Lawmen: Bass Reeves

* MTV *

When you see ol' Mr. Sundown,

you never see the sun come up again.

He done Gurney in the worst way.

You gonna tell me you locked him up tight

like I told you?

Aren't we something now?

Tell Jennie about our plans for Indian Territory.

The townships.

Paradise?

A poetic turn of phrase.

Your mama would tan your hide if she caught you.

She'd likely whup us both.

Silas Cobb.

Fancy hisself a horse trader.

Think I'm gonna marry you.

Don't get yourself killed.

Maybe we'll talk again.

Easy, Cobb.

But how about I trade you that dark-hearted bastard Jim Webb?

- No. - Look out!

Should've aimed high, Billy.

Finally got blood on your hand.

* grim music *

***

Want me to read the message to you?

It's clear enough.

Five men, armed,

including Webb.

Don't think you'll be talking him out today, Bass.

Maybe not.

Or maybe Webb's got more sense than hate for me.

* quiet, intense music *

***

Come on out, Webb!

Me or somebody else, law won't ever stop.

My wrath is the mightiest of storms, Bass Reeves.

The Lord is my shelter.

Tell your men to lay them irons down.

Oh.

Keep your hand on it.

Come on out, Webb!

You can drown in your own blood

or have that day in court.

Choice is yours.

* tense, suspenseful music *

***

I'll fetch a doctor.

From where?

He keeps looking at me.

It's not gonna get any easier.

End the man's pain.

Take his boots.

Go on.

Take your shot.

* soaring, dramatic music *

***

Dundy Carnival.

Saturday and Sunday.

Dundy Carnival. Saturday and Sunday.

Sugar...

you catch all those bad men by your pretty little self?

You got finer clothes than me.

Maybe I ought to get deputized.

* He ride by night *

* Drawn fast to the firelight *

* Ain't no peace to be found *

* When the sun go down *

Why can't we hire a hand to do all this?

So you don't get spoiled.

Mama, I'm serious.

I reckon Daddy makes enough now.

I don't mind the time with you, it's just--

How was your time with Delcia?

- Fine. - Don't lie to me.

You've been meeting that Arthur boy.

Why don't you like him?

Doesn't matter. What matters is you do what I tell you.

That's what you always say when you don't want to answer.

You better fix that lip

if you want your daddy to take you to the carnival.

Better behave when he's here, better behave when he's gone.

When will I be old enough to just be, Mama?

* slow, dramatic music *

***

For the murder of William Hicks, we find the defendant guilty.

After a patient

and deliberate investigation of your case

by the petit jury which tried you,

they have been constrained by their conscience

and their oaths as honest men

and good citizens

to pronounce you guilty of the murder of William Hicks

in Indian Territory.

You forgot that the eye of God was fixed upon you.

When you return to the solitude of your prison,

let me entreat you

to seriously reflect on your offenses.

Bring to mind all the aggravated horrors,

the mortal struggles

and the dying prayers of your murdered victim.

And may God

have mercy on you.

Bass, I asked nice for you to save some outlaws

for the rest of us.

Good to see you, Ike.

How's that former outlaw turned peacock working out for you?

I wish every posse man was as good as you.

I had my moments.

Seven hundred and fifty-two dollars

and seventy-five cents, Mr. Reeves.

It'll be square, Florence, like always.

Bass!

Bass!

I got a prisoner here

named Jackson Cole.

Arrested in Atoka for horse thieving,

but before the thieving,

seems he put a mess of lead into a fine gentleman

running for State Senate down in Texas.

The family is demanding he swing down there,

and they got the sway to move mountains up here.

Should've stuck to thieving.

Likely so.

But this order comes from on-high,

you are to deliver the prisoner Jackson Cole to the Red River,

and turn him over to the Rangers.

I ain't been home for 41 days.

This comes from Judge Parker himself.

You take him.

Ain't you heard?

I have been relegated to pushing papers.

You might as well put me in skirts

and call me Florence.

You insult her with the suggestion.

I'd give anything to marshal again.

You want to take that up with Judge Parker?

Be my guest.

You ride out tomorrow.

Your letter is "N."

Hey there, stranger.

You're home.

Who are these heathens at my table?

Hey, Bennie.

Oh!

I picked out the dress I'm gonna wear to the carnival.

You want to see it?

Come on, Daddy.

Oh-oh-oh. All right.

I'm coming.

They're all asleep.

'Cept us.

'Cept us.

We got some catching up to do.

Yes, ma'am.

That we do.

How's it feel not to be pregnant for a change?

Who says I'm not?

Just what I need...

another child paying me no mind.

Know what I missed the most?

What?

This.

* gentle, dramatic music *

***

Morning, Mrs. Reeves.

Why is he here?

I'll be gone a week.

What about the carnival?

Sweetheart, I'll take you twice next year,

twice the year after.

Upstairs.

* slow, tense music *

***

You knew all last night and didn't breathe a word.

What do you want from me?

You wonder why your children don't recognize you anymore?

I have a duty, swore an oath...

Like the one you swore to me when we married?

You may live out there beyond that Dead Line,

but we live right here.

You know I love you and them kids

- like nothing else. - Telling us you love us

ain't the same as showing us.

Billy's waiting.

How many pianos could you buy if I was still trying to farm?

Buy me a whole orchestra and a church choir too, Bass.

All that pretty music

couldn't mend the hearts you're breaking.

See you in a week.

I can ride in circles for a bit if it'd help.

Only thing is to get it done.

Sooner we get going,

the sooner I get back.

Miss Ann.

You wish you could quit laying eggs all day

and do something fun, huh?

Me, too.

Still want to go to the carnival?

Why don't you ask Arthur to take you?