(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.
Kinda hard with you moanin’ groanin’ and goin’ on about Rachel all night.
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
(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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
I’d like that, Lou.
LOU
Louise.
RACHEL
I’d like that a lot Louise.
An awkward beat.
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:
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...