Dances with Wolves Page #4

DUNBAR:

Actually sir, I'm here at my own

request... I want to see the frontier.

FAMBROUGH:

You want to see the frontier?

DUNBAR:

Yes sir... before it's gone.

The major fixes Dunbar with a sly look.

FAMBROUGH:

Such a smart lad coming straight to

me.

Still sly, Fambrough digs into a side drawer. There is the

distinct clink of glass on glass as he rummages. Now Fambrough

has what he wants, a blank official form. He begins to fill

it out, writing in a disturbingly childish way.

FAMBROUGH:

Sir Knight, I am sending you on a

knight's errand. You will report to

Captain Cargill at the furthermost

outpost of the realm... Fort

Sedgewick.

He looks over his work with a schoolboy's excitement and

affixes his signature with a wild flourish.

FAMBROUGH:

My personal seal will assure you

safe passage through many miles of

wild hostile country.

He folds the order and hands it to Dunbar.

DUNBAR:

I'm wondering sir, how will I be

getting there?

FAMBROUGH:

You think I don't know?

DUNBAR:

No sir, it's just that I don't know.

FAMBROUGH:

Hold your tongue.

The major turns in his chair to stare through a single, dusty

window. He can see a teamster outside, tying down canvas on

a heavily-loaded wagon.

FAMBROUGH:

I'm in a generous mood and will grant

your boon. You see that peasant...

he calls himself Timmons... he leaves

this very afternoon for your Fort

Sedgewick. Ride with him if you

like... he knows the way. That is

all.

Dunbar stands and salutes. Fambrough returns it snappily.

The lieutenant starts for the door.

FAMBROUGH (O.S.)

Sir Knight...

Dunbar turns around. Fambrough is standing in front of his

desk. There's a large, dark splotch on the major's trouser

front.

He jams both of his hands into the front of his pants and

giggles.

FAMBROUGH:

I just pissed in my pants... and

nobody can do anything about it.

EXT. FORT HAYS - DAY

Lieutenant Dunbar skips down the steps, picks up Cisco's

reins and starts leading the buckskin along the front of the

building. He looks briefly at his orders, stops and turns

back towards Fambrough's office.

And there is Fambrough with a full glass of booze in hand,

toasting the young lieutenant from the window. A wide grin

on his face.

EXT. FORT HAYS - DAY

A wagon is pulling slowly away from the lonely headquarters.

EXT. FORT HAYS - DAY

The insane face of Major Fambrough peeks around the corner

of a building. On his head is a ridiculous, plumed hat.

Now he looks both ways, as if preparing to cross a busy

street. Seeing that the coast is clear, he minces into the

parade ground in front of headquarters. The plume is waving

in the breeze and the major carries something in each hand...

an officer's sword and a revolver.

Except for these items, the unfortunate major is naked.

As he trots onto the parade ground, Fambrough is startled to

find that Elgin is following him. He begins to run faster.

Fambrough halts near the center of the parade ground and

turns back on the lieutenant and waves his pistol menacingly.

FAMBROUGH:

Noooo, noooo...

ELGIN:

It's alright Major.

Now Elgin sees a GRIZZLED SERGEANT approaching Fambrough

from the opposite direction.

SERGEANT:

Leave him alone lieutenant... he's

cracked.

Fambrough turns on the voice behind him and waves his pistol

at the sergeant.

FAMBROUGH:

Nooo, nooo...

But Fambrough finds himself staring at the barrel of the

sergeant's raised pistol.

ELGIN:

Don't sergeant.

In a panic Fambrough wheels back on Lieutenant Elgin.

FAMBROUGH:

Are you deaf fool. I said I'll have

my crown this instant... this instant!

Slowly and kindly, Elgin is walking toward him. He holds out

his hand.

ELGIN:

Let's have the pistol.

SERGEANT:

(to Elgin)

Don't do it.

But the lieutenant keeps his hand held out. Fambrough eyes

him silently. Then he screws up his face like a crybaby.

FAMBROUGH:

The king is dead... long live the

king.

In one swift motion, Fambrough brings the revolver up,

swallows the barrel and pulls the trigger.

EXT. WAGON - DAY

At the sound of a single shot behind him, Dunbar twists around

on the wagon seat. Seeing nothing, he turns back to face the

front and takes stock of the driver, TIMMONS. He doesn't

like what he sees... or smells.

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