American Outlaws Page #14

They stare at him.

JESSE (CONT'D)

This isn't a feud, this is war.

They've got more men than we do. We

kill detectives, they can replace

'em in a day.

COLE:

(snapping)

So what do we do, General Lee?

JESSE:

Just like in the war. Harass their

supply lines. We kill the railroad's

men, they won't care.

BOB:

But if we take their money and

supplies...

JESSE:

Exactly.

JIM:

That's a great plan, Jesse!

Cole nods grudgingly.

BOB:

I'll get us a few more men, and

Comanche Tom'll ride with us.

JIM:

Where do we hit first, Jesse?

COLE:

I'll pick the first job! I mean...

I know a girl down at the bank. See

if she can't get a list of towns

where the railroad keeps its money.

JESSE:

Perfect, Cole.

COLE:

Let's ride.

The Youngers mount up. Jesse walks to the ruined house,

pulls a big iron trunk from the wreckage. He KICKS it open,

reaches in, and pulls out his gun belts. Zee appears behind

him in what remains of the doorway.

ZEE:

I am so sorry, Jesse.

JESSE:

Frank and me have to go away for a

while.

Zee considers this, puts her head in close to Jesse's.

ZEE:

You and I, we've started...

something, you know?

(Jesse nods)

I don't know what'll happen if you

do this.

JESSE:

Me neither.

ZEE:

Let the law --

JESSE:

Laws don't touch men like Thaddeus

Rains. Only justice does.

ZEE:

Whose justice? Yours or God's?

(no answer)

When will you stop?

JESSE:

When my name makes them cry in

their sleep. When I've brought them

to ashes.

Jesse kisses her gently, turns and walks to where the

Youngers are standing. Zee can barely conceal her anger and

heartbreak.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. FIDELITY BANK AND TRUST - DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT of a Midwestern bank on a quiet street.

INT. FIDELITY BANK

There are two teller windows, a couple of male customers

and a MOTHER and CHILD.

Jesse and Cole ENTER dressed for the trail, longrider coats

and spurs. Saddlebags are slung over their shoulders.

JESSE:

Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen,

but I have bad news. The railroad

payroll has been stolen.

The BANK MANAGER steps out from behind his desk.

MANAGER:

What are you talking about? The

railroad's money is right over there

in that safe.

Jesse draws two guns, Cole produces a shotgun from his coat.

JESSE:

That safe?

MANAGER:

Ah.

EXT. FIDELITY BANK

Frank James, Bob and Jim Younger, Clell Miller, Loni

Packwood, Comanche Tom and several new GANG MEMBERS wait

along both sides of the street in this medium sized

mid-western town. Some are standing next to their horses,

some mounted.

ANOTHER ANGLE:

An OLD MAN with a cane is walking shakily towards the bank.

Frank jerks his head and Jim intercepts him.

JIM:

Hold on there, sir. Bank's closed

today.

OLD MAN:

Wha?

JIM:

Bank holiday! Bank's closed!

Jim tries to steer the old man away. The old man starts

batting at him with the cane.

OLD MAN:

Get off me!

JIM:

Ow! Ow!

Frank sighs.

INT. FIDELITY BANK

Jesse and the Bank Manager are having a staredown.

MANAGER:

This is outrageous. Who are you

people?

JESSE:

The James Gang.

COLE:

(annoyed)

The James-Younger Gang.

JESSE:

Sorry.

COLE:

Don't let it happen again.

EXT. FIDELITY BANK

The old man is still smacking Jim with the cane. Bob

crosses to help.

BOB:

Sir, it's a bank holiday --

SMACK SMACK and now the old man's laying the cane on both

Bob and Jim.

JIM:

Ow!

BOB:

Ow ow!

Frank hangs his head.

INT. FIDELITY BANK

Cole turns to the Woman and Child.

COLE:

Ma'am, kindly cover that child's

eyes.

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