SHADOWS ON THE MESA
[MUSIC]
01:00:00
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
TRACE
01:00:25
I feel real special. Lawmen chasing me all across this territory and a few bounty
hunters much like yourself, none came close to me. No, sir. It took the famous Wes
Rawlins to get a rope on me.
TRACE (CONTINUED)
01:00:44
Now, I heard tell that you were the best tracker man-hunter in the whole West. Of
course, tyin' me up and taking my guns away, don’t mean I'm gonna see the hang man
for sure.
TRACE (CONTINUED)
01:01:09
We ain't to town yet. No, sir, we ain't. Hey, I can get you more than the $300 they're
giving you to bring me in.
WES
Whoa.
TRACE
Okay.
TRACE (CONTINUED)
01:01:25
This looks like a good spot to stop us bell.
WES
Take the one there in the high ground. I'll pick this spot.
TRACE
What are you talking about?
WES
01:01:42
Ambush.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 2
TRACE
Ambush? (laughs) From who?
WES
Them friends of yours have been dogging us all morning.
TRACE
Now, boys, he's gonna do it!
TRACE (CONTINUED)
01:01:58
(grunts)
[GUNSHOTS]
[HORSE NEIGHING]
TRACE
Stop firing, you idiot!
[GUNSHOTS]
TRACE
You're gonna hit me.
[GUNSHOTS]
TRACE
I said stop! (grunts)
[GUNSHOTS]
TRACE
01:02:13
(gasping)
MAN
(grunts)
[GUNSHOTS]
MAN
(grunts)
[LOUD THUDS]
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 3
BOY
01:02:31
Don't shoot. Please don’t shoot.
WES
(cocks gun)
BOY
(shuddering)
BOY (CONTINUED)
01:02:51
(stuttering) I told them. I didn’t wanna come. But I needed the money.
WES
How old are you?
BOY
16.
BOY (CONTINUED)
01:03:07
You're gonna kill me, sir?
WES
I suggest you find another way to make money.
BOY
Yes. Yes, sir.
WES
Git.
[GALLOPING]
01:03:33
MR. JENKINS
Hello, Wes.
WES
Hey, Mr. Jenkins.
JAKE
01:03:57
Sure am glad you're home.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 4
WES
Good to be home, Jake.
JAKE
I suspect you got Hodges. Did he come easy?
WES
Not very silent. Killed by his own men in ambush.
JAKE
(chuckles)
WES
01:04:13
Where is ma?
JAKE
(sniffles) She was murdered.
WES
What?
JAKE
Oh, they beat her up pretty bad and left her for dead in the creek.
JAKE (CONTINUED)
01:04:32
Missus found her. She died a couple hours later.
WES
Did she say anything?
JAKE
01:04:48
Two men. I searched everywhere. No strangers in town. They just vanished.
WOMAN
01:05:24
She was a good woman, son. We loved her as if she was our own.
WOMAN (CONTINUED)
01:05:44
I made that special for you. (chuckles)
WES
Thank you.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 5
JAKE
You remember I told you that while I was still sheriff, your ma was a survivor of a
Comanchero attack on a wagon train?
WES
01:06:08
I know the story.
JAKE
Uh-hmm. This one's got a little bit different ending.
WES
Let's hear it.
JAKE
We brought Mary Jacobs in more dead than alive.
JAKE (CONTINUED)
01:06:24
It took awhile but old Doc Adams finally got her back on her feet again. She had
nobody. No family. Ray Eastman, your pa, his body was never found.
WOMAN
01:06:44
She kept hoping that he was alive, that he'd come back and find her but it never
happened.
JAKE
Finally, she decided he must be dead.
WOMAN
I was barren.
WOMAN (CONTINUED)
01:06:59
We couldn’t have any children. So we took your mother in and she was a godsend.
JAKE
Oh, yeah. Seven months later, you came along. You were the grandson we thought
we could never have.
WOMAN
01:07:15
And she took our name, which was an honor.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 6
JAKE
(laughs) Yeah.
WES
Where's the new ending?
JAKE
Well, I was talking to some fellas from down Paladeering way.
JAKE (CONTINUED)
01:07:35
He said there's a storm brewing up down yonder between two ranch owners. One of
them's name is Ray Eastman.
WES
01:07:50
My pa?
JAKE
I figure he thought your ma was dead so he went on with his life.
WES
01:08:05
Did ma know about this?
JAKE
She did. She wrote him a letter a short time before she was killed. She wanted him to
know about you and that she was still alive.
WES
01:08:24
So he knew about me and ma. (breathing hard)
JAKE
01:09:07
(sighs)
WES
I need to find Ray Eastman. I need to look him in the eye.
JAKE
I figured that. Here, take this.
JAKE (CONTINUED)
01:09:23
It was your ma's. She wants you to have it.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 7
WES
To Mary; all my love, Ray.
JAKE
01:09:39
Show that to Eastman. He'll know that you're talking straight.
WES
I'm riding out in the morning. If I get a hint that he has something to do with ma's death,
I will kill him.
WES (CONTINUED)
01:10:03
I give you my word, I shall treat him fair.
JAKE
No man could ask for more.
WOMAN
I made you some of those buttermilk biscuits you like so much.
WOMAN (CONTINUED)
01:10:23
You're mother was a kind sweet soul. Settle this with her heart in your mind.
WES
Yes ma'am.
[MUSIC]
01:10:46
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[COW MOOS]
01:11:13
RAY
I knew that horse would be a good one.
BALDY
Once he got past rolling over you.
JONESY
Baldy, that can happen to all of us.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 8
SAM (CONTINUED)
01:11:30
Pure accident.
RAY
I'll be getting back up on him as soon as my leg is better.
MONA
Ray Eastman, you'll be doing no such thing.
JONESY
Uh, Baldy, let's go fix that harness.
BALDY
What harness?
JONESY
01:11:45
Good morning.
MONA
Man your age has no reason to be up on these ranch horses.
RAY
What you talking about a man my age? I got a lot of good years left to me woman. I
haven't given up yet.
MONA
Uh-hmm.
RAY
Specially with Pete Dowdy snapping in my heels.
MONA
01:12:00
Mm. Well, come on. Let me help you in the house and get your weight of that leg.
RAY
I guess it is aching a little bit. He's a good horse though.
[HORSE NEIGHS]
01:12:22
PETE
Goes there. JT.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 9
JT
01:12:38
Yeah pa?
PETE
How those new hands working out?
JT
Good. Real slick, rough bunch too.
PETE
Well, that's the idea. I want you to take them over to Eastman's and start weeding out
his garden.
JT
Yes sir.
PETE
01:12:58
(sips)
JONESY
The Dowdy's are starting to push pretty hard, Mr. Ray.
RAY
Yeah. I sent a letter to that territorial judge over a month ago to come down here and
take care of this Dowdy business.
JONESY
And you haven’t had a word yet?
RAY
No.
BALDY
Those politicians take their time with everything.
BALDY (CONTINUED)
01:13:14
They'll be coming any day.
RAY
Um, better be.
JONESY
Shouldn’t you be resting in the house Mr. Ray?
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 10
RAY
Why don’t you take care of the business, then you take care of me?
JONESY
You got one ready?
BALDY
As far as I know.
JONESY
(strikes hammer)
MAN
01:13:32
All right boys, let's go get those cattle.
MAN
Uh-ohm the dowdy boys are coming.
MAN
We got trouble. What are you doing here JT Dowdy? This is Eastman land.
JT
01:13:48
By golly, you're right.
MAN
Mr. Eastman told us to keep an eye out for trouble from you Dowdys.
POTLUCK
Trouble's here.
JT
Guns in the ground, hands in the air.
JT (CONTINUED)
01:14:04
Now, get on your horses and ride out of here like the devil himself was after you. You
don’t work for Eastman anymore.
POTLUCK
Git!
[GUN FIRES]
01:14:19
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 11
JT
Go on. If we see you again, you're dead man.
MAN
01:14:52
(laughs) You should have seen them brother. One looked like he was going to mess his
britches. (laughs)
POTLUCK
Yeha, they won't stop running 'til they hit Mexico. (laughs)
MAN
Taking Eastman out is gonna be easy.
SALLY
The Navy's gonna make ships out of steel.
SALLY (CONTINUED)
01:15:08
(laughs) Can you believe that? John L. Sullivan, what a fist that man has.
WES
Ma'am.
SALLY
Well, hello.
SALLY (CONTINUED)
01:15:24
I'm Sally Bates Mr…
WES
Rawlins.
SALLY
What can I get you Mr. Rawlins?
WES
You know where I can find a "Mr. Eastman?”
SALLY
Ray Eastman, ranch is a couple of miles south of town.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 12
JT
01:15:39
Sally, we need another round.
SALLY
Well then, you best settle up before your brain forgets what you owe.
JT
Well now Sally, that makes sense. I'm coming to square it away.
SALLY
Aw, I appreciate that JT.
[GLASS SHATTERS]
01:15:56
SALLY
Paying for that too.
JT
Slipped out of my hand being empty and all.
[LAUGHTER]
JT
Hey mister, you didn’t even flinch.
JT (CONTINUED)
01:16:17
Bet you flinch if I slapped you upside of the head.
MAN
JT he wants to play.
SALLY
Not in here, you don’t.
[GUN COCKS]
01:16:46
JT
Now, I'm just funning.
WES
01:17:03
Get your hands off those guns boys. This man will get the sheriff.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 13
SALLY
Sheriff's out of town. Besides, he's a brother to this fellow you just made a fool of.
[GALLOPING]
01:17:33
JONESY
Yeah, hold up there. There's no need to step down mister.
WES
01:17:50
I'm looking for Ray Eastman.
JONESY
Well, I'm Sam Jones, the ranch foreman.
WES
My name is Wes Rawlins with some personal message got nothing to do with either one
of you.
BALDY
But things have been a little jumpy around here lately. You can't be too careful.
WES
You can lower the weapon. I don’t mean you any harm.
[KNOCKS ON DOOR]
01:18:15
MONA
(sighs) I'll see who it is. Yes, what can I do for you?
JONESY
01:18:30
Ms. Eastman, this is Wes Rawlins. He'd like to speak to Mr. Ray.
MONA
Jonesy does the hiring, Mr. Rawlins.
WES
I'm not looking for work.
JONESY
He says he has a personal message for Mr. Ray.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 14
MONA
Oh, Mr. Eastman is not feeling well enough for visitors today.
RAY
01:18:48
Mona, send him in.
MONA
All right. Enter and meet the lion.
WES
01:19:17
Mr. Eastman?
RAY
What's your name?
WES
Wesley Rawlins.
RAY
While you're here, talk.
WES
Mary Jacobs is dead, murdered.
RAY
01:19:46
Mary Jacobs died 30 years ago.
WES
I understand you got a letter from her a few months back.
RAY
A letter? (chuckles) Mister, what are you talking about?
RAY (CONTINUED)
01:20:03
I never got no letter from Mary, couldn't--she died in a Comanchero raid a long time
ago.
WES
A few months ago she was killed. I figured maybe you knew someone who might
wanna do her harm.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 15
RAY
Yeah, I don't know what kind of game it is you're playing here son but I told you Mary
died a long time ago.
WES
01:20:32
I thought you should know.
[FOOTSTEPS THUDDING]
JONESY
Look.
BALDY
Uh-oh, he's got the "I-just-met-Ray" look.
JONESY
01:20:48
He sure does.
BALDY
(chuckles)
JONESY
Mr. Rawlins, you deliver your message?
WES
In part.
ROSALIE
Whoa.
CHUCK
Whoa.
JONESY
That's Chuck Eastman and his sister Rosalie.
CHUCK
01:21:03
I'm gonna win one of these days.
ROSALIE
You have to get up pretty early in the day to beat me little brother.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 16
CHUCK
(sighs) Hello boys. What do we have here?
ROSALIE
I believe it is "who do we have here?" Please excuse my little brother.
JONESY
01:21:18
Chuck, Ms. Rosalie, this is Mr. Wes Rawlins.
ROSALIE
Pleasure. Can't you speak Mr. Rawlins?
WES
When I have something to say.
JONESY
Uh, Mr. Rawlins was just about to leave.
ROSALIE
01:21:35
Oh, pity. Seems a shame to allow him to leave this late in the day.
CHUCK
(clears throat)
ROSALIE
Surely there's a bunk available for a handsome, weary stranger. Good day, gentlemen.
BALDY
01:21:50
Sun's going down pretty soon. You can stay in a bunkhouse or the barn. Take your
pick. Ride out in the morning.
WES
Barn will do.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[CRICKETS CHIRPING]
01:22:08
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 17
WES
01:22:26
I give you my word. I shall treat him fair.
JAKE
No man could ask for more than that.
WOMAN
Your mother was a kind sweet soul. Settle this with your heart in your mind.
BALDY
01:22:56
Jonesy.
[METAL CLANGS]
JONESY
Boss, should you be walking around?
RAY
01:23:12
Nah, I need to move about. Look, I heard that that Rawlins fella' has spent the night.
BALDY
He did. He rode out just after sun up.
RAY
Ah, I wanna talk to him.
JONESY
01:23:27
We lost some of our hands yesterday.
BALDY
Word has it JT. and some his boys ran them off.
RAY
Did Rawlins say if he was coming back?
BALDY
No. He just thanked us for the roof over his head and rode off. Ms. Rosalie rode off a
short time later.
CHUCK
01:23:48
Good morning, mother.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 18
MONA
Where's Rosalie?
CHUCK
She went out riding I expect, it was my day to watch her.
MONA
Riding. Straddling the saddle like a common ranch woman. That girl needs to be
locked up in finishing school.
CHUCK
01:24:04
They threw her out.
MONA
Well I have persuaded them to take her back.
CHUCK
Pa know about this?
MONA
Your father hasn't been any help.
ROSALIE
01:24:25
Mr. Rawlins. Good morning, Mr. Rawlins. Where you headed?
WES
I haven’t decided.
ROSALIE
Would you mind if I ride along to "haven't decided?"
WES
Suit yourself.
ROSALIE
01:24:42
You don't scare me, Mr. Wes Rawlins. I find you very intriguing. I suppose there's a
string of broken hearted ladies lying awake at night pining over for you.
WES
01:24:57
Not so as you noticed.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 19
ROSALIE
Oh, the handsome man can communicate. (laughs) Does my flirting make you
nervous?
WES
Edgy more like it.
ROSALIE
Well good.
ROSALIE (CONTINUED)
01:25:12
It tells me that you do have a heartbeat in there.
WES
Now you know.
PETE
Whoa.
PETE (CONTINUED)
01:25:28
(sighs) Hello, Mona. Have you persuaded Ray to accept my offer?
MONA
He's turned down every offer of yours for a year now.
PETE
There's only so much unpleasantness I can help with.
PETE (CONTINUED)
01:25:45
You need to be more convincing.
MONA
He's distracted at the moment.
PETE
Well, my price for his land will make him a very rich man. And of course your
confidential fee for putting the deal together will make you a rich woman.
PETE (CONTINUED)
01:26:00
You can live the life of your choice.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 20
MONA
Pete, when I showed you that letter from Mary Jacobs I was asking for advise, nothing
more.
PETE
Mona, what has gotten into you?
MONA
01:26:18
Did you kill her?
PETE
No where would you get an idea like that?
MONA
From a bounty hunter by the name of Wes Rawlins.
PETE
Never heard of him.
MONA
He showed up at the ranch yesterday, told Ray Mary had been murdered.
PETE
01:26:34
Ray believe him?
MONA
I don't know. Should he?
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
PETE
I'm sorry about Mary Jacobs…
MONA
Oh.
PETE
But there was little choice in the matter.
MONA
I never would have told you about her if I knew it would come to this.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 21
PETE
01:26:51
Mona you are the beneficiary in Ray's will. Now, if anything should happen to him I
know you and I can work out a deal. But if Ray finds out about Mary all bets could be
off. Now this will be over soon and you will be rich beyond your dreams.
MONA
01:27:09
She has a son out there too.
PETE
Well, we do our jobs, that's a problem that won't matter. Now, this bounty hunter, he
still around?
MONA
As far as I know.
PETE
All right. When Mr. Rawlins moves on, you tell Ray that he approached you for money
and threatened you when you wouldn't go along.
MONA
01:27:31
I don’t know what's in your head, Pete. But I want your word that no harm comes to my
family…ever.
PETE
01:27:46
You have my word.
[MUSIC]
01:28:03
WES
How do you get your mail out here?
ROSALIE
Are you expecting a letter?
WES
You know, you never answer a question with a question.
ROSALIE
(laughs)
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 22
ROSALIE (CONTINUED)
01:28:19
Someone has to pick it up in town.
WES
Who's that someone?
ROSALIE
My mother normally, she goes to town everyday or so to shop. She loves to shop, she
picks it up. Why the interest in our mail?
WES
01:28:34
You like all them fancy schools?
ROSALIE
You answered a question with a question.
WES
Yeah, I guess I do.
ROSALIE
Not really. I like it here. Mm.
ROSALIE
01:28:52
Where are your folks?
WES
I never knew my pa. My ma was killed a while back.
ROSALIE
I'm very sorry.
WES
We got riders coming.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
ROSALIE
01:29:09
Uh, it's Pete Dowdy with two of his men.
WES
Yeah, I'm familiar with those two.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 23
PETE
(clears throat)
PETE
01:29:24
Ms. Rosalie, fine morning.
ROSALIE
Mr. Dowdy, I'd like to introduce you to…
PETE
Wes Rawlins. I know you by reputation as a bounty hunter. I apologize for my young
son’s behavior at Sally’s, a little hot-headed as young men tend to be.
PETE (CONTINUED)
01:29:48
Showing Mr. Rawlins around, are you?
ROSALIE
It would seem that way.
PETE
And I’m sure your father knows about this, right?
ROSALIE
Most certainly.
PETE
Well, we could ride along for awhile, get to know Mr. Rawlins.
ROSALIE
01:30:03
Thank you but we have private matters to discuss.
PETE
Good day, Miss Rosalie, Mr. Rawlins.
PETE (CONTINUED)
01:30:21
Let’s go boys.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
MAN
Yah.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 24
WES
You get on home, I'm gonna ride alone.
ROSALIE
I'll ride where I care to ride.
ROSALIE (CONTINUED)
01:30:36
Besides I enjoy your company. Are you really a bounty hunter?
WES
From time to time.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
ROSALIE
01:30:55
Ray was here long before Pete Dowdy bought his ranch.
WES
Why the fuss?
ROSALIE
Oh, Ray gave the Dowdy’s permission to cross our land to the river but their herd's been
grazing on our land.
WES
I can see how that can cause a problem.
ROSALIE
01:31:10
Cattle started mixing and lately we ended up short on the count. Matter's been heated
ever since.
WES
Let’s get you back to the ranch.
ROSALIE
We? You coming too?
WES
01:31:25
No choice. Those two boys of Pete Dowdy are tracking us
ROSALIE
I don’t see anybody.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 25
WES
I'm sure you didn’t.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
ROSALIE
01:31:57
Why did we leave our horses? I insist we go back to our horses. You said we were
going to the ranch. (sighs) No wonder you’re alone. Hey, wait.
ROSALIE (CONTINUED)
01:32:22
Uh, why don’t we talk to them, find out what they want?
WES
Wait here. If there’s any shooting, stay low.
ROSALIE
Shooting?
POTLUCK
01:32:49
You go on this way, I’m going there.
POTLUCK
01:33:13
(cocks gun)
[GUNSHOT]
POTLUCK
I’m gonna kill you Rawlins.
[GUNSHOT]
WES
01:33:31
(cocks gun) You looking for me?
[GUNSHOT]
01:33:55
[THUD]
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 26
THOR
Potluck!
THOR (CONTINUED)
01:34:10
Potluck!
WES
(whistles) (grunts)
ROSALIE
(panting) Mr. Rawlins.
JT
01:34:35
Looking good, Andrew. She’s a beaut.
[MUSIC]
JT
(sighs) JT
Well, hello there, brother.
JT (CONTINUED)
01:34:53
How’s the family lawman?
ART
I hear you were causin' at Sally’s yesterday.
JT
Nah, you’re wrong. I was just having a little fun.
ART
I got enough on my plate without having to clean up your messes.
JT
01:35:10
I don’t need you to clean up anything. You’re my brother not my pop.
ART
I ought to throttle you.
JT
I think you’re taking being sheriff too seriously.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 27
PETE
01:35:25
All right. That'll be enough, boys. How'd it go with the territorial judge?
ART
I assured him everything was under control with Eastman.
ART (CONTINUED)
01:35:40
That all was being done in a legal manner. He was happy not to have to come down
here.
PETE
That is good news.
JT
What are we gonna do about this bounty hunter?
PETE
I got a couple boys pushing him in a hole right now.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
01:35:59
PETE
We'll have their land soon.
JT
We need to make our move.
ART
01:36:14
What are you looking at, pa?
JT
Yeah, what’s out there? What do you see?
MONA
01:36:36
Rawlins, what right do you have keeping my daughter away?
ROSALIE
He tried to send me back, I kept following. Two of the Dowdy men tried to jump us.
MONA
Rosalie, dear, get down off that horse and come in the house.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 28
ROSALIE
01:36:55
Yes, ma’am.
MONA
Close the door.
MONA (CONTINUED)
01:37:14
The sooner you are gone, the better, Mr. Rawlins.
RAY
01:37:35
(pants) You and me need to talk. Tell me more about this letter you say Mary wrote.
WES
01:37:56
There’s nothing left to tell. She wrote a letter and you didn’t get it.
RAY
Did you know her?
WES
I knew her quite well.
RAY
01:38:12
She was my wife.
RAY (CONTINUED)
01:38:29
‘Cause I was, uh, I was taken prisoner by the Comancheros. Aimed to sell me as a
slave to the Comanches but I escaped. I made my way back to where they ambushed
us. All I found was a common grave. Figured they'd all died including my Mary.
RAY (CONTINUED)
01:38:59
Well, I rode for weeks not knowing where I was or where I was going.
RAY (CONTINUED)
01:39:15
Now, you have to tell me how I can believe you about Mary.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 29
WES
01:39:30
I believe the inscription reads, "To Mary, all my love, Ray."
RAY
Where did you get that locket?
MONA
Ray darling.
MONA (CONTINUED)
01:39:45
Are you coming to bed?
RAY
I could use your help around here.
JT
01:40:22
(clears throat) We got Potluck buried. Thor is in the bunk house, his head's throbbing
but he'll live.
ART
I’ll be heading back to town pa.
JT
Pa, they killed Potluck.
PETE
01:40:40
They drew first blood.
ART
I’ll stop by Eastman's, put pressure on the bounty hunter.
PETE
I want you to take a couple of the men, move the cattle from the Mesa to the valley.
JT
01:40:56
Oh, pa.
PETE
Do it. I’ll see you at Sally's later.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 30
ART
Yes, sir.
[DOOR SHUTS]
01:41:13
PETE
(sighs)
[GLASS CLINKS]
CHUCK
I don't know what got in the old man. He wants me to show him around.
WES
How big's your herd?
CHUCK
More that 2,000 head. Right now, they're spread all over the place. We're short of
hands so it takes time to gather 'em.
WES
01:41:28
You cowboy 'em yourself?
CHUCK
Yes, sir. Ain't nothing to it. Ride your horse and yell, yip, yip, yip!
WES
Learned that in college?
CHUCK
(chuckles) Want to go see where I practice my quick draw?
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
01:41:57
JONESY
What are you doing here Dowdy?
ART
Official business. Looking for Wes Rawlins. Heard he was, uh, working here now.
JONESY
01:42:12
Well, he could be.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 31
BALDY
He ain't here.
ART
Well, I’ll just take a look around.
BALDY
(cocks guns) That badge don't make you bulletproof. I said he ain't here.
RAY
Lower the gun Baldy.
RAY (CONTINUED)
01:42:31
What is it you want with Rawlins, Art?
ART
He killed a man.
RAY
Self-defense, plain and simple. My daughter's a witness to it.
ART
Certainly you were in no danger Rosalie?
ROSALIE
Well I certainly felt like it at the time.
ART
01:42:47
Tell Rawlins to come into town and see me. I need to, uh, fill out a report. Come on.
(clicks tongue) Here we go.
MONA
01:43:05
My daughter in the middle of an ambush?
PETE
Rosalie was never in any danger. My men knew she was off limits.
MONA
Your men? What's left of 'em.
PETE
Where’s Rosalie now?
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 32
MONA
Oh, Rawlins brought her back to the ranch. And now she's completely smitten by the
man.
PETE
01:43:22
Well, he'll be gone soon.
MONA
Well you said that before.
PETE
Well don't worry, my son's got a plan that'll send him on his way.
MONA
Mm. You have to forgive me, but nothing you have planned has worked out so far.
Yah!
RAY
01:43:49
I was hoping the judge was here by now. I need a judge to set things straight. (slams
pen) There. Pete Dowdy likes to play cards on Saturdays with his friends at the saloon.
RAY (CONTINUED)
01:44:04
This is a notice to vacate his cattle off my ranch within 30 days. Rosalie, get my hat and
coat.
ROSALIE
Ray, what are you doing?
RAY
Well, I'm gonna ride into town and hand this letter off to Pete Dowdy. I'm gonna look
him in the eye.
RAY (CONTINUED)
01:44:19
Jonesy, saddle me a horse.
ROSALIE
No, you are in no shape to go to town, let alone ride a horse.
JONESY
She's right boss.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 33
RAY
Well then hitch the wagon and I’ll drive. I mean to deliver this letter myself.
ROSALIE
Absolutely not.
RAY
Rosalie.
ROSALIE
No, Ray.
ROSALIE (CONTINUED)
01:44:34
Baldy will take it.
BALDY
My pleasure.
[GUNS FIRING]
CHUCK
I can draw fast but can't hit much of anything.
WES
01:44:49
Just fast enough to hit what you're aiming at. Then start to speed up.
[GUN FIRES]
WES
Try it again, slow your draw down.
CHUCK
01:45:06
(sighs)
WES
Nice shot.
CHUCK
Now what?
WES
That’s it?
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 34
CHUCK
Draw and shoot? That's your big secret?
WES
But you got to hit what you're aiming at. You draw too fast, you'll miss.
CHUCK
01:45:21
You pulling my leg?
WES
No, I'm not.
[GUNS FIRES]
CHUCK
(sighs) You think I could take you now?
WES
01:45:36
One more rule. Never draw on a man you suspect is faster that you.
CHUCK
That’s a good rule.
[SOLEMN MUSIC]
SALLY
01:45:57
Baldy.
BALDY
Hey Sally.
ART
Baldy, what are you doing in here?
BALDY
Boss asked me to give you this letter.
PETE
(laughs)
PETE (CONTINUED)
01:46:12
You know how often I get a friendly letter from Ray Eastman.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 35
ART
Wait until pa reads it.
BALDY
There no need. I know what's in it.
ART
I said (cocks guns) wait.
PETE
01:46:34
Says we got 30 days to clear our cattle out or he will claim them as his.
ART
Potluck was murdered, I'm holding Baldy for questioning.
BALDY
01:46:50
How long is this gonna take?
ART
Until Wes Rawlins turns himself in. Now give me your gun.
CHUCK
01:47:10
I truly appreciate your help Wes.
WES
Don’t mention it.
[GALLOPING]
JT
Well, look we got Eastman boy and Rawlins here.
CHUCK
01:47:26
This is my father's land, don't push your luck.
JT
I heard shootin', got concerned.
WES
Mister, I don't know you.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 36
WES (CONTINUED)
01:47:41
My disagreements with these two.
JT
Oh, "my disagreements with these two."
CHUCK
(whispers) Just fast enough.
JT
Are you saying something Chucky? Are you praying?
[GUNS FIRING]
01:47:58
MAN
(grunts)
[HORSE WHINES]
[GALLOPING]
CHUCK
Holy Jupiter. I just killed a man.
WES
You were defending yourself.
WES
01:48:15
(breathes heavily)
>>WES
You might want to reload, incase there's more trouble.
SALLY
01:48:33
(clicking tongue)
[CAN RATTLES]
[SQUEAKING]
SALLY
Whoa. Whoa.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 37
ROSALIE
01:48:48
What's the hurry Sally?
SALLY
It’s Baldy.
ROSALIE
What?
MONA
What going on?
SALLY
It’s Baldy, Art Dowdy's roughed him up and thrown him in jail.
MONA
(sighs) I'll handle this.
MONA (CONTINUED)
01:49:06
I suppose Baldy was drunk and unruly.
SALLY
No, he wasn't drinking. Art's hold him in exchange for Rawlins.
MONA
Thank you for bringing the news. I'll make sure that Mr. Eastman, uh, gets the word.
SALLY
01:49:23
Okay. (clicks tongue)
[GALLOPING]
CHUCK
01:49:38
We got jumped by JT Dowdy and two others.
RAY
What?
WES
Chuck saved my hide.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 38
CHUCK
JT, Clem Welsh and another fellow. Gave us no choice.
RAY
01:49:53
Uh, I'm just glad you boys made it back in one piece.
CHUCK
We got a real fight in our hands pa. JT go away, the other two are dead. I dropped
one, Wes got Clem.
MONA
01:50:11
Good lord Ray, don't you see what's happening? You send your son out with a known
killer and he becomes one.
RAY
01:50:27
(sighs) Chuck, Rosalie go inside, I want to speak to Wes alone.
ROSALIE
Tell me all about it.
RAY
I want to, uh, thank you for getting Chuck back here in one piece.
JONESY
01:50:48
Art Dowdy's looking for you, he wants to talk to you about shooting Potluck, Baldy's in
jail. He says he'll exchange Baldy for you.
WES
What do you have me do?
RAY
Nothing’s gonna be simple with the Dowdy's.
[HORSES HOOVES]
01:51:06
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[SLOW MUSIC]
01:51:30
[DOOR SLAMS]
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 39
ART
What’s wrong Pa?
PETE
01:51:45
It’s heating up. JT and a couple of the boys ran into Rawlins and young Eastman. We
got two more dead.
ART
JT?
PETE
He got away. Rawlins killed Clem.
PETE (CONTINUED)
01:52:00
And Chuck, (scoffs) Chuck killed another.
ART
That Eastman kid?
PETE
Yeah. I’ll go back to the ranch, figure out a plan.
[DOOR SLAMS]
01:52:17
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[CRICKETS CHIRP]
RAY
01:52:37
Yes.
MONA
One gun isn't gonna do you any good against Pete Dowdy's men.
RAY
Territorial judge will be here any day now, he'll settle this.
MONA
If the judge were coming they would’ve been here by now.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 40
MONA (CONTINUED)
01:52:55
Why don’t you just give up? Give Dowdy the land. Pull the money from the bank and
walk away.
RAY
Just walk away from everything that I've worked and scraped for? This is my ranch, it’s
my land. It'll be Chuck and Rosalie’s one day.
RAY (CONTINUED)
01:53:11
It’s their future.
MONA
They won’t have a future if they’re dead.
[FOOTSTEPS ECHOING]
[HORSES HOOVES]
01:53:26
ART
Come and get your supper.
BALDY
(scoffs) I don’t want your mush. It might be poisoned.
ART
Suit yourself.
ART
01:53:45
Holy.
BALDY
(gasps)
BALDY
Hey! That’s dynamite!
ART
(grunts)
BALDY
Put the dynamite out Wes.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 41
WES
Let’s get you out of there.
BALDY
Put the dynamite out first.
WES
01:54:03
Took the guts out.
ART
Oh.
WES
Time to get in your cell.
BALDY
Let’s go. (grunts) Let’s go.
WES
(grunts)
WES (CONTINUED)
01:54:21
This one works. Shake him up. Make a little noise.
BALDY
Whatever you say.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[EXPLOSION]
01:54:37
ART
Ah!
ROSALIE
Then what happened?
BALDY
Well that dynamite came flying in to the jail.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 42
BALDY (CONTINUED)
01:54:52
But ole Art he was pure panic. So he ran to the door and sock 'em. Wes punched him
back into the room.
CHUCK
And then what happened?
BALDY
Uh, well at the--that’s about it. Oh, except for the part where Wes blew the jail up with
Art still inside.
ALL
01:55:11
(laughs)
BALDY
Probably didn’t kill him though. We had him locked up in a back cell. (laughs)
ALL
(laughs)
RAY
Rawlins. We need to talk.
PETE
01:55:29
Two men got away and your jail got blown up. (sighs) I made you the Sheriff. I expect
you to control things around here.
ART
01:55:44
He took me by surprise.
JT
You’d still be in that cell if pa hadn’t sent me to check in on you.
PETE
Don’t stand there snickering at your brother. You had your chance to get Rawlins.
JT
All right.
PETE
Now I want this thing finished in a few days.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 43
[DOOR SHUTS]
01:56:06
RAY
(sighs) I appreciate you getting Baldy out. Of course you really stirred up the hornets
nest.
WES
Ain't no other way to do it. Had to let them know we ain’t gonna be easy to take.
RAY
01:56:24
We?
WES
I stand on your side.
RAY
Well you showed up here for a reason more than to tell me about a letter from Mary. I
just can’t believe she was alive all these years and I didn’t even know.
RAY (CONTINUED)
01:56:44
You know I'd like to see that locket that you showed me.
RAY (CONTINUED)
01:57:09
You know I--I gave this to her the day before I thought I lost her. (scoffs) If I had known
she’d been alive, my life would’ve been a lot different.
WES
01:57:34
When I first came here I thought you had something to do with her killing. I came here
to kill you.
RAY
And now?
WES
01:57:52
I believe you would have never harmed her nor did you get that letter. Mary was my
mother. I was born seven months after the raid that split you up.
RAY
01:58:12
(gasps) But then, uh, you’re my son.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 44
WES
So I've been told.
RAY
01:58:30
(clears throat) So where did Rawlings come from?
WES
The folks that took her in. This older couple. She took their last name and gave it to
me.
RAY
(sniffs)
CHUCK
01:58:52
Pa?
RAY
01:59:08
(sighs) You’ll have to excuse me Wes, it'll take a little time for it to sink in. (sighs)
WES
I understand, sir. It took me awhile to understand after I found out you was alive.
WES (CONTINUED)
01:59:31
That belongs to you.
WES (CONTINUED)
02:00:01
Well, I best got find Jonesy and Baldy, see if they need our help.
CHUCK
I'm gonna stay here and keep an eye on pa. We're brothers.
WES
(chuckles) It looks that way.
MONA
02:00:23
Pack your bags. You two are coming with me. I want you safe.
CHUCK
We're safe here.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 45
ROSALIE
We have Ray and Wes watching over us.
MONA
I'm so glad you two are so taken with your new brother.
CHUCK
This has nothing to do with Wes.
MONA
Charles, what if his intentions aren’t truthful?
MAN
02:01:13
That's JT and Art. You reckon JT is looking for trouble here?
MAN
Oh, JT won't pull something underhanded with the sheriff brother around.
MAN
I wouldn’t bet on that.
ART
02:01:35
Fine day, boys.
MAN
Sheriff.
ART
Your boys are working for old man Eastman, correct?
MAN
That's a fact.
ART
You wouldn’t be knowing where a fella named Rawlins is, would you?
ART (CONTINUED)
02:01:52
I don’t tolerate a man lying to me.
MAN
He was at headquarters some time ago. I wouldn’t know about now.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 46
JT
Maybe you'd like to come work for us Dowdys.
MAN
Mr. Eastman's been real fair with us with the wages and all.
THOR
02:02:11
It might be healthier for you to work for us.
MAN
We stick with Mr. Eastman.
JT
That you will.
[GUNSHOTS]
[HORSE NEIGHS]
[LOUD THUDS]
MONA
02:03:02
I'm not gonna bury any of my family over this.
PETE
You losing your nerve, won't get ready to sell.
MONA
I wanna arrange a face-to-face between you and Ray. I wanna try to negotiate a peace.
PETE
02:03:20
To what end?
MONA
I need things to calm down for a while so I can figure this thing out.
PETE
It's not complicated.
MONA
Rawlins is Ray's son.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 47
PETE
02:03:38
Well, I apologize, it is complicated.
MONA
I want you to take care of Rawlins once and for all.
PETE
02:03:57
I thought you were against killing.
MONA
I am. But once Rawlins is dead, my family will be safe.
WES
02:04:30
What happened?
BALDY
If the boys that work for us won't run off, they get killed.
WES
I'll catch you all later.
BALDY
We need you alive, Wes.
ROSALIE
02:04:56
Mother.
MONA
Oh.
ROSALIE
Hold up.
MONA
You startled me.
ROSALIE
What are you doing here?
MONA
Just driving around thinking.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 48
ROSALIE
Mother.
ROSALIE (CONTINUED)
02:05:11
I saw you at the hollow with Pete Dowdy.
MONA
Honey, listen to me. Today, I met with Peter to discuss a truce. We discussed a
peaceful solution and he says that, well, he promised to stop all the trouble between us.
MONA (CONTINUED)
02:05:36
Everything that I am doing, I'm doing it for you and your brother. Rosalie, where are you
going? Rosalie, come back!
[COYOTE'S HOWL]
02:05:56
CHUCK
Ole coyote's lonely.
RAY
Yup.
ROSALIE
Here's your coffee, Ray.
RAY
Oh, thanks, darling daughter.
ROSALIE
02:06:14
I love you, my Papa Ray.
RAY
And I love you too.
ROSALIE
I feel like I should tell you something.
RAY
02:06:29
No. There's no need telling me something I may already know.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 49
ROSALIE
Well, if you need anything, come inside.
RAY
Okay.
CHUCK
02:06:44
Me too. Maybe we can play some checkers.
ROSALIE
I'll beat you again.
CHUCK
Oh, my time's coming.
RAY
02:07:21
I see you're cleaning the tools of the trade.
WES
I figured I'd need them.
RAY
You don’t have to be part of what's coming.
WES
I just found you.
RAY
02:07:40
I'm truly sorry I wasn’t around when you were growing up.
WES
It's not your fault. You didn’t know about me or ma.
RAY
Those were the best days of my life with her.
WES
02:07:58
She said the same about you.
RAY
Oh, you know, you can move on into the house, you know. Take your meals there.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 50
WES
02:08:15
I kind of like it here. I'm used to being alone.
RAY
I know the feeling. Good night…son.
WES
02:08:33
Good night, pa.
RAY
Mm.
[MUSIC]
JONESY
02:09:01
Boss.
RAY
Where are the rest of the boys?
JONESY
They're at the hoodoos pushing cattle this way.
RAY
Well, get them back here. We're shorthanded as it is. We need all the guns we've got.
BALDY
I'll go get the boys.
RAY
Thanks, Baldy.
WES
I'ma go with him.
RAY
No. We gotta get ready for Dowdy. He's coming. We need to gather all the weapons
and ammunition we got.
JONESY
02:09:17
All right then.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 51
RAY
And you, you're gonna go into town and stay with Sally. You'll be safe with her.
ROSALIE
No. I'm staying here.
RAY
Rosalie, it ain't safe here.
ROSALIE
I'm staying here.
WES
Rosalie.
WES (CONTINUED)
02:09:32
Please do what Ray says.
RAY
(scoffs)
ROSALIE
Yes, sir.
RAY
02:09:50
You teach me how you do that. Chuck, you go with your sister.
CHUCK
No, sir. This is my home, my ranch too. I’m gonna stay here and defend it with my
father and my brother.
RAY
02:10:05
All right, son.
WES
You pretty good with that rifle in your saddle?
CHUCK
I’m proficient.
RAY
(scoffs)
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 52
WES
We should get that dynamite.
CHUCK
02:10:21
Yes, sir.
RAY
Dynamite?
WES
I'm fond of it.
RAY
(sighs)
PETE
02:10:38
Whoa. You got a busy day, Mona.
MONA
I am begging you to give this some time.
PETE
Rawlins, Ray, Ray’s men they’ve all had a chance to settle this a long time ago.
MONA
You'd kill Ray?
PETE
Moneys never gonna matter with Ray and he’ll never give you the life you deserve.
MONA
02:10:57
My children would be without a father.
PETE
You underestimate me. You always have.
MONA
Pete, be reasonable. You will never get away with killing Ray.
MONA (CONTINUED)
02:11:14
I will see to that myself.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 53
PETE
All right, Mona.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
PETE
02:11:31
(cocks gun)
[GUNSHOT]
[THUD]
MONA
(groans)
PETE
You convinced me. Giddyap, giddyap.
WES
02:11:50
Dynamite will serve in here.
RAY
Good.
JONESY
I'll put all the rifles and the ammo in the house.
RAY
Rider.
JONESY
02:12:06
That’s Bates, he’s supposed to be with the other men.
RAY
Bring him in the barn.
BATES
(panting)
MAN
02:12:21
Bates, what happened?
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 54
BATES
They came out of nowhere. Shooters.
CHUCK
How'd you get away?
RAY
Where are the other boys?
BATES
Trapped, only two.
RAY
02:12:41
Give him some water.
WES
It’s too late.
WES (CONTINUED)
02:12:57
How do we get to where they are?
RAY
It’s probably a lost cause by now.
WES
It could be, I'm going.
CHUCK
I’m going with you.
RAY
What do you think you’re gonna do when you get out there?
CHUCK
Whatever I can to save our ranch.
RAY
02:13:13
All right. You two brothers, you take care of each other.
CHUCK
Yes, sir.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 55
[MUSIC]
02:13:36
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
BALDY
02:14:30
(groans)
CHUCK
(cocks gun) We got to help him.
WES
You stay here. (panting)
JT
02:14:45
It looks like you’re the last, Baldy.
BALDY
(scoffs) There’s a special place waiting for you, JT and it’s really hot.
[GUNS COCK]
BALDY
02:15:02
(sighs)
CHUCK
No.
[GUNSHOT]
MAN
(groans)
[GUNSHOTS]
CHUCK
Ah, ah.
JT
Rawlins, young Eastman didn’t come alone.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 56
JT (CONTINUED)
02:15:21
I know you’re out here.
CHUCK
Oh.
JT
Come out or I’ll finish him off.
BALDY
They’re goading you to come out Wes, don’t do it.
THOR
Sweet lady your mama. Too bad we had to kill her.
[MUSIC]
02:15:39
JT
02:15:54
Yeah. That’s good. Now holster that pistol. Let’s see who’s fastest once and for all.
JT (CONTINUED)
02:16:17
When he draws, kill him. Whoo, I’m gonna be famous. The man who killed Wes
Rawlins.
[GUNSHOTS]
02:16:39
JT
Ah.
CHUCK
(cocks gun)
[GUNSHOT]
JT
Ah.
BALDY
(winces)
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 57
CHUCK
02:16:54
(groans) Ah. Am I gonna die?
WES
Not today.
CHUCK
02:17:10
Ah. What about Baldy?
WES
I’m gonna check on him, you stay here.
CHUCK
Ha.
WES
02:17:28
How you doing?
BALDY
Huh, well I’ve been shot before.
WES
Let's get you out of here.
BALDY
No, leave me. You and Chuck get back to the ranch, Ray needs you.
BALDY (CONTINUED)
02:17:46
Now git. Go on.
RAY
02:18:20
They’re here.
ART
No livestock, quiet as a tomb. Looks like the Eastmans cleared out.
PETE
02:18:38
Yeah. All right. Let’s play it careful. Take the boys, spread out in front of the house
and use that wagon and that woodpile for cover. Go on.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 58
ART
Come on, boys.
RAY
02:18:58
(breaks glass window)
[GUNSHOTS]
ART
02:19:43
They stopped shootin'.
PETE
You dead in there Ray Eastman?
[GUNS FIRING]
RAY
(cocks gun)
[EXPLOSION]
02:20:03
RAY
(grunts)
PETE
What the hell?
[GUNS FIRING]
[GALLOPING]
PETE
02:20:18
It's Rawlins, kill him!
[EXPLOSION]
WES
How many are out there?
RAY
We got Art and another by the wagon.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 59
RAY (CONTINUED)
02:20:34
Pete's in the barn.
WES
I'm going out the side window. Cover me. (grunts)
[GUNS FIRING]
ART
02:20:49
I got him, I killed Rawlins. (grunts)
PETE
(sighs)
PETE (CONTINUED)
02:21:11
You know, it wouldn't be any trick for me to throw this lantern in there and burn you out.
WES
(cocks guns) Put the gun down Dowdy.
PETE
02:21:30
It looks like you win.
WES
Put the lantern down and turn around.
[GUN FIRES]
[CLATTERING]
02:21:49
RAY
(grunting)
RAY (CONTINUED)
02:22:41
Son, you're shot.
CHUCK
Yeah, it's no big deal pa.
SHADOWS ON THE MESA- 60
RAY
02:23:01
Lord.
RAY (CONTINUED)
02:23:34
Amen.
JONESY
Amen.
CHUCK
Amen.
ROSALIE
Amen.
WES
02:23:49
I probably best be heading out now.
CHUCK
I'll go with you.
WES
I'm not gonna be gone long.
RAY
02:24:10
You make sure that you tell those Rawlins folks to come meet the rest of their family.
Yeah.
[GALLOPING]
02:24:27
[END OF TAPE]
02:27:00