EMMETT
I did five years I didn’t owe. McKendrick ought to be satisfied with that and let it lie.
Kate looks between her brothers. She is not reassured.
EXT. FARMHOUSE RUINS – NIGHT
Having smothered the fire, Mal mounts up, then reaches down to pull his father onto the horse behind him. They begin
picking their way through the cattle when two night-riding cowboys, RED and SCRUFFY, approach through the gloom.
RED
What brings you out of your hole, Johnson? Who you got with you, Ezra?
EZRA
This is my son. He’s come home.
SCRUFFY
Ain’t that sweet, Red? I’m afraid you boys are trespassing on McKendrick land.
MAL
You got it all wrong, mister. This is our place.
RED
What? Mr. McKendrick bought this place from your father.
EZRA
That’s a lie.
MAL
Tomorrow we’re going to town to straighten that out once and for all. The next day we’ll be back here… farming. And these cattle better be gone.
The two cowboys are taken aback. They look to each other for guidance.
MAL
If I find any cattle on our land after tomorrow, I’m going to start carving them into steaks.