Man from Del Rio (1956) - full transcript

The town's still asleep.

Like we should be.

There's Bannister's place.

Who is the man
in front of the saloon?

Just a man in front of
a saloon. Who cares?

Ritchy?

Mr. Dan Ritchy?

That's right.

I... I've been waiting for you.

You live around here?

No.



But you're waiting for me.

I was in Ellsworth.

I heard you was coming to Mesa.

Why should that interest you?

My name is Robles.

David Robles.

You remember the name?

I heard the name.

Every year there are
at least five loudmouths

with a few notches
on their guns...

You hear their names.

Most of them die
before you get to meet 'em.

Go on back
to Ellsworth, Robles...

I don't want to kill you.



Go and show glory
some place else.

Mr. Dan Ritchy...

Got to force it?

You remember Del Rio
five years ago?

I remember Del Rio, not you.

Oh, I was there.

So was you.

So was Thomas, Tharp...

and Bentley.

They're dead.

Yeah, I know.

You...

waited a long time for this,
didn't you?

It took me five years
to learn to use a gun.

All right.

Count to three.

One...

Two...

Three.

You...

Before you say anything,
mister, think it over.

That's Dan Ritchy.

Is there a doctor in town?

You outdrew Ritchy?
I don't believe it.

Would you like to go to hell
and ask himself?

Well, I...

If you don't mind there's a...

I should make a report.

Your name is...

Robles. David Robles.

This boy needs a doctor.

Quit playing
like a sheriff, Tillman.

- Go on. Vamoose.
- Well...

Name's Ed Bannister, son.

Are you a doctor?

No, but I'll be glad to
show you where the doc lives.

You know, any man who could
outdraw Dan Ritchy,

I got a lot of respect for.

I sent for him.

Come up here for a little
talk couple of weeks ago.

And you had to go kill him
as soon as he gets into town.

I ought to be mad at you.

But like I say,
you got my respect.

I can't be mad at a man
I respect.

He must have been
quite a friend.

Oh, gun fighters got no friends
except other gun fighters.

You mean you've never
heard of me? Ed Bannister?

- No.
- That's strange.

Why, boy,
when I hung up my Colt,

there was 14 cuts on the handle.

Yes, sir. First time I ever drew on a man,
I was only 16.

Right in there, boy.

Oh, Doc!

Hey, Doc! You got business.

I'm not deaf.
I heard the shots.

What am I today,
doctor or mortician?

Both.

You patch up this wound
and you bury the other one.

Thanks for the trade, Bannister.

Both friends of yours,
I take it.

You two gonna talk
while I bleed to death?

Get up.

Up.

Over here.

Sit down.

That's it.

Unbutton the shirt.

How is it, Doc?

Too bad.
It's only a scratch.

Well, Davey boy...

Why don't you come up to my
place after Doc fixes you up?

All you want to drink,
on the house.

- Yeah, I might do that.
- Fine.

Take good care of him, Doc.

Who'd you kill?

- Dan Ritchy.
- Oh, him.

Who are you?

Dave.

Robles.

It's fine.

I'll remember the name.

And when somebody kittles you,
I can also say, "Oh, him."

Hold still.

Good morning, Estella.

Good morning, Doc.

This one's ready for bandaging,

and the other one's
ready for burying.

It's only a flesh wound.

Put some carbolic acid on it
and a nice bandage.

Will it hurt much, Doc?

Not as much as a rope
around your neck.

- He's very funny.
- Take off your coat.

Why doesn't he stay
and take care of me?

Take off your coat, I said.

Well, I'm not used
to woman doctors.

Did you ever hear about soap?

Yeah, you're very funny, too.

This whole town's funny.

If you'd rather see tears,

why don't you ride and find the
family of the man you just killed?

What do you know
about the man I killed?

Just that he was a man
who was killed.

Is there more to know?

You ride to Del Rio,

see how many people are
crying because Dan Ritchy is dead.

But I do not live in Del Rio.
I live here in Mesa.

And I charge $1.

I'll have to owe you.

You don't believe I'll pay you?

Yes, I believe you.

Ed?

Let's get a box
ready for Ritchy.

I'll give you a hand.

Breezy, come back here.

Oh. Later, Doc.

Hey!

Mr. Robles. Mr. Robles.

Mr. Robles, I took care
of your horse.

I... I'm the one who
took care of your horse.

Got him all rubbed down and fed,

even before
you took care of Ritchy.

Much obliged.

Well, anything I can do
for you, Mr. Robles.

Just say the word.

Thanks.

Oh, thank you.
Anything... Any...

Oh. Anything at all.

Mr. Robles, folks around
here call me Breezy.

Breezy Morgan.

Hi, Breezy.

Well...

Good to see
you're all patched up.

Yeah.

Guess I was pretty lucky
at that?

Welcome to the friendliest spot
in Mesa.

What's your pleasure?

I'll have whiskey, I guess.

Make it two, will ya?

- On your way, Breezy.
- Oh, no, Ed...

I catch you bothering Mr. Robles here,
I'll twist your nose off.

Give him a drink.
He took care of my horse.

Well, keep an eye on him, Davey.

Sure, he'll do you a favor if
there's anything in it for him.

Oh, no, Ed.

Trouble is, he'll do anything
against you for the same reason.

Here's your drink, Breezy.
Drink it and scat.

Much obliged, Ed.
You, too, Mr. Robles.

You know...

one of these days
I'm gonna treat you to a drink.

Yeah, I will. Look.

I got a claim
staked out in the west.

You know, me and a friend.

One day it's gonna pay off.

He's been mooching drinks with
that story from everyone in town.

You believe me.
Don't you, Mr. Robles?

Oh, I believe you, Breezy.

Drink up, Davey boy,
to a pleasant stay in Mesa.

You're gonna like it here, boy.

Nice place to come to
and take it easy.

You had your drink.
Get out.

Go on, get out!

You'll be in good company
soon enough, Davey.

Some friends of mine
ought to drop in any minute.

Fred Jasper
and the Dawson brothers.

Names familiar?

Oh, I heard of 'em.

Why're they coming here?

'Cause I asked 'em to,
like I did Ritchy.

They all like it here.

Hard to see why.
It's a pretty dull town.

Davey boy, a gun fighter is
not very welcome most places.

He's got to keep one eye on
the law and one on the vigilantes.

But here a man can relax,

drink all he wants to,
see old friends,

and not worry about the law.

Here.

Your card.

Dave...

Robles.

There.

Right. Now you're
one of the boys.

There's quite a few cards
up there.

You bet.

You should see the names
on those cards.

Some of the fastest guns
this side of San Luis.

Go on, put your mark on it.

Oh, wait.

Use my gun.

Go on, try it.

It's quite a gun.

That gun, in its time,
commanded a lot of respect.

Yeah.

It's pretty good.

Yippee!

That's Fred Jasper.

Fred can't just ride into town,
he's gotta crash into it.

Come on in, you old weasel!

George, Bill, you boys
are looking great.

We'll feel great after a drink.

You been in Wichita forever?

Couple of days only.
It's too quiet around there.

Marshal's locked up
half the town.

Well, you won't find any
prodding lawman around here.

Hey, can you remember when
the cowherds came up this way?

It was quite a town.

I can't figure a man like
you in a dead town like Mesa.

Well, maybe I mean
to bring it to life.

Let's have a little fun first.

Then we can sit down
and have a long talk.

I got an idea you boys
might really go for.

Well, Dave, come on over here
and meet my friends.

Boys, this here is Dave Robles.

This is George Dawson,
his brother, Billy,

and this ugly old cousin
is Fred Jasper.

Hi.

Robles?

Didn't you have a run in
with Bob Tharp last month?

Just outside of Dodge.

Who cares about Tharp?

Dave here got himself
one of the best this morning.

Dan Ritchy.

You got Dan Ritchy?

I...

Mister...

I drink this one to you.

I've seen Ritchy draw before.

Fast as a cat.

Hope you can stick around
for a while, Dave.

I got no reason to stick around.

Well, you're among friends, boy.

Any man who can gun down Ritchy.
Fred?

You bet.

You won't want for friends
around here, Robles.

When word spreads
that you got Ritchy,

you just watch at how
the folks smile on you.

But keep to your own kind, boy,
like us.

That's right.
Drink up, Dave.

Where else can you find free
drinks and a friendly bunch like this?

You keep pouring,
I'll keep drinking.

Think that looks
tight enough, Doc?

I guess so, Ken.

You feel like
doin' some digging?

I'm sorry, Doc.

Old man Logan needs his horse
showered by noon. I promised.

You know, I'm sorry.

Well, is Breezy around?

Ain't seen him.

Never do when you need him.

He promised to help me
with the diggin'.

All right, Ken,
let's load him up.

All right.

Doc, you got a minute?

Hello, Ken.

We have to talk to you, Doc.

If you got a few spare muscles,
give us a hand.

- Sure.
- Nice box, Ken.

Thanks.

Ken, you better get busy
with old man Logan's horse

if you're gonna make any money.

I'll help you with the box and
I'll sell Ritchy's pony and saddle,

and I'll split it with you, Doc.

Well, that's fair enough.
Let's lift.

Doc, about this trouble...

- Now, come on, Tom, let's get to work.
- Oh, yeah.

What's on your mind, Roy?

Bannister.

And this.

We've let it far enough, Doc.

When Bannister rode in here a
month ago and opened that place up,

I said right off,
"We're in for trouble."

You remember that?

Exactly what I said,
"We're in for trouble."

Tom, you are a living prophet.

You really are a living prophet.

But you talk too much.

Put your end in first.

See you later, boys.

You gotta be serious, Doc.

All Bannister's done for the past
month is liquor up any riff-raff gunman

he can get to pass this way.

No man opens a saloon and
spends his time givin' away his stock.

I'll be darned if I can
figure it out either.

And until I can, I don't aim
to kill myself worrying about it.

You boys want to come along
to the funeral?

No, thanks.

Let's force Jack Tillman
to do his duty as sheriff.

It's gettin' hot, boys,
and I got some diggin' to do.

Let's talk about it again?

Breezy! Where have you been?

- Oh...
- Come on!

Comin', Doc. Comin'.

We'll see you later, boys.

Let's find Tillman.

- Get me the...
- you big sissy!

Come on and play, Jasper.

Get with it, you big sissy!

Mr. Jasper.

Do you mind?

One of you boys better miss it,

or we'll be drinking
out of tin cups.

- You made me miss.
- $5.

- You...
- Come on, give me my $5 first.

Good thing I won.

Man, I was broke.

Broke?

Well, how'd you aim to pay
if you was broke?

- Well?
- -What is it you want, Tillman?

Well, it's not
really me, Ed. It's...

The folks, you know.

I don't know.
Why don't you tell me?

Hey, Fred.

I'll be damned...

if he don't have one of those
pretty tin stars

just like the one we took off
that nice man in Silver City.

Remember?

Do you think we ought to
make it a pair?

Let's have a drink.

Over here.

Hey, Fred, he can't drink.
He's on duty.

Yeah, duty.

You're on duty?

You come in here
and do your duty.

Well, boys, I...

Come on, pals,
we was having fun before.

- Yeah.
- -We can have fun with Jack here.

Come here, Jack. Come...

Well, I'll come back later.

I got somethin' else to do.

Why don't you stick around
here with us?

Sure, Dave.
Fun's just gettin' started.

Yeah. I...

I want to go and see a girl.

A girl? Oh, Davey,
you've come to the wrong town.

You got to go to Dodge
or Wichita.

- No...
- He is right, Davey. You're wastin' your time.

There isn't a decent
white woman within...

Yeah.

Oh, come on, Davey.

You're not leavin' town,
are you?

Look, if I wanna go, I go.
I wanna stay, I stay.

- Didn't I tell you?
- Well, I'm your friend, boy.

Like you was Ritchy's friend.

That's a type
who should never drink.

Are you in a bad mood,
Mr. Higgens?

- That Jack Tillman...
- Oh.

Send him into that rathole
across the street,

and he stays there.

Probably tellin' those saddle
tramps how nice they are.

What we need in this town
is some force.

We can't just go on and on.

Oh, I like this.

But I don't think
red is good for her.

Do you have the same size
in other color?

Blue dots.

Oh, blue is good.

I think she's going to look
so beautiful in blue.

Do you have a ribbon to match?

I'll get the ribbon.

Here's the ribbon.

You see if they match.

So nice.

She'll be the best-dressed
little girl in Kansas City.

Would you wrap this in a
nice box and send it for me?

Of course.

Like to send a letter along?

Oh, yes, a letter.

But you have to wait
until tomorrow.

And I will have the letter
ready for you. All right?

I'll have it packed real nice.

That's good.

Well, goodbye, Mr. Higgens.

Oh. I...

I came to settle up.

Thank you.

Oh, I...

I thought I'd like to have
another treatment, ma'am.

Does your side still
bother you, Mr. Robles?

Well, I'd like to
have you look at it.

Why don't you sit down
and wait for the doctor?

He should be back soon.

Is...

Is the doc your man?

- I work for him.
- Oh.

Right now I'm going
to make his dinner.

Excuse me.

Oh, are these
your living quarters?

The patients
are treated out here.

Well...

here I am.

All right.

Take off your shirt.

Yes, ma'am.

- Sit down.
- Oh.

Let me see.

You're quite a man.

- Thank you, ma'am.
- Oh, yes.

Any man who can kill
in the morning

and still think of love,
that is quite a man.

That's very nice of you.

But I would have to do
one or the other,

kill or love.

Love.

And I do not feel
in the mood for love!

You walk out of the room.

And then we both laugh.

All right.

All right, boys,
the sheriff wants to go to his office.

- All right, sheriff.
- All right, sheriff.

Come here, Sheriff!

- You're my meat, boy! Come on!
- This way!

Come on, Bannister,
join in the fun!

No, I don't want to.

Bannister, can't you
stop those rowdies?

What can I do?

You stop 'em.

No, please...

Sheriff, you look good up there.

Is that what your friends
call sport?

I've seen it before.

All right, Billy,
it's your first shot.

Just a nick, no head.

Oh, that's too easy.

Too easy? Maybe it is.

Please let me down!

Let me down, Fred!

Now you've got
a swinging target.

You missed the head!

Stop it!
Just stop it!

Cowards! What happened
with you people in this town?

Let go! Let go!

Guys, look what I found.

Hey! Chiquita?

Let me go!

Hey, George, what do you say
we take her with us?

- She's a wild cat!
- Yeah!

Hold her, Billy!

Let me go!
Let me go!

Hey, Billy. Hey, Billy,
come on. Come on, Billy.

- Get her out of here.
- Come on.

Let's go and get
some more whiskey.

I'll give you a chance
to win your $5 back.

I don't want them.
I'd rather have that girl.

Come on, Billy, put her down.

- Let go and drink some more.
- Get out of here!

Come on, Billy, put her down.

Poncho said put her down!

Billy, I said put her down.

I put her down, senor,
so my gun arm is free.

You...
You wanna draw, George?

Be careful!
Pull him down.

Jack! Oh, Jack,
what have they done to you?

What have they done to you?

Oh, what kind of man are you?

How can you do this
to a human being?

Jack!

Please help me to take
him to the doc office.

Do you have any more games
we can play, Bannister?

She didn't even
thank you, did she?

Come on inside,
have another drink.

Can't have everything, boy.

I've got a lot
to offer you, boy.

What, some more fellas to shoot?

Look, you've had a big day.

Dan Ritchy.

Fred Jasper.

Billy Dawson.

Yes, sir, a big day.

Two more, I'd have a poker hand.

Robles, you killed
three men today.

Three I was planning to use here in Mesa,
but I don't care.

You killed them,
that makes you better.

What I do care about is
getting you to throw in with me.

Davey...

I was a gunfighter long
enough to learn one thing.

Either you die young,

or you grow old
and end up broke.

But not me.

I plan to wind up alive
and rich. Are you listening?

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

You've seen the town, Davey.
It was a big one, once.

All the cowherds
came here from Texas.

And they started going west,
to Ellsworth, and east, to Wichita.

Mesa wound up in the middle,
with no trade.

You think this town's finished?

Just a few ranches around,

just a few stores in town.
Well, it's not finished.

Not after I take it over.
Do you hear me, boy?

Yeah. Yeah, I hear you.
You talk loud.

In Ellsworth and Wichita,
they got the law.

They made those Texas
cowhands walk a straight line.

But there's no law here.

A man could take
all those closed-up buildings,

put a saloon,
or a dance hall in every one of them.

I'd get that Texas trade
from Ellsworth and Wichita.

They'd all come
to a wide open town,

their pockets
full of trail money.

But I'm old. I need a
fast gun to back me up.

Like Richie's, or Dawson's.

- Or yours, Davey boy.
Why, we could...

Come on, Davey.
Wake up, boy.

Wake up, Davey boy.
Come on, wake up.

Fixed you some good eggs.

I don't like the way
my stomach feels.

You had a nice nap.

Now for some nice food.

You know, Ed,
you should have been a mother.

Well, you got to
eat something, boy.

I... I think I'm gonna
need me some fresh air.

What about my offer?

What?

About throwing in with me.

Oh.

You know, I like your whiskey...

I'm not so sure I like you.

Go ahead.

Go find some more
big names to kill!

And if you don't get gunned down,
you're gonna grow old,

and see how glory tastes
when you're hungry.

I could make you
a fortune, you fool.

I could set you up for life!

Well, thanks for
letting me bunk here.

Wait till you grow old.

Wait till you're slowed down
just a fraction of a second.

Then you'll wish
you'd used your head

to make your speed
pay off when you had it.

Evening, Breezy.

Is the town always
this dead at night?

Oh! Oh, Mr. Robles.

Oh, no, no.
Not like this.

Most everybody's
down at the town hall.

Higgens called a meeting.

Say...

Doc's housekeeper,
what's her name?

Estella.

Estella?

She gone to
the town meeting, too?

No. No, no,
no. She's probably down at the doc's.

Mr. Robles, is there anything I
can do for you? Anything at all?

I got your horse all saddled up
and ready for you over at the stable,

just in case you want to...

Thanks, Breezy.

- Easy, Jack.
- I'll be all right.

- Goodbye, Doctor.
- Goodbye.

We're leaving Mesa as soon
as we can pack our things.

I weigh this as a blessing,

trying to get
Jack out of here alive.

Bye, Estella.

Goodbye, Mrs. Tillman.

Thank you so much for your help.

Goodbye.

Doc, can I fix your supper?

I've lost my appetite.

I'd better get over
to the town meeting

and listen to Roy Higgens
spout off about law and order.

- You wanna listen?
- No, Doc.

I'm going to clean the office.

You go get the scissors,
I'll wait for you.

Ain't you invited
to their meetings?

Their meetings are my meetings.

If I want to go, I go.
I don't want to go.

Okay.

I'm surprised
you're still in town.

Oh, I'm just staying around

to keep you from
getting lonesome.

I thank you for what
you did this afternoon.

I thank you for helping
me and helping Mr. Tillman.

But do not expect
more than that.

Estella.

I came to say goodbye.

Goodbye.

Let me give you a hand.

How long have you been here?

Four years.

- Why?
- Why not?

I don't know. Why should a
deer wanna join a herd of buffalo?

I like it here.

I belong here.
I have chosen Mesa.

Fine choice.

And where do you belong?

Oh, I belonged once in Del Rio.

Until four men with four guns
taught me you can't be safe anywhere.

As long as you're weak.

And now you're strong?

And with this,
I'm the strongest.

I paid them back.

With this, I can
belong anywhere.

With this, I could
make a life for you.

For me?

A woman like you doesn't
belong in a dead place like this.

I could take you
to Dodge, Wichita...

Even Kansas City.

And that gun would
make us both belong?

No, thank you.

I have been to those places.

I have had excitement
you're speaking of.

You're just scared
of a little fun, that's all.

Yes. Yes!

I am plenty scared
of your kind, Mr. Robles.

Four years ago,
I was married to a man like you.

A man with a gun.

We have a child in Wichita.

And then one day,
my husband was killed by a gun.

Justice?

For him, maybe.

But what about us?

We were left without
a gun to protect us.

So you ride on,
Mr. Robles.

But you ride on alone.

And if you have any decency,
you stay alone.

You have a kid?

Yes.

In Kansas City.

With her father's brother
and his wife.

They are very nice people.

She will be here one day.

I earn money.

Soon, I can buy a place.

But more important,
I earn a place here.

I earn respect.

Well...

Adios, Linda.

Mr. Robles. Mr. Robles.

Oh, Breezy.

Here. Here, for the horse.

Oh, much obliged.

But I've come to get you
for them at the town hall.

What?

Yeah, they asked me if you
were still in town, I said yes.

They asked me to ask
you to come to meet them.

- Are you sure they want me?
- That's what they said.

You... You gonna go
and see what they want?

Well, why not?

Sure, why not?

Look, if you're tired and
you wanna stay overnight,

I can get you
a room at the hotel.

And unless you keep your wits

and figure everything out
with some logic,

then you might as well
blow up the whole town!

I agree with that, Doc.

It's a bad decision,
I don't like it,

- ballot or no ballot!
- May I say something?

Let Mrs. Higgens talk.

Maybe I shouldn't say anything,

but I don't think we should have
a man like this in our community.

Mrs. Higgens is right!

Don't argue. Don't argue.
Let's decide it via vote.

Quiet! Quiet, please!

I'm very sorry my wife
doesn't agree with me,

but we've taken a vote.

No matter what Doc thinks,
we've got to...

Come on, Sue.

I, I understand
you want to talk to me.

Indeed we do, Mr. Robles.

Won't you come up here, please?

Mr. Robles,

we'd like to persuade you
to stay on here in Mesa.

As a town official.

- Town official?
- That's right.

It takes fire to fight fire.

And, since you've proved you can
handle Bannister and his friends,

you are the man we want.

Am I right?
Isn't he?

We'd like to offer you
the job of sheriff.

We'll pay $100 a month.

And the use of the living
quarters back at the jail.

Now, how does that sound?

Well, it sounds fine.

Except that jail part.

Then, you'll accept?

Why not?

It's a...
It's quite an honor.

I mean, a fella like me doesn't
usually expect an honor like this.

It's...

Congratulations, Sheriff.

- Yeah.
- Congratulations, Sheriff.

Here's your badge.

Oh.

Wh... Where does it go?

Over the heart, Mr. Robles.

On the left.

Here? How's it look?

Mighty fine, Sheriff.

Now, let's see,
you'll need an outfit to go with that.

Yeah, something fancy?

Yes. Pants, vest
and, coat.

How's this?

Yeah, that's fine.

Now, how can I write
if you pace around like that?

What are you putting down?

Just what you said.

But either I write slow,
or no one can read it.

Oh, if I can only
write in English.

You'd save me a lot of time.

"I hope the dress fits you,

and I know how
lovely you will look."

What's next, my dear?

Is that good?

I mean, "lovely"?

Maybe it should
be "beautiful."

No, I think lovely's all right.

And, "All my love
for you, my darling."

- And...
- No, wait. Wait.

Please.

And?

And "God bless you."

"God bless you."

- There.
- Thank you, Doctor.

Thank you very much.

Good morning, Breezy.

Oh. Morning.

Good morning.

Doc.

Doc...

It's my heart.

I felt a little shaky when
I woke up this morning.

You know...

they say whiskey can
help a man's heart.

So you want to drink?

Well...

Well, what do you think?

I think it would help my heart.

Yes, sir, I truly do.

- This kind?
- Yeah, that's the kind.

Breezy, stay out of my desk.

And out of my liquor closet.

Two days ago,
this bottle was half-full.

Now it's only a quarter.

I found it and hid it
in my office.

You sneaked into my house yesterday,
didn't you?

Oh, no, Doctor. No. No,
I wouldn't do a thing like that.

- While I was here, you wouldn't.
- No.

But I'm here now.
That's why you had to ask me.

Well, you asked.
Now get out.

Oh, now, Doc...

- You got me...
- Out, Breezy, and stay out.

Oh, Doc...

You know, they...
They pinch a little.

They'll loosen up.

No, this gets in the way.

How does it look?

It's the latest style.

Those sleeves
could be a little longer.

Yeah. How about some hats?

Yeah. Right over
there. Help yourself.

I'll alter this vest.

- Mr. Higgens.
- Hey.

How do I look?

Like a gambler. All you
need is a pack of cards.

Yeah?
How do you like this one?

Much better.

Are you always this happy
in the morning?

Why not? I have a new job,
I make a lot of money.

You have a new job?

Hey, why didn't you stay
at the meeting last night?

I kind of expected
your congratulations.

Congratulations.

Mr. Higgens, here's the letter.
Now you can send the dress.

I'll put this with it and
get it off right away.

Thank you very much.

Good day, Mr. Sheriff.

Here, I'll take this one.

- You want to pay for it?
- Put it on the books?

Hey, Estella!

Hey. Is that a nice way
to treat the new sheriff?

How about you
walk me to my office?

I think you'll be
able to find it alone.

You are a man who can do anything,
as long as you have a gun.

Hey, are you mad because I took the job,

No, I don't feel
angry, Mr. Robles.

I just feel sorry for you.

Maybe I want some respect, too.

You know,
it took you four years.

It only took me one day.

- Do you really think you have respect?
- Well...

Only because you get
$100 a month?

Your gun has respect, not you.

But for how long?

Oh, I don't know,
as long as Ed Bannister's around.

That is right.

Until you clean this town up.

Did you ever
clean a house of rats?

What's that?

You throw a snake inside
and you shut the door.

But when the rats are gone,

you don't keep the snake
around for company.

Hey!

Hey, Estella!

Morning, Sheriff.

Hi, Ed.

Oh, come on, Ed,
you're gonna scratch the furniture.

I can't figure you out, Robles.

Either you're a fool, like I said,
or a very clever man.

You take one,
I'll take the other?

I was kind of surprised to
hear that you'd taken this job.

Then I began to wonder,

it would be a good deal
for both of us.

Yeah, you've been doing
a lot of thinking?

You know what, Ed?

I think you're crazy.

Why did you take it?

Oh, I don't know,
I'm a sort of devoted man.

You know, law and order.

What do you plan to do?

I don't know.
I had a shave,

bought me some new clothes.

Well, I guess I'll
get me some breakfast.

You know a good place?

I mean, about me.

You know they're all waiting
for you to run me out of town.

Yeah.

Are you gonna try?

No, Ed. I wouldn't try it.

If I wanted to, I would.

You couldn't have shined
my boots ten years ago.

Yeah, I know.
You were a tiger.

Ed, you tell your friends they can
come to town, drink all they want?

But tell them to
stay off the streets.

I'll tell them.

But I'll let them
give you their answers.

Howdy.

Afternoon.
What's all the trimmings for?

Big dance tonight,
about the only one we have all year.

Should be real nice.

Mr. Robles.

You must have left early.
We went by to see you.

I, guess you're taking a little time,
getting used to your job.

Well, I rode out to
the neighboring ranches,

thought I'd better let
them know who I am.

Well, of course.
That's fine, but...

What about Bannister?

Well, what about him?

Well, he is still over there.

Now, you hired me
to be Sheriff, right?

That's right.

Well, I'm gonna do
the best job I can.

Now,

I don't think it's smart to get
rid of Ed Bannister right away.

You see, I...
I have an idea...

But that's silly.

I mean, when Bannister leaves,
so does trouble.

All right.
I say it's dangerous to have him around.

Well, now, the only thing you have to
worry about is Ed Bannister's friends.

Now, as long as I'm around,
they won't bother you.

See?

Well, I'll see you at
the dance tonight, gentlemen.

Leave your hats and wraps
on the table. They'll be safe.

Thank you.

Good evening, Sheriff.

Sheriff...

Town rule, no guns allowed at the dance.

Oh.

Well, I wouldn't want to
break the town rule.

Thanks.

Sheriff, the hat.

If you just follow
my instructions,

I'm sure your daughter
will be all right, Mrs. Jones.

- Hi, Doc.
- Good evening, Robles.

- She's a fine girl.
- Nice crowd?

I've never figured a
crowd to be nice. Just big.

Yeah.

Hello.

Hello.

Whoever made this punch
should be shot.

Is it bad?

Well, it ain't good.

- Excuse me.
- Certainly.

Oh, look,
I ain't danced in a long time.

Would you like to take a chance?

I'm sorry, I have
promised this dance.

Next one?

It's taken, too.

Well, the same fella?

No, I have many friends.

Maybe later.

Now.

I say later.

Mr. Brown,
this is Mr. Robles.

- Oh, how do you do?
- Hi.

I understand you were by our ranch
this afternoon. I'm sorry I missed you.

You should have stayed home.

Mr. Brown,
this is your dance.

Oh, evening, Mr. Higgens.

Evening, Sheriff.

Oh, this little woman?

Yes, it is.

You mind if we dance?

I'm sorry, but I promised
my wife some punch.

- Excuse me.
- Certainly.

Well, I see Mr. Robles
realized he wasn't welcome.

He'd have to be blind
not to have seen it.

Just because
we hired him as Sheriff,

doesn't mean we have to
accept him socially, Doctor.

Oh, I see.

He's good enough
to do your killing for you,

but it has to be on the
other side of the street.

You leaving so soon, Sheriff?

Yeah, I think I'll go
and get me some fresh air.

Evening, Breezy.

Oh! Good evening, Sheriff.

- Nice crowd in there?
- Yeah. Nice crowd.

You got a drink, Breezy?

Me? No.

Yeah, label looks familiar.

Oh, you know... Well, the truth is,
that's really mine to share.

I left it with Tillman, you know,
to take care of it for me.

I wouldn't take anything
if it wasn't mine.

It's all right, Breezy,
share and share alike.

You're a very understanding man.

Sure.

Was you in the army, Breezy?

Cavalry.

You know, I once had
50 men under my command.

I bet you don't even believe
in my plan, do you?

Oh, I believe you, Breezy.

Why aren't you inside,
dancing, Sheriff?

I don't like
the refreshments, Breezy.

Yeah.

Breezy.

Thank you, Sheriff.

Hey...

Well, you know,
as my daddy always used to say...

"When a bottle's dead,
go to bed."

Yeah.

Will you play
something lively, please?

Davey.

Why do you insist
on staying in Mesa?

They begged me
to stay, remember?

Don't you have any pride?

Can't you see
they don't want you?

Oh, we're even.
I don't want them.

They can keep their watered-down
lemonades and their fat wives.

Davey, I understand
your feelings...

No, you don't.
No, you don't.

You eat dirt, you bounce great.

You see, I don't care whether
they want me or not.

I'm staying. I'm staying
'til I'm ready to go.

All right! Stay here!

Wait for more of
Bannister's friends.

Kill them, one at a time.

Then we can thank you
in our evening prayers.

We can thank David Robles,
our killer who kills for us.

You... You really want me
to go, don't you?

- Yes.
- Why?

You think I'm not
good enough for this town?

Yes, I like Mesa the way it was.

Before you and your gun
changed it.

Because you felt pure.

And I come along,
you don't feel so pure anymore.

You know what?

You're just afraid
of being a woman.

I want you?

Don't you?

Do you think I want a man
who is proud to be a killer?

I was married to a man like you.

Wh...

What do you know about me?

Wh...

Why do you think
I'm staying here?

Why do you think I took the job?

For a tin badge?

For a lousy $100?

Estella...

Estella, I'm staying here
because of you.

And what will I be?

Another notch on your gun?

Something you can brag about
in the saloon when you get drunk?

You're blind.

Go on.

Go on back in there and
try to forget how you feel.

Only remember one thing, I know.

Bannister!

Mr. Bannister!

Well...

I wanna buy a bottle.

- What are you looking at?
- You.

You're drunk.

So?

I'm a little old,
and you're a little drunk.

So I am drunk.

I'm just wondering,
maybe that whiskey slowed you down a bit.

Why don't you just drag
the gun out and find out, Ed?

You know, I could be
half-dead and still take you.

Why don't you take your gun off?

I'd like to kill you
with my bare hands.

Are you man enough
to fight that way?

I always said
you was a little crazy.

Just...

Come on around here.

All right, get it over with.

Oh, you're right, Ed.

Maybe it's more fun
with your fists.

Only, I mean it.

- Good night, Doc.
- Thanks, Ken, you did a good job.

- Good night, Doc.
- Night, folks.

Just take it easy, Robles.

What are you doing?

I said take it easy.

I just set your wrist.
You're lucky you're out.

You set my wrist?

That's right.
It was broken.

Doc. Doc, I can't
move my fingers.

Doc, what does it mean?

What do you mean?

My wrist...

Will I be able to...

Can you draw a gun
and shoot a man?

You know the answer.

But, Doc, I... I got...

You're no longer
a gun fighter, Robles.

You're just a cripple cowboy, and the sooner
you realize it, the better off you'll be.

Don't wrap around the hand.

Suppose you keep
out of my business.

I want that bandage
to stay tight.

I don't want it to show.

Just wrap around the wrist.

You're hoping with your
shirt sleeve button

nobody can tell your wrist
is bandaged, right?

Not unless you tell them.

Doc, you won't tell them,
will you?

I've got no reason to do that.

Since you'll be leaving town
tomorrow morning.

Maybe this was for the best.

The very best, Robles.

For you and Mesa.

- Morning, Sheriff.
- Morning, Breezy.

I... was thinking, Sheriff,
I'd like to do you a favor.

- Yeah?
- I...

I heard Bannister talking.

Oh, he's plenty sore about that
beating you gave him last night.

But he's expecting more
friends of his in town tomorrow.

More than you can handle.

This information free, Breezy?

Well, I... I thought
you'd appreciate it.

You know, any consideration
you wanna make.

Say, a dollar?

What about
that bottle last night?

Oh, yeah.

Well, let's just call it
a favor, then.

Well, order some more
of your brand, Doc.

At least it'll last
me for a while, Roy.

Yes, sir.

Fourteen men.

Why, in my day,
no matter where I rolled, there was a...

- Friend of yours?
- A new one.

Just rode in this morning.

It's a nice,
friendly little town.

Yes, very friendly.

Where you headed for, kid?

Anywhere.

Took up a room at a hotel
for a day or two of rest.

You are...
Must be Dave Robles.

That's right.

Get out, kid.

I said get out.

Well, thanks for the drink.

It's 9:30, Ed.

I can tell time.

That's good.

'Cause I want him to
leave town by noon.

You know, Ed,

someday you're gonna make
the mistake and draw on me.

That's a single-action gun, Ed.

I hear it click,
you're a dead man.

- Doc.
- Dave.

What are you doing in there?

I'm gonna carry you out in
a box if you don't leave town.

You know that boy?

I know what's on his mind.

- What's your name, kid?
- Danny Sheridan.

You a southpaw?

How many men have you killed?

Two.

Well, then you're ready
for the big time.

You know, you kill
a big name, then

you're a big name yourself.

That's what you want,
isn't it, kid?

Yeah.

Draw.

- You're kidding.
- Oh, come on.

I'm giving you a chance
to take my name.

There.

- Listen, now...
- Come on, draw.

Look, I don't want you
hanging around, wondering...

Stop!

You shouldn't have tried that.

It had to be done.

I might have to reset the
wrist. Let's go to my office.

Let me see that.

That hurt?

Not as much now.

Well, I don't think
we'll have to reset it.

But you'd better wake up, man.

You can't stay around
like this with a broken wrist.

After Bannister leaves...

then I can leave.

Who said Bannister was leaving?

I told him to.

Dave, why don't you
stop fooling yourself?

When word gets out about this,

you're gonna be the target for
every gun-happy kid in the country.

- Yep.
- Dave, you...

Well, it's your own life.

Don't worry,
Doc. I'm going to live it as long as I can.

Breezy.

Oh. Hi, Doc.

You always come
in the door backwards?

Oh! No, I...
I changed my mind.

I don't know, I don't feel sick.

You're pretty good,
as a matter of fact.

So long, Doc.

You think he was here
all the time?

I'm afraid so.

Some whiskey was missing,
and knowing Breezy, I...

Yeah.

I thought I'd better
come over and tell you

so you could do
something about it.

Oh, Doc, I didn't know
you was here.

- Oh, hello, Sheriff.
- Hiya, Breezy.

I...

I... Oh, excuse me, I...

I brought you word
from Ed Bannister.

What kind of word, Breezy?

Well, Ed says that he ain't gonna
leave town like you told him to.

Instead, he says
you better leave town.

That if you can't argue
the point with him,

he says he'll meet you
in the street in ten minutes.

I thought you'd wanna know
what he said, Sheriff.

Breezy, last night
we drank together.

You know, I thought
we was friends.

Well... I don't take sides,
you understand.

It's just, I gotta
make a living.

And Ed, he can take care of me.

Well, at least
he gave you a break.

You've got plenty of time
to leave town.

I'll see that Ken
has your horse saddled.

Never mind.

You are leaving?

- Get out, Doc.
- But, Dave, I...

Leave me alone, Doc.

Hey, Breezy.

Look at that old barrel shine.

- There's a real gun.
- That it is, Ed.

Sure you told everybody
to be there?

Yeah, I... I told Higgens,
Smithy, everyone I saw.

Some of them just left.

Yeah? Well, they won't be
laughing after 10:00.

What do you mean?

Oh, you wouldn't shoot Robles
down in cold blood, would you?

He won't be
fool enough to show up.

I wanna show this town
who's top man.

That's me from now on.

Yeah, well,
whatever you say, Ed.

What do you want?

Another slap in the face?

With your broken wrist?

Dave, Doc told me.

This one isn't broken.

David, last night you told
me you love me in your way.

Now I tell you my way.

Why did you walk away, then?

I don't want to share you
with a gun.

David, I want you.

A man who can't defend himself?

You can leave with the pride in yourself,
not a gun.

Please, David, come with me.

They paid me to do a job.

I didn't do it.

They hired a gun,
and the gun is dead.

$100 is not worth dying with.

You can't make a life by...

By running away.

Yes. Let me show you, David.

Please give me a chance.

I already told Ken to saddle your horse,
and one for me.

We can go to a place.
Any place.

And we can make a good place for you,
for me and for my daughter.

Please, David, come with me.

Hurry up, David, please.
Come, David.

- Do they know I'm running?
- It is not important they know.

Good morning, Sheriff.

I guess you're gonna
take a little ride.

Don't listen, David.
Come on, David.

Please!

Go on, clear out!

One of us has to leave.

I plan on staying.

Go, get the horses.
I'll wait here.

You wait here.
Right here.

Where are you
sending her, Robles?

To get more help?

Don't pay attention, David.

Don't pay attention
to him, David. Please.

You're through
ordering men around.

From now on, you can give
your orders to women.

David!

No!

- No!
- Estella!

- Let me go!
- Estella!

Did you lie to me,
you scoundrel?

I told you
you'd make a mistake, Ed.

- Come on, draw.
- You paid him.

You paid him
to get me into this.

You'd never walk down here if...

Come on, Ed, draw.

It's not fair.

You know you can beat me.
It's not fair.

It was fair as long as
you thought I was crippled,

Come on, Ed.

Draw.

No.

No, you don't wanna
kill me, Davey.

Please.

You better go, Ed.

You bet on
the wrong man, Breezy.