During their card game, Dirk talks about the poor business
the saloon is having because the Stage Line is gone. Sadie tells him that they
have saved some money and that it should tide them over until things get
better. Dirk mentions his previous offer to buy the saloon from them. Sadie is still
not interested so Dirk raises his offer from five to six thousand dollars. Sadie refuses
this offer too, which makes Dirk very angry. He shouts that they will be sorry
for refusing his offer, but he calms down and offers to purchase Sally's half
of the saloon instead. She ponders but also refuses. Dirk becomes threatening
and the ladies are saved from harm by the appearance of Clint Cactus.
Clint and Dirk have a classic showdown.
Script Excerpt
Dirk. "I hear tell you are mighty handy with a six shooter."
Clint. "I hear tell you are."
Dirk. "Could be we both heard right."
Clint. "Maybe yep... And maybe nope."
Dirk. "This ain't your business, Cactus."
Clint. "Making it my business."
Dirk. "You don't have to."
Clint. "I got to."
Dirk. "Mind telling me why?"
Clint. "Code of the West."
Dirk. "Had a feeling you were going to say that."
After repeated challenges by Clint, Dirk refuses to get into a gunfight, claiming
his gun hand is hurt. Nobody believes him and Clint demands that he apologize
to the ladies...or draw! Dirk apologizes and beats a hasty retreat, but not
before threatening to get even with Clint later. Clint is not afraid of his threats
but the ladies are. They are happy that Clint arrived in time to keep Dirk
from harming them.
Script Excerpt
Sally. "Whew! I thought for a minute that you two were going to shoot it out!"
Clint. "We were, Sally. He was ready to draw down on me. I could see it in his eyes.
And he could see it in my eyes that I would return the favor.
That's the way it is in this territory. We don't much cotton to
menfolk threatening womenfolk. It's against the code of the west."
Sadie and Clint have been in love for a long time. Whenever they see each other,
they immediately rush into each other's arms, take a long look into each other's
eyes and are so intent on each other that they ignore everything else, in this case Sally.
Sally is too young to understand love and doesn't like being ignored.
Script Excerpt
Sally. "I can't figure out why Dirk ..Mr. Devious...is so interested in
purchasing the Saloon?"
Sadie. "I don't know why he wants it either, Sally, but I got a feeling
he ain't up to no good. And I wouldn't sell it to him if he was the last
person on earth!"
Sally. "Me neither! Well, I have some cleaning to do in my room. I'll
see you later, Clint." (They both ignore her.)
Sally. "I SAID, I'VE GOT SOME CLEANING TO DO! Oh, never mind." (Sally exits.)
So all is peaceful and quiet once again...or is it?
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Shootout
At Sadie's Saloon