Épisode L'expédition (2/2) S04E09 - Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman Saison 4

DR. QUINN, MEDICINE WOMAN

"Expedition - Part II"



Written by
Sara Davidson
&
Andrew Lipsitz



Directed by
Chuck Bowman



CBS ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTIONS Prod. #2244-0410
in association with PRODUCTION DRAFT
THE SULLIVAN COMPANY August 22, 1995
(C) MCMXC Rev. Blue, August 25, 1995
CBS Inc. Rev. Pink, August 28, 1995
All Rights Reserved Rev. Yellow, August 29, 1995
Rev. Green, August 30, 1995
Rev. Goldenrod, October 18, 1995
Rev. Salmon, October 23, 1995
Rev. Buff, October 24, 1995

CBS INC. IS THE AUTHOR OF THIS PROGRAM
FOR THE PURPOSE OF COPYRIGHT AND OTHER LAWS

No portion of this material may be copied or distributed without the prior consent of CBS Inc.



DR. QUINN, MEDICINE WOMAN

"Expedition - Part II"

Cast List


MICHAELA QUINN
SULLY

MATTHEW
COLLEEN
BRIAN

LOREN
DOROTHY

JAKE
HANK

HORACE
MYRA
SAMANTHA

GRACE
ROBERT E

PRESTON
REVEREND

BOUNTY HUNTER *


BACKGROUND: TOWNSFOLK
CUSTOMERS






ACT ONE


FADE IN:


EXT. PIKE'S PEAK - ESTABLISHING - DAY SIX 1

The women are still out there, somewhere.


EXT. MOUNTAIN CREVICE - DAY SIX 2

MIKE remains in the crevice. She studies a spot on the rock face that might provide a hold. She takes a step up, but she can't reach for a hand hold, because she's sprained her right shoulder, as well. She steps back on the ground, wincing as she lands on her bad right knee, and then continues searching for a way out.


INT. STORE - DAY SIX 3

LOREN, JAKE, PRESTON, and HORACE (with the baby carriage by him) have gathered to celebrate their victory. Loren stands beside a display at the front counter featuring cigars for ten cents each.

JAKE
How 'bout breakin' out those cigars? We're celebratin'.

LOREN
I'd hate to give away somethin' that's sellin' so good.

JAKE
When the hotel opens, I'll buy you a whole box.

PRESTON
Think of it as your first official business transaction with our hotel. The first of many.

LOREN
Well...

Loren hands out the cigars, which the other three light.

PRESTON
If these are selling as well as you say, you should raise the price.

LOREN
Dorothy hates it when I do that.

(CONTINUED)

2.


CONTINUED: 3

PRESTON
Dorothy isn't here right now.

LOREN
That's right, she ain't.

Loren takes a pencil and happily raises the price to twenty cents a cigar.


EXT. MOUNTAIN TRAIL - DAY SIX 4

DOROTHY (lost in thought) hikes down the mountain with GRACE and MYRA.

GRACE
We keep goin' like this, we could be soakin' in the hot springs by tomorrow.

MYRA
Forget the hot springs. I'm gonna eat first -- roast beef, mashed potatoes, and corn bread.

GRACE
How 'bout you, Dorothy?

DOROTHY
(slightly queasy)
Oh, I ain't thinkin' much 'bout food right now.

MYRA
You feelin' all right?

DOROTHY
I'm fine, now that we're headin' down.

GRACE
Then what's wrong?

(CONTINUED)

3.


CONTINUED: 4

DOROTHY
I feel bad 'bout leavin' Michaela.
(a beat)
But I had no choice. I couldn't keep goin'.
(another beat)
Maybe I could a few years back... but I'm old now. That's how come I was feelin' so bad up there.

MYRA
You feel better now, don't you?

DOROTHY
Well... yes.

GRACE
There you go. I've heard a folks feelin' bad when they get high up, but soon as they start down, they feel better. Don't matter how old ya are.

DOROTHY
But I am getting older.

Dorothy stops, takes a beat, Grace and Myra watching.

DOROTHY
I do my best to hold it off. I tell myself, I still feel young. I still look good.
(shakes her head)
Then I start to notice -- other folks ain't that interested in how I look. I mean, if a young girl walks by, people's heads will turn. But a woman my age...
(a beat)
I sometimes feel like I'm becomin' invisible.

GRACE
I know that feelin'.

(CONTINUED)

4.


CONTINUED: (2) 4

DOROTHY
But the funny thing is, on the inside, I feel more alive than ever. I got a hankerin' to do all sorts a new things.

MYRA
Like what?

Dorothy starts walking, Grace and Myra follow.

DOROTHY
Like... livin' on my own. All my life I been livin' under somebody else's roof. First my Daddy's, then my husband's, now Loren's.

ON MYRA

Nodding, taking it all in.

GRACE
You could find a place in town, make a home for yourself.

DOROTHY
Yes, I could.
(a beat)
But it wouldn't be right to move out a Loren's now; with all he's just been through.

There's nothing the other two can say. Dorothy's caught in a bind.


EXT. STORE - DAY SIX 5

Loren, Jake, Preston, and Horace (with the carriage by his side) puff away, enjoying the taste of legislative victory as they gaze out over the town.

JAKE
I can't believe I'm gonna be runnin' a hotel.

PRESTON
You won't have to do everything yourself, Jake.

LOREN
That's right. A hotel like that's gonna need a whole staff.

(CONTINUED)

5.


CONTINUED: 5

PRESTON
And a staff there shall be.

HORACE
(hinting, hopeful)
Who're you gonna hire?

PRESTON
The group of investors I've organized knows some men with experience in the field, and I'll be bringing them in to consult...

JAKE
Consult?

PRESTON
Just to make sure things move along as they should. As you say, Jake, you've never run a hotel, so I wouldn't dream of putting everything on your shoulders.

Jake thinks about what Preston is saying. Something's a little off, but it's nothing to get concerned about, so he keeps puffing along.

HORACE
You think I might be able to do somethin'?

PRESTON
(aside, to Horace)
I'm going to need you to help me communicate with my consultants.

Horace stands tall, proud to serve.


EXT. MOUNTAIN CREVICE - DAY SIX 6

Mike takes her canteen and tries to drink, but it's empty. To the side, there's a trickle of water coming down the rock. She takes a handkerchief and holds it under the trickle, wetting it. She squeezes what she can from the handkerchief, careful to drink every possible drop, and then holds the handkerchief under the trickle again, repeating the painstaking process.


EXT. MOUNTAIN TRAIL - DAY SIX 7

Myra and Dorothy have stopped to drink water from their canteens. Grace scouts the trail just ahead of them, pointing:

(CONTINUED)

6.


CONTINUED: 7

GRACE
If we cut down here, we can save ourselves some walkin'.

MYRA
What d'you think, Dorothy?

Grace reacts, walks back to them as Dorothy considers.

DOROTHY
Well...

GRACE
(hurt, to Myra)
How come anytime I make a suggestion 'bout what direction to go, you ask Dr. Mike or Dorothy what they think?

MYRA
(taken aback)
No reason, Grace. Just seein' how everybody else feels.

GRACE
If Dr. Mike suggests somethin', you don't ask how everybody else feels.

DOROTHY
Now, that ain't true...

(CONTINUED)

7.


CONTINUED: (2) 7

GRACE
Like when I tried to tell everybody we were on the wrong trail...

DOROTHY
Michaela had a different opinion, that's all.

GRACE
But you listened to her, didn't you?

Grace turns away, upset both by her feeling and by the conflict it's generating.

DOROTHY
I can see how you'd be mad if you believed that, but it just can't be.

GRACE
(without turning)
Why not?

Dorothy goes to her, puts a hand on her shoulder.

DOROTHY
'Cause we're friends.

Grace looks at Dorothy.

DOROTHY
Good friends.

If only it were so simple... Myra joins them.

MYRA
Yeah, Grace. And after climbing that mountain together...
(glances back uphill)
... we're better friends than ever.

Grace sees the utterly ingenuous sincerity on Dorothy's and Myra's faces. Moved, but still frustrated, she looks back up the hill, too.

(CONTINUED)

8.


CONTINUED: (3) 7

GRACE
But we didn't really climb that mountain, did we?

A beat.

There's a look between them, and then all eyes turn... looking up the mountain. There's silent confirmation that they're all on the same page, and then they set off, back up the trail.[


INT. BANK - DAY SIX 7A

Preston shines his shoes as Hank walks in the bank with two prostitutes.

PRESTON
What can I do for you, Hank?

HANK
Just came to talk a little business.

PRESTON
Do you often talk business with your... associates in the room?

HANK
I do when I'm makin' a point.

PRESTON
Which is?

HANK
Which is, there's no reason for you an' me to have competin' hotels.

PRESTON
Competition is the locomotive that drives all business.

HANK
My train's already up an runnin'. Why not get on board with me?

PRESTON
Because the train you're on only goes so far. The track I'm laying has no limits.

Hank takes a beat.

(CONTINUED)

8A.


CONTINUED: 7A

HANK
You may got plenty 'a money, but I know how to put that money to use.

Hank puts his arms around the prostitutes.

HANK
Nobody in town knows more 'bout... entertainin' than me.

PRESTON
I'm not running that sort of hotel, Hank.

Preston slowly circles toward the prostitutes, laying on the charm.

PRESTON
My hotel is going to be a first-class operation, from the gaming tables to the entertainment. The women in my stage show are going to be the finest performers in the country, working on a world-class stage with the most exotic costumes.

Preston now stands in-between the two prostitutes.

PRESTON
Do you ladies dance?

Hank takes the prostitutes back, giving Preston a cold look.

HANK
They already work for me.

Preston smiles.

PRESTON
Competition, Hank. Get used to it.

Hank and the prostitutes leave, and Preston resumes shining his shoes.]


EXT. LIVERY - DAY SIX 8

ROBERT E hands SULLY the rip saw he's fixed for him, and as Sully looks it over, Robert E takes a horseshoe and heats it in the forge.

SULLY
How much I owe you?

(CONTINUED)

8B.


CONTINUED: 8

ROBERT E
Nothin'. I appreciate what you tried to do in that meetin' yesterday. Even if it didn't work out.

SULLY
You were right 'bout the hotel, Robert E.

Robert E takes the horseshoe from the forge and puts it down so he can work on it.

ROBERT E
Wish other folks 'round here could see that.

Robert E brings his hammer down on the shoe.

SULLY
But they don't. It's like when folks got the train to come through town; nobody's thinkin' ahead.

Robert E hits the shoe again, this time with more force.

ROBERT E
Well, I am.

(CONTINUED)

9.


CONTINUED: (2) 8

Robert E hits the shoe again, delivering his strongest blow yet.

Sully looks at Robert E, but Robert E's gaze travels over Sully's shoulder, to the street, where the BOUNTY HUNTER rides up on a horse.


+ON THE BOUNTY HUNTER 9

He stares right at Robert E, making sure Robert E gets a good long look at his horse.


+ON THE LIVERY 10

Robert E holds his gaze, but Sully doesn't know why.


+ON THE BOUNTY HUNTER 11

He turns the horse and rides out of town.


+ON THE LIVERY 12

ROBERT E
I'm gonna fight that hotel right up to the day they try to open it.

Robert E turns, heating the shoe again, not in a mood to talk anymore.


EXT. MOUNTAIN CREVICE - DAY SIX 13

Mike stands, still searching for a way to climb out... and then she HEARS something; branches snapping, a rock coming over the wall, landing at her feet... and then VOICES, carrying from above.
MIKE
Hello? Is anyone there?

DOROTHY (O.S.)
Michaela?

MYRA (O.S.)
Where are you?

MIKE
Down here. But there's no way to get up.


10.


+ON THE TRAIL 14

Grace tears off her pack and digs inside, pulling out a rope, as Myra and Dorothy lean over the edge.

GRACE
We got a rope, Dr. Mike.

Grace goes to a rock by the edge of the trail and then throws the rope over the side.


+ON THE CREVICE 15

Mike tries to grab the rope and tie it around her, but with only one good arm, she can't do it.

MIKE
I hurt my shoulder... I can't hold the rope.


+ON THE TRAIL 16

The three women look amongst themselves. There's a beat, and then Grace takes the end of the line and wraps it around a log.

DOROTHY
What're you doin'?

GRACE
This is gonna help get Dr. Mike.

MYRA
How?

GRACE
I'll climb down and get the rope on Dr. Mike. Then you pull her up.

MYRA
No.

GRACE
It's the only way.

MYRA
I ain't disagreein', Grace. But I should go. I'm the smallest. You and Dorothy stay up here and pull.

Standing next to each other, we can see that Myra is definitely smaller, and so with no time to lose, Grace gives the rope to Myra.

(CONTINUED)

11.


CONTINUED: 16

GRACE
Thought you were afraid a heights?

MYRA
I am.

There's a hint of a smile on both their faces, and then Myra climbs down the rope.


OMITTED (17) 17


OMITTED (18) 18


+ON THE CREVICE 19

Myra slowly lowers herself down.


+ON MIKE 20

This is the first she's seen of their plan.

MIKE
Myra.


+ON THE CREVICE 21

Myra touches down safely. She embraces Mike, a little too hard, and then she ties the rope around Mike.

MYRA
Let's get you back up there.

GRACE (O.S.)
Ready?

Myra looks to Mike.

MIKE
Ready.


+ON THE TRAIL 22

Dorothy and Grace struggle to lift Mike, but as they make progress, Grace wraps the slack around the log, creating a mechanical advantage, and making it that much easier to lift Mike.


12.


+ON THE CREVICE 23

Mike slowly makes her way up the wall.


+ON THE TRAIL 24

Grace and Dorothy keep pulling. We see how hard Dorothy struggles.

GRACE
How you doin'?

DOROTHY
I'm just gettin' a second wind.

The women pull... a little more... and then they see Mike's head about to clear the top.

Grace wraps the rope around the log, holding Mike in place, and then she and Dorothy go to the edge, lifting Mike to safety.

They embrace.

DOROTHY
Are you all right?

MIKE
I'm fine.
(off their concern)
I promise.
(a beat)
Let's get Myra back up.

Grace and Dorothy lower the rope.


+ON MIKE 24A

More shaken than she'd ever admit.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE




13.


ACT TWO


FADE IN:


EXT. CAMPSITE - DAY SEVEN 25

The women sit , drinking water and eating biscuits. (Mike has her injured knee stretched out in front of her, bandaged. Her arm rests in a sling.) The initial euphoria of saving Mike has passed, and now they're left with the emotional residue from harsh words spoken earlier.

MYRA
Good biscuits.

The others AD LIB their agreement, and then fall back into awkward silence.

MIKE
I owe each of you an apology.

GRACE
No, you don't.

DOROTHY
We all said some things we didn't mean, Michaela.

MIKE
Perhaps... but there was some truth in what you said about me. I was only thinking about reaching the top, and if you hadn't had the courage to come back up...

MYRA
But we did.

There's a beat, recognition of what they accomplished.

MIKE
Yes, you did.
(a beat)
I can't think of three women I'd rather see at the top of Pike's Peak.

DOROTHY
Four women. And one day, we'll come back up and finish what we started.

(CONTINUED)

14.


CONTINUED: 25

MIKE
We may never get that chance again, Dorothy. We have to go now.

DOROTHY
You can't go up there.

MIKE
I don't mean me. I mean you.

MYRA
Don't start talkin' crazy, Dr. Mike. We're not leavin' you here.

GRACE
Why not?

There's a look between Mike and Grace. They're thinking the same thing.

DOROTHY
I'll tell you why not. Michaela's injured, and we're not gonna let her sit here all by herself.
MIKE
I can move my arm.

She demonstrates enough mobility to be convincing.

MIKE
And my knee doesn't require surgery. I need a day to allow the swelling to go down, and then I'll be able to make it back with you.

MYRA
No.

MIKE
When Sam died, I spent the night up here by myself, and I was fine.

DOROTHY
Well, if you'd come up here by yourself this time, you'd still be stuck down where we found ya.

GRACE
Dr. Mike ain't gonna be doin' much climbin' for a day or two. She'll be safe right here.

(CONTINUED)

15.


CONTINUED: (2) 25

MYRA
Are you listenin' to yourself, Grace?

MIKE
I'm listening. And it makes perfect sense. You're one day from the top. If you set out right now, you'd be back before sunset tomorrow. That's one night.

DOROTHY
Which is one night too many.

MIKE
What if I was Sully?

DOROTHY
If he was injured, we'd carry him down to see a doctor, which is what we should do for you.

MIKE
I am a doctor, and if any of you had my injuries, I'd make sure you rested them for a day, then went down.

MYRA
We didn't come back up here to leave you alone again.

MIKE
No, you didn't. You came back because you wanted to prove you could climb to the top. And now's your chance.

GRACE
(to Myra and Dorothy)
Might as well think 'bout it. We know we ain't goin' anywhere 'till Dr. Mike's ready.

MIKE
And that means you can sit here, watching the swelling in my knee go down, or you can go do something you may never have the opportunity to do again: stand on top of a mountain.

There's a beat as Mike looks at them, and then they begin to look at each other, thinking about it.


16.


INT. CLINIC - DAY SEVEN 26

SAMANTHA sits by the open door as COLLEEN closes and locks the supply cabinet. BRIAN picks up the children's books scattered on Mike's desk.

COLLEEN
I'm gonna go over to Becky's house this afternoon.

BRIAN
Who's gonna watch Samantha?

COLLEEN
You are.

BRIAN
By myself?

COLLEEN
You've had plenty a practice, and 'sides, I'll just be five minutes.

BRIAN
Oh, no, I know how long five minutes takes when somebody leaves a baby with you.

COLLEEN
All you gotta do is read those books to her.

BRIAN
Sully said he'd take me fishin' today.

COLLEEN
You can go fishin' tomorrow. Becky invited me over this afternoon.


+ON THE DOORWAY 27

Empty now. Samantha has left the building.

BRIAN (O.S.)
Where's Samantha?


+BACK TO SCENE 28

A beat of horror.

COLLEEN
Oh, no.


17.


EXT. CLINIC - CONTINUOUS - DAY SEVEN 29

Colleen and Brian come running out, looking for the baby.

BRIAN
Samantha!

COLLEEN
She couldn't have gone far.

They run around the corner of the clinic, into the alley leading to the cafe.


EXT. BARBERSHOP - CONTINUOUS - DAY SEVEN 30

Jake has a book in his hands, and he's pointing out something to Preston as they walk.

JAKE
We oughta order this for the casino. It's called a Lewis (Louis) the X V I chair, and they got 'em in France. That's where Lewis (Louis) used to live.

PRESTON
Most impressive, Jake. You've been doing your homework.

JAKE
Runnin' a hotel's a lot a responsibility.

PRESTON
Yes, it is. And I have good news on that very subject: I've located just the man to oversee our operations.

JAKE
You mean, someone who's gonna make sure things go the way we want 'em to.

PRESTON
Actually, I think it's best if we follow his lead on matters concerning the day-to-day running of the hotel.

JAKE
But, we said I was gonna be runnin' things.

PRESTON
We said you'd have a position of authority, and so you shall.

(CONTINUED)

18.


CONTINUED: 30

Jake takes a final, discouraged look in the book he's holding, and then he closes the pages before heading back to the barbershop.

Preston hears a BABY NOISE, and he looks down to see Samantha, by the corner of the clinic, just as Brian and Colleen rush up.

BRIAN
Samantha.

COLLEEN
There you are.

PRESTON
She's quite a handful, isn't she?

BRIAN
She doesn't wanna keep still.

PRESTON
What she wants is irrelevant. You're in charge.

COLLEEN
But you gotta watch her every second or she runs away.

PRESTON
Then find a place where she can't run away.

Preston continues on his way leaving Colleen and Brian to consider his advice.


EXT. CAMPSITE - DAY SEVEN 31

Mike sits, alone. She shifts to reach into her pack, and then winces as her knee moves. It hurts, but the pain isn't too bad, and she brings the pack close.


+ON THE PACK 31A

It's stuffed with biscuits.


+ON MIKE 31B

She takes a biscuit, smiling now, and looks up the mountain.


19.


EXT. UPPER MOUNTAIN TRAIL BY STREAM - DAY SEVEN 32

By the water, Dorothy, Grace, and Myra search through their packs.
DOROTHY
I snuck all my biscuits into Michaela's bag... just to be sure she had enough.

MYRA
I did, too.

GRACE
We're gotta eat one more time 'fore we get to the top.

Grace drifts a step closer to the water.

MYRA
Grace, what d'you...
(sees Grace eye the water)
What're you doin'?

GRACE
There's fish in there.

DOROTHY
I don't see any.

GRACE
Trout.
(points)
Look, by those rocks.

MYRA
I see 'em.

DOROTHY
Anybody bring a fishin' pole?

GRACE
Don't need one.

Grace takes a hairpin from her hair and fashions a hook. Dorothy and Myra watch, and then do the same as Grace takes string from her pack and ties it to the hook, before offering the string to the other two.

GRACE
They like bugs, but ya gotta know what kinda bug they're eatin', 'cause trout're smart.

Grace starts looking under rocks in the stream, and then produces her first bug as the other two tie string to their hooks.

(CONTINUED)

20.


CONTINUED: 32

GRACE
(holds up the bug)
There.

MYRA
What is it?

GRACE
I don't know the name, but I know trout love 'em.

DOROTHY
How?

GRACE
I used to go fishin' with my brothers.

Grace hands it to Dorothy, who puts it on her hook, and then Grace finds two more bugs, giving one to Myra and keeping one for herself.

GRACE
Just put your line in, real quiet, and let the fish do the work.

Myra and Grace put their lines in.

DOROTHY
You ever caught anythin' with one a these before?

GRACE
Not personally. But there's a first time for everythin'.

Grace and Dorothy exchange a smile.

MYRA
I got one!

Myra yanks at her line awkwardly, pulling the fish out of the stream, but then she lets go of the line in an attempt to grab the fish. She misses, but Dorothy drops her line and gets the fish in both hands.

DOROTHY
It's a beauty. Whoa...

The fish starts flopping and wriggling and jumps right out of Dorothy's hands, back into the shallow water.

MYRA
Get it.

(CONTINUED)

21.


CONTINUED: (2) 32

Myra jumps in the water, trying to catch the fish. Dorothy joins her, and the two flail about in the water, frustrated at first, and then slowly devolving into laughter. As they emerge from the water, we see Myra has the fish in her hands.


EXT. LIVERY - DAY SEVEN 33


+ON ROBERT E 34

A set of reins drops by his feet as he hammers a board (with his back to the street). He sees the reins and turns around.


+PULL BACK TO REVEAL 35

The bounty hunter, standing by the side of his horse. Behind him, in handcuffs with a rope tied around his neck, is the FUGITIVE we saw on the "Wanted" poster earlier. He's been beaten; his eye is swollen, he's got a cut lip, and a gash on his forehead. In the b.g., Sully loads the wagon in front of the store.

BOUNTY HUNTER
Now you got a horse to rent, case anybody comes lookin' for one.


+ON ROBERT E 36

He locks eyes with the fugitive. The man in shackles looks hopeless, and Robert E fills with anger.


+BACK TO SCENE 37

The bounty hunter gives the rope a yank, dragging the prisoner toward the train station.


+ON ROBERT E 38

He's got the hammer in his hand, and he's holding it as tight as he can, almost to stop himself from using it. He watches the bounty hunter lead his prisoner up the street, and he doesn't even notice when Sully reaches him.


+BACK TO SCENE 39

SULLY
Hey.

Robert E still watches the bounty hunter and his prisoner.

(CONTINUED)

22.


CONTINUED: 39

SULLY
Somethin' wrong, Robert E?

ROBERT E
No.

There's a beat as Robert E turns to face Sully, his hands slowly loosening their grip on the hammer, until he finally puts it down.

SULLY
You sure?

Robert E casts one last look over his shoulder, then turns to Sully.

ROBERT E
Yeah.
(a beat)
But there is somethin I been meanin' to ask ya... more like somethin' I need your promise on.
(off Sully's nod)
This ain't a little thing, Sully. I... I want you to look after Grace case anythin' ever happens to me. I wanna know she'll be taken care of.

SULLY
Why're you talkin' like this, Robert E?

Robert E is silent, not sure if he can have this conversation.

ROBERT E
I don't know. Guess all this talk 'bout the hotel got me thinkin'.

SULLY
You got more'n that on your mind.

ROBERT E
(a beat)
You see that man the bounty hunter captured?

SULLY
You know 'im?

ROBERT E
No.
(a beat)
But I know what he feels like.

(CONTINUED)

23.


CONTINUED: (2) 39

SULLY
You in some kinda trouble, Robert E?
(off Robert E's silence)
'Cause if you are, you got friends in town who'll stand behind you.

ROBERT E
This ain't the kinda thing folks understand.

SULLY
You ever try tellin' anybody?
(off Robert E's silence)
Grace?

ROBERT E
I ain't tellin' Grace. The less she knows 'bout it, the better. I don't want her involved.

SULLY
Involved in what?

Robert E takes a beat. He's kept this for so many years, it's almost a relief to have Sully bringing it into the open.

ROBERT E
I killed a man, Sully.
(a beat)
I killed the man who owned me.

Sully remains silent.

ROBERT E
I was escapin', with my brother Joe, and his little boy. We waited 'till the fog was so thick you couldn't hardly see ten feet in front a you, and we headed right for the swamp, so the dogs couldn't track us... but we could hear 'em barkin', tryin' to get our scent. And just 'fore we made it out a the swamp... he was there, standin' in front a us. Shot Joe right off. Then he asked me if he should drown the boy, or just shoot im'.
(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

24.


CONTINUED: (3) 39

ROBERT E (CONT'D)
(a beat)
I waited half a second, maybe, and he said I was too late, and he walked over to the boy and he just put his head under the water. Not even the whole way, 'cause he said he wanted me to see what I did to the boy. What I did.
(a beat)
I dove under that water, and when I came up, I was right behind him. He tried to turn around and shoot me, but I got 'im in a hold no man could ever get out of -- and I told the boy to run -- run on back and don't say nothin'... and then I killed 'im.

A beat.

SULLY
It was self-defense, Robert E.

Robert E looks in the direction of the train station.

ROBERT E
Where I come from, they called it murder.

Silence, as the two men look at each other.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO




25.


ACT THREE


FADE IN:


EXT. UPPER MOUNTAIN TRAIL BY STREAM - DAY SEVEN 40

A fire CRACKLES and a fish cooks on a crude spit. Dorothy and Grace eat fish they've already cooked. Myra has finished, and now she's brushing her hair out.

DOROTHY
Fire's doin' well, Grace.

GRACE
Just the way Dr. Mike showed us.

DOROTHY
(to Myra)
Your hair's so long. I'd forgotten how pretty it is.

MYRA
I haven't worn it down in a while...
(beat)
I haven't done a lot a things I used to.

DOROTHY
Ya got married. That changes everythin'.

MYRA
I figured it would... just not the way it has.

GRACE
You 'an Horace got a nice, normal life now.

A beat.

MYRA
And that's what I wanted more than anythin' else when I was workin' for Hank: a nice, normal life.
(others smile)
When Horace and I fell in love, I was so happy. We'd get married in a normal church weddin', and we'd live in a normal house and have a normal family and... normal life is drivin' me crazy.

(CONTINUED)

26.


CONTINUED: 40

DOROTHY
It's gotta be better than workin' in the saloon.

MYRA
Yeah... but least back then I used to speak my mind. I had gumption. But lately, I been wearin' grey dresses, puttin' my hair up in a bun, actin'... meek.

GRACE
You weren't meek when we were lowerin' you down to get Dr. Mike.

MYRA
I wasn't, was I?

DOROTHY
Maybe ya oughta wear your hair down more often.

MYRA
It ain't just the hair. I thought, once I married Horace, all my problems would be solved.
(a beat)
I love Horace, and Samantha's been the greatest blessin' a my life.

There's a beat. She feels guilty for this.

MYRA
But I still wanna be somebody in my own right.

That's a big admission; too big for Myra, so she puts down her brush and picks up her plate, picking at the remnants of her dinner as Dorothy and Grace exchange a look.


EXT. MOUNTAIN CAMPSITE - DAY SEVEN 41

The WIND picks up as Mike tries to start a fire. She's taken her arm out of it's sling, but with her sore shoulder, she can't make the fire go. She discards the sticks she's been using, and looks for others.


+MIKE'S POV 42

A few yards away lie more sticks.


27.


+BACK TO SCENE 43

Mike stands and gathers the sticks. It's an effort to get up and gather the new wood, and on her way back to her bedroll she stumbles, falling to the ground. She lands squarely on her knee, and now we see that she's in genuine pain.

She throws the sticks away and pulls her pant leg up.


+ON MIKE'S KNEE 44

The knee is still swollen, and she's opened a new cut.


+BACK TO SCENE 45

The brave face Mike put on earlier is now gone. We see all the frustration and sadness she's feeling as she rifles through her pack, looking for something to clean her wound. She finds what she's looking for, and we leave her to cope as best she can.


INT. STORE - DAY SEVEN 46

Loren looks up at the shelves. There's something he wants, but there's no one there to help him get it. Determined, he puts his cane down and brings the ladder over. Sully walks in and sees Loren climb, tentatively at first, but more confident with each step, so that by the time he reaches the sack of beans he's after, Loren knows just how much he's recovered.

SULLY
Looks like you're gettin' your strength back.

Loren can't hide the sense of satisfaction as Hank walks in.

LOREN
And 'bout time, too. I got a store to run.

Loren comes down the ladder, and as he does, Jake and Preston enter the store and stop, just inside. Jake puts the catalogue he's holding on the counter, gestures to it.

JAKE
These chairs are gonna be gone if we don't order 'em right away.

PRESTON
(losing patience)
I don't want to order them, Jake.

JAKE
Then I will.

(CONTINUED)

28.


CONTINUED: 46

PRESTON
You can't.

JAKE
Why not? I thought we were partners.

PRESTON
I wouldn't exactly say we were "partners."

JAKE
But that's exactly what you said we were.

PRESTON
Jake, we're still in the process of defining our positions.

JAKE
You said we had a deal. We shook on it.

PRESTON
Technically, until we draw up the contract, I'm the only person with decision-making authority.

JAKE
You sayin' I'm not your partner?

PRESTON
Let's not get bogged down with certain words. I have men investing a great deal of money in this venture, and they all want the mayor involved.
(off Jake's look)
Trust me, you're going to be an integral part of this hotel.

Jake looks to his friends. Loren and Hank look away, embarrassed for Jake, but Sully keeps his eyes on Preston. Jake pulls closer to Preston, lowers his voice, which is more urgent now.

JAKE
I don't wanna be an integral. I wanna be a partner, just like we said.

PRESTON
I promise, you're going to love your position at the hotel.
(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

29.


CONTINUED: (2) 46

PRESTON (CONT'D)
In Monte Carlo, everyone would call you "le coiffeur extraordinaire."
(off Jake's look)
You'll have ten chairs at your disposal, assistants to give shaves so you won't have to...

JAKE
I'm runnin' the barbershop?

PRESTON
And you'll be the envy of every barber in the territory.

Jake is shocked, and mortified. He looks at Preston, his anger building, but Preston holds his smile, thinking he's doing Jake a favor. Loren feels for his friend, as does Hank. Sully shoots a look at Preston as he walks out of the store.


INT. JAIL - DAY SEVEN 47

ON SAMANTHA, BRIAN, AND COLLEEN

They're seated happily on a cot, with a picture book open on Colleen's lap.

COLLEEN
And what does a cow say?

BRIAN
(to Samantha)
Moooooooo.

Samantha giggles with glee, and Colleen can't help but laugh.

COLLEEN
You're gonna be a real good older brother.

BRIAN
It's kinda fun readin' to somebody.

COLLEEN
Maybe tomorrow we could bring Samantha out to the homestead?

HORACE (O.S.)
Colleen? Brian?

COLLEEN
In here.


30.


+WIDEN TO REVEAL 48

Where "in here" refers to: the town jail cell. Horace comes over to them, and at the sight of her father, Samantha climbs down and presses her tiny hands against the metal bars.

HORACE
What're you doin'?

BRIAN
Readin'.

HORACE
I can see that, but... you're in jail.

COLLEEN
Samantha kept gettin' away.

Horace opens the door and picks up Samantha.

HORACE
Is she all right?

COLLEEN
She's fine.

BRIAN
'Cept... I think she's been missin' her pa.

HORACE
I'll tell you who she really misses: her ma. That's who.

Horace takes Samantha home, and Colleen and Brian watch her go with mixed emotions as they close the picture book.


EXT. CAFE - DAY SEVEN 48A

Empty, except for Robert E, who's fixing the broken leg on a table. There's a stack of chairs next to him, waiting their turn to be mended. Sully walks over from the livery.

SULLY
Need a hand?

ROBERT E
No, thanks.

Robert E keeps working, so as to avoid Sully, but Sully stays.

SULLY
You can tell her, Robert E.

ROBERT E
No.

(CONTINUED)

30A.


CONTINUED: 48A

SULLY
She'd understand.

A beat.

ROBERT E
What good would it do?

SULLY
It'd put your mind at ease.

ROBERT E
My mind ain't ever at ease, and I don't expect it ever will be.

SULLY
That how you plannin' on livin' the rest 'a your life?

ROBERT E
I'll get by.

SULLY
If you just wanted to get by, you never woulda married Grace.

ROBERT E
That's just it...

He stops working, turns to face Sully.

ROBERT E
S'pose I'm afraid Grace would leave me.

SULLY
Not the Grace I know.

Sully leaves, as Robert E absorbs these words.


EXT. UPPER MOUNTAIN TRAIL BY STREAM - NIGHT SEVEN 49

Grace sleeps, off to the side. Myra stares at the fire as it dies out, and Dorothy watches her. Both Myra and Dorothy are bedded down.


+ON DOROTHY AND MYRA 50

DOROTHY
Thinkin' 'bout Samantha?

(CONTINUED)

30B.


CONTINUED: 50

MYRA
She needs her bunny to get to sleep.
(a beat)
I hope Horace remembers.

(CONTINUED)

31.


CONTINUED: (2) 50

DOROTHY
I'm sure he did.

MYRA
I know, she's probably fine, but I can't help thinkin', even if we get to the top tomorrow, maybe I shoulda been home this week.

DOROTHY
I don't...

MYRA
And then I think, 'course I should be up here. Havin' a family don't mean you stop livin' your life.

Dorothy's just letting her talk now.

MYRA
Fact, I should be doin' more things. I want my Samantha to look at me the way Colleen looks at Dr. Mike. I want her to tell her friends how she wants to be just like me when she grows up, how's she proud a her ma, 'cause... her ma's climbed all the way to the top a Pike's Peak.
(a beat)
How many little girls can say that 'bout their mas?

The look on Dorothy's face answers the question: not many, and that's enough to let Myra go to sleep.


INT. HOMESTEAD - NIGHT SEVEN 51

Books and papers cover the table in front of Sully. He looks like he's cramming for finals as he pores over the material. Brian walks down the stairs, tying a line to his fishing pole as Sully looks up.

SULLY
Never did get to go fishin', did we?

BRIAN
That's all right.

Colleen walks out of the kitchen, drying a plate.

(CONTINUED)

32.


CONTINUED: 51

SULLY
And we been cleanin' up right after every meal, too, not havin' any cookies or pie... goin' to bed early...

COLLEEN
We had fun.

SULLY
Thought you spent most a your time watching Samantha.

COLLEEN
We did.

Colleen and Brian share a smile, and then Colleen moves next to Sully.

COLLEEN
What're you doin?

SULLY
Lookin' at the town charter, and anythin' else 'bout government regulations I could find.

COLLEEN
You mind if we stay up, too?

SULLY
We got any dessert?

COLLEEN
We got pie.
(a beat)
And I got everythin' I need to make Ma's birthday cake.

SULLY
Save it. You can make her a cake when she gets back.

BRIAN
She probably ain't gonna want a cake.

SULLY
Why not?

COLLEEN
'Cause Grace probably brought somethin' special to save for Ma's birthday.
(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

33.


CONTINUED: (2) 51

COLLEEN (CONT'D)
(a beat)
And tomorrow they're gonna be on top a Pike's Peak, havin' a celebration.

SMASH CUT TO:


EXT. MOUNTAIN CAMPSITE - NIGHT SEVEN 51A

Mike dozes off by the smoldering embers of what was once a fire. There's a NOISE in the bushes, and Mike is instantly awake, sitting up as quickly as she can. She scans the periphery, and then hears a low GROWL. The growl grows LOUDER, and Mike sits, the fear showing on her face. There's another NOISE in the bushes; the closest yet. Mike stands, searching for something; anything that might help.

Mike grabs the pot from her pack, and a rock, and then stands, alert. The WIND blows, and then there's the sound of movement in the bushes. Mike BANGS the rock against the pot, making as much noise as she can.

She hears the same RUSTLING sound, this time from farther away. She gathers more sticks and returns to the smoldering embers, preparing to build a new fire as she settles in for a long night.


OMITTED(52) 52

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT THREE




34.


ACT FOUR