EXT. BUNKHOUSE - NIGHT - ESTABLISHING

CODY’S VOICE

(after a beat)

Anybody sleepin’?

INT. BUNKHOUSE - SAME TIME

The lights are out and the riders are in bed, but the answer to Cody’s question is no.

THE KID

Kinda hard with you moanin’ groanin’ and goin’ on about Rachel all night.

CODY

C’mon Kid. Tell me you wouldn’t kill for a night alone with her.

ANGLE - Lou, lying in bed, listening with a curious, amused look.

RESUME SCENE

KID

(aware of Lou’s presence)

Me...? ‘Course not.

CODY

Uh huh... and I’ll bet that if Lou wasn’t here you’d say the same thing, right?

HICKOK

Knowin’ him, he might.

THE KID

What do you mean by that, Jimmy?

NOAH

Kid, if I was you, I’d quit while I was ahead.

ANGLE - LOU, who gets up and starts putting on her boots.

BUCK

Goin’ somewhere, Lou?

LOU

Out.

THE KID

Lou, wait...

(sits up)

LOU

Don’t worry about me, Kid. Rachel’s way too much woman for you boys anyway.

She exits.

CODY

What the hell’s got into her?

HICKOK

I don’t know, but if ya ask me, the only one who’s got any sense around here is Ike.

THE KID

Ike...?

HICKOK

While the rest of us’ve been stayin’ up nights thrashin’ around like lovestarved rabbits, he’s been sleepin’ like a baby.

ANGLE - IKE, leaning quietly on his side with his back to the others, pretending to be asleep, but actually gazing out the window at (IKE’S POV)...

Rachel,

visible through the window of the main house, backlit by lantern light, brushing her hair. A vision of beauty.

INT. RACHEL’S ROOM - SAME TIME - RACHEL

sits in front of the dressing mirror, absently brushing her hair, her mind a thousand miles away. We hear a knock. Rachel snaps back to the moment, and quickly puts a picture of her late husband in a drawer.

INT. PARLOR - CONTINUOUS

Rachel quietly goes to the rifle rack and removes a shotgun. She steps near to the door and calls out:

RACHEL

Who’s there?

LOU’S VOICE

Rachel...” It’s me. Lou.

RACHEL

(relieved)

Just a minute.

She quickly puts the shotgun back, then goes to the door and opens it. Lou stands there, somewhat uncomfortable.

RACHEL

Come on in.

LOU

(steps inside)

Thanks. I couldn’t sleep. I saw your light on, so...

RACHEL

Have a seat.

Lou does. Rachel sits across from her. A beat.

RACHEL

Can I get you anything?

LOU

No thanks.

RACHEL

I’m glad you came. I wanted to apologize for the way I acted earlier, at the clothesline.

(a half amile)

Must’ve seemed pretty strange.

LOU

That’s okay... I was just wonderin’ if you were alright.

RACHEL

(smiles)

That’s nice of you Lou.

(A beat, the smile fades. Sadly:)

Every now and then you hear voices, you know...? Memories get stirred up, and sometimes carry you right away...

(snapping out of it)

But I’m fine now. Really.

LOU

You sure?

Rachel smiles and nods. After a beat.

RACHEL

So... Why couldn’t you sleep?

LOU

(rolls her eyes)

I was hearin’ voices too.

RACHEL

(smiles)

I can just imagine what they were saying.

Lou smiles.

RACHEL

Give ‘em time. ‘For you know it their glnads’ll stop actin’ up and I’ll just be one of the boys.

LOU

In your case, I don’t think I’ve got the years to wait.

Rachel laughs at Lou’s humor. A long beat. Rachel stares at Lou.

RACHEL

What’s wrong?

LOU

Nothin’. I just wanted to say, I... I’d be honored to be your friend. If you want to, I mean.

Rachel is caught off guard. After a beat, she smiles:

RACHEL

I’d like that, Lou.

LOU

Louise.

RACHEL

I’d like that a lot Louise.

An awkward beat.

LOU

It’s gettin’ pretty late. Guess I’ll be gettin’ back now.

RACHEL

Okay.

They stand and walk to the door. Rachel gives the suprised Louise a big hug. After a half beat, she returns it. They separate, then:

RACHEL

Goodnight, Louise.

LOU

‘Night.

RACHEL

And thanks.

LOU

Thank you... Oh, and if you hear anymore voices, tell ‘em to put a cork in it.

RACHEL

(smiles)

You too.

Lou turns and heads back toward the bunkhouse. Rachel watches her go, then closes the door behind her. A beat and she leans against the door, her smile fading. Off her sad expession...

Script Page

Main Page

Email: pnyexp1860@aol.com