The Bygone

I remember an old Indian story my mom

used to tell me before I went to sleep,

about a shadow,

that blanketed the land in darkness.

I know it had a happy ending of some sort but...

all I can remember is the way it made me feel.

Seemed like it could just, swallow you up, the way she told it,

like it was right around the corner.

Never knew what it was, she was talking about.

At least I didn't used to.

I always wondered if guys like Cassidy,

Crockett and Crazy Horse came rising up from the holes

we dug for them if they'd even recognize this place...

land they called home.

But the West...

it isn't dead yet.

It's just on fire and no one seems to care.

Relax.

- Open it! - Shut up!

Never been with a cowboy before.

Fucking whore!

I paid good money for you.

- Someone as gentle as you... - I'm sorry.

Don't know about goddamn fucking whore.

You got no right telling me no.

Look at me, whoa whoa we getting in on here.

- We're getting hit off. - Hey.

We're occupied. Get the fuck out!

- Leave her be. - Get the hell out Delmar!

What was that?

How about I carve some manners in that pretty face of yours?

Hey. Hey, you alright?

You need a ride somewhere?

Just trying to help.

Can you buy me a new car?

Fly me some place nice?

Didn't think so.

No, you can stay at our ranch.

You need a place to stay for the night.

Got a room?

Plenty of room.

Paris.

Where's Laura?

Was too busy getting hit on my head with fucking telephone

to notice which direction she went.

I should be askin' you for a recompense, truth be told.

Look what she done.

Alright then.

Much obliged.

Look, I didn't touch her any more than normal.

Course.

Ah! Fuck! Shit! Damn!

- Fuck. - Hold on, Paris. - Uh God no no no!

I hope, this is okay.

Should get some rest.

Too bright in here for you?

You got back late.

Called my brother.

He agreed to hold the ranch in trust.

Help us out while we get back on our feet.

You know we're gonna have to sell that mare.

Laura!

Come on skuville...

Come on! There you go.

Take it easy, take it easy.

- So Kip, what's yer name? - Come on.

Reason you slept out hangover off on the couch.

Come on Kip, spill the beans.

Oh, shit.

You started that, you better finish it.

You gonna help or just.. sit there on your high horse?

Hugs bulls and bring 'em home.

Come on boy.

Where's Laura?

She here?

Go inside Bae.

Thought you didn't believe in this sort of thing.

Get off my porch.

- Laura around? - That's not her name.

You know it makes me sad..

what you do keepin' them all cooped up like that.

They come here freely.

You think you're helpin' 'em, but you're not.

There's more in world than the one you forced them into.

They'll be back, one way or another.

If you do see Laura,

tell her we're lookin' for her.

- Sorry. - So you can tell a lot about a man by his bookshelf.

I was just lookin'.

- Where you from? - Bethel.

Wh' part?

Above the Missouri.

Mandarin?

Used to fish in the river just south of there.

I just got down to check on the rus...

From Mandarin.

Hm.

You sing to all your horses?

Morning.

She uh... she was my mother's.

Car accident about a year ago.

Left a pretty scar.

Vet, wanted to put her down but...

I wouldn't give up on her. Isn't that right?

I'll go saddle up another horse, show you around a little bit.

- Hadley. - Been a while Beckett.

Sorry I couldn't make it to the funeral.

You remember Kip?

My God. Kipple.

- Uncle Beckett. - Looks just like grandpa.

Almost forgot.

Best gin in all Dakota.

Must have known I'm in oil 'cause

they did charge me accordingly.

Are you serious?

Come on in.

Never understood your taste for gin.

This stuff'd make an injun quit drinkin'.

That survey was, twenty years ago

about as detailed as I got.

This is all of our land I own.

This will be fine.

Right.

Hey where'd you learn to ride like that?

We're a horse nation.

Surprised you kept up.

Thanks for letting me stay.

I'll leave the clothes.

Listen, I was thinking I might go see a movie later.

Maybe you might wanna join?

I mean you don't have to leave.

Waniya.

My name's Waniya.

Easy get lost in, huh?

Not how I see it.

It can help you find your way if you know what you're lookin' at.

Maybe I shoulda stayed in school.

You gave it up?

Around here it's either ranching or oil.

You end up in a field one way or another.

Not too many you can see anymore.

The ranch suits you.

No matter how old you get, there's that part

of growing up you'll never forget.

I'm glad you said that, Owen.

I'll remember that when I'm gone.

Now.

- Got room for one more? - Get on.

Cold?

Didn't know you meant the drive-in.

Here.

Where'd you get that?

Was my mother's.

Markinyur, my grandfather used to call it.

She did too.

He used to laugh at these old westerns.

Tell me how the Indians were never sayin'

what you think.

His name is Dakota.

Look happy.

I noticed your tattoo earlier.. of the wolf.

No I-I like it.

Why'd you pick it?

I didn't.

Hope you weren't too bored.

Sucker for those old westerns.

Just take me north of Watson.

There's a house there I could stay at.

You know you... be alright if you stayed with us another night.

Why were you there last night?

Just a mistake. That's all.

Right.

I guess...

I just wanted to feel, uh...

I don't know...

What in the hell?

Shit.

Just a sec.

Got car trouble?

Not my night, I guess.

I can't argue with that.

Sorry?

You have somethin' of mine.

Kip!

Kip!

Come here!

Wait Paris, wait!

- I was coming back, I swear. - Shuddup!

I swear.

Help...!

Hoh..

Kip Summer that you?

Ooh. Entire pub running over your face?

No sheriff.

I don't know who lost the fight.

Who's the other guy?

I don't know.

Never seen him before.

Smoke?

Dad smokes.