Hell on Wheels (2011–2016): Season 4, Episode 3 - Chicken Hill - full transcript

"To build the transcontinental railroad,

"Thomas 'Doc' Durant once said,

"'A man must face
his demons and destroy them

"or become undone by them.'

"The hell on wheels of 1868 is
no place for bashful men,

"the deluded, or unassured.

"No place for sloppy men,
drunk and disorderly

"in their heavenly vestments
on their way to an early grave."

"The railroad has contained the west
these last three years,"

"with its iron horse and
rails pinned to the ground."

"Each passing day brings
with it civilization..."



"if not civility."

"And men in suits, who do
now with their pens"

"what earlier, rougher
men did with their guns."

"Cullen Bohannon, late of
the Union Pacific,"

"is more gunman than suit."

"His return to Cheyenne...

"these days referred to as
'the magic city of the plains'...

"after months, lost to the prairie
and presumed dead,

"with a Mormon wife and child
in tow, might be just the grease we need

"to turn the wheels of our
national obsession,

"buried these long
winter months in snow

"and, now, up to its wheel-wells in mud.

"Or, might it be the match
strike of self-immolation?

"For Mr. Bohannon has always
worn his integrity



like a millstone
around his neck."

- Howdy.
- Ho.

Help you?

You can step aside.

Bohannon's back!

- What's your business here?
- None of your business.

- Hunh.
- You hear that, deputy?

It's none of our business.

There's nothin' here for
Mormons but trouble, friend.

I ain't lookin' for trouble.

Just the kind of people
trouble finds in my town.

There's a Mormon settlement 50,
60 miles to the northwest.

You'll be welcome there.

Let go of my horse.

Let go of my horse.

Don't touch me.

I'd listen to her.

I suggest you turn around and...

I O C' ll O .1.

Thank you.

Let's go.

"Cullen Bohannon has
come home, dear reader."

And in our little world
just west of civilization,

we find ourselves once
again at his mercy.

Are you telling me
it's impossible

to tunnel through that mountain?

No man can do it?

We've been blastin'
for more than a week.

The damn thing keeps
caving in on itself.

God sakes, Delaney.

The Sierra Nevadas
couldn't stop Huntington.

This blip of a molehill
is not going to stop me.

The Sierras are
made of granite, Mr. Durant.

We're dealing with more
unstable terrain here.

Mudrock and shale.

Excuses will not get my tunnel built.

Now, do whatever you have to do.

Put on an extra
shift to clear the rubble

and print up more scrip
to pay the men.

They won't work for
nothing, not even the freedmen.

Mr. Durant...

That will be all.
Thank you, Delaney.

This is the railroad office,

not the ticket office.

Behind the building.

Across the tracks at the depot.

Cullen Bohannon.

Here to see Durant.

Martin Delaney.

On.

Builder of stone and
brook bridges.

Chief engineer
at the Union Pacific.

It's the ghost
of Cullen Bohannon.

And... Mormon, no less.

If ever there was proof that you
cannot be killed, this is it.

The last time I saw you,
you were being dragged away

by a gang of masked outlaws,
never to be seen again.

It was her dad who took me.

Mormon militia
on account of the...

This is my wife Naomi and,
my son William.

We wintered up at Fort Smith.

Took some doin',
but I'm back now.

And how many Mormons did
you have to put in the ground

to effect your escape?

Wasn't like that.

It's always like that
with you, Bohannon.

You start a gunfight in my town,

nearly have us
all killed, and for what?

A girl you got pregnant.

Come back for my old job.
Is it mine or not?

No. Not.

Your railroad's stuck, Durant.

I'm the only one
who can get it movin' again.

Even if I could fire
Mr. Delaney,

he has done
nothing to warrant it.

You, on the other hand,
stand there wallowing

in moral turpitude,
having just confessed

to complete lack of regard for
the most basic fundamental

needed to get
this road moving...

Dependability.

What you need to get
this road movin' again

is a man who can get you
over Sherman Summit, all right?

He ain't him.

I am not going over, Bohannon.

I am going through.

And without you.

Welcome to Cheyenne, madam.

This ain't howl planned on things goin'.

This ain't howl pictured Cheyenne.

I'll figure it out.

We'll figure it out together.

Come on.

Mr. Bohannon!

You are a sight for sore eyes.

Just when I thought
me luck had run out,

here you be.

What happened to you?

Got a Mormon girl
in the family way,

and I need a job.

Any more questions?

Grant sent a carpetbagger out

to install law and order.

He hung a man from the rafters
of my casino.

I could use a man like you.

No, thanks.

You just said you needed a job.

Not that one.

It was good to see you, Mick.

By the way, I'm the mayor now!

Congratulations.

Is he a close friend of yours?

Killed his brother, and I
helped to bury him.

Suppose that makes us somethin'.

I paid $28 for this rifle.

You can take it out of his hide.

When?

When I tell you.

A rare Bulgarian, that one.

Steal the milk out your tea
as soon as he look at ya.

A surveyor for
the Union Pacific.

An employee of Mr. Durant

who happens to be a partner

in my casino.

He stinks.

Get him out of here.

I'll leave that to you.

Get him out of here, McGinnes.

He's your trash now.

And next time ye decide
to turn my business

into a gallows...

you clean up before you leave.

Gentlemen.

Ho.

Jeremiah! You coming to lunch?

This yourn.

I knowed you's comin' back,
I'd have guarded

what little money
was hid backside and front.

That money fed us good
for a month.

Bought us one hell
of a hangover, too.

You get me a job,
we'll forget about the money.

You ain't been in the sun long
enough for that, Mr. Bohannon.

I got a family to feed.

Freedman work, Freedman wages.

Fair enough.

Never thought I'd see the day
I'd be the boss of the boss.

Don't get used to it, Psalms.

Ruth.

I was just on my
way to see you now.

Well.

We all got the shock
of our lives today, didn't we?

W-with Mr. Bohannon's
return to Cheyenne.

Yes.

I've been praying these many
months for such a miracle.

How are you, Ruth?

Still praying-

- Reckon nobody'll
start a war you stay here.

It'll do just fine.

Here.

Eat.

Yeah, there we go.

Now...

You have trouble on the way,
you can see church lady.

Her name's Ruth, she'll help.

I won't need any help.

I'll be fine.

We'll be fine.

What you think?

You gonna be fine?

Yeah?

I expect Miss Ruth
happy you're back.

Took it hard
the day you gone missin'.

Got her hands full
with that boy, too.

Yeah... I expect she won't
be none too happy

to find out you got
yourself a new woman.

New baby, too.

Here come
your other woman problem.

Elam went after you
and got his self killed!

Elam went his own way,
as always.

Eva, calm down now!

You disappeared
and he went after you,

as always!

Eva, I'm sorry.

Sorry ain't
gonna bring him back.

All right, load 'em up, children!

That my daylight
you burnin' here!

And I ain't cookin' up no more.

I'm curious to know
if Mr. Bohannon will resume

his role as chief engineer
now that he's returned.

Well, Mr. Delaney
is chief engineer now

and will be for the foreseeable future.

You don't expect
any political pressure

from Washington to restore
Bohannon to his post?

No, why?

He saved a young boy's life?

People around the country
view him as a hero.

Washington loves a hero.

There is a difference
between a hero

and a man who's lost
his way, Miss Ellison...

Something Washington nor you
seem to understand.

If I didn't know better,

I might mistake your obsession
with Bohannon

for something more...

Personal.

He's not that interesting.

Excuse me, Miss Ellison. I...

That's the flag of
the new Wyoming territory.

Odd place for it.

One day when people arrive
on your train,

they'll look up,
see that flag flyin'

above my statehouse

and know the value we place
on law and order around here.

Law abiding people
who admire the confiscation

of private property?

That's railroad land.

Technically, if it's not
in use by the railroad

for railroad purposes,
that land is available

for acquisition by
the state under eminent domain.

That's the law, Mr. Durant.

I will not be intimidated

by your interpretation of law,
Mr. Campbell.

Nor by the hanging
shenanigans of your lawmen

in the casino a few days ago.

Now, that land's the future site

of the Union Pacific food depot.

My engineers are drawing
up plans even as we speak.

If there is no
structure on that hill

within 24 hours, Mr. Durant,
my office will file form 0939,

condemning that property
for state use...

As set forth by the
United States Railroad Act.

Fair enough, Mr. Campbell.

Fair enough.

Mr. Campbell.

Miss Ellison.

That's a lovely color.

- Excuse me?
- On you, that is.

Thank you.

Allow me.

I can manage on my own.

Thank you.

I need half a dozen
chicken coops on the hill

just east of the church
by tomorrow morning.

Divert whatever manpower
and supplies you need.

I just put a second shift
on the grade.

Per your orders.

Well, thank you, Delaney.

Let me know when it's done.

- You're late.
- You playin' Faro in here now?

I don't see how that's any
business of yours, Eva.

How much does
the last three cards pay?

Clean the tables.

You ain't thinkin' of
gambling in my casino now?

Yeah.

I'm thinkin' I will, Mickey.

You could lose everything.

I got nothin' left to lose.

Small bit of advice then.

Stay away from the Faro table.

The box is rigged.

There you go.

Let's get a round.

Afternoon, fellas.

You, lost little lady?

Why?

My money ain't
good enough for ya?

- It's good enough for me.
- Hey.

You want to hear the story
of howl lost my scalp?

Not again, Wallace.

Deal me in.

My pleasure.

- Thank you.
- Yes, sir.

- Name's Bohannon.
- Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

Any you all ever been
chased by a bloodhound?

- We familiar.
- Yeah, well,

on Sherman's march
to the sea, he told his men,

he said, "you come across
any bloodhounds",

"you shoot 'em," right?

So, they get to Savannah.

And this real green private, he's
walkin' down the street

and he sees this lady
walking with a poodle.

You know, bows in its hair
and everything.

One look at
the poodle, pulls out his gun.

Right in the head.

Sherman comes runnin' up to him,

says "Son, Why'd you kill
that poodle?"

and the private says "Sir, well",

on account of you... you never
what they're gonna grow into."

Come on.

What's a poodle?

That'll be $9.00 and 23¢.

We take cash or scrip.

Can I get credit?

No credit.
If you ain't got cash nor scrip,

I can't sell you nothin'.

But I need these things.

And I got a business to run.

That's all right, Mr. Adler.

I'll take care of
Mrs. Bohannon's sundries today.

I'm sure Mr. Bohannon
is good for it.

Yes, sir, Mr. Campbell.

Whatever you say.

I'ma raise ya.

All right, young lady.

Call.

Full house.

Queens over 10s.

Whoa whoa whoa
whoa whoa, easy now.

Not so fast.

You know, it really is hard
to beat a lady.

Unless you're a king.

But how did...
How'd you do that?

No, that ain't right.

Don't cry. It's only money.

Good day, sir.

Howdy, ma'am.

I don't want
my money back, I swear.

I just want to know
how you cheated me.

You cheated yourself, woman,

by sittin' down at
a table with the likes of me.

Now, you are either desperate...

greedy...

or stupid.

I'm just desperate.

And stupid.

And I need to know
how you did it.

That's dangerous knowledge

for someone who don't know
how to use it.

I know how to use it.

It's all in the grip.

Now, say if
someone were to cheat...

thumb, fingertips.

Thumb, fingertips.

Teach me.

What took me years to perfect?

I ain't stupid.

I'll make it worth your while.

Double the powder
on those charges.

Yes, sir.

Likely to get us all killed.

Boss man decide
how much powder we use.

You ain't boss man no more.

Mr. Delaney.

That rock?

It's shale.

Where there's shale,
there's methane.

You double that powder...

Shrapnel's likely
to kill every man

within about a hundred yards
of that wall right there.

Get back to work, Bohannon.

I want your advice,
I'll ask for it.

All right.
Turn them tables over,

get behind 'em before
that thing blows.

You know I ain't one to come

between two feudin' white men.

You don't want to die, neither.

Do it! Turn 'em over!

Light those fuses.

Mr. Bohannon,
you about to get your job back.

Shit!

What do you want?

I didn't know Elam'd
gone lookin' for me.

You shoulda known
you'd disappear like that,

he's gonna come lookin'.

I didn't disappear. I was took.

By armed men against my will.

But by then
he wasn't listenin' to me.

I've been havin' dreams...

about Elam.

Not every night,
but most nights.

I'm in a big city somewheres.

Chicago.

New York.

I'm lost.

Walkin' the streets.

Lookin' into peoples' homes.

Their nice warm windows.

I'm on the outside.

Always on the outside.

Everyone's afraid of me.

I think it's
'cause of my tattoo.

And then I realize...

that's not what it is.

I see my reflection.

I'm not me anymore.

I'm a bear...

And I'm lookin' for Elam.

Is just dreams, Eva.

They don't mean nothin'.

He considered you
a friend, Mr. Bohannon.

I expect that might mean
somethin' to ya,

since I know you ain't had many.

Well...

one fewer now.

Mr. Thomas Durant
of the Union Pacific...

is not the first person
we've run into

who didn't see things my way.

No, sir.

Come here!

If people believe any one
of them is above the law...

there will be no law.

Durant?

I'd like to ask Judge Webber
his opinion on a remedy.

This hour,
you're likely to find him

at the Faro tables or
the whorehouse.

Yes, sir.

Hey!

Get off! Get off!

How was your day, husband?

It was fine.

Yours?

Just fine.

Mr. Bohannon.

You in there?

Mr. Bohannon.

Governor Campbell.

Why, it's nice to see
you again, Mrs. Bohannon.

You got somethin' to say
to my wife, son, you talk to me.

I bought her a meal is all.

How're you enjoyin' it?

I can buy my own meals.

You handled yourself
mightily with...

my men yesterday.

Like I told 'em,
I ain't lookin' for trouble.

Y'all have a good night.

General Grant holds you
in high regard, Mr. Bohannon.

What do you want?

A man of your stature
livin' amongst the...

Negros?

Freedmen.

Now, you don't have to live
in squalor, Mr. Bohannon.

You work for me.
I'll pay you a decent wage.

I already got a job.

I'll pay you three times
what you make layin' rail.

And I'll help you build a house
for your family.

Until then, allow me to
engage a room for you at the hotel.

Hot bath, warm bed.

You could be there tonight,
Mrs. Bohannon.

Work for a carpetbagger?

Not a chance in a hell.

The freedmen's bureau, sir,
is but one legacy

of reconstruction
I believe I shall be remembered for.

And fondly.

Should you change your mind...

By my count,
that's two good jobs

that you've turned down
since we got here.

What're we meant to do then?

Naomi...

everything I done...

all the death and destruction
I put my hand to...

and was put to me...

All that is for naught
if I don't finish this road.

Mr. Bohannon.

Surprised you're still here.

Likewise.

Somethin' about the place.

The cuisine, no doubt.

Thought you would have hightailed it

back to New York by now.

Story keeps me here.

Well... careful it don't kill ya.

- Hasn't killed you.
- Yet.

I hear you got married.

Yeah.

Nice Mormon girl.

I'm interested
in your story, Mr. Bohannon.

My readers will be as well.

Ain't a story, Miss Ellison.

Just a life.

It's mine to live,
nobody's to read about.

I...

sorry to interrupt your supper.

Thought I should
come by and say howdy.

We thought you were dead.

Why'd you think that?

You would have
come back otherwise.

Why don't you go wait
outside, boy.

Go on.

Ezra has missed you,
Mr. Bohannon.

He grieved for you.

As did I.

You done right by him.
He's growin' up tall.

Yes.

We're our own little family now.

The two of us.

Ruth...

I'm sorry.

Now you're back.

With a new wife and child.

I'm sure as
the railroad starts moving,

you'll be moving with it.

I have my church to look after.

And the boy.

We'll be staying here.

I come to ask a favor.

I don't think I can help you.

Naomi and my boy, William...

When I'm out in the cut,
they're here all alone.

I know how you feel.

About Mormons.

I was hopin' you could find
it in your heart

to lend a hand.

If need be.

I have built the walls
of my church to be a stronghold

for the needy, Mr. Bohannon.

Should your wife and child
ever find themselves

at my door...

They, like everyone else
in this town,

will find it open.

You know, ain't none of
this your fault, son.

You traded yourself for me.

Come on.

You would have done the same.

Anyways... thank you.

You're welcome.

"The defrocked chief engineer's
return to Cheyenne"

"means another actor
has entered the play,"

"already half finished."

"With the bombastic dreamer,"

"his legacy depending
on completing this road."

"And the carpetbagging
bureaucrat,

"tasked with bringing
civilization to a land

"that, just yesterday,
boasted wild and free."

"Cullen Bohannon, for reasons
this reporter has yet to divine,"

"seems determined
to see this road through."

"Whether he does it as
laborer or boss..."

"alive or dead..."

"only time will tell,
dear reader."

"Only time will tell."