Walking in the moonlight on the not-too-busy streets -- enough room for them to be alone... and together.
Lou now holds the flowers; Kid’s gaze repeatedly darts to her, then away again, like he can’t believe how good she looks, or how lucky he is. She’s not his only distraction though; he’s still working up the nerve to say... something.
Awful pretty out here, ain’t it?
KID
(preoccupied)
Yeah you are.
(reddens)
I mean, it is.
LOU
That was one of the best meals I ever had.
KID
Uh huh.
Lou smiles as she gently stops and turns Kid to face her. You gotta love this guy.
What do you say you just come out with whatever’s been on your mind since we left Rock Creek.
KID
(giving in)
It’s that obvious, huh?
LOU
More.
Kid sighs...
All right...
...then turns to look at Lou. Her eyes are luminous in the moonlight, not exactly making it easier for him. Good thing he rehearsed.
Lou, what I got to say to you ain’t easy.
LOU
Never is.
Kid looks at her, honest pleading in his eyes.
Trust me with this: it’ll be easier if you don’t interrupt.
(starts again)
Lou, what I got to say to you ain’t easy, but it’s time it got said.
(beat)
You know how I feel about you...
LOU
I don’t mind bein’ reminded.
(off his look)
Sorry.
KID
Sometimes when we’re together, everything’s so... romantic. So perfect. Like tonight.
Lou smiles at that. Takes Kid’s hand.
But other times, like today when we checked in at the hotel, or when you’re dressed like a boy... well, things are just kinda... difficult.
LOU
I know that.
He seems to have come to a jumping-off point here. Steels himself.
So I come up with an idea. Somethin’ that could make things easier... and better.
He takes a deep breath. Takes both of Lou’s hands in his. She’s got a feeling where this is going, and is glad to be along for the ride. A last, agonizing beat, then:
Lou... Louise... will...
A GUNSHOT rudely interrupts the moment. Kid and Lou turn as several more shots echo down the street. They start running towards
THE MARSHAL’S OFFICE
where three men dismount as they continue to fire at the town’s Deputy who’s taken meager cover behind a water trough in front of the office. They’ve hit him at least once, judging from the trail of blood in the dirt.
ACROSS THE STREET - KID AND LOU
rush up and take cover. Kid reaches for his gun only to remember he’s not wearing it. Sees he’s not going to get any help from the few townspeople poking their heads through doors and realizes what he’s got to do. Lou tries to stop him...
Kid!
...but he’s off and running. Manages to cross the street, ducking shots as he dives down
Beside the deputy
Kid looks at the poor kid beside him: gut shot, the blood seeping through his coat. He’s not going to last long. The Deputy nods out at the outlaws.
They came for Dawkins. The prisoner. he’s one of them.
Kid reaches down and gently takes the deputy’s gun from his limp hand. Raises it and fires at the attackers, catching them off guard. Pauses, and the deputy manages to get out through clinched teeth:
I ain’t gonna give Dawkins up.
KID
‘Course you’re not.
The Scene
as Kid fires again: one man falls quickly, and another is hit in a matter of seconds. A moment later the one healthy outlaw helps his partner onto his horse and rides off.
ON KID
A beat in the sudden quiet, then he turns back to the deputy to find he’s already dead. Kid shakes his head sadly as Lou comes running across the street to him. behind her, the Preacher. Lou gets to Kid as he stands.
You all right?!
Kid nods at the deputy.
Better than he is.
The Preacher bends down to examine the Deputy, the closes the dead man’s eyes.
Rises to look at Kid.
They’ll be back.
KID
Any other law in town?
The Preacher shakes his head. Kid looks at the deputy. Lou looks to Kid -- only slightly more frightened than he is -- as we