PADEN
I’ll drink to that. Will you join me, Miss —

STELLA
Stella.

PADEN
Paden.

Stella sets up a glass for herself, and they shake hands. Paden looks up at a carved ornamental star on the back wall, over the words “The Midnight Star”.

PADEN
Stella… Are you the midnight star herself?

STELLA
I am. I’m always there, but I only shine at night.

A saloon girl — a lovely, young, black woman — RAE passes with some drinks. Paden watches her go, then looks  around the room.

PADEN
My compliments to you, Miss Stella.
This is what I call a saloon.

STELLA
Thanks. That’s what I call it too.

PADEN
And I know what I’m talking about.

STELLA
You like a good saloon?

PADEN
It’s the only place I’m happy.

STELLA
Me too. What’s wrong with us?

Their eyes meet for a moment, and a real connection is made.

PADEN
You wouldn’t be needing any help around here, would you? Maybe with the gambling?

STELLA
(points)
You see that fellow over there playing with his hair?

Paden nods, and now we see him too: a big man in some gambler- like finery — KELLY. He is leaning over a poker game.

STELLA
That’s Kelly, my so-called

In This Episode

• Linda Hunt as Stella
• Kevin Kline as Paden
• Richard Jenkins as Kelly

Related Episodes

• • Silverado Minute

  Minute 074: All I Did was Kiss the Girl
• • Silverado Minute

  Minute 026: I Always Thought They Did it at Dawn