Original subtitles

And your name is? Jud Blunt, out of Forth Smith.

Is that what them letters say?

Now you know I can't read writin'. Here. You look at 'em.

Never mind. That beard's three week old.

Our man's clean-shaved. Ride in, Mr. Blunt.

Pay for what you drink, keep your gun in the leather,

and there won't be no further trouble.

Howdy, Tom. What's this all about, Judge?

Ah, a feller by the name of Joe Maybe hit a bank in Muskogee.

Didn't get nothin', but they didn't get him. Claim he's heading this way.

How'd you know that? Oh, we're gettin' real civilized.

Got a wire you can talk through if you can riddle what it says.

Now move along, Tom. You're holdin' up the law.

Civilization. Ha! Giddap!

Wire talkin'.

Just a minute there, son.

Where you from?

Upriver.

We're lookin' for a man from upriver.

Dressed like you, looks like you.

Might even wear the same name.

What name are you wearin'?

Would it make any difference?

Might look pretty on the board we put over you.

Otherwise, we just write, "Here lies Joe Maybe.

He tried to rob a bank in Muskogee."

Providin' you got the cost of all that letterin'.

See what he's got.

Slide out of the saddle, easy like.

Don't try it!

Noonan.

You're Jim Noonan from Indian Territory.

Why didn't you tell me?

- Why didn't you ask me? - Are you sure about this, Judge?

Sure, I'm sure. Ain't no one but Noonan wears a broken star.

Ain't no one but Noonan would shoot me for bein' a fool.

Marshal, I owe you a drink.

Follow me.

Why doesn't he fall down?

I've seen him shot six times, and he never does...

Less'n he's drunk.

Funny thing, Marshal.

Wonder why we never got to meet.

Just lucky, I guess, Judge.

I used to know Bill McClintock...

him that wore the badge up in Indian Territory before you.

You did?

Got drunk with him a week before he got himself killed.

Sam Teeler from the Pecos done it.

Never did meet Sam either. I've heard of him.

Careful when you meet him. You may lose another point off'n that star.

I'll be careful.

Confound it, man!

Ain't one hole enough? What for you makin' another?

Too bad it wasn't through your head.

The doc here don't like me on account of I never send him any patients.

Let's have that jug, will you, Marshal?

All his trade goes to Jepsom, the undertaker.

And I happen to know he pays you $10 a head.

Only if the deceased can afford it.

Shall I keep 'em sittin', or can I tell 'em there's no court today?

There's court today. Get my work clothes.

Hold on, Marshal.

You sit with me. You're my guest.

Oyez, oyez. Stand up. Everybody stand up. Court's in session.

All right. Sit down, sit down.

What do we do today? Well, the first case is the railroad against Dan Watson.

Uh, this here is a railroad condemnation proceeding. Won't take long.

Proceed and be brief.

Your Honor, when the company I represent agreed to make this city...

the terminus of its western division,

we were assured that the necessary right-of-way...

to the riverbank could be obtained at reasonable prices.

We have offered Mr. Watson $1,000 for a warehouse,

a portion of which we must remove for suitable clearance.

His price is 20,000, and I say this is outrageous.

Suppose you let me say what's outrageous. What do you got to say, Dan?

Counselor Hutchins will do my talkin'.

If he does, you'll lose.

I demand a change of venue!

This court is prejudiced and admits it!

You're right. It's prejudiced.

On account of you're a liar and a cheat.

Now, if you don't like them words,

take me to court.

What for you askin' $20,000, Dan?

I figure the railroad can afford it.

Well, that's an honest statement. Only it ain't reasonable.

I figure this railroad's pretty important to our town.

Tell you what you do, Dan.

You let them have what they need of the warehouse for $2,000.

I'll have 'em build the loadin' platforms and wall up what's left for nothin'.

I'm not sure I can agree to that, Your Honor.

You'll agree on account of it's the law. The law?

What I say... That's the law on the river.

Pay Dan $2,000. And don't nobody leave.

I want you to meet Marshal Noonan.

This man carries a proud badge.

Used to belong to Bill McClintock, who died wearin' it.

Old Bill got it from Jeff Taylor, who kept the law down on the Pecos.

You'll be seeing the badge a lot.

Look out for the gun behind it.

The marshal is gonna keep things peaceful and quiet here in town till I can thumb back a hammer.

I'm... I'm afraid I can't agree to that, Judge.

You'd better. It's the law.

Court's adjourned, and drinks is on the railroad up till midnight.

I'll give you $10 a day, cartridges and a brand-new hat.

Is that fair enough?

It's more than fair, Judge, but there's a good reason why I can't accept it.

Don't want to hear it.

But I want you to hear it.

Look. There's a town up in Kansas called Abilene.

Railroad won't ever get there. Won't do 'em no good if it does.

We're fixin' to bring the trail herds in here.

Now, you're gonna like this town, Marshal.

Even give you a house... rent-free. Yeah, but I'm supposed to...

Son, you talk too much. About time we got down to some serious drinkin'.

Here. Take this off. Get my shirt.

Where's your badge?

Come on. Unpin it.

People are gonna be proud to see this badge, Marshal.

And I'd think you'd be proud to show it.

Two good men... Both of them dead.

How come your name ain't on it?

I'm not dead.

Might as well tell you, Judge. I'm... I'm a little concerned about our new marshal.

You mean you wouldn't like to be dancin' with all them fancy girls?

You know I would.

No, it's just that Noonan seems mighty young for a U.S. Marshal.

They're all young in the Territory. Don't get a chance to grow old.

You made it.

'Cause I don't put on no fancy gun show.

I never give a trigger-happy gunman an even break.

Judge Kyle?

Madigan's in town, and he is drunk and nasty.

So I see. I thought I told you to keep away from him.

Well, maybe you forgot to tell him!

I told him to keep out of town.

That's a good way to get yourself killed, Marshal.

Is it? You his girl?

Madigan thinks I am.

And he's comin' here to prove it.

Give me that shotgun.

Now, Judge, I ain't gonna let you get yourself killed... not by Madigan.

You stop your nonsense and give me that gun.

Could be he heard about your bad arm.

Still leaves me one good one.

Judge, we're payin' Noonan $10 a day to take care of men like him.

Yeah, and he'd like to meet Madigan. Wouldn't you, Marshal?

Not exactly, but... I'll be here.

You figure to outdraw Madigan?

If I have to.

You're right. He is a mite young.

I'll put some age on him. You come along with me, son.

Buy Little Brandy a drink, Ben.

Well, here's to us.

Not until I see who comes back.

This one's on me.

Startin' tomorrow, you'll have to keep the town peaceful, handle the riffraff.

Step right over here, son.

What are we hidin' for?

Keep shut.

You old goat! He had his face in the dirt!

Best time to hit 'em. Never give the other guy an even break.

Forgot to tell you. Madigan's mob fights the same way. Come on.

The rest of 'em will be in there.

Buy you a drink.

You got an empty. You got two left.

You've got 10 minutes to get out of town, all of you.

That doesn't include you ladies.

Pour them a drink.

Throw me a bottle.

Son, you ain't never gonna last.

What would you have done if they started shootin', and you with two cartridges?

Well, I guess I didn't think.

Well, I'm gonna teach you to think.

We're paying you to keep order, not to put on fancy gun shows. This is a tough town.

There's only one way to keep it clean.

Yeah, I know. Never give the other guy an even break.

Say, throw me a bottle, will you?

Steamboat's a-comin', Judge!

Jimmy.

Where'd I get this? He gave it to you.

Where'd I get him?

He's your new marshal.

How drunk was I?

Fallin' down drunk.

How drunk was the marshal?

About the same.

Put a gold piece in your jar.

I did.

You're gonna be the richest boy in college if I keep gettin' drunk.

Take $20 from the marshal.

He's broke. I'll pay his fine. Wake him up.

Who are you? Jimmy.

Who am I?

You're drunk. And you got fined $20.

Jimmy is a ward of the court. He keeps house for me here.

Now, the wash basin's over there, Marshal.

Oh, no.

Better get goin', boy. We got a lot of work to do.

Here. Try some of this coffee. It's great for hangovers.

You shouldn't get hungover.

Neither should you.

Now that's a point well taken.

His dad must be a lawyer.

Jimmy ain't got no dad.

His mother used to work at the River Palace. She died.

And the other girls just sort of adopted him?

How would you know that?

It happens.

Nice folks in town didn't think it fittin'.

Thought he might learn bad in a saloon. They could be right.

They could be.

I hear the gangplank goin' up, Judge.

Eat 'em up fast, Marshal. It's work time.

Can I bring my gun? Of course. What else?

You like rabbit stew, Marshal?

Jimmy's real handy with his gun. Sometimes he brings in a dozen cottontails.

Makes real good stew.

Judge, are you sure we're in your house?

Well, sure, I'm sure.

That's what I was afraid of.

Bein' a bachelor, it's all the house I need.

Jimmy likes it too.

Now, uh, let's separate the sheep from the goats.

Uh, step right over there, mister.

One of the boys will put your luggage back aboard. I'm not goin' back aboard.

Oh, yes, you are, on account of we got all the gamblers we need in town right now.

Got all the fancy girls we need too. Step right over there with him, miss.

Look, mister. This is a free country. I go where I want.

You're absolutely right. Only you don't stop where you want,

not if it happens to be in my town.

Now get on over there like a good girl. Go on now.

Mornin', Mrs. Wheelright. Mornin', Tom. Have yourself a nice trip up the river?

Very pleasant, thank you, Judge.

I've got something for Jimmy.

Brought it all the way from Natchez.

And it isn't a gun.

Thank you, ma'am. I'll be out to get it.

Mornin', Mrs. Ray. Mornin', Sam. Good morning, Judge.

Oh, step right over there with your friend, mister.

Who says so?

I'm not fixin' to fight the law.

Mornin', Mrs. Bilbo. Mornin'.

Howdy, Judge. Maybe!

Maybe, darling.

Don't use my name here. You're hurting my back.

- I'll break it if you don't keep quiet. - What name did she call you?

It's sort of a nickname, Judge.

Tessa always calls me "baby." I wish she wouldn't.

Why not, baby?

Baby?

I wouldn't take that from any woman.

You would if, uh,

she was your wife.

She's been in New Orleans shopping.

She was supposed to meet me here, and then we were going on to Abilene.

Mrs. Noonan. Them plans have been changed.

Your husband's gonna stay right here, ma'am. He's not...

She's a strong-minded woman, Judge.

If she says we're not gonna stay, I guess you'll just have to get yourself a new marshal.

Could be she'll change her mind when she sees the house we got for her.

Judge Kyle! What's the meaning of this outrage?

Do I understand these people are not permitted to land?

You understand it. So do they. Now take 'em back aboard.

Well, what about their passage money?

Don't bother me with trifles, Captain.

I got to show this lady her new house before I lose me a marshal.

Hey, Ben. Tell Jackson to come up here with that surrey, will you?

I'll take those bags, sailor. Yes, sir.

What are you trying to do? Keep alive. Do you mind?

Frankly, I don't care. You will when I explain.

I'm listening. So is the judge.

Help your lady aboard, Marshal. I'll sit with Jackson and the luggage.

You take over, Ben.

See we get no bad ones out of this lot.

If you have any trouble, Jimmy will help you.

Railroad's coming right through our town, ma'am.

Once the track gang gets here, your husband's gonna be real busy.

Hold it here, Jackson.

This here is the bank.

Got to take you in there sometime and have Mr. Curtis show you the vaults.

Got a steel door on 'em you couldn't bust with a cannon.

Anybody ever try to bust it?

Oh, ho! Quite a few.

They're livin' up on Boot Hill.

Remind me to show you the boards I put over 'em. Go on, Jackson.

Pull up right here, Jackson.

Whoa!

Ain't nobody lives in that house, Judge. It's plum empty.

Well, not for long.

This is it, Mrs, Noonan.

All yours, rent-free.

I really didn't expect this.

You're so right.

This is a real nice neighborhood.

Mr. Curtis and his wife live in that next house there.

A house like this is going to take a lot of furniture.

Well, it's all there.

When Miss Prentice died, she didn't take nothin' with her.

Go along in. Might be folks would like to be alone.

Now don't you tell me my manners. I'm gonna leave 'em alone.

Go ahead, pick her up.

Go on. Carry your bride across the threshold, man.

Tessa, you're wonderful. Now tell me if I'm right.

Somehow you got a hold of that badge, and somehow they think you're a marshal.

And somehow I'm going to get into that bank vault without a cannon.

Maybe, you're as wild as ever. Tell me all about it.

There's lots of time for telling.

That will just about do it.

Why?

For the same reason I gave you in Natchez.

When Sam Teeler buys my clothes, I don't like another man to muss them up.

What if I buy them?

Teeler might not like that.

Would you?

I'm never going to know.

In the house?

Yeah, well, I... I guess it rains a lot in this town.

Hey, we were talking about you. We were talking about Teeler.

And the clothes he bought for you?

He paid for my trip up here too.

We're in business together.

I'd be very happy to take over his business.

You'd be surprised how many people have tried.

Well, this is more like it.

We've been through this before in Natchez. The answer is still no.

But this time you're Mrs. Noonan, remember?

Be a smart boy, Maybe. I didn't come up here to play house with you.

Teeler's interested in that bank, and so am I.

When I learn how this town works, he'll ride in with 10 men...

and do what you'd like to do.

You're still talking about the bank?

Nothing else.

When you write to Teeler, tell him I got here first.

And I'm not just talking about the bank.

Tessa!

Drag it out and bring it down here! Breakfast is ready.

Come on! It's 9:00!

Who gets up in the middle of the night?

Well. Good mornin', Paddlefoot.

Where did you come from?

You go with the house, huh?

You hungry?

Here you are.

You don't feed dogs in the house.

On the back porch, or you'll have milk all over the floor.

Paddlefoot, we might just send her back to Sam Teeler.

Then you and me could live comfortable.

Make it a good life. When Teeler gets here, it may be a short one.

What I've got in mind might surprise Teeler... and you.

You've been lucky so far, Marshal. Don't push it.

What's this?

That's my laundry. I'll need it tomorrow.

If we're going to play house, I want a servant.

Somebody to do the laundry... and the cooking.

And repeat everything we say to Judge Kyle.

Nope. You do the laundry. I'll teach you how to cook.

Where will you learn? From that little piece of fluff at the River Palace?

I watched you last night from my window.

Strolling in the gardens.

She was all over you like a tent.

Little Brandy? She's cute.

You're not very smart. What kind of a married man are you supposed to be?

Out on the town.

You're a respectable United States Marshal, remember?

It's all in the line of duty. You...

It's the banker. Get some clothes on. I've got some clothes on.

Well-Well, get some more. That thing may be elegant in New Orleans,

but you're supposed to be the respectable wife...

of a United States Marshal, remember?

Come on.

Hurry up!

Oh. Mr. Curtis. Well, come in, won't you?

Good morning.

Good morning, Marshal.

I'm sorry I'm a little late, but... Oh, we understand.

Our honeymoon was interrupted too.

I'd like you to know Mrs. Curtis, a lady of great patience and much understanding.

How do you do, ma'am? You're quite a surprise, Marshal.

I didn't dream you'd be so young.

So young and...

Well, I'll say it. Handsome.

This is sort of a "welcome to the community" basket.

Just a few odds and ends that may come in handy.

Well, thank you very much.

Um, Mrs. Noonan's dressing. She'll be right down.

Dressing? Into her street clothes, ma'am.

You see, she had the cooking and the laundry to do,

and, well, she wanted to freshen up a little bit.

Why, she's finished with her laundry before 9:00?

Why, Marshal, you have a jewel among women. Wherever did you find her?

New Orleans, ma'am. Oh.

Um, won't you sit down? Oh, thank you.

Miss Prentice, the little lady who used to own this house, was rather old-fashioned.

But I'm sure Mrs. Noonan will brighten this room up considerably.

You can make book on that, ma'am. Make what?

Oh, he means you could bet on it safely.

Mrs. Curtis would like to have your wife meet some of her friends.

The word's got around, Marshal.

There's a whole slew of them waiting at the emporium.

They'll pretend to be surprised.

But they've got the whole deal rigged.

Oh, that's not true, and you know it!

Mrs. Curtis, this is my wife. How do you do?

And this lovely creature has already done a day's washing?

Why, she'll be a threat to the whole community.

I'm the other half of the Curtis family...

The one they keep locked up behind bars.

Behind bars?

Mr. Curtis owns the bank.

Oh. Mr. Curtis. This is a pleasure.

If you don't mind, I'd like to borrow your husband for an hour or two.

Have him meet the folks at the bank and get to see how the town works.

Strange. We... We were talking about that only this morning.

Mrs. Noonan, I brought you a basket.

Oh! Just some odds and ends.

I hope you like piccalilli.

Oh, I do... especially when it's homemade.

I see you like strawberry preserves too.

Well, that's the end of last year's supply. But you're lucky.

We're putting up a new set of preserves on Saturday.

It's sort of a community affair. And of course you're invited.

Now I'll learn if Mrs. Watkins really knows how to put up Creole peaches in brandy.

You are Creole?

Yes. Uh, French.

From New Orleans. Shall we go?

Excuse me one moment, please.

Marshal?

Your badge.

Mornin', Jimmy. How's the judge?

Hungover.

Go ahead. Ask him.

Yeah, if you know him so good, ask him.

Ask me what? These kids want to touch your badge.

Touch my badge?

I told 'em I could fix it.

Go ahead, Shorty. You're first.

Is that where the bullet hit?

The one that killed Marshal McClintock?

Yep, that's where it hit.

Hurry it up. The marshal's busy.

All right. You touched it.

Give me what you promised.

Jimmy,

when you get back from college, look me up at the bank.

I've got a job for you.

If he stays with Judge Kyle much longer, he'll never get to college.

Oh, the judge is all right.

Not as a father. Jimmy needs a home.

Don't you agree, Mrs. Noonan?

Well, I don't know much about Jimmy.

Well, I guess you don't.

He's a wonderful youngster.

But he lives down on a shanty boat with Judge Kyle.

And while I have nothing but good to say about the judge,

his manners are, to say the least, rather peculiar.

And the boy needs parents.

Now, if it were only you and the marshal...

Ooh. Come to think of it, you have an extra room in your house.

I'll put the next one right between your eyes.

I have an order that says this work is to start immediately.

And you're in contempt of court.

I got a lot of contempt for you too.

Now get out or get killed.

Mr. Stark, I'd advise you to let Judge Kyle handle this.

Mr. Watson is a dangerous man.

Why not let the marshal handle it?

If I was the judge, you'd be dead.

- You ain't the judge. - Stand still!

If you'd have gotten out of the way, I could've blasted him.

You're a lucky man, Marshal.

I've seen Dan kill bigger men than you.

Well, they were taller.

Counselor, get along with your work here now. We're waitin' on that railroad.

I can understand now, Marshal, why your wife has so much confidence in you.

Well, she won't have for long.

You ain't never gonna last, son.

I'm sure Mrs. Noonan isn't interested in banks.

I'll have her meet some friends of mine at the emporium.

And you show the marshal around.

Oh, but I am interested.

Only in the combination to the vault.

I don't think you want to turn her loose in there.

Oh, these men and their jokes.

I wonder what they'd do if someone actually did rob the bank.

Yes, I wonder.

All right, all right!

Hold the music now. The judge is gettin' set to speak.

Anytime, Your Honor!

Ladies and gentlemen,

this is a great day on the river!

And not so long ago, this place was just a prairie.

Then we built a dock.

And we've been listenin' to that whistle ever since.

The River Queen brought us a lot of business.

And it also brought us a lot of disreputable citizens.

I bought me a shotgun, and things settled down a mite. But it was still a rough town.

Then one day a man come ridin' down a river road.

With him he brung a broken star.

And the River Queen brung the marshal's lady.

And the whole town bust into bloom...

like flowers in the spring.

Now we got another whistle.

On account of we brung in the railroad.

Could be it'll bring a lot more disreputable citizens.

But we ain't worried.

Not while Marshal Noonan is here to greet 'em!

Now we'll have a few words from the marshal, and then we'll drive the golden spike.

Then everybody can retire for a drink. It's hot.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm not very good with words, but...

from where I stand, I can see wealth and prosperity comin' to this town real quick.

And maybe a little trouble.

But I guess if you want one, you've got to take the other.

They always seem to go hand in hand.

Thank you.

So you wrote your letter.

Now Mr. Curtis will drive...

the golden spike,

and everybody will please move thataway towards the tracks.

See what rode in? Yeah, I saw them.

Know who they are?

I've seen them some place before.

I haven't, but I don't like their looks.

I'll have a talk with them.

Maybe...

Maybe I'd better go along with you.

You help Mr. Curtis drive the spike.

I'll do my own talking.

Wouldn't you like to walk with us, Mrs. Noonan?

Uh, thank you, but I'd better wait for my husband.

You kids get lost.

We got company, Teeler.

Pour the marshal a drink.

Drink it.

First one's on me, Teeler.

Tess says you're good with a gun.

Claims you killed Joe Noonan.

She knows better now. You're wearin' his badge.

Only till I empty that bank.

Which you ain't gonna do.

Have a drink.

You ain't gonna empty it. That's why I'm here, among other things.

Tess wrote me you've been playin' house.

I don't like that.

And I don't like him.

You got a drink waitin'.

You know how the bank works?

I know how it works.

Suppose I get real broad-minded and forget about you and Tess.

There's nothing to forget.

Knowing Tess, I'll buy that.

There's a railroad payroll sitting in that bank.

It'll be gone tomorrow, and so will we.

We don't have any trouble, I'll cut you in for a slice.

We don't need him, Teeler. And we don't want him.

I'll go along with that.

Any of you know how to get into that vault?

That'll be your job.

Not for a lousy railroad payroll.

The trail herds will be coming in soon.

That's big money... My kind of money.

Ride in when I send for you. Get rich quick.

That sounds reasonable, and interesting.

Not to me!

I never did trust a man that'd hide behind a star.

And I ain't gonna start now.

Call it, Teeler.

Now get out of town.

I've still got nine men. You've got five shots.

You don't count good, mister.

I've got 500 shots in this thing,

and I'm ready to start sprayin'.

I told 'em they could leave.

I heard you, but it don't make no sense.

Maybe not. But I'm the law.

Get out.

You got a deal. Send for me.

I don't understand you, son.

I'm sure you don't.

Next time I'll write.

I still think Pecos was right. That's why he's dead.

No, I mean about the bank.

We should've brought that railroad payroll with us.

And the others agree with me.

Who else agrees with Durgan?

Say it. Who thinks I'm wrong?

Me. I rode a long way to that bank, and I don't like to ride back with no money.

Yeah. That's the way I feel about it too.

We can get awful hungry waitin' for Maybe to send us the word.

And I'll buy a chunk of that.

In a couple of weeks these hills are gonna be covered with beef.

Every one of those cows is gonna be worth money.

Before they're shipped East, they have to be paid for with money... a lot of money.

We may need pack mules to carry it...

after we empty the bank.

Isn't that worth waitin' for?

There ain't no law against hittin' a bank twice.

Look, I got a woman downriver.

She's an expensive woman. And I ain't going back empty.

I got me a woman right here in town.

I don't want to go away, but I'm goin'.

Not with me, you ain't. We don't need Maybe.

We can make the hit in the mornin' when they open the bank.

Anybody ridin' my way?

It's been a lovely evening, Mrs. Noonan. Good night. Good night.

Good night. Good night.

Good night, Marshal. Good night.

I've had it!

"Your husband is so brave, Mrs. Noonan.

I think he's wonderful."

I think he stinks! Thank you.

"Would you like another cup of tea, Mrs. Noonan?"

"No, I want a drink of whiskey!"

"We're having a church social next week.

Wouldn't you like to come?"

"No! I want to go to the River Palace and dance!

I want to laugh, sing and yell!"

How you do carry on, Mrs. Noonan. I'm getting out of here now!

Any particular reason? Lots of reasons.

Is Teeler one of them?

I'm tired of this masquerade. I don't like this town and I don't like you!

- But you do like Teeler. - Why don't you leave me alone?

He's coming back, you know.

When?

When I send for him.

We'll empty the bank. Then we'll all leave town together.

How soon will that be? As soon as the trail herds come in.

You won't last that long.

I saw the judge today watching you.

Like a cat watching a mouse.

He knows something.

Are you worried about me?

I'm still wearing Teeler's clothes.

You need a change.

I decided to come and live with you.

When did you decide that?

Today, at the saloon.

- When did you get here? - A while ago.

Hope you don't mind... I fixed supper for me, and for him.

- You heard us come in? - I heard you.

What else did you hear?

I got homework to do.

It's late. You better get to bed.

Where do I sleep?

I'll show you, Jim.

Can I take him too? Sure. Why not?

Come on, boy.

All right, hit it.

I don't have to say my prayers?

The judge always makes me say 'em.

Then I guess you better.

Bless Shorty, Red, Bucktooth.

Bless the judge and maybe...

Maybe everything will be all right.

Bless Little Brandy, the marshal...

and Mrs. Noonan.

Amen.

I brought you some milk and cookies. Thank you.

It's a nice room. I think you'll like it.

I'll like it.

Well, good night. Good night.

How much do you suppose he heard?

I don't know, but I'll worry about it tomorrow.

Not in here.

Where, for instance?

There's a nice thick rug downstairs. Why don't you try it?

Uh... Look, what if Jimmy gets up first?

That'd be kinda hard to explain.

You've got lots more than that to explain.

It's in there, Jimmy.

Get up on the porch.

You can't come with me.

I'm late for school.

What are you doing in there?

Well, I'm not takin' a bath.

But if you'd like to, I'd be glad to scrub your back for you.

It's a mighty pretty back too.

You could have slept on the sofa, and you know it.

Yeah. There's a lot of places I could've slept.

Get out. Suppose Jimmy should come in and find you here.

Scrubbin' my wife's back?

That's an old family custom.

Marshal! They come back!

They all come back!

They're robbin' the bank!

They're what? They're robbin' it. Honest.

My bank? They're robbin' my bank?

So Teeler made a deal?

Well, he didn't keep it.

You stay home. I'll tell you what happens.

Gimme that shotgun!

Who's next?

Real quiet, ain't it?

Yeah, real quiet.

Where's Sam Teeler? I wouldn't know.

Well, you should. You let him ride out yesterday with these renegades.

What makes you so sure? I thought you told me you'd never seen Teeler.

Well, I hadn't till last night.

Then I went through the files and I found his picture.

Underneath it was written, "Wanted for murder."

I've never seen that picture. That's funny.

I found it in your office, right on top of the pile.

You get paid $10 a day to look.

Let's just say I made a mistake.

If you did, you certainly corrected it this morning.

Let me thank you for savin' my bank.

I feel kinda like it's my bank too.

- Well, that's real nice of you. - Yeah. Real nice.

But if you would've put Teeler and his mob in jail yesterday,

there wouldn't be no fight this morning.

And Teeler wouldn't be on the loose.

I've got a feelin' he'll be comin' back.

Thanks a lot.

For what? Letting me know about the bank.

May I speak with you, Marshal?

Alone.

I lose more men that way.

Why didn't you nail up that gate?

You should move your office into the River Palace.

You've been here every night for the last week. I should.

The bathtubs are much softer here.

Tonight you can use Jimmy's bed.

He's gone.

When did he leave?

When neither of you came home for supper, I went to his room.

His things are gone. So is the puppy.

Marshal?

Aren't you heading the wrong way?

Could be.

What's the matter, Mrs. Noonan? Can't you train your husband?

No. But I'm good at training cats.

Especially alley cats.

Didn't you like our home, Jimmy?

It was sort of crowded.

You had your own room.

A real nice room.

Yeah, real nice.

Maybe that's what's wrong. I ain't used to nice homes.

I was born in a saloon.

Funny thing.

I knew a fellow once...

He was born in a saloon too.

His mother was one of the girls that worked there.

Her name was May.

May what?

I wouldn't know.

She died very young.

I guess the girls sort of adopted this fellow.

That's right.

Did he have a name?

No, not really.

Girls all called him "May's boy."

Somewhere along the way it got shortened to "Maybe."

He needed a front name, so he called himself "Joe Maybe."

Then the women in town... they wouldn't let him live in the saloon anymore.

Was that how it was?

This was a different kind of a town.

Nobody cared much about kids. Not those kind of kids.

Didn't care if they learned anything or not.

You can learn things in a saloon.

Like what? Slim Jack, the gambler...

He was teaching me to deal seconds.

Promised to teach me a fast draw when my hands got bigger.

This fellow Maybe... where'd he learn his fast draw?

In a saloon.

Like you say, a fella can learn a lot of things in a saloon.

Joe Maybe...

He learned how to steal gold dust from drunken miners.

Pretty soon, he learned how to rob a bank.

Too bad there wasn't a fella like Judge Kyle around to tell him it was wrong.

Yeah. Too bad.

What happened to this Joe Maybe?

He met a nice girl.

Another fella's girl.

And he met some nice people.

Got himself all mixed up inside.

Like trying to be someone who he ain't?

That's about it.

It's gettin' kinda late.

Tessa will be worried about us.

You're gonna get a broken back sleepin' in that bathtub.

Jimmy? Why ain't you in school?

On account of it's Saturday. Is the judge in?

Ah, he's in. But you know he don't like dogs in his courtroom.

But this is my dog.

Well, I guess that makes a difference then.

Jimmy.

You fixin' for a killin'?

Sort of.

What about the shoulder?

It's fair. Pulls a little when I draw, so I'm wearin' the leather lower.

You gonna enjoy this killin'?

Not exactly.

Ain't nobody in his right mind enjoys a killin'.

It's worse when it's someone you like.

You wouldn't do a thing like that, Judge.

You take Paddlefoot over there. Suppose he got the rabies.

You wouldn't want to kill him. You wouldn't like to kill him. But you'd have to.

What's the rabies?

When he's sick and crazy in his head.

Bites everything he sees. And everything he bites dies.

He ain't crazy in his head. And he ain't gonna kill anybody unless he has to.

Maybe you're wrong about his killin'.

Suppose Paddlefoot comes home one day, Jimmy.

In his mouth he's got a piece of a dog's collar.

Maybe the collar has a name on it.

The one who wore it, he never shows up again.

It would be reasonable to assume that Paddlefoot did the killin'.

He did not! I swear he didn't!

Maybe he's mixed up a little inside, but he ain't crazy.

Could be he's just bad.

That happens to a man. Or a dog.

Gets born wrong or raised wrong.

Everything he learns is bad.

So he lives bad.

Suppose he tries to change?

His kind never change, Jimmy.

I guess you're right.

If you're born in a saloon, you're bad.

Everybody says you're bad, so there's nothin' else to do.

I didn't mean that.

You know I didn't mean that.

Judge! The trail herd's comin'.

Where are they now? Well, they're up over the ridge, headin' for town.

What for you standin' around when there's a trail herd comin' into town?

Court's adjourned.

This is a great day, Marshal.

This is gonna make our city the gateway to the West. Yes, sir, it will.

Let us hope that those who pass through will do it quietly,

especially the trail drivers.

Well, I wouldn't worry about that, Reverend.

I've met a lot of 'em. They're nice people. Good.

I've been lookin' all over for you. Where've you been, visiting with the judge?

- Uh-huh. - Think you can sit that saddle?

Mr. Peters down at the saddle shop made it special for you.

Where did you steal the horse?

He's a present from Tessa. How'd you like to ride out and help bring the trail herd in?

Would I?

You stay here, Paddlefoot. I'll be right back.

Oh, boy. A new rifle boot too.

Sure. A man can't be ridin' out without his gun.

Besides, we might get some practice.

It's a big drive, Jimmy. Looks like they got 'em here in good shape too.

Can we talk to those fellows ridin' point?

Sure. Why not?

Howdy, Marshal. I'm Sam Mason, trail boss.

Brought a few thousand head up from Texas. Can you handle 'em?

Can if you don't crowd us.

Take a few hundred into town. You'll find the holding pens at end of track.

Leave the others on the grass and feed them in slow.

Good enough. Say hello to Teeler and the boys while I pass the word.

Son, you ride on with the trail boss. I'll pick you up later.

We decided to ride in with the herd.

You make a lot of decisions. Some of them are not too smart.

You mean about the bank?

Durgan and the rest... they wanted to make the hit. I was against it.

When I make a deal, I keep it.

Is that why you're here? What else?

You said it was gonna take a lot of money to pay for that beef.

And we're here to help you collect it.

You know Yuma and Clovis?

No, I don't know them. But do they know I'm boss?

Sure, Marshal. We understand everything.

We'll do just as you say... Maybe.

You'll do just as I say, and you'll forget the "Maybe."

Stop that, kid! You'll have 'em all runnin'!

Move up and hold 'em!

Get! Get up there! Get up there!

What happened? What happened to Jimmy?

He had a fall. He'll be all right. Get some whiskey.

Whiskey?

I didn't mean to start 'em. I didn't mean to.

Don't worry about it, son. Everything's gonna be all right.

It was my fault. I let him rope the lead steer, and he jerked the saddle off.

I don't care how or why. He's hurt.

It was nobody's fault but mine. I'm all right.

Takes more than a little fall to keep a man like you down.

Ow! What are you doing?

I'm doctorin' him. Doctoring him?

You go and get the doctor. I'll watch over him.

No doctor. I'm gonna get up.

You're going to do exactly what I tell you to do. Both of you.

Now we're going to get all the cuts and bruises cleaned up.

Could you make him go away?

I mean if you went with him.

Don't you like us? You know better than that.

Then why do you want us to go away? The judge will get him.

He's been watching, waiting him out. He's sure he killed Noonan.

He didn't kill Noonan. Joe was being chased.

They came to the rim of the canyon and...

You stay here. Anybody comes, let me know.

You stay right there.

Surprised? Yes.

Maybe didn't say anything about sending for you.

He didn't.

Where's that kid Maybe brought in here? Why?

He saw me ride in with the herd. I wouldn't want him to tell that gun-happy judge.

He won't.

If you say it, I'll buy it.

You and Maybe have a nice family setup here, kid and all.

Well, it's all over now.

You're mussing my dress.

I'll buy you a new one.

I'll buy you a dozen new dresses with a diamond brooch to wear on each one.

As soon as we hit the bank, I'm gonna make you the best dressed woman in New Orleans.

When does this happen? Tonight.

Have you talked to Maybe about it? Why bother? I don't need him.

Clovis and Yuma have knocked open better vaults than that.

All they need's two or three hours.

See to it that we're not interrupted.

There are some things I want to tell you.

Things haven't been working out the way they should.

Why not? The bank is full of money, and we're here to get it.

This isn't the time. Judge Kyle is suspicious.

He watches every move Joe makes.

If anything happens to the bank tonight, he'll know the answer.

Only half the answer. He doesn't know that I'm in town.

He knows Joe Maybe's in town.

Lucky judge. He's got someone to blast with that shotgun.

Is that what you're planning to do?

I figure to get Maybe killed, if that's what you mean.

Now listen fast. I want you to keep the judge and Maybe busy tonight.

Keep them away from the bank. Understand? I understand.

As soon as Maybe hears the vault blow, he'll ask questions.

Tell him that I took the river road, and that I'll meet him in Natchez.

And if I do? We'll ride out over the cattle trail.

It'll leave no sign.

That's Yuma. Somebody's coming. How do I get outta here?

There's a gate in the backyard. It will lead to the River Palace.

Real handy. See you in New Orleans.

Well, Mrs. Noonan, let's have a look at that boy of yours.

He's upstairs.

Are you sure you won't have another piece of strawberry cake?

Ma'am, I ate most of that cake right down to the plate.

Uh, perhaps I could do with a little more brandy though.

Why, of course.

Pour him some coffee, ma'am. I'll take care of the brandy.

- What about you, Marshal? - No, thanks, Judge.

- I'm getting a little sleepy. - Oh, I'm sorry, dear.

It's an old Creole custom.

Gettin' sleepy?

Sitting late at the table.

Why, in New Orleans we sometimes sit down to dinner at 7:00,

and don't leave the table until midnight.

Well, we busted that record hours ago. Ma'am, I've just gotta get some sleep.

Oh, shame on you. The evening has just begun.

Not for me, honey.

I want to go to bed.

And I want to dance.

We haven't had a real party since we've been married.

And this is a wonderful evening for dancing.

Won't you dance with me, Judge?

Well, I might try a few steps, if we can get someone to whistle a tune.

I can't dance without music.

There's music at the River Palace.

It keeps me awake most of the night, while my husband is on duty.

Ma'am, nice ladies don't dance at the River Palace.

Oh, yes, they do, if they're wearing a pretty new dress...

and want everyone to see.

Do you like it?

Well, I noticed it.

When did you get it? Today.

On account of it's payday, and I give her your wages.

Take a quick look, Judge. I wear the pants in this family.

And she wears the dresses, and she's better lookin' than you are.

Come on. Let's show off your pretties.

Let's go the back way. It's closer.

Judge, you sure picked a fine house for a newly married man.

Sometimes we don't get to sleep till 4:00 in the morning.

And you're complainin'?

Aren't you being a bit reckless, Marshal?

You know there are two sides of the street in this town.

And your wife doesn't belong on this one.

Or does she?

And maybe the same thing goes for you too.

I've had a lot of people asking.

Have you?

Where do you walk, Marshal?

Let's just say I walk in the middle of the street.

Shall we dance?

Here's a pretty girl for you, Judge.

Not very bright, but very pretty.

Little Brandy.

This is my night, remember?

And I'm wearing a new dress.

One you bought for me.

It's quite all right if you muss it.

What if I told you Teeler was in town?

He wants to hit the bank. What do you want to do?

What do you want me to do?

Dance with me.

All night?

Almost all night.

And when I see Teeler? You're not going to see him.

Neither am I.

The River Queen is leaving in the morning for New Orleans.

We'll be aboard when she leaves.

What happens to the bank?

Does it matter?

Matters to him.

And a lot of nice people who think we're nice.

How long can it last?

The judge knows who you are. He's waiting only for a chance to kill you.

Let's get out while we can.

It's just one of the trail drivers... celebrating.

With a cannon?

Did you hear what I heard?

Sounded like dynamite.

I'll have a look around.

The bank! They robbed the bank, Judge!

You and your pretty, new dress.

Turn around.

Judge, he didn't know. You were with him all night. He didn't know about it.

You're supposed to be fast with that gun. Make your play.

Funny thing. I thought you never gave the other guy an even break.

And I was right.

Teeler took the cattle trail.

Thanks again, Jimmy.

Hah!

You see them, son? I seen 'em.

Took the river road, eh?

Took my horse too. This a private fight, Judge?

Not no more. Get mounted and I'll swear you in as deputies while we ride.

You heard what he said. Let's go!

Ah, I can't figure who shot out that light.

Could've been one of Teeler's men.

All the way from the bank?

Hyah!

Act smart, and we can make a deal.

What kind of a deal?

I'm carryin' what we took from the bank.

Ride with me, and we'll split it down the middle.

We're ridin' back to town. Mm-mmm.

Much as I'd like to tell that judge about you.

You'll get your chance.

You wanna start 'em runnin'?

You ever been in the middle of a stampede?

You better make up your mind before they catch up with us.

It's made up.

I shouldn't rightly let you go, ma'am.

Leastwise, not till the judge says it's all right.

She didn't do anything. He's right, Jimmy.

Let's not argue about it.

If that's the way it has to be, well...

They won't get far. I'll get busy on the telegraph.

Every town on the river will be waitin' for 'em.

Thanks for your help, boys.

If you had asked me, I could've told you.

Told me what?

That he didn't take the river road.

You let me handle the judge. I'll get you aboard the River Queen.

Mrs. Noonan there wants to go downriver.

She ain't Mrs. Noonan and you know it. Yeah, I know it.

I know a lot of things. So do you.

She ain't done nothin' wrong, Judge. She told a lie.

What right you got posin' as a decent woman?

No right at all.

Whatever Teeler took from the bank you'll find in those bags.

He's got a few things he'd like to tell you about me.

Maybe he don't have to tell me.

That's what I thought.

What else did you think?

That Tessa and I oughta be movin' along.

Good-bye, Jimmy.

Turn around.

You ain't goin' nowhere. Lift 'em.

Lift 'em!

Long as it rubbed off, you might as well keep it.

But if you scratch your name on it,

be sure and write "Joe Maybe."

Good thing I didn't give you a shotgun.

- Ever sleep in a bathtub? - - What?

You better marry them.

You be in my chambers at 9:00. That's the law.