Badman's Territory Page #5

Like to join us?

I'm figuring on retiring. Come with us

and retire in clover. What's the job?

Two banks.

Double header, huh?

They're loaded. A man takes chances

riding strange teams out of strange towns.

You'll wait outside town

with the getaway wagon.

Well, I ain't never

drove an empty one!

Good!

Land's sakes, Henryetta, stand still! I might get you

fastened up if you quit wiggling like a sidewinder!

Oh, Meg. It is becoming, isn't it?

Nobody ever saw so much of you. Why a girl should risk

her death to get a man to notice her... Man? What man?

Don't be coy with ME. A certain

long-legged sheriff... Mark Rowley?

Don't snap my head off!

What gave you that idea?

This is the first party dress

I've seen you buy.

It's the first time you've bothered

with the hotel dances.

Your appetite's gone, your eyes are glazed and you

don't hear a word that's said to you. That's absurd!

I haven't seen him for a week. You've looked

for him. Him? He made me lose the race!

So the Indians wouldn't lose

their grass rent money.

The things he said when he

walked me home! You deserved them.

You saw the telegram.

He's an outlaw. Only an accused one.

Oh, Meg, I don't know what to say!

Then don't say it!

You don't think it's cut too low,

do you?

It'll never choke you to death!

Oh, Meg!

Don't go getting yourself mussed up!

Not by me, anyway.

And don't worry about Belle Starr.

No? No.

She throws a longer loop, but he has

as much chance of escaping YOUR web.

Meg! Comparing me to a spider!

KNOCK ON DOOR:

There's your fly!

Yes? I'm looking for Miss Alcott,

the editor. I'm Miss Alcott.

Indeed? Then it's safe to introduce

myself. US Marshal Hampton. Oh.

Come in.

Thank you.

You took a risk coming here,

Marshal.

I'd have visited sooner if I'd known

Quinto had such an elegant editor.

These are not my usual clothes.

There's a dance at the hotel.

Yes. I figured one more horse

and rider wouldn't be noticed.

There's something I want to ask you.

In that telegram, you said...

I'm anxious to bring this territory

under the jurisdiction...

I don't doubt it. But you mentioned

charges against the Rowleys. Yes.

Couldn't there be some mistake?

Mark Rowley was a sheriff too.

Until he helped the James gang to

escape and committed armed robbery.

Oh.

No, I'm afraid there's no mistake.

A peace officer turned outlaw is the most

dangerous criminal of all. Like the Daltons.

Yes. They're in town now.

No doubt the Rowleys

are hobnobbing with them.

But they'll all end up on

the same gallows. I'll see to that.

But that's my job.

Yours is a happier one.

Miss Alcott, I wonder if you know

how effective your campaign has been.

The people outside are behind you.

It helps to know that.

And I bring you now

the means for quick success. How?

The organisation of Oklahoma comes

to a vote in Washington in ten days.

If we present evidence to Congress

that people here want annexation,

there'll soon be a flag flying here. A woman of your

intelligence... My intelligence doesn't count for much.

Anyone here will tell you I'm

a cantankerous, meddling female.

But I have every confidence in you.

What is it you think I can do?

These are petitions to Congress. Get as many

signatures as you can, as quickly as you can.

HE PLAYS A WALTZ WITH THE BAND

APPLAUSE AS MUSIC ENDS

Hey, Coyote. Who is she -

the dream in the black dress?

She's the Quinto Citizen.

Hey, Sam. Give us

"60 years through Georgia". Sure.

Right, folks. Get your partners

on the floor for a square dance.

MUSIC STARTS:

Take your partners

for a good old hoedown!

I need another couple over here.

Here's a couple. I need

another couple in this set over here.

Still need a couple over there.

Everybody all set?

Bow to your partner, the one you like

best. All join hands and circle south west.

Come back home and you always swing.

First couple, down the centre,

divide and whirl.

Ladies go right, gents go wrong.

Promenade with the corner girl.

Same old fella, brand new girl.

Down the centre, divide and whirl.

Promenade with the corner girl.

Yahoo!

Ladies and gentlemen, I want to take this occasion,

while we're all gathered together in friendly spirit,

to make an important announcement.

Recent events have proved the danger of letting

outsiders come into Quinto and raise Cain.

Our town's growing up and it's time she settled down.

We can't let human nature run wild without regulation.

The livestock men and leading merchants

have appointed an official regulator.

He was reluctant

but we persuaded him to accept.

He's former sheriff, Mark Rowley.

Mr Rowley has already demonstrated his

ability to handle local disturbances.

As for those folks who've been

agitating for law and order,

I believe no man alive can satisfy

them better than Mark Rowley.

So let's all give the new regulator

our cooperation,

and feel confident that he will give

us his protection... from each other.

Satisfied, Miss Alcott? Yes, indeed,

and I hope you will be too.

Your attention, please,

for a very important announcement,

which I can make now I am guaranteed

the protection of a regulator.

A convention has been held

in Guthrie,

and old Oklahoma has voted to become

a territory of the United States.

Congress is about to pass an act allowing

Oklahoma to raise taxes for public improvements,

and to enjoy OFFICIAL law and order.

MURMURS OF DISAGREEMEN Congress will grant the annexation of the forgotten

lands to the new state of Oklahoma if we ask for it.

We don't need annexation. We've just

appointed law and order of our own!

Yes, in Quinto. We need such men

all over Badman's Territory,

so that it will no longer be

Badman's Territory.

The Indians own this land. They're

going to have a say in what happens.

Yes. That's what I'm fighting for.

I'm sure they'll all say they want

progress, decency and protection.

Miss Alcott, what will happen to men

like me with old charges hanging over us?

Dr Grant can answer that.

He also is interested.

You'll be arrested,

by a sheriff of our own election,

and tried before a Quinto judge

and a Quinto jury.

Those in favour of annexation are invited to

sign these petitions to the Congress of the US.

Wait!

Quiet, please!

Quiet, will you! Quiet!

All in favour of Miss Alcott's plea,

remain. The others, leave.

Does that mean you're on her side?

A regulator doesn't take sides.

My job is to keep order

and it's going to be kept.

Meg, Hodge - pass these round.

A woman telling us what to do!

Ain't we going to do

something about this?

Sure.

Well, what?

We're going to South America.

Response...

to petitions... favourable.

Am sending them...

on to you... tonight.

I have something to say to you,

Henryetta.

It must be important if it

can't wait till morning. It is.

Good night, Meg.

Get it off your mind.

I suppose you think that...

Give me a chance to tell you

what I think.

I think you're wonderful.

I think you're sweet and good

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