Hell on Wheels (2011–2016): Season 3, Episode 3 - Range War - full transcript

Come on.

Y'all want to be out here
after dark with the Indians about?

I sure as hell don't.

Two knots on either side
of the wire.

Loop the ends around the glass.

I know! Aah!

Get down, Dutch.

Throw me the hammer.

Damn redskin savages.

I find the ones who done this,

I'll pike their heads
to every pole



between here and Omaha.

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

Over there!

Somebody's coming in!

Something coming down the line.

' Spyglass.

Who the hell is that?

We need some more men
down there!

I find the ones who done this,

Indians killed us,

rustled our cattle.

I played possum
while they done this to me.

- How many dead?
- Five.

Six if I die.



Think they can sew
my hair back on?

Think you ought to stop talking
and put your hat back on.

Throw up a hook.

Get him back to Hell on Wheels,
gentle but fast.

Come on.

- Wire's hot.
- Send this to the fort.

- Go.
- "lndian attack."

"U.P. cattle pens," stop.

"Five dead, 300 head rustled,

"pursue and kill Indians," stop.

"No mercy," stop.

"C. Bohannon." Got that?

- Yes, sir.
- Send it.

We'll pick up the trail
at the cattle pens.

Best we wait for the soldiers.

No guarantee Major Bendix
ain't out on patrol.

Them Indians made off with all the beef
we got for a month.

Let's ride.

Wish there were more of us.

Wish he hadn't smashed hisself
with that damn hammer.

' Bury 'em proper.

Tell Sean to put the crews on half rations.
Yes, sir.

Cut crews ain't gonna like
that especially.

Next step down's boiled leather.
Ain't gonna like that neither,

less'n I find these damn cattle.

You and me
going after a raiding party

that just killed five men
and stole 300 head?

Any luck, we'll run into Bendix,
drive his cattle home.

You're the Chief
of Railroad Police, ain't you?

Well, this here is
rustling and murder. Let's go.

Tell Eva I'm out riding
for another day or so, all right?

Come on.

Mr. McGinnes.

Ruth.

You weathered the winter well?

Yes. I'm working for Mr. Bohannon now.

I'm his new Administrator
of Accounts.

That's wonderful.

I've been praying
you'd find your way.

I myself was never lost, Ruth.

I was on a wrong path.

The butcher is a charitable man.

Gave me some trimmings for stew.

Well...

Good day to you, then.

Ruth.

Save your prayers
for someone who may need them.

Yourself perhaps.

Had to be 20 to 30.

Fierce, death in their eyes.

Shot at least...

Seven myself.

Earlier you said you were asleep
when they attacked.

Well, the arrow
in my back woke me.

Your gun only carries
six rounds,

but you shot seven braves?

I told you it was dark.
Did you pay your nickel, lady?

Yes, against
my journalistic principles,

I've paid you three times

for three different versions
of your story.

Good, then.
Hey, where you going?

Hey, story's here.
I got it, thanks.

I like your hair.

Do something.

Hey, hey. Shh.

- Get back to work.
- All right.

Do something for her.

Why don't you go to the bar,
have a drink? Go on.

What is it?

Old whore sickness.

Can you give her something
for the screaming?

I got customers next door.

Easy, Sara. Here we go.

Here. Shh.

- I don't mean to be ugly...
- I know.

But I'm trying
to run a business.

I know, you been good
letting her stay for free,

giving her boyfriend
free handouts.

- How long, Eva?
- I don't know.

I can't have her...

I can't have her pass on here.

It's a whorehouse.
It's not a hospital.

Yes, and you're a pimp,
not a physician.

There's a big difference.
Young lady,

you have no understanding
of our world here.

Things are becoming
much clearer to me every day.

I take care of my girls, I do.

Mickey, thank you.

That ain't dye.

It's paint.

This ain't no war pony.

Cattle weren't rustled
by the Indians.

We ain't got us an Indian problem.

Got us a white man problem.

That's them.

Wonder where they put
the cattle.

One of 'em's gonna tell us.

Just gonna walk up and ask?

Well, couple are asleep.

Couple of 'em's full drunk.

One's naked in the river.

I'm counting on the rest of 'em
to be bad shots.

Which ones you want?!

Reckon I'll take the drunks.

And that dumb-ass in the river.

Yep, don't kill 'em all.

Hoping they don't kill all of us.

Over there!

Aah!

Nope.

Where the cattle at?

Upriver. We passed 'em off.

To who?

You best tell him
who you're working for.

Chet Achison
put the gang together.

- Take me to him.
- That's him.

Shit.

So...

What was the plan, son?

We's to ride into Omaha,

get paid out
at the restaurant there.

Who in Omaha?

It's Durant.

He's behind this. I know he is.

I'm taking you
into the sheriff in Omaha.

You try to run, I will kill you.

You understand?

- Yeah.
- Good.

Yeah, it'll work.

Damn it, Elam.

' Sir!

I believe this is yours.

Thank you, sir.

Can I help you, sir?

My name's Declan Toole.

I received word
of my brother Gregory's death.

I believe he'd have been
familiar in saloons.

Did you by chance know him?

My friend...

I was honored to give the eulogy
at your brother's funeral.

Thank you.
I don't drink the whiskey.

- And you are?
- Mickey McGinnes.

- This is my place.
- Pleased.

If it's not too much trouble,

could you tell me a little
about the circumstances

of my brother's death?

Let's sit.

Shh.

It's the only thing I know
to stop the bleeding...

Pack her with hot rags
sprinkled with wheat dust.

- Is that an Indian remedy?
- No.

It's my German aunt.

It's only temporary, though.

One day, it'll come on,
and I won't be able to stop it.

What causes it?

A whore's life.

She had a good run, though.
It's almost two years.

How old is she?

- 19, I think she said.
- My God.

Is she still working?

No. Jack takes care of her.

He's in love with her.

They're both touched
in the head.

Mr. Bohannon, your,

your companion looks unwell.

Yeah, I told him not to run.

Whiskey!

Time for a little talk.

Now, I got 3,000 workers to feed.

You got my cattle.
I want it back.

I have no idea
what you're talking about.

You hired some men
to kill my pen crew

and rustle my cattle.

Those are
very serious accusations

in a place like this, Bohannon.

See, 'cause I figure you canceled

the railroad's beef contracts,
and then you did this.

You're trying to starve us out.

I canceled
the railroad contracts

because I am no longer in a position
to sell beef to the railroad.

Although,
through some new acquaintances,

I can broker a price
of $28 a head.

Shit, I wouldn't buy from you
for a nickel a head.

Mr. Durant.

- Sheriff.
- Who shot Bubba Wade?

Yeah, I did.

Durant hired him and some others
to kill a U.P. crew

and rustle my cattle,
and I want 'em back.

You got proof?

This one here, he's a witness.

The judge of this town
prefers his witnesses

to be of the breathing kind.

Sheriff, this...
this is Mr. Cullen Bohannon.

He is the new head
of the Union Pacific Railroad.

He seems to have lost his cattle

and is under the mistaken impression
that I am somehow responsible.

He did the rustling.
He did the hiring.

Mr. Durant ain't left town
in three days.

Now, Bubba here
was wanted for rustling,

and rustling's a hanging crime.

Come see me
if you want your reward.

Now clean up this mess.

Then clear out.

Thank you, sheriff.

How dare you come in here
and make these accusations?

I had nothing to do
with these purported murders

and thievery.

Who do you think I am?

You're capable.

You overestimate me, Bohannon.

What...

All right, what the hell
are you doing out here, then?

I am a businessman
building a railroad hub

out here on the prairie.

Now get this corpse
away from my table.

This ain't over.

Indeed it is not.

Thank you.

Got to telegraph the fort,
call off Bendix.

Like putting a mad dog
back on a chain.

Mr. Bohannon.

Maggie Palmer.

I own the Circle P Ranch.

Quite a spectacle in there.

Sorry to ruin
your supper, ma'am.

That was the most entertainment

we've had around here for weeks.

- I like your style.
- Obliged.

If you'll excuse me.

I can offer you
all the cattle you need

for your railroad, $25 a head.

No offense, ma'am, but I know
what market prime is.

Kind of volume I'm looking for,
you ought to offer me

a quarter over prime,
fixed rate, for three years.

75¢ over prime, two years.

50¢ over prime, three years,

or end of project,
whichever comes first.

Done.

Why, why are you offering me
a deal that might cost you later?

I've made
the better deal, Mr. Bohannon.

There's a range war coming,

and your railroad is about to drive
right through it.

Good day.

- You saved that girl's life.
- Yeah.

Here.

Maybe for the time being.

How did you survive
the life of a prostitute?

I was lucky.

The whoring business
wasn't too good for me.

You know, white men
thought I was dirty

'cause I'd lived
with the Indians,

so I could only charge cut rate.

I mean, don't get me wrong.

If you wanted me,
I would give you a big ride.

But just not that many
wanted me.

Except for Mr. Ferguson.

And your late husband?

Yeah.

I've heard the story.

Ireckon between the two of them,

it's how come I survived it.

Well, they both loved you.

They say never
fall in love with a whore.

It always ends bad.

Like Mr. Toole.

You know, I...

I'm the reason he's dead.

Ain't no two ways about it.

I've put a curse on everything.

Who is it?

Declan Toole.

Gregory's brother.

What do you want?

A word, ma'am.

So the curse has come calling.

Now ain't a good time.

I've come a long way.

Did you not get my letter
stating my intentions?

It was read to me, but...

I can't marry somebody
I ain't ever met before.

It's our custom
to marry my brother's widow,

become a father to his child.

It's not my custom.

May I at least see my niece?

She... she's sleeping.

And I don't open the door
to strangers after dark.

I'm not a stranger.

I'm your brother-in-law.

Please go away, Mr. Toole.

Don't be coming around here
no more.

How bad is it, Mr. Anderson?

Axle's nearly sheared in two.

- Can you repair it?
- Yeah.

We'll have to remove everything
from the wagon to lighten it?

Then I can cut the sapling
and replace the axle

until we get to the outpost.

You can fix it out here?

Yeah.

I can fix most things, son.

You know, in Milwaukee,
I worked in a granary.

I was in charge of maintenance.

- All my dad does is read.
- Books are important.

You'd be wise to learn that.

How long, Mr. Anderson?

A few hours.

Thank the Lord we came upon you.

No, no, no.

It is I who must thank you.

When the Indians
attacked my family,

I lost my wife, my child,

and I did not...

Did not think I could carry on.

But...

God sent me you good people,

and you have gave me

food and shelter.

I can't imagine what it must be like
to lose your family.

I loved them s-so much.

I miss them, especially my boy.

Your family is with God now.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah.

They are angels now? Yeah.

As someday we all will be.

So...

Young sapling. Ezra?

Can you cut a tree down for our,

- our axle?
- Yeah.

The cut crews have posted
strike notices about the half rations.

Take it down
and send 'em back to work.

Wire 2,500 shares
of U.P. stock to this address.

"Maggie Palmer."

Cattle broker?

She's a rancher.

Ran into your old friend Durant
in Omaha.

- Durant's in Omaha?
- Sends his regards.

Why would he do that?

Yah!

- Yaw.
- Yaw.!

Dr. Major Bendix
reporting from the field, sir,

reporting success per your dire telegram
for assistance.

I sent you a second telegram.

Wasn't Indians that did this.
It was white men.

You should see
these specimens I got.

Something really wrong with you.

Maybe you didn't understand
what I was saying.

I understood perfectly, sir.

I carried out your original
orders to the letter.

"Pursue and kill the Indians,
no mercy."

I redacted them orders.

However,

your original request conformed
to standing orders

from my superiors,
Generals Grant and Sherman.

We are at war with the heathens,

just as we were at war
with the southerners.

As soon as Sherman is finished

reconstructing the South,
he will join us out here.

Together, we will exterminate
the heathens...

On the pretense of protecting
the Union Pacific.

I won't never join up
with no Sherman.

My friend, you already have.

Hey, hey, hey, hey!

Buy you a drink?

That woman put up
much of a fight?

I honestly can't recall.

It's marked up Arapaho.

They'll come at us now.

Pick off my outlying crews,
maybe full-on attack.

And we'll reprise.

But this is why we'll prevail.

The foreshortened cerebellum...

And the deep subcranial ridge...

Runs all the way around.

No foresight or intellect.

Just the faintest hints
of humanity.

Barely human, you mean.

Show me the savage Plato,

and I will read him.

Tell you what.

You fight your war.

I'll build my railroad.
Crazy son of a bitch.

Bohannon, do you want to know
why you lost the war?

The typical southerner
lacks the ability

to look beyond
his own parochial interests.

It's a malformed
brain plate, perhaps.

Yeah?

Don't look so mortified.

These are exciting times.

You and I are opening the way

for the greatest nation
the world has ever seen.

And you thought you were
just building a railroad.

Good day, Mr. Bohannon.

- Mr. Bohannon!
- What?

Indians attacked a survey party,
5 miles north of the cut.

Anybody else know about this?

No, sir. Drove straight here.

- Want me to sound the alarm?
- Hell, no.

That's the last thing we need.

Well, what are we going to do?

Me and Mr. Ferguson are going
to bury these men quiet,

and you're gonna telegraph
the fort,

asking for more soldiers.

More soldiers?

To help Bendix finish
what I started.

Hup!

Mostly old folks' heads
in that bag.

Eva say the worst thing you can do
to an Indian is cut his head off.

Spend eternity looking for it,

never make it
to the great white way.

Long time to live, not to get
to see where you're going.

Some church folk say

Indians go to hell when they die

'cause they ain't accepted Christ.

Far as I know,

Indians don't believe in hell.

Then it don't matter, then.
Let's go get a drink.

Tell ya, it was
the most brutal engagement

since Shiloh, and I was there!

Give it a rest, Wallace,
for crying out loud.

This should be interesting.

That's Declan Toole.

Gregory Toole was my brother.

I came out here to take
his child and the mother

back to New York.

She my woman.

And that's my baby.

I can't judge
my brother's choice of wife,

be it whore or saint.

But that baby is my brother's.
She mine.

By law, she's my responsibility.

By blood,

she mine.

I understand
there's some doubt to that.

Nah, ain't no doubt in my mind.

You stay away from my family.

My brother's Irish blood
runs through that baby's veins.

Your blood gonna be on this floor
before you know it.

All right.
Y'all both done said your piece.

Stay away from each other.

- You must be Mr. Bohannon.
- I am.

My brother considered you
the only upright man

he'd ever met in America.

Well...

Remember what I said
about my family.

Elder Dutson,

would you do me the honor
of allowing me

to say the Grace?
Of course, Mr. Anderson.

_ Qkay-

Thank you, Lord, for this bounty

you have placed before us.

And thank you for bringing
this blessed family

into my life

and for all they have done
to removing me

from my... my sorrow

and my grief.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

You mind sharing a picnic
with me?

No. Please come in.

I was about to have lunch.

Looks like you was about to have
yourself a nice bowl of dishwater.

I made it myself.

Yeah, and I'm sure
it was wonderful.

I know it probably
doesn't compete

with rib steak and beans and...

a hot sheaf of cornbread.

But I reckon you can
choke it down, don't you?

We are butchering a new herd
of cattle today.

Thought you might have a taste
for some meat.

Lot of innocent people died
'cause of this.

Lot more to follow.

Killing is a sin, Mr. Bohannon.

There goes any appetite I had.

Well, besides the Indians, weren't there
others who died at your hand?

Thems was rustlers and such.

- And you killed them.
- You're damn straight I did.

Damn it.

Ruth, it's my job.
I understand that.

But killing them should make you lose
your appetite as well.

I don't take joy from it.

A man who hates his sin
can be redeemed from it,

even if he can't turn
away from it.

Do you hate your sin,
Mr. Bohannon?

Cornbread's dry.

Then there is hope for you.

Eat.

The railroad headquarters
will be here.

My office will be
on the second floor,

overseeing the largest rail yards
on the planet.

Everyone and everything
that travels by rail,

east, west, north, south,
will pass through here.

And stay at my hotel...

Which will be right there.

Don't you think that's
a little close to the bank?

I choose the location
of my hotel and its design.

It's going to have
a cascading staircase.

Perhaps it would be better
over there,

- by the merchant square.
- No.

It will be exactly
where I'm indicating,

according to the terms
of my sale to you.

You should read
those documents carefully.

Of course.

I've only read
about cascading staircases,

but I understand that the ladies
like to come down them

in their ball gowns.

Is that true, Thomas?

Well, it does lend a lady
a certain ethereal charm

to descend such a staircase
on the arm of a handsome man.

At least, that has been
my experience.

Well, then you will have
to build a ballroom.

And I will have to learn
to dance

something
other than the Horny Toad Stomp.

Yes, indeed, Maggie.

Although I suspect
the Horny Toad Stomp

is not without its charms.

CNST, Montreal