Scene 3.04 - Deputized
EST: INT. Sherriff’s Office - Night.
(TEX stands with one hand on a Bible, the right hand raised in oath. MARSHALL LAW stand before him. In attendance are SYNDEE SNOW, SANDEE SNOW, COMMONWEALTH. SYNDEE and SANDEE are respectful, letting bygones-be-bygones; the fighting incident nearly-forgotten, save a few minor cuts and forming bruises.)
TEX RANGER
Texas Ranger-
MARSHALL LAW
Do solomnly affirm to uphold the office of Deputy Sheriff of Sedgwick County in the State Of Kansas-
TEX RANGER
Do solomnly affirm to uphold the office of Deputy Sheriff of Sedgwick County in the State Of Kansas-
MARSHALL LAW
To the best of my ability, so he’p me God.
TEX RANGER
To the best of my ability, so he’p me God.
MARSHALL LAW
By the powers vested in me by the state of Kansas, I hereby deputize Tex Ranger. (Pins badge on him.) On this thirty-first day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and sixty-nine, you are now a deputy for the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office in the state of Kansas in the United States of America. Congrats, son! You're on the ground floor of somethin' great! You're a deputy!
(MARSHALL slaps the shiny badge, and jokingly slow punches the young man’s jaw, not making contact. TEX RANGER slightly fakes a hit. They chuckle and shake hands.)
TEX RANGER
I am honored, sir.
MARSHALL LAW
Yes sir, that badge looks mighty good on you, Tex. Doesn't it, Common?
COMMONWEALTH
Yes it does. Real shiny and pretty. You even look taller, Deputy Ranger.
TEX RANGER
Well, now that we're in the same business, Sheriff-
MARSHALL LAW
You work for me now, call me Marsh.
TEX RANGER
Well, Marsh, what's all this hollyhock 'bout the cattle at Rusty's Ranch?
MARSHALL LAW
You're a sharp one, Tex. I knew I picked a real winner here. We've been having some problems lately with the cattle in these here parts. Rusty’s been the latest one hit.
TEX RANGER
Rustlers?
MARSHALL LAW
Manglers.
TEX RANGER
Manglers?
MARSHALL LAW
Let's jus' say that what we do at the slaughterhouse is nuthin' compared to what some crazy men are doing to the cattle across the neighborin' ranches. Common, p'haps you should wait outside.
COMMONWEALTH
I've heard it all, father. I know what terrible things these men are doing to the cattle. I've even seen some of it at the Cedarbrook Estate, remember? Come, let us go to Rusty's Ranch, where Texas can see for himself.
(They exit and walk along the boardwalk.)
MARSHALL LAW
We don't know who these men are or why they'd wanna jus' hack-up perfectly good livestock, but we do know that they strike at night using razor-sharp knives. Heaven knows what I'll do if they start goin' after God-fearin' people.
TEX RANGER
Any theories on who is behind this?
MARSHALL LAW
Some say it's the sheep ranchers from Colorado Territory, but the feud with them ended in these here parts seventeen-some-odd years ago. Others say it's Jonny Reb come to cause us problems with our colored folk, since two of them three ranches that got hit are owned by freed slaves who got in on the Homestead Act. People in church think it might be some Satan-worshipping cult looking for some sacrifice for some pagan god. Oh heavens! And what's worse, neighboring ranchers tell me of glowing lights and strange noises. Some of them think it might be a visitation from another world, like over from the planet Venus.
FX: Spacey sounds
(They stop at the end of the boardwalk. All look skyward.)
TEX RANGER
What do you think it is, Marshall?
MARSHALL LAW
Son, I've had prime rib and sirloin prepared in jus' 'bout ev'ry way possible. I've never seen anything like it. It's something you've jus' gotta see for yourself.
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