INT. DAVENPORT HOTEL - BY THE DESK - DAY
as Kid and Lou enter and approach the stern clerk -- a big woman with a bigger attitude. Lou’s go her hat off; it is pretty obvious she’s a girl. Kid smiles at the clerk.
Good afternoon.
KID
Afternoon. You got any rooms?
CLERK
Sure. Mr. and Mrs...
She looks at Kid expectantly. Gets a sheepish reply:
We’re, ah... we’re not married.
He and Lou trade a cute look while the clerk frowns.
Then I’m afraid I’m going to have to give you separate rooms...
She withdraws two keys from the board behind her, then turns back in time to catch Kid and Lou giggling. Thinking better of it, the clerk trades one of the keys for another.
...on differnt floors.
Kid hands the suspicious woman a coin and takes the keys.
That’ll be fine.
CLERK
Supper’s at six. Sharp.
KID
No thanks. We’ve got plans.
The clerk gives them a look -- she can guess what those plans are -- and retreats into a back room. Kid and Lou burst out laughing. When they finally stop:
Kid, I don’t know if this is such a good idea...
He reaches for her hand, touching it breifely -- but electrically -- before a guest coming downstairs causes them to move away towards the door. They giggle again.
I’ll meet you down here at six-thirty, all right?
LOU
Where you goin’?
KID
I, ah... I gotta take care of the horses.
Lou smiles softly -- he’s obviously lying, but that’s okay.
Six-thirty.
They look at eachother, the unspoken promise of what this evening holds suddenly, unbearably urgent...
...then Lou takes one of the keys from him and starts up the stairs. Kid watches her longingly, then heads out the front door.
A beat, then Lou sneaks back down the stairs. Checks to make sure Kid’s gone, then, grinning, slips out of the hotel and off in the other direction.
EXT. DAVENPORT HOTEL - CLOSE ON A BUNCH OF FLOWERS - DUSK
The posies are wrapped in pretty paper and gripped white-knuckle hard by
WIDEN - KID
Dressed in a brand new suit and awful conscious of it. No gun. He checks his reflection in a hotel window, then begins to pace. Nervous. Anticipatory. Head down, he mumbles a few words, rehearsing something. Doesn’t like the way it sounds and tries again. Tries to loosen the neck of his new shirt, then turns and bumps into
THE TOWN PREACHER
The older man gives Kid a kind smile of gentle amusement.
I’m sorry son, but I couldn’t help watching you.
KID
(chagrinned)
Guess I was puttin’ on quite a show.
PREACHER
Don’t be embarrassed.
(sadly)
This town could use a few more people with smiles on their faces like yours.
KID
(understanding)
I heard about your Marshal this afternoon. Guess it hit people pretty hard, huh?
PREACHER
Yes. I keep telling them that something good can come from a man’s death, but I see they’re having their doubts.
KID
(respectful, but)
I guess you can’t really blame them.
PREACHER
No I guess not. Faith is in such short supply these days.
The Preacher turns to go, but Kid puts a sympathetic hand on his shoulder.
Someone said teaspoon Hunter’s comin’ to get your prisoner. He’ll make things right again. He’s a good man.
PREACHER
(reflective beat)
So was Marshal Oakley.
With that, the preacher moves off down the sidewalk. A moment as Kid considers his words... then:
Ahem.
Clearing her throat demurely. Kid turns to look at
LOU
and his jaw literally drops. A new dress. Hair done perfectly. An exquisite vision of femininity. Stunning, really. Lou has to gently close his mouth for him.
Better keep that closed, Kid. Flies’ll get in.
A beat. Kid’s still not speaking. Lou grins playfully.
What are you lookin’ at?
KID
You. You’re beautiful.
(wondering beat)
Thought you said you didn’t have any clothes?
LOU
I snuck out on you this afternoon and went to some of the shops.
Another moment, then Kid finally remembers the flowers. Holds them out to Lou.
I got these... for you.
Lou takes Kid’s arm, making him at this moment the happiest man on the face of the earth.
Well Kid, looks like you may be right: this could turn out to be a special night after all.
The two start off down the street -- the perfect couple.