The Shooter (1997) - full transcript
The story is of a small town in the early west and of a 'shooter' of reputation that drifts into it and stands up to the controlling family that runs it. But far from a John Wayne, this hero is caught and brutally beaten and left to die, only to be saved by a prostitute that has also suffered under the hand of this group of desperados. The only one possible to stand up to the shooter is another solitary man who joins with the notorious family although he is deputized as the town's sherif.
MANY A TIME
I'VE SAT DOWN AND TRIED
TO CONJURE UP THE WORDS
TO ACCURATELY DESCRIBE
WHAT I'M TELLING YOU NOW.
SOMEHOW, I'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE
TO SUFFICIENTLY DO
THE STORY JUSTICE.
BUT WHAT'S TO FOLLOW
IS THE STORY OF REVENGE,
NEVER A WARM SUBJECT,
BUT, AS YOU WILL SOON SEE,
A SUBJECT SO WORTH TELLING.
IT'S HOW ONE MAN'S BRAVERY
WAS ANOTHER MAN'S
CROSS TO BEAR,
AND HOW THE LITTLE TOWN
OF KINGSTON HAPPENED
TO GET IN THE WAY.
OW! UHH! UHH!
AAH!
OH! AAH! OHH!
YOU KNOW I HATE DOING THIS
TO YOU, DARLING, BUT WE GOTTA
MAINTAIN ORDER,
AND THERE ARE RULES TO FOLLOW.
THAT ONE HURT, DIDN'T IT?
YOU SCREAMED REAL GOOD
THAT TIME.
WELL, WAIT TILL YOU FEEL
THIS ONE.
THIS AIN'T GOT NOTHING
TO DO WITH YOU, MISTER.
YOU KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU,
YOU'LL BE MOVING ALONG.
WHAT IS IT YOU WANT, MISTER?
UNTIE THE GIRL.
CAN I TAKE YOU ANYWHERE?
I SAID CAN I TAKE YOU ANYWHERE?
WAIT.
WAIT!
OOF!
GET IN THERE! COME ON.
HIT HIM AGAIN.
COME ON. COME ON.
COME ON, GIVE IT TO HIM!
All: WHOA!
GET HIM! GET HIM!
COME ON. COME ON.
HIT HIM WITH A BOARD!
OHH!
GET UP!
AAAGH!
OH, MAN.
WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?
WE WAS OUT PAST HANNAN CREEK
DOING WHAT YOU TOLD US TO DO,
AND THIS MAN CAME UP.
WHAT MAN?
I DON'T KNOW. STRANGER.
WHAT ABOUT THE GIRL?
HE TOOK HER WITH HIM.
I THINK THEY WERE HEADING
IN TOWARDS TOWN.
HOW DID YOU GET AWAY, ED?
I WAS UP IN THE ROCKS
WITH THE HORSES, STANDING GUARD.
AND YOU MEAN YOU DIDN'T SEE
THE MAN WHO MURDERED MY SON?
YOU'RE A GODDAMN LIAR, ED.
I SEE YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD.
I DIDN'T WANT TO BE THE ONE,
ESPECIALLY AT THIS TIME, BUT...
THERE'S SOME THINGS IN TOWN --
PAUL, I'M SURE EVERYTHING
YOU HAVE TO SAY TO ME
IS VERY RELEVANT...
BUT AT THIS PARTICULAR MOMENT
IN MY LIFE
I DON'T GIVE A DAMN.
I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANYTHING
YOU HAVE TO SAY.
THE ONLY THING I WANT
TO HEAR FROM YOU?
WHO MURDERED MY BOY AND WHY.
YOU GO FIND THAT MAN NOW.
VINCE, I SWEAR ON MY BONES
I'M GOING TO FIND THAT MAN.
AND HE WILL, BY GOD, PAY.
I'M GOING TO MISS YOU, VINCE.
SALOON'S OVER THERE.
THANK YOU.
SO, HOW'S YOUR BOOKS
COMING THERE, JACOB?
NOT AS WELL AS I'D LIKE.
SEEMS LIKE EVERY GREAT STORY'S
ALREADY BEEN TOLD.
HEY, GIRL,
YOU HOLD IT RIGHT THERE.
WHERE THE HELL YOU BEEN?
BEEN WHERE YOU TOLD ME TO BE.
JESUS.
WHAT'D YOU DO THIS TIME?
HE JUST SHOT VINCE KRANTS.
GINA!
GET OVER HERE AND FIX HER.
DAMN WOMEN ARE MORE TROUBLE
THAN THEY'RE WORTH SOMETIMES.
WHAT CAN I GET FOR YOU, MISTER?
WHISKEY.
SIR, I DON'T BELIEVE
I CAUGHT YOUR NAME.
ATHERTON.
MICHAEL ATHERTON.
GO GET THE SHERIFF.
I BEG YOUR PARDON, SIR.
MIND IF I JOIN YOU?
I COULDN'T HELP BUT OVERHEARING
THAT YOU SAID YOUR NAME
WAS MICHAEL ATHERTON?
WHAT'S IT TO YOU?
IT IS NOTHING TO THAT EFFECT,
SIR, I CAN ASSURE YOU.
I AM A WRITER.
I MERELY CHRONICLE GUNFIGHTERS,
THE MOST NOTABLE OF OUR TIME,
MR. ATHERTON.
JESUS CHRIST, BOY,
YOU NEARLY SCARED ME TO DEATH.
SHERIFF, MR. DUNCAN
WANTED ME TO PASS ON A MESSAGE.
WELL, WHAT IS IT?
I'VE HEARD A GREAT DEAL
ABOUT YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
I'VE READ A LOT ABOUT YOU.
SO, I WAS JUST WONDERING
IF PERHAPS...
YOU.
NOW, WHAT I HEAR TRUE?
DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU HEARD.
THE BARTENDER HERE,
HE SAYS YOU'VE GONE
AND KILLED VINCENT KRANTS.
NEVER HEARD THAT NAME.
SO YOU'RE SAYING YOU DIDN'T?
NO, I'M JUST SAYING
I DON'T KNOW THAT NAME.
I DIDN'T TRAVEL NO 500 MILES
TO LOSE NO BOUNTY
TO SOME LUCKY SON OF A BITCH.
I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING
ABOUT NO BOUNTY, NEITHER.
I GUESS VINCENT KRANTS
WASN'T MUCH OF NOTHING AT ALL
IF YOUR YELLOW ASS PUT HIM DOWN.
YOU STILL THIRSTY?
THEN PAY THE MAN.
JUST A MINUTE THERE, PARTNER.
TAKE YOUR GUN AWAY
FROM MY FRIEND.
FROM HERE I CAN BLOW YOUR HEAD
CLEAN OFF, AND I WILL.
HE AIN'T KIDDING, STRANGER.
AHH!
HEY.
THOUGHT YOU COULD USE SOME HELP.
NOBODY DO A GODDAMN THING.
THAT'S HIM, SHERIFF.
THAT'S THE MAN
WHO KILLED VINCENT.
AND YOU WERE
JUST HAVING A DRINK,
MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
I DO NOT INTERFERE
IN OTHER FOLKS' MATTERS.
IT'S NOT GENTLEMANLY.
BUT WHEN IT'S UNFAIR, WELL...
AND WERE YOU WITH
MR. ATHERTON EARLIER?
I'M JUST PASSING
THROUGH YOUR TOWN HERE
ON MY WAY TO TUCSON.
BUSINESS PROPOSITION.
MR. ATHERTON'S IS ALL ALONE
ON HIS PRIOR DEALINGS.
NOW, IF THAT'S ALL,
I'LL BE GOING.
CERTAINLY.
THERE IS ONE MORE THING, UH,
DIDN'T QUITE CATCH YOUR NAME.
TAPERT.
KYLE TAPERT.
SHERIFF.
IF THERE ISN'T ANYTHING MORE...
ACTUALLY, MR. ATHERTON,
THERE IS SOMETHING WE'D LIKE
TO DISCUSS WITH YOU.
YOU MIND SITTING DOWN?
OLD JACOB HERE HAS TOLD US
AN AWFUL LOT ABOUT YOU.
I'VE STUDIED ALL THE BEST.
I AM QUITE FAMILIAR
WITH YOUR WORK.
SO YOU'VE TOLD ME.
LET ME GET RIGHT
TO THE POINT.
THERE'S A REWARD
FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE.
FOR WHAT?
VINCENT KRANTS.
YOU FAMILIAR WITH HIM?
NO.
SURELY YOU'RE FAMILIAR
WITH HIS DADDY, JERRY KRANTS.
JERRY KRANTS IS THE DIRTIEST
NO-GOOD SON OF A BITCH
TO EVER INFEST THE TERRITORY.
MAYOR, THIS IS
MICHAEL ATHERTON.
MICHAEL, ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE
MAYOR PETE SAYERS .
JUST CALL ME GENTLEMAN PETE,
MR. ATHERTON. EVERYBODY DOES.
HAVE YOU TOLD HIM?
NO, I WAS JUST FIXING TO.
NOW, I TOOK AN OATH TO UPHOLD
THE LAWS OF THESE PARTS,
SO IT IS MY DUTY TO AWARD YOU
THIS BOUNTY.
IT'S A SUBSTANTIAL SUM.
IT'S $10,000.
THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.
WELL, IT'S A BARGAIN IN
COMPARISON TO WHAT VINCENT'S
DONE-- HIM, HIS FATHER,
AND HIS WHOLE GODDAMNED GANG.
BUT THAT ISN'T WHAT CONCERNS ME.
THE KRANTS GANG IS...
HOW SHOULD I PUT THIS?
THEY'RE LIKE AN INSTITUTION
IN THIS TOWN.
KRANTS STAKES HIS CLAIM,
AND IF WE DON'T BOTHER HIM,
HE PRETTY MUCH LEAVES US ALONE.
SORT OF AN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE TWO OF US.
MR. ATHERTON, I DON'T THINK
YOU COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND
THE SITUATION.
JERRY KRANTS IS NOT GOING
TO TAKE THIS LYING DOWN.
THAT'S HIS ONLY SON YOU KILLED.
WHEN HE FINDS OUT, HE'S GONNA
COME LOOKING FOR ANSWERS,
AND WHEN HE DOESN'T FIND ANY,
A LOT OF INNOCENT PEOPLE
IN THIS TOWN ARE GONNA SUFFER.
IT'S OUR FAULT
FOR LETTING GO LIKE WE DID.
KRANTS GANG'S GOTTEN STRONGER,
AND WE'VE JUST GOTTEN WEAKER.
SHERIFF HERE AND CASEY
ARE THE ONLY LAWMEN WE'VE GOT.
THERE ISN'T ANY WAY
WE CAN FEND OFF KRANTS
AND HIS GANG BY OURSELVES.
NOW, I'M ASKING,
AND FRANKLY EXPECTING,
YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER.
THE REWARD FOR JERRY KRANTS
IS SAME AS VINCENT'S,
BUT YOU BRING HIM IN FOR US,
WE'LL DOUBLE IT.
MR. MAYOR, SHERIFF,
I'D LIKE TO HELP,
BUT I'M NOT A HIRED GUN.
I DON'T ENJOY KILLING PEOPLE.
LIKE I SAID,
I WAS JUST PASSING THROUGH.
BEFORE THE WAR,
MICHAEL ATHERTON
WAS A PRETTY FAMOUS LAWMAN
IN PENNSYLVANIA.
IN THE ARMY HE NEVER ADVANCED
ANY FARTHER THAN A FOOT SOLDIER,
DESPITE HIS DEEDS.
HE WAS CAPTURED
BY THE CONFEDERACY,
AND THEN HE ESCAPED.
AFTER THAT, NEVER HEARD
MUCH ABOUT HIM.
HE JUST DISAPPEARED.
THIS IS THE FIRST I'VE HEARD
ABOUT HIM IN SEVEN, EIGHT YEARS.
I WONDER WHERE HE'S BEEN
HIDING ALL THESE YEARS.
YOU JUST GET SOME REST NOW.
I'LL BE BACK TO CHECK ON YOU.
THANK YOU, JACOB.
MA'AM.
WATCH THE BAR FOR A BIT.
I'LL BE BACK.
WHISKEY, PLEASE.
HOLD YOUR HORSES.
SOMEONE HERE
TO SEE YOU, DARLING.
YOU CAN TELL THAT DAMN DUNCAN
I AIN'T UP FOR NOTHING
RIGHT NOW.
I DON'T THINK HE'S HERE
FOR TRICKS.
HOWDY.
I CAME BY TO SEE
IF YOU WAS ALL RIGHT IS ALL.
WELL, AS FINE AS CAN BE
EXPECTED, I GUESS.
ACTUALLY, IT'S KIND OF GOOD
TO GET A BREAK FROM, YOU KNOW...
FOR A LITTLE BIT, ANYWAY.
WELL...
THIS HERE'S FOR YOU.
WHAT IS IT?
AHEM. BOUNTY MONEY.
BOUNTY MONEY?
YEAH.
VINCENT KRANTS?
HOW MUCH?
SHERIFF SAYS $10,000.
YEAH.
I DON'T WANT IT.
PARDON?
I SAID I DON'T WANT IT.
DON'T YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?
I AM NOT FOR SALE.
NOT FOR YOU, JERRY KRANTS,
DUNCAN, NOBODY.
NOBODY OWNS ME.
NOBODY.
WELL, LIKE I SAID,
I JUST CAME BY TO SEE
IF YOU WAS OKAY IS ALL.
I'LL BE ON MY WAY.
I'M HERE. WHAT DO YOU GOT?
HE'S ONLY BEEN IN TOWN A DAY,
BUT ALL HE'S DONE
IS CROWD WENDY.
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING
MR. KRANTS OUGHT TO KNOW...
I'LL DECIDE WHAT MR. KRANTS
NEEDS TO KNOW.
PETE PAID HIM THE BOUNTY
ON VINCENT.
IT'S $10,000.
AND THE WORD OUT IS HE'S BEEN
OFFERED DOUBLE THAT
TO BRING IN JERRY.
THAT SO? WELL?
WELL, I AIN'T HEARD
NOTHING FOR SURE.
I MEAN, IT'S TOUGH ENOUGH
GETTING WHAT I GOT ALREADY.
I NEED A NAME.
SOME FAST SHOT FROM BACK EAST
I AIN'T NEVER HEARD OF...
ATHERTON, I THINK.
MICHAEL ATHERTON?
THAT'S IT.
MICHAEL ATHERTON IS
IN KINGSTON?
WELL, I'LL BE DAMNED.
YOU KNOW HIM?
YEAH. WELL, NO.
BUT I HEARD.
WAY PETE'S ACTING,
YOU'D THINK WYATT EARP HIMSELF
JUST RODE IN.
WELL, HE MAY AS WELL HAVE.
WHO'D HAVE THOUGHT!
MICHAEL ATHERTON.
THIS FELLA ATHERTON,
HE'S FAMOUS.
NEVER HEARD OF HIM.
HE WAS A WAR HERO.
FOUGHT FOR THE NORTH,
MAYBE THAT'S WHY.
HE WAS AN ESCAPED PRISONER,
HELPED TAKE DOWN THE SOUTH'S
STRONGHOLD IN COLUMBIA.
CLEARED THE WAY FOR SHERMAN
TO MARCH ON IN
AND BURN ATLANTA TO THE GROUND.
PRETTY MUCH DISAPPEARED
FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH
THESE LAST FEW YEARS.
STORY HAD IT, THAT DAY HE MADE
HIS BREAK, HE KILLED
15 CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS
SINGLEHANDED.
FIFTEEN CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS
ALL BY HIMSELF?
TOOK CARE OF VINCE
AND THE OTHERS WITHOUT BREAKING
A SWEAT'S WHAT I HEARD.
PAUL, THOSE MEN
THAT DIED WERE FAMILY.
ONE OF THEM WAS BLOOD.
THIS WAS MY SON, PAUL.
I DON'T LIKE YOU
TAKING IT SO LIGHTLY.
UHH!
DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME, PAUL?
YEAH.
ALL RIGHT. OKAY, PAUL.
OKAY. OKAY.
HOW'D YOU FIND OUT
ALL THIS STUFF ABOUT THIS MAN?
IT'S WHAT YOU PAY ME
TO FIND OUT.
SO, THEY WENT OUT AND THEY HIRED
THEMSELVES A SHOOTER, HUH?
WHAT ARE THEY PAYING HIM?
OFFER'S DOUBLE FOR YOUR HEAD.
DOUBLE. JUST DOUBLE?
I SAY WE HIT THE TOWN HARD,
TEACH THEM A LESSON
THEY WON'T SOON FORGET.
NO, PAUL.
I GOT SOMETHING SPECIAL
PLANNED FOR THE TOWN.
I'M GOING TO THROW
A REAL PARTY FOR THAT WAR HERO,
BELIEVE ME.
FIFTEEN MEN. DAMN!
I DON'T KNOW WHY I'VE BEEN
SO DAMN LUCKY TODAY.
HOLD IT.
I THINK WE NEED
TO RECOUNT THOSE CARDS.
I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING
TO YOURSELVES.
CHEATER, RIGHT?
WITH YOUR LUCK,
I'D CRY FOUL AS WELL.
THE FACT IS I'VE BEEN ON THE UP
AND UP WITH YOU BOYS.
NOTHING UP MY SLEEVE.
YOU'RE JUST BAD CARD PLAYERS,
AND I THINK IT'S TIME
YOU EXCUSED YOURSELVES.
NOT MUCH WITH A GUN,
EITHER, I SEE.
LEAST I COULD DO.
LEAST YOU COULD DO
IS NOTHING.
I'M MORE APPRECIATIVE
OF THIS GESTURE.
YOU KNOW,
I'VE HEARD OF YOU,
WHAT YOU DID DURING THE WAR,
A FEW THINGS AFTER.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?
JUST PASSING THROUGH,
JUST LIKE YOU.
WHERE YOU HEADING?
GO TELL YOU THE TRUTH,
I HAVEN'T GIVEN IT MUCH THOUGHT.
MIND IF I LOOK AT THAT?
PEASHOOTER?
I KNOW GUNS PRETTY WELL,
AND THAT IS QUITE A PIECE.
.45 SCOFIELD.
IVORY HANDLE.
YOU KNOW, THEY ONLY MADE
A FEW OF THESE.
IT'S VERY NICE.
IT'S PRETTY GOOD.
YOU KNOW, WORD'S OUT
THE TOWN'S WILLING TO OFFER YOU
QUITE A HANDSOME SUM
FOR PARTICULAR BOUNTY.
AND HOW'D YOU HEAR
ABOUT THAT?
WELL, YOU KNOW
HOW SMALL TOWNS ARE.
NEWS TRAVELS FAST.
YOU GONNA STICK AROUND?
MM...
COULD I OFFER
YOU SOME ADVICE?
TO HELL WITH THESE PEOPLE.
THEY NO MORE CARE ABOUT YOU
THAN SOME POOR FOOL
THAT RIDES INTO TOWN.
THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO GET
YOU TO DO THEIR WORK
FOR THEM IS ALL.
YEAH, WELL,
MAYBE YOU'RE RIGHT.
SHERIFF, I WANT A WORD
WITH YOU IF YOU PLEASE, SIR.
I DIDN'T FIGURE
HE'D WANT TO TALK TO ME.
DAMN IT, I KNOW YOU
CAN HEAR ME!
THIS WHOLE DAMN TOWN
CAN HEAR ME.
I'M GOING TO MAKE THIS
VERY SIMPLE, SHERIFF.
ATHERTON.
NOW, YOU GIVE HIM TO ME...
I'M GOING TO SPARE THIS TOWN.
IF I DON'T GET HIM,
I'LL MAKE A GRAVEYARD
OUT OF THIS WHOLE DUMP.
NOW, YOU HEAR ME,
AND YOU HEAR ME GOOD, SHERIFF.
IF I DON'T FIND HIM,
NOTHING OR NOBODY WILL SURVIVE.
YOU HEAR ME, YOU BASTARD?
ATHERTON!
DAMN YOU!
I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME.
GOOD LUCK.
YOU'RE SUPPOSED
TO BE A WAR HERO,
AND YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE
THE HEART TO COME OUT HERE
AND SAVE THESE INNOCENT SOULS.
ATHERTON!
THERE ARE NO YANKEE WAR HEROES,
JUST GODDAMN COWARDS.
WELL, MR. WAR HERO,
WELCOME TO KINGSTON.
[ slowed, distorted
neighs ]
AAH!
GET OUT OF HERE. MOVE!
SWEETHEART, YOU'RE
COMING WITH ME.
GET UP.
ATHERTON!
I KNOW YOU DON'T GIVE
A DAMN ABOUT THIS TOWN,
BUT I HAVE SOMETHING HERE
THAT I THINK YOU
MIGHT JUST CARE FOR.
TELL HIM YOU'RE HERE,
SWEETNESS.
COME ON, BITCH.
MICHAEL!
GOOD.
GET THIS TRASH OUT OF HERE.
SOUNDS LIKE A WAR HERO.
I'M HERE.
LOOKS LIKE.
DEAD MEN DON'T NEED A GUN.
YOU KNOW WHERE TO TAKE HIM.
AND AS QUICKLY AS THIS HEROIC
CHARACTER CAME INTO OUR LIVES,
HE WAS QUICKLY TAKEN FROM IT.
THE HOPE THAT MICHAEL ATHERTON
SYMBOLIZED WAS LOST,
GONE FOREVER.
NO LAW-ABIDING MAN
EVER RETURNED.
ONLY THING LEFT TO SPECULATE
ABOUT NOW WAS WHAT WOULD BE
IN STORE FOR KINGSTON.
UHH!
MY TURN.
COME ON.
GET UP.
AAH!
SMASH HIM.
SMASH HIM!
ONE MORE.
I RAN DOWN THIS LITTLE VALLEY
TRAILING THE SON OF A BITCH...
HOLD IT.
WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
I'M LEAVING.
OH, REALLY?
AND EXACTLY WHERE
DO YOU PLAN ON GOING?
AWAY FROM HERE.
YOU AIN'T GOING NO PLACE.
HOW MUCH?
HOW MUCH FOR WHAT?
HOW MUCH YOU LET ME LEAVE?
HOW MUCH YOU GOT?
THIS MUCH.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S ALL LEAD.
SHE'S GOING TO PAY FOR THAT.
OHHH!
DAMN, SON,
YOU'RE A LOT TOUGHER
THAN I THOUGHT YOU WERE,
BUT I'M GOING TO BREAK YOU.
I SWEAR TO GOD
I'M GOING TO BREAK YOU.
HASN'T THAT POOR BOY
SUFFERED ENOUGH?
YOU GOT A PROBLEM
WITH MY METHODS?
WELL, THEY'RE NOT THE TACTICS
OF CIVIL SOCIETY,
THAT'S FOR SURE...
BUT THEN THAT'S WHAT I LIKE
ABOUT YOU FOLKS.
WELL, AS YOU CAN SEE,
I'M QUITE BUSY AT THE MOMENT.
WHY DON'T YOU COME BACK AGAIN?
NO, I'LL TELL YOU
SOMETHING BETTER.
WHEN THERE'S SOMETHING YOU
WANT ME TO KNOW, YOU TELL PAUL,
AND THAT WILL SAVE YOU A TRIP.
I GET THE FEELING
YOU DON'T WANT ME AROUND.
I PAY YOU TO DO
WHAT THE HELL I WANT YOU TO DO
WHEN I WANT YOU TO.
SCAT.
YES, SIR, MR. KRANTS.
UHH! OHH!
BOYS.
YOU DON'T REMEMBER ME, DO YOU?
INFAMOUS ESCAPE, COLUMBIA?
RING ANY BELLS?
BETTER YOU THAN ME, PARTNER.
BETTER YOU THAN ME.
LOOKS LIKE A STORM'S
COMING IN, BOSS.
WHAT DO YOU WANT US
TO DO WITH HIM NOW?
I THINK HE LOOKS JUST FINE
WHERE HE IS.
YOU KILLED MY SON.
YOU HEAR ME, BOY.
AN EYE FOR AN EYE,
A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH,
AND BLOOD FOR BLOOD.
DAMN YOU.
WE THINK THIS IS
JUST THE START.
FOR NOW, YES,
HE'LL SETTLE FOR ATHERTON,
BUT EVENTUALLY HIS REVENGE WILL
NOT BE LIMITED TO JUST HIM.
HE'LL BLAME EVERYONE
AND EVERYTHING,
THIS TOWN IN PARTICULAR.
WE LOST OUR ONLY LAWMAN
WORTH A DAMN TODAY.
HE WON'T BE EASY TO REPLACE.
WE'VE RECRUITED A FEW BOYS
TO LEND A HAND
UNTIL CASEY FEELS BETTER,
BUT THEY'RE GOING
TO NEED SOME GUIDANCE.
WILL YOU HELP US?
WHY ME, IF YOU DON'T MIND
MY ASKING?
YOU DON'T KNOW ME FROM ADAM.
YOU'RE NOT A BAD GUNMAN
IN YOUR OWN RIGHT'S
WHAT I'VE HEARD.
I AIN'T NO ATHERTON,
THOUGH, AM I?
ALONG WITH WHAT YOU DID
IN TOWN THE OTHER DAY
IN DEFENSE OF ATHERTON,
I FEEL MORE THAN COMFORTABLE
ASKING WHAT I'M ASKING.
FRANKLY, SIR, WE'RE DESPERATE.
BY THE TIME THE GOVERNMENT
ASSIGNS A MARSHAL TO THIS TOWN,
I'M AFRAID IT MAY BE TOO LATE.
YOU KNOW, MR. MAYOR,
I'VE BECOME QUITE FOND
OF YOUR LITTLE TOWN HERE.
I'D FIND IT A PRIVILEGE
AND AN HONOR TO BE
ITS NEXT SHERIFF.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
SO, JUST LIKE THAT
THEY GIVE CONTROL OF THE TOWN
TO THIS STRANGER?
WELL, I THINK OLD PETE
KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING.
AT LEAST I HOPE HE DOES.
PSST.
WENDY, WHAT THE HELL
ARE YOU DOING HERE?
I NEEDED SOME THINGS.
WELL, YOU BETTER BE QUICK
AND GETTING BACK TO WHEREVER
IT IS YOU'VE BEEN HIDING.
DUNCAN GOT REAL ANGRY
AFTER YOU LEFT,
GOT KIND OF HARD ON US
FOR A WHILE.
I'M SO SORRY ABOUT THAT.
DON'T BE.
NONE OF THE GIRLS BLAME YOU
FOR LEAVING.
THEY JUST BLAME THEMSELVES
FOR STAYING.
I SURE HAVE MISSED YOU.
I MISS YOU TOO.
WHY HAVEN'T YOU MOVED ON?
GOT ME A PLACE
IN SABAN WASH INSTEAD.
NOTHING AROUND FOR MILES.
MISS GINA, SEE YOU
AT OUR USUAL TIME THIS EVENING?
LOOKING FORWARD TO IT,
MR. MAYOR.
THE MERE THOUGHT OF IT...
YOU CAN'T LET HIM SEE YOU.
NOT NOW.
LOOK, DUNCAN WENT AND GOT
THE NEW SHERIFF TO POST --
NEW SHERIFF?
IT SURE HAS BEEN A LONG TIME.
RIGHT AFTER THE SHOOTING
WE GOT A NEW ONE.
TAPERT, KYLE TAPERT.
WHO'S KYLE TAPERT?
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, DO YOU?
THERE'S A BOUNTY OUT
ON YOUR HEAD.
DUNCAN WENT AHEAD AND HAD
THE NEW SHERIFF POST IT.
YOU CAN'T STAY HERE ANYMORE.
IT'S TOO DANGEROUS.
TAKE CARE.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.
ALL RIGHT. GO.
HOPE YOU DON'T MIND.
DID YOU EAT?
NO.
HOW ARE YOU FEELING?
HUNGRY.
OH... MM.
WHAT'S THAT?
OH, I JUST THOUGHT
I'D ADD A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA
TO THE PROCEEDINGS.
AAH! AAH! AAH! AAH!
I GUESS VINCENT KRANTS
WASN'T MUCH OF NOTHING AT ALL
IF YOUR YELLOW ASS PUT HIM DOWN.
SHERIFF SAYS $10,000.
I SAID I DON'T WANT IT.
DON'T YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?
BETTER YOU THAN ME, PARTNER.
FRANKLY, I'M EXPECTING
YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER.
UHH!
NO!
MICHAEL, WHAT IS IT?
WHAT'S WRONG?
NOTHING.
NOTHING.
IS THAT YOU, SHERIFF?
IT IS.
COME IN.
I TAKE IT THIS AIN'T HOW YOU
GOT THE NICKNAME "GENTLEMAN."
I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.
SHE -- SHE WAS LAUGHING.
SHH. AND THEN YOU KILLED HER.
OH, GOD. OH GOD.
LOOKS LIKE
A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT.
I DIDN'T MEAN
TO KILL HER, SHERIFF.
YOU GOT TO BELIEVE ME.
I DIDN'T MEAN TO DO IT.
I KNOW YOU DIDN'T.
JUST TRY AND CALM DOWN.
A MIGHT YOUNG,
DON'T YOU THINK, MAYOR?
OH, GOD.
PETE, I DON'T WANT YOU
TO KEEP FRETTING ABOUT THIS.
SHE'S INSIGNIFICANT,
AND SHE WON'T BE MISSED.
YOU HAVE TO KEEP IT TOGETHER.
YOU'VE GOT WAY TOO MUCH
RESPONSIBILITY RESTING
ON YOUR SHOULDERS TO WORRY ABOUT
SOME TWO-BIT WHORE.
NOW, YOU TRUSTED ME
TO RUN THIS TOWN, DIDN'T YOU?
DIDN'T YOU?
YES.
GOOD. WE'LL JUST LET THIS
BE OUR LITTLE SECRET
BETWEEN ME AND YOU. BUT...
NO BUTS, NO BUTS.
NOTHING ELSE TO SAY.
YOU JUST LEAVE THIS TO ME.
WE'RE GOING TO RUN THIS TOWN
THE RIGHT WAY,
THE WAY IT OUGHTA BE,
MY WAY,
AND THIS IS HOW WE TAKE CARE
OF OUR OWN IN MY TOWN.
NOW, YOU GO GET YOURSELF
CLEANED UP.
NOW.
GOING SOMEWHERE?
I CAN SEE YOU'VE BEEN
GETTING BETTER.
A BIT.
SO WON'T BE LONG
BEFORE YOU'RE READY.
I SUPPOSE NOT.
YOU GOT A PLAN,
OR ARE YOU GONNA FIRE
AT THEM LIKE THEY'RE TIN CANS
ON A FENCE?
HAVEN'T GIVEN IT
MUCH THOUGHT.
WELL, YOU BETTER,
'CAUSE THEY AIN'T TIN CANS,
AND THEY'RE GOING TO FIRE BACK,
AND THERE'S A HELL OF A LOT
MORE OF THEM THAT THERE IS YOU.
ARE YOU HEARING ME?
YOU DON'T HAVE TO PROVE
YOURSELF TO THEM.
YOU CAN STAY HERE WITH ME.
WHAT DIFFERENCE IS IT GOING
TO MAKE GETTING YOURSELF KILLED
FOR SOMETHING YOU CAN'T CHANGE?
I KNOW ABOUT SARA.
I KNOW HOW YOU MUST FEEL.
I'M NOT TRYING
TO TAKE HER PLACE.
I JUST...
YOU DON'T KNOW HOW I FEEL.
YOU DON'T.
SO YOU'RE GOING TO GO TO WAR
FOR A BUNCH OF STRANGERS
THAT DON'T GIVE A DAMN
ABOUT YOU?
I AIN'T FIGHTING
NOBODY'S WAR.
IT AIN'T ABOUT RIGHT.
IT AIN'T ABOUT WRONG.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
I DON'T KNOW.
SO, WHAT DO YOU WANT?
I THOUGHT I TOLD THEM
TO TELL YOU TOMORROW.
THEY DID.
I FIGURED WHY WAIT.
WHERE IS EVERYBODY?
OUT.
KEEPSAKE?
THAT'S RIGHT.
NICE PIECE.
YEAH, IT'S KIND OF HARD
TO GET ROUNDS FOR, THOUGH.
WELL, IT'S A BEAUT.
YOU LIKE IT?
TAKE IT.
SO, WHAT DO YOU WANT?
THAT'S THE SECOND TIME
YOU'VE BARKED AT ME IN MY HOME.
FORGIVE ME.
WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?
I'D LIKE FOR YOU TO EXPLAIN
YOURSELF TO ME.
IN WHAT SENSE?
I HEAR THERE'S A NEW TAX
IN TOWN, TRUE?
YOU SEE, I CANNOT REMEMBER
HAVING OKAYED A NEW TAX.
BUT YOU ARE GOING TO INCLUDE ME
IN YOUR NEWFOUND FORTUNE,
ARE YOU NOT?
YEAH.
WHAT?
YES. OF COURSE.
GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE.
THANKS.
BASTARD.
READ THEM AND WEEP.
AWW! MAN!
NOW, IT'S A GOOD THING
YOU BOYS ARE BETTER GUN HANDS
THAN YOU ARE CARD PLAYERS.
WHAT IS THAT NOW,
THREE IN A ROW?
EVEN THE FORCES OF NATURE
AIN'T GONNA STOP ME
TONIGHT, LADIES.
CAN'T BE.
THAT BETTER NOT
BE YOU, TAPERT.
I KILLED YOU.
YOU'RE DEAD.
AAH! AAH!
GO AHEAD AND KILL ME.
I'M NOT GOING TO KILL YOU.
YOU KILLED YOURSELF.
I KNOW SOMETHING IS UP,
SHERIFF, AND I NEED YOUR HELP.
HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
TELL ME SO I CAN GO HOME.
HAVEN'T YOU HEARD
A WORD I SAID?
GINA'S BEEN MISSING
NOW FOR THREE DAYS.
THE LAST TIME I SEEN HER
WAS AT THE BAR.
SHE WAS TELLING THEM OTHER GIRLS
SHE'D SEEN THAT OTHER WHORE,
THE ONE WE'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR,
RIGHT HERE IN THIS TOWN
NOT A DAY PRIOR.
I AM LOSING MONEY LEFT AND RIGHT
WITH ALL THESE WHORES GETTING UP
AND MOVING ON LIKE THIS.
SOMEONE IS TRYING TO DO ME IN,
AND I THINK THEY'RE ALL IN
IT TOGETHER.
DUNCAN, LISTEN TO ME.
I KNOW YOU'RE HURTING,
BUT WHAT DO YOU WANT ME
TO DO ABOUT IT TONIGHT?
I FIGURE WITH ALL THE MONEY
I'VE BEEN KICKING BACK TO YOU,
IT'D BE WORTH
A LITTLE INCONVENIENCE.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?
I GOT SOME NEWS CAN'T WAIT.
WHATEVER IT IS CAN.
KRANTS IS DEAD.
WHAT HAPPENED?
SON OF A BITCH
BURST INTO THE BARN
AND STARTED SHOOTING UP A STORM.
TOOK US OUT LIKE WE WAS NOTHING.
KILLED EVERYBODY THERE.
WHEN I WENT OUTSIDE AFTER,
THAT'S WHEN I FOUND JERRY
LYING ON THE PORCH DEAD.
THAT CRAZY SON OF A BITCH
WAS GONE.
WHO DID IT?
IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN
THE MAN I SAW.
IT JUST COULDN'T.
DAMN IT, WHO WAS IT?
ATHERTON.
IT WAS MICHAEL ATHERTON,
THE MAN WE KILLED.
LEFT FOR DEAD.
ARE YOU SURE?
WHY WOULD I LIE?
IT WAS HIM OR HIS GHOST.
EITHER ONE, IT'S THE MAN
I SAW THERE.
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT.
JERRY KRANTS DEAD?
HOLD YOUR THINKING
THERE, DUNCAN.
IT CAN'T BE.
I MEAN, YOU ALL SAW HIM DIE.
WE STRUNG HIM UP GOOD.
A COUPLE OF US WENT OUT
A FEW DAYS LATER,
COULDN'T FIND NO BODY.
JUST FIGURED THE BUZZARDS
AND COYOTES HAD THEMSELVES
A NICE YANKEE SUPPER.
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON,
SHERIFF?
DUNCAN, I'M NOT GOING TO TELL
YOU AGAIN TO SHUT UP.
WHO ELSE SAW ATHERTON OUT THERE?
ANYONE WHO SAW HIM
THERE IS DEAD.
HOW MANY LIVES
DOES THIS MAN HAVE?
YOU SAID TAPERT
WAS THE SHERIFF.
HOW MANY DEPUTIES THEY GOT?
I DON'T KNOW.
I KNOW IT DON'T MATTER MUCH...
BUT I LOVE YOU.
WORD GETS OUT THAT ATHERTON'S
KILLED KRANTS, HE'S GOING
TO BE SO HIGH AND MIGHTY
NOBODY WILL EVER BRING HIM DOWN.
THIS IS NOT HOW
IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE.
WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?
CAN'T YOU SEE
WHAT HE'S DOING?
HE'S HUNTING US.
THE SON OF A BITCH
STOLE MY IDEA.
WHAT WE HAVE TO DO
IS FIND HIM BEFORE HE GETS
BIGGER THAN HE EVER WAS,
AND DESTROY HIM,
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM,
AND I KNOW HOW.
YEAH? WELL, WHERE
THE HELL IS HE?
DUNCAN, THAT WHORE ATHERTON
GAVE THE MONEY TO,
SHE SAY WHERE SHE WAS LIVING?
YEAH.
GOOD.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS?
2:30?
THAT ISN'T WHAT I MEAN.
WHAT IS IT THAT CAN'T WAIT
TILL MORNING?
YOU'RE A CHURCH-GOING MAN,
AREN'T YOU, MAYOR?
OF COURSE.
YOU REMEMBER THE PASSAGE IN
THE BIBLE WHEN GOD TOLD ABRAHAM
TO SACRIFICE HIS CHILD?
YES.
IN THAT CASE,
IT WAS JUST A TEST,
BUT THE POINT BEING,
FOR EVERY CAUSE THERE HAS TO BE
SOMEONE WILLING TO SACRIFICE.
YOU UNDERSTAND?
THAT'S ATHERTON'S GUN.
WHERE'D YOU GET IT?
WHERE I GOT THIS SHOULD BE OF
LITTLE CONCERN TO YOU RIGHT NOW.
IT'S WHAT I'M PLANNING
TO DO WITH IT THAT YOU
SHOULD WORRY ABOUT.
MRS. SAYERS, I CAN'T TELL YOU
HOW EMBARRASSING THIS IS FOR ME.
OHH!
SOMEBODY OUGHT
TO FETCH THE SHERIFF.
A MAN'S BEEN KILLED.
SORRY TO GET YOU BOYS
UP SO EARLY.
I KNOW IT'S STILL A COUPLE HOURS
BEFORE DAWN,
BUT I FELT I HAD TO DO
SOMETHING QUICK
BEFORE WE LOSE THIS ONE.
I'M AFRAID I HAVE SOME
DISTURBING NEWS FOR YOU.
OUR DEAR MAYOR
HAS BEEN MURDERED.
THE MAYOR?
NOW, WE KNOW THE WHEREABOUTS
OF THE PERPETRATOR,
AND IT SHAMES ME TO BE THE ONE
TO TELL YOU THIS, BUT...
IT'S SOMEONE WE ALL KNOW,
SOMEONE WE'VE ADMIRED GREATLY.
HE WAS MADE TO WITHSTAND
A TERRIBLE PUNISHMENT
AND THEN SOMEHOW
MIRACULOUSLY SURVIVED.
UNFORTUNATELY, HE BLAMES
EVERYTHING AND EVERYBODY
IN THIS TOWN,
INCLUDING OUR DEAR MAYOR
AND HIS INNOCENT, LOVELY WIFE.
HIS NAME IS MICHAEL ATHERTON.
HOW HE SURVIVED AFTER BEING
TURNED OVER TO KRANTS
IS A MYSTERY TO ME,
BUT WAR HERO OR NO WAR HERO,
HIS BRAND OF JUSTICE CANNOT
GO UNANSWERED.
IT WAS BLATANTLY MISGUIDED
AND FOOLISHLY EXECUTED,
AS A WITNESS
SAW THE WHOLE DAMN THING.
NOW, LET'S SHOW HIM
HOW WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN
HERE IN KINGSTON.
LET'S GO GET HIM.
GO! GET -- GET HIM!
COME ON!
GOT IT!
WE GOT HIM.
GET HIM OFF ME.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE?
IT'S A MESS.
A REAL MESS.
THAT IT IS.
WE'VE ALL HEARD THE LEGEND.
MR. FINCH, WHAT GUN
IN PARTICULAR DOES
THE FAMOUS MICHAEL ATHERTON
WEAR ON HIS SIDE?
MICHAEL ATHERTON?
HE'S DEAD.
JUST ANSWER THE QUESTION.
SCOFIELD .45.
SPECIALLY MADE, IVORY HANDLE.
THE BRUTALITY OF THIS CRIME
IS BEYOND ME.
REVENGE IS AN UGLY SIGHT.
ARE YOU SAYING
MICHAEL ATHERTON'S ALIVE?
ALIVE AND VERY MUCH WELL.
TO THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY NOT HAVE
HEARD, THIS IS NO ACCIDENT.
YOU TAKE A LOOK
AT OUR DEAR MAYOR'S BODY,
YOU'LL SEE HE WAS SHOT.
MURDERED.
AND I'LL BET YOU MY LAST DOLLAR
YOU'RE GONNA FIND
A SCOFIELD .45 SLUG INSIDE.
I DON'T BELIEVE IT.
DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT.
WHAT KIND IS IT?
SCOFIELD .45.
WHY DON'T WE JUST
ASK HIM OURSELVES?
WHAT KIND OF MAN DOES
SOMETHING LIKE THIS?
CAN YOU TELL US
YOUR WHEREABOUTS LAST NIGHT?
HOW DID YOU SURVIVE
ALL THAT TIME?
MUST'VE BEEN TOUGH.
DID ANY OF YOU EVER HEAR OF
ANYBODY ESCAPING
FROM JERRY KRANTS?
OF COURSE NOT.
NOT UNLESS YOU MADE
SOME SORT OF DEAL WITH HIM.
THAT'S WHY YOU KILLED PETE!
DID HE PAY YOU TOO?
YOU MAKE ME SICK.
GET HIM OUT OF MY SIGHT!
BURY THEM.
DEATH BY HANGING.
THAT'S WHAT THE MAJORITY'S
CALLING FOR,
AND I'M JUST CARRYING OUT
THE WISHES OF THE MASSES.
I AM JUST A PUBLIC SERVANT,
YOU KNOW.
YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH JOY
SEEING YOU LIKE THIS BRINGS ME.
ALL THOSE YEARS
OF LOOKING FOR YOU
FINALLY PAID OFF.
PAYS TO BE PATIENT.
PAYS TO BE PATIENT.
STILL DON'T REMEMBER ME, HUH?
SOME LEGEND YOU ARE.
GUESS I WASN'T AS IMPORTANT
TO YOU AS YOU WERE TO ME.
SEE, YOU GAVE ME A SOUVENIR,
SO I'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU.
IT WASN'T 15 MEN
YOU KILLED SINGLE-HANDED.
IT WAS 14, ONE SURVIVOR.
AND NO ONE REMEMBERS THE MEN
WHO WERE KILLED THAT DAY
WHEN YOU BROKE OUT OF PRISON,
BUT I DO.
EVERY DAMN DAY.
AND TOMORROW WHEN YOU HANG,
NOT ONLY WILL YOU DIE,
BUT A NEW LEGEND WILL BE BORN
AND YOU WON'T BE REMEMBERED
FOR ANY ACT OF BRAVERY,
ONLY AS A KILLER.
YOU DONE YET?
WHEN GOD PUTS THE SUN OVER
THE HORIZON TOMORROW MORNING,
IT'LL BE TIME FOR YOU TO SWING.
AND I GIVE YOU
MY WORD OF HONOR,
NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES
NO MATTER HOW MUCH IT COST,
I'M GOING TO FIND
THAT LITTLE WHORE OF YOURS
AND TREAT HER
LIKE SHE OUGHT TO BE TREATED.
YOU KNOW, MY ONLY REGRET HERE
IS I DON'T GET
TO KILL YOU MYSELF.
OH, THAT WOULD'VE BEEN SWEET.
REAL SWEET.
SON OF A BITCH.
NOT MUCH IS KNOWN
ABOUT ATHERTON'S ESCAPE
FROM THE SOUTHERN CAMP
EXCEPT FOR THE BASICS.
NONE OF THE NAMES OF
THE SOLDIERS WERE EVER RELEASED,
SO I COULDN'T REALLY SAY.
LEGEND HAS IT AT 15.
BUT IS IT POSSIBLE?
IS IT POSSIBLE ONE SURVIVED?
YEAH, I'D SAY
ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE,
BUT THE RECORDS
WERE DESTROYED, DEPUTY.
YOU WANT MY OPINION,
I'D SAY IT'S HIGHLY UNLIKELY,
BUT IT'S POSSIBLE.
LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING.
WHY ALL THIS SUDDEN INTEREST
IN A STORY EVERYBODY
KNOWS ABOUT?
BECAUSE I THINK EVERYBODY
MAY JUST BE A LITTLE BIT WRONG.
COME ON. WHOA.
COME ON. HYAH!
COME ON.
I THOUGHT YOU
MIGHT BE COMING BY.
SINCE YOU JUST BROKE OUT
OF JAIL, I FIGURED YOU
AND YOUR ACCOMPLICE HERE
MIGHT UNDOUBTEDLY BE SEEKING
GREENER PASTURES.
OH, JUST TO MAKE
EVERYTHING OFFICIAL,
I BROUGHT A WITNESS 'CAUSE I
WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW THE TRUTH
ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS HERE TODAY.
OR AT LEAST THE TRUTH
AS I GIVE IT TO HIM.
UH-UH, NOT SO FAST, LIGHTNING.
YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO SHOOT ME
KNOWING THE SLIGHTEST CHANGE
IN BALANCE COULD LEAD TO
A VERY UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCE
FOR THE LADY HERE.
YOU SEE, I CAME
TO THE REALIZATION LAST NIGHT
THAT I DON'T JUST WANT YOU DEAD
AND YOUR NAME RUINED.
I WANT IT ALL.
AND I FIGURED THIS WAY
I COULD HAVE ALL THAT
AND THE SATISFACTION
OF KILLING YOU MYSELF.
OH, I RECKON IT IS SOMEWHAT
UNFAIR OF ME TO BE DOING THIS,
KEEPING YOU OFF GUARD AND ALL,
'CAUSE I DON'T WANT YOU
TO BE DISTRACTED
WHEN YOU FINALLY DRAW.
I WANT TO KNOW
I'VE SEEN YOUR BEST.
SO...
I GOT TO HAND IT
TO YOU, ATHERTON.
YOU ARE INDEED
ONE HELL OF A SHOT,
EVEN ALL CRIPPLED UP.
BUT, UNFORTUNATELY FOR YOU,
EVEN THE BEST SHOOTER CAN'T
DO ANYTHING WITH NO BULLETS.
EVEN AN IGNORANT WHORE
KNOWS THAT.
WHERE IS HE?
OH, IT'S OKAY, HE'S DEAD.
YOU ALL RIGHT?
OW!
DEPUTY'S COMING.
IT'S ALL RIGHT, MR. ATHERTON.
I KNOW YOU'RE INNOCENT.
I HEARD EVERYTHING TAPERT
SAID LAST NIGHT TO YOU
AND KNEW HE'D BEEN
LYING ALL ALONG.
COULDN'T REALLY BELIEVE
HE'D GONE IN WITH KRANTS,
BUT WHEN I SAW
THE JAIL CELL DOOR OPEN
LIKE THAT, WELL, I KNEW
SOMETHING WEREN'T RIGHT,
SO I COME HERE TO STOP HIM.
THANK YOU.
HEY, DEPUTY,
CAN YOU GET ME LOOSE?
I RECKON.
IT WAS NEVER DETERMINED
WHETHER OR NOT KYLE TAPERT
WAS WHO HE CLAIMED TO BE.
LATER IT WAS REVEALED THAT
WASN'T EVEN HIS REAL NAME.
SO IT GOES.
AS FOR MICHAEL ATHERTON,
WELL, HE PULLED
ANOTHER DISAPPEARING ACT.
THE MAN WHO SINGLEHANDEDLY
WIPED OUT THE KRANTS GANG
AND SAVED A SMALL WESTERN TOWN
FOUND WHAT HE HAD BEEN
SEARCHING FOR
FOR AN INCREDIBLY LONG TIME:
PEACE.