The Homesman

---

1

Territory of Nebraska

Come on girls!

Hello, Bob.

Afternoon, Miss Cuddy.

C'mon inside. I got supper ready.

The pie is made out of peaches...

from a can!

They had four of those cans.

I don't know who got the other three.

I don't know who could afford em!

It's good pie.

If it pleases you, we might

have a postprandial recital.

Say what?

A bit of music.

I like music.

# On the distant Prairie where...#

# they had a while #

# In its quiet beauty lives and smiles #

# Stands a little cottage and a creeping whine #

# Loves around his porch to twine #

# In that peaceful dwelling was a lovely child #

# With her blue eyes beaming soft and mild #

# And the weaving wing lets of her flaxen hair #

# Floating in the summer air #

# Fair as a lily, joyous and free #

# light of that prairie, home was she #

# Everyone who knew her felt the gentle prowl #

# Rosalie "The Prairie" round #

That sure was pretty singing, Miss Cuddy.

I got some cheese.

Cheese?

Yes ma'am. You know I've a few sheep out.

I know.

I made some cheese outta their milk.

Wonder if you'd like to have some?

I got some here in my pocket.

Cheese would be a fine finish to our

fried chicken dinner and peach pie...

this evening.

Well then,

here it is.

This is fine cheese,Bob.

So why not marry?

Do what?

Why not throw in together.

Lands, animals and women's lives...

The whole bowl of wax!

We could use my capital and know

how to improve your claimant mine.

And if the union produces children,

then so much the better.

Look that from any angle,

it works.

So why not marry?

I reckon, I go back East to find me a wife.

Please, Mr.Giffen.

I won't take no for an answer.

Miss Cuddy...

I appreciate the offer and supper...

and concert and all...

But I cannot marry you.

Will not.

Won't.

I ain't perfect...

But you are too bossy...

and plum damn plain.

Ain't no medicine for it.

This one's here is breathing a little bit momma.

Mother is dead!

She is dead.

I'll take care of it.

No! We must bury her properly!

I'll prepare.

She will smell soon.

No!

You wanted her to die!

You hated her.

You hate me.

I hate you!

You can't leave mom outside!

You can't leave mom outside!

Stop!

You can't leave mom outside!

The freezing...

Cold...

Father!

Oh My Jesus!

Do what do I owe this pleasure, Reverend?

Springtime Miss Cuddy!

Are Clydene and kids getting along alright?

Meaner never gone by the minute.

Put your mule up and come

on inside the house.

There has been some trouble

amongst the women hereabouts.

I've heard about it.

It's bad.

Guess what I'm ordering?

I couldn't...

A melodeon.

You are not!

Yeap

I don't trust shipping a piano, so...

Soon as I get in the loop, I'm going

to order a Mason and Hamlin melodeon.

You'll have the only melodeon in the territory.

Back home, I used to play the piano by the hour.

I cannot live without real music much longer.

I could help you with them dishes.

I don't want any help with the dishes.

So, how you getting along that Giffen boy?

He uses my mules when I don't need them.

He helps me with my corn.

We planted some potatoes together

and we keep the fences up.

How you getting along?

When my bulls have finished their work here,

I let him turn it turn up on his heifers.

Well...

Seems like you are getting

together along alright.

Feed him a meal every now and then...

Like you do me.

You're a good citizen, Mary Bee

The bed up on the loft has

for a sleigh and I.

Take the slop out to the hogs

before you go to sleep.

You're gonna give me a son.

You're gonna give me a son.

Hell no!

This here is a goddamn free country, Dowd!

Can't nobody make me do it.

Thou shalt not take the Lord's

name in vain, Vester.

Specially not in His own house.

No I won't go. I can't.

Why not?

In the name of our Savior, Vester.

I ask you, why not?

I can't take no time away from my crops

and I got the girls to look after...

and I can't afford to pay for no wagon.

I ain't in on this deal.

Then what are we gonna do about Theoline?

Pitch a hole out on the dowd house.

You are a poor specimen of a man,

Vester Belknap!

I came here for the drawing.

Me too.

Let's get it over with.

What about Vester?

I will draw for Vester.

What do you mean?

I said I'll draw for him.

What did she say?

I Said I'll draw for Vester Belknap.

Can we proceed?

This is a painful occasion for you and

your families and I grieve for you.

Your wives are fine and godly women.

But life gave them more than they could bear.

Now we'll draw lots.

Whoever draws the black bean

will draw the women home

to where they come from.

Shall we defer the lady?

I will draw the last.

I'll go first.

Keep your hands closed until

everybody has drawn.

Thor.

Miss Cuddy.

Put your hands in the circle here.

On the count of three...One...

Felt bean in my hand is black. I dunno...

Two.

Three.

Does that mean Vester has to go?

He said he wouldn't.

He has to, he is one of us.

I baptized him.

I don't trust Vester.

Me neither.

It's true, Reverend.

Vester is a brute with no conscience.

I'll go.

You can't.

Yes I will.

A woman?

I can ride as well as anybody.

I can handle a team and shoot.

You all know that.

And I can cook and care for...

those women better than any of you can.

Oh! She's right.

She sure as hell right!

That's my Connie, Miss Cuddy.

You tell us what you need

and we'll see to it.

When will you leave?

As soon as I can.

Today is May 5.

She could be back in time to

celebrate 4 of July with us.

Reverend Dowd, we cannot allow this.

It is not a lone woman's place to

draw a wagon across this country.

Much less when it carries three of

the Lord's least capable children.

So why not come with me come, Miss Linens?

We can do it together.

You too, Miss Polhemus.

Better still.

Not. You husbands and family to care for.

You should.

But I do not. I live uncommonly, alone.

Enough!

Please. Be seated.

I'm afraid y'all are right about Mr.Belknap.

He is untrustworthy. With the

task of this gravity...

And we need a Homesman.

We will do everything we can to equip and...

accommodate for this journey, Miss Cuddy.

If you gentlemen will excuse me for a minute.

Come look after your wagon?

I did.

My Lord...what is that?

It's train wagon. Trade for it last year.

Since then been sitting out here in the snow.

When Svendsen and Sours came

around here for a wagon,

I gave a hell of a deal on it.

I give it to him!

I cut the windows, a bit bigger...

greased it pretty good.

Set some new spokes and fellows.

That's the just the right

thing for them women.

I put a sliding bolt on the door.

What for?

Lock them ladies in.

Why would I do that?

Stop and think about it.

What's that?

You might wanna tie something down...

Put up ten of 'em.

Oh my!

I'm not sure I'm ready.

Are you scared?

A little...Listen here, Mary Bee...

You got a passable rig...

mules.

and you're as good a man

as any man here abouts.

And you're doing a hell of a fine thing..

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes