New Orleans Menace

"New Orleans Menace" is the 10th episode of The Rifleman Season One and the 10th episode overall. Directed by Arnold Laven and written by Cyril Hume, it aired on December 2, 1958.
==Synopsis==
Tiffauges, a wealthy and sadistic organized crime kingpin from New Orleans who is used to getting whatever he wants, decides he wishes to purchase the McCain Ranch.
==Watch==
==Plot==
Cesar Tiffauges, a wealthy and arrogant man from New Orleans, arrives at Lucas McCain's ranch with a large entourage and demands to buy the property. When Lucas refuses, Tiffauges' men imply that their boss is powerful enough to take it regardless of Lucas’s wishes.
Tiffauges and his men then head to North Fork, where they have an elaborate dinner in the middle of the street with Marshal Micah Torrance and banker John Hamilton. Micah informs Lucas that Tiffauges is a notorious figure in New Orleans, involved in organized crime, and that he deposited a large sum of money in the local bank. Despite Micah's warnings to wait for reinforcements, Lucas decides to confront Tiffauges alone.
During the confrontation, Tiffauges challenges Lucas's shooting skills and threatens Mark McCain if Lucas doesn’t sell the ranch. Lucas refuses to back down, questioning Tiffauges about his men’s loyalty. Tiffauges asserts that his men only feel what he tells them to feel, a statement that visibly unsettles them. Tiffauges gives Lucas until 10:00 the next morning to hand over the deed to the ranch.
The next morning, Tiffauges and his men arrive early at the ranch. Lucas sends Mark to fetch Micah and the deputies. Tiffauges declares that he is taking over the property, but Lucas stands firm, reminding Tiffauges that out here, men think and feel for themselves. When Tiffauges orders his men to shoot Lucas, they hesitate. As Tiffauges attempts to draw his gun, one of his men, Xavier, shoots him instead, killing him before he can harm Lucas.
Xavier thanks Lucas for helping him realize the value of freedom. The remaining men, now free from Tiffauges' control, ride off celebrating their newfound independence.
==Cast==
===Main===
*Lucas McCain - Chuck Connors
*Mark McCain - Johnny Crawford
*Micah Torrance - Paul Fix
===Recurring===
*Hattie Denton - Hope Summers
*John Hamilton - Harlan Warde
===Guests===
*Cesar Tiffauges - Akim Tamiroff
*Xavier Escobar - Michael Pate
*Schuette - Jerry Oddo
*Guitarist - Galvan DeLeon
Category:Episodes
Category:Season One episodes
Category:Episode pages with completed plot sections
Category:Episodes where Lucas kills someone‏‎