANGUS
Well...auld Adam's a mean, spiteful,
old bastard, sure enough. But I
can work around him...
(a beat)
And those two must come together...
JOHN
Eh?
Angus waves John off.
ANGUS
Dinna mind me lad...I've gotta lotta
irons in the fire is all.
He spots Ben and Elizabeth holding hands and talking intently.
ANGUS
Oh...I see the other pair...
They go over.
ELIZABETH
...And I tell you this...you better
come back to me, Ben McShane...
BEN
Sure thing, honey...
He kisses her. Then he sees John and snaps to attention.
ELIZABETH
Dammit...the war's over!
She grabs Ben and gives him an intense kiss.
FRENCHY
Ahhh...vivre l'amour...
John looks at Donnelly working the crowd.
JOHN
And there's Donnelly...acting like
he was running for reelection...
(a beat)
You think we should tell him that
the Ithacan Foundation had more to
do with arranging the general amnesty
than he did?
ANGUS
What...tell a politician that someone
has more influence than he does?
How could ye be so cruel?
They walk to a carriage, and climb aboard. Frenchy pulls the book from under the cushion.
JOHN
Frenchy, just what is that book you've
been carrying around all day?
Elizabeth stifles a giggle.
FRENCHY
Oh, this? Just something from Thorne's
library...from India.
Frenchy hands it to John.
FRENCHY
We girls played cards for it...
naturally, I won...but I let Laurie
and Elizabeth here take notes.
BEN
Notes?
FRENCHY
Well...let's just say Jack's in
for a vigorous wedding night.
John opens the book and looks inside.
JOHN
Lord Almighty...
Ben has a look.
BEN
Daaamn!
John closes the book slowly.
BEN
Colonel...I think we'd better stop
at the store in town. I gotta a
feelin' we're both gonna need a lotta
horse linament.
FADE OUT:
THE END
