Esperanza Current Draft 11.07.21 written by Blake Armstrong Blake@roboteatingrobot.com EXT. ESPERANZA - DAY A prospering frontier town - bank, hotel, dry goods store, and more with people milling about everywhere. Standing nearly a head taller, and a good deal broader than everyone else in the crowd, Bruce (30s and covered in scars) fumbles through a sack of goods while ignored by the crowd. Even if he didn’t stick out because of his size, his battle- scarred face sets him far apart from any of these folk. The sad slump of his shoulders and his cast down eyes paint him, the scarred giant, as meek and humble. Maybe even broken. Bruce closes the sack and shuffles down the street. JOE, a short and drunk cowboy, shoulders into Bruce. Bruce's sack drops from his hands and scatters his goods into the dusty street. JOE Watch it. BRUCE Sorry. Bruce bends down, his hulking mass sitting like a boulder in the stream of people around him as his huge hands engulf the tiny contents of his bag. He shuffles over to his horse and opens up the saddle bag. CRACK! A wagon catches itself in a hole in the road and throws its DRIVER into the dust. Bruce hurries over and helps him up. DRIVER Thank you. BRUCE Happy to help. The driver stretches and cranes his way to the stuck wheel and timber beams that have spilled out the back. The driver grabs one of the beams and struggles over it, lifting the wood only a few inches off the ground. Bruce steps over and slides the beam up into the wagon bed with ease. The driver is shocked by his strength. 2. DRIVER Thanks again. BRUCE Of course. Bruce sets to the task of loading the other timbers without so much as a heave of effort. With the wagon loaded, Bruce sets his shoulder against its frame and with a mighty shove, frees it from the hole. DRIVER Now I’m in your debt. Bruce shakes out his left hand and rubs at a NASTY SCAR that runs between the dorsal tendons on the back and a matching circle of twisted flesh in his palm. An arrow wound? BRUCE Don't worry about it. Across the street, the bank door slams open and out storms MARY CARTER (30s), Bruce’s wife. She’s chased out by a portly BANKER (50s) and two slim BODY GUARDS (20s). BANKER You are a swindler, Mrs. Carter and you will pay your debts! Bruce sheepishly turns his back to the situation. But he can’t hide his mass behind the cart. He can’t hide anywhere. Mary cuts right to Bruce and grabs him by the elbow. MARY What an asshole. She takes note of the driver standing nearby. DRIVER Ma’am. MARY Apologies for my language. Bruce, how much did you get for the wool? BRUCE Thirty and some wire. MARY Thirty? BRUCE And some mending wire. 3. MARY Bruce! We needed fifty. BRUCE It seemed fair. The driver digs into his pocket, pulls out five dollars and hands them to Bruce. DRIVER A small thanks for your troubles. The driver swings onto his wagon and ushers his horses away. BRUCE Sorry. The Banker shouts at them. BANKER Your husband can’t hide you from what you owe, Mrs. Carter. What you both owe! Striding between them, Sheriff GORDON WILLIAMSON eyes the banker’s body guards. WILLIAMSON Your men free to lend me a hand chasing down a killer? Hell of a bounty to collect on the escaped convict, Jack Naples. He's got a fancy for arson and killing children from what the Texas Rangers told me. Five thousand dollar bounty on his head. Before the body guards can respond, the banker answers for them. BANKER I'm afraid not. These men are here to escort several deposits further along the rail line with men from the banks Wells Fargo as well as Valint and Balk. Their contracts, should they wish to keep their steady employment, do not permit chasing down bounties at the whim of the Sheriff. 4. WILLIAMSON What about you, Bruce? Suppose I can finally coax you to come along with us? Some cash in it for you. BRUCE No. Sorry. WILLIAMSON Its good pay. MARY Split how many ways? WILLIAMSON More men means more assurance we all come home with some reward. More assurance we all come home period. BRUCE Thank you, but kindly no. WILLIAMSON Suit yourself. Five of us at the moment. You’re welcome to join as lucky number six if your mind changes. BANKER Might want to take the job, Mr. Carter. Wouldn’t want your wife to take up other ways to pay your debts. Mary explodes with rage. MARY How dare you! Bruce holds her back. BRUCE Let’s go. Got to mend the fence, remember. MARY He called me a whore! BANKER Oh no, not I. Wouldn’t dare. Just pondering the ways you could earn some extra money. 5. BRUCE He isn’t worth it. Let’s just go. The crowd has parted to let this heated exchange fly with no bystanders getting caught in the verbal crossfire. Between Bruce's scars and his size, he looks more the part of monster than meek sheep herder and the townsfolk want none of it. EXT. CARTER HOME - DAY A pile of guts bakes in the hot sun. Red and white tufts of wool clump on blades of grass. Bruce hunches over the mess. BRUCE They’re getting bold. The door of the wood cabin creaks open and Mary steps out with two hot cups of coffee. MARY When are you going to shoot that thing? BRUCE Would rather mend the fence. MARY I'll shoot her if I see her. How many sheep is that to coyotes just this year? BRUCE That's why I want to mend the fence. MARY If we shot every coyote that wandered through here we still wouldn’t put a dent in your munitions depot. BRUCE They might be keeping the mice out of the dry goods. That’s worth a sheep or two. MARY Six, Bruce. Six sheep. BRUCE As soon as I bury this I’ll start in on the fence. 6. MARY I meant the money, Bruce. We’re going to lose our home. Before they can continue their argument, the whinnying of a horse catches their attention. High in the saddle with garish confidence, sits NED (15), a cocksure boy who fancies himself “the Kalamazoo Kid.” He trots in and sweeps off his hat with an over-practiced flourish and gaudy manners as he greets Mary. NED What an honor to meet such a beautiful woman at an hour so early. Don't think I've seen a woman so fine in all the miles I've ridden. I’m the Kalamazoo Kid, and who do I have the pleasure of resting my weary eyes upon? Mary hates it. MARY Mary Carter. What do you need, boy? NED Been hired on as deputy for the town of Esperanza. Wondering how much farther to town. Wondering if I ought to water my horse or head on through. Sheriff needs help chasing down a killer from what I understand. Might need some fresh guns to seal the deal. Ned fingers the gleaming pistol on his hip and Bruce cuts in to the conversation. BRUCE You have a lot of experience chasing down killers? NED Might be. Looks like you’ve had more than one run-in. Sheriff didn’t take you on the posse? BRUCE Don‘t care much for getting in harm’s way. Might be you consider reversing your decision. 7. NED No, sir. I’m no coward. Maybe you reverse yours. Would you folks fetch my hoss some water? MARY Town’s a mile down the hill. Trough at the church is always full. Getting the hint, Ned tips his hat and gallops off. BRUCE Boy’s going to get himself killed. Bruce stalks off to the house. INT. CARTER HOME - DAY In the dim homestead, Bruce prowls from cupboard to cabinet, searching for his pipe. He looks at the fireplace mantle, cook fire still smoldering. BRUCE Have you seen my pipe? On the shelf, right in front of him, Mary swipes it away and presents it to him - affirming that his mind is elsewhere. MARY Six against one? I think that boy is going home with a sixth of that bounty. A thousand dollars would pay our debts. BRUCE Eight-hundred-thirty. Give or take. MARY That's almost all of what we owe. BRUCE That's his cut. MARY And it would hold the banks over. BRUCE What would you have me do? I go along with them and tell them exactly what they’re doing wrong so they don’t get them selves killed? (MORE) 8. BRUCE (CONT'D) And when they find this murderer, he just gives himself up and we all go home with some money and no dead friends? MARY This murderer is already convicted and fleeing the Rangers. Putting him behind bars and earning some real money is a good reason to fight. BRUCE When the fighting starts, all good goes out of it. Reason doesn't stand much chance, either. MARY What would you have me do, Bruce? Worry about when the bank decides to take our home or worry about when this Naples character comes to burn it? She moves in close and puts her head to his chest. Her tender touch defeats him. BRUCE I don‘t... MARY You won’t, Bruce. Whatever you do, whatever happens, you’re a good man. Even if you have to shoot him, its one less murderer in the world. You, Bruce, you are good. EXT. CARTER HOME - DAY Bruce ties off his saddle bags and flexes his left hand in pain then swings into the stirrups. Mary hurries out of the house with an extra bundle and canteen in hand. MARY Fresh bread, some hard-tack, apples, and some cheese. I don’t want you going hungry. There’s coffee in this one and water in the two you already packed. 9. BRUCE Mary, I - MARY Don‘t want you going hungry. BRUCE Thank you. Bruce peeks into the bundle - the glint of his old pistol shining between the food stuffs catches him off guard. He slides it out. MARY Just want to make sure you come home safe. Bears, or cougars, or... just come home safe. His shoulders slump even deeper, completely defeated. BRUCE Yeah. She grabs his wrist and guides him down for a kiss, but he only returns with a peck. They‘re both hurt. He can’t leave it like that and hops off the horse and embraces her, kisses her, with the passion driven by the fear that he’ll be changed when he returns. The fear that everything will be different. The fear he won't make it. MARY Come back safe and take that bounty straight to the bank! No necklaces, no jewelry. Just the house. EXT. ESPERANZA - DAY Bruce rides past the church as FATHER O'DONNELL (30s) prunes some bushes. Williamson catches sight of Bruce towering over the crowd and waves him in. WILLIAMSON Change your mind? Bruce dismounts and stands next to Williamson - even with his stoop, he’s almost a head taller than the sheriff. 10. BRUCE I can care for the horses, look after supplies. WILLIAMSON I think each man can care for his own horse. BRUCE Supplies, then. WILLIAMSON Shouldn’t be gone more than a week. What other skills have you got? A saddlebag drops off Bruce’s horse and he pulls it back up and really tightens the knot to secure it. He flexes his left hand in pain. BRUCE Navigation. WILLIAMSON The road takes us straight to the mountain path that our man Naples will have no choice but to use. Ned swaggers over and eyes Bruce down. NED Well, if it isn’t the farmer. Coming to beg for a spot on the hunt? BRUCE I was offering to join. NED Think we’re full up. Me and sheriff going to show these men how its done. BRUCE Who? WILLIAMSON We’re taking Duncan, Joe, and Abe. BRUCE Two drunks and a hotel clerk? 11. WILLIAMSON Two veterans and a man who is acquainted with staying awake at odd hours. You still haven’t sold me on what you offer. BRUCE I can track, offer guidance. WILLIAMSON Thought you were a herder, not a hunter. BRUCE I can track. Father O’Donnel can vouch. WILLIAMSON At his say so you can come along. For now, how about you and Ned round up the others. Williamson struts off toward the church and Ned peels away toward the hotel. Bruce follows Ned. INT. HOTEL - DAY Behind the welcome desk stands ABE GONZALES (40s) - dapper and articulate - writes studiously in his ledger. The door swings open and Bruce walks in, Ned hurrying behind him. ABE Bruce! So good to see you. Who is this joining you today? Ned steps in front of Bruce and tips his hat. NED I’m the Kalamazoo Kid, deputy Ned Williamson. Collect your things, Abe, it’s time to go. BRUCE You sure you can make the ride with your schedule, Abe? I know you’ve got to keep tight to it. 12. ABE As long as we can pull to the side of the trail and let me rest for half an hour every three and a half hours, I should manage. NED You’ll have to manage with whatever the trail gives you. Abe points to the clock above the entrance. ABE Trail or otherwise, it has to be every three and a half hours precisely. NED And if you’re fording a river at the time? ABE We would have to do it before or after. NED We would ride on and you’d have to catch up. Just a half hour behind us, right? ABE You’d leave me to sleep alone on the trail while we hunt a killer? NED Well - BRUCE Of course not. But is your schedule flexible at all, Abe? ABE I don’t see why we couldn’t accommodate if I’m going to be relied upon as the night watchman. Ned's ready to walk out, but Bruce shifts his weight to block his path. BRUCE We want nothing more than to accommodate, Abe. But it’s the trail and the hunt that makes the rules. Not us. (MORE) 13. BRUCE (CONT'D) I’ll get you a description of the man and you can be at your fullest here in town, watching over Esperanza while we’re out. ABE But the bounty. BRUCE We’ll make sure you get a cut for bravely volunteering. Bruce exits with Ned fuming behind. EXT. HOTEL - DAY Ned charges after Bruce. NED What the hell was that all about. Bruce ignores him. NED (CONT'D) Hey! You just let one of our hands go. Who the hell do you think you are? Ned grabs Bruce by the elbow. Bruce spins around and unfurls from his meek stature into a man who is strong, tall, and terrifying. BRUCE Did you want to stop every few hours for him to sleep? Did you want to trust that he would stay awake after wrecking his tight schedule? Or did you just want to show that you’re the harder man? Ned’s at a total loss for words. Bruce sees the fear in Ned. Bruce relaxes, crumples back in on himself, and lumbers into the street. BRUCE (CONT'D) Sorry. We'll find Duncan and Joe. Keeping his distance, Ned follows. 14. NED My uncle wouldn't have asked for Abe to come along if he didn't think he could do it. BRUCE Your uncle is desperate if he's asking you and the hotel clerk to go on a bounty hunt. NED What do you mean desperate if he's asking me to go on a bounty hunt? INT. IRON HEAD’S SALOON - DAY Smoke hazes the dim room and cuts of sunlight slash through the slatted ceiling as the ROUGH GAMBLERS drink and smoke and play cards - anything to lose their money. At a back table, DUNCAN (20s, wiry) howls with laughter as he stabs a knife into the table between his spread fingers. The blade jumps and narrowly misses his flesh. Stab. Stab. Stab. Stab. Stab. Joe, the drunk who bumped Bruce earlier, leans back in his chair, eyes closed, cigarette smoldering limp in his mouth. Ned sweeps through the front door and looks like a clean child compared to these gritty, trail worn men. Bruce shuffles in behind him. NED I'm deputy Ned Williamson, the Kalamazoo Kid, looking for the men brave enough to have volunteered to join sheriff Williamson and myself on the bounty hunt for the killer Jack Naples. Not a single man responds. Ned raises his voice but it barely cuts above the din. NED (CONT'D) Who's the cowards not showing? They still ignore Ned. 15. Bruce stands tall. His voice booms over the crowd. BRUCE Gentlemen. The bar goes quiet. Bruce steps aside for Ned to lead the situation. NED Sheriff Williamson called for volunteers to assist us on a bounty hunt. Who’s man enough to join? Every head in the bar turns to the back table with Duncan, Joe, and a couple other DRUNKS. DUNCAN What? NED If you volunteered then it’s time to hit the trail. DUNCAN I don't think so, kid. I'm making too much money here. Bruce whispers to Ned. BRUCE And Joe? NED Hear a man named Joe volunteered. Where is he? Eyes closed, Joe wobbles to his feet. NED (CONT'D) Let's get moving. BRUCE Can he ride? Ned parrots Bruce. NED Can you ride, Joe? Joe nods yes. BRUCE Shoot? 16. NED Work your iron? Joe nods again. NED (CONT'D) Then let’s get a move on. BRUCE Keep your hands down, but ask him how many fingers you’re holding up. Without lifting his hands, Ned asks- NED But first, how many fingers am I holding up? Joe - eyes still closed - holds up three fingers. BRUCE Would you want him with a loaded gun at your back? NED Sheriff wanted him along. BRUCE Sheriff asked for capable volunteers. Do you find him capable, deputy? NED Doubt he could clear leather without dropping his gun. Joe sloppily pulls his pistol. Bruce grabs Ned’s hand before he can even reach for his holster. BRUCE Easy, everyone. Easy. We’re here to find help, not look for trouble. Joe fishes his pistol into his holster and - BAM! Everyone draws their guns out. Ned yanks out his gun and it clatters to the floor. 17. Joe cracks open his eyes and looks down to see a smoking hole in the floor sending him into a fit of delighted laughter. The drunks join in the cacophony of laughter. Bruce takes Ned’s pistol off the ground then guides Ned to the door. EXT. ESPERANZA - DAY Ned fumes away from the bar, from Bruce. BRUCE Ned. Ned, wait. Ned turns on Bruce. NED You made me look a fool in there! I coulda told them off and didn’t need you holding my hand. Hell, I got half a mind to go back in there and give them what for. BRUCE Having only half a mind would lead to that. Only ever takes half a brain to draw a gun. NED What are you trying to say, coward? Didn’t see you pull no gun. Bruce isn’t wearing a gun. BRUCE You dropped your gun because you focused on the pulling, not the shooting. You don‘t draw to show your gun, you draw to shoot. You pulled with one hand. NED What sort of idiot grabs his grip with two hands. Bruce stands side by side with Ned to show him how to draw. BRUCE Not your grip. Your left is coming down over the hammer to meet your wrist. (MORE) 18. BRUCE (CONT'D) Once you’ve cleared leather, the bullet should be well on its way to your target. Focus on the shooting, not the draw. You pull your gun to kill, for nothing else. Father O’Donnell sees Bruce, poised to shoot, poised to kill. He creeps over. O’DONNELL Bruce? You alright? BRUCE Just explaining to this young man here that if he draws his gun he’s already made a mistake. NED Sheep herder is trying to show me how to shoot. O’DONNELL He was one one of the best shots I've every known. BRUCE Was. NED Says the sheep herder. BRUCE If you’re drawing then you’re in a life and death situation and that means you’ve made a number of mistakes to get you all the way there in the first place. Ned waves him off and storms into the jail. O’DONNELL Surprised to see your hand at your hip. Bruce shows his hand, empty. BRUCE I want nothing to do with it. O’DONNELL What was it you told that young man? You’ve already made a mistake by putting yourself in the situation? 19. BRUCE The bank is going to take the farm, Colin. O’DONNELL And the lord has provided you with an opportunity to save your farm? BRUCE I‘m advising on how to make the arrest. Won't be drawing a drop of blood. O’DONNELL If you kill a murderer on the run, Bruce, you’re on the right side of the law. Snuffing out an evil is the lord’s work. BRUCE Not love thy neighbor and turn the other cheek? O’DONNELL Psalms, thirty-four. The face of the lord is against evil doers. To cut off the memory of them from the Earth. You’ll be alright, Bruce. BRUCE So it’s alright for me to pull my guns again but not you? O’DONNELL I was never as good a shot as you. Guns were never the right tool for me. INT. JAIL - DAY In the sparse jail, Williamson and Ned check over their weapons and ammo laid out on the table in the middle of the room. The front door swings open and in walks Bruce. WILLIAMSON You did decide to join us. Where is everyone else? Bruce looks to Ned for an answer.