INT: Saloon- Mid-day

Five of the Seven, EZRA, CHRIS, BUCK, JOSIAH, and, VIN sit at a table where EZRA is shuffling his cards, and the others drink coffee or beer. A stagecoach can be heard arriving outside, and the noise of the passengers as they are unloaded, their luggage being lowered to the ground.

JOSIAH laughs, glances at CHRIS, who smiles knowingly.

As the men laugh, GUNSHOTS are heard outside, causing the men to immediately jump to their feet at the ready, their conversation forgotten.

CUT TO:

EXT.- Street

JD and NATHAN exiting the SHERIFF’S OFFICE; the other men exiting the SALOON. GANG of MEN are SHOOTING up the town, some on horseback, some not. Shots are fired between the SEVEN and the GANG. All goes silent. We see CHRIS and VIN raising their heads and looking around at the gang. Many of them are dead, the others have surrendered. MARY can be heard yelling down the street.

We see NATHAN, and JD getting to MARY in front of the CLARION. JD skids to a halt. CHRIS and BUCK run over as well.. VIN, EZRA and JOSIAH are taking the other gang members to the jail.

EZRA heads over.. CHRIS’ tone concerns him. We see EZRA’s face fall as he stares at the victim.

CUT to:

MAUDE’s face. She’s been shot in the side, her face is pale and she’s unconscious.

FADE in:

INT- NATHAN’s clinic

JOSIAH and BUCK are carrying MAUDE into NATHAN’s place.. They set her on the bed and back off for NATHAN to work.

cut to:

int- sheriff’s office

CHRIS has just walked into the Sheriff’s office as EZRA follows. CHRIS turns to him.

EZRA pauses, we see the anguish on his face before he heads to NATHAN’s.

cut to:

ext.- NATHAN’s clinic

We see BUCK standing outside with JD and MARY. MARY is sitting on a bench outside of the clinic, JD is leaning beside her against the wall as BUCK stands near the railing. EZRA comes up the stairs.

MARY looks a little hurt at his tone. BUCK and JD exchange looks.

EZRA pauses looking down. Looks up again.

cut to:

ext.- NATHAN’s clinic-evening

NATHAN exits his place, wiping his hands with a rag. Seeks out EZRA. EZRA is sitting on the bench now, MARY beside him.

EZRA blanches.

EZRA slumps onto the chair he had been sitting in, MARY beside him, takes his hand.

NATHAN nods. EZRA stands after receiving a hand squeeze from MARY. NATHAN leads EZRA into his rooms.

cut to:

inside:

JOSIAH is sitting in a chair beside MAUDE’s bed, where NATHAN had left him. MARY, BUCK and JD follow behind EZRA.

EZRA moves to the chair JOSIAH is sitting in, his eyes so riveted on his mother’s still form, he’s oblivious. EZRA takes MAUDE’s hand as he sits down.

EZRA nods as MARY moves behind him, her hands on his shoulders, being supportive. JD turns and leaves. BUCK, concerned follows him.

CUT TO:

outside

JD is standing at the railing outside of the clinic his head down. BUCK walks up behind him.

BUCK stands beside JD and looks at him.

We watch as BUCK walks away, heading down the stairs into the streets below, leaving JD to his thoughts. JD stares out into the street, obviously lost in the past.

CUT to:

INT- NATHAN’s clinic, late evening

EZRA is still sitting beside his mother. MARY and JOSIAH have left for the night and NATHAN is at the saloon, leaving EZRA alone with his mother.

We hear a soft knock on the door, and EZRA turns as it opens. INEZ walks in, a tray with food on it in her hands. She walks to where EZRA is sitting.

INEZ sets the tray down and moves to stand beside EZRA, placing a hand on his shoulder in comfort.

EZRA turns to look at the woman as she sits on the edge of the bed gently.

EZRA looks thoughtful, INEZ’s words sinking in.

EZRA looks at MAUDE, and holds her hand tighter.

INEZ leans forward and presses a gentle kiss to EZRA’s temple in shared friendship, and stands. EZRA looks up at INEZ.

EZRA sits gazing down at MAUDE, and in the background we see INEZ leaving the man alone with his thoughts.

int.-clarion office morning

VIN knocks on the door of the Clarion office so as not to startle MARY. He walks in as MARY is hanging up some of the papers on a line.

MARY laughs as she steps off the stool she was on and walks over to VIN wiping her hands.

MARY grabs the telegram she was given that morning and handed it to him as he sat on a stool.

VIN sighs relenting as he takes the telegram from MARY’s fingers. MARY sits on her stool and watches VIN read the telegram slowly to himself. VIN pauses and looks up slowly.

VIN’s tone scares MARY so she takes the telegram and slowly reads it. We watch as her face crumbles with each word that she reads. Once she is done she slowly looks up at VIN.

VIN is already standing and walking over to MARY putting his arms around her. MARY clings to VIN her face showing shock as she lets the telegram fall. We see as it lies on the ground that the message says that MARY’s mother back east has passed away. Sobs can be heard coming from MARY.

int. mary’s bedroom- morning

MARY is sitting in her bedroom at the back of the newspaper. She is slowly leafing through a photo album, tears on her cheeks. We see her stop at one picture and trace it with her fingers. She chokes back a sob as she pulls the book to her chest. She crumples to the bed sobbing.

cut to:

ext. Sheriff’s office

VIN walks up where CHRIS and JOSIAH are sitting in a couple of chairs, leaning back in them. VIN leans against the post.

VIN turns when he hears nothing from either man to see CHRIS and JOSIAH staring at him shocked.

VIN and CHRIS bow their heads as if they are saying a small prayer for their friend, the three men silent.

cut to:

ext. livery corral

JD is in the corral with his horse, just running through some basic working techniques. BUCK walks up observing him.

JD is too lost in thought to respond.

JD finally realizes BUCK is there and turns around looking at him.

JD tries to laugh it off.

JD walks away leaving BUCK with a concerned look on his face.

cut to:

int. nathan’s clinic

EZRA is standing at the window that overlooks the town behind MAUDE’s bed. A soft knock at the door is heard and we see CHRIS enter from behind EZRA. EZRA turns to look at him.

EZRA closes his eyes as if his own heart is breaking. CHRIS watches him. EZRA opens his eyes, tears in them.

EZRA nods as he looks out the window.

CHRIS says nothing.

cut to:

int. clarion- evening

VIN walks into the Clarion and notices photos and letters strewn all over.

MARY walks out of her bedroom, her hair disheveled, her eyes bloodshot; her cheeks blotchy. She’s wearing a blue dress, but a black shawl is draped over her shoulders.

MARY walks over to the many photos and letters around the room.

VIN looks at one picture that is closest to him. It’s of MARY as a child and her mother.

MARY nods as she walks over and gently takes the picture from him.

MARY smiles sadly at him as she turns so her back is to him.

VIN moves to stand near her, leaning against the desk.

MARY turns and looks at VIN, a tear falling down her cheek.

MARY looks up at VIN and lays her head against his shoulder as he draws her close. She closes her eyes and cries against him as he holds her.

cut to:

int. sheriff’s office- night

JD is sitting at the desk idly toying with a pencil on the desk. BUCK walks in.

JD turns and says nothing as CHRIS walks into the office further. The only noises in the room are the soft snores from the prisoners and CHRIS’ spurs.

JD says nothing. CHRIS walks to the desk and leans up on it, half-sitting on it. BUCK and CHRIS just watch JD’s reaction.

BUCK finally walks over to sit on the desk like CHRIS is, right beside JD.

JD looks up then stands.

JD walks away from them and out of the office before they can see his tears. BUCK looks at CHRIS.

BUCK merely nods and the two men rise, and follow JD.

cut to:

int. church

We see JD sitting in a pew at the front of the church. JOSIAH comes out of his rooms.

JOSIAH walks over to sit beside JD.

JD sits in the pew silently, behind him we see CHRIS and BUCK entering. JOSIAH has moved to sit in front of JD on a chair he has, and nods to them without JD seeing them.

BUCK and CHRIS exchange glances with each other.

BUCK sits in a back pew, his eyes full of tears. This is a tough subject for him as well.

CHRIS and BUCK make themselves known.

JD says nothing to that one. BUCK, CHRIS and JOSIAH watch him as he thinks about CHRIS’ words.

JD looks at JOSIAH and before he can stop himself he starts to cry. JOSIAH moves forward and hugs him. Like an older brother would his younger brother. CHRIS and BUCK each touch JD in some way to let him know they are there. CHRIS’ hand is on JD’s back, and BUCK’s hand is on his arm.

fade in:

ext. sheriff’s office- Morning

A stagecoach is arriving. As the door opens we see JUDGE TRAVIS getting out. He walks to the office and opens the door.

inside

We see CHRIS, and BUCK sitting inside.

JUDGE takes a cup of offered coffee that BUCK has extended.

BUCK and CHRIS exchange glances, obviously confused. JUDGE catches it.

CHRIS and BUCK exchange glances again. CHRIS sighs and turns back to the JUDGE.

cut to:

int. nathan’s clinic

EZRA walks to the door when we hear a knock. MARY is standing there.

We see MARY fighting her grief and trying to smile bravely at EZRA.

MARY’s face crumbles and we see tears start rolling down her cheeks. EZRA wordlessly hugs her.

EZRA pulls back from MARY and escorts her to a nearby chair and makes MARY sit down.

EZRA nods.

EZRA sobers, his eyes are cast downwards. When he finally looks up, we see that mask he usually wears is gone, and he is actually crying.

MARY forgets her own grief for a time and moves forward. She wraps her arms around EZRA and hugs him close as the man sobs. MARY soon starts to cry as they share their respective grieves.

cut to:

ext. sheriff’s ofice- afternoon

CASEY comes walking along the street. She looks up and sees CHRIS sitting in a chair and walks up to him.

CASEY says nothing at first. She sits in the chair beside CHRIS and thinks before she speaks.

CHRIS tilts his head regarding her. We see for the first time a vulnerable and alone young girl.

CASEY looks at CHRIS and is thoughtful for a moment. Slowly she smiles.

CASEY laughs a bit and stands, running off to find JD. We see CHRIS watching her as she runs off, a satisfied smile on his face.

cut to:

int. Clarion office- evening

JUDGE TRAVIS walks in after having knocked. MARY is sitting in a chair near the window, her gaze distant as she looks outside. MARY turns her head to gaze at the JUDGE. JUDGE is silent as he pulls up a chair and sits in front of MARY.

MARY is silent a moment.

MARY smiles thinking of VIN.

JUDGE nods as he sits back in his chair.

JUDGE moves forward and hugs MARY as she wraps her arms tightly around him. We see MARY and the JUDGE through the window of the Clarion.

cut to:

int. sheriff’s office- day

JUDGE TRAVIS walks into the sheriff’s office. VIN and CHRIS are there looking at wanted posters.

CHRIS hands the JUDGE one of the posters. It is a picture of a man named JACK CRALLER.

CHRIS and VIN say nothing. All the JUDGE needs to do is look at their faces.

CHRIS and VIN nod as they head to the door to leave.

cut to:

ext. saloon

JD is sitting outside of the saloon as a GRUFF LOOKING MAN rides up.

The other men that had rode in without JD realizing it laughed.

The MAN narrows his eyes as smaller man behind him speaks up.

JACK pauses then nods and slugs JD in the jaw, knocking him unconscious. One of the men lifts him into the saddle. A WOMAN is passing by and she’s grabbed too. She is forced to stare at JACK.

The WOMAN nods and is released. She hurries to find a member of the seven or the JUDGE as JACK and his men race out of town in a cloud of dust.

Fade in:

ext. sheriff’s office

The GIRL runs up to CHRIS, VIN and the JUDGE as they exit the Sheriff’s office.

CHRIS turns to look at the girl.

CHRIS and VIN look at one another. They start to leave.

The GIRL hurries away. CHRIS and VIN look questioningly at the JUDGE.

CHRIS and VIN started to protest again.

CHRIS and VIN nod. VIN heads to get EZRA.

cut to:

int. clinic

INEZ is sitting in a chair on the other side of MAUDE’s bed. EZRA is in his normal seat beside her. A knock is heard. Both INEZ and EZRA look up when VIN walks in.

EZRA and VIN leave the clinic.

cut to:

ext. craller’s camp-afternoon

JD is tied up against a tree. He has a split lip and his shirt his torn.

One of CRALLER’s men slugs JD in the stomach. JD groans.

JD looks up at the man, then looks down again.

cut to:

ext. trail

VIN and EZRA ride along. Horses are coming up hard from behind. It’s BUCK and NATHAN.

EZRA and VIN ready themselves in case they aren’t friendly.

VIN looks and nods in agreement.

BUCK and NATHAN ride to the West Side of the camp.

EZRA and VIN slow their mounts. They dismount and slowly get closer.

VIN surveys things in the camp.

VIN nudges EZRA.

EZRA draws his gun. VIN and EZRA start firing at the men closest to JD. Gunshots are heard telling us that NATHAN and BUCK are doing the same.

BUCK and NATHAN have gotten into the camp. NATHAN moves behind the tree JD is tied to when a shot is heard. NATHAN grunts and grabs his shoulder. BUCK shoots the man who shot NATHAN.

BUCK unties JD. NATHAN puts a makeshift bandage on his shoulder. JD, BUCK, and NATHAN start heading back the way they came. CRALLER turns and sees them.

VIN and EZRA stand up and they both aim their guns. We see in slow motion both men firing. EZRA’s bullet hits its mark in the back of CRALLER’s head.

VIN smacks EZRA’s shoulder. He heard his words.

The four men ride back to town.

cut to:

ext. town

CHRIS, JOSIAH, and the JUDGE are outside of the saloon as the other men ride into town.

EZRA immediately heads for the clinic again. CHRIS watches him.

JOSIAH looks to were EZRA had been. He nods as if in approval; a soft smile on his face.

cut to:

int. Clinic

EZRA walks in. INEZ is still sitting with MAUDE. She’s still not awake.

EZRA walks to his mother’s side. Instead of sitting, he kneels beside her bed and takes her hand in both of his.

INEZ bites her lip. Tears are in her eyes. EZRA lays his head on the bed beside MAUDE, his hands touching her hand to his cheek.

EZRA looks up with a small smile.

INEZ gets up and runs to get NATHAN or JOSIAH.

MAUDE smiles at her son weakly. We see them together as EZRA is kneeling at her side, and MAUDE is stroking his cheek.

cut to:

int. clinic- day

JOSIAH is sitting next to MAUDE who is propped into a sitting position.

MAUDE smiles at JOSIAH and reaches out to squeeze his hand.

cut to:

ext. livery

JD is once again in the corral working his horse. BUCK walks up and just watches him.

BUCK chuckles and leans against the top rail of the corral.

BUCK patted JD’s shoulder. CASEY walked up interrupting them.

CASEY and JD watch each other. BUCK clears his throat a bit.

BUCK walks away leaving the younger people alone. CASEY looks at JD.

CASEY smiles at JD.

cut to:

int. clarion

VIN knocks on the Clarion door and then walks in.

VIN walks back to the area where MARY lives. We see MARY putting some things in a trunk.

VIN walks over and kneels beside her.

MARY is silent for a moment then looks up at VIN with a smile on her face.

fade out: