Timestalkers (1987) - full transcript

MAN: (ON RADIO)
In Washington today,

Attorney General
William Fred Smith

-hinted that
a federal grand jury...
-Oh, I'm late.

(SIGHS)

(TIRES SQUEALING)

(SIREN WAILING)

(HORN BLARING)

BILLY: Bang, bang, bang.

Bang, bang. Bang, bang.

-Billy. Billy!
-Bang, bang.

Oh!



Kids.

(SIGHS)

(CHUCKLES) Cowboys.

(DOG BARKING)

Okay, Ike Clanton,
I'm coming in to get ya.

-Bang, bang, bang.
-Ow!

Oh, wait a second.

That's completely
out of character.

Doc Holliday was not
a back shooter.

You have the front covered.

Listen, if you're not gonna
play fair

I'm gonna dabble
your face out.

BILLY: Oh, no.

Okay, children,
it's time for the real world.



Yeah. Well, don't bother
packing a lunch for me.

I'm just going to eat
some of this kid's head.

-Oh, no! Don't.
-(GROWLING)

Sometimes I do not know
which one of you
is the eight-year-old.

He is.

(LAUGHING)

Come on, partner,
the stagecoach is waiting.

The stagecoach
needs a tune up.

-No horsepower, huh?
-Oh, please, stop.

Daddy, I wanna go to
your school today.

I think you're a little young
to go to college, son.

Through the window, Dad.

-Through the window, pal.
-Ah.

Here's your school report.
Very good.

Why would any kid who knows
as much about the Old West
as you,

choose to write about
the zoo?

Let's teach him to open
car doors first

before we move on
to the more difficult things.

Okay. Give us a kiss
and you got a deal.

Okay. See you later guys.

Yeah.

LAURIE:
Don't take too much time
oiling your gun, partner.

Bye, Dad.

(TOY GUN FIRING)

(SIREN WAILING AT A DISTANCE)

(SIRENS WAILING)

(HORNS BLARING)

Hold on, Billy!

(SIRENS WAILING)

SCOTT: No, God. Laurie.

-Sir, no.
-Get back. Come on. Come on.

(GUNSHOTS)

(GUN CONTINUES FIRING)

I don't believe it,
every single day
for an entire year.

Scotty.

Hey, Joe. What do you say?

Ah, democracy is safe
in any way.

Listen, thought we can
ride in together.

Ride in?

Oh, Scotty,
you forgot about the auction.

-The auction.
Is it 4:30 already?
-Uh-huh.

Why don't you guys
go on ahead

and I'll get my stuff
and come right behind you?

Well, look, actually, Scotty,
I thought maybe we could
go in together

then after the auction
we could meet up with Betty
and a friend of hers,

meet them for a drink.

Gee, I can't tonight, Joe,
I got term papers.

Well, look, why don't you
ride with me anyway?

Then my driver
will take you back in.

Okay. Let me just go in
and get my coat.

(DOOR OPENING)

♪ ♪

You think they'll just let us
camp out here?

Like kids
in a candy store, huh?

I see what I like.

Oh, yeah, put up by
a Texas John Cody.

-So it must be real.
-Absolutely.

Oh, it comes with a set.

So, with tintypes, handbills
and other Western Bric-a-brac.

Hmm. Yeah. Just the...
Just your kind of thing,
huh, Scotty?

My type of thing too,
you know,

she would be ashamed
for us to
bid it up between us.

Hey, what do you say?
I'll do the bidding

and if we get it
we'll split 50-50.
We'll each take a trunk.

All right.

I'll take this one.

Got yourself a deal, partner.

This got a hole.

MAN: Ladies and gentlemen,
may I have
your attention, please?

We're going to start
the auction very soon.

Would you all be seated
and be sure you have
a bidding number.

We cannot honor any bids
without a bidding number.

Thank you very much.

And logically enough,
we're going to start
this auction with lot one.

Lot one consists of a knife,
a special knife.

This knife was made popular
in the style of Jim Bowie.

As you can see,
it has a very large
steel blade,

probably used for
skinning buffalo and many
other nefarious purposes.

However, a long time ago
someone took
the time and trouble

to repair the handle
of this knife

replacing it with a piece of
buffalo hide.

In my mind,
that deems it
as an authentic,

so I'd like to have
an opening bid please,
of $500.

(PLAYING HARMONICA)

(METAL CLANKING)

(HORSE SNORTING)

Hey, you're new
to these parts?

Men don't step down
around here
unless if he's invited.

Yes. I forgot.

I guess the smell
of that coffee there
is taking my manners.

Okay.

I'm obliged.

I ain't familiar
with that accent, though.

Your boys running
your cattle down to Tucson?

We don't have to run them
that far anymore.

Railroads been here
since 1880.

Where might you be headed?

Ah, I'm not sure.

I'm looking for a man.

A gunslinger who has
a pair of 45s.

Like ebony handles each
with a silver star.

Have you seen
anyone like that?

-Are you the law?
-COLE: No, have you seen him?

-Seems to be a...
-No.

Can't say as we have.

You ran out of coffee?

What was his name?

Who?

(GROANING)

-Ahh!
-What was his name?

The guns are all I remember.

Ebony handles, silver stars
just like you said.

It was back in...
(GRUNTS) Crossfire.

Crossfire was the name
of the town.

Unless your raise is
as fast as my bullet,
I wouldn't try it.

1580 shaving implements
sold to number 16.

Number 16.

Now, we move to Lot 27.

Lot 27 consists of
two trunks.

One is leather and one is tin.

Containing... Well, let's see,
what one contains.

Well, we have old tintypes,

old tintypes,

some old papers,

also a bottle of old red wine.

Empty, I'm sorry to say.

However, this has contained
a lot of nostalgia,

a lot of history in its age.
Now, look over here,

you'll see, what appears to be
a bullet hole.

Now, can I get
an opening bid please of...

♪ ♪

MAN: My, lady.

♪ ♪

MAN: I'll raise you.

Give me whiskey.

(BOTTLES CLINKING)

I'm looking for a man.

He has a pair of 45s.
Like ebony handles
with silver star.

I'm not the law.

Of course, you ain't.

Law don't show up
in this town.

Not if they know
what's good for them.

We ain't seen
nobody like that around here.

Ebony and silver stars?

A bit fancy for this town.

Like these clothes
you're wearing, fancy.

From back east, right?

Yeah. I'm afraid, in a ways.

You're a liar. Ain't no more
in the days does on.

How did you get here, mister?

I, uh...

We, uh, took a train
from Tucson.

You're a double liar.

Ain't been
no train through here
in two days.

We've seen your type before,
mister.

Easters chasing an easy buck,

carpet beggars,
bounty hunters.

Now, I wonder,
which one of them is you.

I ain't got no ebony
and silver stars.

Just plain wood.

Five notches.

You must be pretty good.

I'm the best there is.

I believe you.

That's what your mouth says,
mister,

but your eyes say
something different.

Boys.

(HORSE NEIGHING)

If you like
what it done to the trunk,

you'll just love
the neat little hole
that'll leaving your head?

(LAUGHING)

Yeah. Good, good.

(CLEARING THROAT)

No, no, no, no, no.
The paper wants this clear.

I can't have
all these people here.

Now, listen
I'm the town mayor too

and I have a perfect right
to be involved in this...

I don't care who you are.
You can be in the next one.

You can all be in the next one

but I got to have
a clear shot.

Now, if you all just
step aside
I'll get this done.

Not ready. Mr. Mayor,
give me some room, would you?
Back off, fellows.

All ready.

190, who's going to bid 200?

And sold to Dr. McKenzie.

$200. Thank you.

Well, let's go divide
the spoils, me son.

Okay.

I'm looking for a gunslinger.

(CHUCKLES)
Plenty of men like that
around here.

Now, three less,
thanks to you.

He wears a pair of 45s.
Black ebony handles
with a silver star.

Have you seen
somebody like him?

Silver stars?
No, I ain't see any.

How about a military escort
coming this way?

Through Crossfire? No.

You know a river around here
winding like a snake?

That'd be Old Rattler.

A few miles away from here.

-Which direction is that?
-North.

Say, this guy
with the silver stars,

who is he?
What's his name?

That's what I'm here for
to find out.

Well, see, if you... If you're
going to be traveling

maybe I can interest you
in a pair of shoes.

Professor, the general is
expecting you.

Thanks, sergeant.

Yeah, that's all you had
in that big trunk you bought,
hmm?

No. There are
some other things.

Some, uh, leather
and some skins and papers

but that's pretty much
the best of it.

Well, it looks like
I finally
got it over you, Scotty.

I got a pick at that bag,

original Mexican
pinwheel spurs

silver and brass inscribed
in stamps.

(CHUCKLES)
Original buckles too.

What now, why do you want
these blown up anyway, huh?

Buddy, they look just...

Just humor me, will ya?
Come on.

Oh, well, fine, Scotty. Fine.

But listen, afterwards,
I'll show you my original
Mexican spurs.

-Hey, could I wear them?
-Oh, well,
they're antiques, Scott.

Well, but then again,
so are you.

Well, you find,
what you're looking for?

Can you isolate and bring up
that guy in the background?

Karen's got a sister.

You remember Karen, right?
The red hair I've been dating?

Got a sister,
quite a looker too.

I thought maybe
next Saturday night
we could, ah, double date.

Thanks, Joe, but no thanks.

Can we get a little
like closer on the gun?

Scotty, look, I know
how hard it hit you.

I really do know
but you got to start
picking up the pieces.

How about focusing in
just on the gun?

Listen, Joe, I appreciate
what you're trying
to do for me

but really, I'm happy as I am.

-Oh, yeah.
-Just a close up on the gun.

Sure, you're happy?
Look, Scott,

when a hobby
starts becoming a lifestyle,

it's time to hit
the old psychiatrist couch.

I think I've been had.

It looks like a 357.

It's exactly what it is.
It's a .357 Magnum
circa 1980.

No.

No, it can't be.
No, that's impossible, Scotty.

No, it isn't.
Look at the Bennett barrel.

You got
the swing out cylinder.

-Well, maybe but...
-There's no maybes about it.

That's a 357 Magnum,
a modern weapon.

Can I have a copy
of these pictures, please?

There's something
wrong here, Joe.

I think I've been had.

If you've been had,
then, how about my spurs?

The damn thing
is clearly marked 1886

and I'd say
that was just about right.

There's no way you could have
made a mistake?

Scott, you're asking me
thorough and I was.

I gave it the full works.

Chemical test, spectroscopy.

This tintype is at least
100 years old, no doubt.

What's the problem?

Look at the gun
in that fellow's hand.

Yes?

Suppose I were to tell you
that it was
a 357 Magnum Revolver

made in 1980.

Scott, you could tell me that
with an ice cream cone

and I wouldn't know
the difference.

What I do know is that
this tintype is at least
100 years old.

(THUNDER CRASHING)

SCOTT: Philosophers
and sciences for centuries

including Einstein
have given us data
which indicates that

time itself, one day
might be manipulated.

Now, we've explored
the possibility of
an advancement

in weaponry in 1886

remaining undetected
and unexploited

but we've discounted that
as an impossibility.

I promised you that
today would be a departure.

I think the way I explained it
was we would have a mystery
in history.

Now...

(ELECTRICAL WHIRRING)

-(LAUGHTER)
-(WHIRRING CONTINUES)

Definitely we had a mystery
in history.

(CLASS LAUGHING)

Next time,
I give a History class

remind me not to do it
in the physics building.

(CLASS LAUGHING)

You all have those folders
in front of you

that you've read
containing my thesis.

Are there any comments?

Are there any questions?

Should I interpret this
as an odd science?

Okay. Professor,
you're joking, right?

I mean you got to be joking.

(LAUGHING)

No.

Time travel?

(CHUCKLES) What is this,
like April Fool's Day,
just the late?

That's very funny, Frank.

Are there any
serious questions?

Yeah, can you take me back
to last Saturday night?

Please don't.

You're going somewhere,
Mr. Statman?

Professor, with
all due respect,
the hour is up.

It's hard enough
getting through
the paper itself

if we're not going to
sit here and analyze it.

I got other classes
to worry about.

I would have thought
you'd been more receptive.

Receptive to logic, professor.

All right.
That's it for today.

Hey prof, for tomorrow?

-Or yesterday.
-Or last year?

That's very funny.

It's a shame
they don't give credits
in cynicism.

(GUNSHOT)

Perhaps I should have knocked.

Who are you?

My name is Georgia,
Georgia Crawford.

What can I do for you?

I've come a long way
to see you,
Professor McKenzie.

I've read your position paper.

You and I are doing research
along similar lines.

Is that so?

You gonna draw on me?

(CHUCKLES) Of course not.

I'd like to see
the actual tintype, please.

What tintype?

The one you have projected
for your class.

Why do you want to see it?

I am someone
who shares your obsession
with the Old West.

I'm fascinated
with your thesis.

I need to use
some of your research
to balance my own.

Professor McKenzie,
I believe you.

You're from the east, right?

Sorry?

I know a little bit
about accents.

You're from the east, right?

Right. Yes, east.

You ran the usual tests?

Mmm-hmm.

Spectroscopic,
particle delineation,
fiber examination.

That was a waste of time.

I beg your pardon?

Oh, well, the tintype
is obviously authentic.

Here, look at these shadows.

What about them?

Well, contemporary camera
always puts the flash
next to the lens

but in those days they held
the flash pan this high

which would tend to
force shorten shadows, see?

You didn't notice that?

Of course, I noticed that,
Ms. Crawford.

I have those
pictures memorized.

The shadow is obviously
forced short.

Good, then we're
thought paralleled.

You bet we are.

Have you established
where the photograph
was taken?

Not yet.

And that's the next step.

Ms. Crawford, do you have
any idea how many towns

across the Old West
blew up and disappeared
overnight?

Yes, I do, but what can
you tell me about this town
from this photograph?

Well, for one,
it was well established
because it had a photographer

which means it had a newspaper
which tells me
this was not a whistle stop.

Very impressive, professor.

It's a small wonder
you were considered one of
the world's great authorities.

Were?

Well, that's what
they'll be saying, won't they?

Now, these mountains
won't have change,

so if we could line
this photograph up with
the actual mountain...

Ridiculous.
That would take months.

Time is relative, professor.
You should know that.

Do you have a room
that I could change in?

We might as well get started.

Take your pick.

Thanks.

-(MEN TALKING AT A DISTANCE)
-(WOMEN LAUGHING)

WOMAN: Come on.
Let's go, guys.

Jack, come on.

Get it, Jack.

Okay. Well, I'm going to
get this one too.

Whoa!

(WOMEN LAUGHING)

I'm coming Jack.

Whoa!

JACK: Yeah!

Oh, yeah!

Whoa!

(LAUGHTER)

(MACHINE BEEPING)

WOMAN: What did you say?

WOMAN 2: I say you got enough.

Yeah, you'd say
no damn thing.

(LAUGHING)

-(GUN FIRING)
-(SCREAMING)

BART: I said nobody
was to leave camp.

WOMAN: We ain't
part of your band.

BART: You get paid to do
what you are told.

WOMAN: We got to
wash too, you know.

What we got to do
is rob a stage.

And we got to be ready
to do that when it gets here.

Oh, Bart,
that ain't due until...

It's due when it gets here.

Maybe they make up some time.

You know, you are
caught out in the open
like a bunch of halfwits.

Now, get out
of that creek.

The Pulmari River
is affectionately known as
Ol' Rattler.

Once an important
watering place

for lieutenant hideouts
for outlaw gangs.

-GEORGIA: Why are we stopping?
-Because I'm tired.

I've driven these roads
dozens of times.

I'm telling you,
this is a waste of time.

All right.
Don't crank yourself up into
a massive defense mode.

I am not in a defense mode
whatever the hell that is.

Okay. Suppose we do find
the right town.

What's it gonna prove,
100 years after the fact?

I can't believe that
a fellow historian

is questioning the validity
of an objectively verifiable
first step.

Okay. What's the next town?

(SIGHS)

Crossfire.

Oh, yeah.

They tried refurbishing
that town a couple of
years ago.

I know the only thing
you're going to find there
is an ex tourist trap.

(SIGHS) We still have to
check it.

It won't take so long.

I'll just turn on
your music device.

That's the ash tray.

You used to be
able to bring
your whole family here.

Professor, I think
we got something.

This is it. Crossfire!
Put it there, partner.

I don't know
whether you're clever
or just plain lucky?

How about both?

It happened right there
in 1886.

Okay. Let's split up
and see what we can find.

I'll take this part of town
and you check out that end.

Okay.

I guess I should
congratulate you
on your deter...

(MACHINE BEEPING)

(METAL CLANKING)

Where the devil did you
spring from?

I was just standing
right here, mister.

Well, you sure scared me.

You got some Indian blood
in you or something?
You sure walk soft.

Well, I'm looking for a man.

Oh, hell.
Everybody looking for
somebody today.

This ain't no damn
information bureau.

This is really
important to me.

He's a... He's about my size.

He's got white hair
and long coat.
He's a foreigner.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, I seen him.
He was here a while go.

I sure hope
you're a friend of his.

-Where did he go?
-I don't know.

He asked me about
Ol' Rattler and he just
took off.

You know, the Riddler.

Much obliged, mister.

BILLY: What's this for, dad?

Well, sheriff, in the old days

when the bad guys
went in the saloon
to have a drink,

this is where they hung
their kids out to dry.

(LAUGHING) Is that true, mom?

No.

This is where
little boys fall off
and break their heads.

(ALL LAUGHING)

Hmm.

LAURIE: Okay sheriff.

Time for your, what?

-Bath.
-Yeah.

Oh, daddy, save me.
Save me, daddy.

(HORSE NEIGHING)

Crawford.

Crawford?

(WHOOSHING)

(MACHINE BEEPING)

Hey, lady.
What's going on here?

I suppose you're as ready
as you're ever going to be.

(SIGHS)

I am living proof that
you are not crazy,
Professor McKenzie.

I'm a flesh and blood
human being

with one interesting quirk.

I was born 600 years from now.

600 years?

I've come all the way
from 2586.

2586?

I'm one of your
time travelers.

One of my time travelers?

How many of you are there?

(MACHINE BEEPING)

I need to understand all this.

In this skeptical century
I thought you were the one guy
who could understand.

Look, you are
halfway there already.

Look at your own thesis.

-Yes, it's a little naive...
-Naive?

-Well, you're
a beginner but...
-Wait a minute.

Professor, I came back
through time to find you

because I thought
you could help me.

Now, I know you can
that's why I came back
just now.

What do you mean?
Where have you been?

-1886.
-1886?

I took a horse ride
from this spot
down to the river.

100 years ago,
it was called the Ol' Rattler
and that's where I was.

You're talking casually
about traveling over 100 years

to a guy who gets
totally confused
during rush hour.

Well, I didn't expect you
not to be shocked

but I did expect you to
get over it as soon as you can

because I need your help.

I need your mind, your books

and any scrap of information
we can find about this town
as soon as possible.

(MACHINE BEEPING)

The world 600 years from now
isn't perfect,

but we haven't had a war
in over 80 years.

Well, why are you here?

To find Joseph Cole.

And who is he?

The man in your tintype.

Oh, silly question.

You've comeback to find
a man in my tintype.

Now, why didn't I
think of that?

Dr. Joseph Cole,
a brilliant ambitious man

and very, very dangerous.

Cole is one of our most
prominent scientist.

He's a physicist,
microbiologist.

He's even got a degree
in history like you.

Why is he so dangerous?

That peaceful world of mine,

well, it's a pretty tenuous
and fragile thing.

Irresponsible scientist
brought us to the brink,

so in my world,
scientists are monitored
and restrained.

And the architect
of that restraint
is my father,

Matthew Crawford.

He works out of Washington.

And Cole worked for
and with him.

Together they made
the greatest breakthrough
since man split the atom,

a machine to conquer time.

That's when it all started.

Listen to me Cole,
this device isn't ours.

It and all of our research
belong to the federation.

Now, we've just reinvented
the wheel.

-Be proud of that.
-I am proud, Crawford.

That's the pride of ownership.

Ownership is
an antiquated concept.

My family!
I got my blood into this.

And now I have it, look.
Right in the palm
of my hand, time!

We can go back to the past
and change it as we wish.

Joseph, as your friend
and colleague,

I'm going to pretend
I've never heard you say this.

Then I'll say it again!

You are my partner!

You don't dictate what I do!

Are you through?

I don't know. I don't know
what came over me.

I'm sorry.

(MACHINE BEEPING)

15 years on one project
and not being able to
proceed further.

Maybe one day
we would be allowed to do it.

Not while I'm elected
controller of this bureau.

It's been this way
for years, Cole.
You know that.

Since my father was here
and his father.

Yeah, and his father
and his father and his father.

I know that. I worked for you.

And thinking of
changing your decision,
are you, Joseph?

Oh, don't worry.

Doesn't change a thing.

Congratulations, doctor.

GEORGIA: We should have
known then,

should have been alerted.

Cole was not the kind of man
to give up so easily.

Yes, Michael?

I just got a call
from district five, sir

about two blocks from
Dr. Cole's residence.

What's the problem?

There's a power
overload reading from
that residence, sir.

And it appears that
the time crystal is missing.

-Are you positive?
-Yes, sir.

Then please
investigate immediately.

And Michael, Cole is licensed
to collect antique weapons.

Be careful. Don't go alone.

Yes, sir.

You stole the time crystal,
didn't you?

And those clothes,
you are about to...
Turn around.

Sergeant.

GEORGIA: That was it.
Cole escaped in time,

literally to 1886.

So how did you get to me?

Your thesis, the one
you tried to deliver.

No.

Yes. It still exists
600 years later
preserved by laser.

You're kidding me.

(LAUGHING) No kidding.

A dozen pages of
concerned argument
on how it was possible

for a man to be photographed
holding a Magnum pistol
in 1886.

-Wow.
-It was too good a lead
to pass up.

-Why you? Why not a cop?
-A cop?

Police. Person Investigator.

(SIGHS) My father and I
developed the new
time machine.

We were the only ones
that knew how to use it.

He's a public figure,
he would be missed,

and training somebody new
was out of the question,
so here I am.

Why would Cole
go back to 1886?

Exactly. Why?

To change history.

That's what I'm afraid of.

Hey, Jack.

You don't have a shot
to western movie,
run in a long time.

So I'd take off
the white coat
if I was you.

Heading for
the next village, mister?

Village? (LAUGHING)

Oh, what the hell? Hop in.

You know where I can find
a small two-seated vehicle
around here?

There's lots of cars
like that, mister.

The one I'm looking for
is white and black.

The insignia says...

Insignia? You mean
the license plate.

Yeah, the license plate.

The license plate says,
FSTDRAW.

Yeah, sure. I know that car.

What a pain
that thing is to fix.

It belongs to that
crazy professor

at the university
over in Central.

-Central, eh?
-Yeah, central.

(TIRES SQUEALING)

Thanks for the lift, mister.

Presumably, Cole went
to Crossfire for a reason

whatever he has planned
has something to do
with Crossfire.

That's right.

Then why not
go back again if you're
absolutely certain...

I am certain.

And in July of 1886,
the date on your tintype,

he didn't just pick that up
out of the stratosphere.

He was prepared.
He was dressed for it.

Besides the blacksmith
verified he'd been
in the area.

Well, then?

July is a whole month.

Yes, I could go back
and I could sit
and wait around

from July 1st to July 31st

and supposed I'm across town
whenever it happens,

whenever it is or maybe
I'm across the street.

I have to pinpoint
the exact date
or I'll miss it.

I got a friend
who can help us.

Texas John Cody.

Well, he doesn't know
about the West,
never happened.

Hey, mister.

How about
doing us both a favor

and moving your vehicle
before I have to give you
a ticket?

Sure, I'm sorry.

Oh, I wonder if you could
tell me the direction
to the university.

Yeah, go down about
two stoplights,

make your first left,
second stop sign,
make a right.

It's about half a mile
down the road.
Can't miss it.

Well, now we get to
the good part.

What do you think
of this, Missy?

This room bores the pants off
of most women.

That's a risk
I'll have to take.

Nah, I'd say, dude,
do you want to share
a little spider ride with me?

-GEORGIA: Yes, please.
-SCOTT: No, thanks.

Ah, all right.

Oh.

Ah!

Ah, neat. Neat, please.

Yeah, neat, uh-huh.

Cheers.

Quite bracing.

Yes, bracing. Uh-huh.

Could I have another?

Right. Well, a bird can't fly
on one wing, can it?

(ALL LAUGHING)

Hey, why don't we, uh...
Why don't we go see

if we can find something
at Crossfire?

Ah, yeah, the Crossfire,
it's a very good idea.

Mmm-hmm.

-Yes, indeed.
-Mmm-hmm.

Step into the office here.

(EXCLAIMS)

Let's see what we've got.

(WHIRRING)

(GRUNTS)

Hmm, let's see here.

Crossfire.

Well... (CLEARS THROAT)

No Crossfire.
How about, uh, Ol' Rattler?

Ol' Rattler.

Ah, might've got lucky.

You know how many people
can read and write
in those days?

Not many.

If you can write
your own name, likely,
they'd make you the judge.

(TEXAS JOHN CHUCKLES)

They could sing, though.

Yep. And their songs
were like their history books.

You know, they pass them down
from generation to generation.

And I got the greatest
collection of Western songs
in the world.

It's been in all...
All on tape.

Cross file now.

Yeah.

Well...

Looks like
what I fed into that machine,
we got two possibilities.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

It's not any help.
There aren't any words.

You noticed that, huh?

-(CACKLES)
-Bright too, isn't she?

Go easy on her.

TEXAS JOHN: Okay, I told you
there were two possibilities

so we try the other one, huh?

Keep shirts on.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(MUSIC STOPS)

Well, I can give you
a tape and a transcript
if it'll help.

Yeah, that'd be great, John.

Hmm.

Oh, legends handed down.

They're most likely distorted,
exaggerated over the years,

but I've always found
there's a grain of truth
in it somehow.

Here you go.

I think it does. Thanks, John.

-Good. Good.
-Thank you, Cody.

Yeah, come back sometime
we'll arm wrestle, huh?

-(CHUCKLES)
-If you can handle a defeat.

Well, yeah.

God, I wonder
where he found her.

(SIGHS)

The star-handled stranger.
Why star-handled?

Well, a handle in those days
was a person's name.
I don't know.

Who are the blue boys
he saved?

The army.

Right, cavalry. That could be.

What would they be doing there
in 1886?

Indian wars were long gone.

Escort duty.

GEORGIA: Escorting what?

Consignment of guns, gold?

People or person.

That'd be one heck
of a person though
to get the army to escort.

Like who?

The president.

Who's president in 1886?

-Grover Cleveland.
-Good work.

I'm a history teacher.

I went through documentation
there wasn't anything there.

It would have had to been
a secret mission.

-Yeah.
-Possible?

Very possible.

SCOTT: We know that
nothing lastingly harmful

happened to the president
during that year.

So you think
we're barking down
the wrong tree.

I don't know.

You think Cole could have
heard that song?

Possible.

Cody bequeathed
his entire collection

to the Smithsonian
before he died.

Sorry.

Brodsky, Joe Brodsky.

Texas John knows
everything you need to know
about the West

but Brodsky knows
everything you need to know
about the cavalry.

Great.

He's been collecting stuff
about the army for years.

He's got letters,
memorabilia, everything.

Why don't we stop
and call him?

Yes, sir.

SCOTT: I need everything
you have on the cavalry.

What's the big deal
here, Scott?

Especially during
the summer of 1886
in and around Crossfire.

♪ ♪

I need this stuff fast, Joe,
so pull out all the stops.

What's this all about, Scotty?

SCOTT: A girl.

A girl?

Well, why didn't
you say, buddy?
That's good news.

You know, I've been
telling you to loosen up

and find yourself
a nice, ordinary girl.

Just call me
Joe "Cupid" Brodsky.

Well, she's a little
old fashioned

but, you know,
you can't have everything.

Listen, give me a call
as soon as you find
something, okay?

Oh.

Are you hungry?

I was until we walked in here.

You must know there are
1000 things that I want to
ask you about.

What, it was like
600 years from now.

(SIGHS)

The more time
I spend around you,
the less I think I know.

Well, if you were around
in my time or even
my great granddaddy's time,

you would have heard
the Crawfords.

My father, Matthew,
was one of the innovators

of the present
socioeconomic system
and I think that...

Hello?

Matthew Crawford.

What if Cole came back
to set off a chain of events

that would eventually
destroy the one man
who stood in his way?

My father.

(BELLS CHIMING)

President Cleveland
had a secret adviser,

a mysterious man
behind every
important decision.

Matthew Crawford,
your father's name,
second ancestor.

And he's on that stagecoach.

Exactly.

The president.
That explains the escort,
the secrecy, everything.

Now, if Cole kills him...

He hasn't any children yet
that would mean there'd be
no more Crawfords.

No father,
no long family line.

No me.

Exactly.

♪ ♪

We have to pinpoint that gate.

(DOORBELL RINGING)

(DOORBELL CONTINUES RINGING)

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

SCOTT: (OVER VOICEMAIL)
Hi, I'm on the stage
between Tombstone and Darkwood

if you leave a message
at the tone,
I'll get back to you.

(MACHINE BEEPS)

BRODSKY:
Scotty, calling in sooner
than expected, huh?

Well, I've gotten lucky.

Ran down
what I think you're after.

Cavalry around
the Crossfire area.

Well, there's a mountain
of material here

and it goes deep
so you're going to
have to tell me.

MAN: We're ready for you,
General Brodsky.

BRODSKY: Yeah, yeah,
hold your water, will you?

Anyway, Scott,
I made the usual copy.

Do you want me to mail it
or will you collect it?

MAN: Sir,
the senator is waiting.

Got to go Scott.
Call me, huh?

Son of a gun.

-Zebra-Sam-898...
-That's the pick-up
we're looking for.

Okay, hold it.
Now, turn around, slowly.

Stop.

(MACHINE BEEPING)

(MACHINE BEEPING)

(MACHINE BEEPING)

SCOTT: Thanks, Sergeant.

Uh-huh, a bright light.

That's a wonderful
educated guess, Lieutenant.

Now, let me...

You have some information
about Crossfire?

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

I'll give you 10 seconds
to give it to me.

Where is it?

-The...
-Where?

Cupboard.

(OBJECTS RATTLING)

Ahh! Hey!

(GUNSHOTS)

-Oh, my god.
-(ALARM BLARING)

MAN: (ON PA)
Alert all section.

Repeat, alert all section.

Gun fire on the base.
Secure all exits.

Alert all section.
Repeat. Alert all section.

Gun fire on the base.
Secure all exits.

I'm sure he left
something for me.

See if you can find it.

(ALARM CONTINUES BLARING)

Alert all section.
Repeat. Alert all section.

Gun fire on the base.
Secure all exits.

Alert all section.
Repeat. Alert all section.

Gun fire on the base.
Secure all exits.

(GUN COCKING)

Halt!

Dr. McKenzie,
the historian is dead.

Good to meet you.

Sorry, our introduction
must be so brief.

(MACHINE BEEPING)

(GASPING) You are right.

I think this is it.

Looks like he made copies.

Extract from the United States
Cavalry classified memoir,

dated July, 1886.

"Order to escort
President Cleveland
to Tucson

"to attend the secret meeting
with the Mexican Minister
of War.

"Troops ran into trouble when
outlaws attacked the stage
near the Pulmari River."

Listen to this.
"Disaster was avoided

"by the timely intervention
of a stranger

"who used the deadly accuracy,
pair of pistols

"marked with a silver star."

Doesn't it give a specific
date in July?

Mmm-mmm.

"Later, the president
commented that
the fireworks he saw that day

"were better
than those one week before
in Washington."

Wait a second.

Washington, fireworks in July.

Independence Day.

-Got to be...
-4th of July.

And the attack took place
one week later,

-four plus seven, July 11th.
-July 11th.

You think...

It's all we've got.

We've got to go back
to July 11th, 1886.

Professor,
this isn't your fight.

Cole's a killer.
You might not
ever come back.

Lady, I got to be
perfectly honest with you.

There's not much left here
for me anymore

and there hasn't been
for some time.

I feel that my entire life
has led up to this moment.

I don't know if I'm ever
going to feel like this again.

You've got to take me back
to 1886.

You can't deny me this.

Come with me.

Place your hand on this.

Here.

What's it going to feel like?

It feels for a moment like
you're everything
in the universe all at once.

(MACHINE BEEPING)

Welcome to 1886.

Wow.

Looks the same to me.

Oh, yeah? Look over there.

SCOTT: My car.

You left it
in the 20th century.

I hope I remembered
to turn the lights out.

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

If you're right about
the 11th, they didn't
get here yet.

The sign said
they rode out of the west.

They'd hit him right there.

It's a perfect place
for an ambush.

They'd come right out
from under the sun.

They could be out there
right now, hiding.

Let's get out of here.

(DOG BARKING)

(HORSE NEIGHING)

Put the damn horse, quiet
or ill quiet you for good.

Sure they're coming?

They're coming.

What if there's no go?

They got a coach
and an escort.

What the hell do you think
they're protecting, sawdust?

Cole would be here too.

(MEN YELLING AT A DISTANCE)

MAN: Let's go. Yeah!

-Here comes the coach.
-Stay down.

MAN: Come on! Let's go!

Yeah-ha!

Yeah! Get him.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Dismount!

(GUN FIRING)

Move it.
Get him out of here.

(GRUNTS)

(HORSE NEIGHING)

(FIRING CONTINUES)

Where is the stranger?

He's here.

(GUN FIRING)

(GUNSHOT)

Cole! Of course!

He eliminated the man
who historically
saved the day.

And he turns a raid that was
once successfully stopped
into full scale massacre.

No, he hasn't.

Professor! Professor!

We can't let him win.

Professor!

Don't do it. He'll kill you.

Professor!

(HORSE NEIGHING)

Get back, Mr. President.

-Stay down, Mr. President.
-Get down, Mr. President.

I'll draw his fire. Attack.

MAN: Run fast!

Cole!

Please stay down,
Mr. President.

Major, if you please.

Climb down, sir.

Draw, professor.

After you, sir.

Congratulations,
Professor McKenzie.

You made it just in time.

Are you all right,
Mr. President?

Well, I'll live out my term.

Who was that man?
I'd like to shake his hand.

I don't know, sir.

-Major, go get him.
He deserves a medal.
-Yes, sir.

-Major.
-Yes, sir?

You better hold off a minute.

(GRUNTS)

You're hurt bad, mister?

No, I'll be all right. Thanks.

You sure?

Do I know you?

Uh-uh.

CRAWFORD:
Where did you come from?

We were just passing through,
thought we could lend a hand.

Appreciate it.

Hmm.

And thank you too, stranger.

My pleasure.

You take care of yourself.

You too.

Move out!

GEORGIA: A little higher
in the upper right corner.

Yeah. Little...

That's it. Perfect.

They are beautiful,
aren't they?

Yes, they are

and you're going to take
very good care of them
for both us.

You're going back east,
are you?

Yeah, back east.

Take me with you.

(SIGHS) You're not of my time.
It's against the rules.

Then stay here.

I'm not of your time either.

I'm sorry. I can't.

You understand?

Yes.

Yes.

Then why the long face,
professor?

Sometimes...

Sometimes in my life
it seems like

just when I get
used to something,

it goes away.

You're going to be all right.

I'm going to miss you.

I'm going to miss you too.

Do you promise me that
if I ever need your help,

I can come back
and borrow you for a while?

Of course.

Huh?

What is it?

I can't break the rules
but I sure can bend them.

-(MACHINE BEEPING)
-Hey, wait a minute.

Goodbye, professor.

BILLY: Through the window,
Dad.

SCOTT: Through the window,
pal.

-Here's your
school report, honey.
-Thank you.

Very good.

Why would any kid who knows
as much about the Old West
as you,

choose to write about the zoo?

Let's teach him
to open car doors first

before we move on
to the more difficult things.

Okay.

Give us a kiss
and you got a deal.

-Okay. See you later, guys.
-(SIREN WAILING AT A DISTANCE)

Yes!

LAURIE:
Don't take too much time
oiling your guns, partner.

Bye, Dad.

No!

(HORN HONKING)

Gas, gas, gas,
step on the gas.

OFFICER 1: Stay back.
Stay back.

-Billy, are you all right?
-Yes.

Yeah? Oh!

(SIGHS)

Oh, my God.

Oh, Scott...

It's almost as if you knew.