vw #A-33578 8
13 CONTINUED 13
MAN
(dripping gratitude)
I'd be obliged, Doc, I really would.
Her maw died about a year ago, then
a sister the year before. She's
all I got.
Camera in tight on Stringfellow. For just one fleeting and
spasmodic moment we see another look cross his face - a
much more human one - and this is replaced almost immediately
by the same beady-eyed avarice that is the mark of the man.
STRINGFELLOW
Indeed, indeed. Rolpho -- good
lad -- hand me one of the bottles
of Rejuvenator.
14 WIDER ANGLE 14
As Rolpho takes a bottle of the Rejuvenator from a box, the
Man leaves the wagon. Making certain he's gone, Stringfellow
looks to Rolpho and mutters through his teeth, sotto voce:
STRINGFELLOW
Start packing up. Hide the cash
box and water the horse. This
won't take long.
Stringfellow takes the bottle of Rejuvenator and leaves the
wagon.
14A EXT. MEDICINE WAGON - DAY 14A
The Man is walking towards his buckboard; Stringfellow follows
behind.
15 FAVORING THE BUCKBOARD 15
A black little oven is suddenly illuminated by the white
glare of the sun as the canvas is pulled back, revealing
the Man and Stringfellow, as well as the small, white-faced,
teen-age Girl lying on a blanket, her face a mask of pain,
her eyes underlined by dark hollows as death works its way
out. Stringfellow reacts, then leans over the Girl, study-
ing her for a moment.
GIRL
Paw? Paw, is that you?
CONTINUED
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vw #A-33578 9
15 CONTINUED 15
MAN
(takes her hand)
It's me, honey. And I brung this
good doctor here. And he's gonna
make you well.
The girl half opens her eyes, glazed with pain.
GIRL
It hurts so bad, Paw. It hurts so
terrible bad ---
|
STRINGFELLOW
Abdominal disorder.
MAN
(blinking)
What can you do, Doc? Is there
any way you can stop the pain?
STRINGFELLOW
(handing him the
bottle)
A tablespoon of the Rejuvenator
every two hours. It should start
taking effect by early tomorrow
morning.
MAN
(regarding bottle)
And it'll cure her?
STRINGFELLOW
Without doubt, sir. Without doubt.
(pats him on
the shoulder)
Just give her the dosage I've pre-
scribed and she should be up and
around in a week's time.
CONTINUED
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vw #A-33578 10
16 CONTINUED 16
MAN
(blurting it out
God bless you, doc!
17 CLOSEUP - STRINGFELLOW 17
For a moment his face goes taut, as if some deep nugget of
conscience was being dug into and dislodged, then his face
assumes its usual avarice and cupidity. He coughs politely,
raises an eyebrow expectantly.
18 ANOTHER ANGLE - TWO SHOT 18
as the man takes from his pocket the wad of greasy, dirty
bills. Stringfellow reaches across to extract one of the
banknotes with a brittle professional smile.
STRINGFELLOW
Just a dollar, sir, for the bottle.
(then, hurriedly reach-
ing for another bill
before the Man can put
them in his pocket)
And a small honorarium for my time.
19 LONG SHOT - THE SCENE 19
as Stringfellow turns away from the buckboard, starts to-
ward camera. A building wind starts to grow, spiraling
sand across the scene and darkening it. The onlookers begin
to return to their various wagons except for one man, Snyder,
a bearded, disheveled drunk who has been watching String-
fellow intensely. As Stringfellow reaches f.g. of shot,
Snyder steps in front of him. He wears a funny, knowing
little smile as he puts out a hand to stop Stringfellow.
SNYDER
It's Doctor Stringfellow?
STRINGFELLOW
You have the advantage ---
SNYDER
Doubtful. I ran out of advantages
a long time ago.
(beat)
But the name is Snyder. It used
to be...Doctor Snyder.
CONTINUED
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