Bonanza (1959–1973): Season 6, Episode 29 - To Own the World - full transcript

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[YAWNS]

Hey, Hoss.

Yeah?

When are you
gonna be ready to go?

Gonna be past midnight
by the time we get home.

Just a minute, Joe.

I'm gonna clean
up with this one.

Are you kidding? You
haven't got a chance at...

Shh. Come on, now! Come on, Joe!



I'll see you out
in the buckboard.

HOSS: Give me one card, son.

[SIGHS]

WOMAN: Young man.
- Hmm?

MARIA: Young man.
- Oh, yes, yes, ma'am?

Does this wagon belong to you?

Yeah, this is my wagon.

Then could I persuade you
to drive me to Carson City?

Carson City is a pretty
long way this late at night.

I'd pay you well, anything you
ask. But it's vital that I leave at once.

I'd sure like to help you. I've
got a brother in the saloon,

- and he's...
- You don't understand

how desperately I
need to get away. It's...

JOE: Well, look, if somebody...



Huh. I only had two beers.

[LAUGHING]

Heh. Hey, don't tell me. You
didn't draw to an inside straight?

Yup. You gotta take
chances, Little Joe,

like Charles Augustus
Hackett taught me. Yup.

A lesson I learned. You
gotta take a chance, Joe.

- Who? HOSS: Charles
Augustus Hackett,

the richest man in the world.

JOE: Oh, yeah?
- Yeah, he's in town.

He bought that old Simmons mine
that everybody thought was petered out.

And in two weeks, they done
found the main vein again,

and he done made
another big fortune.

Yup, if you wanna be rich, Joe,

you gotta take chances like
me and Mr. Hackett. Ha, ha.

- Is that right?
- Yup, that's it.

- I think I want to take
a chance. HOSS: Yeah?

Yeah, I'm gonna
let you drive home,

and I'm gonna take a chance

that you won't drive off
the road while I'm asleep.

Fine.

Yup, it's so nice to be rich.

Get up there.

Hey, Pa, we got visitors.

[BEN WHISTLES]

- Ben Cartwright?
- Yes.

My name is Hackett.
Charles Augustus Hackett.

- Yes, I know, Mr. Hackett.
- Oh?

Well, I've seen your photos
in San Francisco newspapers,

and I knew you were in town.

Well, I'm inspecting a little mine
operation I have around here.

Oh, forgive me. My wife, Maria.

- How are you?
- Hello.

My friend and
associate Mr. Carl Davis.

- How do you do?
- Mr. Davis. This is my son Joseph,

and my other two
sons, Adam and Hoss.

I hear you have a mountain
range of timberland.

Well, you know, I'm always
in the market for lumber.

Maybe we can
discuss a little deal.

Well, actually, we
haven't any lumber to sell,

but we can have some coffee.

- Won't you come in?
- Ah, splendid.

Uh, I'm afraid this business
will bore you, my dear.

Maybe you could take a
little ride around the ranch?

Yes, that would be lovely.

Perhaps you could show me
some of the more scenic spots.

It would be my pleasure.

Yes, well, don't take too long.

This shouldn't take
longer than a half hour.

Driver, pull up here.

Well, there it is.

MARIA: Oh, it's so beautiful,
I don't even believe it.

JOE: Well, like I said,
it's my favorite spot.

You know, it would
frighten me if it were mine.

I'd love it so much,
I'd be afraid of losing it.

Oh. There's not much
chance of anybody

sticking all that in
their back pocket.

You're lucky, being so secure.

Me? What about you?

Married to a man like
Charles Augustus Hackett.

How much more
security can you get?

You must have
everything you want.

I have everything I need.

Aren't you the
woman who asked me

to drive her to Carson
City the other night?

I wish you'd forget that.

Well, I was just curious.

Please.

It's forgotten.

Well, I guess we'd better ride
back. Charles will be waiting.

[COUGHS]

[CHUCKLES]

My cook's in town. I guess
that's not very good coffee, is it?

- Heh.
- I apologize for that.

Mr. Davis is a little luckier being
outside looking at the livestock.

[CHUCKLES]

Yes, Mr. Cartwright, I've been
inquiring all over town about you.

Oh?

Yes, sir, and the more I hear
and see about this Ponderosa,

the more I like it.

Well, that's praise from Caesar.

And now, about that timber.

Oh, Mr. Hackett, I
haven't any lumber for sale.

Heh. Mr. Cartwright,
everything is for sale.

Just name your price.

Well, see, we had a big fire up on
that mountain about 15 years ago.

That's all reseeded timber,

and I'm afraid it isn't
ready for cutting yet.

Why don't you let me
be the judge of that?

I've already judged it.

Then you really don't
wanna sell, do you?

Mm-mm.

How long have you had that bull?

Well, let's see, it's
been about three years,

- hasn't it, Adam?
- Yeah.

- Pa sent all the way to Texas for him.
- He's a magnificent beast.

Mr. Cartwright, the finest
livestock I've ever seen.

Well, thank you.

DRIVER: Whoa.

I said a half hour.

It's been 40 minutes.

I'm sorry, Charles. But
this scenery is so beautiful.

Mr. Cartwright, I've never seen
anything as lovely as this Ponderosa.

You're very kind.

You really like it
that much, my dear?

Oh, yes. I wish we could
have a place like this.

Well, if you're that impressed
with it, perhaps we shall, my dear.

Now, we must get back into town.

Thank you very much
for your hospitality.

BEN: Well, you're
more than welcome.

And if you come again, next
time, I'll have better coffee for you.

Ha, ha. That, at
least, is a deal.

Where are you going?

To my room.

It's been a long day.

You and that Cartwright
boy were gone a long time.

What were you talking about?

We were talking
about the Ponderosa.

Oh.

You really mean what you
said about liking it so much?

Of course I meant
it. Why would I lie?

Now, why are you snapping at me?

Especially when I'm about
to do something for you.

Now, how would you like to own
this Ponderosa you admire so much?

MARIA: You must
be joking, Charles.

You said we should
have a place like that.

You build Ponderosas
with work and love and pride.

You don't just buy them.

Well, I can.

Besides, why build one

when there's that place out
there just ready and waiting?

Charles, you don't understand.

I don't want the Ponderosa.

Well, I do.

Besides, the
situation intrigues me.

This Cartwright,
very stubborn man.

And I wanna see
just how stubborn.

Charles, please.

Leave the Cartwrights
alone. You saw them out there.

They're a happy,
contented, loving family.

Go tell the room clerk we'll
be staying a few more days.

Charles.

I agree with Maria.

What use would the
Ponderosa be to you?

Your headquarters
are in San Francisco.

I don't pay you
for your opinions.

I pay you to do as
you're told. Now go do it.

Aw.

And now you're all
upset. Well, that's too bad.

What are you going to
do? Run away again?

You're so stupid, my dear.

Where in the whole
world would you hide

from the men that I would
hire to go and get you?

Hold on to this horse, will you?

- Good morning.
- Hello. Beautiful morning.

- Yes.
- You know, I woke up this morning

and I said to myself, "I've gotta
take one more look at the Ponderosa."

[BEN CHUCKLES]

- Help yourself.
- Yes, sir.

The more I look at this place,
the more impressed I am.

- You know something, Cartwright?
- What?

If I owned the Ponderosa,

I'd put the main
house right there.

Overlooking that view.

Well, every man to his own view.

All right, what's it worth?

The view?

Heh. No. Including the view.

You mean in money?

- What else?
- Are you suggesting, Mr. Hackett,

that you might be interested
in buying the Ponderosa?

Try me. Name a price.

It isn't for sale.

I'm a very determined man.

So am I.

And there's no chance of
you changing your mind?

[CHARLES CHUCKLES]

Well, I just couldn't
resist giving it another try.

Well, there's no
harm in that. Heh.

Well, I might as well
be on my way now.

Joe, I haven't much time.
I want you to listen to me.

You've got to convince
your father to sell this ranch.

What are you talking about?

Believe me, he will be no
match for Charles Hackett.

No matter what he thinks.
If he doesn't sell this ranch...

Look, Mrs. Hackett, your
husband offered to buy the ranch.

My father doesn't wanna sell it.

You think my husband
sent me here, don't you?

All right, then you tell
me why you did come.

I came because I think
you and your family

have something good and decent,

and I don't want to see
my husband destroy it.

I think you're making an
awful lot out of nothing.

There's no contest here.

Nothing your husband can dream
up will make my father sell this place.

What my husband will dream up
will be a nightmare for your family.

And you honestly expect me to believe,
with everything your husband owns,

he's gonna be this upset
about not having this ranch?

It's not the ranch he wants
now. Don't you understand?

It's the game that counts.
The playing of the game.

Destroying anyone
that stands in his way.

That's his pleasure now.

Oh, please talk to your father.
Tell him to be reasonable.

Tell him to give in.

What, the way you have?

If you feel this
way about this man,

why did you marry
him in the first place?

I married him
because I loved him.

And because I thought him the
most wonderful man in the world.

He took care of me
when my parents died.

He sent me to Europe.
He educated me.

He took good care of me.

And when he asked me to marry
him, I was flattered and proud.

Then what were you
doing the other night?

I was being foolish.

You see, there's nowhere
in the world I can go

to get away from
Charles Hackett.

Mrs. Hackett, there's
nobody that powerful.

Yes, he is.

And that's what
I'm trying to tell you.

Don't fight him.
It costs too much.

Believe me, I know.

- Wasn't that Mrs. Hackett?
- Yeah.

What did she want?

Well, she just
came out to tell us

that the richest man in the world can
have anything he wants in the world,

including the Ponderosa.

Sam.

- Oh, morning, Sam. SAM: Ben.

I've come in to pick
up that feed order.

Boys will load it up, you
give me the bad news...

CHARLES: Good morning.

Mr. Cartwright. Hoss, Joe.

Um, boys, better start
loading up that feed grain.

Ben, uh, your order's
been cancelled.

I sold out yesterday.

I'm just managing the
place now for Mr. Hackett.

Why?

Because I wouldn't
sell you my home?

Do you really think I
could be influenced

by a couple of
bags of feed grain?

Well, you must admit
that it is a beginning.

Come on. We can get all the
grain we want in Carson City.

If you're thinking of
taking a ride to Carson City,

I would save yourself the trip.

I bought the feed-and-grain
store there too.

[HORSE TROTTING OUTSIDE]

Here comes Adam.

Come on, let's get
ready for dinner.

- Waiting dinner for you.
- We got trouble.

- Hmm?
- There's no water in the north pasture.

Well, that stream
never dries up.

It didn't dry up,
it was cut off.

Dammed up just
over our property line.

There's two men guarding it.

On Harry Towers' place?

They're not Harry Towers'
men. They're hired guns.

They're there to protect the property
rights of Charles Augustus Hackett.

[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING ON PIANO]

[CROWD CHATTERING AND LAUGHING]

Hi, Ben, boys.

Big time in the
old town tonight.

Everything's on Charles
Augustus Hackett.

- You mean, for the whole town?
- Yep.

Hackett's giving a fancy blowout
for the mucky-mucks over at his hotel.

I'm looking for Harry
Towers. Is he around here?

Yeah. Back there.

Stay here.

I've been expecting you, Ben.

Why didn't you have the
decency to tell me yourself?

We had a deal for those water
rights before Little Joe was born.

We've been friends
and neighbors.

Why did you do this to me?

I couldn't help myself.

Couldn't help yourself?

Did you know that he built a
dam and put hired killers around it?

I just sold him the land.

I couldn't stop him from
doing whatever he wants with it.

But you knew what he wanted.

Look, Ben, he can't
hurt you too bad.

You can bring water down
the sluice from Lake Tahoe.

Or move the herd
over to the west pasture

till this blows over.

You have the answers to all
my problems, don't you, Harry?

What about yours?

Ben, don't make it any
tougher on me, please.

Tougher on you?

Hackett is pushing
me against the wall.

Now, why did you
do this to me? Why?

I needed money.

You needed money?

Why not come to
me? I'm your friend.

I couldn't. I had to sell.

Or had to hurt me?

Ben, I...

I'm sorry.

You're sorry?

So am I.

Stay here. I'll be back.

[GUESTS CHATTERING]

MAN: Now, drink up.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Ladies and gentlemen,
your attention, please.

I wish to propose a toast
to our most gracious host,

Charles Augustus Hackett.

Virginia City's most important
and most welcome visitor.

Nor is it every day that
we have the pleasure

of the finest imported
French cookery

and the finest French
champagne flowing like water.

And so, ladies and gentlemen,

it is with great civic
gratitude that I say...

That I say...

Come in, Cartwright.
Join the festivities.

What I have to say is
better said in private.

Oh?

All right, the party's
over. Everybody out.

[GUESTS MURMURING]

I said, the party's
over. Get out.

Well, Cartwright?

Your fight is with me, Hackett.

Keep it that way.

Don't try to get at me
through my friends.

Friends? Like Harry Towers?

Like Harry Towers.

I don't know how you got
him to sell his land to you,

but I know it couldn't
been just for the money.

Oh. Dear me.

[CHARLES CHUCKLES]

I thought you were gonna
accuse me of using that old bromide

that money can buy
anything. Champagne?

But

money in the hands of
men who know how to use it,

that know its power well,
that's another thing altogether.

Then truly it becomes a weapon
that can command anything.

Anything.

Loyalty and love.

And your Ponderosa.

My Ponderosa.

Now, why would you want that?

Why are you so willing to sacrifice
Harry Towers in order to get it?

Why?

Because I decided I wanted it.

Well, that's just plain greed.

It's a sickness of the mind.

Sickness?

I have created an
empire, Cartwright.

An empire that employs
thousands of people,

that earns profits, not only for
me but for hundreds of others.

I build ships and railroads.

I strip the earth for lumber

and replace its
barrenness with factories.

I finance innumerable businesses
that ply the whole world for trade.

I...

I dream.

I create beyond the
imagination of most humans.

If that's a sickness, Cartwright,
then more men need to be infected.

Out of that sickness depends
the greatness of this country.

You use words
very well, Hackett.

But you distort their meaning.

We all build empires.

Not as big as yours,
possibly, but we build them.

Perhaps it's only one man
raising a family or earning a living.

There's one big
difference between us.

In order to fulfill your ambition,
you'd as soon destroy as create.

And that's your sickness.

And in the end,
it'll destroy you.

Your opinion and that of any others
is of no interest to me, Cartwright.

I tell you again, I'll win.

I'll make that precious
Ponderosa cost so much to keep,

you'll beg me to take it.

I'll... [GASPING]

Charles?

I don't need your help.

Well, now we know
what kind of man he is.

What about you?

What about this
loyalty he commands?

Well,

once I was rich.

As rich as he.

And he broke me.

And then he picked me up
and made me his associate.

His associate.

Hmm.

What about this love which
he says comes from you?

He took me in as an orphan.

He raised me, educated me.

And married you. For love?

Love.

Loyalty.

Why don't you use
the honest words?

Maria, come in here.

I want to talk to you.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Thank you for coming.

I got your note. I came
as quick as I could.

MARIA: I'm leaving my husband.

This time I'm really leaving.

I can't stand it anymore.

The other day, when I told
you I was afraid to leave,

you said no man
was that powerful.

I still believe that.

Then help me prove it. Please?

What do you want me to do?

Take me to Carson City
so I can get the stage east.

All right, my buggy's outside.

Hold it, Cartwright!
Hold it right there!

Just where do you think
you're going, Cartwright? Well?

Your wife is leaving
you, Mr. Hackett.

Leaving?

You mean she's
running off with you?

No, not with me, away from you.

I'm just taking her to Carson
City so she can take the stage east.

You're a liar.

You're trying to steal my
wife, and this isn't the first time.

Tell him, Maria.

Well, Maria?

It's no use, Little Joe.

I told you we'd never
get away with it. I'm sorry.

[CHUCKLES]

Oh, boy, did I let her
make a fool out of me.

I believed everything
she told me.

When her husband stopped us,
everybody in that town was watching.

The whole thing was
a plan and she knew it.

It wasn't your fault, Joe.

Wait till you hear the
gossips. I guarantee you,

by tomorrow, everybody in
town will believe Hackett's story.

Joe.

You know, I think
there's a very easy way

to deal with the gossips.

Tomorrow you and
Hoss ride into town

and you act like
nothing happened.

Naturally.

Don't let anything upset
you, don't let anybody rile you.

And I think that ought
to show the gossips,

and Mr. Hackett particularly,

that you're onto
their little scheme.

Hmm?

- Time for bed.
- Yeah.

Huh?

Look, Joe, you
stand around out here

- and I'll go in and get the mail.
- Why?

So everybody can see
you're in town, like Pa said.

Look, I could've taken care
of this whole thing alone.

Pa don't trust your
temper, and neither do I.

Well, look who's in town.

What's up, Little
Joe Cartwright?

Well, maybe Little Joe's in town
to do some more, uh, wife-stealing,

eh, Luke?

[PHIL & LUKE LAUGH]

He's a dangerous man
to have around... wives.

PHIL & LUKE: Ha-ha-ha.
- Why don't you keep your mouth shut?

Wait a minute, Little Joe.

I ain't got no beef with you.

See, because I
ain't got no wife.

[LUKE LAUGHS]

[LUKE GRUNTS]

What did you go hit him for?

What did you want me
to do, let him walk on me?

I want you to do like Pa
said, hold your temper.

Why don't you mind
your own business?

- Pa said that...
- That's right! Pa, not you!

[CHUCKLES]

I wanna see Mr. Hackett.

About what?

It's personal.

All right, Davis, let him in.

Well?

The exact amount
you paid for my ranch.

- And now you want your ranch back.
- Please.

[CHUCKLES]

So Cartwright sent you begging.

He doesn't know about this.

I just wanna undo
what's been done.

And what about you and
that little information I have?

I'll just have to
take my chances.

Well, don't be so noble.

You're leaving Virginia City,
Hackett, one way or another.

[LAUGHS]

Now, you put that gun away, and
I'll forget you ever pointed it at me.

I mean business. I
said, one way or another!

[GUNSHOT]

You there, get the sheriff!

[GASPS]

Carl! Carl.

Oh, God, why?

There he goes! Get him!

He's a killer.

Get him, you fools!

He just shot a man
to help the Cartwrights.

Shoot him! Shoot
him! He's a murderer!

Shoot him! Shoot
him! He's a murderer!

You only wounded him!

Get him! Get him, you fools!

Maria, help him.

Not for what he is
but for what he can do.

CHARLES: He's a killer! Get him!

Get him, you fools!

He just shot a man!

Five thousand for Harry
Towers, dead or alive!

Five thousand dollars!

He's dead.

The fool.

I could've talked
Towers out of that gun.

Just a moment, young man.

Don't add bad
manners to your mistake.

What mistakes? Protecting myself
against a couple of Hackett's men?

I told you this morning before you
went into town to restrain yourself

no matter what, is that correct?

Well, how much
do I have to take?

More than you did.

That goes for you too, Hoss.

JOE: He should've stayed out
it. It was none of his business.

All I did was help
you end the fight

that you shouldn't have
started in the first place

I didn't need any help.

You need help
more than you know.

Great. Now you're
gonna get in on it too?

If you hadn't been trying to
play Sir Galahad to Mrs. Hackett,

you wouldn't have
gotten yourself into this.

The same thing I said
to Hoss goes for you.

- Mind your own business.
- All right, that's enough!

Mr. Hackett would just
love to hear this argument.

He's just hoping we have
more and more of them

until finally we can't even
stand the sight of each other.

Or the sight of this house.

What is the Ponderosa? It's not just
a house or a ranch or land or trees.

It's us working together, living
together, respecting each other.

This bickering makes the
whole thing worthless to us.

That's exactly what
Mr. Hackett hopes it will become.

Worthless.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

BEN: Harry.

Help me.

Here. Easy.

Harry, what happened?

I killed Carl Davis.

I was trying to get
Hackett to leave town.

I only meant to scare him into
going, but Davis jumped me,

and the gun went
off by accident.

I didn't mean to kill him, Ben.

I want you to know that I was
trying to undo the damage to you.

- Take it easy.
- No, no, Ben.

You were right.

I didn't turn over my ranch
to Hackett just for the money.

He was blackmailing me.

Something he dug up a way back.

Just before I came here.

Down in Arizona Territory, I
was wanted for horse stealing.

Harry, we're not here
to sit in judgment on you,

just wanna help you
as much as we can.

It won't be easy, Ben.

Hackett's put a
price on my head.

Five thousand dollars.

Dead or alive.

Hackett's not the law.

Five thousand dollars.

Who's gonna ask about the law?

Saddle up my horse.

Yes, sir.

Better stay here with him.

We'll send in a doctor as
soon as we get into town.

I don't think we need a doctor.

What are you gonna do now?

Go see Hackett.

- I'll go with you.
- No.

No, I wanna talk
to Hackett alone.

CHARLES: I've made
all the arrangements.

We'll bury Carl in the morning.

You don't even know
what guilt is, do you?

Guilt?

Carl died for you
and because of you.

Well, that was his
choice, not mine.

And you're capitalizing
on his death.

At least he didn't
die entirely in vain.

Even after years of knowing you,
I can't believe the way you think.

You put a price on
everything, even human life,

and a value on nothing.

Why did you ever marry me?

I married you because I
thought you needed me.

As I had needed
you most of my life.

I was ready to love you
with every fiber of my being.

Look, Maria.

You have to face reality.

You can't constantly whine
about "needed" and "loved."

Life is strength and purpose.

What purpose?

To live alone?

If necessary.

At least I give you the
chance to live on my side.

The side that doesn't have
to sacrifice for anybody.

Oh, if only you'd
understand that,

what a beautiful life
we'd live together.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

What do you want?

I just left a dead
man at my house.

Harry Towers.

I'm holding you
responsible for his death

and for the death of Carl Davis.

What do I want?

I came here to kill you.

Oh, did you?

Yes.

But killing is your way
of doing things, isn't it?

If you want the Ponderosa,
you're gonna have to kill me to get it.

CHARLES: Don't
be a fool, Cartwright.

If I wanted to play it that way,

I would've doubled the
men and doubled the guns.

Well, I'm sure you can get ten
times the men and ten times the guns,

and you'll need them all.
We'll be waiting for you.

If you're gonna be
stupid as well as stubborn,

then I'm gonna wipe you
out, Cartwright. I'm gonna...

[CHARLES GRUNTING]

What's the matter with him?

I don't know.

What's the matter?

The pills. The drawer. Bedroom.

What pills? Get them!

I don't know what he means.

I can't find any pills in there.

Maria, the pills.

What pills?

Maria.

I don't know what
you mean, Charles.

I didn't even know
you had this weakness.

Maria, please.

Help me.

- I better get the doctor.
- No, wait.

Say it again.

Help me.

One will be enough.

I wanted him to die.

For my sake and for yours.

And everyone he
would hurt in the future.

But I couldn't let him.

He hadn't corrupted me enough.

I guess I'm in your
debt, Cartwright.

Well,

I didn't give you these
pills, your wife did.

She took them away
in the first place.

Yeah, but she gave them to
you when you needed them.

In fact, she gave you
something you couldn't buy.

Your life.

That's because she's
weak, as you are.

I figured she gave them to
you because she loved you,

even though she
might not know it.

Must be awfully lonely when
you get those attacks of yours.

To have to depend
only on some pills.

You know, Hackett,

for a man who's
accomplished so much,

you've missed the most
important thing of all.

Behind that door.

If you're big
enough to admit it.

Maria?

Please.

I need you.

Hey, Pa, where you been?
We've been looking all over for you.

Oh, I just dropped by
here on the way home.

You know, Hackett was
wrong about that too.

What are you talking about?

We were by here
the other morning.

He said that would've been a
better place to build a house.

- It's a terrible place.
- Yeah.

But, Pa, that's why we
were trying to find you.

Hackett left town with Maria.

Yes, I know. I know.

You know? Well, what happened?

You know, that Hackett,

he's a much richer man
than even he thought he was.

Bigger man too. Bigger man.

- I'll tell you about it on the way home.
- Yeah, well...

Um...

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