Dead Man's Burden Page #3

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I was lucky to survive,

that's a fact.

(Noise)

Let the past lie,

little sunshine,

this is the here and now.

(Noise & Music)

[Inaudible Remark]

Still hanging on to

that damn letter for one.

That damn letter

brought Wade home to me.

Why don't you just focus

on killing us an elk,

couple of pheasants

just won't do.

(Noise)

Look, family don't turn

against each other

without reason.

(Noise)

The time when

Pa took [inaudible]

wasn't too much of a surprise

when Lombardi [phonetic] came

back looking for a refund.

And Pa, he'd have

none of it but Wade,

he gave them their money back.

All of it.

He did something [inaudible] the

beating he'd be taken for it.

Say, reasons to try

to get [inaudible].

(Noise)

I was thinking of asking Wade to

come with us to San Francisco?

Yeah.

(Noise)

Heard you're going hunting,

thought you could

use a repeater.

You couldn't hit a

buck with that antique.

Is that a damn

Yankee rifle, 16 shooter?

Mighty sweet of you.

(Noise)

That Three Penny Hank

fellow, you reckon he's the one

who sent Joe's letter?

The hell kind of

cartridge is this?

44 M fire.

I can't say I

thought of it much.

That his place I

saw miles west of here?

Three Penny Hank has

been living by himself

on a dying farm for more

years than I can count,

makes the man a little crazy.

I've been thinking on

something, plow that land

out there, plant it right, this

farm could really be something.

You don't think

Joe tried that?

It's a fine piece

of land ya'll got here.

We're selling the farm.

Well, if it's help you need,

I can stay on and stretch,

bear some of the burden.

Well that is a shame

decision's had been made.

(Noise)

Are you sure little sunshine?

(Noise)

Decision is made.

(Noise)

(Noise & Music)

(Noise)

Three Penny Hank?

I don't take kindly

to that name, mister.

(Noise)

Give it here, I ain't

a young man no more.

(Noise)

Well, Sergeant Major

McCurry, I swan.

I wasn't sure there

was going to be a body

on the other end of this.

It's a pleasure to make your

acquaintance Sergeant Major,

a real pleasure.

It's Wade.

You ain't trying to

pull one on me now are you?

Joe didn't say nothing?

Hell no, he did not.

I can see it though.

You got your father's eyes.

Well come on in, it's not as

a whorehouse on nickel night.

We can deal a few hands, see if

you got your father's luck too.

Joe, he wouldn't

have changed his mind.

One hand.

I ain't had a visitor

since your Pa was killed.

Well, I reckon you better

take that up with this horse.

Hold on just one minute.

(Noise)

I ain't no soaker,

but we respect the dead

before we speak on him.

Here's to you, Joe, it

turns out I was right.

You were a lying son of a b*tch.

You will be missed.

(Noise)

Joe.

(Noise)

You mustn't think much of me.

I can't say I made

much of an opinion.

No. But I know a

lot of folks who don't.

Crazy old coot, couldn't

grow mushrooms on manure.

But I'm a hell of a good

farmer, just ain't much water,

not around these parts anyway.

The letter.

Hold your horses, son,

we're talking water here.

My family's stead, it's

the only place that has it.

I can see you are

the observant kind.

What ain't so obvious is

that there's copper

plenty around here.

And if the mining company--

-- if the mining

companies ain't got no water

to work their claims, well then

that ore ain't ever

seeing the light of day.

They need Joe's land

and they sent some good

for nothing carpetbagger name of

Lane to make sure they get it.

under fire doesn't mean

he can't be snake bit.

If and it was an accident,

how come the coffin was closed.

That's an awful big

charge you're making.

Well, he weren't

scalped by no Apache,

he was throwed by a horse.

Ain't no reason not to let us

say our last respects, unless--

unless he weren't

throwed by no horse.

And the law, they had

nothing to say about this?

There ain't no

law around here.

You know Joe never said more

than two words about you

but I wager I could

guess why he told folks

that you was dead

Sergeant Major.

Hell, he must have in it bad

if he felt you were the one

that he had to call out

to 'cause like you said,

Joe ain't one to

change his mind.

(Noise)

Were you present

when Joe died?

So you've been by

Three Penny Hank's place?

He don't take too

kindly that name.

Nobody take too

kindly of him either.

He mentioned a fellow

by the name of Lane.

He came to Joe's funeral.

Mr. Lane is the buyer.

He kill Joe?

Nobody killed him.

He was thrown by a horse.

Ain't that what killed me.?

So you're saying I'm a liar.

This Lane, did

he threaten you?

I don't want this land, Wade.

The only reason we stayed

so long is Pa wouldn't have

survived out here on his own.

Hank seems to

be doing just fine.

This place?

It would kill me.

Sure as it did our Ma.

(Pause)

Joe threatened if I ever

came home, he'd kill me.

And there he goes, writing

me a letter, asking me back.

That sound like the

pride-stricken man

that raised us up?

Nobody killed him.

(Pause)

I reckon I don't know

how you can be so sure.

Asking you as

your only family,

will you please leave it alone?

(Pause)

Ain't no reason to be

scared, little sunshine.

I will strike down anyone who

tries to harm this here family.

(Silence)

(Horses Galloping)

Howdy? Didn't know

Hank brought on any hands.

[Background Music] Howdy.

Don't be bothering to dismount.

(Music)

I do not believe we had

the pleasure of acquaintance.

You're E.J. Lane.

Banker and killer.

I'm going to bring you before

a judge for what you've done.

Wait, you let him go.

There ain't a judge for a

three-day ride from here.

It's quite the impertinent

way to treat a guest.

I do apologize,

Mr. Lane, we had an--

[Inaudible] I'd appreciate

it if you get my horse.

She ain't to be

ordered about.

(Music)

Wade, is it?

I'd be glad to know what

I'm being accused of.

Didn't figure you

were one for games.

Wade.

Well, you know that a

crime, whatever it may be,

requires evidence, so

please present yours.

(Music)

Moving, yet meaningless.

I'm sorry for your loss.

I've been known for

trying to put reason

to [inaudible] in my time.

I have a sale to attend to.

So you can either shoot me

in the back like a coward

or let me be on my way.

(Music)

(Banging Sound)

(Music)

(Noise)

I reckon you know

I ain't got no choice.

(Noise)

See, he's made an

offer for this glass.

But this glass is

full of whiskey.

What you're trying to

do is buy this glass

and get the whiskey for free.

Why don't you

take that whiskey,

pour it right back

in that bottle.

I'm making a fair

counter here.

It is a thousand dollars,

750 for all my acres,

250 for everything on it.

It's your property.

I imagined you've more

to say on its fate.

Hell of an imagination.

(Pause)

Got a deal?

(Noise)

On behalf of Mr.

Moore, Mr. Crohn

and Mr. Buck, thank you kindly.

(Music)

(Music & Footsteps)

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