The Outlanders

By
Gabriel Theis
"The Outlanders"
A Novel by Gabe Theis
EXT. COUNTRY PLAINS-MORNING
The camera moves over the Great Plains of The Old West,
reminiscent of that of an old John Ford Western, as we see
great mountains, canyons, and other marvels of nature as the
credits fade in and out. The state is that of Texas, and the
camera finally comes to a small little town right in the
middle of nowhere. The camera PANS down the see the sign of
the town which reads: "Banyon Creek".
EXT. STREETS-MORNING
We are now in the streets of the small town known as Banyon.
The town is nothing more than a few houses, a saloon,
church, and a brothel. Men, women, and children can barely
be seen, and the only sign of life are the horses, which
stay parked in front of the saloon, known as "Billys
Tavern".
INT. BILLYS TAVERN-MORNING
We are now in Billys Tavern, which seems dead, from its
sore lack of customers, and its uninviting atmosphere. The
bartender, a large man with muttonchops named BILLY, the
eponymous owner of the tavern, stands behind the bar,
cleaning shot glasses. An old drunk named PALADEN sits at
the bar, passed out. The only other customers are a group of
four men who sits at a small gambling table. Dollar bills
are in the middle of the table. Only one man at this table
seems to be having any fun, quite simply because he is
winning. This is WILLIAM "FAST WILL" PENN. Around his
mid-to-late 20s, and dressed in the wardrobe of a commoner,
with a dusty blazer and large-rimmed hat. Will has two Colt
45/Peacemakers at his hips. The other players, consisting of
a bespecatled ACCOUNTANT, and two gruff-looking COWBOYS, are
not so happy about the game.
FAST WILL
(taking the dollar bills)
Not so great this time, gentlemen,
but maybe next time.
COWBOY 1
Youre cheating. I KNOW youre
cheating. I can feel it in my gut.
FAST WILL
(chuckles)
Who needs to cheat when you have
skill.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 2.
COWBOY 1
Aint nobody ever take 30$ off of
me in a damn game of poker since
the day I was born 35 years ago.
What the hell makes you so god-damn
special.
FAST WILL
Dont be a sore loser, Cobb. The
stress is bad for your health.
ACCOUNTANT
Mister Cobb here does have a point,
though. Your success does provoke
SOME suspicion.
FAST WILL
Come on now. Youre a numbers man,
aint ya? Then look at the god-damn
facts. Im winnin a fair game.
COWBOY 2
Fair my ass. Let me see your
sleeves.
FAST WILL
I aint showin you my goddamn
sleeves because I dont HAVE to
show you my sleeves, and more, I
SHOULDNT have to. Jesus, its a
damn game of POKER, boys, you
either win or you lose. You just
happened to choose the latter.
COWBOY 1
You better be careful bout what
you say, before I haveta.
Billy notices the commotion, and rests his hand on a SHOTGUN
that hides under the counter.
BILLY
Hey! We havin trouble over there.
ACCOUNTANT
(sighs)
No, William.
BILLY
If we havin trouble, Id be more
than happy to go get the sheriff.
You all want that?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 3.
COWBOY 2
Were fine, Billy. Dont need to
worry bout us.
FAST WILL
Were just having a conflict of
interest, thats all.
BILLY
Dont think I aint watchin you
boys.
Billy takes his hand off the shotgun, and goes back to
cleaning glasses. The tension at the table lowers slightly,
but the first cowboy still gives Will the evil eye.
FAST WILL
Come on, boys. You dont want the
sheriff to haveta come down here
and meddle in our affairs. Lets
keep it civil.
COWBOY 1
Then show us your goddamn sleeves.
FAST WILL
I aint showin you my goddamn--
While Will yells at his poker buddies, a STRANGER enters the
saloon. The stranger is around 30, and his jaw is plagued
with stubble. At his side is a Colt Model 1860. The stranger
has a dusty hat, and even dustier boots. Will quiets down,
and attempts to hide his face. The stranger scans the
saloon, and spots Will easily. The stranger makes his way
over, his spurs clinging with every step. Billy sees this,
gets worried, and get the shotgun ready once again. The
stranger reaches the table, and stands right in front of
Will, who is attempting to ignore the looming stranger.
STRANGER
You look familiar. We ever met
before?
FAST WILL
Us? No, I dont think so.
STRANGER
Well how long you been in town?
ACCOUNTANT
Sir, whats this all about?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 4.
STRANGER
(ignoring accountant)
How long?
FAST WILL
Oh, bout a couple or so weeks.
STRANGER
Im still sure Ive seen you
before. Never forget a face.
FAST WILL
Really?
STRANGER
Whats your name?
FAST WILL
(lying)
Patrick Wilhelm.
COWBOY 2
Wait a minute, you told us that you
was named PETER Wilhelm.
FAST WILL
(laughs nervously)
Well, Peters my middle name. I
prefer Peter, so I usually go
around with that.
ACCOUNTANT
(skeptically)
Youre full name is Patrick Peter
Wilhelm?
FAST WILL
So what if it is?
STRANGER
You ever known a man named Michael
Davidson?
FAST WILL
Oh, Ive met a lot of people. I
dont remember them all.
STRANGER
So thats a yes or a no?
FAST WILL
Im not sure. Now, I was playing a
game. If you want to join, go right
ahead. Otherwise, I--
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.
STRANGER
He sure remembers you...
The stranger reaches into his coat pocket, and produces a
rolled up piece of paper. The stranger then lays the sheet
of paper down on the table, to reveal that its a Wanted
Poster, with Wills real name on it, and a sketchy drawing
of him above it.
FAST WILL
That aint me man.
STRANGER
Oh, it aint?
FAST WILL
No. Thats my cousin.
STRANGER
Really?
FAST WILL
Yeah, we have a stark resemblance.
Hes gotten me in more trouble than
once--
The stranger pulls out his pistol, and puts the barrell
against Wills temple, silencing him.
STRANGER
Hows about you come back with me,
nice and peaceful.
Billy, unaware of whats really going on, pulls his shotgun
out, cocks it, and aims it at the stranger.
BILLY
Youd best be lowerin that pistol
bout now.
STRANGER
Sir...
BILLY
Goddamnit, I said lower that
pistol! Lest you want to get your
ass shot clean off.
The stranger, while sweating, does not take his eyes off of
Will. The cowboys watch this, grinning ear to ear.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.
STRANGER
This man is wanted by the law, sir.
He has a bounty on his head. So,
unless you would like to get hung
for an obstruction of justice, I
suggest you lower your weapon.
ACCOUNTANT
Its true, William. Theres a
Wanted Poster for the man right
here.
COWBOY 1
Well Ill be fucked by a two dollar
whore. Whats he wanted for?
COWBOY 2
Hes wanted for cheatin, aint he?
STRANGER
Cheatin, theivin, and murderin.
Will sits nervously, his eyes darting everywhere. Billy
begins to lower his shotgun.
FAST WILL
Still aint a very good picture of
me.
STRANGER
Yeah, makes you look to pretty.
Now, when I tell you to stand up, I
want you to do it REAL slow.
Bartender, you see this shit-heel
move for his guns, you tear his
head off.
COWBOY 1
Before you go, can you check his
sleeves for us? We got somethin we
need to settle.
FAST WILL
Jesus, you cowgirls are persistent.
You want to check my sleeves so
bad, well fine--
Wills left arm, which has been laying on the table, shakes
a bit. A SMALL TWO-SHOT PISTOL falls from his sleeve, into
his left hand. Before the stranger can react, Will presses
the pistol against the strangers ribcage, and fires.
BANG! The stranger drops his pistol and falls down,
clutching his right ribs.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 7.
FAST WILL
Satisfied?
BILLY
Fuck you, you fuckin...
Billy raises the shotgun and aims it directly at Will, but
Will pulls out his revolver out and fires, hitting Billy in
the shoulder before he can properly fire. Billy drops the
shotgun and falls to the ground, screaming in pain. The two
cowboys grab their own pistols, and stand up, attempting to
pull them out. Will pulls his second pistol out, and shoots
both of the cowboys, hitting one in the gut, and the other
in the groin. Both fall to the ground, clutching their
wounds. The stranger stirs on the ground, and reaches for
his fallen pistol, but Will shoots him in the temple,
killing him instantly. The accountant watches all of this
with terror, and stays frozen in his sit. Will cocks his
pistol, and points it right in his face.
FAST WILL
You lookin to be a hero?
ACCOUNTANT
(stuttering)
N-No, I-I-I dont e-even have a
pistol.
FAST WILL
Thought so.
Will hits the accountant in the nose with the butt of his
pistol, knocking the accountant the ground. The first
cowboy, who has the gut wound, looks up at Will from the
floor. Will notices him, grins, and reaches into his other
sleeve...and produces an Ace of Spades. The cowboys eyes
widen.
COWBOY 1
Fuck you, you moose tit-sucking son
of a bitch!
Will takes the dollar bills on the table and stuffs it into
his pockets.
FAST WILL
Dont worry, you can tattle on me
the sheriff. I guess theyll hang
me DOUBLE time now.
Unknown to Will, a second BOUNTY HUNTER sneaks up to him
from the back of the saloon, a HENRY RIFLE in his hands. The
cowboy sees this, and grins. Will gets confused, and turns
around, to see the bounty hunter right behind him.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 8.
BOUNTY HUNTER
You killed my partner, you
shit-heel. Im gonna make you pay
HELL for that!
FAST WILL
Get in line, pal.
Will, with lightning quick speed, reaches out and the knocks
the Henry Rifle right out of the bounty hunters hands. The
bounty hunter is too shocked to react, allowing Will to grab
his pistol and shoot right in the heart. Will quickly grabs
his second pistol, and with both in hand, runs out the back
of the saloon.
EXT. BILLYS TAVERN-MORNING
Will jumps out the back, stumpbling a bit, aiming his
pistols east and west, and looks to see if theres a third
bounty hunter. There is no one in sight. Grinning
triumphantally, Will holsters one pistol, and runs out to
the street when--
SNIPER(O.C.)
Hey!
Will looks upwards to see where the voice came from, and
sees a third hunter from the ROOF of the Saloon, aiming
right at Will with a SPENCER rifle. Will aims his pistol up
at the sniper, but the sniper shoots first, grazing Will on
his right arm, forcing his to drop the pistol.
FAST WILL
Shit!
Will stumbles out to the street, clutching his wound,
bleeding all over coat, when he looks up to see the SHERIFF
and DEPUTY riding towards him on horseback. The sheriff is a
well-built man in his 40s, and his deputy is a vastly
younger, slender man.
SHERIFF
Stop right there!
Will, desperately, grabs his second pistol, but before he
can shoot either law enforcer, his pistol is SHOT out of his
hand from the sniper, still on the roof. Will then turns
around runs the other direction, but is too slow. The
sheriff catches up to Will easily, grabs Will by the collar
of his coat, and throws Will to the ground from atop his
horse. The sheriff stops his horse, and gets off. The
sheriff grabs his own Henry rifle from the saddle, cocks it,
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 9.
and aims right at Wills face, who is still lying on the
ground. The deputy rides up to his superior, his own rifle
cocked and aimed.
DEPUTY
Who do we got here, sheriff?
SHERIFF
Shit if I know. Just some asshole.
SNIPER
That aint an asshole. Least, not a
regular one! That man right there
is Fast Will Penn.
DEPUTY
(shocked)
Fast Will? Sheriff, we just struck
gold.
FAST WILL
You didnt even do anything...
The sheriff kicks Will square in the mouth.
SHERIFF
You dont speak to my deputy, or to
me. As a matter a fact, you dont
say a word out loud to anythin,
you got that, "Fast Will"?
The sniper gets down to the ground, and runs over to the
sheriff.
SNIPER
That man is worth a lotta money.
Alive, sheriff. So you make sure
nothin TOO bad happens to him.
SHERIFF
Dont you worry son. From here to
Fort Worth, this bastards gonna
think hes in the Occidental Hotel.
Will, defeated and deflated of spirit, sighs, and turns his
head over.
10.
INT. GOVERNMENT BUILDING-AFTERNOON
It is now sevearl days later, and we have moved from a small
Texan town to a government in Austin, Texas. More
spefically, we are in a hallway. We see a pair of BLACK
BOOTS walk down the hallway. These boots belong to a man of
about 59 years of age who is also wearing black pants. The
boots continue to walk down the hall, and stop at a certain
door. An O.C. knock can be heard.
MEEGER(O.C.)
Come in.
The owner of boots opens the door. We get the mans POV of
door as it opens, revealing a government office on the other
side. Sitting at a desk is a military general named CARL
MEEGER,62, who wears a generals uniform and spectacles. We
also see another general, older and meaner looking, named
HAMMET. Meeger looks up from a piece of paper that he is
writing on with a quill pen, and smiles wrily.
MEEGER
Hello Ethan.
We now get to see the rest of boots, a man named ETHAN
ROBERTS. Ethan has a large, white mustache, and white hair
which is hidden by a black hat. Underneath his coat is a red
vest. A pocketwatch rests in the breastpocket. Ethan returns
a wry smile.
ETHAN
How have you been, Carl?
Ethan steps into the office and closes the door behind him.
ETHAN
Last time I saw you was Fort Brass,
wasnt it?
Carl nods, nostalgically.
ETHAN
Those were the days when we were
still allowed to have a little bit
of fun.
Carl chuckles at this. Hammet maintains his stoicism.
MEEGER
Ethan, let me introduce you to
General Hammet. General, this is
the man I was telling you about.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 11.
ETHAN
(to Hammet)
How do you do?
HAMMET
Well enough.
ETHAN
Now, do either one of you want to
tell me what this is about?
MEEGER
Why dont you have a seat, Ethan.
Meeger nods to a chair which sits in front of the desk.
Ethan removes his hat, and sets it down on the desk. Ethan
then takes a seat. Ethan takes out a silver case of snuff.
Ethan takes out a bit, and snorts it. Ethan then makes a
offering gesture to Meeger.
MEEGER
No thank you. The missus is lookin
to get me off of that.
ETHAN
What she doesnt know wont hurt
her. But, if you insist...
Ethan snaps the case shut, and puts it back in his coat
pocket. Hammet watches this, unimpressed.
ETHAN
So, whats this all about, Carl? I
havent gotten a notification from
the government in two years.
MEEGER
Youve been down to Mexico, right
Ethan?
Ethan grows uncomfortable at the very mention, and shifts in
his chair.
ETHAN
Once. A long time ago. When I
started out as a Texas Ranger. Me
and a couple of other men were sent
down to try and retrieve some
stolen cattle from a couple of
bandits.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 12.
MEEGER
I remember hearing about that.
HAMMET
(condescindingly)
So did I.
MEEGER
Did you ever go to San Miguel in
your time down there?
ETHAN
No.
HAMMET
Did you hear about it?
Ethan gives off a dry chuckle.
ETHAN
Sure we did. We were told stories
about it when we started out, like
ghost stories over a campfire.
MEEGER
And what did you hear?
ETHAN
(scratches his head)
Christ, Carl, this was a long time
ago. A good 35 years, you know. The
only thing I really remember is
hearing about a calvarly troop that
was massacared down there by a
group of local bandits, with a
gattling gun I believe.
HAMMET
That was a real case, if I remember
right.
ETHAN
Maybe it was. But for all intents
and purposes, it was just a
boogey-man story for us gringos.
Nothing more, nothing less. But I
havent thought about any of that
crap in years. Shit, Carl, youre
making me nostalgic. Now, I know
you didnt ask me to come down here
to have me ramble on about the old
days.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 13.
HAMMET
Do you know a Samuel Matthers, Mr.
Roberts?
Ethans smile fades once again, and he sinks in his chair.
ETHAN
Of course I do. I served under him
in the 22nd during the War.
MEEGER
Would you say that you and Captain
Matthers were particullarly close?
ETHAN
Close? Shit, Carl, the man saved my
life twice.
HAMMET
But did you know him well?
ETHAN
EVERYBODY in the calvarly knew him
well. He was probably one of the
most beloved men Ive ever had the
pleasure of meeting. Why, whats
happeneed to him? Is he in some
sort of trouble?
For the first time, Hammet chuckles.
HAMMET
Yeah, something like that.
MEEGER
(sighs)
Ethan...do you know whats happened
concerning Captain Matthers?
ETHAN
I havent talked to him in a good
number of years. I just heard that
he was overlooking the 34th over at
San Antonio. Im guessin that
aint all though.
MEEGER
Apparently, hes...left his
position.
ETHAN
And gone where?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 14.
HAMMET
To San Miguel.
Ethan looks as if somebodys knocked the wind out of him.
ETHAN
Why the hell would he want to go to
San Miguel?
MEEGER
Youve heard the outlaw gang known
as The Cassinger Gang, havent you?
ETHAN
Heard of em? There aint a U.S.
Marshall from here to Nebraska who
aint heard of them. Whats that
got to do with any of this?
HAMMET
According to our sources, the
Captain has taken about with The
Cassinger Gang, and ran out to San
Miguel.
ETHAN
Thats a crock of shit! He aint no
outlaw! If he really is down there
with em, they must be keepin him
there or somethin! Christ, you
should be gettin a ransom or
somethin like that soon.
HAMMET
Actually, to the contrary, our
sources tell us that hes become
their leader.
ETHAN
WHAT?!
MEEGER
Weve heard that hes been working
with the Cassinger Gang, and,
again, according to our source,
theyve been looking to recruit.
HAMMET
Thats what theyre doing down in
San Miguel.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 15.
ETHAN
First off, who is this goddamn
source? Moses or something?
MEEGER
His name is Romera Sanchez...
ETHAN
(surprised)
Sanchez?!
MEEGER
And hes a native from San Miguel.
He came to us just last month.
ETHAN
So, youre telling me, that youre
just going to assume that a
decorated army captain, one of the
bravest men Ive ever met in my
life, is running an outlaw gang
down in San Miguel on account of
ONE mexican?
HAMMET
Mr. Roberts, when was the last time
you actually spoke to Matthers
personally?
ETHAN
About 5 years ago. He invited me to
a congressional party.
HAMMET
And, from your perspective, he was
not a person who had any sort
of...grudges, or personal vendettas
to be had with the government.
ETHAN
Vendettas? Listen, I dont know
what kind of dinners you go to,
but at the ones I go to, we avoid
political discussion as much as
possible.
MEEGER
Listen, Ethan, I know that this
might be hard to hear, but from
what me and General Hammet have
heard of Matthers before he went to
San Miguel, he didnt seem to be in
the best state of mind.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 16.
HAMMET
According to many of his soldiers,
he would constantly go on these
drunken rants, talking about
"sending those boys down in the
white house to hell".
ETHAN
He was drunk. Would YOU want to be
held accountable for your drunk
ramblings?
HAMMET
Well, Marshall, you know what they
say: A drunk mans words are a
sober mans thoughts.
MEEGER
Now, if he had just run off that
would be one thing. That in it of
itself is none of our concern. But,
according to Mr. Sanchez, Matthers
and his gang have been
"recruiting".
ETHAN
Recruiting? Recruiting for what?
MEEGER
Honestly, we dont know. We dont
know what he wants, or what his
plans are. But frankly, this news
worries us. It almost sounds like
hes building up his own personal
army, Ethan.
HAMMET
Not only that, but hes
grown...more excitable.
ETHAN
Excitable?
MEEGER
We mean that hes been killing
women and children.
ETHAN
(almost speechless)
And you heard all of this from that
mexican?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 17.
MEEGER
(sighs)
Yes. Apparently, Matthers ordered
his family to be killed when his
father refused to join up with his
group. Sanchez barely escaped.
ETHAN
And youre just trusting him? How
do you know that all of this isnt
just horseshit? Hell, he could be a
recruit for the Cassinger gang,
sent to come down and get you boys
to chasin your own tail.
HAMMET
Nevertheless, Matthers HAS
disappeared from his post without a
trace, or any signs of a struggle.
The Cassinger Gang was seen moving
South from a report last month.
ETHAN
Why dont you send people down
there? Like a calvarly or
something, check on all this?
MEEGER
We did, Ethan. A troop of 20 men.
Two weeks ago, we received this.
Hammet, can you hand me the
specimen?
Hammet nods, and hands Meeger a large jar which is covered
by a brown paper bag. Meeger sets it on his desk, and takes
off the brown bag, revealing a DECAPITATED HEAD inside of
it. Ethan nearly falls out of his chair. Meeger gravely
covers the jar back up.
MEEGER
Do you understand our concern,
Ethan?
ETHAN
I--I dont--jesus christ...
Ethan takes out a silver flask of whiskey, and takes a swig.
Ethan is sweating now.
ETHAN
Why do you want me for? Aint there
somebody more fit for this?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 18.
MEEGER
Well, after word got out about
our...little friend here, all the
other soldiers got too nervous. The
fact that its down at San Miguel
doesnt help.
HAMMET
But you KNOW Matthers. You served
under him. Youre familiar with his
style.
ETHAN
Still doesnt guarantee shit. Sam
was twice the soldier I was, and
probably still is.
MEEGER
Ethan...we need something done.
Before it gets any worse.
Ethan is contemplating this, still sweating. Ethan takes
another swig.
ETHAN
If I accept this, and I mean a big
IF...how else would be goin with
me?
MEEGER
First, itd be Sanchez...
ETHAN
No! No way! You aint pairin me up
with no goddamn Mexican.
HAMMET
Marshall Roberts, from what we can
tell of him, hes more than
qualified. Hes had military
experience of his own--
ETHAN
I give a shit!
HAMMET
Plus he was able to escape, which
is no easy task.
MEEGER
Ethan, we already told Romero that
he could do it. Hes an excellent
marksman. We tested him.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 19.
ETHAN
First you ask me to go in to San
Miguel and kill a man whos saved
me life, TWICE. And now you ask me
to go in with a goddamn Mexican?!
Christ, Carl, do you know me at
all?
Ethan stands up and grabs his hat.
ETHAN
Well, Im not stayin here. You can
ask somebody else to go on your...
HAMMET
Marshall Roberts, youre also
familair with William Penn,
otherwise known as "Fast Will".
Ethan stops. This catches his attention.
ETHAN
Willy? What about him?
HAMMET
Are you aware that hes been found
and arrested?
ETHAN
Shit, I havent heard that. Last I
heard he was in Nebraska.
HAMMET
Well, he found his way home. And
his trial is in two days. And I can
tell you now, the odds arent in
his favor.
ETHAN
Well what does...wait.
MEEGER
Were presenting you an offer,
Ethan. Were aware of your past
relationship with Weathers. You
were close too him, werent you?
ETHAN
Sure I was. I knew the boy since he
was a baby. Shame that things
happened the way they did.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 20.
MEEGER
Well, he still has a chance. Now,
IF you go down to San Miguel, along
WITH Romero Sanchez, find Matthers,
and bring him back to the U.S., we
can pardon Weathers for his crimes.
Oh, and one more thing...
HAMMET
Hed have to go along.
ETHAN
You want Willy to come down to San
Miguel?
MEEGER
Its the only thing that will work,
Ethan. The President is ready to
sign his pardon. The only thing
thats left is you and Colonel
Weathers.
Ethan looks at Meeger and Hammet, thinking. Ethan takes a
gulp.
INT. COURTHOUSE-EVENING
It is now 2 days later, and we see Ethan walking through
another hallway. This hallway is of a courthouse. Ethan
smokes a large cigar, and steps up to a large door. Ethan
pushes through, to reveal a large courtroom. Sitting in the
jury are 20 citizens. The judge is a man named FARRIS, who
is about 60, and silver-haired. Sitting in the defendants
chair is Will, who has his wrists tied with rope. The
opposing lawyer is named DEMOND, aged 36, wearing a suit and
handlebar mustache. Ethan moves to watch the trial along
with a large crowd, who watch eagerly.
DEMOND
So, Mr. Weathers, in estimation,
how many men would you say you have
shot and killed in the past two
years?
FAST WILL
Gee, Mr. Demond, I never really
bothered to keep track of that.
DEMOND
Well, luckily, the state did.
Demond turns to the jury, who are already showing their
hatred towards Will.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 21.
DEMOND
14 people. Thats 14 people that
this man SHOT in cold blood.
Wills lawyer, a short stocky man named WINTHROPE, 32,
stands up from his chair.
WINTHROPE
Objection, Your Honor. Plenty of
these reported killings were in
self-defense.
FARRIS
(sigsh)
Sustained, Mr. Winthrope. Mr.
Demond, you may continue.
DEMOND
Thank you, Your Honor. And yes, I
suppose that is true. Many of these
killings have been in self-defense,
supposedly. Like those bounty
hunters back in Banyon, right Mr.
Weathers?
FAST WILL
Yeah, Id call that self-defense.
Plus there were two other bounty
hunters in Waco that held me at
gun-point.
DEMOND
Couldnt be avoided, huh?
FAST WILL
Thats right.
The crowd seems to hate Will more every minute. Ethan
watches with pity, and douses his cigar.
DEMOND
Now, youre official nickname is
"Fast Will". Correct? Thats what
it says on the wanted posters.
FAST WILL
(sighs)
Yeah, I suppose thats correct.
DEMOND
Can you tell the jury here today
how you came across that nickname?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 22.
WINTHROPE
Your Honor, is this really
necessary?
DEMOND
Your Honor, it is within my right
that I--
FARRIS
Sustained. Continue.
DEMOND
So, Mr. Weathers, as you were
saying.
FAST WILL
It was a name I got in my time in
the army. You know, cause I was
fast with a gun and all that.
DEMOND
Is that it now? Interesting. Ive
gotten some different answers.
Especially from your ex-wife.
Will drops his head and sighs.
DEMOND
She doesnt have very fond memories
of you either. And, according to
her, SHE gave you that nickname.
But it wasnt because of your skill
with a gun, but nobodys
questioning that of course. But why
DID she call you that, William?
FAST WILL
(sighs)
She started calling me that
after...
DEMOND
After WHAT?
FAST WILL
After she caught me in bed with
another women.
This particular comment sends the crowd into an uproar.
Ethan shakes his head.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 23.
DEMOND
Just as I thought. You were a
regular patron of "Bobby Fergells
Whorehouse", were you not?
FAST WILL
If you want to call it that, I
suppose.
DEMOND
So not only are you a murderer and
a thief, but you cant even stay
loyal to your own goddamn wife!
WINTHROPE
Your Honor, let the court recognize
that Mr. Weathers IS a war hero,
and a decorated one at that. He
shouldnt be subjugated to this
crass humiliation.
DEMOND
Your Honor, I am trying to prove a
point here. That that man that sits
in that chair(gestures to Will) is
no war hero, but a no-good son of a
bitch. And he deserves to be hung
by the neck until dead. It would be
justice. And thats what were here
for.
Both the jury and the crowd murmur in agreement. Will looks
down in embarrassment. Ethan just stares at him.
DEMOND
Now, Mr. Weathers, is there
anything else that you would like
to add?
FAST WILL
Yeah...I havent killed anyone that
I didnt think had it comin. And
it dont matter if you wear a badge
or not, ANYBODY can have it coming.
This was the wrong thing to say, as the crowd shakes their
heads. We see agreement in Ethans eyes.
FARRIS
At this point, we shall end for the
day, and the trial shall continue
at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow.
Farris takes his gavel and dispassionately hammers it down.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 24.
FARRIS
Dismissed.
The jury gets up, as well as the crowd. Ethan stays seated,
staring at Will, who is rubbing his temples.
EXT. COURTHOUSE-EVENING
A few mintues later, Ethan steps out of the courthouse,
where many of the citizens stand around, conversing about
the trial. Down the street, Will waits in a caged
stagecoach, his hands still tied. A group of military men
stand around, guarding it. Ethan walks towards the
stagecoach. Will lies down on the seat, trying to go to
sleep, keeping a hat over his eyes. Ethan walks up to the
military men. The leader seems to be a LARGE MAN, 34, who
leans against the caged door. The large man gets ready as
Ethan walks up to him.
ETHAN
At ease, boys. Im taking that man
in there for a drink.
LARGE MAN
Orders are not to let this man out
of our sit.
ETHAN
You can tag along if you want. I
have business with him.
A second military men, this one SHORT, speaks up.
SHORTY
You want to kill him, you can wait
for the hanging like everybody
else.
ETHAN
Im not here for that. Just let me
take the boy in for a drink.
Will seems to recognize the voice for the first time, and
sits up, slowly, removing the hat from his eyes. Wills eyes
grow in shock.
LARGE MAN
Listen old man, I got orders--
ETHAN
"Old Man"? Shit boy, you aint seen
old till I send you down to see the
Devil. Now--
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 25.
Ethan reaches into his coat pocket, scaring the military
men. Instead of a gun, Ethan pulls out an official
parchment, and hands it to the large men.
ETHAN
You want some sort of
authorization, you got it right
there. Now, somebody get the boy
out of there, and dont nobody go
clalin me "old" either.
The parchment has changed the large mans mood. He nods with
obedience.
LARGE MAN
Yes sir!
The large man grabs the keys from his belt, and hurridly
unlocks the cage. The door swings open, and Will steps out,
his hat in his hand, as if he sees a ghost.
ETHAN
How you doin, Willy?
FAST WILL
(smiles)
Been better, Old Man.
Ethan smiles.