Episode 8 - Suffer the Little Children

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(In the gem, Jewel is busy scrubbing at the bloodstain on the floor. Upstairs in Al’s office, Dan is sitting across from Al, who is sitting at his desk. Dan is picking at a spot on the tie he is wearing.)

Al: You might, Dan, want to learn how to indicate interest in a girl, other than murderin’ another person.

Dan: I apologize for the disruption, and the free drinks you had to give out, restorin’ order.

EB: Jesus Christ, it’s false dawn, Al. False dawn already. If we’re gonna act, we should do it in darkness.

Al: Where’s the fucking whore?

EB: Well, wherever Trixie is, we know what we need to. Bullock’s four square behind the New York woman. The question’s do we act? And to me, the course is clear.

Al: Well, what’s the course?

EB: Murder them where they sleep! The New York woman and Bullock both.

Al: Dan. Loan EB your knife. (Dan reaches to his side for his knife)

EB: Now, I won’t brandish the knife. But I’ll wield a pass key at the widow’s door. As for Bullock, he sleeps on his store’s second floor. And I’ll steady a ladder, Dan, at that wall. While you climb up and bushwhack him. Then, with them dead and disposed of we forge a predated bill of sale. Take possession of the claim. With the allocated percentages of ownership previously agreed to in our internal discussions. And don’t spend a fuckin’ dollar in the process! (E.B. has a clever, proud, excited look on his face. Al and Dan look at each other like he’s gone nuts) Bold? I suppose. But when boldness is called for, bold men do not shrink.

Al: That’s what the ‘B’ in E.B. Farnum stands for.

Dan: Bold

Al: You’re goddamned right.

EB: Say it, Al. Say the fuckin’ words my bones already know. You’re gonna back off on that fuckin’ claim.

(Gunshots ring out in the street, we hear a yelling and cheering outside. Al, EB and Dan go to the balcony.)

Rider1: We ‘brung’ it, sir. Vaccine for the “smallpox” secured in Cheyenne.

Al: Well done, fellas. And congratulations on the entire fuckin’ settlement. EB, get downstairs and get these heroes what they’re owed.

EB: Yes, sir. $50 a man.

Al: Yeah, and if you don’t spend it in my joint I’ll turn the mornin’ over to weepin’.

Rider1: Aw, you won’t shed nary a tear on our account, Mr. Swearengen.

Al: Vaccine to Doc Cochran in the pest tent.

Rider2: And We’ll be toastin’ a treaty too with the fuckin’ heathens.

Al: Explain yourself.

Rider2: Hell, they’ve all been called back to the agency, we heard that in Cheyenne.

Al: Are they goin’s the fuckin’ question.

Rider2: Fuck yeah they are.

Rider1: That’s the word in Cheyenne. Red Cloud and Spotted Tail are leadin’ their people in.

Al: Dan, 10 dollars in bonus credits across the board for these heroes. 10 in pussy, 10 in faro, 10 in booze.

Rider1: God bless you, Mr. Swearengen!

Al: Well, not likely. But my short term prospect’s just improved.

(Al goes back into his office from the balcony. EB is inside, waiting for him.)

EB: Say the words, so I can let the dream die.

Al: EB did you not hear the fucking news? Did you not listen to the fucking news? The plague’s end in prospect. And so’s peace with the fucking dirt worshippers. (Al opens the shutters leading to his bedroom from his office. He waves EB in.) Come here, come here. Sit down. The dam…has broken, young man. And only ourselves can fuck up. For we are about to be swimmin’ in money. And how could we fuck up? By engaging in open fucking bloodletting. And right here at hand, in our very hour of need, is the priggish fucking douche bag Bullock. Who only wants to sell pots and pans, fan his pretty face and hold his nose from the stench of our fuckin’ sordid carryings on over here. All the time thinking he can protect the meek and innocent. The perfect fucking front man, and you wanna kill him? Much as we might want the widow’s claim, it’s a luxury now to forego. EB, find yourself somewhere to lie down ‘til the feeling passes, huh?

EB: First, I’ll go give the hoople-heads their money. (Stands up and leaves)

Al: Thank you.

(Takes off his vest, lays down on the bed and begins to undo his pants. Johnny enters the office and looks over at Al, on the bed)

Al: You go find that fucking whore.

(Johnny gives Al a thumbs up hand signal.)

Al: What the fuck is this? Huh? (Imitates Johnny’s hand signals)

Johnny: (hoarsely) I lost my voice.

(Joanie’s room at the Bella Union. There is a knocking at her door. When she opens the door, Flora is standing there, frightened)

Joanie: What happened?

Flora: I seen somethin’ bad.

Joanie: Come in. Here, sit down. (Flora sits down on the bed)

Flora: I seen somethin’ at the place my brother works. A man was stabbed and killed right in front of me. (Joanie pours a drink) One man said he didn’t like the way the other man was lookin’ at me and he stabbed and killed him. (Flora looks up at Joanie with big doe eyes and as she is looking up at Joanie, she takes off her shawl.)

Joanie: Drink this. (Hands Flora the drink) Where’s your brother now? (Flora drinks some whiskey, she’s looking down at her hands.)

Flora: We got a room. (Looks up at Joanie with those big eyes again) I’ll go in a minute.

Joanie: It’s alright, Flora. (Joanie sits down on the bed next to Flora)

Flora: I just come to say…I don’t know if I can do this. It’s horrible! It’s one thing leads to another, and you never know when it’s gonna happen.

Joanie: But mostly, you can steer it, sweetheart, and when it’s going to get to where you can’t, you get just a little notice, just a couple of seconds, before the one thing turns into the other. It’s like a funny smell comes into the air. And then you know, there’s no more steering and get the hell out of the way.

Flora: I smelled it in the saloon.

Joanie: And did you get out of the way in time? (Flora nods and starts to cry) It’s alright, it’s alright. (Flora puts her head down in Joanie’s lap)

Flora: Miles doesn’t know nothin’. He didn’t smell nothin’ and didn’t know nothin’ about what to do.

Joanie: Alright, I know.

Flora: Can I stay? Can I sleep here with you just this last little while before we have to get up?

Joanie: Yeah, you can sleep here with me.

(Flora sits up, takes off her boots, undoes her camisole)

Flora: Can you help? (Turns her back to Joanie, who helps her undress very tenderly, the two of them wind up snuggled in bed)

(Morning, in the street, people are lined up in front of the hardware store for their smallpox shots. Andy Cramed is manning the booth.)

Andy: Name?

Hoople head: Boland

Andy: Make your mark.

(Balcony of the Bella Union, across the way, Cy and Eddie are watching Andy at the sign in desk.)

Cy:Saint Andy Cramed. All that’s missin’ are the scourges and flays.

Eddie: Maybe they’re under his shirt.

(Cy laughs, Andy gazes up to them on the balcony…Inside the hardware store, Doc & Jane are giving the shots.)

Doc: Kind of you to let us work out of the horseshit and flies.

Seth:Sure.

(Utter gets his shot, and stands up )

Utter: Oh. Uh-oh. (Falls over)

Jane: Jesus Christ! (Jane looks over at the Doc, he just looks at her, and looks back down at what he was doing)

(Johnny Burns sits down in the Chair in front of Doc, ready for his shot)

Johnny: (Hoarsely) Ha-have you seen Trixie, Doc?

Doc: What?

Johnny: (Puts his fingers in a triangle shape over his groin. Hoarsely again:) Trixie.

Doc: No. (Sticks him with the needle – Johnny gets up and starts to head for the door.) Tea and Honey.

Johnny: For this? (Motions to his arm)

Doc: You are a stupid sonofabitch. (Seth is looking at Johnny)

Sol: Yeah, the traffic’s a boon, Seth. Brought $27 already from yesterday’s entire proceeds.

Seth: Good. (Seth walks out, after Johnny.)

Jane: Pitiful Specimen you are. (Jane helps Utter stand back up)

Utter: It wasn’t a pin prick. I ain’t ate.

Jane: Really. Strange you never keeled over when we was hungry on the fuckin’ trail.

Seth: (Outside, following Johnny) Your boss speak to you about sending me an assayer this morning?

Johnny: (hoarsely) Um, no, sir. He didn’t. But I will, remind him once I finish his errand…got one..I only got one place left to look. (Seth looks over into the line and sees Alma with Sophia) Bella Union and that’s our competition. Well, I’ll tell him what you said.

(Johnny heads over to the Bella Union and Seth walks over to Alma)

Seth: Good Mornin’.

Alma: Good Morning, Mr. Bullock.

Seth: You’ve come to have the child inoculated?

Alma: Yes, and to tell you, for reasons we needn’t explore, that my plans have changed. As soon as I can arrange transportation, (Seth looks away, confused) I’ll return with the child to New York City.

Seth: (Looking back at Alma, intensely) Why needn’t we explore your reasons?

Alma: Because, Mr. Bullock, I’ve already quite sufficiently imposed upon you my private reasons and facts. (Seth looks confused, he looks like he wants to say something, begins to open his mouth, but Alma cuts him off.) As regards to the claim, my husband purchased before his murder, I’m inclined to accept the last bid from Mr. Swearengen’s hand puppet. And I would be very grateful if you would tell Mr. Farnum so, as speaking to him directly makes me ill. (Seth smiles.)

Seth: I’m gonna assay your claim, Mrs. Garrett. I promised Mr. Hickok and I promised you.

Alma: I released you from your promise to me yesterday and today I specifically instruct you not to keep it.

Seth: And you do tend to change your mind. And the first promise, you weren’t a party to. (Steps in front of her) Why don’t you get the child inoculated? I’ll go about my business, and we’ll revisit the whole mess subsequently. (Seth walks away, Alma looks confused at first, then she smiles.)

(Gem, Dan and Al are downstairs. Dan is sitting down listening to Al who is pacing as he is talking, drinking coffee.)

Al: Don’t fuckin’ lead Ellsworth right to it so he can hoop and holler and hail fuckin’ Bullock. You walk around. You’re discouraged. (Looks up) It’s not even worth it to make the steep ascent.

Dan: I start from below?

Al: You start at the fucking creek. What, do you want to start at the fucking cliff and the three of you leap the fuck off holding hands? (Seth enters) Top of the mornin’!

Dan: (Gets up, strapping on his belt) I’m to lead you to the widow Garrett’s claim.

Seth: You’re the assayer?

Dan: Nope. Ahh. I’m to take you to him.

Al: He’s one claim over. Nice fuckin’ guy and a dead eye for the fuckin’ color.

Dan: Ellsworth.

Al: Ellsworth, is absolutely right.

Dan: Well come on! (Seth turns his head for a moment, looks back at Al with raised eyebrows, turns & they leave.)

(Hardware store)

Alma: I was inoculated some time ago, but I thought she should be treated before our trip.

Doc: I am delighted you’re taking her with you.

Alma: It - it was Trixie (Sol looks over, ears perked) who made me realize my reasons for staying weren’t sound.

Doc: Glad she succeeded where I failed.

Alma: I intend to write her a note of profound thanks. I hope that you’ll deliver it to her at Mr. Swearengen’s saloon.

Doc: Is that where she went when she left you?

Alma: Yes. I—I certainly assume so.

(Doc sticks his tongue out at Sophia She laughs, he sticks her with the vaccine, she frowns at him.)

Doc: Sorry, I’m sorry, honey. It’s all over. (To Alma) When will you be leaving? (Sol is still looking at Alma, he looks away, then back)

Alma: As quickly as is practical.

Doc: Mr. Utter can see to your travel arrangements. Soon as he, gets his wits back, I’ll send him to you.

Alma: Thank you doctor. Thank you for everything.

(They leave – Sol approaches Doc from behind as they both watch Alma leave)

Sol: What did she say about Trixie?

Doc: Nothin’.

(Jewel approaches Al in the Gem dining room with more coffee.)

Al: How’d you do with that bloodstain?

Jewel: I scrubbed it real hard.

Al: Did I ask you how hard you fuckin’ scrubbed it?

Jewel: No.

Al: No. I asked if you got it out. (Walking over to the stain) Get me the fuckin’ scrub brush. (Muttering to himself) Every fuckin’ thing I gotta do myself, huh? (Louder) Where is she?

Jewel: Trixie?

Al: No Queen fuckin’ Victoria.

Jewel: (Pokes her head out of the back room) Last I saw her was yesterday when she came to see you.

Al: Just get me the fuckin’ scrub brush. (muttering again) Gives her word she’ll return. Where the fuck is she, huh? (Jewel is back with the scrub brush and pail of water) What’d she say to you when you saw her?

Jewel: She said her pussy hurt where you grabbed it.

Al: That has a ring of fuckin’ truth.

Jewel: She said you nearly killed her.

Al: She said to me she’d be right back. (Starts to scrub the stain) A fools fuckin’ errand anyway. (Scrubing) I found out what I needed to know when I looked in that cocksucker Bullock’s eyes while Dority was spilling blood. That you have failed to adequately clean up.

Jewel: You want me to do some more?

Al: No, shut the fuck up. (Pauses the scrubbing) Now, what’s she doin’?? She makin’ a point? No grabbin’ at the cunt? Is that what she said to you?

Jewel: No.

Al: I mean, y—you-- she told you, right, that I grabbed her. Did-did she have an attitude about it?

Jewel: She didn’t have an attitude she just said her pussy hurt.

Al: Agh. Point’s made with the snatch grabs, okay. (still scrubbing) 50 other fuckin’ things I should be payin’ attention to, rosiest prospects of my career, (Johnny enters) and here I am on my fuckin’ hands and knees discussing snippets of information with a fuckin’ gimp! There! (Stands up, throws scrub brush in the pail) Now that’s how you scrub a fuckin’ blood stain.

Johnny: I couldn’t find Trixie. (Arms open, shoulders in a shrug)

Al: (To Jewel) You see her, you send her the fuck back to me. ‘Cause if I see her outside she’ll wish I had fucking killed her before.

Johnny: That shot didn’t hurt too bad, Al. But it fuckin’ itches!

Al: Yeah? Good.

Johnny: You had your shot yet kid?

Miles: (Taking down chairs) Not yet. The line was too long and I did not want to be late for work.

Al: Open for business. And talk like him until further instructed.

Miles: (Hoarsely) Yes, sir.

(We see Jewel put away the pail)

(Doc enters his cabin – sees Trixie on the ground)

Doc: Aww, Jesus. Trixie? (Sees the needle and the bottle of laudanum on the ground next to her, picks them up and puts them out of the way.) Goddamn it Trixie, wake up. Wake up. Trixie, (Knocking on door) Trixie, wake up. (Knocking)

Merrick: Doc, Doc.

Doc: What?!

Merrick: Doc! (Enters)

Doc: Stay the fuck over there!

Merrick: It’s A.W., Doc.

Doc: Stay the fuck over there anyway.

Merrick: Aw, I don’t take your bad temper personally, Doc. The hours you’re working would try a saint.

Doc: (Slowly) What do you want?

Merrick: I’m in pain, Doc. In the small of my back, which I’m aware is a precursor symptom. (Doc is checking his eyes, feeling his forehead and turns him away so his back is to the wall)

Doc: When did the pain start?

Merrick: Am I warm?

Doc: Answer the question.

Merrick: Well, it’s become more concentrated and severe. (Doc slaps him) Why did you strike me?

Doc: To secure your attention. When did the pain start?

Merrick: The original pain I’ve lived with for quite some time. But in this last period it’s become much more concentrated and severe. In viewing the context of this outbreak, I knew I should consult you, ow!

Doc: Well, you don’t have a fever.

Merrick: I don’t?

Doc: No. You put on weight?

Merrick: May I ask that query’s relevance?

Doc: It’s harder on your back as you get fatter. (Merrick considers this)

Merrick: So in concert with the symptoms I’m already exhibiting, you’d say be alert for fever? (Doc pushing Merrick out)

Doc: And work hard on your paper, and get yourself inoculated.

Merrick: Uh-huh.

Doc: And try to eat less!

(Slams the door, pushes a chair under the knob to keep it secure. Walks back over to Trixie and lifts her up into the crook of his arm, supporting her in a more upright sitting position-still on the floor)

Doc: You botched this job pretty good, didn’t you young lady? (Pinches her wrist, she reacts) Now, you listen to me, if you want, I will do the job for you right. But first, I want you to know that that rich woman is leaving town and she told me that she would take you with her. And I know that you thought enough of that woman to help her get off this – this stuff that you tried to use to kill yourself with. But what I don’t know is – is if you wanted to die period, or ‘cus you thought you didn’t have a way outta here ‘cus you DO (squeeze her hand) have a way out. (Trixie squeezes his hand) Is that a vote for New York City? (She squeezes his hand again) Alright, then. (Squeezes her hand, shaking).

(Flora wakes up, Joanie is still sleeping next to her. She takes Joanie’s hand off her and sits up. She gets out of bed and starts to dress, a hard look on her face.. Joanie opens her eyes and sees the look on Flora’s face as she is dressing. Flora leaves. Cy is coming down the stairs when he hears Flora shut the door to Joanie’s room. He stops at the top of the stairs and looks at her…)

Flora: Morning, Mr. Tolliver.

Cy: Morning, Flora. I swear I saw you leave last night after your shift.

Flora: I come back. A man was murdered where my brother works, at the Gem saloon. And I got scared.

Cy: You saw it, honey?

Flora: Yes, sir. I was there picking my brother up.

Cy: Well, you’re brave to even be in a joint like that. (Joanie comes out of her room…) And after, sought refuge with Joanie, did you?

Flora: Yes, sir.

Cy: No better port in a storm.

Flora: Anyways, I’ll go change.

Cy: Good girl. Good for you. (Flora starts downstairs, passing Cy) You settled in real good, Flora.

Flora: (Stops, turns to look back at Cy) Thank you, sir. (Continues on downstairs)

Cy: Mmm-mmm, Joanie Stubbs. Is that a fresh scalp I see hangin’ from your belt?

Joanie: She saw a gutting last night. She was upset. I held her.

Terrance: (to Flora downstairs) I was watching for you (Cy and Joanie look down) at the door, Flora, but here you are, already inside.

Flora: Not working yet, Terrance.

Cy: Poor thing. Adjustin’ so smooth to losin’ her cherry and yet that upset by blood.

Joanie: She lost her cherry back home, Cy. I told you that.

Terrance: Gonna put your garters on now?

(Flora says nothing and enters the whore’s room. Once inside, Flora pauses, turns, we see two whores sitting on a couch. One is rouging her nipples, the other is busy eating.)

Flora: I’ll give you two dollars for that apple and a piece of cheese.

(The whore quickly stops eating, grabs the money)

Other Whore: It’s my knife. You wanna buy that?

Flora: I’ve got a fucking knife.

(The hungry whore hands her the apple and cheese. Flora turns and leaves, entering the main part of the Bella Union. Joanie & Cy are still talking on the stairs.)

Flora: I’ll just be a second. And take my brother his lunch.

Cy: Sure, honey. (Flora smiles and leaves) Unless she ain’t upset at all.

(Out in the street, Flora stops to study the Bella Union’s exterior architecture, noting the balcony and windows…)

Terrance: What happened now, Flora? I thought you was changin’ into your garters.

Flora: You geek-looking fuck. Get away from me before I cut your fucking heart out. (Terrance turns and looks at Flora – surprised)

(In Alma’s room – she is packing. There’s a knock at the door…)

Doc: It’s Doctor Cochran.

(Alma heads to the door – gesturing to Sophia on the way. Sophia stands up and faces the door…)

Alma: (Opening the door) Doctor.

Doc: Trixie tried to commit suicide with laudanum.

Alma: My God. (Sophia turns and heads across the room)

Doc: She punctured her vein. (Sophia stops and turns) That’s the only reason why she’s still alive.

(They both turn and see Sophia watching. Alma smiles at her and closes one of the interior doors)

Alma: Who’s with her?

Doc: No one at the goddamn moment is with her, Mrs. Garrett. Her situation in this camp isn’t such that that would be safe. Which is why, while trying to dissuade her from future efforts at murdering herself, I told a fib, invoking your name. And willingness to take her with you on your trip.

Alma: Last night, Doctor, I made that very offer to Trixie. She refused. (Doc looks at her – momentarily stunned) More precisely, I offered to send Trixie to New York with the child to make the appropriate introductions to my family, and to pay to see them established.

(Sophia crosses the room, the other half of the interior door is still open, she moves to watch…)

Doc: Is it possible, Mrs. Garrett, that leaving this camp and heading to New York City in—in service to you and the child might, to a girl like Trixie, appear a more realistic proposition than being dispatched on some cruel masquerade?

Alma: (Eyes downcast, she shakes her head, she looks Doc in the eye…) Please tell her she’s welcome. Tell her she’s necessary. If her indisposition doesn’t preclude it, I’d be happy to tell her myself.

Doc: Thank you, madam.

(Doc leaves – Alma sits down looking sad , she looks up and sees Sophia watching her)

(At the claim, the men are negotiating the rocky terrain as they ascend. Bullock is in the lead with Dan and Ellsworth trailing behind…)

Ellsworth: If I’m to get my throat cut, Dan, I’d rather not exert myself further. If I have any choice in the matter, I’d prefer one behind the ear.

Dan: Keep climbing, Ellsworth. You’re off the hook for seein’ that New York dude’s accident.

Ellsworth: When Swearengen was moved to trust, I know you spoke for me hard.

Dan: Well, I didn’t – just didn’t speak against you. You might try takin’ a gander over to your right.

Ellsworth: You don’t have to tell me where to fuckin’ look.

Seth: If you’re the goddamn assayer, shouldn’t I be followin’ you?

(Dan smiles at Ellsworth)

Ellsworth: Head on back down, Mr. Bullock. We think we found a formation worth lookin’ at.

(Dan gestures excitedly for Seth to come see. Seth merely raises his eyebrows and looks up)

(Back at the Gem, Flora has just entered…)

Al: Young lady, thank Christ. I’d feared after the murder you’d shun us.

Flora: I come for lunch with Miles.

Al: Well, bless you then for bein’ a caring sister. Miles!

Miles: (Coming out from the back) Sir?

Al: Miles, you lucky sonofabitch. Your sister’s here with your lunch. She brought you a fresh apple and some kind of delicacy wrapped in swaddling. (Miles nods, Flora looks down and sees she’s standing on the stain and steps back) I’ve been scrubbing that bloodstain all mornin’, and the cripple has, too. Miles situate your sister to spare her to stand at that fuckin’ stain, huh?

(Miles grabs Flora by the arm and leads her over to a table…)

Flora: Let’s do it.

Miles: Now?

Flora: Now, and get the fuck outta here.

Miles: What if—Flora, if we do it slow and right we’re 50 miles gone before anyone knows we blew.

Flora: My boss is onto me.

Miles: Savvy operator from Chicago and you could tell he’s onto you?

Flora: Savvy enough that he didn’t crack, and I still could fuckin’ tell.

Miles: (Pauses, looking at Al) You’re full of shit. You want to do it fast and dirty so you have to cut somebody’s throat. This joint, you want to take?

Flora: (shakes her head) Where I work.

Miles: Where your boss is onto you?

Flora: I can move the dyke. Held me in her arms all night like I was a little fuckin’ kid.

Miles: Can I assume there’s a fuckin’ plan?

(Flora stabs a piece of apple with her knife and eats it off the blade, staring at Miles)

(Seth enters the hotel lobby)

EB: Mr. Bullock, what ho?

Seth: Mrs. Garrett’s room.

EB: Uh, number two.

(EB studies Seth as he walks up the stairs to Alma’s room. Seth knocks on the door, Alma opens it)

Seth: Don’t sell, Mrs. Garrett.

(Alma looks at him quizzically, he opens his saddle bag and she looks inside. She can’t speak, she holds her index finger up indicating for Seth to wait a moment, she goes back inside to Sophia)

Alma: Darling…um, uh, I-I’m going to be unspeakably rude and leave you here alone for just a moment, while I go downstairs with Mr. Bullock, who’s just arrived with the most interesting news, and whom I—I can’t receive here in my room, particularly with you present, for reasons too boring and complex to explain. So I’m going to go downstairs to speak with Mr. Bullock in Mr. Farnum’s absurd restaurant. And then I’ll come back up and we will continue to ready our leaving. Alright, darling? I’ll be in the restaurant for just one moment. Can I bring you a glass of milk? (Sophia just looks at her) Alright. I-I’ll be right back.

(Alma leaves the room, she and Seth head downstairs…)

EB: May I enquire as to the assay’s outcome?

Seth: Ask the owner.

EB: Mrs. Garrett?

Alma: (Turns to Seth) Is the technical term bonanza?

Seth: That’s the look of it.

Alma: It’s a bonanza, Mr. Farnum.

EB: I see. Congratulations. Mmm-mm-mm (EB looks a little sick)

(Sitting at a table in the restaurant…)

Seth: Does the find change your mind at all about New York City?

Alma: (hesitates) I can’t see why it would.

Seth: I can’t, either, but I don’t count.

Alma: Of course you count. Why wouldn’t you?

Seth: ‘Cause your changes of mind come so quick and often, I can’t keep up. I can’t understand what changed your mind from yesterday when it was made up to stay.

Alma: I was made to understand last night that my reasons for wanting to stay have been completely selfish.

Seth: By who?

Alma: Trixie. (Seth’s eyes gaze down) Uh-uh, I-I’d offered to send her to New York City with the child, where Trixie, I’ve since come to realize, would be completely unsuited. And because I wished to stay here unencumbered when I should be caring for the child.

Seth: Why can’t you care for her here?

(Their eyes meet…)

(At the Gem…)

Al: Where the fuck is he?

Dan: Said he was gonna go tell the widow of her find.

Al: How the fuck long does it take to tell her?

Dan: I don’t know, Al, I’m here with you. (Wiping his face with a towel)

Al: What, are you getting’ smart with me now?

Dan: No. (Wipes his neck off – shaking his head)

Al: Cocksucker Bullock. When you can’t stand the sight of him, he’s nowhere but underfoot.

Miles: Sir, my sister was told of a man who resembles our father’s photograph down by Lead. And I’d be grateful if this afternoon I could go look and maybe I could take a night shift to make up.

Al: If I said no, I’d hope you’d walk out and go lookin’ anyway. Then seek a new job elsewhere after.

Miles: That’s what I’d do, sir.

Al: Alright, kid. Go look for him. Tell Arnette at the livery stable I’ll stand metal for the horse.

Dan: If your sister looks with you, tell Arnette I’m good for her mount.

(Al looks at Dan, one eyebrow raised)

Miles: So you think it’s a good idea to go?

Al: It’s why the fuck you’re here, isn’t it?

Miles: Right. I’m gonna go get the horses then.

Al: Permission to leave the bar, trooper. (Al salutes, Miles salutes back)

Miles: Thanks to both of you.

(They both look at Miles quizzically, as Miles leaves, Seth enters…)

Al: Ah, struck rich for the widow, huh, Bullock? Free drink! (Al grabs a bottle and two shot glasses, pours them, does a shot) Big, huh? (Seth drinks his) Rich and fucking thick, that vein is?

Seth: Not being expert, I can’t guess at the extent.

Al: Dan’s a fucking expert. When he’s not shit-faced drunk, so’s Ellsworth.

Seth: Well, the immediate result is she won’t be sellin’.

Al: Of course she fucking won’t. I should fucking think not, huh? Well, not for any 20,000 at least. Come here, Bullock. Come drink with your vanquished foe. (Seth raises his eyebrows, grabs his shot glass and follows Al to a table) Very good of you and Mr. Star, incidentally, to make your venue available so the hoople-heads can get vaccinated.

Seth: I was the second hoople-head stuck.

Al: Them riders that brought the vaccine say the heathens have been called back to the agency. In a spasm of good sense, they’re fuckin’ going.

Seth: I heard. (Holds his glass up to Al & drinks) Before you know it, we’ll have laws here and every other fuckin’ thing.

Al: Yeah, which brings me, Bullock, to the matter of the widow. I wanted to show you my bona fides for cooperation. If a treaty is signed, be wise for you and me to paddle in the same directions. Tics or habits of behavior either finds dislikable in the other gotta be overlooked or taken with a grain of salt.

Seth: Would your bona fides extend to Mrs. Garrett’s future safety?

Al: (Considers this remark – holds up his glass…) My oath is this: Every day that the widow sits on her ass in New York City, looks west at sunset and thinks to herself, “God bless you ignorant cocksuckers in Deadwood, who do strive mightily and at little money to add to my ever-increasing fortune,” she’ll be safe in the wiles of Al Swearengen. (Drinks)

Seth: She’s stayin’.

Al: (pauses) The oath stands as a gesture to you.

Seth: Can I take a shave over here?

Al: Please. (Seth gets up and walks to the barber chair) Barney, be careful in the uh, area of the throat, huh?