Épisode Mort ou vif (2/2) S04E18 - Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman Saison 4

"Dead or Alive"

Part II



Written by
Carl Binder



Directed by
James Keach






CBS ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTIONS Prod. #2244-0419
in association with PRODUCTION DRAFT
THE SULLIVAN COMPANY October 5, 1995
(C) MCMXCVI Rev. Blue, October 17, 1995
CBS Inc. Rev. Pink, October 19, 1995
All Rights Reserved Rev. Yellow, October 27, 1995
Rev. Green, November 1, 1995
Rev. Goldenrod, November 7, 1995
Rev. Salmon, January 15, 1996
Rev. Buff, January 24, 1996

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

"Dead or Alive" - Part II

Cast List


MICHAELA QUINN
SULLY

MATTHEW
COLLEEN
BRIAN

LOREN
DOROTHY
REVEREND

JAKE
HANK
PRESTON

ROBERT E

CLOUD DANCING

EZRA LEONARD
CALEB

DR. CASSIDY

NOAH MCBRIDE
WALKS ALONE


FEATURED EXTRAS: LEONARD'S COOK
BARBARA COVINGTON
BARBARA COVINGTON'S MOTHER

BACKGROUND: TOWNSFOLK


HORACE, MYRA AND GRACE OMITTED*


ACT ONE


FADE IN:


EXT. CACHE CREEK - LATE AFTERNOON - DAY SIX 1

JAKE wraps LEONARD's shoulder as the rest of the men figure out what to do.

JAKE
You're lucky. Bullet went clean through.

ROBERT E steps up to SULLY, who's hobbling his horse. Sully moves with purpose, a man doing all he can to suppress his anger.

ROBERT E
What now?

SULLY
I'm goin' after 'em.
(pointing)
Prob'ly followed the creek, deeper into the valley.

ROBERT E
I'll go with you.

PRESTON
We're all going.

SULLY
Got a better chance of sneakin' up on him if I go alone.

LEONARD
We're not staying behind.

SULLY
You're wounded.

LEONARD
I don't care. I'm not stopping.

SULLY
You'll slow us down.

LEONARD
(angry)
You can't tell me what to do!

PRESTON
(to Sully)
It's his son who's being held --

(CONTINUED)

2.


CONTINUED: 1

SULLY
(cutting him off, his anger rising)
Because 'a him, his son's life is in danger. An' now my son's is too.

This quiets the men. Sully turns to find Robert E standing close to him.

ROBERT E
Sully, who knows what McBride's gonna do next... or who else he's got helpin' him.
(beat)
We come all this way to get that boy... and now Matthew's in trouble, too. You can't send us back. Not now.

Sully thinks about this, then turns back to his pack, slinging it over his shoulder.

SULLY
Movin's gonna be tough. Hobble your horses here, we'll go on foot. Take whatever you can, leave the rest 'a the gear behind.

Sully starts off, but pauses by Leonard as he goes.

SULLY
(close, intense)
Try anythin' like that again an' I'll kill you myself.

And off he goes, disappearing into the woods. As the rest of the men scramble to gather their gear:

CUT TO:


EXT. MCBRIDE'S CAMPSITE ONE - LATE AFTERNOON - DAY SIX 2

CLOSE ON MATTHEW, stirring awake. His eye is bruised and bleeding from when McBride hit him. As he opens his eyes, we WIDEN TO REVEAL that he's in a sitting position, tied to a tree stump, along with CALEB. Caleb watches him, too frightened to speak. Nearby (out of reach) lies a weathered pack stuffed with knives, powder horn and some skins. Beside the pack lie four, well-maintained traps.

MATTHEW
(quietly, to Caleb)
You all right?

(CONTINUED)

3.


CONTINUED: 2

CALEB
(quietly)
Yeah.

MATTHEW
They hurt you?

CALEB
No.

A quiet moment. Something's on Caleb's mind...

CALEB
Is my father angry at me?

MATTHEW
'Course not.

CALEB
It's all my fault. I should've stayed with him. I should've stayed at the train station --

MATTHEW
Caleb, your father's not angry.

Caleb falls silent, fighting his emotions. After a moment:

CALEB
(quietly again)
I didn't cry...
(looks to Matthew)
Will you tell him that? He doesn't like it when I cry.

Matthew looks at Caleb, feeling for him.

A SOUND draws Matthew's attention to WALKS ALONE, who approaches him and kneels down. She takes a piece of cloth, dips it in the creek and begins cleaning the wound on his face.

MATTHEW
Where are we?

Walks Alone says nothing, just keeps cleaning the wound.

MATTHEW
Where's McBride?

Again, she remains silent, but for a moment, they make eye contact, and we can see that she's troubled by the turn of events, her eyes filled with uncertainty. Matthew sees this and tries to reason with her.

(CONTINUED)

4.


CONTINUED: (2) 2

MATTHEW
Look... at least let the boy go. You don't need to --

Matthew suddenly falls silent, as footsteps are HEARD approaching. He looks up to see:

MCBRIDE, stepping through the brush, rifle held in one hand, Bowie knife in the other. His anger is still evident, but we also now see in his eyes a sense of betrayal and deep hurt. This is a broken man on the edge of sanity.

He steps over to Matthew, stares down at him.

MATTHEW
McBride?

After a beat, McBride speaks, his voice deep and slow.

MCBRIDE
Why'd you ruin it?

MATTHEW
I'm sorry. We didn't know he was gonna --

MCBRIDE
(louder)
Why couldn't you just hand it over?

Matthew quiets -- he has no answer for this. He looks at Caleb... then back at McBride, who stands a moment, thinking. He then slides his knife into its sheath and starts away.

MATTHEW
What happens now?

McBride stops, looks back at him, his voice low again.

MCBRIDE
I don't know.


EXT. HOMESTEAD - ESTABLISHING - (STOCK) - DAY SEVEN 3

COLLEEN (O.S.)
Got you some books. You can do a lotta readin'.


INT. HOMESTEAD - DAY SEVEN 4

COLLEEN brings in a few books, sets them on the table beside a dispirited MIKE, who reclines on a chair, looking like a prisoner about to serve time.

(CONTINUED)

5.


CONTINUED: 4

BRIAN fluffs the pillows for her.

BRIAN
An' don't worry 'bout the house. I'm gonna take care 'a things 'round here.

CLOUD DANCING enters from the kitchen, carrying two cups of tea.

CLOUD DANCING
I have brewed some tea.

MIKE
Thank you, Cloud Dancing.

MIKE
Thank you, Cloud Dancing.

Cloud Dancing hands her a cup.

COLLEEN
I'll stop by the clinic this afternoon, see how Dr. Cassidy's doin'.

MIKE
Just make sure he doesn't drive away all my patients.

Brian gives her a kiss.

BRIAN
See ya.

COLLEEN
(kisses her)
Remember... rest.

MIKE
Yes, yes, I will.

Colleen pauses by Cloud Dancing on her way out.

COLLEEN
(whispering)
She could use some cheerin' up.

Cloud Dancing nods, and the kids go out. Silence fills the room as Cloud Dancing sits in a chair facing Mike, who sips her tea, her expression glum. After a beat, Cloud Dancing smiles, attempting to cheer her up.

(CONTINUED)

6.


CONTINUED: (2) 4

CLOUD DANCING
I am reminded of a story. It seems a young frog was trying to win the heart of a porcupine. The frog's father said to him, "My son, how could you fall in love with a porcupine?" And the young frog replied, "Because the skunk would not have me."

Mike looks up from her tea -- Was that a joke?

CLOUD DANCING
I am afraid it loses something in the translation.

MIKE
(a puzzled smile)
Oh, no... it's very funny.

Cloud Dancing smiles, pleased.


EXT. VALLEY - DAY SEVEN 5

Sully leads the men through the rough terrain, moving along the banks of the creek. The brush is thick and the ground uneven, making for slow and arduous hiking, especially for Leonard, who has a difficult time keeping up. His arm is wrapped in a crudely fashioned sling, and he winces with practically every step. Preston walks beside him, helping him along.

PRESTON
(to Sully)
Do you even know where we're going? How do we know McBride went this way?
(chuckling)
What'd you do, pick up his scent?

Preston suddenly finds himself staring down the barrel of Hank's pistol.

HANK
Shut up. For once.

Preston quiets... but before the moment can resolve itself --

DOZENS OF ARROWS suddenly fill the air from all directions, whizzing past the men and sending them diving for cover.

JAKE
Ambush!

(CONTINUED)

7.


CONTINUED: 5

Preston drags Leonard behind a fallen log as the arrows continue to fly. Sully, Jake, Hank and Robert E take cover behind trees and rocks, waiting for the barrage to end.

And then suddenly, as quickly as it started, it stops.

The men cautiously peer out from their hiding places, looking around. All is quiet for a moment... and then Hank starts FIRING his gun.

SULLY
Hank, no!

But now Preston starts FIRING, and Jake, and Leonard, even Robert E. They shoot in all directions, FIRING at anything and everything. Sully tries to yell above the noise.

SULLY
Stop! Stop!

Finally, the men stop shooting.

SULLY
Just wastin' your bullets, they're gone! Prob'ly left 'fore you even started shootin'.

LEONARD
Who were they?

Sully picks up one of the arrows, looking at it.

SULLY
Utes. Small bands of 'em are still roamin' free up here. McBride's a friend 'a theirs.

PRESTON
A friend?

SULLY
Walks Alone is a Ute.

PRESTON
Wonderful. Now we have Indians trying to kill us as well.

SULLY
If they were tryin' to kill us, we'd be dead.
(tosses the arrow down)
They just wanted to scare us, get us to fire our guns.

LEONARD
Why?

(CONTINUED)

8.


CONTINUED: (2) 5

Sully looks around, scanning the trees.

SULLY
So McBride would know where we are.
(looking back to the men)
And now he does.

The men exchange a look, feeling the weight of this statement.


INT. CLINIC - DAY SEVEN 6

Colleen enters to discover the clinic furniture re-arranged, and CASSIDY seated at Mike's desk, thumbing through her books. Colleen freezes, absorbing the shock in silence. Cassidy sees her and reacts.

CASSIDY
What do you want?

COLLEEN
I... I help out Dr. Mike after school.

Cassidy considers this a moment, then nods.

CASSIDY
Fine. I'm expecting a...
(checking the appointment calendar)
Barbara Covington for a three-thirty inoculation.

COLLEEN
She's outside with her ma. Said they been waitin' since three o'clock.

CASSIDY
(checks his pocket-watch)
Yes, well now it's three-thirty, so you can show them in.

Colleen opens the door, calls out.

COLLEEN
He's ready now.

10-year-old BARBARA comes in with her MOTHER. Barbara looks scared to death. Colleen takes her hand and leads her to the examination table, speaking in a soft, soothing voice.

(CONTINUED)

9.


CONTINUED: 6

COLLEEN
Over here, Barbara, hop up on the table. This'll be over 'fore you know it. Best thing to do is make a face...
(scrunches her face)
... like this, and growl like a tiger --

CASSIDY
Excuse me...

Colleen looks to Cassidy, who has no time for this kind of behavior.

CASSIDY
Why don't you make yourself useful? The cupboards need straightening, instruments need cleaning...

COLLEEN
I just cleaned 'em yester --

CASSIDY
They can never be too clean. First thing you must learn about the medical profession, my dear, is that a good nurse always keeps herself busy.

This hit Colleen hard.

COLLEEN
Nurse?

Cassidy turns to little Barbara, raising the needle, his voice void of compassion.

CASSIDY
Now... roll up your sleeve.

The child, petrified, looks to Colleen, who reacts, helpless.


EXT. VALLEY - DAY SEVEN 7

The men sit in silence along the creek bed, watching as Sully leans close to the ground up ahead, studying some rocks and twigs. After a moment, he stands, comes back to the group.

SULLY
They've been through here. Early this mornin'.

Preston raises a curious eyebrow.

(CONTINUED)

10.


CONTINUED: 7

PRESTON
And just how can you tell that?

SULLY
Grains of sand stuck to flattened grass where people walked. Sand would only stick if the grass was damp... from early mornin' dew.

PRESTON
And how do we know these people were our people and not more of those roaming bands of Indians?

SULLY
Moss on the rocks is scuffed. Kinda thing caused by somebody wearin' heavy boots.

ROBERT E
Matthew.

Preston falls silent and stands, ready to move on.

JAKE
(to Sully)
Least we know he's still alive.

HANK
Or was early this mornin'.

Sully reacts to this, turns back to the men.

SULLY
They're a half day ahead of us.
(a look to Leonard)
We gotta pick up the pace.

Leonard glares back at Sully. He's not about to stay behind.

LEONARD
Fine.

ROBERT E
What we gonna do... I mean, once we find him?

Before Sully can answer:

PRESTON
The first thing we do is figure a way to rescue the hostages.

LEONARD
Then we take care of McBride.

(CONTINUED)

11.


CONTINUED: (2) 7

The men look to Leonard.

LEONARD
A thousand dollars goes to the man who captures him... dead or alive.

SULLY
(strong)
Nobody's doin' anythin' 'til I talk to McBride, alone. Still might be a way to do this without anybody gettin' hurt.

Preston laughs at this. Sully gives him a look.

PRESTON
You're remarkable, you know that?
(getting serious)
Face it, Sully. The man is an animal.
(takes out his gun)
The only thing he understands is this.

Preston starts off, heading into the woods.

PRESTON
Come on, gentlemen. We have a thousand dollars to collect, and I for one have every intention --

Preston's cut short, as STEEL JAWS suddenly leap up from the ground and slam shut on his leg. He's stepped in a trap. Preston cries out in pain as he collapses to the ground. The men run over, struggling to pry the trap open.

SULLY
Push the leaf springs down!
(points to the springs)
There!

Robert E and Hank push the springs down, and Sully pries the jaws open. Jake then hauls Preston out of the trap, and Sully lets the jaws slam shut again.

Preston rolls on the ground, clutching his leg, which is badly cut and bleeding profusely. Sully and Jake move in on him.

SULLY
Is it broken?

JAKE
I don't think so. But we gotta stop the bleedin'.

(CONTINUED)

12.


CONTINUED: (3) 7

Leonard steps up behind them, staring down at Sully with a cold detachment. Sully doesn't look at him. He just goes to work, removing a bandana to use as a makeshift tourniquet as we:

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE




13.


ACT TWO


FADE IN:


EXT. CAMPSITE FOUR - DAY SEVEN 8

The men huddle around Preston, who lies on the ground. He's in a lot of pain, but fights it, trying not to let it show.

JAKE
Cut's too big. Only chance of stoppin' it is to stitch it.

PRESTON
Then stitch it.

Jake digs through his pack, taking out a needle and thread. As he ties the thread, Robert E wipes Preston's wound with a damp cloth, trying to clean it.

LEONARD
(to Hank)
Give him some whiskey.

Hank hands Preston the bottle. He drinks, hands it back to Hank.

PRESTON
(to Jake)
Do it.

Jake takes the whiskey bottle, pours some on Preston's wound. Preston grimaces, fighting the pain. Jake goes to work, stitching the wound (we don't have to actually see it). Preston winces as the needle digs into his skin. As Jake works:

SULLY
Gonna need a volunteer to stay behind with him.

PRESTON
(labored)
No... I'm going with you... make sure that animal gets what's coming...

SULLY
You can't walk.

PRESTON
Watch me.

SULLY
We can't be waitin' around for you --

(CONTINUED)

14.


CONTINUED: 8

Sully's cut short, as Preston suddenly lunges forward, surprising Sully and throwing him to the ground. The men quickly move in and pull the two apart. Preston looks at Leonard, then back to Sully.

PRESTON
(firm)
Quitting is not an option.

Sully stares back for a long moment, then:

SULLY
You wanna come with us, go ahead. But we ain't slowin' down. You fall behind --

PRESTON
And I'm on my own.

This quiets Sully.

PRESTON
I wouldn't have it any other way.

There are no smiles anymore. Preston couldn't be more serious. As Jake picks up the needle and resumes stitching, we:

CUT TO:


EXT. MCBRIDE'S CAMPSITE TWO - NIGHT SEVEN 9

Matthew and Caleb are seated back-to-back, tied to each other. Caleb's asleep, but Matthew's awake, carefully and quietly grabbing small rocks between his boots and stacking them on top of each other, building a crude and inconspicuous cairn.


+AT THE OTHER SIDE OF CAMP 10

Walks Alone lies on a bearskin mat, asleep. She wakes as a HAND touches her shoulder. McBride lays down close to her, his mood dark and cold.

MCBRIDE
Traps are set. Time to move on.

Walks Alone casts a glance at Matthew and Caleb, then looks back at McBride, lowering her voice.

WALKS ALONE
How much longer?

McBride says nothing.

(CONTINUED)

15.


CONTINUED: 10

WALKS ALONE
I fear the army will come now.

MCBRIDE
They're all comin'... army... settlers... everybody...

Walks Alone falls silent, the ominous tone in McBride's voice concerning her.

MCBRIDE
Was a time trappers worked the streams in the east, hunted game. Men of their word. But they were pushed out, 'long with the Indians. Make way for the settlers. So the trappers come west.

McBride pauses, looks at Caleb and Matthew.

MCBRIDE
But things ain't gonna change.
(sits up, stares off into night)
Words mean nothin' to them. They gonna keep makin' promises an' breakin' 'em, pushin' us out, 'til there's none of us left.

Walks Alone reaches out to him, gently touching his arm.

WALKS ALONE
We will go north. We will leave these two here and go far away --

MCBRIDE
No --

WALKS ALONE
But the army --

McBride suddenly grabs her arm, startling her with his intensity.

MCBRIDE
Let 'em come... an' I'll fight 'em 'til I breathe no more.
(looking into her eyes)
But don't you worry. I will not let 'em touch you.

He brushes her cheek with his hand, his voice unsettling.

(CONTINUED)

16.


CONTINUED: (2) 10

MCBRIDE
I'll protect you from their lyin', savage ways...
(close, intense)
... 'cause I love you, more than anythin' I've ever loved in my life.

Walks Alone reacts uneasily to this as McBride stands, collects his gear.

MCBRIDE
C'mon now, time to go.
(stepping over to Matthew and Caleb)
On your feet.

MATTHEW
C'mon, Caleb.

Caleb wakes. As McBride helps the two to their feet, he pauses, seeing the rock cairn. Matthew tenses as McBride stares quietly down at the rocks.

After a moment, he looks back at Matthew, his voice calm.

MCBRIDE
Why not? Gonna find us sooner or later...

McBride walks off, leaving the cairn in place.

MCBRIDE
Might as well be sooner.

Matthew watches with growing uncertainty as McBride disappears into the night.

DISSOLVE TO:


EXT. HOMESTEAD - ESTABLISHING - (STOCK) - DAY EIGHT 11

We hear NOISE from the kitchen...


INT. HOMESTEAD - DAY EIGHT 12

Brian's happily cooking breakfast, leaving a mess in his wake. But he's determined, wanting the meal to be just right. He arranges a place setting, silverware and coffee cup on a tray, even sets a flower on it. He then scoops drippy scrambled eggs and mushy hash-browns onto the plate, along with rock-hard, burnt biscuits from the oven. Finally, he pours some lumpy coffee into the cup. Proud of his accomplishment, he picks up the tray and heads into the other room, where:


17.


+MIKE 13

sits up, reading a medical journal.

BRIAN
(setting the tray in front of her)
Here's your breakfast.
(off her look)
Told you, I'm takin' care 'a things 'round here.

Mike looks down at the food. Less than appetizing.

BRIAN
Go ahead, eat it.

Brian pulls up a chair and sits, waiting for Mike's reaction. Mike hesitates, trying not to hurt his feelings.

MIKE
I'm really not all that hungry.

BRIAN
You gotta eat, Ma. Get your strength back, like Cloud Dancin' said.

Mike sees how much this means to Brian, and nods. She looks back to the food, summons up her courage and scoops a forkload of the drippy eggs. She looks to Brian, forcing a smile... then eats. It's all she can do to swallow.

MIKE
Mmmm.

BRIAN
You like it?

Mike nods, the smile frozen on her face. She picks up a biscuit and bites into it, nearly cracking a tooth.

BRIAN
I'm gonna cook for you every day 'til you're better.

MIKE
Oh, I, uh... Colleen might not appreciate that. She always does the cooking.

BRIAN
I don't think she's gonna have time to cook, seein' how busy she's been at the clinic.

This piques Mike's curiosity.

(CONTINUED)

18.


CONTINUED: 13

MIKE
Busy? At the clinic?

BRIAN
Doc Cassidy put her to work, doin' all kinds of things.

MIKE
Really? Like what?

SMASH CUT TO:


INT. CLINIC - DAY EIGHT 14

CLOSE ON COLLEEN, on her hands and knees, scrubbing the clinic floor. Tired and sore, she pauses a moment to wipe the sweat from her brow. Cassidy steps past her (walking across the freshly scrubbed part) and points to the floor.

CASSIDY
You missed a spot.

Colleen scowls and goes back to scrubbing as Cassidy steps over to the REVEREND, who sits on the examination table.

CASSIDY
All right, Reverend, let's have a look. Open.

The Reverend opens his mouth, and Cassidy peers in.

CASSIDY
Not much swelling.

REVEREND
And the fever's gone. It's much easier to swallow now.

CASSIDY
(nods)
Hmmm. Yes, it appears the worst is over. For now.

Cassidy steps back, and the Reverend closes his mouth, suddenly wary.

REVEREND
For now?

CASSIDY
It'll flare up again, almost assuredly. Perhaps a few days, maybe a month. And each subsequent infection will be more severe.

(CONTINUED)

19.


CONTINUED: 14

Colleen stops scrubbing, reacting to this with confusion.

CASSIDY
Which is why we need to act fast.

The Reverend's wariness increases.

REVEREND
Act fast?

CASSIDY
Remove your tonsils.

COLLEEN
You don't need to remove his tonsils.

Cassidy reacts, giving Colleen a look that quickly silences her.

REVEREND
She's right. Dr. Mike said an operation wasn't necessary.

CASSIDY
She was no doubt confused... and buying herself some time while she consulted her medical texts.

Cassidy fetches the appointment calendar and brings it over.

CASSIDY
Trust me, Reverend, I've been a doctor for thirty-five years. I've removed hundreds of tonsils. It's the only way to prevent them from causing you any further annoyance.
(taking up his pen)
Shall we say... tomorrow, at one?

The Reverend looks at Colleen, then turns back to Cassidy, nodding uneasily.

REVEREND
You're the doctor.

Cassidy smiles.


EXT. VALLEY - DAY EIGHT 15

Sully leads the way, pushing through the dense brush. The terrain is even more difficult than before, making for treacherous footing. But despite this, Preston manages to keep up.

(CONTINUED)

20.


CONTINUED: 15

His leg is heavily wrapped, and he uses a long walking stick as a crutch, leaning on it from time to time. He's in a great deal of pain, but, like before, he tries not to show it.

Leonard's another matter, however. He brings up the rear, moving sluggishly, favoring his wounded shoulder. He slips on some loose rocks and goes down, groaning in pain as he falls.

He lies there a moment, weak and exhausted, breathing hard... until a HAND helps him up. Leonard looks up to discover:

Robert E, who helps him to his feet. A look passes between the men as Robert E throws Leonard's good arm over his shoulder. With Robert E supporting him, Leonard is able to continue.


+ON SULLY 16

as he suddenly raises his hand, stopping the men. He looks ahead, eyes focused on something suspicious... something we can't see.

JAKE
What is it?

Silence, as Sully picks up a stick, walks a few feet ahead and stops. There, he plants the stick firmly in the ground, springing another TRAP. The steel jaws slam shut on the stick, snapping it in half. The men react, looking very uneasy.

SULLY
C'mon.

As he continues on:

SULLY
Watch where you step.

HANK
No kiddin'.

The men follow after Sully, stepping lightly, looking around with growing apprehension.

PRESTON
Tell me, Sully... do you still feel McBride is someone you can talk to?

Sully doesn't answer.

LEONARD
Clearly the time for reason has passed. We are dealing with a man who has lost his sanity.

(CONTINUED)

21.


CONTINUED: 16

Sully says nothing.

LEONARD
Wouldn't have mattered, anyway. He wasn't going to release Caleb.

SULLY
You never gave him the chance.

LEONARD
No matter what I did, he was never going to let my son go.

Sully stops, looking Leonard in the eye.

SULLY
We'll never know, will we?

Robert E sees something up ahead.

ROBERT E
Sully...

Sully turns, looks.


+UP AHEAD 17

is a person, seated on a fur blanket, leaning against a tree, facing away from us.


+BACK TO THE GROUP 18

as Sully leads the men over. They come around the tree and suddenly freeze at what they see.


+THEIR POV 19

of the person. It's Walks Alone. Her head is slumped over, a buckskin robe covering her legs. She looks very serene, as if sleeping. Around her neck is McBride's bear claw necklace.


+CLOSE ON SULLY 20

He slowly drops down, reaches out and touches her, which causes her to slump forward, falling into his arms. Sully feels her neck, reacting with shock.

SULLY
Neck's broken.

The men stand in stunned silence. Preston crouches beside Sully, his voice low and cold.

(CONTINUED)

22.


CONTINUED: 20

PRESTON
He was never going to let Caleb go...

Preston touches the bear claw necklace, looks back to Sully.

PRESTON
We know now.

On Sully's pained expression, we:

FADE OUT.

END ACT TWO




23.


ACT THREE


FADE IN:


EXT. CAMPSITE FIVE - DAY NINE 21

Leonard sits, dazed and exhausted, watching as Preston bundles himself in a blanket, trying to fight off the chills. He's pale and sweating, watching as Jake unwraps his bandage to check the stitches. Jake reacts, doesn't like what he sees.

JAKE
Just what I thought. Gettin' infected.

Sully comes over from the creek, crushing some plants in a bowl with a rock. He hands the bowl to Jake.

SULLY
Here, put this on it.

JAKE
What is it?

SULLY
Crushed yarrow plant. Found some growin' nearby.

LEONARD
A plant?

SULLY
(to Leonard)
Utes use it to heal wounds. Put some on your shoulder, too.

Jake takes the bowl from Sully, begins applying it to Preston's wound.

JAKE
Don't know if it's gonna do any good. That cut's too big. He don't get some real medicine soon, he's gonna lose the leg... or worse.

PRESTON
(quietly)
I'm not quitting...

SULLY
You got a fever. You can't keep goin' like this --

(CONTINUED)

24.


CONTINUED: 21

PRESTON
(staring right at Sully)
You're just like them... they all think I'm weak...

The men exchange confused looks.

HANK
Who's he talkin' about?

Sully's eyes are still on Preston.

SULLY
This ain't about your family, Preston. You got nothin' to prove here.

Preston quiets, and for a brief moment, a deep hurt surfaces on his face. But then he fights it back, hardening as he looks back at Sully.

PRESTON
I'm bringing McBride in... dead or alive.

JAKE
Keep goin' like this, an' you're the one's gonna be dead.

Preston doesn't look at Jake -- his eyes are locked on Sully, his obsession with finding McBride intensifying, even as his health fades.

Sully moves off to the edge of the campsite and sits, leaning against a tree. He stares off into the water, still visibly shaken by Walks Alone's death. Robert E comes over, sits beside him. After a beat:

ROBERT E
Still can't believe he killed her.

Sully says nothing for a moment.

ROBERT E
Maybe he was a good man once. But far as I'm concerned, he crossed the line the minute he kidnapped that boy.

Sully nods, knowing this to be true.

SULLY
Just didn't know how far he'd gone.

(CONTINUED)

25.


CONTINUED: (2) 21

Sully falls silent a moment, shaking his head in frustration.

SULLY
Now everythin's changed.
(beat)
The rules're gone.

ROBERT E
(points to the woods)
His rules, yeah...
(points to Preston and Leonard)
And their rules...
(points to Sully)
But not yours. Remember that.

Sully looks at Robert E, absorbing these words as Hank comes over.

HANK
You hear that?

ROBERT E
What?

HANK
Listen.

The men fall silent, listening. From deep in the woods, a sound can be HEARD -- drumming. Just one drum, beating steadily. The other men hear it too.

JAKE
Indians?

Sully stands, staring off into the trees, his frustration turning to anger.

SULLY
No. It's him.

ROBERT E
McBride?

LEONARD
What's he doing?

SULLY
Lettin' us know where he is.

LEONARD
Then let's go after him!

SULLY
No.

(CONTINUED)

26.


CONTINUED: (3) 21

LEONARD
Why not? There're six of us, we should just storm his campsite, get it over with!

SULLY
That's what he wants us to do. An' he'll be ready, cut us down inside fifty yards.
(beat)
Prob'ly kill Matthew an' Caleb while he's at it.

This quiets Leonard.

PRESTON
What makes you think he hasn't already killed them?

Sully looks at Preston. For the first time, he feels this might be true, and this angers him all the more.

Meanwhile, the DRUMMING continues in the distance, strong and steady.

HANK
Listen to it. Like a heartbeat.


+CLOSE ON SULLY 22

listening to the drum as we:

CUT TO:


INT. HOMESTEAD - DAY NINE 23

CLOSE ON MIKE, listening to her stomach with her stethoscope. Satisfied with what she hears, she leans back, removes the stethoscope and sets it aside. She sits there a moment, tapping her fingers, bored out of her mind. She picks up a book, opens it, tries to read... but then closes it, lets out an audible sigh of frustration.

There's a KNOCK on the door, and it swings open, revealing DOROTHY, who comes in, bubbling with cheerful energy. She holds a large picnic basket.

DOROTHY
Good day, Michaela!

(CONTINUED)

27.


CONTINUED: 23

MIKE
(pleased)
Dorothy.

DOROTHY
Thought we'd have ourselves a picnic.

MIKE
Sounds wonderful.

Dorothy begins laying out a picnic.

DOROTHY
Ya holdin' up all right?

MIKE
Well, physically, I'm fine. But emotionally, it's difficult...
(frustration surfacing)
... especially with that, that doctor occupying my clinic.

DOROTHY
He came into the store yesterday. Not a pleasant man.

MIKE
He's stubborn and rude... treats Colleen like a servant...

Dorothy shakes her head.

MIKE
(frustration building)
He's moving furniture around and frightening children. He's even scheduling unnecessary operations! And all the while I'm lying here, helpless...

DOROTHY
(a consoling smile)
Won't be much longer, Michaela.

Mike leans her head back, taking a deep, settling breath.

MIKE
I'm sorry...

DOROTHY
No, it's all right. You let it all out.

(CONTINUED)

27A.


CONTINUED: (2) 23

MIKE
It's just... I'm thrilled about being pregnant, but I can't wait until the baby is born, so my life can get back to normal.

Dorothy laughs. Mike gives her a questioning look.

(CONTINUED)

28.


CONTINUED: (3) 23

DOROTHY
Michaela, "normal" isn't gonna be "normal" anymore. When the baby comes, that word's gonna have a whole new meanin'.

Mike thinks about this.

DOROTHY
Just have to accept the fact that the life you knew before is about to change, forever.
(a reassuring smile)
And for the better.

Mike looks at her stomach, running her hand across it. After a moment, she looks back at Dorothy.

MIKE
Would you like to hear the heartbeat?

Mike picks up the stethoscope as Dorothy eagerly leans in to listen.


INT. CLINIC - DAY NINE 24

Cassidy stands at the examination table, which has been prepped for the Reverend's operation... only the Reverend's not here, and Cassidy's growing impatient.

After a moment, the front door opens, and in steps the Reverend, with Colleen at his side.

CASSIDY
It's about time. You're late.

REVEREND
I'm sorry...

CASSIDY
Well, let's get on with it, then. I've prepared the recovery room for your convalescence, which should take about a week, unless there are complications --

REVEREND
There isn't going to be an operation.

Cassidy falls silent for a moment, giving the Reverend a look.

CASSIDY
What?

(CONTINUED)

29.


CONTINUED: 24

REVEREND
I've been talking with Colleen, and she feels strongly that removing my tonsils at this time is premature, and that the risks involved in the operation outweigh the benefits.

Cassidy looks to Colleen.

CASSIDY
Oh, she does, does she?

Colleen stands firm under Cassidy's stare. And so does the Reverend.

REVEREND
Yes. And I trust her judgment.

Cassidy looks back at the Reverend... and just shakes his head with a laugh.

CASSIDY
It's your funeral, Reverend.

REVEREND
Yes, it is. And I'd like to wait on it.

Colleen smiles at this.


EXT. CAMPSITE FIVE - NIGHT NINE 25

The men are asleep. Preston shifts uneasily, his condition rapidly deteriorating.

Nearby, Robert E wakes to the SOUND of footsteps. He looks over to discover Sully, up and collecting his gear. Robert E moves to him, whispering:

ROBERT E
What're you doin'?

SULLY
Can't keep goin' like this, Robert E. We'll never be able to sneak up on him.

Robert E nods quietly, as Sully takes off his boots and puts on moccasins.

(CONTINUED)

30.


CONTINUED: 25

SULLY
Catchin' McBride by surprise is the only chance we got of rescuin' Matthew and Caleb.
(beat)
If they're still alive.

Robert E hands Sully his tomahawk.

ROBERT E
Just watch yourself.

Sully finishes putting on the moccasins, then straps on the tomahawk and disappears into the night.


INT. HOMESTEAD - NIGHT NINE 26

Mike stares out the window at the night. Brian comes in from the kitchen.

BRIAN
Finished our homework. We're goin' to bed.

MIKE
Good-night.

Brian kisses Mike, starts out.

BRIAN
'Night.

MIKE
Brian...

BRIAN
(stops)
Yeah, Ma?

MIKE
It's been a week. Has there been any news yet about Sully and Matthew?

Brian shakes his head "no." Mike thinks about this, trying not to worry.

BRIAN
Sully did say it might take longer.

Mike nods, gives him a smile, hoping to reassure them both.

MIKE
I'm sure they're all right.

(CONTINUED)

31.


CONTINUED: 26

BRIAN
Yeah. They'll be home any day now. 'Night.

Brian goes out, as Mike turns back to the window, lost in thought.


EXT. MCBRIDE'S CAMPSITE THREE - NIGHT NINE 27

Matthew and Caleb are alive, but sleeping, once again tied to a tree. Not far away sits McBride, leaning against a tree, dozing, a buckskin blanket pulled up around him. All is quiet, for a long moment... then:


+CLOSE ON MCBRIDE 28

as his eyes snap open. We didn't hear anything, but he did, and in an instant he kicks off the blanket, revealing his rifle in one hand, and revolver in the other. He stands, silently making his way to the edge of the campsite, where he peers into the night.


+HIS POV 29

trees and blackness and nothing else.


+BACK TO MCBRIDE 30

still staring, not satisfied... until suddenly:

Sully leaps out of the darkness from behind, catching McBride off-balance and knocking him down. The rifle is sent flying into the bushes, but McBride is able to hang onto the revolver.

Matthew and Caleb wake to the SOUND of the commotion. They look over to see the two men fighting, grappling for the revolver.

McBride swings his arms with all his might, knocking Sully backward, but as McBride takes aim with the gun, Sully swiftly drops to the ground and sweeps his leg out, tripping McBride and sending him crashing to the ground, the gun FIRING into the air as he hits.


EXT. MEN'S CAMPSITE FIVE - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT NINE 31

The men wake at the SOUND of the gunshot.

JAKE
What was that?

(CONTINUED)

32.


CONTINUED: 31

HANK
(pointing off)
Came from over there.

Preston looks around.

PRESTON
Where's Sully?

Preston turns to Robert E, sees the look of concern on his face. Despite his worsening condition, Preston stands and starts off into the night, limping badly on his wounded leg.

The rest of the men quickly follow.


EXT. MCBRIDE'S CAMPSITE THREE - NIGHT NINE 32

Sully and McBride continue to do battle, struggling for control of the revolver. McBride tries to push the barrel toward Sully, but Sully forces it down. The two face each other, straining with all their might... until suddenly, the gun FIRES, hitting McBride in the side.

McBride staggers back, grimacing in pain. Sully takes the moment to knock the gun from his hand, sending it flying into the bushes. Sully moves in on McBride, but McBride suddenly swings, slamming Sully with a punch that drops him to the ground.

McBride takes off into the woods, clutching his side as he runs. Sully recovers, hurries over to Matthew and Caleb. His rage intensifies when he sees Matthew's bruised and swollen eye.

SULLY
You all right?

MATTHEW
Yeah.

Sully takes his tomahawk and quickly cuts their bindings, then looks off in the direction McBride went.

SULLY
Stay here.

Sully starts off.

MATTHEW
Sully, no!

But Sully isn't listening. He wants to finish the fight.


33.


EXT. WOODS - NIGHT NINE 33

McBride struggles along as fast as he can, fighting the pain in his side as he pushes deeper into the ominous woods.


+NOT FAR BEHIND 34

Sully is in pursuit. He clutches his tomahawk as he picks up his pace, closing the gap. He pushes through the thick brush, finally coming into:


+A SMALL CLEARING 35

where he freezes in his tracks.

Cornered against a tree at the other side of the clearing is McBride. He's breathing hard, staring back at Sully. Sully clutches his tomahawk, his anger toward him ready to explode.

MCBRIDE
(cold)
Don't just stand there, boy. Finish it.

SULLY
Why'd you do it --

MCBRIDE
(yelling)
I said, finish it!

SULLY
You kidnapped two people! You killed your own wife!

MCBRIDE
I protected her from danger!

SULLY
You murdered her --

MCBRIDE
Then pass sentence an' get on with it!

Sully grasps the tomahawk tighter, his eyes boring into McBride.

MCBRIDE
That's it. Be a man. Show me you can do it.

Sully hesitates.

MCBRIDE
I SAID, DO IT!

(CONTINUED)

34.


CONTINUED: 35

Sully lets out a scream as he winds up and throws the tomahawk. It flies through the air, slamming into the tree about two feet over McBride's head.


+CLOSE ON MCBRIDE 36

slowly looking up at the tomahawk in stunned disbelief... not because Sully missed... but because he knows full well that Sully missed on purpose.

He looks back at Sully, his voice quieting.

MCBRIDE
(Why?)
You missed.


+CLOSE ON SULLY 37

saying nothing, just staring at him with strength and resolve.


+BACK TO MCBRIDE 38

as his anger wanes. For the first time, he looks weak. Defeated.

Suddenly, a GUNSHOT shatters the silence, and McBride is hit in the chest. He drops to his knees, then falls over on the ground, dead.

Sully spins around to discover:


+PRESTON 39

standing behind him, holding his revolver. He's sweating profusely, barely able to stand, the energy expended getting here completely wiping him out. He looks at Sully, his expression void of emotion.

PRESTON
Dead or alive.

And then he collapses on the ground, finally giving in to his fever and pain as we: <