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8/4/2019 Stephen Richard Eng: Tale of Two Brothers: Jesse and Frank James In Nashville
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/stephen-richard-eng-tale-of-two-brothers-jesse-and-frank-james-in-nashville 1/96
A TALE OF TWO BROTHERS
©1983-2007 STEVE ENG, ANNE ENG, TED P. YEATMAN. ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED. - WGA
FADE IN:
EXT. MONTAGE of TRAIN/INT. PASSENGER CAR - DAY
1890’s steam locomotive moves through a green expanse of
rolling hills covered with deciduous trees
A) Men in Western garb fidget with their bandanas, guns.
Act nervous and excited. Check revolvers, Winchester
Rifles, shotguns and .52-caliber Smith carbines
B) Some men show less interest. Reading Police Gazette,One reading dime novel with Buffalo Bill title
C) One man looks at pocket watch inscribed TO FRANK JAMES,
YOUR FRIENDS
D) Man next to him sucks briefly on whiskey flask
E) We see these last two men, over-the-hill, sixtyish,
cowboy types, heavily mustached whisper to each other,
looking at the men on the train, then out the windows as
train pulls into station in a big cloud of steam.
FRANK
Nearly time, Cole.
From his POV through train window we see sign NASHVILLE
as train pulls into the station.
EXT. TRAIN PLATFORM
SUPER: NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, MAY, 1903
A crowd of people on the platform. Dressed in 1903 clothing.
FRANK
Okay men, let’s get going.
COLE
Let’s show them. Let’s show them
real good.
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MEN IN OLD West gear pour off train blasting their guns at the
BYSTANDERS; WOMEN and CHILDREN scampering and screaming. Men go down
but theatrically. The VICTIMS get up, laughing.
INSERT: We see a banner WELCOME TO NASHVILLE FRANK JAMES AND COLE
YOUNGER.
FRANK and COLE, two sixty-ish cowboy types, rangy and wiry, swagger
off the train; met by SHERIFF accompanied by a PHOTOGRAPHER. Flash
powder ignites; Frank amused.
EXT. FIELD NEAR TRAIN STATION (SITE OF WILD WEST SHOW) – DAY,
continuing
Sheriff walking along with Frank and Cole as they give instructions,
encouragement to SIDE-SHOW STAFF as they begin setting up the Wild
West Show.
Wild West side show staff unloading train and setting up carnival.
Snake oil salesmen, white men in Indian costumes, old-timers in scout
costumes, etc.
A flurry of activity. Sign on side of circus wagon reads THE GREAT
COLE YOUNGER AND FRANK JAMES HISTORICAL WILD WEST SHOW.
SHERIFF
(ingratiating handshake)
What an honor to have you and Cole
here with your Wild West Show.We got a lot a folks wanting to meet
you boys. The whole town’s excited.
EXT. FIELD NEAR TRAIN STATION (SITE OF WILD WEST SHOW) – DAY,
continuing
EAGER BOY
Hey, Mr. James? Your autograph…
BOY in pants he’s outgrowing, rudely pushes himself in front of Frank
and sheriff, hopping backward as he begs for autograph.
SHERIFF
Now, go on Levi. Get out of here.
Leave the gentlemen alone.
Frank signs the dime novel the boy pokes at him.
BOY
Mr. James, was you and Jesse really
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in Panama?
Holds up a dime novel, The James Boys in Panama.
FRANK
That’s what they say. Really son, you might
ought to try these kinds of stories too.
Pulls out a worn, curled copy of the New Testament.
FRANK – (CONT’D)
(signs Dime Novel)
You can learn all you need to be successful.
Even a poor boy can be famous in this great
land, but by honest work…
BOY
(bored with lecture)
Er…thanks Mr. James.
Grabs autographed book; rushes away screaming excitedly, while his
friends along the side of the crowd look enviously.
INT. MAXWELL HOUSE HOTEL, LOBBY – SAME DAY
REPORTER
How does it feel to be back in
Tennessee, Mr. James?
FRANKMighty, mighty good. Always loved Nashville.
Uh-h…a little hot and humid here. But a good
place to settle. First come here right after
the war.
Pulls photograph of self with Jesse out of pocket.
FRANK (CONT’D)
See that uniform? Weren’t even mine, just
one the photographer had in his studio. I
picked out the officer’s uniform; moreimpressive. Paid for a second copy to send
home to Ma, in fact.
REPORTER
(hammering on Frank)
Did you actually wear a Southern uniform,
Mr. James?
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FRANK
Hell, I was with Quantrill’s guerrillas. Wore
a uniform I took off a dead Yankee mostly.
REPORTER
Did the gang rob any banks or trains in
Tennessee?
Frank stiffens and begins in a clenched-teeth growl that he quickly
softens into a respectable tone.
FRANK
You been reading them dime novels, boy. Never
broke a law in Tennessee. Worked for the Indiana
Lumber Company. God loving happiest days of my
life here with my wife and young Robert in
Tennessee.
REPORTER
(continuing to bear down on Frank)
Was you at the raid on Northfield, Mr. James?
FRANK
(bristling again)
No! I certainly were not! They Never proved a
thing, and for good reason. There’s nothing
to prove.
REPORTERWasn’t you supposed to be tried but they
wouldn’t extradite you to Minnesota?
FRANK
(irritated and angry)
Politics, sheer Yankee politics!
COLE
(covering for Frank’s irritation)
The James boys were just not there. Two
other fellas named ‘Woods’ and ‘Howard’got away. I ought to know, I was there
together with them.
COLE – (CON’T)
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(shrugging reflectively)
Didn’t spend twenty-five years in Stillwater
Prison for nothing. Learnt my lesson. Model
prisoner too.
REPORTER
(smugly)
Crime doesn’t pay, eh?
Cole nods solemnly, secretly glares at the reporter.
FRANK
(chuckles but with a sad look)
Cole, I almost believe I never was at
Northfield. I told so many people so many
times I wasn’t. Hope God don’t hold it
me for not owning up to it publicly. I get
nightmares about it……hanging from a gallows.
Wake up in a cold sweat…see them men I killed…
FRANK
(remorseful grimace)
They’re hanging me. Sometimes I think it would
have been easier to hang one time than the
hundreds of times I dreamt it. Wife Annie and
little Robert watching…so pitiful…. Even before
Northfield I was hanging every night in my sleep.
Ugh! I had no where to turn but to God for peace.
EXT. TOWN SQUARE – DAY
SUPER: NORTHFIELD, MINNESOTA, STREET, SEPT. 7, 1876
A bank robbery is taking place
CITIZEN
Get your guns boys. They’re robbing
the bank!
A bullet misses his head, lodges in brick wall. Dives for cover.
BANDIT who shot at CITIZEN, dodges back into building with paintedsign FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF NORTHFIELD on front.
A CONFUSED MAN is unsure which way to go for cover.
BANDIT
Idiot, get out of the street!
CONFUSED MAN
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(thick Swedish accent)
Kanst nicht sprek Anglish.
He falls to the ground having been shot dead in the head.
INT. HARDWARE STORE - SAME DAY (continuing)
We see the owner issue boxes of shells over the counter with
shotguns. Near the end of the counter, next to a jar filled with
peppermint sticks, some outlaw dime novels are displayed, such as The
Red Ranger of the Rockies, or, The Bandit’s Reward.
TOWNSMAN
(Townsman with gleam in his eye, and a repressed leer.)
Give me another box of them shells, will you?
Hurry… I’m going to bag me an outlaw so help me.
EXT. SIDE STREET, HOUSE WITH PICKET FENCE, SAME TIME
A HUSBAND thrusts self into house. Pushes past surprised WIFE, who
was going to hug him. Nearly knocks her over.
WIFE
Oh you’re home early, Finis? Why?
HUSBAND
Where’s my kepi? Where the hell is it?
Tearing through drawers. Grabs Civil War musket off wall.
WIFE
You haven’t worn it since last Fourth of July.
What’s happening out there?
Man runs out the door, nearly knocking his wife over again.
Jams cap on head. Wife starts to run after him but realizes need for
cover and returns home.
INT. LOBBY OF HOTEL – SAME DAY
Excited MEDICAL STUDENT rushes into LOBBY. Tosses text
books down on DESK-CLERK’S counter: Advanced Anatomy and
Surgical Technique.
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MEDICAL STUDENT
Give me that Sharp’s rifle you keep, George.
Some men are robbing the bank.
DESK CLERK
What the?? Here’s all I got.
Desk clerk hands four cartridges along with the rifle. Medical
student grabs them and takes the stairs two at a time…, clears the
top step of the hotel stairs.
INT. HOTEL, SECOND FLOOR
Medical student barges into room. A MAN WITH A BLANKET around him
bursts into the hall, followed by a woman draped hurriedly in a
sheet. She is heavily rouged, and it is all smeared. Dyed black
hair.
MAN WITH A BLANKET
(to the woman he is with)Bandits! Out in the street! People are getting
their selves killed!
The medical student is at the window almost instantly, jamming his
first cartridge in and levering it up into place. BLAST! BANDIT
riding below blown from saddle.
MEDICAL STUDENT
(grinning)
E-e-haw, I got me one!
EXT. STREET OUTSIDE BANK, SAME TIME
Down on the street other bandits ride by, shooting; the fire is
returned from the buildings.
INT. BANK LOBBY, SAME TIME
FRANK
Open the safe damned quick or I’ll
blow your head off.
Frank with gun to terrified TELLER’s head.
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BANDIT
C’mon, let’s cut his damned throat.
Puts knife to Teller’s throat, cuts his throat slightly in attempt to
intimidate him.
FRANK
(angry and desperate)
If you knew what was good for you, you’d best
open the safe!!
The bank-teller has a bloody lump on his head, where he has
been whacked with a gun barrel…neck bloody. He is terrified:
BANK TELLER
(terrified and stuttering)
Hon-honest! I I’, I, I’m t-t-telling y-y-you,
th-the safe has a t-t-time l-lo-lock on i-it.
Uh-hu-huh. I-it it it won’t o-open f-fors-several h-hours. B-be-believe m-me….I-I’m
t-t-telling th-the t-truth….
INT. BANK LOBBY, FRONT DOOR, Frank’s POV - SAME TIME
BANDIT covering Frank:
BANDIT
C’mon, man. We’ve got to get out of here, now.
This here place is a death-trap! They’s shooting
us all to pieces. Listen up, just c’mon, man.
INT. BANK LOBBY, VIEW FROM FRONT DOOR
Townspeople mowing down the bandits. Bandit covering Frank
rushes out to waiting horse.
FRANK
(in a rage)Damn you! You might could have saved your
life you idiot! Here’s what I think of your
‘time-lock’ story.
BLAST! The TELLER is killed, though OFF SCREEN
EXT. STREET OUTSIDE BANK
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They have gotten no money from the bank. The other bandits are
mounted up. Some are wounded, bloody clothes, horses rearing from
gunshot noise. Frank springs into the saddle, head down, riding low
in the saddle.
EXT. STREET IN TOWN, LEADING OUT OF TOWN, (CONTINUING)
CITIZENS are deployed randomly, behind barrels, around corners,
waiting for their chance to pour lead into the retreating column of
outlaws. Outlaws start to fill the screen. Two men to one horse.
EXT. MONTAGE OF STREET IN TOWN
A) EXT. HARDWARE STORE, SIDEWALK
Hardware store owner’s face grinning, having shot an escaping bandit.
B) MIDDLE OF STREET
A CITIZEN throw rocks at the gang as they disappear in cloud of dust.
Baseball style, left arm full of rocks.
EXT. STREET IN TOWN, BAKERY
The HUSBAND from earlier with his kepi on aims his Civil War musket
across a rail, fires, misses by a mile and across the street, a large
glass window explodes, glass shattering its shards into some loaves
of bread in the window of the town’s bakery. He scowls.
EXT. ROAD OUT OF TOWN, IMMEDIATELY AFTER ROBBERY
We see Cole Younger on galloping horse, bleeding all over: has been
shot several times and clutches wounds as he rides low in the saddle.
No immediate posse is formed. Town in too much confusion-three
citizens dead, two outlaws dead.
INT. TELEGRAPH OFFICE, SAME DAY (within minutes of robbery)
OPERATOR sending message in Morse, from a hand-written note: BANDITS
HEADING WEST FROM NORTHFIELD. REQUEST FULL AID IN THEIR CAPTURE FROMALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. LARGE STREET BATTLE. CITIZENS KILLED.
SIX OR SEVEN BANDITS AT LARGE, HEAVILY ARMED.
EXT. STREET IN TOWN, IMMEDIATELY AFTER ROBBERY
LITTLE CHILDREN are out in the street, gaping at the dead outlaws
being drug to and laid in front of the bank. FAMILY MEMBERS
hysterical over dead citizens.
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FAMILY MEMBERS (V.O.) CHILDREN
(Wailing, screaming.) Bang, bang, you’re dead, bandit.
Oh God! No-o-o-! Why?
The children shout at each other, pointing their fingers like
pistols. One boy has a crudely carved wooden pistol, another a
short, broken tree limb as a rifle, and another is using a small,
little girl’s broom as if it were a rifle.
EXT. STREET IN TOWN, SIDEWALK, (CONTINUING)
Bodies of outlaws and citizens have been lined up in front of the
bank.
PHOTOGRAPHER
(Plainly irritated with children.)
Where are your parents!!?? Don’t you touch the bodies
you hear? Go on…get…
One of the boys grabs a dead man’s hat lying nearby, and runs away
with his treasure. His friends squealing with delight run after him
jealously. PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT comes up with the equipment, and
a photograph is taken.
CITIZEN (O.S.)
The bandits got away; they headed west.
SHERIFF arrives with deputies, to look over the bodies.
SHERIFF
(still in shock)
Got to find out who these fellows were.
DEPUTY
(full of confidence)
Probably the Sam Bass gang. You can tell from
their method of operation that’s who it was.
The medical student has come, clutching his Sharp’s carbine.
MEDICAL STUDENT
(pointing at a body)
Sheriff, I got that there one. I wonder, sir,
it’d be possible, er—you see… I’m a medical
student…
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SHERIFF
(grins and glowers at the student)
And I reckon you want this here corpse to cut
up and learn all about the secrets a human
anatomy? You sure enough can have him. Good
riddance, but you got to pay for his burial when
you’re through carving him up. Save the good
people of Northfield the expense.
Medical student beams.
CAMERA FOCUSES ON THE DEAD BANDITS, FADES OUT
CAMERA FOCUSES ON DIFFERENT BANDIT, FADES IN – 3 weeks later
SUPER: SEPTEMBER 30, 1876
Picture of bandit grows smaller as camera draws back and reveals BOYStrading “Bandit” cards.
BOY
I got two Cole Younger. They
captured him. Trade you.
Cards pass around. There are six cards in the “set” of outlaws
killed or captured. One boy is clutching a newspaper. Camera drops
to focus on headline: YOUNGER BROTHERS CAPTURED. OTHER BANDITS
BELIEVED TO BE JAMES BROTHERS, ESCAPE.
EXT. ROLLING TREE-COVERED HILLS IN SUMMER GREEN - DAY
SUPER: NORTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE, AUGUST, 1877
Two wagons full of belongings. Two-year old JESSE, JR. squirming atZee’s feet; ZEE driving team of horses with one hand and the other to
manage the child. ANNIE driving team of other wagon.
EXT. FRANK AND JESSE ON HORSEBACK - DAY
FRANK and JESSE ride together off to the side of the wagons out of
ear shot of wives…Jesse, 30,about 5’8, thin, broad face with ice blue
eyes that have a weird winking tick. Hair dyed black. Frank, 34,
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taller and slightly darker, also sandy hair dyed black.
JESSE
Just one more job, Frank. Make up everything
we lost from Northfield. That bank at Paducah
would be easy.
They stop at the junction of two roads.
JESSE – (CONT’D)
I can raise us a new gang. Be just like the
old days…
Jesse’s face is lit up; Frank looks angry at the suggestion. His
wife ANNIE, 24, (petite auburn hair)who is just sensing the drift of
the conversation as the brother’s become almost in ear shot, looks
apprehensive and irritated with her brother-in-law. Makes warning
face at her husband; doesn’t want ZEE, 32, (looks just like Jesse)to
see.
FRANK
(with bitter irony)
Just like the old days…Huntington, West Virginia…
Yeah, remember old Tom McDaniels? Found him in
A cornfield, didn’t we? Took him several days to
die as I recall. Didn’t they catch Jack Keene?
FRANK – (CONT’D)
(shaking his head)
Heard he’s doing twelve years manufacturinggravel for the great state of West Virginia.
Free room and board, too. In these hard times
of economic distress at least he has steady
employment.
JESSE
Them men were losers, Frank. Outright amateurs.
We’re going to locate us some real experts.
FRANK
Northfield. How can you forget Northfield, Jesse?Nearly got ourselves killed.
FRANK – (CONT’D)
(Rubs his left hip.)
My leg still pains me. We lost six out of
eight at Northfield, eh, brother? Let’s
see……m-m-m, Clel Miller—Bill Styles—Charlie
Pitts, getting his ass blasted by them damned
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Yankees, dumb Swedes and Norskies…And what
about the Youngers? Ain’t they professionals?
Cole rode with Quantrill alongside me. Him and
Bob have a life vacation at Stillwater Prison.
Lucky to get that. Could have been hanged if
they hadn’t pleaded guilty. Miracle it weren’t
us, Jess. They ever catch me, I’ll stretch a
rope in the Minnesota sunshine for sure. We’ll
be lucky if we dodge Pinkertons from here on out,
just lying low and working for an honest dollar.
The very name “Pinkertons” incenses Jesse.
JESSE
Them swine, them devils. They blew ma’s arm
off and killed our little brother with their
infernal bomb…
FRANK(Frank’s shaking his head as he retells the story.)
Never would have happened if it hadn’t been for us.
We got to live with that till our final day on
earth. That shard from the smoke bomb drove into
Archie’s chest. Bled to death…only eight…..
JESSE
Frank, them Pinkertons are the real bandits.
They front for the railroads, they’re
just hired thugs….
FRANK
Ah,h Jesse, we talk this into the ground every
time we get going on it. Politics just ripping
our world apart. Causing neighbors to take
sides against neighbors.
FRANK – (CONT’D)
(Rubbing his forehead)
Taking our land and giving it to the railroads
with the banks in cahoots. But its bigger
than us. They’re squashing us like bugs. Can’tget a decent job cause we were on the ‘wrong’
side. Charging us an arm and a leg to ship
our grain on the trains. But they got the power
and backing and its only of matter a time. We’re
going to get caught, Jess. Less we get killed
first. They’re never going give up. They’ll
track us to South America if they have to.
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Frank grabs hold of Jesse’s reins, trying to make his point
FRANK – (CONT’D)
You best face it. We’d just be fortunate if we
can say we gone straight for a few years, and
can show that we’re credits to the community.
With that, and our families, and our friends
up in Missouri government, why, we might get a
light sentence when the time comes. And it will
come, Jesse, as sure as anything in creation.
JESSE
(pleading)
Dang it, Frank. Don’t keep on keeping on. I
just need one more good take and I will be
able to leave it behind. I got to take care
of my family. I could buy a farm in Alabama,
or Nebraska. Without enough capital, I don’t
know if I can farm, brother. Without help andstart-up money I be chasing a plow looking through
two mule’s ears the rest my life. Might just well
be in Stillwater with old Cole and his brothers.
FRANK
Jesse, you know Papa would turn over in his grave,
him being a man of God and all. He’d want us to
search for God’s meaning in what we’re doing.
JESSE
Can’t get a job, can’t hold office, can’t
hardly do nothing a free man’s supposed to be
able to do. Second class citizens…less well
off than a darkie.
Jesse pulls his horse’s reins from Frank’s grip; gallops his horse
wildly away a hundred feet or so and just as intently gallops back
skidding to a stop in front of Frank.
JESSE – (CONT’D)
(looking dark and angry)Marked men, and nothing else that’s all we be…
Besides, they’re really not going to offer me
amnesty. Remember, I tried that and nearly got
myself killed back in ’65 up at Lexington.
Breathing is more difficult with a bullet in
the lungs. Trust me, brother, I got reason
none to trust Yankee swine, and plenty not to.
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FRANK
It is your only chance, you got to make it work,
Jesse. With us establishing new identities we
can make it work. That’s the whole idea of
changing our names. You promised Zee. I’m
praying to God that I can hide out long enough
they forget about what we done. Annie won’t stay
with me if I don’t change. And somehow I can make
it right.
JESSE
I know, I-I know your right. I can’t let Zee
and li’l Jesse down. I know the feeling. But
that’s why I want to make one more heist. They
deserve better. So does Ma…
JESSE (CONT’D)
(Jesse’s mood changes: dark and determined.)
If we plan work from the cover of our farms
here and never, don’t never, let the wives,
or nobody know, we could do it. C’mon, Frank
one or two jobs. We might could go west like
we talked and settle down for real…in style.
Take Ma with us, give her the life she deserves.
They ain’t never going to find us; it ain’tgoing to happen. You’re talking defeat, that’s
not like you. I pray to God, but He helps them
who helps themselves. And lookee here Frank…
Jesse rumbles through saddle bag and finds a much abused
copy of a dime novel extolling the Robin Hood exploits
of the James Boys, and waves it at Frank. Frank is disgusted.
JESSE (CONT’D)
(trying to convince Frank)
See, Frank. We’re heroes from the war.Nobody’s going to suspect us being farmers
down here. War heroes don’t farm. We’re
suppose to be saving Missouri from the
evil bankers and train magnates.
EXT. DRIVER’S SEAT OF ZEE’S AND JESSE’S WAGON- DAY, SAME TIME
The wagons have stopped, and pulled side by side.
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Zee sees Jesse wave the dime novel; rubs face in horror.
ZEE
(to Annie)
There he goes again. He really believes that
fiction they’re passing around like moonshine.
EXT. DRIVER’S SEAT OF ANNIE’S AND FRANK’S WAGON- DAY, SAME TIME
ANNIE
Don’t you worry, Zee, Frank’s determined to make
a new life, and bring Jesse right along with him.
Frank will make him do right, you wait and see, sweetie.
C’mon now don’t you have no hissy fits.
You know they set Jessie off.
ZEE
(looking half crazed)
What is Jesse saying to Frank? What are they
talking about?
ANNIE
(trying to ignore Zee’s angst)
Frank and hard work and your sweet loving will
bring him around. I know it will. Look how good
he’s been lately. We been praying about it.
ZEE
(Zee calls to the men)
You men going to talk business all day, or we
going to Nashville?
Jesse irritated that Frank is not budging. Spurs his horse way from
Frank; rides up to his wagon sliding to a stop
EXT. BY SIDE OF ZEE’S WAGON – DAY continuing
JESSE(irritated…pointing a commanding, husband’s finger at Zee)
Frank and Annie’s going to Nashville. There’s
that place I want to see in Waverly, remember,
Zirelda, I told you about it? Let’s decide after
we see it. Some good farming acres. Good price.
Place for some horses, besides the farming. We
ain’t decided, yet. Frank’s got hisself a job
with a lumber Company on the east side a Nashville.
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We got to make a go with the farming.
ZEE
(registering surprise)
But Jesse, you said we might could find something
closer to Annie and Frank. Waverly’s so far. Must
be eighty miles…may as well be in Missouri.
JESSE
(softening)
Zee, we got to make our own way. We talked
about this. Now let’s not be making a
spectacle.
Wagons pulling apart. Jessie and Zee go west; Frank and
Annie continue south to Nashville.
EXT. FRANK’S AND ANNIE’S WAGON, SAME DAY - EVENING
Camp fire burning down, finishing eating
ANNIE
(pleading tone changing to sarcasm)
Jesse gets such strength from you Frank.
I worry about his resolve to go straight
being so far from you. I think he might
could have dark motives… He’s got an edge
to him I don’t rightly trust. I seen him
lie to Zee and make light of it.
FRANK
Nah, Annie, he’s just protecting her.
ANNIE
But I ain’t seen him lie to you. I just
have a bad feeling. Zee let’s herself
believe he’s fighting for the Southern
Cause. Ten years is a long time to not
be getting the idea. But maybe she can
change him. Be easier if we was nearer.
FRANK
(scowling)
You know it just angers me when you bad
mouth my brother. Just quit! He’s coming
along just fine.
FRANK - (CONT’D)
(reassuringly)
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Let’s not us go round and round about this
yet again. I about got Jesse to see he’s
going to get caught. Well….he got the scare
put into him after our narrow escape after
Northfield. Did I tell you?
ANNIE
(looking irritated)
Yes, yes , Frank, you did and I don’t like
To hear those details…
FRANK
(oblivious to her irritation)
We posed as lawmen chasing the notorious
James brothers through the Dakota Badlands.Was almost funny… sort of….Besides, little
Jesse was born in Nashville back when they
lived there. Jesse didn’t much like living in
town then…wants to stay away from peoples so
much. Not scary if you just try to blend in.
FRANK – (CONT’D)
(Frank as if relieved, turns to Annie)
Anyways, Annie! Maybe peoples would think we
were somehow together if we arrived at the
same time. It’s all for the best. For a whilewe got to act like we don’t know each other.
EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF WAVERLY, TN – LATE SAME AFTERNOON
Jesse, Zee and little Jesse are having a meal beside the parked
wagon. Camp fire, rabbit on a spit.
The proud parents are playing games like peek-a-boo with little Jesse
as they discuss their situation. Little Jesse gradually falls asleep
in his father’s arms.
JESSE
Y’all will see, Zee. We really can start over.
Best chances to enjoy living is to make it
happen. I give you my word. Glad I got an in to
sell some wheat and oats. When I get some money
up, I can get another race horse or two. But
first, the farm…
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ZEE
(Zee winces at the thought of race horses.)
Jesse, we live in crazy times. Good things
look bad and bad things look good. I feel
so confused by it all. I know you’re fighting
for the Cause, and all. Somehow I still be
worried. Can’t sleep. Wakes me up fearing
they’re going to…well, you know…
JESSE
(trying to soothe Zee)
Now, now, there…
ZEE
We can’t stop bankers and railroads from
ruining our ways of life. You can’t crush
their power. Not to mention the Republicans
running the country. Trying to reconstruct
what they destructed. But maybe moving downhere into the south and way far from all that
confusion we can recreate some semblance of
life as we knowed it. Your opportunity to buy
and sell for the grain company is a start.
I still don’t much like being here so far from
things when you be gone so much with the grain
business. Not to mention I’m already missing
your Ma and my own kin folk.
ZEE – (CONT’D)
(Almost whispering and with firm resolve.)Another thing, Jesse. You got to promise me
you’re going to stop trying to punish the railroads
and the banks. They’re going to capture you if
they just don’t kill you outright. Some innocent
peoples will be getting hurt. I want li’l Jesse to
have a dad. Let’s make a go of it farming, grain
dealing, something honest. Please, you are such
a good man. And you mean well…
JESSE
There you go again. Accusing me of evil. Whoseside
You on, Zee? I don’t understand you no ways. Zee,
the Unionists are wrong, false, false, dead wrong.
They are the dishonest ones and deserve what ever
grief we can stir up. Besides, you never seem to
object when I bring home the goods.
ZEE
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(looks conflicted; tears well up)
Jesse, I’m so grateful, jest plain grateful you
come back at all. Besides me and li’l Jesse has
got to eat, but I’d as soon it were from straight
honest labor. You got to keep your word to go
straight. They got might on their side, Jess, you
can’t change them single handedly, and certainly
not with your guerrilla tactics.
JESSE
(pretending disdain)
Oh, guerilla tactics, Really, Zee? You don’t
know…
ZEE
(driving a point home)Don’t need be no martyr, Mr. James. Look how
much blood has already been spilt…and they are
winning Oh, Jesse, let’s not fight. I love you
so and only want us to be a family.
They embrace.
JESSE
(sighs heavily)
I know, I know....
EXT. MONTAGE, ARRIVAL IN WAVERLY, TENNESSEE – NEXT MORNING
A) JESSE SIGNS FOR FARM - MORNING
A sign is passed, reading “WAVERLY, TENNESSEE,” as Jesse’s family
wagon proceeds into the center of a tiny town. We see Jesse enter a
building and in an office, he is signing some papers—close up, his
signature is JOHN DAVIS HOWARD.
Back in the street, with his family waiting in the wagon (like
tourists in a car) we see Jesse talking to a citizen who stretches
out an arm giving directions….
B) ARRIVAL AT THE FARM – NOON They arrive at a ramshackle cabin.
This dump of a home soon transformed by Zee, but her first reaction
is horror…revulsion at this farmhouse slum. Then romanticizes how
easy it will be to fix it.
C) WORK VIGNETTES – DAY Hurried sequence of “work” vignettes. Zee
sweeping tons of dust. Jesse chopping wood, mending a fence. Zee
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doing hard work like digging with a shovel, with a two year-old boy
playing alongside.
D) MAKING A RACE TRACK – DAY Jesse is scything the tall grass in
the field…then driving posts….finally, riding a fast horse in a make-
shift race track.
EXT. JESSE’S RACE TRACK - DAY
Scene opens with TWO riders galloping across an imaginary finish
line. They seemingly arrive at the same time. One of the two riders,
JIM WARD, smiles as he brings his horse to a walk.
JIM WARD
Guess you owe me ten dollars Mr. Howard.
HOWARD’JESSE
Hell, think you got that backwards.
JIM WARD
Now what do you mean…?
Voices trail off in violent dispute.
EXT. ZEE CARRYING WATER FROM THE WELL – DAY (CONTINUING)
ZEE
Dave, supper’s ready.
She hollers to her husband in the distance as she is walking toward
house with a bucket of water.
ZEE
(to herself)
What is he up to??
EXT. JIM WARD RIDING AWAY IN A HUFF – DAY (CONTINUING)
EXT. APPROACHING PORCH –SAME DAY
Jesse is riding toward the house, laughing. Zee on the porch now, is
perplexed.
ZEE
` What’s so funny?
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JESSE
Hah! I jest threatened to kill that
Jim Ward. He believed it.
Jesse slaps his leg involuntarily with mirth.
By accident Zee drops the bucket of water instantly at hearing this.
Her voice high pitched.
ZEE
You forgetting jest who you be? A fugitive. I
got permanent battle fatigue worrying what’s going
to happen to us. You promised things would
be different. Words like “kill”, “banks” and
“trains” set my innards on fire.
Zee is not hysterical or high-strung. Quickly re-composing herself,
she demands with frosty understatement:
ZEE
Did I hear you say you threatened to kill Mr. Ward?
Jesse snaps into some kind of awareness. He tries to soothe her.
JESSE
Oh, Zee, don’t you go getting all worked
up now. It’s jest in the heat of the moment.Red Fox beat his horse fair and square. Didn’t
Like him trying to bully me.
ZEE
You know you’re going blow your cover and get
yourself caught. Then what will happen to me and
li’l Jesse? Besides you made me spill a whole
bucket of water. You need to go fetch me another
bucket of water directly.
She begins to mutter with annoyance. She looksup squeezes water out of her dress too emphatically.
ZEE(CONT’D)
Jess, I read about half the peoples starting
on a farm don’t make a go of it in the first
year. Lose all their savings, jest like that.
She snaps her fingers; then with sweet sarcasm:
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ZEE (CONT’D)
(sneeringly)
But I know you’re going to win a whole lot
more money racing horses…
JESSE
(irritated)
Now, Zee. You’re jest like Ma. I’m not
going to quarrel with you.
Then half to himself:
Should never married my cousin. Too much of
the same damn crazy blood.
With perfect feminine timing, and before he can retort, Zee instantly
smiles and out-stretches her arm with the bucket.
He melts under her smile.
ZEE
Here, now go get some more water and get
washed up. Blackberry pie ‘bout ready to come
out of the oven.
She then lapses back into more heavy advice. Calls to him as he heads
to get bucket of water.
ZEE
You ought not to be threatening nobody, notone, not even as a joke, Jesse. Folks liable
to think we’re…you’re some kind of outlaw. Now
I am doing my part, agreeing to call myself ‘Mrs,
Howard’ and even raise our li’l boy as a ‘Howard.’ Li’l
Jesse thinks his only-est name is ‘Tim.’
JESSE
I just slipped. I will make it so’s no one
will think me capable a anything but
being a yella belly. Yeah, what was I thinking?
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EXT. FRONT PORCH OF NOLAN HOTEL, WAVERLY – DAY, week or so later
CAMERA FOCUSES ON FRONT PAGE OF DIME NOVEL:
WILD WEST WEEKLYAll of these exciting stories are founded on facts.
Young Wild West is a hero with whom the author was
Acquainted. His daring deeds and thrilling adventures
Have never been surpassed. They for the base of the
Most dashing stories ever published.
Young Wild West,
The Prince of the Saddleby An Old Scout
Grows smaller—it is seen that a FIFTEEN-YEAR OLD BOY is reading this,
while sitting on the porch of the Nolan Hotel, Waverly, Tennessee.
FARMERS close by are talking weather and crops. Suddenly Jesse (“Mr.
Howard”) comes running up, winded, scared:
HOWARD/JESSE
Hey, ruffians, down by the bridge…jest managed
to escape…please help…they attacked me.
FARMER 1
Maybe ought to go down and take a look.
Goes into the store and emerges with a shotgun and a .22 rifle.
HOWARD/JESSE
(ingratiating)
Oh, thank you. If them fellas ketch
up with me I don’t know what I’d do.
FARMER 1
Here, Mr. Howard, take this.
HOWARD/JESSE
(shakes head)
Uh-h, I’d, I’d rather not. Don’t like holding
guns on peoples, especially when they
already threatened me.
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FARMER 1
(throws gun to boy)
Here!
Boy drops his dime novel and neatly grabs the weapon from the air on
reflex.
EXT. WALKING TOWARD BRIDGE INTO TOWN –DAY,
OLDER MAN WITH DOG
This ol’ hound’ll sniff out whate’er
critters’s there. Dog’s as brave as any
man of us. Maybe braver than some of us…
Looks with disdain at Mr. Howard.
OLDER MAN WITH DOG (CONT’D)
Go in there and get them, General.I call him General Forrest after
my old commander, because he’s fearless.
Barking. Sudden crash of bottle. Dog beats retreat, yelping, toward
the rear, passing the men.
EXT. BY THE BRIDGE - DAY, (CONTINUING)
DRUNK 1 (O. S.)
(Growls a surly voice from down under the bridge.)
Who goes there?
FARMER 2
(with shotgun)
Come on out or we’ll blow you out.
Two local DRUNKS emerge, shabby and unkempt, five or six day old
beards, grimy hands raised over heads, bottle in hand.
FARMER 1
(Turns to Jesse.)
Oh, hi, Henry. These fellas’s is local fixtures.
DRUNK 2
(offers Jesse half full bottle)
Here, take yourself a drink.
HOWARD/JESSE
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(Jesse declines.)
Let me explain—
DRUNK 1
We jest met him down by the bridge, wanted to be
friendly, didn’t mean him no harm. Feller sure
spooked. Ran off real sudden…like a rabbit.
HOWARD/JESSE
Ha, Ha. Yeah, I guess it’s all funny now that
I think of it. Honest, I thought you boys was
out to rob me.
FARMER 2
You sure scared easy, son.
The teenager looks wary of “Mr. Howard,” and distances himself as
they walk back. The boy marches with his .22 on his shoulder with
soldierly affectation. “Mr. Howard” is still trying to explain toanyone who will listen………
INT. NASHVILLE FEED STORE, COUNTER – DAY
A sign fills the screen: NASHVILLE’S LARGEST SUPPLY OF
GRAINS AND FEEDS. B.S. RHEA AND SONS
HOWARD/JESSE
If it’s not one thing, it’s two more.
Crops fail. It’s now my hens won’t lay.
MR. RHEA
Nobody among my customers trying harder than
you to make a farm go, Mr. Howard. Now
here’s something you jest might could try.
Mix it right in with the feed, Dr. Quigley’s
Electro-Invigorator. Invented them electric
belts. My cousin Fate he uses one.
Gestures to a poster-calendar advertising the miracles of the
electric belts, and other Dr. Quigley products.
MR. RHEA
Now this Invigorator removes impurities
from the blood in man or beast. Or fowl,
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you can be sure. At least, I got several
farmers that swear by it.
Jesse digs out two of his last dollars.
CAMERA PANS BACK, to reveal back of a man who is walking up. Mr.
Rhea recognizes him.
MR. RHEA
Dave, I want to introduce you to this here
good customer a mine. Ben Woodson. Ben, this
here is Dave Howard out of Waverly. Dave here’s
farming some land over on the Link place ten
miles west of Waverly.
Jesse reaches out his hand, smiling broadly. The man whose back we
first saw is now revealed to be Frank James.
WOODSON/FRANKPleased to make your acquaintance.
HOWARD/JESSE
Great store here, huh? Pleased to meet you.
What did you say your name was?
INT. FEED STORE, BEHIND FEED BAGS, ETC. – DAY
Jesse contrives some farm small-talk, as Mr. Rhea turns away to give
an order to one of his clerks. Then Jesse grabs Frank’s sleeve.
Nods him back of the counter, behind a pile of feed bags. Here Jessestarts in again on Frank:
HOWARD/JESSE
I been studying this real close. All we need
is four good men. My information says there’s
a bank in Owensboro, Kentucky that’s jest loaded
with money from the steamboat trade…I was talking
with a steamboat captain the other day…
WOODSON/FRANK
(annoyed)
Will you quit, Dingus?! Not interested in
planning a heist. All banks are easy, Jesse,
if your lucky. But how can you tell me you
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can make it happen? How can anybody know
if a bank teller’s going to open a safe or
not? Even with a gun at his head? We couldn’t
get a look inside that Northfield safe, Jess.
HOWARD/JESSE
Them Younger boys had too much drink, Frank.
Anyways, Northfield was Cole Younger’s idea….
WOODSON/FRANK
(Changing the subject.)
How’s Zee and li’l Jess getting along?
HOWARD/JESSE
Oh, good as ever, I reckon. We’re hurting,
needing money. Farming’s brung me down. Owe for equipment
and feed and barely managed to pay last month’s rent. Had to
sell the cattle still oweCooley for.
WOODSON/FRANK
First year’s the hardest in anything. If you need
to, come live with us. But you’re good at farming,
you’ll do fine. Come to church with us.
HOWARD/JESSE
(half to himself)
You been talkin’ to Zee.
HOWARD/JESSE (CONT’D)
(intent on making Frank agree)
I don’t know, Frank. Wish I was good at poker
like you. I owe a few diddly-squat gambling debts….
Don’t tell Zee. Really…. But damn it, that ain’t
the point. We need one good haul, and then we might
could buy our own land and really dig in with our
families. I…we owe it to our wives. Then I might
could make me some money—some big money—with race
horses, if I just had a nest-egg. Got to come up
with it. That’s why I need one last bank job.
WOODSON/FRANK
Ever thought of hauling lumber? I been doing
that part-time. Make good money. By the way,
Annie’s expecting. Going to need a little help
from Zee maybe. We all have to get together soon.
HOWARD/JESSE
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Frank, that’s wonderful. Hope all goes well.
Slipped my mind, but Zee jest had twins two weeks
ago. Boys, born early. Both died. Buried. Zee…
it’s brung her down right smart. I stopped in the
dry goods store and got her a bolt of calico to
make herself a dress. Looks best in blue. Might
could cheer her some.
We see Mr. Rhea looking for the brothers. Shows surprise to find them
hidden behind some bags of feed.
MR. RHEA
Your order will be ready, Mr. Woodson. For fellas
what don’t know each other, you sure got a lot to
say back here. Why don’t you come back out by the counter?
HOWARD/JESSE
Was looking for some feed stuff. Oh, Mr. Woodson
here he knows some peoples up at Waverly. So
when he heard I was from there, he wanted to fillhisself in on their doings.
Mr. Rhea smiles, but then looks at them both intently again when they
are not looking. Doubt is all over his face.
EXT. FIELD AT JESSE’S FARM –DAY, SPRING 1878
WILLIE, the farm hand, runs up to the house.
FIELD HAND
Missus Howard, Missus Howard, Mister Howardin terr’ble way. He fall down like he got
da swamp fever.
Zee and Willie, haul perspiring Jesse into the house. They struggle
with the dead weight of the man. Willie is sent for DR. MONTGOMERY.
As he enters Jesse is delirious, sweaty, agitated and in bed.
INT. JESSE’S HOUSE –DAY
HOWARD/JESSE
(Jesse delirious, in bed)
Watch your backs. We got to shoot our way out
of here. Blast them blue bellies. Can’t let
them take us alive. Cut through their lines
and into the woods.
DR. MONTGOMERY
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Husband’s in the war, I take it?
JOSIE/ZEE
Who wasn’t? Yes, he served with General Joe
Shelby.
DR. MONTGOMERY
Fine Southern officer. Y’all’s moved down here
from Kentucky, didn’t you? It’s a shame Shelby
had to depend on scouts from Bloody Bill Anderson.
Had no choice. It don’t reflect none on him, hell,
there were no one else but that butcher Anderson in West
Missouri except for Yankees. But if your
husband served with Shelby, now that’s different.
JOSIE/ZEE
Yes, we’re all mighty proud of Dave’s war record.
With Gen. Shelby.
DR. MONTGOMERY
Ugh! That Bloody Bill Anderson, now-w-w, he’s
something else. Jest like that monster Quantrill,
who gave him his start. That’s where them durned
James and Younger brothers served, you know. Look
what happened to them. Rode with savages. Still
are savages. Did you ever see them up there?
JOSIE/ZEE
No, but them Union Jayhawkers was jest as vicious
and bloody. I heard plenty of jest plain awfulstories about them. Killing women, babies and old
men; burning farms, poisoning wells. They say the
Southern guerrillas was protecting the people,
from them butchering Yankee soldiers.
DR. MONTGOMERY
There’s some truth to what you say, Josie. In
fact my brother-in-law’s family was bothered by them…
burnt their barn. War’s never pretty. Jestthe same, they’re going to get the James brothers.
JOSIE/ZEE
(Looking suspiciously.)
Why you talkin’ about the James gang?
DR. MONTGOMERY
All you ever see in the newspaper. You don’t get
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a paper out here much do you? They’re closing in
on them bandits. Keep seeing where they’ve put
another away in prison. The bandits are giving
State’s evidence against each other…a house divided will
fall…you know that’s right? Every train robbery..bank..blamed on
the Jameses. It’s over
ten years since the war ended, and they’re still
robbing freely. Don’t believe they think it’s
about fighting a war anymore; their robbing seems
more like big, easy money than jest settling the
score. They’re going to catch them. Like they caught
them Youngers already up in Minnesota. Thousand
peace officers chasing them.
DR. MONTGOMERY (CONT’D)
(Stands to go)
James boys got plumb away. T’were seen up in
Sioux City, Iowa. Mighty awful bad about that
bank teller. Killed. Shot right in the head.Couldn’t open the safe..had a time-lock on it.
Zee looks ill, tears welling up in eyes. Stays out of Dr.
Montgomery’s field of vision.
DR. MONTGOMERY, (CONT’D)
Hate to see decent citizen’s done that a way.
Just a matter of time before that James trash
will be brought to justice. Disgrace to the noble
Southern Cause.
Doctor doesn’t see Zee wince as her breathing deepens to stifle her
panic.
DAVE/JESSE
(Still delirious.)
I need water, get me a canteen.
DR. MONTGOMERY
Get me a basin of cold water
He continues to apply wet cloths to Jess’s forehead
DR. MONTGOMERY
Keep him down and give him this here quinine. One,
morning, noon, and another before you go to sleep.
Gives Zee small bottle of quinine. As he leaves, Zee presses a
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basket of eggs upon the doctor.
JOSIE/ZEE
Here, doctor, it’s jest a li’l toward what we
owes you. For the twins and all too.
DR, MONTGOMERY
You doing okay, since the twins? Come too early.
Not growed enough. Sorry, not likely for babies
that come that early to make it. My you’ve got
those hens to laying again, I see.
JOSIE/ZEE
(Zee nods yes, shrugs shoulders.)
Oh, yes, Dave got the hens back to health with
this remedy.
Zee shows him the bottle.
DR. MONTGOMERY
(reading the label)
DR. QUIGLEY’S ELECTRO-INVIGORATOR.
GOOD FOR MAN OR BEAST (h-m-m) INTERNAL
OR EXTERNAL USE. 50% ALCOHOL. Looks
like high time in the hen house, tonight.
INT. KITCHEN OF FRANK AND ANNIE’S HOUSE – DAY
SUPER: NASHVILLE, FELIX SMITH PLACE, NOVEMBER 1978
ZEE
(smiling)
Annie, it’s so kind of you and Frank to takeJesse and me in. Couldn’t farm at all all summer
for the malaria weakness and sweats. Getting on
my last nerve worser than when I nursed him back
to health after he was shot in the chest
surrendering to them hateful Yankees. That’s when
we knowed we wanted to marry… back when we’s sweet
on each other. He was so brave…
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ZEE
(Zee’s smile turns to anger)
He near died…suffered something awful. Now he’s
just aggravating the snuff out of me. Couldn’t
pay the rent, borrowed money from a couple of
locals. So he’s being sued. He’s depressed, and
me right along with him. Trying to keep cheerful
for li’l Tim’s sake. If it weren’t for y’all we’d
be caught between a rock and a hard place. I tell you,
I am so grateful that Jess’s out looking for a real job. Frank’s
a good influence on him, Annie.
I jest don’t know what we’d do.
ANNIE
Oh, Zee, you know that’s what families’ are for.
Besides li’l Robert here’s been so fussy, cutting
teeth and all. I’m glad for some help. Cutting
teeth early. My granny said that’s a sign of
intelligence. You ever hear that?
Six-month old Robert in cradle; Tim stirring with big spoon
a mixing bowl half filled with walnuts in the shell on the floor by
the mothers.
Jesse comes in. He is buoyant, and anticipating a horse race.
INT. KITCHEN OF FRANK AND ANNIE’S HOUSE – DAY
JESSE
Red Fox’s the fastest horse I ever rode. We’ll
win that race tomorrow. He’s in rare form.
The women wince behind his back.
ANNIE
(To Jesse.)Hope you feel as good as you’re looking.
Your color’s some better, Jess.
INT. PARLOR FRANK’S AND ANNIE’S HOUSE –DAY
Zee and Jesse go into another room to talk quietly. They embrace, a
quick but affectionate hug.
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ZEE
What are you going to do about Ennis Cooley?
Moving away hasn't solved it at all. With him
suing us. You better be lucky at the races.
It's so embarrassing, being served a summons
in public. Now I heard the Cooley boy can't
go to medical school with the loss a that money.
JESSE
It's them lawyers. They all stick together. Not
be surprised if mine and his was in cahoots. They
get rich off bleeding the working man.
Zee shudders and grimaces through this tirade; Jesse doesn’t notice.
JESSE
Besides, Cooley's a coward. He's been calling me
A crook. And he refused my challenge for a duel.
Man that won't meet on the field a honor hain'teven a man...
Zee turns her head. Grabs her stomach. She can only listen to so
much.
JESSE
Zee, honey, don't you worry. We going to win us
some money at the race...
He flashes his contagious grin. Voice trails off as scene closes. Zee
looks even more devastated.
EXT. NASHVILLE RACE TRACK – DAY
We see Jessie come in a close second on his horse.
A local sheriff's DEPUTY, looks intently at Jesse’s
horse, since it seems more wild than the average horse. Jesse handles
it exceptionally well. The deputy by-stander again nods with
appreciation. The deputy smiles sincerely.
EXT. NASHVILLE RACE TRACK – DAY
DEPUTYWhoa there, nice race, Dave.
HOWARD/JESSE
Be better if I won. Thanks jest the same.
DEPUTY
You sure knows how to handle a horse. That’s an
Army saddle. You in the Four Years’ War?
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Jesse smiles, not threatened by the question.
HOWARD/JESSE
I was born on a horse. Can’t remember ever walking
no place. Oh-h-h, ye-e-s, I spent two years with Shelby.
Who wasn’t in the late great Unpleasantness?
Or affected by it? Dangdest thing that ever happened
To this country.
The deputy beams. Shelby is a name to stir pride in an ex-
Confederate.
DEPUTY
Yes, Shelby. Fine a cavalry officer and gentleman
as any man what served under the Stars and Bars.
The Southern Cause might could have flourished if
he had more than trash to rely on. Them bloody
butcherers, Quantrill and Anderson inflamed the Unionists
with hatred for their lawlessness. FourYears War, sad times. Did you hear in the news?
Last week, Jesse James was killed.
HOWARD/JESSE
Not again! I hope it’s for real this time.
Spare me the details…
DEPUTY(polishes the badge on his chest.)
It was bound to happen. Them James boys got their
start with Quantrill and Anderson. Learnt to be
guerrillas and kept on these dozen years stealing
under the pretext of continuing the war. I wonder
what they do with all that train and bank money?
I fought in Franklin, one of the bloodiest, under
Hood. But when the war was over, I was grateful.
Now look at me, I am an officer of the law. You
can’t tell me you can’t get ahead even though you
was a Confederate. No excuse for what that gang’sdoing. They are jest making it harder for us decent
folk.
HOWARD/JESSE
O-o-h, well, now I'd hate to pass judgment. Them
innocent Yankees did terrible things. Murdered
peoples, dragged women and children off to prison
without trial. Beat on young boys. Any government
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that makes war on civilians isn't Christian, isn't
even human...
The deputy shakes his head and turns away. Scene dissolves in a
blurry haze connoting a flash-back.
EXT. MONTAGE UNIONIST 0CCUPATION OF MISSOURI – DAY
SUPER: "MISSOURI, AUGUST 1863."
UNION SOLDIERS burn down a family farm. REFUGEES are leaving.
CHILDREN cry to see their little animals being butchered. HORSEMAN
pursues a chicken with his sword on foot, laughs, pulling his horse
along behind him. As the families move along in wagons or on foot,
worldly goods drop into the mud. A Union soldier's horse tramples a
child's doll just as she reaches for it--her mother pulls her back.
Another soldier throws dead chickens down a farmhouse well. A woman
turns away with a look of nausea.
EXT. FARM YARD – DAY
SUPER: "THE JAMES FAMLY FARM, KEARNEY, MISSOURI, SUMMER, 1863
YOUNG JESSE (15 years old) apprehended by Union Jayhawkers in blue
uniforms. They beat him savagely, then drag him and drop him at the
feet of his STEP FATHER who is being pulled up and down from a treelike a yo-yo with a noose around his neck. Soldiers then cart him
away half dead.
Jesse’s YOUNGER SISTER is looking on, cries hysterically
ZERELDA JAMES SAMUEL, Jesse’s mother who is a large woman about two
hundred pounds and 5’10, hair in a bun. Is pushed aside by the
soldiers. She tries to shield her two children from the sight.
ZERELDA
Jess, get me some water for your cuts. Don'tjest stand there. They no kinda men…beatin’ on
a boy. No tellin’ what theys goin’ to do to your
step-dad.
The young boy complies, his face in tears. She begins to bathe the
cuts and scrapes on Jesse’s face and arms.
EXT. TRAIN DEPOT - DAY
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SUPER: CENTRALIA, MISSOURI, SEPTEMBER 27th, 1864
Screen fills with bullet-riddled sign outside of train depot,
proclaiming CENTRALIA. In the background is heard a number of
voices...singing drunkenly, whooping it up, and then another bullet
hole is splintered into the sign.
Camera comes down from the sign. UNION SOLDIERS lined up in front of
the train station, down at the level of the tracks next to a
passenger train. They are clad only in their long-johns, guarded by a
group of GUERRILLAS, who are dressed in motley attire: civilian
clothes mixed with Union uniform pieces, various style hats (and
various colors).
One man's hat is rakishly pinned back with a gaudy star. They are
wearing “too many" guns also, three and four revolvers a piece.
Some of the other guerillas look through the pile of blue Unionclothing that has been stripped from the soldiers. They search
pockets for valuables, and try on Federal pants, boots, tunics. The
Union soldiers have been going home on leave--this is a regular
passenger train.
Trunks being cast off the train; guerillas break them open. Someone
shoots a lock off. One man rummages in the trunks—tosses a lady's
dress over his shoulder. PASSENGERS are present, also under guard and
witness this vandalism of their possessions.
WOMANThem’s my hats!
A particularly ferocious looking BANDIT dons a lady's hat for comic
effect. Many of the passengers are physically fleeced, and not with
any "Robin' Hood" cavalier charm. Watches are yanked off watch-
chains, rings are torn off fingers.
One of the guerillas struts with a cane and top-hat.
Another wears a derby on top of his regular hat. Another is opens a
box of stolen cigars. Hands reach in; cigars are lit ostentatiously,
as if by discriminating connoisseurs.
BLOODY BILL ANDERSON
I warned the Yankees this’d happen. They jest
wouldn't listen. They really think they could
invade a sovereign state a freeborn citizens and
trample on their rights? We only wanted peace and
they brought us war. They violated God’s laws.
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Anderson produces a small, worn leather Bible from an inside pocket.
BLOODY BILL ANDERSON, (CONT’D)
It‘s the word, from Genesis 9:25. Canaan son of
Ham was cursed. Indeed, he was to be a servant of
servants...unto his brethren. The Jews shunned
the Canaanites, and this is proper. The darkie today has
his natural station in life. It's them damned abolitionists who
brung the wrath a the Lord on the honorable State of Missouri.
Shots are heard. There by the tracks are twenty-seven Union soldiers
sprawled on the ground, dead. The guerrillas ride past. In the
saddle Jesse James turns and looks back. His youthful face fills the
screen....It dissolves. Then it fades into:
EXT. NASHVILLE RACE TRACK – DAY
Jesse's face fills the screen in the same position and expression as
the young Jesse just encountered. This is a dejected Jesse, still at
the race-track. Zee is with him.
JESSE
I wonder if I shouldn’t go back to Missouri,
Zee? To see my ma. Jest for a visit. Got to let
her see I be doing better from the swamp fever.
ZEE
Oh, Jesse, we’re jest getting settled in here.
What if they want you at the mill, and y’all’s
gone. You know we needs the job.
She turns to Annie who is with them, anxious for her to reinforce
this. Jesse stalks ahead somewhat, glumly, out of earshot.
ZEE
(to Annie)
Poor Jesse, he’s been discouraged of late. Thatplace was sure hard to farm. He had such bad luck.
Even the chickens got sick and died. But between
me and you I worry about him getting the opportunity
to meet up with some his old crowd that spells
trouble.
ANNIE
Oh, Zee, you don’t suppose…Oh, oh that's
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terrible, it’s been nearly two years since,
they, they…changed. Frank’s proof that peoples
can turn themselves around. Jesse can too, even
with his bad luck.
ZEE
Oh Annie, what am I going to do. He is so head
strong. I don’t want him going. Uhh! I can’t stop
him no how. He ain’t like Frank. He jest won’t
listen to me. He’s crazy about me, but it drives
him even worse crazy that he can’t take care of
me and li’l Tim.
ANNIE
(wraps arms around Zee, patting her shoulders.)
There, there, Zee. Maybe he’s jest wanting to
see his Ma. You know how stuck the boys are on
their Ma.
ZEE
Oh, Annie, Annie…
Both pull their shawls around themselves tightly.
EXT. SEDALIA NEWSPAPER OFFICE - TWILIGHT, establishing
SUPER: SEDALIA, MISSOURI, September, 1879
A rider is silhouetted; he reins in at a hitching post. He approachesa newspaper office. The lair and kingdom of John Newman Edwards.
INT. NEWSPAPER OFFICE- EVENING, establishing
On the wall is a picture of Robert E. Lee, also Sterling Price and
Shelby. Edwards (fiftyish, medium build with long beard and
moustache, piercing dark eyes) writes at his roll top desk. Orange
cat is sitting on top of some papers. There are visible some English
popular novels, such as Dick Turpin the bandit, and a dime novel or
two.
EXT./INT. NEWSPAPER OFFICE- TWILIGHT, establishing
Outside, we glimpse the rider who has dismounted. It is
Jesse James. He pulls a bandana up over his face, and pushes open
the door.
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EDWARDS, writing at his desk, has hit a momentary snag--he mumbles,
gropes for the right word, then turns and reaches for his nearby
flask. He swigs a snort, then, inspired, re-attacks his writing
assignment.
Suddenly he looks up--surprised, almost stupefied at a drawn gun
pointing at him. Edwards is still cool, not flinching or panicking.
Raises his head slowly.
EDWARDS
You wouldn't rob a Confederate veteran now
Would you? I'm jest a poor journalist, and I'm
always starving. Like any man who tries to
write the simple truth.
Jesse pulls down his mask and smiles. Edwards cannot believe who he
is seeing. Face expands with joy. Jumps up and pumps, his hand.
EDWARDS (CONT’D)
By gosh! What a sight for bloodshot eyes. Heard
you boys was down in Mexico…that's what I keep
hearing. Personally, I would have suspected you
might be in Tennessee because you always liked it
so much, and they got nothing on you down there…
JESSE
Fraid them stories are right. Mexico is something
else. Got me a ranch down there. Raising a wholeheap of cattle. Long horns. Zee don't much like it
there. But my brother, Frank, he’s real bad off;
got consumption, you know. Spitting blood. Even in that
dry climate, I fear he ain't long for this
here world. Now you keep all this to yourself,
Major Edwards.
EDWARDS
(solemnly)
If anyone can keep a secret, it's me. I guess
you seen this?
Holds up book, his Noted Guerillas.
EDWARDS (CONT’D)
Almost 500 pages long. Couldn’t say enough about
you heroes. Here listen to this: “Anderson,
newly above the horizon, was flashing across the military
heavens as a war comet. Left to himself
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and permitted to pursue his placid ways in peace,
probably the amiable neighbor and working man would
never have been developed into a tiger" Page 164,
right there it is.
Edwards thumps the page.
EDWARDS (CONT’D)
There, didn't that set the record straight? He been
so maligned by them Yankee hack writers…I won't even
call them journalists. Reading their lies, you'd think
Captain Anderson was the incarnation of the Devil
himself.
Jesse looks away, to hide a grin.
EDWARDS (CONT’D)
Look, see how I vindicated you boys.
Camera focuses on a Frank and Jesse James passage. Edwards starts
reading.
EDWARDS(CONT’D)
“What else could Jesse James have done? He had been
a desperate Guerrilla; he had fought under a black
flag; he had made a name for terrible prowess along
the border...hence the wanton war waged upon Jesse
and Frank James, and hence the reasons why today they are
outlaws..."
JESSE
(Jesse dead pans.)
Major Edwards, you done proud by us. We’re
fixing to live up to what you say about us.
EDWARDS
(waving hand in air)
Hell, I only told the truth. Unlike them Yankee
scurrilous scribblers up north. Them writers
is literary whores. Nothing more. Me, I hain't
even really started yet. You boys, jest you andFrank, deserve a whole book a your own. I want
to tell your whole story. Think you’re famous now?
You hain't seen nothing. You been persecuted
unmercifully. It's all got to come out. People got
to know how you been hounded for no other crime
than serving the Southern Cause under them noble knights
of the bush, Colonel Quantrill and Captain Anderson. I been
fighting for you boys ten years
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now, in print. Every single time they say you did
a job, I refuted them. They never can prove where
your at. I can usually show you were somewhere
else. 'Course, I do give credit where it's due.
Whoever is doing them robberies is as bold as
anyone from history. Be it Rob Roy or Robin Hood,
is an achievement...
JESSE
Boy, you sure don’t spare no praise in setting facts
aright. Yeah, I been reading the book. Learning a lot too.
Major, do you think they're ever going to get me?
EDWARDS
Not the great Jesse James, he can slip though a
thousand traps. Why, you know every back trail in
three states. Every farmer, no, every person who ever wore
Confederate grey or aided the Cause supports you, and will give
you refuge and succor.
JESSE
Major, I mean…really. These Pinkertons, they’ll never give
up. It's all political.
EDWARDS
(Edwards looks more sober.)Well, I admit, one misstep, one moment of bad
luck and it’s all over. The thing we got to do
is get the right man in, as Governor. I'm well
placed in Missouri politics. If we could run
General Shelby or General Marmaduke for Governor,
I know I could personally secure a pardon. Got to
do something. Some of them treacherous Republicans
are calling our oppressed land; ‘The Outlaw State.’ Some
of them demagogues are fixing to run on a
phony reform ticket. Talking about 'cleaning up'
the State. I fear they'll elect someone on ananti-Confederate ticket and make a scapegoat
out of some poor boy whose only crime was he fought
for his homeland....
JESSE
You see what you can do. But I tell you, I can't
wait forever. It right smart hurts my pride…
and Zee's…to think that every two-bit thug who
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robs a train gets it blamed onto Frank and me. And we
can't come forward to exonerate ourselves...
EDWARDS
Jess, I'll do everything in the power a my
connections to swing some kind of deal. With a
little maneuvering we jest might could get it set
up. Reclaim your rightful reputations as Missouri
patriots and let you settle into respectable lives
as honored citizens. No less than you deserve...
Places hand on Jesse’s shoulder.
EDWARDS
Rest assured. Whatever happens, I'll always write
the truth....
INT. GLENDALE COUNTRY STORE - DUSK.
SUPER: GLENDALE, MISSOURI, OCTOBER 8, 1879
MEN play checkers. A dapper, well-dressed YOUNGER MAN whittles a
piece of wood - a pistol from a torn-out model in a magazine. He is
proud of it. This store is about 75 feet from train depot
YOUNGER MAN
(admiring his handiwork)
Jest like the real thing.
Another man reads a dime novel titled: Red Rob, the Boy Road-Agent.
Suddenly the door is kicked open. THREE MEN rush in, guns in hand.
The dime novel drops to the floor. The wooden carved gun drops to the
floor.
INT. GLENDALE TRAIN DEPOT – DUSK
Inside the depot a BANDIT walks up and bangs on the metal grill of
the ticket window with a pistol. He has a bandana on over his face.One CLERK is not visible to the robbers. He thinks he can escape and
foil the robbers. As he turns toward the door it opens, and in steps
Jesse, in the same attire that he wore visiting Edwards, and with the
same bandana-mask up over his face. With him is WOOD HITE, his
cousin.
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JESSE
Now you wouldn't want to take long, now. You could
be missing an important moment in history. Y’all’s
about to assist a robbery by a famous outlaw. You be able
to tell your grandchildren you were robbed by Mr. Billy Bonney.
CLERK
Not--not the Billy the Kid....?
JESSE
(points guns)
Ably abetted a course, by his two colleagues, Mr.
Smith and Mr. Wesson.
Another BANDIT comes in the back door of the depot,
nervous, out of breath.
BANDITIs it all clear, here?
JESSE
(Jesse nods. Yells it out the back door.)
All clear.
EXT. GLENDALE TRAIN DEPOT – DUSK
A crowd is herded across the yard from the adjacent store. The dime-
novel reader clutches his book which he has picked up again, and it's
over his head: his hands are up. The man who had been carving the gunpleads to be spared.
GUN CARVING MAN
Don't kill me. You can have my money. I’m
getting married….
BILL RYAN
(A jaded, nervous bandit, BILL RYAN, looks ready to kill.)
Shut up. Ya’ll say one more word and you will
be getting your mail from the ground hog.
The captives are herded unceremoniously into the freight shed. Ryan
out of no necessity, just meanness, boots the gun-carver into the
shed with a kick in the pants.
JESSE
What time this here train due in?
BILL RYAN
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Hour.
CLOCK on the wall shows progression of an hour.
EXT. GLENDALE TRAIN DEPOT – EVENING
JESSE
(to station agent)
Lower the signal for them to stop.
STATION AGENT
I-I can’t it’s broken.
Jesse forces his six-shooter into the man's mouth. The man, with the
pistol barrel down his throat, is forced to walk back a couple of
steps. With one hand he lowers the signal.
EXT. TRACK OUTSIDE STATION – EVENING continuing
Train screeches to a halt. Gang goes into action. Shoot at the train.
Shoot into the air. The CONDUCTOR appears in a car's doorway, then is
driven back by a warning shot.
INT. VARIOUS CARS ON TRAIN – EVENING
DICK LIDDIL captures the engineer, while TUCKER BASSHAM and WOOD HITE
go into the passenger car. PASSENGERS are looking up from their
newspapers; headlines include: JOHNSON PLEADS INNOCENCE IN GRAFT CASEand THE STATE OF AFFAIRS 'IN THE WEST.
A pistol is shoved into a LADY's face; a hand pulls a ring off her
finger. An OLD CONFEDERATE VETERAN in a grey forage cap looks
terrified--one bandit takes cigars out of his pocket. Another bandit
takes things from the old man's pocket, tosses the loot into a flour
sack.
Meanwhile in the express car, ED MILLER has found a sledge hammer.
Jesse is standing by. Miller swings one blow, CLANG against the door
of the express car.
ED MILLER
So you locked yourself in, you son-of-a-bitch. If
You don't unlock this door, you’re a dead man.
The door slides open. They rush in, intent on finding whatever is
there. The EXPRESS AGENT is forced to open the safe. Then he is
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shunted aside, and as the bandits clean out the safe he tries to
escape. Jesse however knocks him unconscious with his pistol butt.
The gang fills the flour sacks with banknotes and negotiable
securities, as fast as they can; this is not a leisurely, orderly
heist.
EXT. TRAIN DEPOT PLATFORM – EVENING
Jesse is back on the platform. The flour sacks are full. Somebody on
the train fires a shot, which grazes the trousers of Wood Hite. Ryan
and some others return this fire.
JESSE
Best be going, it ain't safe around here no how.
EXT. HICHING POST – EVENING (CONTINUING)
Bandits mount up. As they ride out, they pass the GLENDALE, MISSOURI
sign.
INT. FRANK AND ANNIE’S HOME – DAY week after robbery
ZEE
(reading aloud from newspaper)
“Glendale Train Robbed: James Gang suspected.
James Gang Glendale Robbery Disputed by Major
Edwards. Offers evidence that Frank James is
dying of consumption. Reputed hide-out in
Mexico. Pinkertons skeptical.”
Paper drops, reveals Zee's face contorted with anger...Jesse comes inthe door.
ZEE (CONT’D)
Well, Jess. How much money did you steal this
time? You went to see your Ma? Hm-m? Looks like
to me you went to rob a train. Look me in the eye,
Jess, and tell me it ain’t so. Jesse don’t do this
to us. You got a family. What happened to your
promise?
JESSE
Now, Zee. Them Yankee robber barons got money
coming out their ears. This’s just restitution
for the trouble they’ve caused. Think how those
railroads hired the Pinkertons to blow my Mama's
arm off with that diabolical bomb, and kill my li’l
brother Archie. It's only evening the score. Besides
they’re robbing honest, hard-working
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Southern folks with their blood-sucking freight
rates. Sheer Yankee meanness against poor Southern
peoples.
ZEE
(Zee looks tired or the same old story.)
Is that what I'm going to tell our young uns
when their pa’s been brung down?
JESSE
(A funny look crosses Jesse's face.)
Zee. I got good news. I'm working out a pardon
with the Missouri politicians. Onlyest is a
matter of time.
ZEE
You've been talking to that old sot Edwards.No one believes that…that Robin Hood slop he
writes about you and Frank. I don't think he
does neither. He even compared you to one a the
knights of the Round Table. If that's not
embarrassing, you’ve got no shame whatsoever left.
Don't tell me nothing about the 'Lost Cause'…
She nods toward a picture of Frank James posed with a hog
On the mantle.
ZEE (CONT’D)Look how Frank's doing. Winning a prize for his
hog. He's getting into breeding…Right now, fact is, he's
up in Kentucky exhibiting his prize Poland
China hog at the fair. He’s got an angle.
Eveybody’s going to want his bloodlines. He’s
Going to make money that way. Why can’t you
jest do something smart like that. You learned
to rob from Frank. Jest why can’t you imitate how
he’s fitting in?
JESSE(smiles cynically)
Yes, I'm right proud of Frank. He seems to be cut
out to be a farmer. He's got that certain touch.
Plus, jest plain good luck. Good luck.
ZEE
(still riding Jesse)
Poor li’l Jesse, Jr. He's pert near five. We can't
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even call him by his name. He really thinks he is
'Tim Howard.’
Zee pauses to mention the most important event that has escaped
Jesse's mind.
ZEE
(pointing to sleeping baby)
Jess, you hain't even asked about your new li’l
child. Your family here’s a li’l bigger now.
Look there. Li’l Mary’s born. You ain’t so much
as looked at her nor asked how we’re doing. No
way I could get in touch with you…
Jesse softens. He has been writing in a small tablet absorbed by
figuring. He turns to the crib with true humility and affection.
JESSE
Oh, I’m sorry Zee. She’s looking jest like you
and Ma. Mary…that’s a great name. Mary James. Youdoing okay, hun?
ZEE
Jesse, how long we got to hide? They're never going
to pardon you....Especially if you keep it up.
Jesse grabs Zee and holds her. He looks tormented. Camera goes back
to Frank's picture on the mantle and focuses on the blue ribbon.
EXT. TRAIN, PASSENGER COACH – DAY
SUPER: BOWLING, GREEN, KENTUCKY, Mid October 1879
Screen fills with another blue ribbon, held in Frank James's hand.Pridefully, Frank looks at the ribbon as he boards a train. In the
background a MAN cranes his neck to see better, through a crowd of
people. Catches a brief glimpse of Frank James. Recognizes Frank,
who is absorbed into the boarding passengers.
CONDUCTOR (O. S.)
ALL ABOAR-R-R-R-R-D
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This Man (who recognized Frank) is visibly excited, and frustrated,
not knowing what to do next. Heads back to the telegraph office, He
looks madly around in the crowd.
EXT. TICKET WINDOW - BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY
He approaches a telegraph window...
MAN
(with great urgency)
Sir, sir--is there a peace officer around?
BOWLING GREEN CLERK
(preoccupied with his paper work)
May I help you?
MAN
(even more impatient)
No, no…no… I need police--or a deputy.
BOWLING GREEN CLERK
(finally giving his attention)
What's the problem?
MAN
I jest saw the infamous Frank James board that
very train.
BOWLING GREEN CLERK
Not Frank James the outlaw?
MAN
None other. I was at Samuel's Depot when that
butcher Quantrill's men surrendered. If that's
not him my name's Sarah Bernhardt.
BOWLING GREEN CLERK
(still in disbelief)
You sure? You ain't been jest reading too manywild stories have you? Now here's one better than
any of them outlaw ones.
He holds up dime novel, Kit Carson, Jr., The Crack Shot of the West.
MAN
No. damn it, I knowed what I saw. I was with that unit
that took the surrender of Quantrill's guerillas in '65.
I told you…
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BOWLING GREEN CLERK
(Finally the telegrapher focuses on what he saying.)
Oh, you were? Say, you might could know what you’re
talking about....
MAN
What's the next station down the line? We need
to get through.
BOWLING GREEN CLERK
Well, the next town a any size is Franklin,
Kentucky. But the train's not scheduled to stop
there. ‘Supposed to stop at Gallatin. Let me see
if I can get this telegraph key to work. ‘Been
trouble with it this morning...
EXT. TRAIN SPEEDING THROUGH COUNTRYSIDE – DAY
A sign is visible with the train, speeding past: FRANKLIN, KENTUCKY.
Frank James's face is visible in train.
INT. BOWLING GREEN, TENNESSEE TRAIN DEPOT
BOWLING GREEN CLERK
Never has acted this way before. 'Least not
since the War. We jest keep trying. May be
some work going on on the line down the way—
may take a while to get that fixed. I'll try
to reach Gallatin--and if that don't work,
Nashville.
He glances up at clock while pounding on telegraph keys as if to makethem work
BOWLING GREEN CLERK
They should be at Gallatin in just a few minutes—
about a ten minute stop—then they head into Nashville.
INTERCUT TO INT. TRAIN COACH
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Cut to Frank James in the train. Train has stopped. Sign outside the
train reads GALLATIN, TENNESSEE.
INT. GALLATIN, TN TELEGRAPH OFFICE - DAY
Cut to the inside of the telegraph office at Gallatin. REPAIR CREW
FOREMAN is talking to the REPAIRMAN.
FOREMAN
Hope we can get this cleared up.
Must have been that storm last night.
EXT, TRAIN PLATFORM AT TICKET WINDOW – GALLATIN, TENNESSEE
A MARSHALL with a badge comes up--it reads MARSHALL
CITY OF GALLATIN. Holds a stack of posters. They read PUBLIC NOTICE:
FOR SALE, and FORECLOSURE DUE TO TAX DELINQUINCY.
MARSHALL(to clerk, while tacking up)
Is this a good place to put these up?
GALLATIN CLERK
(peering out his window)
Oh, on any of them pillars be a’right.
Say, ain't that old Miss Whatley's place?
INTERCUT TO INT. TRAIN COACH
Frank James reading the newspaper is in stopped coach with Marshall
tacking up a poster outside visible through Frank’s window.
Newspaper shows a version of the Glendale robbery, with the follow-up
story: FRANK JAMES BELIEVED TO BE IN ROBBERY
INT. GALLATIN, TN TELEGRAPH OFFICE - DAY
More tension. Finally the key starts to work. The telegrapher writes
down the incoming message with a pencil. HOLD TRAIN. ON BOARD
BELIEVED MISSOURI BANDIT, FRANK JAMES. IDENTIFIED AS PASSENGER.
EXT, TRAIN PLATFORM AT TICKET WINDOW – GALLATIN, TENNESSEE
GALLATIN CLERK
(rushes to catch train)
Oh, crap!
Train has pulled too far away to notice his attempt to flag it down.
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INT. NASHVILLE POLICE OFFICE – DAY
Little KID comes in, out of breath, with a telegram.
KID
(to the desk clerk)
Hey, this is urgent. Make sure this gets to the
Chief a Police.
INT. NASHVILLE POLICE OFFICE – DAY (CONTINUING)
OFFICER takes the telegram. Looks at it. Stunned but not shaken.
Beckons ASSISTANT in. Closes door. Hands him the telegram.
OFFICERFrank James’s on the train from Gallatin. Be
arriving in half an hour. How many men do we
got? There can’t be no bloodshed.
EXT. NASHVILLE TRAIN STATION – SAME DAY
Train is surrounded. MEN with shotguns. Winchesters, positioned
behind barrels or in windows. A few WOMEN and CHILDREN are being held
back--a CHILD escapes and runs across to see the train. He is
stopped, and herded back by an OFFICER.
EXT. TRAIN ARRIVES IN NASHVILLE
Train pulls to a stop. The OFFICERS move in with military precision.
Some drop behind pillars for protective cover. Officer waves hand:
two Men emerge at the front and rear of each car, and board it. Thus
the entire train is “sealed" in each of its cars by the Nashville
police.
INT. OF TRAIN FIRST PASSENGER CAR – DAY (CONTINUING)
They start down the aisles of the cars, demand identification of male
passengers--one man asks, the other as a back-up with a rifle at the
end of the car.
One MAN IN CHEQUERED SUIT has no identification but a good deal of
money and no clear story.
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MAN IN CHEQUERED SUIT
I just come to Nashville to see my relatives.
OFFICER
Where they live? What’s their names?
They search him. They find two shoulder-rigged guns, and plenty of
money. The Officer gets more excited as he thinks he has captured
Frank James
OFFICER
(excited with high pitched voice)
Hold him. I got him, I got him, I got Frank James.
INT. SECOND COACH ON TRAIN – DAY (CONTINUING)
They have arrested another character with no plausible explanations.
SECOND OFFICER
Nah, I think we got him prisoner, right here.
INT. THIRD COACH ON TRAIN – DAY (CONTINUING)
CHIEF OF POLICE in another car. He holds a man. Then he notices a
familiar figure and face.
CHIEF OF POLICE
Hey, there's Mr. Woodson.
WOODSON/FRANK
(looks up from reading)
What's going on, Chief? Can I help in some kind
of way?
CHIEF OF POLICE
(offering handshake)
Ben. Ben Woodson.
WOODSON/FRANK
What y’all doing? Something going on?
CHIEF OF POLICE
Had a little problem, Ben. Got a report Frank
James was on this here train.
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WOODSON/FRANK
(looking surprised)
Really? Didn't know them James boys come this
far...Jest got back from the fair at Bowling Green. Will
you look at this?"
Displays his blue ribbon.
WOODSON/FRANK (CONT’D)
Took a first place for my Poland China
hog.
Chief of police still holds a passenger, a suspicious-looking type,
but nods approvingly to "Mr. Woodson." He then compares his captive
to a Pinkerton reward poster of a drawing of Frank James which looks
like the suspect but not like the real Frank James who stands nearby.
EXT. NASHVILLE TRAIN PLATFORM – DAY (CONTINUING)
Frank is now out on the platform. Pushes past assorted LAWMEN. Some
of them have taken at least temporary prisoners off the train.
Interrogations continue.
WOODSON/FRANK
(nods to an officer)
Howdy, Bill
OFFICER
Hi ya, Ben. Congratulations. I might want toget me one a your hogs.
Frank says hello to various officers, flashing his blue ribbon. Then
he approaches an hysterical TRAIN CONDUCTOR
WOODSON/FRANK
Can you get someone to help me get my hog crate
Off your train?
CONDUCTOR
Oh, yes, yes. 'Been so excited. There's an outlawon the train. Can’t tell you who it is, though.
Confidential like, you know?
WOODSON/FRANK
Reckon it's Billy the Kid?
Frank gets his hog in a crate. He proudly attaches his blue ribbon to
the crate, and walks past. The Police Chief is issuing orders to
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release some of the suspects. He has zeroed in on the one with the
unaccounted-for cash. He's handcuffed.
CHIEF OF POLICE
We’re going to talk about this down at the jail.
I'm going to telegraph your description to the
Pinkertons.
Frank stops at the depot’s news stand. Buys two dime novels.
LADY STANDING BY
What's going on?
WOODSON/FRANK
I reckon they’ve caught Jesse James and one of
them Younger boys.
WOODSON/FRANK
(lowers his voice)One of them Youngers escaped, you know. Ain't been
in the papers...they’re trying to keep it hushed up till
they catch them.
LADY STANDING BY
(horrified)
Oh. Land sakes! Western bandits in Nashville. That's a
disgrace. As if the politicians wasn't
bad enough. What is this city coming to?
EXT. FRANK’S NASHVILLE HOME – LATER SAME DAY
Frank arrives home in a wagon; Jesse sees him arrive. Frank is
unloading his hog to its pen.
FRANK
(showing the blue ribbon)
Hey, Jess. Look what my hog done won. Cash prize too -
$5.
JESSE
(chuckles at own joke, then wrinkles nose)Frank, you sure been getting into them hogs, hain't you?
Really bringing home the bacon, huh?
Fine hog. What do you call that pig, Frank?
FRANK
His real name is 'General Ben Butler' after that
Yankee swine. But I entered him in the fair under
his official alias a course: FALSTAFF.
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Frank gets serious.
FRANK (CONT’D)
How was Ma? You did see her didn't you?
JESSE
Most certainly.
FRANK
(looks doubtful)
Humph.
JESSE
(showing irritation)
Hey, you don't believe your own brother? That
it Frank?
FRANK(to change the topic)
Forget it, Jess. Don't mean no harm. Hey, you read
this one?
He hands Jess a dime novel, The Adventures of Claude Duval, or The
Highwayman's Rendezvous. Jesse softens, takes book gratefully. Then,
wishing to talk some more, he leads Frank a little out of the wives'
earshot (Zee and Annie having heard this up to now).
JESSE
Frank, we made a score. I got some new boystogether and we hit the Chicago and Alton at Glendale.
Best job you ever did see. One hundred
per cent professional. Professional! No one hurt.
No slip-ups. Think we learnt our business since
Northfield. Without Cole and his bungling brothers,
it was like sheep for the shearing. You'd a been
proud to see it.
FRANK
Sure it was a storybook robbery, but damn it,
they’re thinking I was there too. The papers arefull a it.
Jesse is impassive, not knowing how to react. Then he converts this
to a new opportunity.
JESSE
Well, long as they’re thinking you was in on it,
maybe you ought to reconsider helping, Frank.
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This time--let me tell you…it's all different.
The whole secret is your men, Frank. Jest like
in wartime. We’ve got the best, bar none, this
time out.
FRANK
(clearly irritated)
This is making me ill, scared and plumb angry.
Jest who did you get, Dingus?
JESSE
(defensively)
Well, Ed Miller. Cousin Wood. Dick Liddil. Bill
Ryan and Tucker Bassham. South’d won if we'd had troops
like that in the war.
FRANK
(knowingly)
Liddil's a two-bit horse thief. Ryan's a sot and Bassham'sa moron. They’ll get you caught for sure. Wouldn't be surprised if
they had Bassham already.
Probably flashing money around like a soldier on
pay day.
Frank pulls at his hair while pacing around Jesse.
FRANK
(talking through his teeth)
Jess, I don't care if you got General Shelby in
your gang. The world's greatest bandits are goingto get caught if they ride for Jesse James. You
are a marked man. It's only a matter a time. The
Pinkertons can make a hundred mistakes. They keep
on coming. You onlyest get one. They're going to
get you sooner or later...brother-r-r-
JESSE
(irritated)
You and Zee. Zee and you. Always telling me how
bad its going to bring me down. I’m doing this
for us. You never encourage me. You both jestwant to see me waste away plowing the dirt, nursing sick
chickens or working for pennies for some fat
somebody who can’t afford to buy hisself another
slave. I got more pride than that.
FRANK
(shakes head)
Jess, you won't believe this. But jest today
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they came onto the train looking for Frank James.
Course they didn't find him. Jest found good ol'
Ben Woodson. I laughed it off. It was funny,
Jess. They hand-cuffed some poor con artist with
no straight story and hauled him away.
JESSE
(amused)
That silly Pinkerton poster they got on us
--no one would recognize us.
FRANK
(interrupting)
But the point is, Jess, someone knew I was on that
train. Must have been recognized up at Bowling Green.
Telling you, brother, it's only a matter of time.
Frank walks back to his hog. Jess standing alone, looks separated
from Frank.
INT. NASHVILLE SALOON AND CARD GAME ROOM - EVENING
Frank and Jesse playing cards with Nashville police. It is the
aftermath of their "almost" catching Frank James. Some of the same
officers are playing cards with Frank and Jesse.
WOODSON/FRANKFrank James really ‘round these here parts?
CHIEF OF POLICE
Someone thought so. Got excited and must have
mistook somebody else to be him. We didn’t find
trace a him on that train. We was thorough. If
he were there, you can bet we'd have nabbed him.
WOODSON/FRANK
I know that’s right.
CHIEF OF POLICE
(pulls picture from vest pocket)
Jest right smart till them boys get caught anyways.
The latest police investigative techniques are
at our disposal. This here's a current picture
of the James boys we got from the Pinkerton's.
Pulls out photos of two men. They look nothing like the
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two brothers, Frank and Jesse.
HOWARD/JESSE
Well, if you ever get word of them boys, I’d
sure be proud to be in the posse. How about
you Ben?
Then Jesse looks down at his cards. He's been losing all night.
HOWARD/JESSE (CONT’D)
(standing to leave)
Well, that ‘bout finishes me anyways.
CHIEF OF POLICE
(smiling patting his own pile of money)
You sure came in with a wad a bills. Looks
like your leaving with whole lot less.
EXT. NASHVILLE CITY STREET - EVENING
The brothers are walking down the street, after the card game.
JESSE
Frank, I hear Tucker Bassham's been caught.
FRANK
(sarcastically)
Real bunch a professionals you got. Look, I'm
sure somebody did see me. Bound to happen again.
Too many peoples in two whole states know us. Andthere's a lot a damn Yankees that have been coming
in, and all it takes is one. I don't want to be
shipped back to Minnesota to stand trial.
JESSE
(with air of desperation)
Frank, what am I going to do? I jest got no
luck being a farmer. Luck, Frank, LUCK. Jestlike in cards. Look how it went against me
tonight. I got so many gambling debts and not
no money to pay them.
FRANK
You mean you got more lucky robbing trains and
banks?
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JESSE
I never been caught. Not even come close, well,
well, uh…except maybe at Northfield. If the damned
Youngers hadn't been soused...
FRANK
They came too close to me for me to like it,
I don't care if the Pinkertons can't tell our
faces from President Hayes's picture. We better
mend our ways. How'd you like to see Zee and
Annie get a bomb served through the kitchen window
for breakfast? Them Pinkertons kill for money.
Not even the great Jesse James is going to ride
on forever. Don't believe them dime novels, Jesse.
JESSE
I'm going to go up to Missouri and see if I can
spring Tucker—or at least keep him quiet. By the
way, Frank, do you think Ed Miller could possiblybe a spy? I jest wonder if the Pinkertons hain't
slipped him thirty pieces of silver.
FRANK
(laughing)
How the hell would I know? Jesse, you recruited him.
You brought him down here and you both bought that
damned race horse. If it is Pinkerton money, they bet
it on the wrong horse. You had to sell that
nag at half price to get home from the race at
Atlanta.
JESSE
(non-plussed)
Frank, my luck's going to turn. I can feel it.
Goin’g to pull one or two more jobs at most.
Then buy myself that farm out west. They’re
never going to find me. Put all this behind me.
FRANK
Deal me out, Dingus. I jest want a clean slate
when it all happens. I got a good record with
the lumber company which can’t hurt the way
things’re going. Your just going to get us
caught, Jesse. It'll wipe out the good start
I made in Tennessee. I jest hope I beat the
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gallows and maybe even stay out a prison.
I give you all the help I can.
JESSE
You'll see. You'll see I'm right. Heard there's
good farming in Nebraska. That’s where we all
settle one day. Sooner than you think. Jest
leave it to me.
FRANK
Glad to, Jesse, glad to leave it to you.
EXT. WOODED HILLS NORTH OF NASHVILLE - MORNING
Jesse and Ed Miller are riding on a road in a desolate area.
JESSESomething mighty funny been happening lately.
Somebody fingered Frank as being on the train from
Bowling Green. Almost got him caught. Got
any idea about it, Ed?
Horses stop.
ED MILLER
Hey, Jesse, you’re not thinking me now...is that
what you’re trying to say? I never betrayed us.
JESSEWhy you denying it, then? I didn't accuse you.
You’re guilty about something.
ED MILLER
Hell, Jesse, my own brother got killed thanks
to the way you bungled the Northfield raid.
JESSE
Ho! oh-h, oh. So’s that's why you’re trying to
strike back at me and Frank. We called that kind
of thing treason, back in the War.
Jesse's gun is out. Miller reaches for his pistol. Jesse fires.
Miller is blown backwards by the blast.
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EXT. OUTSIDE FRANK’S HOUSE AT THE JEFF HYDE PLACE, NASHVILLE - DAY
Horsemen approach the Jeff Hyde place. Dick Liddil--Jesse--Bill Ryan.
Frank is chopping wood. He turns to little Jesse.
FRANK
Tim, here comes your Dad. You get in the house
and wash yourself up, directly. And stay in the
house, you hear?
Men dismount. Ryan is wobbly, and as he walks up takes a snort at a
whiskey flask, then tucks it into his coat pocket.
JESSE
You boys go on in. Make yourselves at home.
Our house is yours, right Frank?
FRANK
(aghast)What are you thinking, Dingus. Bringing that
durned Irishman around here? He’ll get us all captured
and maybe killed. You think you’re a professional bandit?
Drinking don't mix with
working.
JESSE
Hell, Frank, you’re always misinterpreting.
We’re not going to rob any trains here abouts.
Not in Tennessee, we're clean in Tennessee.
FRANK
Don't think the law cares too much about where
you hain't gotten into trouble. Damn it, Jesse,
think of the women. They're real scared – every
day of their lives that we're all going to be
ambushed. There’s something loose in your head, bringing
Ryan around? He’ll bring it all down on
us.
JESSE
I got as much right to my friends as you got toyour court house cronies. Mine’s jest as good as
your friends. Hell, your’s ain't even good
highwaymen....
Screeching comes from inside the farmhouse.
ZEE (O.S.)
(screaming for Jesse)
Jesse Woodson James. You get in here this here
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minute.
Sound of someone vomiting (O.S.) Bill Ryan emerges from farm house,
wiping his mouth. Zee behind him, pushing him out the door.
ZEE
Get out. Out, out, out, get out. Not in my
kitchen if your going to get sick. Jesse get
in here and look at this. It's all over the
kitchen. It’s an awful mess.
Ryan, staggering around, weaving, he is so drunk.
BILL RYAN
Sorry, ma'am. Must have been some right smart
bad oysters I got from up the trail. Didn’t
mean to mess your kitchen up.
Zee glares. Dick Liddil retreats back toward his horse. Frank turns
to Liddil.
FRANK
What, oysters? You mean that whiskey's been going
down on top a oysters? How can a man that stupid
rob a train and not get caught?
EXT. JESSE GOES IN THE HOUSE BUT THE VIEW IS ON THE MEN OUTSIDE
LISTENING TO THE OFF SCREEN EXCHANGE
Jesse goes in the house and tries to prevent Zee from reentering.
But she pushes herself in.
ZEE (O.S.)
Jess you clean up that awful mess.
JESSE (O.S.)
Zee, now don’t you come in. Don't come in. Not
till I mop it up.
ZEE (O.S.)
The idea, bringing a drunk around in front of
the kids. He looks like more of that outlawriff-raff. Jesse? How could you-u-u?
JESSE
(near speechless O.S.)
I, I kin explain everything.
ZEE(O.S.)
I'm sure, but I kin do without hearing it...
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Here, let me guess. He's a fine Confederate
veteran whom you jest happened to meet up with.
Jesse comes out of kitchen.
BILL RYAN
Jess, let me go in and apologize to your Missus.
Liddil and Jesse hang on to Ryan to prevent him.
JESSE
Oh, she don't hold it against you. I explained.
She knows it was jest them bad oysters.
Ryan gets on his horse, rocks around in the saddle somewhat. Frank is
staring in wonderment, shaking his head. He starts laughing. Gets
carried away. He starts pointing at Ryan and Liddil. Jesse looks
back resentfully, feeling insulted. But Frank cannot stop laughing.
FRANK
(with look of mock sympathy)
Them oysters will do it every time.
EXT. SIDE OF ROAD IN DESERTED LOCALE –DAY nearly a year later
In the background is a sign LITTLE HOPE BAPIST CHURCH. Church on top
of steep hill. Gang in brushy thicket, on horseback. Bill-Ryan is
swigging on a bottle.
EXT. SIDE OF ROAD IN DESERTED LOCALE –LATER
SUPER: MAMOUTH CAVE STAGECOACH ROBBERY September 3, 1880
JESSE
(Jesse with hair dyed black, and beard)
Here they come.
A stagecoach appears. The men ride out, guns drawn, aiming at the
driver. Jesse dismounts in his most pleasant manner (under his
bandana mask)
JESSE
Y’all come out of the stage, please.
Passengers, seven men and one lady--nervous, unarmed--are coming out.
Dressed in clothing appropriate for the period. One passenger slips a
wallet and a gold watch under the seat.
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JESSE
Hurry up.
After they get out, Jesse continues speaking, very dashingly and
cavalierly.
JESSE (CONT’D)
Pray forgive us, ladies and gentlemen. We’re not
what we seem. Instead of bold highwaymen we’re
but humble moon shiners, hotly-pursued by Yankee
revenue agents. We’re compelled to take a donation
from y’all to aid our exodus to the Western
provinces where prejudice and harassment are not
visited upon the honest distiller of fine spirits.
JESSE (CONT’D)
Might I inquire if any of the gentlemen present
served in the Southern cause during the LateUnpleasantness?
PASSENGER
Yes, in a Georgia regiment.
One lady accidentally drops her purse into the mud.
JESSE
(gives it back to her)
Allow me.
Picks it up; wipes it clean on his trouser.
Ryan looks boozey and is passing the open flour sack. He beckons
with his hand.
BILL RYAN
Bless you, bless you, for your contribution.
Jesse takes out a piece of paper.
JESSE
If each of you good people be so kind as tosupply your name and address, we will send back
a reimbursement soon as our fortunes reverse
their selves, as God willing, would soon come to
pass.
One LADY gives her address as Lebanon, Kentucky.
JESSE
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Do you know Misses Pence and Shelby of Lebanon?
LADY
Quite well.
JESSE
So do I. Give them my regards when you next
see them. Tell them I will make this right by
y’all in due time.
After handing them back their railroad passes, the outlaws bow from
their saddles.
Jesse has an opened bottle of whiskey and makes all the men have a
drink. One MAN takes a fast gulp--pauses--looks at it, then hands it
back trying to conceal his distaste. Jesse and each of the gang take
a swig and Ryan keeps the bottle.
EXT. ROAD HOME TO NASHVILLE THROUGH WOODS – DAY
As they ride along, Ryan swigging on the bottle.
BILL RYAN
Jesse, you really going to give them back their
stuff?
Jesse pulls out the list, goes down the figures.
JESSE
Hm-m-m. Not bad.
Then he crumples and starts to throw it--then catches himself.
JESSE (CONT’D)
Must be getting careless in my old age. Burn it
later.
EXT.TO INT. FRANK’S HOUSE AT JEFF HYDE PLACE - A LATER DAY
Jesse arrives at the Jeff Hyde place in an empty wagon, which has a
few packages. He comes in the door. Frank’s grown a beard too.
FRANK
Well, good to see my brother back. Looks like you
been shopping.
JESSE
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Struck it rich up at Bowling Green. Got into a
really good game. Got my luck back. Some real
gamblers with some real money. I could do no wrong.
That table was jest mine. Look here, Frank. Something
for Annie. Bought this at the jewelry shop. Threw away
the box, jest didn't look good.
Hands him a modest necklace.
FRANK
(knowingly)
Why, thank you, brother. So glad the cards was
good to you…and to us.
JESSE
Hain't forgot about my brother, neither. Here.
Have this.
Presents Frank with a gold watch.
JESSE (CONT’D)
Won this from a Yankee veteran. Yeah, and here's
a little light reading material.
Opens sack, and hands Frank a dime novel, Thaddeus of Warsaw. Takes
out of sack The Red Corsair; or, The Privateer of Barbary.
JESSE, (CONT’D)
(holds pirate novel up)
I got me this here one. Sort of wish I joinedthe Confederate Navy. Look, Frank, these
privateers are jest like the James Gang.
FRANK
Uh, using ships instead a horses, you mean
pirates, don't you Jesse?
Frank glares out the window.
FRANK (CONT’D)
Did you win that wagon, gambling?
JESSE
No, I jest rented it. Got some news. Don't know
how to break it to you. But I got to move. In
fact, I already rented a place in a rooming
house near the State Capitol. Much better
neighborhood for the family. Besides, I think
we're in y’all's way. I got to think of my
family too.
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FRANK
(mockingly)
Got to admit this rundown pig farm hain't
much when your friends come to call.
JESSE
Now Frank, hain't nothing like that at all.
Appreciate you having us nearly two years.
FRANK
Don't explain, brother. Makes my craw feel good,
you moving up and all. That's the important thing.
JESSE
Yes, I fixing to go into the grain dealing
business again. Going to invest this here money
and resell some grain down south.
Frank looks pleased that Jesse is going to do honest business.
FRANK
I got some good news too. Got a promotion with
the Indiana Lumber Company. Up to $3.00 a day,
now. Be a good future. We’ll probably move
down to Edgefield ourselves. Nearer to town and
my work jest across the river. Glad we’re both retiring
from the road agent business. It's
getting’ kind a crowded. Looks like some others
are stealing our thunder.
Frank hands Jesse a newspaper clipping: MAMMOUTH CAVE HOLD-UP
FRANK (CONT’D)
It seems the bandits offered the passengers
drinks. Like they was moon shiners. Even
robbed a Confederate. Now I know the James
Gang would never do that.
Frank's dead-pan has a twinkle in his eye.
JESSE
(shaking head)
That's terrible. Must have been damn Yankees.
That's proof it weren’t us. They’re going to
hang it on the James boys all the same. Poor ol’
Jesse and Frank.
FRANK
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Not me, not me. I was down at the race track
with Jonas Taylor the blacksmith looking at
some horse flesh. Course you, Jesse, you’d
have your fellow card players to testify, if
you ever needed live witnesses.
JESSE
Uh--yes--of course. You’re damned right. Well,
I got to get our wagon packed up. I think things
are really changing for me, Frank, I can jest
feel it. The Lord helps them who helps themselves.
EXT. WAGON LOADED WITH HOUSEHOLD STUFF- MORNING
Jesse drives team. Zee's head on Jesse's shoulder--family unity is
reinforced by this brief lyrical vignette.
Sticking out of the back of the wagon is the GOD BLESS OUR HOME sign.Visible are some of Jesse's empty grain sacks.
EXT. EDGE OF A SMALL TOWN
SUPER: MUHLENBURG COUNTY, MERCER, KENTUCKY - October 15, 1880
Bill Ryan and Jesse are waiting on horseback when Dick Liddil comes
riding back from scouting.
DICK LIDDIL
Everything is all clear in town.
They ride toward the town.
JESSE
Dick, you jest wait and see. This here’s
Going to be another Glendale. They got the
payroll for the coal company in the store
safe. I been feeling lucky all day. Besides,
we done lots of planning for this one.
EXT. DOVEY’S MERCANTILE STORE
They dismount in front of Dovey's Mercantile. Ryan
and Jesse go into the store, pulling up bandana masks
on their faces; Liddil remains outside, on guard.
There is only one CUSTOMER, a neatly-dressed black man in a suit,
buying something at the counter, Jesse's gun is out, and his flour
sack is open.
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JESSE
G’morning, sir, taking contributions for the
orphans and widows left helpless by the Late
Unpleasantness. Sorry to not show my face to
an honest merchant like yerself, but the Yankees
are still hounding some of us, won't let us settle
down. Not our fault we we’re caught in the Ohio
raid in the summer of 1863. We were imprisoned and
abandoned. Only by the greatest good fortune was we able
to make our way to freedom. We dug a long,
secret tunnel in fact. Even though we were hounded
relentlessly, we do what we can for the deserving
needy.
Turning to the black customer
JESSE (CONT’D)
You like to make an offering, sir?
CUSTOMER
Please don't shoot. I'm jest a poor preacher
man and my flock can barely afford food for
theyselves. But you’re welcome to all I got.
Produces two quarters and a dime, Jesse takes these, nodding thanks
JESSE
My, a man a the cloth. My father was a servant
of the Lord. I taught a Sunday school class or
two myself, brother. It’s comforting to knowthat if a man but confesses his sins to his Maker,
he can always be forgiven.
CUSTOMER
Yessuh.
Jesse to the STOREKEEPER.
JESSE
You, please open the safe, sir?
STOREKEEPER
Don't shoot me. I only got a little change
in the safe. A very little money.
JESSE
Whatever you can contribute will be appreciated.
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The safe is opened. Ryan rushes up, pushing past Jesse to see what is
to be found. He paws through the safe.
BILL RYAN
(screaming)
Wha the hell!? Wha the hell?
Ryan digs through a bag and finds only loose small change. Dimes.
Quarters. No silver dollars, no gold coins.
BILL RYAN
Wha the hell?
He tosses the bag to Jesse who catches it with one hand. He can feel
what it isn't. Jesse's face shows his frustration. He pockets the
money, paltry as it is. Then he notices the storekeeper's watch-
chain. He goes over and yanks the storekeeper's watch, ripping it
from the man's vest. He says nothing whatever.
JESSE
(turns on customer)
You’re holding out on me, I reckon. Empty them
pockets. It ain’t right for no preacher man to be
lying.
Jams his gun in the man's face. Scraps of paper fall out, plus a
small Bible and a pen-knife--Jesse grabs these and
drops them into his sack. Jesse tosses the sack to Ryan.
JESSE
Here, fill her up with what ever you find.
BILL RYAN
Right, General.
He returns to the counter, and empties the candy canes from one
container and all the rock candy from another, into the bag. Then he
goes back and gets some cans of oysters off the shelf, throwing about
four into the sack till Jesse sees this and says:
JESSE
That's enough oysters.
As they leave, Ryan grabs a last can and stuffs it into his pocket.
And he grabs a bottle of whiskey. As they exit Ryan doffs his hat
politely though exaggeratedly to the minister
BILL RYAN
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With the compliments of General John Hunt Morgan.
The storekeeper looks puzzled. The outlaws depart.
STOREKEEPER
(to customer)
Thought General Morgan was killed in Tennessee
back in '64.
CUSTOMER
(nodding in agreement)
Sumpin’ bad wrong wid dem. Real bad. I tink dem
men might could use a heap a prayin’. Fact is,
I‘s fixin’ to do dat very thing shortly myse’f.
EXT. ROAD OUTSIDE OF TOWN – DAY
Liddil wants the gang to stop. They briefly halt.
DICK LIDDIL
Hold up. Now what'd we get, anyways?
Jesse is silent and hesitant. Ryan produces a bottle.
BILL RYAN
Here, Dick, take a snort. You’re going to need
it.
Liddil holds the bottle but gets all the more, anxious and puzzled.
DICK LIDDIL
Now what did we get?
JESSE
Well, Bill got hisself some provisions and I
got me a fine pocket-knife and Bible for li’l
Jesse, and you, Dick, you got a handsome gold
watch in the deal.
DICK LIDDIL
You’re holding out on me, Jess. How much was in
the safe?
JESSE
(extends closed fist)
I’m keeping this for expenses on the road.
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Liddil grabs it out of Jess's hands. Spills coins into his hands.
DICK LIDDIL
What the hell! Ugh-h-h! Not even $15.
INT. RESTAURANT IN NASHVILLE- ANOTHER DAY
Jim Cummins and Frank James are seated, having lunch at a small
table.
JIM CUMMINS
Sure is good to be down here in Tennessee.
Missouri is really getting hot. They think
I was in on that Glendale train robbery.
FRANK
Is that a fact?
JIM CUMMINS
I saw enough shooting when we were with Quantrill
and Anderson, and I don't need no more. I jest
want to live the rest of my life peacefully.
FRANK
Yeah, I know what you mean. Been working for the
Indiana Lumber Company for over a year now. Surebeats a life on the run.
JIM CUMMINS
I rode down with Jesse, but I don't want to
stay with him. Jesse's bound to get his ass
caught.
FRANK
(sighing)
Yeah. When he does, it'll be that drunkenIrishman Bill Ryan. He puked all over the
kitchen when Zee was cooking.She made Jesse
clean it up. Sorry, not something to talk
about at lunch. Jesse lived with us for awhile,
but he moved out. Said he felt his luck was
improving. I sort of wonder. After his last
trip to Kentucky, he came back with a hang-dog
look, wouldn't speak for days. Almost like that
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race in Atlanta where he and Ed Miller had to
sell the horse at half what Jesse paid for it,
jest to get home.
JIM CUMMINS
Say, that's one reason I'm down here. Like to
find ol' Ed.
FRANK
Last thing I heard, he’s going up to Missouri
with Jesse. About six months ago. That kinda
puzzles me. No one's said or heard nothing about
Ed, since then.
JIM CUMMINS
Some people say he was somewhere in the vicinity
of Northbourne, Missouri. Not too long ago a
corpse turned up outside a town. Too badly
gone to identify positively, but some of theclothing remaining was sure enough similar to
what ol’ Ed used to wear. No one's certain. I
jest hoped you knowed something.
FRANK
No, I don't. Jesse’s been acting jumpy-like ever
since Tucker Bassham got hisself captured. Even
asked me once if I thought Ed Miller might be
working for the law.
Cummins looks ill. Waitress appears, to suggest pie for dessert.Cummins shakes his head.
FRANK
Some that berry you got…fine with me.
Then Frank notices a man through the window on the boardwalk. The man
is ill at ease and looks suspiciously at people. Frank jerks Cummins
by the sleeve.
FRANK (CONT’D)
You like to be introduced to a detective?
Cummins grows pale, starts to fidget.
JIM CUMMINS
(more nervous than angry)
Not by a damned sight, you think I'm a damned
fool? Hain't you got any sense, Frank? Y’all
get pulled in one of these days with your
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brashness.
FRANK
Calm down. The last place they expect to find
you is right under their noses. If you sneak
around and act suspicious like, that’s when
they notice you. Like that detective hisself.
He's acting like a detective out of a dime
novel. Probably less sense than God gave a goose.
JIM CUMMINS
Well, maybe so, but detectives make me nervous.
FRANK
Me too, but only when they start to win at poker.
JIM CUMMINS
(looking aghast)
You play cards with them?
FRANK
Often as I can. Frankly, I think they're better
peace officers than they’re gamblers.
JIM CUMMINS
Reckon I got to go now.
Cummins gets up, and nervously leaves. As he does so, the suspicious-
acting detective looks at him quizzically. Frank chuckles.
EXT. SIDE WALK – WINTER NIGHT
Camera focuses on boots marching along a sidewalk. A large bag is
swinging alongside.
INT. JESSE’S NASHVILLE HOUSE –NIGHT
Present is Zee, Jesse, Jr., little Mary and Dick Liddil.
Footsteps are loud on the front porch.
DICK LIDDILWhat's that?
He slowly draws his pistol from his shoulder holster. The door knob
slowly turns. The kids are huddled around Zee. Liddil is cocking his
revolver as he draws it, the door opens.
DICK LIDDIL
Who is it?
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Then the door opens
SANTA CLAUS/JESSE
Ho, ho it's Santa Claus.
It is, and in full costume.
SANTA CLAUS/JESSE
Put that hog-leg away, son, you wouldn't want
to hurt Santa, would you?
KIDS
(gleefully)
It's Santa Claus, it's Santa Claus"
SANTA CLAUS/JESSE
(in a deep falsetto)Now, has everybody been good this year?
ZEE
Yes, and we hope Santa Claus has been good
this year too. And that he will be good all
next year.
JESSE, JR.
But Ma, Santa Claus is always good.
Santa is now opening his bag. He hands out a small package in brownwrapping paper, with a poor attempt at a ribbon tied around it.
SANTA CLAUSE/JESSE
Here you be, son.
Little Jesse opens his, and it is a small Bible.
ZEE
Oh-h, let me look at that.
Taking it from Jesse, Jr.'s fingers. She runs her finger along the
inside hinge of the book. The front fly-leaf has been cut out.ZEE
Yes, Tim, what a wonderful place to learn
about Jesus and all the Ten Commandments, like
‘Thou Shalt Not Steal' and all the rest.
Liddil stifles an embarrassed grin. "Santa" clears his throat.
Dipping into his sack, he retrieves a small, equally-badly wrapped
parcel.
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SANTA CLAUS/JESSE
Something for Missus Howard. The lady of the
house who takes such fine care a these young ‘uns.
Zee softens. Opens the package. A small ring. Close-up of the ring--
it will be familiar to those who remember the Mammoth Cave scene.
“Santa” slips it onto the finger of “Mrs. Howard” or tries to, but it
won't go.
ZEE
(smoothing things over)
It is so-o-o pretty.
SANTA CLAUS/JESSE
Jest an early fitting. Santa didn't know your
exact ring size. Needs a simple adjustment at
the local jeweler's to set it right.
ZEEYes. Yes a course.
She has awkwardly placed it on her little finger, sticking out
unnaturally to keep it from falling off. “Santa”
hands out candy.
SANTA CLAUS/JESSE
Santa has sweets for all’s y’all.
He rather perfunctorily hands Liddil a stick of candy who takes it,
looking non-plussed.
SANTA CLAUS/JESSE
(whispers to Liddil)
Got a bottle outside for you, for later.
JESSE, JR.
(Sniffs his stick of candy.)
Ma, it smells like a horse.
SANTA CLAUS/JESSE
Reindeer, my boy, reindeer.
ZEE
Oh yes, I should a known. I'll bet they’re
from Kentucky, too, no. Excuse me. The North
Pole I mean.
Jesse looks a little confounded.
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EXT. FRANK’S HOUSE AT JEFF HYDE PLACE –DAY
Rider approaches. Frank James looks up from chopping wood; it is his
brother Jesse. Frank's smile fades--something is amiss.
FRANK
What's on your mind, Dingus?
JESSE
(almost out of breath)
Jim Cummins has skipped out. Left nearly all of
his clothes. Hain't been seen in over a day.
FRANK
Told me he was looking for Ed Miller. Lot of us’d
like to know where’s ol’ Ed.
JESSE
I hate to admit it, Frank. I had to shoot him.
He was working for the Pinkertons. Honest...
Jesse swallows hard, stretching further, he lies.
JESSEHe confessed. Cummins’s mixed up with it somehow
too, don’t you jest know?
FRANK
Can't believe Miller worked for the Pinkertons.
Not such a one who lost a brother at Northfield.
And I know Cummins is trustworthy.
JESSE
Well, I think we got us a traitor in our ranks,
Frank. Not counting my reliable friends DickLiddil and Bill Ryan.
FRANK
You know what I think of your trusted friends.
We ought to be making new friends, respectable
people here in Nashville. You want to live the
rest of your life on the run?
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Frank then ponders maybe they have been detected.
FRANK
You know Jess, maybe it be a good idea for us
to get out a here jest for awhile, in case your
right. We don't need to go so far. Say, Alabama.
They'd never think to look for us there.
JESSE
(grinning broadly)
That's a fine idea. Hain’t been nowhere together
for right smart.
FRANK
Jesse, I got some time off coming. Been slow
Lately in the logging business. We've got some
friends down in Selma. You and me leave tomorrow.
Stay away for a month or so. Maybe you’re right
about Cummins. He may not be working for thePinkertons, but he sure spooks easy.
FRANK (CONT’D)
He might could turn hisself in and bargain for
a pardon at our expense. Leave Liddil to watch
the women.
JESSE
Yeah, I kin get Liddil to stick around and watch
the women and kids. Zee don’t mind him too much.
EXT. A LIGHTED HOUSE AFTER DARK - JESSE’S WOODLAND STREET HOME
SUPER: 903 WOODLAND STREET, EDGEFIELD DISTRICT, NASHVILLE,
February 14, 1881
INT. ZEE’S AND JESSE’S WOODLAND STREET HOUSE
Zee is knitting. Dick Liddil is reading a paper. Jesse, Jr. ("Tim")
is building a house out of scraps of board and tin cans. Mary is
watching.
NOISE (O.S.)
THUD!
Noise against the front door, as if a small rock thrown. Liddil looks
up, puzzled. Turns back to his paper.
NOISE (O.S.)
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BONK!
Sounds like a bigger rock. Puts paper down and glances at Zee--she
looks frightened.
NOISE (O.S.)
CRASH!
Liddil gets up and heads toward the door, hand reaching for the knob.
ZEE
(whispers)
Wait. Could be the Pinkertons.
DICK LIDDIL
Well, it sure ain't Santa Claus.
He turns to a hallway closet and extracts a shotgun - two hammers
slip back. Zee grabs up the kids to get them out of the line of
fire.ZEE
Oh no.
Another rock thrown by someone off camera that crashes against the
door. You see three other rocks lying on the porch. As the rock arcs,
and hits the door, and falls back down, suddenly--before it hits the
porch--there is a blast and the central door panel explodes in a
cloud of buckshot and wood splinters.
The shattered door is kicked open. Liddil rushes out.
Cut to the street. A man is rushing across the street, past a lamppost. Liddil fires again. CLANG! as a shot ricochets off the lamp
post. Man escapes in the dark.
People are coming out of houses. This is a neighborhood. Liddil
stands on the porch with a smoking gun.
EXT. VIEW OF FRONT OF WOODLAND STREET PORCH IN THE DARK
NEIGHBOR
What in Sam Hill’s going on?
DICK LIDDIL
A prowler. Got clean away. Jest about winged him
when he went by that lamp post. Never did see a man
run so fast.
NEIGHBOR
Getting to where even in a nice neighborhood like
Edgefield here, you ain’t safe in your own home.
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ANOTHER NEIGHBOR
Not enough people got moral values these days. Bandits’s
free to roam as they please. Where is
the law, I ask you?
A LADY NEIGHBOR
It starts in the home, I say. If we let our nation's
youth read them trashy books that glorify criminals,
God help us all.
NEIGHBOR
Well, I’ll bet that’s the last time anyone
tries to break into your place. Them thieves
all stick together. When word gets around that
at least one citizen in this here town hain't
afraid to defend his home and property....
DICK LIDDIL(nodding agreement)
Some ways, this town is getting as wild as Dodge
City.
LADY NEIGHBOR
I beg to differ with you, sir. Nashville’s got
no toleration for criminal types or gunplay.
And never will, I assure you...
INT. WOODLAND STREET HOME –DAY
SUPER: FEBRUARY 23, 1881
Jesse walks in. Notices repaired door, with piece of wood nailed
over. Dick Liddil is sitting nearby.
DICK LIDDIL
Guess you got my telegram. It's safe around here I
think. No signs of trouble.
JESSEThen what the hell is this?
DICK LIDDIL
Oh, I think one a your friends played a little joke.
Came by kind a sheepish. One a them fellas down at
the racetrack, can't think of his name…
JESSE
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Little joke? Looks like he shot out the door.
DICK LIDDIL
Naw. Jest threw some rocks at it. I couldn't take
a chance. Zee thought it might be the law. I let
them have it to be on the safe side.
Jesse shakes his head.
ZEE
(sarcastically)
That's right, Mister Howard. Never a dull moment.
At least we're alive. What more could a woman
want? I'm happy as long as no one throws any
bombs into the house. I jest hope it doesn't get
too quiet all of a sudden. Adventure—shooting—
trouble--that's the spice a life!
Liddil looks embarrassed. Jesse forces a smile. Zee breaks intonervous, sarcastic laughing.
ZEE (CONT’D)
So awfully exciting. Life is more precious, don't
you think Mister Howard, when you live every
second on the alert? But I know I'm safe--my
children’s safe—because we're protected by
Missouri's bravest warriors, everyone a dead-eyed
shot, ready to kill to protect our happy home. I
wouldn't trade places with Queen Victoria herself.
We see the GOD BLESS OUR HOME sign up on the wall.
JESSE
Oh, Zee, a joke like that might could happen to
anyone. Anyways, I got good news. Remember that
house over on Fatherland Street? The one you
liked so much. It's up for rent, and I jest came
from over there. I closed the deal. It's a lot more
secure a home, too.
ZEE
(smiles and softens a little and hugs Jesse)
Oh, safe and secure. I guess all those bricks
in that house would stop the bullets if we were
ever surrounded. I do like that house, Jesse,
appreciate you doing this for us.
JESSE
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Listen Zee. Soon’s I settle some business affairs
down South, we might could buy that farm in Nebraska
I been promising you. We're never going to have
to worry about nothing or no body again.
Zee winces at the mention of business down south, then her face
becomes a stony expression.
EXT. SMALL CLEARING BY SIDE OF ROAD – DAY
SUPER: MUSCLE SHOALS, ALABAMA, MARCH 11, 1881
Jesse James and Bill Ryan are sitting under trees in a small
clearing next to a road. Horses are tethered nearby. Bill Ryan is
reading a booklet The Boys of New York Minstrel Guide and Joke Book,
and chuckling. He tries to share a minstrel gag with Jesse.
Jesse manages a smile but his mind is on business; he looks at his
watch, then closes the case. A horseman approaches--gang member WOOD
HITE.
JESSE
Here comes Wood.
Hite reins in.
WOOD HITE
He's coming Jess.
JESSE
About time. Waiting most of two hours.
Jesse and Ryan jump up and mount their horses. They ride into the
cover of thick underbrush out of sight. A rider is coming at a slow
trot down the dirt road.
WOOD HITE
(whispers)
Hope this is better than that store robbery in
Kentucky you told me about.
JESSE(a little irritated)
S-h-h-h-h!
They suddenly burst out into the road, pistols drawn to confront the
rider. They are mounted and have pulled on their masks already.
BILL RYAN
Reach your hands up, you sawed-off son of a
jackass.
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The rider can do nothing else. Jesse rides alongside of him.
JESSE
Get down from that there horse.
Rider, terrified, dismounts with his hands up.
JESSE (CONT’D)
You Yankee paymasters make me sick. Drawing
three times the pay an honest working man does,
and not worth any of it.
The gang members are also dismounting. Hite and Ryan begin searching
him. Ryan removes the man's badge, U.S.SPECIAL AGENT and pins it on
himself, crookedly, laughing weirdly.
The man's watch is routinely lifted; a ring is pulled from a finger.
Meanwhile Jesse is addressing the real loot in a saddlebag, which heremoves and throws over his shoulder.
It is rather heavy. He throws it across his horse.
JESSE
Mount up.
Paymaster is taken captive.
EXT. SEVERAL MILES AWAY, A SMALL CLEARING - DUSK
Wood Hite is holding the paymaster at gunpoint. Everyone isdismounted. Jesse and Ryan are dividing the money.
JESSE
My, my. What a haul. Must be at least five
thousand here. Sir, you’ve had the honor of
being robbed by the invincible Johnson Gang.
Ryan and Hite look blank; so does the paymaster.
JESSE (CONT’D)
You never heard of us, but the world soon will.In fact, a lot of those robberies pulled by the
so-called James gang was our doings. We’re tired
of them getting all the credit from them Eastern
hack writers. Beings you’ve been so co-operative
a guest I'm going to see that these here gentlemen
return your watch and personal money.
Jesse glances at his friends, who still look dumb-founded. Ryan
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starts to mutter under his mask, his head tilting in bewilderment.
JESSE
Go on, give it back to him, I said.
Reluctantly, Ryan hands over the watch, Hite surrenders the man's
pocket money (twenty-one dollars).
JESSE (CONT’D)
Let it never be said that Wild Bill Johnson
takes from the honest working man.
They mount up. They take the paymaster's horse which is branded
‘U.S.’
EXT. A COUNTRY FARMHOUSE LATER THAT EVENING
The paymaster is walking up to a farmhouse; pounds on the door.
FARMER with a German accent opens door. WIFE in the backgroundlooking scared.
WIFE
(strong German accent)
Be careful, Wolfie, it might be bandits.
PAYMASTER
Let me in, I'm a Federal paymaster with the
Muscle Shoals Canal project.
He is not allowed in, rather converse on the porch. Wife won’t lethim in.
PAYMASTER
Bandits. A whole passel of them. Surrounded me
and made off with the whole payroll. Them canal
diggers ain't going to get paid on time and they're sure
going to be mad. Hell, they even took my badge.
I've got to get to a telegraph office, pronto. Got
some vital new information for the U. S. Marshal.How far to Florence from here?
FARMER
About thirty miles. You’re headed straight for
Mississippi, this a way.
EXT. PORCH AT JESSE’S NEW HOUSE
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SUPER: 711 FATHERLAND STREET, NASHVILLE, MARCH 25, 1881
On the porch are Jesse and Bill Ryan.
JESSE
Bill, you'd best be getting back up to
Adairsville. My horse’s got a sore back and I
want you to take it up with you, and see it
gets plenty of rest. Here's a note to Uncle
George--it explains what I want. Tell him I
may be up in a week or two after taking care
of some things.
BILL RYAN
Okay, Jesse. Tell the kids hello from Uncle Bill.
Regards to the Missus, too.
JESSEI do that, Bill. I'd invite you in but one of the
young 'uns is sick and you wouldn't want to catch
nothing.
Ryan mounts up, rides away leading Jesse’s horse.
INT. JESSE’S FATHERLAND STEET HOUSE-DAY
ZEE
What were you talking to him about? The priceof whiskey or your experiences during the War?
JESSE
Now Zee. Bill’s real helpful to me. He keeps his
ears open for tips on the grain market. Weren't
for him, I might not of got all this money down
in Georgia. Imagine. Half a warehouse full of
abandoned grain. Ryan located the owner. With
connections we got some credit. Resold the whole
thing in twenty-four hours without touching it.
Zee looks sick at his lying.
ZEE
Hm-m-m. Grain dealin’.
Jesse doesn’t want to see Zee’s disbelief.
JESSE
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Listen, Zee, when he wants to, o1' Bill can
put on the manners and be damned charming with
strangers.
ZEE
(sniffs)
I'm jest glad you kept him out of here. That
awful man scares the kids. He's not fit to live
with people. Wouldn't let him sleep in my barn
if I had a barn. He'd mess it up. Bad influence
on the livestock.
JESSE
Well, Zee let's not be blowing up that one
unfortunate episode all out of proportion. You
jest got to get to know Bill.
ZEENo! You got to get to know me, Jesse Woodson
James. I really mean it!
Jesse, Jr. has been listening. Turns to his sister Mary (her real
first name, which she goes by), and pretends to scare her.
JESSE, JR.
O-o-o-o-o-h! Here comes scary, mean o1' big
bad Bill. O-o-o-o-o-h! He's gonna get you and
get you good.
He chases his sister who squeals in mock terror.
ZEE
(snaps)
Children!
EXT. A GENERAL STORE AND SALOON - EVENING
SUPER: EARTHMAN GENERAL STORE AND SALOON. WHITES CREEK, TENNESSEE.
MARCH 25, 1881
It is that same day. A storm is threatening, and is blowing. It is
about dusk. Bill Ryan rides up to the Earthman's Store, seven miles
north of Nashville.
Ryan walks into the main general store, past the food and the dime
novels on display, toward the small bar set up in the back. He slaps
down a five dollar gold piece.
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BILL RYAN
I want a bottle a whiskey and a can of oysters.
BARTENDER
(in disbelief)
You want a bottle of whiskey and a can of oysters?
BILL RYAN
You heard correctly.
BARTENDER
Jest a minute. I'll see if I got some oysters over
in the store. Meantime, here's a bottle a whiskey.
Ryan starts drinking straight from the bottle, then goes back to a
table and sits down. Bartender returns, sets down the can of
oysters.
Clock on the wall shows 7:00 P.M Fade. Then shows clock an hourlater.
Ryan is now sitting with an opened can he has just finished. He has
only a half bottle of whiskey left.
A couple of other MEN are at the bar talking.
BILL RYAN
(bellows)
I reckon you fellas don't know much who I am?
The men glance over, with a look of not caring who he is.
BILL RYAN (CONT’D)
You know who I am? You should.
Jabs a finger out at them, in the air. Voice thick, slurred, and
loud. They look perplexed.
BILL RYAN (CONT’D)Rip-shnortin’ Tom Hill--outlaw ‘ginst Shtate,
County and the United Shtates go’ment. Thash’s me.
The bored looks from the bar anger him. The men go back to talking.
BILL RYAN
(rages)
Yoush don't believe me.
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He pulls a Colt Navy revolver and rushes--then trips, and stumbles
into the bar and jams the muzzle into the face of one of the
customers.
SCARED CUSTOMER
Oh, yes, Mr. Hill. I heard of your dashing
exploits. Please put your gun away. Y’all’s
among friends here.
BARTENDER
Please, Mr. Hill, another bottle of whiskey on
us. It's not every day a celebrity honors our
humble establishment.
BILL RYAN
(mumbles in a slur)
Thash's more like it.
He snatches the bottle, clutches it and stumbles drunkenly back tothe table. He sits down too hard. The empty
oyster can tips over. Ryan knocks it away as if it has always been in
the way. He opens the new bottle and downs two swigs. Then he
notices his first bottle--with a drunk's fickleness, he reaches for
it instead of the new one.
The clock is shown. Another hour has passed. Ryan looks ready to pass
out. The first bottle is empty on the floor. The second is two-thirds
gone. Suddenly three men pounce on him. He barely struggles, he is so
drunk. They have rope. Quickly they bind him to the chair.
BARTENDER
By the power-vested in me as a Constable of
Davidson County, I hereby place you under
arrest, on charges of carrying weapons, and
assault with intent to kill.
They then disarm Ryan, in the process of searching him. Two pistols
are found. And money--a huge wad of paper bills, a lot of gold coins,
a diamond ring.
MAN(whistles)
Say, he jest might be some kind of outlaw.
Let's get him down to Nashville. Can you hitch
the wagon out there?
EXT. GENERAL STORE AND SALOON – NIGHT
They drag Ryan out, chair and all, onto the porch. They heave him up
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into the wagon, still tied to the chair.
BILL RYAN
(howls)
Damn! Y’all regret thish, ya hog-sloppin' farmer
with a tin-can badge. Ya shtink a pigs, not gun-smoke.
'Lawman'
Ryan sneers then belches loudly. The men are not impressed. They move
out into the darkness. The rain has let up. Horses hooves are
clattering. Only the store remains lit as they recede from view. A
voice is heard in the dark:
ONE OF THE MEN (O.S.)
Oysters and whiskey. I thought I'd heard everything.
Then a vomiting noise is heard.
ANOTHER MAN (O.S.)Oh, damn. These are my brand-new trousers....
Damn it to hell!
INT. JESSE’S FATHERLAND STREET HOUSE - NEXT AFTERNOON
SUPER: FATHERLAND STREET HOUSE, MARCH 26, 1881
The Frank James’s are visiting with the Jesse James family. Dick
Liddil comes into the house. Zee tolerates him, he is well-dressed
and polite. Liddil looks upset; he has a copy of the Nashville Banner
DICK LIDDILWell, he's gone and done it now. Frank, you
seen this?"
He slaps down the paper on a table. Frank looks up.
He points to a story--Frank looks down at the headline A BAD MAN and
the subsequent text of the story of Ryan's capture. Rage whitens
Frank's face with speechless cold fury. Finally he manages with a
taut, unnatural voice.
FRANK
Jesse, Jesse. C’mon in here a moment.
JESSE
(comes from back of house)
Yeah, what do you want, Frank?
Frank is clutching the paper viciously tight in his hand as Jesse
comes into the room.
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FRANK
I jest thought you'd like to hear a little local
news. They caught a bandit, Jesse. Or as the paper
calls him, 'a bad man'. You interested?
JESSE
(senses Frank’s rage, cowed and uncertain)
Go on.
FRANK
Gives his name as Tom Hill, Jesse. Sound familiar?
Jesse looks restive. Frank explodes.
FRANK
(through clenched teeth)
Ryan!
Jesse can say nothing, terror in his eyes.
FRANK (CONT’D)
(in Jesse’s face)
Ryan. Ryan. Ryan. Ryan. Bill Ryan.
Frank pauses to gain control of himself, he proceeds with icy
sarcasm.
FRANK (CONT’D)
Ah, Jesse. Listen to what 'Tom Hill' had on him.
Maps--of nearly' every State in the Union. Fine
gold watch. Costly diamond ring. And about $980in currency. $400 in gold. And $20.45 in silver
coin.
Jesse looks desperate.
FRANK (CONT’D)
He ain't talked yet. But they’ve got him in jail
And it says here they're taking him to trial.
Blast it anyways! We got to leave. All of us. We
can't be nowhere in Tennessee when he starts to talkin’.
We got to pack and leave. You ruined everything Jesse. You andthat drunk.
Zee wanders in.
ZEE
Hello, Dick. Oh, am I disturbing something?
FRANK
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This is no time to spare you, Zee. It's all
over. Finished. That damned Irishman Bill Ryan
got hisself captured. Oysters and whiskey again.
Not onlyest that, they got Jesse's horse, the one
with the sore back what he used in the daring
raid at Muscle Shoals. Only a matter a time before
they tie the horse to the robbery. They're already
suspecting Ryan has something to do with Muscle
Shoals, though they hain't got his right name yet.
They will.
ZEE
What's this about Muscle Shoals? What robbery?
You tell me the truth Jesse Woodson James.
JESSE
Listen, Zee. Frank. You’ve got to see. This is
jest another sign. An omen from Providence. We'relucky to be rid a Ryan. Notice God doesn't reach
down and pluck ol’ Jesse James. There's a meaning
here to all a this.
FRANK
You’re full a more crap than a Christmas turkey.
JESSE
Honest, it's time to get back to our own peoples.
We been in a strange land too long. You can't much
trust peoples hereabouts if you hain’t been raisedup with them. Y'all will look back and see all this
is for the best.
ZEE
(crying to Frank then to Jesse)
You’re too polite to say you told him so, Frank.
Well somebody has to. You told him so Frank. And
I did too. We should never trusted you to change
your no good ways, Jesse.
Zee's eyes flash tears streaming down her face. She turns to Jesse.ZEE (CONT’D)
He told you so. He told you so. You wouldn’t
listen. You lied to me and the kids and Annie
and your brother, Frank.
JESSE
Oh-h, no hard feelings, peoples. The important thing
is family. We Jameses’is sticking together and it
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will all come out in the end. I tell you it's
Providence in a kind of way.
FRANK
My horse's rump, Jesse. If you believe all that,
you got less sense than God gave a goose. You
ruined it for both our families. I had a good
job and a clean record. Now I got to hide like a fugitive
in the bush. And so does my family. Not
to mention yours.
ANNIE
(weeping)
Peoples here have been so nice to us. We been
here pert near four years. All the children are
making friends.
Zee chokes, breaks into tears, and turns to run out of the room
sobbing uncontrollably.
We see GOD BLESS OUR HOME sign on the wall.
FRANK
(cold and practical)
We got to get packed. Fast.
EXT. JESSE’S FATHERLAND STREET HOME – LATE THAT AFTERNOON
Jesse, Jr. is playing with a hoop from a barrel. Robert Franklin,
Frank's boy, is watching, and Mary James is feeding mud pies to a rag
doll. Annie's face appears at the door, tears streaming.
ANNIE
Come on in, children. Right this minute.
You hear me, now? C’mon.
EXT. NASHVILLE TRAIN DEPOT – DAY
SUPER: March 27, 1881
They are putting children and wives on board. Frank and Jesse pause.
Some dime novels are on sale. The James Gang and the Vigilantes (an
actual title published while the gang was still at large). Jesse
turns to Frank - mute. The time between when their eyes meet and
something said seems infinite. Jesse finally manages to break the
silence.
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JESSE
Look, Frank--uh, Frank…
FRANK
(firmly)
Let's not talk ‘bout it. You ruined our
chances, Jesse. I am being paid back for
the evil wickedness I taught you. Nothing
can make that right…not with you embracing
the evil. Now I’m thrown back on my wits.
I have that to thank you for. Finished, ugh!
INSERT: Newspaper headline fills screen from Kansas City Daily
Journal: GOVERNOR CRITTENDEN VOWS OUTLAWS WILL, BE BROUGHT TO
JUSTICE. Dissolves into: WANTED poster offering $5,000 for the
capture of Frank and Jesse James.
EXT. JESSE’S HOUSE IN St. Joseph’s Missouri
SUPER: ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI, APRIL 3, 1882
House fills the screen. Children’s toys in front yard.
INT. JESSE’S HOUSE
GOD BLESS OUR HOME sign on wall. Jesse James is on a chair,
straightening this. A man walks in behind Jesse. He reaches into a
shoulder holster. Withdraws a small Smith & Wesson .38 revolver.
Cocks hammer CLICK............ BLAST!
INT. HOTEL IN NASHVILLE – DAY
SUPER: MAXWELL Maxwell Hotel, Nashville Tennessee, 1903
Frank and Cole Younger are still reminiscing.
FRANKSo anyways, it's not much of a story at all.
Nothing really happened in Tennessee, lying low,
trying to raise our families, Jesse never got
his farm really going.
COLE
(shaking head in agreement)
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Poor old Jesse. Sounds like he never wanted
to give up the fight.
FRANK
Never won much money at cards. Me, my
biggest adventure the whole time was winning
them prizes for my Poland China hogs. If
anyone writes my life story…and it won't be
me…I been offered good money for it though…
they won't waste two pages on them Tennessee
years. It's jest bank robberies and shoot-em-
ups is all peoples want to read about them
days. This here world's getting more violentall the time. Cole, you wrote your story.
Don't know what's wrong with me, not wanting
to do mine. I sure know that it's good
money. I'd sell right smart bunch a books
in person, jest like you.
COLE
Well, Frank, let's go downstairs and get us a
drink.
In the hallway another newspaper REPORTER is waiting….a very youngone.
REPORTER
Mr. James, I wonder if I could hear a word from
you? I'm from the Nashville American, a local newspaper
you know. I'm a real student of the
James Gang, and I have read all the true accounts
not just the dime novels. I have John Newman
Edwards' Noted Guerillas and…
FRANK
(smiles)Yes, authoritative history, I assure you.
REPORTER
What I'd like to know, Mr. James, can you give me
jest one last word? An opinion, sir? I'll print what
you say. What, really sir, what was Jesse really like?
If anybody know, you’d know.
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FRANK
Well, I knew him better than anyone, except his widow,
rest her soul, and I knowed him for longer. But y’all
never believe me if I told you what I think.
REPORTER
(eagerly pencil in hand)
Yes, I will Mr. James.
FRANK
No, it's not going to be real quotable, son.
Nothing you can really use. You won't believe
no ways. Your readers won't give a damn. No,
you might ought to jest print some a them yarns
as the truth. Tales all end up as history anyways.
REPORTER(frustrated)
Mr. James. Ple-e-ase.
FRANK
Try this. Would you believe me if I told you I
really never knowed my brother?
Reporter looks puzzled. He doesn't write.
FRANK
Good day.
Tips his hat. Cole and Frank walk on down the hall.
THE END