Scene 3.05 - Rusty’s Ranch
EST: EXT. Ranch Pasture - Night.
(A hacked-up, loose, inside-out hide of a dead cow is on the ground with pieces of hamburger meat spilling from it in several directions. Flies cover the pelt. It’s all fake, except the flies.)
TEX RANGER
That is the most disgusting thing I've ever seen. (Takes pictures of carcass and scene.) Oh, the smell!
RUSTY
That's what's unusual about it. It smells like sulphur. (Points with the hand not holding her nose.) And look at this: Tar from the Black Prairie!
DOC BONEBRAKE
(Examines carcass, waves off flies.) Rusty, you said this happened last night?
RUSTY
Yeah, Doc, see all them there branding-marks?
DOC BONEBRAKE
These wounds are fresh. It was turned from the inside out while it was alive.
MARSHALL LAW
Well Doc, I calljoo out here fer summa yer expert testimony. Whatchoo think it is?
SYNDEE SNOW
You don't think it's a prank, do ya Doc?
DOC BONEBRAKE
Well, it appears that whatever did this wasn't human. It seems to be about fifteen feet tall, with mottled green and black strands of coarse fur, much like a porcupine's quills. It walks upright, has two paws with opposable thumbs, and four, razor-sharp, cat-like, clawed fingers on each hand -- and has a large, alligator jaw with teeth about six inches long. It's saliva seems to burn whatever comes in direct contact with it and the carcass it leaves behind smells like burnt, rotten eggs. If this indeed was a creature, it would be unlike any zoological specimen known on Earth and would defy all current theories on cellular biology.
SANDEE SNOW
(Looks afraid, looks around.) So you're saying there's a monster out there?
DOC BONEBRAKE
(He sees her fear.) No, of course not, silly girl. Everyone knows there's no such thing as monsters. It’s just a couple of silly ol’ men tryin’ to get the whole countryside riled-up with their silly pranks. The boys behind this are crafty, but I will figure out the methods of their hoax. Now, dear, before we get the whole county in a panic, I say we shouldn't cater to rumors and wild speculation or give these charlatans any more notoriety than they already have. Let’s just call this death a mangling by a wild... dog. Think people could see that? I mean, we don’t want people to panic, but we still want them to be cautious, don’t we? The pranksters behind this might be dangerous, or after something other than hamburger meat. I’m sure those folks up on Luna Hill could use another one of your classes on crime prevention, just in case.
SYNDEE SNOW
And gynecological hygeine, don’t forget that!
DOC BONEBRAKE
Righto. Can I count on you girls to spread the word that’s there’s nothing here to really panic over?
SYNDEE SNOW
You know best, Doc. We’ll take care of it. And people will feel a little more at ease, thinking it's jus’ some wild dog out there. Plus, that will give us plenty of time to catch these delinquent hooligans in the act, won’t it, Sheriff?
COMMONWEALTH
You have a plan, Daddy?
MARSHALL LAW
Yes, Baby, I think I do. Rusty, you said there’s some more tracks like these ‘round some water well on the other side of the creek?
RUSTY
Yep. Them men musta jumped in the well, or threw those paw-print shoes in, cuz there ain't no tracks 'cept them ones up by there.
MARSHALL LAW
Is the well deep?
RUSTY
Nah, It ain't that deep, need a rope tho... an’ it’s all dried out completely since four summers ago. Don't need it nowadays anyway no-how, cuz they had the river spill me a creek jus' last year-
MARSHALL LAW
Show me this well. And you girls, you get on back into town. There ain’t nuthin’ more to see.
COMMONWEALTH
But Daddy!
MARSHALL LAW
Don’t “but Daddy” me, young lady! Syndee, Sandee. (Hands big keyring.) Take Common back and y’all go to the office and load up travel packs for Tex, the Doc and I. We’re gonna need ‘em in the mornin’. We’ll continue the investigation tomorrow. And Common, you run on home and git some sleep. You need your beauty rest and Daddy needs somethin’ on the table bright and early. Sweet dreams, precious.
(He kisses his daughter on her forehead.)
COMMONWEALTH
Goodnight, Deputy Texas Ranger. It was a pleasure to meet you.
TEX RANGER
Good night, Miss Commonwealth Law. The pleasure was all mine.
(The women leave. Rusty remains.)
MARSHALL LAW
Tex, come along. Rusty, show me where them there tracks go.
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