The Virginian Page #3

Hear that? If you can't read Monday

evening, I'll beat the tar out of you.

Mrs Jasper drove steady 70 miles

just to meet you. - 70 miles?

It was nothing. I wanted

to welcome you to your new home.

I'm afraid it isn't my home. After

the term, I'm returning to Vermont.

We have a lot of nice boys

who'll see that doesn't happen.

I heard there's one already.

A very handsome one.

Who is it?

- A certain man stood up for her

when something was said

in a saloon in Medicine Bow.

Howdy, Judge. - Hello, Taylor.

- Good to see you, Virginian.

Looks like you got everybody

within 100 miles here. - Yeah, plenty.

A perfect day for rustlers.

- I reckon we can take a chance.

You go ahead. I'll get cleaned up.

- You want me to give her the horse?

Yes. She wouldn't accept it from me.

- I didn't think you were ever afraid.

She certainly needs breaking gentle.

- The horse? - Yes, Sir.

It's no fun in a country

where bulls outnumber cows 100 to 1.

I'm thinking of moving to New York.

- I'll see you there.

You won't get there by nursing cows.

- I'll be flush. You wait and see.

Why wait? There's lots of ways to

make money fast, if you use your head.

Why didn't you wait, Steve?

- It was late, and Trampas came by.

You're not very particular.

I passed by your herd, Trampas.

My compliments on so many calves.

Seems your cows have

whole litters at a time, like a sow.

What should I do about it?

- I'd tell them to get back to nature.

You're talking trouble, my friend.

- Since when was I your friend?

Alright. Have it your way.

- Suits me.

I'm going to wash up. How about it,

Steve? If you can tear yourself away.

Yes, foreman. Be right with you.

He's my boss.

You're letting him get away with that?

- Always keep your temper, Ed.

As my sainted mother used to say:

"One trick at a time. "

Anything on your mind, boss?

Listen. You were away so long,

maybe you don't know the layout.

Trampas is bad company.

- Oon't worry. He's alright.

Times are changing, and you have to

decide who you're lined up with.

You're not reading me scriptures,

Pappy? I'm grown up.

Just giving you a tip-off.

And another thing:

5 will get you 10, I'll take the

new teacher to supper. - No chance!

If I have no chance, double it.

- It's a bet.

I'll be back to collect later.

Hey! Steve, come back!

Virginian, what happened?

- Steve, that double-crossing polecat.

I bet him I could take Miss Wood

to supper, and I'll still do it.

Miss Wood, this is the Virginian.

He's responsible for this celebration.

He is? How thoughtful.

Perhaps you'd help him win his bet.

I haven't sampled that barrel yet.

I was hoping to speak with him alone.

You wanted to talk to me?

I want to know how you got the idea

you have special privileges over me.

Because I made a bet?

- Much earlier.

It seems you appointed yourself

my champion in a barroom quarrel.

Who told you that? - Ooesn't matter.

Everybody knows it, and they think...

I'm able to take care of myself.

You have no proprietary rights to me!

Nobody would think that.

- A lot of people already do.

Oo me a favor,

and keep out of my affairs!

I'm sick of your pranks

and manly protection.

Because I stood up for you? I'd have

done that for an Indian squaw.

Hello, Steve. I was looking for you.

Would you take me to supper?

Sure. I'd be tickled to death.

- Thank you.

You make me feel like a rich man.

- So I understand.

Someday you'll learn.

They just can't resist my charm.

Not that way.

She's at the corral with the judge.

From now on, you don't get a look in.

- 5 will get you 10- I'll take you.

He'll never learn.

Which one is it going to be?

- I can't accept a gift like that.

But you must. Without a horse out here

you're like a fish out of water.

It's so hard to choose.

They're all darlings.

Could I have the pretty yellow one?

Is it good enough for her, Virginian?

- They're all good. - It's yours.

Thank you so much.

Get him out for the lady, Steve.

Oon't hurt him, now.

But he's wild.

- Never been ridden, that's all.

Judge, it's time to start the dance.

- Coming, Miss Wood? - In a minute.

Easy does it.

Get on him, Steve.

Show us how good he rides.

Careful. Oon't hurt him, now.

- If you know so much about it,

why don't you do it? I dare you.

You got a cruel streak in you, Ma'am.

Shall we dance?

Oh, yes.

Say, you learn quick.

- I've never had so much fun.

Can I get you some lemonade?

- Yes, thank you.

Would you like to go outside?

- No, I was just looking.

Oo you suppose the Virginian's back?

- He's half way to Nevada by now.

I'm afraid something's happened.

- He can ride anything with 4 legs.

Miss Molly, we put numbers in a hat

to see who gets you next.

I drew number 1.

- That's fine.

Choose your partners for polka.

- Ma'am?

Please, I feel responsible.

- Alright.

You're a very lucky horse.

You know that?

We just got back.

- Are you alright?

Sure. He's a little tired, though.

I'll take him home and gentle him up.

He'll be eating out of your hand.

I'd better return him to Judge Henry.

He gave him to me. - You do that.

Maybe you'd go riding with me?

- I'm afraid I'll be busy at school.

There's afternoons and Sundays.

I've never ridden Western style.

- I could learn you.

Teach me, not learn me. - Huh?

You teach, I learn.

That's what I said.

I meant grammar. "Teach" is

a transitive verb, taking an object.

"Learn" is an intransitive verb.

- What does it take?

Nothing.

Maybe you'd teach me this waltz.

Sorry, I'm promised for every dance.

- I'll wait till tomorrow. - Tomorrow?

That's when we go riding.

Really, you're impossible!

You take so much for granted.

I don't even know that I like you.

You will, Ma'am.

Just take your time.

What's so funny?

I thought you were woman-broke.

- Quiet down, will ya?

She's got you roped,

hog-tied and branded.

The only difference between you and

that horse is he's got sense to buck.

You like him, don't you?

- I adore him. - You ought to.

The Virginian picks good horse flesh.

- The Virginian?

That's one of the best in his string.

- No. Judge Henry gave him to me.

He did? Well,

strange things do happen.

But the Virginian showed him to me

the day he was born.

What's the matter?

I said I wouldn't ride with him.

I can't think of

a finer man to ride with.

I beat you! - You learn too fast.

I'll be losing my job as teacher.

It's still strange to me,

and a little frightening. It's so big.

I'm used to the cozy green hills

at home. The village street,

and talking to neighbors

over the garden wall.

Stay here long enough, and you won't

want to go back. It'd smother you.

I wonder.

- I tried going back.

On the farm, my brothers were saying

the same things as when I left.

I told my mother what I'd seen here,

and she liked it. Till her death.

For the others, the whole world

was just hogs and turkeys.

I put on my hat and said

I'd look in on them in 50 years

to see if they have any new subjects.

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