Épisode Le moment de vérité (2/2) S05E26 - Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman Saison 5

ACT ONE


FADE IN:


EXT. HOMESTEAD - DAY SIX 1

MIKE rides up to the homestead at a gallop, calling as she approaches:

MIKE
Colleen! Brian!

COLLEEN and BRIAN hurry out of the homestead, reacting with concern when they see the worried expression on Mike's face.

COLLEEN
Ma, what's wrong?

MIKE
Has Sully come by the house?

COLLEEN
No.

Mike looks around, trying to figure out what to do.

BRIAN
What happened, Ma?

MIKE
(fast, urgent)
There's been some trouble at the reservation. Brian, will you ride out to Andrew's clinic? Tell him to get to the reservation -- some Indians and soldiers have been wounded. I've treated most of them, but some of the minor injuries still need tending to.

BRIAN
All right.

MIKE
Colleen, I'd like you to ride into town with me and stay at the clinic, while I go look for Sully.

COLLEEN
Where is Sully?

MCKAY (O.S.)
Good question.

(CONTINUED)

2.


CONTINUED: 1

Mike turns to see MCKAY and two soldiers riding up. As they approach, Mike falls silent.

MCKAY
I wanna know where Sully's takin' the Indians.

She says nothing. McKay rides closer. His tone is not threatening -- he only wants to get information.

MCKAY
How much do you know 'bout all this?

MIKE
I don't know anything.

MCKAY
Sully was behind it, wasn't he?

Again, Mike says nothing.

MCKAY
Was he the one who set off the explosion?
(no answer)
Was he the one who got the Indians all them horses?

Colleen and Brian react to this, and McKay sees it. He looks back at Mike, who hesitates a moment... then:

MIKE
As I said... I don't know anything.

McKay gives her a long, hard look. After a moment, he gestures to his men and rides off in frustration. Mike looks back at Colleen and Brian, who watch her in stunned silence.


EXT. STREET IN FRONT OF CLINIC - DAY SIX 2

Mike and Colleen (holding up Katie) ride up to the clinic in the wagon. As they climb down and start toward the clinic:

MIKE
I'll need to take some additional medicines with me.

COLLEEN
I'll make sure the clinic is ready, just in case.

MIKE
Thank you, Colleen.

(CONTINUED)

3.


CONTINUED: 2

Colleen stops Mike at the clinic door, a thought hitting her:

COLLEEN
Ma... what should I tell Matthew?

Mike hesitates a moment -- this is very difficult for her.

MIKE
Nothing...

DOROTHY (O.S.)
Michaela!

Mike turns to see DOROTHY hurrying over from the Gazette, looking very worried.

DOROTHY
Soldiers rode through town earlier, warnin' everybody about an uprisin' at the reservation. Is it true?

MIKE
I'm afraid so.

DOROTHY
Cloud Dancin'? Is he all right?

MIKE
I don't know. Most of the Indians have escaped into the hills. The army's searching for them.
(beat, quieting)
Dorothy... have you seen Sully?

DOROTHY
No, why?

>From the look on Mike's face, Dorothy suddenly realizes:

DOROTHY
Did he have somethin' to do with the uprisin'?

Mike pulls Dorothy aside, lowering her voice in a private moment.

MIKE
I believe so.

DOROTHY
Oh, Michaela...

Mike's emotions are starting to slip, revealing the desperation she's feeling:

(CONTINUED)

4.


CONTINUED: (2) 2

MIKE
I lied to the army, Dorothy. I told them I didn't know the extent of his involvement. But he helped stage the revolt. He provided horses for the Indians --

DOROTHY
Michaela, what're you gonna do?

MIKE
I don't know. But I have to do something...

Mike quiets, as she sees something off-screen that troubles her:


+ANGLE - STREET CORNER 3

coming around the corner of the Gold Nugget is McKay, leading five captured Indians on foot. One of the Indians is the Arapaho Elder (the one who recognized Sully as the Indian Agent). The Indians' hands are bound as they walk behind McKay (who's on horseback). Following behind the Indians are two soldiers (also on horseback).


+CLOSE ON MIKE 4

reacting as McKay rides by. He gives her a quiet look as they proceed into town.

HANK and a few MEN come out of the Gold Nugget, and LOREN comes out of the General Store, as McKay leads the Indians around the corner, heading for:


+THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE 5

where MATTHEW is just riding up out front (from the direction of the train station). ROBERT E and GRACE come out of the livery, PRESTON out of the bank, and JAKE out of the barbershop, joining the other townsfolk who gather to watch as Matthew turns to face McKay.

MCKAY
Sheriff, I need a place to lock up these Indians. I can't spare any men to watch 'em -- need every soldier I got out searchin' for the others.


5.


+ON MIKE, DOROTHY AND COLLEEN 6

as they come around the corner, watching as:


+MATTHEW 7

says nothing, hesitating, troubled by the sight of the Indians. McKay produces a telegram.

MCKAY
I got orders to take over your jail, with or without your help.

Matthew finally steps aside, and McKay's men usher the Indians into the jail.

MATTHEW
How many more are still out there?

MCKAY
I don't know. Thirty or forty. Maybe more. We're also lookin' for Sully.

Matthew reacts.

MATTHEW
Sully? What'd he do?

MCKAY
He's the one who started the revolt. Keep your eye out for him. Let me know if you see him.

Matthew absorbs this in silence as the soldiers come back out and mount up.

MCKAY
Thanks for your help.
(re: the Indians)
We'll come back for 'em soon's we round up the rest.

McKay turns to the people who are gathering around.

MCKAY
You folks best head back to your homes, where it's safe.

McKay and his men ride off out of town. Matthew, still stunned, glances over to see:


+MIKE 8

Mike, watching him, looking increasingly worried.


6.


+BACK TO MATTHEW 9

who shakes his head in frustration and disappointment at Sully.


EXT. WOODS - DAY SIX 10

It's late afternoon as SULLY and CLOUD DANCING ride up to an outcropping of rock. WOLF is with them. Sully climbs down and ties off his horse before helping a weak and exhausted Cloud Dancing down from his horse. He leads Cloud Dancing to shelter under the outcropping and gently lays him down.

SULLY
You all right?

CLOUD DANCING
I am tired.

SULLY
Just rest. We'll stay here tonight.

Sully turns to stare out at the woods, scanning the surroundings.

SULLY
The others should be here soon. We'll get started north in the mornin'.

CLOUD DANCING
Sully...

Sully turns back to Cloud Dancing... and for the first time, he sees the worried look on his face.

CLOUD DANCING
You must leave me.

SULLY
No.

CLOUD DANCING
Travelling with me will only put yourself in greater danger.

SULLY
I don't care.

CLOUD DANCING
Your family --

SULLY
I'm not leavin' you, Cloud Dancin', and that's the end of it.

(CONTINUED)

7.


CONTINUED: 10

Cloud Dancing quiets. The two share a look -- this is important to Sully.

SULLY
I'm stayin' with you 'til I know you're safe, no matter how far --

Sully suddenly quiets as FOOTSTEPS are heard. He draws his knife and waits, but then breathes a sigh of relief as:


+WALKS IN THE NIGHT 11

and several Indians appear through the trees.

SULLY
Where are the others?

WALKS IN THE NIGHT
Many were captured. The army is sending for re-enforcements.

SULLY
We'll be safe here tonight, but we'll need to start movin' at first light.

Walks in the Night reacts with skepticism:

WALKS IN THE NIGHT
Where will we go?

SULLY
North. Follow the Powder River up to Montana, to the unceded Indian territory in the Tongue River Valley.

CLOUD DANCING
It is the homeland of the Northern Cheyenne.

WALKS IN THE NIGHT
And then what? Wait for the army to find us?

CLOUD DANCING
We will be safe there.

SULLY
The territory belongs to the Indians. The whites can't --

(CONTINUED)

8.


CONTINUED: 11

WALKS IN THE NIGHT
The white man can do what he wants. Soon all land will be his.

Walks in the Night looks at the other Indians, sees that they share his resolve. He turns back to Sully.

WALKS IN THE NIGHT
We were born in this land.

SULLY
The army will find you.

WALKS IN THE NIGHT
The army will find us no matter where we go. But until then, we will live free... and we will strike back at them for the deaths of our people.

Sully's starting to get angry.

SULLY
This isn't what we talked about. I didn't help you so that you could start a war --

WALKS IN THE NIGHT
(also angry)
They started the war!

Walks in the Night looks to the others as he takes out a small pouch. He dips his fingers in the pouch, then smears red dye (made from bloodroot) across his face.

WALKS IN THE NIGHT
And now we will finish it.

The Indians nod agreement. Walks in the Night turns back to Sully.

WALKS IN THE NIGHT
(in Arapaho)
Thank you.

SULLY
Don't do this...

But he's already moving away, leading the Indians back into the woods. Sully looks to Cloud Dancing, who shakes his head sadly.


8A.


INT. CLINIC - LATE AFTERNOON - DAY SIX 12

Colleen brings a small bottle of chloroform over to Mike, who is just finishing restocking her medical bag with supplies and medicines.

(CONTINUED)

9.


CONTINUED: 12

COLLEEN
Here's the chloroform.

MIKE
Thank you.

Mike puts the chloroform in and shuts the bag.

MIKE
I think that's it.

COLLEEN
Be careful, Ma.

Mike forces a reassuring smile and starts out.


EXT. CLINIC - CONTINUOUS - DAY SIX 13

Mike comes out and hangs her medical bag on FLASH's saddle. But before she mounts up, she notices Loren, the REVEREND, Jake, Hank and a few soldiers standing in front of the Gazette, watching as McKay questions a very nervous Dorothy.

Mike starts over, stepping up beside the Reverend in time to hear:

DOROTHY
I didn't know anythin'. The uprisin' came as a shock to me.

McKay sees Mike... but his focus is now on Dorothy. He turns back to her.

MCKAY
You came by to see the Indian a lot when he was recuperatin'.

DOROTHY
Cloud Dancin' is my friend. I was concerned.

MCKAY
Did he tell you anythin' durin' those visits?

DOROTHY
Such as...?

MCKAY
Such as what they were plannin'... where they were gonna go after the revolt...

(CONTINUED)

10.


CONTINUED: 13

DOROTHY
I just told you -- I don't know anythin'.

McKay is finding this hard to believe.

MCKAY
All those visits, an' you knew nothin' about any of this.

LOREN
(irritated)
That's what she said. How many times she gotta repeat it?

One strong look from McKay quiets Loren. Mike steps closer, intervening.

MIKE
She's telling you the truth, Sergeant.

Dorothy shares a look with Mike, then turns back to McKay, adding:

DOROTHY
We all are.

McKay turns to Mike, holding her look for a long moment... and it's now that Mike sees just how much he's struggling with all this. He doesn't like what he's doing, because deep in his heart, he feels that the army's treatment of the Indians is wrong. What he says next is to everyone, but mostly directed at Mike and Dorothy:

MCKAY
Look... I know you wanna help these people. But the longer they're out there, the more trouble they're gonna be in. I'm not lookin' to get more people hurt, I just wanna --

PRIVATE (O.S.)
Sergeant!

Everyone looks to see the Private riding around the corner with excitement. He hurries to McKay, gesturing back over his shoulder.

PRIVATE
Got the re-enforcements.

Mike looks over and sees something that is very unsettling:


11.


+HER POV 14

Coming around the corner are several battle-hardened SOLDIERS. Leading them is SERGEANT O'CONNOR.


+BACK TO MIKE 15

MIKE
(apprehension growing)
O'Connor...

REVEREND
(to Mike)
Sergeant O'Conner? I thought they transferred him away from here.

O'Connor and his men ride up to McKay.

O'CONNOR
You McKay?

MCKAY
That's right.

O'CONNOR
O'Connor.

MCKAY
Glad you're here, Sergeant.
(gestures to the hills)
I got men searchin' the --

O'CONNOR
(cutting him off)
We best get to the reservation.

MCKAY
What?

O'CONNOR
I want a full account of what happened... then I'll need you to co-ordinate the handlin' of the prisoners. Me and my men'll take over the search.

McKay reacts -- Who the hell does this guy think he is?

MCKAY
I don't know how you're used to doin' things, Sergeant. But around here, I'm in charge.

O'CONNOR
Funny...

(CONTINUED)

12.


CONTINUED: 15

O'Connor reaches into his pocket and takes out a piece of paper, which he hands to McKay.

O'CONNOR
... that's not what General Wooden says.

McKay's anger builds as he reads the paper. O'Connor remains calm. McKay finishes, looks back up at O'Connor.

O'CONNOR
Now let's go. You've done enough damage for the day.

McKay gives O'Connor a cold stare... but then finally backs down. He mounts his horse and rides off with his men.

O'Connor casts a look at Mike, tipping his cap...

O'CONNOR
Good to see you again, Mrs. Sully.

... then starts off with his men, following after McKay.


+ON MIKE 16

as she watches them go with increasing dread. But then she steels herself, her expression filling with determination as she hurries to her horse and mounts up. As she rides off toward the hills, we:

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE




13.


ACT TWO


FADE IN:


INT. HOMESTEAD - MORNING - DAY SEVEN 17

Colleen feeds KATIE as Brian eats his breakfast. Both are quiet, very worried about Mike and Sully. After a moment Brian breaks the silence, voicing his darkest concern:

BRIAN
What if Ma can't find him?
(then, quieter)
What if Sully doesn't wanna be found?

COLLEEN
Don't say that.

But from the look on her face, it's been on her mind as well. Brian looks up at her.

BRIAN
What if he never comes back?

COLLEEN
He'll come back, Brian. Don't worry.

But he is worrying, and nothing Colleen can say will ease his fear. The silence of the moment is suddenly shattered as the front door swings open, and in barges O'Connor and two soldiers.

O'CONNOR
Search the house. Every room.

One soldier goes upstairs, while the other starts ransacking the living room, tipping over furniture and dumping the contents of drawers onto the floor. Katie starts crying.

Colleen and Brian react with alarm as O'Connor steps over to them.

O'CONNOR
Where's your ma?

Colleen freezes, but Brian recovers and moves to him, masking his fear with anger.

BRIAN
You can't come in here!

O'CONNOR
Where is she?

(CONTINUED)

14.


CONTINUED: 17

COLLEEN
(quickly)
She went to look in on some patients.

O'Connor looks at Colleen, who tries not to wilt under his intense stare. He then begins searching the kitchen, making a mess of the place.

BRIAN
What do you want?

O'CONNOR
Just lookin' for clues, son. When was the last time you...

O'Connor suddenly stops short when he sees something out the window:


+HIS POV - THROUGH WINDOW 18

of Mike riding up to the homestead. She sees the army horses in front of the homestead and reacts with concern.


+BACK TO O'CONNOR 19

He heads for the front door.


EXT. HOMESTEAD - CONTINUOUS - DAY SEVEN 20

O'Connor comes out as Mike rides up and dismounts, her concern turning to anger at finding him here.

MIKE
What are you doing here?

O'CONNOR
I learned that your husband was involved in the revolt. I'm just trying to determine his whereabouts.

MIKE
I already told Sergeant McKay that I don't know anything, so I'd appreciate it if --

O'Connor cuts her off, his voice low and menacing:

(CONTINUED)

14A.


CONTINUED: 20

O'CONNOR
You'd better not know. 'Cause if I find out you're hidin' anythin' from me, I'll make sure you spend the rest of your life in jail.

(CONTINUED)

15.


CONTINUED: (2) 20

Mike is rocked by this, but struggles not to show it. She looks over, sees Colleen (holding Katie) and Brian watching from the doorway, frightened by what they just heard.

Mike looks back at O'Connor and meets his stare, refusing to be intimidated.

MIKE
Get off my property.

O'Connor holds her look, until his two soldiers come out of the house. They look at O'Connor and shake their heads. O'Connor gives Mike a last look, then climbs up on his horse and rides off.

Mike moves to the front steps, where she sits, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. Colleen and Brian move to her.

COLLEEN
Did you have any luck, Ma?

Mike looks at them, wishing she could allay their fears.

MIKE
No.

Colleen and Brian exchange a quiet look, their fears mounting.


EXT. WOODS - DAY SEVEN 21

ON CLOUD DANCING, asleep... until a HAND reaches over and wakes him. He looks up to find Sully ready to go.

SULLY
'Mornin'. How you feelin', can you ride?

CLOUD DANCING
I think so.

Cloud Dancing sits up, but as he does, Sully notices a small blood stain seeping through Cloud Dancing's shirt. He lifts the shirt to reveal that the stitches from the operation have torn open a bit.

SULLY
Your stitches are breakin'.

Sully digs through his medicine bag, takes out some dried yarrow leaves, which he applies to the wound.

SULLY
Hold these to it.

(CONTINUED)

16.


CONTINUED: 21

Cloud Dancing holds the leaves to his wound as Sully helps him to his feet.

SULLY
C'mon... We gotta get you sewn up again.

As he leads Cloud Dancing over to the horses...


INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - DAY SEVEN 22

Some of the Indians in the jail cell are asleep. The others (including the Arapaho Elder) are awake, staring through the bars at Matthew, who looks down at the paperwork on his desk, avoiding their constant stare.

HORACE (O.S.)
Matthew! Matthew!

Matthew reacts to the urgency in Horace's voice and hurries out of the office...


EXT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS - DAY SEVEN 23

... where he sees HORACE running up from the telegraph office.

MATTHEW
Horace, what's wrong?

Robert E, in the livery, sees the commotion and comes over. Horace struggles to catch his breath as he speaks:

HORACE
Fella just rode into town... said he saw your homestead on fire.

Matthew reacts with shock.

MATTHEW
What?

HORACE
Said the whole place was goin' up in flames.

Matthew quickly moves to his horse.

ROBERT E
I'll go with you.

Matthew and Robert E mount up and ride out of town at a full gallop.


17.


EXT. MATTHEW'S HOMESTEAD - DAY SEVEN 24

Matthew and Robert E ride up, then slow to a stop when they come upon:


+THE HOMESTEAD AND BARN 25

now completely burned to the ground, reduced to a pile of smouldering ruins.

Matthew climbs down from his horse and moves through the debris, stunned into silence, numbed by the shock. Robert E also climbs down from his horse. He steps toward Matthew, but doesn't know what to do or say to ease his pain.

Matthew turns to him -- he can't believe this has happened.

ROBERT E
(softly)
I'm sorry, Matthew.

Matthew looks back at the debris, asking himself the question:

MATTHEW
How'd this happen?

ROBERT E
You leave any lamps burnin'?

MATTHEW
No. Nothin'.

The SOUND of horses approaching gets their attention. They turn to see Hank, Jake and Horace ride up (all have guns). They see the destruction and realize they've arrived too late. Hank and Jake dismount and step close to Matthew to break more news to him:

JAKE
Matthew... family down the road from here just stopped us, said they saw a buncha Indians runnin' around out here earlier.

Matthew looks at Jake, troubled by this revelation.

HANK
Looks like the Dog Soldiers all over again.

ROBERT E
The Indians started the fire?

HORACE
I don't understand it -- why would they wanna burn down Matthew's homestead?

(CONTINUED)

18.


CONTINUED: 25

Matthew ponders this a moment... and then it suddenly hits him:

MATTHEW
The jail...

ROBERT E
What?

Matthew runs back to his horse.

MATTHEW
They wanted to get me away from the jail!

Matthew mounts up and takes off at a gallop, followed by the others, who hurry to catch up with him.


EXT. STREET - DAY SEVEN 26

Townspeople run for cover as a group of Indians, (now wearing war paint on their faces) led by Walks in the Night, ride through town FIRING guns in the air. Grace pulls the Reverend around a corner, away from danger.


+AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE 27

Two Indians kick open the front door. They run in, and a moment later, the captured Indians follow them out, climbing up onto their horses and riding off out of town.

Walks in the Night rides up to the Arapaho Elder (the last Indian out of the jail) and jumps down from his horse. He helps the old man onto the saddle, then smacks the horse, sending it galloping off. Another Indian rides by and tosses a lit stick of dynamite into the Sheriff's Office. A moment later it explodes, blowing out the front of the office.

Walks in the Night steals a horse from a nearby hitching post and rides out of town, FIRING his gun as he goes. As the streets fall silent...


+NEW ANGLE - THE OTHER END OF TOWN 28

Matthew, followed by Robert E, Jake, Hank, Horace ride up and turn the corner, reacting with shock when they see the destruction at the Sheriff's Office.

Matthew jumps down from his horse and steps over, staring in disbelief at the hole in the wall caused by the explosion. As he peers through the hole into the jail cell:

PRESTON (O.S.)
They're gone.

(CONTINUED)

18A.


CONTINUED: 28

Matthew and the others look to see an enraged Preston coming out of the bank, rifle in his hand.

(CONTINUED)

19.


CONTINUED: (2) 28

PRESTON
They just escaped, rode out of town with a marauding band of savages.

Matthew looks back at the hole in the wall... and now his shock turns to anger. He storms into the office as Grace rushes over to:

GRACE
Robert E!

Robert E moves to her and hugs her, as more frightened townspeople begin emerging onto the street around them.

ROBERT E
You all right?

Grace manages a nod, but she's still scared.

ROBERT E
Where's Anthony?

GRACE
Home.

ROBERT E
C'mon.

They start toward their house, passing by Hank, who now sees something down the street and reacts:

HANK
(to Jake)
Look...

Jake turns to see:


+TERESA 29

staggering into town on foot, in obvious pain. She's filthy, her dress torn and covered in soot. She clutches her arm, which is burned.


+BACK TO JAKE 30

as he rushes over to her, followed by the others. Loren joins them from the store, and Dorothy comes over from the Gazette, but Jake is the first one to get to her, putting an arm around her for support.

JAKE
What happened?

(CONTINUED)

20.


CONTINUED: 30

TERESA
They... burned my house.

HANK
The Indians?

She nods.

TERESA
I tried... to put the fire out...

She looks at Jake, the tears coming.

TERESA
I have lost everything.

The pain and exhaustion overwhelming her, she practically collapses in his arms. Jake lifts her up.

JAKE
Let's get you to the clinic.

DOROTHY
Michaela's not there.

JAKE
Where is she?

DOROTHY
I don't know.

LOREN
Haven't seen her all day.

JAKE
(to Hank)
We'll take her to Andrew.

Hank leads the way as Jake carries Teresa in his arms, heading off to get a wagon. As Dorothy, Loren and Horace watch them go, Preston steps over, still angry.

PRESTON
(to Dorothy)
You see? This is what happens when you try to befriend them.

Now Dorothy's starting to get angry.

DOROTHY
This has nothin' to do with that!

PRESTON
I told you not to get involved. The more you give them, the more they take --

(CONTINUED)

21.


CONTINUED: (2) 30

DOROTHY
Don't you have that backward?

PRESTON
This is going to cause irreparable damage, not just to your career as a journalist, but to our newspaper as well.

DOROTHY
Spare me the lecture, Preston.
(reminding him yet again)
Our newspaper is a partnership, of which I own fifty-one percent.

Preston steps close to Dorothy -- he's fed up with her.

PRESTON
You own it because I loaned you the money. And now, because of your reckless handling of the enterprise, I'm forced to call in your loan.

This staggers Dorothy.

DOROTHY
What?

PRESTON
Effective immediately.

DOROTHY
You can't do that.

PRESTON
Believe me, I don't want to. But you've left me no choice.

Dorothy quiets a moment, absorbing this shock... and then she looks back at him, trying to summon her strength.

DOROTHY
Fine. I'll just start another paper.

Preston glances around the street, at the many people giving Dorothy cold looks. He turns back to her.

PRESTON
Not after this.

He walks off, rifle in hand. Under the weight of the townspeople's stares, Dorothy feels suddenly alone. She turns to Loren, her eyes pleading for support.

(CONTINUED)

22.


CONTINUED: (3) 30

Loren looks around at the people, knowing full well that any show of support for Dorothy will turn them against him as well. But despite this, he steps over to Dorothy and puts his arms around her, offering comfort.


EXT. HOMESTEAD - DAY SEVEN 31

Mike comes out of the homestead and steps over to Flash, who is tethered out front. Colleen and Brian step out behind her and watch as she hangs her medical bag on the saddle horn, then climbs up onto the saddle.

COLLEEN
We'll finish cleanin' up the homestead while you're gone.

MIKE
Thank you, Colleen. I'll return before nightfall.

BRIAN
Good luck.

Mike attempts an encouraging smile, then starts off up the road as Colleen and Brian head back into the house.


+ON MIKE 32

as she rides only a short distance before something out of the corner of her eye stops her:


+HER POV 33

of Matthew, coming up the other road on horseback. He doesn't see Mike -- his eyes are on the homestead.


+BACK TO MIKE 34

as she struggles with what she should do. She quickly climbs down and leads Flash off the road, tying her to a tree branch. She then moves closer, taking cover behind some brush. From this vantage point she is able to see and hear what's going on at the homestead. What she sees is:


+MATTHEW 35

riding up and dismounting.

MATTHEW
Dr. Mike!

(CONTINUED)

23.


CONTINUED: 35

Colleen and Brian come out of the house as Matthew climbs the steps.

COLLEEN
Matthew, what's wrong?

MATTHEW
Where's Dr. Mike?

BRIAN
She just left.

MATTHEW
Where'd she go?

Colleen and Brian suddenly grow quiet, feeling awkward.


+ON MIKE 36

watching this... and feeling terrible about it.


+BACK TO SCENE 37

as Colleen fumbles for an answer.

COLLEEN
I don't know. She didn't say.

Matthew looks at her, growing suspicious. Colleen quickly tries to change the subject:

COLLEEN
Is somethin' wrong?

MATTHEW
Indians just escaped from the jail. They burned the old homestead.

Colleen and Brian react with shock.

COLLEEN
Oh, Matthew...


+ON MIKE 38

also reacting with shock. Torn, she doesn't know whether to step forward and reveal herself, or stay hidden and go after Sully.


24.


+BACK TO MATTHEW 39

as he looks past Colleen through the front door, reacting with increasing suspicion to the mess inside.

MATTHEW
What happened in there?

BRIAN
Soldiers came by, messed up the place.

Matthew goes in, followed by Colleen and Brian, who shuts the door behind them as he relates the story:

BRIAN
Me and Colleen were eatin' breakfast with Katie, and Sergeant O'Connor just barged right...

The door shuts, leaving:


+MIKE 40

with a decision to make. But before she can decide what to do, a whistle is HEARD from the woods. Mike reacts -- she knows that call. She quickly fetches her medical bag and starts toward it.


EXT. WOODS NEAR HOMESTEAD - DAY SEVEN 41

Mike comes through the trees to discover Sully waiting for her. A wave of relief washes over her as she runs to him.

MIKE
(hushed)
Sully!

He pulls her close, wrapping his arms around her in an emotional embrace.

SULLY
I'm all right.

MIKE
I was so worried.

He kisses her, calming her a bit. Then:

SULLY
C'mon. Don't got much time.

He takes her hand and leads her further into the brush, where:


25.


+CLOUD DANCING 42

lies, looking very weak. Wolf is beside him. The two horses are tethered nearby.

MIKE
Cloud Dancing...

She quickly moves to him, noticing the blood stain on his shirt.

SULLY
His stitches are breakin'.

Mike lifts Cloud Dancing's shirt and examines the wound.

MIKE
The bleeding has stopped, but I'll need to re-stitch the wound to make certain it doesn't start again.
(to Cloud Dancing)
You'll be fine.

She moves a few steps away and opens her medical bag, preparing a needle and thread for suturing. Sully steps close to her as she works. She casts a glance at Cloud Dancing, then turns back to Sully and lowers her voice, the anger inside her beginning to surface.

MIKE
(hushed)
I can't believe you did this.

SULLY
(also hushed)
They asked for my help. I couldn't turn my back on 'em --

MIKE
This was not the right way to help. It's only making things worse.

SULLY
Can't get any worse.

Mike pauses a moment, looks up at him.

MIKE
They burned the old homestead.

SULLY
The army?

MIKE
The Indians.

(CONTINUED)

26.


CONTINUED: 42

Sully reacts with disappointment as Mike resumes working.

SULLY
(quietly, almost to himself)
Wasn't s'posed to happen like this...

MIKE
O'Connor's back. He's looking for you. He ransacked the house, frightened the children.

Sully is angered by this, but remains unwavering.

SULLY
Don't worry. Soon's I get Cloud Dancin' to safety, I'll come back, and we'll just tell 'em I was out huntin' --

MIKE
They saw you, Sully. They know you were involved.

This is news to Sully. He reacts, realizing what this means.

MIKE
When they find you --

SULLY
I'll figure somethin' out --

MIKE
(suddenly flaring)
You should've figured it out before you went and did this! Before you placed yourself and your family in danger!

CLOUD DANCING (O.S.)
It is my fault.

Mike quiets and looks over to see Cloud Dancing watching them.

CLOUD DANCING
(to Sully)
I should not have let you do this.
(beat, troubled)
I should have stayed on the reservation.

Mike steps closer, seeing the deep anguish in Cloud Dancing's eyes. She then takes a long look at the clothes he's wearing... and the scars he bears.

(CONTINUED)

27.


CONTINUED: (2) 42

Weak and sick, he no longer resembles the proud man she once knew.

After a moment, Mike shakes her head, her voice softening:

MIKE
No...

She looks at Sully, then back at Cloud Dancing.

MIKE
You don't belong there.

Sully touches her shoulder. She puts her hand on his for a quiet moment, then begins re-stitching Cloud Dancing's wound. As she works:

MIKE
Where will you go?

SULLY
We'll ride north. Follow the Powder River up to the Tongue River Valley.

Sully reads the look on Mike's face, and knows what she's thinking.

SULLY
I'll come back, Michaela, I promise. Just as soon as Cloud Dancin' is safe.

MIKE
(concerned)
And then what? The army is going to arrest you --

SULLY
We'll think of a way outta this. But in the meantime, you don't know where I am. You just go about your life like normal. The less you involve yourself in this, the better.
(off her look)
For the kids' sake.

Mike realizes that this is the right thing for her to do, but it still pains her greatly. She nods, then finishes stitching Cloud Dancing's wound.

MIKE
Try not to travel too fast, or make sudden movements. You still need to rest as much as possible.

(CONTINUED)

28.


CONTINUED: (3) 42

Cloud Dancing nods. Mike hands him the bottle of carbolic acid and a few medical supplies (suturing needle, thread, extra bandages, etc.) as Sully helps him to his feet.

MIKE
Take these with you. You might need them.

CLOUD DANCING
Thank you.

SULLY
We should get goin'.

CLOUD DANCING
(to Mike)
Tell Dorothy that I am sorry I could not say good-bye to her. I want to thank her for writing her book... and for our friendship.

MIKE
I'll tell her.

Standing there facing Cloud Dancing, Mike suddenly realizes that this is the last time she will ever see him (or so she thinks). The emotions quickly overwhelm her.

MIKE
I don't know if I can say good-bye, either.

Cloud Dancing nods. He too is struggling.

CLOUD DANCING
Perhaps we will see each other again.

MIKE
(tears coming)
Perhaps.

Mike moves to him and hugs him, hanging on for a long, difficult moment. Mike finally lets go. Cloud Dancing gives her one last look...

CLOUD DANCING
Good-bye.

MIKE
(barely audible)
Good-bye.

... but just as he and Sully start off:

(CONTINUED)

29.


CONTINUED: (4) 42

MATTHEW (O.S.)
Stop.

The three look to see:


+MATTHEW 43

standing nearby, drawing his gun. This is a very difficult moment for him -- he's not proud of what he must do.

MIKE
Matthew --

MATTHEW
(eyes on Sully)
You're under arrest.

SULLY
Don't do this, Matthew --

MATTHEW
(angry now)
You think I want to?! The whole town is in a panic 'cause a you! People are gettin' hurt, on both sides!

SULLY
Listen to me, Matthew. If you arrest us, it'll affect us all.

This hits Matthew hard... but not as hard as what Sully says next:

SULLY
(re: Cloud Dancing)
And you know what they'll do to him.

Matthew looks at Cloud Dancing... and weakens.

SULLY
Put the gun away... and let us go. You never saw us.

Mike looks at Matthew, waiting to see what he'll do next. Matthew turns to her, then back to Sully...

He knows he can't arrest them, but he's angry that Sully put him in this position. After a moment, he lowers his gun in frustration.

SULLY
Thank you, Matthew --

(CONTINUED)

30.


CONTINUED: 43

MATTHEW
Just go!

Sully looks to Mike. He gives her a kiss, embracing her one last time...

SULLY
(a promise)
I'll see you soon.

... then he and Cloud Dancing climb on their horses and ride off into the woods. Mike watches them go in silent agony as we:

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO




31.


ACT THREE


FADE IN:


EXT. STREET - DAY SEVEN 44

Mike, Colleen (holding Katie) and Brian ride in the wagon, with Matthew riding alongside on horseback as they come into town (from the direction of the train station).

The street is mostly deserted now -- the few people out move with purpose, looking on edge, guns in hand. Faces peer from windows or doorways, afraid to come outside.

The family arrives at the Sheriff's Office and stops. Mike reacts to the hole in the wall and looks at Matthew, who says nothing.

MIKE
Matthew... I'd like you to come live with us at the homestead.

MATTHEW
I can't do that --

MIKE
Just until you can find yourself another one.

Matthew quiets, then relents with a nod. After a moment:

MATTHEW
I better get back to the repairs.

BRIAN
I'll help you.

Brian hops down from the wagon, joining Matthew. They head into the Sheriff's Office as Mike and Colleen ride on toward the clinic.


INT. ANDREW'S CLINIC - DAY SEVEN 45

Jake stands close by as ANDREW finishes applying a cream to Teresa's burn wound (which Andrew has already cleaned). She's somewhat dazed and drowsy -- the effects of the drugs Andrew has given her.

ANDREW
Is the morphine helping with the pain?

TERESA
Yes. It is not so bad now.

(CONTINUED)

32.


CONTINUED: 45

ANDREW
Good. Actually, the fact that you're feeling pain is a good sign. It means the nerves aren't damaged. You should heal without complications.

JAKE
What's that you're puttin' on her?

ANDREW
A solution of nitrate of silver. It coats the wound, and helps it to heal properly.

Andrew finishes and begins wrapping her arm with a loose dressing.

ANDREW
What's important now is to watch for signs of infection. I'd like to see you tomorrow, to check the wound and apply a fresh dressing.

Teresa nods. Jake taps Andrew's shoulder, lowering his voice:

JAKE
Can I talk to you a minute?

ANDREW
(to Teresa)
Will you excuse me?

She nods, and Jake leads Andrew over to the corner, where he surreptitiously tries to hand him some money.

JAKE
(hushed)
This cover it?

ANDREW
What?

JAKE
This visit. I'm payin' for it.
(off Andrew's look)
Her place was burned to the ground. She lost everythin'.

Andrew quiets a moment, feeling sorry for her... but still, since Jake is offering...

He takes the money.

(CONTINUED)

33.


CONTINUED: (2) 45

ANDREW
Thank you.


+ON TERESA 46

casting a quick glance over to see the exchange of money, which troubles her. She quickly looks away as Jake steps back over.

JAKE
C'mon. I'll take you back to town.

Teresa nods. As Jake helps her out of the clinic...


INT. CLINIC - DAY SEVEN 47

Mike sits at her desk, trying to concentrate on a patient chart, but unable to keep herself from worrying about Sully. The SOUND of horses draws her attention to the window.


+HER POV - THROUGH WINDOW 48

of O'Connor and two soldiers riding past the clinic on their way to the Gazette.


+BACK TO MIKE 49

as she stands and goes out.


INT. GAZETTE - DAY SEVEN 50

Dorothy, working at her press, startles as O'Connor barges in, his two men following behind. As they did in the homestead, they immediately begin searching the place, spilling papers and supplies, along with furniture, onto the floor.

DOROTHY
(getting angry)
What are you doin'?!

Mike steps into the doorway, her anger rising as she watches O'Connor and his men completely ransack the place. Dorothy is helpless to stop them.

O'CONNOR
You wouldn't happen to know where Cloud Dancin' is right now?

DOROTHY
I told the Sergeant I don't know anythin'.

(CONTINUED)

34.


CONTINUED: 50

O'Connor finds the medicine pouch Cloud Dancing made for her. He studies it a moment, then looks back at Dorothy.

O'CONNOR
I talked to some of the Indians we captured. They said you spent a lotta time at the reservation... takin' notes about some book.

A troubling realization suddenly hits Dorothy... but she tries not to let it show. Before O'Connor can question her further, the Private runs in:

PRIVATE
Sergeant, they just brought two more Indians to the reservation. Put up a hell of a fight.

O'Connor turns to his men.

O'CONNOR
I want every inch of the place checked.

O'Connor gives Dorothy and Mike a last look as he follows the Private out. As the soldiers continue their search, Dorothy edges closer to Mike, pulling her just outside the doorway and lowering her voice so the soldiers won't hear.

DOROTHY
(very worried)
Michaela...

MIKE
What is it?

DOROTHY
Cloud Dancin' once told me that if he could ever live outside the reservation again, he'd wanna go north, to join the other Cheyenne in the Tongue River Valley.

Mike reacts, knowing this is exactly where Sully and Cloud Dancing are headed.

MIKE
Dorothy, listen to me... don't say a word about that to anyone.

(CONTINUED)

35.


CONTINUED: (2) 50

DOROTHY
(growing dread)
I already did.
(beat)
It's in my book. Who knows what else is in there they could use against him?
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