Paladin, Chapter 14

INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - DAY

PALADIN arrives at SHERIFF's office on time.

PALADIN: Morning, Sheriff.  Reporting for duty.

SHERIFF ROGERS: Great!  Raise your right hand and repeat after me.

PALADIN raises his right hand.

SHERIFF ROGERS: I do solemnly swear that I will uphold the laws of the State of Nevada and the Town of Windfall, so help me God.

PALADIN: I do solemnly swear that I will uphold the laws of the State of Nevada and the Town of Windfall, so help me God.

SHERIFF ROGERS: Okay.  You're deputized.  Put on the badge.  I'm gonna get my prisoner. 

PALADIN puts on the badge and waits.  Shortly, the Sheriff reappears with his hand-cuffed prisoner ready for the trip to Reno to stand trial for murder.

SHERIFF ROGERS: See ya in a couple of days, PALADIN.  Good luck.

PALADIN: Thanks.  Good luck to you.

EXT. STREET - DAY

PALADIN, SHERIFF ROGERS and his prisoner exit sheriff's office.  SHERIFF ROGERS and his prisoner mount their horses and head out of town.  PALADIN slowly walks down main street of Windfall.  He enters various stores and business establishments to introduce himself: barber shop, doctor's office, the bank, feed store, land office and the horse stable.  He makes a second visit to the general store.

INT. GENERAL STORE - DAY

PALADIN enters General Store as one female customer leaves.  GRACE is there alone.

PALADIN: Good morning, GRACE.

GRACE: Good morning, PALADIN.

PALADIN: (pointing to his badge) I wanted to let you and your husband know I will be deputy sheriff while SHERIFF ROGERS is away in Reno.  He said he should be back in a couple of days.  If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know.

GRACE: Thank you for your service to Windfall.  I wish you good luck.

PALADIN: Is your husband here?

GRACE: No...and I don't know where he is.  He sometimes leaves without telling me where he's going or when he'll return.  My situation worsens every day.  I blame POLLYANNA.  I believe she lures him away.  I don't know what to do.

PALADIN: Do you want some advice?

GRACE: Yes.  

PALADIN: It takes two.  Maybe she lures, but he catches the bait.  Do you want to keep your husband?

GRACE: Of course.

PALADIN: Then fight for him.  A relationship is not static.  It changes over time.  Both parties have to adapt to the changes or they can drift away from each other.    

GRACE: How can I compete with her?  She's more beautiful, more accomplished, more aggressive.  She's everything I'm not.  All I have with CHARLES is a piece of paper.

PALADIN: Then you have to adapt.  Why do you dress as you do?  Perhaps you need to wear prettier clothes, put on some makeup to get his attention.  If you want to keep him, you must be willing to compete with her.

GRACE: (shaking her head) Just clothes and makeup?  Do you think that's enough?

PALADIN: I don't know what you see when you look in the mirror, but I see an attractive woman in front of me.   

GRACE: You're making fun of me.  Please, don't.

PALADIN: No, I'm not making fun of you.  I'm trying to bring you to appreciate yourself and help you keep your husband.  I'm telling you the truth.  You must believe in yourself.

Tears come to GRACE's eyes.

GRACE: You are a very kind man, PALADIN.  Is there a Mrs. PALADIN?  

PALADIN: Because of the work I chose a long time ago, I could never ask a woman to care for me while I continually risk my life.  

GRACE: Perhaps a woman, the right woman, would be willing to do such a thing, care for you while you continually risk your life.  There are wives of military men and police officers who do such.

PALADIN: You are correct, but I choose otherwise.  As such, I have no wife, never had.  But, I find women, in general, to be very desirable creatures.  Back in San Francisco, I have many...female friends.  I'm not monogamous.  I treat them all with great respect.

GRACE: I'm sure many women love you, PALADIN.  

PALADIN: And I love them, too.

GRACE: You are a very unusual man.  Very admirable.  And very desirable.

PALADIN: Enough about me, GRACE.  Think of what I said.

GRACE: I will.

PALADIN: Well, I should be going.  Please tell your husband I'll be a deputy sheriff for the next couple of days until the SHERIFF returns.  Good day.

GRACE: Come back when you can, PALADIN.  I enjoy your company.

PALADIN leaves the store.