Jett Durango
Teleplay by Timothy O. Riley and Shay Dillon
Based on Poetry by Sage Sweetwater
TV PILOT -- 1st DRAFT
EPISODE ONE -
Night of the Foal
EXT. A FIVE AND DIME STORE IN ABILENE CIRCA 1889 -- DAY
Its sign reads 'Last Stop 5c and 10c'
INSERT --Abilene --1889
INT. FIVE AND DIME STORE -- SAME
A young girl (maybe fourteen) is perusing a periodical stand.
CLOSE ON -- A penny dreadful's cover -
It depicts a wild woman in buckskins shooting down a bad guy on horseback.
The title reads -- 'Jett Durango'.
She picks it up, thumbing through it.
ON -- Her face --
Her eyes widen.
A wide grin stripes her features.
The proprietor snaps at her.
PROPRIETOR
(gruff, spiting tobacco in a spittoon)
This ain't yer momma's reading’ room.
The girl ignores him.
PROPRIETOR (CONT'D)
Hey -- little girl...
She swings around at him, snapping back.
YOUNG GIRL
I have money...you awful man.
She strides up to the counter and slaps her nickel down.
She leaves in a girlie huff.
The proprietor throws the nickel in the ornate brass and silver cash register sitting on the counter.
PROPRIETOR
(smirking, spitting)
That lil' shit.
INT. A STUDY IN A VICTORIAN HOUSE -- LATER
The little girl props a large book in front of her.
It is opened at its center, resting on the desk.
She leans forward -- reading intently.
O.S. -- There is a knock at the door.
YOUNG GIRL
Yes, mother.
The mother enters the room.
CHARACTER NOTE: (The young girl's mother is in Victorian style dress, with every little button and sash in place. She is well off and very proper.)
MOTHER
Are you doing your reading lesson, dear?
YOUNG GIRL
(sighing)
Yes, mother. As you can see.
MOTHER
(stern but kind)
Supper will be set at six...Make sure you've finished your work.
YOUNG GIRL
Of course.
Nodding, smiling, the young girl returns to her book.
Her mother shuts the door behind her.
SHOT -- Over the little girl's shoulder -
She is reading the penny dreadful she bought at the store.
It is wedged between the pages of her reading assignment.
PULL IN-
on the right side of the page is text.
PAN -- The left side is an engraving of 'Jett', turning (180 degrees) on her horse 'Great Gold'.
She is firing back at a posse...both guns blazing, the leather reigns clenched between her teeth.
OVER TO --
The little girl smiles and starts to drift into her imagination.
The scene dissolves into dust thrust up by a horse in full gallop.
PULL BACK -- EXT. SAME -- MORE DUST
SUDDENLY -- There is a rider on a fast horse.
CHARACTER NOTE: (Jett Durango is in her mid twenties. She is striking in appearance. Her long fiery red hair frames a finely sculptured tanned face -- highlighted by bright green eyes. She wears tight buckskin trousers, a dress shirt, a fancy silk vest, snake skin boots and a long leather slicker. She has a distinguishing knife scar under her right eye). Jett tears over a hillside with a determined posse hot on her tails.
She looks back and fires off a few rounds.
One of the posse is hit and flies off the back of his horse like a rolling marble.
Another rider's mount hits the body and the steed crashes, sending them both flying.
The posse heads after Jett down a ravine.
The chase continues as --
JETT (V.O.)
When you have a crazy posse after
you...With a half crazed priest as
the sheriff on yer heels, it's best
to hide. I have a price around my
neck. I'm innocent -- and I have
bullets to prove it.
SHOT --
Jett peals off over a grade -
TITLE INSERT -
JETT DURANGO
EXT. AN UGLY BOARDER TOWN -- AFTERNOON
Jett languidly saunters into town On 'Great Gold'.
She tethers her horse and enters a bar.
INT. AN EQUALLY UGLY BAR -- SAME
It is chaos, filled with talk, music and mayhem.
Rats can be seen scurrying behind the bar backboards.
Jett approaches the bar.
JETT
(inquiring, thirsty)
I'd like some water...You got any fresh water here?
A bar ruffian calls out from a poker table, snuffing out his smoke -
RUFFIAN
(sniggering)
Yeah, get the bitch some water.
Jett turns and gives him a nasty stare...
RUFFIAN (CONT'D)
So, what do we have here?
A dusty lil' tumbleweed... rolling into town?
(to the bar-keep)
She needs something -- but it ain't water...
(looking around)
She needs a poke in her rear.
There is laughter from the patrons.
The laughter eggs him on and the ruffian continues with more bravado.
He slides his seat back and approaches her, looking her up-and-down, pleased with what he sees.
RUFFIAN (CONT'D)
(insistent, in Jett's face)
I think she needs some whiskey first.
More laughter erupts from the room.
RUFFIAN (CONT'D)
(to the bar-keep)
Set em' up, grandpa.
The bar-keep abides and slides down 2 generous shots.
RUFFIAN (CONT'D)
(forceful)
Drink up tumbleweed.
JETT
Look, cowboy, I've had one hell of a day.
I would advise you to back up.
She shoves him out of her space.
RUFFIAN
(insulted)
I would advise you to drink up.
Jett shoots back the shot of whiskey, slapping the shot glass down on the bar.
JETT
(snarky)
Satisfied?
The ruffian makes a move to grab Jett’s breasts.
Suddenly --
Jett takes her whip from her bullet belt and proceeds to disassemble the bar with fancy whip tricks.
She knocks down shot glasses...She snaps out chandelier candles.
She throws the whip around the ruffian's neck and pulls on it.
He chokes, as he spews bloody spit from his mouth.
A few of the ruffian’s cohorts shift in their chairs as if to take her on in the ruff ian’s defense.
Jett whirls around, as a they rest their hands on their guns.
JETT (CONT'D)
(to the ruffian and bar patrons)
Back off---or die.
The bar's personality turns to that of rapt silence -- and disbelief.
Jett releases her whip from the ruffian's neck.
She wraps it and returns it to its place on her gun belt.
The ruffian falls to his knees, coughing and gurgling.
JETT (CONT'D)
(to the barkeep, grinning)
Now, how about that glass of clean water.
A burly man in the crowd looks up from his poker game.
He smiles broadly.
POKER PLAYER
Give the girl what she wants for Christ's sake
before she rips us all a new asshole!
The bar erupts in laughter.
Jett raises her water glass to the bar patrons.
INT. A 19TH CENTURY TRAIN CAR -- DAY
TRACKING -- UP THE ISLE -
The train-cab is packed with dusty sundry versions of frontier humanity.
They all bump around to the rhythm of the tracks.
ON -- JETT
She is deeply leaning back in her seat.
Her flat-brimmed hat is angled down over her eyes.
She is sweetly snoring.
ANGLE DOWN ON -
Jett's ebony and pearl gun, nestled in its holster, flashes in the sunlight.
OVER TO --
There is a young girl, across the isle, staring at her.
OVER TO --
Jett is sleeping -- dreaming -
PULL IN -
JETT (V.O.)
(matter-of-fact)
Those who know me -- know I'm no
Judas. I don't betray friends or
those that have done me kindly.
It's true...I killed a man...a man
of the cloth, but he deserved it...the
rapist bastard...Now I got a deranged
rawhide-preacher and his band of cutthroats
ridin' me down. They'll never catch me...
not in a thousand years.
DREAM SEQUENCE -
A beautiful bucolic pristine churchyard is full of regular Sunday attendees.
The Pastor greets the members as they leave the service.
He calls the parishioners by their names and is at his pious best.
A 12 year old Jett is in the background roughing around with the boys in the field.
She outdoes the biggest strongest boys at roping a stray chair.
JETT (CONT'D)
(victoriously)
Haw! Top that one!
The Pastor glances over at Jett and shakes hands vigorously with Jett's father, Abraham.
(Character Note: The Pastor is in his mid 40's and unusually tall. His face has been deeply scarred by smallpox. He dresses in a black suit, white collar and a large flat brimmed eather hat. He has an authoritative air about him and is somewhat unapproachable).
PASTOR
You have a robust daughter Abraham.
(lightly)
I do hope she is minding her place as a Godly
young woman. It must be hard raising a daughter
without a mother. We all miss your wife...
she was a beautiful soul.
Abraham smiles graciously.
PASTOR (CONT'D)
Why don't you leave Jett here today
to help with tidying up the sanctuary.
Sister Foster will be here and it
would be nice for Jett to spend some
time in female presence. I will
bring her back home around supper time.
ABRAHAM
I think that would be nice, Pastor.
(Abraham beams with approval)
Jett could use the soft touch of a woman.
PASTOR
(smiling broadly)
There you have it. We'll see you around sunset.
ABRAHAM
Fine, fine. See you then.
Abraham calls Jett over.
A disheveled Jett runs over smiling ear to ear.
Jett's white Sunday best is covered in red dirt from roughing around with the neighborhood boys.
TO JETT:
ABRAHAM (CONT'D)
(kindly)
You're going to stay and help Pastor
and Sister Foster here today. I'll
see you at supper time.
JETT
(innocent and obedient)
Okay Papa.
Abraham rides off in his buggy as the Pastor motions to Jett to follow him into the sanctuary.
They enter the sanctuary.
It is now empty and curiously dark.
There is no Sister Foster in sight.
JETT (CONT'D)
Pastor, where is Sister Foster?
PASTOR
(quietly almost whispering)
Oh she is nearby. Don't fret, she'll be here soon.
The Preacher reaches out and slowly strokes a lock of Jett's hair.
He has a peculiar distant look on his face.
Jett recoils somewhat, unsure and a little frightened.
TO:
INT. TRAIN CAB--AFTERNOON
Jett is still sweetly sleeping with her broad brimmed hat pulled over her eyes.
OVER TO:
The train cab door bursts open and three outlaws with guns drawn, abruptly enter.
OUTLAW 1
(with a thick drawl)
Okay ladies and gents... hands up!
This is a bone-a-fide hold up!
OUTLAW 1 (CONT'D)
Do not move yer mouth, Do not move
OUTLAW 1 (CON’T)
your eyes, do not whisper to yer
neighbor! Anyone who looks at us
cross-eyed is gonna be buzzard bait!
seat and collect your precious
belongings and place them in a bag
for safe keeping.
Jett has no reaction.
OUTLAW 1 (CONT'D)
I would appreciate yer cooperation.
No sudden moves, follow directions
and no one gits hurt.
The little girl in the adjacent seat from Jett is crying hysterically.
Her mother tries to comfort her to no avail.
TO LITTLE GIRL:
OUTLAW 1 (CONT'D)
Shut up you little twat! You want
to git everyone killed?
Outlaw One slaps the little girl.
The little girl's mother shrieks and the little girl sobs out of control with both hands clenched over her face.
Jett, without moving, glances sideways at the outlaw from underneath her brimmed hat.
Outlaw 1 notices Jett, unmoving and hands to her sides ignoring him completely.
TO JETT:
OUTLAW 1 (CONT'D)
So what are you all about Red? You
like some kinda Cowgirl? I thought
I told you to put yer hands up! You
def? Eh?
Outlaw 1 kicks a complacent Jett in the side of the leg.
Jett lifts her hat.
JETT
(calmly)
You're trash... and I take out the trash.
OUTLAW 1
Oooo... I think I'm in love. Hey
boys, we've got us a little spit fire here.
The other two outlaws snigger.
Guns still holding the train cab hostage.
Jett is still lounging in her seat.
JETT
(matter-of-fact)
Today's a good day to die, boys.
The outlaws burst out into raucous laughter.
Outlaw 1 glances down at Jett’s gun in it’s holster .
OUTLAW 1
Drop that side arm you got there
Red, or yer gonna be the one who
causes the death of helpless, innocent
people here…
He pushes the barrel of his gun close to the little girl’s head.
OUTLAW 1 (CON’T)
I'll do it!
I'll do the screaming mimie first
(looking to the crying girl)
. ..do not test me!
Jett rises from her seat.
She slowly reaches for her pistol and pulls it from the holster with her index finger and thumb, daintily dangling it as if to drop it.
Outlaw 1 watches Jett with eagle eyes.
OUTLAW 1 (CONT'D)
I'll do it!
(He presses his gun to the little girl's head) Jett stares steadily, and confidently at the outlaw.
The back cab door suddenly flies open and the conductor instantly realizes his folly.
CONDUCTOR
Oops..sorry! Excuse m...
He is cut off in mid sentence with a barrage of gun shot.
The Conductor flies back and slumps over dead on the outside rail of the train.
With this distraction, Jett sees her opportunity…
she flips the pearl gun handle in her hand and rakes the gun barrel across Outlaw 1’s throat, bursting it open like a ripe melon.
She sends blood and viscera across two rows of shocked passengers.
Jett's bullets travel across the train cab to the head of Outlaw 2 splattering brains on the back cab wall.
Bullet two hits Outlaw 3 square in the heart... hurling him backwards.
A shocked cab full of terrorized passengers sit silent for a moment then break out in applause and cheers of gratitude.
The bodies of the outlaws lay motionless and dead as dead can be.
A wealthy miner stands up and literally bows down to Jett.
MINER
(bowing ceaselessly)
Girl... You sho' did those boys in.
No sorry soul's gonna mess with you!
Take this. Please. Thank you!
Thank you! From all of us here.
He hands her a satchel.
MINER (CONT'D)
You've more than earned it!
The old man is beside himself, almost giddy.
Jett takes the satchel, without looking at it and puts it in her coat pocket.
She nods a thank you to the miner.
She strolls to the front of the train and pulls the break line.
The train comes to a screeching halt.
Jett jumps out onto a dry dusty landscape and opens the cattle car door and pulls Great Gold out.
She mounts her horse and rides off into the distance.
(V.O.) JETT
I can't abide an asshole. Especially
three of them. I dispatched them to
a greater God. I hope He has more
mercy on them than I did. There's
too much trash in this world and
somebody's got to do something about
it. It's not my job, but Goddamn
it, I keep getting put in the position
To deal with it.
EXT. FULL SHOT- OMINOUS FACE SHROUDED IN A LEATHER MASK--LATE AFTERNOON
PULL BACKTo
expose a posse of a half a dozen riders.
SHOT ON-- MASKED MAN
CHARACTER NOTE: (His tormented features are only hinted at under his mask. He is dressed like a man of the cloth... in black, white collar and large flat brimmed leather hat.)
The masked man inhales deeply through his nose as if he were blood hound catching the scent of his prey.
MASKED MAN
We're on her trail boys. I got a
rope with her name on it.
Double penalties for her sins...
Masked Man spits on the ground and it lands on a dead horseman laying lifeless on the dry sand.
The sound of flies buzzing around the corpse fill the audio.
MASKED MAN (CONT'D)
(looking at the dead corpse)
You're either with me or against me.
There ain't no ridin' the fence...
Let's ride....
ANGLE TO:
EXT: FULL SHOT LATE AFTERNOON-- SKY -- CONTINUOUS
Buzzards circle in the sky above...
EXT: DENSE FOREST--NIGHT
Jett is bent over a camp fire with a wool blanket draped over her shoulders.
She stokes the coals with a short branch.
(V.O.) JETT
Nights can be cold... and lonely.
What the hell am I doing? Am I on
some crusade or am I just running...
How many people do I have to kill to
find a little peace?
Jett seems to suddenly remember the satchel from the miner on the train earlier.
She pulls the branch away from the fire and momentarily snags it in her long red hair.
She carelessly tosses the branch to one side.
She laughs softly to herself as she pulls out the satchel from the pocket of her slicker.
JETT
I'll be a son-of-a-bitch. That old miner wasn't kidding.
Jett looks into a satchel full of gold coins.
JETT (CONT'D)
Hot damn! I'm gonna get me a hot
bath and a warm bed tonight.
Jett smothers the fire, gathers her gear and mounts Great Gold.
JETT (CONT'D)
To the nearest watering hole Gold.
TO:
EXT: -ANOTHER UNSIGHTLY DUSTY TOWN -- LATE NIGHT
Jett tethers her horse and shakes off the dust from her slicker before entering in through the double doors. (She's a woman on the run, but tonight she throws caution to the wind).
Jett addresses the bar keep.
JETT
I want a place for my horse, a place for my head and a hot bath.
She throws a few coins from the satchel on the bar counter.
BAR KEEP
(more than gracious)
No problem... ma'am. Follow me.
The Bar Keep shows her the stable for Great Gold.
BAR KEEP (CONT'D)
When yer done here, the bath house
is around the corner and we'll fix
up a room for ya.
Jett glances around to assess her surroundings.
JETT
Can you send a stable boy to clean
up my horse?
BAR KEEP
(looking at Jett a little suspiciously)
Right away er...Ma'm.
Jett catches the Bar Keep's hesitation and sniggers to herself.
TO:
INT. BATH HOUSE--LATE
Steam rises and fills the room.
The bath maids are busy hustling to and fro but keep things hushed.
CLOSE ON: JETT
Jett is soaking in a luxurious steam bath inside the bathhouse.
She is light hearted and humming a tune.
A bath maid carelessly drops a tin tray to the floor with a bang.
The loud crash startles Jett as she reaches for her pearl handled pistol.
She realizes the absence of danger and sinks back into her tub.
Jett closes her eyes and drifts into a haunting memory.
FLASHBACK--
A young Jett is screaming, fighting, clawing for her life.
Strands of her flaming red hair fall to the ground.
JETT
(screaming)
No! No! Let go of me!!! You
Bastard!
There are bodies wrestling with one another, but nothing is completely clear.
The scene is vague and gauzy.
Young Jett is kicking and screaming.
She kicks over a side table with an oil lamp.
It falls to the ground and fire consumes the scene.
TO:
INT. STEAM BATH -- NIGHT
Jett is pensive in her bath as she comes back to the present time.
She takes a deep breath and loads the sponge with more hot water as soapy suds stream down her face.
JETT
(out loud)
God-damned ghosts.
EXT. NIGHT DESERT--MASKED MAN--LATE
The posse comes across a deserted campfire still smoldering.
The Masked Man dismounts his horse and walks around the site, looking for signs.
He bends down and picks up a dead branch with several strands of red hair tangled in it.
MASKED MAN
(victoriously)
I've got her. We're gonna string
this heathen bitch up and be done
with it! Vengeance is Mine, sayeth
the Lord!
(he mounts his horse and kicks)
Haw!
The posse whoop and howl in agreement as they head toward a small dusty town.
TO:
INT. UNSIGHTLY BAR-- LATE EVENING
Jett works her way through the burly crowd of cowboys, wanderers, gamblers and prostitutes to the bar counter.
To the bar keep.
JETT
How about it? My room ready?
A loud squeal from a manhandled prostitute cuts through the bar clamor.
BAR KEEP
Second room to the left upstairs.
It's ready for you.
The discomfort of the young lady being roughed up becomes more apparent.
Jett tips her hat to the bar keep and opens her long leather jacket to expose her whip and pistol and carefully makes her way toward the disturbance.
COWBOY THUG
(loudly to the prostitute)
Get over here you ignorant dirty lil
tart! I paid my money. It's good
money and it's good for the whole night!
The cowboy thug back hands the prostitute on the cheek and grabs her and pulls her to his lap.
She grasps her face and yells back at him defiantly.
PROSTITUTE
(defiant)
Fuck you ... and your money!
COWBOY THUG
(obviously drunk)
Whose in charge of this bitch?
BAR KEEP
(tense)
I'm in charge. We don't want no trouble.
(looking to the prostitute, stern)
Annie, go on upstairs with the gentleman.
He paid his money...now go!
Jett stops in front of the cowboy thug and lifts the brim of her hat to make eye contact.
JETT
(slow and steady)
I don't think this little lady is
going anywhere with you, you fat
ugly sack of pig shit.
Jett purposely provokes the drunk thug.
The cowboy thug pushes the prostitute off his lap and squares off with Jett.
The thug is not taking this too seriously.
COWBOY THUG
(exposing a toothless grin)
Who are you short load?
Hell and brimstone...
are you peckin' a brawl?
I got a better idea.
How 'bout we go upstairs for a lil
tumble and a poke?...
Jett steadies her stance and reaches into a side satchel and pulls out a 20 dollar gold piece.
SLO-MO
Jett throws the gold coin up in the air and lets it drop to the saloon floor.
The coin spins on the wooden floor.
Jett lifts her boot and steps on it.
COWBOY THUG
(studying Jett)
You ain’t kiddin’?
JETT
(steady)
Call it Pig shit. Heads or tails.
You win...
You keep the gold and the girl.
You lose…I get the girl...
(The bar is aghast at Jett's statement)
… and you still get a poke.
The cowboy thug is caught between his disbelief and the challenge.
The thug looks at Jett’s boot covering the gold coin and back up at Jett.
He chooses the challenge.
COWBOY THUG
(disbelieving)
Tails...
lift yer foot short load.
Jett slowly moves her boot to expose a coin with tail side up.
COWBOY THUG (CONT'D)
Haw! God-damned it... I win!
Call me Pig Shit!
A bets a bet!
Jett lowers her gaze.
She bends down to pick up the gold piece.
Jett smiles at the Cowboy Thug.
JETT
I lied...
Jett, lightening fast, shoves her forearm into the cowboy thug's nose, sending the cartilage deep into his head.
Blood gushes profusely from his nostrils as he drops to his knees.
COWBOY THUG
(Screaming like a little girl)
You liar! You cheat!
(moaning)
God-damned it, God-damned it!
Jett drops the gold piece at the cowboy’s knees.
JETT
(to the cowboy thug)
Keep the gold...
oh yeah and here's your poke.
Jett kicks him square in the crotch.
The cowboy thug bowls over and is breathless.
JETT (CONT'D)
I still get the girl.
Jett holds out her hand to the bewildered prostitute Annie.
JETT (CONT'D)
Ma'am, Shall we?
Jett and the prostitute head upstairs to Jett's room as the bar sits in rapt silence.
The Cowboy Thug is still moaning and rolling on the floor.
TO:
EXT. NIGHT DESERT -
The posse is silhouetted by a full moon as they cross a steep ridge.
Around midnight, the posse enters yet another dusty town.
They saunter into the local saloon...
The Masked Man approaches the bar keep and slaps down a wanted poster of Jett Durango on the bar.
MASKED MAN
(to the point)
Have you seen this Jezebel?
The bar-keep looks thoughtful as he pinches his heavily waxed handle-bar mustache.
BAR KEEP
(inclined)
I might have.
MASKED PREACHER
Might have what?
BAR KEEP
Seen her.
The Masked Man takes out a 5 dollar gold piece and tosses it on the bar.
MASKED MAN
I need more.
BAR KEEP
(over anxious to please)
Yeah, I think I overheard her saying
she was headed South... toward
Catalina... yeah pretty sure. That's
where she was headed.
MASKED MAN
God Bless you.
(motioning to his posse)
...We ride all night.
EXT. SAME: OUTSIDE OF THE SALOON -- MOMENTS LATER
The Masked Man careens his horse (180 degrees) around, spouting...
MASKED MAN
Boys...'The third angel blew, and a
great flaming star fell from heaven.
The star was called vengeance'... *
(yelling) ...To God's bidding!
The Masked Man spurs his horse and the posse follows, heading out into the murk.
INT. UPSTAIRS BROTHEL -- MORNING
Jett is synching her gun belt and finishes buttoning up her shirt.
She sits on the edge of the bed to slip on her cowboy boots.
Annie is lounging languid and naked on a ruffled bed.
ANNIE
(pouting)
Do you have to go in such a rush?
JETT
(rushed)
I'm not in good standing with the
Devil and his riders. Take the money
I left you and get the hell out of this place.
You can do better than this.
ANNIE
(sincere)
You be careful Jett.
JETT
(with a wink and a smile)
I'll be just fine... I wouldn't ever get out of bed if
I didn't start my day runnin'.
Jett quickly grabs her saddle bags and whisks out the door.
Annie sits disappointed with Jett’s abrupt departure, when the door swings open and Jett walks back in.
Annie smiles knowingly.
Jett walks toward the bed smiling at Annie.
She reaches behind Annie's head to the bedpost for her hat.
JETT (CONT'D)
(smiling broadly)
Forgot my hat.
She grabs her hat and plants a sweet kiss on Annie's lips.
TO:
INT. THE STUDY IN A VICTORIAN HOUSE -- EVENING
A loud knock on the study door startles the young girl from the opening scene.
Her mother is calling her for dinner.
She enters the room.
MOTHER
It's supper time, dear!
The young girl is reluctant to put down her penny dreadful.
YOUNG GIRL
(looking to her Mother and smiling sweetly)
I'm almost finished Mother. I'll be down shortly.
MOTHER
Make haste, your supper will get cold.
The young girl folds her large reading book with her penny dreadful hidden inside and makes
her way downstairs.
TO:
INT. DINING ROOM--SUPPER -- MOMENTS LATER
The girl's father blesses the food.
Supper is served.
The young girl picks at her food disinterested.
YOUNG GIRL
Mother, may I be excused? I need to
finish my reading assignment.
MOTHER
Very well, you may be excused. Kiss
your father good-night and go on
upstairs.
The young girl dashes away barely containing her excitement.
(Audio Note) Heavy rushed footsteps, ascending the stairs, echo down to the dining room.
TO:
INT. VICTORIAN STUDY -- CONTINUOUS
The young girl plops herself down on the expansive sofa.
She quickly opens up the large book with the penny dreadful hidden inside its pages.
She continues to read, absorbing the story.
CLOSE ON -- THE PENNY DREADFUL
A pulp-page engraving captures Jett briskly heading out of town on Great Gold in a heavy
downpour.
(V.O.) JETT
I don't have a halo around my head
formed by the canopy of a covered
wagon. I'm a Woman's Woman who has
assumed an outlaw stance. I don't
consent to any law I or my sex didn't
have a part in making. If that
makes me a curse in the sight of
God, then so be it.
Jett is in the high bluffs and spots the Masked Man and the Posse.
She pulls her Winchester rifle off her side saddle and positions herself behind a large boulder.
They want her dead.
JETT
(yelling/ echoing)
Hey Sheriff! I've got you crisscrossed!
Turn away now and God may
show you mercy.
She aims her rifle.
MASKED MAN
(infuriated)
You dirty Harlot! I've got God
and
the law on my side! Show yourself woman!
Jett cocks her rifle and shoots a shot off knocking the Masked Man's hat off his head.
The Masked Man jumps off his horse and levels his rifle across his horses back.
JETT
(yelling)
You should always tip your hat to a lady!
The Posse starts to dismount and take cover behind their horses.
One of the men aims toward Jett and misses by a hair.
Jett shoots off another shot and nails the posse member right between the eyes.
JETT (CONT'D)
You boys still have a chance. What's
this ungodly creature paying you?
Is it worth dying over? He's hell
bent on revenge. This ain't about
God
The posse looks unsettled as one by one the reality of death washes over them.
There is no where to run.
Jett is too good of a shot for them to ride away without her mercy and if they stay they are doomed.
MASKED MAN
(yelling back)
Time to stop runnin' girlie. You have a trail
of dead men behind you that'd reach clear to California.
The rope is waitin' for ya no matter where you go.
JETT
All the more reason to keep runnin'
and conduct myself as an outlaw with nothin' left to loose.
Last warning...stand down.
No one makes a move.
Jett clips another posse member across the shoulder.
or justice. Make a stand here and you die!
JETT (CONT'D)
Stand down or die!
The posse ride off with the Devil on their heels, leaving the Masked Man behind.
He lowers his shotgun.
Jett is steady and has the Preacher's forehead in her cross hairs.
The Masked Preacher stares piercingly through his black leather mask square into Jett's eyes.
Jett lowers her shotgun just a hint to meet eyes with the Devil.
He raises his hand in mock gun style.
MASKED MAN
Bang.
Another day, Jezabel…Another day.
He stares for a long moment into Jett's eyes and with a swift kick, steers his horse away and into the horizon.
TO:
EXT. STAGECOACH STOP -- AFTERNOON
Jett rides into town to secure a stagecoach ride across state lines into Arizona.
Her body is weary... (she is hopeful that she can ride a little less noticed on the Well's Fargo
Stage Coach into their scheduled stop in Tucson.)
She purchases a one way ride from the telegraph operator.
TO THE SAME---
JETT
When do we leave?
OPERATOR
Sunrise.
Jett secures a bed for the evening.
FADE OUT:
FADE
IN:
EXT. STAGECOACH STOP -- MORNING
A groggy Jett leads Great Gold to the rear of the stagecoach and with a long tether ties her horse to the back.
Tipping her hat to the driver.
JETT
Mornin'.
STAGECOACH DRIVER
Mornin'. Throw me your packs
and I'll secure them up top.
JETT
Much obliged.
Jett tosses her saddle bag up top and starts around the corner.
Suddenly a loud enthusiastic squeal cuts through the air.
A beautiful young woman dressed in lavender velvet and lace introduces herself to Jett with a thick British accent.
CHARACTER NOTE: (Elizabeth is a pretty blonde from England. She is traveling to Arizona to print her manuscripts at one of the few places that will produce and distribute her penny dreadful novels. She is adventurous and full of enthusiasm for being out West. Her novels are about women living on the left side of society and pushing the envelope with their quest for adventure.)
Excitedly shaking Jett's hand.
ELIZABETH
Hello! My name is Elizabeth,
Elizabeth Sweetwater. I am just beside myself!
ELIZABETH (CON’T)
Oh, I do hope we see
some wild Indians!
The stagecoach driver situated on the driver’s bench advises Elizabeth to read the Wells Fargo Passenger rules which include under no circumstances conversations about stagecoach robberies or indian uprising.
Elizabeth reads the posting but is un-phased.
Elizabeth paces to the front of the stagecoach.
Looking at the lead horses.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
Oh my, these are gorgeous beasts!
Magnificent! I shall write about
these in my journal I am sure!
(to Jett)
Come now dear! You will have to
Tell me all about where you come from and why…
well why you …um choose to dress in men’s trousers!
Jett obliges but somehow shrinks like a little child in the shadow of the woman's gregarious display.
Elizabeth gathers her multi-layered dress and struggles to get inside the coach.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
(to Jett)
Oh do give me a hand will you?
Jett gathers Elizabeth's bustles and supports her rump and gives her a hefty push up into the
Petticoats and lace swallow Jett's face.
JETT
(under multiple layers of lace)
Jesus Christ! Do you think you could
have dressed for the trip? It's
hotter than Hades out here and you
have yourself wrapped in more layers
than a God-damned mummy!
Elizabeth blushes slightly but recovers in an instant.
ELIZABETH
(indignant)
Well Miss...Miss, I've forgotten
your name in all the fuss!
JETT
You never took a breath long enough
for me to tell you.
Elizabeth is silent for a moment.
ELIZABETH
Oh, dear me..! I guess I did get
carried away...with the excitement
and all. Forgive my poor manners.
Let's start again. Please, what is
your name?
Jett walks around to the other side and hops in with an easy step.
She positions herself on the opposite seat, exposing her pearl handled pistol.
Elizabeth's eyes widen at the sight of Jett's side-arm.
Jett leans back and pulls her hat down over her eyes.
JETT
My name's Jett. Now I'm going to
rest, if you please. It's too damn early
to be havin' a tea party.
Elizabeth's is put out by Jett's curt and rude reply.
Quickly, her expression changes to that of recognition.
Elizabeth silently mouths Jett's name.
CLOSE ON HER LIPS -
ELIZABETH
(in a whisper)
Jett...Jett...Jett Durango
Elizabeth smiles, pleased with herself and how observant she is.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
coach.
(clasping her hands, softly)
The...Jett Durango
For now, she lets Jett rest quietly.
CLOSE ON -
Under her ubiquitous flat brimmed black hat, cocked down, hiding her eyes...
(V.O.) JETT
Jesus, this is all I need. All I
want to do is get the hell out of
here for a while and I'm stuck on a
400 mile trip with Ms. Queen
Elizabeth herself, and her thirty yards of
frills. Damed luck.
Jett drifts into sleep...
JETT'S DREAM SEQUENCE -
1.) A young teenage Jett and her father are riding into a
rustic little western town, straddling a buckboard wagon.
2.) They leave a local Mercantile and set their supplies
into the back.
3.) Jett lifts a heavy sack of feed, almost as big as her,
onto the wagon.
ABRAHAM
(smiling broadly)
Can you handle that?
JETT
(smirking)
Of course I can handle it.
4.) The town Pastor approaches them, leaning in the mercantile doorway.
SCENE NOTE (The Pastor is not dressed like your typical man of the cloth. He is garbed in tight black jeans, knee boots and has a hat that obscures his features).
5.) Jett shrinks away behind her father's shadow from this apparition.
JETT (CONT'D)
(guarded)
Come on Papa, lets go.
PASTOR
(friendly but stern)
Abraham...I haven't seen you and
your lovely daughter at services lately. Why is that?
ABRAHAM
(politely)
I haven't had much use for it.
JETT
(tugging on her fathers coat, insistent)
Papa, let's go!
Jett’s dream starts to turn closer to a nightmarish apparition.
Abraham becomes uncharacteristically aggressive.
ABRAHAM
To be frank, Pastor, I don't find
you to be very Godly.
The Pastor slowly raises his eyes from beneath his hat.
CLOSE ON -
His eyes and features turn demonic and grotesque.
JETT
(frightened)
Papa!
Jett’s father pull out his rifle from the back of their wagon and aims toward the Pastor.
The Pastor whips his sidearm from its holster.
PASTOR
(grinning and snarling)
Maybe it's time to stand before God and give account for that Abraham.
CLOSE ON -- Jett
Jett, terrified, screams...
A loud gunshot fires...
TO:
INT-- STAGECOACH --SAME
Jett wakes abruptly in the passenger's seat of the stagecoach.
Elizabeth is screaming frantically.
ELIZABETH
Indians! Oh my God!!!
How exciting!!!
Suddenly --two arrows enter the cab.
One just below Elizabeth's nose and the other pinning her frilly hat to the stagecoach door.
Elizabeth lets out a shrill scream but quickly gets out her journal.
JETT
Changin' your tune yet Queenie?
There is a large thump.
Jet looks towards the ceiling as the sound rolls across the stagecoach deck.
Jett cranes her neck out the passenger side window.
She sees the shotgun messenger falling and rolling in the dust like a tumbleweed behind the stagecoach.
Jett falls back into her seat.
Elizabeth is busily writing it all down in her journal.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
(thrilled)
My readers are going to eat this up!
Oh! The inspiration! How inviger….
Another arrow flies through the cab while several bullets tear at the interior and stops Elizabeth in mid sentence.
JETT
Sit tight Queeny...This is dangerous
not exciting... and stop your
incessant writing… it's annoying!
Ignoring Jett, Elizabeth still scribbles in her leather bound journal.
Jett flings open the stagecoach door.
She ducks an oncoming arrow, as she climbs to the stagecoach buckboard.
ELIZABETH
(anxiously)
Where are you going Miss Durango?
A bullet whizzes by Jett's head.
JETT
To save your ruffled ass...Take cover!
The stagecoach driver is whipping the horse team into a frothing frenzy in a desperate attempt to make distance between the stagecoach and the marauding savages.
Jett joins him, aims her sidearm and shoots one of the lead savage Apaches bringing up the rear at the tail of the stagecoach.
He falls to the ground like a sack of heavy grain.
Quickly returning her sidearm to its holster, she pulls out her Winchester repeater rifle from her bags on top and fires off a few volleys.
Several Apaches eat dirt.
The rest of the warriors, maybe 10 or so, charge the helpless stagecoach.
Elizabeth sticks her hatless head out the passenger window while bullets fly all around her.
ELIZABETH
(yelling to Jett)
Miss? Miss Durango? Please grab my
manuscripts in the carpenter bag up top!...
Jett glimpses in Elizabeth's direction for a fraction of a second and rolls her eyes.
JETT
(harsh)
Get back in the god-damn coach!
Do you have a death wish?
In an instant, the stagecoach driver's chest bursts open like a ripe tomato.
He slumps over dead, leaving the great beasts to run where they may.
Jett kicks the drivers body off the backboard and to the ground with a quick quip-
JETT
Bad day for
She takes the reins, as the team rushes over a hillock.
She blindly fires off several more rounds sending two more to the dust.
Jett ties the reins to the side of the coach and crawls to the back.
She unties Great Gold's tether and he sprints off in an opposite direction.
One of the savages takes off after Great Gold.
Jett sees this and fires at him with her revolver hitting him square in the back.
ELIZABETH
Miss Durango! Can you hear me?!
Hello! Hello!
Jett bends her head down from the top of the stagecoach into Elizabeth's passenger window.
JETT
(pissed)
You wanted an adventure.
Get the hell up here.
We're riding the devil for our lives!
ELIZABETH
(distressed)
You have got to be kidding!
JETT
(mean)
Get up here now!
Elizabeth, with her hoops and lace, clumsily crawls up to the buckboard.
Arrows and bullets continue their onslaught.
Elizabeth is slightly wounded in her shoulder.
She squeals in pain but makes it to Jett's side.
ELIZABETH
(weepy)
I'm shot.
you... know the feelin'.
Jett looks at her wound while racing down a steep culvert...the Indians hot on their heels.
JETT
You’re fine…Grab these!
She shoves the reins into Elizabeth‘s hands.
ELIZABETH
What am I suppose to do with these?
JETT
Keep 'em tight and guide 'em left
and right. Like a buggy but faster.
Jett grabs the Winchester and starts picking of the riders that are closest to the stagecoach.
Under Elizabeth's driver ship the coach almost takes a catastrophic spill.
JETT (CONT'D)
Keep it steady, Girl!
Jett turns and aims toward the back of the stagecoach at the two horsemen gaining ground.
Elizabeth is screaming for Jett.
ELIZABETH
OH!!!! Jett! I need help!!!!
Jett continues to set up her shot.
JETT
Deal with it Queeny…I’m busy saving our asses!
She aims and fires.
She misses but the two horsemen slow down and come to a stop.
Jett is confused by their sudden halt.
She stands up on top of the stagecoach bench and watches the riders stay motionless as the stagecoach continues it‘s wild ride.
JETT
That’s the oddest damn thing I’ve ever seen.
Hey Queeny, today’s your lucky…
Jett turns around just in time to see a frantic Elizabeth pulling on the reigns and screaming.
ELIZABETH
Miss Durangoooooooooooo!
The out of control stagecoach is headed for a steep ravine.
Elizabeth, trying with all her strength to steer the horses, has somehow grabbed a hold of the leather tethers used to tie down the cargo on top.
She is dazed and completely out of sorts, bouncing uncontrollably on top of her seat.
Jett looks to see the reigns are flopping loosely at the sides of the horses bridles.
JETT
What the hell?!
Jett jumps down onto the yoke of the stagecoach and tries to reach for the flapping reigns.
She yells up at Elizabeth.
JETT
Get ready to jump Queeny!
Elizabeth is still steering with the tethers and making un intelligible noises.
The horses are frothy and frantic as Jett hops on the back of one and tries to reach down and retrieve the reigns from a new vantage point.
The ravine is only 100 or so yards away.
Jett yells out to Elizabeth again.
JETT
Elizabeth! You are going to half to jump!
Elizabeth is unresponsive, still holding tight to the tethers.
JETT
Elizabeth! Jump Now!
Elizabeth awakes from her stupor and gathers her skirts.
Jett can’t position herself to get to the reigns and instead heads back toward the yoke and works on cutting the horses loose.
JETT
(without looking at Elizabeth)
Jump now or never see another day to write!
Elizabeth jumps from the stagecoach with a high pitched squeal and catches her ruffles on the side bar of the stagecoach bench.
It rips off her skirt, leaving only her lacy petticoat as she rolls and rolls onto the dry dusty landscape.
Jett cuts the horses loose and jumps to the ground.
A cloud of dust surround the women as they continue to roll on the ground.
Jett, prone, lifts her head from the dust bowl in time to see the two lead horses running in two different directions and a lone stagecoach toppling over the side of the cliff.
As the dust settles, Jett looks around for Elizabeth.
She hears coughing and choking behind a large dust cloud.
A disheveled Elizabeth stumbles up on her feet, her hair sticking up in all directions, covered in dirt head to toe.
Elizabeth lets out a puff of air and releases a squall of dust to reveal her mouth.
Jett can’t help but laugh at the scene.
JETT
(between chuckles)
Aren’t you a sight.
Elizabeth stands indignant.
ELIZABETH
Well you aren’t looking too much better yourself!
Dust flies out of Elizabeth’s mouth with each word and she too gives in to the humor of the moment and starts to laugh along with Jett.
Jett looks over her shoulder to an empty desert.
The Indians are no longer in sight.
Jett walks over to the edge of the ravine and looks down.
The stagecoach is crushed and a thousand loose papers are drifting and falling around the scene.
Elizabeth follows on Jett’s heels to see her life’s work floating in the canyon.
ELIZABETH
(apologetically)
I have to go and get what I can.
I have worked so long on those books.
You can leave if you have to, but I have
to try and save what I can.
JETT
(resigned)
I know Queeny. Let’s go and get it.
Elizabeth smiles broadly.
ELIZABETH
Thank you Jett…Durango.
Jett smiles back and the two head around the outside trail down to the bottom of the canyon.
TO:
EXT--DUSK--CANYON BASE
Jett has retrieved what is left of her bags and gathered pieces of the wreckage to build a fire.
Elizabeth is behind Jett still gathering loose sheets of her manuscript.
Jett catches a glimpse of Elizabeth tight rump in her petticoats as she bends over and smiles to herself.
Jett reaches into her slicker and pulls out a small leather pouch full of tobacco.
She rolls a cigarette and lights it.
Elizabeth comes up from behind and plops herself down opposite of Jett in front of fire pile.
ELIZABETH
(with a long sigh)
Well I think I may have gathered all that is salvageable.
(looking at the cigarette)
Give me a draw off of that.
Jett passes the cigarette over to Elizabeth.
She takes a long draw off of the cigarette and commences with coughing and gagging.
ELIZABETH
(between coughs)
I don’t understand the appeal in those things!
JETT
(amused)
No one held you down.
Jett is thoughtful for a moment.
Elizabeth is going through her loose papers and trying to put them back in order.
JETT
So what really brought you out West Queeny?
ELIZABETH
(matter-of-fact)
I told you. I’m heading to Tucson To have my manuscripts printed.
JETT
(sincere)
What you runnin' from Queenie?
You are obviously not a scamp. You must have family…
surely you didn’t travel here alone.
ELIZABETH
(guarded)
Why do you ask? I
been running from is bloody Indians!
Jett stands up and starts the fire.
She rolls over a surviving barrel full of salt pork and works the lid off.
Elizabeth starts to snivel.
Jett pretends not to hear and continues pulling together a meal with the scavenged supplies.
JETT
Look here Queeny… we have a little fire water to calm the nerves.
Jett holds up a brown glass bottle of 100 Proof Red Eye Whiskey.
Elizabeth recovers and wipes her teary eyes.
Jett opens up the bottle and takes a hearty swig.
JETT
Here’s to more material for your penny dreadfuls.
Elizabeth takes the bottle from Jett.
did travel alone and the only thing I‘ve
ELIZABETH
Cheers.
Elizabeth surprises Jett by taking a swig of the horrid concoction without a flinch.
Jett smiles and takes the bottle back.
ELIZABETH
Jett. I’m sorry about being so short with you earlier.
I do have family in England, Essex. My Pop. He sent me to travel with a family from our home town but we were separated during our travels. I’m so close to getting to Tucson that I didn’t want to alarm him by sending a message that I was out here alone. It seemed like such a wonderful opportunity and I didn’t want him to insist on my return home.
Jett takes another swig from the bottle and passes it to Elizabeth.
JETT
This ain’t exactly a place for a woman alone, Queeny.
It’s dangerous. There is no law in this land. You don’t
even have a gun to protect yourself. I’m amazed you’ve made it this far.
Elizabeth passes the bottle back to Jett.
ELIZABETH
You’re
JETT
I’m not your typical run of the mill genteel lady.
ELIZABETH
(chuckling)
You got me there.
(with a serious tone)
So what brought you out here, alone?
Do you have family?
Jett takes another drink.
JETT
Too many situations that led me here to even begin to explain.
ELIZABETH
Are the stories true? Are you wanted in the whole Western
Territory…Have you really ridden with Calamity Jane?
Your life… (sigh) so much excitement.
Elizabeth’s eyes are getting heavy.
She lays down on a bed roll that Jett set out for her.
JETT
(as a statement more than a question)
Are the stories true…well Elizabeth, truth has many faces.
It just depends on who is telling the story.
out here…alone.
ELIZABETH
I like it much better when you call me Elizabeth.
JETT
(smiling)
It’s a mouthful.
Jett looks over to Elizabeth who is now sound asleep.
She pulls a wool blanket over the sleeping beauty and settles in to her own make shift bed, falling asleep to the sound of the crackling fire.
TO:
EXT-- BOTTOM OF THE CANYON--EARLY MORNING
Jett and Elizabeth are sleeping in the early dawn.
A branch on the ground snaps and wakes Jett abruptly.
Jett jumps for her rifle and gets ready for a full on battle.
She hears a snort and to her amazement, sees Great Gold standing between two large boulders.
Copyright 2009-2115
Gold Run Productions, LLC.
Sage Sweetwater, Tim Riley, Shay Dillon, Paul Kraushaar
Sage Sweetwater is professionally represented in Entertainment Law and Show Business.
Andrew J. Contiguglia*
Esquire, Entertainment Law
Contiguglia/Fazzone, P.C.
400 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 830
Denver, Colorado 80246
*Colorado and New York
Phone: 303-780-7333
Fax: 303-780-7337
Email: ajc.ajcpc.com
Web sites
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