BROADCASTS.com

Published: July 21, 2022, 3 p.m.

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In their first serialized adventure {in 5 parts}, Lem and Fanshaw accompany a "studier of the supernatural" to face something they may never have seen before - a ghost ... or at least a ghost that can affect the "real world".

Written and Produced by Julie Hoverson

Cast List

Lemuel Roberts /Deadeye Kid - \\xa0J. Spyder Isaacson
Clarence Fanshaw - \\xa0J. Hoverson

Dr. Sullivan - Michael Coleman \\xa0{Tales of the Extraordinary}
Mr. Cartland - Reynaud LeBoeuf
Emma Cartland - Jacquie Duckworth
Melody Heath - Melissa Bartell
Red - Jack Kincaid (Edict Zero)
Hank - Mark Olson
Clyde Wishwell - Bob Noble
Mr. Baker - Paul Green \\xa0{Encyclopedia of Weird Westerns}
Add\'l voices by Gene Thorkildsen

Cover Design:\\xa0 Brett Coulstock
[Old photos used to make Fanshaw purchased from www.recycledrelatives.com]

Announcer:\\xa0 Glen "Ole Hoss" Hallstrom
Opening theme:\\xa0 "The Wreck of Old \'97" from public domain recording found on archive.org
Any incidental music:\\xa0 Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com)
Editing and Sound: \\xa0 Julie Hoverson

-------\\xa0

No gunshots herald his approach.
No trademark left behind him when he leaves.\\xa0
The Kid had his fill of notoriety in days gone by -
as plenty of empty boots can surely testify.\\xa0\\xa0
Some say he rides alone.\\xa0
That\'s the Deadeye Kid.

****************************************************************

Haunting Melody

Cast:

[opening credits/Olivia]

LEMuel Roberts - Spyder

Clarence FANSHAW - julie

Dr. SULLIVAN - Michael coleman

Mr. CARTLAND -

Mrs. EMMA Cartland - Jacquie Duckworth

MELODY Heath -

RED -

HANK -

CLYDE Wishwell - Bob Noble

Mr. Baker, the real expert - Paul Greene

OPENER

OLD HOSS\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 No gunshots herald his approach.\\xa0 No trademark left behind him when he leaves.\\xa0 The Kid had his fill of notoriety in days gone by - as plenty of empty boots can surely testify.\\xa0\\xa0 Some say he rides alone.\\xa0 That\'s the Deadeye Kid.

CLOSER

OLD HOSS\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 The lonely cowboy clich\\xe9, always riding out, heading... yonder.\\xa0 Join us again in two weeks when he rides back over that far horizon.\\xa0

\\xa0

\\xa0

MUSIC

SOUND \\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0BUCKBOARD, HORSES

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [straining] I think I can just make out a structure of some sort.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Not much further now.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Excellent.\\xa0 I am in your debt for all your help in getting me out here.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Woulda been a mite easier if\'n you were were saddled, stead of carted. Some of these ruts--

SULLIVAN \\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0I\'ve never been much of a horseman.\\xa0 And this is a fairish wagon.\\xa0

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Garish, rather.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Well, I reckon it was cheap.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Oh, yes.\\xa0 They rented it to me at a very reasonable rate.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Ah, rented.\\xa0 That explains why he has not repainted over the "Piewacket Players" placard on the side.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I understand a couple of the actors are - um - incarcerated for some while.\\xa0 Renting me the wagon and horses saved them board and stowage.\\xa0 Everyone benefits.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Actually, some of these murals are rather good.\\xa0 If the players are half as talented as their painter, it might be worth seeking out one of their performances.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [dubious] I reckon.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [musing] King Lear.\\xa0 Julius Caeser. \\xa0Romeo and Juliet.\\xa0 [chuckles]\\xa0 They seem to perform a lot of the classics.\\xa0 Shakespeare.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Mmm.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Did you know that in Shakespeare\'s day - some 250 years ago - it was illegal for women to perform on the stage?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Hush.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Oh, Lem, do let me impart a little culture for once.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [Annoyed grunt]

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Particularly while you cannot argue.\\xa0 As I was saying, back in the day, all the female parts were played by young men.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Oh, goodness!\\xa0 Look at that!

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [eager] Whatsat?

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That\'s an awfully steep hill up ahead.\\xa0 You think the wagon can manage it?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I reckon so, reverend.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 "Doctor", please.\\xa0 I prefer it as an honorific.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [puzzled] But you\'re a "man o\' god"?

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And a man of science as well.\\xa0 I firmly believe that the church cannot simply deny science, but must embrace it, and hand in hand we shall move forward into the next century!

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [dubious] A\'right then.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Fervent, isn\'t he?

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Sorry.\\xa0 I find I must defend myself constantly - both against those who find science and religion incompatible, and against those who pooh-pooh my branch of science entirely.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Oh?\\xa0

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [defiant]\\xa0 I have made a comprehensive study of the existence of ghosts.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [choking back a cough]\\xa0 OH.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Oh, dear.

MUSIC

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [off] [wailing, hysterics]

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 DOOR OPENS, WAILING UP

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Don\'t that girl ever shut up?

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Bart!\\xa0 She swears she\'s being tormented.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 DOOR SHUTS

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Hysteria.\\xa0 You women can\'t stop yourselves from being women, but the least you can do is keep quiet when a man wants to think.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What do you want me to do?\\xa0 Lock her in a madhouse?\\xa0 She\'s my own flesh and blood!\\xa0

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Your sister is pitching a fit \'cause she ain\'t getting her own way.\\xa0 Nothing more.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But what if it is something more?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I got that well in hand.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What?\\xa0 How?\\xa0

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Don\'t go questioning me, woman.\\xa0 Where\'s my grub?

MUSIC

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [pugnacious] Do you, or do you not believe in ghosts?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [short bark of a laugh]

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [dry]\\xa0 I reckon I do.

SULLIVAN \\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0Many people believe that the supernatural is somehow at cross-purposes with the bible, but it isn\'t so.\\xa0 Ever since Solomon, the wisest men in the good book studied the ways of the supernatural, in order to overcome it.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Solomon.\\xa0 Izzat the king fellow?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Famous for his wise judgment.\\xa0 And not cutting up the baby.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Traditionally, many have always believed that the dead may carry on, side by side with the living, unseen but always present.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Ain\'t this more of a church question?

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What do you mean?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Well, if you believe folks just hunker down once they passed on, then what you think of heaven?

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I don\'t believe every soul lingers.\\xa0 Have you ever heard of Purgatory?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Oh, goodness.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Ain\'t that a town in Nevada territory?

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 In the bible, purgatory is a place where people who are not good enough to go to heaven nor evil enough to go directly to hell are judged.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Which bible, precisely?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Guess I never got that far in bible learnin.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It is the premise for all my theories that purgatory is not a place, but merely a "state"--

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [playing dumb] Wyoming? [1890]

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [grim] Ask him which bible.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [trying not to get exasperated] --and that spirits that need to be redeemed, or to mend their ways, may in fact be "in purgatory" much like someone could be "in a foul temper" - right next to us.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Balderdash!\\xa0 Utter rubbish!

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Looky there!\\xa0 That should be the ranch now!

MUSIC

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [heavy breathing, end of crying jag]

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 TAP ON THE DOOR, DOOR OPENS

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Melody?\\xa0 Are you feeling a little better?

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [sullen]\\xa0 I been bit.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Bit?\\xa0 By what?\\xa0 A rat?

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Come and look.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\'ll fetch a lantern.

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 No!

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Or open the shutters?

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 No!!\\xa0 They don\'t like the light!\\xa0 I kin only open them at night.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [very upset] oh.\\xa0 What can I do to help?

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [disheartened]\\xa0 Nothing.\\xa0

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Are you hungry?\\xa0 There\'s some good stew.

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I can\'t.\\xa0 I just can\'t.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Here, show me that bite.

MUSIC

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [quiet] What\'s gnawing on you?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I do not consider myself a particularly religious fellow, but if there is one thing I have found quite frustrating about the wide open west it is that so many people simply decide that they are experts on this or that subject, and other people believe them, for lack of any alternatives.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Mm?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 He claims to know the bible, but then he goes on about this spiritism nonsense.\\xa0 And purgatory!\\xa0 I may not be a divinity scholar but a childhood of churchgoing taught me that that is a catholic conceit, and he\'s got it wrong anyway.\\xa0 Purgatory was where souls waited out a period of penance, while their friends and family prayed for their release.\\xa0

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 How\'d they know if they got out?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I believe the priests would tell them.\\xa0 It always smacked of extortion to me.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [laughs]\\xa0 Well.\\xa0 How\'s all this gonna make a damn lick of difference just now?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What?\\xa0

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Whatever it is he believes - it gonna change the price of oats?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [sigh]\\xa0 No.\\xa0

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Good.\\xa0 That\'s cleared up, then.\\xa0 Road\'s widenin up, and we\'ll be alongside the wagon agin soon.\\xa0

MUSIC

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 We need to send Melody somewhere.\\xa0 If only you had let her marry--

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 She\'s 16 - too damn young, and don\'t know her own mind.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I know, but if she was away--

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Dammit woman.\\xa0 You are my wife, and I will not be argued with.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Of course.\\xa0 [beat]\\xa0 Something bit her.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Bit?\\xa0 Like a snake?

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 The marks....um... they looked--

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Oh, just spit it out.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 They looked like they were made by a man!

MUSIC

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 THEY ARE STOPPED. HORSES, HARNESS, DISMOUNT, ETC.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Thank you ever so much for helping me to find my way.\\xa0 I\'m not much of an outdoorsman.\\xa0 Or horseman.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Nor much of a cleric, apparently.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Right happy to help.\\xa0 Why is it you were comin all the way out here in the first place?\\xa0 [chuckles] Not to put on a play.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [chuckles] It is rather a curious wagon, isn\'t it?\\xa0 But I am afraid my job here is rather confidential.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [yelling from off] Is that the Reverend?\\xa0 Get on in here!\\xa0

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [dithering] Oh, um I--

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\'ll look to your horses.\\xa0 You get along.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Excellent.\\xa0

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I don\'t like him.\\xa0

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You don\' like his views.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 They\'re gibberish!

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 \'Zat anythin like folderol?\\xa0 [serious]\\xa0 Why\'n\'t you go on in and see what brand o\' folderol he\'s spinnin to the good folks inside.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [stiff upper lip] I shall try and keep my temper.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [muttered] Tryin never hurt no one.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 A FEW MOMENTS OF UNHARNASSING, THEN SUDDEN TUSSLE, RED GRABS LEM AND SLAMS HIM INTO THE WALL OF THE BARN

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 HORSES ANNOYED, SHYING

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 GUN COCKS

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [snarled] The Deadeye Kid.

MUSIC

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 FANSHAW ENTERS

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 --convince her it ain\'t nothing but temper!

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But the bite!

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 A bite?\\xa0

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 She looks like she was bit, bad.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 There\'s no way anyone could get in there and bite her.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It isn\'t unheard of.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 A bite?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [suspicious] Really?

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 See!

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Manifestations have demonstrated their ability to affect the material world in any number of ways.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [suspicious] Oh.\\xa0 Do tell?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 There\'s a simple answer for this.\\xa0 She bit her own damn self.\\xa0 She pulls one more shenanigan, and I\'m taking a strap to the damn girl.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Never!\\xa0 Our father wouldn\'t--

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 He shoulda!\\xa0 If your sister weren\'t spoiled, we wouldn\'t have to have this idjit in.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Sir!\\xa0 I am well respected in--

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [furious, overbearing] You are here to prove this ain\'t nothing but women\'s hysteria and a mulish girl\'s temper.\\xa0

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But if it is something else?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What do you think it may be, I wonder?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Either she\'s doing this to herself, or she\'s plumb loco.\\xa0 Which way do you prefer?\\xa0 She\'s your flesh and blood.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 BEHIND DOOR - CRASH

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [screams]

[BREAK]

\\xa0

MUSIC

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What the hell are you doing here?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Do I... know you?

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Mebbe not, but I know you.\\xa0 You\'re the Deadeye Kid.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [resigned] Who\'d I kill, that yer so riled about?

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What in tarnation is wrong with you?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Aside from being slammed up agin a barn, with iron in my face, nuttin comes to mind.

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\'us there in Carson City.\\xa0 Five years ago.\\xa0 Watched you take down Iron John Sandoval.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [after a pause]\\xa0 And?

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Saw how fast y\'are.\\xa0 Hmph.\\xa0 Used to be.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Mmm?

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [offended]\\xa0 You din\'t even see me comin.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 My mind was took up with sumpin else.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 HAMMER EASES BACK

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You should vamoose.\\xa0 This ain\'t no place for them as has lost their edge.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You might wanna back off a piece.

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Whyzzat?\\xa0 Can\'t look me in the face and admit you\'re getting old?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 My gun hand\'s starting to cramp up sumpin fierce, and I cain\'t ease down til you pull your cohones off\'n the barrel.\\xa0

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You - what?\\xa0 [looking down, gasps]

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Right shame to shave your stumps - seein as we\'re all compadres now.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 BACKS OFF

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 HAMMER DOWN, GUN INTO HOLSTER, SLAP ON THE BACK

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You look like a man that might could use a drink.\\xa0

MUSIC

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 HORSES, BARN

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 FANSHAW ENTERS

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I say, Lem?\\xa0 Are you alone?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Lessen you wanna chat with the hosses.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What do you really think of this fellow?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 From yer tone, I\'m guessin you mean the reverend - doctor.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Ye-ess.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I figger he\'s harmless.\\xa0 Cain\'t actually know a lick about all\'s he\'s talkin about.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Right.\\xa0 [beat] \\xa0Do you ever wonder?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I wonder alla time.\\xa0 Any particular wonderin yer wonderin about?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 About this.\\xa0 About spirits.\\xa0 About good and evil.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Never reckoned on em hitched like\'at.\\xa0

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You don\'t think of ghosts as being somehow inherent wicked?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You havin a crisis of faith?\\xa0 I reckon jest like with anyone, only you can know if you\'re evil.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I - well, I don\'t mean myself, I suppose.\\xa0

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [teasing]\\xa0 So you think you\'re better than e\'rbody else.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 No. \\xa0I don\'t know.\\xa0

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What brought all this on?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 From what I observed in the house, there may be an argument here for an evil spirit of some sort.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And?\\xa0 And what?\\xa0

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Spirits\'re just as evil or saintly as the folks they used to be.\\xa0 Don\'t make no nevermind to no one but me.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I mean an evil spirit with ... powers.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [sure] Ain\'t no such thing.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Are you so very certain?

MUSIC

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 OUTSIDE, WALKING

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I ain\'t never seen no spirit could touch nothin in the real world.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Neither have I, but what if there is?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 We do whatever we gots to.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 FEET APPROACH

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [coming in] Kid!

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [sigh]\\xa0 Just Lem, if\'n you please.

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Oh, drat.\\xa0 Right.\\xa0 You done with them horses?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Tucked up tight.\\xa0 You ast about the job?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Job?

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Mr. Cartland\'s right happy to have another hand, even if you don\'t plan on staying fer long.\\xa0 With all that\'s been a-going on--

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What all is it that\'s been a-goin on?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Evil spirits.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Is it what\'s been drivin off all your help?

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Come on, let\'s getcha some grub.\\xa0 Hank\'ll be pleased to have someone new to jaw to.

MUSIC

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 KITCHEN, EATING

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 DOOR OPENS

HANK\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Red.

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Hank.\\xa0 This is Lem.\\xa0 Come in with the doctor fella.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Hank.

HANK\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You work for the reverend?

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 He\'s--

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I work fer jest about anyone as needs me.\\xa0 Doctor needed a guide.

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Lem\'s gonna help out round here fer a while.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Long as the doc\'s on hand, might as well make myself useful.

HANK\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Did you tell him what\'s going on?\\xa0 What cleared us out?

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Here, have a plate of stew, Lem.\\xa0 I\'m sure Hank can tell it better\'n me.

HANK\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [uncertain] Oh, I---

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 He actually saw it.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Saw what?

HANK\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That girl.\\xa0 She\'s possessed!

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Possessed of what?

HANK\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 No!\\xa0 Possessed!\\xa0 Taken over by an evil spirit!

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [considering] I don\'t figger I put much stock in such things.\\xa0 Ain\'t no other explanation?

HANK\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What else could explain how I - I saw a strange light in her window late at night--

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What were you doin\' out?

HANK\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [thrown off] What?\\xa0 I was - uh - having a smoke.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 She a good-lookin\' girl?\\xa0 Apart from whatever travail she\'s in?

HANK\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That ain\'t the point.\\xa0 I was off a ways and saw a light.\\xa0 It din\'t look natural.\\xa0 So I went closer to see.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 How high\'s this window?

HANK\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I don\'t know!\\xa0 Chest-high, I s\'pose.\\xa0 But I sawr everything!\\xa0 [yarning]\\xa0 Right from the first, I was froze to the spot.\\xa0 Couldn\'t look away.\\xa0 In this strange blueish colored light, there was something flyin back and forth across the room--

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 A bird?

HANK\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 No!\\xa0 A cushion or a hat or something - something that had no damn business flyin!

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [mild amazement] Oh!

HANK\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And then I saw the girl herself crawling about the floor like an animal.\\xa0

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Mebbe she dropped sumpin.

HANK\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But it weren\'t natural!\\xa0 You can explain away one thing after another, but that light won\'t never look right.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I meant no disrespect, just know how late at night moonlight can be a bit mazy.\\xa0 Can make things look wrong way round and bigger than life.

HANK\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Well, this weren\'t out in the moonlight - it was in her room.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Right.\\xa0

HANK\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You ain\'t a-scared?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\'m a bit behind when it comes to afearin things.\\xa0 Got to see sumpin for myself before I can work up to gooseflesh.\\xa0 Yerself?

HANK\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\'m pert near hightailing it out of here, I tell you what.\\xa0 One more night like that and you\'ll be seeing the back of me.

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Ain\'t likely, Hank old hoss.\\xa0 You relish the tellin of your tall tales too much to miss a chance fer another one.

MUSIC

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It\'s pure mulishness, is what it is.\\xa0 The girl wanted to marry, and I said no.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You\'re surely not her father, though?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Father\'s passed on.\\xa0 I ain\'t blood, but I married her sister and that makes me the lawful man of the house and head of this family.\\xa0 She gots to understand that.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I still think--

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Regardless of whether she\'s old enough to marry, I wan\'t about to let her run off to the damn Wishwells and take half the ranch with her.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Our father left us even shares.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Hmm.\\xa0 And that man married yours.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Ah.\\xa0 I should talk to the girl, now.

MUSIC

HANK\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Well.\\xa0

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 SLAPS THIGHS, GETS UP

HANK\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That hay won\'t pitch itself.\\xa0 Care to lend a hand, feller?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Lem.\\xa0 I--

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I need him yet fer a mite.\\xa0 I\'ll send him along when we\'re through.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That\'s a mighty fine looking belt buckle you got there, Hank.\\xa0 Turquoise?

HANK\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Yup.\\xa0

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And silver.\\xa0 [musing] Mighty fine.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 WALKS OUT DOOR

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Why d\'you stay, Red?

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Been with Mr. Cartland for nigh on 10 years. Since before he married the missus.\\xa0 Fact is, that was when we came through Carson City.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You friends?

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Nah, he ain\'t one fer making friends of the hands.\\xa0 But he\'s fair.\\xa0 Hard, but fair.\\xa0\\xa0

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Now tell me.\\xa0 [a bit humorous] Apart from having the nerve of a grizzly, why ain\'t you scairt?

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I plumb don\'t feel it.\\xa0 Whatever\'s a-going on with the girl, it don\'t hit me here.\\xa0 You ken?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I reckon.

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It\'s like ... play actors.\\xa0 They can make you like the story, but they cain\'t never make it real.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Gotta good solid head on them shoulders, Red.\\xa0 I purpose to find out what all\'s transpirin here, and if\'n yer strapped fer it, I\'d shore thank\'ee kindly for any help.

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [admiring] You ain\'t lost none of yer sand, have ya?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I reckon the wind\'s just blowin it in the right direction these days.

MUSIC

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 DOOR CREAKS OPEN

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Young lady?\\xa0

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [very tired and small sounding] Who\'s there?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It\\u2019s the feller gonna tell you what a liar you been.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Husband!

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Go on then.\\xa0 Tell her.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\'ll open them shutters.

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 No!

EMMA \\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0Just a crack!\\xa0 It\'s fair dark in here!

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 FEET, SHUTTERS

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Sir!\\xa0 I must insist on being able to interview the girl in relative peace!

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I ain\'t a-stopping you.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You must be quiet and leave the girl to answer for herself.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Please!

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [somewhat subdued]\\xa0 Go on.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Miss Heath, your lady sister has told me some of your symptoms, but I would like to hear them from you.\\xa0 What is your chief complaint?

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 They never let me sleep!

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [far corner] Poor girl does look tired.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Nor us out here!\\xa0 I ain\'t had a good night through in weeks.

SULLIVAN \\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0[sharp] Shh!\\xa0 [calm]\\xa0 They?\\xa0 Who are "they"?

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You won\'t believe me any more than anyone else does.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Hmph.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I believe a great many things.\\xa0 Pray, humor me.

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 They come at night, and pinch me.\\xa0 Pinch my arms and legs - all over!\\xa0 And one bit me - See here!

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You bit your own damn self!

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [whimpers]

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Sir!\\xa0 Would you be kind enough to leave?\\xa0 As long as you insist on berating the poor girl, she will never be calm enough to tell me all her troubles.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Fine.\\xa0 Come on, woman.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 DOOR ROUGHLY OPENS

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Shouldn\'t I stay?\\xa0 For decency\'s sake?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Man\'s a holy father, even if he is a soft-headed idjet.\\xa0 Whatcha think he might do?

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I suppose.

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\'ll call if I need help!

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You do that.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 DOOR SHUTS

MUSIC

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 MOVING THROUGH UNDERBRUSH

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 From his yarn, Hank was right about\'chere when he saw the lights.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Hard to reckon what this\'ud look like in full dark.\\xa0 What\'us the moon like?

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Middling, round about.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Hmm.\\xa0 And that\'ud be the window?

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Yup.\\xa0 Though way Hank tells it, it was full open when he was looking.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [surprised] Oh!

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Let\'s fade back a bit.\\xa0 Don\'t want anyone to spy us.

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Why?\\xa0 Mm?\\xa0 [sees] Oh!

MUSIC

[BREAK]

\\xa0

AMB\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 OUTDOORS

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 There you are!\\xa0 I\'ve just witnessed the most appalling--

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Did we really see what I think we jest saw?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\'m afeared so.\\xa0

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That varmint!\\xa0 Taking advantage of a nice--

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 She din\'t look "put out" to me.\\xa0 Any fired-up on her part weren\'t the angry kind, if you catch me.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [sarcastic] Oh.\\xa0 So you saw it too.\\xa0 How useful am I?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Mighty useful.\\xa0 [slightly different] To know that sumpin\'s up with them.\\xa0 Looked like they knowed each other afore this.

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I guess you could safely say that.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I tactfully took my leave.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 HOOFBEATS APPROACH

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Who in tarnation?\\xa0 Damn!\\xa0

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What?

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [heavy import] That\'s Clyde Wishwell and his boys!

MUSIC

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 TAP ON DOOR

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Doctor?\\xa0 Is everything all right in there?

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [within] Yes!\\xa0 Quite.\\xa0

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 FOOTSTEPS APPROACH THEIR SIDE OF DOOR

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [within]\\xa0 I have all I need for the moment.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 DOOR OPENS

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [cautious] Is your husband ...nearby?

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 He had to step out.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [relieved]\\xa0 Ah.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I have the guest room ready for you.\\xa0 Your drover can bunk with the men.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 My--?\\xa0 Oh, yes.\\xa0 That fellow.\\xa0 My guide.\\xa0

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 STEPS OUT, CLOSES DOOR

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Is she...\\xa0 Is she going to be all right, sir?

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I think this will take some time, but yes.\\xa0 I believe she can be saved.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Saved?\\xa0 You talk like she\'s ailing!

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [serious] She is.\\xa0 It is an ailment of the soul.

MUSIC

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 GENERAL DISMOUNTING, ETC.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [barely concealed hostility]\\xa0 Wishwell.

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Mr. Cartland.\\xa0 I hope you don\'t mind the intrusion?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What do you want?

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 We found a fellow lost on our property, claims he\'us supposed to be coming here.\\xa0 We decided to give him an escort.

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [a bit too much swagger]\\xa0 Yes, yes.\\xa0 Many thanks.\\xa0 You may go ahead and leave.

WISHWELLS MEN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [annoyed muttering]

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Who the devil are you?

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You sent for me.\\xa0

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 He was mighty tight about his business with you, Mr. Cartland.\\xa0 I\'m right curious.

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That is between Mr. Cartland and myself.\\xa0 Are you waiting around for a reason?\\xa0 I could--

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 COINS RATTLE

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [civility slipping] No need, sir!\\xa0 I reckon a man does you a good turn, seeing you to your destination, rather than shooting your backside fulla buckshot as a trespasser, he deserves a bit of an explanation!

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Yeah. \\xa0Explain.

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [exasperated] Very well.\\xa0 I am the ghost expert you sent away for.

MUSIC

AMB\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 OUT BACK

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Why\'m I all of a sudden smellin a rat?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You mean Sullivan\'s obvious "familiarity" with young miss Heath?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Biggest rat I seen recently.

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You think they got somethin "on" between them?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\'m wondrin has anyone actually clapped eyes on the fellow she got her heart pinned to.

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 How\'d you hear about that?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Damn!

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [calm] I just hear things.

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Oh.\\xa0 But it was one of the Wishwells she was a-hankerin after.\\xa0

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And the Wishwells just rode in.\\xa0 Perhaps we should go and take a look at the other side of this little chess match.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Lets go get us a look at the Wishwells.

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Right.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\'ll stay in the house - keep an eye on the courting.

MUSIC

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 YOU\'RE the expert?\\xa0 Then who the devil we got inside?\\xa0 [yelling over his shoulder] Emma!

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [smug] Well, I can\'t help you there, I\'m no clairvoyant - merely a seeker after truth in the field of spiritualism.

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [a bit worried] Really?\\xa0 Hmm.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 DOOR OPENS, EMMA COMES ONTO PORCH

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What is it?\\xa0 Oh!\\xa0 Comp\'ny!

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 They ain\'t compny, they\'s Wishwells.\\xa0 Get that city slicker out here.\\xa0 We got a bit of a branding problem here.

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Are you implying there\'s someone here claiming to be me?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Someone here\'s claiming something, but I don\'t know which of you it might be.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 SWITCH OF PERSPECTIVE, FEET APPROACHING - RED AND LEM

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [off a bit] I have credentials and letters of recommendation.

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That\'s Ezekial Wishwell, in the tan hat.\\xa0 He\'s a big rancher over t\'other side of the valley.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And if one of his marries that Miss, inside-

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Reckon he\'ll get his hands on her half of the ranch here.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Hmm.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 FADING BACK TO CARTLAND\'s POV

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You sent off for a ghost hunter, and you cain\'t even remember his name?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I contacted him through some damn psychical society in the newspaper out of Carson city.\\xa0

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Yes.\\xa0 Precisely.\\xa0 The "friends in passing".

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And it\'s bad enough I gotta do such a damn fool thing just so\'s I can put my wife\'s mind at rest about her damn fool sister--

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 DOOR OPENS, FEET ON PORCH

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Here he is.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You needed me for something?

[FADING BACK TO LEM]

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Whatcha gonna do with two of them?

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Two of who?

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Is that the imposter?

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What?

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It\'s the doggonest thing I ever heered of!

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It\'s a wonder, sure enough.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 They\'ve vacated the - ahem - bedroom.\\xa0

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You think there\'s gonna be a fight?\\xa0 Dunno that them two guys would make much of a scrap - that first one\'s too prissy and citified, and the other\'s kind of a runt.\\xa0 But it might be something to see.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I need a chance to palaver.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 This might explain the idiotic views of Sullivan - I mean, if he is the imposter.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [muttered] People can be thick as two thumbs and still ain\'t liars.\\xa0 Happens all th\'time.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 FADING BACK TO CARTLAND

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Whazzat?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Trying to logic out which might be the one sposed to be here.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Oh, there\'s the girl!

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 BARE FEET ON WOODEN PORCH

[argument that runs under above]

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I am an ordained minister, sir, of the church of the holy seekers after truth!

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That hack cabal?\\xa0 They wouldn\'t know a phantom from an apparition.\\xa0 I have trained with the most respectable societies in the British Isles!

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Hidebound stick-in-the-muds!

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Newfangled snot-nosed infants, tampering with forces outside your ken!

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Infants!\\xa0 I\'ll have you know--

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 MELODY\'S BARE FEET RUN OUT ONTO THE DIRT

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Stop!\\xa0 Please!\\xa0 [scream of terror, some thrashing about]

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What the devil?

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Quickly, bring some warm tea, and a cold compress, if you have one.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Yes!\\xa0

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 SHE DASHES INTO THE HOUSE

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Stay back!\\xa0 The girl is under attack.

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Looks like some kind of fit.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Fit o\' temper.\\xa0 Get up, girl!

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 FEET ENTER

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Mr. Cartland, might could I drop a word in your ear?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Who the hell are you?\\xa0 Oh, right, you come in with the preacher - maybe preacher.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Something you need to know.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Are you planning to tell him about the assignation?\\xa0 He\'ll do something terrible to that poor girl - you\'ve seen how beastly he is to her.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I know you\'re looking after the best interests of your family here.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 He threatened to beat her!

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I do what I gotta.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Even if she is feigning all of this, surely she doesn\'t deserve--

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And I can tell you\'re purt near your wits end.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 zat so?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I think you done took more than most men can take, so I don\'t fault you none for flyin off the handle.\\xa0 I might could have an answer for all this.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [interested] Really?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Yup.\\xa0 It was somethin that Sullivan fellow said regarding the bible.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [disbelieving] Really?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Once they get this little dustup sorted, mebbe could I try something?\\xa0

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What you planning?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I promise you, I don\'t reckon no one\'ll get hurt - leastways not bad - but beyond that, can\'t tell you much or it\'ll fall flat.\\xa0

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Is this some of this spiritual hoodoo manure?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Well, let\'s say I\'m gonna connive them into believin it is.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Hmm...\\xa0 [chuckle]\\xa0 Go on, then.

MUSIC

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 She\'s settled again, but she keeps tossing and a-turning.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [calmer]\\xa0 If I\'m right, and she\'s just doing this all out of pique, what do you think should be done?\\xa0 You really think us going on and giving in is gonna make everything all right?

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Me?\\xa0 I--\\xa0 but it\'s too drastic to be--

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I ain\'t asking if you think she\'s making it all up, just what you reckon we should oughtta do if she is.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Oh.\\xa0 [pacing]\\xa0 Well.\\xa0 It\'s a terrible thing she\'s doing - if she\'s doing it.\\xa0 But it can\'t be easy on her, either.\\xa0 All them hurts she\'s took.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Lotta effort to make you feel sorry for her.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 If she\'s faking, then wouldn\'t the reverend know it?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Stick to the question at hand.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You\'re much less riled than you been in days - do you know something?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 With two doctor types on hand, how can I not see a light at the end of this here tunnel?

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Oh.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [almost gentle]\\xa0 I\'m waiting.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I agree - we can\'t, in good conscience, let her get her way through these kinds of shenanigans - always assuming she\'s--

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Yes, yes.\\xa0 We\'re assuming.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But what can we do for punishment?\\xa0 Lock her away?\\xa0 I couldn\'t bear that.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What\'choo think about schooling?

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Send her off to school - back east or somewheres where rich folks send their girls, and take the cost of the schooling out of her half the ranch.\\xa0 We\'ll call it bail.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It would keep her away from the Wishwells.\\xa0 And it would get her away from--

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Us?\\xa0

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [sigh] Yes.

MUSIC

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I may not have the booklearnin y\'all have, but I did have me a granny who did midwifing and could see and talk to all manner of spirits.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Really?\\xa0 How ...rustic

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You should never pooh-pooh the lay folk.\\xa0 Many have toiled in the fields of the supernatural without even realizing they did. Back home in--

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Of course, it is only a pity that so often they were seen as enemies of the church and persecuted, rather than embraced and put to good works.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Good gad, they\'re even worse in harmony.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Well, Granny once told me of a sure cure for a plague of spirits.

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Oh yes?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Watch out, he\'ll write a monograph on your granny.\\xa0 Did you really have one?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 O\'course.\\xa0 It ain\'t easy, and it ain\'t exactly safe.\\xa0 But when the only other path is being ridden round with spirits all your life, it\'s sometimes a risk you gots to take.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Dangerous?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 O\'course.\\xa0 You got to make the spirits flee outta the afflicted one, and t\'only way to do it is to convince them you\'re about to kill that person.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [horrified] KILL?

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That makes a strange sort of sense.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Best ways are violent.\\xa0 You cain\'t sneak up behind \'em, since half the convincin has to be that the one what\'s afflicted gots to believe it.\\xa0

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Mention the flagellants in the bible.\\xa0 They used whips to cleanse themselves of--

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But we can\'t - that-that poor girl!

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I am not certain I could do it myself, but I would be most interested in observing.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Oh, I can do it.\\xa0 You two should oughta \\xa0make sure no one else gets in the way, though.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But you wouldn\'t really hurt her?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I s\'pose it depends.\\xa0 Sometimes, the spirits are figurin you wouldn\'t really hurt no one, and they hang on for the first hurt or two.\\xa0 Like them fellas that whip themselves bloody right there in the bible.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [horrified] Oh no!\\xa0 I can\'t let you do that to any poor defenseless woman.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Don\'t think it\'s your choice to make, old hoss.\\xa0

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 As long as she is afflicted, it will have to be dealt with.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Let me try something else, first!\\xa0 I might have a way to--

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That\'s right fine.\\xa0 We\'ll come along and observe your way.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 No!\\xa0 It\'s -- it has to be performed in total secrecy.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Cain\'t hide from the spirits, though.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I take the hint.

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You should be grateful for the help.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Leave me alone for a minute!\\xa0 I have to - to pray!

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 WALKS OFF FAST

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [almost a chuckle]

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What got into him?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I think he truly cares for the girl.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 A mighty old spirit indeed.

MUSIC

[BREAK]

\\xa0

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 They\'re gonna hurt her?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 They don\'t think it will come to much.\\xa0 Just enough to scare the spirits out of her.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Melody\'s my sister - I cain\'t just let them beat her!

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [trying to be comforting] Don\'t sound like there\'s any other way they\'re gonna manage this.\\xa0 [beat] This feller sounds like he knows what he\'s doing.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [incredulous] Sounds like he--?\\xa0 How can you say that?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [curt]\\xa0 I will stop him before he does anything too... drastic.\\xa0

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You got no fine feelings about seeing her hurt.\\xa0 You would have--

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [getting annoyed] I\'da punished her, yeah.\\xa0 Now get out my way.\\xa0 I\'m done talkin!

MUSIC

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Lem, over here a minute.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [queit] Yeah? [up]\\xa0 Mister Baker, why don\'t you see if the lady of the house might be able to find you a spot to sleep tonight?\\xa0

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And that charlatan?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Doctor Sullivan?\\xa0 You let me handle him.\\xa0 Oh, and - sunset.\\xa0 That\'s the time to deal with ghosts.

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Sunset?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 So says my gran.

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Right.\\xa0 I am quite interested to see how this goes.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 BAKER WALKS OFF

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Sorry about that.

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What are you up to?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Takin a tip from the bible.\\xa0 You with me?

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Spect so.\\xa0

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Could I have a word with you, sir?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [sigh] Spect so.

MUSIC

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 TAPPING ON WOOD

[Sullivan sounds very different, western, rather than citified, and is speaking quietly, to avoid being overheard]

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Melody?\\xa0 Melody?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Hmph.\\xa0 Praying indeed.\\xa0 I would say he\'s rather old for her, but that moustache doesn\\u2019t do much to hide a cheek that\'s barely seen a\\xa0 razor.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Please, Mel, honey!

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 TEENSY CREAK OPEN

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Wallace?\\xa0 You shouldn\'t be out there!

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Wallace?\\xa0

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I had to come!\\xa0 Everything\'s falling apart.

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What do you mean?

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 They\'ve got some cockamamie scheme, and sounds like they\'re planning to hurt you.\\xa0 Maybe bad.

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Emma\'d never let them do that!

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 There\'s enough people here got no patience left, I doubt but that she couldn\'t stop them.\\xa0 Can\'t you turn this?

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It\'s got away from me!\\xa0 What can I do?

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Maybe just say you\'re cured?

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And then what?\\xa0 That leaves me here with folks that hate me and no chance o\'nothin\'?\\xa0 No chance of... us?\\xa0 I\'ll die first!

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\'ll try and come up with something.\\xa0 But if it comes down to it, stop them before they hurt you.\\xa0 Please promise you will!

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [grim] I\'ll do what I gotta do.

MUSIC

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What you fixing to do, sir?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Come sunset, I\'ll take drastic measures to free that girl from her torment.

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You sound like you might have to kill her.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\'m sure the reverend - uh - doctor sullivan can speak you best on torment and the afterlife.\\xa0 He\'s got a nose fer it.

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But what exactly are you planning to do?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Don\'t turn round. \\xa0Sullivan is lurking.\\xa0

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [sigh]\\xa0 I hate to see anyone in pain.\\xa0 But sometimes, ain\'t no choice.\\xa0 If\'n there\'s a spirit a-punishin that child, it ain\'t gon be easy to spook it out.\\xa0 I may have to shoot her.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [men - including RED, WISHWELL, react]\\xa0

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [matter of fact] Don\'t worry none, though.\\xa0 I once shot a man eight times - a\'purpose - and he din\'t die.\\xa0 [shrug] Can\'t use one hand no more, but apart from that he all healed up jest fine.

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [horrified] And Cartland\'s gonna let you go on and do this?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I get the feeling that if his wife would allow, he\'d do it hisself - he\'s that plumb wore out with the girl.

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And what if we all decide to stop you?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I don\'t see as how it\'s any of your business.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 GUNS OUT

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [sterner] And what if we all decide to stop you?

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 SHOTGUN COCKS

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [off]\\xa0 I think mebbe it\'s time fer you to get along home, then, Wishwell.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 GUNS UP

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [forces laugh]\\xa0 We were just looking out for your best interests, Cartland.\\xa0 Have you heard?\\xa0 This here fellow is fixing to shoot your sister.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Well, something\'s gotta be done with the girl.\\xa0

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Is he serious, or did you have a chance to warn him?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Glad to see you took my counsel serious, Mr. Cartland.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Ah.\\xa0

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And now Wishwell, you and your boys can take my counsel - Git!

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\'ll be telling the sheriff about these goings on.\\xa0

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You do that.\\xa0 Sunset\'s about an hour away - you won\'t get there and back by then.\\xa0 And I figure this way.\\xa0 If my wife\'s sister can be bit by ghosts, maybe she can get shot by them too.\\xa0 Ain\'t no one here gonna say otherwise, once all\'s said and done.

MUSIC

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 TAPPING ON SHUTTER

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Wallace?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [explaining] That\'s Sullivan.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 TAPPING

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [indistinguishable grunt]

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Wallace?

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 SHUTTER CREAKS OPEN

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Are you-- [gasp of fear!]

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You want to talk to me, girl.\\xa0 And you want to stay quiet.

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 My sister is jest in the next room.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I know.\\xa0 And I ain\'t askin fer nothin improper.\\xa0 Cartland\'s got Sullivan sewed up in argument fer the moment, so I got one chance for you.

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Chance?\\xa0 Fer what?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Wallace.\\xa0 You in love with the boy, or jest lookin fer a way out from under your folks?

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 We\'re in love.\\xa0

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You want him more than you want your share of the ranch?

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [teensy hesitation]\\xa0 Yes.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And would he and his take you without you had that parcel to offer?

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 He would.\\xa0

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And his pa out there?\\xa0 Mr. Wishwell?

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [gasp] You know?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I know a lotta things.\\xa0 F\'r\'instance, tonight\'s gonna be an interestin night.\\xa0

MUSIC

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 So if they\'re genuinely in love --

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I think they are.\\xa0 He\'s plumb torn up about the chance as she might get hurt.\\xa0 Mebbe she\'s not so worried, but she seems true.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Then this is just like Shakespeare - Romeo and juliet.\\xa0 Families opposed to one another, romance between the younger generation.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 \'Zat give us any aid with sorting out this rats nest?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Well, they both died.\\xa0 So I guess not.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Hmm.\\xa0 Plays.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What are you thinking?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Well... I was playing at solomon.\\xa0 Threatnin the girl to bring out--

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [realizing] The real-- Yes!\\xa0 I\'ve got it.\\xa0 Jolly clever.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\'m thinkin mebbe I got the wrong baby.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 The wrong what?

MUSIC

In house

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Can\'t be long now.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You won\'t let him really hurt her, will you?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [gentle] Emma.\\xa0 He promised he wouldn\'t.\\xa0 We have to convince her he would, though.\\xa0 She gots to believe it.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Why?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 If she\'s faking, she has to cry off.\\xa0 If she ain\'t... well... he says the spirits gotta be convinced she\'s gonna die, so they\'ll haveta leave.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Oh.\\xa0 I see.\\xa0 Thank you.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [uncomfortable]\\xa0\\xa0 Right.\\xa0 Just find us one of them schools, woudja?

MUSIC

OUTSIDE

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [talking to a crowd] Much as it pains me to have to do this, um, I reckon there ain\'t no way to solve this problem til we drive out the spirits here.

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Where is the girl?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 She\'s a coming.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 DOOR OPENS

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Speak of the devil.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 SEVERAL PEOPLE WALKING OUT ON WOOD

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Please!\\xa0 What are you going to do?

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I protest!\\xa0 I don\'t think this is safe!

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [muttered] We got any other company?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 The wishwells never went very far.\\xa0 Just out of sight, then circled back.\\xa0 They\'re behind the barn.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Good.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Red appears to be in his allotted position.\\xa0 Hank is nowhere to be seen.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Hmph.\\xa0 [up]\\xa0 Get on over here miss.

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\'m scared!

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It gots to be done.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Be strong, Melody.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 No arguments?\\xa0 Hmm.\\xa0 I sense a reconciliation in the family.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Harmony ain\'t no bad thing.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Rather goes with melody, actually.

MELODY \\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0What is it you plan to do?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Gon\' drive the evil sprits out.\\xa0 Need you to stand right here, miss.\\xa0 Don\'t move a muscle.\\xa0 You got me?

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Emma!\\xa0 I don\'t want to do this!

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Melody, there ain\'t no choice.\\xa0 Not no more.

SULLIVAN \\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0I agree with the young lady - I feel this is too dangerous.

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Dangerous?\\xa0 Wh-what\'s a-going to happen?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [commanding but not being mean] Stand still, and let the man do his work.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 All y\'all back on the porch now, if\'n you please.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 FEET

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Now miss, if you\'ll hold yerself real still.

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\'ll do my best.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 GUNSHOT, HITS WOOD

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [screams!]

\\xa0

[break?]

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Be careful!

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What did you do that for?\\xa0

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\'m shooting the ghosts.\\xa0 That\'s why you gotta hold real still.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 GUNSHOT

MELODY \\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0[gasp]\\xa0 You nearly hit me!

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 The wishwells are getting closer.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Good.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 THREE GUNSHOTS

MELODy\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [scream of pain!]

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What\'s that?\\xa0 You said you wouldn\'t hurt her!\\xa0 Is that blood?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That\'s jest splinters.\\xa0 Stay back.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 TWO GUNSHOTS

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [scream]

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Nooooooooo!

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 RUNNING FEET, SLOW MO

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 GUNSHOT

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [argh!\\xa0 Death rattle]

MELODy\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [scream, death rattle]

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [dry] Two with one shot.\\xa0 Oh my.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [screaming]

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 RUNNING FEET

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Mr. Cartland, hold your wife.\\xa0 Mr. Baker?

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [flustered] um, um - yes.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You got any doctoring?

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Yes, yes, of course.\\xa0 I\'ll check on them.

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [coming roaring in]\\xa0 Nooo!

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What the devil you doing here, Wishwell?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Stay back, there.\\xa0 Let the doctor do his business.

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Wallace!\\xa0 Damn you, you sidewinder! \\xa0You are a dead man!

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 GUNS DRAW

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You ain\'t steppin in this time, Cartland!

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 If I just saw what just happened, you kin have him.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [Unconcerned]\\xa0 Afore you start throwin lead, mebbe you two should take some of the blame on yerselves.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What?

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You can go to blazes!

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 If you two weren\'t such prickly porcupines on the subject of them kids getting married, none of this woulda ever happened.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That\'s who she wanted to marry?\\xa0 And he\'s a wishwell?

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 He\'s my youngest, you son of a buzzard.\\xa0 Sent him off back east to school, make a better man of him.\\xa0 And now all that\'s ashes.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 He ain\'t a reverend, then?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Goodness, they\'re a bit slow.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Hush, now!\\xa0 Now you two can be joined in your misery, like you might have been joined by them kids.\\xa0 Only damn fool you gotta hate now is me.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 He ain\'t said they\'re dead.\\xa0 Doctor?

BAKER\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [calling] I\'m doing what I can.

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 My son? \\xa0Is he still with us?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Hold it.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 GUN COCKS

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You stay out my way.

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 SHOTGUN RACKED

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I think you better drop that gun Mr. Wishwell.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\'ll go and--

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 No, sir.\\xa0 You wait too.\\xa0 With all due respect.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 If them kids survive this, you let em marry?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 They\'re too young.\\xa0 She is, anyway.

[don\'t forget the bit about sullivan not being as old as the moustasche and beard make him look]

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You just don\'t wanna lose half the ranch.

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I got plans for that half the ranch.\\xa0 I got it planned right up til she comes of age.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Mebbe if they can marry, she can leave you in charge til she comes of age.\\xa0 Let you carry through your plans.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 None of this matters!\\xa0 Let me go to my sister!

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Lem?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Give em sumpin to live for, you two.\\xa0 Make this up.\\xa0 Tell them they ain\'t gotta be dead to be together.

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You think that would help?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I been near dead once or twice, and havin hope is a mighty fine thing.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Bart?\\xa0 Please let her, Bart!\\xa0 If you don\'t care to give Melody some hope, give me some!

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 If Wishwell agrees that I keep control for five more years.

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 We\'re gonna have to set this down in writin.

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 There ain\'t no time fer writing now!\\xa0\\xa0 [sharp]\\xa0 You say it!\\xa0 Both of you!

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Fine.\\xa0 Melody!\\xa0 If\'n you can hear me, you listen.\\xa0 I\'m telling you, you can marry that... boy.\\xa0 We got it all worked out at this end.

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Wallace?\\xa0 Fight Wallace!\\xa0 You idjit, jumping in front of a bullet fer a girl!\\xa0 But you can have her if you want her.\\xa0 Izzat good?

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You all gonna put down yer guns now?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That sounds fine.\\xa0 What you\'all think?

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [perfectly fine] I think it sounds good.\\xa0 But I gotta have a real fine dress.\\xa0 Understand?

EMMA\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 [astonished] Melody?\\xa0

MELODY\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\'m all right.

SULLIVAN\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 We\'re both just fine.

WISHWELL\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Well... Damn!

CARTLAND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 All right, somebody better start explaining.

RED\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Lem?\\xa0 Lem?

MUSIC

SOUND\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 RIDING SLOWLY

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Much as I hate walkin the horses by moonlight--

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I do think it\'s best to get while the getting is good.\\xa0 Do you think they will keep their promises?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Got witnesses enough between Baker and Red.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Whatever happened to Hank?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That was probly me - I think I suspected his belt buckle too loudly and he took fright.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Paid to tell a tale?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Ayup.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Solomon to Prince Escalus in one step.\\xa0 I\'m impressed.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What are you jabberin on about?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That back there was Romeo and Juliet, was it not?

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Mebbe just a little.\\xa0 [beat] You ever done any of them plays?

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Oh, yes.\\xa0 School.\\xa0

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You gotta be the one in the dress?\\xa0 Like you were sayin?\\xa0 You got a voice that might could pass.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Oh... [dropping voice as low as possible] No.\\xa0 Actually, I often was the lead.\\xa0 I even played romeo.\\xa0 I was rather good at learning lines.\\xa0 Of course, someone always had to put on the dress.\\xa0 Boys and girls do not attend school together - not our sort of boys and girls, anyway.

LEM\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Seems like puttin a hat on a pig.

FANSHAW\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 No.\\xa0 It\'s just "theater."

END

\\xa0

'