Reflections script - Act 4 (The Young Riders)

ACT 4

FADE IN

13. Ext. Wooded Area Outside of Camp – minutes later

We see the Posse Member has pulled her to the wooded area not too far from their camp site. Throwing her on the ground he holds out the knife.

MEMBER

Now we’re going to be nice and quiet or I’ll gut you. Understand?

She nods her head in understanding as he gets down on his knees in front of her. He places himself on top of her. Close up on her face as a tear escapes her eye. From behind him, two hands reach out grabbing his shirt. Pan wide showing Jimmy has pulled the Posse Member off of Genevieve and punches him in the face. Jimmy removes the knife from Posse Member’s hand as we hear the cocking of a gun in the distance. Pull back again to reveal Posse Member #2 holding a gun on Jimmy. From behind him the rest of the riders rush up.

MACKENZIE

What the hell is going on here?

Jimmy approaches Genevieve who is obviously distraught and helps her to her feet.

JIMMY

I think you need to keep a tighter leash on your men or they might wind up dead.

Lou approaches Jimmy and Genevieve putting her arm around her as they both help her out of the woods leaving everyone watching.

14. Ext. Terrain around the fire – a few minutes later

Lou and Genevieve are sitting together as the others are huddled in two separate groups (the posse and the Express riders) away from them. Jimmy approaches the two and hands Genevieve a tin cup of water.

GENEVIEVE

Why are you being so nice to me?

LOU

You seem like a girl in trouble.

JIMMY

No woman deserves to be treated that way by any man.

GENEVIEVE

I wish that were true. I’ve dealt with that most of my life.

LOU

Why didn’t you leave?

GENEVIEVE

Didn’t have much of a choice. My Pa died from the fever about a year ago.
We didn’t have any money. My brother left to try to find work and he would
send money home sometimes, but it was never enough. We needed the money
bad, so I went to our fair Sheriff to find a job and he sent me in the direction of
the saloon. Said I could make a lot of money. See, Sheriff Buford was a
gambler and a lady’s man. He eventually became my best customer.

LOU

What happened in that field?

GENEVIEVE

A week before you found me I was supposed to meet him at his office for my
nightly visit. I was passing the stables in town when I overheard someone yelling inside.
I walked up to the stable doors and heard Buford yelling at another man. He was
yelling about a poker game. Things went from yelling to a scuffle so I peeked inside.
I watched Sheriff Buford choke that man to death.

JIMMY

Why didn’t you tell anyone?

GENEVIEVE

I did. I went to Deputy Mackenzie and told him the whole story.

Who do you think told Sheriff Buford I saw him? Buford locked me in a cell the night before he took me out there. I overheard him and Mackenzie talking about getting rid of the body and that I was going to be the next one to go. That’s why he took me out there that morning. As soon as he took his eyes off me I grabbed his gun and shot him. That’s why Mackenzie wants me dead now.

LOU

We’re gonna get you away from them.

JIMMY

How do you plan on doing that?

LOU

I’ll think of something.

15. Ext. Terrain – next morning

Everyone is on horse back. The Express riders are riding to the rear as the five posse members ride in the front with Genevieve in between both groups. Close up on the Express riders.

BUCK

Why don’t we just leave it for a judge to decide?

LOU

They are never gonna let her get to that trial. If we don’t get her away
from them soon she’ll be dead before we ever reach Ft. Kearney.

CODY

How do you know that?

LOU

She watched Buford kill a man and Mackenzie helped him cover it up.
If she testifies he goes to jail.

JIMMY

Mackenzie won’t let that happen.

CODY

I hope this plan of your works.

LOU

All I know is if he gets her past Willow Springs, she’s dead.

Pan out as we watch the riders nod their heads in agreement to the plans. Pan out to again reveal all the riders.

16. Ext Express Station – late morning

We watch as two riders ride into the station. Camera follows THE KID and NOAH as they ride up to the stables.

17. Int. Bunkhouse – minutes later

The Kid and Noah enter the bunkhouse to find Jesse sitting at the table playing solitaire and eating a sandwich. He looks up to the two incoming riders.

THE KID

Where is everybody?

JESSE

Not sure. I know Rachel’s in town picking up supplies. Haven’t seen anyone else.

NOAH

That sandwich looks mighty good.

JESSE

(smiling)

Tastes good too.

THE KID

I figured we would get a warmer reception than this.

JESSE

Rachel said she should be back in a little while.

NOAH

Mind if I get a small piece of that sandwich?

Jesse breaks off a bite of the sandwich and hands it to him. Noah is obviously disgruntled at the small piece he is given, but is too tired to argue.

THE KID

Noah, you’re starting to sound like Cody. Don’t you think it’s a little strange
for the station to be empty like this?

NOAH

Kid, strange or not. I’m ready for nap. Besides, if something was going on
Teaspoon would tell us.

Noah lies down on his bunk.

THE KID

I’m not that tired. I think I’m gonna wait for Rachel on the porch.

Enjoy your nap.

The Kid exits as Noah shakes his head and places his hat over his face. Jesse goes back to his solitaire game.

18. Ext. Path to Willow Springs – afternoon

The group is still split between Express Riders and posse members. Lou and Genevieve are discussing the upcoming escape plan as the tension between the two groups continues to mount.

LOU

You understand how this is gonna work?

GENEVIEVE

Yea.

LOU

Are you okay with it?

GENEVIEVE

It’s not any different than what I’ve been doing.

LOU

You know, there are other things you could be doing besides selling your body.

GENEVIEVE

There ain’t much out there for a girl and you know it. I mean look at you,
you’re the one playin’ dress up.

LOU

I know plenty of women who have done just fine on their own.

GENEVIEVE

Well, I’m not on my own. I have a little sister to feed, but you wouldn’t
know anything about that.

LOU

Wouldn’t I? I have a little brother and sister.

GENEVIEVE

Where are they?

LOU

When I was 12, I left them behind in an orphanage in St. Jo. I decided I was
going to find a job and take care of them. I was a pretty young girl with no
skills and no smarts, but I was determined to make it for them.

GENEVIEVE

So what happened?

LOU

I ended up doing laundry in an establishment full of other pretty young girls.
Took me almost a year to figure out what kind of place it was. But I hadn’t made
very much money so I figured I would stay and keep saving. Any money was
good. Eventually the owner wanted more from me than just doing laundry and
one night he decided it was time I grew up. After it happened, I had a choice to
make. I could stay and become part of something that made me hate myself or I
could choose to find anything else. I knew it would take me longer to get the
money I needed, but at least I could live with myself.

GENEVIEVE

(slightly agitated)

Your brother and sister are tucked away being taken care of in an orphanage.
Amanda is with me and I’ll do anything to keep her with me and safe.

LOU

Workin’ in a place like that isn’t safe for either one of you. And what if you’re
lucky to keep her from that life, what about you? Don’t you deserve the right to
be happy, too? I know that after it happened I had a hard time looking at myself
without feeling shame. How do you feel when you look in the mirror?

GENEVIEVE

I gave up lookin’ a long time ago.

LOU

Genevieve…

Genevieve interrupts her.

GENEVIEVE

Look Lou, I know you mean well, but I’m not ashamed of taking care
of my family. Please, just drop it.

Both ladies turn their attention to the trail in front of them leaving the conversation left in a very tense silence. The camera pans out from the two of them to the whole group.

19. Int. Station Bunkhouse – Dusk

Teaspoon, The Kid, Noah, Jesse and Rachel are all sitting around the table eating supper.

THE KID

So Teaspoon, where is everyone?

TEASPOON

Jimmy and Lou picked up a young girl who shot a man on their way back.
Posse came looking and I had everyone ride out with them to make sure the
girl got where she needed to go.

THE KID

When are they supposed to get back?

TEASPOON

Couple of days.

NOAH

What about runs?

TEASPOON

Don’t have one scheduled until next week.

THE KID

Well, maybe we could head out with them too, seeing as we don’t have
anything to worry about around here.

RACHEL

You do have chores, remember?

THE KID

(ignoring Rachel)

Why did you need to send everyone?

TEASPOON

Just to make me feel better and give them something to do.

NOAH

I thought you said they were just looking after a young girl?

TEASPOON

They are.

THE KID

Teaspoon, what’s going on?

TEASPOON

Lou took a liking to the girl and wanted to go along. Chores had been caught up
and I figured it would give the boys something to do.

THE KID

Sounds to me like there’s more to it. If you think they might be in danger, I want to go.

TEASPOON

They are just escorting her to Fort Kearney. Nothing to get excited over. Besides, like
Rachel said, there are chores that will need tending to now that you two are here.

THE KID

I still don’t like it.

Teaspoon shrugs as The Kid reluctantly gives in and they all go back to their food.

20. Ext. Main Street Willow Springs – night

We watch as the rider approach the Sheriff’s office. Genevieve is pulled down from her horse and all the riders walk into the office. She is locked away in one of the two cells.

MACKENZIE

She’s safely tucked away for now. You boys can go ahead and get a good
night’s sleep. We’ll be taking her to Ft. Kearney in the morning.

LOU

I’d like to stick around tonight, if you don’t mind.

MACKENZIE

Actually, I do mind. I have to deal with Marshal Hunter’s request for you to come
along, but you are in my town now and I make the rules. Find yourselves hotel rooms
and come back in the morning. I’ll be spending the night here with the prisoner.

The riders reluctantly withdraw. Camera focuses on Lou who turns her attention to Genevieve. Genevieve nods in Lou’s direction. Lou and the rest of the riders exit the office.

21. Int. Sheriff’s office – later that night

Focus in on Genevieve who is looking out. The shot pans wide to reveal Mackenzie staring back at her from his desk.

GENEVIEVE

I know what you’re thinking about.

MACKENZIE

And what’s that?

GENEVIEVE

The last time we were together.

MACKENZIE

You don’t know what you’re talking about, little girl.

GENEVIEVE

Really? I’ve seen the way you’ve been staring at me since Rock Creek.
I know exactly what’s on your mind. Trouble is, come tomorrow you won’t
get to have that anymore. Once I’m at Ft. Kearney, you’ll have to say goodbye.

No response.

GENEVIEVE

I guess that’s your loss.

Mackenzie stands from his chair, grabs the keys and walks to her cell. He unlocks the door and enters the cell. Grabbing both of her arms he pulls her to her feet. He begins kissing her roughly.

GENEVIEVE

Not here.

MACKENZIE

Why not?

GENEVIEVE

You’re takin’ me to hang tomorrow. I don’t think it’ll reflect well on you if
someone catches us, do you?

Mackenzie reluctantly agrees pulling her roughly out of the cell and out the back door.

22. Ext. Behind Sheriff’s office – immediately following

Mackenzie begins roughly kissing Genevieve on the lips and neck. He pushes her to the ground as he places himself on his knees in front of her. From behind his shoulder we see the muzzle of a revolver placed behind his ear. Mackenzie freezes. The camera pulls out showing Lou holding the gun.

LOU

Get up!

MACKENZIE

Are you crazy?

LOU

You better be glad I’m not or I’d have already put a bullet in you.

Cody, Buck and Jimmy enter the scene. Genevieve gets to her feet with Buck’s help. Lou reaches out for Mackenzie but a shot rings out behind her. The scene shifts revealing two posse members shooting at the riders. They all split up, Lou running Genevieve out of firing range as Cody, Buck and Jimmy all return fire. Follow Lou and Genevieve to the awaiting horses.

LOU

Stay here. If anything happens you ride back to Rock Creek as fast as you can.

Genevieve nods as Lou runs back to the shoot out. She meets up with Cody and Buck.

LOU

Where’s Jimmy?

CODY

Not sure. He ran off in the opposite direction.

LOU

I’m gonna go find him. You two head back to the horses. No matter what, we
need to get Genevieve back to Rock Creek.

BUCK

Watch your back.

The two riders cover her as she runs in Jimmy’s direction and as soon as they no longer see her they pull back. Lou tries her best to hide behind any foliage she can find as she screams out for Jimmy. She gets no response. She pulls away from the foliage heading in the direction of Buck and Cody. We see Mackenzie come out from behind the building and aim right for Lou. He fires off two shots, both of which hit her and she falls to the ground.

23. Ext. Horses – seconds later

Buck and Cody make it back to the horses finding both Genevieve and Jimmy waiting.

JIMMY

Where’s Lou?

CODY

She went looking for you.

JIMMY

I’m gonna go get her. Go on ahead. We’ll catch up.

They all nod as Cody, Buck and Genevieve mount their horses and pull away. We follow Jimmy back to behind the Sheriff’s office. The shooting has stopped. Jimmy hides off to the side of the building looking for any sign of Lou. His eye is caught by a figure lying on the ground.

JIMMY

(in a whisper)

Lou?

We see something come down onto Jimmy’s head from behind knocking him unconscious. The camera pulls out revealing Posse Member #2 standing over him. The scene shifts back to an unconscious Lou lying motionless in the grass. The camera pans out showing Mackenzie and another posse member approaching her.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT 4