ReadWest

by Elmer Kelton

  Ma takes on the sorrowful look of a mother who has just learned that her son is involved with the wrong woman. Sis is far from resigned.

  SIS

  Todd! In the name of common sense!

  TODD

  (flaring)

  Name of common sense what! Who asked you to bogue in on this? I was talking to Ma.

  SIS

  Jenny Ticknor! Why, she's that old devil's niece!

  TODD

  (shouting)

  She can't help that, I reckon!

  MA

  Todd! Cordelia! Y'all hush!

  TODD

  Well, plague take it, Ma, make her hold her blame tongue!

  SIS

  Whose blame tongue? Don't you cuss me!

  TODD

  What I said ain't cussing, dad blast it!

  SIS

  Her old daddy was a slave-trader.

  TODD

  (perplexed)

  How in the hell do you know all

  that? You might near never go off of this place!

  SIS

  (indignant)

  I guess I'm not a plumb ignoramus! I got friends. We keep up with things.

  TODD

  Yea-ah, I know! Neighborhood girl gossip!

  Todd turns on his heel, goes to the corral and begins to saddle Comanche, leaving Ma and Sis speechless.

  EXT. WOLF RIDGE - DAY

  Todd is sitting on Comanche looking into the distance

  northward, now to the R., now L.. All he can see of habitation is the roof of the Oldham mansion on the L. To the R. he can see only ridges with the brakes beyond. He starts down the trail toward Oldham's, halts indecisive, after a moment wheels and heads to the R.: the direction of the Ticknor plantation.

  EXT. NEAR TICKNOR HOUSE

  Todd stands just inside a thicket, peering out toward the house. A SLAVE GIRL is drawing water at a well. Mrs Ticknor comes out on the back porch and says something Todd cannot make out to the girl, who pauses long enough to listen, then nods and goes back to drawing water. Then Todd catches his breath sharply, for Jenny appears from around a corner of the house and walks slowly across the frame behind the slave girl. Todd can barely restrain himself. The girl goes toward the house with a bucket of water, her back turned to Todd, who steps to the edge of the thicket and signals Jenny.

  She sees, waits till the girl has gone inside, then runs into the thicket and into Todd's arms. Their embrace is like a moment arrested in time: wrapped in each other, kissing. Then a drawing back for their eyes to meet.

  TODD (CONT'D)

  I held my breath hoping you'd be here.

  JENNY

  Uncle James made me come home.

  TODD

  To keep you far away from me.

  JENNY

  Of course.

  Close embrace again. Then they wander deeper into the thicket, moving side by side as one. They come to a small clearing. A tall cottonwood occupies most of it, with a circle of the last green grass of the season beneath it.

  Todd has left Comanche tied to a snag nearby. As he tosses his head in greeting to them, Jenny walks over, slips her

  arms around Comanche's neck, presses her cheek against

  his jaw. Then, to Todd:

  JENNY (CONT'D)

  Handsome is as handsome does, remember? Comanche, Comanche! You keep my Todd safe wherever he goes. And bring him back safe to me.

  They go to each other and begin to kiss hotly again, leaning against the trunk of the cottonwood, sinking till they sit snuggled against it.

  TODD

  The grass'll stain your dress.

  He rises, goes to Comanche, unties his slicker from the back of the saddle, hesitates a moment, then leads Comanche into a thicket out of sight, unsaddles him, takes the saddle blanket and goes back to Jenny. He spreads the slicker on the ground first, then the saddle blanket. In tight embrace they sink onto the blanket. They make hymeneal love as it has seldom

  been made before. The right director and actors will know what to do--consulting, if they wish, pp. 215-218 in the novel.... Finally they lie clinging as if always to be united.

  TODD (CONT'D)

  Will you marry me, darling. I love you, oh I love you!

  JENNY

  Yes, my darling. Yes I will. I love you. I love you so much. Ever since the first day I saw you.

  TODD

  Even when you tossed your handkerchief?

  JENNY

  That's why I tossed it. Here. Look.

  Even in the disarray of her clothes, she finds the handkerchief. She hands it to Todd, who brushes it lovingly against his cheek.

  JENNY (CONT'D)

  It's for you to keep. So a part of me will always be with you...

  Suddenly, a shrill and anxious woman's voice sounds in the distance towards the Ticknor house, calling "Jenny!'

  JENNY (CONT'D)

  That's Aunt Mary!

  They both rise quickly. Jenny begins swiftly but not frantically to put on what has been off, and re-arranging the rest: the petticoats and all. We hear now the call of a deep masculine voice from towards the Ticknor house: "Miss Jenny! Miss Jenny!"

  JENNY

  That's Cabus! He'll come in looking for me! I've got to hurry.

  They quickly kiss good-bye and Jenny slips away. Todd lies down as in a state of suspension and wonder. The voices of Mrs Ticknor and Cabus go on briefly, distorted by the distance. Then we hear Jenny call out "Over here! I'm all right"

  Todd dresses slowly, distracted, still in the transport of love. He gazes enraptured at the handkerchief, then folds it carefully and puts it in the shirt pocket next to his heart.

  EXT. RIVER WAGON ROAD

  Todd is riding W. toward the Oldham plantation. He looks around as he rides, as if the world were a new place to him. The sun is leveling out for its last look eastward before

  setting among fragments of bold, bronze clouds. Todd starts on hearing HOOVES CLOP behind him. He stops to look back. It is Cabus on his mule. Todd reins in and waits.

  TODD

  Out for a ride, Cabus?

  CABUS

  Oh... As you might say.

  (pulls up next to Todd)

  Fact of business, I was sort'a looking for you.

  TODD

  Well now, that's surprising!

  CABUS

  Oh... I reckon not.

  After a moment of meeting each other's gaze, Todd turns and rides on. Cabus comes along close beside him. They look mainly at the sunset, as if they might be conducting this operation of nature.

  CABUS (CONT'D)

  Gonna be hard times ahead.

  TODD

  Yes indeed. And who'd know that better'n me.

  CABUS

  You know sump'm? I done changed my mind about you. I had you pegged before as the kind'a folks I don't much caah for.

  TODD

  White trash. Folks even slaves look down on.

  CABUS

  (with a bitter laugh)

  Evahbody gotta have somebody to look down on, slaves as much as the rest of us.

  TODD

  Glad to have your good opinion, Cabus.

  CABUS

  Sho' now.

  (then, without seeming to

  change the subject)

  Me'n my wife we nevah have but one chile. Li'l girl. Six months old when she pass on, same time Miss

  Jenny born. So my wife she nurse Miss Jenny. Her own mammy too sickly.

  TODD

  I see.

  CABUS

  Yes suh, that young lady, she about all I got left in this old world.

  TODD

  Maybe not. They say slavery's bound

  to end, no matter who wins the war.

  Could be then...

  CABUS

  (breaking in, voice bitter)

  Freedom, hah! Whut use I put it to if I get it? Done too old and wore out.

  The sunset clouds are catching fire. Cabus reins up. Todd halts. They hold each other's e
yes.

  CABUS (CONT'D)

  I 'speck you knows what I'se fixing to ask. Why don't go you own way and leave Miss Jenny strickly alone?

  TODD

  You already know the answer to that one.

  CABUS

  Y-e-es, I figured as much.

  Cabus jerks the head of his mule around to go home. As he rides off:

  CABUS (CONT'D)

  You take caah youself. For Miss Jenny's sake.

  TODD

  I'll try, Cabus. And you take care of her till I can.

  Todd sits and watches the western sky swallow the last rim of the sun.

  EXT/INT. OLDHAM MANSION - DUSK

  Todd at the Oldham front door. He knocks. In a moment the door is opened by Millie Oldham, the elder sister.

  MILLIE

  Oh my goodness, Todd! Come in!

  From Millie's look no doubt Jenny has talked intimately with her about Todd. From Todd's openly happy face she can guess the most recent turn of events. She blushes hotly, but still her gaze hangs softly on his face.

  MILLIE (CONT'D)

  You want'a see Daddy, I'm sure.

  (walking to the parlor door)

  Daddy, Todd's here.

  COLONEL OLDHAM

  Tell him to step in.

  INT. OLDHAM PARLOR - DUSK

  Todd enters to find Colonel Oldham rising stiffly from the sofa where he's been lying down. They shake hands, go across the room and sit in easy chairs.

  TODD

  I heard you'd been laid up, sir. I hope...

  COLONEL OLDHAM

  Been a little under the weather, yes. Enough so I couldn't get to town. As you see.

  He glowers out from under his bushy brows at Todd, who understands that this is as far as Colonel Oldham intends to go toward an apology for not attempting to influence the trials.

  TODD

  I expect you've heard this trial business winds up on Saturday, sir. Prisoners to be turned loose and all charges dropped.

  COLONEL OLDHAM

  I know. My son kept me informed all along. Till he left yesterday to rejoin his regiment... We're

  fortunate to have Colonel Ticknor in command. He'll see the jury's verdicts are carried out to the letter.

  Mrs Oldham enters the room unexpectedly.

  MRS OLDHAM

  Please excuse me, gentlemen. Millie told me Todd was in here.

  TODD

  (on his feet instantly, bowing)

  How are you, ma'm?

  MRS OLDHAM

  Very well, Todd. You haven't met with your supper, I suppose. So join us. It'll be ready right away.

  TODD

  No ma'm. Really, I....

  MRS OLDHAM

  Fiddlesticks! I won't listen to any objections!

  COLONEL OLDHAM

  Certainly not! Sit down and visit a minute, Lizzie. We were just talking about the...troubles in town being nearly over with.

  MRS OLDHAM

  (sitting down)

  Yes indeed! What a relief! What a blessing.

  Todd looks around embarrassed and baffled. Celebration is not what he came for, but he fears to offend if he speaks his mind. The Oldhams gaze at him, a bit embarrassed also.

  TODD

  As you say, uh...Colonel Ticknor's a...capable man. I only hope the citizens don't get out'a hand.

  COLONEL OLDHAM

  (snappish)

  No need to fear unruly elements. Colonel Ticknor has sufficient troops to quell any disturbance. And he answers only to the court.

  TODD

  Well, that "group trial" thing. Yes, the jury ordered it, but the mob forced them to.

  COLONEL OLDHAM

  What do you mean, sir?

  TODD

  Nobody told you, then. Well, I seen it with my own eyes. Harley Dexter and Matt Scanlon come in the jury room and demanded a certain fourteen men for the mob to hang, and the jury caved in. Dan Montague covered up by calling it a "group trial."

  Colonel Oldham starts as if prodded. He grasps his chair arms and half rises, only to drop back overcome. Mrs Oldham leaps to her feet and runs to him.

  MRS OLDHAM

  John! Are you all right?

  COLONEL OLDHAM

  (half-strangled)

  Yes...yes. I'm fine.

  But his shoulders sink. Mrs Oldham stands over him, stroking his head, her reproachful eyes on Todd. Yet she has to be

  aware, as the colonel is, that their son has deceived them. Todd sits scowling at the floor, but not as though he is sorry for what he said. Suddenly Colonel Oldham rises, brushing away his wife's hand. He draws up straight and as firm as possible, walks over to Todd and clutches his shoulder, looking fiercely into his face.

  COLONEL OLDHAM

  By God! they put me in charge of this confounded affair. Then

  pulled the wool over my eyes. But enough is by God, enough! Tomorrow I'm going to town and see this matter put right!

  MRS OLDHAM

  John! No! You know what the doctor said about over-exertion.

  COLONEL OLDHAM

  I've known that doctor to be wrong as many times as right. No sir! I feel splendid.

  (turning to Todd)

  My boy, I want you to spend the night here and go to town with me. First thing tomorrow morning.

  MRS OLDHAM

  John! You know you can't ride a horse that far!

  COLONEL OLDHAM

  I reckon there's buggies, if the

  case demands it. But no sir! I feel fit to take on the Devil!

  With a happy and grateful look on his face, Todd stands up and grasps Colonel Oldham's hand in a firm and hearty shake.

  EXT. RIVER BRAKES - DAY

  Todd and Colonel Oldham ride in silence along the wagon road, the plantation behind them. The colonel's splendid bay gelding makes Comanche look more rumpled and nondescript than ever.

  TODD

  (in a tone of making

  conversation)

  Fall sure is coming late this year.

  COLONEL OLDHAM

  Old-timers used to say a late winter means a good crop another year. Ah, but weather aside, we could use better days all around. Myself, though, I feel good about the future. I feel like the Yankees'll soon get enough of this blasted war and call for peace. No offense, Todd, but people like you and your dad--loyal to the Union, I know, but yet Southerners. I have faith you'll let bygones be bygones and help us make the Confederacy amount to something.

  A sidelong glance at Todd's frowning face and his avoidance of eye contact tells Colonel Oldham that he is on a sore subject. He falls silent. They ride on. After a little while Todd turns his gaze on the colonel.

  TODD

  Well sir, nobody'll have cause to hold a grudge again you when the war's over. That's for sure.

  Colonel Oldham reaches over and grips Todd's shoulder.

  COLONEL OLDHAM

  I'm happy to hear you say that, son.

  (he reins in and stops)

  Why, I nearly missed it! Here's a shortcut for us. Kind'a overgrown, but I know the way through very well, and it'll save us time.

  Colonel Oldham veers into what looks like solid undergrowth. Todd follows. They wind through the brush.

  EXT. RIVER BRAKES, A GLADE

  Todd and Colonel Oldham emerge from the brush into a clear and grassy glade. Ahead of them is a little knoll, beyond

  which the ground rises to a band of timber then to prairie knobs that level out beyond. Colonel Oldham stops. His breath comes quick and he is perspiring. He takes off his hat, pulls a large red handkerchief from a pocket and wipes his forehead. Todd looks at him uneasily. Then Todd sees three riders emerging from the band of timber ahead and riding toward them. They see Todd and Colonel Oldham. They stop.

  TODD

  (laying a hand on

  the Spencer)

  I wonder who that is.

  COLONEL OLDHAM

  I can't make 'em out. Let's ride over and see.

  TODD

 
We better let 'em come to us.

  COLONEL OLDHAM

  (riding on)

  Pshaw! Can't be any harm in riders coming from Milcourt way.

  Todd rides beside Colonel Oldham, reluctantly. As they advance, the hump of the knoll hides the riders for a bit. When Todd and Colonel Oldham top the knoll, the riders, now

  about a hundred yards away, have not moved. Todd and Colonel Oldham stop. The colonel raises a hand to wave. Suddenly one of the men brings a rifle to his shoulder. Todd reacts instantly, so that by the time the gun goes off, he has swung Comanche against the gelding, hoping the lurch will spoil the man's aim.

  It takes another second for Todd to grab the gelding's bridle and turn him and pull him back down the slope out of sight of the three men. Colonel Oldham is slumped in the saddle. Just as he topples, Todd leaps to the ground, grabs him and lets him slide down easy. Blood oozes through his shirt front.

  Todd whips out the Spencer, flattens to the ground, scuttles on knees and elbows to the brow of the knoll. The riders are advancing warily. Todd fires, sees one of the men lurch before they all wheel and make for the timber, the man hit goes drooped in the saddle but hanging on. Todd fires twice more on catching a glimpse of the men in momentary openings, then he rises and runs back to Colonel Oldham--to his body, for a moment's inspection verifies that he is dead. The gelding shies away when Todd tries to load the body on him, so Todd has to load it on Comanche instead.

  TODD

  (patting Comanche

  on the rump)

  The load would fall on you, wouldn't it, ole hoss!

  Comanches tosses his head. Todd overcomes the gelding's skittishness with stroking and soft words, mounts him and leading Comanche rides back toward the Oldham plantation.

  EXT. OLDHAM MANSION

  Todd dismounts near the front steps. A slave boy sees the body and runs to spread the word. Four or five male slaves quickly appear. Wailing is heard among the slave women. Mrs Oldham comes out of the house and staggers down the steps. Millie and Connie behind her stop on the porch, stupefied. Connie is whimpering. Todd comes forward to Mrs Oldham.