Original subtitles

Jack Regan here is gonna count to 10.

If you ain't on your horse and riding out of this town...

when he finishes counting, we're gonna shoot you down.

Are you sure he can count all the way to 10, colonel?

Jack, show him. BRET: Colonel.

I kind of hate to say this, but I guess I'm with him.

It's your funeral.

Go ahead, Jack, count.

One, two...

three, four, five...

Maverick.

Starring James Garner and Jack Kelly.

Produced by Warner Bros.

From the entertainment capital of the world...

produced for television by Warner Bros.

Bernie?

Thank you.

You, uh... You boys come far?

We had quite a ride. Came through the Brasada.

- Oh, see any Indians? - We got ambushed by half a dozen of them.

My sidekick got killed.

So did the six Indians, courtesy of Mr. Williams.

You staying long in Bent City?

- Depends on how things go. - What kind of things?

- You're not homesteaders, are you? - You ask a lot of questions.

Mister, don't get smart with me. I'm asking questions because I wanna know.

I'm not just making conversation.

He's a lawman, Waco. Maybe he's just doing his job.

I'll ask you again. You're planning on homesteading?

If we are?

Then none of the facilities at this establishment are open to you.

Nor is anything else in this town.

You don't say.

Don't worry about it. We're not homesteading.

Mr. Williams is gonna meet a man here and I'll be moving on.

Soon as I rest up.

Well, that's just fine. You've answered my question.

You see, we've had a lot of problems here in Bent City.

Sort of makes this a nervous town.

Well, we're ought to get along fine. I'm kind of a nervous man.

Dusty too. Do you mind?

Nice little town, Waco. I think I'm gonna like it here.

- I thought you were headed for Denver. - Oh, I was and I am, but I'm in no hurry.

Oh?

They play an awful careless brand of poker here.

I'd never forgive myself if I just up and left without trying to educate them.

For a price, of course.

Well, I'm glad you're staying.

Are you going out?

Oh, I thought I'd look the town over, get a little air.

Remember, you're not a homesteader and you're not a cattleman.

That way you stay out of trouble.

Dear Bart, I'll be a little late getting to Denver.

Met a man named Waco Williams.

And I have to stick close to him for few days to net a quick $2500.

Tell you all about it when I see you. Bret.

A flush. And you drew two cards.

Had a straight flush to draw to. Figure I had to make one of them.

I'd rather have your luck than a license to steal.

Well, you cleaned me, Karl.

I only hope the missus doesn't ask too many questions.

Here.

Buy her a box of candy. Wouldn't wanna walk away from here broke.

I couldn't take that.

Go ahead. You might wanna play poker some other night.

Thank you, Karl.

- Is this an open game? - Sit right down.

If that's your whole role, mister, maybe you ought to try checkers.

Well, you know what they say about a little acre.

Open for 20.

- Cards? - I'll play these.

I'll take three.

Dealer takes one.

Fifty.

Call.

Into a pat hand?

You must have hit pretty hard.

Didn't help at all. I've still got the same kings up I went in with.

How about you?

Tens up. Let's see those kings.

You're a hard man to bluff, Maverick.

Aah, let's hold it up a minute, shall we?

I'm not a suspicious man, but there have been times when, uh, you played...

like you knew just what cards were out against you.

- Sort of sets a man thinking. - About what, Mr. Regan?

Tinhorn who came here a year so ago.

He was a mighty hard man to bluff too.

- You remember, Karl? - Mm-hm.

Dressed about like you.

Same kind of coat, as I remember it.

Only, uh, he had a cute little spring-clip arrangement fastened on his forearm.

You wouldn't have one of those, would you?

Well, to be honest with you, Mr. Regan...

playing with you, I wouldn't need a hold-out clip.

Well, I'd like to make sure that all I have to beat is your good luck.

So, uh, why don't you take off the coat and give us a look, huh?

That's not a bad idea.

No offense, Maverick, but we don't know you.

And you have to admit, you've had a pretty slick string of luck.

Luck hasn't had anything to do with it, Mr. Bent.

And I like my coat on.

In other words, you won't take it off, is that it?

I'm sure you have nothing to hide. Take it off.

It'll make Mr. Regan feel better. It'll make me feel better too.

But it'll make me feel real bad.

Karl, I think maybe he's got something under that coat...

- he just doesn't want us to see. - It does seem like it, doesn't it?

I don't see how we can let you take those winnings with you, Mr. Maverick.

Doesn't look like you earned them honestly.

Well, in that case, I'll take my coat off.

If you gentleman will do the same.

You just don't get the idea.

Take off the coat.

You better take it off, Maverick. Jack takes his poker very seriously.

Put the gun away. There's nothing under his coat.

- You stay out of this. - Heh, forget it, Waco. It isn't important.

- Well, that gun makes it important. - Now, wait. Here, look.

Nothing up my sleeves, see? No hold-out clips.

Everybody happy?

- Well, what do you want? - I'm waiting.

What for?

- For you to take your coats off. - Waco.

I think you'd best get back to the bar before I get mad.

Take them off.

Look, Waco, you coffee is getting cold over there.

You know, you're gonna get the trouble you're asking for.

I'm being as reasonable as they are.

You took your coat off, and they...

I don't like people who wave guns around when there's no need for it.

You keep it until he's old enough to handle it.

I don't think they'll give you more trouble, huh?

Thanks, you've been a big help.

Hold it right there.

Now, just who are you anyhow?

I asked a question. You better have the right answer, mister.

Somebody go get Bernie or the sheriff.

Get over there with him.

And both of you unbuckle your gun belts. Carefully.

- Who hired you two? - No one.

We'll be gone in a day or two.

What are you here for?

You know, he didn't even get me a word.

He just hauled off and hit me.

You're not planning on doing that again?

- Don't get careless, slicker. - You hit me when I wasn't looking.

- That makes us even. - But I'm not finished with you.

Did you want me, Karl?

- You talk to these two when they came in? - Yeah, I wasn't sure of them.

I am. Some of the hotheads brought them in.

Lock them up. Find out who they are, why they're here.

Keep them locked up until you get the answer.

- What are you charging them with? - Disturbing the peace.

Your chips will be cashed in and the money given you, Maverick.

Thanks.

All right, let's go. The jail is right across the street.

Give me those guns belts.

Don't go away, Mr. Bent.

Look, don't talk, just walk, huh? Come on.

Now maybe we can play some poker.

Do we get a lawyer or someone to put up our bail?

Heh, mister, you ain't gonna get bail or a lawyer.

Real sorry about that, but that's the way it's gotta be.

Up to a month ago, there was a war going on here.

Bent City was in the middle of it.

That's all over with now, but I wouldn't say things are free and easy.

I got a man to meet here. I can't be in jail.

Well, I'm sorry about that, but get inside, huh?

Keep a nice clean jail.

I want you to understand that I have to stay here in town...

- and it can't be in a cell. - All right, I understand.

- Good. - Now, get inside, huh?

Oh, Waco, now, what did you go and do that for?

When I was 5 years old, a big kid made me eat some dirt.

I didn't like it and I haven't had another bite of it since.

Give me a hand.

Waco, if you go back over there, I might have to pick you up in a box.

Why don't we spend a nice quiet evening in jail?

Tomorrow we'll talk to Bent and the judge.

- Everything'll work itself out. - Not unless we eat dirt.

- I told you how I feel about that. - Waco.

That's a very shortsighted point of view.

We all have to eat a little dirt sometime. It's good for us.

Know why I didn't mind taking off my coat?

Because Karl Bent has got lots of money and I got none.

And he's a bad poker player and I'm a good one.

Now, are you going over there and kill my golden goose?

I don't reckon it'll come to that.

Give me three.

Try it.

Now stand up, both of you, and unbuckle.

You.

Let's see how hard you can hit without a gun helping you.

- Out. - Now, wait a minute.

I said, out.

Let him have it!

Come on, get up. Come on, come on.

Come on, get up. - Come on.

Come on, get up, get up. - Get up, boy.

Come on, Karl, come on.

Come on, Karl! MAN 3: Come on!

- Come on, come on. - Thattaboy, come on.

Come on, come on, come on, get him!

Oh, Miss Bent, Karl is getting an awful beating.

Do you want us to stop it?

No, let them go.

- Come on, boy. - Get up there, Karl.

Come on, get him, get him. - Come on, get him, Karl.

Get him, boy, come on. Get in there and get him.

Come on, boy.

Ow.

Come on, get him.

Get in there. Get him, get him.

Come on, come on.

Get him, boy. MAN 4: Come on.

Some of you men get my brother to the doctor.

Oh, you were terrific.

That right hand really put him down. I knew he wouldn't get up after that.

I don't know what started this.

But knowing my brother, I'd say he probably had it coming.

You beat him up and you did a good job.

Now let me give you a little friendly advice.

Get out of town while you're still alive.

Kind of pretty, ain't she?

It's taking a little longer than I expected.

It's because I have to keep Waco Williams alive to get it.

You won't understand, but that's not easy.

- Morning, Maverick. Sleep well? - No, I didn't sleep well.

- Too bad. - You know why I didn't sleep well?

I kept jumping for my gun every time I heard a board creak.

You worry too much.

- Waco, how old are you? - Twenty-six.

It's a miracle. If you want to live another 26 years...

you better learn some basic principles from your old Uncle Bret.

Williams, Maverick.

- I'm the sheriff here. - What kept you?

- Sit down, have a cup of coffee. - Why not?

I hear you had yourself a busy night last night.

You've got kind of a busy town.

- A little hard on my deputy. - I didn't want to be.

By the looks of it, you're a cattleman. This is cattle country.

Has been since men like Colonel Bent took it from the Indians.

Now, why would you be siding with the rustlers, hm?

We're not siding with anybody, sheriff.

Just trying to mind our own business.

- Rustlers? SHERIFF: That's right, rustlers.

Cutting up the range, fencing off water, plowing up the grass.

Sounds more like farmers.

Ninety percent of the crops they raise are stolen beef.

Now the new law gives them 160 acres free.

But they got the idea the cattle are free too.

After some ranches lost a few hundred head...

some homesteaders' barns got burned.

Then some cowhands got bushwhacked.

Then a few months ago, we suddenly had a war on our hands.

Well, things have been quiet now for several weeks.

But any little thing can set it off again.

You got yourself a problem, sheriff, but we're not a part of it.

Oh, yes, you are, hm? You ride into this town...

and knock my deputy unconscious after he's made a legitimate arrest...

drag Karl Bent out in the middle of the street and beat him half to death.

Now, if you get away with it, that will set everything off again.

It's still nice and quiet.

You just wait and see what happens. I'll tell you what that is.

You're both leaving Bent City and leaving it fast.

That sounds fair enough, sheriff.

My business will more than likely be finish today. I'll be riding on.

I wasn't elected sheriff because of my sweet disposition.

I'm a hired gun.

- Tait's the name. Maybe you heard it. - Think I have.

You'll be riding out now or getting buried later.

Take your choice.

- He's just doing his job, Waco. - I don't think so.

He just said, I get out of town or he'll kill me. Right, sheriff?

Boils down to that.

I'm a reasonable man, Mr. Tait.

Naturally if I thought you could kill me I wouldn't stay.

But I think we ought to make sure.

Let's step outside.

Wait.

Ain't we a little old for games?

Oh, this isn't a game, sheriff.

It might be the most serious thing you've done in a long time.

Now, you take the one on the right. Draw anytime.

You knock the coin off the bottle before I do, I'll leave town right now.

Does that allow me to stay, sheriff?

I reckon I figured right, didn't I?

Rustlers hired you.

Nobody hired me for anything. I'm here on private business.

I won't bother anyone if no one bothers me.

I tried to do you a favor, Williams.

Now you have Colonel Bent to deal with.

He ain't polite like I am.

Waco, I've never seen a man do so many things wrong.

- Have you ever been in a Gulf hurricane? - No.

Well, it's the big pine trees and the thick oak trees that get uprooted first.

The palm trees are smart. They give with the wind.

That sounds like pretty good advice, for trees.

They live a long time.

Colonel, that man is the fastest gun I've ever seen.

He made me look like I clean forgot to draw.

Are you telling me he refused to get out of town?

- Right. - You're sheriff. You should've shot him.

- Like you beat him up last night? - It's not the same thing.

- Get out. This is none of your business. - Why not?

If this Williams can come into town...

and make a laughingstock out of my brother and defy my father, shouldn't it be?

I saw him last night, sheriff. I'm not surprised that he's hard to handle.

Now, go on, Kathy. We'll talk about it later.

Tait.

You were hired to enforce the law around here.

All of a sudden, you're not doing it. Why?

I told you why.

I'm not fast enough and I don't know of anybody who is.

Now, if you want him out of the way, he's gonna have to be bushwhacked.

And neither you or me will do a thing like that.

I was right, wasn't I? They did hire him.

He's the kind of man I'd hire.

Until last night, the decent people around here had the battle won.

You think I'm gonna let a gunslinger start it up again?

Last night, this man assaulted your deputy and broke jail.

Makes no difference whether he rated arrest in the first place.

He broke the law and broke it good in anybody's book.

And if that's not bad enough, he took my son...

and made a clown out of him in front of half the rustlers in this territory.

I know what'll happen if he gets away with it.

The range will be finished. They'll laugh

at us in every hut from here to the Rockies.

I'm not listening to excuses. This is your job.

You take care of it or you're through.

Well, you fixed me up real good, didn't you, junior?

When are you gonna learn that a man fights his own battles?

Who's gonna take care of you after your pa is gone, hmm?

Your sister?

Gentlemen, deal me out.

Hi. You walking again?

Well, I don't play poker, so I have to get exercise some other way.

- Oh, you got another one of those? - Are you taking up smoking?

- Heh, keeps the mosquitoes away. - There's no mosquitoes around here.

Then I'll save it.

- Howdy, Mr. Perkins. - Hello, Mr. Williams.

- I guess nobody's been asking for me. - No, not yet.

But don't worry, I remember what you told me.

I'll be beholden to you.

Blackie?

Blackie?

Did you see who it was?

Yeah, I saw him.

What's going on here?

Who did this?

- You? - I saw it, sheriff.

Somebody with a riffle tried to bushwhack Waco.

- Hit this man instead. - He's right, sheriff.

I was right down the street.

- Where were you, Williams? - Right over there.

- What you were doing out there? - Taking a walk.

- Did you see who it was? - Karl Bent.

Oh, you don't expect me to believe that, coming from you.

Bent murdered this man. Gonna bring him in?

On your say-so, heh?

Anybody else see who fired the shot?

If I tried to bring Karl Bent to trial just because you accused him...

this town would blow up all over the territory.

You're accusing a cowman of killing a plow-pusher.

On an identification you made in the dark.

Besides, a jury of cattleman would never convict him.

Jury of rustlers, they'd hang him for spitting on the sidewalk.

Sheriff's right, Waco.

You can't make it stick no matter how sure you are.

All right, sheriff.

Karl Bent tried to kill me. Take a message to him.

Tell him as long as I'm in Bent City, not to show his face in town.

If he does, I'll kick him so hard he'll spend the rest of his life standing up.

If he doesn't want to run, I'm kill him. You tell him that.

Be glad to.

Well, boys, give me a hand with him.

Are you saying I ordered that done?

William says it was Karl.

What kind of people does he think we are?

You tell me the truth, son.

- Was it you? - Of course not.

- Where were you tonight, Karl? - None of your business where he was.

- If he said it wasn't him, it wasn't. - I don't mind.

I was with Carmen Sanchez, and you can check with her.

Oh, that's real nice. She'd swear you could walk on the ceiling if you asked her to.

That's enough, Tait.

No Bent ever stooped to bushwhacking.

Well, since I just quit as your sheriff, I guess it's none of my business anyhow.

Besides, that's just part of what I came here for.

I've got a message for Karl from Williams.

He says you're to keep out of Bent City.

If you show your face in town again, he'll kick you out.

- Or kill you. - He said what?

Just that.

I've taken a lot off of him...

because I didn't wanna see any more blood spilled around here.

But if he thinks he can move into the town I built and named...

and then tell my son to stay out of it...

Karl, go get Jack Regan and some of the hands.

- Evening, Mr. Menzies. - Hello, Mr. Williams.

- I guess nobody's been asking for me yet. - Not as far as I know.

It don't look to me like he's gonna show up, this, uh, friend of yours.

He'll show up.

Looks like somebody's in for it.

Williams, Waco Williams, come on out of there.

Are you coming out, or we come in and get you?

Williams.

You wanna see me?

So you're Waco Williams?

I expected more.

Well, if you're Colonel Bent, I expected less.

Where's your horse?

- Over there. - All right.

Jack Regan here is gonna count to 10.

If you ain't on your horse and heading out of town...

by the time he finishes counting...

we're gonna shoot you down.

Well?

Are you sure he can count all the way to 10, colonel?

Jack, show him.

One, two...

three, four, five...

six, seven...

When he hits 10, you're gonna be a dead man, Colonel Bent.

And your son, the one who likes back-shooting.

And then the one doing the counting.

Go ahead, talk big, and we'll bury you big.

Jack, count.

- Four... - You already been there.

Seven, eight...

Colonel.

I kind of hate to say this...

- but I guess I'm with him. - It's your funeral.

Go ahead, Jack, count.

Eight...

nine...

ten.

Get a doctor for this man.

Regan's dead. So is young Bent.

Well, I never figured he'd hang.

Doc says it'll be touch-and-go for the old man.

What happened to you?

- Why didn't you see the doctor? - He had his hands full.

You're a lucky fool, Waco, taking on that many men single-handed.

What do you mean, single-handed? I know you were back there.

You've been watching over me like a mother hen, heh.

And you claim to be out just for yourself.

It's true, Waco.

I only joined your fight because I figured

those horses start rearing at the first shot.

And who can shoot straight from a rearing horse?

Of course, accidents will happen. Scary, isn't it?

Maverick, I guess you're the only person in the world would be insulted...

if someone called him a good man.

Not insulted, embarrassed.

Every rustler you ran out of the valley is coming back. They think you're licked.

Williams is the big hero.

They're even talking of running him for sheriff.

Heh, let him. He can't win.

He can if some of the cowboys and storekeepers vote for him.

- And I think a lot of them will. - That Williams.

Too bad he picked the wrong side.

Don't worry about the election. He won't be around.

- What you know that I don't? - He's gonna get himself into a fight.

- Get killed. - You're hoping for a miracle.

- A lot better guns than he is. - Like whose?

Like Dave Hart.

You sent for a professional killer?

Everything I built in my life is going to you.

But you ain't gonna keep a nickel's worth of it unless you learn something.

You're born into a battle.

You fight to breathe at the beginning and you never stop fighting till the end.

You reward your friends and you destroy your enemies.

You stop fighting when you're dead.

And I ain't dead yet.

But this way, hiring a gunslinger to do your fighting for you.

Well, how else am I supposed to fight?

I never quit in my life and I won't stop now.

Bret, there's something about you that's got me worried.

Well, that makes us even.

You haven't asked me who I'm meeting here.

That's because I already know, Waco.

Your sidekick told me just before he died. You're meeting Blackie Dolan.

He told you? Why?

Because he thought Dolan belonged behind bars and so do I.

I just can't figure you helping a man like that.

There's even $2500 reward on him.

Heh, now, why would you want to help anyone like Dolan?

Oh, he helped me once, but I don't intend to help him the way he expects.

I figure I can talk him into giving himself up before it's too late.

May I come in?

I came up the back way.

No one knows I'm here and I don't want it known.

All right, it won't be.

- Will you sit down? - No, thank you.

- How's your father? - He's not well.

I'm sorry.

I hope you don't think I was brought here to start all this.

- My father thinks so. - Well, I wasn't.

I believe you.

That's why I'm here, to ask you again to leave town.

My father's bringing in a professional gunman, Dave Hart.

Well, thanks. I know it's wasn't easy for you to come here and tell me that.

When's Hart getting here?

Well, I'm not sure, but there's a train due in tonight.

Thanks again.

I'll see if anybody is around.

- Then I wasted my time coming here. - Oh, no, ma'am.

You see, Hart will force me into a fight...

and thanks to you, I'll know who I'm fighting.

I've got a gun in your back.

Don't make any quick moments and you'll live to reach the end of the platform.

Just relax, friend.

Somebody will find you when you get the Kansas City. You'll be all right.

You might get little cold. I couldn't afford a first-class ticket.

You have nice trip, Mr. Hart.

Yeah, I know, don't forget to write.

Oh, whatever he's got, but without the ketchup.

- Good morning, Mr. Williams. - Good morning, Bret.

Ah, what's the news of the world? Have they decided to make Tilden president?

It's a doggone shame, Bret, a real shame.

- Congress decided on Hayes? - Blackie Dolan has been caught.

He's been what?

Freight clerk in the next town found him in a baggage car headed east all tied up.

- Are you all right? - I don't think so.

What's the matter?

You wouldn't understand.

Bye, Waco. It's been real nice.

What do you mean, goodbye?

You can't just walk away from me. Not after all we've been through.

Waco, I can't lie to you. I don't know why, but I can't.

But I've been sticking with you because of Blackie Dolan.

There was a very attractive reward.

You mean you were going to turn him in for the reward?

Heh, I've got a heart of gold, Waco, but...

well, heh, I'm just a teensy bit mercenary.

And that's why you've been mothering me like a hen with one chick.

You must be pretty disappointed he got caught.

Heh, you'll never know.

- Goodbye, Waco. Still friends? - I hope we always will be.

Why don't you pack up and come with me? Denver's very nice...

Mr. Williams, that fellow you've been waiting for.

He's out in the street asking for you.

You sure got some hard-looking friends.

- I reckon that'll be Mr. Hart. - Now, Waco, Waco.

Just once, listen to me.

Your whole philosophy of life is wrong.

Don't go out there. Come out the back with me and we can...

Goodbye, Bret.

You wanted to see me?

Are you a bushwhacking skunk of a liar named Waco Williams?

No, but my name is Waco Williams.

Then you are a bushwhacking skunk and a liar.

I came here to run you out of town.

Are you, uh, planning to do it with talk?

The talk's over.

Start running or draw your gun.

Well, you were hired to draw yours. Go right ahead.

Mr. Williams.

Dad sent me to find him and call him off.

He wants to see you. Will you come?

Of course.

- Think you beat me, don't you? - Well, I wasn't trying to.

Uh, that's what I wanted to know.

Were you hired to come here or weren't you?

Well, I wasn't. I wasn't looking for a fight.

Ah, sure weren't running away from one.

The reason you're here is I wanted to tell you something.

And I wanted my daughter to hear it.

What happened to my son and to me...

I don't hold it against you.

And I don't want you to.

- That's all I had to say to you. - Well, thank you, Mr. Bent.

Colonel Bent.

I guess that wasn't all I had to say.

You're the first man I ever laid eyes on I thought was good enough for her.

Well, now get out of here and let me get some rest.

Is that a fact?

Well, how about that?

I can't believe it.

Oh, Mr. Maverick, that sidekick of yours is sure a lot of man, ain't he?

Almost too much.

Heh, what do you think about him...

- and Kathy Bent? - Huh?

Houseman rode in from the ranch, says they're getting married.

Well, that's impossible.

He was right there. He ought to know, heh.

On second thought, it isn't impossible.

For Waco, nothing is.

He'll be our next sheriff for certain.

Hey, there they are.

- It is true what we hear? - Come on, let us in on it.

Now, he did everything a man shouldn't do, but he's still alive.

Looks like he'll be elected sheriff.

I know he'll end up with the biggest ranch in the territory.

I'm broke.

Nobody even knows I'm leaving or cares.

Could I be wrong?