Centennial (1978–1979): Season 1, Episode 10 - The Winds of Fortune - full transcript

They called it the
Age of Opportunity,

and no title for its time
was ever more appropriate.

The future hurtled toward the town of
Centennial on the winds of fortune.

And men worked to harness those winds,
winds that swept new money westward.

Fresh Eastern dollars
to swell Charlotte

Seccombe's already vast
Venneford cattle ranch.

To consolidate the holdings of
Messmore Garrett and his family.

To enrich Hans Brumbaugh,

whose farm poured product into the
newly organized Central Beet Factory.

But the winds of fortune created
darker opportunities as well.

Dreadful opportunities.



Near the end of
the 19th century,

a Minnesota businessman named Soren Sorenson
disappeared from the face of the earth.

And a family named Wendell founded
its future power and prestige

on 5,500 stolen
dollars and a murder.

What's the matter, Philip?
Nobody home?

Oh, hi, Miss Zendt.
No, I guess not.

Well, Mr. Timkins says the
message isn't too important.

So, I guess I can
put it under the...

I can tell you where he was.
Beaver Creek.

Something to do with that poor man, Mr.
Sorenson, I believe.

Oh, well, does the Sheriff figure
that he drowned himself then?

I guess he must.

He's got I don't know how many men
out there dragging the creek bottom.

Oh, well, maybe I better try to find Mr.
Dumire then.



This might be more important than
I thought. Thanks, Miss Zendt.

Hey, Vern!

Try over there. All right.

Maybe I ought to
head downstream.

Yeah, there's a body in here.

Vern! Vern!

Poke through them
reeds behind you.

There's a lot of roots right
under you there, Dave.

Clean them all out. All right.

Well.

It's been a while since
you come calling.

Well, you said you don't want
me around your office anymore.

You know why, don't you?
No, sir.

What you got there?

Any answer? Nope.

Phil, we was pretty good
friends there for a while.

You almost wound up being
a Deputy, you know that?

I know. That's what I
sure wanted, Sheriff.

Can't pin a badge on a liar.

I never lied to you, Sheriff.

But you never told me the truth, either.
Not about Sorenson.

Now let me give you the
facts in this case, Phil.

Sorenson come into town.

He had $5,500 with him
to buy some land.

He went to see Miss Garrett's party.
Got there about 9:00.

9:30, he left there
with your mom.

Nobody's ever seen him
or his money since.

Now, if they went home together and
your dad was to break in on 'em,

they had a fight and
Sorenson got killed,

there's no jury in the world that's
gonna call it first degree murder.

You understand? I mean,
nobody's gonna get hung.

Now, what happened
that night, Phil?

Where's the body?

Sheriff?

I got ahold of something here.

I don't know what it
is, but it's heavy.

Give him a hand there.

It's a log.

No, that ain't him!

Wait a minute. Wait
a minute, boy.

Don't want your tip? Or don't
you need it so much anymore?

Hey, Brumbaugh.

Yep. Yep.

Well, what's the
matter with you?

You look like you're waiting
for the end of the world.

Price of sugar beets gone down?

Never been higher.

And what the blazes you lollygagging
around here for anyhow?

I thought a ranch foreman was supposed
to be out taking care of his cows.

That's what I'm doing.

I'm buying them fodder. Beets?

Well, it's a sort of by-product.

There's a sort of pulp left after
the beets are pressed and drained.

Then I mix it with
low-grade black molasses.

You'd feed those
poor beast anything.

Oh, they love it.
They thrive on it.

As a matter of fact, I just signed
a contract to buy half the pulp

your factory here could produce
for the next five years.

It's 50% of nothing.

What do you mean?

Well, you can't have
pulp without beets.

And you can't have
beets without workers.

Someone has got to plant
them, block them, thin them.

I'll be danged if I can
find anyone around here

that's willing to do
that next spring.

Maybe you don't pay them enough.

I could pay them the moon. It
wouldn't make any difference.

Nobody wants to work that
hard for someone else.

That's how I lost the Takemotos,
the Russians, the Germans.

They want their own farms.
I can't blame them.

Well, don't give up
on the Mexicans yet.

I told you I wrote Nacho
Gomez down in Chihuahua.

He'll probably send
half his town up here.

Yeah, I'll believe
that when I see it.

Hans, is this really
a serious problem?

It's serious enough for me to think
about putting my farm on the market.

I can't make it without
any help, Jim.

Well, maybe I ought to
prod old Nacho a little.

Yep. Yep.

Is your husband here, Serafina?

Captain, give me one
minute, please.

Tranquilino, you told
me once you were a...

What is all this crazy
racket out here?

Soldiers. Soldiers?

See, I told you,
civil war is coming.

Yes. The workers
of the mine strike

and the government
strikes back at them.

This is a farming community,

the silver mines
don't concern us.

No, the soldiers are here,
there's a revolution coming.

If it comes, it is God's will.

It's General Terrayas' will!

God doesn't own Chihuahua,
General Terrayas does!

Just stay out of this, Nacho.

I came to talk to Tranquilino.

You told me once you
were a patriot.

Was that true? True.

Will you prove it?

I've been asked to pick
six brave men to do...

To do a very hard job.

I want you to be one of the men.

What job?

Why don't you go back
to your nap, Nacho?

What job?

Executioners.

Holy Mary.

And just who is it that these
patriots are supposed to murder?

They're not supposed
to murder anybody.

They'll be asked to execute certain
criminals according to the law.

Oh, strikers, the
silver miners, huh?

These rebels happen to
be silver miners, yes.

Tranquilino.

I told you before,
I'm telling you now.

Please, don't do this.

Go to Colorado

where you can earn a lot of
money, where there is no danger.

Father?

I don't think it's good for young
men to leave their families.

And I believe in God,
and the government.

I am unshakably opposed to a
rebellion against either.

But, Father, I am a farmer.

I feed the miners.
I can't kill them.

Is that the answer you want
me to give Captain Salcedo?

Salcedo?

What Salcedo? Who is this?

Is that the peacock on the horse?
I'll go tell him.

Nacho!

Hey, look, I'm not
afraid of these...

I am afraid. I have a wife
and a child to think about.

You're not supposed to do
this work out of fear,

but out of love for the state.

Of course, Father. Love.

Keep your mouth shut
and let me do this.

What? Listen to me.

I will go to Colorado with
you when I come back.

This could be a long, hard trip
with all that blood on your head.

At least I will have a head.

Six men.

Jim! Jim!

Oh, that looks good.

What were you doing over
there by the corral?

Oh, I was remembering.

This was the first Line Camp
John Skimmerhorn had me build.

Do you miss those days, Jim?

I miss the people.

All the men I worked with
on my first trail drive.

Canby and Bufe Coker and
Nate Person, and Nacho.

And now which one was Nacho?

Nacho was the cook.

He was the best cook I ever saw.

Well, that's not a very
gentlemanly thing to say.

Did you fry this chicken?

Well, not exactly,
but I watched.

Well, this is good, it's good.
But Nacho's was better.

Maybe I'll have him take over
your kitchen when he comes up.

If he comes up.

He didn't answer my last letter.
I hope he's all right.

He told me things were getting
a little tense in Chihuahua.

Revolution? Wouldn't
surprise me.

Oh, dear.

You know, it's funny, the
things you live to regret.

I thought about writing
him two years ago.

Yes.

Regret can tear one apart.

I've always regretted
selling this camp.

I thought you liked trespassing.

Isn't that why we come up
here so often, Charlotte?

Do you remember how long it
took you to call me that?

Even after Oliver died and
you were appointed foreman,

it was always "Mrs. Seccombe."

We were talking about regret.

Were we? Chances missed.

Words that were never said.

Well, I've got some words I've been
wanting to say to you for a long time.

And I think this is just
about the best place.

Before anything's said,

I have to know how you
feel about Clemma Zendt.

I was in love with her. But it's over.
She's gone.

And I love you.

Charlotte, will you marry me?

Even though half the state's bound
to gossip about the poor foreman

taking advantage
of the rich widow?

You really worry about gossip?

Not a damned bit.

Ready.

Aim.

Fire!

Next.

Oh, Mother of God...

There were no women
in the mines.

You think strikers' wives are
incapable of causing trouble?

Ready.

Aim.

Wait.

Didn't you hear me, farmer?

I will not kill women. Sergeant!

- Find an extra blind-fold.
- Just a minute.

Father! Do you see?

I know. Be still.

Well, Father,

how good of you to
witness the executions.

You didn't say there
would be women to shoot.

I beg your pardon.

I didn't realize I was
required to say so.

It seems to me, Captain, that my villagers
have proven their patriotism by now.

Surely your soldiers
can take over.

That's not the point.

I told you to be still.

But he's right, you know.

The point is that a conscript has
refused to obey his captain's command.

And that he's been
condemned to die for it.

Sir, I am absolutely astounded by
the government's lack of sense.

Indeed? Tell me, for instance,

how do you intend to
replace your strikers?

There are Indians.

Yes, frightened,
underfed creatures.

Now, look at this mestizo.
Strong as an ox.

And all you can think
to do is kill him.

Well, I'm not vindictive.
All right.

Life at hard labor in the mines.

No! Don't shoot him!

He's just going back to his
own stable like a good horse.

We'll pick him up
when we finish here.

Now then.

Ready.

Aim.

Fire!

Nacho!

Nacho!

I know. I know. I saw
it from the hill.

It was terrible. Don't talk.

Catch your breath.
We're leaving.

I saddled two
horses in the back.

Where's Serafina? I sent her to
your mother's with the children.

Come on.

All right. Ride all the
way out to Ciudad Juárez.

Right across the river there's
a town called El Paso.

I'll meet you in El Paso, at a
bar called Kate's. Understand?

I got this. Aren't you coming?

Another way. I want to send the
soldiers the wrong direction.

They'll be here any minute.
Go on.

Going somewhere, Mr. Wendell?

Sheriff, good day.
Where you heading?

To the saloon. It's
my lunch hour.

Is that a crime, sir?

No, that ain't.

See you around, Mr. Dumire.

You can count on that.

Yes, the railroad owns land
all over this country.

And I've seen it all. From Omaha
to Denver, Salt Lake City.

The job is just too big for one
man, especially a stranger like me.

What I need, really, is
a local representative.

Someone who knows the town.
Someone with great enthusiasm.

A salesman, farmer, scientist.

That's a lot to ask
for in one package.

I know it is.

But if the man exists, I can promise
him a splendid opportunity.

Excuse me.

Excuse me, I wonder if I could
bother you for the salt, please.

No bother at all, sir.
Thank you.

Lovely weather we're having.
Beautiful.

Is it typical of the area?
Oh, yes.

As an agriculturist, I
can assure you of that.

As a... Agriculturist.

I took my degree at Bonn.
Really?

And I can also assure you, sir, there is
no finer weather for farming on this earth

than right here in Centennial.

Really?

My name is Norriss, Mr...

Wendell. Wendell.

And I'm with the Union Pacific.

This is a remarkable
coincidence.

I wonder if we might be more
comfortable at one of the tables.

Of course.

Now then...

Mr. Wendell, have you had any
experience selling land?

No, sir.

No direct experience.

But I've helped more than one
acquaintance transfer his property.

And I'll wager you did
it with enthusiasm, too.

Oh, well...

If I were to ask you if you thought
it would be a good idea for me

to buy farmland in Centennial,

what would you say?

I would say you were the
wisest man in all Christendom.

We're in an undiscovered
Garden of Eden here.

Then if you had the land, you feel
you could sell it fairly easily?

My dear man, it
would sell itself!

The only question is where
is the land to come from?

My company, the Union Pacific owns
thousands of acres along its right-of-way.

All empty.

Which is a very poor bargain indeed for the
Union Pacific, if you follow my meaning.

Oh, perfectly.

A railroad needs freight to
haul, produce, population...

Especially population, Mr.
Wendell.

From the East, from the
South, from Europe.

And for that we need photographs and
pamphlets to draw the people here.

And agents to show the
property when they arrive.

My Lord, what noble work.

Something you might consider
undertaking yourself, Mr. Wendell?

Myself, sir?

It's an opportunity, Mr.
Wendell.

An opportunity. Well, I...

I have no background in sales.

You have what it takes, Mr.
Wendell, enthusiasm and spirit.

Well... And like you said,
the land will sell itself.

Mr. Norriss, I must tell you I'm very
flattered by your suggestion, but...

Well, we hardly know each other.

Well, let me assure you, Mr. Wendell, that
my interest and my offer are legitimate.

I pride myself on being enough
of a judge of character

to say that you're
a man I can trust.

A man our clients can
have real confidence in.

By George, Mr. Norriss, I believe
you and I may have a deal!

Well, hello, Phil.

Afternoon, Sheriff.
Good day for fishing.

Too bad we haven't got a pole.
Yeah.

You've been coming up
here a lot lately.

I don't see you
swimming anymore.

You used to swim around here
all the time, didn't you?

Well, because of
my job, you know.

Where'd you hide him, Phil?

It's too bad you don't know
nothing about the law.

You'd realize they don't
send a little boy to prison.

Especially if he was to
cooperate with the law.

Wait a minute. You know what?

That's pretty dumb. You
forget I said that.

I know you're not keeping
quiet to protect yourself.

You're thinking
about your folks.

I wouldn't expect you to tell on them,
just so you could go scot-free.

And I know you got
a conscience, too.

They've laid one hell
of a load on you.

You want to carry that
around all your life?

Oh, Mrs. Harlow.

Mrs. Seccombe! What a
pleasant surprise.

We don't often get to see our
best customer in person.

Well, I don't often have to
rearrange my accounts, Mr. Harlow.

No, it's all right. I am
not leaving the bank.

I just wanted to have a word
with your Trust Officer,

warn him about a name change and
so forth, I've decided to remarry.

No! Well, splendid!

And who's the lucky man?
I am, sir.

Well, congratulations, Mr. Lloyd!
Thank you very much.

I hope you'll be
most happy, ma'am!

I know I shall.

Mrs. Seccombe, you just go right on
inside and tell Mr. Green what you want.

My wife and I have
an errand to run.

I'll leave you to business.

Thank you.

Morning.

Hello, Jim. Axel, how are you?

Not bad. What's so funny?

Oh, nothing. It's
just human nature.

Makes you laugh, huh? Yeah.

Makes me wanna throw
up sometimes.

No break in the Sorenson, huh?

Sheriff!

Wire just come in.

Mr. Timkins said I should
find you right away.

Trouble?

Somebody spotted the Pettis
Gang outside of Cheyenne.

Informant says they're on their way
down here to kill Amos Calendar.

They'll be getting here now.

Well, I'm gonna
round up a posse.

Jim, you wanna go... Warn Amos?

Yeah. Take Peterson's
horse right there. Hey!

Fool! Why don't you watch
where you're going?

Excuse me. Wasn't
that Jim Lloyd?

Yes. That was Mr. Lloyd.
He a friend of yours?

He was.

I hope he still is. I don't
believe I've caught the name.

Clemma Zendt.

Anything else, Brumbaugh?

Bound to be, but I won't
remember till I'm halfway home.

Are you going to use those
new workers from Mexico?

Yeah, maybe.

How are you, Mama?

It's Clemma, Mr. Brumbaugh.
Don't you remember me?

Do I remember you?

I remember the first time I saw
you at your papa's old place.

Where is Papa?

Well, I...

I know you have a
lot to talk about.

Go on down to the livery stable
there, tell Clay I want him up here.

Don't just stand there, go in the
saloon and see who you can get!

Axel! What's wrong?
Town on fire?

Worse than that.

Pettis Gang's coming down
here to kill Amos Calendar,

and they ain't gonna
stop at killing him.

You know that better
than I do, don't you?

I'll get my gun.

Meet us at Dooley's Road.

Come on. Gonna make me a deputy?

No, I ain't. Gonna write some wires.
Come on.

Hey, why are they after Mr.
Calendar?

Because they think he killed
Frank and Orvid Pettis.

That was a few years
ago, before your time.

I heard that there were a couple
of other fellows on that killing,

like Mr. Brumbaugh
and Jim Lloyd.

You hear a lot, don't you?

Too bad you don't
tell me all you know.

Might have the makings
of a sheriff yet.

I was wondering when you
were gonna show up.

You recognize any of them?

They're all some kind
of kin to the Pettises.

That's Roy Pearce
behind that rock there.

You know, Amos, I got to tell you
I've seen better positions to defend.

Yeah, I know.

They'll all come splashing over
here soon as they get up the nerve.

Howdy, Jake. Mr. Lloyd.

You know, somebody ought to go
back and speed up the Sheriff.

Where's your horses? They're
out there behind us someplace.

We cut them loose.

Hey, Son? Yes, sir?

Do you think you could make it
back to town if we covered you?

Yes, sir.

I'm afraid that's
the only way, Amos.

All right, Son, yell
when you're ready.

Okay, I'm ready.

Go, Jake.

He made it.

You know, in a way I'm glad this whole
thing's coming to a head, aren't you?

Just as long as it's not my
head that it's coming to.

Tell Timkins to get
them wires right off.

Oh, Mr. Dumire, I can't
seem to locate my foreman.

Oh, somebody should have told you.
I had to borrow him.

Borrow? Oh, it's the
Pettis Gang, ma'am.

But don't worry, the Sheriff
will run them down.

Get them wires off!

The Pettis Gang? Aren't
they the ones who...

Yes, ma'am, and I'll get
somebody to drive you home.

Oh, no, it's all right, Mr. Dumire,
but I can manage. Thank you.

Sheriff! Sheriff!

There's four of them
out at my Pa's wagon.

Jim get there? Yes, sir.

Who was that, Mama?

Charlotte Seccombe. From
the Venneford Ranch.

I thought so.

She's prettier than ever.

I guess that's what it's like when you
have a mansion to live in, money to burn.

A rich, handsome
English husband.

Her rich, handsome English
husband killed himself, Clemma.

Oh.

Well, she shouldn't have
any problem remarrying.

Not the great lady of the manor.

I hear she's already
made her choice.

Who, for heaven's sake?

Jim Lloyd.

But that's crazy. Jim Lloyd would
never marry a woman like that.

It wouldn't surprise me.

It would me.

It's awful quiet.

Probably just reloading.

Reminds me. Give me some shells.

You are joking, I hope.

You're out?

I got one.

I guess we can
always throw rocks.

Maybe they won't be crazy enough
to try a straight-on rush.

Roy Pearce is crazy
enough to try anything.

Get him.

You know, that's the
first time in my life,

I've ever seen Roy
Pearce run from a fight.

It's the first time he's
ever been outnumbered.

You know, if you'd missed...

Let's not think about it.

That was just like our first trail
drive with Skimmerhorn and Poteet.

The way you dropped
that Comanche Indian.

Well, that seems like
such a long time ago.

Some rescue. Party's over with.

There are three of them, dead or wounded
on the other side of the stream.

Roy Pearce done took off.

Well, he ain't gonna get far.

We sent wires to every peace
officer within 100 miles.

There ain't a town
left he can hide in.

Except one. Huh?

Who's looking after Centennial?

He wouldn't have the guts! He's as tough
as any man I ever knew, Mr. Brumbaugh.

Well, when did he run?

He's smart as any man I ever knew,
too, when it comes to fighting.

If we don't get
him, he'll be back.

This time with the
odds on his side.

Let's check out his trail.

The other side of
the stream there.

But what makes you think Pearce
would ever come back into town?

Tracks, Mr. Wendell.
He's in town.

He's not in the hotel.
Well, he's someplace.

Amos, you go on and go through
the rest of the railroad yard.

Take three men with you.

Jim, three men down. Down to
the alley behind the bank.

Brumbaugh, you go through the cattle pens.
Take three men with you.

The rest of you, come with me.

Now what are you doing here?
Go on home!

Yes, Philip, what do you
think you're doing?

You want a good whipping now?
Go on!

The Sheriff can handle this.

If we're lucky, it may be the
last thing he ever handles.

Sure let us off the
hook, wouldn't it, Son?

Philip! Philip!

Get back of the store.

Axel, he's been here!

Somebody's been here.
Back door's open.

Sheriff! On the roof!

He isn't dead. Get the doctor!

Sun's up.

Why don't you go back
to the ranch, Jim?

I'll send for you
if there's any...

Well?

I'm sorry. There is no hope.

We can't even operate. The
bullet's too close to his heart.

I asked him if there was
anyone he wanted to see.

His answer surprised me.
Young Philip Wendell.

I'll get him.

I don't know, I don't like it.

Why should the Sheriff want to
talk to Philip? It's unnatural.

Doesn't matter.
It's the last time.

Give me his cap. No.

I want my sheriff's hat.

Philip...

Can you believe it?

Do you know what this means?

No more spying, no more
prying, no more questions

and, my darling,

we can spend the money!

Some of it. Some of it, as long
as it's not on anything foolish.

No, nothing foolish. Nothing foolish.
Nothing foolish.

Land? Land.

Yes. Yes, yes, land.

If it's cheap enough.

The deserts east of town
along the railroad tracks.

Oh, Mervin!

What could be more
foolish than that?

For twenty-five cents an acre, I
can pick up half of Colorado.

Well, you could probably pick
up half the Sahara for less.

But no one intends to irrigate
the Sahara or advertise it.

And then appoint Mr.
Mervin Wendell

as official real estate agent
for the entire shebang.

What are you talking about?

A fortune, Mrs. Wendell.

I am talking about a fortune!

Well... Good morning, Deputy.

Morning, Sheriff.

I wanna thank you for yelling.

Yeah, but he still
got the shot off.

I know.

Point is you yelled.

Listen, Phil, this...

This game we've been
playing is about over.

So I don't think it's gonna hurt
anybody if we cheat a little here.

Nobody can hear us.

I gotta know where you
hid that body, son.

Now, it ain't the law this
time, you understand?

It ain't so somebody's
gonna go to jail.

Nothing like that. It's
too late for that.

It's just for me.

I got a right to know.

It's my job, see. I gotta...

It's down in the
creek, ain't it?

Ain't that right, Phil?

That day you was under
the water so long.

You told me you was in the reeds.
But that was a lie, wasn't it?

You was down under the water all that time.
You found a hiding place.

One good one
nobody'd know about.

Hole in the bank maybe?

Cave.

You lugged the body down there,

but you was too smart to
just throw it in the reeds

'cause you knew I'd find it
if I dragged the bottom.

That's why you were so
scared that day, wasn't it?

You knew I was coming close.

I know, Phil.

I know.

Son, I ain't asking you
to betray anybody.

You don't even have
to say nothing.

Just nod your head

if I'm right, will you?

Just tell me...

Sheriff?

Sheriff?

Sheriff! You were right!
You were right! We did!

You were right!

Nacho? Nacho?

What are we doing in this
godforsaken wasteland?

Are we talking about
the same thing?

It's beautiful to me.

It's a desert.

No.

Niño,

my life has been a desert,

except for Serafina and you

and the little one, and this...

This trail...

This trail where I rode with men

who judged you by
how you worked,

not how you looked,
or how you spoke.

Señor, I no steal.

Don't worry.

What's that you're cooking?

Ends, señor, only ends.

So it is, but it sure
smells like a lot more.

You want some?

Yeah, thanks.

Mmm. Delicious.

I haven't had anything tasted that
good since back home in Minnesota.

Minnesota? Where is that?

You never heard of Minnesota?
No, señor.

Well, it's a place a
long way from here.

Good farmland.

A farm, yes. I come
from a farm, too.

You know, Santa Ynez, in Mexico?
Hmm.

You a farmer? No, señor.

Everything I plant won't
even grow in Minnesota.

But what I cook tastes good, sí?

Best I ever tasted.

So, what do you do?

I cook.

For who?

No work now.

How'd you like to ride for me?

Tend to the horses,
do the cooking?

Where are you heading to, señor?

Who knows. Wherever I
can find a trail boss

that'll drive a
herd north for me.

Where, to Kansas? Colorado.

What's the matter?

I've always wanted
to see Colorado.

Well, then, that's settled.

R.J. Poteet!

Poteet!

I'm Poteet.

I'm Skimmerhorn,
down from Colorado.

Well, what can I do for you, Mr.
Skimmerhorn?

I want you to put me
together a good mixed herd.

How many you need?

Two, three thousand.

Well, we can get them for you.

Can you get them north?

Well, you know,

if we tried pushing them
across Western Kansas,

we'll be lucky to
keep half the herd.

I've tried that.

What can we do?

Well, there's another way, but I
wouldn't want to force it on you.

What way?

Well, two years ago, a
man named Goodnight...

He was something.

He headed 2,000 critters
far south of here.

Right straight across the desert then
swung them north to Colorado and Wyoming.

The desert?

That way his greatest risk was
nature not the Indians or outlaws.

Could it be done again?

It could.

What are your terms?

80 cents a head for
every animal I deliver.

I pay the crew, you
furnish the horses.

Mr. Poteet,

you're the man I've
been looking for.

Tomorrow we can put
together the herd.

You pick your men and
we'll head north.

Well, we can start buying right now.
Let's go.

Who's the Mexican?

Nacho, he'll be the cook.

Not on my trail, he won't.

Hey, wait just a minute.

What kind of cocinero are
you to be calling me names?

I am the cocinero who's gonna fill your
big overblown belly when it's empty,

and pour a bottle of pain
killer in it when it's aching.

I am the cocinero who's gonna hold
your bets, settle your quarrels,

listen to your complaints,
and hear your confessions.

I keep my wagon packed tight
and my coffee's always hot.

If I didn't think that you
were testing me, señor,

I would be holding this the
way it should be held.

And you...

You will be blowing hot air
out of more holes than one.

He's a cook?

I believe this is about the best
branding I've ever been to.

Damn good whiskey, too.

I ain't had none this good since I was
in Abilene with Old Old Dean Cleaver.

Dean Cleaver? You
know Old Old Dean?

Know him? Me and Old Old Dean was
in a brawl one night so bad,

Old Old Dean woke
up in the morning

with a broken leg and
one arm in a sling,

his head in a bandage, one of
his eyes was all black shut.

That's Old Dean all right.

Well, now he come to
me the next morning.

He says, "Bufe, what in the
world happened last night?"

And I told him, "Well,

"you know that old Drummer boy?

"Well, you bet him that you
could jump out the window,

"fly plum around the hotel

"and come back in the
very same window."

You mean to tell me he was your
friend and you let him do that?

Let him, hell. I lost
$10 on him myself.

Well...

Better drink up. That's the last
whiskey anybody gets for months.

There'll be no drinking.

If I catch anybody on the
trail with a bottle,

he gets paid off fast.

Less the cost of one horse, which he
can take with him along with his own.

Now, come on now, R.J.

There'll be no gambling neither.

What?

None, absolutely none.

Breeds discontent. I aim
to ride a peaceful trail.

You all right, Jim?

I think so.

Here, let me see that.

Yes, it's just the crease.

You got him.

Yeah.

These outlaws, Bufe,

killers.

Confederates.

They killed Lazziter.

And I killed my own brother.

Do you understand that, Jim?
I killed one of my own.

Nacho,

I'd like to have a
board off your wagon.

A board?

I gotta at least
put up a marker.

Give us two, we'll
need one for Lazziter.

This is a hard trail, but
it is a good trail, too,

because it takes you to a good
place, a wonderful place.

Go to Colorado, Tranquilino.

Go to Skimmerhorn, and Calendar,

and Jim Lloyd.

Let me give you that.

And let me rest here
where I was happy.

Oh, Nacho.

Beautiful, sir. Ravishing.

Temperature for each month,

rainfall, length of
growing season...

Oh, this is perfect.

If this doesn't attract buyers, Mr.
Wendell, nothing will.

Well, sir, I'm pleased
that you approve.

Of course, I can't
take all the credit.

Well, I couldn't have done it without
my favorite amanuensis here.

Oh, Miss Keller, the
English is impeccable.

Finest teacher in the
West, in my opinion.

Mervin, you flatter me.

Oh, not at all, my
dear, not at all.

Oh, Lord, 3:00. Can
that be right?

I'm terribly sorry, Mr.
Norriss, I have a rehearsal.

Oh, well, you go on,
my friend, please.

It's very kind of you. I'll be
back in an hour. Maybe less.

Rehearsal? Oh, there's a
social at the church tonight.

He sings. He and his wife.

Is there anything in the
world that man can't do?

There's very little in the
world he won't try to do.

Hmm?

Well, he's an actor. He's got
the confidence of his breed.

Well, how did he get from
acting to agriculture?

He didn't.

He's never farmed an inch
of land in his life.

Never...

Oh, he didn't write this either.
I did.

You mean he... He hoodwinked me?

I couldn't have written it without
his direction and his enthusiasm.

And that's what's important.

It won't be impeccable English that
draws people to Colorado, Mr. Norriss.

It'll be enthusiasm.

Yes. Yes.

I'll tell you what you do.

Stay over and come to the
social this evening.

See him in his element,

watch him manipulate a
whole crowd of people.

Listen to the mockingbird

Listen to the mockingbird

The mockingbird still
singing o'er her grave

Listen to the mockingbird

Listen to the mockingbird

Still singing where the
weeping willows wave

Bravo!

It was beautiful, John. Angelic.

Yeah.

But where was Philip tonight? I don't think
I've ever heard them sing without Philip.

Oh, his mama says he's still
broken up about Axel.

She says that he said he's
never gonna sing again.

He'll get over it. Yeah.

Listen, Hans, have you heard
from Nacho Gomez yet?

Nothing. I guess he and that nephew
of his, they didn't need a job.

Isn't it a little warm here?
Oh, no.

In fact, I'll get a smoke.

Yes, why don't you do that?

Jim?

Are you real?

I'm afraid we're a
little late, Jim.

You missed the singing.

Well...

You go ahead, Mama. I'll
be along in a second.

Clemma.

I'll be right in.

How long have you been here?

You watched us walk up.

You know what I mean, Clemma.

Why didn't you let me know?

Why didn't you come
out to the ranch?

I didn't know if you'd
wanna see me again or not.

Oh.

I've made some terrible
mistakes, Jim.

But the worst of all
was leaving you.

Well, that's one mistake
I'll never make again.

You got a divorce?

Mrs. Zendt, let me
take this for you.

I'm surprised Jim didn't
help you in with it.

Didn't you see him out there?

Yes. I have seen him.

Oh, is he all right?

I don't know.

Excuse me.

Charlotte!

Charlotte, let me explain.
You get away from me.

Yes, sir?

I want to see Mrs. Seccombe.

Mrs. Seccombe has retired, Mr.
Lloyd.

Mr. Lloyd!

I'm sorry, Madam.

It's all right, Wallace.

Would you like me to...
Go to bed.

Well...

There seems to be no
end to the spectacle

you're willing to
make of yourself.

I wanna talk to you.

That's all that matters, is it?
What you want?

I thought I could get
her out of my mind.

I was wrong. I apologize.

Suppose I won't
accept your apology?

Then that's how we're
gonna have to leave it.

It's all I can offer,

I'm gonna marry her, Charlotte.

Are you drunk? Marry her?

If she'll have me. Oh,
yes, she'll have you.

Until the day she decides
to get the next train East.

No. She's changed.

This is preposterous. I
can't even get angry.

Then you'll release me
from our engagement?

Oh, Jim, just go and
ride your horse,

or take a cold bath,
you'll calm down.

Well. I'll go now.

I didn't mean to
hurt you, Charlotte.

What makes you think anything
so comic could hurt?

You about through here? About.

That's good. Because I
noticed another break over

in the southeast corner, and I
was thinking maybe we could...

We'll get to it when we can, John!
All right?

You're the foreman.

Cigar?

No, thank you.

You know,

I bought these down
at Zendt's place.

You'll never guess
who waited on me.

I know she's back.

You remember the first
time you saw her?

Just at the end of the
first cattle drive.

You asked me who she
was, and I told you

and then you said...

You said to me, "Mr.
Skimmerhorn,

"that's the girl
I'm gonna marry."

The Cowboy and the
Indian Princess, huh?

Make a good title for a novel.

Gee, I think I'll
check that break now.

Wait, Jim, listen, do you
know what diplopia is?

No, but I'll bet you're bound
and determined to tell me.

It means double vision.

It's when you can't get
two images into focus.

Gives a man a terrible headache.

Well, that's not my problem, Mr.
Bones.

I never had a
headache in my life.

Well, you've got one now,
partner, and it's a beaut.

John, you don't know a damn
thing about Clemma and me.

I know she's not a 14-year-old
Indian princess anymore.

She's changed and so have you.

You just can't go back
to that world, Jim.

She came back.

And this time I'm not
gonna let her down.

"Let her down"? Now is that
what you said, "Let her down"?

Now that is the dang thing...

Hey!

I don't see why I can't be
married in white if I want to.

Who makes these
dumb rules anyway?

Mrs. Zendt, would you mind if I had
a word with your daughter alone?

You stay right where
you are, Mama.

She's not the Queen of Sheba.

Nobody has to bow down to her like some...
I'll be in the back.

It's so funny.

When I was a little girl, my
father used to say to me,

"Charlotte, as long as
you hide in the corner,

"the hobgoblins are
going to frighten you.

"If you'd just open your
eyes and look at them,

"you'd see how little and
weak they really are."

And he was right.

I can't imagine what in the
world you're talking about.

Why did you come
back here, Clemma?

I don't think that's
any of your business.

Oh, yes, indeed. You
made it my business

the minute you set up that
wretched scene outside the church.

I didn't set up anything!

Jim Lloyd has loved
me for 20 years.

He wants to marry me, and he's going to
marry me whether you like it or not.

Jim Lloyd loves you.

Not a word about you
loving Jim Lloyd?

I just figured you'd take that
for granted, Mrs. Seccombe.

Clemma, the only thing
I take for granted

is that you're going to be on the
train for Chicago tomorrow morning.

Oh, do you?

As I was driving over here

I wondered whether or not I'd
have the nerve to do this,

but you make it very easy.

Your ticket money

and a little left over
for fun and surprises.

Mrs. Seccombe, can't you
tell when you've lost?

No. I never could.

Sometimes it takes me a
while to sort things out.

I toss and turn and
stare at the ceiling.

But sooner or later, I decide
what it is I really want

and I go after it.

And this time what you
really want is Jim.

Yes. That's what I really want.

Well, touch luck, Lady Bountiful,
he's already spoken for.

No, Clemma, you're the
one with the tough luck

because you're not dealing with
a bedazzled gentleman now.

You're going to be fighting
toe-to-toe with me.

And I'm the dirtiest fighter
you've ever seen in your life.

I kick and scream,
scratch, gouge.

I buy allies and information.

I might even go so far
as to hire detectives

to find out where you've
really been all these years.

These long, lost years.

You think about it.

You forgot your money.

I never forget anything.

And when I dig up everything
there is to know about you,

I'll make sure Jim Lloyd
never forgets, either.

He's my last chance, Mama.

No, Clemma.

But this could be your last
chance for some self-respect.

This man?

You say he was looking
for Jim Lloyd?

Well, I guess he was.

He came in about an hour ago and
handed me this piece of paper.

Jim Lloyd written on it.

But I didn't like the look
of him so I acted dumb.

Elkins says he saw him over
at the railroad station.

Young fella.
Twenty-four, five...

Didn't mention any names? Nacho Gomez?
Anything like that?

Not to me.

Well...

I guess I better take a look.

Thanks, Eddie.

Excuse me, amigo.

Were you looking for Jim Lloyd?
Sí.

Good, because he's
a friend of mine.

My name's Skimmerhorn.

Skimmerhorn! Yeah.

You know, my Spanish isn't too
good these days, Tranquilino.

So maybe you could...

It's okay...

Nacho Gomez. Nacho
Gomez, yeah, sure.

He told me...

Take this? No, no, no.

Told me come here

and work.

This man... His name...

Brum...

Brumbaugh. Brumbaugh.

Brumbaugh. Brumbaugh.

Right. Nacho was supposed to be here.
So where is he?

He's...

He's muerto.

He's what?

Dead.

Well, I'm sorry. How?

It's bad times in Chihuahua.

It's guns...

Shootings... Very bad.

Well, we'll talk about
that later, okay.

Right now I wanna get you
over to Brumbaugh's place.

He'll be very glad to see you.

Although I have a feeling he was
expecting a little bigger delegation.

Okay, are you ready?

Yeah, come on.

Morning, Jim. Morning.

Train to Chicago.

Clemma's on it.

I saw her get onboard myself.

The problem's over, Jim.

I guess I better start
at the beginning, huh?

I don't suppose you
know what these are?

It's beet.

Beet, yeah, but not an ordinary beet.
Field beet.

No, no... Sugar.

Is that sugar? Sugar, si.
I know.

Well, well, well.

Then you know what's
wrong with this field?

Plants... Too much...

It's too many...

More apart. Yeah.

Chop. Okay?

Oh, yeah, okay.

Yeah. Okay.

Yeah.

Oh, yeah, okay. Yeah!

What are you doing here?

Looking for you.

She's gone.

For good this time.

What do you feel about that?

Bruised.

Relieved.

Yes, I rather thought that
might be your reaction.

Where do you get your
patience, Charlotte?

Oh, God knows.

Some inexhaustible,
brainless source.

Well, I'm afraid you're
gonna need all you can find

if you continue dealing with me.

Unless I grow up damn fast.

You're not doing so badly.

At least you didn't go chasing
across the prairies after the train.

You came up here.

Because I connect it with you.

And picnics?

And peace.

You know, Jim, we really
ought to be careful.

Someday the new owner will
catch us on his property

and we'll wonder what's hit us.

You don't have to
wait until someday.

The owner's here now.
What do you mean?

Means I bought the place

back a little over a month ago.

Why?

To give to you

as a wedding present.

The honeymoon couple is back!

Welcome home, Mrs. Lloyd.

How did you like
the Pacific Ocean?

I tell you, the part we rode on

was rougher than a
cloud-hunting bronco

with a belly full
of bed-springs.

Everything's all right?

Couldn't be better.
Couldn't be better.

Well...

Well, I'll let you get
unpacked and settled in.

I'll be in the office, Jim.

Thanks, John.

Ma'am.

Oh, it's good to travel,

but it's so much better
to come home, isn't it?

Anything interesting?
Oh, Bristol.

Oh.

Oh, dear.

Well, is something wrong?
Got bad news?

Yeah, in a way. It's
from Finlay Perkin.

Oh, now what's the matter with Mr.
Doom, now?

Won't his books balance?

Aren't we earning enough
money for the stockholders?

I suppose we must be.
He doesn't say.

Oh, he congratulates
us on our wedding

and wishes us both long
life and happiness.

And... Then he mentions John.
Oh, Skimmerhorn?

"Of course, now that you
and James are married,

"it's no longer seemly
for James to occupy

"a secondary managerial
position there.

"The Bristol owners wish James to take
over the post of General Manager,

"and ask you to dispense with John
Skimmerhorn's services immediately."

Dispense?

"Naturally, we can and shall give
him the best recommendations."

No! Jim...

No! It's out of the question.

Well, why is it out
of the question?

I mean, you know as much about
running the ranch as he does

and he'll certainly
get another position.

It is out of the
question, Charlotte,

because I owe everything
in the world to that man.

He hired me, not Seccombe
and not Finlay Perkin.

Yes. But still...

Charlotte, John Skimmerhorn has
a lifetime job at this ranch.

You understand that.

Now he can fire me, but
he can't fire John.

Tell Perkin I turned
his damned offer down.

Oh, never mind, I'll
tell him myself.

No. No, Jim, darling, I'll do it.
I'll do it.

You're quite right.

Afternoon, Tranquilino.

I brought you some fresh water.

Gracie, señor.

I believe your friends are every
bit as good a worker as you are.

Yes, pretty good. Good work.

Tranquilino...

What are you gonna do when
the fields are thinned?

I don't know. Maybe go
to Oregon, pick fruit...

I don't know.

Wouldn't consider sticking
around Centennial, would you?

I need... I have...
I send money home.

Each week, I send money home.
It's important.

You got much of a
family back there?

Sí.

Ever consider bringing
them up here?

Well...

Well... Look it...

I'm getting to be an old man

and I need dependable
workers, you know.

I mean...

Year in and year out, men like you.
Now...

If I was to find you a
little house, rent-free,

and guarantee you a job
during the off-season,

would you consider staying?

Patrón... How I...

I have no money.

Well, I'll stake you.

What do you say?

Yes.

You'll be through blocking
next week and you'll leave.

Just don't run out on me.
Hey, no run out on you.

You never. Listen
to me, I swear.

Come back here. He good for you.

I believe you!

He's good boy, he's strong.
Working good for you.

I believe you.

Oh, there you are.
Mail just arrived.

Put it on the drawing room table.
I'll get it later.

Oh. Oh, there's one here
with a Texas postmark.

Oh, yeah? Who from?

R.J. something...

Poteet? Oh, God.

Who's R.J. Poteet?

He's a big rancher down
in Palo Pinto County.

He was the one who
organized the first drive.

Well, I'll be blasted. What?

He says he's going in with a
group of English financiers

to start a ranch
west of Jacksboro.

But he doesn't wanna
commit himself

until he can get a
good General Manager.

He wants John Skimmerhorn.
He wants John?

Said he didn't wanna do
anything behind my back.

That's why he's
writing to me first.

What are you going to do?

Talk to John. Do you
think he will accept?

I don't know.

Well, I think it's a splendid
offer for him. Don't you?

Well, it doesn't matter much
what we think, Charlotte.

John Skimmerhorn's a man
that carves his own trails.

Yes. Yes, I know.

Well, I guess I'll talk to John.

Good evening.

I need a room. You have?

No.

Sign.

Plenty money.

I don't give a damn
if you own the mint.

There ain't no rooms.

Just a minute, greaser!
No greaser!

I work!

You all right?

Yeah, yeah.

What the hell got into him?

I don't know. These
people are half crazy.

Get the police.

Matt, they're gonna
need a charge.

Well, anything! Assault!

Hey.

He robbed me, too.

$20, tell them.

That ought to put him
away for a while.

Yeah!

Board!

John. Yeah.

Sure is gonna seem funny
around here without you.

After all these years.

Well, you know I'd
never leave, Jim,

if I wasn't absolutely certain you
could do the job just as well as me.

Oh, and by the way, Mrs. Lloyd,

if the retiring General Manager
has any say about his successor,

I'd like to give this young man
my highest recommendation.

I'll surely take your suggestion

under the strongest advisement, Mr.
Skimmerhorn.

Good. Board!

Last call!

Well...

You take care of yourself
now, Jim, you hear me?

Yeah, you, too.

Mr. Poteet's getting the
best man in the business.

I guess you know that. Yeah.

But you know, it's
the luckiest thing

that ever happened
to me in my life.

The way this whole
thing turned out.

Yeah, how's that? Well...

John, you get aboard or they'll
run off and leave you.

Oh, yeah. Well, you see,

Mr. Poteet wrote
me a letter saying

that he'd just started looking
for a general manager.

When out of the clear blue sky he gets
this letter from Bristol, England,

saying I might be
available for the job.

Bristol?

Board!

Well...

Listen, Jim, I better
be getting along.

You take care of yourself, you hear?
And you keep in touch.

Ma'am. Goodbye. John.

Goodbye, John. Okay.

So long, Jim, ma'am.

Bye, John. Goodbye.

Are you mad at me?

How can I get mad?

I might as well get mad
at the sun for rising.

You ever gonna change?

Why should I change
when I'm always right?

You wait and see, Jim.

You're gonna be the best manager
that Venneford ever had.