INT. BUNKHOUSE - ROCK CREEK - DAY

Lou describes the fire as The Kid uppacks his saddlebags. Cody reads at the table.

LOU
It was terrible, Kid. The schoolhouse just exploded in flames. Didn't it Cody?

CODY
Worst fire I ever saw.

LOU
Wasn't anything we could do.

KID
That's a shame about Mr. Harrison.

As he speaks he pulls the book out of his saddlebags. Lou notices it immediately.

LOU
What's that?

The Kid answers without realizing how it might sound to Lou.

KID
Just a book a woman gave me.

CONTINUED:

LOU
A woman?

Meanwhile, Cody flips to a page and reads:

CODY
"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways."
(Smiles at Kid)
Must've been an interesting trip.

The Kid scatches the book from him. Lou shoots The Kid a jealous look.

LOU
Those are love poems. Why'd some woman give you that?

KID
Come on, Lou, you make it sound like something happened.

CODY
(chimes in)
Sounds like it to me.

KID
You're not helping, Cody.

LOU
What am I supposed to think?

The Kid realizes he's in trouble and says the fist thing that pops in his mind.

KID
It's a present for you.

LOU
A present?

KID
Yeah. You see, the hotel where I stayed ran out of rooms. An old lady needed one so I let her have mine. She gave me this as a token of appreciation.

LOU
You got that from an old lady?

KID
That's right. Only reason I took is was 'cause I thought you'd like it.

CONTINUED: (2)

He hands the book to Lou. She looks at it, overcome by guilt for being jealous.

LOU
Oh, that's sweet.
(hugs him tightly)
I'm sorry, Kid. I never should've doubted you.

The Kid breaths a sigh of relief as --

THE CAMERA PUSHES IN TIGHT ON THE BOOK

held in Lou's hand.

END ACT ONE

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