ACT ONE:

I-1

FADE IN:

COUNTRYSIDE, ROCK FORMATION.

BETHUNE

Come on. Bring it up slow
now -- and aim.

TOMMY

Yes, sir.

BETHUNE

You call that steady? Why,
you're tremblin' like a leaf
on an aspen tree.

TOMMY

I'm sorry, Uncle Billy.

BETHUNE

Take your time. Breathe easy.
That's all there is to it,
boy. Breathin' easy an'
never pullin'. You got to
squeeze when you fire a gun.

TOMMY

Yes, sir.

I-2

BETHUNE

It's got to be second nature
with you. A Marshal's always got
to be ready--'cause there's
always someone just waitin'
for him to let down his guard.
They're always somewhere--
waitin' to dry gulch you.
Don't you never gorget that.

TOMMY

I won't. Could we do it
together now--like we was
partners?

BETHUNE

Sure, boy. But keep a sharp
lookout--just like I always
do. You got to have eyes in
the back of your head. Bring
it up slow--breathe easy--an'
never turn your back to 'em.
Especially in open country
like this. They could be
anywheres--hidin' in any of
them rocks. What's that?

I-3

TOMMY
Where?

BETHUNE
Over there.

TOMMY
I don't see anything.

BETHUNE
Somethin' moved. I seen
somethin' move.

TOMMY
It's nothin', Uncle Billy.
Probably just a little old
cottontail.

BETHUNE
No, it ain't. Someone's out
there. I can feel 'em.
Shhh. Don't move. Look
out! Git down, boy! There
they are now!

TOMMY
Where? I don't see 'em.

I-4

BETHUNE

Right behind them rocks,
They followed us.

TOMMY

Who did?

BETHUNE

Take cover, boy. I'm goin'
in after 'em.

TOMMY

Uncle Billy---please!

BETHUNE

I see you! I see you in
there! An I'm comin' after
you!

TOMMY

Uncle Billy, there's nobody
there! Nobody!

BETHUNE

No use tryin' to get away!
I got you cornered this time!
An' I'm comin' in shootin'!

TOMMY

Uncle Billy, Uncle Billy---
(HE STARTS FIRING WILDLY)

(CREDITS:)

I-10

CON (CONT'D)

Somebody'll get hurt.

BETHUNE

'Way out here?

CON

Last time, it was on the
edge of town. Only reason
it didn't stir up a fuss
is because I told them you
were after rattlers. I'm
not sure they believed that.
Next time, I know they won't.
You got to stop this, you
hear?

BETHUNE

Sure, Con. I'll stop. I
won't do any more shootin'
unless--

CON

Uncle Billy -- I think you
better let me have your guns.

BETHUNE

What?

I-11

CON

I want those guns, old timer.
I can't take another chance
with you.

BETHUNE

Listen, Con, I ---

CON

Don't make it any worse for
me than it is. I said I
got to have them.

BETHUNE

You're Marshal.

CON

That's right. I'm the Marshal.

(TAKING GUNS)

Come on now. Let's go on
home. It's time to eat.

I-12

BETHUNE

I'm not hungry.

CON

You can't just sit out
here.

BETHUNE

Why not? Who am I gonna
hurt just sittin'?

CON

Look, Uncle Billy, do you
think I want to ---
Have it your own way.

(HE EXITS)

(BETHUNE REMAINS SITTING)

I-13

DISSOLVE TO: MARSHALL'S OFFICE
MARTHA COMES DOWN STAIRS AS
CON ENTERS.

MARTHA

I'm going out to the store, Con.
Aren't those Uncle Billy's guns?
Oh, Con. He's done it again,
hasn't he? What are we going
to do about him? We can't always
be watching him. I've tried to
make him stay around the house
but he's always wandering off.

CON

I don't expect you to be a jailer.
I know he's my lookout.

MARTHA

Why is he? Why does he have to
be? It's not as if he's any kin.

CON

Now look here, Martha, I won't
throw him out.

I-14

MARTHA

I didn't ask you to do that, did I? But they're going to one of these days. What are you going to do when that happens?

CON

It's not going to happen. You know he's not always this way. Most of the time, he's fine. It's just when he gets to talking about the old days. Otherwise, he's as right in the head as you or me.

MARTHA

I wish I could believe that, but I'm really afraid he's just --

CON

He's not crazy! He's just old. A man's got a right to grow old, hasn't he?

MARTHA

Of course he has. I'm just thinking

(MORE)

I-15

MARTHA (CONT'D)

of you. I don't see why you
have to let it upset your life.

CON

Maybe because I can understand
him better than anybody else.

Maybe because I wonder what's going
to happen to me when I'm his
age.

MARTHA

Isn't it a little early for
you to be worrying about that?

CON

I guess -- but try to see my
side of it, won't you, Martha?

I've always done that with
you. Didn't I agree to settle
down here where it was peaceful --
instead of moving on?

MARTHA

Is that still bothering you, Con.

I-17

MAYOR (AT DOOR)

You ain't forgot about the town
council meetin', have you, Con?

CON

No. I'll be right on down, Mayor.

(MAYOR GOES)

Are these what you wanted to ask
me about?

TOMMY

Aint you ever gonna give em
back to him?

CON

Afraid not, son. You saw what
happened.

TOMMY

Yes, sir, but Uncle Billy promised
he's teach me to shoot as soon as
I was strong enough to hold a
forty-four at arm's length.

CON

And you've been practicing with
a brick?

I-18

TOMMY

How'd you know?

CON

That's how I learned.

TOMMY

From Uncle Billy?

CON

That's right. I learned to
shoot with these guns. But that
was when he was Marshal Bat Bethune
-- not just old Uncle Billy.

TOMMY

Was he as good as they say?

CON

He was better.

TOMMY

What happened then? What's wrong
with him now? Do you think he's gone
loco?

CON

I don't know, Tommy. What does
that mean, after all? Sure I know

(MORE)

I-19

## CON (CONT'D)

he sees things nobody else sees.
But I wonder, does that mean
they're not there? What I'm
trying to say is -- when he was
 Marshal, this country and this
town were about as lawless as
they came. Just about any way
a man turned there was wrong
guns. One thing's sure -- there
were more men in black around
than there were men wearing tin
stars. So I reckon a Marshal
had to see them wherever he looked.
He had to expect them there. You
might say he got in the habit of
seeing them. And maybe it's not
such an easy habit to get out of.
Maybe that's all it is with him.

## TOMMY

Sure -- that's all. 'Course it is.
I knew there wasn't anything wrong
with him.

I-20

CON

Now I got a town council
meeting to attend.

TOMMY

Yes, sir.

CON

You can stay here if you want.

I'm sure you'd like to look over
the handbills. I used to think
they were pretty good reading
when I was your age.

TOMMY

Well, I don't know --

CON

You know where they are, don't
you?

TOMMY

Yes, sir, but --

CON

I'll be back shortly. Anyone
wants me, tell them I'm at the
bank. Tell them you're holding
down the fort for me.

I-21

TOMMY

Yes, sir.

(CON EXITS)

(TOMMY GOES TO THE DESK, OPENS THE DESK DRAWER. THERE ARE GUNS, AND TO ONE SIDE THE HANDBILLS.
TOMMY EYES THE GUNS A LONG MOMENT AND SLAMS THE DRAWER.

DISSOLVE TO: BANK

MAYOR

After the dedication, we'll come on back and have the party over to the hotel. That way all the ladies can bake their cakes and make their potato salads and all, and everyone'll be happy. I expect Martha'll be making one of her special apple pies -- won't she, Con?

I-22

CON

Hm? Oh, I'm sure she will, Mayor.

MAYOR

Martha Purvis sure makes good apple pie! I sure hope you don't mind my havin' the Senator over to my place for supper, Mr. Sylvester.

SYLVESTER

Why should I mind?

MAYOR

Well, bein's how he's a personal friend of yours, I thought you might be countin' on havin' him take supper with you all.

SYLVESTER

I hadn't made any definite plans.

MAYOR

I just wouldn't hear the end of it from my missus if I didn't have him over to eat with us.

SYLVESTER

Well, that's part of your job, Mayor. I don't want to...

(MORE)

I-23

SYLVESTER (CONT'D)

appropriate it, I'm just a
member of the Council, that's all.

MAYOR

Now you're bein' just too danged
modest, ain't he, Con.

CON

Oh, yes --

MAYOR

We all know how they talked about
puttin' that dam further north.

If you hadn't of stepped in,
we wouldn't never have had it
right outside of town.

SYLVESTER

Well, my first interest is always
in the town's welfare. Are
you going over to Santa Fe to
pick up the Senator, Marshal.

CON

That's right. I'll meet the
train and ride on back with
him.

I-24

SYLVESTER

Good.

MAYOR

Of course, you're invited to
join us for supper Mr. Sylvester

SYLVESTER

I'll think about it, thank you.
If we're boring you, Marshal,
you don't have to stay for the
rest of the meeting. We've
covered all that concerns you -
haven't we, Mayor?

MAYOR

What? Oh, sure. You run along,
Con. We kept you away from your
duties long enough. Now about
the decorations on the speaker's
platform. I'd say bunting was
enough.

SYLVESTER

Never mind that. What about
the old man?

I-27

CUT TO: ALLEYWAY

BETHUNE (FIRING)

I know you're in there! Come
on out! Come on out, I say!
(TOWNSPEOPLE GATHER AS CON
COMES UP)

CON

Get out of the way. Everybody
stand back.

(TO BETHUNE, RELOADING NOW)

Uncle Billy --

BETHUNE

Git back, Con!

CON

Give me those guns.

BETHUNE

Don't grab my arm like that boy.
You want to get hurt?
Now stand back, I got 'em
bushwacked. Clear the streets!

(MORE)

I-28

BETHUNE (CONT'D)

I don't no one hurt if they make
a run for it. Go on. Everybody
off the street!

SYLVESTER

What're you standing there for,
 Marshal? Stop him?

BETHUNE

Take cover, Con boy. Here they come!

(HE SHOVES CON ASIDE AND STARTS
FIRING. CON REACHES INSTINCTIVELY
FOR HIS GUN, THEN PUTS IT BACK
AND, CLEANCHING HIS TEETH,

DOUBLES HIS FIST AND HITS BETHUNE
ACROSS THE JAW, A GLANCING BLOW.

AS THE OLD MAN CRUMPLES TO THE GROUND,
CON STEPS BACK, GRIMACING PAINFULLY)

FADE OUT

END OF ACT ONE

II-1

ACT TWO:

FADE IN: INTERIOR

MARSHAL'S OFFICE. A CROWD IS
MILLING OUTSIDE.

TOMMY

How is he, Miz Purvis?

MARTHA

He's all right, Tommy. He's
just coming around now.

TOMMY

I'm sorry, Marshal. I know
it's all my fault.

CON

No, it isn't. I'm the only
one that's to blame.

MARTHA

Now you stop this, Con.
How else were you going
to disarm him? What could
you have done?

CON

I don't know,

II-3

MAYOR

How-do, Martha.

MARTHA

Hello, Burse--Mr. Sylvester.

(CON CALLS OUT TO CROWD)

CON

All right. You all go on home
now. The excitement's over.

SYLVESTER

Is it?

CON

I think so. Don't you think
so, Mayor?

MAYOR

Well --

CON

Kind of late in the game for
you to be having doubts as to
my ability to keep the peace,
isn't it, Mayor?

II-4

MAYOR

Now, Con, you know it ain't
a question of that.

CON

What is it then?

MAYOR

You don't have to fly off the
handle at me. I know how you
feel about the old man.

CON

Do you?

MAYOR

I ought to. You and me grew
up in this town didn't we?

CON

Yes.

MAYOR

We know you're doin' the best
you can under the circumstances.
But nursemaidin' an old man's
like nursemaidin' a kid. It's
a full time job.

II-5

CON

What are you getting at?
You've got something in mind.
What do you want me to do --
lock him up?

MAYOR

No, of course not.

SYLVESTER

Why not? Why should we
let an old derelect go on
shooting up the town? I
say, either lock him up or
run him out!

CON

Now wait a minute, Sylvester.
I know you're a newcomer here
but just don't you forget who
this old derelict -- as you
call him -- is. Maybe you
never heard of Marshal Bat
Bethune where you come from,
but I have. So have they --

(MORE)

II-6

CON (CONT'D)

Most of them were boys when
Bat Bethune cleared this
town of all its gambling
element. Most of them stood
out on that street watching
him bring in a dozen or more
road agents that'd been
terrorizing the countryside.
They saw him face up to the
Geary Gang out at the town
limits with no more than a
shotgun to back him up. This
town wouldn't be here today
if it wasn't for him. But
does anybody remember that?
No! We got a legend walking
around in our midst--and we
spit on it. We run it out of
town. We think up ugly names
for it. Don't ask me why
because I can't tell you. All
I know is -- I'm full up to
my crawl with it-- and I don't
want to hear any more about
it ---not from you or anyone!

II-7

MARTHA

Con!

SYLVESTER

If that's the way you feel,
maybe you better turn in your
badge, Marshal.

CON

Maybe I better.

MARTHA

Con-no!

MAYOR

Well, now, I don't know that
it's necessary to go as far
as all that. I reckon we
do owe the old man some
consideration. Like Con says,
we've lived here all our lives.
You got to remember that you,
bein' a newcomer, you
naturally wouldn't look at it
the same way.

II-8

SYLVESTER

Maybe I am a newcomer. Maybe
that's what's wrong here.
I'm a newcomer. It doesn't
matter that I'm carrying most
of you--one way or another.
Well-all right. That's your
lookout. But as long as my
business depends on this town's
progress, there's some things I
intend to make my lookout--and
this is one of them.

MAYOR

Now, Mr. Sylvester--

SYLVESTER

What's going to happen if you
let that gunhappy old man take
advantage of the law? What's
going to keep a lot of thers
from thinking they can do the
same? Nothing! The next thing
you know you're going to have
an unstable and lawless community!

(MORE)

II-9

SYLVESTER (CONT'D)

Do you think anybody today
is going to be interested in
moving into a town or investing
money in a town like that?

CON

I don't know anything bout that.

SYLVESTER

Well, I do, and I say you can't
put him or anybody above the law.
And it's not enough to lock
him up or take his guns away.

SYLVESTER

He's got to be run out --
once and for all -- and
he's got to be told he's never
to come back! If the Marshal
hasn't got a tough enough hide
to do it, then maybe we ought
to get someone who has.

CON

I know why you're picking on
the old man. It's to get back
at me. Because I've fought you
on everything you've proposed
for the town.

II-10

MAYOR

Con--

CON

Just because the others are
afraid to talk back to you
doesn't mean I am. I know
what's behind all your so-called
civic improvements. It wasn't
any accident the dam was built
where you happened to own a
lot of property!

MAYOR

Now wait a minute, Con---

CON

And I don't doubt you'll turn
up owning most of the land
the railroad will be wanting
when they come in!

CUT TO: EXTERIOR

MAYOR

Mr. Sylvester ---

II-12

CON

If that's progress, I don't
want it.

MAYOR

But we already got it, Con.
It's here. It's all around us.
We got to learn to live with
it.

CON

Even at this price?

MAYOR

'Fraid so.

CON

Maybe you can, but I can't.

MAYOR

What does that mean?

CON

I'm not going to have this
on my conscience. You're Mayor.
You make the decision.

II-13

MARTHA

Con--please!

MAYOR

He's got to go.

CON

When--right now?

MAYOR

Might not be a bad idea to get
him off durin' the dedication
ceremonies tomorrow, when
the whole town'll be out to
the dam. It'll go a lot
easier for all concerned, that
way.

CON

Sure...a lot easier.

MAYOR

Con-- In the meantime, I'm
afraid you'll have to keep
him locked up.

II-15

BETHUNE (CONT'D)

Know what I think? I think they
run off at their mouths just to
hear their heads rattle. Take
the mayor. He's such a knothead,
he couldn't find a calf in a
corral if it had a bell on it!

CUT TO EXTERIOR AS CON TACKS
UP REWARD POSTER.

An' I sure don't blame you for
losin' your temper with that
coldfooted Sylvester either.

I never could stand that
critter. He's all butter. Talks
tough, but I'll bet he can't lick
his upper lip. Him an' his big
talk!

CUT TO: INTERIOR AS CON GOES
INSIDE.

But I knew all along you weren't
aimin' to run me out. Was you,
boy?

II-16

CON

No.

MARTHA

Con, you can't still be thinking
of fighting them on this?

CON

Why not?

MARTHA

Even knowing what it could
mean?

CON

I've made up my mind, Martha.
If he goes, we go with him.

MARTHA

Pick up stakes and move on --
just like that? What'll we
do? Where'll we go? You're
a lawman, Con. That's all you
know. What are you going to do
if you give it up?

II-17

CON

There's other towns. I've
had lots of offers--and you
know it. Help me clean these
guns, Uncle Billy.

MARTHA

But how can we leave here.
We've lived here all our lives.
We've been happy here. Con--
haven't we? Would we be as
happy anywhere else? What
about that piece of property
we're paying on? Are we just
going to throw that over?

CON

Looks that way.

MARTHA

And have nothing when we get
to be his age? No! I can't
face that.

II-18

BETHUNE

Now hold on, Martha ---

MARTHA

Don't talk to me! How can
you stand by and let him do
this? You, of all people.

CON

Leave him out of this.
This is between us.

MARTHA

No, it isn't. It isn't at
all. You've got a head
filled with an old man's
nonsense -- the way Tommy
has. You'd like nothing better
than to find a wide open town
where you could play at being
the great and fearless
marshal. That's what you
wanted when we first got
married and that's what you
think you'll find now!

CON

What if I do? Why shouldn't
I want that?

II-19

MARTHA

Because they're right.
Those days are over, and
if you're not careful you'll
become as much a relic as he
is!

CON

I'd at least be the kind of
lawman I was brought up to
be! I wouldn't be an errand
boy, having to hop to each
time some politician showed
up! I swore to maintain law
and order. But when
someone like Sylvester pulls
a shady deal -- I have to look
the other way -- just because
he does it legal, in the name
of Progress! Well, I've had
enough of that. I want to go
where I know who my enemies are
and what I have to do about them!
I won't be tied down any more --
by them or you.

II-21

BETHUNE (CONT'D)

What am I to do, boy? Am I
supposed to start travelin'
all the lonesome places at
my age -- lookin' for a
place to hole up -- like
some saddle blanket gambler?
I know I got you jammed
between a rock an' a hard
place, but what'll I do, Con?

CON

I don't know, now. Maybe
we can figure out something.

BETHUNE

I know you can't leave your
missus. No you can't -- I
won't let you. But couldn't
I hide out somewhere till
this blows over an' you can
try talkin' to 'em again?
Wouldn't that work?

CON

I wish I thought it would,
but I can't be sure. I'm
afraid that sooner or later

(MORE)

II-23

SOUND: JAIL DOOR CLANGS OPEN
(THEY GO DOWN CORRIDOR TO:
JAIL CELL.)

BETHUNE

Sure never thought I'd see the
inside of a jail this way.

CON

Look -- I'm going to the bank
and get you some money.

BETHUNE

What?

CON

If I can get you a hundred
dollars, you can hole up somewhere
till I work things out here. It
won't be so bad if you got money.
You can make out.

BETHUNE

Wait a minute. I know you ain't
got no **money** in that bank. You're
not fixin' to borrow it from
Sylvester, are you?

CON

There's no other bank in town.
I got to go to him.