Transcribed by: mchallenger
 
 

Characters (In order of appearance)
Arthur	Adoley Thornton
Dr. Thaddeus P. Rossmore	Emma Berry
Ariella	Christophe Parchek
Miles Challenger	Man #1
Stanton Challenger	Man #2
John Thornton	Mercedes Levant
The Swede

    [On this episode of Call of the Wild, Miles is trying to teach Buck] to do tricks.  But one man wants to make him a star.  The way things are in town, Miles just might go for the job.  Though Buck might need some extra persuasion.  The adventure begins now on Call of the Wild.

(opening theme and credits)

(on the trail outside of Forty Mile)

Arthur:  (addressing Rossmore)  You are a fraud and a liar!  You promised me a new life.

Dr. Thaddeus P. Rossmore:  And you shall have it.

Arthur:  Right.  Not the Seven Wonders of the World.  No, we end up in the Yukon!  One two bit town
            after another.  One desperate, wheezing, balding prospector or arthritic, aging wife grabbing a
            hold of your bottles of elixir for strength and hope?

Rossmore:  Well, you can always return to the monotony of your former life, Arthur.

Arthur:  At least I wake up every morning an honest man.

Rossmore:  And a failure. Go on, leave.  I'll find another assistant.  One who understands that the
                 excitement of life is what you bring to it.

Arthur:  You know, you'd be smart to get out too, Ariella.

Ariella:  He's my father.

Arthur:  Yeah, you can't choose your parents but you can choose when to leave them.

(leaves)

Rossmore:  Champagne, my dear?

Ariella:  (approaching Rossmore) Arthur's right, you're a sham.  There's nothing in your elixir but sugar-
            water, cornstarch and moonshine.

Rossmore:  Is there a gleam of hope in yonder curtain ebony?  A flickering point of radiance, a candle
                 beam?  There's nothing in the Bible but pretty words.  And there's nothing in the Fountain of
                 Lourdes but water.  People will believe what will give them hope, Ariella.  Give them what
                 they believe will cure them and they'll be cured.

Ariella:  At five dollars a bottle?

Rossmore:  Well...there'll always be another dreamer.  On to Forty Mile.

(They head into town.)

(Rossmore's wagon arrives in Forty Mile.  In the street Miles is trying to get Buck to jump through a
 a hoop.)

Rossmore:  Well, my dear, what do you think?

Ariella:  Am I supposed to see something special here?

Miles Challenger:  (talking to Buck in the distance)  All right, ready?

Ariella:  (to Rossmore)  That Arthur was right.  After a while all these little cracker barrel boom-towns all
            get to look the same.

Rossmore:  Where's the spirit of adventure I've instilled in you since you were a young girl?  Come on
                  now, get down here and let's go walk around.

(helps Ariella off the wagon)

Miles:  Ok, Buck.  Through the hoop now, all right?  Just like I taught ya before.

Rossmore:  (noticing Buck and Miles in the street)  Oh, what's that?  A wolf?  Or is that a dog?

Miles:  (to Buck) Ready?  Through the hoop!

(Buck does not move.)

Ariella:  (to Rossmore) He's beautiful, but he obviously doesn't do tricks.

Miles:  (to Buck) Come on, through the hoop!  Come on now!

Rossmore:  (to Ariella)  No, he wouldn't have to do anything.  He'd just have to stand there.

Miles:  Come on, Buck, you can do this.

Ariella:  What are you talking about?

Rossmore:  I think I may have just found a replacement for Arthur.

Miles:  Through the hoop!  Come on now!

Ariella:  A boy and his dog?  I'd say you're grasping at straws, father.

Rossmore:  Only to spin them into gold, my dear.

Miles:  Jump!

Ariella:  I'll get our supplies.

Miles:  Through the hoop!  Come on, jump through!

Rossmore:  (to himself)  He's perfect.

Miles:  Buck, all right, come on.  Buck, here we go.  Here we go, over!  Okay, Buck?  Here we go!
           Over, over, over!  (Buck jumps through the hoop.)  Good boy!  All right!  (Stanton approaches
           with luggage in his hands.  Miles notices him.)  Stanton?!

Stanton Challenger:  Ah, my welcoming committee.  Here ya go.  (gives the luggage to Miles who drops
                              it on the ground)  Heart warming.

Miles:  Where's Grandfather?

Stanton:  Probably enjoying oysters and scallop potatoes at this moment on Fisherman's Wharf.

Miles:  What are you doing back in Forty Mile?

Stanton:  It's a long story, little cousin, and not one I really want to go into right now with you.  Even the
              the thought of bed and a hot bath is not as appealing to me as a glass of cheap whiskey.

(heads towards the saloon)

Miles:  At this time in the morning?

Stanton:  What would you know about it, little cousin?  When's the last time you drank anything stronger
              than sarsaparilla?  Just leave me alone, all right?  And keep your mutt away from me too.

(Buck growls and Stanton rushes towards the doors of the saloon.)

Miles:  (to Buck) He didn't mean that.  On the other hand, maybe he did.  Come on, Stanton, you can
          do it.  (Stanton opens the door and enters the saloon.)  (to Buck)  Good boy.

(inside the Trading Post)

(Swede, now clean shaven, enters the store.  John and Adoley Thornton do not recognize him.)

John Thornton:  Can I help you?

The Swede:  Yeah, I think I'll take some, ah, canned fruit, ah...

(John and Adoley begin to recognize Swede.)

Adoley Thornton:  Swede?

John:  Swede?

Adoley:  Swede!  Swede, you look...  Well, you look...

Swede:  Clean shaven?

John:  (laughing) So that's the ugly mug beneath those whiskers?  I can't say I like it much.

Swede:  Well, it's a good thing I'm not marrying you.

Adoley:  Well I do.  Has Mercedes seen it?

Swede:  No, no she hasn't.

(Swede's mood visibly changes.)

John:  (noticing Swede's change in character)  Swede, what's happened?

Swede:  It's my father.  He's, he's dying.  I have to go.

Adoley:  I'm sorry, Swede.

Swede:  I'll be leaving tomorrow.

(leaves)

Adoley:  Forty Mile won't be the same without him.

(in the saloon)

(Emma notices Stanton sitting at a table.)

Emma Berry:  Stanton?  I thought I'd never see you back here.

Stanton:  The prodigal son. (finishes a drink)  I'll have another.

Emma:  A little early in the morning, isn't it?

Stanton:  Have you been talking to Miles?

Emma:  Not today.  Does he know you're back?

Stanton:  He knows.  But if you'd had the journey that I've had for the past three days, you would be
              having another too.

Emma:  I'd love to hear about it.  But I think some lunch would be a lot better.  I'll get you some hot
            coffee.

Stanton:  Emma, are you glad to see me?

Emma:  Very glad.

(outside in the street)

(People have gathered around Dr. Rossmore's wagon.)

Rossmore:  (addressing the crowd)  Gather 'round, folks.  If you're ailing, I have the cure for what is
                 ailing you.

Christophe Parchek:  What happened to your knife juggler?  Didn't he swallow swords too?

Rossmore:  Well, I had to let him go; the silverware kept disappearing.  (The crowd laughs.)  Ladies and
                  gentlemen, Dr. Rossmore's miracle elixir for all that ails you.

Man #1:  Will it help me lose weight?

Rossmore:  Sir, the pounds will melt away.  (addressing Parchek)  And you, sir, I can hear the ragged
                 breathing from here.  One sip of my elixir and your lungs will open up to the sweet air.
                 (addressing a nearby woman)  You, madam, I can see that you're having trouble walking.
                 My elixir will find its way into your joints and soothe them.  My daughter has the gift, ladies
                 and gentlemen.  See can see into your souls.

Ariella:  (pointing to Parchek)  He's getting married.

Rossmore:  (to Parchek)  My daughter says there's a wife in your future.

Parchek:  Well, I hope she has meat on her bones and all of her teeth.

Man #2:  If she's breathing, that's good enough for you, Parchek.

(The crowd laughs.)

Ariella:  With the purchase of one bottle of my father's elixir and two dollars, you can come into my
            caravan and I will read your palm and consult the crystal ball about your future.

John:  (from the porch of the Trading Post)  Excuse me.  Explain something to me, young lady.  How can
          you tell me about my future if you don't know anything about my past?

Ariella:  I feel things.

John:  Will your elixir help you look into my soul?

Rossmore:  Why don't you purchase a bottle, sir, and see for yourself?  (John comes closer to Rossmore.)
                  There you go.  Make way for the gentleman.  There you are, sir, five dollars.

John:  (taking the bottle)  I don't think I need your magic elixir.  Neither does anybody else.

(walks away)

Rossmore:  Well, ah, perhaps the gentleman from the ah, the Trading Post is afraid of a little
                  competition.  What do you say, ladies and gentlemen?  Who will be the first to buy my
                  magic elixir?  (People offer money.)  Yes, there ya go, sir.  Thank you.  You, sir, very good.
                  There you go, you've made a wise decision.  Send a bottle right over here, my dear.  And
                  over here, another bottle over here.  There we go.

(in the saloon)

(Miles and Buck enter and approach Stanton at the table.)

Miles:  Look like you can use some company.

Stanton:  Do I have a choice?

Emma:  Steak's almost ready.

Miles:  You know, you're gonna have to tell us what's happened sooner or later.

Stanton:  I've been betrayed.

Miles:  Betrayed by Grandfather?

Stanton:  He kicked me out.  Says I have to toughen up.  And if I do, he'll retire and I will run
              Challenger Enterprises.

Miles:  And what's Grandfather's idea of toughening you up?

Stanton:  Surviving in Forty Mile for a year.

Miles:  Ah, he musta given you a stake.

Stanton:  Yes, forty dollars.  It's not gonna last me a week in this backwater mud puddle.

Miles:  You'll have to look for some work.

Stanton:  Ah, no, no.  Not if I strike it rich with a gold claim.

Miles:  Yeah, you and everybody else that comes to the Yukon.  You might have to get some callouses
           on those hands there, Stanton.  Work for a living.

Stanton:  Like you do?

Miles:  Hey, I work at the Trading Post.

Stanton:  Oh, oh yes, of course.

Miles:  Where will you live?

Stanton:  Well, obviously I have no choice.  I'll have to live at the Thornton house.

Miles:  No way!

Emma:  Miles, he's your cousin.

Miles:  We have no room.

Emma:  Well I'm sure that there's a couch or a corner on the floor near the fire.

Stanton:  I'm not a dog wandering in off the street!

Miles:  No way!  He's not living with me.  He can sleep in the stables for all I care.

Emma:  Stanton, you can stay at the Forty Mile Hotel, no charge, until you get back on your feet.

Stanton:  That is so kind.  Your generosity will not be forgotten.  And my gratitude is without measure.

Emma:  I'll go check on that steak.

(She heads into the back.)

Stanton:  I won't forget this kindness, Emma.

Emma:  (from the back)  Oh, it's ready.

(Miles gets up and rushes towards Emma.)

Miles:  (to Emma)  Why are you being so kind to him?  Free room and board at the Forty Mile Hotel?
           That's not gonna toughen him up.

Emma:  He's in trouble.  And if he can't turn to his family for affection and support, he can turn to me.

Miles:  Now what's that supposed to mean?

Emma:  He's my friend.  (Emma places the steak in front of Stanton.  Buck comes to the table from
            behind and steals the steak.)  Buck!  Buck, come back here with that steak!

Miles:  Welcome back to Forty Mile, Stanton.

(later that day, outside of Forty Mile)

(Miles is talking to Buck while throwing rocks into the pond.)

Miles:  She knows that Stanton is a weasel.  She cooks him lunch every day, let's him stay in the Hotel
           for free.  So now Stanton's got a roof over his head and home cooked meals everyday!  And
           what else, a new girlfriend?  It's all right, boy.  You can't help me.  Nobody can.  (Dr. Rossmore
           appears from the background.)  Just gotta get out of this... what does Stanton call it?  This
           backwater mud puddle.

Rossmore:  Perhaps I can be of some service to you, young man.  Thaddeus P. Rossmore, impresario.

Miles:  Ah, I'm, I'm Miles Challenger.

Rossmore:  Yes, nice to me ya, Miles.  That is a magnificent animal.

Miles:  His name's Buck.

Rossmore:  Hello, Buck.  Come over here now.  Here, Buck.  Here, boy.

(Buck barks at Rossmore.)

Miles:  It's okay, boy.  It's okay.  Sorry, sir, he's not usually like that.  I don't know what's the matter
           with him.

Rossmore:  Very strange.  Animals usually love me.  Have you had him a long time?

Miles:  Ah, not very long.  He was brought up to the Yukon as a sled dog.  But he's mine now.  He's the
           best dog in the world.

Rossmore:  And he's very smart too.

Miles:  Oh yeah, he's very smart.

Rossmore:  Well, how 'bout you, Miles?  How long have you been a resident here at Forty Mile?

Miles:  Too long.

Rossmore:  (laughing)  Yes, I know that feeling.  The wanderlust does get into your veins.  My family's
                 been traveling since I was just a young lad.  Circus people.  Did you ever dream of running
                 away to join the circus?

Miles:  (laughing)  No, sir.

Rossmore:  Well, it's an exciting life.  But I found the politics under the big top a bit too confining.  That's
                  why I started my own world-wide tour:  Thaddeus P. Rossmore's Carnival and Elixirs.  If
                  I told you that I sold the elixir of youth, would you believe me?

Miles:  No, sir.

Rossmore:  (laughing)  Just the same, my boy, people all over the world have drank my elixir and they
                 have found that the aches and pains in their body ceased.  It, it slows down the aging process
                 and people find they have new energy and vigor.  When you meet my daughter I'd like you
                 to try and guess how old she is.

Miles:  Much older than she appears?

Rossmore:  Oh yes.  You should come to dinner tonight.

Miles:  Dinner?

Rossmore:  Yes, at the Forty Mile Hotel.

Miles:  I don't know, sir.

Rossmore:  Now, now.  (withdraws a deck of cards)  Here, pick a card.  Pick a card, any card at all.
                 Now, if you pick the right card you get to meet my daughter.  (Miles selects a card.)  Now,
                 if that card is the queen of hearts, well that would be a very good omen for you.  (Miles
                 shows Rossmore that he has selected the queen of hearts.)  Oh, oh, well, there you see!
                 You're fated to meet Ariella.  And you know, she reads cards.  Not, ah, cards like these.  She
                 reads tarot cards.  Do you know she can look into a crystal ball and she can see your future?
                 Yes, she can.  Yeah, you'll like her.  She's, ah, she's a dreamer.  Are you a dreamer too?

Miles:  I, I... Yeah, I guess so.

Rossmore:  You guess so?  Miles, that's not something you can guess about.  That's something that burns
                 in your veins.  When you look off to a far, distant horizon you know you have to go there.
                 You'll endanger and imperil all your friends in the darkness and anything that you could
                 imagine you can achieve.

Miles:  Wow, it sounds exciting when you put it like that.

Rossmore:  Well, it's the only way to put it.  And I have something to put to you, young man, a
                  proposition.  The good folks in this town tell me that you're an excellent guide.

Miles:  Yes, sir.

Rossmore:  Well, I need a guide.  But I also need an assistant.  And I think that you and your dog would
                  be just the thing I need.  You know, yes, oh, I can see it now, yes... Miles and his wolf-dog!
                  From the Yukon.  Yes!  Yes!  I can... it's perfect.  It's exactly what I need and it's the
                  opportunity of a lifetime for you, Miles.  What do you say, my boy?  Would you like to come
                  with us?

Miles:  Well... I, I don't know.  I, I'd have to talk it over with my mother and step-father.

Rossmore:  Of course, of course.

Miles:  And I don't go anywhere without Buck.

Rossmore:  Well, I wouldn't think of asking you to go anywhere without Buck.  Well, the dog will make
                  you famous, Miles.  And not just in the Yukon.  We're going to go on a trip around the
                  world.  We're going to see the Palace of Versailles.  We're going to see the, ah, Pyramids of
                  Egypt and the Fountains of Tivoli Square.  Miles, you and your dog will be famous all
                  over the world.  In Rome and Paris and Cairo!  I give you my hand on it.  And you don't
                  have to make up your mind just now, son.  But you will come to dinner tonight, right?
                  Excellent.  (starts to walk away)  Yes, I can see it all, Miles.  Miles and his wonder dog.
                  Yes, absolutely.  You'll cause a sensation.  And wait until...

Miles:  (to Buck)  Hey, what do you think, boy?  Huh?  Paris and Rome?  It could be the answer to our
           prayers.  We could get out of this place.

(in the saloon)

(Swede approaches Mercedes, who does not recognize him at first.)

Mercedes Levant:  (finally recognizing Swede)  Oh, oh...you!  Oh, you did it.  You shaved it all off.  Oh,
                            Swede, you are the most handsome man I have... (kisses him)  ever seen.  Of course,
                            I already knew that, now I just see it.

Swede:  Mercedes, we have to talk.

Mercedes:  Well of course we do.  Now, I don't want my wedding dress to be eaten by moths.  And my
                 finger's feeling awfully empty without that ring.  Swede, I know it's me who said we should
                 wait until after the Yukon fever...

Swede:  Mercedes...

Mercedes:  But, I think it's time.  I think we should have a small ceremony with just a few friends and...

Swede:  Mercedes, I need to leave Forty Mile.  I have to go home.  My father's dying.

Mercedes:  Oh, Swede, I'm so sorry.

Swede:  It's a long trip and I can't, I can't take you with me.  Mercedes, the wedding is, is going to have
            to wait.  I hope you understand.

(at the Forty Mile Hotel)

(Miles enters the hotel.)

Miles:  (to Buck) Buck, you gotta stay outside, boy.  (to Ariella, who is seated) Hi.  Are you Ariella?

Ariella:  Yes, and you're Miles, right?  If you're looking for my father...

Miles:  Actually he invited me here for dinner.

Ariella:  Either he forgot about it or he was playing match-making.  He seems to think that his only
            daughter is desperately lonely and pining for affection.

Miles:  Are you?

Ariella:  I love my life.  I love meeting new people, trying to help them, guide them.

Miles:  By reading their fortunes?

Ariella:  That's right.  I can feel people's moods just by touching them.  (She grasps Miles' right hand.)
             Lines in a person's hand are like the map to their soul.  Maybe I can see into your future.

Miles:  Yeah, sure.

Ariella:  (reading his palm) You're very sensitive.  Passionate about your beliefs.  There's a girl in your
            life, but you're not quite sure about her.  You're future's clouded.  Great things will happen to
            you, but you'll pay a price for them.

(Buck barks outside the window.)

Miles:  Will he be in my life?

Ariella:  Yes.  You won't go anywhere without Buck.  Is that his name?

Miles:  Yeah, but anybody coulda told ya that.

Ariella:  (getting up and moving away)  You don't have to believe in me.  Most people don't.  There are
            times when I don't.

Miles:  I didn't... I didn't mean to offend you.

Ariella:  You didn't.  He's your best friend?

Miles:  Yes he is.  He saved my life more than once.

Ariella:  And this girl?  Did Buck save you for her?

Miles:  Here name's Emma.  And we're close, as friends.  At least that's what I thought.

Ariella:  Well that's how all relationships start or should start.  You need to be friends before you can be
             lovers.  I believe you're blushing.

Miles:  (embarrassed) No, I'm not.

Ariella:  I didn't mean to embarrass you.  I'm sorry.  You're very nice.  Much too nice to get involved with
            us.

Miles:  Why would you say that?

Ariella:  We're gypsies.  My father told me you're thinking of joining us.

Miles:  Yeah, and what do you think about that?

Ariella:  Well, now that I've met you, it sounds good to me.

(outside in the street)

(Stanton is walking with Emma.)

Stanton:  Miles thinks I'm the one who's lived the charmed life.  San Francisco apartment, executive in
              Challenger Enterprises, the world's my oyster, right?  He hasn't had to endure the tyranny I've
              had to put up with day in and day out.  I think these little humiliations have been Grandfather's
              greatest pleasure.

Emma:  Sometimes we're hardest on the ones we love the most.  I haven't seen my father for months on
            end.  He travels.

Stanton:  You must be lonely.  I guess we're just two lonely souls lost in this backwards town.

(He moves closer to kiss Emma.)

Miles:  (from the distance) Let her go, Stanton!  (moves closer)  She's not your girl.  She's mine.  I don't
           want you talking with her!  I don't want you seeing her and I sure don't want you kissing her.

Emma:  I believe that's my decision also.  You and I are friends, Miles.  And we may be more than that
            one day.  I don't belong to anyone.

Stanton:  Looks like the lady's made her decision, little cousin.

(Miles rushes towards Stanton.)

Emma:  Miles, don't! (Miles attacks Stanton.)  Stop it, both of you!  Buck, do something!

Miles:  Come on, Stanton!

(Buck rushes in and pulls Miles off Stanton.)

Emma:  (coming to help Stanton)  Stanton, Stanton, it's Emma.  It's just me.  You're hurt.  I'll fix you up
            at the Hotel.

Miles:  You know, Emma, maybe it's time we went our separate ways.

Emma:  Maybe it's time you grow up.

(She leaves with Stanton.)

Miles:  (to Buck) Come on, boy, it's okay.  You did the right thing.  I'm glad you stepped in and pulled
           me off before I had a chance to really hurt him.

Ariella:  (from behind) Are you all right, Miles?

Miles:  (surprised) Ariella.  I'm fine.

Ariella:  I couldn't help but overhear what you're friend said.  She likes you a lot.

Miles:  Is that what your crystal ball says?

Ariella:  No, just my eyes.  She doesn't know what she's lost.  I do.
 

(at the saloon)

(Stanton is drinking at the end of the bar.  Miles steps up to the bar.)

Miles:  (to Mercedes) Whiskey.

Mercedes:  Miles, I've never known you to come in here and order a drink.  You're fifteen years old.

Miles:  I don't see an age limit posted above the bar, Mercedes.

Mercedes:  Well, no, I mean... Well, I'm sorry, Miles, I cannot serve you.

Miles:  I'll serve myself.

Mercedes:  Miles, you are not drinking in my saloon.

Rossmore:  (approaching the bar)  You can serve me, can't you?

Mercedes:  Well of course, Dr. Rossmore.

Rossmore:  Well then, I'll have a bottle of whiskey and an empty glass, please.  (pours a drink for Miles)
                 Son, it's never too early to learn how to soothe the demons of the mind.

(As Miles is about to take a sip, John Thornton intervenes and takes away the glass.)

John:  You're not drinking in the saloon.  Let's go home.

Miles:  And where is home, John?  Huh?  Is that here in Forty Mile?  With you and mom?  You may call
           that home.  I call it prison.

John:  Saloon's not the right place to air your personal problems.

Miles:  I'm not going anywhere with you.

John:  You are creating a ruckus.  I suggest we take this outside.

Miles:  No, I've been taking orders from you for three years.  I came with the package.  You courted
           and married  my mother.  Now you gotta put up with me.  I got news for you, though.  I'm
           leaving Forty Mile.

Stanton:  (to himself) And I'll be taking your place.

Emma:  (overhearing Stanton) When Hell freezes over!

John:  We're leaving right now.

(John grabs Miles and leads him to the door.  Miles escapes John's grasp.)

Miles:  It's over, John!  You and me, we're finished!

(He storms out the door.  Emma follows Miles outside into the street.)

Emma:  Miles!

Miles:  (keeps on walking) I don't wanna talk to you right now, Emma.

Emma:  I'm sorry about yesterday.  It's not what you think.

Miles:  (turning around) What?  That wasn't you about to kiss Stanton in the middle of the street?

Emma:  Yes, it was.  It was just a moment that almost happened.  It didn't mean anything.  Look, I just
             feel bad for him, that's all.

Miles:  You know, Emma, you've always had your eye on him.  I've seen it from the beginning.  You can
           have him.  I'll be gone.

(in the saloon)

(John approaches Rossmore)

John:  My name is John Thornton.  That boy is my son.  You don't ever offer him a drink.  Do you
          understand me?  (Rossmore nods.)  Now he can talk to whoever he wants to, but I just want
          you to know something.  I'm keeping my eyes on you.

(leaves)

(Emma returns and walks over to the bar near Stanton.)

Stanton:  Ah, my dear Emma.

Emma:  I trust you enjoyed your cousin's moments of embarrassment.

Stanton:  He did rather bring them upon himself, didn't he?

Emma:  No, we helped bring it on him.  I've seen his frustration with being stuck in this town coming on
            for months.  I shoulda known better.  So should you.  Never mind.  Oh, and by the way, we have
            some guests arriving tomorrow morning at the Hotel.  I'm gonna have to ask you to give up your
            room.

Stanton:  Where am I gonna stay?

Emma:  That's your problem.

(She walks away.)

(outside, at Rossmore's wagon)

Ariella:  (approaching Rossmore) You're conning this boy.  I won't have any part of it.

Rossmore:  That dog is worth a fortune to us.  People will come from far and near to see the wild wolf.

Ariella:  Not in Paris or Rome or Cairo.

Rossmore:  That animal might help us to get to those places.  I only want a better life for you, Ariella.

Ariella:  It's not about me.  It's always been about you!

(She walks away.)

Rossmore:  My dear, that's not true.  You mean everything in the world to me.

Ariella:  You've dragged me across the United States and the Yukon to every shanty town who would
             take us in just because you needed a shill.

Rossmore:  What would you have me do?  Leave you in a home, with strangers?  Or put you in a
                  boarding school?  I love you.  I wanted you with me.  Ever since your mother died...

Ariella:  I've felt very alone.

(walks away)

Rossmore:  (to himself)  Ladies and gentlemen...  Ladies and gentlemen...  Ladies and gentlemen, may I
                 present...Buck, the Man-Eating Wolf!  No....  Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Buck, the
                 Man-Eating Dog?

Miles:  (from behind) Buck, a man-eater?  I don't think so, Dr. Rossmore.

Rossmore:  This is your ticket to fame and fortune, lad.  (indicating Buck)  He doesn't seem too
                  impressed.

Miles:  He'll get used to the idea.  I've come for the job.

Rossmore:  Excellent!  Did you hear that, Ariella?  Miles is going to join us.  Isn't that wonderful?

Ariella:  Yes, it is.  For me.

Rossmore:  You'll never regret this decision, Miles.  It will change your whole life.

Miles:  What are your terms?

Rossmore:  Oh, favorable... Very favorable.  But we'll discuss business in the morning.  We leave at
                  seven o'clock sharp.

Miles:  Good.  I'll be there.

Rossmore:  Buck, would you like to come with us?

(Buck growls and barks.)

Miles:  Come on, Buck.  Let's go, boy!

(Miles and Buck leave.)

Ariella:  You're right.  He is a smart dog.

Rossmore:  The dog will come to love me.  All he needs is, ah, some of my elixir to calm his nerves.

(later that night inside Rossmore's wagon)

(Rossmore prepares some elixir for Buck)

Rossmore:  This will take the passion out of your being, Buck.  (He takes the elixir to the Thornton house
                  and pours it into Buck's water bowl.)  There you go, Buck.  Enjoy its benefits.

(Buck approaches the water bowl after Rossmore leaves and drinks the water.)

(at the Thornton house)

(Miles comes downstairs and enters the dining room, where his mother washes dishes)

Adoley:  (noticing that Miles has brought his pack downstairs)  What are you doing?

Miles:  (removing his hat) I'm leaving Forty Mile, mother.  Tomorrow morning.

Adoley:  Miles, John told me what happened in the saloon.  He was just trying to...

Miles:  Do what's right for me.  I know.  It was wrong for me to day the things that I said.  I'll apologize.
           It's time for me to leave here, mother.

Adoley:  I won't let you go.

Miles:  What are you going to do to stop me?  Are you going to lock me in my bedroom?  All right, let's
           say that I tell you that I won't leave.  And I go back to working at the Trading Post.  First
           chance I get, I take off.  Are you going to be constantly looking over your shoulder to make sure
           I haven't gone?

Adoley:  Where are you going to go?

Miles:  Dr. Thaddeus P. Rossmore's traveling carnival.  He needs a guide and an assistant.  He wants to
           feature Buck.

Adoley:  To help sell his snake oil.

Miles:  Mother, it doesn't matter.  Maybe it cures people, maybe it doesn't.  Maybe all people need to
           believe is that it might.

Adoley:  Miles, please don't do this.

Miles:  I have to do this.  I have to go out there and find my own fortune.  I can't stay here and watch
          other people doing it.  It's not that I don't love you, mother.  I love you with all my heart.  And
          it's not that I'm angry with John.  He's a good man and I'm happy for you.  I'm happy that you
          married him.  It's just... I gotta grow up and see the world.  Not in San Francisco with Grand-
          father...the real world.

Adoley:  Well, I knew this day would come.  But I just didn't think it would be this soon.  Will you bring
              Buck with you?

Miles:  Yes, of course I will.

(the next morning)

(Miles finds Buck lying on the porch.)

Miles:  (panicking because Buck does not move)  Buck?!  Oh no, boy.  Buck!  No!  Buck!  Wake up,
           boy.  Come on.  (Buck gets up slowly and yawns.)  You nearly stopped my heart.  Come on,
           we're in for the biggest adventure of our lives.

(outside the saloon)

Swede:  (to Mercedes) Not a day won't go by when I won't think of you, Mercedes.  Not a night where
            I won't dream of you.

Mercedes:  The romantic side, Swede.  Who woulda known?  I will miss you.

Swede:  I'm gonna write you every day.  And when things settle down, I'm gonna send for you.

Mercedes:  Don't let us make promises we can't keep.  Just remember that you will always be in my
                 heart, Swede.

(They kiss and Swede departs.)

(Miles walks past the saloon.  Emma sees him walking down the street.)

Emma:  You weren't gonna leave without saying good bye.

Miles:  Actually, I was...just coming to find you.

Emma:  You said you'd leave one day.  I believed you.  I just didn't think it was going to be so soon.  I'm
             gonna miss you, Miles.

Miles:  I'll miss you, too.  I really will.  This is an opportunity for me to see the world, Emma.  I gotta
           take it.

Emma:  Come back and visit.

Miles:  I will.  I'll write to you.

Emma:  I'll be here.  Right here in Forty Mile.

Miles:  Emma, I...

Emma:  I'm sorry too. (Miles turns to leave.)  I love you, Miles.

Miles:  (turning around in disbelief)  What?

Emma:  Good bye, Buck.  Take care of him for me, all right?

(She leaves in tears.)

Miles:  Emma!  Emma!

(at the Thornton house)

(Stanton approaches Adoley on the porch.)

Stanton:  Ah, ah, I, I need a place to stay.  I find myself, ah, financially embarrassed at the moment...

Adoley:  You can have Miles' room, Stanton.

(She walks past him into the street.)

(In the street Miles approaches John.)

John:  Now, you be careful.  Be more than careful.  Be aware of your surroundings, people in them.

Miles:  I will, John.

Rossmore:  (from his wagon in the distance)  Now or never, Miles!

Adoley:  I love you, Miles.

Miles:  I love you too, mom.

Adoley:  You promise to write?

Miles:  Of course.  Twice a week.  (to Buck)  Come on, boy.

John:  Here's a little something for ya.  (Hands some money to Miles.)  Now, don't argue.

Miles:  John...

John:  What's the matter with Buck?

Miles:  I don't know.  He's a little sleepy I guess.

Rossmore:  Miles!

John:  This is your home.  This will always be your home.

Miles:  Thanks.  Good bye, John.

John:  Good bye, son.

(They embrace.  Miles heads for Rossmore's wagon.  Adoley joins John.)

Adoley:  This is the saddest day of my life.

John:  Yeah, me as well.  Bound to come.

Rossmore:  (to Miles)  Ready to see the world, Miles?

Miles:  Yes, sir.

Rossmore:  (to Buck) And how about you, Buck?  You ready to start the big adventure, huh?

Miles:  He didn't growl at ya.  He must be gettin' used to ya.

Rossmore:  I have a feeling we're going to be the best of friends, Buck and I.

Miles:  Come on, boy!  Load up!  Load up, boy!

(Bucks jumps into the back of the wagon and lies down.)

Rossmore:  (to Miles) Come on, my boy.  Let's go.

(As the wagon departs, John and Adoley look on.  Adoley is in tears.)

The End.