Original subtitles

Who is it?

This time you see for yourself.

It's not possible.

I saw the bullet holes right through this shirt front.

Where is it?

Flown away?

There must be some blood.

There's no blood and no body either.

You don't believe me.

I don't believe the impossible, Kiss. You won't help me?

You're beyond my help.

Then you can go now.

Get out! The sooner the better!

Please, get out!

A Warner Brothers television production.

Who is the tall, dark stranger there?

Maverick is the name.

Ride the trail to who knows where.

Luck is his companion.

Gamblin' is his game.

Maverick is a legend of the West.

Maverick is a legend of the West.

Dr. Livingston, I presume.

Oh, excuse me. The name's Hank.

Hank? What happened to Virginia City? I've never seen it so empty.

Yeah, this place hasn't been as empty as this since Ada Menken played Maguire's

Theater in tights.

Who's not wearing what today?

Oh, no, it ain't that.

Keziah Boucher is staging a prize fight for the heavyweight championship.

Keziah Boucher?

Who's he?

It's a she.

It's sort of unusual, a woman staging a prize fight, isn't it? With kids,

everything is unusual.

She inherited her unhinged ideas from her old man, along with two million

dollars.

With that kind of money, you're not unhinged. You're eccentric.

She's something or other. You take the party she gave out at her ranch the

night. Seventy -five people.

There's nothing eccentric about that.

Not even when all the guests had to sit on horseback around the dining table?

Where did you say the fight was?

I didn't.

I'll bet you these four silver dollars that you can't tell me where it is.

You lose.

It's in the ballroom of the Motherlode Hotel just down the street.

Thanks, Hank. I hope you won't be afraid here.

Alone? No.

This makes awfully good company, son.

Good

evening,

Cousin Bart.

Yes, sir. Thank you, Henry. Certainly.

Thank you so much.

My pleasure, ma 'am.

Maverick is the name.

Oh, Melissa, there you are.

What can I do for you, sir?

Sir?

Oh, can you tell me where the ballroom is?

Yeah, it's right over there.

I just arrived in town. I'd like a ticket. Sorry, sold out.

Would $100 make a difference?

Not when I've turned down $1 ,000.

Any other suggestions?

As it stands now, no one but a very close friend of the Boucher family has a

chance. I see.

Fighters are ready when you are, may I?

Let's not get too familiar, Doctor.

Taking your arm isn't exactly a proposal.

It might upset dear Melissa.

Your cousin is a most sensible girl.

And most understanding.

But your her fiancé, not mine.

It could have been different, kids.

Yes, it could.

A girl just can't be too careful.

Kids! Kids!

I've been looking all over Virginia City for you. Well, when you wrote me about

the fight, I was hoping I could make it.

No, I could have you thrown out.

That would be the expected thing to do, but I hear you never do the expected.

I may make an exception in your case.

You won't.

I like men who are sure of themselves.

Thank you, Miss Boucher.

Shall we?

Ezra?

Throw this man off.

The expected.

My mistake.

All right, you.

That was his mistake. I don't like to be touched.

Don't you?

Not by a ticker taker.

It was a fast change of mind, even for a woman.

I always do the unexpected.

Remember, Mr... Maverick. Bo Maverick.

Maybe it was just a little test, Mr.

Maverick. Did I pass?

You're in the ballroom, aren't you? Good evening.

But tell me, why all this fuss over a prize fight?

We'll see a prize fight in the company of the most beautiful girl in Virginia

City. Uh -huh. Fast work, Mr. Maverick.

Well, life is short, Miss Boucher.

That's my motto.

Hello there.

Well, now that we've established our kinship, tell me, why are you promoting

this match?

Oh, it's very simple.

Women aren't allowed to go to boxing matches, so I decided to stage my own.

Besides, I've always wanted to see Gentleman Joe perform.

Gentleman Joe Bartlett?

Yes. He's fighting the champion?

Yes. And I have money that says he'll win.

Well, just how much do you believe in, gentlemen, Joe?

How much have you?

Five thousand.

You have a bet.

Black, please.

Thanks. Oh, Melissa, this is Mr. Mavrick.

My cousin, Melissa Boucher, and her fiancé, Dr.

Pittman. Doctor, Ms. Boucher. Mr. Mavrick and I have a bet.

If Gentleman Joe loses the fight, Doctor, you go over to the desk and get

,000. I warn you, Mr. Maverick, Zai makes a habit of winning.

So do I, Miss Boucher.

You'll break that habit tonight.

Be careful not to overdo tonight, dear. In your state of health... My state of

health? What are you babbling about?

Now, now, now, kids, calm yourself.

My dear, don't antagonize your cousin. You know how delicate her nerves are.

Kids, I'm terribly sorry.

Come on, dear. Excuse me.

A devoted couple.

Arthur, you wouldn't believe that a month ago the good doctor threatened to

blackmail me into marrying him by holding a sick shooter against his head.

Concession to the ladies.

Some of them would faint at the sight of a man's chest.

Gentlemen, Joe.

Sorry, I'd like to accommodate you, but everything I own is tied up in our

existing bank. Then how about a month of your services in exchange for or

against my $1 ,000?

Services?

Such as picking up handkerchiefs? Such as possibly saving my life.

What makes you think you're in danger?

There have been attempts.

I have enemies.

Why pick me for a bodyguard? I like your style.

And I'll trust you. A complete stranger?

Exactly.

Because you have no reason to want to do me in.

You know, I'm not very good at saving other people's lives. I barely manage to

hold on to my own. Oh, you do.

Is it a bet?

It's a bet.

Correction, your $5 ,000, Miss Boucher.

This buys you the right to call me kids.

I'm not dirt cheap, but worth it.

If you don't have another $1 ,000, you're sentenced to 30 days.

The prisoner declares bankruptcy, but goes willingly.

Henry. Yes?

Put it in the safe.

Certainly, Miss Boucher.

For incidental expenses.

Please, I take money from a lady only in the diarist.

Emergency.

Which does seem to exist right now.

Much obliged. Do you all excuse me?

Of course.

Fire!

Henry, get me my hat!

Kids! Oh, it's a fire! Be right there!

Fire! Fire! Fire!

No use, Mr. Maverick.

No one ever kept kids away from a fire. What's the matter with your cousin?

I wish I knew.

She just likes fires.

She's an honorary member of Company B.

Ironmania, among other things.

Such as delusions, hallucinations, feeling of persecution.

Such a beautiful woman.

Such high spirit.

Tragedy.

Come, my dear.

Full house.

Well, it's full all right, but I'm afraid mine is jammed to the rafters.

Do you excuse me a moment, gentlemen?

Well, good evening. You're a sight.

I feel wonderful, Bob.

I don't get it, Kez. You hire me to protect you from trouble, and then you

out looking for it. Oh, I'm not afraid of fire?

They're your department.

You're covered with bruises.

Oh, just got a little scratched when the wall came down, that's all. When the

wall what?

Oh, Bo, it was exciting.

Just imagine a big, big warehouse burning from the cellar to the attic and

the kerosene exploded and the roof flew off like a giant flaming bird.

And then... I think I'd better send for Dr. Pittman.

I don't need a doctor.

There's nothing wrong with me that a little soap won't cure.

I'm just tired, that's all.

Those fire hoses aren't easy to handle.

Yes, well, why don't you go upstairs and have a nice rest?

Someone tried to kill me. I was on the balcony and they dropped an iron pot on

me. Come with me.

It grazed my shoulder.

Right there.

Were you asleep before this happened?

I was not.

Were you trying to tell me I dreamed the whole thing? Look.

It could have happened at the fire.

It was a heavy iron pot, I'm telling you, and it landed right there.

Let me handle this.

There's nothing there now, my dear.

It must be your nerves again.

I'll prescribe a sedative.

Get out of here.

All of you. Please, Gazai, let us help you. Get out!

Not you.

I need somebody.

Of course.

You think I just imagined the whole thing too, don't you?

Well, let's look at it this way. I just got to town. The first thing I heard was

that you had served a dinner for 75 people in saddlebags.

Then you engage two men to box in white tie and tails.

You smoke in public like a man. You dash off to a fire in a helmet.

And come back raving about flaming firebirds. Now an iron pot that isn't

What am I supposed to think? Oh, that I'm out of my mind, of course.

Well, are you or aren't you?

You look like a man who'd understand.

A man who...

crashed that silly price fight under a childish pretext, knocked somebody down

just to be able to blow his last $5 ,000 and a whole month of his life on a...

on a lunatic bed.

I'm disappointed, that's all.

You're telling me we're two of a kind.

Well, if we aren't, I won't hold you to our bed.

If you want to quit, well, it's been nice knowing you. I still owe you $1

You can buy me a wreath.

You really believe in this plot, don't you?

Last week I fought a snake in my bedroom.

I killed it with my gun, but before I could show it to anybody, it

Just like the iron pot tonight?

Yes.

Well, I admit that between the time you ran out and we got back, somebody could

have removed the evidence.

Somebody did.

Both times.

All right, kids.

I'll go on sailing.

Thank you, Bo.

But you have to call it service.

Well, if it's all work and no fun.

Just what is your idea of fun?

Good night, Bo.

Night, kids.

In case of trouble, holler.

Lock the door.

This time you'll believe me.

There, the note on the mirror.

The note on

the mirror?

It was there.

Scratched on it, it said, prepare for the end.

I saw it.

Take it easy, kids.

I saw it, I'm telling you.

All right, you saw it, but it's not there now, is it?

No, but... What you need is a doctor, not a bodyguard. Don't harp on that,

doctor. I don't need a doctor.

That's up to you, but I'm not going to be responsible. I'm resigning.

Are you?

A thousand dollars, please.

Ah, you said I could quit if I wanted to. I've changed my mind. I do the

unexpected, remember?

Let's make a deal. I have $500. I just want a potent. A thousand dollars.

If the game is still on, there may be another 500 there.

I'll be back.

On your knees, I hope.

Not if you wish me good luck.

Oh, good luck!

Thank you.

Give me.

One more game, gentlemen, and lady luck willing, I shall retire.

Steal me in.

Does the management allow women at the car table?

I am the management, Mr. Maverick. I own this hotel.

Can you open?

Cards. One, please.

How much have you?

Nine hundred.

I'll see you.

You win.

You still owe me $1 ,000.

Yes, I do, don't I?

Light, please.

Report to me first thing in the morning.

Yes, ma 'am.

Some coffee, please.

My compliments, Mr. Maverick.

That's very good.

Clement Samuels, at your service. A sketch artist and reporter for the Daily

Clarion.

I'm afraid I can't afford to pay you for this.

I wouldn't accept pay.

In money.

Then in what?

Little society news.

You lost a bet today to Kiz Boucher.

Well, that's hardly a news item.

But Kiz Boucher is.

I hear there was a little disturbance in our room earlier.

I wasn't aware of any.

So keeping her out of the papers is one of your duties?

I have duties.

She seems to think so, the way she spoke to you just now.

Just one of her many eccentricities.

That's what makes her news.

Well, now, if there ever is a story, you can always find me here.

You shall have her.

What is it?

Oh,

quickly, quickly!

This time you sleep for yourself.

I saw the bullet holes right through this shirt front.

Where is he?

Flown away?

There must be some blood.

There's no blood and no body either.

Don't believe me.

I don't believe the impossible, Kiss.

You won't help me?

You're beyond my help.

Then you can go now.

Get out! The sooner the better!

Mr. Maverick.

Yes? May I speak to you for a moment?

Of course.

Please don't leave her now. You're the only one who can help.

I can't quite see how.

She seems to be very fond of you, to trust you. I can tell.

Maybe you can talk her into... Into what, Miss Boucher?

She needs care. She refuses to be treated the proper way.

You mean in an institution?

Well, you know there is something wrong with her.

Her grandfather.

I guess she never told you about it. He was your grandfather, too, wasn't he?

Yes, but her father was the only one who inherited grandfather's eccentricities.

All right, Miss Boucher.

I'll talk to him.

Oh, thank you, Mr. Maverick.

Eve's dropping kiss?

Oh, don't kiss me.

So you're going to talk to me, are you?

Yes, when you finish acting like your friend, Gentleman Joe Bartlett, I want

apologize for doubting you.

What do you mean?

I know that you've been telling the truth.

About the man on the balcony?

About everything.

Then what was the idea of that performance out there with Melissa?

I don't want anyone to know yet that I do know.

Then you found out who wants to kill me?

No one wants to kill you, Kiss.

But someone wants you and everyone else to think that you are losing your mind.

How do you know?

Sawdust.

The man wore a white ruffle shirt, you said?

Yes.

That man was the dummy.

Oh, good evening, Maverick.

Samuels, I was just thinking about you.

You were?

I was thinking that pretty soon I may be able to give you a very interesting

story about Kisbush Ray.

It's beautiful, Melissa, and a perfect likeness. It's Leroy's present.

Come in, please.

You wanted to see me, Miss Boucher? Yes.

This is Mr. Maverick, who's a very good friend of Paul Kidd's. Mr. Hanford, our

family lawyer.

How do you do, sir? We were just admiring Miss Melissa's exciting

I think I recognize the style.

Isn't it that fellow from the clarion, Clement Samuels?

Samuels is a hack.

This was done by a famous professional artist from France.

Losers in the translation.

Is this what you wanted to see me about?

No, Mr. Maverick. It's a very delicate matter.

Like Kisbushay's nerves.

Exactly. That's why we've asked you here.

As a good friend of my unfortunate future cousin.

What's happened to her?

Nothing yet.

But there's some very disturbing news we'd like you to break to her as gently

you can.

Why don't we stop porthy footing and get down to business?

All right, sir, I'll be blunt.

Miss Melissa Boucher, as the only other surviving member of the once great

Boucher family, has asked the court through me that her cousin be declared

incompetent.

And that $2 million be put in trust in Miss Melissa's name.

Or is it Dr. Pittman's?

Look here, you're mistaken.

Oh, I was.

I thought you were trying to discredit Kiz by making her appear mad in front of

the townspeople. But you're not going to wait for that.

You're going to try and put her away under any circumstances.

Just what are you insinuating? I'm not insinuating, sir. I'm saying straight

this is hypocritical collusion for pilfering, filching, theft, larceny, and

highway robbery.

Why, you must have taken leave of your senses.

Oh, doctor, you say that to everybody.

Well, I'm afraid you will have to appear at the hearing on Monday.

They can't do anything to me. I'm sane and responsible.

Not according to the witnesses they'll drag up.

What witnesses?

To start with, the entire population of Virginia City.

What have I done to them?

Why are they against me?

No one has anything against you, Kis, but face facts. You have the kind of

reputation that's just made for an inquiry into your sanity.

Listen.

Don, that's not going to look very good on you at the hearing.

You see, people don't understand that life is short. Let's make it exciting

philosophy of the order.

You do?

I'm only a poor wayfaring stranger. Sure, I know how you feel. But if I try

explain it to the solid citizens of this town, we'll both end up under the

doctor's care.

If we only had proof.

If I could just find some of the things they claim I imagined.

The iron pot, the dummy, the mirror where the word scratched it.

The wood scratched in.

It's like an answer to a prayer.

It's simple when you know how it's done. Oh, Bob, this is it.

Sorry, kids, this is not it. This is exactly nothing.

How can you be so stupid?

Well, this is proof we need. This is evidence we can produce as the healing.

Sure we can, and if we get lucky and look in the right place, we might also

up with a sawdust dummy in the iron pot, but none of it's going to help. Why

not? How are we going to prove when and where the evidence was discovered?

You mean they'll claim we manufactured it? Of course they will. It'll be the

first thing they'll think of. And we'll never disprove it in a million years.

Oh, that's fantastic.

People are known to do fantastic things to get their hands on two million

dollars.

Well, Maverick, I'm not licked yet.

Now, you're still working for me, so think of something.

Maybe I have.

against the bartender, Brother Samuels.

His credit policy toward members of the press is extremely narrow.

Do you work in charcoal?

My favorite medium.

About the story I mentioned.

Yes? Why, it's a beauty.

But you'll have to do me a favor to get it.

Anything for a good story. Who do I have to kill?

Do you know Melissa Boucher?

Yes, just like her.

Not enough to do her in, though.

I may not come to that.

Come in, please.

Good morning, Miss Boucher.

Mr. Samuels, isn't it? Yes, please.

I'm sorry for the intrusion, ma 'am, but I just happened to be at your lawyer's

and he asked me to give you a message.

He said he'd like you to stop by at his office as soon as possible.

Oh, you mean Mr.

Hanford? That's right, Mr. Hanford.

Some unexpected development about a suit or something. He didn't give me the

details.

Well, thank you, Mr.

Samuels. I'm much obliged.

I'm glad to be of service, ma 'am.

Good day.

Miss Boucher. Yes, what do you want? Mr. Hanford and Dr. Pittman are waiting for

you in the bar.

Oh, are they?

Well, thank you.

Oh, there you are, Angel. Hello, my dear.

Mr. Hanford, if you ever tell me to come to your office again, I expect you to

be courteous enough to be there.

Dear Melissa, I haven't the faintest idea of what you're talking about.

Did you or did you not ask Mr. Samuels to tell me to come to your office? I

haven't seen Samuels for months.

Miss Boucher, gentlemen.

Mr. Samuels, would you kindly repeat the message Mr. Hanford told you to give

me?

Message?

Mr. Hanford? Why, I haven't had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Hanford in

Nor you, for that matter, Miss Boucher.

Good day.

Does it run in the family?

If a person can't leave her rooms for one hour without being broken into and

practical jokes played, I think things have come to a pretty sorry state.

But, Miss, nobody... I want you to know I happen to be not an ordinary person. I

happen to be the very own cousin of Miss Boucher who owns this hotel and who

happens to be paying your salary. It is perfectly outrageous.

I would not believe it if I had not seen it with my own eyes. Wouldn't believe

what, Miss?

You will find out.

Now, you just look at that portrait.

Well, it's a nice portrait. I've always admired it. That does not look like me.

Well, if you don't mind my saying so, it may be a little flattering.

How dare you!

Somebody change you!

Perhaps I'd better get Dr. Pittman. No, no.

I'll have a talk to the doctor myself.

And I'm going to solve this, too. And if you say one word to a soul... Not a

syllable. You can go.

Do not believe it.

You've got to come with me. Both of you. What's the matter?

My portrait.

My portrait.

It's been stolen? No.

It keeps changing.

It keeps changing.

Please. Please come with me.

Which one of the Boucher girls do you want me to prove is crazy?

Control your temper, Hanford. There's bound to be an explanation.

Come here, my dear. Everything seems to be in order.

There's nothing wrong with the picture.

Something very strange is going on.

It was changed so that it may be look old and ugly. How could it? You're

imagining things. No, no, no. Wait a minute.

Suppose somebody did change it.

substitute of this other picture, and then put the original back again. You're

as bad as she is. It's preposterous.

They... They couldn't.

You mean they're trying to do it to us?

What do you mean, us?

It was hidden in my bedroom.

Kis found it.

Maverick more likely.

They know about it. What's going to happen?

What's Kis going to do to me now that she knows? They can't prove a thing.

you understand?

Kis knows.

Our star witness.

Do you think I'm going to go to a courtroom now and face her now that she

what we've been trying to do to her? My dear woman, I was indulging in sarcasm.

Of course I don't expect you to go through with it.

The combination of your emotions and your conscience would be too much of a

handicap.

Your scheme's gone up in smoke, Doctor.

To echo, dear Melissa, what are you going to do?

A doctor has to be resourceful.

And I'm a doctor. It may amuse you to talk in riddles, but it makes me lose

little patience I have left. Calm yourself, sir.

What I mean is this.

When a stubborn ailment doesn't yield to... One course of treatment, I try

another.

I never give up.

Even if I have to resort to, uh... What shall I say? Something radical.

Exactly.

You see, Mr. Samuels?

The newspaper gentleman?

No, I haven't seen him, sir.

He was supposed to meet me here.

When he shows up, will you tell him I'm waiting in the bar? There he is now, Mr.

Maverick. Brother Maverick, we've done it.

Tell me.

I've just come from the courthouse. The word is victory.

Detail us if you don't mind.

Kiz Boucher's sanity hearing has been cancelled. Not continued, not postponed,

but cancelled.

So we scared them off.

Scared them, we clobbered them, we demoralized them. I bet they left town

now.

Oh, there's one who didn't.

She looks harmless enough now, poor thing.

Perhaps.

Care to join me in breaking the good news to Kiss?

Lead on.

Kiss? Are you in?

We've news for you.

She didn't leave the hotel.

My dear Bo, Monday the hearing, they'll put me away. I could never stand it.

This is the only way out.

Bo, I'm leaving $20 ,000 to you. I charge you to make sure the rest of my

fortune goes to my only kin, Melissa.

They're going to kill her.

You mean the notes of forgery? Of course it is. Kids might commit murder, but

never suicide.

I don't understand the $20 ,000 she's leaving you.

That's supposed to keep me quiet.

It's not enough.

Come on, we've got to find her.

Melissa. She'll never talk.

She will.

I don't know anything.

I can't tell you anything.

Please go away.

I didn't come to ask questions. I came to tell you something.

If it's Kiss you're at, I don't know where she is. Oh, but I do. I saw her

less than an hour ago.

Murdered. No. And before she died, she talked about you.

They weren't going to harm her.

They were only going to hold her. Yes.

Oh, you're lying.

You'll know I wasn't lying when you have a rope around your neck. Now talk.

Maybe you have a chance to save yourself yet.

I swear they're only going to hold her in prison until after the hearing.

That way, when she didn't show up, they were going to appoint me guardian of the

estate. A prisoner where? At the barn on a ranch.

But you... You saw her.

Oh, you tricked me.

Yes, I told you a lie.

Now I suggest you get down on your knees and pray that that lie doesn't become

the truth.

Where's the barn? I know where it is.

What?

Two minutes to get the horses ready, then how far? About two miles.

We'll make it. I'm not so sure there's a lot of open country around Kizzy's

ranch. It can spot us a half a mile away.

Get the job done. Be off before we can turn up. That's what I'm afraid of. Hold

on. Maybe we can reduce the risk. What are you talking about?

When I go, I like to go in style.

Well, there's a fire. I don't see no fire.

But I do see the fellow who's maybe been setting off all them false alarms

lately. This is no joke, sir. The fire's at Kisbushay's ranch.

Outside my territory, son.

Kisbushay? Come on, fellas!

Kisbushay's on fire!

I always knew the best way to sneak up on a place unobserved was to come

in on a fire engine. That's insurance, Brother Samuels, fire insurance. When

friends see Company B arriving, they won't dare carry out their plan. Company

gets there in time.

Kids write this thing for fun?

You'll never in the wide world get away with it. You think not?

You left a very convincing suicide note.

And I shall testify at the inquest.

But as your family physician for years, I've worried that you might do yourself

submission. Let's get on with it.

Very well.

Any final requests, my dear?

Yes. Yes, doctor.

One last cigar.

Unconventional to the ear. It's not this nonsense.

Oh, let me have it.

Well, this doesn't make any sense at all. Not unless I've decided to burn her

for the sake.

Kez, you're indestructible.

Where to now, Bo?

Oh, I don't know. It's a big country.

What's a fireman's hat for?

Oh, this?

It's a souvenir.

I'm going to miss you.

It was a good story, wasn't it? Good enough to give me $5 more a week.

Care to join me in getting rid of it?

Sorry, I have to move on.

Well, every man to his own pursuits.

Goodbye and good luck.

Thanks, Clem, and to you.

Oh, darling, you're not leaving.

I'd like to stay, kids, but I'm a man who has to move around.

Hurry, Bo! Come on!

Buck Canyon, easier to tame

is a legend.