I hope you like it.
MATCH CUT TO:
INT. BUNKHOUSE - NIGHT - ECU: ROAST TURKEY
Pull back to reveal Rachel approaching the table with the evening’s meal. All the riders are present. Reaching for the milk pitcher, Cody is distracted, as are all the others, except Lou, by...
Rachel’s voluptuous figure as she leans between Cody and Ike, placing the platter on the table. Ike grins as Cody voices what both of them are thinking:
Looks mighty fine to me...
RACHEL
(calling their game)
I was talking about the bird.
The others, except for Lou, crack up. Cody covers:
I was too, Rachel. Honest.
Another angle as Cody’s aim wanders and he starts pouring the milk on the table, where it runs and spills on Lou’s lap.
(pulls back)
Cody, why don’t you watch what the hell you’re doin’?!
CODY
I was...! Milk’s just got a mind of it’s own.
NOAH
Amazing how cow juice behaves in the presence of a lady.
LOU
(stands)
You guys are disgusting...
Lou heads for the door. Rachel calls after her
Lou...!
Too late. Lou exits, slamming the door behind her. A beat of aftershock, then:
Before we go any further, let’s get one thing straight. Supper’s on the table. And I’m not on the menu.
Rachel exits.
INT. BARN - NIGHT - LOU
throws a saddle on her horse. She’s interrupted by:
Going somewhere?
Another angle - Lou turns to see Rachel standing in the doorway.
Yeah.
Lou continues saddling her horse. Rachel steps closer.
Not before you and I have a little talk... woman to woman.
This stops Lou in her tracks. She slowly turns around, startled that Rachel’s seen through her guise.
Who told you? Cody...? Buck...? The Kid...?
RACHEL
Told me what?
LOU
That I’m a girl.
RACHEL
(genuinely surprised)
You mean there’s someone who doesn’t know?
LOU
Teaspoon.
RACHEL
You’re not serious...
LOU
He’d’ve fired me if he knew.
RACHEL
Maybe he chose not to. But that’s his problem. We’ve gotta talk about ours.
LOU
If it’s all the same to you, I don’t feel like it right now.
RACHEL
I do.
LOU
Look, nobody asked you to come here.
RACHEL
Really? The help-wanted sign I saw said different.
LOU
So why don’t you just stick to cookin’ and cleanin’ and mind your own damned business.
Rachel is stung, but determined not to show it. She stares at Lou curiously for a beat, then:
You’ve got a problem with me and no one’s leavin’ here til we air it out.
LOU
(a long beat, uncomfortable)
It ain’t you, exactly...
RACHEL
No...? Then what is it?
LOU
(awkward, groping)
I don’t know... I guess it’s the way the boys’ve been makin’ fools over themselves -- watchin’ you...
Lou’s eyes flick back and forth to Rachel’s ample boosom.
...Lookin’ down your...droolin’ over...
Rachel smiles knowingly:
Breasts... so that’s the problem.
LOU
(blurts out)
Problems! You’ve got ‘em and I don’t.
Rachel uses all her willpower not to laugh. A moment, as Lou’s stupid remark comes home to roost.
(head bowed, to herself)
God, I can’t believe I said that. I must be going crazy. That’s all there is to it. I’ve lost my mind.
RACHEL
(smiles warmly)
It’s not your mind you’ve lost. It’s just your sense of perspective.
Lou looks up at Rachel, confused by her remark.
(tender)
The good Lord gave women breasts for one purpose and one purpose only: to nurse children. The fact that some of these children grow up to be men who still see women as wetnurses is our way of separating the wheat from the chaff.
Lou takes a beat -- a smile breaking through.
Never thought about it like that before.
(beat)
I’m sorry. I’ve been really hard on you for no reason.
(kidding)
Why, I thought they were two good reasons.
(Lou smiles)
But I think there’s a third we’re not talking about.
(Lou looks confused)
Emma.
(a knowing look on Lou’s face)
From what I’ve heard she loved you all like her own..., and you loved her back. It’s natural you’d be protective of that love. I would be too. Just be careful of one thing. In protectin’ that love, you don’t build a wall so high no other love can get in.
LOU
(gets it -- smiles appreciatively)
Thanks.