The Son (2017) s02e02 Episode Script
Ten Dollars and a Plucked Goose
1 Previously on AMC's "The Son" Daddy? You have no idea what you did to this family.
My daddy's gonna pay for what he did.
I promise you.
Prodigal son has returned.
You weren't here! Eli! Apaches.
- They must have known the warriors were gone.
- Yeah.
He's drilling slantways to hook my oil.
This act of thievery ends tonight.
- Come on, boys, faster.
- More.
- [GUNSHOTS.]
- Someone's coming! - Ulysses, right? - Yes, ma'am.
You only got one chance.
Get! [HORSE NEIGHS.]
[GASPS.]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
José.
There you go, my friend.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
All the best, now.
What is this? Oh, Benjamin.
Boy.
Here you go, Benjamin, son.
Best to you, now.
Merry Christmas.
All the best.
I think that's it.
[WHISTLING.]
Whoo! [LAUGHS.]
May I have your attention for a moment, please? Thank you all for coming, and a very, very merry Christmas to you all.
We're so honored to have you here.
I'm I'm feeling especially grateful in this moment.
My boy Pete is home.
I missed him every day, despite knowing how bravely he was fighting those bastards who sought us harm.
How dark those times must have been for him To be so far from his family who loves him.
Give applause for my son - [APPLAUSE.]
- a true Texas hero.
- Hear, hear! - Yeah.
[APPLAUSE CONTINUES.]
Come on, now! Let's go! [LAUGHS.]
There are three warlords and God knows how much chaos between here and Tampico.
Now, once we get you down there, it's gonna be better.
You'll be with your your family.
They're second cousins.
They've never met me.
If you have a better idea I don't.
We need the money to travel.
[INDISTINCT TALKING.]
[WHISPERS.]
For food.
[INDISTINCT TALKING CONTINUES.]
You keep saying "we.
" What are you doing? I'm not going back.
I've decided.
Do you really think we're gonna take a train somewhere? And what? Get married? Have children? That ain't what I'm saying.
Then what? Do you want to be forgiven? No.
I don't care about you.
I don't need your ring.
The only thing I needed from you was to stop your father.
And you couldn't.
- My family was counting on you.
- Shh! - Shh, shh! - [CRYING.]
And you couldn't.
It's a war zone.
You're drawing attention.
Okay.
Shh, shh.
Hold it together.
We'll get through this.
It's okay.
You ruined my life.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
SÃ.
[SPEAKING SPANISH.]
El gringo? [INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
[SPEAKS SPANISH.]
- Maria? - A moment, mister.
Where you going? Hey, Maria.
Maria! Maria, tell them we're together! Maria! Come back! [GROANING.]
Maria! Maria, come back! Come back! We're together! Maria! We're together! Maria! Maria! [INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
Bourbon, neat.
Yes, sir, Colonel.
Yeah.
Merry Christmas, Niles.
- Merry, Christmas, sir.
- [LAUGHS.]
And a little extra for the New Year.
Oh, I think so, I think so.
Good health.
Oh, God, that's good.
[COUGHS.]
Mm.
Excuse me, sir.
Eugene Monahan.
My friends call me Buddy.
Well, merry Christmas, Mr.
Monahan.
And to you.
Colonel, I'm an admirer.
But it does not appear that you need any more admirers.
What you need are investors.
You must be Phineas.
This is Mr.
Monahan.
Buddy to his friends.
Nice meetin' you.
Nice to meet you, too.
There you are.
Gentlemen, congratulations on snatchin' up those neighboring leases.
That's 13 of 'em, right? Whew! A hell of a perimeter now.
- Circle those wagons.
- Mm.
For a stranger, you're quite well-informed of the local goings-on.
Now, see, I don't believe that a fellow Texan is ever a stranger.
Mm, "South Texas Improvement Company.
" Tell me, Mr.
Monahan, what is it about South Texas you feel needs improving? We're interested in investing in your burgeoning enterprise.
Gentlemen, I'm here to propose a partnership.
Mm, it's Christmas, sir.
We don't talk about business on this day.
My apologies, Colonel.
Quite right.
It's just that I surmised time was running out for your going it alone.
This drilling and pumping, it's It's not for the faint of heart.
[CHUCKLES.]
It's gonna take a mountain of cash to get those leases producing.
And, frankly, it's resources I'm certain you lack.
Your certainty means very little to me.
We didn't even touch on the distribution challenges yet.
Rail service out here is abysmal.
Colonel, you could be swimming in an ocean of crude, but it ain't worth a mosquito's fart, you can't ship it to market.
Am I right? Where you from? Well, I'm from Lubbock.
Do you mean to say you've never heard of the Monahan family up there? I have not.
Well, I'm not surprised.
You might have heard of my mother's family, though.
The Youngbloods? - Mm.
- Choctaw going all the way back.
In the summer months, I exhibit some of the darker complexion.
Tell me about these investors.
Well, they're good men, men I can vouch for.
Any of these good men from north of the Mason Dixon? Some of 'em.
Yeah, that's what I thought.
Merry Christmas, sir.
Thanks for dropping in.
I suppose a tour of the property's out of the question, then? See, I've heard that GarcÃa tract's just [INHALES.]
it's picturesque this time of year.
And what a bargain you got on that.
Gentlemen.
Fellas, excuse me.
Pardon me.
Ask around about this one.
I want to know who he's riding with.
Okay.
The jackals are gathering.
Pleased to see the Colonel's added some color to his ranks.
PETE: Those fellas work real hard.
[SCOFFS.]
Harder than those greasers.
Hell, I don't need to tell you after your recent sojourn down there.
I ain't got nothing against Mexicans.
Tejanos, neither.
Lotta good men.
Their loyalty will always be to their own kind.
- We ain't no different.
- Oh.
My loyalty's to the Lone Star.
Daddy? Colonel's askin' after you.
Good meetin' you, Sheriff Dart.
To members of your family, it's just plain Moses.
I appreciate that, Moses.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
- [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
- You wanted to see me? [LAUGHS.]
Percy Midkiff has seen the light.
Oh, yeah.
After encountering a few mishaps with his drills, he decided to accept our offer.
We'll give him an eighth, same as everyone else.
I don't hold grudges.
You planning on sabotaging every well in South Texas? Yeah, I doubt that'll be necessary.
[SIGHS.]
Next week, I want you to meet this Cherokee who's been helping educate me.
He taught himself about the oil trade after his tribe were chiseled out of their leases.
Geology, chemistry, that sort of thing.
I think I'd rather focus on the ranch.
Seems you and Phineas have the oil side of things covered.
Ranchers like dealing with a fella who's got dirt under his nails and shit on his boots.
Hell, you're a hero now, right? [CHUCKLES.]
[RUBS PALMS, INHALES.]
[SIGHS.]
What do you want from me? I want you to run this with me.
The oil side of things.
That makes no sense.
Phineas was born for this work.
Oh, don't worry about Phineas.
He's gonna be a governor one day.
He's a politician through and through.
You're not.
You're a leader Like me.
This family is going in a new kind of direction.
And we both know it's not cows.
I want you and I to build something that will be lasting for your children.
I'm sorry.
But my answer is no.
Pete, you made me a promise.
The way we got that land In the end, it will all have been worth it.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER IN DISTANCE.]
Hey, bug.
Grandaddy was lying.
Were you eavesdropping? Outside, when he gave that big speech.
You didn't hunt no bandits in Mexico.
Am I wrong? People make up stories they want to hear.
They fill in the blanks.
So what did happen? Why did you leave us? I was trying to help someone.
Someone who would have gotten killed otherwise.
Maria GarcÃa? Mm-hmm.
She's a good person.
I agree.
Were you planning on coming back? From Mexico? 'Course I was.
So what's the problem then? With what? You and Momma.
We're fine.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
PHINEAS: Don't you know a lady should never drink alone? Colonel says you haven't spoken to him all week.
- [BOTTLE THUDS.]
- Well, bless his heart.
I sure hope his feelings aren't hurt too bad.
Well, at least you're not mad at me anymore.
Who says I'm not? [INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
I don't think I'm gonna get through this.
Having to smile and make nice like things are perfectly normal.
It's just once a year.
Ah, it's gonna be every day.
This will get easier.
For everyone.
The Colonel tell you to say that? [CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE.]
[SCRAPING.]
[GRUNTS.]
You need a match? Can I have a cigarette? No, ma'am.
Too bad my granddaddy's making you work on Christmas.
Well, heck, I don't consider this work.
Don't you want to be with your own family? [SIGHS.]
Well [GRUNTS, EXHALES.]
my brother lives up in Shreveport, but [RETCHES.]
[LAUGHS.]
That's too far.
And my wife she died some years ago.
On Christmas Eve, actually.
And the son that she birthed, Curtis, he succumbed 11 days later.
I'm sorry, Mr.
Gilbert.
Oh, thank you.
I like being out and about this time of year.
Keeps the mind occupied.
And the Colonel inviting me to this event, it just means the world to me.
You got a solid family behind you.
You are blessed.
I'm glad my daddy's home from Mexico.
Thanks for bringing him back.
I was just one man among many.
I-I bet he was real excited he was gonna see Momma.
Oh, yeah.
Did he talk about her a lot? Well, he was mostly quiet on the ride home.
But he had just done four months on a Mexican chain-gang.
[SIGHS.]
I imagine that would change your outlook on a number of things.
Like being married.
Well, now, I couldn't speculate on that.
- Sometimes - [DOOR OPENS, CREAKS.]
people just need time to readjust.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
SALLY: Jeannie? I've been looking for you.
Could you come over here, please? I don't want you talking to that man.
He was just telling me about his dead wife and baby.
That is sad, but it doesn't make him any less of a bad influence.
He's a violent man.
I don't want you near him.
He was polite.
So is the devil.
Everything all right? Yes.
It's handled.
- Niles was talking to her, alone.
- [DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
He sure as hell wormed his way in deep while I was gone.
I don't know why he has to be around here so much.
We both know what he's capable of.
[INGRID SINGING IN GERMAN.]
[SCREAMS.]
I'm glad you're alive.
You hurt? Do you know what I miss? Lebkuchen.
My father took me to the Christmas market in Bremen before we left.
It was so cold that night, but [SNIFFS.]
I didn't care.
What a sight.
All lit with torches.
A children's choir singing.
[SNIFFS.]
But the Lebkuchen was a gift from God.
You like gingerbread? You kill that Apache? He had two arrows in him already.
But he couldn't just die from that.
No, he had to stumble about like a drunk and find my hiding place.
Did you see others? Did you see where they went? No.
[SNIFFS.]
I remember the screaming.
[INSECTS CHIRPING, COYOTES HOWLING.]
There's not enough of us to survive on our own.
[HORSE WHINNIES IN DISTANCE.]
We need to find another band of Comanche.
Who's nearby? [SIGHS.]
[GRUNTS.]
You need to heal before we move camp.
Apaches know we're here.
They know we're weak.
Winter's in the air.
[HORSE NEIGHS IN DISTANCE.]
We need to move soon.
You could die on a long trip.
I could die tonight in my sleep.
Our people would be fine either way.
[OWL HOOTS.]
[OWL HOOTS.]
You're ready to lead.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
You hungry? If you want.
Feeling more yourself? The Apache I killed today You had to.
I know.
But I forgot to take his scalp.
It should be mine.
I earned it.
[COYOTE HOWLS.]
[SINGING IN GERMAN.]
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
[DOG WHINING.]
JEANNE ANNE: Knock it off, you two.
Ow! Ow! Shit.
[SIGHS.]
[DOG PANTING.]
[WHINES.]
No, Maudie, you've had your dinner.
Daisy.
Oh, Daisy.
How you doing, girl? Oh.
Oh.
No.
[BREATHES SHAKILY.]
Ohh.
Ohh.
Oh, no.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
[BRAKES SCREECH.]
[ENGINE SHUTS OFF.]
Ms.
McCullough? [DOOR CLOSES.]
Ms.
McCullough? In here.
You call for a hand? Oh.
[SIGHS.]
Sh She was old.
[SHOVEL SCRAPING.]
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
Would you like to say anything? No.
[LIQUID POURS.]
Hmm.
- [GLASS THUDS LIGHTLY.]
- [SIGHS.]
Is that all, ma'am? I don't want to be alone.
Pour one for yourself.
[EXHALES DEEPLY.]
You legal, Ulises? [GLASS CLINKS.]
No, ma'am.
Don't matter to me.
INS steers clear of here.
I see to that.
I hire who I want.
Thank you.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
[CHUCKLES.]
This is, uh, a beautiful, old house.
My granddaddy built it.
Colonel McCullough? You've heard of him? Oh, yeah.
[CHUCKLES.]
I read about him.
Uh, he was, uh, a captive and a Texas Ranger, and he protected that girl.
I love those stories.
[CHUCKLES.]
I just really like history.
Uh [CLEARS THROAT.]
I want you to hear something.
[GRUNTS.]
[CASSETTE CLACKS.]
[ELI LAUGHS.]
Now, Carter Murphy, he had been a scalp hunter extraordinaire.
He was most famous for inviting a group of Apaches to dinner, then slipping out halfway through the meal to touch off a cannon charged with canister hidden behind a curtain.
The shot obliterated the unsuspecting Indians and destroyed everything else in his living room.
No one stole his horses after that.
- [CHUCKLES.]
- That doesn't bother you? Jeanne Anne, maybe just another splash of bourbon in here? - Uh, not really.
- JEANNIE: Yes, sir.
I mean, this is a good story, you know? - Oh, you calling my granddaddy a liar? - [BUTTON CLICKS.]
No, ma'am.
Just a Texan.
This land is built on tall tales.
[CHUCKLES LIGHTLY.]
[GLASS THUDS.]
You can leave now.
Mm.
[SCOFFS.]
[CAP THUDS.]
[LIQUID POURS.]
PETE: Hey, brother.
It's special, so I wanted it to be last.
- Wow.
- Open it.
Been saving it for the right time.
That's a handsome gun.
It's engraved.
Thank you.
The old man got you down? - [GUN CLICKS.]
- [SIGHS.]
Finn [SIGHS.]
do you know about his plans for the oil business? Long term? Who do you think comes up with those plans, writes 'em down and makes 'em happen? So you know.
About? Him wanting me to take over.
Eventually.
Of course.
Governor, though.
That's really something.
[INHALES SHARPLY.]
Mm-hmm.
Well, that's a long ways off to be sure.
I wonder if you'll still talk to us little people.
[LAUGHS.]
I'll see see to it you have a desk in the Governor's Mansion, just like mine, but slightly smaller.
[LAUGHS.]
Excuse me.
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
[LIQUID POURING.]
[GLASS CLACKS.]
People seemed to enjoy themselves.
[BOTTLE THUDS.]
You want one? No, I'm good.
Suit yourself.
How long is it gonna take, Sal? For what? You to consider forgiving me just a little bit.
Years.
Maybe.
I mean, maybe it takes forever.
Maybe I just keep you standing there, waiting, not knowing.
[GASPS.]
Damn it! - C'mon.
- Is it bleeding bad? - [BREATHING HEAVILY.]
- Let me see.
- [INHALES SHARPLY.]
- Not too bad.
Not too bad.
[INHALES SHARPLY, SIGHS.]
It's gonna be all right.
I see you don't wear your ring.
Yeah, they took it in jail.
I need to get a new one.
[GRUNTS.]
I'll wait.
However long.
[VOICE BREAKING.]
Was I really that bad? Oh, Sal.
There isn't a bad thing about you.
[SIGHS.]
I guess he told you.
You knew he would.
Oh, I've got great things in store for you, my son.
But not the family business.
Oh, you can be part of this as much as anyone.
Ah.
Just not the face to the public.
You belong in Austin.
Where the real power is.
And one of these days, you'll be sitting - in the Governor's mansion - Governor's mansion.
Yeah.
Right.
That's a pipe dream, and you know it.
Oh, we can get that done.
Believe me.
[SIGHS.]
You couldn't even tell me this to my face.
- Is it because - Of course not.
You want to batch up with a friend, that's your business, as long as you're discreet.
Then why? As much as it drives me crazy, Pete sticks to his guns.
You're a good son.
You do what you're told.
But in this business, you got to be your own man.
You're holding my loyalty against me? Your strengths lie elsewhere.
What about what I want? Oh.
Everyone's got their part to play.
- Hey, Finn.
You leaving? - Yeah.
The old man is sending me to Austin.
- Let me walk you out.
- Nah, I'm fine.
Hey, Finn.
I know you're not okay with his plan for us.
It's you who should be runnin' it.
Damn right it should be.
I gotta hand it to you, brother.
I don't know what you do, but you cast a real spell over that old son of a bitch.
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
[HORSE WHINNIES.]
I'm tired of being chased.
Maybe it doesn't have to be like this.
They still fight by their side.
[HORSE WHINNIES.]
Their mean women.
It could work.
What are you talking about? Comanches should join together as one band and kill all the whites.
There are thousands and thousands of whites.
Why do they keep coming after us? 'Cause they want the land.
They'll have to kill all of us to get it.
But I think we can kill them first.
We can't.
Well, if we can't beat all the whites, maybe we could live with them.
You and me? [CHUCKLES LIGHTLY.]
What? I could wear a dress.
You'd look like a pea hen.
You looked like a baby deer [LAUGHS.]
I could steal a dress, and you could take me to visit the white world.
I speak the language.
Though maybe I won't say nothing.
I'll just let you walk me around the village by your side.
I want to see people's faces.
[CHUCKLES.]
Why are you talkin' about the white world all of a sudden? Hey.
I'm happy here.
With you.
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
Good.
That's what I wanted you to say.
'Cause we're having a baby.
- What? - [CHUCKLES.]
When? In the spring.
I'm gonna be a father? [CHUCKLES.]
[SIGHS.]
You better get ready.
I'm ready to make another one right now.
[CHUCKLES.]
Sleep Well, shit.
[REVOLVER CYLINDER CLICKING.]
[HAMMER CLICKS.]
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
[SIGHS.]
You thought about meeting my Cherokee next week? - Maybe.
- Mm.
You willing to take a step in my direction first? Hmm.
What do you have in mind? [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
NILES: We are closed! [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
I said we are closed! Oh.
Colonel.
[CHUCKLES.]
I had no idea it was you.
- Mm.
- Come on in.
Apologies for my late arrival.
For you, the door is always open.
[SIGHS.]
[BOTTLE THUDS.]
[SIGHS.]
I appreciate you greatly as an employee, but more important than that, as a good and true friend.
Warms my heart, Colonel.
It's been quite a Christmas.
- Yeah, that it has.
- [GLASSES CLINK.]
I appreciate everything you've done for my family.
You've labored hard and well.
Oh, I come from working stock.
Idle and hands and all.
[CHUCKLES.]
You know, I've been thinking - [GLASS THUDS.]
- [GRUNTS.]
you should take some time off.
Time off.
Hell, I wouldn't even know what to do with that.
Oh, but you could travel to Georgia, see that little lady you've been corresponding with.
I'll cover your travel.
I must confess, sir, I'm confused.
Well, I'll keep paying you, of course, and you can consider the loan on this bar forgiven.
It's yours [SLAPS TABLE.]
outright.
You're trying to get rid of me.
Oh, it's not forever.
Down the line when things cool off a bit, you'll be back in the thick of it with us.
Colonel, I'm loyal.
I've stood by your side.
And I've sullied my hands on many a misadventure so that you would not have to tarnish your own.
I value your loyalty greatly.
Well, then let me be blunt.
You need me now.
You don't want to cut me loose with enemies at the gate.
The decision's been made.
I see the origins of it now.
[WIND HOWLING.]
You're gonna roll over and take Pete's side.
You mean my son's side.
[GRUNTS.]
I appreciate your understanding.
July 3rd, 1863, against the advice of Lieutenant-General Longstreet, General Lee charged his men across the open fields of Gettysburg [LIQUID POURS, BOTTLE CLACKS.]
sealing the tragic fate of the Confederacy.
Now, why didn't he just move around the Federal right flank and force them Yankee dogs out of position? I guess we will never know.
Even the greatest generals are not immune to error.
You really do need a break.
[DOOR OPENS.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[COWS MOOING.]
[ENGINE SHUTS OFF.]
[MOOING CONTINUES.]
[GUN COCKS.]
[RIFLES FIRING.]
[COWS MOOING.]
[MOOING STOPS.]
[GRUNTS.]
[INHALES SHARPLY.]
[VEHICLE PASSES.]
[DOG BARKING.]
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
[CHAIR SCRAPES.]
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
My daddy's gonna pay for what he did.
I promise you.
Prodigal son has returned.
You weren't here! Eli! Apaches.
- They must have known the warriors were gone.
- Yeah.
He's drilling slantways to hook my oil.
This act of thievery ends tonight.
- Come on, boys, faster.
- More.
- [GUNSHOTS.]
- Someone's coming! - Ulysses, right? - Yes, ma'am.
You only got one chance.
Get! [HORSE NEIGHS.]
[GASPS.]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
José.
There you go, my friend.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
All the best, now.
What is this? Oh, Benjamin.
Boy.
Here you go, Benjamin, son.
Best to you, now.
Merry Christmas.
All the best.
I think that's it.
[WHISTLING.]
Whoo! [LAUGHS.]
May I have your attention for a moment, please? Thank you all for coming, and a very, very merry Christmas to you all.
We're so honored to have you here.
I'm I'm feeling especially grateful in this moment.
My boy Pete is home.
I missed him every day, despite knowing how bravely he was fighting those bastards who sought us harm.
How dark those times must have been for him To be so far from his family who loves him.
Give applause for my son - [APPLAUSE.]
- a true Texas hero.
- Hear, hear! - Yeah.
[APPLAUSE CONTINUES.]
Come on, now! Let's go! [LAUGHS.]
There are three warlords and God knows how much chaos between here and Tampico.
Now, once we get you down there, it's gonna be better.
You'll be with your your family.
They're second cousins.
They've never met me.
If you have a better idea I don't.
We need the money to travel.
[INDISTINCT TALKING.]
[WHISPERS.]
For food.
[INDISTINCT TALKING CONTINUES.]
You keep saying "we.
" What are you doing? I'm not going back.
I've decided.
Do you really think we're gonna take a train somewhere? And what? Get married? Have children? That ain't what I'm saying.
Then what? Do you want to be forgiven? No.
I don't care about you.
I don't need your ring.
The only thing I needed from you was to stop your father.
And you couldn't.
- My family was counting on you.
- Shh! - Shh, shh! - [CRYING.]
And you couldn't.
It's a war zone.
You're drawing attention.
Okay.
Shh, shh.
Hold it together.
We'll get through this.
It's okay.
You ruined my life.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
SÃ.
[SPEAKING SPANISH.]
El gringo? [INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
[SPEAKS SPANISH.]
- Maria? - A moment, mister.
Where you going? Hey, Maria.
Maria! Maria, tell them we're together! Maria! Come back! [GROANING.]
Maria! Maria, come back! Come back! We're together! Maria! We're together! Maria! Maria! [INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
Bourbon, neat.
Yes, sir, Colonel.
Yeah.
Merry Christmas, Niles.
- Merry, Christmas, sir.
- [LAUGHS.]
And a little extra for the New Year.
Oh, I think so, I think so.
Good health.
Oh, God, that's good.
[COUGHS.]
Mm.
Excuse me, sir.
Eugene Monahan.
My friends call me Buddy.
Well, merry Christmas, Mr.
Monahan.
And to you.
Colonel, I'm an admirer.
But it does not appear that you need any more admirers.
What you need are investors.
You must be Phineas.
This is Mr.
Monahan.
Buddy to his friends.
Nice meetin' you.
Nice to meet you, too.
There you are.
Gentlemen, congratulations on snatchin' up those neighboring leases.
That's 13 of 'em, right? Whew! A hell of a perimeter now.
- Circle those wagons.
- Mm.
For a stranger, you're quite well-informed of the local goings-on.
Now, see, I don't believe that a fellow Texan is ever a stranger.
Mm, "South Texas Improvement Company.
" Tell me, Mr.
Monahan, what is it about South Texas you feel needs improving? We're interested in investing in your burgeoning enterprise.
Gentlemen, I'm here to propose a partnership.
Mm, it's Christmas, sir.
We don't talk about business on this day.
My apologies, Colonel.
Quite right.
It's just that I surmised time was running out for your going it alone.
This drilling and pumping, it's It's not for the faint of heart.
[CHUCKLES.]
It's gonna take a mountain of cash to get those leases producing.
And, frankly, it's resources I'm certain you lack.
Your certainty means very little to me.
We didn't even touch on the distribution challenges yet.
Rail service out here is abysmal.
Colonel, you could be swimming in an ocean of crude, but it ain't worth a mosquito's fart, you can't ship it to market.
Am I right? Where you from? Well, I'm from Lubbock.
Do you mean to say you've never heard of the Monahan family up there? I have not.
Well, I'm not surprised.
You might have heard of my mother's family, though.
The Youngbloods? - Mm.
- Choctaw going all the way back.
In the summer months, I exhibit some of the darker complexion.
Tell me about these investors.
Well, they're good men, men I can vouch for.
Any of these good men from north of the Mason Dixon? Some of 'em.
Yeah, that's what I thought.
Merry Christmas, sir.
Thanks for dropping in.
I suppose a tour of the property's out of the question, then? See, I've heard that GarcÃa tract's just [INHALES.]
it's picturesque this time of year.
And what a bargain you got on that.
Gentlemen.
Fellas, excuse me.
Pardon me.
Ask around about this one.
I want to know who he's riding with.
Okay.
The jackals are gathering.
Pleased to see the Colonel's added some color to his ranks.
PETE: Those fellas work real hard.
[SCOFFS.]
Harder than those greasers.
Hell, I don't need to tell you after your recent sojourn down there.
I ain't got nothing against Mexicans.
Tejanos, neither.
Lotta good men.
Their loyalty will always be to their own kind.
- We ain't no different.
- Oh.
My loyalty's to the Lone Star.
Daddy? Colonel's askin' after you.
Good meetin' you, Sheriff Dart.
To members of your family, it's just plain Moses.
I appreciate that, Moses.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
- [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
- You wanted to see me? [LAUGHS.]
Percy Midkiff has seen the light.
Oh, yeah.
After encountering a few mishaps with his drills, he decided to accept our offer.
We'll give him an eighth, same as everyone else.
I don't hold grudges.
You planning on sabotaging every well in South Texas? Yeah, I doubt that'll be necessary.
[SIGHS.]
Next week, I want you to meet this Cherokee who's been helping educate me.
He taught himself about the oil trade after his tribe were chiseled out of their leases.
Geology, chemistry, that sort of thing.
I think I'd rather focus on the ranch.
Seems you and Phineas have the oil side of things covered.
Ranchers like dealing with a fella who's got dirt under his nails and shit on his boots.
Hell, you're a hero now, right? [CHUCKLES.]
[RUBS PALMS, INHALES.]
[SIGHS.]
What do you want from me? I want you to run this with me.
The oil side of things.
That makes no sense.
Phineas was born for this work.
Oh, don't worry about Phineas.
He's gonna be a governor one day.
He's a politician through and through.
You're not.
You're a leader Like me.
This family is going in a new kind of direction.
And we both know it's not cows.
I want you and I to build something that will be lasting for your children.
I'm sorry.
But my answer is no.
Pete, you made me a promise.
The way we got that land In the end, it will all have been worth it.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER IN DISTANCE.]
Hey, bug.
Grandaddy was lying.
Were you eavesdropping? Outside, when he gave that big speech.
You didn't hunt no bandits in Mexico.
Am I wrong? People make up stories they want to hear.
They fill in the blanks.
So what did happen? Why did you leave us? I was trying to help someone.
Someone who would have gotten killed otherwise.
Maria GarcÃa? Mm-hmm.
She's a good person.
I agree.
Were you planning on coming back? From Mexico? 'Course I was.
So what's the problem then? With what? You and Momma.
We're fine.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
PHINEAS: Don't you know a lady should never drink alone? Colonel says you haven't spoken to him all week.
- [BOTTLE THUDS.]
- Well, bless his heart.
I sure hope his feelings aren't hurt too bad.
Well, at least you're not mad at me anymore.
Who says I'm not? [INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
I don't think I'm gonna get through this.
Having to smile and make nice like things are perfectly normal.
It's just once a year.
Ah, it's gonna be every day.
This will get easier.
For everyone.
The Colonel tell you to say that? [CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE.]
[SCRAPING.]
[GRUNTS.]
You need a match? Can I have a cigarette? No, ma'am.
Too bad my granddaddy's making you work on Christmas.
Well, heck, I don't consider this work.
Don't you want to be with your own family? [SIGHS.]
Well [GRUNTS, EXHALES.]
my brother lives up in Shreveport, but [RETCHES.]
[LAUGHS.]
That's too far.
And my wife she died some years ago.
On Christmas Eve, actually.
And the son that she birthed, Curtis, he succumbed 11 days later.
I'm sorry, Mr.
Gilbert.
Oh, thank you.
I like being out and about this time of year.
Keeps the mind occupied.
And the Colonel inviting me to this event, it just means the world to me.
You got a solid family behind you.
You are blessed.
I'm glad my daddy's home from Mexico.
Thanks for bringing him back.
I was just one man among many.
I-I bet he was real excited he was gonna see Momma.
Oh, yeah.
Did he talk about her a lot? Well, he was mostly quiet on the ride home.
But he had just done four months on a Mexican chain-gang.
[SIGHS.]
I imagine that would change your outlook on a number of things.
Like being married.
Well, now, I couldn't speculate on that.
- Sometimes - [DOOR OPENS, CREAKS.]
people just need time to readjust.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
SALLY: Jeannie? I've been looking for you.
Could you come over here, please? I don't want you talking to that man.
He was just telling me about his dead wife and baby.
That is sad, but it doesn't make him any less of a bad influence.
He's a violent man.
I don't want you near him.
He was polite.
So is the devil.
Everything all right? Yes.
It's handled.
- Niles was talking to her, alone.
- [DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
He sure as hell wormed his way in deep while I was gone.
I don't know why he has to be around here so much.
We both know what he's capable of.
[INGRID SINGING IN GERMAN.]
[SCREAMS.]
I'm glad you're alive.
You hurt? Do you know what I miss? Lebkuchen.
My father took me to the Christmas market in Bremen before we left.
It was so cold that night, but [SNIFFS.]
I didn't care.
What a sight.
All lit with torches.
A children's choir singing.
[SNIFFS.]
But the Lebkuchen was a gift from God.
You like gingerbread? You kill that Apache? He had two arrows in him already.
But he couldn't just die from that.
No, he had to stumble about like a drunk and find my hiding place.
Did you see others? Did you see where they went? No.
[SNIFFS.]
I remember the screaming.
[INSECTS CHIRPING, COYOTES HOWLING.]
There's not enough of us to survive on our own.
[HORSE WHINNIES IN DISTANCE.]
We need to find another band of Comanche.
Who's nearby? [SIGHS.]
[GRUNTS.]
You need to heal before we move camp.
Apaches know we're here.
They know we're weak.
Winter's in the air.
[HORSE NEIGHS IN DISTANCE.]
We need to move soon.
You could die on a long trip.
I could die tonight in my sleep.
Our people would be fine either way.
[OWL HOOTS.]
[OWL HOOTS.]
You're ready to lead.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
You hungry? If you want.
Feeling more yourself? The Apache I killed today You had to.
I know.
But I forgot to take his scalp.
It should be mine.
I earned it.
[COYOTE HOWLS.]
[SINGING IN GERMAN.]
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
[DOG WHINING.]
JEANNE ANNE: Knock it off, you two.
Ow! Ow! Shit.
[SIGHS.]
[DOG PANTING.]
[WHINES.]
No, Maudie, you've had your dinner.
Daisy.
Oh, Daisy.
How you doing, girl? Oh.
Oh.
No.
[BREATHES SHAKILY.]
Ohh.
Ohh.
Oh, no.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
[BRAKES SCREECH.]
[ENGINE SHUTS OFF.]
Ms.
McCullough? [DOOR CLOSES.]
Ms.
McCullough? In here.
You call for a hand? Oh.
[SIGHS.]
Sh She was old.
[SHOVEL SCRAPING.]
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
Would you like to say anything? No.
[LIQUID POURS.]
Hmm.
- [GLASS THUDS LIGHTLY.]
- [SIGHS.]
Is that all, ma'am? I don't want to be alone.
Pour one for yourself.
[EXHALES DEEPLY.]
You legal, Ulises? [GLASS CLINKS.]
No, ma'am.
Don't matter to me.
INS steers clear of here.
I see to that.
I hire who I want.
Thank you.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
[CHUCKLES.]
This is, uh, a beautiful, old house.
My granddaddy built it.
Colonel McCullough? You've heard of him? Oh, yeah.
[CHUCKLES.]
I read about him.
Uh, he was, uh, a captive and a Texas Ranger, and he protected that girl.
I love those stories.
[CHUCKLES.]
I just really like history.
Uh [CLEARS THROAT.]
I want you to hear something.
[GRUNTS.]
[CASSETTE CLACKS.]
[ELI LAUGHS.]
Now, Carter Murphy, he had been a scalp hunter extraordinaire.
He was most famous for inviting a group of Apaches to dinner, then slipping out halfway through the meal to touch off a cannon charged with canister hidden behind a curtain.
The shot obliterated the unsuspecting Indians and destroyed everything else in his living room.
No one stole his horses after that.
- [CHUCKLES.]
- That doesn't bother you? Jeanne Anne, maybe just another splash of bourbon in here? - Uh, not really.
- JEANNIE: Yes, sir.
I mean, this is a good story, you know? - Oh, you calling my granddaddy a liar? - [BUTTON CLICKS.]
No, ma'am.
Just a Texan.
This land is built on tall tales.
[CHUCKLES LIGHTLY.]
[GLASS THUDS.]
You can leave now.
Mm.
[SCOFFS.]
[CAP THUDS.]
[LIQUID POURS.]
PETE: Hey, brother.
It's special, so I wanted it to be last.
- Wow.
- Open it.
Been saving it for the right time.
That's a handsome gun.
It's engraved.
Thank you.
The old man got you down? - [GUN CLICKS.]
- [SIGHS.]
Finn [SIGHS.]
do you know about his plans for the oil business? Long term? Who do you think comes up with those plans, writes 'em down and makes 'em happen? So you know.
About? Him wanting me to take over.
Eventually.
Of course.
Governor, though.
That's really something.
[INHALES SHARPLY.]
Mm-hmm.
Well, that's a long ways off to be sure.
I wonder if you'll still talk to us little people.
[LAUGHS.]
I'll see see to it you have a desk in the Governor's Mansion, just like mine, but slightly smaller.
[LAUGHS.]
Excuse me.
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
[LIQUID POURING.]
[GLASS CLACKS.]
People seemed to enjoy themselves.
[BOTTLE THUDS.]
You want one? No, I'm good.
Suit yourself.
How long is it gonna take, Sal? For what? You to consider forgiving me just a little bit.
Years.
Maybe.
I mean, maybe it takes forever.
Maybe I just keep you standing there, waiting, not knowing.
[GASPS.]
Damn it! - C'mon.
- Is it bleeding bad? - [BREATHING HEAVILY.]
- Let me see.
- [INHALES SHARPLY.]
- Not too bad.
Not too bad.
[INHALES SHARPLY, SIGHS.]
It's gonna be all right.
I see you don't wear your ring.
Yeah, they took it in jail.
I need to get a new one.
[GRUNTS.]
I'll wait.
However long.
[VOICE BREAKING.]
Was I really that bad? Oh, Sal.
There isn't a bad thing about you.
[SIGHS.]
I guess he told you.
You knew he would.
Oh, I've got great things in store for you, my son.
But not the family business.
Oh, you can be part of this as much as anyone.
Ah.
Just not the face to the public.
You belong in Austin.
Where the real power is.
And one of these days, you'll be sitting - in the Governor's mansion - Governor's mansion.
Yeah.
Right.
That's a pipe dream, and you know it.
Oh, we can get that done.
Believe me.
[SIGHS.]
You couldn't even tell me this to my face.
- Is it because - Of course not.
You want to batch up with a friend, that's your business, as long as you're discreet.
Then why? As much as it drives me crazy, Pete sticks to his guns.
You're a good son.
You do what you're told.
But in this business, you got to be your own man.
You're holding my loyalty against me? Your strengths lie elsewhere.
What about what I want? Oh.
Everyone's got their part to play.
- Hey, Finn.
You leaving? - Yeah.
The old man is sending me to Austin.
- Let me walk you out.
- Nah, I'm fine.
Hey, Finn.
I know you're not okay with his plan for us.
It's you who should be runnin' it.
Damn right it should be.
I gotta hand it to you, brother.
I don't know what you do, but you cast a real spell over that old son of a bitch.
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
[HORSE WHINNIES.]
I'm tired of being chased.
Maybe it doesn't have to be like this.
They still fight by their side.
[HORSE WHINNIES.]
Their mean women.
It could work.
What are you talking about? Comanches should join together as one band and kill all the whites.
There are thousands and thousands of whites.
Why do they keep coming after us? 'Cause they want the land.
They'll have to kill all of us to get it.
But I think we can kill them first.
We can't.
Well, if we can't beat all the whites, maybe we could live with them.
You and me? [CHUCKLES LIGHTLY.]
What? I could wear a dress.
You'd look like a pea hen.
You looked like a baby deer [LAUGHS.]
I could steal a dress, and you could take me to visit the white world.
I speak the language.
Though maybe I won't say nothing.
I'll just let you walk me around the village by your side.
I want to see people's faces.
[CHUCKLES.]
Why are you talkin' about the white world all of a sudden? Hey.
I'm happy here.
With you.
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
Good.
That's what I wanted you to say.
'Cause we're having a baby.
- What? - [CHUCKLES.]
When? In the spring.
I'm gonna be a father? [CHUCKLES.]
[SIGHS.]
You better get ready.
I'm ready to make another one right now.
[CHUCKLES.]
Sleep Well, shit.
[REVOLVER CYLINDER CLICKING.]
[HAMMER CLICKS.]
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
[SIGHS.]
You thought about meeting my Cherokee next week? - Maybe.
- Mm.
You willing to take a step in my direction first? Hmm.
What do you have in mind? [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
NILES: We are closed! [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
I said we are closed! Oh.
Colonel.
[CHUCKLES.]
I had no idea it was you.
- Mm.
- Come on in.
Apologies for my late arrival.
For you, the door is always open.
[SIGHS.]
[BOTTLE THUDS.]
[SIGHS.]
I appreciate you greatly as an employee, but more important than that, as a good and true friend.
Warms my heart, Colonel.
It's been quite a Christmas.
- Yeah, that it has.
- [GLASSES CLINK.]
I appreciate everything you've done for my family.
You've labored hard and well.
Oh, I come from working stock.
Idle and hands and all.
[CHUCKLES.]
You know, I've been thinking - [GLASS THUDS.]
- [GRUNTS.]
you should take some time off.
Time off.
Hell, I wouldn't even know what to do with that.
Oh, but you could travel to Georgia, see that little lady you've been corresponding with.
I'll cover your travel.
I must confess, sir, I'm confused.
Well, I'll keep paying you, of course, and you can consider the loan on this bar forgiven.
It's yours [SLAPS TABLE.]
outright.
You're trying to get rid of me.
Oh, it's not forever.
Down the line when things cool off a bit, you'll be back in the thick of it with us.
Colonel, I'm loyal.
I've stood by your side.
And I've sullied my hands on many a misadventure so that you would not have to tarnish your own.
I value your loyalty greatly.
Well, then let me be blunt.
You need me now.
You don't want to cut me loose with enemies at the gate.
The decision's been made.
I see the origins of it now.
[WIND HOWLING.]
You're gonna roll over and take Pete's side.
You mean my son's side.
[GRUNTS.]
I appreciate your understanding.
July 3rd, 1863, against the advice of Lieutenant-General Longstreet, General Lee charged his men across the open fields of Gettysburg [LIQUID POURS, BOTTLE CLACKS.]
sealing the tragic fate of the Confederacy.
Now, why didn't he just move around the Federal right flank and force them Yankee dogs out of position? I guess we will never know.
Even the greatest generals are not immune to error.
You really do need a break.
[DOOR OPENS.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[COWS MOOING.]
[ENGINE SHUTS OFF.]
[MOOING CONTINUES.]
[GUN COCKS.]
[RIFLES FIRING.]
[COWS MOOING.]
[MOOING STOPS.]
[GRUNTS.]
[INHALES SHARPLY.]
[VEHICLE PASSES.]
[DOG BARKING.]
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
[CHAIR SCRAPES.]
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]