Maverick (1957–1962): Season 2, Episode 22 - Brasada Spur - full transcript
A rich widow woman uses her influence to get Bart into a high stakes poker game in which he wins both stock in a railroad and acolossal headache. Directed by "Casablanca" star PAUL HENREID.
I wanted to tell you that I'll be happy
to return the cash I had impounded.
Too late, Belle. You dealt
the hand, I'm gonna play it out.
And I think I'm gonna win.
Rufus Elgree is
going to play it out too.
And you'll lose, Bart.
He makes his own rules.
And they're not nice ones.
What's he got in mind?
I don't know.
But it'll be fast and violent.
You can count on that.
[ANNOUNCER READS ON-SCREEN TEXT]
ANNOUNCER: Starring
James Garner and Jack Kelly.
Produced by Warner Bros.
From the entertainment
capital of the world.
Produced for television
by Warner Bros.
Mr. Elgree. Mr. Rufus Elgree.
Welcome to King City,
Colonel Maverick...
and the Bella Union Hotel,
where every guest is a king.
Well, it's fine.
Something in a suite or a
bedroom convenient to a bath?
Bedroom will be all
right. The barber shop?
Just across the lobby,
Colonel Maverick.
Thank you. You can just have
my bag sent up to the room.
Yes, indeedy. Boy. Boy.
Room 209, Colonel Maverick.
Are you planning to be
with us long, monsieur?
BART: That depends on
King City, Miss Bloomer.
If it's business opportunities you're
looking for, you came to the right place.
You can bet your bottom
dollars on King City anytime.
Talking about betting...
I suppose a man could get a little
action around here for his money.
In a social way, that is.
Why, mister, King City's
got seven gambling saloons...
a racetrack, and
cockfights on Saturday.
And the biggest poker
game in the state...
where as much as $25,000
changes hands in one single night.
Really? That's funny, I
haven't heard of that game.
- Where do they play it? BARBER:
Private card room, second floor.
Sounds like it's a
little on the stiff side.
Excuse me.
- Ha, ha. Thank you.
- Not to them, it ain't.
It's a crowd of wealthy
millionaires runs that game.
Mine owners, railroad
owners and big ranchers.
My, my.
You can't play in that game. They
don't play with no strangers. Never.
- Never?
- Never.
They don't want any tinhorn...
shooting for those high bankrolls with
short stakes, monsieur. So to speak.
Are you implying that
I'm tinhorn, Miss Bloomer?
Oh, no, sir. Heaven forbid.
What I was referring to
was all those other tinhorns.
BART: Hmm.
- Present company excepted, of course.
Naturally.
Well, it's not important. I
hardly ever play poker anyway.
This poker game, they say they won't
let any strangers play in that game?
Oh, never, sir. Excusing
friends of Mrs. Morgan herself.
- And which Mrs. Morgan might that be?
- Belle Morgan, sir...
the widow of Cyrus K.
Morgan. She owns this hotel, sir.
Oh.
And half of King City besides.
Live here?
Oh, indeed she does, sir. You'll
see her in the dining room tonight.
And what does she
look like? So I'll know.
Well, sir, she's, uh...
[ELEGANT CLASSICAL
MUSIC PLAYING]
HOST: Good evening, madam.
- May I help you, sir?
- I wish to speak with Mrs. Morgan.
HOST: Kindly consult with Mrs. Morgan's
secretary on the second floor, sir.
I happen to be Avery Cartwright, one
of the stockholders in Great Western.
Mrs. Morgan's secretary arranges
all of Mrs. Morgan's appointments, sir.
- But I...
- There are no exceptions, sir.
I'll have the same
thing the dog's eating.
- Breast, monsieur? BART:
That'll be nice, very nice.
[YAPPING]
Yum-Yum. Yum-Yum.
Yum-Yum. Yum-Yum.
Yum-Yum.
[SQUEAKING]
[DOG YAPPING]
[SIGHS]
WOMAN: Yum-Yum. Yum-Yum.
Yum-Yum. Oh, you naughty
vagabond, where have you got to now?
Oh, sir. Begging
your pardon, sir.
But have you seen
a wee dog about?
Yes, as a matter of fact, I did, right here
in this corridor just a few minutes ago.
As big as a Shetland
pony, a fierce-looking brute.
Uh, he went that way.
Yum-Yum. Yum-Yum. Yum-Yum.
Yum-Yum. Yum-Yum. Yum-Yum.
Yum-Yum.
Yum-Yum.
Yum-Yum.
Yum-Yum.
Come out from wherever you
are. There's a good lad. Yum-Yum.
What's going on here?
Well, it's Mrs. Morgan's dog,
sir. He's disappeared entirely.
- No. TERRY: Oh, yes, sir.
And, uh, not only that,
but some strange dogs...
as big as Shetland ponies have
been seen wandering in the corridors.
Well, that's a fine
way to run a hotel.
Oh, well, it's never
happened before, sir.
And Mrs. Morgan has
posted a reward of $50.
Fifty dollars? That ought
to run about $25 a pound.
[PUFFS]
MAN [OVER EARPIECE]: Kitchen here.
- Any sign of Yum-Yum?
Not yet, Miss
Abbot. We're looking.
Keep looking.
Why, I can't imagine
where the wee devil got to.
[DOG YAPPING]
Oh. There you are,
you poor lost laddy.
Oh, just a moment, please.
Oh, yes, of course. The reward.
Uh, you misunderstand
me. I don't want a reward.
MARTHA: What do you want?
Merely to delivery
Yum-Yum to its owner.
MARTHA: Oh, well, I'm
Mrs. Morgan's secretary.
You may give Yum-Yum to me
and I'll return him to Mrs. Morgan.
I'm sorry, but...
Oh, Yum-Yum. Wicked thing,
where on earth have you been?
BART: I discovered
him in the garden, ma'am.
He was cornered by a big
bullmastiff. I drove him away.
That savage brute.
Why, you were bitten.
Oh, it's nothing
serious. Just a scratch.
I understand you
won't accept the reward.
Oh, certainly not.
BELLE: Of course. I don't
know how to thank you, Mr., uh...
Maverick. Colonel Maverick.
- I'm extremely grateful, Colonel
Maverick. BART: It was my pleasure, ma'am.
- Good night.
- Good night, Colonel Maverick.
Bad, bad boy. Don't you
ever leave your mama again.
I understand Roy
Stafford is back in town.
Hmm. Didn't know he'd been away.
Chicago, New York.
Trying to keep that dilapidated
railroad of his from falling apart.
Heh, and to keep his
creditors from taking him apart.
Don't laugh. I'm one
of those creditors.
ELGREE: How deep are you
into Brasada Spur, dear lady?
Oh, not deep enough to matter. And
I don't like to talk business at dinner.
You are Colonel, uh...
The gentleman who
rescued my dog last night.
- Colonel Maverick, ma'am, at your service.
- Colonel Maverick.
Your hand is injured
from the dog bite.
It's nothing serious.
Just a slight infection.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
- Are you, uh, dining alone?
- Yes, ma'am.
Would you like to join my table?
It's very kind of you,
if I'm not intruding.
Oh, heavens no. The least I can
do is cut your roast beef for you.
- You can't refuse that reward.
- You're most gracious.
Gentlemen, this is
Colonel Maverick.
- Mr. Elgree.
- How do you do?
- Mr. Greenbrier.
- Good evening.
ELGREE: Poker time, gentlemen.
If you'll excuse us, we'll leave
you with the gentleman from Texas.
Do so. I wouldn't delay your
precious poker game for anything.
[MEN CHUCKLE]
Poker, I don't suppose
it would be too practical
for me to play poker
with just one hand.
- But still, I... I don't
suppose it would.
- Good night, Belle.
- Good night.
There you are, sir.
An apple a day and your hand
will be well before you know it.
Nothing really serious. The doctor
just put it in a sling as a precaution.
One can't be too careful,
especially with a dog bite.
What doctor are you using?
- Ma'am? BELLE: Which of
our doctors is treating you?
Uh, oh, I think I have
his name right here.
BELLE: Yum-Yum.
[WHIMPERS]
BART: I'm sorry. How careless of me.
- Yes, baby, now, you're all right.
Hush up now. It's
your bath night anyway.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
BELLE: I'll just take him up.
And you'll dine with me
tomorrow night, Colonel Maverick.
I'd be happy to, ma'am. Charmed.
Oh, Miss Abbot,
find out what doctor is
attending Colonel
Maverick for that dog bite.
- Least I can do is pay the bill.
- Yes, Mrs. Morgan.
[PUFFS]
[EARPIECE WHISTLES]
Desk. Barnes speaking.
Ascertain the name of the doctor who's
treating Colonel Maverick for the dog bite.
Mrs. Morgan
wishes to pay the bill.
Yes, Miss Abbot. Immediately.
Colonel Maverick.
I wonder if you'd be so kind
as to give me the name...
of the doctor who
is treating your hand.
- What?
- May I have your doctor's name?
- No.
- No?
The relationship between a doctor
and his patient is extremely confidential.
- It just isn't ethical.
- Oh, of course, I realize that.
But it's really, um,
nothing to do with...
It's not a question of vulgar
curiosity on my part, sir.
On whose part, then?
Mrs. Morgan...
wishes to assume the expense
involved. Because after all...
Well, I assure you, I'm perfectly
capable of paying for my own dog bites.
Good night.
Oh. Good morning, sir.
- How's the hand this morning?
- Better. Much better. Thank you.
It's practically well.
You, uh...
You must have a fine doctor,
sir. A fine doctor indeed.
I have.
Well, would you mind telling me his name,
sir? In case I ever get a dog bite myself.
[CHUCKLES]
So they've got you
working on it too?
Well, I've been chasing all
over town to all the doctors.
Now, you might
as well tell me, sir.
Mrs. Morgan is not the kind who
will take no for an answer ever.
Well, you tell Mrs.
Morgan that the doctor
who treated me was
just passing through town.
He's gone. My hand is practically
well and everything's fine.
- Thank you, Terry.
- Yes, ma'am.
[PUFFS]
MARTHA [OVER
EARPIECE]: Yes, Mrs. Morgan.
Send for Dr. Ellis. Have him come
to my apartment within the hour.
I'll be right back.
BART: Believe me, Bret.
The only way into that poker
game is through Belle Morgan.
And getting next to her is
turning out to be the toughest...
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
Come in.
- Good morning, Colonel Maverick.
- Good morning, Mrs. Morgan.
- How is your hand this morning?
- Much better.
Practically well.
I understand your
doctor has left King City.
Yes, he was just
passing through.
I have taken the liberty of
asking old Dr. Ellis to take over.
Well, that won't be necessary.
Pain's gone completely.
Oh, but I'm the one that
needs to be reassured.
One can't be too
careful about dog bites.
- But I...
- And I do feel responsible.
I want you to know I
appreciate your kindness but...
You are a stubborn man, aren't you?
Dr. Ellis will see you within the hour.
- Good morning.
- Uh, good morning, Mrs. Morgan.
BART: Come in.
Colonel Maverick,
this is Dr. Ellis.
- This really isn't necessary, Dr. Ellis.
- But I insisted.
Will you step over to
the window, young man?
Yes, sir.
Face the light.
Will you stick out your tongue?
Uh-huh.
Stomach cramps?
- No.
- Shooting pains?
BART: No. ELLIS: Dizzy spells?
No.
Well, now, let's take
a look at your hand.
It's bandaged.
Uh, I can see that.
Oh, what is that?
- Looks like mud.
- What he put on it, the doctor.
What doctor?
Dr. Takaru.
Who?
He's a...
Well, I know this is
going to sound strange.
But just after the dog bit me...
Not bad. Barely broke the skin.
I went for a walk and this Dr. Takaru
had a wagon down on the square.
- He played a banjo and sang. Heh.
- A medicine show?
Well, yes.
So that's why you
wouldn't name your doctor.
Heh. Well, I did feel
kind of foolish after.
But the stuff seemed
to be curing me.
Well, you come on over here.
And we'll wash that noxious
pollutant off your hand.
Ah.
Looks like mud.
Phew.
- Smells like cigar butts.
- He guaranteed it.
Guaranteed indeed.
To cure hydrophobia, blood
poisoning and restore tissue.
ELLIS: That's remarkable.
Most remarkable.
Why, that scar doesn't
even look recent.
Can you flex your fingers?
[BART CHUCKLES]
ELLIS: You are a very
fortunate young man.
Occasionally these quacks run
into some remarkable remedies.
By accident, of course.
You don't happen to know
where Dr. Takaru went, do you?
I think he said he
was headed for Alaska.
Hmm.
Or was it California?
ELLIS: Well, if you
ever run into him again...
- will you have him communicate with me?
- Oh, I'd be glad to, doctor.
Have a good day, Mrs. Morgan.
- Good day, doctor.
- Colonel Maverick.
Dr. Ellis.
It's still a little sore
but otherwise feels fine.
- Thanks to Dr. Takaru.
- Yeah.
You know, I wasn't even sure that there
was something wrong with your hand.
You weren't?
And, you know,
I'm still not sure.
But for the moment, Colonel Maverick, I'm
gonna give you the benefit of the doubt.
I might even decide
to be flattered.
Morning.
- Yes?
- I'd like to speak to Mrs. Morgan.
If you'll tell me the nature
of your communication...
I'll relay it to Mrs. Morgan.
Now, couldn't you just tell her I'm
here and see what happens next?
[PUFFS]
Yes?
Colonel Maverick
is here, Mrs. Morgan.
He didn't state the
nature of his business.
Well, ask him what it is.
Uh, I came to tell
her it's a beautiful day.
He states that he came to
tell you that it's a beautiful day.
Well, yes. So?
MARTHA [OVER EARPIECE]:
He would like to invite
you to go horseback
riding this afternoon.
Ascertain Colonel Maverick's
reason for the invitation.
Because it's a beautiful day.
Well, really, Colonel Maverick, I don't
want to appear ungrateful, but I, uh...
That's why, after my husband
died, I stayed on here in the West.
There's nothing like
that anywhere else.
BART: Well, there's Texas.
[BELLE CHUCKLES]
You can see farther in Texas, Colonel
Maverick, but you can't see as much.
I don't think that's why
you stayed out here.
- No?
- No.
Well, why did I stay?
- I was just making a point.
- What point?
You didn't stay out here in
the West because of the view.
You stayed out here because you're
not just another woman in King City.
You're kind of an uncrowned
queen, and you like it.
And because you're
a man, you don't like it.
Because I'm a man, I don't like anything
that makes you any less a woman.
What would you
like for your birthday?
[BART CHUCKLES]
My birthday isn't
for a long time yet.
All right, this is for
your last birthday.
- I got everything I want now.
- I'm in a generous mood.
What would make you happy?
- I am happy.
- Happier?
Well, let's see. I like to
play poker now and then.
Ask those friends of yours
to invite me into their game.
Oh, I'm serious, Bart.
What would you like?
All right, a shirt.
- Heh, white?
- White.
But I do like to play a
little poker now and then.
Oh, pooh.
I don't think you've
got it, colonel.
Raise you 500.
Tsk. I'm looking right
down your throat, Mr. Elgree.
I'll have to raise you 500.
Well, you force me to keep
you honest, Colonel Maverick.
I got the three fives.
You could've been
bluffing, colonel.
I held the ace. I
had to call you.
I rarely bluff.
Nor do I.
Except when you think
you can get away with it.
[ALL CHUCKLE]
Now let's play another round of that
five-card stud. A fascinating game.
Thank you.
Not at all, Colonel
Maverick. Not at all.
They're heading south.
Probably to the rice
fields around New Orleans.
Yes, I guess the
summer's really over.
It's been a grand
summer. One to remember.
I'm cold. Let's go home.
All right.
But I'm not offering
you charity, Bart.
What I'm offering you is a job.
A real man-sized
job for a real man.
Before I left home, my old Papi
said, "Always remember, son.
The two greatest evils are
hard liquor and hard work."
- I'm serious, Bart.
- So am I.
You really want to leave here?
- Well, I have to leave sometime.
- Why?
Because I wouldn't have any fun playing
prince consort in this queendom of yours.
What are you talking about?
About us.
Us?
You're not proposing
to me, are you?
Oh, no. I promised Papi I
wouldn't wed till I was 38.
That's good. Because I promised
myself I wouldn't marry again at all.
So, what were you trying to say?
That I'm old-fashioned. That I
like a woman to be, uh, a woman.
And that's something you'll never be
as long as you stay here in Queen City.
Oh, excuse me, King City.
I'm offering you a job that will make
you a rich man in only a few years.
Do I understand that you're
turning it and me down?
Just the job. I'd be happy
as a bear in a beehive...
if you'd come to
New Orleans with me.
But you just can't
do that, can you?
Goodbye, Belle.
When are you leaving?
On Tuesday's train.
Well, I'll be seeing you again.
[PUFFS]
MARTHA [OVER
EARPIECE]: Yes, Mrs. Morgan?
Find Adam Sheppley
and get him up here fast.
I'm obliged to raise you
$5000, Colonel Maverick.
You'll recall I declared
5000 back in my hand.
I remember.
Now, this certificate has
a par value of $50,000.
Although it's slightly
depressed now...
I'm sure that any of these gentlemen
would be glad to offer 5000 for it.
Five thousand shares of
Brasada Spur. That's capital stock.
You don't know Mr. Sheppley,
Colonel Maverick, but I do.
As a railroad man, I know the
Brasada Spur. It's an operating railroad.
My only competitor
in this whole area.
Well, as much as I have a
lock on this hand, Mr. Sheppley...
I've really got nothing to lose.
I have jacks up.
[SHEPPLEY SIGHS]
Well, your set finishes me.
Aren't you going to endorse the
securities over to Colonel Maverick?
Oh, yes, yes, of course.
- What is this?
- Certificate of transfer.
Oh.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
BELLE: Come in.
- Oh, you still in town?
- I came to say goodbye.
- I'm leaving tomorrow morning.
- For New Orleans?
I think you'd really
like New Orleans.
- I hear you won again last night.
- I made out all right.
To show my appreciation, I'm going
to share my good fortune with you.
Oh?
Five thousand shares of
stock you can have for $5000.
- It's an operating railroad...
- I know all about the stock.
As a matter of fact, I owned it.
- Am I missing a move somewhere?
- You are.
That happens to be
voting capital stock...
which makes the owners of record
accessible and liable for corporate debts.
Your share of liability
comes to about $40,000.
- You rigged me?
- That's right.
I suddenly got a very clear
and unpleasant picture of you.
A nonexistent doctor, the
new scar that didn't look new.
I tried not to face
it, but I had to.
All you wanted from me
was a seat in a poker game.
- Oh, Belle...
- Don't touch me.
It started that way, but
it's not that way now and...
How much did you take them for?
- Does it really matter?
- Yes.
I happen to be one of the
principal creditors of Brasada Spur.
I just had your cash
impounded by the sheriff.
Why? To keep me here or to
punish me for turning down your offer?
You used me, that's why.
All right, I did, but you can't
impound my money. It's illegal.
Probably, but it'll take you
a year in court to prove it.
You play a real
mean game, Belle.
You force me to.
But, uh, that
job is still open...
for about one more minute.
I've already told you
what I feel about that.
You going to New Orleans?
How? You've got all my cash.
- Can I help you?
- I'm looking for Mr. Roy Stafford.
That's me. What
can I do for you?
Maverick.
- Bart Maverick.
- Pleasure, Mr. Maverick.
I understand you're president
of the Brasada Spur railroad.
President, bookkeeper, freight
agent, janitor. What's on your mind?
This.
- Sit down, Mr. Maverick.
- Thank you.
- How much is that stock worth?
- Several thousand dollars.
In liabilities now.
Someday it may be worth
a little money, maybe
15, 20 years from now.
- Where did you get it?
- I won it in a poker game.
Son, somebody has taken rank
advantage of your ignorance.
And it hurts,
Mr. Stafford. Real bad.
Besides me and a
bank in Kansas City...
the only holder of capital
stock is Belle Morgan.
You must have done
something she didn't like at all.
Well, she did
get a little upset.
But you say this stock
isn't worth anything?
Not now. My advice
to you is to cut and run.
I can hide you in a caboose at
Number 5, pulls out here at 8:40 tonight.
Big stockholder like you is
entitled to some consideration.
She put a lien on
$13,000 of my cash.
So in this case, I'd like to make
an exception and not run out.
What is the Brasada
Spur, anyway?
Here we are at King City.
A lot of cattle shipped
out of this area.
We built the Brasada Spur...
to connect with the transcontinental
main line up here to north.
We did fine too, until
Rufus Elgree and his group...
brought their Great
Western through King City.
There just isn't enough
freight for both roads.
Not now. Will be in a few
years. This country's growing.
But right now you might say...
the Brasada Spur is in the position
of Lazarus at the rich man's table.
All we get are the crumbs
that fall over the edge.
I don't know much about
railroads, Mr. Stafford.
Maybe you'd be so kind
as to spell it out for me.
It's very simple. It's the old story of
the big fish swallowing a little one.
Every time I cut rates,
they cut under me.
Now, they can afford to run
at a loss for a spell. I can't.
So you might say that
mine is a seasonal operation.
During the peak of the
shipping season, I make
enough off the business
they can't handle...
to pay interest on the debts...
keep the road in repair, and
send my two kids to school.
The caboose on Number 5 is
real comfortable, Mr. Maverick.
I've never owned an
interest in a railroad before.
How about telling me more
about our little enterprise?
Step over here.
BART: Mr. Barnes.
- Yes, sir.
Would you please send these
telegrams for me and hold all replies?
I'll be back within
10 days at the latest.
Very good, sir.
Thank you. All right, Terry.
[PUFFS]
MAN: All aboard!
- Good hunting, Mr. Vice President.
Ha, ha. Thanks, Mr. President.
- These are exact copies of his telegrams?
- Word for word.
According to this, the good Colonel
Maverick is on a first-name basis...
with every multimillionaire
in Chicago and New York.
I think he meant you
to see these telegrams.
Of course he did.
But what's he up to?
Now what?
Brasada Spur loaded
300 head this morning.
Cut the rate again?
Ten percent under us.
They'll be losing $2 a head on
every steer they ship. They can't do it.
They done it.
All right, lower our rates 20
percent. Let's see them get under that.
But we'll be losing $4 a head.
We've gotta keep
faith with our shippers.
- Besides, we can afford it. They can't.
- I'll pass the word.
[CHUCKLES]
- Nice trip, Mr. Vice President?
- An elegant trip, Mr. President.
- How are things going?
- Terrible, terrible.
They cut their rates
again yesterday.
Well, then I think we better cut ours
10 percent under theirs, Mr. President.
- Good idea, Mr. Vice President.
- Have a cigar.
I don't know where
they're getting the money.
- If I did...
- But it's costing us a fortune.
We did it. We stopped them.
They aren't moving a single car.
About time.
Yes, but they'll start moving cars
again if we raise our prices just 5 cents.
- What's that?
- Oh, a telegram.
ELGREE: "Have important
information. Brasada Spur manipulation.
Contact me. Union Club,
Chicago. Thursday evening."
Signed, Blackburn.
Who's Blackburn?
I haven't the slightest idea.
I'll ask him when I get to
Chicago. Come on, Hogan.
All right, Hayley,
it's a deal. Sign here.
- Hogan. Hogan!
- Yes, sir.
What in the name of
Topher are these things?
- Why, they're...
- Shipping contracts.
Shipping contracts for
thousands of head of cattle.
But you told me
to get the business.
- I thought...
- You thought?
I was accepting nothing
but current business.
These are for three weeks from
now. Six weeks. Two months.
But the orders came in, Mr. Elgree.
You told me to accept the...
[DOOR SLAMS]
Say that again. We've what?
We have been supplying
the money to Brasada Spur.
I didn't catch on until just now when I
came back and saw those contracts.
But you're not making sense.
Those cattle we've been
carrying for almost nothing.
They've all belonged
to Stafford and Maverick.
You mean he's been
buying cattle at this end...
And letting us
ship them for him.
At $8 a head below cost.
Every dollar lost for us
has been profit for them.
There wasn't any Blackburn.
They got me out of town so they could stick
us with contracts for future delivery.
Three hundred thousand
dollars in firm contracts.
And there's nothing
we can do about it?
You bet there is.
Those contracts guarantee a price
of 5 percent below that offered...
by other competitive
public carriers in the area.
In other words, we're stuck only so
long as Brasada Spur is still in operation.
How do you mean?
They've pulled every dirty,
underhanded trick in the book.
Well, maybe
underhanded, but not illegal.
What are you going to do?
Belle...
I didn't get where I
am reading law books.
I've played it
rough all my life.
But for those two, I'm gonna
enjoy learning some new tricks.
They've got it coming.
[DOG WHIMPERS]
[PUFFS]
BARNES [OVER EARPIECE]: Barnes here.
- Tell Colonel Maverick I want to see him.
I'll tell him as soon as
he comes in, Mrs. Morgan.
Find him.
Pay up to $25 a man per day.
If you foul this thing
up, you're through.
Yes, sir. I can handle it.
Have Kenton and White plant stories
about the labor trouble with newspapers.
- Pay them a hundred dollars each.
- Yes, sir.
Hire 200 men for
the job. Tough men.
When you start, work fast,
right on down the line, all the way.
Yes, sir.
And, Hogan...
if you do anything
that lets this be traced
back to me, I'll kill you
with my bare hands.
Yes, sir.
- Hello, Belle.
- Hello, Bart.
- You wanted to see me?
- Yes.
Won't you come in?
Thank you.
- You would like some tea?
- No, thanks.
- I could have some coffee brought up.
- Not now, thank you.
- How have you been?
- Oh, very well.
- And you?
- Fine.
I wanted to tell you that I'll be very
happy to return your cash I had impounded.
And I'll be glad to accept.
I played a lot of poker for it.
- Provided...
- Uh-oh, I was afraid of that.
Provided you stop playing railroad
and bilking people out of their money.
Bilking people? What people?
The stockholders of Great
Western, of which I am one.
If anyone's been
bilked, I'm afraid it's me.
I said your money
would be returned to you.
It's too late, Belle.
You dealt the hand,
I'm gonna play it out.
And I think I'm gonna win.
Rufus Elgree is
playing it out too.
And you'll lose, Bart.
He makes his own rules.
And they're not nice ones.
- What does he have in mind?
- I don't know.
But it'll be fast and violent.
You can count on that.
I don't know whether you're trying to
help me or just trying to scare me off.
I wish I knew, Belle.
I guess it's both.
Thanks.
At least I'll have my eyes open.
You won't quit?
Will you? Will you leave
here, go to New Orleans?
Well, this has
nothing to do with me.
Mrs. Morgan, love...
it's got everything
to do with you.
She's right about one thing.
Rufus Elgree can be
dangerous. Real dangerous.
Had a right-of-way dispute a few years
back with some farmers east of here.
Lot of people were hurt. Several
were killed. He won the dispute.
Message just came through
from Junction City, Mr. Stafford.
Someone's commandeered one of
our trains and she's heading south.
- When?
- Just now.
Our tower man said her
coaches is full of men.
It'll be rough. And it's worth a
lot more than I'm paying you.
But if we win, I'll triple it.
Sounds like Saturday night
in the middle of the week.
Will 50 of us be too many?
[BART CHUCKLES]
[ALL CHATTERING]
I just got word they hit
our station at Brasada pass.
That means they're
still over 200 miles away.
When you hear the whistle
blast three times, jump.
All right, pile aboard.
All aboard!
- We're in trouble.
- What's wrong?
That other train, it's awful
close. I can feel it on the track.
How close? We can make it
through the tunnel, can't we?
Maybe. We sure can't
jump off till we are.
[WHISTLE BLARING]
[MEN SHOUTING]
I'll see your 15.
Raise a hundred.
You know, Elgree, if I had
your luck, I'd own this territory.
Heh, luck? That's
skill. Pure skill.
Good evening, gentlemen.
And you, Mr. Elgree.
- What's this?
- It's a paper you're gonna sign.
- I am? BART: You are.
We have two other papers.
Sworn statements from the leader of
your Chicago boys and your Mr. Hogan here.
I'm not going to the pen
for you or anybody else.
- What did you tell them?
- Everything.
ELGREE: What do you want
from me? BART: It's right there.
An agreement to pay all
damages for the Brasada Spur...
plus punitive
damages of $50,000.
I won't do it.
As your attorney, I
advise you to sign it.
He's got no evidence
that'll hold up in court.
They beat that confession
out of Hogan. Look at him.
It's always wise to know
when you've been beaten.
And we have been.
And I don't want it proved
in the papers or in the courts.
- Sign it.
- Belle, his confession is worthless.
Sign it.
Give me a pen.
Belle.
Thank you.
For what? You won. I was just
trying to avoid public embarrassment.
Your money's waiting
for you at the desk.
[BART SIGHS]
I seem to remember
mentioning this before...
but have you ever been to
New Orleans during Mardi Gras?
Have you ever been
in a good steady job?
You've proved that you
do just fine in business.
I couldn't stand the excitement.
- Now, you take a nice quiet saloon and...
- Goodbye, Colonel Maverick.
Why, Colonel Maverick,
what a surprise.
- Are we both going to New Orleans?
- We certainly are.
[English - US -SDH]
to return the cash I had impounded.
Too late, Belle. You dealt
the hand, I'm gonna play it out.
And I think I'm gonna win.
Rufus Elgree is
going to play it out too.
And you'll lose, Bart.
He makes his own rules.
And they're not nice ones.
What's he got in mind?
I don't know.
But it'll be fast and violent.
You can count on that.
[ANNOUNCER READS ON-SCREEN TEXT]
ANNOUNCER: Starring
James Garner and Jack Kelly.
Produced by Warner Bros.
From the entertainment
capital of the world.
Produced for television
by Warner Bros.
Mr. Elgree. Mr. Rufus Elgree.
Welcome to King City,
Colonel Maverick...
and the Bella Union Hotel,
where every guest is a king.
Well, it's fine.
Something in a suite or a
bedroom convenient to a bath?
Bedroom will be all
right. The barber shop?
Just across the lobby,
Colonel Maverick.
Thank you. You can just have
my bag sent up to the room.
Yes, indeedy. Boy. Boy.
Room 209, Colonel Maverick.
Are you planning to be
with us long, monsieur?
BART: That depends on
King City, Miss Bloomer.
If it's business opportunities you're
looking for, you came to the right place.
You can bet your bottom
dollars on King City anytime.
Talking about betting...
I suppose a man could get a little
action around here for his money.
In a social way, that is.
Why, mister, King City's
got seven gambling saloons...
a racetrack, and
cockfights on Saturday.
And the biggest poker
game in the state...
where as much as $25,000
changes hands in one single night.
Really? That's funny, I
haven't heard of that game.
- Where do they play it? BARBER:
Private card room, second floor.
Sounds like it's a
little on the stiff side.
Excuse me.
- Ha, ha. Thank you.
- Not to them, it ain't.
It's a crowd of wealthy
millionaires runs that game.
Mine owners, railroad
owners and big ranchers.
My, my.
You can't play in that game. They
don't play with no strangers. Never.
- Never?
- Never.
They don't want any tinhorn...
shooting for those high bankrolls with
short stakes, monsieur. So to speak.
Are you implying that
I'm tinhorn, Miss Bloomer?
Oh, no, sir. Heaven forbid.
What I was referring to
was all those other tinhorns.
BART: Hmm.
- Present company excepted, of course.
Naturally.
Well, it's not important. I
hardly ever play poker anyway.
This poker game, they say they won't
let any strangers play in that game?
Oh, never, sir. Excusing
friends of Mrs. Morgan herself.
- And which Mrs. Morgan might that be?
- Belle Morgan, sir...
the widow of Cyrus K.
Morgan. She owns this hotel, sir.
Oh.
And half of King City besides.
Live here?
Oh, indeed she does, sir. You'll
see her in the dining room tonight.
And what does she
look like? So I'll know.
Well, sir, she's, uh...
[ELEGANT CLASSICAL
MUSIC PLAYING]
HOST: Good evening, madam.
- May I help you, sir?
- I wish to speak with Mrs. Morgan.
HOST: Kindly consult with Mrs. Morgan's
secretary on the second floor, sir.
I happen to be Avery Cartwright, one
of the stockholders in Great Western.
Mrs. Morgan's secretary arranges
all of Mrs. Morgan's appointments, sir.
- But I...
- There are no exceptions, sir.
I'll have the same
thing the dog's eating.
- Breast, monsieur? BART:
That'll be nice, very nice.
[YAPPING]
Yum-Yum. Yum-Yum.
Yum-Yum. Yum-Yum.
Yum-Yum.
[SQUEAKING]
[DOG YAPPING]
[SIGHS]
WOMAN: Yum-Yum. Yum-Yum.
Yum-Yum. Oh, you naughty
vagabond, where have you got to now?
Oh, sir. Begging
your pardon, sir.
But have you seen
a wee dog about?
Yes, as a matter of fact, I did, right here
in this corridor just a few minutes ago.
As big as a Shetland
pony, a fierce-looking brute.
Uh, he went that way.
Yum-Yum. Yum-Yum. Yum-Yum.
Yum-Yum. Yum-Yum. Yum-Yum.
Yum-Yum.
Yum-Yum.
Yum-Yum.
Yum-Yum.
Come out from wherever you
are. There's a good lad. Yum-Yum.
What's going on here?
Well, it's Mrs. Morgan's dog,
sir. He's disappeared entirely.
- No. TERRY: Oh, yes, sir.
And, uh, not only that,
but some strange dogs...
as big as Shetland ponies have
been seen wandering in the corridors.
Well, that's a fine
way to run a hotel.
Oh, well, it's never
happened before, sir.
And Mrs. Morgan has
posted a reward of $50.
Fifty dollars? That ought
to run about $25 a pound.
[PUFFS]
MAN [OVER EARPIECE]: Kitchen here.
- Any sign of Yum-Yum?
Not yet, Miss
Abbot. We're looking.
Keep looking.
Why, I can't imagine
where the wee devil got to.
[DOG YAPPING]
Oh. There you are,
you poor lost laddy.
Oh, just a moment, please.
Oh, yes, of course. The reward.
Uh, you misunderstand
me. I don't want a reward.
MARTHA: What do you want?
Merely to delivery
Yum-Yum to its owner.
MARTHA: Oh, well, I'm
Mrs. Morgan's secretary.
You may give Yum-Yum to me
and I'll return him to Mrs. Morgan.
I'm sorry, but...
Oh, Yum-Yum. Wicked thing,
where on earth have you been?
BART: I discovered
him in the garden, ma'am.
He was cornered by a big
bullmastiff. I drove him away.
That savage brute.
Why, you were bitten.
Oh, it's nothing
serious. Just a scratch.
I understand you
won't accept the reward.
Oh, certainly not.
BELLE: Of course. I don't
know how to thank you, Mr., uh...
Maverick. Colonel Maverick.
- I'm extremely grateful, Colonel
Maverick. BART: It was my pleasure, ma'am.
- Good night.
- Good night, Colonel Maverick.
Bad, bad boy. Don't you
ever leave your mama again.
I understand Roy
Stafford is back in town.
Hmm. Didn't know he'd been away.
Chicago, New York.
Trying to keep that dilapidated
railroad of his from falling apart.
Heh, and to keep his
creditors from taking him apart.
Don't laugh. I'm one
of those creditors.
ELGREE: How deep are you
into Brasada Spur, dear lady?
Oh, not deep enough to matter. And
I don't like to talk business at dinner.
You are Colonel, uh...
The gentleman who
rescued my dog last night.
- Colonel Maverick, ma'am, at your service.
- Colonel Maverick.
Your hand is injured
from the dog bite.
It's nothing serious.
Just a slight infection.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
- Are you, uh, dining alone?
- Yes, ma'am.
Would you like to join my table?
It's very kind of you,
if I'm not intruding.
Oh, heavens no. The least I can
do is cut your roast beef for you.
- You can't refuse that reward.
- You're most gracious.
Gentlemen, this is
Colonel Maverick.
- Mr. Elgree.
- How do you do?
- Mr. Greenbrier.
- Good evening.
ELGREE: Poker time, gentlemen.
If you'll excuse us, we'll leave
you with the gentleman from Texas.
Do so. I wouldn't delay your
precious poker game for anything.
[MEN CHUCKLE]
Poker, I don't suppose
it would be too practical
for me to play poker
with just one hand.
- But still, I... I don't
suppose it would.
- Good night, Belle.
- Good night.
There you are, sir.
An apple a day and your hand
will be well before you know it.
Nothing really serious. The doctor
just put it in a sling as a precaution.
One can't be too careful,
especially with a dog bite.
What doctor are you using?
- Ma'am? BELLE: Which of
our doctors is treating you?
Uh, oh, I think I have
his name right here.
BELLE: Yum-Yum.
[WHIMPERS]
BART: I'm sorry. How careless of me.
- Yes, baby, now, you're all right.
Hush up now. It's
your bath night anyway.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
BELLE: I'll just take him up.
And you'll dine with me
tomorrow night, Colonel Maverick.
I'd be happy to, ma'am. Charmed.
Oh, Miss Abbot,
find out what doctor is
attending Colonel
Maverick for that dog bite.
- Least I can do is pay the bill.
- Yes, Mrs. Morgan.
[PUFFS]
[EARPIECE WHISTLES]
Desk. Barnes speaking.
Ascertain the name of the doctor who's
treating Colonel Maverick for the dog bite.
Mrs. Morgan
wishes to pay the bill.
Yes, Miss Abbot. Immediately.
Colonel Maverick.
I wonder if you'd be so kind
as to give me the name...
of the doctor who
is treating your hand.
- What?
- May I have your doctor's name?
- No.
- No?
The relationship between a doctor
and his patient is extremely confidential.
- It just isn't ethical.
- Oh, of course, I realize that.
But it's really, um,
nothing to do with...
It's not a question of vulgar
curiosity on my part, sir.
On whose part, then?
Mrs. Morgan...
wishes to assume the expense
involved. Because after all...
Well, I assure you, I'm perfectly
capable of paying for my own dog bites.
Good night.
Oh. Good morning, sir.
- How's the hand this morning?
- Better. Much better. Thank you.
It's practically well.
You, uh...
You must have a fine doctor,
sir. A fine doctor indeed.
I have.
Well, would you mind telling me his name,
sir? In case I ever get a dog bite myself.
[CHUCKLES]
So they've got you
working on it too?
Well, I've been chasing all
over town to all the doctors.
Now, you might
as well tell me, sir.
Mrs. Morgan is not the kind who
will take no for an answer ever.
Well, you tell Mrs.
Morgan that the doctor
who treated me was
just passing through town.
He's gone. My hand is practically
well and everything's fine.
- Thank you, Terry.
- Yes, ma'am.
[PUFFS]
MARTHA [OVER
EARPIECE]: Yes, Mrs. Morgan.
Send for Dr. Ellis. Have him come
to my apartment within the hour.
I'll be right back.
BART: Believe me, Bret.
The only way into that poker
game is through Belle Morgan.
And getting next to her is
turning out to be the toughest...
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
Come in.
- Good morning, Colonel Maverick.
- Good morning, Mrs. Morgan.
- How is your hand this morning?
- Much better.
Practically well.
I understand your
doctor has left King City.
Yes, he was just
passing through.
I have taken the liberty of
asking old Dr. Ellis to take over.
Well, that won't be necessary.
Pain's gone completely.
Oh, but I'm the one that
needs to be reassured.
One can't be too
careful about dog bites.
- But I...
- And I do feel responsible.
I want you to know I
appreciate your kindness but...
You are a stubborn man, aren't you?
Dr. Ellis will see you within the hour.
- Good morning.
- Uh, good morning, Mrs. Morgan.
BART: Come in.
Colonel Maverick,
this is Dr. Ellis.
- This really isn't necessary, Dr. Ellis.
- But I insisted.
Will you step over to
the window, young man?
Yes, sir.
Face the light.
Will you stick out your tongue?
Uh-huh.
Stomach cramps?
- No.
- Shooting pains?
BART: No. ELLIS: Dizzy spells?
No.
Well, now, let's take
a look at your hand.
It's bandaged.
Uh, I can see that.
Oh, what is that?
- Looks like mud.
- What he put on it, the doctor.
What doctor?
Dr. Takaru.
Who?
He's a...
Well, I know this is
going to sound strange.
But just after the dog bit me...
Not bad. Barely broke the skin.
I went for a walk and this Dr. Takaru
had a wagon down on the square.
- He played a banjo and sang. Heh.
- A medicine show?
Well, yes.
So that's why you
wouldn't name your doctor.
Heh. Well, I did feel
kind of foolish after.
But the stuff seemed
to be curing me.
Well, you come on over here.
And we'll wash that noxious
pollutant off your hand.
Ah.
Looks like mud.
Phew.
- Smells like cigar butts.
- He guaranteed it.
Guaranteed indeed.
To cure hydrophobia, blood
poisoning and restore tissue.
ELLIS: That's remarkable.
Most remarkable.
Why, that scar doesn't
even look recent.
Can you flex your fingers?
[BART CHUCKLES]
ELLIS: You are a very
fortunate young man.
Occasionally these quacks run
into some remarkable remedies.
By accident, of course.
You don't happen to know
where Dr. Takaru went, do you?
I think he said he
was headed for Alaska.
Hmm.
Or was it California?
ELLIS: Well, if you
ever run into him again...
- will you have him communicate with me?
- Oh, I'd be glad to, doctor.
Have a good day, Mrs. Morgan.
- Good day, doctor.
- Colonel Maverick.
Dr. Ellis.
It's still a little sore
but otherwise feels fine.
- Thanks to Dr. Takaru.
- Yeah.
You know, I wasn't even sure that there
was something wrong with your hand.
You weren't?
And, you know,
I'm still not sure.
But for the moment, Colonel Maverick, I'm
gonna give you the benefit of the doubt.
I might even decide
to be flattered.
Morning.
- Yes?
- I'd like to speak to Mrs. Morgan.
If you'll tell me the nature
of your communication...
I'll relay it to Mrs. Morgan.
Now, couldn't you just tell her I'm
here and see what happens next?
[PUFFS]
Yes?
Colonel Maverick
is here, Mrs. Morgan.
He didn't state the
nature of his business.
Well, ask him what it is.
Uh, I came to tell
her it's a beautiful day.
He states that he came to
tell you that it's a beautiful day.
Well, yes. So?
MARTHA [OVER EARPIECE]:
He would like to invite
you to go horseback
riding this afternoon.
Ascertain Colonel Maverick's
reason for the invitation.
Because it's a beautiful day.
Well, really, Colonel Maverick, I don't
want to appear ungrateful, but I, uh...
That's why, after my husband
died, I stayed on here in the West.
There's nothing like
that anywhere else.
BART: Well, there's Texas.
[BELLE CHUCKLES]
You can see farther in Texas, Colonel
Maverick, but you can't see as much.
I don't think that's why
you stayed out here.
- No?
- No.
Well, why did I stay?
- I was just making a point.
- What point?
You didn't stay out here in
the West because of the view.
You stayed out here because you're
not just another woman in King City.
You're kind of an uncrowned
queen, and you like it.
And because you're
a man, you don't like it.
Because I'm a man, I don't like anything
that makes you any less a woman.
What would you
like for your birthday?
[BART CHUCKLES]
My birthday isn't
for a long time yet.
All right, this is for
your last birthday.
- I got everything I want now.
- I'm in a generous mood.
What would make you happy?
- I am happy.
- Happier?
Well, let's see. I like to
play poker now and then.
Ask those friends of yours
to invite me into their game.
Oh, I'm serious, Bart.
What would you like?
All right, a shirt.
- Heh, white?
- White.
But I do like to play a
little poker now and then.
Oh, pooh.
I don't think you've
got it, colonel.
Raise you 500.
Tsk. I'm looking right
down your throat, Mr. Elgree.
I'll have to raise you 500.
Well, you force me to keep
you honest, Colonel Maverick.
I got the three fives.
You could've been
bluffing, colonel.
I held the ace. I
had to call you.
I rarely bluff.
Nor do I.
Except when you think
you can get away with it.
[ALL CHUCKLE]
Now let's play another round of that
five-card stud. A fascinating game.
Thank you.
Not at all, Colonel
Maverick. Not at all.
They're heading south.
Probably to the rice
fields around New Orleans.
Yes, I guess the
summer's really over.
It's been a grand
summer. One to remember.
I'm cold. Let's go home.
All right.
But I'm not offering
you charity, Bart.
What I'm offering you is a job.
A real man-sized
job for a real man.
Before I left home, my old Papi
said, "Always remember, son.
The two greatest evils are
hard liquor and hard work."
- I'm serious, Bart.
- So am I.
You really want to leave here?
- Well, I have to leave sometime.
- Why?
Because I wouldn't have any fun playing
prince consort in this queendom of yours.
What are you talking about?
About us.
Us?
You're not proposing
to me, are you?
Oh, no. I promised Papi I
wouldn't wed till I was 38.
That's good. Because I promised
myself I wouldn't marry again at all.
So, what were you trying to say?
That I'm old-fashioned. That I
like a woman to be, uh, a woman.
And that's something you'll never be
as long as you stay here in Queen City.
Oh, excuse me, King City.
I'm offering you a job that will make
you a rich man in only a few years.
Do I understand that you're
turning it and me down?
Just the job. I'd be happy
as a bear in a beehive...
if you'd come to
New Orleans with me.
But you just can't
do that, can you?
Goodbye, Belle.
When are you leaving?
On Tuesday's train.
Well, I'll be seeing you again.
[PUFFS]
MARTHA [OVER
EARPIECE]: Yes, Mrs. Morgan?
Find Adam Sheppley
and get him up here fast.
I'm obliged to raise you
$5000, Colonel Maverick.
You'll recall I declared
5000 back in my hand.
I remember.
Now, this certificate has
a par value of $50,000.
Although it's slightly
depressed now...
I'm sure that any of these gentlemen
would be glad to offer 5000 for it.
Five thousand shares of
Brasada Spur. That's capital stock.
You don't know Mr. Sheppley,
Colonel Maverick, but I do.
As a railroad man, I know the
Brasada Spur. It's an operating railroad.
My only competitor
in this whole area.
Well, as much as I have a
lock on this hand, Mr. Sheppley...
I've really got nothing to lose.
I have jacks up.
[SHEPPLEY SIGHS]
Well, your set finishes me.
Aren't you going to endorse the
securities over to Colonel Maverick?
Oh, yes, yes, of course.
- What is this?
- Certificate of transfer.
Oh.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
BELLE: Come in.
- Oh, you still in town?
- I came to say goodbye.
- I'm leaving tomorrow morning.
- For New Orleans?
I think you'd really
like New Orleans.
- I hear you won again last night.
- I made out all right.
To show my appreciation, I'm going
to share my good fortune with you.
Oh?
Five thousand shares of
stock you can have for $5000.
- It's an operating railroad...
- I know all about the stock.
As a matter of fact, I owned it.
- Am I missing a move somewhere?
- You are.
That happens to be
voting capital stock...
which makes the owners of record
accessible and liable for corporate debts.
Your share of liability
comes to about $40,000.
- You rigged me?
- That's right.
I suddenly got a very clear
and unpleasant picture of you.
A nonexistent doctor, the
new scar that didn't look new.
I tried not to face
it, but I had to.
All you wanted from me
was a seat in a poker game.
- Oh, Belle...
- Don't touch me.
It started that way, but
it's not that way now and...
How much did you take them for?
- Does it really matter?
- Yes.
I happen to be one of the
principal creditors of Brasada Spur.
I just had your cash
impounded by the sheriff.
Why? To keep me here or to
punish me for turning down your offer?
You used me, that's why.
All right, I did, but you can't
impound my money. It's illegal.
Probably, but it'll take you
a year in court to prove it.
You play a real
mean game, Belle.
You force me to.
But, uh, that
job is still open...
for about one more minute.
I've already told you
what I feel about that.
You going to New Orleans?
How? You've got all my cash.
- Can I help you?
- I'm looking for Mr. Roy Stafford.
That's me. What
can I do for you?
Maverick.
- Bart Maverick.
- Pleasure, Mr. Maverick.
I understand you're president
of the Brasada Spur railroad.
President, bookkeeper, freight
agent, janitor. What's on your mind?
This.
- Sit down, Mr. Maverick.
- Thank you.
- How much is that stock worth?
- Several thousand dollars.
In liabilities now.
Someday it may be worth
a little money, maybe
15, 20 years from now.
- Where did you get it?
- I won it in a poker game.
Son, somebody has taken rank
advantage of your ignorance.
And it hurts,
Mr. Stafford. Real bad.
Besides me and a
bank in Kansas City...
the only holder of capital
stock is Belle Morgan.
You must have done
something she didn't like at all.
Well, she did
get a little upset.
But you say this stock
isn't worth anything?
Not now. My advice
to you is to cut and run.
I can hide you in a caboose at
Number 5, pulls out here at 8:40 tonight.
Big stockholder like you is
entitled to some consideration.
She put a lien on
$13,000 of my cash.
So in this case, I'd like to make
an exception and not run out.
What is the Brasada
Spur, anyway?
Here we are at King City.
A lot of cattle shipped
out of this area.
We built the Brasada Spur...
to connect with the transcontinental
main line up here to north.
We did fine too, until
Rufus Elgree and his group...
brought their Great
Western through King City.
There just isn't enough
freight for both roads.
Not now. Will be in a few
years. This country's growing.
But right now you might say...
the Brasada Spur is in the position
of Lazarus at the rich man's table.
All we get are the crumbs
that fall over the edge.
I don't know much about
railroads, Mr. Stafford.
Maybe you'd be so kind
as to spell it out for me.
It's very simple. It's the old story of
the big fish swallowing a little one.
Every time I cut rates,
they cut under me.
Now, they can afford to run
at a loss for a spell. I can't.
So you might say that
mine is a seasonal operation.
During the peak of the
shipping season, I make
enough off the business
they can't handle...
to pay interest on the debts...
keep the road in repair, and
send my two kids to school.
The caboose on Number 5 is
real comfortable, Mr. Maverick.
I've never owned an
interest in a railroad before.
How about telling me more
about our little enterprise?
Step over here.
BART: Mr. Barnes.
- Yes, sir.
Would you please send these
telegrams for me and hold all replies?
I'll be back within
10 days at the latest.
Very good, sir.
Thank you. All right, Terry.
[PUFFS]
MAN: All aboard!
- Good hunting, Mr. Vice President.
Ha, ha. Thanks, Mr. President.
- These are exact copies of his telegrams?
- Word for word.
According to this, the good Colonel
Maverick is on a first-name basis...
with every multimillionaire
in Chicago and New York.
I think he meant you
to see these telegrams.
Of course he did.
But what's he up to?
Now what?
Brasada Spur loaded
300 head this morning.
Cut the rate again?
Ten percent under us.
They'll be losing $2 a head on
every steer they ship. They can't do it.
They done it.
All right, lower our rates 20
percent. Let's see them get under that.
But we'll be losing $4 a head.
We've gotta keep
faith with our shippers.
- Besides, we can afford it. They can't.
- I'll pass the word.
[CHUCKLES]
- Nice trip, Mr. Vice President?
- An elegant trip, Mr. President.
- How are things going?
- Terrible, terrible.
They cut their rates
again yesterday.
Well, then I think we better cut ours
10 percent under theirs, Mr. President.
- Good idea, Mr. Vice President.
- Have a cigar.
I don't know where
they're getting the money.
- If I did...
- But it's costing us a fortune.
We did it. We stopped them.
They aren't moving a single car.
About time.
Yes, but they'll start moving cars
again if we raise our prices just 5 cents.
- What's that?
- Oh, a telegram.
ELGREE: "Have important
information. Brasada Spur manipulation.
Contact me. Union Club,
Chicago. Thursday evening."
Signed, Blackburn.
Who's Blackburn?
I haven't the slightest idea.
I'll ask him when I get to
Chicago. Come on, Hogan.
All right, Hayley,
it's a deal. Sign here.
- Hogan. Hogan!
- Yes, sir.
What in the name of
Topher are these things?
- Why, they're...
- Shipping contracts.
Shipping contracts for
thousands of head of cattle.
But you told me
to get the business.
- I thought...
- You thought?
I was accepting nothing
but current business.
These are for three weeks from
now. Six weeks. Two months.
But the orders came in, Mr. Elgree.
You told me to accept the...
[DOOR SLAMS]
Say that again. We've what?
We have been supplying
the money to Brasada Spur.
I didn't catch on until just now when I
came back and saw those contracts.
But you're not making sense.
Those cattle we've been
carrying for almost nothing.
They've all belonged
to Stafford and Maverick.
You mean he's been
buying cattle at this end...
And letting us
ship them for him.
At $8 a head below cost.
Every dollar lost for us
has been profit for them.
There wasn't any Blackburn.
They got me out of town so they could stick
us with contracts for future delivery.
Three hundred thousand
dollars in firm contracts.
And there's nothing
we can do about it?
You bet there is.
Those contracts guarantee a price
of 5 percent below that offered...
by other competitive
public carriers in the area.
In other words, we're stuck only so
long as Brasada Spur is still in operation.
How do you mean?
They've pulled every dirty,
underhanded trick in the book.
Well, maybe
underhanded, but not illegal.
What are you going to do?
Belle...
I didn't get where I
am reading law books.
I've played it
rough all my life.
But for those two, I'm gonna
enjoy learning some new tricks.
They've got it coming.
[DOG WHIMPERS]
[PUFFS]
BARNES [OVER EARPIECE]: Barnes here.
- Tell Colonel Maverick I want to see him.
I'll tell him as soon as
he comes in, Mrs. Morgan.
Find him.
Pay up to $25 a man per day.
If you foul this thing
up, you're through.
Yes, sir. I can handle it.
Have Kenton and White plant stories
about the labor trouble with newspapers.
- Pay them a hundred dollars each.
- Yes, sir.
Hire 200 men for
the job. Tough men.
When you start, work fast,
right on down the line, all the way.
Yes, sir.
And, Hogan...
if you do anything
that lets this be traced
back to me, I'll kill you
with my bare hands.
Yes, sir.
- Hello, Belle.
- Hello, Bart.
- You wanted to see me?
- Yes.
Won't you come in?
Thank you.
- You would like some tea?
- No, thanks.
- I could have some coffee brought up.
- Not now, thank you.
- How have you been?
- Oh, very well.
- And you?
- Fine.
I wanted to tell you that I'll be very
happy to return your cash I had impounded.
And I'll be glad to accept.
I played a lot of poker for it.
- Provided...
- Uh-oh, I was afraid of that.
Provided you stop playing railroad
and bilking people out of their money.
Bilking people? What people?
The stockholders of Great
Western, of which I am one.
If anyone's been
bilked, I'm afraid it's me.
I said your money
would be returned to you.
It's too late, Belle.
You dealt the hand,
I'm gonna play it out.
And I think I'm gonna win.
Rufus Elgree is
playing it out too.
And you'll lose, Bart.
He makes his own rules.
And they're not nice ones.
- What does he have in mind?
- I don't know.
But it'll be fast and violent.
You can count on that.
I don't know whether you're trying to
help me or just trying to scare me off.
I wish I knew, Belle.
I guess it's both.
Thanks.
At least I'll have my eyes open.
You won't quit?
Will you? Will you leave
here, go to New Orleans?
Well, this has
nothing to do with me.
Mrs. Morgan, love...
it's got everything
to do with you.
She's right about one thing.
Rufus Elgree can be
dangerous. Real dangerous.
Had a right-of-way dispute a few years
back with some farmers east of here.
Lot of people were hurt. Several
were killed. He won the dispute.
Message just came through
from Junction City, Mr. Stafford.
Someone's commandeered one of
our trains and she's heading south.
- When?
- Just now.
Our tower man said her
coaches is full of men.
It'll be rough. And it's worth a
lot more than I'm paying you.
But if we win, I'll triple it.
Sounds like Saturday night
in the middle of the week.
Will 50 of us be too many?
[BART CHUCKLES]
[ALL CHATTERING]
I just got word they hit
our station at Brasada pass.
That means they're
still over 200 miles away.
When you hear the whistle
blast three times, jump.
All right, pile aboard.
All aboard!
- We're in trouble.
- What's wrong?
That other train, it's awful
close. I can feel it on the track.
How close? We can make it
through the tunnel, can't we?
Maybe. We sure can't
jump off till we are.
[WHISTLE BLARING]
[MEN SHOUTING]
I'll see your 15.
Raise a hundred.
You know, Elgree, if I had
your luck, I'd own this territory.
Heh, luck? That's
skill. Pure skill.
Good evening, gentlemen.
And you, Mr. Elgree.
- What's this?
- It's a paper you're gonna sign.
- I am? BART: You are.
We have two other papers.
Sworn statements from the leader of
your Chicago boys and your Mr. Hogan here.
I'm not going to the pen
for you or anybody else.
- What did you tell them?
- Everything.
ELGREE: What do you want
from me? BART: It's right there.
An agreement to pay all
damages for the Brasada Spur...
plus punitive
damages of $50,000.
I won't do it.
As your attorney, I
advise you to sign it.
He's got no evidence
that'll hold up in court.
They beat that confession
out of Hogan. Look at him.
It's always wise to know
when you've been beaten.
And we have been.
And I don't want it proved
in the papers or in the courts.
- Sign it.
- Belle, his confession is worthless.
Sign it.
Give me a pen.
Belle.
Thank you.
For what? You won. I was just
trying to avoid public embarrassment.
Your money's waiting
for you at the desk.
[BART SIGHS]
I seem to remember
mentioning this before...
but have you ever been to
New Orleans during Mardi Gras?
Have you ever been
in a good steady job?
You've proved that you
do just fine in business.
I couldn't stand the excitement.
- Now, you take a nice quiet saloon and...
- Goodbye, Colonel Maverick.
Why, Colonel Maverick,
what a surprise.
- Are we both going to New Orleans?
- We certainly are.
[English - US -SDH]