The Night of the Golden Spikes

ACT TWO

INT. WEST'S HOTEL ROOM - LATER

Hewes, Booth, Hale, Grant, and Gordon are standing near the table with the candlesticks. The safe is standing open and West moves toward them, holding the open strong box in his hands.

WEST

You see, just as we promised: safe and sound.

He tips the box up so they can see... the TWO GOLD SPIKES in the box.

Grant is self satisfied. He picked these agents for a reason.

Relief is obvious on the guests faces. Strangely, West appears relieved too.

HEWES

Forgive me for doubting you. It's just that I...

Gordon picks one up, holds it for them to see, fingering it...

BOOTH

...don't have a very good track record.

GORDON

Rest assured, here they are: just as you -

He falters, his face freezing as he examines the spike in his hand: something is very wrong with it. He saves the moment...

GORDON (CONT'D)

...entrusted to us.

He glances at West, who understands immediately that something is wrong.

So does Grant.

It's the other shoe that West was waiting to drop. He moves toward the door in an act of dismissal.

Booth says nothing, but it's clear he knows something is wrong too.

WEST

If you'll excuse us, I think we should redouble our efforts to protect these until the ceremony in the morning.

As they are corralled by West, Booth gives a nod to Hale to tell her to stay.

GORDON

Given that we've already seen one attempt to steal them.

West is pushing them out the door. He's a man possessed.

Hale tries feverantly to stay.

HALE

And our dinner?

WEST

Another time.

HALE

But...

WEST

A celebration dinner: after the ceremony.

She recovers quickly.

HALE

If you insist.

Closing the door behind her..

WEST

I do.

He heads over to Gordon and Grant immediately.

GRANT

(urgently)

What's wrong?

GORDON

This!

CLOSE ON:

His hand as he pushes his thumbnail right INTO the spike.

NORMAL POV

Grant doesn't like where this is going.

GRANT

Gordon, tell me your fingernail is made out of steel.

GORDON

No, sir. It appears that this spike is made of soft metal: I'd wager 17.6 karat gold to be exact.

WEST

You put the real spikes in the safe by mistake.

West grabs one of the candlesticks, removes the candle...

Uncharacteristically, he sounds annoyed with Gordon. Gordon is aware of it: and insulted.

GORDON

The spikes I put in the safe were iron painted gold. I'm positive of it.

West isn't convinced. He twists off the top of the candlestick and upends it: dropping a GOLD SPIKE out of it into Gordon's hand.

Gordon examines the new spike. As West does the same with the other candlestick.

As Gordon hands the spike to Grant...

GORDON (CONT'D)

(redeemed)

Solid gold. This is one of the real spikes.

WEST

So is this one.

Grant

Someone broke into this room and stole the fake iron spikes, only to replace them with counterfeit gold ones? Why would anyone do that?

West has put down the real one and picked up one of the ones out of the strongbox again. He's a man possessed: examining it carefully while Gordon thinks through the situation out loud.

GORDON

Obviously, not for the gold. For some reason they want us to use these gold spikes instead of the real ones.

WEST

They look identical.

GRANT

(to Gordon)

If you had access to your lab equipment...

GORDON

...I could find out exactly what the difference is. But the train is a hard day's ride away. We can't get it any closer with all these ceremonial trains going in and out.

GRANT

I can!

As Gordon puts the spikes back in the candlesticks, West calms the President.

WEST

Sir, whatever the purpose of these counterfeit spikes - it doesn't matter. We simply aren't going to use them.

GORDON

After the ceremony in the morning, I can investigate at my leisure.

Grant does see the sense in that, and feels like he's been an impulsive alarmist.

GRANT

Of course. Forgive me for doubting you had the situation in hand.

Ushering Grant toward the door...

WEST

Now, if you would like to relax and change before dinner...

GRANT

Thank you. I do.

As he starts to EXIT, he stops and turns to the men.

GRANT(CONT'D)

And I do want to thank you for reminding me of the great wisdom of my predecessor. This division of the treasury - and the choice of you two gentlemen for it's service -

(beat)

I give no pause to your reassurances.

The faith from Grant sits uneasily with West. Gordon is complemented.

GORDON

Thank you, Sir. We do our best.

Grant EXITS.

West turns from the closed door. He isn't giving up.

WEST

There must be an assayer's office in town.

GORDON

(scoffing)

In this town? We're lucky the hotel has running water!

West returns to examining the fake spike. It's clear he is still unconvinced, and insistent.

WEST

It isn't about the spikes - and the thieves are going to know they didn't steal the real ones.

Gordon visibly deflates.

GORDON

(defeated)

And whatever their plans were, they aren't going to give up.

Gordon's mood sours completely.

GORDON (CONT'D)

Jim, you really know how to kill an evening.

INT. BOOTH'S LIBRARY

A typical Victorian era library dominated by a long table.

Present are Booth, Ben and Jerry.

Booth slams a golden spike down onto the table. It rattles three other ones already there.

BOOTH

Fake!

Ben and Jerry are startled by the slam: though not surprised by it

BEN

Boss, we had no way of knowing. They look real!

BOOTH

(incensed)

West is more clever than I gave him credit for. I suspected the ones on display would be fake, but the ones in the safe...

(chiding himself)

The only place less secure than out in the open is the safe where people expect them to be.

JERRY

You want us to kill 'em boss?

BOOTH

What good would killing West do? Killing Lincoln didn't even make a difference!

He starts pacing - pounding his cane into the carpet ferociously as he thinks out loud.

BOOTH (CONT'D)

The Yankees think they've won...destroyed the South: wiped out our culture, laid waste to our economy. They'll learn...

He slams his fist on the table in frustration.

BOOTH (CONT'D)

We need to find and replace the real spikes.

BEN

(defeated)

But the ceremony is tomorrow morning.

Booth is all too aware of that.

BOOTH

We need time.

As if on cue, the door opens and Sheriff Weld ENTERS, followed by FOUR RUFFIANS, each two of them carrying TWO HEAVY WOODEN STRONGBOXES with padlocks, about two feet long by one square foot wide, which they set on the floor.

Weld pushes the brim of his hat back with the end of his shotgun.

WELD

Got the payroll out of the vault, Billy. Every cent of it.

BOOTH

(muttering)

Lincoln cent...

Booth grins with delicious satisfaction as an idea occurs to him. It's a damn good impression of the evil landlord in silent films.

BOOTH (CONT'D)

Put it back.

WELD

Back?! The workers are gathered: waiting to be paid for their last six months of work! If they don't get paid...

BOOTH

I imagine they are going to be angry.

Weld doesn't immediately get where Booth is going. But he tries.

WELD

An angry mob of railroad workers is a powerful thing. I could have this town reduced to splinters in a matter of hours.

BOOTH

I need this town. I need this ceremony.

(determined)

The workers were promised to be paid before completion of the railroad, weren't they?

WELD

That's right.

BOOTH

How can they complete the railroad without the Union Pacific owners to drive the final spike?

Now Weld understands - and he can do this.

WELD

I'll make sure the workers know exactly where every one of them is.

BOOTH

You think too small, Weld. You'll be lucky if the incompetents running this ceremony even notice they're missing. We need to get the attention of men that will stop this thing.

Weld is at least several moments behind the audience in his understanding.

He's been told to kidnap the President.

He knows that is no small assignment.

WELD

I'll see to it.

BOOTH

Without any more foul ups.

(to Ben and Jerry)

Go with them. Make sure every worker knows the Union Pacific has failed to deliver their pay as promised.

They acknowledge and EXIT...motioning the men who brought the strong boxes in and they all EXIT.

BOOTH (CONT'D)

(seemingly to the empty room)

I need you to get the location of the real spikes out of West. Can you do it?

Hale steps into frame.

HALE

I can get anything out of any man.

And she can.

But she's worried.

HALE (CONT'D)

Maybe it's time to change our names again: move on. We can always...

Booth knows his plans are fail-proof.

BOOTH

All those times West thought he found me - it's all just been preparation. I want him to know it's me.

Booth smiles in appreciation and draws his hand down her face in affection.

BOOTH (CONT'D)

My love, soon we will cast off the heel of the oppressors and they will quake in the shadow of the country that rises out of the ashes they spread over our land.

HALE

And finally they will recognize that you are the one man who did not become a coward when times were bleak.

BOOTH

(deeply caring)

Someone must save them.

INT. GAMBLING SALOON TENT

Among the patrons SEVERAL MEN, dressed in frock coats, play cards together.

Suddenly, ARMED MEN burst into the room and surround them.

INT. PRIVATE DINING ROOM

A half-eaten meal is on the table.

Gordon and Grant are laughing at a mutual joke. Grant is wearing a simple frock now: Gordon his corduroy jacket - which they both remain in for the rest of the episode.

But as Grant raises his wine glass - he falters: hesitating as if just attacked by a migraine.

West, seated across from them (and dressed in his blue corduroy suit, which he remains in for the rest of the episode) grips the table: taken by surprise. Because this kind of thing never happens to him - yeah, right!

WEST'S POV

Gordon and Grant - the image out of focus - growing -

BLACK.

NORMAL POV

The three men collapsed, unconscious.

Weld saunters in, rifle balanced casually on his shoulder.

Ben and Jerry slip in from behind him...

EXT. PROMONTORY STREET - MORNING

A deluge of rain has overtaken what there is of the town. The street is empty.

INT. HOTEL OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER

Weld, Hewes, Booth and Safford are seated around a table, playing cards casually. Throughout the scene the men continue to play poker without interruption.

West and Gordon ENTER. Seeing the scene, they exchange an irritated glance: this isn't what they expected.

WEST

I've never seen a sheriff's office inside a hotel.

WELD

Thought you'd been here long enough to realize everything is in the hotel. Only real building we got.

GORDON

And the town jail?

WELD

Ain't got one.

GORDON

What do you do with your prisoners?

WELD

Shoot 'em.

West and Gordon are angered by this information. Weld can see he's being judged.

WELD (CONT'D)

By the time the District Judge gets here the town will be gone.

The excuse just rankles West and Gordon more.

SAFFORD

Join us, gentlemen.

West and Gordon are incensed.

WEST

Is this how you react to the President of the United States being kidnapped?!

The men stop playing for a moment - long enough to consider who is going to answer.

WELD

Figured that was your job, West.

West and Gordon fume.

Booth just can't resist being snarky.

BOOTH

Well, it is - isn't it?

GORDON

I take it you haven't been told that all of the Union Pacific Railroad officials have been taken hostage as well?

HEWES

(easily)

Yes, we had to postpone the ceremony indefinitely.

SAFFORD

Couldn't have had it in this rain anyway.

West is on the edge.

WEST

What exactly are your plans for handling this, Sheriff Weld?

WELD

Nuthin' to be done about it. Workers sent the ransom demand this morning. They just want to get paid.

West's gone over that edge with a huge, flying leap. He grabs Weld by his shirt and hauls him out of his chair.

WEST

President Grant and five innocent men are being held hostage, their lives in mortal danger - and you sit here playing cards?!

BOOTH

(quickly - he is the best actor of his time)

Union Pacific said they already sent the pay! It'll all get worked out soon enough once I receive it. West and Gordon exchange a look. This just keeps getting better.

WELD

See... no reason at all to fret! All in due time!

West punches Weld and he goes flying across the table - making the others jump up from their seats.

West straightens his coat and heads for the door, and

As West and Gordon EXIT...

INT. HOTEL HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

As they ENTER from the office.

GORDON

(recommending)

So, I'll take the low road -

Hale is approaching toward West, a PORTFOLIO in her hands and a STRING PURSE on her wrist. West isn't about to argue with Artie now.

WEST

And I'll take the high road.

Gordon starts to nod, but catches sight of Hale. He grins in defeat.

GORDON

The very high road.

He taps his hat and moves past West toward the camera. Hale reaches West.

HALE

Mister West! As we won't be having that celebratory dinner this evening...

WEST

(acknowledging with regret)

No ceremony today.

HALE

(tapping her portfolio)

I was thinking this is a perfect opportunity to show you what I have.

West's eyes aren't on her portfolio.

WEST

I was just thinking how much I'd like to see what you have.

HALE

Lunch then?

West acknowledges, moves to take her arm. She pulls it away from him.

HALE (CONT'D)

Oh, no: not the dining room. These are - personal. I hope you understand, Jim.

West makes the sacrifice - just for her.

WEST

My room then. I'll have lunch sent up.

EXT. PROMONTORY SUMMIT

Establishing shot: the two engines - Central Pacific 60 (Jupiter) and Union Pacific 119 sit on the tracks 100 feet apart.

They are alone, abandoned and cheerless, in the deluge of rain.

INT. WEST'S HOTEL ROOM

The small table with the candlesticks has been set for lunch.

West and Hale stand next to the bed, where he is politely flipping through the photos in her portfolio.

WEST

You're very good.

We SEE some of the PHOTOS as he flips them. No, she's not. She's really not.

HALE

You really think so?

WEST

I expect you'll have a very successful career.

He hesitates - picks up a photo and examines it more closely. His voice is thin.

WEST (CONT'D)

You have quite a few pictures of Billy Lambert here.

She's flustered for a minute - does he know something. She recovers quickly. He couldn't.

HALE

Why, yes. He's on of the main characters in the railroad story. All the rails are his!

West's voice is distracted as he picks up a MAGNIFYING GLASS - as these things are always laying around just when you need them.

WEST

So I've been told.

She tries to distract him more.

HALE

Without the rails.. why, there'd be no railroad, silly!

West is intent on the photograph.

CLOSE ON

The magnified photo...Booth standing sideways to the camera, his hair brushed back.

EVEN CLOSER

...Booth's neck: and the apparent BURN SCAR visible there.

NORMAL POV

West's head snaps up. He's seen a ghost.

HALE (CONT'D)

(vapidly)

Is something wrong, Jim?

Yes. It's a ghost he's been watching for for years.

WEST

I've been looking for a silk suit just like that.

Hale doesn't believe him. She knows he recognized Booth and decides to step up her plans. She immediately moves both West and the topic away, pulling him toward the table.

HALE

I do so love buffalo stew, don't you?

They sit. They are both playing each other.

WEST

It's not exactly French cuisine, but as an American standard it has it's merits.

HALE

I suppose I am not so schooled as you. With all your travels: you must know so much! Perhaps you could teach me?

WEST

That would take some time. This Lambert, how well do you know him?

HALE

I don't. Tell me, Jim: something that's concerned me in my brief travels.

She looks around as if to be sure they are alone, then leans in toward him across the table.

HALE (CONT'D)

How is it that you protect your valuables in all these strange places?

WEST

Most hotels have safes. If not in your room, then in the office.

HALE

Oh, I see. And if they don't?

West sees right through her.

WEST

I make it a rule to never carry valuables.

She's not happy: it's obvious he isn't going to cooperate. And she doesn't have the patience to work it through.

She pulls her napkin out from under the silverware: drops her purse on the floor in doing so.

HALE

Oh dear me!

WEST

Let me...

He bends over to retrieve it - because this kind of thing never happens to him either.

Hale grabs the candlestick and smashes it down on the back of his head.

West collapses, unconscious on the floor.

The candlestick has broken open in her hand, however: and she slides the gold spike out of it.

HALE

(in triumphant)

You disappoint me, my dear.

She quickly opens the other candlestick, retrieves her purse and puts both genuine gold spikes in it.

She pulls it closed tight, then turns and moves over to the wall. She turns the CANDLE SCONCE there and a PANEL slides open to reveal a passage.

As she steps through it...

HALE (CONT'D)

(with disgust)

...and I don't eat stew.

The panel slides closed.

CLOSE ON

West lying on the floor next to the table.

He opens his eyes. He was never unconscious.

FREEZE FRAME.

END ACT TWO