HICKOK
I believe I could make things better by findin’ the men who strung you up.

ESMOND
No. You go lookin’ for them you’ll never find the evil.

HICKOK
Then where is it?

Esmond moves closer still, his ebony skin framing ageless eyes as he taps Hickok’s chest.

ESMOND
Here
(taps his own chest)
And here. Inside.

He turns to Hickok. Points to Teaspoon.

ESMOND
You’re angry because he’s talkin’ about defendin’ his home. Where he was born. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that.

His gaze shifts to Teaspoon. Indicates Hickok.

ESMOND
And you done forgot that a boy his age knows he’s right before an argument begins. He ain’t been wrong enough to remember what it’s like.

A brief smile quickly fades. Pain in his eyes for a moment -- this is taking a lot out of him -- then he continues.

ESMOND
The fire’s comin’, and it’s gonna burn like nothin’ you ever seen. We can’t stop it, neither...
(a beat)
...but don’t none of us have to offer ourselves up to it.

Esmond closes his eyes for a moment, then sways, growing faint. Teaspoon jumps up to grab him, Hickok a beat behind him. All very close when Esmond opens his eyes again.

ESMOND
You two better remember what made you friends, ‘cause if you ride outta here in different directions...

A beat as he looks into the fire. Scary:

...one day, when you look up, you’ll see the man who was once your friend holdin’ a gun on you.

He closes his eyes again. Hickok and Teaspoon gently lay him back on his bedroll, then turn to each other. Off their questioning gazes...

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