EZRA:
That woman's deviousness knows no bounds. First she purchases this lovely establishment right out from under me, and now she... she sashays into town and sells it to those unfortunate scoundrels at the first whiff of filthy lucre.
MAUDE:
Ha ha! Well, this is a fine deal, my friend.
JD:
We can still drink here, right?
MARY:
Hello, Boys.
JD:
Mary.
MARY:
Ezra, may I speak to you for a moment?
EZRA:
Of course.
MARY:
I just got this wire from a certain Preston Wingo. He owns the Cattle Baron Hotel over in Snellville. It concerns your mother.
EZRA:
Oh, Mother. Are you familiar with a gentleman by the name of... Preston Wingo?
MAUDE:
I know a fat little weasel called Preston Wingo. What about him?
EZRA:
Well, uh, this Wingo has slandered you. Mary just received a telegraph claiming that you absconded with a pair of diamond cufflinks. He's demanding you be jailed until he arrives.
MAUDE:
Jailed! I'm no thief.
EZRA:
Yeah, ha ha! Yes, of course not, but unfortunately, the burden of proof is on you. Now, I would suggest that Mary search your bag just so you might acquit yourself of these... ridiculous charges.
MARY:
Sorry, Maude.
MAUDE:
This is so tiresome! My own son!
MARY:
Looks like Mr. Wingo was wrong.
MAUDE:
Satisfied?
EZRA:
That satchel has a false lid. Go on. Look.
MAUDE:
Somebody put those there. I am innocent!
EZRA:
Well, I am afraid we are left no choice. JD, will you assist me in escorting Mrs. Standish to the jail?
JD:
Ezra, she's your mother.
EZRA:
Now, you'll have to forgive the appearance, but the maid quit.
MAUDE:
How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child.
EZRA:
I'm cruel only that I may be kind, mother. After all, you should know better than to steal. You know, perhaps some time... spent behind bars will be... instructional.
MAUDE:
Preston Wingo put those cufflinks in my bag. He's blackmailing me.
EZRA:
Now, why on Earth would he want to do that?
MAUDE:
That's none of your business.
BUCK:
Come on. Judge wants us to ride.
EZRA:
Well...sleep tight. Don't let the, uh... ah, you know the rest.
EZRA:
What appears to be the trouble?
CHRIS:
This boy just brought us a message from Judge Travis. He's over at Eagle Bend trying a colored man for murder.
BUCK:
I guess they're a little too het up for a fair trial. Judge wants us to bring the prisoner back.
EZRA:
All of us?
CHRIS:
Yeah.
JD:
Must be somebody famous.
CHRIS:
Name's, uh... "Obediah Jackson."
NATHAN:
Chris, let me see that.
VIN:
What's wrong, Nathan? He somebody you know?
NATHAN:
He's my father.
JD:
Hyah!
NATHAN:
How much farther to Eagle Bend?
VIN:
Town's just over that rise.
CHRIS:
Should take a look before we ride in.
MAN:
That's right string him up!!
MAN 2:
You're going to pay now!
MAN:
Get him out there! Go on!
JUDGE TRAVIS:
You can't do this, Sheriff.
STAIN:
No disrespect, Judge, but this is my town.
VIN:
Looks like a hanging party.
NATHAN:
Let me see.
VIN:
To the right of the water tower.
NATHAN:
That's my father.
VIN:
Now, hold on, Nathan. No sense riding into a lynch mob without a plan. Let's do this together. Come on.
STAIN:
Enough of this. We don't need a damn trial. Let's go, boys. Somebody grab some rope and tie his hands.
JUDGE TRAVIS:
That man deserves a trial.
OBEDIAH:
I can walk! I'm a free man!
STAIN:
Yeah, you're free to swing. Get a rope! Tie up his hands!
LIGHTFOOT:
Did my best to stop it, Judge Travis.
JUDGE TRAVIS:
Yeah, I can see that, Lightfoot.
STAIN:
Come on, let's go, boys! String him up. Let's go. Put him on this mule. Come on. Get him up there. Come on. Get up there. That's right, boy. That's it. Last ride. You get to go see your Lord.
VIN:
[whistling] Hyah! Hyah! Come on!
STAIN:
Maybe you'd like to apologize for killing that white man--
[gunshot]
BUCK:
Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!
JUDGE TRAVIS:
Glad to see you, Boys.
STAIN:
I know who you seven sons of bitches are! You're not going to get away with this!
MARY:
Right this way, gentlemen.
MAN:
Unh! Yes, ma'am.
MARY:
Well, I think they brought everything you asked for.
MAUDE:
Oh, thank you, Mary.
MARY:
I just hope it's not too terrible for you in here.
MAUDE:
Don't fret, honey. Wherever I go is home sweet home to me. Just put that over in the corner, sugar plum. You can put this down here.
MARY:
Thanks. Maude, why would that man put his cufflinks in your bag?
MAUDE:
Oh, men are such desperate creatures. When they don't get what they want, they do foolish things.
MARY:
Ain't that the truth.
OBEDIAH:
[coughing]
NATHAN:
Daddy. Daddy.
OBEDIAH:
Son... It's good to see you.
NATHAN:
It's good to see you, too. I went looking for you after the war. Daddy, where'd you go?
OBEDIAH:
Oh, it really don't matter now.
NATHAN:
What were you doing in that town?
OBEDIAH:
Coming to find you.
CHRIS:
You want to fill us in, Judge?
JUDGE TRAVIS:
A white man was found beaten to death. He had an altercation with Mr. Jackson in front of witnesses. After they found the body, they stopped Mr. Jackson as he was riding out of town. When I realized how angry they were, I decided to move the trial. That's why I sent for you. Then they decided to lynch my defendant.
NATHAN:
Daddy, let's ride! Let's get the hell out of here! We can go to Mexico!
JUDGE TRAVIS:
Travis: no, no, son. You can't do that. He's a territorial prisoner waiting for trial.
NATHAN:
I'm sorry! I can't let my father hang for something he didn't do!
JUDGE TRAVIS:
I promise you a fair trial.
NATHAN:
Yeah? With all due respect, judge, how many Negroes going to be on that jury?
OBEDIAH:
That's enough, Nathan. Ain't nothing more important to me than being a free man. And there's one thing every free man gets in America... and that's his day in court. I want mine.
NATHAN:
Come on, Daddy.
LIGHTFOOT:
Afternoon, Gentlemen. I'm James Lightfoot.
JUDGE TRAVIS:
Where the blazes did you come from?
LIGHTFOOT:
Judge Travis, I know you have a low opinion of me, but the truth of the matter is, sir, nobody but your professional shooters here could've stopped Sheriff Stains today.
JUDGE TRAVIS:
Every man in this territory has a right to a fair trial.
LIGHTFOOT:
I couldn't agree more, your Honor. Which is why I have been retained by the good people of Eagle Bend to prosecute this crime.
VIN:
Hell you will.
LIGHTFOOT:
The crime was committed in Eagle Bend, your Honor.
JUDGE TRAVIS:
It's their right.
LIGHTFOOT:
Now, a sizable contingent of citizens from Eagle Bend will be here to attend the trial. My strong advice-- sir-- would be to appoint some of them to the jury. It would be not only prudent, but fair.
VIN:
Fair? They was going to hang that man without a trial.
JUDGE TRAVIS:
All right, Lightfoot. You're appointed prosecutor. Tell sheriff stains I'll pick some people for the jury from Eagle Bend. It's unorthodox, but I want this trial to be fair for everyone.
CHRIS:
You can also tell the sheriff we're on the job here. He'll understand.
LIGHTFOOT:
That he will, gentlemen. That he will. Good day.
OBEDIAH:
Can I have a cell like that?
NATHAN:
Miz Maude.
MAUDE:
Nathan.
OBEDIAH:
Ma'am.
NATHAN:
I'll get you some blankets, make it real comfortable for you.
OBEDIAH:
[coughing]
NATHAN:
Daddy? Daddy, are you all right?
OBEDIAH:
Fine. I'm fine. Look at you. Grown into a fine man. After I knew you'd made it north, I used to dream about you... living as a free man.
NATHAN:
Well, Daddy, you didn't have to stay. You could've come with me.
OBEDIAH:
I would've slowed you down.
NATHAN:
You, uh...you want some supper?
OBEDIAH:
After a while.
NATHAN:
All right.
CHRIS:
How is he holding up?
NATHAN:
Same as he always was. They want to lock him up, he said, "yes, sir, lock me up." They want to put him on trial, let everybody laugh at him, he said, "yes, sir, put me on trial." Probably help tie the noose if they ask him to.
CHRIS:
He's your father. What's the matter with you?
NATHAN:
When I was about 7 years old, our owners decided to sell him and us kids away from our mother. Put us on a wagon, and we ended up going to Alabama. She stayed behind in Georgia. Then after a while, he told me that she died. Now, I was just a little boy at the time, but all that time, I waited for him to find a way to keep our mother with us, or us with her. But he never said one word! He didn't do anything. He didn't argue, he didn't even beg. He didn't put up one damn ounce of fight to keep our family together.
CHRIS:
Sorry.
NATHAN:
He should've done something.
MAUDE:
What are you doing with all that string?
OBEDIAH:
Keep my mind busy. What's a white lady doing in jail?
MAUDE:
My own son locked me up.
OBEDIAH:
Sometimes they don't rightly appreciate what you do for 'em.
MAUDE:
Truer words were never spoken.
EZRA:
Ha ha ha! Well, well. My, my. You know, it's a touch baroque, but... I like what you've done with the place.
MAUDE:
What do you want?
EZRA:
Hmm... perhaps I could be persuaded to act as your advocate.
MAUDE:
You? You're the one who had me locked up.
EZRA:
I don't find your story... compellingly truthful.
MAUDE:
Well, I don't care what you think. I know I am innocent.
EZRA:
All right, suit yourself. Uh... holler if you change your mind. Ha ha ha!
NATHAN:
The judge says one of us needs to represent my father. I don't think it should be me. Chris?
CHRIS:
What?
VIN:
Ah, hell, Nathan, you know Chris don't say more than 3 words in a day.
EZRA:
My apologies, Nathan, but I've... legal issues of my own to deal with.
NATHAN:
That's all right, Ezra. I wasn't really thinking about asking you.
BUCK:
What you need is an honest, well-spoken, handsome man for this job.
JD:
Fine. I'll do it.
BUCK:
JD, ain't nobody going to listen to a youngster like you.
JD:
Oh, Buck, you see a pretty girl in that courtroom, you're going to be rrh! Rrh!
BUCK:
I was thinking about Vin.
VIN:
I...I get too nervous in front of a crowd. What about Josiah? He studied Cherokee law. That should count for something.
JD:
And he's got a suit.
NATHAN:
Josiah... would you do this for me?
JOSIAH:
Nathan... I'd be honored.
BUCK:
What in the hell kind of sissy rig is that?
PRESTON WINGO:
Well, evening, Boys. Mrs. Standish in there, I hope. Heh heh!
EZRA:
You must be Mr. Wingo.
PRESTON WINGO:
Ah, my reputation has preceded me. Happy to hear that. Ohh...Maudie. Oh, Maudie, light of my life!
MAUDE:
You skunk!
PRESTON WINGO:
You're a beautiful woman, Maudie. And even more beautiful when there's fire in your eyes.
MAUDE:
You put those cufflinks in my bag, didn't you? Admit it.
PRESTON WINGO:
Say the word, Maudie, and I'll set you free.
MAUDE:
Huh! Never!
PRESTON WINGO:
When as in silk my Maudie goes-
MAUDE:
Don't try to sweet-talk me!
PRESTON WINGO:
Oh, then me thinks how sweetly flows...
MAUDE:
You tell these people I didn't take your cufflinks! And get me out of here!
PRESTON WINGO:
The liquefaction of her clothes. Then when I cast my eyes and see...
MAUDE:
Quit it! I hate that poem!
PRESTON WINGO:
That brave vibration each way free...
MAUDE:
Ezra, make him leave!
EZRA:
Oh, no. This is...
PRESTON WINGO:
Oh, how that glittering...
EZRA:
This is beautiful!
MAUDE:
God, I can't bear it!
PRESTON WINGO:
Maudie? I've substituted your lovely name for Julia's. I--I don't think Robert Herrick would've minded, hmm?
MAUDE:
Get out.
PRESTON WINGO:
If I can't have you, Maudie, then the jailer can. Ha ha ha! Hot-blooded! Passionate! What a woman! Maudie.
EZRA:
My, my, I don't know how you managed to resist such a display of ardor.
STAIN:
We'll bear witness, we'll be on the jury. Mr. Lightfoot here is going to look after our interests here in Eagle Bend.
LIGHTFOOT:
Now, you good people have entrusted me with this case, and so I guarantee to you right now that this man will be convicted! And hung!
CROWD:
[shouting approval]
LIGHTFOOT:
Order! Or you get your money back.
STAIN:
All right, let's ride!
JOSIAH:
Your name... Obediah... Obediah was a prophet of God. He predicted the downfall of the Edomites. The Edomites were an arrogant people. They felt they were better than everybody else. They tried to destroy Obediah's people, but--
OBEDIAH:
It didn't work. Obediah's people rose up. Justice was served.
JOSIAH:
Anything you want to tell me before we go to trial?
OBEDIAH:
No, Sir. This Obediah just wants his day in court.
MAUDE:
You tell a story like that, Josiah... you'll do just fine.
EZRA:
Josiah. So... you have any biblical parables on hand for unrepentant grifters?
JOSIAH:
Nope.
EZRA:
Someone here to see you, Mother.
JUDGE TRAVIS:
Mrs. Standish, I presume? I'm Judge Travis.
MAUDE:
My goodness, you're even more impressive than your reputation.
JUDGE TRAVIS:
Yeah? Well, my daughter-in-law believes that Mr. Wingo's charges may be false. I want to know why Mr. Wingo would cause his property to be discovered on you.
EZRA:
Well?
MAUDE:
What will happen to me if I'm found guilty?
JUDGE TRAVIS:
Are you saying the charges are true?
MAUDE:
Definitely not.
JUDGE TRAVIS:
Madam, get yourself in hand. Mr. Jackson is going on trial for murder. I don't have any time for horseplay. Mr. Wingo is adamant that you stole his property, and you are equally adamant that you did not. I want to know the truth, and I want to know it quickly.
MAUDE:
Ezra, are you acting as my attorney or not?
EZRA:
Not so long as you leave me in the dark.
JUDGE TRAVIS:
Uh, Ezra, you take care of this. I got a trial to convene. Good day.
MAUDE:
My, my, my, Judge. You are the handsomest man I've ever met. Hasn't anybody ever told you that?
JUDGE TRAVIS:
Well, you're the first prisoner.
STAIN:
Excuse me. Why you protecting that darkie?
CHRIS:
You ever heard of something called a fair trial?
STAIN:
My family pulled up roots in Pennsylvania. We spent every dime we had on a plantation in South Carolina. My father, my brothers died in the war. I come back home to find scallywags and free Negroes had stole my land. Where's my fair trial?
CHRIS:
Sheriff Stains, I don't give a damn about your past. You're in our town now.
STAIN:
I heard you're fast.
CHRIS:
I heard that, too.
EZRA:
All right, Moth-Ma'am, I brought Mr. Wingo, and we're all going to sit down and work this out.
MAUDE:
Over my dead body!
EZRA:
That can be arranged. Come along.
PRESTON WINGO:
Oh, good day, beautiful Maudie.
MAUDE:
You corpulent cockroach!
EZRA:
That's enough. Now, you claim Mr. Wingo put those cufflinks in your bag. True?
MAUDE:
He put them there so I'd agree to marry him.
EZRA:
Blackmail, Mr. Wingo?
PRESTON WINGO:
No, no. She stole 'em. I just said that if she'd marry me, I'd agree to forget the whole thing.
MAUDE:
Preston, I don't want to marry you.
PRESTON WINGO:
Why, Maudie? You know I love you.
MAUDE:
Because I've been married 5 times. I just don't want to do it again. I don't like being tied down, treated like a servant!
PRESTON WINGO:
I would never treat you that way, Maudie. Never ever.
EZRA:
Would you be willing to put that in writing?
PRESTON WINGO:
If it meant Maudie would marry me, yes, I would.
STAIN:
What's this?
CHRIS:
Judge doesn't allow any firearms in court.
STAIN:
Well, if you're going to wear them, I'm going to wear them.
JUDGE TRAVIS:
The United States Territorial Circuit Court is now in session in the matter of the People vs. Obediah Jackson. How does the defendant plead?
JOSIAH:
Not guilty, your Honor.
CROWD:
[murmuring]
JUDGE TRAVIS:
Mr. Lightfoot, you may make your opening statement.
LIGHTFOOT:
Ahem. Your Honor, Gentlemen of the jury, today you will judge a murder, a murder so depraved that all men of conscience must cry out for justice. The people will prove that one Obediah Jackson, a Negro not of these parts, did, with malice aforethought, beat unto the death a beloved citizen of Eagle Bend Mr. Jonah Catchings. Gentlemen, such a crime must be punished to the limits of our laws, which, in this case, compel us to demand a life... for a life.
CROWD:
[applause]
JUDGE TRAVIS:
Mr. Sanchez, you have an opening statement?
JOSIAH:
A, uh... a great Cherokee shaman once said to me: to cross a mountain... you must first walk up to it. I think that explains what we are all doing here today.
VIN:
[softly] Come on, Josiah, get good.
JOSIAH:
Old Jonah dragged him off his horse and throwed him down.
WITNESS 1:
Then the Negro followed him down the street. That was when he killed him.
JOSIAH:
So you actually saw him do it?
WITNESS 1:
No, sir.
WITNESS 2:
I come around the corner by the feed lot and there was Jonah. His face was smushed in and there was blood all over. He was deader than a hammer.
JOSIAH:
Did you see the murder take place?
WITNESS 2:
I'd a said so, wouldn't I?
WITNESS 3:
That's when I seen that fella there galloping out of town. I drawed down on him, and I told him to halt. They was blood on his hands. I didn't see it happen neither. Sit down.
CROWD:
[laughter]
LIGHTFOOT :
Gentlemen of the jury, consider the facts here. A strange man covered in blood racing away from the scene of the crime. I don't know about you, but I sure don't need no eyewitness to make sense of this. Obediah Jackson is a murderer!
JUDGE TRAVIS:
Save it, Lightfoot.
LIGHTFOOT:
The people rest, your Honor.
CROWD:
[applause]
OBEDIAH:
I'd like to thank you, Mr. Judge, for giving me my day in court. I'd like to thank my son's friend Josiah for standing up here representing me for all you good people here. I'll tell you the truth now. I followed Mr. Catchings behind the feed lot just like they said. And then... beat him to death with my bare hands.
CROWD:
[shouting]
JUDGE TRAVIS:
Order! Order! Order. Order in the court. Order. I said quiet! Now! You freely admit that you killed this man?
OBEDIAH:
Yes, sir. But this is my day in court and I aim to finish. I want to tell how I came to know Mr. Catchings, the man I killed. I want to tell this so my son will know. Mr. Catchings was the overseer on the cotton plantation in Georgia where I slaved with my wife and children 19 years ago. I don't need to say how bad life was to a slave. We worked from sun up to dark, we got whipped, we got sold, we ain't had no hope. But this is what I need my son to know about what I did. When our little boy was 7 years old, his mama was forced into carnal relations with Mr. Catchings. What Mr. Catchings told her was that if she didn't, he'd sell the boy away from us. 7 years old. He'd sell him away from his mama and daddy. My wife... couldn't bear the thought of that, so she went to his bed. When she found out she was in a family way, she was so afraid it would be that man's baby... she lost her mind. Walked into the river. Drowned herself. I would've killed Mr. Catchings then, but me and the children was loaded on a wagon in chains that same day and sold to Alabama. It took a lot of spirit out of me, and I hope my son understands why now. So you see, when I had the chance to kill that man... all these years later, I had to do it. I reckon I'll find out soon enough if God holds me to judgment. But I'm glad I did it.
MARY:
I-- I have to say this is, uh, well, it's a little unusual. What shall I call this document?
EZRA:
A pre-matrimonial stipulation agreement binding to both parties.
MARY:
All right. Where do we start?
PRESTON WINGO:
First and most important, she must be available on demand to the marriage bed.
MAUDE:
Except when I'd rather not.
PRESTON WINGO:
Agreed.
MAUDE:
And he will of course, have accounts set up in my name at all the stores and salons in town.
PRESTON WINGO:
Of course. Because she has to do all the cooking and the shopping for the house.
EZRA:
Only if you want to starve to death. You'll want a chef and a maid. Trust me.
PRESTON WINGO:
Fine.
MAUDE:
And he must absolutely stop spouting that maudlin poetry at all hours.
PRESTON WINGO:
Only if she agrees to wear her wedding ring when she's out in the public eye.
MAUDE:
I'll pick out the ring.
PRESTON WINGO:
Mm-hmm.
MAUDE:
Agreed.
EZRA:
Is that it then?
PRESTON WINGO:
Can't think of anything else.
MAUDE:
Neither can I.
MARY:
So then you both agree that the wedding will be tomorrow and that all charges will be dropped upon the return of Mr. Wingo's cuff links.
PRESTON WINGO:
Agreed.
MAUDE:
Agreed.
MARY:
I think we've made some sort of frontier history today.
PRESTON WINGO:
Until tomorrow, beautiful Maudie. Ma belle dame sans merci.
MAUDE:
Until tomorrow, Preston.
EZRA:
Well, mother, you're a free woman. Go and sin no more.
MAUDE:
Ezra, you haven't done much to gladden my heart in your life. I'm proud to be your mother. Thank you, Mary.
NATHAN:
Daddy, all those years. Why didn't you ever tell me?
OBEDIAH:
I tried to, Son, but I couldn't. You had enough troubles without carrying this burden in your heart. No, that make me sound too damn noble. Truth be told, I just didn't have the courage. And I didn't want you to think bad of your mama. She was a brave woman.
NATHAN:
Yes, sir, it was. All this time I thought bad of you.
OBEDIAH:
[coughing]
NATHAN:
You got consumption, don't you?
OBEDIAH:
That's why I come looking for you.
JUDGE TRAVIS:
Mr. Jackson has confessed his guilt in open court. The jury is dismissed. Keep your seats. Now...
LIGHTFOOT:
The people of Eagle Bend demand to be heard, your Honor.
JUDGE TRAVIS:
All right, speak your piece, Mr. Lightfoot.
LIGHTFOOT:
What concerns me here, your Honor, and should concern all of you is the following: if we allow one former slave to get away with killing his former overseer, do not all former slaves have the right to kill their former overseers? And what's next, they kill their former owners? Pretty soon they'd be killing all us white folk. We need to send a message here. A message that says that no man has the right nor the excuse to take the life of another human being. Thank you.
CROWD:
[applause]
JUDGE TRAVIS:
Mr. Sanchez, do you have anything to say?
JOSIAH:
Yes, I do, your Honor. Just for a moment I'd like you to try on Obediah's boots. A man walks into your house. Takes your wife... and he rapes her. And you're powerless to stop him. He rapes your wife. And then he threatens to take your 7-year-old child away from you. And you are powerless to stop him. Imagine what that must be like having to stand there and watch this grievous harm be done to your loved ones. And you're powerless to stop it. I would kill that man. You would kill that man. But Obediah Jackson could not kill that man. Not until 20 years later. When Obediah Jackson saw Jonah Catchings again and remembered all that he had suffered at his vicious hands and once again felt the sting of Mr. Catchings' abuse... can any of you declare that you would have acted any differently? I believe the answer is no. If ever any man deserved to die, Jonah Catchings was that man, for all that he imposed on Obediah and his family and doubtlessly on many, many others. Just as surely, I believe Obediah Jackson deserves to live. I believe that as strongly as I believe in god's eternal love. When you pass judgment on this man, your Honor, on this decent, long-suffering man who has endured endless years of deprivation and finally--finally has a chance to live out his last days as a free man, I beg you to search your heart and do what is right and just. Let Obediah Jackson live.
CROWD:
[applause]
VIN:
Josiah, you silver-tongued devil.
JUDGE TRAVIS:
This court is in recess until there is order.
MARY:
If ever there was a justifiable killing, this is it.
JUDGE TRAVIS:
Still murder.
MARY:
Catchings caused the death of Obediah's wife. The law allows you to defend your family.
JUDGE TRAVIS:
20 years later? The law doesn't allow for that.
MARY:
You can't hang him. He doesn't have long to live.
JUDGE TRAVIS:
What?
MARY:
He's got consumption. Nathan told me he doesn't have much time.
JUDGE TRAVIS:
Court is now in session. Quiet down. Quiet. I feel great sympathy for this man. However, I'm one of the bearers of the law to this territory, so I have no choice. Obediah Jackson, you are guilty of murder by your own admission. You are hereby sentenced to hang for your crime.
CROWD:
[cheering]
JUDGE TRAVIS:
As I see him in no immediate threat to the community, the execution will be carried out at a time in the future when I deem it necessary. For the present, the defendant will remain under house arrest in the custody of Mr. Chris Larabee a duly sworn officer of the court. This court is adjourned.
CHRIS:
Nathan, you get your father out of sight.
STAIN:
All right, listen up. I don't care what the judge says. You can't murder a citizen of Eagle Bend and get away with it. So by God, if they won't hang him, we'll do it for 'em.
CHRIS:
You heard the judge. Go home.
STAIN:
You stole my bullets?
thetrial/CCbullets.wav
JD:
You're not careful, Mister, we'll send them back.
STAIN:
Uh-huh. Sure is easy to look tough when you have loaded weapons and we don't. I guess you men wouldn't be interested in a fair fight, would you?
CHRIS:
Oh, I think we can manage a fair fight. What do you say, boys?
BUCK:
Oh, I love a fair fight.
OBEDIAH:
Leave my boy alone. Sheriff, I could kill you right now. But truth be told, I don't want to. You wanted to kill me, but I ain't gonna kill you. 'Cause it ain't right. You know that, and I know that.
CHRIS:
Justice has been done here today. Now go home.
VIN:
Come on, get out of here. Get on your horses. Whoo!
NATHAN:
Here you go.
OBEDIAH:
Thanks. What's this? Boiled skunk?
NATHAN:
Some herbs. They'll help with the cough. I'm proud of you, Daddy.
OBEDIAH:
You've made me proud, too, Son. Grown into a fine man. Yes, sir. I'm glad I got to see it. Here. I made this for your horse.
NATHAN:
It's a bridle. It's beautiful.
OBEDIAH:
I came all this way. Want to bring my son a present.
NATHAN:
You already did. You already did.
MAUDE:
Hyah. Giddy up.
EZRA:
Aw, hell...
EZRA:
Where do you think you're going?
MAUDE:
You think for a moment I was gonna marry that dreadful man, did you?
EZRA:
You signed a contract.
MAUDE:
Yes. And he dropped the charges. I'm free as a bird.
EZRA:
What am I supposed to do?
MAUDE:
What you've always done, sweet boy. Just what your mother tells you. Here. I was gonna mail it. Hyah! Giddy up.
PRESTON WINGO:
Well?
EZRA:
I have a message for you from the bride. It seems to be a poem. "With apologies to Robert Herrick. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, old time is still a-flying. And this same flower that smiles today will never have to set eyes on you again, you bloated wood tick. P.S. Thank you for the lovely carriage."
PRESTON WINGO:
What a woman.