Épisode Pour le meilleur et pour le pire (1/2) S03E28 - Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman Saison 3

"For Better Or Worse - Parts I&II"

_ACT ONE_


EXT. NEW HOMESTEAD - DAY TWO 10

The family wagon is out front, plus Matthew's and Sully's horses.

INT. NEW HOMESTEAD - DAY TWO 11

The family's there, including Ingrid, each engaged in some finishing task. There's no furniture yet, except for a brand new wingback chair, just out of its shipping crate and placed by the main fireplace. Matthew works at uncrating a second matching chair. The kitchen does have a built-in sink and cupboards. There's also an indoor hand water pump.

Sully's fitting some last joints together on shelves that flank the main fireplace.

Brian sands the stair bannister, while Colleen washes windows.

Mike and Ingrid are in the kitchen area, cleaning the cupboards of sawdust. Ingrid fights back emotion as she works, finally stopping, looking down, trying to contain her anguish. Mike stops, too.

MIKE
Ingrid?

INGRID
It is a fine house.

Mike glances around, smiles contentedly.

MIKE
Yes, it is.

But then Mike sees the tears, goes to her, puts an arm on her shoulder.

MIKE
Ingrid, what's wrong?

But Ingrid quickly turns, wipes the tears on the back of her sleeve and gives Mike a pleading look -- not to draw Matthew's attention. Mike drops her arm and lowers her voice.

MIKE
What is it?

(CONTINUED)

9.


CONTINUED: 11

INGRID
We will never have house. Matthew is always too busy with his cattle to finish building.

MIKE
Sully's offered to help, but Matthew always seems to have a reason why he doesn't need it.

INGRID
Yes. Always excuses. He is stubborn with pride. He tries to prove he is a man...

She grapples both to understand and to explain. Mike glances over at Matthew, working alongside Sully.

MIKE
... when he already is one.

Ingrid nods. Yes, that's it. Mike gives Ingrid's hand a quick reassuring squeeze, just as Brian comes clomping down the stairs, finished.

BRIAN
All done.

Sully comes over and runs his hand along the bannister.

SULLY
Good job, Brian.

Brian trails after Sully as he goes back to work.

BRIAN
Sully, can I be your "best man?"

Activity stops. Brian's the only one who doesn't realize that the question opens Sully's wound about Cloud Dancing.

MATTHEW
You're too young, Brian.

BRIAN
But I'm too old to carry the ring.

MIKE
Says who?

BRIAN
Mrs. Godfrey.

(CONTINUED)

10.


CONTINUED: (2) 11

COLLEEN
It says in the book that the ring bearer's supposed to be from three to eight years old.

BRIAN
See? I'm _ten_ years old.

MIKE
Well...

This wasn't necessarily the moment she had in mind to broach the subject, but here it is.

MIKE
... what if you had to carry more than one ring?
(to Colleen)
Does Mrs. Godfrey say anything about that?

COLLEEN
(unclear)
No...

BRIAN
But there's only one ring. Everybody knows that.

MIKE
Apparently not everyone. I've heard of couples exchanging rings.

BRIAN
Is that what you and Sully're gonna do?

Good question. They all await her answer, especially Sully. She looks to him.

MIKE
We've never even discussed such a thing...

SULLY
We sure haven't.

MIKE
... but it doesn't mean that we can't.

She continues to hold his eyes.

MIKE
Does it?

(CONTINUED)

11.


CONTINUED: (3) 11

SULLY
(a beat)
'Course not.

SMASH CUT TO:


INT. OLD HOMESTEAD - NIGHT TWO 12


+CLOSE ON SULLY 13

SULLY
I ain't wearin' a ring.


+WIDEN TO REVEAL 14

Sully and Mike sitting by the fire, after the kids have gone to bed.

MIKE
I thought you agreed that we could discuss it.

SULLY
That's right, and we just did.

MIKE
But you haven't even heard my opinion.

SULLY
Michaela, whatever it is, I ain't wearin' a weddin' ring, so why waste your breath?

MIKE
A discussion implies hearing all views, _then_ deciding.

Sully takes a deep breath, sighs it out.

SULLY
Go ahead.

MIKE
Well... First of all, it's true. There are couples who exchange rings, many in fact. I've not only heard of them, I've even met a few. Some of my father's Libertist friends.

SULLY
"Libertists?"

(CONTINUED)

12.


CONTINUED: 14

MIKE
Free thinkers. People who aren't afraid to defy convention...

SULLY
I'm not afraid.

MIKE
I didn't say you were.
(quickly)
Oh, please, this isn't how I wanted this to go...

SULLY
No, you just wanted me to say yes.

MIKE
(appealing)
That's not true. I simply wanted us to share our thoughts, our feelings... You've always been fair to me, Sully. You've always heard me out.

A beat, then he takes her hands in his, ready to listen.

MIKE
If we each have a ring on our finger, we're saying to the world that we belong to one another, that we're husband and wife... And nothing else is necessary to prove that.

SULLY
What're you gettin' at?

She hesitates for fear of his reaction, for fear of alienating the one person she loves most in the world. He sees the fear.

SULLY
There's nothin' you can't say to me, don't you know that?

She looks deep into his eyes, hoping that's true. Finally:

MIKE
The rings say far more than a name.

He realizes where she's headed.

(CONTINUED)

13.


CONTINUED: (2) 14

MIKE
Tell me honestly... How would you feel if you suddenly had to change your name to Byron Quinn?

He looks into the fire.

MIKE
The Cheyenne don't change names when they marry.

SULLY
We're not Cheyenne.

He's had more than he can handle for one day.

SULLY
And we're not settlin' any of this right now.

He gets up...

SULLY
'Night.

... and leaves.

Mike watches the door close behind him.


EXT. GRACE'S CAFE - DAY THREE 15

Brian sits with Loren, Dorothy and the Reverend. Jake and Hank are at the next table, as Grace delivers their lunch.

LOREN
Two rings, you say?

BRIAN
I don't see what's so much harder 'bout carryin' two rings than one that you gotta be older.

HANK
(interrupts)
And Sully's goin' along with it?

BRIAN
(shrugs)
Ma said they hadn't talked it over, and Sully said they sure hadn't.

Looks all around.

(CONTINUED)

14.


CONTINUED: 15

HANK
How'd he sound when he said that?

BRIAN
(thinks)
Kinda mad.

Hank smiles, announces:

HANK
Odds just doubled, folks.

BRIAN
Hey, what 'bout _my_ bet?

Hank looks at him blankly.

BRIAN
A baby brother or a baby sister?

HANK
Think you're puttin' the cart 'fore the horse.


INT. CLINIC - DAY THREE 16

Mike's at her desk, going over a medical chart, but her mind is elsewhere, when Colleen enters, putters around, something on her mind as well.

COLLEEN
Mrs. Godfrey's book said bridesmaids just have to be older'n thirteen.

MIKE
Um...

COLLEEN
Fifteen's 'bout average, I'd say.

MIKE
Fifteen, you say?...

Colleen misreads Mike's indifference and her emotion spills over into the tone of her voice.

COLLEEN
Yeah, _my_ age.

Mike looks up, realizes what's being said.

MIKE
Oh, Colleen... You must think...

(CONTINUED)

15.


CONTINUED: 16

She gets up and goes to Colleen, takes her gently by the shoulders.

MIKE
I want you to be a bridesmaid.

COLLEEN
You do?

MIKE
Of course.

COLLEEN
But you didn't say anything.

Mike shakes her head at herself.

MIKE
I've been much too preoccupied lately.

COLLEEN
'Cause you been hopin' to hear from Boston?

MIKE
I suppose so.
(wistful smile)
Will you please do me the honor?

Colleen smiles big, nods. Mike hugs her, but over [Colleen's shoulder, her expression is still troubled.


omit (17-19)


EXT. ]NEW HOMESTEAD - DAY THREE 20

Mike rides up, sees Sully's horse there.


INT. NEW HOMESTEAD - DAY THREE 21

Mike enters, looks around surprised to find no one. Then she hears some activity above her. She starts up the stairs.


INT. MIKE'S AND SULLY'S FUTURE BEDROOM - DAY THREE 22

She enters to find Sully polishing the lone piece of furniture in the room -- the bed he carved for them. He takes note of her presence, but doesn't stop his work.

SULLY
I ain't had enough time to decide.

MIKE
I know.

She comes closer, runs her hand along the smooth wood until it covers his, stopping his motion.

MIKE
I didn't come for any decisions... I came to talk about Matthew and Ingrid.

(CONTINUED)

18.


CONTINUED: 22

He pulls away, continues working.

SULLY
What about 'em?

MIKE
Apparently Matthew thinks he has to prove his manhood by building his own homestead all by himself.

SULLY
Not such a bad idea.

MIKE
Sully... Ever since Olive left him her cattle, he hasn't had enough time...

Sully's worked his way close to Mike and stops, interrupting:

SULLY
Then he shoulda taken me up on my offer.

MIKE
What offer?

SULLY
To take the old homestead.

MIKE
You offered it to him?

SULLY
Months ago.

MIKE
Why didn't you tell me?

SULLY
Didn't see any reason to set you goin' on about it.

MIKE
Like now? Is that how you see what I'm doing? "Going on about it?"

Sully moves around her and starts polishing again.

SULLY
A man's gotta make those kinda choices for himself.

A beat.

(CONTINUED)

19.


CONTINUED: (2) 22

MIKE
So does a woman.

She leaves. He stops, goes to the window and looks out.


+SULLY'S POV 23

Mike riding off, strong in the saddle, her hair flowing behind her.

DISSOLVE TO:


EXT. NEW TRAIN STATION - DAY FOUR 24

The day has arrived. The train is coming. Celebration sweeps the town. Every last decoration is in place, a uniformed BRASS BAND's been hired just for the occasion, and VENDORS sell souvenirs and confections.


+THE PLATFORM 25

is crowded, as is the street beyond. Everyone has turned out for this momentous event, sporting their finest.

All of the townsfolk are there. Matthew, Ingrid and her little SISTERS stand with Robert E and Grace and Myra. Hank and his GIRLS are all decked out.

Jake, as Mayor, stands next to a podium that's been placed on the open end of the platform, opposite the telegraph office and ticket window. With him are Loren and the Reverend.


+THE NEW TELEGRAPH OFFICE 26

now has all of the trappings of the old one, including the old bulletin-type board for official announcements. The only difference is that in place of the stagecoach schedule, Horace now hangs the new train schedule. The first one's due in at 9 AM. He goes...


INT. NEW TELEGRAPH OFFICE - DAY FOUR 27

... where he glances up at the wall clock: 8:45. A message starts coming over the telegraph. He quickly writes it down and goes back...


EXT. NEW TELEGRAPH OFFICE - DAY FOUR 28

... where he picks up a piece of chalk and writes next to the 9 AM arrival -- "ON TIME".

(CONTINUED)

20.


CONTINUED: 28

GENERAL CUSTER (O.S.)
It better be.

Horace jumps, turns to find Custer and three MEN facing him with a smile. Behind him is a small DETAIL OF MEN accompanying an empty wagon on the crowded street.

GENERAL CUSTER
Patience is not one of my virtues, and I'm expecting a shipment of munitions. Meanwhile...

He hands Horace some kind of placard.

GENERAL CUSTER
You're to place that in full public view.

Horace looks at the placard, shocked.

GENERAL CUSTER
By mandate of federal law.

Horace hesitates, but then goes to the bulletin board and picks up the small mallet hanging from a string. He takes some of the spare nails from the corner and now places the poster up and reluctantly nails it into place. When he finishes, he steps aside to reveal...


+A WANTED POSTER FOR CLOUD DANCING 29

... boasting a $500 reward -- Dead or alive.


EXT. CLINIC - DAY FOUR 30

Mike, Colleen and Brian exit into the flow of traffic and excitement headed for the train station. People checking their watches, hurrying.


EXT. GENERAL STORE - DAY FOUR 31

Mike and the kids pass just as Dorothy comes out, wearing the dress Jake bought her for Valentine's Day.

DOROTHY
Michaela!...

Mike stops, allowing the kids to run on ahead with some of their FRIENDS. Dorothy joins her and slips her arm through hers, as they head for the station along with everyone else.

(CONTINUED)

21.


CONTINUED: 31

DOROTHY
You know how there's a day you plan on for such a long time, it gets so you never think it's really gonna come, but then it does.

Mike smiles, nods, stops Dorothy.

MIKE
Dorothy, I've been meaning to ask you... Will you be my matron of honor?

DOROTHY
(delighted)
Michaela...

They hug, but then:

MIKE
And Dorothy?...

They separate. Mike hesitates.

DOROTHY
What is it?

MIKE
Well... I could use some... advice... from someone who's had... experience.

DOROTHY
(smiles)
Oh, don't you worry. It's as easy as fallin' off a log.

MIKE
Remember, I've never... fallen off a log.

Dorothy links arms with her and starts them walking again with the flow of the crowd.

DOROTHY
Well, I'll tell you everythin' I know, for whatever it's worth...

And they blend into the crowd pushing toward the train station.

22.


EXT. TRAIN STATION - DAY FOUR 32

Mike and Dorothy join the others. As a town council member, Mike is helped up onto the platform by the Reverend. From that vantage, she now sees Custer and his men. She looks to the Reverend, then to Loren and Jake. No one seems too pleased at Custer's presence this time around. But on the other hand, they're determined to let the dark cloud pass over quickly. They all look away, back to their preparations. Only Mike still feels the shadow, as she and Custer lock eyes.


EXT. NEW TELEGRAPH OFFICE - DAY FOUR 33

Horace comes out, donning his jacket to join the festivities, but instead runs smack into Sully, who stands, staring at the poster. There're a lot of people around, but everyone's focus is down the platform, away from them. Horace stands there a beat beside Sully, looking at the drawing of Cloud Dancing, now a man with a bounty on his head.

HORACE
Didn't figure you'd come to see the train.

SULLY
I didn't. I came for somethin' else.

Horace glances over at Mike at the other end of the platform, then back at the "Wanted" poster. A beat.

HORACE
I'm real sorry, Sully, but I had to put it up. It's the law.

Sully nods grimly.


+ON CUSTER 34

He sees Sully at the poster, then watches him walk away from Horace, from the crowd, from the festivities -- off into the wild.


+SUDDENLY 35

The SOUND of a train whistle in the distance.


+BACK TO SCENE 36

Horace glances up at the wall clock: 8:58. He takes off across the platform...


23.


+ANOTHER ANGLE 37

... to join the other town council members at the podium.

Among the crowd, the excitement grows as the train WHISTLE blows again, closer this time.


+OUR TOWNSPEOPLE 38

react, each in turn, and the WHISTLE bursts come closer and the chug of steam can even be heard.

Matthew lifts Brian up so he can see above the crowd.

Colleen hugs Mike in anticipation.

Mike forgets all else for the moment, straining to catch the glimpse everyone's waiting for... and there it is!


+THE TRAIN 39

barrels around the bend and into full view. A deafening CHEER goes up. The WHISTLE blows repeatedly as it steams into the station and slows to a puffing stop.

At the helm of the locomotive is JOHN, the engineer Brian rescued from Hank's trap.

BRIAN
Hey, look! It's John!

Matthew's view is blocked by Brian.

MATTHEW
John who?

BRIAN
You know, the John who got burned in the train wreck and Ma fixed his face? He's drivin' the train!

MATTHEW
(impressed)
No kiddin'.

The town acknowledges John with a extra CHEER, as the big man waves. Brian runs to greet him.

Jake takes the podium, next to a couple of TOPHATS. He holds out his hands for quiet and the crowd manages to settle down.

JAKE
As Mayor, it's my privilege to welcome the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad to Colorado Springs.

(CONTINUED)

23A.


CONTINUED: 39

He shakes hands with the tophats to APPLAUSE and CHEERS.

CUSTER
My munitions, gentlemen!

Everyone quiets.

CUSTER
I should think you'd want to start off on the right foot by making your deliveries on time.

A beat, as everyone looks to Jake for a response.

(CONTINUED)

24.


CONTINUED: (2) 39

JAKE
General Custer, I think it's only polite we oughta wait 'til tomorrow to unload the freight and get on with the celebratin', don't you?

Custer sizes Jake up, then suddenly smiles.

CUSTER
Why, of course. Only polite.

Jake and Loren exchange a look, then Jake goes to the door of the sole passenger car.

JAKE
Ladies and Gentlemen, the first passenger to travel by train to our fair town....

He slides the door open, and there stands none other than...


+ELIZABETH QUINN 40

MIKE
Mother!

OFF Mike's reaction.

FADE OUT:

_END ACT ONE_