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I. CONTROLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CNTR
II. TH' BASICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . THBS
Story ............................................................ STRY
Tips N' Tricks ................................................... TPST
III. SCRIPT [PART ONE: NEW AUSTIN]  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SCR1
01) Exodus in America ............................................ WK01
02) New Friends, Old Problems .................................... WK02
03) Obstacles in Our Path ........................................ WK03
04) This is Armadillo, USA ....................................... WK04
05) Women and Cattle ............................................. WK05
06) Wild Horses, Tamed Passions .................................. WK06
07) A Tempest Looms .............................................. WK07
08) Political Realities in Armadillo ............................. WK08
09) Justice in Pike's Basin ...................................... WK09
10) Old Swindler Blues ........................................... WK10
11) Spare the Rod, Spoil the Bandit .............................. WK11
12) The Burning .................................................. WK12
13) Hanging Bonnie MacFarlane .................................... WK13
14) You Shall Not Give False Testimony, Except For Profit ........ WK14
15) Exhuming and Other Fine Hobbies .............................. WK15
16) Liars, Cheats and Other Proud Americans ...................... WK16
17) A Gentle Drive with Friends .................................. WK17
18) Can a Swindler Change His Spots? ............................. WK18
19) Let the Dead Bury Their Dead ................................. WK19
20) The Sport of Kings, and Liars ................................ WK20
21) A Frenchman, A Welshman, and an Irishman ..................... WK21
22) Man is Born Unto Trouble ..................................... WK22
23) On Shaky's Ground ............................................ WK23
24) The Assault on Fort Mercer ................................... WK24
25) We Shall Be Together in Paradise ............................. WK25
WALKTHROUGH [PART TWO: MEXICO] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WLK2
26) The Gunslinger's Tragedy ..................................... WK26
27) Landon Ricketts Rides Again .................................. WK27
28) Lucky in Love ................................................ WK28
29) The Mexican Wagon Train ...................................... WK29
30) Civilization, At Any Price ................................... WK30
31) My Sister's Keeper ........................................... WK31
32) The Demon Drink .............................................. WK32
33) Empty Promises ............................................... WK33
34) Mexican Caesar ............................................... WK34
35) Must a Savior Die? ........................................... WK35
36) Cowards Die Many Times ....................................... WK36
37) The Great Mexican Train Robbery .............................. WK37
38) Father Abraham ............................................... WK38
39) Captain De Santa's Downfall .................................. WK39
40) The Gates of El Presidio ..................................... WK40
41) An Appointed Time ............................................ WK41
WALKTHROUGH [PART THREE: WEST ELIZABETH] . . . . . . . . . . . . . WLK3
42) Bear One Another's Burdens ................................... WK42
43) Great Men are Not Always Wise ................................ WK43
44) At Home with Dutch ........................................... WK44
45) For Purely Scientific Purposes ............................... WK45
46) The Prodigal Son Returns (to Yale) ........................... WK46
47) And You Will Know the Truth .................................. WK47
48) The Outlaw's Return .......................................... WK48
49) Pestilence ................................................... WK49
50) Old Friends, New Problems .................................... WK50
51) John Marston and Son ......................................... WK51
52) Wolves, Dogs and Sons ........................................ WK52
53) Spare the Love, Spoil the Child .............................. WK53
54) By Sweat and Toil ............................................ WK54
55) A Continual Feast ............................................ WK55
56) The Last Enemy That Shall Be Destroyed ....................... WK56
57) Remember My Family ........................................... WK57
IV. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FAQZ
V. UPDATES & CONTRIBUTIONS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UPDT
VI. LEGALITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LGLT
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___________________________________________/ III. SCRIPT [NEW AUSTIN] [SCR1] |_
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01) EXODUS IN AMERICA                                                    [WK01]
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[At a port town, a crowd of passengers disembarks from a steamboat; among
them, a grizzled cowboy with a gun at his hip. Two lawmen escort him out.]
Newsie: Extra, extra, health benefits of smoking! Extra, extra, read all
about...hey! Watch it, mister!
[The cop had shoved him aside.]
Newsie: Extra, extra! Bill Williamson's gang...
[They walk out of range, ending up at Blackwater Station. The cowboy gets on
the train without speaking a word, and takes a seat as the steam engine leaves
town. Two ladies behind him, and a young lady and a preacher in front of him,
hold their own conversations.]
Lady: Well, I for one am grateful, Mrs. Bush, that they are finally bringing
civilization to this savage land.
Mrs. Bush: I could not agree with you more, my dear. My daddy settled this
land and I know he'll be looking down on us, pleased at how we
helped the natives.
Lady: Yes they've lost their land, but they've gained access to heaven.
[John listens to the young lady and the preacher in the seat ahead of him.]
Jenny: But Father, do you mean unless an innocent receives communion, they're
destined to go to hell? That hardly seems fair.
Father: What I mean to say, Jenny, is that there is a great deal of difference
between an innocent and a savage.
Jenny: I never thought of it that way.
Lady: Yes they live like animals. But they're happier now.
Jenny: Not only do people now have motorcars, father, but I heard pretty soon
we will be able to fly.
Father: No, angels can fly, Jenny.
Jenny: No, no, apparently people can fly. Didn't you hear? Out in Kansas a man
even got a car to fly.
Father: I hardly think so, Jenny.
Mrs. Bush: Apparently, Mr. Johns wants to run for governor, which is why he's
so concerned with cleaning up the state.
Lady: Nate Johns?
Mrs. Bush: Yes.
Lady: His family is nothing but hillbilly trash that came here after the war.
I don't want to be judgmental, but this state should not be ruled by such
a disgusting family. A family without class.
Mrs. Bush: Apparently the Johns family have made a lot of money, and he has a
lot of friends in politics.
Lady: Mrs. Bush, money isn't everything. There are many things that money
cannot buy.
Mrs. Bush: It seems that money can buy voters, though.
Father: What you must remember, my dear, is that we have been brought here to
spread the word. And the word and civilization, they are the same
thing. They are the gifts. It is the opportunity we have -- the chance
to live among people who are decent and who do not kill each other,
and who let you worship in peace.
Jenny: It's so confusing, father. Sometimes, I find it impossible to make the
distinction between a loving act and a hateful one. I mean, they often
seem to be the same thing.
Father: Yes, Jenny, it is confusing, but you only have to ask me if you need
help.
Jenny: Indeed.
Lady: Well, here we are, Mrs. Bush. Armadillo.
[Everyone disembarks into the sleepy frontier town. The cowboy hits the bar,
and a bearded coot fondling a girl on the couch calls out to him.]
Man: Mr. Marston! Over here! You must be John Marston.
Marston: Sometimes.
Jake: I'm Jake. Your friends from Blackwater hired me to guide you.
Marston: They ain't my friends but pleased to meet you, Jake.
Jake: I got the horses saddled up and ready out front. You ain't gonna find
sturdier horses than all of these in all of New Austin. Easy on the
spurs now. We don't need to draw undue attention.
[They hit the trail, letting the train pass by behind 'em.]
Jake: So, it's Fort Mercer you wanna visit?
Marston: That's right.
Jake: Ain't taken nobody up to the Fort in a long time. Strange place for a
decent fella to visit, if you don't mind me sayin'.
Marston: Who said I was a decent fella?
Jake: It's been abandoned for years now. Folks say it was built during the
Mexican War. All kinds of soldiers around back then.
Marston: Why'd they leave?
Jake: I ain't entirely sure. I heard they had to go up North to fight Indians.
Or maybe they got tired of being soldiers and went looking for gold, you
know how things is. So what are you doing up at the Fort?
Marston: I'm looking for an old friend.
Jake: Well, like I says, you ain't gonna find may folk round those parts these
days. And those you do find are 'bout as sociable as an ulcerated back
tooth. I mean, I ain't one to judge a man by the company he keeps, but...
Marston: Well, he ain't been friends for a long time...
Jake: Are you planning on spending any time in Armadillo, Mr. Marston?
Marston: I doubt it. I ain't planning on staying very long.
Jake: Well, if you're fixin' for some female company, you can do a lot worse
than Armadillo. Fine as cream gravy, they are. Not like Thieves' Landing.
Dang, those girls ain't even fit for a drinkin' man to hole up with.
Marston: I'm a married man, I'm afraid.
Jake: Ain't we all? Yeah, so it was the Marshal who hired me. Leigh Johnson, do
you know him?
Marston: I think I heard his name.
Jake: Says he got a telegram from some Blackwater big bugs askin' for a guide.
I guess it's none of my business.
Marston: That's right.
Jake: You ain't very talkative, are you?
Marston: No.
Jake: I'm just chewin' the dog, mister. It's how I am. I don't mean nothin' by
it.
Marston: Trust me. There's things you're better off not knowin'.
[They see some coyotes nearby.]
Jake: I tell you, Mr. Marston, those coyotes eat better than I do. Almost
there, Mr. Marston. Just over this hill.
[They come to Fort Mercer.]
Jake: Listen, mister. This here is what's left of Fort Mercer. Some gang rode
in and took the place over.
Marston: So I understand.
Jake: This is where we part ways, friend. You have yourself a good time.
[He rides off. Marston approaches the fort's closed double-door entrance.]
Marston: Bill! Bill, I've come for you! Bill Williamson. Come out here right
now.
Bill: Go away now, John. Don't make me kill you.
Marston: Nobody needs to kill anyone, Bill.
[Bill pops up over the wall's rim, his rifle transfixed on John.]
Bill: You must think I was born yesterday. You always did think I was an idiot.
Marston: That ain't fair, Bill. You were as my brother. I've come to try to
save you.
[Two rifle-toting henchman show up.]
Bill: Do I look like I need saving?
Marston: Bill please. They want to kill us all. I can help you.
Bill: Well, you never tried to save me before. You only seemed to save
yourself.
Marston: Bill, I implore you, think about this.
Bill: You implore me? You implore me? You always were one for fancy words.
Well, things are different now, John. Now, I'm in charge! No more Dutch,
and no more you. Implores. I, I implores you to go back and tell them to
send someone just a little bit more impressive next time.
Marston: Well...
[Marston draws his pistol but is shot in the abdomen.]
Bill: Poor John.
[Near dusk, a woman and a man put John's body in their wagon and drive off.]
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02) NEW FRIENDS, OLD PROBLEMS                                            [WK02]
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[A blonde woman wakes John up in the 1-bedroom shack he'd been resting in.]
Woman: Well you're alive.
Marston: So it would seem.
Woman: So, how do you feel?
Marston: I don't know the polite word for it.
Woman: I do. "Stupid" is the word we use around here. What were you doing?
Marston: I was...I was doing something stupid.
Woman: Well, you'll be okay. Once you didn't die the doctor said you'd be fine.
He got the bullets out a couple days ago.
Marston: Good.
Woman: It cost us $15.
Marston: I'm sorry, madam. Ya should've left me there to die.
Woman: Did you want to die? I mean, was that it? Was that why you went straight
out to Fort Mercer and picked a fight with the worst bandit in the
county? To die, Mr. err...
Marston: Mr. Marston. John Marston.
Bonnie: Bonnie MacFarlane. Miss Bonnie MacFarlane.
Marston: Well, you may be right, Miss MacFarlane. I don't know.
Bonnie: So, what were you doing?
Marston: Was trying to give Mr. Williamson a chance. For old times sake.
Bonnie: You know Bill Williamson?
Marston: Knew him, long time ago.
Bonnie: Well, what was he like?
Marston: Dumb.
Bonnie: Just like you.
Marston: Thank you, miss. Seen my hat?
Bonnie: I have. And ah, what will you do now?
Marston: Now, I'm going to take my time and go after him the less kind way.
Bonnie: Well, that sounds very fun, Mr. Marston. Quite heroic, just like in
those penny dreadfuls my brother used to read. Meanwhile, if you'll
excuse me, I've got a ranch to run. Of course, if you're feeling
better, why not take a ride with me later and help me patrol the
perimeter. You can earn back some of that money we wasted on doctor's
bills.
Marston: Of course, and thank you, for saving my life I mean.
Bonnie: Next time, Mr. Marston, I strongly recommend you don't try to lose it
quite so earnestly.
Marston: I'll bear that in mind.
[Later, Marston visits her house. She's on the veranda.]
Bonnie: Mr. Marston! Back in the land of the living, I see.
Marston: I figured it's about time I started paying back that 15 dollars.
Bonnie: I sure can use an extra pair of hands 'round here. Let's see if we can
get you back in the saddle.
[She shows him around town.]
Bonnie: There's the Foreman's Office. It's also where we lock up good-for-
-nothin' outlaws such as yourself.
Marston: I'm happy enough with my current quarters right now, Miss MacFarlane.
Bonnie: I picked out a fine horse for you. Come on. It's time for you to see
what a real ranch looks like.
[They start touring the ranch.]
Bonnie: To your right is the general store. You won't find Parisian high
fashion, but it's good for the essentials.
Marston: Very convenient. I don't think I've ever seen a ranch with its own
store before.
Bonnie: And here's the corral. This one's for the horses. What do you think?
Marston: I'm no expert, but it certainly looks like a fine corral.
Bonnie: I suspect you've stolen more horses than you've broken.
Marston: Now where you'd get such an idea?
Bonnie: First impressions are hard to erase. That's the train station. Things
sure have changed since the line finally got finished, bringing in all
sorts of new folk like yourself.
Marston: Is that such a bad thing?
Bonnie: Change is only good when it makes things better. That's the barn over
there. Pa built it himself when I was just a little girl. And here we
are, back at the house. Let's stop for awhile before we head out on
patrol.
Marston: You'll get no complaints from me, Miss MacFarlane.
Bonnie: Come on. This is the only chance you'll get to rest.
[They head back to Bonnie's house.]
Bonnie: How about a cold drink, Mr. Marston?
Marston: Thank you, ma'am. Getting shot and then riding a horse seems to take
it out of you. I could use a rest.
Bonnie: Sure, come on in. I'll show you the house and you can sit for a while.
Marston: Thank you.
[That evening, Bonnie's voice awakens John from his chair.]
Bonnie: Mr. Marston.
Marston: Miss MacFarlane.
Bonnie: Remember me telling you about the trouble we've been having with
rustlers and other undesirables?
Marston: I do.
Bonnie: Will you help me keep watch on the property line this evening?
Marston: Sure.
Bonnie: I want to see just who's trespassing on our land.
Marston: This is a fine weapon.
Bonnie: Come. Let's head out. The country's really beautiful around this time.
Ready, Mr. Marston? Let's mount up and patrol the ranch.
[They get in the saddle.]
Bonnie: Right, follow me. Keep your eyes peeled for anything suspicious. Thank
you, Mr. Marston. I feel a lot happier someone's along with me.
Marston: I feel a lot happier now I got a rifle.
Bonnie: Well, with your trigger itch and my feminine intuition, we should make
quite a team. Goddammit! These rabbits are at it again. C'mon, let's
get rid of them once and for all.
[Marston starts taking 'em out.]
Bonnie: That's it! Kill those little varmints! You're better at shooting
rabbits than outlaws, I see. Much obliged for the help. Them rabbits
can be wily little critters. Mount back up. We should check out the
rest of the ranch. Let's get going. We've still got plenty of ground
to cover. If it's not the rustlers stealing our cattle, it's the
rabbits stealing our crops.
Marston: It ain't never easy, living off the land like this. Maybe you should
move to a big city, become a lady of leisure.
Bonnie: Was that a coyote? Get those pests before they scare the livestock!
[Marston guns 'em down.]
Bonnie: Looks like that was the last of the coyotes. Just a shame we had to
lose any of the chickens. Come on. I'll show you the way to your room.
You know, you can actually handle a rifle.
Marston: It's something I've had a little experience in.
Bonnie: Maybe Bill Williamson did get lucky after all.
Marston: Luck didn't really come into it, miss.
Bonnie: You're a useful man to have around the ranch, that's for sure. But
don't think I've forgotten what brought you here. We'll do whatever we
can to help you.
Marston: I sure do appreciate that, Miss MacFarlane.
[They come to his quarters.]
Bonnie: This is you, Mr. Marston. Thank you for your help, Mr. Marston. Makes
me kind of glad I saved your life. Get some sleep and I will see you
in the morning.
Marston: Goodnight, Miss MacFarlane.
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03) OBSTACLES IN OUR PATH                                                [WK03]
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[Marston meets up with Bonnie at her house.]
Bonnie: Oh, Mr. Marston, how are ya doing today?
Marston: I'm well, Miss MacFarlane. Thank you. How are you?
Bonnie: Well I'm fine, thank you. So uh, how are your ribs?
Marston: Fine. A little sore, but apart from a couple extra scars, it will be
as nothing happened.
Bonnie: Good. Ah, come in, come in. You know, you never did tell me how you
met that Bill Williamson or what you wanted from him.
Marston: No, miss, I did not.
Bonnie: Well, why not? If you don't mind me asking.
Marston: I certainly don't mind you asking, if you don't mind me not telling.
See, it's a complicated and somewhat pathetic tale, and by telling
you, not only would I be putting your life in danger, but also
threatening lives of some people I hold very dear.
Bonnie: Well, I apologize if I seem to be prying.
Marston: And I apologize for my reticence. I hope you believe me when I say
that it's simply out of respect for you.
Bonnie: Of course, Mr. Marston. I understand that a city dweller such as
yourself likes to have some exotic secrets so us country folk are
impressed.
Marston: I'm no city man, miss.
Bonnie: Yeah, but I saw you get on the train at Blackwater. You with those
gentlemen in bowler hats.
Marston: I'm still no city man.
Bonnie: But, I bet you can't ride, Mr. Marston.
Marston: I hate to take money from a lady, miss.
Bonnie: Oh, you won't be. I'll race you right now...
Marston: If it makes you happy.
Bonnie: We'll see. Alright, I'll show you how we ride around these parts. On
the count of 3. 3, 2, 1. I trust you're not gonna be a gentleman about
this!
Marston: You don't know me at all, Miss MacFarlane! Neck and neck, Miss
MacFarlane!
[They finally finish the race.]
Bonnie: That was fun.
Marston: Sure.
Bonnie: You know, you should go pay the Marshal a visit in Armadillo sometime.
I'm sure he could help you deal with that nice Mr. Williamson.
Marston: Yeah, I might just do that, Miss MacFarlane.
Bonnie: You do whatever you think's best, Mr. Marston.
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04) THIS IS ARMADILLO, USA                                               [WK04]
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[Marston meets Bonnie at the gate to her house.]
Bonnie: Ah, Mr. Marston, how are you?
Marston: Good, Miss MacFarlane, how are you?
Bonnie: I'm well... Would you mind riding with me to Armadillo? I've got to
get some supplies and could do with the company.
Marston: Of course.
Bonnie: You can take the reins. It wouldn't do for a terrifying bounty hunter
such as yourself to be driven around by a woman. Hop on up, Mr.
Marston.
[They start out on the road.]
Bonnie: You're looking much better. Considering you were almost buzzard food
a couple days ago.
Marston: I have you to thank for that, miss.
Bonnie: So do tell me, have you needlessly risked your life since we last
spoke?
Marston: No, miss, I have not.
Bonnie: Well, that's a relief. Perhaps there's hope for you yet.
Marston: I wouldn't bet on it.
Bonnie: Oh, there's always hope, Mr. Marston. You can't be a rancher in this
kind of country if you don't believe that.
Marston: An admirable attitude, miss.
Bonnie: I suppose so. I can't think of any other way to stay sane, to be
frank. What about you? Have you ever given up hope altogether?
Marston: Hope hasn't really entered into it. It's not really something I think
about.
Bonnie: A peculiar outlook. I can't really say I understand you.
Marston: I can't always say I do either.
Bonnie: Oh, don't be so deliberately enigmatic.
Marston: I'm not, miss.
Bonnie: Yes you are. You are being deliberately obscure as a substitute for
having a personality.
Marston: I just know there are two theories to arguin' with women. And neither
one works.
Bonnie: I'm not even going to dignify that gibberish with a response.
[Another conversation later...]
Bonnie: I think it's funny I found you dying on the side of the road and now
you're driving me into town.
Marston: You, have a strange sense of humor.
Bonnie: Well, you must admit...it's an unusual start to a friendship.
Marston: I didn't realize we were friends, Miss MacFarlane?
Bonnie: Oh, please. Now who's being funny? I know that business with Williamson
is your business, but... I don't know... You've been good to us...
And... I don't think you're a bad man. A little stupid perhaps, but not
rotten. I just worry about you gallivanting around these parts like
you're some kind of deranged bounty hunter. Like Pa always said, don't
go waking snakes.
Marston: I appreciate your concern for us lesser mortals, Miss MacFarlane, I
really do. And, if there was any other way out, I'd take it. I can
assure you of that.
[Another conversation later...]
Bonnie: You never did tell me where you live.
Marston: I have a small holding up in Great Plains.
Bonnie: A farmer? Yeah, and I'm the Queen of England. And at what point during
your day of hunting down outlaws do you find time to raise chickens?
Marston: Only been at it three years or so. I guess I'm kinda new to it.
Bonnie: You're telling me! So, who's looking after this farm of yours right
now?
Marston: Uncle. Well, he's not really my uncle...as far as I know. Just an old
dog who's as lazy as a lizard on a hot day. The kinda fella laboring
under the delusion that age brings wisdom.
Bonnie: Urgh...sounds like a perfect person to leave in charge of your entire
livelihood.
Marston: We go way back. And I didn't have a lot of choice.
Bonnie: I'd be getting back there if I was you.
Marston: That's what I'm tryin' to do, miss.
[Another conversation...]
Bonnie: How well do you know New Austin?
Marston: I don't. We talked about coming down here many times but we never made
it.
Bonnie: Who's "we"?
Marston: Me and the folks I used to, used to work with. Yeah, New Austin, the
last real outlaw country. Where the old ways still hold true. You do
a man wrong, he'll shoot you for it. You do a man right...well, he
still may shoot you for it. But at least you have an idea of what's
right and what's wrong here.
Bonnie: Dear oh dear, Mr. Marston... What dreadful novel did you get that
romantacized drivel out of? Those days are long gone, if they were
ever here at all. According to Pa, those days were just people shooting
each other because they lost at cards. We'll be lucky if our ranch
survives another 5 years. Businessmen are the new cowboys.
[They finally arrive in town.]
Bonnie: So, this is Armadillo. Manhattan it is not, but it does okay for us.
Most important thing for you right now is getting yourself into Doctor
Johnson's office to purchase some medicine. The first one's on me.
Marston: Thank you, miss. I'll pay you back.
Bonnie: I'm sure you shall. The doc's a good fellow, he saved your life, so be
polite to him. Meet me in front of the general store when you're done.
[Marston visits the doc's place and returns to Bonnie.]
Bonnie: Well, thanks for driving me. It was nice to be able to enjoy the view
for once. And a little company never hurts now and again.
Marston: You're more than welcome, miss. Least I can do. Thank you for the
medicine.
Bonnie: Why don't you have a look around Armadillo? You can always take the
stagecoach back to the ranch later.
Marston: I might just do that. Travel safely, miss.
Bonnie: Try not to get yourself shot. I won't be around to save you this time.
[She rides off.]
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05) WOMEN AND CATTLE                                                     [WK05]
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[Bonnie's sitting on her porch.]
Bonnie: Mr. Marston, I've been hearing about your plans.
Marston: Have you, Miss MacFarlane?
Bonnie: Yes, from Leigh Johnson. To settle here and build a life for yourself.
Marston: I'm afraid those aren't my plans. You see, I already have a life.
Well, I had one, and I'm trying to reclaim it. Or maybe what you could
say is that I had two, and I'm trying to end one of them so the other
can survive.
Bonnie: You do so love to talk in riddles, Mr. Marston. Do you do that, I
wonder as a substitute for having anything interesting to say?
Marston: Probably, Miss MacFarlane.
Bonnie: Ugh, call me Bonnie, you fool. Call me Bonnie.
Marston: Miss MacFarlane, I'm married. I have a son. I had a daughter, but she
died. Years before that I rode in a gang. We robbed banks, trains,
held people ransom. We killed people we didn't like. Bill Williamson
was in that gang. Now, if I don't capture my former brother in arms,
great harm will befall my family. Now, I don't suppose any of this is
very interesting to you but, I hope it explains why I wasn't so eager
to talk about it.
Bonnie: No, I do understand. I had no idea. You poor man.
Marston: Even in this new country, memories don't really fade. My father was
an illiterate Scot, born on the boat into New York. He never saw his
homeland, but to hear him talk about it, you would imagine he only
ate haggis and wore a kilt. And he hated the English for what they
had done to his great-grandparents he'd never met. People don't
forget. Nothing gets forgiven.
Bonnie: That's true, especially when it comes to money and you know even now,
after all his labors, my father's debts are still terrible. I worry
every day about us losing the ranch. It would kill him.
Marston: My father died when I was 8 years old. His eyes were...well, let's
just say he was blinded in a barfight south of Chicago. My mother
died during childbirth. She was a prostitute and he was her, well I
don't know what he was. 'Till I was sent off to an orphanage and ran
away and fell in with a gang.
Bonnie: My word, what a difficult life you've lived.
Marston: The leader of the gang taught me how to read. Taught me how to see
all that was good in the world. He was a great man in a way.
Bonnie: But you killed people?
Marston: Sure, and I've suffered for it. And that's the life I left, or tried
to leave. I've said too much, Bonnie. I'm an uneducated killer sent
here to do all I can do well, kill a man in cold blood so that another
man may do his part to cut crime in an area, and a rich man can be
elected governor on the back of these promises.
Bonnie: Civilization is a truly beautiful thing, Mr. Marston. Listen, can you
help me?
Marston: Well, I can try. What do you need? Money?
Bonnie: No. Nothing so complicated... I need an extra hand to take the herd
out to pasture.
Marston: Sure, point me in the right direction.
[She points; Marston climbs his horse.]
Bonnie: Right. Are you ready to learn how to herd some cows?
[They start riding to the cowpen.]
Bonnie: Thank you for telling me all that back there. It must have been hard
for you.
Marston: I hope you understand now why I've been playing my cards somewhat
close to my chest.
Bonnie: I didn't know you had a wife and child. Then again, I don't think I
ever asked. They're...they're lucky to have a man like you.
Marston: I ain't so sure about that, but thank you.
Bonnie: Get behind the herd. That should get them started in the right
direction, assuming they aren't put off by your smell!
[Marston moves behind the herd and shephards them out of the pen.]
Bonnie: Drive them down the road, Mr. Marston! This way! We need to take them
out to the pasture!
[They rejoin the herds.]
Bonnie: Now we need to move this entire herd out to the far pasture for
grazing.
[They do so.]
Bonnie: You're not bad with the herd. Ranching might be your true calling, Mr.
Marston. Either that or you were a cow in a past life.
Marston: Thank you, Miss MacFarlane.
Bonnie: I'll see you later. I have work to do back at the ranch.
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06) WILD HORSES, TAMED PASSIONS                                          [WK06]
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[John finds Bonnie at home.]
Bonnie: Well hello, Mr. Marston, how are you?
Marston: Fine thank you, how are you?
Bonnie: I'm fine, thank you. Did you meet my father? John Marston, this is my
father, Drew MacFarlane.
Drew: Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Marston. Please.
[John takes a seat.]
Drew: So...my daughter informs me that you're here on some secret mission to
remove some undesirables from the county.
Marston: Something like that. I'm grateful for your hospitality, sir.
Drew: Ah ya know we've lived here for 30 years now. Came here from the East.
The land had never been settled. For 10 years we fought the Indians.
Tough men. Then we had outlaws and we had drought, and we had smallpox,
terrible winters, cholera. I've buried more of my children than I've
raised.
Marston: Sorry to hear that, sir.
Drew: I've seen strong men wither and die under that unforgiving sun. That
whole herds of cattle take sick and die. But I've never once doubted my
life here.
Marston: No, sir.
Drew: When I hear about this so-called Federal Government, sending out agents
to covertly murder and control people, then I start to worry. I mean,
alright, Williamson is a menace and men like him are the plague, but
isn't a government agent a worse menace? In all that symbolizes, I mean.
Marston: You may be right, sir.
Drew: Well, you're a brave man, and you're always going to be welcome here,
but you tell your friends out East that, we don't want to live like that
out here. Sneaking around, and spying, and secret missions. It's
preposterous.
Marston: Trust me, sir. I agree with you.
Drew: Good...good. Well, we won't insult you any further. Come on, Bonnie, we
got things to do.
Bonnie: Mr. Marston, do you want to join us? It's daddy's favorite pasttime,
apart from political discourse that is...
Marston: What is?
Drew: Breaking in horses. Come on. I hear you're a pretty decent rider. For a
city dweller, that is.
Bonnie: You're going to need this, Mr. Marston.
[She hands him a lasso.]
Bonnie: Let's see if we can put that new lasso of yours to good use. That ranch
hand said there's a pack of wild horses nearby.
[The family MacFarlane and John set out onto the trail.]
Marston: You sure have some interesting theories on what the government's
doin', sir.
Drew: They ain't theories, Mr. Marston. I saw the telegram the Marshal got
from Blackwater. It ain't exactly a state secret who sent you.
Bonnie: Well, is he wrong? I saw those men from the train.
Marston: The government can go to hell, if you ask me. Those sons-a-bitches'd
steal a coin off a dead man's eye.
Bonnie: Mr. Marston!
Drew: He's right. Now, I don't know much about politics...
Bonnie: Please, Pa, can we just enjoy the ride?
Drew: ...but I know we're only as free as they say we are. Power is like a
drink. The more you have, the more you want. And there's few men who can
handle it.
Bonnie: There's certain things in this country a woman could do much better,
if you ask me.
Marston: I ain't gonna argue with that, Miss MacFarlane.
[They find the horse herd.]
Bonnie: There they are! Let's get after them!
[John lassos one.]
Drew: That's it, hold him nice and still!
[John breaks the wild horse.]
Drew: Look at that! We'll make a cowboy out of you yet! Phew! I think that's
enough activity for an old-timer like me. I'll take this one back to the
ranch. See you later.
Bonnie: C'mon, Mr. Marston, let's rope another one! I'm coming don't lose him!
Jump on, I've a feeling this one's going to break easily.
[John gets another horse.]
Bonnie: You got him eating out of your hand! Nice work! I think that'll do it
for today. Let's get back to the ranch.
[They start back.]
Marston: I like your father.
Bonnie: I'm glad. He's quite a character.
Marston: You have a good life here. A life I want. For me and my family, I
mean.
Bonnie: We don't have a lot anymore.
Marston: You have enough. It's wanting that gets so many folks in trouble.
Bonnie: It'll sap your spirit and make you poor. But it's straight and it's
decent.
Marston: There's no better night's sleep than after an honest day's work.
Bonnie: It's no wonder you look so tired then.
Marston: Some deck must be shy a joker, Miss MacFarlane.
Bonnie: Who'd have thought you'd be such a natural at busting broncos?
Marston: That was fun.
Bonnie: I think you could be a fine rancher someday. If you can bear to stop
killing people for a living.
Marston: Sure.
[They arrive at the ranch.]
Bonnie: Well done, Mr. Marston. These are fine horses.
Drew: Hey Bonnie, Amos was saying some fine horses were spotted outside of
Armadillo.
Bonnie: Let's go, Mr. Marston. We could really do with these horses. C'mon
Mr. Marston, let's head for Armadillo.
[They hit the trail once again.]
Marston: You never did tell me why you were never married. Aside from the
snobbery, that is.
Bonnie: You sure ask a lot.
Marston: I'm just surprised, that's all. You must've been quite a catch.
Bonnie: The fact that you're talking in the past, says it all.
Marston: No...that's not what I meant. You must've had some suitors, that's all
I'm sayin'.
Bonnie: Some, I suppose...here and there. A ranch in the middle of Hennigan's
Stead ain't really the place to find a husband. Amos, he's a little...
well, you know, countrified.
Marston: Where'd you get your airs and graces, Miss MacFarlane?
Bonnie: From a couple of cheap governesses Pa hired to save us from being
savages. I'd like to talk about more than just cattle and chickens
sometimes, that's all. And after my brother left, it was up to me to
become the man of the ranch. He'd never admit it but my Pa's a lot
frailer than he looks.
Marston: You're worth two of any man I know, Miss.
Bonnie: I'll try to take that as a compliment.
Marston: In many ways, my wife is kind of like you, Miss MacFarlane.
Bonnie: Is that so?
Marston: She's always been a woman in a man's world.
Bonnie: You don't talk about her very much.
Marston: It's kind of painful. But she's never far from my thoughts.
Bonnie: Looks like the ranch hands up ahead. Let's drive them up the canyon,
where it narrows. We'll trap them there.
[They finally coax the horses into the canyon.]
Bonnie: Looks like we got the lot of them. What magnificent animals they are...
Hey, the stallion's getting away! Chase him down and bring him back!
[John pursues, captures, and breaks the stallion.]
Bonnie: Thanks for your help today, Mr. Marston. We got some fine horses. You
know, why don't you keep that stallion are your own. As a thank you
from all of us.
Marston: Thank you, ma'am. He's a fine animal.
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07) A TEMPEST LOOMS                                                      [WK07]
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[A ranch hand is trying to put the horses in a barn.]
Amos: C'mon, c'mon, let's go!
Bonnie: Amos!
Amos: Get 'em in there, c'mon, c'mon!
Bonnie: Amos!
Amos: Hey, miss. I've got most of the horses secure, and the chickens.
Bonnie: Well thank you, Amos, but it's the herd I'm worried about.
Amos: I know, they're scattered all over the valley and beyond. The weather
is coming in real fast.
Bonnie: So what do you suggest, Amos, we leave the herd out there to be
scattered by the storm and ourselves left here to die without a
livelihood?
[Marston walks over.]
Marston: Can I help?
Amos: No, miss. If the men get caught out in that storm, they're gonna die.
Bonnie: And if we lose our herd, we'll all die, you stupid man.
Marston: Doesn't sound like we're left with much of a choice, then. Come on,
Amos, round up your men. Let's get that herd.
Amos: Dang.
[They all mount up.]
Bonnie: Let's get going. Before the weather gets any worse. That sky don't
look good. I'm starting to think somebody up there's conspiring against
me. Are you a religious man?
Marston: Not in any real sense. Sometimes I tell myself things happen for a
reason. Like what brought me here was fate come-a-callin'. But nobody
made my path but me.
Bonnie: We all need to look for answers somewhere. Some in big ol' books. Some
in big ol' bottles of whiskey.
Marston: Believing in some kind of divine purpose ain't gonna get me my wife
and kid back. Past is who we are, Miss MacFarlane. And there ain't no
changing that. Faith is a luxury I can't afford.
Bonnie: We have two herds out grazing in different pastures. We'll need to
merge them and bring them all back.
Marston: I think we can handle that.
Bonnie: The cows get real ornery in bad weather. It's more work, but I'll show
you how to deal with them. I'm going to save my voice for the herd.
It's gonna be hard shouting over this storm.
[They merge the herds, but lightning strikes a tree, scaring the cows.]
Bonnie: They're spooked! We haved to stop the herd from stampeding! Do
something! They're headed for the cliff!
[Marston heads them off, preventing any deaths.]
Bonnie: Good work! Now let's round up those stragglers.
[They get 'em all.]
Bonnie: I think that's all of them. Let's get 'em back to the ranch before
this weather gets any worse.
[They finally get the cows back to the ranch.]
Bonnie: You saved the herd back there. You might make a decent rancher one day.
Marston: Thank you, Miss MacFarlane.
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08) POLITICAL REALITIES IN ARMADILLO                                     [WK08]
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[John visits the sheriff's office.]
Marston: Excuse me.
Prisoner: Hey! Hey! You got a visitor.
[The sleeping deputy gets up.]
Deputy: Shut up you! And what you want?
Marston: My name is John Marston. You wanted to speak with me.
Deputy: I did?
Marston: Apparently so.
Deputy: Why?
Marston: I guess because we're both in the business of the law.
Deputy: You that fella from the train company?
Marston: No, I'm from Fort Mercer.
Deputy: Fort Mercer? You them, one of them Williamson boys.
Marston: Calm down.
Prisoner: Go on, shoot him, mister! Shoot him.
Deputy: Go on what...you being cute with me, boy?
Marshal: What's going on here?
Deputy: I got me one of them Williamson boys.
Marston: I got me one of them idiots who give marshals a bad name.
Marshal: Jonah, put your gun down. You must be the man from Blackwater.
Marston: Yes, sir. Listen, that dog ain't too bright, but he seems loyal.
Marshal: Jonah, get out of here for a minute.
Jonah: Yes, sir, Mr. Johnson, sir. And you. Oh, I done seen enough of your hide
around here, friend.
Marston: I think there's some schoolchildren down the way you could go
frighten.
Jonah: Oh, hardy fucking harr! Dickhead.
Marshal: What are you doing here, Mr. Marston? Apart from frightening my
deputies?
Marston: I'm here to capture or kill Bill Williamson.
Marshal: (laughing) Okay.
Marston: Can you help me?
Marshal: He's outside my jurisdiction, he's in the next county. Of course, Bill
Williamson and his boys have tended to keep themselves away from my
town.
Marston: So you're happy to have him out there?
Marshal: Well, I ain't happy, but I also ain't suicidal. My job is to keep this
town safe, not clean up all of these 3 counties. It's hard enough
around here.
Marston: Ya know...I hear you speak, and suddenly I'm reminded of how some of
the people I respected most in my life had a problem with authority.
What's wrong with you?
Marshal: Well, I'm sure you and your fine friends have enjoyed spending your
time running around pursuing noble causes. My cause is to keep this
town from turning into a living hell for the folks who live here.
Whole world has problems, mister, and I'm here, doing what I can.
Marston: Why? What's happening?
Marshal: Right now? I got the railway, the people who pay my salary trying to
get me to turn a blind eye to them burning down settlements up there.
I got a bunch of cattle rustlers out near box canyon need shutting
down, not forgetting the gang that keeps murdering homesteaders out in
the back country, and I got a bunch of hoods over in the saloon,
drunk, threatening to shoot up the whole town. That's all I got for
today, but it's early yet. Give me couple more days and there'll be
more.
Marston: Alright, tell you what, let's go deal with them hoods, in the saloon,
then we'll discuss Williamson.
Marshal: Okay, boy. You're a persistent little cuss, ain't ya?
Marston: Only when things matter.
Marshal: Let's head over to the saloon.
Marston: So who we looking for?
Marshal: A bunch of two-bit hoodlums, led by this fella called Walton. Goddamn
road agents who prey on the stages comin' in and out of town. Drivers
in Armadillo spend more time with their hands in the air than on the