Jesse James Page #4

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the first thing we gotta do is take out

all the railroad presidents

and shoot 'em down like dogs. Paragraph.

Where's Zee?

- Where you been?

- Up to Pine Ridge. Where's Zee?

- Zee? She's out.

- Out where?

Well, she set out at...

I wouldn't want this to go

any further, you understand.

I understand.

- Well, she set out for the hills.

- Alone?

Not exactly alone.

She were being guided by a darkie

named Pinkie on a mule named Stinkie.

I see.

Halt. Who goes there?

- It's me - Pinkie.

- All right, Pinkie. What do you want?

- I got a letter here for Mr McCoy.

- Gimme.

A letter for Mr McCoy.

- Is you sure he'll get it, sir?

- He'll get it.

- For Mr McCoy.

- Mr McCoy?

For Mr McCoy.

We want the trial to get started

as early as possible.

Judge, read that.

Listen.

"Mr McCoy."

"If Jesse ain't out ofjail by midnight,

I'm a-comin' in and get him."

"Frank James."

- Well, that gives us an hour and a half.

- The nerve of him.

- What ails you?

- It's this note.

- What about it?

- I don't know if you gents know it or not,

but, well, both these James boys does things.

- What are you driving at?

- I've known Frank James a long time

and when he says he aims to do something

he's liable to do it.

Now, what on earth do you think he can do?

He says he's gonna take Jesse outta here.

- I wish he'd try it. We'd grab him too.

- Of course we would. You're crazy.

He's a mighty set man, Frank is.

Have you heard about this ridiculous note?

The word's got around.

- You mean everybody knows about it?

- Everybody I met.

They all regard it

as a very interesting situation.

Interesting? Why, it's preposterous.

What do they think

a few ragged-pants bandits can do?

Don't they know this is a brickjail

surrounded and guarded by US soldiers?

Don't they know we could hold this jail

against an army of outlaws?

They do. That's what makes it so interesting.

But they know too that both the James boys

are mighty set in their ways.

- Mighty set.

- That's what I said.

Didn't I tell you to shut up?

How many deputies have you got?

Six on call, but I could swear in

as many more as you want.

That's it. That's what we'll do.

We won't wait for the rascal.

- We'll go out and get him.

- We could try.

You think he'll really come?

- Don't you?

- Sure. He wouldn't fool around about this.

- He's probably on his way now.

- Well, let's not waste time.

Swear in some good men. Surround the town.

Tell them to take him dead or alive.

Tell them to shoot first

and ask questions later.

- Tell them...

- Am I telling you how to run your railroad?

- What do you mean?

- Don't try to tell me how to take a man.

Just a minute, Marshal.

Where are you going?

- To swear in some good men.

- Wait. I'll go with you.

I'm not a bad hand at picking men myself.

Whatever you say, cap,

is exactly what I'll do.

Turn out all your men. Cover the town.

It's an utterly ridiculous situation, but,

by cracky, I'm not going to take any chances.

Mighty, mighty set.

Five dollars - one to three, he will.

$10, he won't.

$12 - even money, either way.

I've got $10 - one to five -

that Frank James

will bite Mr McCoy in the leg.

Bartender! Give me that mallet!

Gentlemen!

I want some deputies who've got to be able

to shoot straight the first time, or else.

- For Frank?

- For whoever I say.

But if anybody has a mercenary streak,

Mr McCoy is talking about doubling the pot

for whoever rings the bell.

$10,000?

All right, boys. Line up at the bar

so we can look at you.

You and you. Ed, you're all right.

Bill, get over there.

You. You.

And you. You.

Charlie, you're good with a gun.

I don't like him.

What's wrong with the big fella?

- Nothing.

- Then him.

- All right. And you...

- And these two.

All right. You're the doctor.

All right, men. Face me,

raise your right hands and take the oath.

Up a little higher.

Wild-goose chase.

He won't be able to get into town,

much less this building.

- The whole thing's a bluff.

- Well, it's 12 o'clock. Nothing's happened.

You...

I couldn't help it.

I'm just nervous, that's all.

Frank said he'd give you till 12

to let Jesse out

and if he wasn't out by then...

- That's Jesse.

- Well, stop him.

I'll stop him, but it won't do no good.

It's dead certain Frank's comin' now.

And Jesse feels him.

That's the way them boys is.

No matter what happens tonight,

fire or flood,

I'm going to have that man fired tomorrow.

Major! Zee! They got him.

- Frank?

- Yeah. They jumped him in the woods.

- Who? Who got him?

- Two of them deputies.

Oh, them goldanged,

dad-blasted, golburned deputies!

- Roy!

- Yes, sir.

I just want to thank the young man for

simplifying one of our worst problems.

Take him in there.

- I sure am sorry, Frank. Any guns on you?

- I got it.

I sure wasn't lookin' for this.

Come on, son.

Frank.

- Sorry.

- It's all right, Marshal.

You understand, this ain't any of my doing.

I just want you and Jesse to know that...

all the honour and credit for this victory

of law and order goes to Mr McCoy.

We understand.

- Is that all, Marshal?

- That's all, thank you.

Then get outta here. Get out and stay out.

For a peace officer,

your attitude has been incredible.

And make no doubt,

it'll be reported to the governor tomorrow.

So you won't want me any more tonight?

Neither tonight, or any other day or night.

- Is that official?

- It is.

Sorry, Will. We didn't aim

to get you over a barrel.

Forget it, son.

I figure that barrel's gonna be

mighty crowded before this night's over.

Good night, everybody.

Good night, Marshal.

Pretty smart, aren't you?

- You ought not to have done this, Mr McCoy.

- No?

You ought not to have tried to trick Jesse

and me. You oughta have kept your word.

- The way you're gonna keep yours?

- Sir?

Well, you said you were

gonna take Jesse out of here.

But I am.

- Hey, Jesse?

- That you, Frank?

It's me. You all right?

- You're a cool one.

- Gettin' along just fine, Frank.

He'll be glad to see you too.

Lock the door, Tom.

- Soldiers!

- Take it easy, boys.

Now untie me.

No noise, understand?

We don't aim to kill a soul if we can help it,

but the first man that hollers...

All you gotta do is to keep your hands up

and your mouth shut.

Everything's gonna be all right.

You'll never get away with this in the world.

I knowed it and I told you.

Lay down.

Lay down or be shot down.

- What happened?

- Mr McCoy deputised Tom and Hank.

- On purpose?

- I guess he didn't have any better sense.

What is this? A game?

Grown men playing on the floor like children.

- Ain't it the truth?

- They wouldn't have it any other way.

Remember that?

Remember it?

Don't kill me.

I ain't. Not with a gun.

But, brother, I'm gonna worry you to death.

Now chew.

See how it tastes. And swallow.

Chew.

- You look like a man that's got good sense.

- Just name it, friend, and I'll do it.

- You'll do it if you don't want to get shot.

- All you gotta do is name it.

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