The Good, the Bad, and the Dead #4

To the AEC
I write to inform you that the matter of the labor dispute on the Big Rocks rail line has been handled. All necessary precautions are being made to keep the matter secret and safe. I include a portion of my acount for your eyes only, as well as more detailed files if needed for further investigation.

Feb 2
I arrive at the camp near noon. Four workers have already been killed, as well as two rail officials. The wounds on the rail officials were described as bites, and tears as if an animal had been at them. An estimated 10 workers seem to have some sort of fever or sickness, and have been quarantined. All of the deceased workers are said to have been ill.

Feb 3
It appears one of the rail workers is not dead after all. Early this morning it seems as if he woke from the bed, and ventured out into the camp. The camp cook tried to get his attention, but said the man simply ignored him, and seemed confused. He has apearanlty left the camp, and I have ordered three of my officers to look for him.

Feb 4
No sign of the missing rail man, but late last night the other “killed” man woke as well. He recognized neither friend nor foe, and immediately set upon the Dr. My remaining detectives put him down before he could harm others. The Dr is injured, but should recover.

Feb 5
Two of my officers returned. They told me an acount where the missing rail man attacked them while they made camp, killing one of them. They burried him, and the rail man out on the trail, and returned back. Five more workers had to be sepperated, as well as two of the sick perished today. The Dr’s condition also appears to be worsening something very strange is happpening.

Feb 8
The past few days were a nightmarish hell. It would seem that whatever sickness we are dealing with causes the bodies of the dead to return to a semi living state. They have no recognition of their former selves, and seem to only have one motive, feeding on the living. We have come to the conclusion that the only way to stop them completely is to damage their head in some form. Shooting works as well as blunt trauma.

Feb 10
I see no other way to deal with this. I have ordered all of the workers to be executed, by gun shot to the head. We have burned the bodies, and I am making arrangements to have replacements brought in. It will set the project behind I am sure, but it was the only form of containment I could see at the moment.

I will be unavailable for corespondance in the near future as I am heading to Tombstone to meet a Sherrif Garrett in relations to our problems in Missouri. I will contact you shortly when I am able to find the means.
-Pinkerton Feb 12

Cut to small tent

A man(General Crook) sits at his desk pouring over various papers, and pictures. The letter from Pinkerton still in his hands. Another letter we can make out the bold words, Its happening again, just like before.

Cut to Ft Sumner night

Billy has lost his undead pursuers. He quickly makes his way through some what empty streets. He comes to a large homestead on the out skirts of town. There are several bodies piled up on the front steps, and Billy can make out the faint glow of candles from the windows. He circles around back and quietly enters the home.

Cut to inside the homestead

A man(Chisum) is standing shaving himself in the mirror. Billy's face appears next to his.

Chisum
Damn it Billy. I just knew you would show up at a time like this.

Billy
You know me I aint one to miss a shindig.

Billy closes the door to the room.

Billy
Lets keep our voices down as to not alert them boys downstairs. They got enough goin on with them creeps out in the street.

Chisum
Fair enough. Why are you here Billy. Garrett said he killed you, and we all let that ride. You could have disappeared. Why come back?

Billy
Ill be asking the questions Mr Chisum. Now me, and a few boys hit up a train other day. Money was heading to Ft Sumner. Now near as I can figure only one man would be getting that kinda sum, and it isn’t ole Pete rest his soul.

Chisum
Hell Billy, I put that bait on the train. I wanted to get you once and for all. Them other two fellas too. This place is building up Kid, and no rail line will touch us with you riding free.

Billy
I should dust you now you sunuva bitch.

Chisum
What did you expect Billy? You could have rode off.

Billy
What and let you win. Some ones gotta be around to stand up to people like you. Remind you that there are consequences to your actions.

Chisum
You are not the law. You had your chance to end this damn it! You just couldn’t stay dead.

Billy
Yeah well stayin deads a problem for alotta folk now. What you know about all this weirdness?

Chisum
I don’t know, but I know who does. You should talk to Pinkerton.

Billy
What would he know about this mess?

Chisum
Two of his detectives were staying with me. A telegraph came in. All it said was, “Its happening again, Just like before.” The two men left shortly after. That soldier from the train rode into town later, and by morning, well you see what happened.

Billy
That peace of chicken shit ran off with Garrett. I don’t know where they got to.

Chisum
They are downstairs. Frank, and Jesse too.

Cut to small house inside

Garrett lights a candle shedding light into the room. Pinkerton stands behind him, with Jesse at a table sitting with Frank near by. The lawmen have their guns trained on the outlaws.

Jesse
Damn it. You think that badge on your chest means anything now. Hell no not now no sir.

Garrett
Your kind don’t get to talk to me like that.

Frank
He’s right you know. Things are different. You saw them corpses walkin around just like we did.. Something going on here. I mean hell where you gonna jail us Garrett? Everyone’s about dead or turned into one of them things.

Garrett
Yeah well I shall worry about that later.

Pinkerton
These men are my prisoners Sherrif. They have no warrents for arrest in Lincoln county.

Garrett uncocks his pistol.

Garrett
Ok detective. There all yours.

Garrett holsters his gun and has a seat. As he sits Pinkerton holsters his own weapon.

Pinkerton
You are right Jesse. We will settle this later.

Garrett
Ah hell your letting em go?

Pinkerton
No sherrif I know these boys. Jesse we shall settle this when this is over. Agreed?

Jesse
Agreed.

Frank
Well whats the plan then? We cant just sit around here. Probably more of them things creeping about.

Pinkerton
Your are correct sir. To be sure there are more of the things around. However we are dealing with a limited number of townsfolk here. Assuming the worst that everyone was some how transformed into these things, then one could reason that the numbers would be dwindling.

Garrett
You wanna speak plainly.

Pinkerton
Sheriff what I am saying is that we disposed of a fair number of the things already. It would be safe to reason that there are not many left. I would propose that we make for Mr. Chisum’s holding within town.

Garrett
Now how would you know him.

Pinkerton
My employer has many associates. In any case, he would have the men to be able to with stand what happened here, if anyone can.

Jesse
What do you think brother?

Frank
Seems reasonable. Lead the way My. Pinkerton.

Cut to outside streets

Wyatt leads the small group up the street with Kate, and Dave in the middle, and Doc close behind. Suddenly, and without warning Doc starts a couching fit. The streets seems dead.

Kate
Doc, my man. Come sit a minute.

Kate helps Doc to the ground. Dave stands by watching, and Wyatt backtracks over to them.

Wyatt
Doc you Ok?

Doc
I am -cough- the very picture -cough- of health.

Kate
He needs a rest Wyatt.

Doc
Nonsense I am -he trails off in a sever coughing fit.

Dave
Well we cant just stand around here them things might be back.

Wyatt
Help Kate get em up.

Wyatt walks across the street to a faily large barn. He quietly opens the door, and aims his pistol into the structure. Satisfied he turns around and waves Kate and Dave to bring Doc over.

Wyatt
Over here.

They got Doc situated inside the barn. The barn is empty meaning it was mostly used for Cattle drives. Wyatt secures the door, and Kate gets Doc comfortable. Dave sits tending to the bullets graze on his neck, and the bite wound on his thigh.

Doc
Thank you my dear kate. I feel much better now. It would seem I just need to rest a moment, what with the excitement and all.

Dave
Yeah real exciting. Can someone tell me what in hell is goin on here.

Doc
Rapture.

Wyatt
We don’t know Dave. Somethin weird that is for sure.

Dave
Yeah you aint kidin neither. You see that one feller, Bit me right in the leg. I think they ate Ike.

Doc
The poor things.

Doc sits up a bit, and looks over at Dave.

Doc
Dave have something to tell you, but I fear it will affect your state of being. So please do try to remain calm. I am afraid that you are not long for this world.

Dave
What the hell are you sayin?

Doc
Further I do fear that when you pass, you will become one of them.

Dave
Them? What do ya mean them.

Doc
Them, those that bit you Dave. The Ghouls walking in the streets.

Dave
Oh yeah well how ya figure. I mean sure it hurts a bit, but its just a bite.

Doc
I have never in my time as a dentist seen a bite fester, and turn foul so quickly.

Dave
Yeah well so its infected is all. Maybe I’ll lose the leg, but dyin, and turnin into them. Na your just funning with me.

Wyatt
How you figure its gonna play this way Doc?

Doc
The engineer in Capitan Wyatt. He started it there. That solider he came through with him. He was heading to this peach of a fort. They are spreading it Wyatt. Like a plague.

Wyatt
So your sayin this is what? Some sort of sickness makes you go crazy and eat people when you get bit on by them?

Kate
Maybe its more like when an animal goes rabid.

Doc
I would not be so presumptuous as to say what it is. However the evidence does fit.

Kate
That leaves a question.

Wyatt
Whats that?

Doc
What do we do with Dave?

Cit to Chisum’s house.

Billy walks down the stairs. He has his guns drawn and Chisum walks in front of him. When the reach the bottom of the steps Garrett, Pinkerton, Jesse, and Frank are situated around a small sitting room. Two of Chisum’s men can be seen guarding the front door. Garrett sees Chisum, and looks over. Billy peaks out around. Garrett jumps up, and puts his hand down to his gun.

Billy
Tsk Tsk I wouldn’t do that if I were you. I’d hate to blow a hole through Mr Rancher man here.

Jesse
Its ok Billy. We talked it out aint no sence to be shooting at each other what with whats goin on.

Billy
Oh yeah, you gonna let one of these bastards dust you in the night.

Frank
Jesse’s right Billy just hold up a minute. Hell just about everyone in town is dead. We don’t need any more.

Billy
Ill put my guns down when Pinkerton tells us what he knows about this mess.

Pinkerton
I am as confused as the next man when it comes to the events of the past few days.

Billy
Yeah you can stop piling on that bullshit. Its happening again just like before ring any bells?

Pinkerton
Fine, you want to know what I know. This is some sort of madness. A sickness. We don’t know how it started. Some rail workers were having a dispute, and I was asked to investigate. One of the Native workers had bitten a company man, and ate him. This Indian was quit mad, I thought it may be some kind of pagan ritual. Then the another worker not a Native bit, and maimed a fellow worker.

Garrett
Well isn’t this swell.

Pinkerton
I thought I contained it.

Jesse
How?

Pinkerton
We executed everyone and burned the bodies. I couldn’t take the chance-

Frank
You dirty son of a bitch.

Billy
Now Frank I believe you were saying something bout a truce. Don’t go getting all hot headed on me now. He’s just doing what all his type do and take the easy way out. Isnt that right Garrett

Garrett
You just couldn’t stay dead. I gave you the biggest second chance a man could want.

Billy
You run off the boys Garrett, and you killed Charlie, and passed him off as me. Why so you could be a big man. Get your name in the paper. The Kids killer, all up there in big bold type.

Chisum
No Billy we just wanted it to end. The world was moving on, and getting civilized. You just couldn’t get on with that.

Billy
Well now all that’s changed. Hasn’t it? All your money, and land grabbing putting down the common man. Making it so a man has to choose between stealin and eatin. Yeah well a lot of good that did ya. The common man is here to eat. Even if he has to chew on your bones.

Billy walks over and flops down on a chair. The room is silent for a moment as Billy’s words echo in the air.

Pinkerton
My men that were here. They left to contact a nearby army troop. Led by a General Crook I believe his name was. They will undoubtedly be looking towards Capitan to put a handle on things. As much as I hate to suggest it, perhaps we should travel back-

Garrett
Hell with that. Towns gone you know that. Its crawlin with these things.

Billy
Sides we cant leave Wyatt and the boys hanging out there. We will head out, and find em.

Chisum
Now just a damn minute. You aint in charge here Billy

Billy
Yeah well we can go find them boys, or I’ll dust you. Garret will dust me, and there will be two more stiffs runin about.

Chisum
Fine a few more gun hands would do good anyways. Garrett why don’t you takes the boys here out, and see if you cant find this Wyatt was it. Bring em back here, and we can work out where to go from there.

Billy
I knew you could see it my way.

Cut to army camp day.

The camp is relatively quiet with soldiers coming and going about there day. We see a tent with two men in black suits sitting nearby the entrance. The ten opens, and General Crook steps out.

Crook
Well sirs. This is an interesting situation. Sergent!

A soldier comes running over.

Sarge
Yes sir.

Crook
Call back the patrol. We get something else to tend to other than some riled up red skins. Ill be moving out with the main force you should hook up with that patrol, and meet us, where was that again detective?

Detective 1
Capitan sir. It is a small-

Crook
Capitan make sure you find a map, and don’t get lost. Now you two walk with me.

Crook makes his was through the camp shouting as his men to break down there tents, and pack up.

Crook
Come on boys get them fires out and tents packed we gotta move out. Now detective have you read these reports, or seen any of this first hand.

Detective 2
No sir.

Crook
Well then judging from what I have read get ready for something weird.

The general arrives at a horse corral.

Crook
You two get your horses, and keep up with my men. Keep your wits about you your gonna need them.

Crook rides out amongst his men. Shouting orders, and generally rallying his men to ready themselves, and move out.

The Good, the Bad, and the Dead #3

Open on a trail in the desert at dusk

The four outlaws ride their horses out past a small town. As they pass a sign can be seen denoting the collection of houses as Roswell. The four men ride until dark, where they make camp for the night, getting little sleep. We flash to morning with them on the trail again riding across the barren plains.

Cut to Maxwell’s place outside.

The street is crawling with the walking dead. We focus on the doors of the saloon. They kick open Doc struts out, and with both of his pistols drops five of the creatures in a flurry before steeping out of the way for Kate to follow quickly behind him. Wyatt fallows after with a shot gun letting go two blasts and then cracking it to reload. Garrett comes next rifle in hand, and with a quick lever action and solid aim takes out three of the things further down the street. The creatures surge forward moaning and wailing at the site of their next meal. Pinkerton walks out, and takes out another zombie with his pistol.

From out of no where three men on horseback, with their pistols drawn break into view coming in from the side streets.The zombies are confused at the site of the new comers from the opposite side. The lawmen waste no time. Wyatt blasts both barrels of his shotgun again before slinging it in favor of his pistol. Doc with Kate in tow dash across the street towards the stables. The other three lawmen follow quickly after. A zombie stands in front of the barn doors, and Garrett picks it off with a quick rifle blast. As they approach they find the door to be pad locked. Doc in a flash shoots the lock in peaces. The small group enters the door. Inside they find five skittish horses.

Doc
Wyatt did my eyes deceive me or was that Dave-

Wyatt
-Rudabaugh? No Doc your eyes were as sharp as ever. What the hell is he doin here?

Cut to outside

The other three horsemen find that half of the zombie horde turns its attention to them The center rider(Dave) Draws down his pistol and shoots a zombie in the chest. It stumbles for a moment but keeps on coming. One of the men with him, clearly not understanding the situation, rides his horse in closer.

Horseman 1
Go on get out the way.

One of the creatures lunges in and bites his leg. The horseman tries to shoot the thing hitting it in the shoulder, and chest but it keeps on gnawing at his leg. Two of the other creatures get close, and drag him down. The horse panics as it too is consumed by five more of the creatures biting and nipping at it. Dave watches in horror as one of his men is devoured. He shoots three more times into the mass of creatures. He hits one in the head, and it falls down to the ground. He turns his horse around, but the horde is almost on him, and the other horseman. He aims his pistol again, and shoots the other mans horse in the leg. The animal falls to the ground spilling its rider. The creatures let Dave slip by, and turn for easier prey.

Horseman 2
Dave you sunuva bitch! Ahhhhhh!

Dave rides back down another alley circling close to the stables.

Cut to inside the stables

The lawmen and Kate have saddled, and mounted up their horses. All except Wyatt who waits by the door. He gives a push and the huge barn door swings open. Wyatt hurries over to his horse, and swings up quickly as the other four ride on out. Doc takes several shots at passing zombies as does Garrett. As they ride out of town they see Dave break from another street into the plains outside of town. Dave shifts his horse to meet up with the group. Wyatt pulls out his pistol, and cracks off a shot at him stopping Dave in his tracks.

Dave
What the hell Garrett. You said the marshal would be on our side.

Wyatt
What’s he talking about Garrett?

Garrett
He rode with the kid. He was giving me information.

Wyatt
He rode with the god damn Cowboys, god damn it Garrett he was one of the men who killed my brother.

Dave
Wait a minute there Wyatt. I did ride with the cowboys, but I didn’t kill your brother. I wasn’t there that night. I was making a cattle ride through to Sierra Vista. Now I am helping sheriff Garrett here get the Kid, and them other fellas that went and robed that train.

Wyatt holsters his gun.

Wyatt
You cross me Dave, and I will drill you.

Doc
Oh come now, I have been cross at him for some time.

Wyatt
Let it go for now Doc, we had enough killing today.

Dave rides his horse over as Doc, Kate, and Wyatt ride off.

Pinkerton
If you had a man working on the inside you should have informed me Sheriff.

Garrett
I will keep my own counsel as to my informants detective.

Pinkerton
This investigation directly involves my employer. This man is very wealthy and influential. I would expect that an elected official like yourself-

Garrett
-Let me stop you there. I know all to well about wealthy and influential men. Things are different here in the territory and I don’t give a mules ass about your back east money. Now why don’t you ride out and catch up to the marshal, and let me speak to my man here.

Pinkerton clearly indignant digs his spurs in and trots off in a huff.

Dave
What’s that hombre’s problem.

Garrett
Shut up and listen Dave. As you can figure things are all askew at the moment. I cant be having Wyatt, and Doc go all shoot happy on me so keep your trap shut around them. Now you heard from Ike yet?

Dave
Nothing not a word. Figured he woulda checked in by now.

Garrett
Means the kids scared. He’s skirting around to shake what ever it is he is running from, and if its this hell he may be riding right towards it, and us.

Dave
What do ya mean?

Garrett
One of the soldiers guarding the cash headed out towards Ft Sumner. That’s where we’re headed, and ill bet my badge that’s where we’ll find Billy.

Garrett digs his spurs, and gallops off to catch up with the others. Dave follows quickly behind.

Cut to FT Sumner sunset.

We see the view from far up in the sky a small fort with a village sprung up around it. Some of the buildings look to be on fire, and we can see people or zombies milling about the streets. We also see two groups of riders approaching the town from two different sides. One group is made up of four riders, and the other six.
A group of towns folks run out towards the smaller group of riders. We zoom in and see that the small group of riders is our Outlaws. The villagers running up to them have packs and all of their belongings they can carry. Some of them seem injured. One of them runs up to the outlaws shouting.

Villager 1
Cuando no hay mas espacio en el infierno, los muertos caminan la tierra.

The crazed villager runs off

Jesse
What did he mean?

Billy
He said “When there’s no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth.”

Ike
What the hell does that mean?

Billy
Means the spirit worlds full Ike. I gotta find Pete. He’s a good friend of mine. He was who I was planin on puttin us up.

Billy trots his horse up to the town, and dismounts as he reaches the main street on this side of town. The others follow suit, with Ike nervously bringing up the rear.

Cut to the other side of town

The six riders are revealed to be our Lawmen plus Kate, and Dave. They trot their horses up to one of the main drags.

Garrett
We might be to late.

Wyatt
You might be right. Lets head into town and take a quick look. Might be some one needs our help.

Doc
That’s my Wyatt always the Samaritan.

Pinkerton
Might I remind you we have a job to do. If our men are not here, then we should move on.

Wyatt
Could be there here. Garrett said the Kid rode out of here a good bit in the day. In any case I’m having a look around.

They group dismounts, and ties there horses as they enter the street on their side of town. We cut to a view above the town, and see both groups riding down the main drag. In between them is a large four way cross roads in the center of town. There is a small horde of a dozen zombies gathered at the other two streets making the cross roads.. The outlaws, and the Lawmen hit the center square at almost the same time. It is as if for a moment time stops as the two groups glance at each other, and hands go straight for pistol grips.
The view switches from the Lawmen at the north street, a crowd of seven zombies at the east street, the Outlaws on the south street, and another crowd of five zombies at the west street. The square itself is clear.The view switches between the groups in a jumble. The tension rises pistols are griped tighter, a zombie lets out a moan.

The men yank their weapons, and in a flurry of gunfire begin shooting the zombies. It doesn’t take long and the dozen or so undead are once again brought to rest. When the smoke clears the men are still pointing their weapons at each other from across the street.

Ike
Well Garrett you hand him over.

Ike points his gun at Billy.

Ike
I got you the Kid.

Wyatt
You aint got nothing

Garrett points his gun back at Wyatt.

Garrett
I wouldn’t do that Marshall.

Wyatt
Garrett you sun of a bitch.

Wyatt keeps his gun trained on Ike. Doc points one of his pistols at Garrett the other at Ike.

Doc
Why my word Jesse I haven’t seen you since Las Vegas, and look at that your brother Frank as well. Why it is a dandy meeting the two of you here. You gentlemen may not be aware, but Ike there is a criminal. I mean even now as we speak he has his gun pointed at one of the famed Regulators of Lincoln County.

Jesse, and Frank level their guns at Ike

Jesse
That right Doc, well I didn’t know if you was aware of this friend, but your riding with the infamous Allen Pinkerton, he is wanted by several communities of Missouri for the crime of Arson, and murder in the name of progress.

Doc takes his aim off of Ike, and draws down on Pinkerton. Pinkerton waves his gun between Doc, and Jesse. Dave stands between Pinkerton and Garrett with his guns still aimed at the outlaws.

Pinkerton
Damn you Jesse. You will be brought to justice.

Billy
Well hell Gentlemen looks like we got ourselves a bit of a Mexican stand off. I think its time to end it. Dave.

Dave switches his aim at Pinkerton and Garrett. At this close range he wont miss. Garrett, and Pinkerton holster their guns.

Garrett
Damn it Dave I paid you cash money you bastard.

Dave
Ya well that two fifty in the hand just wasn’t worth Ike’s share of the train take sitting in the bush.

Doc
Well Dave, it would seem that I might have to reevaluate my loathing of you.

Billy turns to face Ike. Ike drops his pistol, and puts his hands up.


Billy
God damn it Ike you thought you was gonna play me to get back at ole Wyatt here. Hell no son. The man who shot Curly Bill is ok by me that is a fact. Now you get your smelly self over there by Garrett and Mr. New York there.

Ike walks over to Garrett, and Pinkerton. Dave pushes them around so their backs are against the wall. The rest of the outlaws cross the street and they make a small half circle around Ike, Garrett, and Pinkerton.

Pinkerton
You boys are making a big mistake.

Billy
Shut your mouth. Now Garrett you tried to play me, and you got Doc, and Wyatt here brought up into this mess. Not to mention bringing in that Pinkerton on the boys here. And you Ike, your just a dumb smelly peace of chicken shit.

A loud moan breaks from behind the gang. They whip around at the sound. From the two streets behind them a much larger horde of zombies gathers filling the square. Slowly shambling their way towards the group. Garrett sees his opportunity and clears leather, draws down and puts a round through Dave’s shoulder. Pinkerton reacts quickly and draws his own gun and cracks off a shot at Jesse, grazing his leg. The outlaw flinches in pain, and falls to the ground. Garrett, and Pinkerton make for the clear street leading deeper into the old fort.

Billy
Damn you Garrett get your ass back here!

Billy cracks a round off at Garrett just missing him as he ducks into another alley with Pinkerton on his heels. Ike stands confused in the middle of it all with his hands in the air as Billy and Frank point their guns down after the two Lawmen.

Ike
Don’t shoot I aint got no gun.

One of the creatures come up behind Ike, and bites into his neck. Frank shots the thing in the head, and Ike falls down with bleeding profusely from the neck, the dead zombie falling on top of him.

Wyatt
The damn things are everywhere.

Wyatt and Doc stand with Kate between them. Wyatt nails one of the things between the eyes. Doc quick fires into three of the things that ventured too close. Some of his shots go wide, and he only downs two of them. Kate with Wyatt’s shotgun explodes the last ones head.

Doc
Excelent shot my dear. Superb form.

Frank helps Jesse to his feet, and the two hobble over next to Billy. They both take down a zombie as they walk.

Jesse
The damn things are coming faster than we can kill em, Im runnin out of bullets.


Billy
We all are. We gotta skin outta here for they get up on us. Come on up this drag. We can go deeper into the old Fort maybe hole up.

Dave
I’m on you Billy.

Billy, with Frank and Jesse close behind head on up the road. Dave goes to follow, but finds his way blocked by the undead. He shoots one of them in the head, and keeps on walking forward. Another one gets closer, he shoots, and misses. He shoots again, and hits it. Two more move to block his way, and he shoots the one hitting it in the neck, and as he shoots one more time, and the hammer falls on an empty round. The things fall onto him. He punchs one away, but the other, the one he shot in the neck, falls forward, and bites deeply into Dave’s thigh. A dozen more of the things pour into the street blocking the way after Billy, and the boys.

Doc
Wyatt look after Kate a moment wont you.

Doc holsters his guns, and bends down to remove the pistols from the gun belt on a freshly killed zombie. He shoots the zombie off of Dave’s leg, and takes out four others that are moving in.

Doc
Quickly now Dave, we must be going.

Wyatt, and Kate both unload their weapons into a trio of incoming undead, and drop them easily. Another one comes in and Wyatt’s hammer hit’s a spent round. Kate starts to back up her shotgun empty as well. Wyatt grabs it from her, and swinging it like a club bashes the zombie in the head. He gently pushes Kate behind him, and starts walking backwards down the way they came in, the other three roads being completely choked off by the walking dead.

Wyatt
Hurry up Doc, we gotta go.

Doc helps Dave to his feet.

Dave
Thanks Doc I owe-

Doc
-Nonsense Dave. As I said I may have judged you to harshly in the past.

Wyatt
Doc!

Doc
Coming Wyatt.

Dave shuffles over to Kate, and Wyatt with Doc’s help. Wyatt swings the shotgun at another of the things splittings its skull, and cracking the shotgun.

Wyatt
I liked that gun.

The four head down the road back toward their horses. Doc takes the rear firing from his borrowed pistols. When they click empty he drops them and hurries after the other three.

Cut to small dark building interior.

Garrett, and Pinkerton seem to be holed up in someones house. Garrett frantically checks the windows to see if they have been followed.

Pinkerton
Damn you Sheriff you compromised an investigation I have been working on for years. You actually trusted one of these gunmen. These people are killers. Those two from Tombstone included!

Garrett
Like I said before Detective things work a bit differently out here. Besides in case you hadn’t noticed things are markedly different than what they were. Given the situation I think we need to focus on being alive.

Cut to Streets

Billy, and Frank with Jesse still hobbling close behind head up the main drag. Upon coming to another small intersection they find another large horde of the things. One of them turns to look Billy in the eye.

Billy
Pete? God damn it not you to Pete.

Billy raises his pistol, and shoot the zombie Pete in the head.

Billy
You two head on back that alley Garrett slipped down, see if you cant find a place to hole up. I’ll handle this bunch.

Billy unloads a few rounds from both his guns into the things.

Billy
Come on you ugly taco eating bastards this way.

Billy bolts on down the street firing randomly into the crowd of undead, and the mob of Zombie follows after.

Jesse
We cant just-

Frank
-We don’t have much choice with you all hobbled up. Come on.

Frank helps his brother down the alley. They come to a small house, and push the door open. It is dark inside. Frank helps Jesse over to a chair, and sits him down. Only a small bit of moon light lifts the darkness.

Jesse
You think Billy can find his way here?

A click of a hammer being cocked his heard, and Garrett steps into the moonlight with Pinkerton behind him.

Garrett
I sure hope so.

Cut to outside streets

Ike’s corpse lies still in the square, in a puddle of blood. Several zombies still mill about in this area, with many corpses littering the ground. Ike’s eyes snap open.

The Good, the Bad, and the Dead #2

Cut to outside day canyon pass

Our four outlaws are breaking camp, saddling the horses, and getting ready to depart.
Jesse fetches some water from a nearby stream, and bends down to douse what is left of their fire.

Jesse
I didn’t get so much as a wink of shut eye last night.

Billy
Yeah, well you weren’t as bad as Ike waking up screaming like a girl.

Ike
Wasn’t bout what happened at the train. There was a scorpion crawlin up on me. Startled me is all.

Frank
Its ok Ike, we’re all a bit nervy. So Billy you know the lay of this area whats the plan.

Billy
Well we cant go back to Capitan they will be looking for the train to show up, and when it wont it will look suspicious. Cant head down Lincoln way cause I got me some problems there. So I’m thinking I know me some one out toward Juarez. He’ll put us up for a few nights.

Ike
Shouldn’t we, ya know tell some one what it is we saw. I’m sayin we head up to Capitan like we was, and maybe we can pass on what it was we saw.

Jesse
And just what was that Ike? Folk not dying when ya shoot at em. Getting up, and walking round like normal even with them being all ripped up like they were.

Frank
Besides the fact that it will look like they been gunned down. I’m not to keen on explaining something like that to the law.

Ike
Well it just wasn’t right all im sayin.

Billy
And no one is arguing that Ike, but we gotta skin outta here, for the law tries to pin that on us, and we wind up swinging for it. Plenty of other things they wanna hang me for, don’t want it to be this one.

Jesse
I agree with ya there Billy. Lets get hell bent for leather.

The boys saddle up, and ride on out. We follow them through several shots of the arid New Mexico desert, and as the sun starts to set below the sky we can see lamps being lit in a small village. The boys ride on in, and dismount and tie there horses outside a small tavern. Billy motions for the men to follow them around back, and they quietly slip inside through a back door. Billy is the first to enter into the old saloon. It is small cramped, and dimly lit, by one candle. A youngish Native American sort sits in a chair by the rooms single candle. (Chavez)

Billy
Place looks dead Chavez.

Chavez
Que Diablos chivato! You could have used the door.

Billy
Where’s the fun in that, besides didn’t want to arouse attention to myself, and cause you any troubles.

Chavez
Oh yeah Chivato if you did not want to cause me any troubles you should not have come my friend.

Billy
Oh come on now Chavez, that anyway to treat a fellow Regulator.

Chavez
No Chivato those days are long gone, they should have died with you.

Billy
I look dead? Sides, I’m not hear to stir up any trouble. Me, and the boys here just need a place for the night till we can sort some things out.

Chavez
Morning Chivato, I want you gone by sun rise.

Billy walks over to a chair opposite Chavez, and puts his feet up on the table.

Billy
So, how bout something to eat.

Cut to outside day some where near the train

Pinkerton and Garrett are taking cover behind some rocks and firing at several of the Chinese workers that now appear dead. Doc and Wyatt are running down over the ridge attempting to join their colleagues.

Garrett
I said this was a bad idea!

He fires a round from his rifle, and fells one of the things right behind Wyatt. Wyatt, and Doc slide in behind the other two men.

Doc
Good ideas have never been one of Wyatt’s strong suits.

Wyatt
Yeah that’s true Doc, but I got one now, lets get the hell outta here.

The four Lawmen bail out from behind the rocks in a hail of gunfire felling several of the pursuing creatures. As they bust through the small stand of trees the train again appears in front of them. Their horses graze nervously nearby. Not being pursed the men make a quick pace back to the horses, and mount up. As they ride their steeds out along the tracks, the last chewed on soldier now quite undead appears at the door of the lock car. As the Lawmen ride past Doc takes aim and downs the creature on the ride by.

Cut to Capitan a small rail town dusk

The lawmen gallop their horses into town. Garrett takes the lead, and guides them to a small building simply labeled Jail. They dismount and Garrett starts walking towards the door.

Garrett
Ima goin in and have a talk with deputy Poe about whats goin on here. You men can feel free to join me.

Pinkerton
I do believe I will head down to the rail station, and have a word. I will join up with you gentlemen shortly.

Cut to inside Jail

Deputy Poe sits behind a small desk with Garrett sitting on the other side. Doc, and Wyatt stand leaning against the walls.

Poe
Soldier came in yesterday. He had a nasty wound on his neck. Muttered something about headin to Ft Sumner, and left the engineer with us. That fella he was tore up real bad. Doctor don’t think he will make it.

The view switches to inside a jail cell as the conversation continues. A figure is lying on the bed. He is bandaged up, but blood can be seen leaking through and the man looks ghost white.

Garrett
It’s the damnest thing Poe, its like they was rabid the way them china men came on us.

Wyatt
I’d like to talk to the engineer or that soldier. I have an interest to know what happened here.

The figure on the bed convulses slightly and goes limp. The view switches back to the office. Pinkerton walks in.

Pinkerton
No gentlemen you needn’t concern yourselves with this matter any more. I have contacted several agencies by telegraph, and an investigation is underway. The rail line will be shut down for a few days, a major inconvenience, but rest assured they will get to the bottom of it.

The view switches back to the cell and again the corpse shudders a few times.

Pinkerton
Now, Sheriff have you made any progress as to what rock our boys may have crawled under this time?

Garrett
Well we hadn’t got that far, I was filling-

Pinkerton
-Well gentleman those thieves are the reason we are here. I suggest we turn our full attention to this matter, and forget what happened at that train, lest we let those boys slip from our collective grasps again.

The corpse bolts straight up. The view switches back to the office.

Wyatt
Im not so sure I wanna let this rest. Something like that doesn’t happen every day, and like I said it is of interest to me as to what’s going on.

Poe
Well I don’t think your gonna figure much more tonight anyways. Its getting late why don’t you fellas head on over to Maxwell’s place, and have a room for the night. On the house I’m sure. Come back in the morning and you all can figure it out from there.

Doc
Splendid idea Poe. I am absolutely in need of a rest, and in even more need of some libation. We can work out this nonsense once we are refreshed.

Doc walks out, and Wyatt shaking his head follows after. Pinkerton lingers a moment and then nods at Poe, and Garrett.

Pinkerton
Gentlemen.

Pinkerton then walks out leaving Poe, and Garrett alone.

Garrett
Ike checked in yet?

Poe
No he ain’t. Was supposed to meet up with Dave Rudabaugh after they took the train, and work the Kid around back towards Arizona. I haven’t seen him though since he met up with them two fellas from Missouri.

Garrett
Well you keep an eye out. Wyatt figures out I’m playing him, well lets not let that happen. Why don’t you take a ride down to Dave’s camp. Have him, and his boys check out some of the kid’s haunts, and get him back on trail. You tell him to tell Ike I got Wyatt, and I expect the kid.

Garret gets up to leave.

Poe
That soldier came through here, he didn’t mention nothing bout no robbery. If it wasn’t the Kid who hit that train who was it?

Garrett
Not who Poe, but what, and I don’t know.

Garrett leaves the small jail, and Poe is left alone. He begins to clean up closing the whiskey bottle, and locking a gun rack. As he turns to face the hallway back to the cells he comes face to face with the engineer’s corpse. The thing lunges at him, and bites into his neck fiercely. Poe tries to scream, but all that comes out is a blood choked gurgle. Poe falls to the floor, the undead corpse dragging him down. The thing chews on Poe for a moment or two, then it gets back up, and stumbles out into the dark streets.

Cut to inside of Chavez’s home.

Billy, and Chaves sit up at a table sharing a drink Frank is laid out over a couch, and Jesse sleeps nearby on a chair. Ike is snoring in a crumple across some old burlap sacks. Chaves and Billy are talking in hushed tones.

Billy
Im telling ya Chaves it was like nothing I had ever seen. I killed that china man, and he kept right on coming. Them other fellas they looked like they had been ate at, and you shoulda seen em walk, if you can call it that.

Chaves
It reminds me of a story from my mother’s people Chivato. An old legend that tells of my people’s plight against the white man. There was a village near the white sands. My people had lived there many generations. When the white man came at first it was to trade, and then it was to take. One day they came with many soldiers and slaughtered everyone. It is said that an old medicine man cursed the white man. He said that he would find the spirit world like all who died at the white mans hands. One day the spirit world would be full with those who died for the white mans greed, and when the spirits of those the white man had slaughtered had no where left to go, they would rise up and have their revenge on the living.

Billy
You know I never put much stock into that whole spirit world thing Chavez, but after what I saw on that train, well hell I just don’t know what to think.

Chavez gets up from the table, and heads to bed as he passes Billy he puts his hand on his shoulder.

Chavez
The spirit world doesn’t care what you think my friend.

Billy is left alone with his thoughts.

Cut to Maxwell’s’ place interior.

Doc, and Wyatt are sitting at a small table in the common room. Only two other patrons are present as well as the barkeep. Garrett walks in and up to the pair.

Wyatt
Pinkerton went on upstairs. There’s a room ready for you as well.

Wyatt tosses Garrett a key.

Garrett
Good if ya don’t mind ill head there presently.

Doc
By all mean sir. I bid you adue till the morrow.

Garrett walks away and up the steps.

Wyatt
I don’t know what happened today Doc. For the first time I was genuinely unsure of myself. How does someone wrap their head around what we saw today?

Doc
Why Wyatt, there are a multitude of things that us mere mortals are not meant to understand. Not the least of which is how long it takes to get another drink.

A scrawny bar waitress stops by, and leaves a bottle with two glasses Doc fills them both, and him and Wyatt both drink.

Wyatt
You mean to say the hairs on your neck didn’t get a rise when you saw that thing get up after puttin lead into his heart.

Doc
They did indeed at that, however they flattened when I put another round into his head. Wyatt I have no more answers than you. I have never been one to dwell on the unknown.

Wyatt
Jesus Doc, dead folk just don’t get back up, and walk around. I mean hell its like something out of revelations.

Doc
Now that is an interesting thought.

Wyatt
Don’t go goin all biblical on me now.

Doc
I have always enjoyed debating the merits of theology.

A woman(Kate) walks down the stairs quietly, and subtly.

Wyatt
I think it stops being a debate when bullets stop killing people.

The woman walks up behind doc.

Kate
It is you Doc! I heard rumor of you bein in town but I never in my wildest thought them to be true.

Doc
Why Kate, it is a dandy meeting you here. I had thought something unfortunate had happened to you. Why don’t you come over here and join us.

Kate
Of course Doc, here let me get you another drink.

Kate grabs another bottle from the bar as she crosses the room. She takes a seat close to Doc, and fills his cup.

Kate
I have missed you so much these many months Doc. I had feared for your life, the thought of you dying alone with no one to hold you. I cried myself to sleep many nights.

Doc
Nonsense Kate, I had Wyatt here to keep me safe. Isn’t that right Wyatt?

Wyatt
Always is Doc. Listen ima let you two get reacquainted and head to bed. I’ll look for ya in the morning Doc. G’night Kate was nice seein you.

Doc
Good night Wyatt have the pleasantest of dreams. Do not forget to say your prayers.

Wyatt departs Doc empties his cup, and Kate refills it.

Doc
Well it seems I will not pass the evening in boredom as expected.

Doc drinks his cup dry once more as Kate wraps her arms around him.

Cut to Doc’s room morning

Doc, and Kate lye together in bed. The sun glints into Doc’s, eyes, and he starts to rouse. Kate rolls over, and grabs two cigarettes, and lights them at the same time with one match. She hands one to Doc, who takes it in his lips, and takes a long drag.

Doc
Well my dear, I must soon make ready. Wyatt will be expecting my company before to long.

Kate
I will get dressed, and go get some breakfast ready.

Kate gets up, and begins slipping on her clothes.

Kate
Doc, what did Wyatt mean by bullets not killing people. The talk you had with him as I walked over, it was very strange.

Doc
Why, Kate we were just discussing our thoughts on Armageddon. It would seem that Wyatt fancies it is closer then we might think.

Kate
And what do you think Doc

Doc
Well I think that these are terrible days with heinous men at every turn. It was just a matter of time before someone incurred god’s wrath.

Doc closes his eyes, and Kate finishes getting dressed, and leaves him alone in the room. He just smokes his cigarette with his eyes closed.

Doc
I am more surprised that it was not me.

Cut to Chavez’s Home-Morning

The four outlaws are making their horses ready.

Billy
Well fellas way I figure it we head up old Ft Sumner way. That will let me talk to some folk, and see what kinda fuss is being made. If everything checks out we can circle around back towards Capitan, and get Frank, and Jesse here on a train back home.

Jesse
Sound like as good a plan as any.

Ike
Still don’t know why we don’t just ride straight through to Capitan.

Billy
Cause I don’t plan on getting picked up by the law. You are as dumb as you look Ike. We go riding into Capitan without checking to see if their looking for us, we’d be swinging for sure.

Ike
You quit with that callin me dumb shit. I don’t put up with no one talkin down at me ya hear.

Frank
Don’t go getting your britches in a bunch Ike, Billy’s just playin it smart is all.

Chavez walks out of his small saloon, and walks over. Frank, Jesse, and Ike go about mounting up as Billy talks with Chavez.

Chavez
You be careful Chivato. I gathered some food, and water its not much, but it should get you where you are going.

Billy takes the small pack, and slings it over his saddle.

Billy
You sure you don’t wanna ride with us Chaves for old times sake.

Billy Mounts his horse.

Chavez
No that time is over for me friend. It was good seeing you Billy.

Billy
You too Chavez. Gentlemen, lets ride.

The four outlaws Gallop off heading to Ft Sumner.

Cut to Maxwell’s saloon morning.

Kate walks into the kitchen

Kate
(Whispering)
Hello…Hola esta alguien ahi? Is any one here?

Seeing no one around Kate begins to stoke up the fire. Once it is going she grabs a skillet and begins breaking eggs. They sizzle and pop. She never notices the figure creeping up on her. It stumble a few feet from her, and that gets her attention. She twirls around.

Kate
Go and sit down Doc-

She gasps for before her stands the bartender. Half his face has been ripped off, and his right eye is missing. It lets out a long wailing moan. Kate reacting quickly screams loudly as she grabs the pan and bangs the sizzling skillet off of the things head. It falls to the floor in a clump.

The view switches to the common room as Doc comes rushing down the stairs. Two more creatures alerted to Kate’s scream are slowly shuffling to the kitchen. He pulls out both of his pistols, and drops them both with one shot from each gun. He walks into the kitchen to find Kate standing over the dead Barkeep.

Doc
Look here Kate, it seems you have ruined breakfast.

He hurries over to her, and grabs her up in his arms. She seems quite shocked

Doc
Never mind about it now darling it cant be helped. Let us away my dear.

Doc gently pulls Kate along with him out of the kitchen as Wyatt comes down the stairs. Another of the walking dead is entering the Tavern. Doc drops it before the doors swing shut.

Wyatt
What the hell is going on Doc

Doc
Armageddon it would seem.

Wyatt comes down to the room, and makes his way over by the door to have a look. Doc holsters his pistol, and sits Kate down and talks quietly to her trying to make sure she is all right. Pinkerton, and Garrett quickly trample down the steps pistols in hand.

Garrett
We heard gun shots.

Wyatt
Yeah it appears our friends from the train move better then we thought.

Garrett looks at one of the corpses Doc shot.

Pinkerton
Impossible we all saw how they shambled about. To think they could have made the walk here.

Garrett
They didn’t. This is Sam Roberts town blacksmith.

Wyatt
Well hell how could that be?

Doc
(leaning into Kate)
There my darling all better now. You just sit here for a moment my dear, and gather your thoughts.

Kate quickly grabs Doc’s second pistol, and shoots it past his head into the barmaid that was shambling up behind him. The men all whirl around as the thing drops to the ground.

Kate
Thank you Doc. I am fine now. I just lost my wits for a moment is all.

She reholsters Doc’s gun.

Doc
Thank you my dear Kate. Now gentlemen perhaps we should take our leave of this place. I have grown weary of the decor.

Wyatt
That may be harder than you think.

A loud wailing moan is heard from outside.

Garrett
How many are out there?

Wyatt looks out the door again, and we see what he sees. several dozen of the things clutter the street shambling about. Some of them crouch near other corpses eating on the flesh of the dead. In the middle of them all still stumbling about is the dead train engineer.

Wyatt
Lots.

The Good, the Bad, and the Dead #1

Train depot San Diego Docks late 1800s

Many Chinese immigrant workers are being offloaded from a boat onto cattle cars at the back of a long train waiting on the track. There is much pushing and shouting as the “rail men” prod the immigrants into the cars.
We also see a large steel lock box being loaded onto the second car of the train. Several U.S. soldiers stand guard.
As the last of the china men are loaded into the car we can see that several appear very sickly and frail, coughing and look to be near death. As the car is being closed one of the immigrants rolls out, and lands in a heap dead on the ground.

Soldier 1
(Shouting from the front of the train)
There a problem up there?

Rail Man 1
We got nother dead one here.

Soldier 1
Well, put em with the others, and clear the track. This lock box gotta be at Ft Sumner with out delay.

The soldier climbs aboard the train and the whistle blows long and loud as the train chugs off. The rail men bring over a wheelbarrow and load the dead worker into it. We follow the body as it is wheeled to a nearby pit, and dumped. The pit is filled with at least 20 corpses of other Chinese workers.

Cut to-Outside day somewhere in Arizona.

One man sits high on his horse near a train track. Nothing can be heard, but the rustling of the wind. The man is looking up, and down the track and appears impatient.
The man is short young, and , handsome.(Billy)
Several moments pass, and three riders break into view from down the track. The young man on his horse smiles, and trots off in their direction.
The other three man are a scruffy bearded dirty looking sort.(Ike) A tall older rugged fellow.(Frank) And another young handsome bloke(Jessie)

Billy
Whoowee Ike. Its about time. Ya don’t leave a fella standin round this long with nuttin to do cept spit, and whistle. I just about givin up on you. I take it these the boys you was talkin up?

Ike
Now Billy I told you I was bringing em back. Twernt nothin ta worry about.

Frank
Ike had us lost bout two days back. Sorry fer the delay.

Jesse
I’m Jesse that’s Frank, and you must be Billy. Pleased to make your acquaintance.

Billy
Good now that we’re all friends lets get down to business. There’s a steal horse gonna be commin down that track with a whole lotta chinee workers, a few army regulars, and a lock box with five hundred thousand dollars worth of some rich rail tycoons money. I intend to liberate those funds, and Ike here, well he told me you gentlemen know a thing or two bout robbin trains.

Jesse
That we do, don’t we Frank?

Frank
That we do Jesse So whats the plan then?

Cut to inside saloon

It is a clean and fit looking establishment. Several people mill about, but it is a slow time of day for business. A man is drunkenly leaning over the piano playing well, but missing a note once or twice.(Doc) Another man is seated behind a gaming table.(Wyatt)
A tall well dressed, and groomed fellow walks into the Saloon, nickel slick badge proudly displayed on his chest, and strides up to the barkeep(Garrett)

Garrett
I’m looking for Wyatt. You know him?

The barkeep(Lou) nods in Wyatt’s direction. Garret walks over, and sits down at the table pulling out a bill fold as he does. He places a bill on the table.

Garrett
Never been much for gambling.

Wyatt
(Pulling a card)
Eight house wins. I’m thinking now might not be the time to start.

Doc
Nonsense Wyatt, it is always the perfect time to start.

Garrett looks in Doc’s direction, and puts down another bill on the table. Wyatt draws another card.

Wyatt
Four, house wins again.

Doc
Then again, sometimes the odds are not in ones favor.

Garrett looks around taking it all in, and lays down another bill. Wyatt draws yet another card.

Wyatt
Queen, house wins again.
(Garrett goes to play another bill)
You look like there’s more going on here than someone stopping in to play a few hands a faro. Why don’t ya just get on with it, and explain yourself before the house cleans you out.

Doc
I believe that is the idea of the game Wyatt.

Garrett
No I think ill listen to the dealer on this one and hold onto what I got left. I am here for something. I’m looking for you Wyatt. Names Garrett. Been Marshaling out of New Mexico Lincoln county way.

Wyatt
Long ride from Lincoln.

Garrett
That it is. I would not have made it with out good reason either. I’m chasing ghosts, well close to id reckon. Killed me a kid while back for stealin cattle, went by the name of Billy. Only I come to find out maybe this kid isn’t dead. Maybe they say he’s still riding and rustling cattle. So I check it out. Come to find out he is still alive, or at least some one claiming to be him cept he isn’t horse thieving no more, nope now he lookin to rob trains.

Wyatt
Well that sure is an interesting tale, but I fail to see---

Garrett
Lemme finish. Train coming through Benson heading to New Mexico just this morning. Bringing workers to extend the line. Well it also has a payroll car. Five hundred thousand. So it looks like this kid is planning on that one. He also has himself a few hands on this job. A couple of boys by the name of Frank and Jesse, from out Missouri way, and a man from Arizona goes by the name of Ike.

Wyatt
Ok now I understand. I’m sorry Sheriff Garrett was it? If you know me, then you know I haven’t done that work in a few months now. Ike, and his boys caused a lot of harm to this town and to me personally, and I hunted down and destroyed that gang of cowboys. Then I learned to let it go. But…one man got away, and now you waltz in here and tell me you’ve conjured him out of thin air, and he’s robbing trains with a ghost. I got that right?

Garrett
That pretty much sums it up.

Wyatt
Well Doc, I see no reason for you to get caught up in this mess. Me and the Sheriff here can take care of it. Why don’t you stay here, and see to the game for me, would do your health some good as well.

Doc
Do not be so presumptuous as to my reason to go anywhere Wyatt. I go where I wish, and I feel that a good ride with a chance at some exciting distraction would do much to restore my vitality. Don’t worry about the game my friend I am sure Lou will do a fine job looking out for it. Will you not Lou?

Lou
Sure thing Doc. Don’t you worry Wyatt everything will be here when you get back.

Garrett, Doc, and Wyatt head outside. Garrett Mounts up his horse.

Garrett
I gotta head down to the train station meet up with a man from Pinkerton, has a vested interest in the other two men. Frank and Jesse. Says he wants to be there when they are brought down and offered his assistance to do so. Figured another gun always good to have around, and I didn’t know your answer yet.

Wyatt
A Pinkerton that’s some serious trouble there. Those boys musta made some rich man angry back east. Well Doc, and me will grab our horse, and settle our things here and ride over.

Garrett
Thanks Wyatt. We will bring these men in.

Garrett rides off, and Doc and Wyatt walk down the street as the scene cuts.

Cut to outside train tracks.

Billy, Jesse, Frank, and Ike sit behind a ridge below the railroad track. They have a large tree, and a wagon broke down in the middle of the tracks on a long straight away.

Jesse
I don’t know Frank. I still don’t know if the train will have enough time to stop before it hits that tree.

Frank
It don’t matter Jesse. If it hits it train still stops.

Ike
No it don’t matter cause there is no train. Billy you said there wuz gonna be a train. We been sitting here better part of the day and there still ain’t no god damn train.

Billy
Oh shut your mouth Ike. Maybe they got a good smell of you and hit a switch track.

Frank
No Billy Ike’s right. Trains a good half day late. I’m inclined to think it isn’t coming.

Jesse
And I’m inclined to agree with you brother. I also think it aint like a rail line to not show up. Even if it shows up late. I say we take a ride down the tracks. Maybe it jumped, or had a boiler blow.

Billy
Well hell, anything beats sitting round here listening to Ike bellyache. Lets ride.

The quartet mount up and begin to ride down the tracks. They go a good ways as the sky slowly starts to darken. And then the come across the train sitting quietly in the middle of the tracks, the last rays of the sun glinting off the silent engine. The four men slowly ride up.

Jesse
Now this is a surprise.

Ike
Aint no one around.

Frank dismounts and hops up onto the engine. He disappears into the coal car, and comes back out.

Frank
Engines just warm fire hasn’t been fed in a while. No sign of the engineer. Firemans up here dead though. Doesn’t look to be shot. Looks like he was kind of mangled up.

The men all dismount. Ike grips his rifle tightly, and stands near his horse. Franks hops down and joins his brother walking the length of the train. Billy joins them but when they reach the lock box car, climbs up to have a look. To His surprise the door is not locked. Instead it is standing slightly ajar. He pushes the door open and gasps at the stench.

Billy
Hey boys get a breath of this. I guess that means they couldn’t smell Ike.

Frank and Jesse rush back to Billy. Ike throws an angry look Billy’s way but simply stands and grips in rifle in fear.

Jesse
What do you make of it Frank?

Frank steps in squeezing past Billy, and enters the car.

Frank
(From inside)
Dead, all dead. Looks to be about six soldiers. They fired their guns at something. There is a few holes in the wall.

It is quiet for a few moments, and we can hear Frank shuffle about in the car. He comes back out and shoves a bag into Billy’s hands.

Frank
Moneys still here. They wasn’t robbed.

Billy
Were not. They were not robbed. Until now.

Billy tosses the bag to Ike who drops his rifle to catch it only to have it knock him half over in the process.

Billy
Well gentlemen, despite the oddity of this occurrence I call this a win. Stop making a fool of yourself Ike, and get these bills on a horse so we can skin out of here.

Billy steps past Frank and tosses several more bags out at Ike. Franks hops down from the train again and walks down the tracks away with Jesse.

Jesse
This has an eerie quality to it Frank. Reminds of the stories Bob used to tell sitting round the camp fire.

Frank
Oh now little brother don’t go letting Bob’s old stories give ya a fright. Near as I can figure must have been an accident and while they were busy figuring that out some rogue Indian band looking for payback had themselves a little revenge.

The pair find themselves nearing the Chinese worker cars.

Jesse
That puts some pretty good sense to it Frank, but I don’t know just seems more than ordinary is all.

The sky is getting dark fast as the two brother reach the end of the train. The worker cars are all empty and there seems to be no sign of the china men. The boys turn around and begin walking back to their horses. As they turn a low moan is heard from the last car. Jesse turns back towards the car and leans into the doorway.

Jesse
Hello! Someone in there?

Another low moan is his only response. He climbs up, and takes a few steps in. Franks stands near at the doorway.

Jesse
Hello?! You need some help?

A few moments of quiet go by as Frank waits for Jesse it is to dark to see into the car by this point. In a rush a yelp is heard from Jesse in the car as he, and something else comes tumbling out. The two bodies separate as they hit the ground.

Jesse
Shoot it him Frank! Guy tried to bight me!

Frank fumbles for his gun and as he draws it a gunshot cracks loudly. Frank and Jesse look to see Billy pistol out, and still smoking.

Jesse
Now that was just down right unnerving.

Frank bends down to look at the corpse, and to his surprise it lunges for him. He jumps back, as he lifts his pistol Billy puts another rounds into its torso, but the thing keeps crawling towards Frank. Billy draws his second pistol and puts another round into the torso, the thing flinches, and still crawls towards Frank, who lifts his own pistol and puts a round center forehead. The thing collapses still, and dead.
Ike comes running up.

Ike
What the hell just happened?

Frank
(dropping his spent round and reloading.)
I do not know.

Jesse
I don’t want to know.

Billy
Good point. Lets skin out of here.

The four men turn around to find three of the soldiers, and the fireman up, and shambling unnaturally towards them. It is clear from the way they move that they are no longer “Human” . The fireman lets out a long wailing moan, and shuffles forward at a faster pace. Billy raises his pistols and fires both as quickly as he can at the things hitting several. None of them fall down. Ike blasts one square in the chest with his rifle only to have it stand again.
Jesse grabs his own pistols, and goes to work hitting another soldier several times in the torso only to have it keep coming. Frank Takes careful aim, and hit’s the same shambling soldier in the forehead felling it dead.

Frank
Aim for the head. They die when you shoot them in the head.

Billy and Jesse fire their last few rounds with precision hitting the other two soldiers in the head. Ike takes aim with his rifle at the Fireman, but misses, once, twice, a third time he hits it in the neck it keeps coming. Frank steps up, and once more with fine aim blasts the thing in the head.

Billy
Quick get on those horses!

Jesse
Aint gotta ask me twice lets get outta here fellas.

The outlaws make a dash for the horses back at the front of the train and ride off into the darkness.

Cut to train day

The four lawmen come riding up on the train from the rear. Or the opposite direction of the outlaws.
It is still a bloody mess from the previous night. The corpses of the soldiers still litter the ground.

Wyatt
God damn it! We missed them.

Pinkerton the new man into the group rides forward to the engine and carefully scans the corpses as he rides past. Reaching the engine he circles his horse around and takes the scene in. He is a tall stately man older, and somewhat out of place in this western setting. His clothes are clearly east coast.

Pinkerton
This wasn’t our boys. Oh to be sure they were here. They didn’t stop the train though. It’s boiler had a pressure leak, the engineer stopped to repair it.

Wyatt
(under his breath to Garrett)
He got all that from riding his horse around a bit?

Pinkerton dismounts, and walks over to the corpses of the soldiers, and the fireman. He examines each of them closely, while the rest of the posse pace their horses nearby. The animals seem slightly spooked at this point.

Garrett
Well hell Pinkerton are we gonna go after them or stand around here looking at dead folk.

Pinkerton
One must never rush headlong towards a foe one does not know. No gentlemen something very odd has happened here. Our boys were attacked by these soldiers, and the worker lying over there, and our boys fought back. Oh how they fought back. I have seen the remnants of many of Jesse’s exploits and none were as violent as this. Make no mistake something has changed the disposition of our quarry.

Doc
It is widely known that dangerous outlaws will undoubtedly perform dangerous acts. Speaking as some one with intimate knowledge of that world perhaps things simply escalated out of their control.

Pinkerton
You nefarious past aside, this is simply not an escalation of violence. No indeed these soldier violently attacked our boys. It was not simply a matter of defending the train either. Something odd happened here.

Pinkerton makes his way to the locked car, carefully scanning the ground as he goes. He reaches the car, and uses a handkerchief to cover his nose he steps through the wide open door. The bodies of two soldiers are left inside. However it soon becomes clear that one is eating the other. Pinkerton’s eyes widen, and he reaches for his pistol as he back to the doorway.

Pinkerton
Sheriff! Something odd is happening here indeed. Come up here please.

The creature in the car reacts to Pinkerton’s call, and rolls over and tries to stand, but has a difficult time doing so. Pinkerton raises his gun and aims it at the thing.

Pinkerton
Now that is just far enough. You stay down there.

Garrett, Doc, and Wyatt rush over drawing their guns. Garrett hops up and looks in the doorway.

Garrett
What the hell is that?

The creature stands up and slowly shambles to the door. Pinkerton and Garrett step back and down out of its way. The thing reaches the steps, and lets out a low moan. Several other low wails are answered in return from the stand of trees on one side. The men whirl around and point their weapons, but nothing can be seen.
The creature lunges from the steps at Garrett, and falls to the ground it reaches out for his ankle, and Doc in a quick motion hits it in the back of the head, the thing goes limp.

Doc
Well now this is a hell of a thing.

Wyatt
Figure there’s more up in that stand.

Wyatt grabs the rifle from his saddle and slowly walks towards the stand of trees. Doc draws his second pistol and follows after. Garret looks at Pinkerton who follows the other two.

Garrett
Now just a damn minute. Doesn’t any body find this all a bit disconcerting?

Wyatt
I do at that.

Garrett
Well maybe we should take up a more defensible position we don’t know what’s going on here. We don’t know how many are out there do we?

Wyatt
Well Garrett you can stay here pissin your boots, but I reckon I plan on figuring out what’s goin on.

Wyatt keeps on walking with Doc, and Pinkerton on his heels. Garrett looking uneasy follows quickly behind. The lawmen disappear into the small stand of trees as a low moan wails out. Garrett is the last in and at the sound of the wail cocks his rifle.