Horse walks across stage dragging unconscious Shooter behind, by a rope. More than half way across stage, Shooter’s leg comes free from rope and he lies on floor. Horse continues offstage.
Shooter opens eyes, rubs them, and closes them again. He winces and grunts as he attempts to rise to sitting position, but is unsuccessful. Second attempt to sit up is successful but labored. Shooter looks around with confused look on his face. He shakes his limbs back into feeling. Takes bandana from neck and wipes brow.
A child runs across stage, being chased by another child. They giggle and joyfully scream as they continue the chase. Shooter watches them without expression.
After they’re gone, he gets up on his feet and brushes dust off his chaps. Shooter can sneeze or make coughing sounds if desired. He checks his belongings: gun belt, knife, and leather string around his neck. He pulls locket over his head, opens it, and looks longingly for seconds
He closes the locket. The demeanor changes on his face. He looks down at the ground. He looks the direction he entered from, as if following tracks. He rushes toward side curtain.
Before he leaves the stage, a group of 9 men surround him. One of the men, Smokey, pushes Shooter hard, causing him to grunt and toss locket backward (but not off stage). Shooter falls into the arms of two other men, which pick him up under the arms and carry him back toward the center of the stage. The other men, except Crockett, move into a half circle formation as the two men carrying Shooter drop him on the ground. The men taunt and make torture gestures at Shooter as they form the half-circle (slit throat, hanging, etc.).
Shooter jumps back on his feet, rising within inches of Crockett. The posse ooh as the two stare each other down for several seconds. Posse huddles in closer to the two men. Crockett looks down at Shooter’s guns, then nods head, purses lips and scrunches nose. He returns gesture. They size each other up again.
Sherriff Lawton and two deputies enter from stage left. They stop. Lawton bends down to pick up locket. He and his crew stare down Crockett and posse. As Crockett steps back a few paces, posse start whistling and showing their discomfort. Shooter turns to see what everyone’s looking at.
The 3 peacekeepers move toward Shooter. He waves his hand at them and shakes his head. Sherriff Lawton holds both hands at chest level, nods head to grant his request.
Shooter turns and steps toward Crockett. Crockett follows suit. They both unholster their guns. Crockett tosses his second gun to Smokey. Shooter tosses his spare to Deputy 2. Sherriff Lawton tosses locket back to Shooter. Shooter kisses it and puts it back on.
Shooter turns and steps toward Crockett. Crockett follows suit. They both unholster their guns. Crockett tosses his second gun to Smokey. Shooter tosses his spare to Deputy 2. Sherriff Lawton tosses locket back to Shooter. Shooter kisses it and puts it back on.
The lawmen move upstage, between Shooter and Crockett, looking posse over. Both Crockett and Shooter empty the bullets from their weapons, dropping all but one to put back in the chamber.
As the officers circle back around the group, Deputy 1 stops at side of posse and turns to watch, as other two men continue. Sherriff Lawton stops midway and steps up on horse rail attached to background building, holding on to post. Shooter and Crockett walk toward each other returning again face-to-face. They turn, standing back to back, until Deputy 2 arrives on the opposite side as his colleague.
Dueling music begins as men take first synchronized step away from each other. Men continue to take 2 more steps apart.
Woman stumbles in from offstage, clothes tattered, hair messed up. She has a black eye and rope burns on her wrists. Crockett hurries toward her, taking several steps out of sync. They meet and kiss. As kiss continues, Shooter turns and fires shot.
Crockett drops gun. They back away from each other a pace as Crockett touches his stomach, which is bloody. He looks up at woman. Her stomach is bloody. She falls forward into his arms, as he leans back, turning toward audience, wincing in pain. They slowly fall to the floor.
All spectators take off their hats. Shooter finally drops gun and continues to stand there stupefied. Coughing and sobbing, Crockett kisses woman’s lips. She dies.
Smokey rushes to side of Crockett and Sherriff moves toward Shooter. Posse, Shooter, and Deputy 1 continue to watch couple. Smokey tries to comfort Crockett. Crockett breathes heavy breath and slumps over woman. Sherriff and Deputy 2 grab Shooter. They haul him offstage.
Deputy 1 moves forward then kneels down to side of dead couple. Smokey turns and signals to men. Men rush over and split into two groups. First group (of 4) pick up woman and move toward curtain. Other group, 5 men, pick up Crockett and follow them offstage.
Deputy 1 moves forward then kneels down to side of dead couple. Smokey turns and signals to men. Men rush over and split into two groups. First group (of 4) pick up woman and move toward curtain. Other group, 5 men, pick up Crockett and follow them offstage.
The two children skip back across stage holding hands.
