The Searchers Page #6

17OMITTED

17-AINT. THE EDWARDS' - ANGLE AT DOOR

SAM'S VOICE

Aaron! Open up!...Sam Clayton!

The door is opened by Aaron -- holding a lamp and a gun. He

is only partly dressed -- pants, boots, undershirt. The bar

of light slashes across the faces of Sam and some of the men

behind him.

AARON:

Reverend...Come in!

18INT. THE EDWARDS' HOUSE - FULL SHOT

CLAYTON:

Sorry to get you out of bed so early...

(as Martha enters,

tightening her

wrapper)

Mornin', Sister Edwards.

MARTHA:

What is it, Reverend?

CLAYTON:

Lars Jorgensen claims someone bust

into his corral last night and run

off his best cows...

AARON:

You mean those pure breds he just

bought?

Jorgensen enters -- an angry little man -- closely followed

by Mose Harper, who is grinning foolishly.

JORGENSEN:

Next time I raise pigs, by golly!

You never hear of anyone running

off pigs, I bet you.

MOSE:

Injuns has 'em...Caddoes or Kiowas...

Kiowas or Caddoes.

CLAYTON:

(irritably)

Caddoes!

Mose spots Martha and at once whips off his hat and makes

her an exaggerated cavalier's bow.

MOSE:

Respects to a charmin' lady, ma'am.

...Respects, respects...

Ed Nesby enters.

NESBY:

Mornin'...

MARTHA:

Coffee's made if you...

CLAYTON:

Coffee'd be fine, sister...

She heads for the stove.

MOSE:

(an old man's

whimper)

My bones is cold...

His eyes brighten as he looks toward the fire and spots a

rocking chair. He shuffles toward it, plants himself and

begins rocking and half-crooning to himself.

JORGENSEN:

Or bumble bees, by golly... I show

them dirty rustlers!

MOSE:

(crooning)

Lookit me, old Mose Harper, rockin'

in a rockin' chair...I'm a-goin' to

set 'n rock, 'n rock, 'n rock, 'n

rock...

The front door opens to admit Martin, fully dressed and

armed, with Charlie MacCorry.

CLAYTON:

Over here, Martin...Aaron...

Martin ranges himself next to Aaron and both face Clayton.

CLAYTON:

Raise your right hands.

Martha sets out cups on the table, begins pouring the coffee.

During the swearing-in, Ethan will enter the room from the

inner door -- unnoticed by the other men, but not by Martha.

And as the scene plays, the audience must always be

conscious of the by-play of glances between Martha and

Ethan as they face the prospect of being left in this house

together.

CLAYTON:

You are hereby volunteer privates in

Company A of the Texas Rangers and will

faithfully discharge the duties of same

without recompense or monetary

compensation -- meaning no pay!...Amen

and get your shirt on, will you, Aaron.

AARON:

(stubbornly)

Ain't goin' volunteerin' after

rustlers without my morning coffee,

Reverend...Drink your own!

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