SHERIFF COBB
You gotta calm down, Paden. Everything will be put straight in a few days.
PADEN
Yeah, I saw how you’re putting Mal Johnson straight.
Something flicks through Cobb’s eyes. He turns slowly and looks at the scene behind him. At the edge of the crowd a
tired Stella sits on an overturned bucket, watching the fire; she wipes her sweaty brow with the sleeve of her dress. Still
looking that way —
SHERIFF COBB
I never could count on you to be reasonable.
(turns back to Paden)
Don’t force me to make an adjustment around here.
PADEN
Cobb, you’ve got nothing I need.
SHERIFF COBB
I’m not thinking about your future, Paden. I’m worried about Stella.
PADEN
What’s she got to do with it?
SHERIFF COBB
Not a thing. She’s just a mutual friend.
(a beat)
But if you wind up on the wrong side of this, she’s going to get-