Mystic Trails (6) Kidnapped At Moonlight

Kirk Carter@ Chew Bear Productions@ Copyright 2015

MYSTIC TRAILS (6)

Kidnapped At Moonlight 

Narrator

"Now, the outlaws had finally come to Dolson, looking for the opportunity to take care of some business with the banker. The banker known as John Dolson that is!

They had decided to blend in and lay low, like fellers just passing through. They are currently taking a customary duo-bath, getting scrubbed down by some of Madam Ellis's best girls while smoking expensive 5 cent cigars."

Joe (outlaw #1)

"Well, it won't be long now."

Stan (outlaw #2)

"Yea, there ain't nothing stoppin this job...wonder if what we were talkin about earlier might come true?"

Joe

"Oh, heck no...I just day dreamin, we ain't got no business hanging around once we do what we  got to do, much less thinkin about being bankers!"

Stan

"Well, I don't know about you, but it sure would be nice just to settle down with a few coins in my pocket..."

Joe

"Yea, we all do eventually...either we retire or we die...question is, which one do you get to first?"

(Scene Switch)

Int: School House

Narrator

"Tomei was at the one room schoolhouse when she noticed a butterfly just sitting on the edge of her ink well. She stared at it a moment, having seen butterflies all the time, but this one seemed to be sending her a message. She sensed trouble brewing, but nothing she needed to tend to right away. About an hour later she left the one room schoolhouse and hurried over on her new pony which Madam Ellis and the working girls pitched in to buy her. She had named him Argus, and they were still in the process of getting to know one another.

After getting back to her bedroom at Ms. Ellis's place, she immediately pulled out her make shift altar on which she performed her chants and incantations. Her mission was to identify the no-gooders and to find out what their mission was. With her crystal pendant out hanging by a string, she spun it slowly over the cardboard pentagram."  

Tomei

"Oh seekers of vision, oh spirits of truth, I bequest that you search into these mind's of others...find that which they ploy, to instigate, to cause harm , and grievance...I ask that you follow through...show me their truths...I bekon thee, obla, coala, nighteth, placet, como...to all above that connect with me, amen."

The crystal spun freely a few times, then magically locked up. She saw the vision of the two outlaws as they were chowing down on beef steak...she sensed, that they were in her house!


(Scene Switch)

Int: Showing frames of the Sheriff and his deputy Mike, at the Sheriff's office talking.
                                                             

Narrator

"Now, the Sheriff  and his trusted deputy Mike, were planning a little trip over to John Dolson's office for a little surprise arrest. If not for anything else, attempted bank robbery of his own institution. But, this arrest had a more humanitarian angle...it was to insure that John Dolson was safe and alive!


(Scene Switch)


Narrator

"What nobody could see coming was that Judge Timmons was being wined and dined by a representative for the judicial branch of the U.S. Government for a key position back in Washington D.C. and with the election so close, President Buren would be leaving soon, and new judicial positions would have to be filled. As the judge was eating a big dinner at Fort Kearney with Representative Thornton, the talk flowed like sweet honey."


Judge Timmons

"Well, it sure was a surprise to get this invite, just came out of no where!"


Representative Thornton

"Well now...you came highly recommended...what for your efforts to control the Indian populations...your round-ups were most impressive, and your efforts to slow down the influx of outlaws from the east...not a job just any man can do now...a special man like you doesn't go unnoticed...and I don't mind telling you that we could really use a good person like you in the judicial branch...at least consider the invitation?"


Timmons

"Well, thank you again, but I still don't understand how I got everyone's attention?"


Narrator

"There was no surprise to those who knew the power grab that already existed within the high levels of government. Favors were granted and favors repaid by those with the juice, the influence. In this case, it was none other than J.P. Morgan himself which held up Judge Timmons decision to authorize the arrest of John Dolson. 

You see, John Dolson was all his, bought and paid for...no one was going to get in the way of Dolson's eventual extermination. He owed loans back to J.P., and the rest is just considered the penalty phase of doing business as a small town banker."


(Scene Switch)

Narrator

"The Sheriff was leaving the office with his trusty deputy in tow, as they made their way over to the bank. Seeing John's buggy parked in the back almost assured them that he was there. The two made their way around the corner to the front and entered, complete with hand written arrest documents in hand." 


Clerk

"Hello Sheriff, what honor pays you the visit?"


Sheriff

"Well, we'd like to see John if you don't mind?"


Clerk

"Hold on a sec...I'll get him!"


Sheriff

"Oh, that's okay...let's make this a bit of a surprise!"


Narrator

"Now, it was already late in the afternoon and John had his fair share of drink, as he was busily cleaning some of his gun collection. The Sheriff knocked twice, then just opened the door.'


Sheriff

"Hello Dolson, glad to see ya home!"


Dolson

"What a surprise Sheriff...what can I help you with?"


Sheriff

"You probably already know what you can help me with, so in your best interest why don't you just put down that gun real easy like and come with me...real slow like!"


John

"For what, there's no problem, I don't understand?"


Sheriff

"Now John really...you darn well know what you tried doing...you tried robbing that stage, and all the men you hired got killed in the process..."


John laughing

"What does that have to do with me, purely circumstantial, why would I conspire to rob my own bank...silliest thing I've ever heard!"


Sheriff

"Just come on, I already have this feeling the vigilantes are already here in town...and they're not here to talk, you know the rules of this game better than I do, look...it's for your own protection!"


John looking serious, staring at gun.

"So, you think they're here or do you know for sure?"


Narrator

"Suddenly, you hear a squabble in the front room of the bank. It was none other than Tomei, who had tracked down the Sheriff's whereabouts, as the clerk was desperately trying to stop her from entering Dolson's office. She nips him on the arm and runs into the office slamming into the Sheriff's back, knocking the gun out of his hand. Dolson quickly responded by picking up the Sheriff's gun off the floor and pointing it at the Sheriff!"


John

"Okay, I guess now...all this saving John Dolson from the bad guy's might not have been such a good idea...I mean I appreciate the concern however, I really really do!"


Sheriff

"John, it doesn't matter what you think, you know what you tried doing, and your not buying yourself any freedom by being in denial...the money is missing, and you are the responsible party...the only thing they care about is taking you down!"


John

"Yea well...you'd do real good just to shut-up and let me think!"


Deputy

"John, your not going to get away from this...you know that, quit lying to yourself..."


Tomei

"Really sorry I ran into you Sheriff, but I wanted to tell you that the bad guys are here...they're at the saloon eating...they've come here for you Mister Banker Sir!"


John

"Hey, your that little witch girl with all the magic powers, so what did you see in your crystal ball this time honey?"


Tomei

"It's not a crystal ball, it's a crystal on a string...it helps me focus, connect with the Angels of knowledge!"


John

"Okay little girl..."


Tomei

"I'm not a little girl...my name is Tomei!"


John

"Okay Tomei, so how do you do this magic act, how you dreaming all this stuff up...you know they got places to put little demons like you!"


Sheriff

"You'd do well just to keep your comments to yourself John...I've heard enough!"


John

"Your not in a position to comment on much of anything right now, so shut-up..."


Sheriff

"Okay, how about a little thought toward your next move John, it's your play...do you save your own skin and let me put you in protective custody, or high tail it out of here in your buggy...the whole Oregon Trail awaits you if you choose?"


John

"Oh, Mister Law man talk real fancy...for someone without a gun, you talk really fancy Mister!"


Tomei

"I sense that they will be coming soon, you don't have much time!"


(Scene Switch)

Int: Madam Ellis's Poker Room

Both outlaws, Stan and Joe are at Poker table playing against two other men.


Joe

"And I'll raise you a dollar and call!"

Player #1 laying out straight flush, jacks high.

Joe puts out full house.

Stan puts out a pair of twos.

Player #2 puts out 4 kings!


Stan retorts

"Hey you...being a little bit of a smart ale'ck aren't you, where do find them cards at?"


Joe

"Yea, that is kinda strange, man with the fancy pants be pulling out some fancy numbers...should make sense but it doesn't...usually happens when somebody be low down...playing sneaky...something sneaky on the table, you think I'm close Stan?"


Stan

"I think we got ourselves a feelar who like to carry a couple of special cards with him...that's what I'm feeling here!"


Player #2

"No sir, just good old fashioned dumb luck...it happens to the best of us...now if you don't mind, let me take that pot off your hands..."

As Player #2 reaches in to grab the pile of cash, Joe draws a pistol right into Player #2's face.


Joe

"Not sure how lucky ya feelin, but did I mention that we were on a charity drive?"


Stan picking up the stash of bills

"Yea, we're trying to raise money to give to the poor working girls for their services!"


Joe

"It's really important that they get paid something for their time on this earth..."


Stan 

"A job, just not any girl can do..."


Joe and Stan start walking backwards towards front door

"Thank you ever so much for your compassionate understanding, gotta go..."


Stan running out

"The girls thank you,too!


(Scene Switch)


Int: John Dolson's Bank

John still holding everyone at bay with a gun in each hand.


Sheriff

"Well John, what you gonna do?"


Nervously John waves gun over towards Tomei

"Okay, I'm doing the buggy, but the witch girl comes with me!"


Sheriff

"Now wait a minute John, that would be kidnapping, you could hang for that...don't even go there!"


John

"So for the last time...shut-up Sheriff...your in no position to negotiate...come on girl!

Grabbing Tomei by the hand he pulled her to the back door, gun drawn in other hand.
Unlocking all the deadbolts and making a bee line to his buggy.

Full moon rising in the eastern horizon.


John yelling to Sheriff

"And don't get any ideas about following me, cause you wouldn't want the girl to get hurt!"

Pulling on the reins and give the horse a swat of the whip, they took off at full pace!


(Scene Switch)

Joe and Stan leaving saloon had walked behind row of buildings to relieve themselves, when they saw Dolson's buggy going full speed down a back trail.


Joe

"Isn't that Dolson's buggy?"


Stan

"I think so, that moonlight showing two people...wonder what they're in a rush to?"


Joe

"Let's track 'em and find out!"


(Scene Switch)


The Sheriff and the deputy follow out from the bank on a different trail, now all of them following the speeding buggy leaving behind a large cloud of dust, very easily tracked by the light of the full moon.


(Scene Switch)


Tomei yelling above the horse's noisy gallup.

"You shouldn't of ran...your only making more trouble for yourself...the Sheriff was only trying to help you!"


John yelling back.

"Shut-up little witch , or whatever you are...your nothing more than an insurance policy for me...don't get so full of yourself...I'll do the thinking around here!"

(1 Hour Later)


John drives his buggy to one of his many foreclosed ranches, a medium sized house sits in the middle of the property. Jumping out of the carriage he grabs Tomei by the hand, yanking her into the back door of the house.


Tomei

"Where are we at, is this where you live?"


John

"Girl...didn't I tell you..."


Tomei

"It's Tomei, my name is Tomei..."


John

"Okay...Tomei, listen closely, I have all kinds of places to live...most of these house were taken back from people who couldn't pay their dues, their monthly fees...so they go back to being my property, understand?"


Tomei

"But, I sense that your in deep trouble with whoever gave you the money to get the houses in the first place...does that sound right?"


John

"Look, your a pretty smart kid, but I'm warning you...stay out of my business!"


(Scene Switch)

The Sheriff and the deputy arrived at the house, settling down behind some bushes several hundred feet away from the front door.


Deputy

"Not really a lot a lot to do, till he makes a move...or when the sun come up..."


Sheriff

"Well, if they have supplies in there, no telling how long they'll be hold up!"


Deputy

"Boy, that moon's really lighting up the place."


Sheriff

"That it is!"


(Scene Switch)


Unbeknownst to the Sheriff, Stan and Joe are in position on the back side of the house about the same distance from the back door.


Stan

"Let's wait till they put the lantern out, and then we can go in for the take down!


Joe

"Hope he doesn't give us any trouble?"

(3 Hours Later)

Lantern finally goes out.

Joe and Stan check their guns and start making their way to the back door, zig-zagging from cluster of bush to cluster of bush.

Now standing on each side of door, they nod to each other, and kick the door in.


Stan yelling

"Okay Dolson, give it up, your surrounded!"

Other than the moonlight coming through the windows from certain angles, the rooms were pitch dark.

Tomei inching quietly behind big overstuffed couch.

Stand and Joe walking through the dark house listening for any movement.

As they are illuminated briefly passing by a window, a single blast from a shotgun comes out of the wash room, partially hitting Stan and Joe at the same time.

They fall down to the floor.


John yelling.

"Whoever you are, you better start high tailing it out of here, gotta another shell in the chamber!"


Stan yelling

"I've been hit Joe, stingin like a...."


Joe

"Yea, yea I got a piece of that myself...where are you Dolson, get in the moonlight and show your face?"

Suddenly Stan see's a movement over towards the wash room and unloads six shots in that direction. The last shot hitting Dolson in the shoulder.

John falls to the ground and starts crawling to the other side of the room with shotgun still in hand.

Tomei crawls out from other side of the back of the couch, spots bloody trail in moonlight.


(Scene Switch)

Sheriff and the deputy wake up from nap, curious as to what was going on in there.


Sheriff

"If I didn't know any better, it sounds like those boys are fighting with John...they must have followed him.


Deputy

"Or maybe Tomei got hold of a gun and is fighting John, can't see anything from here..."


Sheriff

"Let's get up a little closer...use your ears to see, hear them crickets, if anything moves, it will change pitch...old Indian trick...either way...I don't feel like getting bushwhacked till I have a better idea of what we're getting into..."


Deputy

"Heard that, the crickets I mean!"


(Scene Switch)


Tomei has spotted John, seeing blood from his shirt, she quickly grabs the shotgun out of his hand.


Tomei

"Come on sir, your bleeding, we've got to get you back to town, do what I tell you!"


John

"Gimme that gun girl...you don't know about that thing...you trying to kill me?"


Tomei

"I've never had to shoot someone yet...but the way I'm feeling about you, it probably be best not to test my practical side, now I'm taking you to Doc...get to the buggy, move!"

John hobbles into carriage as Tomei pokes him in the back with the shotgun.

She yanks hard on the reins, as the horse once again comes to life.


(Scene Switch)

Sheriff and the deputy hear the buggy leaving on the other side of the house, but can't make a positive I.D. on who and how many are leaving.

Sheriff see's movement in house.

Stan and Joe struggle to get to back door.


Sheriff calls into the house.

"This is the Sheriff, come on out with your hands in the air...anybody there?"

Stan motions to Joe and they both escape out to side of house, mount their horses and take off in another direction into the dark.

Sheriff and deputy hear the two horses leaving out the back trail from the house.


Sheriff turning to deputy

"Why do I get this sudden feeling that we have the whole house to ourselves?"

Sheriff finally finds lantern and lights it with match, immediately seeing pools of blood trailing out back door.


Deputy

"You think those were the bank assassins?

Sheriff

"Just had to be...Tomei...are you here honey?"

Silence


Deputy

"Might have been somebody already here...you want to go back to town?"


Sheriff

"Might as well...cause one thing's for sure..."


Deputy

"What's that?"


Sheriff

"The moon ain't getting any brighter!"


(Scene Switch)


Tomei shows up at Doc's housing room and wakes him up.

"Hey Doc, sir...it's Tomei, wake up...I got an emergency, the banker's bleeding!"


Doc seeing John in buggy

"Hey John, you okay...what happened to you?"


John

"Someone snuck in and tried to rob me, got shot!"


Tomei

"There's a bit more to it than that, but go on head and see if he lives first!"


Doc

"If it was anything concerning you Tomei, I imagine it's worth waiting to hear!"


Tomei

"Yes, there is a bit of a story, but I'll be freeing myself up right now, I'm late for my bed time."


Doc

"Sure Honey, I'm just going to give John here a little sedative, check back in the morning, good night Tomei."


Tomei

"Good night Doc!"


(Scene Switch)


Walking into Madam Elli's Bordello, the place is still packed with card player, cigar smoke, and booze, Tomei quickly runs upstairs to her bedroom only to run into Madam Ellis coming down the stairs.


Madam Ellis

"Where in the world have you been young lady, I've been worried sick?"


Tomei

"Got kidnapped by the moonlight!"


Ellis

"It's those spirit people again huh, I swear...I just don't know what I'm going to do with you?"


Tomei

"Yea, the spirit people...gave me a little help, I'll have to tell you the rest in the morning..."


Ellis

"Well (giving her a hug), at least your safe for tonight...good night Tomei!"


Tomei

"It's all okay, don't forget Miss Ellis, believe me when I tell you that they watch over all of us, all of the time, good night!"




(Scene Close)