Reflections script - Act 3 (The Young Riders)

ACT 3

FADE IN

7. Int. Marshal’s Office – next afternoon

Start with close up on cell bars then pull out to reveal Lou sitting outside again attempting to talk to the girl. The girl is seated in her cot.

LOU

Sooner or later someone’s going to come looking for you.

No response.

LOU

I know you were just defending yourself.

GIRL

And how do you know that?

LOU

My guess is, he wanted something you weren’t ready to give and

when he tried to force you, you fought back.

No response.

LOU

We can’t help you if you don’t tell us what happened. That badge

doesn’t make him above the law. We can protect you.

GIRL

Like I said, there’s nothing you can do.

Lou stands from her seat and exits the office.

8. Ext. Marshal’s office – immediately after

Lou joins Teaspoon and Jimmy already outside.

LOU

Still no luck.

JIMMY

What do we do with her?

TEASPOON

Can’t do much until someone comes looking. All we can do is

keep her here for now.

Focus shifts to Buck and Cody who approach the threesome.

BUCK

Got a sheriff just road into town with a posse.

CODY

(to Lou)

She tell you anything?

Lou shakes her head.

9. Ext. Main Street through Rock Creek – same time

We see four men on horse back being lead by a fifth wearing what appears to be a Sheriff’s badge. They trot their way up to the front of the Marshal’s office where the Express riders await them. The Sheriff approaches and dismounts. The other four men remain mounted.

SHERIFF

I’m looking for a young girl named Genevieve Williams.

Sheriff hands Teaspoon a wanted poster.

TEASPOON

And you are?

SHERIFF

Sheriff Mackenzie out of Willow Springs. Miss Williams there

killed our Sheriff Buford and I’m looking to bring her to justice.

LOU

And how are you going to do that?

MACKENZIE

We’ll be bringing her back to Willow Springs and then on to Fort

Kearney for trial. Then we’ll hang her.

LOU

Seems to me that you’ve already convicted her.

MACKENZIE
(ignoring Lou)

So Marshal, have you seen her?

TEASPOON

She’s inside the office.

LOU

Teaspoon.

TEASPOON

Lou, they say they’re taking her to trial. I have to believe that they are.

Teaspoon leads Mackenzie into the office as the rest wait outside. Soon we see Genevieve being brought out in handcuffs with Mackenzie guiding her out of the front door.

MACKENZIE

Marshal thank you for your help.

LOU

I’m going with you.

MACKENZIE

Young man, we have all the help we need. I don’t think a little

girl is going to require anyone else.

LOU

That may be so, but I’m gonna make sure that little girl gets the

trial she deserves.

MACKENZIE

Young man…

Teaspoon interrupts.

TEASPOON

Sheriff, I have to agree with Lou here. Miss Williams was our

prisoner and I think it only fitting that some of my boys make

sure she gets to where she’s going.

Mackenzie reluctantly agrees. He mounts his horse as Genevieve mounts one as well. The riders gather around Teaspoon.

TEASPOON

Something feels funny to me. I want all of you going along.

CODY

All of us?

TEASPOON

Yes. If something happens I don’t know how many guns you

might need. If it was as simple as he says it is, he wouldn’t have

brought that many men with him. Besides, if I’m wrong, you at

least get to keep Lou company.

The group pulls apart and all four head in the direction of the Express Station. Camera follows the riders as they walk.

JIMMY

What’s so special about this girl, Lou?

LOU

You would never understand.

Lou pulls ahead of him as she leads the way for the rest of the riders. They reach the stables.

10. Ext. Marshal’s office – 10 minutes later

Riders join up with the awaiting posse. Teaspoon waves them on as they all turn and ride out of Rock Creek. Camera follows the riders out. Close up on Teaspoon as he watches.

TEASPOON
(in a whisper)

Ride safe, boys.

11. Ext. Terrain – night

All the riders have laid out their bed rolls around a lit fire. As we pan around the fire we find that Lou has set her bedroll to the left of Genevieve and Jimmy is to the left of her. Some of Mackenzie’s posse have gone to sleep though he has not. He stares at the two from across the fire.

GENEVIEVE
(in a whisper)

Afraid to take off that jacket? Think they might figure it out?

LOU

Figure what out?

GENEVIEVE
(with a chuckle)

You don’t have to worry. With me here, they won’t be looking at you.

LOU

Seems like you’re pretty sure of yourself.

GENEVIEVE

Experience.

LOU

Aren’t you a little young for that experience?

Pause.

GENEVIEVE

Gotta grow up some time.

Genevieve turns away from Lou as she attempts to fall asleep. Lou keeps her gaze on Genevieve as the camera pans to Jimmy who has obviously overheard their conversation. He pulls his attention away from them and closes his eyes.

12. Ext. Terrain – later that night

Close up on Genevieve through the fire. A hand reaches up being placed over her mouth. She quickly wakes up and is pulled to her feet by one of the posse members. A knife comes from around her back and to her throat.

MEMBER

You make a sound and I’ll kill you.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT 3