Dead for A Dollar (2022) - full transcript
The film follows a famed bounty hunter who runs into his sworn enemy, a professional gambler and outlaw that he had sent to prison years before.
Give it up, Frank!
Joe Cribbens.
Joe Cribbens! Visitor!
Well, goddamn. Hard to figure
who I'd less rather see.
What brings a skunk
like you here?
I was in the neighborhood
collecting reward money.
Thought I'd pay you a visit.
Yeah. Heard you took down
Frank Ledbetter last week.
We get all the news in here.
You'd be surprised.
How much you gonna collect
for old Frank?
- Friend of yours?
- Never met the man,
but I was on his side.
Okay, bounty man. Did you give
him much of a chance?
Same chance he gave me.
Give it up, Frank!
Right. Just another fella
dead for a dollar.
I figure you know I'm getting
out of here next week.
Served my time. All five years.
I heard you've been
telling people
first thing you were gonna do
when you walk out of here
is get a gun and look me up.
Don't flatter yourself.
I'm not going out of my way
to find you.
I'm going to head down
to Mexico.
Just... play out the string.
Cards, tequila, señoritas...
No matter where you're headed,
you'll still end up the same.
Horse thief.
- Guilty.
- Bank robber.
- Couldn't prove it.
- Killed a couple of men.
Couldn't prove it,
and I never killed nobody
that wasn't trying to kill me.
When you took me down,
I was sleeping.
It wasn't a real fight.
I just... woke up with a gun
in my face.
Stay clear of me, Joe.
You do the same!
Otherwise, most likely,
you're a dead man.
I don't usually tell a man
twice. Stay clear of me, Joe.
Shit heel.
Prisoner number 387,
Joe Cribbens.
Your paperwork came
in the afternoon mail.
Tomorrow morning 10 o'clock,
you get your possessions back
and a government check
for 50 dollars.
Good luck to you, Joe.
Yes, sir.
Yip!
Take a last look.
Captain Brand.
Rider approaching, sir.
Good morning.
Let me take care of your horse.
Max Borlund, follow us.
Sir. Mr. Borlund, sir.
As you were, corporal.
Mr. Borlund. It's good
to see you again.
It's been some time.
- It has.
This is Martin Kidd. He could
stand to use your services.
Mr. Kidd is a prominent
businessman here
in the territory,
and a friend to the army.
Mr. Borlund, it seems your
reputation precedes you.
I'll accept that
as a compliment.
Gentlemen, this is
a clandestine moment
and a meeting
that never happened.
That's why I've convened it out
here in the middle of nowhere.
I'll let you two
get down to business.
Um, Mr. Borlund, I doubt
that you're familiar
with a Buffalo soldier
by the name of Elijah Jones?
Private Elijah Jones? No?
Right, he's taken a white woman,
my wife, Rachel.
Abducted her three weeks ago,
took her across the border
down to Mexico.
I sent out patrols,
thought we could head 'em off,
find 'em before they got
to the border. We missed 'em.
Alright, so, son of a bitch
is asking for $10,000
in ransom money,
which I will not pay.
I do not reward criminals,
but I am willing to offer you
$2,000 to bring Rachel back.
$500 advance.
This will help you
identify Rachel.
Captain Brand there
has a document stating
that you are a representative
of the United States government
and you're in pursuit of Elijah,
in case you run into any
legal problems down in Mexico.
Well, three weeks head start...
I need supplies, a pack mule,
ammunition.
Discretion in this matter,
that's of paramount importance.
It's my wife's reputation
to consider.
As well as my own.
Sergeant Poe!
Off the books, we're sending
one soldier to accompany you.
Sir! Mr. Borlund,
as ordered by the captain,
Sergeant Alonzo Poe
reporting for duty, sir!
Make sure he dresses civilian.
Things need to look proper.
Don't want you two
to travel together
until you're both south
of the border.
- Yes, Sergeant.
- Sir, yes, sir!
Well, well. Here comes
the bounty man.
Captain say he the best shooter
in the territory,
rifle or pistol.
Sergeant Poe.
Mr. Borlund, sir.
The captain tells me
you're gonna be a very
valuable man on this trip.
I just want to say
if things get tight,
I'm a damn good shot.
Best eye in the regiment.
Captain also says
you have an idea where Mrs. Kidd
and this Elijah Jones may be.
Oh, I know exactly where.
Got the map right here.
Can't do much better than that,
now can you?
Shows you right to where
they're hiding out.
Now, this here map
was given to me
by Private Elijah Jones himself.
Private Jones
just hands out maps
of where he's gonna be
after he deserts the army
and abducts a white woman?
Let me see this map.
According to this,
they're deep into Chihuahua.
Mm-hmm.
That sounds about right.
Elijah said it was a fair piece.
Look, normally we'd head
straight to San Juanito.
It's the best road south.
Start asking if anyone's seen
a Black man travelling
with a white woman,
but if he abducted her,
he'd avoid showing up in cities.
No. He run off,
damn foolish. But...
Well, Elijah didn't
abduct nobody.
That's not what I've been told.
Let me tell you about Elijah.
Like all of God's children,
he's got his faults.
But in a lot of ways,
he's a really good fella.
I know these is delicate
matters, but I gotta say,
if she's with Elijah,
it's 'cause she wanna be.
Sounds like
you're defending him.
Private Elijah Jones
was expecting me
to join up with him. Gave me
the map so I could find the way.
Now I'm the one who's supposed
to deliver the ransom money.
That's why I truly do believe
they are holed up
in the middle of nowhere
at an American fella's place,
named Hannon.
There's a Hannon
that's a wanted man in Texas.
The poster's been up
for five years.
Accomplice to murder.
Bank robbery in El Paso.
- Do you know this woman?
- Mm-hmm.
Ain't never met her.
She helped improve Elijah's
reading in the school.
At least that's what he told me.
Yeah, is this the face that
launched a thousand ships?
You wanna run that by me
one more time?
Ah, it's a line by Marlowe,
Shakespeare's time,
you know, about Helen of Troy.
All right, right, right, I was
just reading all about that
just the other day.
- You trust that map?
- Mm-hmm.
And they're holed up down there
waiting for the money
that I ain't bringing.
Ooh! Yes, sir! I guess you wanna
know my story too, huh?
- Not necessarily.
- Oh, come on, now, Mr. Borlund.
A little friendly talk
to help the time pass by.
Ain't that true?
- Thanks.
- You want me to call you Max?
I think Mr. Borlund
will do just fine.
Mr. Borlund it is.
See now, the thing with Elijah
here is real simple.
He wasn't an army man.
See, where I come from,
a new bed,
clean clothes, a good horse,
and three square meals a day
sounded like a mighty fine deal.
I joined up in the army
when I was 17.
The captain, he filled me in
about you too now, sir.
Captain say you either a
Dutchman, or a Swede, or a...
a German or something such.
Captain say you used to be
a soldier some time way back.
Ain't too sure about
which army, though.
- Mm-hmm.
- Mind telling me?
Is you a Dutchman or a Swede?
Whatever?
Not at all. I'm an American.
You know, uh...
You've been acting real jumpy
the last few days.
I've come to realize...
...my whole life, I've done
impulsive things.
They don't always work out.
Got a reserve of 20 bullets.
I'm gonna use another five
to practice.
I keep being told this is
a dangerous country.
I'll never give them the
pleasure of watching me cry.
Good. Yeah, I like that.
We did what we done.
And we just saying
to all of them,
"Piss upon ya.
Go straight to hell."
I was sent here by Tiberio
because my English is good.
Very good, as you can tell.
Let me begin saying I am honored
to meet you, Mrs. Kidd.
Obviously, a very kind and
beautiful woman.
I say thank you, Mr. Romero.
But maybe you should get
to the point.
Why are you here?
Oh. I'm here to represent
Tiberio Vargas,
and to give response
to the financial offer
made to him by Señor Hannon.
Let us review the facts.
We don't have to do
this business here and now,
in front of these people.
Mr. Hannon owes Tiberio Vargas
several thousand dollars
in gambling debt.
Hold on, goddamn it!
This is between me and Tiberio.
To retire the debt, Mr. Hannon
has offered Tiberio Vargas
$5,000 of Mrs. Kidd's
ransom money,
in return for your safe passage
to Veracruz and then Cuba.
Goddamn it. You son
of a bitch, you sold us out.
All right...
I needed money.
The two of you, you eat up
my food, sleep all hours.
You don't pay shit for rent.
And worst of all, I gotta deal
with this hell cat of yours
complaining all the time
about how dirty it is
for her dainty self and that I
live like a goddamn bindlestiff!
I don't see why I gotta
put up with this shit
from this rich bitch whore
without getting paid
royal for it!
I've decided...
the price for room and board
for these two runaways
is $2,500.
Everybody in this deal
is guaranteed something.
Everybody benefits.
I'll tell you about guarantees.
I'll guarantee you this.
I am not a whore.
A message is sent
to Tiberio by Señor Hannon.
His offer proposes that Tiberio,
for $5,000,
will guarantee safe conduct for
you and Mrs. Kidd to Veracruz.
I have come here to
tell you that
Tiberio accepts your proposal.
Maybe this actually works.
Sure, we lose some money, but...
it gets us a clean getaway.
Mr. Borlund.
Outlaws?
- Until proven differently.
Greetings.
This is Señor Tiberio Vargas,
I am Esteban Romero,
at your service.
I will translate.
Señor Vargas is a very important
and generous man.
Ten years ago, he sent me
to Monterrey to study law.
As you can see,
Tiberio is hunting,
entertaining his guest and
business associate,
Señor Palmer.
Señor Palmer has come
all the way from London
to do business with Tiberio.
- Really?
- Uh, Tiberio says
that the land
you're travelling through,
the water you're helping
yourselves to is all his,
and as a result, there is a fee
to be paid for safe passage.
Tiberio is not happy.
He says force
could possibly be used.
He has many guns.
So do we. Tiberio will be
the first one to be shot.
If you allow me, sir,
I don't mean to interfere,
but it might not be wise
to contest this issue.
Now, if you want my opinion...
- I don't.
Mr. Poe!
- That'll be me, sir.
Armed and ready.
Down here,
the gringos are not the boss.
- So you do speak English.
- Only when I want.
Who the hell are you?
I'm the fella with the gun.
Who the hell is you?
I go by Jack Tyree.
Looks like you a long way
from home, Jack.
I'm giving you advice, amigo.
Clear on out of here. Tiberio
don't kill you, I just might.
I don't much like me some damned
smart mouthed fucker.
So, what's it gonna be?
How do you want to play it?
Tiberio asks if
you, like so many others,
are here to seek gold.
We all work for money.
Well, sir,
my name is William Palmer.
I just wish to say that
your good fortune matches
your obstinate stupidity.
- Vamos, vamos!
- Good day.
Yah!
You find gold,
you must share it with Tiberio.
Otherwise, I guarantee
the consequences will be
extremely unpleasant.
I don't think we made
a new friend.
Do you wish
for a meal or a room?
I reckon I need both.
Ah. How long are you
gonna stay, Señor?
Ah, a couple of weeks.
Maybe more, quién sabe.
Ah, we've got lots of rooms.
I give you the best one.
Looks to be kind of quiet
around here.
You know, we have this town.
People still come here
to gamble.
Tiberio Vargas y sus hombres,
they come here, they gamble.
We still have rucas.
Buenas rucas.
We have the house dealer,
Sylvio, an honest man.
Right now, that's just
what the doctor ordered.
Gonna suit me right down
to the ground.
Joe Cribbens, at your service.
Entonces... What,
you are a businessman?
I retired. I just like
to play cards and...
stay out of trouble.
See them two horses down
there? Them is army horses.
The map worked out.
We got 'em, Mr. Borlund.
We got 'em with the element
of surprise.
The map was correct.
Very good, Mr. Poe. Very good.
I aim to please.
Don't seem
to be any luck. Shit.
You got a bad temper, Jack.
The other night,
you were way out of hand.
You ought a get it under control.
I still can't accept...
Elijah, don't!
I wouldn't try anything foolish.
Walk away from that gun.
No, no, no, no!
This ain't part of the deal!
This is my private fucking...
Oh, Mr. Hannon, keep
your arms up and stay quiet!
- Who are you?
- Go easy now, ma'am,
a lot of guns in here.
- Damn you, I asked who are you.
Just what do you think
you're doing?
We're here on full legal
authority, Mrs. Kidd.
That, and me and Elijah here
are old friends.
Alonzo, you done gone over,
you done sold me out?
Yep! Turns out I'm just a good
old army man, ain't that right?
You're the only damn person
in the regiment I trusted!
You let me down, brother!
- You let yourself down
with this dumb-ass plan.
That and getting caught up
with this silly-ass white woman.
One thing is for certain,
I ain't going back to Texas
with some bounty man!
I got a rope waiting for me.
Get the hell gone
or I'll kill her, sure as hell!
He's not after you,
he's after us.
- Bullshit!
- Goddamn...
You killed him.
Yes, I did.
You're gonna bury him,
Mr. Jones.
Max Borlund. Ma'am.
I've been hired by your husband
to take you home.
You see the mess
you done got yourself in?
You ain't nothing
but a damn stupid fool.
I'm not grateful
for your mission here.
But I should thank you
for possibly saving my life.
Hannon was a foolish man.
Mr. Hannon was
a treacherous man.
Get yourself together,
Mrs. Kidd,
and whatever you need,
we ride within the hour.
I suppose I need
to surrender my gun.
I keep a derringer in my valise.
I'm doing this because
Elijah might
try to do something foolish.
I wouldn't want
to see him killed.
I'd feel more than
partially responsible
if he came to any harm.
Deserted the army,
attempted extortion.
He's coming in
for a lot of harm.
Maybe the easiest way out
of this mess is to shoot you.
And solve at least
some of my problems.
I don't think that's such
a good idea, Mrs. Kidd.
Mr. Borlund,
I have a question.
Are you under the impression
that you are rescuing me?
I was told
that you were abducted.
That was a lie.
I've also been told that
by Sergeant Poe.
When you killed Mr. Hannon
back at his cabin...
Mm-hmm.
Your bullets missed
my head by inches.
Mm-hmm.
You're that confident
in your marksmanship?
No.
Thought you was my friend.
You went and turned
your back on me.
Now, you listen to me, brother.
This thing ain't over yet.
I might just be able
to get you out of this mess
you done put yourself in.
Oh, and let me say this.
I still think it's a good idea
you and the army is finished.
You wasn't exactly
the soldier type of fella.
I go along with the notion
seeing it's a real good idea
that you end up in Cuba
some such. You hear me?
Maybe you ought a hear this.
I got me and Rachel
an insurance policy.
His name is Tiberio.
You know I'm married.
Certainly, you know I've run off
with a man of color.
I expect you think you have me
pretty well figured out.
Your husband hired me to take
you back across the border.
Beyond that, I have no opinion.
Martin Kidd is not simply
a bad husband.
He's also a very bad man.
Not everyone I work for
is a saint.
I took a job and I intend
to earn my money.
You live by a code?
I try.
You ever question it?
Not often.
Got a wife?
I don't think I'm a good fit
for the whole idea.
Yeah, well...
Excuse me, I gotta see
Mr. Poe.
Go get something to eat,
I'll relieve you.
You can spell me
in four hours, I'll wake you.
I got some information
about Elijah.
The goddamn fool done made
some type of deal
with that Tiberio fella.
Does... Does Mrs. Kidd
know that?
I don't know for sure,
but I expect so.
Very interesting game, poker.
Sometimes, it's hard to figure
when the man's bluffing
or when he's got the goods.
So far,
you seem to be on your game.
You know, I like to know
the name of the people
I play cards with. That way,
when they take my money,
it makes it that little
bit more friendly.
You played here
for an hour and a half,
and not knowing my name
didn't seem to bother you
until I started winning.
Well, you do show some signs
of being a professional
card shark.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
I'll take that
as a sign of respect.
Well, it wasn't meant
in that spirit.
Now, I'd like to have a name,
unless it's something
you're ashamed of.
One card.
Sure thing, amigo.
But I want to be real polite.
You first.
With pleasure.
William Palmer Esquire,
firm purchase agent for the
Turnbull Mining
Properties Limited.
Offices in London, Manchester,
and New Orleans.
Around here, they refer to me
as Guillermo Inglés.
English Bill.
Long way from home.
Indeed.
And you are?
Joe Cribbens. I'm from Texas.
You seem to be a man of strong
opinions, English Bill.
Mr. Palmer, if you please.
Now, let me put you on notice,
Mr. Cribbens.
I'm a very, very good
card player.
I do not intend to be taken in
by any tricks of your trade
because I am not a man
to be taken advantage of.
I can defend myself adequately
here in this rough terrain.
I'm also here on business
with Mr. Tiberio Vargas,
who, as you must certainly know,
is lord of all he surveys
in these parts.
Now, since I think you're just
another bullshit Englishman,
the kind of fella
we gringos have already
whipped twice in two wars...
Why don't we cut the blabber
and just concentrate
on playing cards?
Well, hell!
English Bill. Your luck's bound
to change sometime.
So, I guess I'll call.
With... two itty-bitty pairs.
Son of a bitch.
Some fellas just can't get
away with a bluff.
They lack the character for it.
I'll tell you this
Mr. Cribbens,
you're damn lucky
I'm not wearing a gun.
And I'll tell you this,
English Bill.
You're damn lucky
I don't put a bullet up your ass
just on general principle.
Now, if I was you,
I'd get out of my sight,
before I run through
all my good humor.
I have a fugitive of the law,
army deserter and extortionist.
I am Max Borlund representing
the United States army.
And I am Captain
Miguel A rag on.
Chief Magistrate
of Trinidad Maria.
At your service.
- Who's the woman?
- I have a name.
Mrs. Rachel Kidd.
You can put the prisoner
in a cell and send a telegram
to the territorial deputy
in Santa Fe saying that you have
a Private Elijah Jones
in your custody.
You have no jurisdiction here.
Yes. But your country's law
doesn't permit deserters
of foreign armies
to find safe haven.
There's an honorable tradition
of extraditing men
who come here
with bad intentions.
Maybe you ought a
hear this, Captain.
You lock me up, Tiberio Vargas
might not like it one damn bit.
- Tiberio Vargas?
- Uh-huh. Me and him
were talking business before
this bounty man showed up.
By the way, he killed a man.
Jack Hannon.
- You killed a man?
- Yeah.
American. Wanted criminal
who resisted arrest.
They're witnesses.
- Yes.
Mr. Borlund killed Mr. Hannon
after he put a gun to my head.
Mr. Borlund probably
saved my life.
We are officers of the law.
We will lock him up.
Can't say I didn't do nothing
for you, brother.
Yeah, real goddamn funny.
Well, I'll check in on you
every now and then,
make sure they're
feeding you proper.
Mr. Borlund,
a word in private.
I'm sorry, Elijah.
None of this
is turning out right.
Yeah. Gotta admit,
Cuba's looking real far away.
My government expects me
to protect lives and property.
If Tiberio Vargas becomes angry,
or attempts to profit
from this situation,
there could be trouble.
This town is under
my jurisdiction,
but out there, Tiberio is king.
There are those who come here
and then break the law.
Two gringos.
They were robbing local farmers,
hiding up in the mountains.
Tiberio and his men
hunted them down.
I let them hang
for two weeks after that.
The smell gets very bad.
Did you give them a trial?
It wasn't necessary.
You should go over to the
hotel and get yourself a room.
Unfortunately, I am without
sufficient funds.
Yeah, I'll take care of that
after I send a telegram
to your husband.
See all this mess
you done caused?
Runaway woman,
bounty hunter,
price on your head...
And believe me, for sure,
they'd rather see you dead.
Guess I was better off
in the army all those years
taking nothing but shit.
And knowing if I quit the army,
I ain't got much chance
of doing nothing else.
Except shining shoes
or serving food.
Well no, sir.
No thank you.
Do you speak English?
I do, Señor.
Mrs. Kidd will need a room
for a few days, maybe more.
I need a room as well.
Number four, at the top
of those stairs.
Thank you.
You have number two,
across the hallway.
- Thanks.
- Señor.
I suppose I should say
thank you,
but then I remember
who you're working for.
It doesn't seem right,
Elijah being treated
like a criminal,
and I'm put up in a nice hotel.
Elijah left the army,
that makes him a deserter.
You left your marriage.
No one goes to jail for that.
Ah, there he is.
Joe Cribbens.
Professional card shark.
See, I've been considering
our card game,
and I believe you cheated me.
I don't need to cheat
to beat you, amigo.
Well, this time, I brought
my service revolver
and I fully intend on dealing
with the situation.
Now, I suggest you give me
back my money
and throw in a few extra
shillings for good measure.
Goddamn Englishman
went and committed suicide.
Esperanza, you can come in.
I thought I picked...
Oh, I'm sorry.
- No, come in.
- What I wanted to discuss...
I said come in.
As you can see, I'm trying
to take a bath.
My first real one in weeks.
What's the matter?
You suspect I'm a whore,
I supposed I might
as well act like one.
Are you getting nervous?
Maybe, like most men,
you're just scared to death of
really dealing with a woman.
Are you finished?
I came to let you know
that tomorrow
I'll start making arrangements
to have you taken back
across the border.
My life is done there.
I have to move on, not go back.
I appreciate your concern,
but I will be the one
to figure out my life.
Mm-hmm.
You refuse to go?
I refuse to go.
Even at gun point.
If you'll excuse me.
- I'm sorry.
As you have been told,
I'm here representing
Tiberio Vargas.
He has already heard about this
unfortunate incident.
Look, this man tried
to kill me, came here to do it.
Most likely a real shit heel
in general.
I figured I was doing
everybody a favor.
We need no favors,
but possibly you do.
This man you killed
was doing serious business
with Tiberio Vargas.
Tiberio Vargas,
I keep hearing the name.
Mmm, you do not want him
for an enemy.
Joe Cribbens.
Name's not Joseph.
Just Joe will cover the deal.
I was Texas, born and bred.
Been knocking around
since I was 15.
Worked Teamster, worked Trooper.
Drifted some.
I always liked playing cards.
Tell me why you shot
this Englishman.
I beat him at cards.
I beat him fair and square.
He didn't take it too good.
Guess I just turned out
to be the better man.
Luis agrees the Englishman
shot first.
He's an honest man.
Tiberio will consider all this.
You must wait here in Guadalupe
while Tiberio makes
his decision.
Damn. My luck's run bad.
Mr. Borlund. We meet again.
This time, I'm happy to say
I'm not sitting in a bathtub.
Do you have news?
I was just informed
a few minutes ago
by Captain A rag on that
your husband is on his way here,
he's travelling by coach.
I am to watch over you
until he arrives.
A very bad situation
now made worse.
The last time we talked,
I was extremely short-tempered.
I apologize.
No apology necessary.
I've decided you need to be in
greater possession of the facts.
I believe you need
to know my story.
It begins with
a well-off family.
I'm the youngest
of three sisters,
educated by a series
of governesses.
Rebellious. Didn't get along
with anybody much,
including my parents
and my sisters.
Fell in love at 17.
It was quite passionate.
I've always resisted
traditional morality.
My mother once told me,
"You only fall completely
in love once, and usually,
when you're very young."
She also told me,
"Almost no woman ends up
with her first choice."
Five years later,
I met Martin Kidd.
He was charming, ambitious,
seemed very rich,
and he was from the west.
I desperately wanted to get away
from where I grew up.
We had a quick romance, and four
weeks later, we were married.
We went to live
in his home in Santa Fe.
Then, the horror started.
I discovered he's a crook,
a conniver, an extortionist,
a land cheat.
He constantly consorted
with other women,
usually prostitutes.
I was reduced to being
that which I most despise,
a decoration wife.
To my shame, I took all of it
and more for five years.
There were endless fights
with Martin.
Finally, he condescendingly
allowed me to start a school.
I taught those who had very
little advantage in life, and...
And as time passed,
I eventually became
more than a teacher
with one of my students.
Elijah Jones.
Elijah Jones.
He had his own set of problems.
I was sympathetic.
One thing led to another.
Eventually, we realized escape
was our only recourse.
So we made a plan to run off.
And did.
I suppose you know the rest.
He's a good person.
And often, a great comfort to
me, but we are very different.
We have no future together.
We've had some good times,
but eventually,
we will go our separate ways.
We both know it.
Probably sooner than later.
If I'm being completely honest,
Elijah was not the first
of my romantic adventures
since I married Martin.
Most were in simple retaliation.
Well, I think I've done
enough confessing.
I want you to think of me
as an honest person.
However, imperfect.
I want you to think of me
as an honest person,
because I believe
that matters to you.
I just want to say this,
for the record.
When my husband gets here,
he intends to kill me.
I know you heard
Mrs. Kidd and the others
can't come visit you.
Anybody bother giving a reason?
Just when we're kicking
the balls for Elijah.
Captain A rag on said the bounty
man and me has jurisdiction.
Ain't nobody else allowed.
- Yeah.
Just one more kick
in the balls, huh.
Quit feeling sorry for yourself.
It don't help a damn thing.
And you know Mr. Kidd himself
is on the way up here right now.
Yeah.
Oh yeah, I heard.
Captain A rag on told me.
You know, I just figure
he's bringing the ransom money
in a... personal way.
More likely he coming up
to settle things with you.
Now, I gotta figure out a way
how I'm a bust you up
out of here and get you on your
way to some half-ass freedom.
Now first...
And you gotta do this...
Forget this white woman.
You travelling with her,
you get spotted
real easy and you finished.
Plus, I gotta figure out a way
how I'm gonna stay clean.
Because I plans to be
going back home,
- and I'm going back to the army.
- That's what it is.
Don't let nothing interfere
with what's good for Alonzo Poe.
You goddamn right!
Because I sure as shit
ain't finna go
outlaw for a dumb-ass like you.
You've already caused me
enough grief.
Now, keep your mouth shut,
keep your eyes open,
and boy, you better pray...
that I can do you
some real good.
Mr. Borlund,
I figured I'd take
the horses out for exercise.
Wanna keep 'em fit.
Very good, Mr. Poe.
Yes, sir.
Boots and saddle, slap leather
and ride.
That's our motto.
I'm a cavalry man.
So I sticks to it.
- Sergeant Poe.
- Yes, sir.
With the prisoner
Elijah Jones...
Yes, sir.
Don't do anything stupid
like try to break him out
of jail and set him free.
Yes, sir.
Why would you think that?
Because you're not as clever
and I'm not as stupid
as you imagine.
Yes, sir. I mean... No, sir.
The time to do it
is when step back to the border.
Now I'm a little
confused here. Uh...
You mean...
I mean, this whole job is a lie
and it started as a lie.
I don't like being lied to
and I don't like being used.
You're gonna help me
let Elijah go?
You have my word.
Well, sir...
Sure is full of surprises.
Yeah.
Look who's coming.
Tiberio wants to start
negotiating about Elijah.
Yeah, I'll handle the diplomacy.
You go and cause
a little trouble.
I don't want Tiberio
to think we're pushover.
How about I go tell
Mr. Peckerwood
over there a thing or two?
Seeing that he was
kind of insulting me...
Yeah, go ahead.
Try not to kill him.
Yes, sir.
I'll go have a drink
and wait for Esteban.
Well, howdy, Tyree.
Say, you remember me, right?
The fellow with the gun?
Yeah. Out there
at the water hole.
That's right.
I see you still got
a real smart mouth.
You need to learn some manners.
Maybe I ought to bullwhip me
a real uppity fella.
Just might do you some good.
Now, Jack, I know you ain't
the smartest man I ever met,
but maybe you forgot that
I'm the one carrying the gun.
Yeah, well...
Go ahead and shoot me.
And those fellows over there...
...well, they'll shoot you.
Señor Borlund,
we meet another time.
I'm afraid Tiberio has now heard
you're a bounty man, yes?
He thought you were
looking for gold.
Well, he'll just have to learn
to live with the truth.
Thank you.
Tiberio feels he was deceived.
You should know this...
Tiberio has made a business
arrangement with your prisoner.
I'm aware of that.
But due to circumstances,
that deal is null and void.
That... idea will be
unacceptable.
5,000 dollars American
is owed to him.
You know what?
Goddammit, Jack, you're right.
You're right.
Because I occasionally
keep one of these handy
when I gotta bullwhip me
some damn yokel.
First five years in the army,
they had me working Teamster.
And I was cracking one of these
every day of the week.
Lucky son of a bitch.
Señor Borlund...
My advice is for you
and your companion
to go immediately
from this place.
Leave Trinidad Maria at once,
but leave Mrs. Kidd
and Elijah behind.
That's good advice. No.
You can explain to Señor Tiberio
that I am a man of the law.
And Elijah is a criminal.
You don't much like me,
do you, Mr. Poe?
I'm just doing my job, ma'am.
And Mr. Borlund told me that
I need to watch over you, now.
It's because of Elijah,
isn't it?
You hold the trouble
he's in against me.
I understand that.
But I take it,
despite everything...
...you still like Elijah.
He's awful mad at me.
Thinks I let him down.
I still count him as a friend.
And now, we have these events
that really irritate Tiberio.
The situation with this Señora
Kidd is muy complicada.
This man makes things difficult
for Tiberio,
he has little authority over
the situation in Trinidad Maria.
This legal fellow got a name?
He's called Señor Max Borlund.
Uh, say that again.
Señor Max Borlund.
He's a private investigator.
I know the man.
You see this, Esteban?
You put a gun in it,
and it's the devil's right hand.
I would like to see Elijah.
You have him in that cell there.
Not possible, Señora.
The prisoner will have
no visitors
until his legal status
is determined.
He's in my custody, but...
under the jurisdiction
of Mr. Borlund.
Mr...
I'll need my key, please.
- Did you have a pleasant walk?
- I did not.
My friend is in jail and they
refuse to let me see him.
Entirely because of Mr. Borlund.
Señora.
This was left for you
by Mr. Borlund.
Elijah's gun and mine.
Mr. Borlund is a man
of surprises.
Hola, Tiberio.
You were expecting me.
Yes, sir.
After my friendly talk
with Esteban,
I figured you might wanna
get to know Joe Cribbens.
I hear all the news and gossip
since I've been staying in this
near-ghost town of yours.
I even hear you're up against
Max Borlund.
He's a man with a reputation.
And I owe him.
You owe him?
A favor?
No, jefe.
He's not my amigo.
Oy, hombre.
Why don't you tell me about
this... Max Borlund?
Then, afterwards, maybe I have
somebody shoot you.
Have I offended you, jefe?
You killed the Englishman.
He was doing a land contract
with me for many pesos.
- He accused me of cheating.
- Were you guilty?
I didn't need to cheat him.
I'm a good card player.
So am I, hombre.
So am I.
Three cards.
I wanna see what you have, jefe.
I have the winner.
Ah... Sorry, jefe.
Most men are afraid
to beat me at cards.
To take my money.
If I lost on purpose,
I'd be insulting you.
This way, I prove I respect
the way you honor a game
of skill and good fortune.
America no?
America no, from Texas.
I decide not to kill you.
I decide to use you.
Oy, hombre,
I don't like to lose money.
Another game.
But understand this:
Now, you work for me.
You will follow orders.
Old man, go find the gringo
bounty man.
Tell him to prepare
to go to hell.
Tell him I intend to kill him.
Joe Cribbens.
What, you know him?
He's a dangerous man.
You ain't got nothing
to worry about.
He kill you, I kill him.
I hear you're breaking
your promise.
You're looking for me,
after all.
Yeah. Time and circumstance.
Besides, it's a long
time coming.
I got lots of personal feelings
against you, Mr. Borlund,
but that's not why I'm here.
Right now, I'm just getting
paid to do a job.
But first, since this
is a special occasion,
I guess I'd...
kind of like to have me a drink.
Time to settle up.
I like to pay off what I owe.
You low-rate me, Mr. Borlund.
Always have.
So, before I lay you low,
I'm gonna teach you
how to show me a little respect.
Have one.
Skip the bullshit.
But you can tell me
who's paying you.
Figure you already
know the answer.
Oh, Tiberio's got you
doing the dirty work.
Tiberio's got me doing
the hard work.
See it as a compliment.
I was expecting you was trying
to come in on Mr. Borlund's
bounty money.
I don't make my pesos that way.
I've done a few things
not on the square.
But I never sink that low.
Well...
If you're not gonna
drink with me...
I guess it's time...
...to see how good
you really are.
Gonna have to take us both.
- Your move, Joe.
- Gentlemen.
My name is Rachel Kidd,
if it's of any interest.
Don't be getting in this, ma'am.
He's right, Mrs. Kidd.
You best back away.
Mr. Borlund and I
have our differences.
But he doesn't deserve
to be gunned down
by a common criminal.
Oh, I'm not so common, ma'am.
And even though you seem to
have a real unpleasant nature,
I'd still hate to put
the finish on a woman.
It ain't my style.
At this distance,
I don't think I'm going to miss.
Now, listen to me
very carefully.
I will not lose my nerve.
I will pull the trigger.
I promise.
You proud?
Hiding behind a backup gun
and a woman.
Tell you what, Joe.
I think I'd ride on out
before she gets nervous
and accidentally
pulls the trigger.
Okay, amigo.
I guess this hand goes to you.
But... this ain't over yet.
Told you. Ain't got
nothing to worry about.
Once again, Mr. Poe,
very good.
Once good, I aim to please.
Guess it was a good thing
you gave me back my gun.
Joe was right.
This isn't over.
But I appreciate what you did,
even though it was very foolish.
You probably saved my life
back in the cabin.
I owed you.
I try to pay my debts.
I don't really drink,
but I think I need this.
Come to check
on the deserter man.
How long you figure
before Rachel's husband arrives?
About another day or two.
He better be bringing his money.
Driver!
Why in the hell are we stopping?
It's the middle of nowhere.
Hello, ladies.
Martin Kidd, right?
You step on out
and come with me.
Por favor.
Mr. Tiberio Vargas would like
to have a talk with you.
I... speak English
a little bit.
But only when I want to.
Vamos.
- Mr. Kidd.
- Mr. Borlund!
You're my welcoming party.
It's good to see you.
How's my wife?
She's in the hotel
down the road.
Oh, that's where she is,
but how is she?
The past few weeks have been
very difficult for her.
And Elijah Jones?
He's in a jail cell
around the corner.
Good. I'll go visit Rachel
in due course,
I'm in no hurry to deal
with her salacious conduct.
Have you met this
Tiberio Vargas?
- Only once.
- He's quite a fellow.
Well, I owe you a debt
of gratitude
for rounding up
these two runaways.
You owe me money.
Oh, I do. And you'll be paid.
Paid in full.
If I may join you,
I wish to discuss with you
the situation we find
ourselves in.
Then...
I guess we ought a
discuss Tiberio,
since nobody around here
can take a piss
without him saying so.
Tiberio is of course
disappointed.
He feels your tactics
were too bold.
You were foolish and arrogant.
I am here to tell you that
Tiberio has no further need
of your services.
You are dismissed.
You're free to go.
One thing about you and
your kind, Mr. Cockroach,
can't get rid of you, can we?
Yes, sir, you sons of bitches
must be first cousin
with Mr. Boll Weevil.
And that means nothing much
good to be said.
Just a goddamn nuisance.
Mr. Borlund.
Have you seen your husband yet?
I think he made some kind
of a deal with Tiberio Vargas,
probably about you.
I just wanted to make sure
you're alright.
I saw his arrival on
the overland from the parlor.
It cost me a difficult moment.
But I'm fine, Mr. Borlund.
Thank you for your concern.
Just a moment.
My last will and testament.
My lawyer's name is on
the front of the envelope.
To be delivered
in the event of my death.
Yeah.
Must be getting me out of here.
You know, I figured Tiberio
would see the light.
Me and him, we got business.
Hello, Elijah.
Mr. Kidd.
Now, uh...
I can't say I expected you
to come down here.
No small talk, Elijah.
It's time to pay you off.
You gonna shoot an unarmed man?
Yeah.
Put a gun in his hand.
You open that cell door.
He was trying to escape.
He was dead
when he fell to the floor
of his cell.
Poor Elijah.
Ah, Mr. Borlund. I expect
you've heard the news.
US Army Private Elijah Jones
is no longer a problem.
How much did it cost
Mr. Kidd to commit this murder?
I'm investigating
these circumstances.
I am confused, Mr. Borlund.
Who do you think
you're working for?
I work for myself.
Always have.
I was dishonored.
A wife is not supposed
to run away from her husband
with a common soldier.
You mean common Black soldiers?
Yeah, that's exactly
what I mean.
Common... Black... soldiers.
I tell you again,
I'm investigating...
I'd like to see
my wife, Mrs. Rachel Kidd.
Can you tell me her room number?
She's in number 4.
Up the stairs.
Martin.
I am, uh... a bit slow
on coming to see you.
Of course, there's no point
in pretending
that there's any affection
between us, is there?
No. None at all.
I take it you owe Mr. Borlund
a great deal of money
for finding me.
Mr. Borlund will receive
what he's earned.
Just like Elijah?
Did he receive what he earned?
Uh, no. I was too good to him.
He died a quick death.
You are despicable, Martin.
You're breaking marriage vows.
You run away with
an army deserter
who's also a criminal low-life
demanding ransom money
for your services to him
as a whore.
You come very close
to jeopardizing my future
political career
with this lurid scandal,
and then you tell me
that I'm despicable?
I was stupid.
I made bad situations worse
which caused terrible
things to happen.
I have no excuse.
You just wanted legitimacy
and the security
of my future inheritance.
We never loved each other.
- Hmm.
- It was all just
mutual convenience.
I intend to return to Santa Fe
where the story'll be put out
in the newspapers
how I killed my wife's abductor
in a heroic act,
but that she was unfortunately
captured and killed
by a gang of Mexican outlaws,
killed after, you know,
being used by them
in the lowest possible ways.
Good story.
Sad thing is a lot of people
will probably believe it.
It's gonna be quite close
to the truth.
Given your appetite,
you might enjoy being fucked
up, down and sideways by those
vaqueros before they kill you.
They will of course kill you.
No, it's part of my
understanding with Señor Vargas.
- You think I'll go willingly?
- Oh no.
But these men are quite
happy to use force.
And you have nowhere to hide.
I'll leave you now
to think about your future.
I don't think it's going
to work out the way you want.
You won't do it.
You don't actually
have the nerve to kill a man.
I've changed.
And you always underestimate me.
I repeat... You won't do...
I heard a shot!
Are you...
I've killed my husband.
Well, you gave him
what he deserved.
He killed Elijah.
Yes.
I'm not sorry.
Knock next time!
I assume...
...you intend to defend
Mrs. Kidd?
And I imagine you have
a nice safe spot
picked out for yourself.
I will ignore your insult.
And I promise you
I will do my duty today
as an officer of the law.
Just like you did
with Elijah Jones?
That was my mistake.
I should have realized Mr. Kidd
intended to kill Elijah.
He bribed my deputy.
I am ashamed.
I'm taking you out, mister.
Alright then, go ahead and try.
I thought
that you were smarter...
...than getting
in the middle of this.
Ride out of here
before I decide to shoot you.
I thank you for your
courtesy and kindness.
Tiberio Vargas!
Yah!
Tiberio!
Just want to tell you,
since I'm not working
for you anymore,
I think you're shit.
Always did.
Guess what?
I did you a favor, bounty man.
You're gonna thank me
for killing my old boss?
He was gonna spoil
my fun with you.
About time you did
something good.
You know, you can
ride out of here, Joe.
I took his money.
Maybe ought to earn it.
Besides, there's no avoiding it.
You and me got a reckoning.
I'm giving you a clean start.
Don't be a damn fool!
Amigo...
I was born a fool.
I'll be a son of a bitch.
You killed me.
Luck ran out.
I'm just dying.
Happens to us all.
Don't it?
Mr. Poe.
Mr. Borlund.
I'm gonna make sure
that your body gets sent
back to the army. They'll give
you a proper finish,
bugle, flags...
A man can do worse.
Goddammit. I...
I've been shot,
but I ain't dying.
Just make sure the damn doctor
don't cut my arm off.
Yeah, you have my word.
Your husband's dead.
He was obviously shot
by Tiberio's men.
You really think
the truth won't come out?
Who's to ask?
Well, who is to tell?
Oh, you need that looked after.
It's gonna take a few stitches.
I'll wear my scar
as a badge of honor.
Mm-hmm.
I need a drink.
Joe Cribbens.
Joe Cribbens! Visitor!
Well, goddamn. Hard to figure
who I'd less rather see.
What brings a skunk
like you here?
I was in the neighborhood
collecting reward money.
Thought I'd pay you a visit.
Yeah. Heard you took down
Frank Ledbetter last week.
We get all the news in here.
You'd be surprised.
How much you gonna collect
for old Frank?
- Friend of yours?
- Never met the man,
but I was on his side.
Okay, bounty man. Did you give
him much of a chance?
Same chance he gave me.
Give it up, Frank!
Right. Just another fella
dead for a dollar.
I figure you know I'm getting
out of here next week.
Served my time. All five years.
I heard you've been
telling people
first thing you were gonna do
when you walk out of here
is get a gun and look me up.
Don't flatter yourself.
I'm not going out of my way
to find you.
I'm going to head down
to Mexico.
Just... play out the string.
Cards, tequila, señoritas...
No matter where you're headed,
you'll still end up the same.
Horse thief.
- Guilty.
- Bank robber.
- Couldn't prove it.
- Killed a couple of men.
Couldn't prove it,
and I never killed nobody
that wasn't trying to kill me.
When you took me down,
I was sleeping.
It wasn't a real fight.
I just... woke up with a gun
in my face.
Stay clear of me, Joe.
You do the same!
Otherwise, most likely,
you're a dead man.
I don't usually tell a man
twice. Stay clear of me, Joe.
Shit heel.
Prisoner number 387,
Joe Cribbens.
Your paperwork came
in the afternoon mail.
Tomorrow morning 10 o'clock,
you get your possessions back
and a government check
for 50 dollars.
Good luck to you, Joe.
Yes, sir.
Yip!
Take a last look.
Captain Brand.
Rider approaching, sir.
Good morning.
Let me take care of your horse.
Max Borlund, follow us.
Sir. Mr. Borlund, sir.
As you were, corporal.
Mr. Borlund. It's good
to see you again.
It's been some time.
- It has.
This is Martin Kidd. He could
stand to use your services.
Mr. Kidd is a prominent
businessman here
in the territory,
and a friend to the army.
Mr. Borlund, it seems your
reputation precedes you.
I'll accept that
as a compliment.
Gentlemen, this is
a clandestine moment
and a meeting
that never happened.
That's why I've convened it out
here in the middle of nowhere.
I'll let you two
get down to business.
Um, Mr. Borlund, I doubt
that you're familiar
with a Buffalo soldier
by the name of Elijah Jones?
Private Elijah Jones? No?
Right, he's taken a white woman,
my wife, Rachel.
Abducted her three weeks ago,
took her across the border
down to Mexico.
I sent out patrols,
thought we could head 'em off,
find 'em before they got
to the border. We missed 'em.
Alright, so, son of a bitch
is asking for $10,000
in ransom money,
which I will not pay.
I do not reward criminals,
but I am willing to offer you
$2,000 to bring Rachel back.
$500 advance.
This will help you
identify Rachel.
Captain Brand there
has a document stating
that you are a representative
of the United States government
and you're in pursuit of Elijah,
in case you run into any
legal problems down in Mexico.
Well, three weeks head start...
I need supplies, a pack mule,
ammunition.
Discretion in this matter,
that's of paramount importance.
It's my wife's reputation
to consider.
As well as my own.
Sergeant Poe!
Off the books, we're sending
one soldier to accompany you.
Sir! Mr. Borlund,
as ordered by the captain,
Sergeant Alonzo Poe
reporting for duty, sir!
Make sure he dresses civilian.
Things need to look proper.
Don't want you two
to travel together
until you're both south
of the border.
- Yes, Sergeant.
- Sir, yes, sir!
Well, well. Here comes
the bounty man.
Captain say he the best shooter
in the territory,
rifle or pistol.
Sergeant Poe.
Mr. Borlund, sir.
The captain tells me
you're gonna be a very
valuable man on this trip.
I just want to say
if things get tight,
I'm a damn good shot.
Best eye in the regiment.
Captain also says
you have an idea where Mrs. Kidd
and this Elijah Jones may be.
Oh, I know exactly where.
Got the map right here.
Can't do much better than that,
now can you?
Shows you right to where
they're hiding out.
Now, this here map
was given to me
by Private Elijah Jones himself.
Private Jones
just hands out maps
of where he's gonna be
after he deserts the army
and abducts a white woman?
Let me see this map.
According to this,
they're deep into Chihuahua.
Mm-hmm.
That sounds about right.
Elijah said it was a fair piece.
Look, normally we'd head
straight to San Juanito.
It's the best road south.
Start asking if anyone's seen
a Black man travelling
with a white woman,
but if he abducted her,
he'd avoid showing up in cities.
No. He run off,
damn foolish. But...
Well, Elijah didn't
abduct nobody.
That's not what I've been told.
Let me tell you about Elijah.
Like all of God's children,
he's got his faults.
But in a lot of ways,
he's a really good fella.
I know these is delicate
matters, but I gotta say,
if she's with Elijah,
it's 'cause she wanna be.
Sounds like
you're defending him.
Private Elijah Jones
was expecting me
to join up with him. Gave me
the map so I could find the way.
Now I'm the one who's supposed
to deliver the ransom money.
That's why I truly do believe
they are holed up
in the middle of nowhere
at an American fella's place,
named Hannon.
There's a Hannon
that's a wanted man in Texas.
The poster's been up
for five years.
Accomplice to murder.
Bank robbery in El Paso.
- Do you know this woman?
- Mm-hmm.
Ain't never met her.
She helped improve Elijah's
reading in the school.
At least that's what he told me.
Yeah, is this the face that
launched a thousand ships?
You wanna run that by me
one more time?
Ah, it's a line by Marlowe,
Shakespeare's time,
you know, about Helen of Troy.
All right, right, right, I was
just reading all about that
just the other day.
- You trust that map?
- Mm-hmm.
And they're holed up down there
waiting for the money
that I ain't bringing.
Ooh! Yes, sir! I guess you wanna
know my story too, huh?
- Not necessarily.
- Oh, come on, now, Mr. Borlund.
A little friendly talk
to help the time pass by.
Ain't that true?
- Thanks.
- You want me to call you Max?
I think Mr. Borlund
will do just fine.
Mr. Borlund it is.
See now, the thing with Elijah
here is real simple.
He wasn't an army man.
See, where I come from,
a new bed,
clean clothes, a good horse,
and three square meals a day
sounded like a mighty fine deal.
I joined up in the army
when I was 17.
The captain, he filled me in
about you too now, sir.
Captain say you either a
Dutchman, or a Swede, or a...
a German or something such.
Captain say you used to be
a soldier some time way back.
Ain't too sure about
which army, though.
- Mm-hmm.
- Mind telling me?
Is you a Dutchman or a Swede?
Whatever?
Not at all. I'm an American.
You know, uh...
You've been acting real jumpy
the last few days.
I've come to realize...
...my whole life, I've done
impulsive things.
They don't always work out.
Got a reserve of 20 bullets.
I'm gonna use another five
to practice.
I keep being told this is
a dangerous country.
I'll never give them the
pleasure of watching me cry.
Good. Yeah, I like that.
We did what we done.
And we just saying
to all of them,
"Piss upon ya.
Go straight to hell."
I was sent here by Tiberio
because my English is good.
Very good, as you can tell.
Let me begin saying I am honored
to meet you, Mrs. Kidd.
Obviously, a very kind and
beautiful woman.
I say thank you, Mr. Romero.
But maybe you should get
to the point.
Why are you here?
Oh. I'm here to represent
Tiberio Vargas,
and to give response
to the financial offer
made to him by Señor Hannon.
Let us review the facts.
We don't have to do
this business here and now,
in front of these people.
Mr. Hannon owes Tiberio Vargas
several thousand dollars
in gambling debt.
Hold on, goddamn it!
This is between me and Tiberio.
To retire the debt, Mr. Hannon
has offered Tiberio Vargas
$5,000 of Mrs. Kidd's
ransom money,
in return for your safe passage
to Veracruz and then Cuba.
Goddamn it. You son
of a bitch, you sold us out.
All right...
I needed money.
The two of you, you eat up
my food, sleep all hours.
You don't pay shit for rent.
And worst of all, I gotta deal
with this hell cat of yours
complaining all the time
about how dirty it is
for her dainty self and that I
live like a goddamn bindlestiff!
I don't see why I gotta
put up with this shit
from this rich bitch whore
without getting paid
royal for it!
I've decided...
the price for room and board
for these two runaways
is $2,500.
Everybody in this deal
is guaranteed something.
Everybody benefits.
I'll tell you about guarantees.
I'll guarantee you this.
I am not a whore.
A message is sent
to Tiberio by Señor Hannon.
His offer proposes that Tiberio,
for $5,000,
will guarantee safe conduct for
you and Mrs. Kidd to Veracruz.
I have come here to
tell you that
Tiberio accepts your proposal.
Maybe this actually works.
Sure, we lose some money, but...
it gets us a clean getaway.
Mr. Borlund.
Outlaws?
- Until proven differently.
Greetings.
This is Señor Tiberio Vargas,
I am Esteban Romero,
at your service.
I will translate.
Señor Vargas is a very important
and generous man.
Ten years ago, he sent me
to Monterrey to study law.
As you can see,
Tiberio is hunting,
entertaining his guest and
business associate,
Señor Palmer.
Señor Palmer has come
all the way from London
to do business with Tiberio.
- Really?
- Uh, Tiberio says
that the land
you're travelling through,
the water you're helping
yourselves to is all his,
and as a result, there is a fee
to be paid for safe passage.
Tiberio is not happy.
He says force
could possibly be used.
He has many guns.
So do we. Tiberio will be
the first one to be shot.
If you allow me, sir,
I don't mean to interfere,
but it might not be wise
to contest this issue.
Now, if you want my opinion...
- I don't.
Mr. Poe!
- That'll be me, sir.
Armed and ready.
Down here,
the gringos are not the boss.
- So you do speak English.
- Only when I want.
Who the hell are you?
I'm the fella with the gun.
Who the hell is you?
I go by Jack Tyree.
Looks like you a long way
from home, Jack.
I'm giving you advice, amigo.
Clear on out of here. Tiberio
don't kill you, I just might.
I don't much like me some damned
smart mouthed fucker.
So, what's it gonna be?
How do you want to play it?
Tiberio asks if
you, like so many others,
are here to seek gold.
We all work for money.
Well, sir,
my name is William Palmer.
I just wish to say that
your good fortune matches
your obstinate stupidity.
- Vamos, vamos!
- Good day.
Yah!
You find gold,
you must share it with Tiberio.
Otherwise, I guarantee
the consequences will be
extremely unpleasant.
I don't think we made
a new friend.
Do you wish
for a meal or a room?
I reckon I need both.
Ah. How long are you
gonna stay, Señor?
Ah, a couple of weeks.
Maybe more, quién sabe.
Ah, we've got lots of rooms.
I give you the best one.
Looks to be kind of quiet
around here.
You know, we have this town.
People still come here
to gamble.
Tiberio Vargas y sus hombres,
they come here, they gamble.
We still have rucas.
Buenas rucas.
We have the house dealer,
Sylvio, an honest man.
Right now, that's just
what the doctor ordered.
Gonna suit me right down
to the ground.
Joe Cribbens, at your service.
Entonces... What,
you are a businessman?
I retired. I just like
to play cards and...
stay out of trouble.
See them two horses down
there? Them is army horses.
The map worked out.
We got 'em, Mr. Borlund.
We got 'em with the element
of surprise.
The map was correct.
Very good, Mr. Poe. Very good.
I aim to please.
Don't seem
to be any luck. Shit.
You got a bad temper, Jack.
The other night,
you were way out of hand.
You ought a get it under control.
I still can't accept...
Elijah, don't!
I wouldn't try anything foolish.
Walk away from that gun.
No, no, no, no!
This ain't part of the deal!
This is my private fucking...
Oh, Mr. Hannon, keep
your arms up and stay quiet!
- Who are you?
- Go easy now, ma'am,
a lot of guns in here.
- Damn you, I asked who are you.
Just what do you think
you're doing?
We're here on full legal
authority, Mrs. Kidd.
That, and me and Elijah here
are old friends.
Alonzo, you done gone over,
you done sold me out?
Yep! Turns out I'm just a good
old army man, ain't that right?
You're the only damn person
in the regiment I trusted!
You let me down, brother!
- You let yourself down
with this dumb-ass plan.
That and getting caught up
with this silly-ass white woman.
One thing is for certain,
I ain't going back to Texas
with some bounty man!
I got a rope waiting for me.
Get the hell gone
or I'll kill her, sure as hell!
He's not after you,
he's after us.
- Bullshit!
- Goddamn...
You killed him.
Yes, I did.
You're gonna bury him,
Mr. Jones.
Max Borlund. Ma'am.
I've been hired by your husband
to take you home.
You see the mess
you done got yourself in?
You ain't nothing
but a damn stupid fool.
I'm not grateful
for your mission here.
But I should thank you
for possibly saving my life.
Hannon was a foolish man.
Mr. Hannon was
a treacherous man.
Get yourself together,
Mrs. Kidd,
and whatever you need,
we ride within the hour.
I suppose I need
to surrender my gun.
I keep a derringer in my valise.
I'm doing this because
Elijah might
try to do something foolish.
I wouldn't want
to see him killed.
I'd feel more than
partially responsible
if he came to any harm.
Deserted the army,
attempted extortion.
He's coming in
for a lot of harm.
Maybe the easiest way out
of this mess is to shoot you.
And solve at least
some of my problems.
I don't think that's such
a good idea, Mrs. Kidd.
Mr. Borlund,
I have a question.
Are you under the impression
that you are rescuing me?
I was told
that you were abducted.
That was a lie.
I've also been told that
by Sergeant Poe.
When you killed Mr. Hannon
back at his cabin...
Mm-hmm.
Your bullets missed
my head by inches.
Mm-hmm.
You're that confident
in your marksmanship?
No.
Thought you was my friend.
You went and turned
your back on me.
Now, you listen to me, brother.
This thing ain't over yet.
I might just be able
to get you out of this mess
you done put yourself in.
Oh, and let me say this.
I still think it's a good idea
you and the army is finished.
You wasn't exactly
the soldier type of fella.
I go along with the notion
seeing it's a real good idea
that you end up in Cuba
some such. You hear me?
Maybe you ought a hear this.
I got me and Rachel
an insurance policy.
His name is Tiberio.
You know I'm married.
Certainly, you know I've run off
with a man of color.
I expect you think you have me
pretty well figured out.
Your husband hired me to take
you back across the border.
Beyond that, I have no opinion.
Martin Kidd is not simply
a bad husband.
He's also a very bad man.
Not everyone I work for
is a saint.
I took a job and I intend
to earn my money.
You live by a code?
I try.
You ever question it?
Not often.
Got a wife?
I don't think I'm a good fit
for the whole idea.
Yeah, well...
Excuse me, I gotta see
Mr. Poe.
Go get something to eat,
I'll relieve you.
You can spell me
in four hours, I'll wake you.
I got some information
about Elijah.
The goddamn fool done made
some type of deal
with that Tiberio fella.
Does... Does Mrs. Kidd
know that?
I don't know for sure,
but I expect so.
Very interesting game, poker.
Sometimes, it's hard to figure
when the man's bluffing
or when he's got the goods.
So far,
you seem to be on your game.
You know, I like to know
the name of the people
I play cards with. That way,
when they take my money,
it makes it that little
bit more friendly.
You played here
for an hour and a half,
and not knowing my name
didn't seem to bother you
until I started winning.
Well, you do show some signs
of being a professional
card shark.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
I'll take that
as a sign of respect.
Well, it wasn't meant
in that spirit.
Now, I'd like to have a name,
unless it's something
you're ashamed of.
One card.
Sure thing, amigo.
But I want to be real polite.
You first.
With pleasure.
William Palmer Esquire,
firm purchase agent for the
Turnbull Mining
Properties Limited.
Offices in London, Manchester,
and New Orleans.
Around here, they refer to me
as Guillermo Inglés.
English Bill.
Long way from home.
Indeed.
And you are?
Joe Cribbens. I'm from Texas.
You seem to be a man of strong
opinions, English Bill.
Mr. Palmer, if you please.
Now, let me put you on notice,
Mr. Cribbens.
I'm a very, very good
card player.
I do not intend to be taken in
by any tricks of your trade
because I am not a man
to be taken advantage of.
I can defend myself adequately
here in this rough terrain.
I'm also here on business
with Mr. Tiberio Vargas,
who, as you must certainly know,
is lord of all he surveys
in these parts.
Now, since I think you're just
another bullshit Englishman,
the kind of fella
we gringos have already
whipped twice in two wars...
Why don't we cut the blabber
and just concentrate
on playing cards?
Well, hell!
English Bill. Your luck's bound
to change sometime.
So, I guess I'll call.
With... two itty-bitty pairs.
Son of a bitch.
Some fellas just can't get
away with a bluff.
They lack the character for it.
I'll tell you this
Mr. Cribbens,
you're damn lucky
I'm not wearing a gun.
And I'll tell you this,
English Bill.
You're damn lucky
I don't put a bullet up your ass
just on general principle.
Now, if I was you,
I'd get out of my sight,
before I run through
all my good humor.
I have a fugitive of the law,
army deserter and extortionist.
I am Max Borlund representing
the United States army.
And I am Captain
Miguel A rag on.
Chief Magistrate
of Trinidad Maria.
At your service.
- Who's the woman?
- I have a name.
Mrs. Rachel Kidd.
You can put the prisoner
in a cell and send a telegram
to the territorial deputy
in Santa Fe saying that you have
a Private Elijah Jones
in your custody.
You have no jurisdiction here.
Yes. But your country's law
doesn't permit deserters
of foreign armies
to find safe haven.
There's an honorable tradition
of extraditing men
who come here
with bad intentions.
Maybe you ought a
hear this, Captain.
You lock me up, Tiberio Vargas
might not like it one damn bit.
- Tiberio Vargas?
- Uh-huh. Me and him
were talking business before
this bounty man showed up.
By the way, he killed a man.
Jack Hannon.
- You killed a man?
- Yeah.
American. Wanted criminal
who resisted arrest.
They're witnesses.
- Yes.
Mr. Borlund killed Mr. Hannon
after he put a gun to my head.
Mr. Borlund probably
saved my life.
We are officers of the law.
We will lock him up.
Can't say I didn't do nothing
for you, brother.
Yeah, real goddamn funny.
Well, I'll check in on you
every now and then,
make sure they're
feeding you proper.
Mr. Borlund,
a word in private.
I'm sorry, Elijah.
None of this
is turning out right.
Yeah. Gotta admit,
Cuba's looking real far away.
My government expects me
to protect lives and property.
If Tiberio Vargas becomes angry,
or attempts to profit
from this situation,
there could be trouble.
This town is under
my jurisdiction,
but out there, Tiberio is king.
There are those who come here
and then break the law.
Two gringos.
They were robbing local farmers,
hiding up in the mountains.
Tiberio and his men
hunted them down.
I let them hang
for two weeks after that.
The smell gets very bad.
Did you give them a trial?
It wasn't necessary.
You should go over to the
hotel and get yourself a room.
Unfortunately, I am without
sufficient funds.
Yeah, I'll take care of that
after I send a telegram
to your husband.
See all this mess
you done caused?
Runaway woman,
bounty hunter,
price on your head...
And believe me, for sure,
they'd rather see you dead.
Guess I was better off
in the army all those years
taking nothing but shit.
And knowing if I quit the army,
I ain't got much chance
of doing nothing else.
Except shining shoes
or serving food.
Well no, sir.
No thank you.
Do you speak English?
I do, Señor.
Mrs. Kidd will need a room
for a few days, maybe more.
I need a room as well.
Number four, at the top
of those stairs.
Thank you.
You have number two,
across the hallway.
- Thanks.
- Señor.
I suppose I should say
thank you,
but then I remember
who you're working for.
It doesn't seem right,
Elijah being treated
like a criminal,
and I'm put up in a nice hotel.
Elijah left the army,
that makes him a deserter.
You left your marriage.
No one goes to jail for that.
Ah, there he is.
Joe Cribbens.
Professional card shark.
See, I've been considering
our card game,
and I believe you cheated me.
I don't need to cheat
to beat you, amigo.
Well, this time, I brought
my service revolver
and I fully intend on dealing
with the situation.
Now, I suggest you give me
back my money
and throw in a few extra
shillings for good measure.
Goddamn Englishman
went and committed suicide.
Esperanza, you can come in.
I thought I picked...
Oh, I'm sorry.
- No, come in.
- What I wanted to discuss...
I said come in.
As you can see, I'm trying
to take a bath.
My first real one in weeks.
What's the matter?
You suspect I'm a whore,
I supposed I might
as well act like one.
Are you getting nervous?
Maybe, like most men,
you're just scared to death of
really dealing with a woman.
Are you finished?
I came to let you know
that tomorrow
I'll start making arrangements
to have you taken back
across the border.
My life is done there.
I have to move on, not go back.
I appreciate your concern,
but I will be the one
to figure out my life.
Mm-hmm.
You refuse to go?
I refuse to go.
Even at gun point.
If you'll excuse me.
- I'm sorry.
As you have been told,
I'm here representing
Tiberio Vargas.
He has already heard about this
unfortunate incident.
Look, this man tried
to kill me, came here to do it.
Most likely a real shit heel
in general.
I figured I was doing
everybody a favor.
We need no favors,
but possibly you do.
This man you killed
was doing serious business
with Tiberio Vargas.
Tiberio Vargas,
I keep hearing the name.
Mmm, you do not want him
for an enemy.
Joe Cribbens.
Name's not Joseph.
Just Joe will cover the deal.
I was Texas, born and bred.
Been knocking around
since I was 15.
Worked Teamster, worked Trooper.
Drifted some.
I always liked playing cards.
Tell me why you shot
this Englishman.
I beat him at cards.
I beat him fair and square.
He didn't take it too good.
Guess I just turned out
to be the better man.
Luis agrees the Englishman
shot first.
He's an honest man.
Tiberio will consider all this.
You must wait here in Guadalupe
while Tiberio makes
his decision.
Damn. My luck's run bad.
Mr. Borlund. We meet again.
This time, I'm happy to say
I'm not sitting in a bathtub.
Do you have news?
I was just informed
a few minutes ago
by Captain A rag on that
your husband is on his way here,
he's travelling by coach.
I am to watch over you
until he arrives.
A very bad situation
now made worse.
The last time we talked,
I was extremely short-tempered.
I apologize.
No apology necessary.
I've decided you need to be in
greater possession of the facts.
I believe you need
to know my story.
It begins with
a well-off family.
I'm the youngest
of three sisters,
educated by a series
of governesses.
Rebellious. Didn't get along
with anybody much,
including my parents
and my sisters.
Fell in love at 17.
It was quite passionate.
I've always resisted
traditional morality.
My mother once told me,
"You only fall completely
in love once, and usually,
when you're very young."
She also told me,
"Almost no woman ends up
with her first choice."
Five years later,
I met Martin Kidd.
He was charming, ambitious,
seemed very rich,
and he was from the west.
I desperately wanted to get away
from where I grew up.
We had a quick romance, and four
weeks later, we were married.
We went to live
in his home in Santa Fe.
Then, the horror started.
I discovered he's a crook,
a conniver, an extortionist,
a land cheat.
He constantly consorted
with other women,
usually prostitutes.
I was reduced to being
that which I most despise,
a decoration wife.
To my shame, I took all of it
and more for five years.
There were endless fights
with Martin.
Finally, he condescendingly
allowed me to start a school.
I taught those who had very
little advantage in life, and...
And as time passed,
I eventually became
more than a teacher
with one of my students.
Elijah Jones.
Elijah Jones.
He had his own set of problems.
I was sympathetic.
One thing led to another.
Eventually, we realized escape
was our only recourse.
So we made a plan to run off.
And did.
I suppose you know the rest.
He's a good person.
And often, a great comfort to
me, but we are very different.
We have no future together.
We've had some good times,
but eventually,
we will go our separate ways.
We both know it.
Probably sooner than later.
If I'm being completely honest,
Elijah was not the first
of my romantic adventures
since I married Martin.
Most were in simple retaliation.
Well, I think I've done
enough confessing.
I want you to think of me
as an honest person.
However, imperfect.
I want you to think of me
as an honest person,
because I believe
that matters to you.
I just want to say this,
for the record.
When my husband gets here,
he intends to kill me.
I know you heard
Mrs. Kidd and the others
can't come visit you.
Anybody bother giving a reason?
Just when we're kicking
the balls for Elijah.
Captain A rag on said the bounty
man and me has jurisdiction.
Ain't nobody else allowed.
- Yeah.
Just one more kick
in the balls, huh.
Quit feeling sorry for yourself.
It don't help a damn thing.
And you know Mr. Kidd himself
is on the way up here right now.
Yeah.
Oh yeah, I heard.
Captain A rag on told me.
You know, I just figure
he's bringing the ransom money
in a... personal way.
More likely he coming up
to settle things with you.
Now, I gotta figure out a way
how I'm a bust you up
out of here and get you on your
way to some half-ass freedom.
Now first...
And you gotta do this...
Forget this white woman.
You travelling with her,
you get spotted
real easy and you finished.
Plus, I gotta figure out a way
how I'm gonna stay clean.
Because I plans to be
going back home,
- and I'm going back to the army.
- That's what it is.
Don't let nothing interfere
with what's good for Alonzo Poe.
You goddamn right!
Because I sure as shit
ain't finna go
outlaw for a dumb-ass like you.
You've already caused me
enough grief.
Now, keep your mouth shut,
keep your eyes open,
and boy, you better pray...
that I can do you
some real good.
Mr. Borlund,
I figured I'd take
the horses out for exercise.
Wanna keep 'em fit.
Very good, Mr. Poe.
Yes, sir.
Boots and saddle, slap leather
and ride.
That's our motto.
I'm a cavalry man.
So I sticks to it.
- Sergeant Poe.
- Yes, sir.
With the prisoner
Elijah Jones...
Yes, sir.
Don't do anything stupid
like try to break him out
of jail and set him free.
Yes, sir.
Why would you think that?
Because you're not as clever
and I'm not as stupid
as you imagine.
Yes, sir. I mean... No, sir.
The time to do it
is when step back to the border.
Now I'm a little
confused here. Uh...
You mean...
I mean, this whole job is a lie
and it started as a lie.
I don't like being lied to
and I don't like being used.
You're gonna help me
let Elijah go?
You have my word.
Well, sir...
Sure is full of surprises.
Yeah.
Look who's coming.
Tiberio wants to start
negotiating about Elijah.
Yeah, I'll handle the diplomacy.
You go and cause
a little trouble.
I don't want Tiberio
to think we're pushover.
How about I go tell
Mr. Peckerwood
over there a thing or two?
Seeing that he was
kind of insulting me...
Yeah, go ahead.
Try not to kill him.
Yes, sir.
I'll go have a drink
and wait for Esteban.
Well, howdy, Tyree.
Say, you remember me, right?
The fellow with the gun?
Yeah. Out there
at the water hole.
That's right.
I see you still got
a real smart mouth.
You need to learn some manners.
Maybe I ought to bullwhip me
a real uppity fella.
Just might do you some good.
Now, Jack, I know you ain't
the smartest man I ever met,
but maybe you forgot that
I'm the one carrying the gun.
Yeah, well...
Go ahead and shoot me.
And those fellows over there...
...well, they'll shoot you.
Señor Borlund,
we meet another time.
I'm afraid Tiberio has now heard
you're a bounty man, yes?
He thought you were
looking for gold.
Well, he'll just have to learn
to live with the truth.
Thank you.
Tiberio feels he was deceived.
You should know this...
Tiberio has made a business
arrangement with your prisoner.
I'm aware of that.
But due to circumstances,
that deal is null and void.
That... idea will be
unacceptable.
5,000 dollars American
is owed to him.
You know what?
Goddammit, Jack, you're right.
You're right.
Because I occasionally
keep one of these handy
when I gotta bullwhip me
some damn yokel.
First five years in the army,
they had me working Teamster.
And I was cracking one of these
every day of the week.
Lucky son of a bitch.
Señor Borlund...
My advice is for you
and your companion
to go immediately
from this place.
Leave Trinidad Maria at once,
but leave Mrs. Kidd
and Elijah behind.
That's good advice. No.
You can explain to Señor Tiberio
that I am a man of the law.
And Elijah is a criminal.
You don't much like me,
do you, Mr. Poe?
I'm just doing my job, ma'am.
And Mr. Borlund told me that
I need to watch over you, now.
It's because of Elijah,
isn't it?
You hold the trouble
he's in against me.
I understand that.
But I take it,
despite everything...
...you still like Elijah.
He's awful mad at me.
Thinks I let him down.
I still count him as a friend.
And now, we have these events
that really irritate Tiberio.
The situation with this Señora
Kidd is muy complicada.
This man makes things difficult
for Tiberio,
he has little authority over
the situation in Trinidad Maria.
This legal fellow got a name?
He's called Señor Max Borlund.
Uh, say that again.
Señor Max Borlund.
He's a private investigator.
I know the man.
You see this, Esteban?
You put a gun in it,
and it's the devil's right hand.
I would like to see Elijah.
You have him in that cell there.
Not possible, Señora.
The prisoner will have
no visitors
until his legal status
is determined.
He's in my custody, but...
under the jurisdiction
of Mr. Borlund.
Mr...
I'll need my key, please.
- Did you have a pleasant walk?
- I did not.
My friend is in jail and they
refuse to let me see him.
Entirely because of Mr. Borlund.
Señora.
This was left for you
by Mr. Borlund.
Elijah's gun and mine.
Mr. Borlund is a man
of surprises.
Hola, Tiberio.
You were expecting me.
Yes, sir.
After my friendly talk
with Esteban,
I figured you might wanna
get to know Joe Cribbens.
I hear all the news and gossip
since I've been staying in this
near-ghost town of yours.
I even hear you're up against
Max Borlund.
He's a man with a reputation.
And I owe him.
You owe him?
A favor?
No, jefe.
He's not my amigo.
Oy, hombre.
Why don't you tell me about
this... Max Borlund?
Then, afterwards, maybe I have
somebody shoot you.
Have I offended you, jefe?
You killed the Englishman.
He was doing a land contract
with me for many pesos.
- He accused me of cheating.
- Were you guilty?
I didn't need to cheat him.
I'm a good card player.
So am I, hombre.
So am I.
Three cards.
I wanna see what you have, jefe.
I have the winner.
Ah... Sorry, jefe.
Most men are afraid
to beat me at cards.
To take my money.
If I lost on purpose,
I'd be insulting you.
This way, I prove I respect
the way you honor a game
of skill and good fortune.
America no?
America no, from Texas.
I decide not to kill you.
I decide to use you.
Oy, hombre,
I don't like to lose money.
Another game.
But understand this:
Now, you work for me.
You will follow orders.
Old man, go find the gringo
bounty man.
Tell him to prepare
to go to hell.
Tell him I intend to kill him.
Joe Cribbens.
What, you know him?
He's a dangerous man.
You ain't got nothing
to worry about.
He kill you, I kill him.
I hear you're breaking
your promise.
You're looking for me,
after all.
Yeah. Time and circumstance.
Besides, it's a long
time coming.
I got lots of personal feelings
against you, Mr. Borlund,
but that's not why I'm here.
Right now, I'm just getting
paid to do a job.
But first, since this
is a special occasion,
I guess I'd...
kind of like to have me a drink.
Time to settle up.
I like to pay off what I owe.
You low-rate me, Mr. Borlund.
Always have.
So, before I lay you low,
I'm gonna teach you
how to show me a little respect.
Have one.
Skip the bullshit.
But you can tell me
who's paying you.
Figure you already
know the answer.
Oh, Tiberio's got you
doing the dirty work.
Tiberio's got me doing
the hard work.
See it as a compliment.
I was expecting you was trying
to come in on Mr. Borlund's
bounty money.
I don't make my pesos that way.
I've done a few things
not on the square.
But I never sink that low.
Well...
If you're not gonna
drink with me...
I guess it's time...
...to see how good
you really are.
Gonna have to take us both.
- Your move, Joe.
- Gentlemen.
My name is Rachel Kidd,
if it's of any interest.
Don't be getting in this, ma'am.
He's right, Mrs. Kidd.
You best back away.
Mr. Borlund and I
have our differences.
But he doesn't deserve
to be gunned down
by a common criminal.
Oh, I'm not so common, ma'am.
And even though you seem to
have a real unpleasant nature,
I'd still hate to put
the finish on a woman.
It ain't my style.
At this distance,
I don't think I'm going to miss.
Now, listen to me
very carefully.
I will not lose my nerve.
I will pull the trigger.
I promise.
You proud?
Hiding behind a backup gun
and a woman.
Tell you what, Joe.
I think I'd ride on out
before she gets nervous
and accidentally
pulls the trigger.
Okay, amigo.
I guess this hand goes to you.
But... this ain't over yet.
Told you. Ain't got
nothing to worry about.
Once again, Mr. Poe,
very good.
Once good, I aim to please.
Guess it was a good thing
you gave me back my gun.
Joe was right.
This isn't over.
But I appreciate what you did,
even though it was very foolish.
You probably saved my life
back in the cabin.
I owed you.
I try to pay my debts.
I don't really drink,
but I think I need this.
Come to check
on the deserter man.
How long you figure
before Rachel's husband arrives?
About another day or two.
He better be bringing his money.
Driver!
Why in the hell are we stopping?
It's the middle of nowhere.
Hello, ladies.
Martin Kidd, right?
You step on out
and come with me.
Por favor.
Mr. Tiberio Vargas would like
to have a talk with you.
I... speak English
a little bit.
But only when I want to.
Vamos.
- Mr. Kidd.
- Mr. Borlund!
You're my welcoming party.
It's good to see you.
How's my wife?
She's in the hotel
down the road.
Oh, that's where she is,
but how is she?
The past few weeks have been
very difficult for her.
And Elijah Jones?
He's in a jail cell
around the corner.
Good. I'll go visit Rachel
in due course,
I'm in no hurry to deal
with her salacious conduct.
Have you met this
Tiberio Vargas?
- Only once.
- He's quite a fellow.
Well, I owe you a debt
of gratitude
for rounding up
these two runaways.
You owe me money.
Oh, I do. And you'll be paid.
Paid in full.
If I may join you,
I wish to discuss with you
the situation we find
ourselves in.
Then...
I guess we ought a
discuss Tiberio,
since nobody around here
can take a piss
without him saying so.
Tiberio is of course
disappointed.
He feels your tactics
were too bold.
You were foolish and arrogant.
I am here to tell you that
Tiberio has no further need
of your services.
You are dismissed.
You're free to go.
One thing about you and
your kind, Mr. Cockroach,
can't get rid of you, can we?
Yes, sir, you sons of bitches
must be first cousin
with Mr. Boll Weevil.
And that means nothing much
good to be said.
Just a goddamn nuisance.
Mr. Borlund.
Have you seen your husband yet?
I think he made some kind
of a deal with Tiberio Vargas,
probably about you.
I just wanted to make sure
you're alright.
I saw his arrival on
the overland from the parlor.
It cost me a difficult moment.
But I'm fine, Mr. Borlund.
Thank you for your concern.
Just a moment.
My last will and testament.
My lawyer's name is on
the front of the envelope.
To be delivered
in the event of my death.
Yeah.
Must be getting me out of here.
You know, I figured Tiberio
would see the light.
Me and him, we got business.
Hello, Elijah.
Mr. Kidd.
Now, uh...
I can't say I expected you
to come down here.
No small talk, Elijah.
It's time to pay you off.
You gonna shoot an unarmed man?
Yeah.
Put a gun in his hand.
You open that cell door.
He was trying to escape.
He was dead
when he fell to the floor
of his cell.
Poor Elijah.
Ah, Mr. Borlund. I expect
you've heard the news.
US Army Private Elijah Jones
is no longer a problem.
How much did it cost
Mr. Kidd to commit this murder?
I'm investigating
these circumstances.
I am confused, Mr. Borlund.
Who do you think
you're working for?
I work for myself.
Always have.
I was dishonored.
A wife is not supposed
to run away from her husband
with a common soldier.
You mean common Black soldiers?
Yeah, that's exactly
what I mean.
Common... Black... soldiers.
I tell you again,
I'm investigating...
I'd like to see
my wife, Mrs. Rachel Kidd.
Can you tell me her room number?
She's in number 4.
Up the stairs.
Martin.
I am, uh... a bit slow
on coming to see you.
Of course, there's no point
in pretending
that there's any affection
between us, is there?
No. None at all.
I take it you owe Mr. Borlund
a great deal of money
for finding me.
Mr. Borlund will receive
what he's earned.
Just like Elijah?
Did he receive what he earned?
Uh, no. I was too good to him.
He died a quick death.
You are despicable, Martin.
You're breaking marriage vows.
You run away with
an army deserter
who's also a criminal low-life
demanding ransom money
for your services to him
as a whore.
You come very close
to jeopardizing my future
political career
with this lurid scandal,
and then you tell me
that I'm despicable?
I was stupid.
I made bad situations worse
which caused terrible
things to happen.
I have no excuse.
You just wanted legitimacy
and the security
of my future inheritance.
We never loved each other.
- Hmm.
- It was all just
mutual convenience.
I intend to return to Santa Fe
where the story'll be put out
in the newspapers
how I killed my wife's abductor
in a heroic act,
but that she was unfortunately
captured and killed
by a gang of Mexican outlaws,
killed after, you know,
being used by them
in the lowest possible ways.
Good story.
Sad thing is a lot of people
will probably believe it.
It's gonna be quite close
to the truth.
Given your appetite,
you might enjoy being fucked
up, down and sideways by those
vaqueros before they kill you.
They will of course kill you.
No, it's part of my
understanding with Señor Vargas.
- You think I'll go willingly?
- Oh no.
But these men are quite
happy to use force.
And you have nowhere to hide.
I'll leave you now
to think about your future.
I don't think it's going
to work out the way you want.
You won't do it.
You don't actually
have the nerve to kill a man.
I've changed.
And you always underestimate me.
I repeat... You won't do...
I heard a shot!
Are you...
I've killed my husband.
Well, you gave him
what he deserved.
He killed Elijah.
Yes.
I'm not sorry.
Knock next time!
I assume...
...you intend to defend
Mrs. Kidd?
And I imagine you have
a nice safe spot
picked out for yourself.
I will ignore your insult.
And I promise you
I will do my duty today
as an officer of the law.
Just like you did
with Elijah Jones?
That was my mistake.
I should have realized Mr. Kidd
intended to kill Elijah.
He bribed my deputy.
I am ashamed.
I'm taking you out, mister.
Alright then, go ahead and try.
I thought
that you were smarter...
...than getting
in the middle of this.
Ride out of here
before I decide to shoot you.
I thank you for your
courtesy and kindness.
Tiberio Vargas!
Yah!
Tiberio!
Just want to tell you,
since I'm not working
for you anymore,
I think you're shit.
Always did.
Guess what?
I did you a favor, bounty man.
You're gonna thank me
for killing my old boss?
He was gonna spoil
my fun with you.
About time you did
something good.
You know, you can
ride out of here, Joe.
I took his money.
Maybe ought to earn it.
Besides, there's no avoiding it.
You and me got a reckoning.
I'm giving you a clean start.
Don't be a damn fool!
Amigo...
I was born a fool.
I'll be a son of a bitch.
You killed me.
Luck ran out.
I'm just dying.
Happens to us all.
Don't it?
Mr. Poe.
Mr. Borlund.
I'm gonna make sure
that your body gets sent
back to the army. They'll give
you a proper finish,
bugle, flags...
A man can do worse.
Goddammit. I...
I've been shot,
but I ain't dying.
Just make sure the damn doctor
don't cut my arm off.
Yeah, you have my word.
Your husband's dead.
He was obviously shot
by Tiberio's men.
You really think
the truth won't come out?
Who's to ask?
Well, who is to tell?
Oh, you need that looked after.
It's gonna take a few stitches.
I'll wear my scar
as a badge of honor.
Mm-hmm.
I need a drink.