11. EXT. THE ARIZONA SCRUBLANDS - DAY

 

CHARLIE, TROY and DREW ride across the Arizona desert as they flee from the scene of their robbery.

 

12. INT. KENDRAY SHERIFF’S OFFICE – LATER IN THE DAY

 

CASH JOHNSON enters FRANK PEDERSON’S, the Sheriff’s, office. He looks up from a pile of papers to see CASH.

 

FRANK

Hello, Marshall. Come on in. Take the weight off.

 

CASH

Hello, Frank. Got here as soon as I could. A little too late by the looks of it.

 

FRANK

I appreciate your presence, nonetheless. You want me to run through it?

 

CASH

No. I spoke to one of your deputies. He put me in the picture. I’ve seen the bank too. It looks like someone took a paintbrush to it. I’m sorry, Frank. Up and coming town like this. It doesn’t deserve what happened here today.

 

FRANK

Thank you, Cash. They shot the bank manager through the elbow, you know.

 

CASH

To what end?

 

FRANK

He was slow to hand over some keys.

 

CASH

How is he?

 

FRANK

Minus an arm.

 

CASH

That’s tough.

 

FRANK

You know him? Gerald Hauter?

 

CASH shakes his head.

 

FRANK

He’s fat. He’s fat and balding and very amiable. He has a comfortable wife and a boy studying out east.

 

CASH

He’ll live though?

 

FRANK

Doc says so.

 

CASH

And his livelihood?

 

FRANK

You can run a bank with one arm as easily as two, so I’d imagine.

 

CASH

It’s not that though, is it, Frank.

 

FRANK

No, it's the fact that, even in these prosperous days, a stranger can walk up to you and, without a by your leave, put a mark upon you that changes you forever. Gerald Hauter is neither a brave man nor a coward. He's just a harmless, ordinary fellow who happened to stray into the path of a madman. They had no right.

 

CASH

It’s hard to disagree. How many dead?

 

FRANK

Eleven civilians. Two inside the bank plus the two guards inside the bank. They shot nine getting away, though Lord knows why, nobody got in their way. Scaremongering and confusion, I guess. One deputy was killed and two injured. I'd been over at the courthouse with Judge Ferraby. By the time I got there, it was all but over.

 

CASH

The young feller that came to get me...

 

FRANK

Joe Baines...

 

CASH

That’s the badger. He said you had some names.

 

FRANK sifts through the papers on his desk and pushes it across to CASH.

 

FRANK

You know the name Charlie Bucker?

 

CASH

Seems to ring a bell. I can't have brought him in. I'd have remembered had I brought him in.

 

FRANK

According to those who witnessed the whole affair, this Bucker killed the guard in the booth, then stood bold as brass in the middle of the bank and announced himself, then declared himself to be the sun.

 

CASH

Whose son?

 

FRANK

The sun.

 

CASH

I see. So why does his name seem familiar to me?

 

FRANK

You remember the robberies at Medina and Royston?

 

CASH

Sure. James Wilson was assigned to them. He didn’t find anyone though, but the descriptions seemed similar so he threw the two in the same pot.

 

FRANK

This feller, Charlie Bucker, was mentioned and, if you read those (he indicates the paperwork which CASH is studying), there was some consistency in his description. Then you may recall that mess over at Wombwell last year.

 

Flashback to Wombwell robbery. Gunshots. Smoke. Screams.

 

CASH

I do. It was a decidedly nasty affair. I’m guessing from what you say, that this Charlie Bucker was tied in with that too.

 

FRANK

I believe so. His two companions turned tail and killed two or three people on their escape. Bucker himself had to shoot his way out. Seem to recall one of those he killed was a woman. The finer details escape me. It was also thought that Bucker took a fatal wound during the incident. A deputy claimed to have hit him accidentally while trying to free himself from a tight spot. Bucker then began to fire randomly with two revolvers. He escaped in the chaos. Several witnesses stated that they saw him holding his belly as he ran. There was some considerable amount of blood loss where the deputy claimed the incident occurred. He wasn’t seen again after that. There was a search for him, but when it turned nothing up, it was assumed that he had crawled away and died of his wounds.

 

CASH

And today?

 

FRANK

The description matches his boast. Fair hair, about six feet. I’m uncertain. It’s easy to use someone else’s name in order to deflect the blame. It could feasibly have been someone who knew Bucker, maybe someone who’d rode with him. We were never really sure about who’d rode with him before, except for one guy named Troy Lasiter. He was previously recognised through a deformed lip. His name was mentioned today by the one claiming to be Bucker. He’s known to ride with a man named Drew Sawyer. That name was also mentioned today. If that’s the case, it was a mite careless of Bucker to give out their names unless, as I said, they were trying to mislead.

 

CASH

What’s your inclination?

 

FRANK

My inclination is that Bucker’s been dead for some time and that someone is playing games. Come on, Cash. How many tall, fair-haired men are there in this town? In this state, come to that? Most of these people are of German or some such descent. You see a man with brown or red hair in this place, you know there’s a pretty good chance he’s from elsewhere. A man with fair hair is ten-a-penny and, in the heat of the moment, you'd think they were all from the same mother. The only certainty is this feller with the lip. You find him, you'll go some way to solving this mystery.

 

CASH

Well, I guess it’s my turn to go in search of this ghost. Where to start? Any ideas?

 

FRANK

Bucker, if that's the tack you're gonna take, came from a place called Oakwell, across the border. Lasiter came from Darton, a small town a stone’s throw away. There’s a chance they might go back to either of those places. That’s all I have. If it is Bucker, then he’s kept his head low for just over a year.

 

CASH

Maybe he found himself a girl, took to the quiet life.

 

FRANK

It’s always a possibility, if he’s not dead already. You want some company? The other sheriff, Rich Thomas, and some boys are back from a search. They’ll be eager to go out again once they’ve rested.

 

CASH

No, thanks. I prefer to go alone. You just give me the necessary paperwork and I’ll be on my way at first light. I forgot to ask. How much did they get?

 

FRANK

Seventy-one thousand, two hundred and eighty-six dollars, so the bank reckons.

 

CASH

What the hell was so much money doing in one place?

 

FRANK

Didn’t you hear? This is Kendray. We’re civilised.

 

13. EXT. A RIVERSIDE – LATE DAY

 

CHARLIE, TROY and DREW are camped by a river. There is a fire burning at the centre of the camp. There is coffee on the boil. CHARLIE is counting money – a lot of money. DREW and TROY’s eyes flick between the money and CHARLIE.

 

DREW

(confidentially to Troy)

What happened back there?

 

TROY

He did what we asked of him.

 

DREW

I didn’t ask him to do that.

 

TROY

Yes, you did. We both did. We told him we wanted someone mean ‘cause we were too cowardly to do this ourselves. That was all the permission he needed. We invited the Devil to dance. We shouldn’t be surprised he trod on our toes.

 

DREW

There’ll be some value attached to our names now, that’s for sure.

 

TROY

And him so keen to keep a low profile.

 (mimicking CHARLIE)

 

TROY

‘We don't want our name in the papers or in the top drawer of every sheriff's desk.’ What the hell was all that ‘My name is Charlie Bucker and I am the sun’ bullshit? And ‘Hey, Drew, don't forget to empty their pockets. Hey, Troy, if anybody tries to run, shoot ‘em down.’ So now they know all our names and we'll all be hung for the same sickness that runs through that son of a bitch.

 

DREW

(aloud, to CHARLIE)

How much we got there?

 

CHARLIE

I ain’t done yet.

 

TROY

You must have an idea.

 

CHARLIE

Stop talking, Troy.

 

TROY

A man can ask, can’t he?

 

CHARLIE

Not if that man wants an accurate count.

 

TROY

Well, how much are you up to?

 

CHARLIE stops counting. His shoulders sag as he lets out a deep sigh. He lifts his head slowly. It looks as if it has the weight of the world balled up inside it and he has to fight to hold it up.

 

CHARLIE puts his hand angrily up to the side of his head

 

CHARLIE

I’m up to here with you, that’s where I’m up to. With both of you.

 

TROY

We got a right to know!

 

CHARLIE scoops up a handful of money and throws it on the fire. TROY and DREW look on in horror.

 

CHARLIE

That was yours, Troy. That was your money. Every time you open your ugly, deformed mouth, I’ll throw on a little more. If I can’t get you to shut the hell up with threats, then maybe I can buy your silence. Now there was a good couple of acres and some fine pasture land just went from my fist to the flames. Do you have anything else to say?

 

TROY looks at CHARLIE with undisguised contempt. He shakes his head.

 

CHARLIE

     Drew? What about you?

 

DREW

I have nothing to say, Charlie.

 

CHARLIE

(beat. reluctantly)

Sixty-two thousand, two hundred and eighteen dollars. So far.

 

DREW

Christ Almighty! For real?

 

CHARLIE

For real. I reckon there's another eight, maybe nine thousand left to count. Now shut the fuck up, both of you, or I'll split the spare eighteen dollars between you and take the rest for myself.

 

14. EXT. OUTSIDE A HOTEL IN KENDRAY – DAWN

 

CASH comes out of the hotel. The streets are quiet. His horse is tied and ready to go. He mounts up and rides out of town to begin his search for the bank robbers.

 

15. EXT. A RIVERSIDE – DAWN

 

CHARLIE has finished counting the money and sits quietly smoking. DREW wakes and shakes TROY awake. CHARLIE pays them no attention as they get some coffee. They both look at him expectantly while drinking. Eventually, CHARLIE acknowledges them. Money is laid in three neat piles.

 

CHARLIE

Seventy-one thousand, one hundred and forty-three dollars. That includes the ashes.

 

DREW

Christ Almighty!

 

CHARLIE

He wasn’t there. We were. I make that twenty-three thousand, seven hundred and fourteen dollars each. You can pay Barrett out of your share. I don’t want to.

 

CHARLIE indicates the piles of money

 

CHARLIE

Go on. Take it. You earned it.

 

DREW and TROY leap up and take their share, then return to their places, sniffing at and weighing the cash in their hands.

 

DREW

It don’t feel like so much.

 

TROY

Feels like the future to me. I might go east, see one of those doctors you hear about. See if they can straighten out my lip. What about you?

 

DREW

A ranch maybe. Maybe a casino. Maybe I’ll go east with you and buy myself one of those big houses you hear about and just dandy it about. Get out of these clothes and buy me one of those tony suits. What about you, Charlie?

 

CHARLIE

All my life, I’ve been hanging around with scum like you...

 

TROY

Now, hang on there...

 

CHARLIE

Shut up, Troy! I feel like the blood that runs through my veins is no more than a river of shit. I feel dirty. I feel like, no matter how many times I wash my hands, whenever I lay my head down, I’m still gonna get the stink of you two. No amount of money’s ever gonna wash that away.

 

DREW

You didn’t have to do this, you know. You could’ve stayed shacked up with that girl and told us to be on our way. You can’t blame us for what runs through you, Charlie Bucker. You were dirty before we knew you and you’ll die dirty. You didn’t stay with that girl because you were too damned scared. It ain’t in you to be domestic. As a matter of fact, now you’ve done with her, I might go looking for her myself.

 

CHARLIE

You’ll do no such thing. You will go east and keep on going ‘til you dip your fat toes in the big ocean on the other side of the world.

 

CHARLIE stands up and marches angrily over the TROY and DREW.

 

CHARLIE

I was content before you showed up, you understand? I would have stayed there in that woodpile until I drew my last breath, but then you two had to come along with your big ideas and your temptations and drag me away. Now she’s back in Wentworth with her folks and I’m back where I started, trying to rid myself of two turds like you.

 

DREW stands and goes face to face with CHARLIE.

 

DREW

You talk like an alcoholic, you crazy bastard! We didn’t tempt you. You succumbed to what was beneath the surface of that thick skin of yours. You ain’t capable of settling and sharing. We were just the excuse you needed to leave that easy quim behind. I could see it in your eyes. You were bored. As soon as we started talking about Kendray, the lights came on and you got excited about it. Don’t you deny it.

 

Flashback to Wombwell robbery. Gunshots. Smoke. Screams.

 

CHARLIE

I deny it! I deny it absolutely. But you know what? You’re almost right, Drew, ‘cause I need no one. You all need me. You and Troy and Mary, you need me. You would not exist without me. That’s why she clung to me. Without me, she would never have left Wentworth, and now look where she’s ended up. Look where she has ended up. And that’s why you came to find me. Without me, you wouldn’t’ve taken the bank at Kendray. I bet you had those plans sitting in your pocket for months and every now and then you’d take them out and mull over them and wish you had the balls to do something about it. But you can’t, either of you, ‘cause you’re cowards who need someone like me to bring you to life. Without someone like me, you’d just wither and die.

 

DREW hits CHARLIE full on in the face. They fight. A BIG fight scene occurs. Charlie starts to get the upper hand. Suddenly a gunshot rings out. CHARLIE and DREW freeze. CHARLIE looks on in amused disbelief as a flower of blood seeps from his abdomen.

 

CUT TO:

 

Shot of TROY, smoking gun in hand.

 

DREW

Troy! What did you do?

 

CHARLIE’S hand scrabbles for his holster. DREW leaps forward and tries to restrain CHARLIE’s hand.

 

DREW

Leave it, Charlie. Please. Leave it.

 

CHARLIE struggles weakly against DREW, his face set in determination. DREW draws his own gun and hits CHARLIE hard in the side of the head CHARLIE reels away and eventually falls dazed into the dirt. DREW can do nothing but stare at CHARLIE, stunned that events have taken the turn that they have.

 

TROY

Shoot him, Drew! Finish him off!

 

DREW

You finish him off. You started it. You finish it.

 

TROY jumps up and runs over to CHARLIE. He puts his gun to the side of CHARLIE’S head.

 

TROY

Hey, Charlie. You want to tell me to shut up now? Not so tough anymore, huh?

 

CHARLIE moans and comes to.

 

CHARLIE

(feebly)

Troy?

 

TROY

What?

 

CHARLIE

(grins broadly)

Shut the fuck up!

 

TROY hits CHARLIE across the head again with the butt of his gun. Charlie is not completely out, but he is no longer present in his daze. TROY gets up and walks angrily away.

 

TROY

You know what? I’m not gonna finish him off.

(shouts over at CHARLIE)

I’m not gonna finish you off, Charlie. I’m gonna leave you here without a horse, without boots and without water and let nature take its course.

(to DREW)

Let’s get our stuff together, Drew. We’re leaving. Get the money. We’re going on a spending spree.

 

DREW

You’re just gonna leave him?

 

TROY

Well, you know what? Yes, I am.

 

DREW

He’s gut-shot, Troy. It could take him a day or more to die.

 

TROY picks up CHARLIE’S gun and tosses it over to DREW.

 

TROY

I’ll tell you what, Drew, you love him so much, you do the kind thing. Go ahead. I won’t object if you want to put him out of his misery like some broken-back horse. Of course, you never know who might come along. He might be just hours from salvation, one way or another. I’m sure someone’s out there looking for us. I reckon by leaving him I’m giving him a fifty-fifty chance. That’s more than he would have given us.

 

DREW

That’s not a fifty-fifty chance. You know that as well as I do.

 

TROY

Then shoot him, for Christ’s sake! Grow a fucking spine! Do whatever the hell you want to, but in a few minutes, I’m leaving here with over seventy thousand dollars, with or without you.

 

DREW

You can’t do that!

 

TROY points his revolver at DREW.

 

TROY

I can. I will.

 

DREW

Okay. Okay. At least help me sit him up against that rock.

 

TROY

Okay, but then we go.

 

They pick CHARLIE up between them and prop him up in the place where CASH eventually finds him. DREW goes to CHARLIE’S horse and gets his canteen.

 

TROY

No! No water! Fuck him! No water!

 

TROY takes off CHARLIE’S boots.

 

TROY

Ha! Anything that starts eating him can start at the toes!

(to CHARLIE)

Dip those in the ocean, you son of a bitch!

 

He stares with satisfaction at CHARLIE, then a smile slowly breaks on his face.

 

TROY

Oh! I have an idea!

 

TROY takes out a dollar and places it between CHARLIE’S bloody hands, which lay across his abdomen.

 

TROY

There you go. I ain’t totally heartless. He can tip the waiter when he comes by to fill his glass.

 

The two of them turn away from CHARLIE and leave him to die.

 

16. EXT. THE PARCHED, STONY DESERT - DAY.

 

CASH

Where do you think they went?

 

CHARLIE

They took my boots; can you believe that? Why in the hell would you take a man’s boots when you’ve already shot him in the belly?

 

CASH

Were they nice boots?

 

CHARLIE

Actually, they were. Good leather, well worn in, but not so well-worn that you’d think they were on the turn, you know? And my gun. They took my gun. How long have you had that gun, Marshal?

 

CASH

Since the war. I’ve tried others, but I kind of got used to this and didn’t feel comfortable with any other.

 

CHARLIE

Me too.

 

CASH

So, where do you think they went with those boots of yours?

 

CHARLIE

I’d’ve married her, I think.

 

CASH

This Mary girl?

 

CHARLIE

Yeah. She was a dream.

 

CASH

Then why did you leave her?

 

CHARLIE

Well, Marshal, I was a clumsy child. If I touched any damn thing there was a fair chance that it would end up in pieces on the floor. My mother used to say that she only bought cheap stuff cause if they bought good stuff, it wouldn’t last five minutes in my presence. Truth is, cheap was all they could ever afford, but she was right, I was a clumsy child. I was afraid I’d break Mary too. You see, I didn’t just break china, I broke people. I was incapable of sustaining any form of relationship with anyone. Friendships ended in fights and girls ended up with black eyes and broken hearts. I was exactly the kind of person I hated. It’s difficult to live with someone you hate. Nigh on impossible if it’s yourself. So, I just kept running away but, everywhere I went, there I was, bold as brass, staring back at myself in mirrors and windows. After Wombwell…You know about Wombwell?

 

Flashback to Wombwell robbery. Gunshots. Smoke. Screams.

 

CASH

I know about Wombwell.

 

CHARLIE

Well, after Wombwell, I was pretty much in the same way I am now. Maybe not quite so bad. Those two sons of bitches had run off like the cowards they are as soon as trouble appeared. Mary saved me. She tended my wound, fed me, helped me build our cabin. I had stolen her from her parents a year previous on one of my wanders into Wentworth. They were good Christians and did not deserve a devil like me intervening in their lives. I spat on their decency by stealing their daughter. At least I gave her back. She may not have been pristine, but at least they got her back.

 

CASH

Yes, they did. And I’m sure they were glad to see their girl again.

 

CHARLIE

I loved her though. Whatever that means.

 

CASH

I believe you, kid. I really do.

 

CHARLIE dies.

 

CASH

Damn! You couldn’t have waited ten more minutes, you contrary bastard?

 

 

17. INT. SHERIFF’S OFFICE, WENTWORTH – DAY

 

CASH and SHERIFF PAT COLTRANE sit in the Sheriff’s office.

 

PAT

So, what can I do for you? It’s not often we get a marshal round here. This is a pretty law-abiding town. You want some coffee?

 

CASH

No coffee, thank you.

 

CASH takes out the paperwork on DREW and TROY and lays them on the desk.

 

CASH

I’m looking for two men. One named Drew Sawyer, the other Troy Lasiter. Their details are on the paperwork before you.

 

PAT takes a cursory look at the papers.

 

PAT

I can’t say I recognise these people. We do have a fairly transient section of the population; passing businessmen, cattlemen, people stopping here on the way to somewhere else. Word is that pretty soon this will be a part of the railway system. I tell you, when that comes to pass, this town will explode. I’m on the up and up. Yes sir. In five years I reckon I’ll be mayor. Who knows what after that? Governor maybe.

 

CASH

(with polite disinterest)

You never know. Would you mind if I took a look around? This is a matter of some urgency.

 

PAT

May I ask what your intentions towards these gentlemen are, Marshal?

 

CASH

I intend to arrest them and take them back to Kendray for trial. And they are most certainly not gentlemen.

 

PAT

I see. People in this town are not permitted to carry weapons, Marshal. It is well sign-posted. We have a depository for those who come here unaware of our policy. What I’m saying is, I need you to restrict your actions to arrest and not go off on a killing rampage, so to speak.

 

CASH

(with restraint)

Sheriff, I have been a lawman for over twenty-five years and have thus far managed to avoid any sort of rampage, killing or otherwise, although I did once shoot a man in the leg for backchat.

 

PAT

I’m just saying that we tend to take a soft approach to the law in this town…

 

CASH

So did the people of Kendray until these murdering sons-of-bitches turned up to disrupt their virginal naivety. Listen, I’m in here out of courtesy to you, Sheriff. I’m a US marshal and have jurisdiction up to and including your tight little asshole. I’ll tell you now, if these boys decide that they don’t want to stick by your no-guns policy, despite all your polite notices, and come at me with their weapons cocked and ready, I will shoot them down without compunction. Do I make myself clear?

 

PAT

You do Marshall. Abundantly so.

 

CASH

Good, then I shall find myself a place to stay and lay my head for an hour or two before I commence my search. I’m hungry, tired and irascible. Do you recommend a place?

 

PAT

The Apache Hotel is the usual place for important visitors to stay. Take a room there. Tell Mr Drummond the manager that the town will foot the bill.

 

CASH

I don’t need that...

 

PAT

Common courtesy is the policy here, Marshal.

 

CASH

One last thing before I go. Do you know a girl called Mary Bowes and her family?

 

PAT

Yes, of course. Her father is on the town council. The family lives on Torey Street. Why?

 

CASH

Well, until I apprehend these bastards, I suggest that you assign a couple of men to watch over them, especially the girl. I think they came here to do her some harm.

 

PAT

Why? Why would they want to do that?

 

CASH

You have to ask? After all I have just said?

 

PAT

Marshal, I’m not sure, but I think you might be under some misapprehension here. The Bowes do most certainly live on Torey Street, but Mary no longer resides there...

 

CASH

Oh? Where then?

 

PAT

The cemetery, Marshal. She never got back here alive. She was killed at Wombwell...

 

CASH

The hell you say...!

 

PAT

Shot by the man who professed to love her as he made his frenzied departure from the scene. Witnesses say he was firing randomly and hit her in the chest.

 

CASH

But, she’s been alive this past year, living with this Charlie Bucker...

 

PAT

No. That is impossible.

 

CASH

Well, I am, I confess, taken aback. What the hell was she doing at Wombwell anyway?

 

Flashback to Wombwell robbery. Gunshots. Smoke. Screams.

 

PAT VO:

By all accounts, she had insisted on being there. She was mentally manipulated by this Bucker boy; she would not leave his side and insisted on going along and holding the horses for a quick departure. She was dressed like a man, from boots to hat. Bucker came out, all guns blazing. As I’m sure you know, there was quite a fight, many dead. Seems like the whole town had come out to defend its bank. Bucker was seen to put the shot into her. He, by all accounts, froze as he realised what he had done, but then picked up his head and continued to fire, being hit in the belly, some thought fatally, as he made his escape. Nobody realised that she was female until the smoke had cleared. By then, the men had fled and left a river of blood in their wake.

 

CASH

Then all the more reason to get some men to Torey Street. If Lasiter and Sawyer get there and find her absent, there will be all kinds of retribution.

 

PAT

You’re assuming I have men to spare.

 

CASH gets up and puts his hat on.

 

CASH

Sure you do. Mr Bowes is on the town council.

 

CASH collects up the paperwork and replaces it in his pocket.

 

CASH

Until you can get some men up there, I’ll go along and keep an eye out.

 

PAT

(sniffily)

Fine.

 

CASH

Quick question, Sheriff. Do you actually have anybody in your cells?

 

PAT

Not at the present time, no.

 

CASH

I figured as much. Wouldn’t want them to get dirty now, would we.

 

CASH tips his hat and leaves.

 

18. INT. BOWES’ RESIDENCE - DAY

 

CASH enters the BOWES’ residence. He has knocked and got no reply and now walks in with his pistol at the ready. He comes across two bodies in the house - MARY’s parents. They have been shot. MARY’S mother’s clothing is disarranged, with obvious implications. Cash grabs sheets from the beds and covers the bodies. He is devastated by the find. He leaves the house.

 

19. EXT. THE STREET OUTSIDE THE BOWES’ RESIDENCE – DAY

 

CASH storms from the house. On the way he meets two deputies as they amble along. He talks as he passes them.

 

CASH

You’re too late. They’re dead. Take care of my horse. You can do that at least, can’t you?

 

DEPUTY #1

Where are you going, Marshal?

 

CASH

On the rampage.

 

20. INT. SHERIFF’S OFFICE, WENTWORTH – DAY

 

CASH barges into the Sheriff’s office. Before the Sheriff can react, he lays down the law.

 

CASH

I have found the two reprobates, Drew Sawyer and Troy Lasiter, a job you cannot do sat behind your desk! I'm going to the Quarterstaff Hotel to arrest or kill them, whichever circumstances best present themselves. If you wish to come along, it's up to you, but there's two bodies in the Bowes house and those two sons of bitches did it.

 

PAT

Hold on, Marshal. There's a due process of law to be gone through, warrants to be filled out, judges to inform...

 

CASH

Now you listen to me, you pristine, jumped up, prissy excuse for a lawman. While you were sitting at your desk polishing your badge, two murdering cowards came into your town, with guns, despite all your notices, and killed a husband and wife so that they could take out some pointless revenge on a man they had shot and left for dead in the desert. I don't give much of a damn for your councilman or his wife and their pretty flowers and painted windows, but Mary mattered. She mattered, God dammit, because for a short time she made a difference to someone who didn't think there was a difference to be made. She loved Charlie and Charlie loved her, enough to never let her go, the poor bastard. In my world that makes her a rarity. In this world...this money-drenched, concreted, soulless world...well...her death must make the likes of her extinct.

 

CASH turns to go.

 

CASH

If you’re coming with me, keep up. If not, stay out of my way.

 

PAT

You’re abusing your position, Marshal.

 

CASH

You’re damn right I am!

 

21. INT. THE QUARTERSTAFF HOTEL – DAY

 

CASH walks into the Quartermaster Hotel and goes straight to a timid man at the desk.

 

PROPRIETOR

Help you, sir?

 

CASH

I'm looking for a man with a deformed lip. He's travelling with a man with long black hair and a beard. Are they here?

 

PROPRIETOR

What do you want with them?

 

CASH

They are murderers.

 

PROPRIETOR

They are in the first two rooms on the left at the top of the stairs.

 

CASH

You should vacate those that you are able. There is liable to be some gunfire.

 

The PROPRIETOR sets about ushering people out of harm’s way.

 

CASH takes out his pistol and climbs slowly up the stairs. He puts an ear to the door of each room and listens. He hears snoring from one and nothing from the other. He gets down on the floor and tries to look under the gap at the base of the door. He is uncertain which door to go through. Suddenly...

 

PAT

(shouting from downstairs)

Marshal? Marshal? I demand that you come down here now.

 

TROY

(from inside the room)

Who’s out there?

 

CASH gives PAT a hard stare. He steps to the side of the door, in case TROY decides to fire through it.

 

CASH

It’s Jackson. From across the hall.

 

TROY

(hesitates)

You a marshal?

 

CASH

No. That’s my name. Marshal Jackson. From Virginia. I sell...ladies underwear.

 

PAT

(continuing up the stairs)

Dammit, Marshal! Let me deal with this!

 

TROY suddenly opens the door. He sees PAT on the stairs, raises his revolver and fires. PAT catches the shot full in the face and falls down the stairs. TROY steps out of the room to look at who he has shot. CASH cracks him with the butt of his gun and he collapses. The noise of clumsy movements comes from DREW’S room. He has obviously heard the shot and the commotion and is now, having just woken, trying to get dressed. CASH steps aside from the door.

 

CASH

Drew Sawyer. This is Marshal Cash Johnson. Come to the door with your hands visible, Drew. You are trapped in that room. If you go out the window you will sure as hell break your leg and then I will shoot you like a useless horse for making me come after you.

 

DREW fires threw the door.

 

CASH

You have just ruled out any further negotiation, Drew. Your partner’s dead

 

CUT TO TROY, clearly only semi-conscious and not yet dead.

 

CASH

and you have nowhere to go. You’ve tried to shoot me, now I am obliged to shoot you. Fill your gun, ‘cause you’ll only get one chance.

 

CASH picks up TROY’S semi-conscious body and holds it in front of him.

 

CASH

I’m coming in, Drew. You’d best be ready.

 

With an effort, with the body of TROY before him, CASH kicks at the door. Bullets come flying through. TROY wakes up just long enough to die. The door gives way as CASH constantly thumps TROY’s body into it. CASH throws TROY aside. DREW’S gun is empty. DREW holds the pistol up to signify surrender.

 

CASH

Why’d you kill ‘em, Sawyer? Why’d you kill those people?

 

DREW

It wasn’t me. It was him. He shot the old feller and strangled the old lady then shot her. I just fucked her, that’s all. We both did.

 

CASH fires. DREW dies. CASH looks at the mess and walks away in disgust.

 

22. EXT. THE EDGE OF TOWN AND BEYOND – DAY

 

CASH JOHNSON rides out of town. The camera tracks him onto the wasteland outside of town and on into the distant desert.

 

 

CASH VO

Some say ghosts are made up of many things; of the crick and groan of night-time wood; of the bloody stain of death upon stone; of the final thoughts of those who have passed; of the memories of others. They say that when those who knew them have themselves passed away, then the ghost will rest, deprived of the energy that comes with the remembrance of others. So, Mary and Charlie would live a little longer; Cash Johnson would speak of them wherever he went; in cities and towns, hotels and homes and, long after he had finally gone to his rest, they would live upon the lips of others.

 

FADE OUT:

 

     END