The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp

A lot of historical nonsense has been written about the

friendship between Wyatt Earp and Dr. John H. Holliday.

Doc has been called everything from a horse thief

to a bloody minded killer.

Many people criticized Wyatt Earp

for associating with Doc Holliday,

but none of them knew how this friendship began.

Doc Holliday runs a big-money card game.

He's got a sign that says for pikers to keep out.

So don't come cryin' to me.

If you've got a beef, take it up with Doc Holliday.

Well, then don't go makin' remarks about Doc.

He ain't been in good humor lately.

Good heavens! Not Wyatt Earp!

Put her there!

Ah, howdy, Mr. Shanssey.

I ain't seen you since the 4th of July, '68 in old Cheyenne.

Come off it! You didn't see me.

You were too busy lookin' at Mike Donovan's fists.

I can still feel 'em!

Well, he was a little too young for ya and too fast.

But you put up a mighty good fight!

No, sir. They never came any braver in the fightin' ring than old John Shanssey.

Why, thanks, Wyatt! Uh, have a drink?

No.

Say, you didn't look me up after all these years just to spread molasses.

You want something.

You know, you're right.

Yeah, I'm lookin' for a Dave Rudabaugh

or any of his crowd.

They've been robbin' Santa Fe payrolls.

Bat Masterson took a posse down to Texas after 'em, but

I got word that some of Rudabaugh's men visit your camp occasionally.

Well, none that I know of for certain, Wyatt.

Well...

I, uh, heard you mention a Doc Holliday to that cattleman.

By any chance, you mean Dr. John H. Holliday from Valdosta, Georgia?

Let's do ourselves a favor, Wyatt.

Leave Doc out of this.

The Santa Fe detectives told me that Doc Holliday

had a little row with one of Rudabaugh's boys in Dallas.

Well, Doc has rows with lots of people.

That don't mean he'd talk to ya.

Any harm in asking?

He ain't been feelin' well.

He's touchy as a rattler with a sore fang.

I'll tell you what.

Now, my barkeeper over in the tavern knows

one of the men you're after, Mike Roarke.

Thanks.

Mike is a chief gun for Rudabaugh.

Now, why don't you pretend to the barkeep that

you want to send Mike a friendly tip.

Anything to start him talkin', understand?

What's your barkeep's name?

Tim Riley.

Tim Riley.

Well, I'll tell him that my name is Shamus McEarp.

Will I be after seein' ya, Shamus?

That you will.

There's a lawman in camp. He's headin' this way.

He wouldn't be after you, now would he, Grimes?

He better not be.

I need that shotgun, Riley.

All right, take it.

Medicine, Riley! Medicine!

Oh, sure! Sure, Doc.

Howdy! You Mr. Tim Riley?

I am.

Wonder if you could, uh, get a message to Mike for me.

Mike who?

Mike Roarke. He's a friend of mine...

Up with 'em! Quick!

Turn around.

Get his hands, Riley.

You're no friend of Mike's!

You want time to pray or you want it quick?

Hey, Skunky!

What?

You're Skunky Grimes.

Oh yeah. Yeah.

You owe me $50.

That's right, Doc. You lost so much weight, I...

Hey, you! Hit the floor!

My $50!

Your gun, sir.

Thank you!

I should be thankin' you, Dr. Holliday.

You pulled me out of a kind of tight spot.

You can't be a former patient of mine.

No, sir.

I thought not. My patients hate me!

Here's your guns, mister.

And I'd like to have my shotgun back.

I'm sorry, Marshal, but I had to go along with Skunky's play.

I understand.

Here, you keep this for me.

Throw some water on him and patch him up.

I will.

You mind telling me why you slid me your gun?

Ah! It would disillusion you, sir.

I'd still like to hear it.

Very well. Grimes owed me money.

If he had shot you, he'd have gone on the run.

As it turned out in this best of all possible worlds,

I got my money back and I didn't have to kill Grimes.

Ah! Now, if you'll excuse me, sir.

Would you tolerate one more question, Doctor?

One more.

Can you tell me where I can find Mike Roarke?

Hmm! I could but I won't!

All right, sir.

Hold on! What's your name?

Wyatt Earp.

And all the time I thought it was a

fluke shot you threw at Skunky.

Handsome...

fast with a gun and in the best of health.

Get out of my sight, son.

Well, if Doc won't talk about Roarke, that's it.

Well, didn't he do enough for ya?

I never heard of Doc Holliday

goin' out of his way to help a living soul!

Well, maybe you don't know him.

Huh! I know him as well as anyone does.

He's an ill-tempered, selfish fella.

Got a tongue rough as a number-5 file.

Is he sick?

Consumption.

That explains a lot, but it doesn't explain why...

Uh-oh!

The curse of the Irish!

Miss Kate! A plague on her!

Who is she?

Mrs. Holliday, Doc Holliday's wife.

I gotta make myself scarce.

Shanssey! No, you don't!

Stop right where you are!

Is Dr. Holliday here?

Yes'm.

Well, thanks for not lyin' to me.

What was the idea of sending back all of my letters

stamped "address unknown"?

Doc told me to.

All right, I need accommodations

for myself, my coachman and my maid. How about it?

Now look, Mrs. Holliday, you and Doc been fightin'.

Now, don't get me mixed in any family quarrels.

That fight's all over with. All right, where do I stay?

Well, I'll have to ask Doc first.

You big coward!

Are you afraid of my husband?

No, ma'am.

Maybe you're not. Where'd you find him?

He's Wyatt Earp, Marshal of Dodge City.

Oh!

How do you and the Doctor get along?

Pretty well.

That's a break.

You're not afraid to deliver a message to him?

No, ma'am.

Just tell him I'm in town, with $30,000.

Will you do that?

And tell him he'd better act friendly toward me.

You better mention the name Mike Roarke.

That's a cinch to interest His Highness.

Shanssey, why don't you get some manners?

All right, drive on to the tavern.

I got a matter to discuss with you.

Don't you let him scare you about the Doctor!

You promise to deliver that message?

It'll be delivered, ma'am.

Good.

Drive on, James!

Yes, ma'am!

That woman's a hellion!

Yeah, she looks like she's a good match for the Doctor.

Well, I can't let tender passion interfere with official business.

You really afraid of her?

That's like askin' me

if I'm scared of the White Witch of Kilkenny!

Four of spades, pay 4!

Nine of spades, pay 9!

It's a black 9!

Ace of hearts, pay the ace!

Three of diamonds, pay the 3.

You're on the wrong side of the table, aren't you?

I got a message from Mrs. Holliday.

Is she in town?

Hank, you take over. Backroom.

Your wife, uh, said to mention Mike Roarke.

She seemed to have some information about Roarke.

And I wanna give you fair notice, Doc,

if you still refuse to talk, I'm gonna try

and get the information out of Mrs. Holliday.

You have a one-track mind.

Well, that's, uh...

that's my job, Doctor.

I was talkin' to Bill Tilghman

about you a couple of months ago.