Goodnight for Justice Page #4

Are you gonna keep

asking questions all night?

I might.

Well, no, I'm not running

from anything,

and, yes, I'm here

because of a woman.

My mother.

Good morning.

Good morning.

I'm, uh, glad to say

you don't talk in your sleep.

Well, I'm happy to see you drink

something other than whiskey.

Well, after you've had some of this,

you might prefer whiskey.

I tell you what...

When we get to town, I will make you

a real cup of coffee...

...along with the best supper

you've ever eaten.

Do you want to have dinner

with me or not?

Supper would be, uh... fine.

- Good.

- Good.

All right.

Here we are.

Crooked Stick.

Is something wrong?

- We got enough for candy?

- I always go for the peppermint.

That piece of dirt

deserved to be hanged.

What is it?

What's the matter?

I, uh, I've been here before,

a long time ago.

Oh.

Well, then, I guess...

Welcome back.

And thank you.

My ma says you're the judge.

I am.

My ma says you hanged a man

for spitting in Jackson.

Well, your mama heard wrong.

I would never hang a man

just for spitting...

unless, of course, he was spitting

on someone he'd just killed.

But if I spit, I'm not guilty

of anything, right?

Son, every man is guilty of something,

and you know what that is?

It's all the good that he didn't do.

Thank you.

How much is candy these days?

- Two cents, sir.

- Hmm.

This your store?

Uh, no, it's Mr. Reed's.

It used to belong

to my grandpa, though.

Is he around?

Uh, you actually just missed him,

but he'll be in tomorrow.

All right.

He's not in any trouble

or anything, is he?

No, no, not as far as I know.

Good afternoon, Sheriff.

John William Goodnight.

I'm here to replace Judge Henry.

Yeah.

We got a wire saying

he was gunned down.

That's just a terrible thing.

Well, being shot

in the back usually is.

Wouldn't happen on my watch.

Glad to hear it.

So, what do... what do you make

of our town so far?

Well, the candy's

pretty good.

Your jail is a little full, though.

I hadn't noticed.

Why are they being held?

Being Indian, I guess.

I didn't realize being Indian

was against the law.

Well, Judge Henry did.

Yeah, well, like you said,

he's dead.

And I'm here now,

so I will see those detainees

tomorrow in my courtroom.

Well, your... your docket's

already full.

- I'll make room.

- Mr. Reed won't like it.

Well, unfortunately for Mr. Reed,

I don't work for him.

And may I remind you, Sheriff,

neither do you.

I want to hear

this case first thing in the morning.

- Who is it?

- Kate.

Walk right in, why don't you?

You about done in there?

The water's still hot.

Well, you invited me to dinner.

Right. I...

Well, I-I didn't realize

that was tonight.

Well, I'm here.

And I'm hungry.

I'll just be outside.

You are hungry.

I don't eat out much.

Nobody asks me.

I don't like to dine alone.

The last time I was here,

I was with my father.

I haven't seen him

in nearly two years.

Where is he?

He moved to Laramie.

He's a businessman.

There's richer clientele up there.

Mm.

But, then, I never did

see much of him,

even when he lived here.

He was always coming and going.

Some men are restless

like that, I suppose.

I suppose.

Are you restless?

Not exactly.

But you've never been married?

You ask a lot of questions.

You'd make a pretty good lawyer.

Well, I thought

you didn't like lawyers.

Oh, I don't.

But I could learn to like them

if they all looked like you.

Thank you.

But you still didn't answer

my question.

Uh, there was a question?

Why haven't you married?

Because when you

get close to someone like that,

it's just one more loss you're

gonna have to face down the road.

Why do I get the feeling

that I scare you

more than those outlaws?

Maybe because

all they can do is kill me.

Relax, Mr. Goodnight.

The only thing

I'm interested in killing

is the rest of this steak.

You're doing a good job on it.

I know you're just passing through.

But that doesn't mean

we can't enjoy a nice evening

before you free

those Indians tomorrow.

So, this is about those Indians.

This is about a lot of things.

Well, before we, uh,

go any further,

I should tell you

I can't be bribed.

Well, might I remind you

that you're the one paying for dinner?

I have a feeling I'm gonna be paying

for this dinner for a long time.

Why, thank you.

Evening, folks.

Having a nice night?

Please tell Mr. Reed

we were having a lovely night

until you showed up.

I'd be happy to, as soon as the judge

here packs up and rides out.

Now, why would I do that?

I just got here.

I could give you some reasons.

Help, please!

Somebody, help!

Please, somebody, help!

You, come, please!

Please help him!

Come on.

Oh, come on.

I'd normally take you to the clinic,

but I expect you're used

to having girls in your hotel room.

Yeah, it isn't usually this painful.

Maybe it's best

you leave in the morning.

Best for who?

There is nothing you can do here.

I don't know why I keep hoping.

This place is poison.

You were just gonna leave

without waking me?

I figured I'd see you in court.

So that wasn't

a kiss good-bye last night?

If it was,

it would have been shorter.

I'll walk with you.

As much as I'd like that,

maybe you'd better wait

a few minutes.

I don't want people

getting the wrong idea.

This town already

has their ideas about me.

It's not your reputation

I'm worried about.

Judge Goodnight.

Dan Reed.

Your reputation precedes you.

As does yours, Mr. Reed.

I, uh, met your welcoming committee

last night.

Yes, I hear there was

a misunderstanding.

I apologize for their bad manners.

We have a pleasant

little town here.

I regret if you've gotten

the impression otherwise.

I see you appreciate guns.

Beauty, isn't it?

Make up for last night.

You have it,

with my compliments.

I've got a gun.

A man can never have

too many guns.

Judge Henry had three.

It's a pity he's no longer alive

to enjoy them.

That it is.

You know, I'm not altogether sure

your judicial services

are needed here.

We're used to handling

our own problems.

I'm glad to hear that.

I figure as long as I'm here,

I'll make myself useful.

And there's nothing I can do

to make you change your mind?

Afraid not.

I look forward to watching

you dispense justice, then.

On your way into the courtroom,

leave that gun with the deputy.

And what about your gun, Judge?

My courtroom.

My rules.

Yesterday, when I

arrived here, I recognized this town.

I was here as a little boy.

And while I can see that this town

has grown a great deal,

in some ways,

it hasn't changed at all...

...as evidenced by the members

of the Cheyenne

who are in this court today

after 30 days of incarceration.

I look forward to hearing

the evidence against them,

should there be any.

Sheriff...

They was arrested

for trespassing on Mr. Reed's land.

And where did this crime

take place?

I'm not sure.

You're sure it happened,

you're just not sure where.

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