Original subtitles

Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please.

What you are about to experience is not a show for entertainment.

It is a review of the down-to-earth events

that made the American frontier.

In less than 15 years, this great nation will celebrate the 20th century.

We do not know what glories await us in the future,

but we do know of a past that laid the foundation.

And that foundation was not built from heroes,

but from the anonymous settler.

Their home was but a shack, roofed in with sod.

Oft times, the floor was made of clay.

One door shut out the wind and storm.

One window greeted the dawning day.

These brave souls survived not only nature,

but the savage instincts of man,

paving the way for the heroes that endured.

Hey, David. Get the rifle!

Welcome, then, to the real events

enacted by men and women of the American frontier,

to whose courage, strength and above all, their faith,

this piece of our history is dedicated.

Cease action! Cease the action.

From the beginning. One, two.

Isabel, are you wearing your costume?

I want everybody wearing their costume for the next rehearsal.

Hey, lady without your costume...

Mr. Salsbury! Mr. Salsbury!

What is it?

The horse stepped clean through him.

- That's a real thing. - Don't touch him.

All right. Everybody get Eats Rabbit to the dispensary right now.

That's not Eats Rabbit. It's Brown Horse.

Dart. You guys, help take him over there.

Come on. All right. Now, be careful with him now.

Tell Joy that she should not to get on the horse from the back.

It looks fake. And we're in the authentic business.

I was thinking of using fire. Setting the cabin on fire.

Fire. That's not a bad thought at all.

So one morning, I'm wandering through the camp,

and I spot this scrawny looking kid lying underneath a wagon.

I drag him out. I take one look at him,

and I know I can make him a star.

I ask him, "What's your name?"

He says, "Cody, Bill Cody."

I say, "What do you do?"

He says, "I'm a scout and a buffalo hunter."

Well, I'm really going to write about somebody

because I got a batch of exciting new plots I might take to Hickok,

except I'm mad at him.

So, I say to the kid, "From now on, your name is Buffalo Bill,

"and in six months, the whole damn country is gonna know about you."

If you had an Indian on the top of that tower,

he could shoot a flaming arrow right into the settler's cabin.

That's what we call "punch relief."

At a church service in Deadwood City,

I met and rubbed elbows with a young man named William F. Cody.

I was so impressed by his skill as a marksman

and his success as a hunter,

that I nicknamed him Buffalo Bill.

Morning, Missy.

Hey, Nate, take a look at this.

How's the healing coming?

Wait till you see how good she's doing with her left hand.

Show him, honey. Watch this, Nate.

Beautiful.

Oh. Just like the old Missy.

And sure enough, in a few months those stories come out,

they're a big success, and the kid comes looking for me.

Scared to death about the legend I created,

but real excited about his new fame.

And again, I say just one thing and only one thing.

I say, "Bill, any youngster like yourself

"who figures to set the world on fire,

"best not forget where he got the matches."

I want you to back me up on this against Bill.

The Indian music...

I want to protect her...

But when I was a stock actor, there was more organization...

Which is why you've got to make it clear to Bill

just how serious this situation can be.

When did this transmit come in?

Is this something I have to pay attention to right now?

What is this?

Are you listening to me, Nate?

Excuse me, boys, we're trying to have a conversation here about Annie Oakley.

I don't mean to badger you on this,

but I am Annie's husband.

And I have a solemn duty...

Damn it, Nate, are you going to tell Bill or not?

Maybe you'd better speak to him yourself, Frank.

- What can I do for you, gentlemen? - All right, I will.

- Mr. Butler. - What?

Major Burke's in there with him now.

He doesn't want to be disturbed.

Oh, yeah? Well, this is damn important now.

No, he said...

Bill, I don't...

Good to see you, Frank. Good to see you.

Listen, my glass got empty somehow.

Could you put a couple of fingers in there for me?

- Thank you, Frank. - My pleasure.

Now, if you don't want to be Mexicans,

I'm sure we can find some very, very good people who would like to be.

Oh, no, sir. We still want to be part of the show.

- You do? And you want to be Mexicans? - Yes, sir.

Well, no. We don't want to be Mexicans if we can...

Well, you know, when I was traveling with the Troubadours,

there were times when I was asked to be a colored.

- Now, do I look like a colored? - Oh, no, no, sir.

But when I had to play a colored, I was a colored.

I fought a colored, I drank a colored, I walked a colored.

I was a colored.

All right, you can be Rodriquez and Ricardo.

You can be Morales and Miguel.

You can be Los Gatos Grande.

Los Latigueros de Mexico, that has to do with whips.

Okay. That's it. Los Latigueros de Mexico.

I'm gonna give you an almost top spot...

Listen, Frank, would you mind getting out of the middle of my...

Conference, Bill.

My conference here, and wait your turn like the others?

- Ed? - Yes, sir.

I thought I said no interruptions.

Yes, sir, Uncle Will, but...

- Now, honor my wishes. - Yes, sir.

Adios, pard, wish me luck.

John, you got me. You don't need luck.

Remember, anything historical is mine.

Everything historical is yours, Bill.

Leaving by way of the dispensary?

Hey, yes, come on. Giddyup!

- Major? - Giddyup. Yes, sir?

Bull's eye. Heroic villains.

Revolutionize. Injuns. Whites. What's the plot, Major?

The plot. The plot.

Why don't you string those pearls together and devise us

a nice little Buffalo Bill fable, uniquely original.

Whoa!

Let me read it when I get back.

All right.

I'll even give you the legend.

Enemies in '76, friends in '85.

Godspeed.

All right. Giddyup, boy. Giddyup.

Giddyup.

Annie. Annie.

Excuse me, I...

The Shakespeare of the half dime. Sit down.

Something's up, Ned.

Bill and Nate sent Burke out of here on the fly.

You got any ideas?

Burke gave me a few clues.

Something about Injuns and whites,

heroic villain, 50 bucks a week.

Foes in '75, friends in '86.

"Foes in '75,

"friends in '86."

That shouldn't be hard to figure.

Nate and Bill are in the big time now.

They can afford to spend 50 bucks a week.

Now, tell me, what Injun villain do you know who's worth that amount?

- Sitting Bull. - Sitting Bull?

- Why, sure. - Is he tame?

What about the army?

The army would love it. They can't shoot him now.

Not till the Sioux chiefs sign those treaties.

So they put him in a Wild West,

make a broad-assed fool of him, the rest is easy.

A rock ain't a rock once it becomes gravel.

What did he mean by the rocks and gravel?

It's just Buntline's way of saying he's lost his power.

- Mr. Keen. - Every great author has his literalisms.

- Mine are revolving around... - Mr. Keen.

I heard the new acts. General Custer's brother.

That's not what we heard, Eddie.

No? Who did you hear it was?

We know who it is, Ed.

- Who? Tell me. - Sitting Bull.

- Sitting Bull? - Sitting Bull.

Sitting Bull. I didn't know he was interested in the show business.

If he wasn't interested in the show business,

he wouldn't have become a chief, Ed.

In my youth, I fought with a young brave of the Sioux tribe

named Standing Bull.

And I beat him.

When he sat on the ground after the fight was over,

and swore revenge on me by all the gods of heaven and hell,

I laughed at him and I called him Sitting Bull.

I tell you, there ain't no business like the show business.

Hi, Joy.

Sitting Bull...

Now, a whole lot of folks are saying that Bill's drinking

has destroyed his memory. But it ain't so.

Besides, Bill wouldn't let anything do harm to his regard for his troupe.

So you can put those stories to rest.

But Bill's drinking. Well, that's a different matter.

Why, just two months ago, Nate Salsbury asked Bill to become a foe of the cork.

And Bill promises solemnly

that he'll never be seen under the influence again.

Until one day...

...Bill tells Nate he's given the subject a great deal of thought,

and he figures that he'll need at least one drink a day.

Now, of course, Bill's daily ration

is in a schooner the size of a small shipping vessel.

Here's the man we've all been waiting for.

The man whose place in history and solid character

have made him popular throughout the continent.

Ladies and gentlemen, the one, the only,

America's national entertainer,

let's put one all together now for William F. Cody, Buffalo Bill!

Great start.

See that girl on the left there?

- Again. - The one that works in the laundry, Annie?

- Little Joyce. - Don't point.

I saw her the other day, between the tents and...

And she was hugging a man.

Ed, don't talk to Annie while she's using live ammunition.

Your hand is shaking.

Honey, I'm doing the best I can. I'm fighting wind out here.

Get everybody to the podium, you know.

The entire company to the podium.

On the triple. Hurry up. To the podium.

Is everybody here? Joy, too?

Now. Again.

You look very stylish, Missy.

One more. That's all, honey. Then you've got to rest.

After rehearsal the other day...

- Down. Frank. -...had our reservations about the show.

Perhaps we've bitten off more than was chewable and that by enlarging our show,

we had possibly disimproved it.

That's fine. That's really fine.

Oh, Bill. Bill, I have got to talk to you about a matter...

Honey!

- Sorry. - Easy.

We got a serious problem on our hands.

Ned Buntline's back again.

- He is? - Yeah.

Did you hear that? Why didn't you tell me?

Even down to the Indians.

Watch this.

Now, Nate Salsbury doesn't long wind,

but he does want to say he's proud that you're proud

to be part of America's national family.

And you, too.

- Nate. - What, Bill?

Anyway, Bill, I know how damn upset you'd be

if he was to write anything harmful about our Annie.

Buntline is on the ground.

I know. He's back at his old table.

But all you have to do is give me the word and I'll arrange for him to leave.

I appreciate your concern, Bill.

I couldn't do that, Nate.

Listen.

You go on over there now and get rid of him without me telling him.

And don't you tell me that you told him.

All right.

What's going on over there?

It's Brown Horse's funeral. I told you three days ago we lost him.

He was a Shoshone, wasn't he?

He was.

You know, I won the Medal of Honor

for killing every Shoshone in a raiding party they sent me to.

Doesn't seem that long time ago.

Yes, sir. You rode into the valley of death and rode out again.

Remember, son, the last thing a man wants to do is the last thing he does.

- Nate. - Bill.

That was the best rehearsal yet.

Your entrance was the top. It was tremendable.

That was a good idea of yours.

- Why was that? - Giving the Injuns slower horses.

Bill.

Money in the bank.

Oh. Remember what I told you about telling me.

Right. I won't tell you.

Business is good and it's getting better.

That's 'cause times are bad and getting worse.

That's when the show business flourishes, when times are bad.

Hope it stays that way.

The place will be open in three minutes.

Well, I'll be goddamned if it ain't nervous Nate.

Buntline, you're not doing anybody a favor by being here.

I ain't in the favor business, Nate.

I want you to leave my camp right now.

It surely is your camp, ain't it?

And a damn fine job you're doing.

It's better than I could ever have done.

What a fine citizen you're making out of Bill.

Why, he don't even seem like the same man anymore.

Never gets into trouble. Never looks bad in public.

All I care about is the Wild West.

I'm going to Codify the world.

Now why didn't I think of that?

Because I'm the only partner Bill Cody ever had who tells him the truth.

And in the end, we always agree.

I was taught that when two partners always agree,

one of them ain't necessary.

Look, Buntline,

we've just signed the most futurable act in our history,

so I don't want anything or anybody creating problems.

Who's that? The act?

Sitting Bull.

Sitting Bull. Well.

Nate, that's quite a coup.

But you tell Bill Cody

that I ain't leaving till he comes in here and personally invites me out.

We have one of the great chiefs of the Sioux tribe, Sitting Bull, here with us.

And he's going to be in the same arena with the noblest white skin of them all.

I'm also speaking about

the great counterpoint, Sitting Bull and William F. Cody fiasco.

Nate, John's going to ride to the top of Bill's list for this one.

Charm or vanity, sincerity, sweetness and youthfulness

speak of the man as the recreation of God in human form.

Uncle Will?

Uncle Will.

You only got a few minutes.

He must be the big one in the red blanket.

Sure don't look like no ordinary Injun.

I ain't buying no ordinary Injun.

Go on and help Nate with the welcoming committee.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, son.

Good trip?

Hello, Johnny.

- How are you? - Great, great, great event.

He's got more scalps than any other Indian chief alive.

But he ain't so big.

All set? Number four, Major Burke's Return. Down stick.

Is this where you're going to meet?

You'll be right in the way of everything.

Kenny, get the best kind of photo there...

We have met the enemy and he is ours.

That gentle Sweeney, a melody for every momentous moment.

Where's Bill?

- Where's Bill? - I don't know.

Get 'em down, Sergeant.

Come here, Mr. Buntline.

Come over here and look at Sitting Bull.

The son of a bitch must be seven foot tall.

He's getting smaller every year.

I'm ready to dispose of my prisoners.

Sweet McLaughlin, you are now in Codyland.

Sitting Bull is no longer your prisoner,

but a star in the Buffalo Bill heavens.

As far as I'm concerned, he's a murderer.

And he's my responsibility till I turn him over to Cody.

Just let me introduce Mr. Nate Salsbury.

Nate, you must meet this remarkable character.

This is James McLaughlin of Standing Rock.

I'm Cody's partner.

Yes, he'll be here momentablly.

I trust you had a pleasant trip.

I had a miserable trip. I don't like horse backing,

especially delivering Indians to some damn circus.

The one thing the Wild West Show is not is a circus.

This is all just part of the show business. Part of Buffalo Bill's

-unerring sense of theatrical timing. - I haven't got time.

That's my star.

He belongs to all of us, Nate.

Our star.

- America's. - America's.

I hope you had a comfortable journey, Major.

Bill. Dear Bill.

Major.

Gentlemen, in this moment fraught with friendship,

with history humming harmonic overtones,

Bill, I have the distinct pleasure

of presenting Chief Sitting Bull.

Chief, it gives me pleasure

to present to you the Honorable William F. Cody,

Buffalo Bill!

Well, I would just like to take this occasion

to congratulate you on your safe journey.

And to extend a titanically momentous welcome

to Buffalo Bill's Wild West.

Now me and my staff are simply the best at what we do.

And what we do is to make the best look better.

Now when you find out

what we got planned for your act here...

Hiya, Chief.

Golly, it's the runt.

My name is William Halsey.

Chief Sitting Bull has chosen to speak through me.

The many moons of his incarceration has emptied his strength,

and he wishes to rest.

What's an incarceration?

Jail.

Well, Halsey. Halsey. That's a white name, isn't it?

Got a little white blood in you there, Halsey?

Halsey, you tell your chief

that the people standing in front of him are

a part of the finest spectacle

in the history of the show business.

I've watched them all grow from raw, plain talent

into personages of importance.

Now, you tell your chief that we can do that for him, too.

And I promise you after even one season in this show,

he'll never, ever be mistaken for

a below average run-of-the-mill forgettable Indian chief.

Plus, he's gonna have something to fall back on in his later years.

Something that...

Long trip, huh, Chief?

Well,

I just wanted to welcome you here.

More specifically, to Buffalo Bill's Wild West.

You'll find that it ain't all that different from real life.

Gentlemen, Injuns.

Come on, Brigham.

Why didn't you tell me? I thought he was the big one, too.

Where'd you get that idea?

How big is the little one off the horse?

Burke.

Don't worry, Nate, he's big enough to fill the arena.

So, Sitting Bull's the little fella, huh?

He don't look so savage to me.

But I'm gonna sleep with a shotgun under my bed every night.

You know, Sitting Bull's famous for scalping folks in their beds.

I sure hope Bill can handle him.

I don't think it's disappropriate

to play a personal chord here.

We all know sociable chaff is cheap.

But history,

real history, is hard come.

And the man I'm about to celebrate

is not a mere personation of a patriot,

but the true monarch of genuity.

Scout, showman,

family person, valued partner,

America's National Entertainer William Frederick, Bill...

Uncle Will.

Sitting Bull don't want to live with the other Injuns.

Wait a minute, hold it, boys.

Now what was that?

Sitting Bull doesn't seem to like his recommodations.

Well, what's wrong?

He didn't exactly say, Uncle Will.

He just said he wants to live across the river on the flat ridge.

He wants to live across the river.

If you're smart, you'll lock them dog eaters in the stockade.

Nobody can cross that river. Not us, not you. Nobody.

Gentlemen, that particular river is impossible to cross.

I mean, we've already lost, I don't know, three horses,

six Blackfeet Indians and a bargeload of show equipment

valued at, what's that, $16,000...

Well, what about if he does get across?

A man crosses that river, he deserves the land.

Then he'll be in a strategic position to escape.

You can't get there.

Go on, boys, tell him.

Impossible to cross, huh?

Boys, that's exactly where I want Sitting Bull. On that flat ridge up there.

You see, that way I can watch 'em all the time from my chair here.

McLaughlin.

You see, I'm smart enough to know

that the difference between a white man and an Injun

in a situation like this is us whites are smart enough

to know an Injun always turns down your first offer.

Laugh it up, boys.

Uncle Will, how did Sitting Bull cross the river?

- Good evening, Mr. Halsey. - Why are they coming?

Should we holler for help?

We are the help.

Nate. Nate.

Shouldn't we holler for help?

I'll handle this with Bill.

Bill, Sitting Bull's on his way here.

He seems to have his whole group with him.

Our unpredictable friends seem to be on the warpath

and they're headed in this direction.

I see 'em.

Uncle Will, they crossed the river again, and they ain't even wet.

They did, huh?

We're with you, Bill.

Sonia, finish that later.

Well, Chief.

A twilight raid, huh?

Tell me. What've you got in your mind?

Sitting Bull has said that he is here by the will of the Great Spirits,

and by their will, he is chief.

His heart is red and sweet,

for whatever passes near tries to lick him with its tongue

and the bears taste the honey

and the green leaves lick the sky.

If the Great Spirits have chosen anyone to be leader of their land,

it is Sitting Bull.

Halsey,

you tell Sitting Bull that Buffalo Bill says

his leaves can turn whichever way he wants,

so long as he knows which way the wind is blowing.

I think I gave him back the same kind of murky logic that he gave us.

What do you think?

Halsey, what Buffalo Bill means to say is...

Buffalo Bill doesn't need an interpreter, Burke.

What Buffalo Bill means to say is

that Sitting Bull is here to relive great moments of his history

for the pleasure of thousands of paying customers.

Sitting Bull says that history is nothing more than disrespect for the dead.

When did he say that? He don't even look interested.

Sitting Bull's mind is rested and clear and he is ready to negotiate.

What are you talking about? That's already been done. Right, Burke?

- Right. Right. Right. - Burke!

Sitting Bull wants blankets.

Well, they're cold.

You think we could write eight, ten, twelve blankets into the deal?

Sitting Bull wants blankets for all his people at Grand River.

Well, now, wait a minute. What do you think this is, an army surplus store?

There are only 106 Hunkpapa Sioux left at Grand River.

106?

God, Burke, five years ago, we counted 10,000 braves alone.

Mr. Halsey, the Wild West is delighted to give the blankets

as a gift to those people.

Burke, get a story out on this on the transmit right away.

- I'm sure we can get feature cover copy. - You've got it.

Splash it over the front pages.

The benevolence of Buffalo Bill.

Great human interest stuff.

A fascinating follow-up to the historic events of today, Chief.

All right. Negotiation settled.

Weary, weary, but there's no rest for the fragile.

Get over there and see that he don't steal anything.

Sitting Bull wants six weeks' salary to send to his people now.

He wants what?

I thought Burke took care of that. What the hell is going on?

Music box.

Mr. Halsey, these demands...

- Make music. -...are not only disappropriate,

but totally out of the question.

You get Sitting Bull to sit down.

I want to look him in the eye when we talk about money.

Sitting Bull knows the value of money but he never talks about it.

What's that supposed to mean? Ed!

You didn't make this thing deep enough.

Mr. Halsey, what you're talking about is prepayment

and we don't do that without a contract.

Also, he will own his own photographs.

Hell he will!

I got all photographic rights and historics.

Sitting Bull says a man may never let go of his face,

therefore he will own his own photographs.

My ass!

Nate!

Why, that's highway robbery and he knows it. Ed, would you...

I ain't gonna put up with it. You ain't gonna put up. We ain't gonna put up with it.

It's bedlam in here. I can't think.

I'm going to lie down and take a nap.

Margaret, stop the singing. We lost the moment.

Are you going to be sharp with me, Bill?

- Margaret! - You see.

You've upset Buffalo Bill.

Halsey, tell the Chief we pay for work performed.

However, if he wants to put his signograph

on a six months contract, that's another matter. Ed, let it be.

No contract.

Why not? All the other top acts have them.

Sitting Bull will not make a contract he may not be able to honor.

Why wouldn't he honor it?

Sitting Bull stays only until he sees the Great Father.

Great... You mean the President?

Yes.

Did Burke promise you that?

Sitting Bull no longer accepts promises from white men.

His dreams told him that this is the place he would meet the Great Father.

Sitting Bull is here because he dreamed he'd meet President Cleveland?

Heave!

Dead on, Bill.

Well, what does she have to say this time?

"Dear husband, your deeds as a frontier hero

"are pale compared to your adventures

"with opera singers and milkmaids."

Heave!

Dead on, Bill.

Heave!

"You are also the cheapest man who ever lived

"and a profane junket as well."

Heave!

That's Mr. Oakley there.

- Yes. - The name is Butler, Burke.

Oh! Frank, Frank, sorry.

Jesus! Hold it, honey.

"Therefore I have instructed my lawyers

"to draw up divorce articles that will ensure our separation for good

"and make me a rich woman in the process."

Now, I want you to miss this one.

Just till you get the feel of it.

Heave!

Take your time.

You can miss by a lot, darling.

That was good. That was right in the middle.

Did you want to hit it in the middle?

-"Your wife, Lulu." - Heave.

Heave!

- John. - Major.

I'm getting some longer cigars from Jules.

I think you'll feel more comfortable with them.

Bill. Buffalo Bill. Monarch of the West.

It delights me to present

this compellingly cornucopias canary.

This curvaceous cadenza in the companion of classical chanson.

This collation of champagne and columbine.

This cultivated coloratura from Colorado.

Words fail me. Lucille DuCharme.

Of course. Handel's Rinaldo.

Double heave!

Oh, what a shot you are!

My second husband, Count Eggenweiler, was a champion trap shooter.

Trap shooting's a different thing, ma'am.

Not taking anything away from your second...

Deceased.

...husband.

He used a shotgun that sprayed.

A pistol is a more exacting weapon.

Burke, would you take the young lady to my private viewing chair?

Morning, girls!

Hey, what's going on out there?

I wanna show Bull the Custer act.

Well, they're just waiting for the down stick.

Here's your scenario.

About Cleveland.

At the first, he's marrying some society deb at the end of the month.

The second, he's got a Republican Congress to contend with.

I think we can safably advance Bull the money he wants.

I mean, if he's waiting for Cleveland to show up, we got him for life.

Bring Sitting Bull and Halsey over here.

Keep those tune tempos tight, Bill!

- Is the grey all right? - Yeah.

She'll be ready to dance tomorrow.

Morning, Chief.

Halsey, if you and the Chief would follow me,

in just a few short steps, he's gonna become part of America's national family.

If you're gonna watch, watch from the other side, Buck.

- All right, Issy? - Okay, Short Boss.

Oh, by the way,

you can tell the Chief we've decided to give him the two weeks' salary

as token of our friendship.

Sitting Bull admires the big grey.

- Say hello to Buffalo Bill. - Ma'am.

The poor thing is frightened.

That bird can't get out of there, can he?

I hope you realize that we're the only producers

to have the courage to show the red and the white without taking sides.

Well.

Hello there, Chief, which way are your leaves blowing?

Nate, you better get this thing going.

Down stick!

I see General George Armstrong Custer

leading the courageous men of the 7th Cavalry deep into the Injun territory

known as Little Big Horn.

Exhausted from carrying the wounds

of a cowardly Sioux ambush from the day before.

Suddenly, Injuns appear, led by the fiercest Injun of them all,

Chief Sitting Bull.

Chief, we got a colored standing in place for you

'cause he's the closest thing on our staff to a real Injun.

Custer knows it's gonna be the fight for his life.

Sitting Bull uses an old Injun ploy.

He fakes Custer into thinking

it's going to be an honorable duel to the death between the two great leaders.

Then, bam!

George gets shot in the back by all the other redskins.

Sitting Bull says the battle did not happen that way.

Sitting Bull was not present on the battlefield.

He was making medicine and dreaming.

He saw many horses upside down

and blue skeletons floating up to the promised land.

Halsey, I think...

What did he shoot that gun for?

Hey, Chief, put that gun down. You're gonna hurt somebody.

Sitting Bull thinks you're a great marksman.

He can see how you killed so many of his buffalos.

Someday my hair's gonna be as long as Custer's was.

Margaret.

Margaret, I've been sitting here thinking about us.

I'm glad, Bill.

The more I think about us, the less I think about Sitting Bull.

That ain't good for the Wild West.

I'd never interfere with the Wild West.

The point being that little bastard ain't gonna make my life easy.

I can't deal with him and deal with you

and be my best at the both.

So what I'm trying to say is I think it's time for you to go.

Oh, no, Bill. No.

And the quicker you go, the quicker you can start missing me.

Alas, my love

You do me wrong

To cast me off

Discourteously

Margaret, go on.

Halsey! What the hell are you doing here?

Sitting Bull has come to tell you what he will do in your show.

God, the sun ain't hardly up yet.

Sitting Bull's thoughts do not have a time schedule.

Let me see if I can get myself together. Go and sit down.

Tell Sitting Bull to sit down. Jesus Christ, what an hour.

- What? - What's going on?

I don't know.

You keep your eye on him, I'll go get your uncle.

What's happening?

Get Burke. Goddamn Injun caught me with my...

Woke everybody up.

Bad Bull!

My father has promised me this land,

and in protecting it, I have had a hard time.

The rivers flow with the blood of my people.

The wind blows the echoes of lies.

The white man has stolen the truth.

That is a great and classic Indian face.

You'll build the village at Killdeer Mountain.

Sitting Bull's people will be working. Children will be playing.

They're waiting for Colonel McLaren and his horse soldiers to talk peace.

The Sioux will have no weapons and embrace the soldiers with open arms.

Then McLaren will slaughter every man, woman, child and dog in the village.

He's tolerable.

It'll work. Bill?

We can still do the Indians attacking, just we're gonna add music.

That is what Sitting Bull has chosen to do.

Chief.

We haven't had a heart to heart and I think it's about time.

Now, I've listened to Halsey.

He's got a lot of guts, 'cause he did insult me in my own house.

He called me a coward. Said I murdered women,

old men, children...

And dogs.

Yeah, dogs.

You're not getting much of this, are you?

You got till noon to get out of here!

You're finished! Fired! Through!

I can't believe that little runt'd treat me like that.

It's harder being a star than an Indian.

Everything on this table, I'm taking with me.

What's this?

How did I ever...

Annie, we'll pack your guns now.

Osborn, don't touch my gun.

Uncle Will. Uncle Will.

Something awful bad. Annie...

- We already know, Eddie. - She's...

- She's leaving. - We're talking about that.

Nate, she going through with it?

Looks like it. I spoke with her, Burke spoke with her, Frank.

- She seems dead set about it. - Frank, is that right?

Afraid so, Bill.

You know I can usually steer her wherever you want her to go, but not this time.

Why's everything such a big problem around here?

Frank, is it a matter of money?

Well, money might help.

Oh, come now, Frank. Money has nothing to do with it.

What we're talking about here is Annie's principle.

What about my principles?

What about 'em?

I think you should have her leave.

- Nate! - Hard lines, Nate.

Wait a minute, wait a minute. I can't let her go. She owes me too much.

I'll go down and talk to her, but I ain't changing my mind about that Injun.

You're right. Hold fast on that.

Bill, if it comes up or if it'll help at all, you can tell her I love her.

And then you take this.

How would you like this? Here, take it.

- Wayne? - Yeah.

- Come, give me a hand. - I'll talk to you later.

We got problems.

No problem, Bill.

You know...

I could expect disrespect from anybody except you.

Oh, this is pretty.

Why are you sitting in the middle like this?

What did Bull ever do for you?

He wanted to show the truth to the people. Why can't you accept that just once?

Because I got a better sense of history than that.

Besides, I say what goes on in this show.

You take it.

Goddamn Injun runt and his half-assed half-breed. I'm sorry.

Got any whiskey around here?

Annie, where you want this chair?

If you send Bull to Standing Rock, they'll kill him.

That is not my problem.

You can have this. They will just about fit you.

Do I want this? Here.

The little bastard can stay.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm Nate Salsbury,

and on behalf of my partner, Bill Cody,

we want to welcome you to the season's opening show of America's...

Mr. Cody, we're ready for the grand parade.

No, not yet.

In positions, cowboys.

You didn't even look at it.

...Buffalo Bill's Wild West!

And what would the Wild West be without brave cowboys?

Mr. Cody, you're on in two minutes.

I heard you the first time.

Fierce Indians.

Darling, you have to go in the carriage.

- Will you stop nagging? - I'm not nagging.

And the dynamically...

What a beginning, eh, folks?

A full house, Mr. Cody.

Oh, God, they're gonna whip up all kinds of dust.

As the brave cowboys assume protective positions

so that you, our honored guests,

will be able to witness the true wildness of the West

without bodily risk from nature's fury.

And pursuing the brave and powerful buffalo is our star,

America's national hero, Bill Cody, Buffalo Bill!

Let's hear it for Buffalo Bill.

Buffalo Bill.

Yes, he was truly born to entertain.

No ordinary man would have the foresight to take credit for acts of bravery

and heroism that he couldn't have done.

And no ordinary man would realize what tremendous profits could be made

by telling a pack of lies in front of witnesses like it was the truth.

No, Bill Cody can only trust his senses.

And when his senses fail him, he might just see things as they really are.

And now, as the troopers reassemble,

would you join in the singing of Buffalo Bill's favorite American song

by Francis Scott Key, Oh, Say, Can You See.

It is Buffalo Bill's belief

that this could and should be the next national anthem.

Would you please rise?

Oh, say, can you see

By the dawn's early light

What so proudly we hailed

At the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars

Through the perilous fight

Over the ramparts we watched

Were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare

The bombs bursting in air

Gave proof through the night

That our flag was still there

Oh, say, does that

Star-spangled banner yet wave

Over the land of the free

And the home of the brave

And now, to open our show in a big way,

Buffalo Bill and Nate Salsbury

present a feature attraction unique and unparalleled,

the foremost woman marksman in the world, the little girl of the western plains,

the fearless lady wing shot, Annie Oakley!

Annie Oakley.

Finest flower of the West.

Assisted by Frank "The World's Most Handsome Living Target" Butler.

Say hello to Frank Butler.

Steady.

Tell him to get the cigar steady.

Move it up a little bit, Frank.

Coward.

Yeah!

Right smack in the middle.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

We love you, Annie.

Speed it up. Speed it up.

Come on, move it around.

- Come on, faster. - Come on, Wayne.

Pick it up. Faster, now, come on.

Faster.

Faster. Faster. Faster.

Move it. Move that horse.

For her grand finale, Miss Oakley will attempt for the first time anywhere

the two for one axe shot.

She will split a bullet with the ax...

Look at here. Look at here.

...hitting both targets simultaneously.

You take your sweet time on this, honey.

Folks, this exciting feat...

They'll wait forever.

...requires total concentration.

Watch my hand.

So, please, may we request that you remain as quiet as possible.

Come on.

The bullet will split and hit those two targets.

Is that possible?

It's never been done before.

Come on, Annie.

Oh, how close, agree? Agree?

Once again.

She missed, but so close.

Give her a big hand, ladies and gentlemen.

Nate, once again.

Again.

- What? - Frank, again.

Oh, no, Annie, you don't have to do that.

- We love you anyway, right, folks? - Are you sure?

I can do it, Frank.

Get back. Okay? Oh!

- Wait, honey, I lost my hat. - Frank.

Are you ready?

Stay with us, Lord. One more chance.

Hey! Hey!

Isn't that wonderful? Annie Oakley. Annie Oakley.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Eh, Annie?

Annie? Annie, where are you going?

He moved it.

Annie, please. Take a bow.

Thank you.

Frank, what are we gonna do?

I don't know, Jules. But I can't do the damn act myself.

And now, ladies and gentlemen,

we want you to meet a man who can stick to any animal that wears hair.

Say hello to the king of the cowboys, Buck Taylor.

All right, the Bull banner. Is the old man ready?

Sitting Bull, you're on next.

And now...

Halsey.

You can tell Bull he's finally going to discover

what the show business is all about.

He'll come back in here and get down on his knees to me to do the Custer act.

Bull's going to suffer a worse defeat than Custer ever did.

Custer could die. Bull's just going to get humiliated.

The most feared, the most murderous, the most colorful redskin alive.

Here he comes, the battling chief of the Hunkpapa Sioux,

Sitting Bull.

Oh, what's the matter, darling? You like that song.

Good morning.

You're up.

Listen, I'm really sorry about last night.

It was the first show of the season and I always like to kick up a little dust.

I don't like to have a drink alone.

I must have been kind of a disappointment.

You look awful pretty in that light.

Actually,

I've become something of a morning man.

Now there's no pressure. You see, at night...

And the whiskey we get here is... It kind of dulls the...

You haven't said good morning to the Flying Dutchman yet.

- Get away from me. - Hi, bird.

He's all right in there? I mean, he doesn't have to get out a lot, does he?

Oh, what are they doing to that little person?

They're just horsing around.

Oh, Bill, you have to go help him.

Well, I mean, stop them. They might hurt him, please.

All right.

Now, come on, cut it off.

Terrible.

You just stretch out there, I'll be right back.

Nasty, nasty...

All right, boys. All right.

Let me down.

Buck, put him down. My God, it's like a bull fighting a flea.

Yeah, put me down. When I get down...

You big ape.

Son of a bitch.

What?

Buck, let me down from here.

Nate! Nothing but squaws over there.

Nate, Burke. Get over here.

Goddamn.

What is it?

Wait, stay behind the tent.

Better get up. Go on.

- What's the commotion? - Come here.

What's the problem, Nate?

Well, take a look up there, you'll see the problem. What were you doing?

I was just having a little conversation.

Of course you were. You always are.

- Well? - What do you think is happening?

Sitting Bull's making his exit.

Whatever the son of a bitch...

Buck Taylor, get over there across the river and see what's going on.

All right.

- Uncle Will. - I'm busy, son.

And look at that boy go. Ride like the wind!

- The Injuns... - Where?

Oh, my God, is that...

Why is it so dark in here?

Hey, son. Get down.

Got you.

Boys, I want a posse. A tough posse. We ride in 10 minutes.

Hey, we're with you, Bill.

There's no way to outfox a fox.

We're not taking this lying down.

You sorry son of a bitch. Now, where are you going?

Damn. Damn.

What's wrong?

Well, I got trouble on my hands.

It's not that little cowboy, he wasn't hurt or something?

No, the Injuns.

Injuns?

They've escaped.

All of them?

No, just the dangerous ones.

I got to go get them.

How long will you be gone?

For as long as it takes.

You know I'd never let anything come between us and our little...

Unless it was something real, like this.

Goddamn it! Where's my real jacket?

Well, the posse's formed.

You know, knowing that you're laying there waiting for me

will only serve to stiffen my resolve.

Oh! Oh, my baby.

How could you be so clumsy? You could have harmed him.

Well, I hate birds.

Cody, don't you ever harm my Flying Dutchman.

Ed, what are you doing on that horse?

I'm going with you, Uncle Will.

Down off that horse. Your mother would never forgive me.

Oh, Uncle Will.

Get on the horse. Get on the horse!

- Good horse. - Pull out.

We're with you, Bill.

Darling, don't worry. Just pray for me.

Now, where's the Injun who's supposed to be on this gate?

Come on.

Come on!

Go!

When Bill's dressed for a ride

and mounted on that high-stepping stallion of his,

any doubts concerning his legends are soon forgotten.

Yes, Bill's fine physical portrait hides whatever faults his mind might possess.

But even the least seasoned of trappers will tell you,

if you don't know what it is you're truly after, you're better off staying home.

There they are. Uncle Will! Uncle Will!

Control yourself.

That'll teach Sitting Bull a lesson.

It's a question of law and order, Annie. Uncle Will knows the law,

and Sitting Bull was out of order.

Well, here they come. All right, up stick.

Now as soon as they come over that little ridge, we're gonna...

Wait a minute. I don't see Sitting Bull. Hold it.

No, they're not there. They must be there. Maybe they're in the back.

I don't see Sitting Bull. I don't see no Injuns.

Maybe they just didn't find them.

Oh, they found them. No Injun's ever got away from Uncle Will.

Maybe they're dressed in some of our clothes.

All right, up stick. I think that's them.

But no down stick, just up stick.

They're not there. Oh, my God.

I don't see any Indians with them.

That's 'cause there ain't no Injuns with them.

Bill is the greatest Indian hunter of them all.

And he led 15 of the greatest trackers

into a territory that he knows better than the back of his own hand,

looking for an old man, a giant, and five boys.

It's not your fault, Bill.

We made it clear from the very beginning that we have a camp, not a prison.

Nate's right. We're not in the prison business.

Better get to McLaughlin and tell him that he's gone.

Sitting Bull escapes middle of the night after first trying to burn down the arena.

I sure thought you'd catch him.

Uncle Will, they weren't that far ahead.

Ed, why don't you go close the gate?

Never saw him refuse a drink before.

I don't care what anybody says. God bless Buffalo Bill.

God, he shot himself.

- Bill. - Bill.

- Bill. - God help him.

My God, Bill.

Bill.

Damn bird.

Bill!

Bill.

Get out of here. Sit down.

Oh, no.

Damn bird.

I thought it was you.

- Bill, slow down. - Bill, what are you doing?

Be careful!

- He killed my bird. - Bill.

Well, I hate birds.

I hate birds, too.

What?

Bull and Halsey are out there.

What? How?

They must have tracked us.

Come on in, boys.

Couple of those big buffs got loose.

We had to go chase them down.

Too bad you couldn't join us.

Where were you?

It's the first moon of the month.

That's not what Buffalo Bill asked you. Now, where the hell have you been?

During the day of the first moon,

Sitting Bull visits the sun in the mountains

while his squaws move the tepees to the moon's path.

Damn it, Halsey, stop sunning and mooning us.

Now, where the hell have you been?

You were up in the mountains, then?

Yes.

Don't you think that's a little dangerous?

Sitting Bull is familiar with mountains.

What if I had sent somebody after you?

Sitting Bull was not hiding. Sitting Bull has been with the mountain.

He realizes now that he must do more in the show than ride the pinto.

Well, there we are. We're back in business.

Foes in '76, friends in '85.

Quiet, Burke. I still don't know what he's talking about.

Care to explain that?

Sitting Bull has decided that he will do

the only thing that he sees here that he would want to show his people.

What's that?

Sitting Bull will make the big grey dance.

Responsibility is a funny thing.

It's a lot different for stars than it is for ordinary folks.

Please, Mr. Buntline, this man's in pain.

That's why stars spend so much time in front of the mirror.

Seeing if their good looks and their word delivery can overcome their judgment.

Not now, Mr. Buntline, please.

A star like Buffalo Bill Cody makes a judgment. It becomes a commitment.

It's got to stick no matter what the risk.

The only way that I could have avoided seeing him on that mountain

is if he never went to that mountain at all.

Now I can understand why he lied to me,

because he's got to look good in front of his people,

the same way I got to look good in front of mine.

But I'm generous and flexible.

That was very good, generous and flexible.

Ladies and gentlemen,

please will you try to find the places

that we have specified for each and every one of you?

Welcome, braves. We welcome you with open arms.

Wranglers! Wranglers on the Deadwood coach, go easy there.

I know the ladies in the interior perhaps

like to be bounced around once in a while,

but it wears out the equipment, it blurs the picture.

This is an extremely impressive assemblage.

Now, pay attention.

Nate, would you convey to Buffalo Bill that we are ready?

Generous and flexible.

Bill, we're ready. Bill!

I'll be there.

Each of you is an outstanding personage...

Generous and flexible.

I choose to overlook the entire incident.

A hundred years from now, this picture will still be in existence. Remember that.

This is the way people will remember you.

Bill, good morning.

Ladies and gentlemen, Injuns,

I didn't know you were ready, I'm sorry.

We just got ready.

Get ready, look at the birdie.

Hold it. Nate.

I don't want Sitting Bull standing next to Annie Oakley.

Why?

'Cause I don't want Sitting Bull standing next to Annie Oakley.

Fans won't like it.

Have him stand over there with the other Injuns.

Okay.

I don't want Sitting Bull standing next to Annie.

Ah, Halsey,

it'd be a better idea, I think, due to the sun factor

if you and the Chief would move over here among the other Indians.

Sitting Bull will stand by Annie Oakley.

No, don't worry about how you feel about where you ought to be,

just come on over here where you should be.

Sitting Bull will move from this place for $25.

Nate.

I swear that Injun plans these things.

All right. Now, what do you want to do?

Let him stay where he is.

We're gonna put Halsey's face and hat on Buck Taylor,

and Sitting Bull's on Johnny Baker and vice versa.

That way, those two Injuns will be over there with the other Injuns.

And don't show him the photograph.

Buffalo Bill's right. It was better the first way.

Make your photograph.

All right, closer.

Everybody, hold your breath now.

Dart!

Hold it a minute, rooster!

Hey, Dart! Dart! Come here!

Go on, I'm getting my picture took.

What?

Wayne, will you... What's...

Dart, will you go down and find out what's the matter with that darky?

What do you want, Wayne?

There's a wire just come in from the President of the United States.

Now, damn it, Wayne. Don't be funny at no time like this.

Look, I'm telling you. It's for real. It's down there. Tell them.

There's a wire come in from the President of the United States.

What's that?

You know I wouldn't lie to you about anything like that.

That's too important.

Now, you show it to me.

Well, who told you? You can't read either.

You may take the photograph now.

Injuns gear their lives to dreams.

And when an Injun dreams, no matter how farfetched,

he'll wait till he dies for it to come true.

White men, they're different.

The only time they dream is when things are going their way.

I'm no expert on the subject,

but it seems to me that what Sitting Bull does is

a hell of a lot cheaper than mounting a Wild West Show,

which is just dreaming out loud.

"The Honorable William F. Cody.

"Grover Cleveland, the President of the United States,

"has chosen to celebrate the first stop of his honeymoon excursion

"with the former Frances Folsom

"in Buffalo Bill's Wild West camp at Fort Ruth.

"The scheduled time of arrival

"is Thursday, October 18th at 8:00 p.m."

Night?

We've never done a night show before.

President Cleveland coming here?

Uncle Will, it's just like in Sitting Bull's dream.

I bring up this dream business because...

Well, because things are beginning to take on an unreal shape.

Now, now, now, just think for a minute. Sitting Bull.

Just put yourself in that Injun's place.

You sit in your tepee and you dream.

And then you go to wherever that dream might take place,

might come true.

And you wait for real life to catch up.

Mr. President, Mrs. Cleveland,

honored guests,

I'm Nate Salsbury.

And I can tell you that Nate Salsbury

has never been as proud in his long career in the show business

as he is tonight to present our very first

after dark request performance, and to dedicate it to you,

our highest American and your fine, new wife.

Ed's in the box. Burke's up there in the box,

laughing and then joking with the President

and we're stuck down here in the cold.

Grover Cleveland.

Now there is a star!

He sure is big enough, isn't he?

God, he's bigger than Buck Taylor!

He's a hell of a lot bigger than you are.

God, he's the biggest man I've ever seen.

...meet America's national entertainer,

the man who is the Wild West,

the honorable William F. Cody,

Buffalo Bill!

Mr. President, Mrs. First Lady, distinguished visitors,

I want to take this occasion to welcome you all

to my Wild West.

Most people will tell you that it is the father of the new show business.

And, well...

May the sun never set on this great nation,

unless it comes up again in the morning.

Mr. President, our wedding present to you.

Buffalo Bill writes all of his original sayings himself.

All great men do.

Damn it!

One, two, three. One, two, three.

One, two, three. One...

Beautiful!

Just like day, darling.

What a shot!

He loves us!

Coat.

It's freezing, come on!

Not yet. Not yet!

Okay, now!

Ready, darling?

Isn't that amazing, my dear?

Oh, yes.

- Ready? - Ready.

Ready, darling.

Ready, darling.

Set?

You hit him, Annie. I think you hit him. You hit him. No!

Honey! End it. Honey...

- She got him. - No more! No more! End it.

It's part of the act. No, no, everything's fine. All right.

Is this part of the act? Is this part of the act?

Get out! Quick, I'm going to faint.

No more shall the sound of the war whoop be heard

Oh, my God! I'm bleeding to death.

Don't run!

- I've got to get out of here! - Don't run, Frank.

- I'm going to fall down! - Don't run!

The ambush and slaughter no longer be feared

Oh, my God.

The tomahawk buried

Shall rest in the ground

And peace and goodwill

To the nations abound

And peace and goodwill

To the nations abound

Presenting Chief Sitting Bull.

What's he saying?

I don't know.

I don't understand a word he's saying.

Do you?

No. But, I can guess.

Why, he was joking!

- A joke? - Oh, he's got a sense of humor.

His way of making the grey mare dance.

I don't care if he's an Indian, that's un-American.

Bravo, Bull!

To the Sitting Bull and his dancing grey.

Or President Cleveland's closest call!

Right, they're ready. We're not bringing everybody in,

because you know we have hundreds...

Everybody, remember.

Be polite, be brief. And most of all, be yourself.

Remember, it's the President of the United States. You look fine.

No, wait one second.

- Is everybody ready here? - All ready.

That's very kind of you.

If they do this, it's gonna mean a great deal to the troopers.

Well, it'll mean something to us, too, you know.

Thank you very much. All right, come ahead.

...it's good for you to be back at the Wild West Show.

I feel so gracious...

By the way, how are you feeling? Did you get hurt today?

Mr. President. No, no, no. Annie never misses.

Oh, I see. Well, you know best.

Thank you, sir.

Mrs. President.

- Oh, I do the... - Burke...

Both of you scared the daylights out of me today.

- No, you had a very fine act. - Thank you.

God Almighty!

Hi.

Frank, where have you been? I'm pregnant.

- You're what? - Pregnant.

Congratulations, Miss Poole.

Jesus. Lord.

I sang it at the Teatro del Roma in Roma, you know.

And I sang...

I never seen black-eyed peas like this.

You were impeccable.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Here we go. Come! Come!

Champagne and refreshments for everyone. This way, sir.

Grovey, can Nina sing now?

Oh, yes, my rose petal. Go ahead.

- Ah! Ladies and gentlemen. - Thank you.

Our distinguished and delightful First Lady has an announcement to make.

Quiet, please!

And now, for your entertainment,

my dear friend, Miss Nina Cavalini will sing...

...Qui sola, vergin rosa in Italian.

Thank you.

Brava!

Brava!

Bravissima!

Brava!

You know, that's the nicest invitation I ever got.

Impossible to resist.

What a cultivated lady she is.

I'm always trying to spread culture.

Why don't you plan to stay around for a few days?

And I'll show you what the real Wild West is like.

I'd love to.

But my secret life with General Benjamin

is wild enough.

Hello! Thank you so much!

Yes, it was... Actually, it was...

Bull, what are you doing?

Halsey, what's he doing here?

Great Father is here in answer to Chief Sitting Bull's dreams.

This party is by invite only and you don't have an invite.

No more, Bull! You go. That way.

- No, no! Let them in, Mr. Gordman. - Goodman.

Come in. The Chief is a wonderful comedian.

Good to see you.

Great Father, Sitting Bull has waited to ask you

a very simple thing for his people.

Mr. Halsey, I remind you that in government, nothing is simple.

This simple request will satisfy Sitting Bull's people

for the length of time, Great Father.

Let me point out that I'm Great Father for only four years at a time.

And another thing, I face a Republican Congress.

I suggest you deal directly with your local agent.

We have talked to the agents. They will not help.

Well, isn't that an indication your request is impossible?

But this request is very simple.

Halsey, the President is trying to tell you that nothing ain't simple.

Don't you understand American?

Ed.

Sitting Bull's request is simple.

Sitting Bull's dreams told him that he would meet the Great Father here.

And he had hoped the Great Father would honor his request.

I'm very sorry, sir. There is nothing I can do about it.

But the Great Father has not heard Sitting Bull's request.

That's just the point. It doesn't make any difference.

It's out of the question.

Well, what a confrontation, Mr. President.

- He's angry with you. - Congratulations.

I know. Thank you. It's some day we've had here.

We've had a delightful day with you.

- Oh, yes! - Excuse me.

Mr. President.

I now understand why you're our president.

It's uncanny. That basic, pioneer perception.

You see, the difference between a president and a chief

in a situation like this,

the president always knows enough to retaliate before it's his turn.

Write that down. I'll use it at the convention next month.

Well, Mr. President,

I know you're tired and want to hit the hay.

My personal bed is at your disposal.

- Oh, Buffalo Billy! - That's great! Thanks.

It's hardly even been used.

Where will you sleep, Buffalo Bill?

You can sleep with me, Uncle Will.

No, Ed.

I'll sleep out on the prairie underneath the moon,

listening to the lullaby of the coyotes.

You see, I ain't always been a comfortable man.

You know, it's a man like that

that made this country what it is today.

Hello there, Dart.

Oh, hello, Mr. Cody.

Is your work done, boy?

Yes, sir. Everything's all spic and span.

That's nice. You know, it's too bad the Injuns

can't learn from you coloreds.

Well, then of course, they'd have nothing to fuss about,

and the Injuns do like to fuss about.

Yeah, they do.

You know, Mr. Cody. I ain't never thanked you

for giving me the opportunity to work for you.

Well, don't thank me, son. It's just part of my upbringing,

to help the coloreds all I can.

How's that, sir?

My daddy was killed trying to keep slavery out of Kansas.

How'd he do that, sir?

My daddy hated slavery with such a passion,

that rather than let the coloreds get in to becoming slaves,

he just fought to keep them all out of the state.

He was trying to protect you.

And he caught a knife in his lungs for the trouble.

Sorry. You want to come in and have a drink? I'll buy you one.

You can sit up front.

Oh, no, no. It's late, sir,

and I ain't got time to do that.

But I've got to go feed your horse. Thank you for asking.

Where's the old bonded there, Crutch?

Hello, Mr. Cody.

Well, I'll be damned! Buffalo Bill himself.

Hi, Ned.

Buy an old friend a drink, Bill?

Another glass.

I was beginning to think you didn't exist.

But here you are, in the glorious flesh.

And what a sight for sore eyes.

Oh, you sure passed me by.

Like planting a seed and watching it grow into a tree too tall to climb.

You got everything you ever wanted, my friend.

You even got the President of the United States

sleeping in your bed right now.

Let's forget all that stuff, Ned, and get drunk.

I can't forget it, Bill. Just looking at you reminds me of it.

- So live it. - Oh, no.

Way past the living.

Why, a hundred years from now, they'll still be shouting your name.

You're not one of the boys no more, Bill.

You're not like ordinary folk.

Why, it gives me goose bumps just being this close to you.

You still got the knack, don't you, Ned?

You make it easy, Bill.

You were probably the best there ever was.

And I'd like to have you back with the show.

Except that, frankly, Nate can't stand the sight of you.

I guess, nostalgia ain't what it used to be.

You ain't changed, Bill.

I ain't supposed to. That's why people pay to see me.

Well.

This has been the most sobering experience I've ever had.

Damn near a religious awakening.

Buffalo Bill. The thrill of my life to have invented you.

Crutch?

What do I owe you for my stay?

Nothing, Mr. Buntline. You don't owe me nothing.

Thanks, Crutch, because that's what I've got.

Nothing.

I'm off to California,

to preach against the vultures of Prometheus.

Ned!

I'll see you around.

See you in hell, Bill.

Bill, I want to cut the glass blower shooting today.

What the people really want is to see you ride.

Sure, Nate. You were just in Europe, wasn't you?

Did you give my regards to the Queen?

Yes, they're still talking about you, Bill.

Can't wait for your return.

Bill, this'll be our biggest year yet.

We're gonna gross over two million dollars.

Did I ever tell you that I hold the record

for a continuous ride on the Pony Express, 322 miles in 18 days?

Oh, I know!

Sit down and have a drink with me, son.

Oh, it's too early for me, Bill.

You're looking great. Just great.

Yeah, well, I feel great. I feel great.

It feels as though I could go on forever.

Marty, did I ever tell you that I hold the Pony Express record

for a continuous ride, 320...

And some odd miles and 18 horses...

What's the talk about? What's going on? Trouble?

Oh, big news! Big news.

Shot Sitting Bull. Dead.

I'll be damned.

Oh, my God!

Oh, honey, don't cry. It's all right.

- What is it? What? What? - Darling?

What's the matter? What happened to Annie?

- Sitting Bull's dead. - What?

McLaughlin's police, at Standing Rock.

They say he was trying to escape.

He was riding the big grey Bill gave him.

They say, the horse danced when they shot the chief.

Who's going to tell Bill?

Nobody. There's no point bothering him with that.

Who...

I don't dream.

Must be somebody out.

I'm not alone.

Oh, no, don't buckle. He ain't really there.

I hate women. I hate them!

Cost me a lot of wampum.

A lot of wampum.

Well, all right. All right, suit yourself.

You ain't even the right image.

Halsey, get out here.

Tell the Chief I think you've got all the brains. I'll tell him myself.

Chief! Halsey's got all the brains.

Except, Halsey... He don't mean a word he says,

which is why he sounds so real.

Real...

Now let me show you something about real.

My God!

I was what?

I was a boy. I was a 11-year...

Eleven...

Nine.

I was nine!

I caught this big buff right smack in the middle...

God meant for me to be white.

God meant for me to be white and it ain't easy.

I got people with no lives

living through me.

They're proud people, but they're people to worry about.

And another thing.

My daddy died without ever seeing me as a star.

Tall, profitable, good looking.

Custer was a star.

Oh, he was a good man.

He gave coffee and sugar to the...

Oh, don't do that! He was a good man.

He gave the Injuns reason to be famous.

Bull!

Bull! Damn you!

You see, in a hundred years,

I'm still gonna be "Buffalo Bill, Star!"

But you're gonna be the Injun.

My God, look at you. Look at you.

You want to stay the same.

Well, that's going backwards!

Buntline. Oh, damn you, you deserter.

I'm curious, Chief.

My friends are curious. My women are curious.

My fans are curious.

And they pay me for it.

I give them what they expect.

You can't live up to what you expect.

And that makes you more make believe than me.

Because I don't even know if you're bluffing.

The difference

between a white man and an Injun, in all situations,

is that an Injun is red.

And an Injun is red for a real good reason.

So we can tell us apart!

We can tell us apart.

My God!

Ain't he riding that horse right?

But, if he ain't,

then how come all of you took him for a king?

You see,

I ain't got nobody to talk to.

Except you.

And you ain't even there.

Well, carve it.

Yeah, carve it.

All of us.

Carve our names!

And celebrate the event.

Ladies and gentlemen,

for the first time in the history of the show business,

Nate Salsbury and William F. Cody

present a conflict between two of the greatest warriors

in the western civilization,

staged with spectacular realism.

Behold Chief Sitting Bull, warrior of the western plains,

who has murdered more white men than any other redskin,

who has spoiled more white women than any other redskin.

This bloodthirsty leader of the Hunkpapa Sioux

has challenged Buffalo Bill to a duel to the death!

Sitting Bull is being played by William Halsey.

Buffalo Bill, known as "Pahaska" to the natives,

which means long hair,

accepts the challenge for his beloved country.