Dead for A Dollar (2022) Movie Script

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.

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,

Dead for A Dollar (2022) - full transcript