Hickok and Noah are the last ones out of bed, and the only ones still in the Bunkhouse. Noah gives a big stretch -- a huge smile on his face.
That was one of the best night’s sleep I’ve had since I’ve been here.
HICKOK
I didn’t do too badly myself. It seemed... real quiet like.
NOAH
You know why, don’t you?
Hickok shakes his head.
‘Cause Kid and Lou are gone.
HICKOK
(confused)
I don’t...
NOAH
(explaining)
All that tossin’ and turnin’. Each one tryin’ to sneak a look at the other, then rollin’ over. First one sighin’, then the other.
He shakes his head.
Never heard two people make more noise doin’ nothin’ in my life.
HICKOK
I guess you’re right.
NOAH
‘Course I’m right. I tell you, Kid fell for Lou the way a dead man falls of a horse: in a hurry and for keeps.
Hickok laughs. Leans back against his bunk, contemplating.
Well you know, you can’t exactly blame him.
NOAH
I ain’t tryin’ to.
HICKOK
(admiringly)
I mean, when Lou works at lookin’ like a woman, well, she’s right up there with the best of ‘em.
NOAH
I’ll give you that. I remember...
HICKOK
(interrupting)
When she came to me in that saloon in Cottonwood, all dressed up fancy...
(grins)
Whew, that really opened my eyes.
NOAH
I could tell. When I...
HICKOK
(interrupting again)
I tell you, ever since then it ain’t been easy sleepin’ in here with her around.
A long beat as Hickok thinks that over. Noah gives him a curious look as he continues.
No, it ain’t been easy at all.
A smile of wicked understanding comes over Noah’s face.
(arch)
I see...
Hickok looks at him -- caught in the act of thinking something he doesn’t think the others know he thinks -- something he’s not even sure he thinks.
What?
NOAH
(smile widening)
Nothin’.
HICKOK
What???
NOAH
(having fun with this)
Nothin’... ‘cept it looks to me like you done fixed Kid up on a ride you’d rather be takin’.
HICKOK
(affronted)
What? You think I got a thing for Lou?
NOAH
(laughing)
I didn’t...until right now.
Embarrassed, Hickok heads for the door -- Noah’s just helped him realize something he’s been denying for a while.
You’re crazy.
NOAH
C’mon Hickok. You wish you were out there chasin’ Lou, don’t you?
HICKOK
No I don’t.
He stops, then gives a half smile.
Knowin’ Lou, she’s the one doin’ the chasin’ anyway.
He heads out the door, the look on his face all Noah needs to make sure he was right.