Original subtitles

- He's stalling. - Won't help him none.

In there. All of it.

He didn't say count it.

I didn't mean to kill him.

What difference does it make? Let's get out of here.

Hello, Mort.

I was beginning to think you'd changed your mind.

No, I just had to finish up a few chores.

When Daisy heard I was going away for a whole weekend,

she found half a dozen things for me to do right now.

You didn't leave her in a mess, did you?

No, Slim's real good at whitewashing fences, he can do it.

No wonder I didn't have to ask you twice.

Coffee's hot, help yourself.

Thanks.

Good morning, Brother Harper.

Good morning, parson.

Looks like you had a good meeting last night.

Truly inspirational.

My words were etched in flame.

Started a fire as usual.

Pharisees, Philistines.

They dared mock the voice of peace and salvation.

If you'd stick to your mouth instead of your fists,

we'd have a lot more peace around here.

I'm getting sick of this. Every week it's the same thing.

I give you a permit for a revival,

and you have a riot.

I fight a holy war, it will never cease.

Then neither will your weekends in that cell.

Brother Harper, may I trouble you for a cup of that coffee?

Sure can, parson.

Let him get it himself.

What do you think I'm running around here, a hotel?

Since you are to be my guardian this weekend, Brother Harper,

I trust our association will be a pleasant one,

free from strife.

I don't see why not.

I ought to be back Sunday night, Jess,

Monday morning at the latest.

I just have to deliver some depositions

for a trial over in Cedar Bend.

Anything special I should look out for, Mort?

Oh, with the parson out of circulation,

you shouldn't have to--

What are you hanging around for?

There isn't any sugar.

Then you can just blame well do without.

Now you know why I pick the weekends to leave town.

Oh, come on, Mort, he's not that bad.

Well, you got to admit, for a parson,

he's pretty handy with his fists.

He's going to save our souls if he has to kill us to do it.

I've got to get rolling if I want to make

Cedar Bend before sundown.

Oh, one thing more, don't let that nephew of mine get in your hair.

Johnny?

Yeah, if he bothers you too much, just boot him out.

Why should he bother me?

Oh, you know him and his ideas about being a lawman.

He heard I was leaving town,

he wanted me to make him deputy.

You think with that pretty wife of his,

he'd want to stay home.

Not Johnny.

The badge, all he ever thinks about.

Anyhow, I told him he can hang around,

lend a hand, only if you really need him.

All right?

Sure.

Beats me though, bright young fella

with a good education, no telling how far he can go.

But all he ever wants to do is pack a gun.

Whoa.

Well, here you are, Mrs. Hartley.

You have a nice time at the sewing bee.

Don't stick too many pins in the neighbors.

Aren't you forgetting something, Mr. Hartley?

Hmm?

My mother warned me about this.

She said the honeymoon's over the first time

he doesn't kiss you goodbye.

Now you see? She was talking about the wrong fella.

Don't forget to ask Jess to supper.

Well, I won't, but you never know

how much work there is to do around the jail.

So don't be worried if we're a little bit late.

Johnny, there isn't anything wrong, is there?

I mean, you're not...

Honey, you know nothing much ever happens around here.

Now you go on and get caught up on all the gossip.

I'll see you tonight for supper.

You got two eyes, why don't you use them?

What about you? You're not supposed to ride down the street that fast!

I ride any way I please.

Not in this town you don't.

No? Maybe you're going to stop me.

That's a mighty big gun you got there.

You think you can lift it?

Next time, look both ways

before crossing the street, sonny.

Well, hello, Johnny, you're early.

I wanted to catch you before you left.

- Morning, Jess. - Morning, Johnny. - Anything wrong?

Well, no, I just wanted to remind you,

you said you'd talk to the sheriff in Cedar Bend.

Oh, sure, I will Johnny.

Don't get your hopes up too high, it's a small town.

Most likely he doesn't need a deputy.

I know, but you will talk to him?

Mm-hmm.

And it will be up to you to help Jess

in any way you can till I get back.

I'd be glad to have you.

Thanks, Jess. I'll do my best.

[ horse neighing ]

I'll-- I'll wait inside.

Well, hold the fort, like they say.

- Stay out of trouble. - Who me?

Uh-huh, you. Seems to me every time I give you that badge,

some kind of a ruckus has busted out somewhere.

Don't worry, Mort, I'll behave.

Oh, I'm not saying you start it, Jess.

Somehow or other, you always manage to wind up right in the middle of it.

So walk kind of light and easy, will you?

Especially with Johnny around.

Sure thing.

I'll let you know if I'm going to be later than tomorrow night.

Just take your time. Slim's got a lot of whitewashing to do.

PARSON: Barbarian! Hottentot! Infidel!

How dare you point a gun at a man of peace?

- What's going on? - I caught him trying to escape.

He opened up his cell door and walked right out.

It's all right, Johnny.

Just put that thing away, huh? It's all right.

What are you doing out of your cell?

I presume I'm entitled to the use of the facilities.

All right. All right.

And then get back where you belong and please stay there.

You leave his cell door unlocked,

you just let him wander around?

He'll be back.

But he's a prisoner.

More like a star boarder.

It's all right, Johnny.

Mort likes to handle him that way and it works fine.

Yeah, sure.

Well, what do you want to do first, Jess?

Huh?

Well, I thought we could look through some of the flyers and study them real good.

You never can tell when one of those men

will show up here in Laramie.

Then maybe have a look around.

Why don't we just follow Mort's orders?

Oh, sure. That's fine with me.

What does he want us to do?

Nothing.

Oh.

I wish you'd just settle down and relax.

I get all wore out just watching you.

I'll relax when Ray gets here with that money.

Well, he'll be back.

Yeah? When?

Well, he said he'd be here over the weekend, didn't he?

He was supposed to be here waiting for us.

You got more of an itch than I thought.

Yeah?

Well, he's riding high, white and handsome with $10,000.

Now just what's going to make him come here and split with us?

Well, two things.

One is the deal he made, and the other is

'cause he's got a girlfriend lives in a boarding house down the street.

Oh? You know her?

Well, yeah, we've met.

Name's Lottie Harris, she works here.

Well, then, uh,

there'd be nothing wrong with paying her a little visit.

What are you getting at?

What if Ray figured on cutting loose from us?

Well, she'd know, probably be with him.

Wouldn't hurt to make sure she's still around.

Boy, you push awful hard, Del, awful hard.

There are 10,000 reasons why I should.

Let's go.

It looks like we're in luck, Johnny.

I think we're gonna have a nice, quiet weekend.

[ knocking on door ]

Hello, Lottie.

Hello, Bart.

I wasn't expecting you.

But you figured on seeing somebody.

Yes, I did.

Oh, this is Del Shamley.

He worked with Ray and me.

Oh. Well, where's Ray?

Don't you know?

Well, no. I'm waiting for him.

Suppose we talk about this inside.

I'm sorry, I'm getting dress--

Just who do you think you are?

It's all right.

We just want to talk to you for a minute, Lottie.

What's wrong?

Has something happened to Ray?

- We don't know. - But maybe you do, Lottie.

Well, how could I? I told you, I was waiting for him.

Well, looks like you didn't plan to wait too long.

Ray wanted me to be ready to leave when he got here.

Bart, what's this all about?

We don't have to spell it for you, Lottie.

We're waiting for him, too, and you know why.

Well, what's that got to do with me?

Suppose you tell us.

Tell you what?

Oh, well, why are you leaving?

Where are you going?

That's none of your business.

Where, Lottie?

To California. We're going to be married.

Married? You and Ray?

Well, how do you like that for a combination, huh, Bart?

A nice respectable couple.

The worst outlaw in the territory

- and the town's cheapest-- - Shut your filthy--

All right, sister, I've had enough stalling.

Now give it to me straight. Where's Ray Vincent?

Oh, Bart, please, he's hurting me!

Take it easy, will you, Del?

As soon as she levels.

- Where is he? - I don't know!

You don't know? You weren't just waiting for him,

you were packing to meet him some place.

No.

Oh, that $10,000

will give you a nice long honeymoon, won't it?

Bart, please!

Leave her alone, will you, Del?

Maybe she's telling the truth.

Yeah. And maybe you'd like to give her your share

for a wedding present, huh?

No! Don't!

I don't know anything. Please stop.

LOTTIE: Please, please, leave me alone.

DEL: Where is Ray Vincent?

LOTTIE: I-- I don't know. I don't know.

- Where is he? - I don't know.

I can keep this up a lot longer than you can.

Come on, Del!

Lay off!

I'll teach you to hold out on me.

Come on, Lottie, get smart.

Where is he?

I don't know! Please, I don't know.

DEL: I'm gonna ask you just one more time.

- [ Lottie screaming ] - You stay out here.

Well, you're gonna need some help in there.

I said, stay out here and put that thing away.

Don't try it!

Higher!

Put your hands behind your neck.

Get over there.

Hang on to it and stay out of the way.

[ Lottie sobbing ]

You sure put up a good fight, two men against one woman.

Let's run them in, Jess.

I'll handle it, Johnny, you just ease off.

What happen, ma'am?

Why were they slapping you around?

It was a mistake.

A mistake?

You call that a mistake?

Then who made it?

Suppose you tell me about the mistake.

Well, it's... just like she says.

And I never contradict a lady.

No, but you sure beat 'em up, don't you?

That takes a lot of guts.

Just as much as you got with that badge and a gun.

I'll pack them in anytime.

What about you?

I suppose you just happen to be waiting for a stagecoach, huh?

Yeah, something like that.

You gonna tell me what happening or not?

There's nothing to tell. Why don't you just forget it?

See if you can forget it

when you see your face in the mirror.

All right, let's go.

- Where? - Jail.

You're under arrest for assault.

No!

I won't press charges.

I saw it myself.

I don't care what you saw,

that was just a friendly argument,

no matter what it looked like.

And if you arrest them, I'll just deny everything.

And she's got two witnesses.

Get out of here.

If I catch you in this room again,

I'll lock you up for trespassing and I won't need a witness.

I'll be around just in case you decide to come out

from behind that badge.

You won't have to wait too long.

Give them their irons, Johnny.

Glad to see you've been keeping out of the streets, sonny.

All right, they're gone.

There's nothing to be afraid of.

Would you level with me now?

I already told you, I've got nothing to say.

You don't? What were their names?

How did they just happen to be in your room?

They're a couple of drovers.

Their names are Bart Collins and Del Shamley,

and they came to talk to me about an old friend.

Because of that, they beat you up?

Look, why are you asking me all these questions?

I didn't do anything wrong.

Then why are you covering for them?

I'm not!

Now would you please just get out of here and leave me alone!

All right, I'll leave,

but you better lock your door tonight.

Might save you a lot of trouble.

Haven't we got enough on them?

What good is that gonna do?

Probably nothing. But there's always a chance.

I don't understand why we can't just arrest them.

We know they were beating the girl.

For the last time, Johnny, the law is the law.

She has to file a complaint.

So we just forget about it, huh?

No, we don't forget about it.

They're all three covering.

If I could just find one little hint.

JOHNNY: Now what are you doing out here?

I wish to speak to Brother Harper.

Oh, come on, will you, parson?

You act like this is your home.

You're a prisoner, you belong in a cell.

I am aware of my obligation.

Then will you get back in there?

I merely wish to inquire about my supper.

It'll be here when they send it over from the saloon.

Hmm, I'm sure it will,

but I would like you to see that it is properly prepared.

Last week, the meat was overcooked,

and the mashed potatoes were lumpy.

Now honestly, Jess, is that the way to run a jail?

I don't know, Johnny.

I just don't know.

It's Mort's way and it seems to work fine.

Oh, what's the use? Not like I'll find anything.

[ laughing ]

They're laughing at us.

You're just going to let it go with that?

No law against laughing, is there?

Well, I sure wouldn't stand still for it.

Well, I happen to be wearing this badge, Johnny.

When I give it back to Mort,

then I can make it something personal.

You know, sometimes you're hard to understand.

That comes from years of practice.

Now what about that supper invitation? Does it still stand?

You bet.

See if the parson needs anything, Johnny,

I got to lock up.

One of these days, he's gonna trip over that badge.

Yeah, I've been thinking about that.

Maybe it's time we did more than just think about it.

Well, I found out one thing, Carol.

You're sure a good argument for marriage.

Pretty wife and a good cook, what more can a man ask for?

And...

which is more important?

Uh-oh. That's one I better not answer.

I'll tell you this though,

I know why Mort's getting so fat.

I don't know what's he's gonna do

when you two get a place of your own.

I hope it's soon.

Mort will find you that spot in Cedar Bend, Johnny.

Well, thanks again for dinner. Good night.

I'll walk you to the barn.

That's a good idea, work off some of the chicken and dumplings.

Well, you can work some of it off by clearing the table

and starting on the dishes.

You're just looking for a way to go back to town.

You see?

We've been married a month and she reads me like a book.

Good night, Jess. I'll see you tomorrow.

Good night, Johnny.

Okay, what's on your mind?

Johnny.

He's really got his heart set on that job.

I'm sure Mort will do his best.

That's what I'm afraid of.

I don't want to interfere in Johnny's life,

but a deputy sheriff?

Oh, he could do so much better, Jess.

Honestly he can.

But that's what he wants to do.

I wish I could be sure of that.

Sometimes-- sometimes I get the feeling

he's trying to prove something,

to show me, everyone, that's he's brave and strong.

Carol, I think every young man

wants to look like that, especially to his wife.

But isn't that a little childish?

Everybody grows up sometime.

If he gets a chance to.

Wearing a badge is almost like putting a target on your chest.

Oh, Jess, I know it's different with you and Mort.

I mean, you've practically grown up

with a gun in your hands,

but Johnny isn't cut out to do the things you can.

I'm just afraid of what'll happen if he keeps trying to.

So you want me to talk him out of it, is that it?

Is that too much to ask?

No, but it's too much to think I could do it.

Johnny's gonna have to find out for himself

what he's cut out for, what he wants to be.

That's part of growing up too, Carol,

when a man can make his own decisions.

I hate to say it, but I guess you're right.

Good night, Jess.

- Good night. - Thanks.

Good fella.

[ horse neighing ]

Johnny!

Johnny.

Johnny!

Johnny, please!

Johnny!

[ horse neighing ]

Johnny, hurry!

I'm coming.

Pick him up, I'm not finished with him yet.

Oh, yes, you are. We're getting out of here.

Let go.

Look, I let you talk me into this, but no more.

You're kill crazy.

- Look, if you don't like it then get out. - Johnny!

Is that what you want? Witnesses?

You figure on collecting from Ray in jail?

Come on, let's get out of here.

Jess!

No, Jess, don't move.

Oh, dad gum.

[ gunshot ]

Johnny!

Hold it, Johnny!

They're out of range.

I tried to stop them, they were just too fast for me.

It's all right.

What happened anyway?

I don't know.

They just jumped me, I couldn't handle them.

Come inside, Jess, and lie down.

I'm all right.

You have any idea who they are?

I couldn't swear on it, but I got a pretty good idea.

- Shamley and Collins? - We can't prove it.

Well, what do you need proof for?

Why don't we just go in town and take them?

Just relax, Johnny, let me handle it my way.

I'm all right.

Please be careful.

I will.

I said good night once before.

Maybe this time I can make it stick.

I better go with you.

No need to.

Well, they might be waiting for you.

They were waiting for him here.

I know you tried your best, Johnny,

but Jess doesn't need you now.

Well, what happened to you?

Tangle with with a butter churn maybe?

You don't look so good yourself.

Oh, yeah.

I, uh, I tripped on the walk last night.

As a matter of fact, I'm thinking of suing the town

for the damages.

Do that. You'll have to prove it.

- Oh, that won't be too hard. - What time last night?

Oh, a little after dinner, just before the poker game.

- Right, Bart? - Yeah, that's right.

You played poker all evening?

Oh, long time.

You can ask Lottie Harris, she'll tell you.

I just might do that.

Any more questions?

Not for now.

We'll see you around.

Jess!

What happened?

Nothing.

Well, you were just talking to Shamley and Collins.

That was just talk. Nothing to get all riled up about.

- You just take it easy. - Well, where are you going?

Well, after a night to think it over,

Lottie might have changed her mind.

Good idea, I'll be right with you.

No, Johnny. That's my job.

Yeah, sure.

I'll be back in a few minutes.

Jess, about last night, I--

Well, I'm sorry I didn't get there in time to help you.

Not your fault.

Good morning, Brother Hartley. Sabbath greeting to you.

Yeah.

I trust this fine day will elevate

your spirit and inspire you to repent any sins and--

Now look, parson, maybe the sheriff and Jess

let you wander around here loose but not me.

Now you get back in that cell where you belong

or so help me, I'm gonna put you on bread and water.

Unless you wear a badge of office,

your threats do not concern me.

I'm warning you.

Peace, Brother Hartley. Peace.

I shall meditate for you

and seek forgiveness for your anger.

Johnny.

Parson.

Hey, ain't Jess here?

No, he'll be back in a little while.

Oh, well, here's a telegraph

just come for him from Sheriff Corey.

You know what he did?

He captured one of them high-binders that held up

the Express Office over at Casper.

Nailed him right with the money, too,

and he's bringing him in.

Well, good.

You see that Jess gets that real quick now, won't you, Johnny?

Sheriff wants him to keep an eye

- out for the other two gunslicks in the holdup. - Oh?

The one he caught confessed, said there was two more in it

and they're supposed to be waiting for him in Laramie

- to divide up the money. - They are?

Now don't you forget to give him that, will you, Johnny?

No, no, I won't.

Thanks for the coffee.

Bye, parson.

There's no point in going on about this, Mr. Harper.

I already said everything I had to say yesterday.

We didn't talk about last night.

Oh, yes. What was that?

It was something about a poker game, wasn't it?

Did you see Shamley and Collins playing poker last night?

Why? Did they say that I did?

Oh, I see, they gave me as a reference, didn't they?

Well?

Whatever they said is just fine with me.

Anything they say is just fine with you.

Now you did a real good job.

Thank you.

Nobody will ever know you let a two-bit gunmen

slap you around.

If you're trying to annoy me, Mr. Harper, you're succeeding.

I'm trying to get to the truth.

Shamley and Collins are in town for a reason.

They beat you up for a reason

and you're protecting them for a reason.

I got a hunch one answer fits everything.

Well, why don't you just go out

and find that answer, Mr. Harper, and leave me alone.

I don't reckon I can get any closer to it than right here.

And I got all day.

Wait a minute, Del, what are you gonna do?

I don't know. I'm just getting sick and tired of sitting around

and waiting, that's all.

Well, now, would you look at him?

A deputy with a badge and all.

This town must be rocking the cradle.

Leave them there.

You're under arrest.

Arrest?

What for? Reckless riding maybe?

Suspicion of armed robbery and murder.

What are you talking about?

The Casper Express Office holdup.

We haven't been anywhere near Casper.

Well, Sheriff Corey will decide that

when he comes back with his prisoner.

What prisoner?

Your accomplice.

He was captured and he confessed.

Come on, move. Do you hear me?

Oh, yeah, we hear you, all right.

But I'm afraid you're gonna have to take us, sonny.

No use trying to wait me out, Lottie.

I'm not leaving till I get my answer.

No, don't!

You really do stay in safe places,

don't you, Mr. Harper?

Carol, is he all right?

Still unconscious.

The doctor took the bullets out but now he has a 50-50 chance.

Those odds will get better every minute, you'll see.

I'm sorry, Carol.

I should have been the one who was out there.

I didn't think he'd pull anything like that.

It's not your fault, Jess.

I should have listened to you last night.

What could you have done?

What could any of us have done?

Johnny had to prove something to himself

more than anyone else.

But now...

[ door opening ]

He's conscious. You can go in and see him now.

But only for a minute,

and don't go getting him all upset.

He'll be all right then?

He's all right as anybody with a hole in his gut can be.

He'll pull through.

- He wants to see you. - Right now?

Seems to be something he wants to tell you.

Here, here. Didn't I tell you not to be getting him all upset?

I'm sorry, doctor.

I just thought I'd never see him again.

All right, but leave him be now, he needs rest.

Hello, Johnny.

I'm sorry I messed things up, Jess.

I reckon I'm not up to wearing this.

Just bit off a little more than you can chew, that's all.

Did you catch them?

No, trailed them as far as the river.

From there, they could have gone in almost any direction.

You know who they are, don't you?

I know who they might be. I saw Mort's telegram.

You were jumping to conclusions.

About a lot of things, including me.

A man can only do what he can, be what he is.

Yeah, when he learns that, he's close to being a man.

Yeah, I learned it, Jess.

[ knocking on door ]

The waiting's over, Lottie, for both of us.

I want that answer I was waiting for now.

Are you still looking for somebody to do your job,

Mr. Harper?

He wasn't doing my job.

He was trying to prove something to himself and he got hurt.

About the same thing you're doing, I'd say.

Do you know how many windows like this I've looked out of?

How many streets like that I've watched?

They're all the same, just the same.

Same kind of dirt,

same kind of men...

but at last I met somebody who was different.

He was going to marry me and take me away,

and I was gonna get out.

You could have beat me until I was near death

and I wouldn't have told you anything.

Just like Shamley and Collins?

Because they were waiting for him, too?

Waiting to split up that money?

Because they were all in on that Casper holdup?

Well, now you know what kind of a man he is.

Just like Shamley and Collins,

men that would beat a helpless woman,

and gun down a frightened kid.

Well, that's something you got to face up to, Lottie,

because it wouldn't have happened if you'd have told me.

What are you gonna do? Put me in jail?

What for?

This room is as close to any prison as I could put you in.

Wait a minute, Mr. Harper.

You've found your answer.

Well, where do you suggest that I find mine?

Stop looking out the window, try the mirror.

CY: Hey, Jess?

Any line you had on them two polecats that shot Johnny Hartley?

No, not yet, Cy.

We'll get a posse after them when Mort gets back.

You suppose they're the ones the sheriff meant in his telegraph?

There is no supposing about it.

Cy, you got any idea what time that telegram came in?

Yeah. Let's see now.

I got it about noon.

It just comes from Gorman's Bluff.

So unless that ham-fist on the key there

took his time about sending it,

it should have only been a few minutes before.

Gorman's Bluff, huh?

It's about a four-hour ride.

I reckon they'll be coming in any time now.

Hey, Jess, when you start picking your men

to follow their trail, count me in, will you?

Sure thing, Cy. Thanks.

Never mind a posse, we're right here.

Forget it.

Now just keep them wide.

Yesterday you said something about guts.

Now let's see how much you've got.

I couldn't match yours, coming back here like you did.

Unfinished business.

The sheriff's bringing in a friend of ours,

and we couldn't leave without seeing him.

Him or the Express money?

Well, now that you mention it--

Cut it short, will you, Del?

You heard him outside, the sheriff's due in a minute.

Yeah. All right.

Lock him up.

Let's see how you like your own room and board.

Move.

Hold it right there.

It's a sad day, Brother Harper, the Philistines have prevailed.

It looks that way.

But have faith. In good time, the arm of righteousness

will smite the heathen low.

I'm counting on that, parson.

Bart, they're coming.

- Inside. - No.

We'll keep him out here in the middle of the room.

And you stand here in this doorway behind him.

That way when the sheriff sees him,

he won't be expecting any trouble.

All right, move.

Have faith, Brother Harper, be ready for the summons.

You better shut that big mouth of yours if you want to stay alive.

Ray looks real sick.

Get set.

Now you behave or you're gonna get the first slug.

Get ready. They're coming on the walk.

Now, Brother Harper. Strikes revenge.

Well done, brother Harper, righteousness has triumphed.

What in blazes is going on in here?

It's a long story, Mort.

Preacher here might not look much like Samson,

that hunk of wood ain't a jawbone.

Between the two of them, they sure took care of the Philistines.

Well, I guess that about clears it up, Mort.

Outside of our new boarders, there wasn't too much trouble.

Well, he gave you enough for one weekend.

Sure hope the sheriff in Casper picks him up real soon.

I'd rather have the parson for company.

Oh, Johnny asked me to give you this.

He says he doesn't feel the job suited him.

Just as well.

There wasn't any job for him in Cedar Bend anyway.

To tell you the truth, Mort, I think he'll be looking for different employment.

[ door slamming ]

I charge you. Repent!

Oh, no, not again.

Glad to have you back, Mort.