EXT. WILDERNESS – EVENING
A group of gunmen ride through the empty plains.
EXT. CAMP – NIGHT
The men are sitting around a fire, eating and drinking. The mood is tense. TED (early 20s) fidgets restlessly.
TED
How much farther is it?
WILLIAMSON, sits up. He is much older than the others, with a grizzly beard and rough skin.
WILLIAMSON
About two or three hours ride north o’ here. They say ‘e’s holed up in the mountains just over yonder ridge.
He flicks his head toward the horizon where a small range of hills and cliffs can be seen. One of the other men, BILLY (mid-teens) is evidently scared, but trying not to show it.
BILLY
Is what they say about him true?
WILLIAMSON
Dalton’s flesh and bones kid. ‘e’s a man same as the rest of us and I ain’t met one yet I couldn’t kill for love or money.
They sit in silence for several moments and Williamson lights up a pipe.
WILLIAMSON
What you boys want with a man like Dalton anyway? You ain’t look like you’re in the bounty hunting game that’s for sure.
Ted and Billy look at each other.
BILLY
Dalton shot and killed our daddy.
Ted rolls out and lights a cigarette, taking a long drag.
EXT. FAIRCLOUD – DAY
BILLY (VO)
This was in Faircloud, ’bout eight months back.
Gunshots can be heard echoing through the street.
INT. BANK – DAY
A man, JOHN DALTON, wearing a black and white polka-dot bandanna, fires several shots through a smashed window. He drops to the floor and covers his head as shots are returned. We see two associates in masks dead on the floor.
ELLIS
John! It’s time to go!
John snarls and fires off another round of bullets, before he turns and flees through the back of the bank with ELLIS, each carrying a large bag. Ellis is limping; he has been shot in the leg.
EXT. REAR STREET – DAY
Smashing and climbing through a window, they reach the back street where two horses are waiting. John slings his bag over one of the horses – white with patches of black fur, as Ellis leans against a post.
JOHN
Bag.
Ellis tosses him the second bag, which John loads up.
ELLIS
Gimme a hand here John.
Ellis moves forwards but stumbles.
JOHN
Can’t walk you can’t ride.
ELLIS
No, John I-
John shoots Ellis. Silence. CLICK. We hear the sound of a hammer being drawn back.
SHERIFF
Stick ’em up there Dalton.
John doesn’t move. The SHERIFF fires a warning shot.
SHERIFF
Now Dalton!
John tosses his pistol into the dust, slowly draws his other and does the same. He turns to face the Sheriff. He smiles wryly.
The Sheriff shoots John’s ear, ripping through it. John cries out in pain and drops to one knee, holding on to his ear with one hand. His other discretely edges to his boot – we see a small snub-nose revolver stashed there.
SHERIFF
John Dalton. By the authority vested in me by the good people of Faircloud I do sentence you to die.
He takes aim. Ellis’ body briefly twitches and the Sheriff looks away. John goes for the gun. BANG. The shot echoes, and the Sheriff collapses backwards, a bullet-hole in his neck. John hurriedly runs to his horse as several more men round the building. He rides off as shots fill the air, but is soon out of range.
One of the men, Ted, notices the Sheriff and he goes to him. He chokes on his own blood before dying. Ted weeps.
EXT. CAMP – NIGHT
TED
(angrily)
Our father had the drop on that Devil and he cheated his way out.
WILLIAMSON
That’s why they call him ‘Domino’, luckiest son of gun to walk the West.
TED
Luck’s gotta run out sooner ‘r later. And I will be there when it does. I owe the hangman a pair of boots.
WILLIAMSON
Is that right? So you seek vengeance?
TED
We seek justice.
WILLIAMSON
Same thing round these parts.
TED
(testily)
I don’t need your approval bounty hunter. I value my honour more than simple gold.
WILLIAMSON
(laughs)
Good for you son! Because Dalton’s worth five thousand in Rosemary and I
will be the one to claim it thank you very much. But if you boys are happy
to help me with that then I guess we’ll both get what we want.
BILLY
Five large? Phew. What he do to deserve that?
EXT. ROSEMARY STREET – DAY.
The chapel explodes.
EXT. CAMP – NIGHT
TED
(chuckling)
Get off, ain’t no way that happened!
Williamson shrugs.
WILLIAMSON
‘s what they tell me.
They sit in silence again for a while.
EXT. WILDERNESS – EVENING
A horse pads slowly forwards. A lamp is attached to the horse, and a pistol in a holster can be seen. We pan backwards as the horse continues forward, and as the full figure is revealed, it is silhouetted by firelight. Ahead, the camp can be seen.
EXT. CAMP – NIGHT
BILLY
Say, what’s that light approaching?
They all shift round to eye the lamp bobbing towards them. Williamson stands and draws a rifle from his horse. Ted draws a revolver and Davy draws a knife. As the horse approaches nears Williamson raises the rifle cautiously. The others remain seated, but alert.
WILLIAMSON
You there stranger, what business
brings you to these parts?
FLOYD
(posh English accent)
One Major Daniel Floyd, formerly
of the Seventh.
Williamson lowers his rifle.
WILLIAMSON
And what business do you have with
him?
FLOYD
One moment Sir.
FLOYD, dressed in a smart suit with a handlebar moustache and bowler hat, dismounts his horse and comes over to the camp.
FLOYD
If I may?
He gestures to his lapel and slowly reaches in. The others tighten their grips on their weapons. Floyd draws forth several papers and hands them to Williamson, who looks over them.
WILLIAMSON
So you’re, err, ‘Special Agent’ Floyd I take it?
FLOYD
Indeed Sir, with the Pinkerton Detective Agency. They received word you were closing in on our mutual friend Mr. Dalton and dispatched me to provide some assistance.
WILLIAMSON
Huh, that right?
FLOYD
Indeed, now if you’ll excuse me.
Floyd scoots past Williamson and takes a seat around the fire, looking very formal. The other eye him warily but holster their weapons. Williamson joins them, placing the rifle at his feet.
WILLIAMSON
I didn’t ask for no assistance from the Pinks.
FLOYD
You didn’t have to old chap! We’re as eager as the rest of you folks to catch this dangerous renegade once and for all.
WILLIAMSON
I’ll still get my five thousand?
FLOYD
Don’t worry old boy, I’m only here to tick boxes and make sure he’s been properly put down, as it were. What you do after that is up to you.
There’s pause, Floyd’s pleasant demeanour and manner have thrown them off.
FLOYD
So, how close are we chaps?
TED
Few hours out Sir, we’re going in at dawn.
FLOYD
Very good! And who might you be?
TED
Ted Carlton sir, and this here’s my brother Billy.
FLOYD
A pleasure gentlemen. (beat) I say, who’s that fellow sleeping?
BILLY
No idea, just met him.
WILLIAMSON
Picked ‘im up in the last town we passed through, name of Chester ‘r some’at.
Williamson pulls out a bottle of whiskey, two-thirds empty.
WILLIAMSON
Bend an elbow with us ‘Special Agent’?
Floyd looks hesitant.
WILLIAMSON
C’mon Floyd. Ain’t no superiors out here with us.
FLOYD
Well, perhaps just one.
The others cheer slightly and Williamson pours a dash of whiskey into a collection of battered tin mugs. They all nurse their drinks for a moment, except for Billy, who spits it out – disgusted. The others chuckle.
TED
So what’s your tale Special Agent Floyd, how come the Pinks want Dalton so bad?
FLOYD
Well, I assume you’ve heard of Rosemary?
BILLY
You mean he really did it?
FLOYD
Only the latest on a long list I’m afraid. Mr. Dalton has caused us quite a bit of trouble over the years.
EXT. DIRT TRACK – NIGHT
FLOYD (VO)
Stagecoaches…
A man on a horse, black and white polka dot bandanna, loots the trunk of a stagecoach. As he rides off we pan across to see the driver slumped over, dead.
INT. BANK VAULT/ DEPOSIT ROOM – DAY
FLOYD (VO)
…banks…
John stuffs money into a satchel.
EXT. HILLS – DAY
FLOYD (VO)
…not to mention numerous killings
across his escapades…
John rides across the hills, firing his gun backwards. Shots
fly through the air.
EXT. TRAIN TRACK – EVENING
FLOYD (VO)
…even robbed a couple trains, this
last one two weeks gone with the
Miller Gang.
Masked men on horseback ride alongside a train. Two men climb over the train carriages. They reach a rear carriage, shooting two guards before uncoupling the carriage.
INT. TRAIN CARRIAGE – EVENING
The men, John and MILLER, remove their bandannas and begin looting boxes and drawers containing bonds and sheets of money.
INT. TRAIN CARRIAGE – DAY
FLOYD (VO)
We found Miller the next day…
Floyd and other PINKERTON AGENTS examine the wrecked train carriage. Miller is lying dead on the floor.
INT. TRAIN CARRIAGE – EVENING
FLOYD (VO)
…a bullet hole in his back.
John points to something behind Miller, who turns. John shoots him in the back and collects the extra bag before departing.
EXT. CAMP – NIGHT
FLOYD
I’m hoping that soon his activities will cease and I can go back to my superiors with happy, happy news.
WILLIAMSON
Miller’s dead?
FLOYD
Yes, I’m afraid that’s one bounty you won’t be able to collect.
WILLIAMSON
(grumbles)
Well, ‘s long as I get this one…
TED
Sounds like he’s quite the character. Is there anyone he ain’t pissed off?
They drink for a while. Williamson soon shakes his bottle, now empty.
BILLY
Wonder what his story is.
He nods over to the final man who had been lying still, supposedly sleeping.
WILLIAMSON
(drunkish)
Let’s see. Hey! HAY!
He kicks the man not too roughly, and CHESTER tips his hat off his face and sits upright. With his hat tipped back, slanted and covering an ear. They have a good look at him: his hair is closecropped, and his right eye is heavily, perpetually dilated.
CHESTER
Mmmh?
WILLIAMSON
What’s your story, friend?
CHESTER
Story?
BILLY
We’re just curious as to why you’re out here with us, after Dalton I mean.
Chester smiles. He draws out another bottle of whiskey and raises it questioningly. The others, save Billy, smile and move the mugs over for a refill. Chester raises the bottle.
CHESTER
To John Dalton, may he make the most of the sunrise.
The others repeat the mantra and clink their drinks before downing them. Chester does not drink, instead sitting down and drawing his revolver. Williamson coughs as he settles down, and tries to clear his throat. Chester examines his pistol, confirms it’s loaded and spins the wheel a few times before clicking it back into place.
TED
What, what’re you doing there friend?
Chester ignores the question, but the others look his way. Williamson coughs again, as Ted grabs his throat, gargling and looking concerned.
FLOYD
I say old fellow (coughs) what’s all th–
Chester raises his revolver and shoots Floyd, who is throwbackwards onto the small fire, snuffing it out. Billy quickly hides out of harm’s way. Williamson goes to draw but his arm fumbles. He goes to stand but collapses to the ground, coughing fervently. Chester rises and stands over him as he is gagging and shoots him.
Ted dives towards Chester and the gun fires again, they both fall to the floor, but Chester soon throws Ted’s body off him and stands. He disarms Ted, throwing the weapon into the sand. Ted groans, clutching his stomach: it is bleeding heavily. He looks around, and sees Billy crouched on the other side of the camp. Nearby, he notices Williamson’s rifle. Billy eyes it too, before glancing at Chester. Chester shakes his head.
CHESTER
Don’t do it lad.
Billy goes for the gun and Chester fires off a quick succession of three shots, rapidly spamming the hammer. Billy is dead before he hits the ground.
TED
(weakly)
No! Billy…
Chester turns back to Ted, and sits down next to him.
TED
What did you do to them?
CHESTER
Them? (gestures to dead bodies) Nothing really.
TED
They couldn’t move or nothing.
CHESTER
That was lucky for me ain’t it? But, as entertaining as your story was boy, ain’t nothing that was true about it.
TED
What…
Chester pulls a black and white polka dot bandanna out of his pocket, tosses it onto Ted’s lap.
JOHN
You see…
INT. BANK – DAY
John fires several shots through a smashed window. He drops to the floor and covers his head as shots are returned. We see two associates in masks dead on the floor.
ELLIS
John! It’s time to go!
John worriedly fires off another round of bullets, before he turns and turns towards Ellis, helping him up. He supports Ellis as they flee to the back of the bank, John carrying both bags.
EXT. REAR STREET – DAY
Smashing and climbing through a window, they reach the back street where two horses are waiting. John slings his bag over one of the horses – white with patches of black fur, as Ellis leans against a post.
JOHN
Bag.
Ellis tosses him the second bag, which John loads up.
ELLIS
Gimme a hand here John.
Ellis moves forwards but stumbles. John runs forward and grabs him. From behind comes a voice…
SHERIFF
Afternoon gentlemen.
JOHN
Thom! Where have you been? We need to get out of here, Ellis’s been shot.
SHERIFF
Hmm, can’t walk, you can’t ride.
ELLIS
No, Thom I–
The Sheriff shoots Ellis and John jumps back, shocked. Silence.
SHERIFF
Stick ’em up there Dalton.
John doesn’t move. He fires a warning shot.
SHERIFF
Now John!
John tosses his pistol into the dust, slowly draws his other and does the same. He turns to face the Sheriff. He grimaces.
JOHN
You traitorous, yellow-bellied cur–
The Sheriff shoots John’s ear, ripping through it. John cries out in pain and drops to one knee, holding on to his ear with one hand. His other discretely edges to his boot – we see a small snub-nose revolver stashed there.
SHERIFF
John Dalton. By the authority vested in me by the good people of Faircloud I do sentence you to die.
He takes aim. Ellis’ body briefly twitches and the Sheriff looks away. John goes for the gun. BANG. The shot echoes, and the Sheriff collapses backwards, a bullet-hole in his neck.
John hurriedly runs for his horse as several more men round the building. He rides off as shots fill the air, but is soon out of range. One of the men, Ted, notices the Sheriff and he goes to him. He is chokes on his own blood before dying. Ted weeps.
EXT. CAMP – NIGHT.
TED
No! You’re a liar. My father was an honourable man!
JOHN
Your daddy was a two-bit crook who shot an unarmed and injured man just as soon as he realised he could have a bigger cut. Why else was he round the back of that bank all by hisself?
Ted groans as John leans on him to stand and goes to his pack, bringing out several more bottles. John uncorks them and begins dousing the rest of the camp with oil.
JOHN
I didn’t kill your daddy, greed did. I just pulled the trigger.
John mounts his horse and pulls out a match.
JOHN
Be seeing you kid.
He fires up the match and lights his cigarette before tossing it into the ground. The camp lights up in fire and John rides off.
Ahead on the horizon, the sun rises. He smiles.
Samuel D. Capper 