IT CAME FROM THE LATE, LATE, LATE SHOW
It Came From The Late, Late, Late Show was an rpg system which had the players create characters who were poverty row movie stars. These stars then took on roles in Bad Movies, scripted by the GM. I wrote several scenarios for Frank Fursterburger's stable of stars, who included Hank Urban, Bambi Noisettes and Edouard Le Vaux, mentioned in the scenarios below. Unfortunately, the failure of Metropolis 2000 and the worldwide success ofThe Slime Moths forced Fursterburger into hiding and the last two movies associated with his name, both westerns based on the same script, were directed by others.
As readers will see, my Late Show scenarios involve a lot more direction than most rpgs. Fursterburger (and the others who directed his scripts) often told actors what to say, which way to face, and so on. They would sometimes even retake scenes if they did not go the way the director wanted (rarely more than three times, however). It should not be hard for any experienced GM to pillage these scenario ideas and adapt them to his or her own style of bad movie gaming.
THE TOMBSTONE CANYON SCENARIOS
The TOMBSTONE CANYON scenarios are based on a 1932 Ken Maynard western called Tombstone Canyon, which I discovered on video from Sinister Cinema (it is also written up in the book, Forgotten Horrors). The first script is for a 1930s style western sort of like the original. The second is for an Italian 1960s version.
1. TOMBSTONE CANYON (US) -begins below
2. A CANYON OF TOMBSTONES (Italian) -express to scenario
TOMBSTONE CANYON (US)
Characters (see also Main Roles below)
Ken Steele
Sudden Sal McDowell
Bobby Peckerwit
Yahoo, the Wonder Horse
Lightning (a fast horse)
Shadow (a trick-riding horse)
Jenny Lee
Sheriff Josiah Lee, her father
Alf Sikes
The Phantom Killer
Assorted Hardcases
Action
SCENE 1 EXT - NEAR CANYON
Ken, Sal and Bobby are riding to Tombstone Canyon. Perhaps Ken is singing and strumming as they ride. Ken has a letter from Luke Wray [handout] that he has decided to read to his friends for the first time just before they get to the Canyon, which he does.
Dear Mr Steele,
You have never heard of me before, but I think I have accidentally discovered something you should know. I believe I can help you to find out your true parents. Please meet me at Tombstone Canyon on October 13. I'll be waiting for you there.
Yours,
Luke Wray
Box 854
Tombstone
A sign at the edge of the Canyon says "Don't let the sun set on you here, stranger". As they read it a shot rings out, making a period at the end of the sentence. Alertness: the shot came from ahead. The sound of more shots, further away, not aimed at the PCs.
Alertness, Geology. The echoes of the canyon are strange. Sometimes you can hear things from far away as though they were close. Sometimes you can't hear the tiniest sound a few feet away.
SCENE 2 EXT - IN CANYON
As they ride into the Canyon, they are caught in an ambush. They wound one ambusher in the arm and put a hole in another's hat as the ambushers are driven off.
SCENE 3 EXT - IN CANYON
A female voice from behind them [Jenny]. "Freeze right there, strangers".
Jenny has come to meet them at the request of their friend Luke. She is expecting only one man, and will have to be convinced Ken is that man.
An eerie cry rings out. Jenny knows it is the Phantom Killer and can tell them about the PK and that the cry means someone will die, but probably not them (since the PK seems to concentrate on folks from the Lazy S, owned by Alf Sikes). She takes them to Luke's place.
SCENE 4 EXT - OUTSIDE LUKE'S CABIN
At Luke's she leaves, telling them to come into town (Tombstone) later and meet her pa.
SCENE 5 INT - LUKE'S CABIN
Luke is dead, shot. Is this the work of the PK? They have to report this to the Sheriff. Just as they are about to leave, Bobby (Alertness) sees a small notebook on the ground by the door. No one notices as he picks it up and puts it in his pocket. He is about to mention it, but Ken - uncharacteristically - gets quite annoyed with him for stalling around, and Bobby stubbornly shuts up.
SCENE 6 INT - SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Sheriff Josh Lee takes a report of an ambush by some strangers from three hardcases who work at Alf Sikes' spread, the Lazy S. One has been shot in the arm, and another has a bullet hole in his Stetson. Sheriff Josh doesn't believe them a whole lot, but they do have witnesses, so he says he will ask some questions at the Silver Slipper.
SCENE 7 EXT - TOWN
The trio rides into town (general store, saloon, livery stable sign, barber shop, bank, assay office). They ask about the Sheriff. They are told that he could be in the Silver Slipper (the saloon).
SCENE 8 INT - SILVER SLIPPER
The Sheriff has just left, but there are three hombres there at the bar. One has a wounded arm, one has a bullet hole in his hat. Sal and Bobby at least should pick a fight.
SCENE 9 INT - SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Jenny brings her Dad some supper at the Sheriff's office and tells him about the three people she met at Tombstone Canyon for Luke.
Sounds of a fight at the Silver Slipper are heard at the Sheriff's office.
SCENE 10 INT - SILVER SLIPPER
The Sheriff (and Jenny, if she wants to, but unseen) intervene in the fight. He takes Ken, Sal and Bobby to the jail on the testimony of the hardcases (or whoever is still conscious).
SCENE 11 INT - SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Sheriff Josh asks who the three strangers are. This is a chance for Ken to introduce the letter and to report Luke's death. If Bobby says anything about the notebook, everyone ignores him and tells him that this is grown up business. As the Sherif learns who they are, he visibly relaxes (since Jenny has told him about them).
Surprise! Here is Jenny! She's the Sheriff's daughter!
They are let go because of their innate honesty. Sheriff Josh suggests they can find work on the Double Bar Z while they pursue their investigations.
SCENE 12 EXT - TOWN
As they leave, one of the toughs gets the drop on them. After they have disposed of him, they can ride away.
SCENE 13 EXT - THE ROUND UP
Montage. The round up at the Double Bar Z. Jenny works right alongside of Ken. Sal does too, and she is amused by them. But Bobby keeps away. He glowers at the new couple.
SCENE 14 EXT - CAMP
Scene between Sal and Bobby around the campfire at night. She teases him about jealousy and he breaks down and says that he is afraid that he will be all alone if Ken and Jenny are in love. Sal realises that this is so. She can continue on alone, but Bobby needs someone to take care of him - and probably not her. Still she comforts him and says that the two of them will stick together. He doesn't seem reassured.
SCENE 15 EXT - CAMP
Montage of round up continues.
Weeks later. The end of the round up. The sun is setting behind them, making soft shadows through the mesquite as the campfire crackles. It is probably time for another song, but at least Ken should propose and Jenny should accept.
Then he calls Bobby over. "By the way, Jenny, I just thought you should know that I come complete with a big responsibility ... when we get hitched, first thing we have to do is to arrange so we can have Bobby as our very own."
Much joy. This is what Bobby wanted. Sal is there too ("You won't be able to dump yor fust gal friend all that easy, Ken Steele!").
Bobby remembers the notebook and, shamefacedly, tells what happened. He offers it to Ken.
It has a fancy, hand tooled leather cover, and on the cover are the initials "AS".
Who could that be? Jenny has an idea (Alertness): Alf Sikes!
They all decide to ask Mr Sikes what his notebook was doing in Luke Wray's cabin the day he was murdered.
SCENE 16 EXT - THE TRAIL TO TOWN
On the way they meet Sheriff Josh. He tells them that he is coming after them. Alf Sikes has sworn out a warrant for their arrest. Another Lazy S hand has died and Alf says that the three are the PK.
They tell him what they have discovered.
The Sheriff suggests that they had better nail this down right now while he can still stall about the warrant. He points out that although the notebook is mighty suspicious it is not real evidence that Sikes did the murder. Still, Sheriff Josh says that he and Jenny will ride along to act as witnesses while the rest go to confront Sikes.
SCENE 17 EXT - ALF'S CABIN
Jenny and Sheriff Josh stay outside in the trees while the rest decide what they will do.
They work out that they want to terrorise Sikes (Alertness). Bobby will imitate the PK cry. They find a piece of flexible hollow tubing through which Sal can speak without being seen. Ken writes a note from the PK, which he throws through the window.
SCENE 18 INT - ALF'S CABIN
Sikes is appropriately frightened. Ken, Sal and Bobby enter the house from different points and totally demoralise him. Just as he is about to talk, however . . .
SCENE 19 EXT - ALF'S CABIN
Jenny and the Sheriff in the trees outside hear the sound of hooves approaching. The boys from the Lazy S! The Lees have to take cover deeper in the woods.
SCENE 20 INT - ALF'S CABIN
Under duress (Intimidation or worse), Alf tells the three in the house that he did kill Luke, but swears he is not the PK (and he is scared enough for them to believe him). He says he knows what Luke knew about Ken and is about to tell them when (Alertness) the boys from the Lazy S can be heard outside and Ken, Sal and Bobby have to hightail it through the back.
SCENE 21 EXT - THE TRAIL
Six riders, including Alf, chase the three. Jenny and the Sheriff follow the six, taking care to keep out of sight (the Sheriff will not intervene since he does not have evidence).
The three head for Tombstone Canyon. Because of the high canyon walls and the strange echoes, it is easy to get lost there, and to lose any pursuit.
SCENE 22 EXT - ENTRANCE TO CANYON
As the pursuers ride into the Canyon, they leave one rider to guard the way back.
SCENE 23 EXT - THE CANYON
After they have been in the Canyon awhile (Stealth), Ken, Sal and Bobby hear a weird voice "That's right Newt. I want you to take a good look at me before you die!" A shot rings out. They can make out the direction (Mental Map). . .
but all they can find is a dead cowboy, the one left to guard the way back. The eerie PK cry rings out.
Almost immediately after, the other five riders appear (on their way out) and the chase is on again. It is not hard to lose them once again.
SCENE 24 EXT - ENTRANCE TO CANYON
The pursuers soon stop and head for town.
SCENE 25 EXT - NEAR CANYON ENTRANCE
The Sheriff and Jenny come out of cover to check out the dead cowboy. Once again they agree that they cannot swear that none of the three did it. They have to get back to town to take the report of the crime and, possibly, to take control of the posse in order to make sure if the three are caught that they are not lynched.
SCENE 26 INT - LUKE'S CABIN
The three hole up in Luke's old cabin. That night they are disturbed by a weird intruder in a black cape and hood that shrouds his face. He fights with the strength of ten men.
Only the brave actions of Yahoo averts a serious incident, but the intruder (undoubtedly the PK) escapes without being unmasked.
The cry echoes through the night.
Ken, Sal and Bobby decide they should report this crime as well as the cowboy's (Newt's) death and head for town.
SCENE 27 EXT - TOWN
In town they are arrested by the angry citizenry and their horses are led away. The Sheriff tells them that he has to play along.
Alf Sikes and his son, Clem, try to whip up a lynching frenzy. The Sheriff has the opportunity to face them and the mob down by sheer will.
SCENE 28 INT - JAIL
Ken, Sal and Bobby are in a cell. One way of whiling away the time when you are locked up is to sing a good cowboy ballad.
Guns, a key and a note are lowered in through the barred window.
I can't help you out directly. But here's a key that fits. I'm going to dinner now and won't be back for a while. Good luck!
Outside they can see nothing in the shadows of the alley, but it looks like there are a lot of loiterers outside in front of the jail.
SCENE 29 INT - SHERIFF'S OFFICE
As they get out and go into the office they see the Sheriff, who exclaims, "Who let you out?" A shot rings out and he falls, clutching his head. The only way out is up to the roof. Before they leave the office Ken says, "If we get separated, meet up by the sign at Tombstone Canyon".
SCENES 30+ EXT - ROOF (AND TOWN, INCL. EXT LIVERY STABLE)
Horses are out of sight (actually in the town Livery Stable). Whistling will summon Yahoo (who is smart enough to destroy his restraints), but not the other horses.
One person can be sent out under a wagon, while another finds the remaining horses.
Alertness rolls to suggest Livery Stable for horses and other ways out, if needed.
SCENE 31 INT - SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Jenny finds the Sheriff, who is recovering. More shots are fired at Jenny and Sheriff Josh through a window. They realise that they too are in danger (since the Sheriff knows the escape was a phoney). They have to join the others. Luckily, the Sheriff has a Tracking skill - or else he can remember hearing where they are going to meet.
SCENES 32+ EXT - THE TRAIL TO THE CANYON
More hot pursuit (of the escapees and of Jenny and her Dad). This time there are about ten or twelve in the posse or lynch mob.
SCENE 33 EXT - THE CANYON
The trio make their way deep into Tombstone Canyon. Yahoo should be sent for Jenny and the Sheriff.
They find a cave and begin to pick off posse members and stash them in the cave (all alive of course).
Some way through this process, they begin to notice that some of their captives have been killed--and they hear the cry of the PK again.
SCENE 34 EXT - HIGH BLUFF BORDERING THE CANYON
Eventually, they spot the PK's caped form on a high butte. He has Alf and Clem.
They get within hearing distance. The PK is Alf's half brother, out for revenge. Alf had him beaten and left for dead, after having killed his wife and (the PK thinks) his baby boy. This way Alf got the Lazy S.
The PK's face is a terrible mask of scar tissue.
SCENE 35 EXT - BLUFF
As Ken approaches, the PK whirls and fires, hitting him in the head.
Alf cackles with glee and explains that the PK has just killed his own son, who was left alive and sent to an orphanage.
Of course Ken is not dead.
Although the PK has been crazy a long time, he will not harm Ken (any more) or anyone he has reason to think is Ken's friend (like Sal and Bobby--and maybe Jenny).
But he definitely wants to kill Alf and Clem. And he intends to do it imaginatively.
If they don't kill him, Alf or Clem will--or he will commit suicide by jumping off the butte. (Alf and Clem need the PCs dead too.)
There should be time for a touching reunion between father and son before the old guy carks it.
Main Roles
KEN STEELE . . . played by Hank Urban
Ken is the hero. This movie is about him. Ken is noble and loyal and pure. He is a great rider and shooter, and an all 'round wonderful cowpoke. Modest too. A man of few words. He is also a singing cowboy.
Ken has three of the best friends a cowpuncher ever had: Sudden Sal McDowell, fastest gun in the West even if she is a girl; Bobby Peckerwit, the loyalist little pardner you could ever want; and Yahoo, the wonder horse (probably the one Ken loves the most).
Ken sometimes has to tell Sal to calm down, she is pretty wild. But she is a great pal, kind of like a sister. And he is glad to be there for Bobby, who needs an older man's experience to help him along life's byways now that his maw and paw have gone to heaven.
But there is a great sorrow in Ken's life. He is an orphan. Never knew his paw or maw. Brought up in an orphan's home, where they did treat you real good, but, you know, it warn't like bein' with yor own folks. Maybe this is why he takes his responsibility to Bobby so seriously.
And one other thing - he has never found just the right woman to share his life.
At the beginning of the picture, Ken, Sal and Bobby are riding to Tombstone Canyon, where a man called Luke Wray has said he will meet them. Ken has never met Luke, but he has a letter from him [handout] that he will read to his friends for the first time shortly after the film opens.
Expert Coaching results in the following scores:
Disarm (DEX) 73
Etiquette - Code of the West (BRN) 59
Fast Draw (DEX) 73
Pistol (DEX) 67
Riding (DEX) 73
Rifle (DEX) 50
Roping (DEX) 50
Singing (BRN) 60
Unarmed Combat (BLD) (fist fighting) 50
YAHOO, THE WONDER HORSE
SP 100 (Yahoo has a Stunt Double) FAME 80 FX roll 100
Comes when whistled for (if you can Whistle)
Unties knots
Kicks on command
Drops as if shot on signal
Counts
Gets help on command
Rears on command
Stays on command
Controlled without reins
Jumps
SUDDEN SAL MCDOWELL . . . played by
Sudden Sal is Ken Steele's pure and loyal sidekick. She is the fastest gun in the West, and a dead shot (but not a killer, of course). Sal has a good heart and noble, fine feelings, but she is a tomboy with a harum-scarum sense of fun. Ken sometimes has to tell her to calm down.
Ken and Sal are like brother and sister. Sal has never found a man she would like to settle down with, and maybe she never will. She likes her freedom too much to let anyone boss her around. Maybe someday soon, when Ken finds someone, she'll move on like the loner she is at heart.
Bobby Peckerwit is another friend of Sal's. He is a real loyal little pardner. He is devoted to Ken, of course, but I guess you could say that he is pretty loyal to Sal too. She is like his big sister.
Yahoo is Ken's horse. Yahoo is probably the most intelligent horse in the world.
Sal's horse is Lightning. I guess you know why.
Sal likes adventure. She is on an adventure now with her pardners Ken and Bobby Peckerwit. They are going to Tombstone Canyon to follow up some letter that Ken got a few weeks ago. He hasn't told them what is in it yet, but it sure seems important to him.
Expert Coaching results in the following scores:
Disarm (DEX) 73
Fast Draw (cross-draw) (DEX) 73
Pistol (DEX) 88 (applies to either hand)
Riding (DEX) 82
Unarmed Combat (BLD) (fist fighting) 50
Sudden Sal receives a matched pair of pearl-handled Colts in a very fancy holster set. She cross-draws and fires twice (once with each hand) in a single combat manoeuver.
LIGHTNING SP 50
Outruns all other horses when desired, if riding roll is made
BOBBY PECKERWIT . . . played by
Bobby is a real loyal little pardner to Ken Steele and Sudden Sal McDowell. Bobby is young, but basically pure and noble. He has a natural talent for trick riding and roping. Bobby, Ken and Sal pretty much are always together. Ken and Sal take care of Bobby, kind of like a big brother and sister.
Ken Steele is the best guy in the whole world. When Bobby grows up he wants to be just like Ken. Bobby would just die if Ken weren't there to take care of him, now that Bobby's maw and paw are up in heaven.
Sudden Sal is not only the fastest gun in the West, she can do anything a man can but better. And she is a lot of fun, but Bobby can tell that Sal is basically a loner. Someday she'll probably go off by herself.
Yahoo, the wonder horse, is Ken's horse. But, of course, Bobby sometimes rides Yahoo. Yahoo is the most intelligent horse in the world.
Bobby's horse is called Shadow. Shadow is well-trained, but he is not as smart as Yahoo or as fast as Sal's horse, Lightning.
Not many kids are as lucky as Bobby.
As the picture opens, Bobby, Sal and Ken are riding towards Tombstone Canyon, going to follow up some letter that Ken got a few weeks ago. He hasn't told them what is in it yet, but it sure seems important to him.
Expert Coaching results in the following scores:
Pistol (DEX) 50
Riding (DEX) 85
Rifle (DEX) 50
Roping (DEX) 85
Unarmed Combat (BLD) (fist fighting) 20
SHADOW SP 50 FX roll 45
Comes when whistled for (if you can Whistle)
Kicks on command
Bucks off other riders
Jumps
JENNY LEE . . . played by Bambi Noisettes
Jenny Lee is Sheriff Josiah Lee's daughter. She loves her Dad more than anything else in the world, but she knows the right man for her will come along someday.
Jenny is high-spirited and independent, a true daughter of the West. She is a sure shot with a Remington and can muster in with the best of the ranch hands. She is also noble and pure and loyal. She has good judgement: you can trust what she thinks about people.
Something strange has been going on around Tombstone, where Jenny and her father live. Folks have come to call it The Phantom Killer. Every now and then there is an eerie cry, kind of like some fantastic bird, and sure enough, someone will be killed. All of the victims so far have been from Alf Sikes' Lazy S spread, but everyone around Tombstone is getting mighty uneasy.
Before the picture opens, Jenny has been asked by Luke Wray to go to Tombstone Canyon to meet a man called Ken Steele. She is supposed to welcome him and bring him back to Luke's small spread. He hasn't told her what business he has with Ken or why he can't meet up with him himself.
As Jenny rides up to Tombstone Canyon, she hears shots. She watches three riders drive off some others and is able to approach the three cautiously from the back. She gets the drop on them, and her first words in the movie will be to their backs, "Freeze right there, strangers".
After she has delivered Ken Steele to Luke Wray's place she will have to skedaddle if she is to get back to town to make her paw's supper and bring it to the Sheriff's office like she always does.
Expert Coaching results in the following scores:
Alertness (BRN) 70
Driving (DEX) 50
First Aid (DEX) 84
Riding (DEX) 72
Rifle (DEX) 72
Singing (BRN) 70
Don't forget to get a Remington rifle from Wardrobe, Bambi!
SHERIFF JOSIAH (JOSH) LEE . . . played by Edouard Le Vaux
Sheriff Josh has been Sheriff in Tombstone for nigh on twenty years. He is a decent, honest man: noble, pure and loyal. Folks in town respect him and he is always square with everyone. Maybe he has a softer heart than some, but then he has seen a lot and knows when to bend the rules a little in a good cause.
When the chips are down, however, Sheriff Josh goes by the book. If he has to, he will even lock up someone he respects.
The Sheriff's pride and joy is his daughter Jenny. Someday soon Jenny is going to meet the man of her dreams and finally the Sheriff's happiness will be complete. Jenny has a good sense of judgement, as well as being a good shot and being able to do a day's work on a ranch as good as any man.
Something strange has been going on around Tombstone lately, where Sheriff Josh and Jenny and live. Folks have come to call it The Phantom Killer. Every now and then there is an eerie cry, kind of like some fantastic bird, and sure enough, someone will be killed. All of the victims so far have been from Alf Sikes' Lazy S spread, but everyone around Tombstone is getting mighty uneasy.
The Phantom Killer leaves no clues at all. And Alf Sikes seems to want to take care of it by himself. That is not real law abiding. Sikes is a pretty unpleasant customer, but so far he ain't never done nothing illegal, so he deserves the protection of the law like any other citizen - him and his no-good, hardcase ranch hands.
At the beginning of the movie, Sheriff Josh is in Tombstone. He expects Jenny with his supper just after sundown.
Actually, he will make his first appearance well after the others do.
Expert Coaching results in the following scores:
Alertness (BRN) 92
Driving (DEX) 75
Etiquette (Code of the West) 80
First Aid (DEX) 83
Leadership (FAME) 91
Persuasion (FAME) 87
Pistol (DEX) 62
Riding (DEX) 50
Rifle (DEX) 50
Streetwise (FAME) 95
Tracking (BRN) 50
Other Roles
THE PHANTOM KILLER
Size: 6' Speed 100 Build 60 SP 200
Brains 50 FAME 40 FX 70
Pistol, Disarm, Fast Draw, Claw (all FX) Damage 30
Acrobatics, Acting, Alertness, Bluffing, Explosives, First Aid, Intimidation, Lip Reading, Mental Map, Psychology, Riding, Stealth, Tracking (all FAME)
ALF SIKES
Size: 6' 1" Speed 100 Build 25 SP 100
Brains 20 FAME 30 FX 50
Pistol, Rifle, Fast Draw (all FX) Damage 20
Riding, Business, Lying, Stealth, Streetwise
(all FAME)
CLEM SIKES SP 50
Unarmed Combat 20 Damage 5
Pistol/Rifle 40 Damage 20
HARDCASES SP 10
Unarmed Combat 20 Damage 5
Pistol/Rifle 20 Damage 20
TOWNSPEOPLE SP 10
Unarmed Combat 10 Damage 5
Pistol/Rifle 10 Damage 20
A CANYON OF TOMBSTONES (Italian)
Characters (see also Main Roles below)
Ken Seldom
Sudden Sam McDowell
Bobby Peckerwit
Jenny Lee
"Colonel" Josiah Lee, her father
Lutetia Farwash, tough maiden lady, owner of the Double Bar L
Alf Sykes, owner of the Lazy S ranch
Sheriff Luke Macross
The Phantom Killer
A travelling explosives salesman
A travelling corset salesman
Assorted Hardcases from the Lazy S
Townspeople
Action
PRETITLE SEQUENCE
The trio ride into Uproar Creek at night, tired from a long day on the trail. They tie up outside the Fancy Times Saloon and go in.
Inside there is a crowd. In one corner there is a poker game. Over at the bar there are a number of hardcases and some floozies.
"Colonel" Josh is in the poker game. Things are getting tense. He is drinking, losing and about to cheat.
Jenny is working the bar with the other floozies.
The "Colonel" will be caught cheating and a fight will break out at the poker game. Jenny should blow a couple of poker players into smithereens, and all hell will break lose.
The idea is to bring the five PCs together and make them leave town in a hurry.
ROLL TITLES
SCENE 1 EXT - NEAR CANYON
The PCS are camping the night before riding to Tombstone Canyon. Ken has a letter from Luke Wray that he has decided to read out just before they get to the Canyon, which he does.
Dear Mr Seldom,
You have never heard of me before, but I think I have accidentally discovered something you should know. I understand that you are currently taking care of one, Robert Peckerwit, and I believe I know the identities of that young man's true parents. Please meet me at Tombstone Canyon on October 13. I'll be waiting for you there.
Yours,
Luke Wray
Box 854
Tombstone
Then Ken gets out his guitar and begins a mournful, Spanish-tinged song. To his surprise, Jenny knows the song and sings its bittersweet, fatalistic lyrics about betrayal and death in a deep, throaty contralto. Both Sam and Bobby are very appreciative of Jenny’s talents.
SCENE 2 EXT - IN CANYON
The next day, they ride into Tombstone Canyon.
Alertness, Geology. The echoes of the canyon are strange. Sometimes you can hear things from far away as though they were close. Sometimes you can't hear the tiniest sound a few feet away.
They are caught in an ambush. They wound one ambusher in the arm and put a hole in another's hat as the ambushers are driven off.
There is a horrible scream from where the ambushers were.
They go up there to investigate.
SCENE 3 EXT - IN CANYON
As they reach the site of the ambush they find a cowpuncher tied upside down on a cross (X). He has been gutted alive and he is still twitching.
Alertness: There is a note pinned to his vest.
"Vengeance is Mine sayeth the Lord".
A female voice from behind them [Lutetia]. "Freeze right there, strangers".
Lutetia has come to meet them at the request of her friend Luke. She is expecting only one man, and will have to be convinced that Ken is that man.
She knows that they did not kill the cowpuncher and it should be obvious (Alertness) that she did not, since there is no blood on her clothes. She heard the shots but does not know who the bushwhackers were.
She takes them to Luke's place.
SCENE 4 EXT - OUTSIDE LUKE'S CABIN
At Luke's she leaves, telling them she is going into town to report what they have found to the Sheriff.
SCENE 5 INT - LUKE'S CABIN
Luke is dead, shot. They have to report this to the Sheriff. Just as they are about to leave, "Colonel" Josh (Alertness) sees a small notebook on the ground by the door. He picks it up and puts it in his pocket.
SCENE 6 EXT - TOWN
The PCs ride into town (general store, saloon, livery stable sign, barber shop, bank, assay office). They ask about the Sheriff. They are told that he could be in the Silver Slipper (the saloon).
SCENE 7 INT - SILVER SLIPPER
The Sheriff has just left, but there are several hombres there at the bar. One has a wounded arm, one has a bullet hole in his hat. There should be a fight.
The hombres finally have had enough and they run.
The PCs should stop and take stock.
There is a horrible scream from behind the saloon.
SCENE 8 EXT - ALLEY
One of the hombres from the bar is found, spreadeagled upside down against a wall, gutted alive. He is still twitching.
There is a note pinned to his vest: "Justice is Mine sayeth the Lord".
SCENE 9 INT - SHERIFF'S OFFICE
The PCs should report all of this to the Sheriff, a thin, sly man with a twisted smile.
When they get to his office, the hardcases from the bar fight are there before them, and they have a different story to tell.
The Sheriff is ready to arrest the PCs, when a voice booms out from the door, "Hold on there, Luke, these strangers are speaking the truth!". It is Lutetia (who carries a shotgun). Her word carries the day, and the Sheriff, visibly annoyed, has to let the PCs go.
SCENE 10 EXT - TOWN
Outside the Sheriff's office, Lutetia offers the PCs work on her spread, the Double Bar L, helping with the annual roundup.
As they are getting ready to leave, one of the toughs gets the drop on them. After they have disposed of him, they can ride away.
SCENE 11 EXT - THE DOUBLE BAR L
The PCs show up for work. The place is strangely quiet. There are a number of ranch hands outside the house. They are waiting for Miss Lutetia to show up. It is not like her to be so late.
She is in the house, dead. She has been shot.
Before the PCs can ride out for vengeance, one of the ranch hands points out that there is work to do. In a rousing speech, he reminds those there that Miss Lutetia had left the ranch to them, the workers, when she passed. If they don't get them cattle rounded up, Alf Sykes will take the place over for sure, just like he has always threatened to do. And if they do get 'em rounded up, why there is an equal share for every man, woman and child who does a fair share of the work.
Time for the PCs to pitch in.
SCENE 12 EXT - THE ROUND UP
Montage. The round up at the Double Bar L. Everyone works but Jenny (who manages to look as if she is working).
Jenny also sets Ken and Sam against each other.
And Bobby finds himself fascinated by her.
Occasional close-ups of "Colonel" Josh pulling out the notebook he picked up and looking at its cover thoughtfully.
SCENE 13 EXT - CAMP
Ken sings.
SCENE 14 EXT - THE ROUND UP
Montage of round up continues.
Ken and Sam visibly smoulder.
SCENE 15 - CAMP
Weeks later. The end of the round up. The sun is setting behind the PCs, making soft shadows through the mesquite as the campfire crackles.
The tension between Ken and Sam has reached breaking point. They square off for a showdown.
Just as they are about to draw, Jenny screams. Her Pappy is gone! Everyone has to stop everything else to find "Colonel" Josh.
Tracking.
SCENE 16 EXT - THE LAZY S RANCH HOUSE
"Colonel" Josh rides up, hitches his horse and knocks. Sykes' voice invites him in.
SCENE 17 EXT - THE TRAIL
The PCs are following "Colonel" Josh's trail. It looks like he is heading for the Lazy S.
SCENE 18 INT - THE LAZY S RANCH HOUSE
"Colonel" Josh should at least start to do whatever he wants to do with his evidence (a notebook with the initials AS on the cover that puts Sykes at the scene of Luke Wray's death).
Sykes will admit he killed him (and can be made to admit to having killed Lutetia) but will adamantly refuse to admit to any other killings. He points out that the other two deaths have been of Lazy S hands and suggests that Lutetia, "that crazy old bitch", was responsible, since no one else has been murdered since her death.
SCENE 19 EXT - THE LAZY S RANCH HOUSE
Jenny and the rest approach the house cautiously via the trees. Alertness, Listen: the sound of many horse riders coming fast.
SCENE 20 INT - THE RANCH HOUSE
Alf hears the riders and attempts to turn the tables on "Colonel" Josh, if the PCs haven't warned him already.
There is just time for all PCs to get away.
SCENE 21 EXT - THE TRAIL
Ten riders, including Alf, chase the PCs.
The PCs head for Tombstone Canyon. Because of the high canyon walls and the strange echoes, it should be easy to get lost there, and to lose any pursuit.
SCENE 22 EXT - ENTRANCE TO CANYON
As the pursuers ride into the Canyon, they leave one rider, Newt, to guard the way out.
SCENE 23 EXT - THE CANYON
After they have been in the Canyon awhile (Stealth), the PCs hear a weird voice "That's right Newt. I want you to take a good look at me before you die!" A horrible scream rings out. They can make out the direction (Mental Map). . . the entrance to the Canyon.
But all they find there is a dead cowboy, the one left to guard the way back. He has been spreadeagled upside down and gutted alive. A note is pinned to his vest: "Beware the terrible swift sword of God."
Almost immediately after, the other riders appear on high ground surrounding the PCs, with rifles trained on them. Once the riders see Newt, Alf (who seems really upset by what he sees) shrieks that the PCs must be responsible for the vengeance killings and they are tied up and taken back to Tombstone (or shot if they try to escape).
SCENE 24 EXT - TOMBSTONE AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE (INT).
The PCs are brought to the Sheriff's office and put in jail - guys in one cell, Jenny in the other.
SCENE 25 EXT - TOMBSTONE
Alf starts to whip up a lynch mob. He is hysterical. Sheriff Luke doesn't give a shit (and will tell the prisoners so if they ask for protection).
SCENE 26 EXT - ALLEY BEHIND THE JAIL
Alertness (Bobby, Jenny). As the crowd gathers, two men drive a buckboard into they alley behind the jail. Crates on the back of the buckboard are labelled "Explosives" and "Dainty Goods". The men are very well dressed. Jenny can immediately identify them as salesmen.
The two are curious about what is going on in front. One says to the other, "As soon as we get this stuff up to the room, let's see what the fuss is all about." They proceed to unload the wagon.
SCENE 27 EXT - TOMBSTONE AND JAIL (INT)
The mob gathers force. The Sheriff goes home. The two salesmen join the mob.
The mob breaks in and rips the cell door off its hinges, dragging the guys out. But they do not notice Jenny in the next cell.
A brief period of quiet. Then the two salesmen enter to look around. They find a key ring in the office and Jenny in the jail cell.
She should have figured out what to do in order to get out. We will fade to black as she greets them.
SCENE 28 EXT - TOMBSTONE MAIN STREET
The mob is going to lynch the guys. First Alf gets to beat them up for awhile.
SCENE 29 INT - HOTEL ROOM
The two salesmen are naked and snoring (with their arms loosely around each other).
Jenny, in her shift, gets up and figures out what to do.
SCENE 30 EXT -
The mob is sick of Alf's hysterical violence and wants to get the lynching over with.
Nooses are fitted over the guys' heads. They are sat on horses and someone is about to give the word . . .
Jenny should walk out into the middle of the street with the two naked salesmen, dripping with kerosene, in corsets stuffed with dynamite. She is holding her sawed-off in one hand, trained on the two men, and a lighted oil lamp in the other.
After the guys are let go (and given horses), she might as well blow up the salesmen anyway as a diversion.
SCENE 31 EXT - THE TRAIL TO THE CANYON
More hot pursuit. It is late at night. This time there are at least fifteen or twenty in the posse or lynch mob (more if Jenny has brought more explosives).
SCENES 32+ EXT - THE CANYON
The PCs make their way deep into Tombstone Canyon in the dead of night. They can hear the posse arrive and fan out for the search. The posses have lanterns, but the PCs only have them if Jenny has remembered to bring them.
They can work out some inventive ways of picking off posse members.
After they have been at work awhile, they hear a horrible scream. Once again, they come upon the eviscerated, crucified and twitching corpse of a Lazy S ranch hand, illuminated in the greenish glow of a painted lantern.
A weird voice says, "I need me a hostage!" and Bobby is suddenly wrapped into the night as the light goes out.
SCENE 33 INT - THE CAVERN
Bobby awakes firmly gagged and chained, spreadeagled on an X cross upside down. He is in a weirdly-lit grotto of some sort, where phosphorescence makes strange colours over everything.
Across from him is Alf Sykes, also gagged, bound and crucified. He is alive, but a great deal of the skin has been removed from Alf's chest and thighs.
A weird tall figure in black, with a black mask covering his entire face (no eyeholes) is engaged in the delicate process of taking Alf's eyelids off. There is a table in the cavern and on the table is a variety of sharp instruments. The man wears a six gun and there are a couple of rifles and a lot of rope standing against the wall.
"Now who is this boy, Alfie? What's it all about?" the figure is saying. "Is he one of your hands?" [Sykes shakes his head desperately]. "Ah, but should I believe you? That's the question. I believed you once before, Alfie, and you betrayed me."
SCENE 34 EXT - THE CANYON
Tracking will eventually take the PCs to the concealed mouth of a deep cavern. (Mental Mapping: no one will find this place in a million years). The sounds of the posse are far off now.
SCENE 35 INT - THE CAVERN
As the PCs make their way into the cavern another corpse flops down from the ceiling of a cave, held by the legs and dripping gore.
They stumble on several more.
SCENE 36 INT - THE CAVERN
Soon they can seen the weirdly lit tableau of Bobby, Alf and the masked killer. Alf strains at his bonds and makes gagging noises.
The killer is speaking. "What are you trying to tell me, Alfie? You want me to stop? But it is never going to stop, Alfie" (etc, etc)
Once attacked, the killer will leap to Bobby, holding a blade to his throat. He will release him with a single gesture, the chains making a rattling sound as they slide to the cavern floor. Now he has the kid in a classic hostage posture.
The killer does not know about Bobby's knife - and that is, in fact, Bobby's only chance. Bobby is pretty scared, and once he has started stabbing it will be very, very hard to stop him. (All other attacks against the killer will do damage, but not enough to stop him from slitting Bobby's throat.)
The killer thinks that Bobby is probably Alf's son. He will reveal some of the story. He is Alf's twin brother, Carl. Alf bushwhacked him and his family in order to get the ranch that his father had left to him, killing his wife and child and leaving him horribly scarred (at this point he will rip off the mask, revealing a horribly disfigured face). He will rave about God and vengeance and being the Lord's tool. He tells Alf that he should be like Abraham, ready to sacrifice his only son to God.
The PCs might have one opportunity to ungag Alf before Bobby gets to his knife (probably the "Colonel" is the only one who will be able to draw a weapon and fire it unseen by the killer).
Before he dies, Alf can tell the rest of the story: that Bobby is the killer's son, who did not die but was sold to some baby farmers in Oklahoma.
If Bobby lives through this, he has just inherited a thriving ranch (of course, he may also have been driven insane but what he has just done).
Main Roles
KEN SELDOM . . . played by Hank Urban
Ken Seldom is a man of the west: hard, taciturn, usually unshaven. He rides hard, shoots fast and straight and chews a toothpick. Ken lives by the code of the west: do it first, but don't do it to your pals, defenceless women, old folks and non-western ethnic minorities. He also owns a guitar.
Ken is a loner, but lately he has been saddled with a responsibility. He happened upon a young kid wandering over the prairie. The kid said his name was Bobby Peckerwit and that he had no Momma and no Poppa. Ken was sort of obliged to take care of him after that.
Ken's best pard is Sudden Sam McDowell, lean, flashy and quick on the draw. Sam is good, but maybe not as good as Ken. One day they may have to settle that. Sam likes to gamble and drink and whore around, and Ken can't see the point most of the time.
Together with Bobby, the three of them have become saddletramps, moving from town to town, working on ranches and in temporary jobs. It's not a great life, but it's a life.
Recently Ken got a letter that he hasn't told Bobby or Sam about. He's been waiting for the right time. Meanwhile, he's been heading them towards Tombstone and the rendezvous mentioned in the letter.
Right now they are riding into Uproar Creek.
Expert Coaching results in the following scores:
Disarm (DEX) 73
Etiquette - Code of the West (BRN) 59
Fast Draw (DEX) 73
Pistol (DEX) 88
Riding (DEX) 73
Rifle (DEX) 50
Roping (DEX) 50
Singing (BRN) 60
Tracking (BRN) 60
Unarmed Combat (BLD) (fist fighting) 50
Ken receives a hand made Spanish guitar.
SUDDEN SAM MCDOWELL . . . played by *
Sudden Sam thinks he is the fastest gun in the West, and knows he is a dead shot. He is a lean, flashy killer with a charming smile and a stubborn adherence to the code of the west: do it first, but don't do it to your pals, defenceless women, old folks and non-western ethnic minorities (they tend to hold grudges). He doesn't have a lot of moral scruples beyond that - and not getting caught. Sam likes to live fast: plenty of gambling, drinking and screwing.
Maybe it's because of their mutual adherence to the unspoken code that Sam gets along so well with Ken Seldom. Ken is pretty good with a gun, but maybe not as good as Sam. One day they may have to settle that.
Lately Ken has been saddled with a kid he found wandering on the prairie: Bobby Peckerwit. This is not such a hot idea, but sometimes it is kind of fun teaching the kid what to expect out of life, as the three of them move from town to town, taking odd jobs and living the lives of saddletramps.
Ever since Ken got that letter a couple of weeks ago, Sam has noticed that he has been subtly heading them towards Tombstone. What's in Tombstone?
Right now they are riding into Uproar Creek.
Expert Coaching results in the following scores:
Disarm (DEX) 73
Etiquette - Code of the West (BRN) 50
Fast Draw (cross-draw) (DEX) 73
Pistol (DEX) 88 (applies to either hand)
Riding (DEX) 82
Tracking (BRN) 60
Unarmed Combat (BLD) (fist fighting) 50
Sudden Sam receives a matched pair of pearl-handled Colts in a very fancy holster set. He cross-draws and fires twice (once with each hand) in a single combat manoeuvre.
BOBBY PECKERWIT . . . played by Harry "Raj" Kahmal
This film is seen mostly through Bobby's eyes. He is a fourteen year old kid - gawky but good looking. He is serious and something of an introvert.
Bobby is an orphan. He was brought up on a tiny spread in Okalahoma by a man and a woman who had "adopted" twelve children to use as slave labour. They resented every minute of his babyhood and made him work four times as hard to make up for the time he had spent dependant on them.
Not too long ago, Bobby hitched up with Ken Seldom and Sudden Sam McDowell, two of the toughest hombres he has ever come across. Ken, the sap, seems to have some sense of obligation toward Bobby. Sam is more realistic - and less reliable. The three of them have been living like saddletramps, taking jobs here and there and moving from town to town. Bobby figures that he will stick with them as long as it lasts, and then cut out, before they abandon him.
Right now they are riding into Uproar Creek.
Expert Coaching results in the following scores:
Disarm (DEX) 23
Etiquette - Code of the West (BRN) 30
Fast Draw (cross-draw) (DEX) 23
Knife (DEX) 45
Pistol (DEX) 50
Riding (DEX) 85
Rifle (DEX) 50
Roping (DEX) 85
Unarmed Combat (BLD) (fist fighting) 20
Ken and Sam don't know about the pretty Mexican knife Bobby keeps in his left boot.
JENNY LEE . . . played by Bambi Noisettes
Jenny Lee has been knocking around the old west with her Pappy, "Colonel" Josiah Lee, ever since she can remember (she is twenty as far as she knows). The "Colonel" earns his living with cards and dice. Jenny supplements the family income in her own way (but don't call her a floozy).
She is attractive and "feminine" (she always wears frilly, full dresses, a beauty patch, and perfume). Jenny believes fervently that a real lady shouldn't have to work. Gentlemens should do all the work, even when the lights are out. She is used to getting her way in a ladylike fashion, and she knows how to divide and conquer.
In her own way, Jenny does love her Pappy, even if he is an old rumdum who is losing his touch dealing seconds.
Right now Jenny and her Pappy are in the Fancy Times Saloon in Uproar Creek. Pappy is in a poker game with a bunch of hardcases, and Jenny is keeping an eye on developments as she "works the bar" for free drinks and potential clients.
Expert Coaching results in the following scores:
Alertness (BRN) 90
Driving (DEX) 50
First Aid (DEX) 84
Riding (DEX) 72
Pickpocket (DEX) 68
Sawed-off Shotgun (DEX) 72
Seduction (LKS) 88
Singing (BRN) 70
Jenny has a sawed-off shotgun with both barrels loaded strapped to an ingenious contraption under her frilly dress. She can fire it by reaching through an open slit concealed on the right side of the dress, swivelling the gun up and pulling both triggers. It makes an awful mess.
"COLONEL" JOSIAH (JOSH) LEE . . . played by Edouard Le Vaux
"Colonel" Josh claims to have been an officer on whatever side of the Civil War seems expedient in conversation. What he really is is a professional gambler, and what he really likes to do is drink.
"Colonel" Josh came West from Philadelphia after his wife left him with their infant daughter in order to take a job in a New Orleans brothel. He has been making a (sort of) living with cards and dice for both of them ever since.
He suspects that some of their income comes from whatever Jenny does while he is gambling, but he has learned that survival is often a matter of not asking too many questions.
For the past couple of years "Colonel" Josh has found that a few belts of redeye clear his head and steady his hand before the nightly game. In order to keep that edge he has to keep drinking during the game, and sometimes he needs a shot just to get out of bed.
Cards and dice aren't made as well as they used to be. They tend to slip and stick at awkward times. Someone should tell those goddam Eastern plutocrats to stop shipping all their shoddy goods west.
Right now "Colonel" Josh and Jenny are in Uproar Creek, at the Fancy Times Saloon. He is in a poker game and things are getting tense.
Expert Coaching results in the following scores:
Drinking (BRN) 50 (i.e. 50% chance of being sober at any time)
Etiquette (Code of the West) 80
First Aid (DEX) 83
Gambling (BRN) 66
Card and Dice Manipulation (DEX) 55
Persuasion (FAME) 67
Pistol (DEX) 62 - (Derringer: Damage 10)
Riding (DEX) 50
Rifle (DEX) 50
Streetwise (FAME) 95
"Colonel" Josh has a derringer up his sleeve and a silver flask of rotgut in the pocket of his vest. He also has two stacked decks and eight pairs of loaded dice concealed about his person.
Other Roles
THE KILLER
Size: 6' Speed 100 Build 60 SP 200
Brains 50 FAME 40 FX 70
Pistol, Disarm, Fast Draw, Claw (all FX) Damage 30
Acrobatics, Acting, Alertness, Bluffing, Explosives, First Aid, Intimidation, Lip Reading, Mental Map, Psychology, Riding, Stealth, Tracking (all FAME)
LUTETIA FARWASH
Size 5' 6" Speed 75 Build 15 SP 20
Brains 40
Rifle 75 Damage 20
ALF SYKES
Size: 6' 1" Speed 100 Build 25 SP 100
Brains 20 FAME 30 FX 50
Pistol, Rifle, Fast Draw (all FX) Damage 20
Riding, Business, Lying, Stealth, Streetwise
(all FAME)
SHERIFF LUKE MACROSS SP 50
Unarmed Combat 20 Damage 5
Pistol/Rifle 40 Damage 20
HARDCASES SP 10
Unarmed Combat 20 Damage 5
Pistol/Rifle 20 Damage 20
TOWNSPEOPLE SP 10
Unarmed Combat 10 Damage 5
Pistol/Rifle 10 Damage 20