The Incredible Hulk (1978) s03e06 Episode Script
Jake
Without medication, you could die.
You been stealing cattle.
You're putting a $100,000 bounty on your own life.
No! Dr.
David Banner, physician, scientist.
Searching for a way to tap into the hidden strengths that all humans have.
Then, an accidental overdose of gamma radiation alters his body chemistry.
And now, when David Banner grows angry or outraged, a startling metamorphosis occurs.
The creature is driven by rage and pursued by an investigative reporter.
Mr.
McGee, don't make me angry.
You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.
The creature is wanted for a murder he didn't commit.
David Banner is believed to be dead.
And he must let the world think that he is dead until he can find a way to control the raging spirit that dwells within him.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Gaston, Texas is proud that one of America's greatest champions is competing in the race for championship points toward the all-around cowboy honors at the end of the season.
The leader in that race so far is our last rider in the calf-roping event, Jake White! Maggie, come here.
No, David.
Look, I'll get it myself.
And the time for Jake White, a record-breaking time of Ladies and gentlemen, we have a lost child here Hey, hey, that was a great run, Jake.
Oh, yeah.
Near perfection.
His daddy never taught him to be humble.
Oh.
Jake? What's wrong? I'm twenty years older than I was 20 years ago.
Then maybe you should slow down.
There's no "maybe" about it.
I told you, as soon as I won the best all around and bought me a couple more of those.
But I thought that rig belonged to the rodeo.
Well, it's leased to the company that runs the rodeo.
Jake and Leon own that.
They're gonna be big-time truckers pretty soon.
Well, then you can quit.
You're on your way.
That's right.
Would you like to put him up for me? My pleasure.
Excuse me, gentlemen.
Hey, she'd like me to quit, but it can't make it with just one rig.
If you're gonna have any chance at all, you gotta have a couple of those beauties.
Uh-huh.
When are you gonna see a doctor? Is your name Maggie? No.
You sound just like Maggie.
Really? I thought you were supposed to take care of us.
Yeah, but I'm just a Band-Aid-and-aspirin man.
Now, you need a complete physical.
No.
I saw a doctor just last week.
Really? He said I'm strong as a bull.
Bull.
Bull.
Coming up shortly, the calf-roping and barrel-racing events.
It's gonna be a real contest between Teddy Shills, last year's champion calf-roper, and the up-and-coming Twirling Mark Burns Tone down, there, Leon.
Don't I always give you a way to earn your money back, just like when you owed those folks down there in San Antone? So now I owe you four times that.
You're not blaming me for your gambling debts, are you? I hope not, because unlike the great Jake White, I'm not my brother's keeper.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Don't you worry none about this gambling situation.
We're gonna work it off.
Just like we did down in San Antonio.
It won't be so bad.
You'll even make a little extra money like you did before.
Now, you better get going, kid.
Don't wanna miss that entrance.
We'll see you tonight.
We'll meet you here at your truck at midnight.
And, kid? No hard feelings.
Why do we have to put up with him? Well, it's just like when we were teenagers.
You always had to make friends with the biggest nerd in the class because he had the keys to his dad's car.
Hey, come on, come on.
How can you eat chili with no onions? Cowboys and cowgirls, we have the results of the calf-roping event.
And the best of today's competition is Jake White, followed by Ernie Colvin and Texas Tommy Smith.
Hey, congratulations! Jake! You all right? Where were you for dinner? Get yourself tied down by another deck of cards? Don't start on me, Jake.
I thought we'd agreed there'd be no more gambling.
Go on, what you gonna do? You gonna ground me? Take away my car keys? No, maybe you're gonna give me a whipping this time.
Hard-headed kid.
Boy, I think I'm gonna pick up a jacket.
It's, uh It's getting kind of cold.
Cold, huh? Yeah.
How's our boy? He's tired.
Fine.
David, as soon as the arena's cleared, you head down to Houston for those medical supplies.
Yes, sir, I'm on my way.
Hey, friends, what's soft and warm and tastes real good when you get it in your mouth? Why, of course, it's Ranchero Chewing Tobacco.
You see a lot of those rodeo stars down at Gaston enjoying the full-bodied flavor of Ranchero.
Let me tell you, they know what's good.
So remember, now, you get yourself a pouch of Ranchero Chewing Tobacco.
It's the real taste of the West.
5:45 now on a beautiful Texas morning.
And here's a little more wake-up music for you.
You all right? Yeah.
Leon? Leon, what happened? What are you doing out here so early, man? Well, I was just coming back from Houston.
Get the hell out of here.
What's the matter? I'll talk later! Just get out of here.
But I don't understand.
Just get out of here! I'll tell you later! Buford! Find Leon and let's get going.
We've been out here all night.
Hey, Leon, you out there? Come on, Leon.
You can catch that little bogey another night.
David? I was wondering if you could spare me a little first aid.
Mmm-hmm! Well, it's just a minor scratch.
Hardly worth the walk over here.
Oh, I was reading about your exploits outside the rodeo.
Well, that's why I'm here.
I'm almost glad you saw me out there.
At least I got somebody I can talk to now.
What about Jake? Oh, no.
I'm too old to go running to my big brother.
Easy! Anyway, I figured you already had.
No.
But he is worried about you, though.
Bull.
Only thing Jake's worried about is me getting mud on his rodeo-star image.
I don't think that's fair.
Look, I don't think you understand the situation here.
I'm proud of Jake.
He can stay on a bronc or a bull longer than any man around.
He's just a little hard to live with, that's all.
Especially when you're just a rodeo clown.
Rodeo clowns save lives every day.
I guess that makes me a real hero, don't it? I didn't come here to chaw over family problems.
I want to tell you about this rustling.
I'm not planning to make a career out of this.
I'm just gonna do it to make enough to pay off a debt.
That's all, really.
I don't want you to worry about me.
I especially don't want Jake to worry about me, 'cause I can take care of myself.
I'll see you later.
So, how is Maggie's wrist feeling? Oh, it's hard to say.
She's not the kind to complain.
Oh! That old Western tradition, huh? Bite the bullet? Can't fall apart every ache and pain.
I see.
So, an old rodeo hand, like yourself, for example, you just You live with the pain and the torn ligaments Look, it's the end of the season.
I'm tired, is all.
I see.
Well, do you feel any less tired by wearing a jacket in 100-degree heat? Jake, it's more than fatigue, isn't it? Okay.
Soon as I put the bonus money in the bank, I'll go see a doctor.
But I got responsibilities, namely Leon.
Well, he's a grown man.
He's a grown dreamer.
When he was 16, I pulled him out of the street just before an ice truck ran him down.
You know what he was doing? No.
Just strolling along and dreaming.
But he's my kid brother.
He goes where I go and that's what keeps him out of trouble.
And he's a decent kid, and I'm glad of that, because if he wasn't my brother, I'd want him for my friend.
Jake, have you ever said that to Leon? Between two grown men, some things don't need saying.
It's him, Ter'! It's him! What are you talking about? That dude that was spying on us.
Are you sure? Positive.
He just went off with Jake.
I seen him around.
His name is David.
So that's why Leon didn't finger him.
He's a buddy of Jake's.
Well, what are we gonna do? I say take him out.
No.
Come on, now, use your heads.
How long do you think Leon would keep his mouth shut if anything happened to David? We need Leon and his truck, for the time being, anyway.
No, I think a, uh, a friendly warning should be enough for now.
Marvin, take a letter.
City boy's got no respect for privacy.
Comes from living in those apartments with the paper walls.
Hey, city boy, better keep your nose out of Leon's business.
Hey, city boy's gonna have some big stories to tell back home, huh? Just like playing cowboys and Indians.
Right, David? What the hell? He must be caught on something.
Come on, giddyap, giddyap! Buford? Come on! Giddyap! Bring it home! Giddyap! Giddyap! Howdy, how are you? What are you? Hey, whoa.
No.
Hey, hey.
Now wait a minute.
Now, come on! Come on! Can't we talk about this? Come on! Move it! Hurry! Come on, now! Hey, thanks a lot.
Sure appreciate the lift.
Hey, man! What's wrong with you? Yeah.
Hello, Browney.
Hello.
Hello.
Hi, there.
Leon! Morning, Jake.
What you doing up so early? Couldn't sleep.
Me neither.
I just Just had breakfast over at the diner on Interstate 6.
Since when did you start eating breakfast? Oh, since I started getting tired of eating rodeo grub.
Why'd you take the rig? Isn't the pickup running? Yeah.
It's running.
Look, I took the rig 'cause I took the rig.
It's that simple.
Okay, so I've been hauling livestock.
Big deal.
Middle of the night? You been stealing cattle.
Poker? You in over your head again? You're doing somebody's dirty work just to pay off a gambling debt.
Now, if you're not careful, you're gonna blow our chance Our chance? It's your chance! It's your truck, your money, your business.
Let me tell you something.
You can have it, 'cause I don't want no part of it, okay? I'll see you.
I'm still talking to you! Well, I'm done listening now! If you want to fight, we'll fight like real men.
And for once, you just forget I'm your little brother.
Just be glad I never have forgotten.
Oh, man! All my life everybody's always told me how lucky I am to have a big brother like Jake White.
A lady's man, and a man's man.
You're good at riding and roping.
Everything I can't do.
A champion and a legend.
Well, I'm gonna tell you something, Jake.
You're getting so old I'm as good as I ever was! When we was kids, and you took on Daddy, remember? Remember what he did? He knocked you on your butt with one punch.
That's got nothing to do with now! Yes, it does! Yes it does, 'cause I remember thinking, "Jake should've waited till he was sure he could beat Daddy.
" Well, I've waited a long time, too.
The first 100 people to enter the gates tomorrow will be eligible for the big drawing at the end of the week.
The grand prize is three months worth of hog feed.
Don't miss out.
Get here early.
Gates open at 11:30.
When you guys talk to me about giant green men, I gotta check and make sure I ain't standing downwind of the bullpen.
The next rider up will be Jake White, and the best bet for the national trophy as America's best rider.
David, would you please translate this for me? I found it in Jake's trailer.
I guess he's gone to some kind of doctor and he didn't want me to know about it.
It's not good, is it? Jake will be aboard Dark Stallion.
Look, I may not understand all those big words, but I know when Jake's hurting.
Ladies and gentlemen, the cowboy all of Gaston, Texas has taken to its heart, Jake White! Jake's made his ride.
Uh-oh! Jake's in trouble! Sometimes these horses just don't want to stop.
He's down! Get out there, fellas! Help him out! Hey, I've been thrown and I've been thrown and dragged before.
I'm okay! It looks like he's all right.
Hey, Jake! Jake, stay still.
You shouldn't move around.
I'm okay, I'm okay.
Jake White, a real trouper.
See who's out there? Why don't we just clear out of here and let this rodeo get on with its business? Yeah, I guess city boys need more than one warning.
Leon! Leon, he's sick! Leon! Jake White and his pretty little cowgirl, Maggie Burbank.
Uh-oh, folks, we got another rider in trouble out there.
Hang on! Man, that's really a drag.
Following today's events, we're gonna have a live concert under the stars, featuring some of our local Gaston talent.
And as a special treat, Terry McCluggage is gonna sing a medley of outlaw's hits, accompanying himself with an accordion.
Lucky for us, Terry sings a whole lot better than he rides.
But y'all judge for yourselves.
You lied to me, Jake White.
Were you lying to me last night when you said you wanted to marry me? Remember? "In sickness and in health"? Now, you think about that.
Nobody's gonna die! Man, that's just a fancy way of saying I'm plain old tired.
Really? "Chronic adrenal cortical insufficiency.
" That's a malfunction of the adrenal system.
Prices doctors charge, they gotta make it sound important.
It's called Addison's Disease.
Headaches, severe abdominal pain, fatigue, unable to tolerate cold.
It's just Father Time creeping up on me.
Well, you can explain away every one of these symptoms one by one.
But not the combination of symptoms, and not this serum cortisol level.
I'm trying to tell you, without medication, you could die.
I know that! I also know I'm running out of time.
Hey, you got a blanket around here? Will the owner of the white three-quarter-ton pickup pulling the horse trailer that's blocking the truck entrance please move your vehicle.
Oh, yeah.
Hey, when I When I started rodeoing, better than 20 years ago, I used to have to work two shows at the same time just to scrounge a living for Leon and me.
Chasing pennies.
Leapfrogging back and forth, riding all day, driving all night.
I was too I was too sore to sleep and too tired not to.
Oh, but now I got me a good shot at $100,000.
It may be the last chance this old cowboy will ever have at collecting money like that.
And it ain't just for me.
That money's gonna buy Leon out of trouble and into a real job before it's too late.
I don't think that Leon needs the money as much as he needs you.
That's never been enough before.
Hey, for a Band-Aid-and-aspirin man, you sure know a lot of them $50 words.
I'll tell you what I do know.
You're putting a $100,000 bounty on your own life.
Now, the stress of that riding out there, the heat of this day, all of it can make your condition critical.
Especially with a bull ride ahead of you.
Hey, partner? Haven't you ever hung in there even when everybody else tells you it's a lost cause? Yeah.
Yeah.
For folks like us, losing a fight ain't near as bad as hiding from one.
Thank you.
Bring the entire family for this heart-stopping show.
Tell me why my little brother's out breaking the law.
It ain't got nothing to do with me.
It does when I hear stories about how he's up to his belt buckle in hock to you.
Can I help it if your brother's got a gambling problem? He never had a cattle-stealing problem before.
Now, how much does he owe you? All right.
Now, I'll get you the money.
And the minute you're paid, I want your butt out of town.
Ladies and gentlemen, a big Gaston thank-you to the funniest cowboy in rodeo, Leon White! You next? Ladles and gentlemen, this Sunday we're going to have a special event.
Ladies' Brahma bull-riding, featuring some of the finest female talent ever to sling a whole lot of bull.
Be sure to make it on down to Gaston Fairgrounds You all right, Terry? Nice timing there, Buford.
What's he so mad about? He knows about Leon! Gambling? And the rustling.
Who told him? Leon? Had to be that David guy, and I don't plan on doing no 10 years on account of some greenhorn.
Well, what about Jake? No, he's not gonna turn his brother in.
Well, what are we gonna do? Lots of accidents can happen around here.
Rodeo can be a very dangerous place for a city boy.
We got another lost child.
This one's a little boy, eight years old.
Says his name is Mitch Torrea.
Come all the way from East Monroe, Louisiana with his family.
I'm sorry you have to leave.
You have another job? No, it's just that I have some pressing personal matters.
I understand.
Maggie came by earlier, and she wanted me to pull Jake out of the rodeo.
Said he was sick.
You know anything about that? I just know that you're not the kind of a man, at least I think you're not, that would want one of your riders to get hurt.
Well, I'm not.
The man's doing it at his own risk.
We have a personal release form that every cowboy signs, relieving us of every responsibility.
Every legal responsibility, yeah.
Listen, Jake is in the running for a national title and a lot of cash.
Now if I were to pull him out of the competition, Jake could sue me for that $100,000, and I don't know if I'd blame him if he did.
I'm sorry, David.
There's nothing I can do.
Okay.
David.
Good luck.
The Gaston Leather and Saddle Company has trucked in a whole new line of saddles and tack.
They're on display behind the grills, so be sure to take a look before you leave the area.
Mr.
Long.
Mr.
Long! Yes.
Yes.
I'm Jack McGee.
I'm a reporter for The National Register.
Well, welcome to Gaston, Mr.
McGee.
I hope you enjoy the rodeo.
Thanks.
Listen, one of your cowboys reported that he saw the Hulk while he was hitchhiking into town.
Hulk? I don't know anything about the Hulk.
Our two-headed calf died last week.
I have a picture in my office.
Thanks, thanks.
I I'm checking out a story on a transient.
I'm looking into any place that he might feel safe taking a job.
Do you have a photo? Well, no, no.
But I can give you a description.
He's medium height, medium build, brown hair, brown eyes.
That's it? Yeah.
You just described half the men that work here.
Sorry.
Listen, you don't mind if I take a look around? Not at all.
Help yourself.
Like I said, I hope you enjoy the rodeo.
Thanks.
Okay, folks, we're getting to the highlight of the Gaston, Texas rodeo, the Brahma bull-riding.
Some of the top cowboys in the Southwest bid their strength and endurance against the toughest and meanest animals this side of Hades.
Sixteen-hundred pounds of pure fury.
First out of the chute today, riding Whirlwind, is Terry McCluggage.
Hang on there, Terry! Oh, that cowboy just took a real tumble.
Too bad, Terry.
Hope it doesn't hurt your golf game any.
Did Mr.
Long pull Jake out of the rodeo? No.
So what am I supposed to do, just stand here and watch him die? David, the bull ride is the toughest event in this damn rodeo! Now, after what you told me about Jake's condition, he shouldn't be out there! Now, can't you talk to him? Maggie, I've tried.
David.
He drew Killer Instinct.
He's the meanest bull on the circuit.
I mean, if he was drowning, we wouldn't just be standing here.
All right, I'll tell you what I want you to do.
You take that medical report that you showed to me, get it to the paramedics, and tell them to call the hospital.
That's in case, just in case, anything goes wrong, they'll be prepared for instant diagnosis and treatment.
David, is there any chance that he's gonna be all right? Yes, there is, but right now you've got to get that report to them.
Okay? I'll talk to Jake and see whatever I can do.
Come on, come on.
Coming up next is Jake White, from Taos, New Mexico.
Now, Jake's a man who's really worthy of your applause, ladies and gentlemen.
A 21-year veteran of rodeo events.
One of the oldest men in a sport that challenges the youngest and strongest.
Right now, Jake is near the top of the list for all-around cowboy honors, having distinguished himself in all the other rodeo events.
If Jake can get a good ride here now, it'll put him over the top in points and well into the big prize money of $100,000.
Jake's got his work cut out for him, though.
He's riding Killer Instinct, one of the meanest animals on the circuit.
Killer Instinct has only been ridden once out of the last 15 tries, and he's sent seven boys to the hospital.
Just keep moving.
Wait, hold it, guys.
Listen, I gotta talk to Jake.
Now you ain't so tough without your big green friend.
I love those clowns.
He's made it! Jake White is the winner He's in trouble! Oh, that was not good! Get out of there, Jake! That's Jake's brother, Leon, drawing off Killer Instinct there.
Come on, Jake, get on out of there! There seems to be some commotion over there in chute number four.
What in blazes is that? You better get out of there, fella, whatever you are.
He just wrestled a Will somebody tell me what the hell's going on here? Looks like old Killer Instinct's had enough.
Smart animal.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is not one of our regularly scheduled events.
Somebody call security, pronto.
Do not leave your seats, please, ladies and gentlemen.
Stay in your seats.
Word is that Jake White's gonna be okay.
Those paramedics have everything under control.
I want you to take it easy, now.
We'll worry about all this trucking business later.
Yeah, right.
And I got a little business to take care of now.
I gotta go talk to the sheriff.
Wait.
Don't worry about it, hon.
Leon's gonna be just fine.
Leon, I'm real proud.
If you weren't my brother, I'd want you for a friend.
Jake, I'm real proud, too.
Ladies and gentlemen, a big congratulations to Jake White, the best all-around cowboy of this or any rodeo.
David told me to give your medical record to the medics.
They've got some treatment all ready for you.
Good old David.
Where is he, anyway? He's here, somewhere.
We'll find him.
You been stealing cattle.
You're putting a $100,000 bounty on your own life.
No! Dr.
David Banner, physician, scientist.
Searching for a way to tap into the hidden strengths that all humans have.
Then, an accidental overdose of gamma radiation alters his body chemistry.
And now, when David Banner grows angry or outraged, a startling metamorphosis occurs.
The creature is driven by rage and pursued by an investigative reporter.
Mr.
McGee, don't make me angry.
You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.
The creature is wanted for a murder he didn't commit.
David Banner is believed to be dead.
And he must let the world think that he is dead until he can find a way to control the raging spirit that dwells within him.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Gaston, Texas is proud that one of America's greatest champions is competing in the race for championship points toward the all-around cowboy honors at the end of the season.
The leader in that race so far is our last rider in the calf-roping event, Jake White! Maggie, come here.
No, David.
Look, I'll get it myself.
And the time for Jake White, a record-breaking time of Ladies and gentlemen, we have a lost child here Hey, hey, that was a great run, Jake.
Oh, yeah.
Near perfection.
His daddy never taught him to be humble.
Oh.
Jake? What's wrong? I'm twenty years older than I was 20 years ago.
Then maybe you should slow down.
There's no "maybe" about it.
I told you, as soon as I won the best all around and bought me a couple more of those.
But I thought that rig belonged to the rodeo.
Well, it's leased to the company that runs the rodeo.
Jake and Leon own that.
They're gonna be big-time truckers pretty soon.
Well, then you can quit.
You're on your way.
That's right.
Would you like to put him up for me? My pleasure.
Excuse me, gentlemen.
Hey, she'd like me to quit, but it can't make it with just one rig.
If you're gonna have any chance at all, you gotta have a couple of those beauties.
Uh-huh.
When are you gonna see a doctor? Is your name Maggie? No.
You sound just like Maggie.
Really? I thought you were supposed to take care of us.
Yeah, but I'm just a Band-Aid-and-aspirin man.
Now, you need a complete physical.
No.
I saw a doctor just last week.
Really? He said I'm strong as a bull.
Bull.
Bull.
Coming up shortly, the calf-roping and barrel-racing events.
It's gonna be a real contest between Teddy Shills, last year's champion calf-roper, and the up-and-coming Twirling Mark Burns Tone down, there, Leon.
Don't I always give you a way to earn your money back, just like when you owed those folks down there in San Antone? So now I owe you four times that.
You're not blaming me for your gambling debts, are you? I hope not, because unlike the great Jake White, I'm not my brother's keeper.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Don't you worry none about this gambling situation.
We're gonna work it off.
Just like we did down in San Antonio.
It won't be so bad.
You'll even make a little extra money like you did before.
Now, you better get going, kid.
Don't wanna miss that entrance.
We'll see you tonight.
We'll meet you here at your truck at midnight.
And, kid? No hard feelings.
Why do we have to put up with him? Well, it's just like when we were teenagers.
You always had to make friends with the biggest nerd in the class because he had the keys to his dad's car.
Hey, come on, come on.
How can you eat chili with no onions? Cowboys and cowgirls, we have the results of the calf-roping event.
And the best of today's competition is Jake White, followed by Ernie Colvin and Texas Tommy Smith.
Hey, congratulations! Jake! You all right? Where were you for dinner? Get yourself tied down by another deck of cards? Don't start on me, Jake.
I thought we'd agreed there'd be no more gambling.
Go on, what you gonna do? You gonna ground me? Take away my car keys? No, maybe you're gonna give me a whipping this time.
Hard-headed kid.
Boy, I think I'm gonna pick up a jacket.
It's, uh It's getting kind of cold.
Cold, huh? Yeah.
How's our boy? He's tired.
Fine.
David, as soon as the arena's cleared, you head down to Houston for those medical supplies.
Yes, sir, I'm on my way.
Hey, friends, what's soft and warm and tastes real good when you get it in your mouth? Why, of course, it's Ranchero Chewing Tobacco.
You see a lot of those rodeo stars down at Gaston enjoying the full-bodied flavor of Ranchero.
Let me tell you, they know what's good.
So remember, now, you get yourself a pouch of Ranchero Chewing Tobacco.
It's the real taste of the West.
5:45 now on a beautiful Texas morning.
And here's a little more wake-up music for you.
You all right? Yeah.
Leon? Leon, what happened? What are you doing out here so early, man? Well, I was just coming back from Houston.
Get the hell out of here.
What's the matter? I'll talk later! Just get out of here.
But I don't understand.
Just get out of here! I'll tell you later! Buford! Find Leon and let's get going.
We've been out here all night.
Hey, Leon, you out there? Come on, Leon.
You can catch that little bogey another night.
David? I was wondering if you could spare me a little first aid.
Mmm-hmm! Well, it's just a minor scratch.
Hardly worth the walk over here.
Oh, I was reading about your exploits outside the rodeo.
Well, that's why I'm here.
I'm almost glad you saw me out there.
At least I got somebody I can talk to now.
What about Jake? Oh, no.
I'm too old to go running to my big brother.
Easy! Anyway, I figured you already had.
No.
But he is worried about you, though.
Bull.
Only thing Jake's worried about is me getting mud on his rodeo-star image.
I don't think that's fair.
Look, I don't think you understand the situation here.
I'm proud of Jake.
He can stay on a bronc or a bull longer than any man around.
He's just a little hard to live with, that's all.
Especially when you're just a rodeo clown.
Rodeo clowns save lives every day.
I guess that makes me a real hero, don't it? I didn't come here to chaw over family problems.
I want to tell you about this rustling.
I'm not planning to make a career out of this.
I'm just gonna do it to make enough to pay off a debt.
That's all, really.
I don't want you to worry about me.
I especially don't want Jake to worry about me, 'cause I can take care of myself.
I'll see you later.
So, how is Maggie's wrist feeling? Oh, it's hard to say.
She's not the kind to complain.
Oh! That old Western tradition, huh? Bite the bullet? Can't fall apart every ache and pain.
I see.
So, an old rodeo hand, like yourself, for example, you just You live with the pain and the torn ligaments Look, it's the end of the season.
I'm tired, is all.
I see.
Well, do you feel any less tired by wearing a jacket in 100-degree heat? Jake, it's more than fatigue, isn't it? Okay.
Soon as I put the bonus money in the bank, I'll go see a doctor.
But I got responsibilities, namely Leon.
Well, he's a grown man.
He's a grown dreamer.
When he was 16, I pulled him out of the street just before an ice truck ran him down.
You know what he was doing? No.
Just strolling along and dreaming.
But he's my kid brother.
He goes where I go and that's what keeps him out of trouble.
And he's a decent kid, and I'm glad of that, because if he wasn't my brother, I'd want him for my friend.
Jake, have you ever said that to Leon? Between two grown men, some things don't need saying.
It's him, Ter'! It's him! What are you talking about? That dude that was spying on us.
Are you sure? Positive.
He just went off with Jake.
I seen him around.
His name is David.
So that's why Leon didn't finger him.
He's a buddy of Jake's.
Well, what are we gonna do? I say take him out.
No.
Come on, now, use your heads.
How long do you think Leon would keep his mouth shut if anything happened to David? We need Leon and his truck, for the time being, anyway.
No, I think a, uh, a friendly warning should be enough for now.
Marvin, take a letter.
City boy's got no respect for privacy.
Comes from living in those apartments with the paper walls.
Hey, city boy, better keep your nose out of Leon's business.
Hey, city boy's gonna have some big stories to tell back home, huh? Just like playing cowboys and Indians.
Right, David? What the hell? He must be caught on something.
Come on, giddyap, giddyap! Buford? Come on! Giddyap! Bring it home! Giddyap! Giddyap! Howdy, how are you? What are you? Hey, whoa.
No.
Hey, hey.
Now wait a minute.
Now, come on! Come on! Can't we talk about this? Come on! Move it! Hurry! Come on, now! Hey, thanks a lot.
Sure appreciate the lift.
Hey, man! What's wrong with you? Yeah.
Hello, Browney.
Hello.
Hello.
Hi, there.
Leon! Morning, Jake.
What you doing up so early? Couldn't sleep.
Me neither.
I just Just had breakfast over at the diner on Interstate 6.
Since when did you start eating breakfast? Oh, since I started getting tired of eating rodeo grub.
Why'd you take the rig? Isn't the pickup running? Yeah.
It's running.
Look, I took the rig 'cause I took the rig.
It's that simple.
Okay, so I've been hauling livestock.
Big deal.
Middle of the night? You been stealing cattle.
Poker? You in over your head again? You're doing somebody's dirty work just to pay off a gambling debt.
Now, if you're not careful, you're gonna blow our chance Our chance? It's your chance! It's your truck, your money, your business.
Let me tell you something.
You can have it, 'cause I don't want no part of it, okay? I'll see you.
I'm still talking to you! Well, I'm done listening now! If you want to fight, we'll fight like real men.
And for once, you just forget I'm your little brother.
Just be glad I never have forgotten.
Oh, man! All my life everybody's always told me how lucky I am to have a big brother like Jake White.
A lady's man, and a man's man.
You're good at riding and roping.
Everything I can't do.
A champion and a legend.
Well, I'm gonna tell you something, Jake.
You're getting so old I'm as good as I ever was! When we was kids, and you took on Daddy, remember? Remember what he did? He knocked you on your butt with one punch.
That's got nothing to do with now! Yes, it does! Yes it does, 'cause I remember thinking, "Jake should've waited till he was sure he could beat Daddy.
" Well, I've waited a long time, too.
The first 100 people to enter the gates tomorrow will be eligible for the big drawing at the end of the week.
The grand prize is three months worth of hog feed.
Don't miss out.
Get here early.
Gates open at 11:30.
When you guys talk to me about giant green men, I gotta check and make sure I ain't standing downwind of the bullpen.
The next rider up will be Jake White, and the best bet for the national trophy as America's best rider.
David, would you please translate this for me? I found it in Jake's trailer.
I guess he's gone to some kind of doctor and he didn't want me to know about it.
It's not good, is it? Jake will be aboard Dark Stallion.
Look, I may not understand all those big words, but I know when Jake's hurting.
Ladies and gentlemen, the cowboy all of Gaston, Texas has taken to its heart, Jake White! Jake's made his ride.
Uh-oh! Jake's in trouble! Sometimes these horses just don't want to stop.
He's down! Get out there, fellas! Help him out! Hey, I've been thrown and I've been thrown and dragged before.
I'm okay! It looks like he's all right.
Hey, Jake! Jake, stay still.
You shouldn't move around.
I'm okay, I'm okay.
Jake White, a real trouper.
See who's out there? Why don't we just clear out of here and let this rodeo get on with its business? Yeah, I guess city boys need more than one warning.
Leon! Leon, he's sick! Leon! Jake White and his pretty little cowgirl, Maggie Burbank.
Uh-oh, folks, we got another rider in trouble out there.
Hang on! Man, that's really a drag.
Following today's events, we're gonna have a live concert under the stars, featuring some of our local Gaston talent.
And as a special treat, Terry McCluggage is gonna sing a medley of outlaw's hits, accompanying himself with an accordion.
Lucky for us, Terry sings a whole lot better than he rides.
But y'all judge for yourselves.
You lied to me, Jake White.
Were you lying to me last night when you said you wanted to marry me? Remember? "In sickness and in health"? Now, you think about that.
Nobody's gonna die! Man, that's just a fancy way of saying I'm plain old tired.
Really? "Chronic adrenal cortical insufficiency.
" That's a malfunction of the adrenal system.
Prices doctors charge, they gotta make it sound important.
It's called Addison's Disease.
Headaches, severe abdominal pain, fatigue, unable to tolerate cold.
It's just Father Time creeping up on me.
Well, you can explain away every one of these symptoms one by one.
But not the combination of symptoms, and not this serum cortisol level.
I'm trying to tell you, without medication, you could die.
I know that! I also know I'm running out of time.
Hey, you got a blanket around here? Will the owner of the white three-quarter-ton pickup pulling the horse trailer that's blocking the truck entrance please move your vehicle.
Oh, yeah.
Hey, when I When I started rodeoing, better than 20 years ago, I used to have to work two shows at the same time just to scrounge a living for Leon and me.
Chasing pennies.
Leapfrogging back and forth, riding all day, driving all night.
I was too I was too sore to sleep and too tired not to.
Oh, but now I got me a good shot at $100,000.
It may be the last chance this old cowboy will ever have at collecting money like that.
And it ain't just for me.
That money's gonna buy Leon out of trouble and into a real job before it's too late.
I don't think that Leon needs the money as much as he needs you.
That's never been enough before.
Hey, for a Band-Aid-and-aspirin man, you sure know a lot of them $50 words.
I'll tell you what I do know.
You're putting a $100,000 bounty on your own life.
Now, the stress of that riding out there, the heat of this day, all of it can make your condition critical.
Especially with a bull ride ahead of you.
Hey, partner? Haven't you ever hung in there even when everybody else tells you it's a lost cause? Yeah.
Yeah.
For folks like us, losing a fight ain't near as bad as hiding from one.
Thank you.
Bring the entire family for this heart-stopping show.
Tell me why my little brother's out breaking the law.
It ain't got nothing to do with me.
It does when I hear stories about how he's up to his belt buckle in hock to you.
Can I help it if your brother's got a gambling problem? He never had a cattle-stealing problem before.
Now, how much does he owe you? All right.
Now, I'll get you the money.
And the minute you're paid, I want your butt out of town.
Ladies and gentlemen, a big Gaston thank-you to the funniest cowboy in rodeo, Leon White! You next? Ladles and gentlemen, this Sunday we're going to have a special event.
Ladies' Brahma bull-riding, featuring some of the finest female talent ever to sling a whole lot of bull.
Be sure to make it on down to Gaston Fairgrounds You all right, Terry? Nice timing there, Buford.
What's he so mad about? He knows about Leon! Gambling? And the rustling.
Who told him? Leon? Had to be that David guy, and I don't plan on doing no 10 years on account of some greenhorn.
Well, what about Jake? No, he's not gonna turn his brother in.
Well, what are we gonna do? Lots of accidents can happen around here.
Rodeo can be a very dangerous place for a city boy.
We got another lost child.
This one's a little boy, eight years old.
Says his name is Mitch Torrea.
Come all the way from East Monroe, Louisiana with his family.
I'm sorry you have to leave.
You have another job? No, it's just that I have some pressing personal matters.
I understand.
Maggie came by earlier, and she wanted me to pull Jake out of the rodeo.
Said he was sick.
You know anything about that? I just know that you're not the kind of a man, at least I think you're not, that would want one of your riders to get hurt.
Well, I'm not.
The man's doing it at his own risk.
We have a personal release form that every cowboy signs, relieving us of every responsibility.
Every legal responsibility, yeah.
Listen, Jake is in the running for a national title and a lot of cash.
Now if I were to pull him out of the competition, Jake could sue me for that $100,000, and I don't know if I'd blame him if he did.
I'm sorry, David.
There's nothing I can do.
Okay.
David.
Good luck.
The Gaston Leather and Saddle Company has trucked in a whole new line of saddles and tack.
They're on display behind the grills, so be sure to take a look before you leave the area.
Mr.
Long.
Mr.
Long! Yes.
Yes.
I'm Jack McGee.
I'm a reporter for The National Register.
Well, welcome to Gaston, Mr.
McGee.
I hope you enjoy the rodeo.
Thanks.
Listen, one of your cowboys reported that he saw the Hulk while he was hitchhiking into town.
Hulk? I don't know anything about the Hulk.
Our two-headed calf died last week.
I have a picture in my office.
Thanks, thanks.
I I'm checking out a story on a transient.
I'm looking into any place that he might feel safe taking a job.
Do you have a photo? Well, no, no.
But I can give you a description.
He's medium height, medium build, brown hair, brown eyes.
That's it? Yeah.
You just described half the men that work here.
Sorry.
Listen, you don't mind if I take a look around? Not at all.
Help yourself.
Like I said, I hope you enjoy the rodeo.
Thanks.
Okay, folks, we're getting to the highlight of the Gaston, Texas rodeo, the Brahma bull-riding.
Some of the top cowboys in the Southwest bid their strength and endurance against the toughest and meanest animals this side of Hades.
Sixteen-hundred pounds of pure fury.
First out of the chute today, riding Whirlwind, is Terry McCluggage.
Hang on there, Terry! Oh, that cowboy just took a real tumble.
Too bad, Terry.
Hope it doesn't hurt your golf game any.
Did Mr.
Long pull Jake out of the rodeo? No.
So what am I supposed to do, just stand here and watch him die? David, the bull ride is the toughest event in this damn rodeo! Now, after what you told me about Jake's condition, he shouldn't be out there! Now, can't you talk to him? Maggie, I've tried.
David.
He drew Killer Instinct.
He's the meanest bull on the circuit.
I mean, if he was drowning, we wouldn't just be standing here.
All right, I'll tell you what I want you to do.
You take that medical report that you showed to me, get it to the paramedics, and tell them to call the hospital.
That's in case, just in case, anything goes wrong, they'll be prepared for instant diagnosis and treatment.
David, is there any chance that he's gonna be all right? Yes, there is, but right now you've got to get that report to them.
Okay? I'll talk to Jake and see whatever I can do.
Come on, come on.
Coming up next is Jake White, from Taos, New Mexico.
Now, Jake's a man who's really worthy of your applause, ladies and gentlemen.
A 21-year veteran of rodeo events.
One of the oldest men in a sport that challenges the youngest and strongest.
Right now, Jake is near the top of the list for all-around cowboy honors, having distinguished himself in all the other rodeo events.
If Jake can get a good ride here now, it'll put him over the top in points and well into the big prize money of $100,000.
Jake's got his work cut out for him, though.
He's riding Killer Instinct, one of the meanest animals on the circuit.
Killer Instinct has only been ridden once out of the last 15 tries, and he's sent seven boys to the hospital.
Just keep moving.
Wait, hold it, guys.
Listen, I gotta talk to Jake.
Now you ain't so tough without your big green friend.
I love those clowns.
He's made it! Jake White is the winner He's in trouble! Oh, that was not good! Get out of there, Jake! That's Jake's brother, Leon, drawing off Killer Instinct there.
Come on, Jake, get on out of there! There seems to be some commotion over there in chute number four.
What in blazes is that? You better get out of there, fella, whatever you are.
He just wrestled a Will somebody tell me what the hell's going on here? Looks like old Killer Instinct's had enough.
Smart animal.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is not one of our regularly scheduled events.
Somebody call security, pronto.
Do not leave your seats, please, ladies and gentlemen.
Stay in your seats.
Word is that Jake White's gonna be okay.
Those paramedics have everything under control.
I want you to take it easy, now.
We'll worry about all this trucking business later.
Yeah, right.
And I got a little business to take care of now.
I gotta go talk to the sheriff.
Wait.
Don't worry about it, hon.
Leon's gonna be just fine.
Leon, I'm real proud.
If you weren't my brother, I'd want you for a friend.
Jake, I'm real proud, too.
Ladies and gentlemen, a big congratulations to Jake White, the best all-around cowboy of this or any rodeo.
David told me to give your medical record to the medics.
They've got some treatment all ready for you.
Good old David.
Where is he, anyway? He's here, somewhere.
We'll find him.