FX:

GALLOPING HOOFBEATS APPROACH ... GUNSHOT! RICOCHET!

MUSIC:

INTRO

ANNOUNCER:

GUNSMOKE! Brought to you by L & M Filters. This is it! L & M is best - stands out from all the rest!

MUSIC:

FIGURE AND UNDER

ANNOUNCER:

Around Dodge City and in the territory on West, there's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers - and that's with a U. S. Marshal and the smell of - GUNSMOKE!

MUSIC:

THEME ... THEN BEHIND ANNOUNCER--

ANNOUNCER:

GUNSMOKE - starring William Conrad, the transcribed story of the violence that moved west with young America -- and the story of a man who moved with it.

MATT:

I'm that man. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. The first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancey job - and it makes a man watchful - and a little lonely.

MUSIC:

MAIN TITLE

FX:

DOG BARKS IN DISTANCE ... DOC'S FOOTSTEPS APPROACH ... DOOR OPENS

DOC:

Oh, hello, Chester.

CHESTER:

Come on in, Doc.

FX:

DOOR CLOSES BEHIND--

DOC:

(EXHALES) Where's Matt?

CHESTER:

He ain't here.

DOC:

Say, where have you two been the last couple of days? I haven't seen either one of you.

CHESTER:

Well, I just got back from Hays City. Mr. Dillon sent me there to fetch some government papers. And you know what? I took the Santa Fe both ways.

DOC:

Oh, you did?

CHESTER:

Mm hm.

DOC:

Well, that beats riding.

CHESTER:

(CHUCKLES)

DOC:

But where's Matt, ya say?

CHESTER:

He left a note, but he didn't say exactly where he was at.

DOC:

Well, you mean he's out of town?

CHESTER:

That's what the note said. It seems somebody told him where he could find Jack Brand.

DOC:

Jack Brand? What's he doing around here?

CHESTER:

I don't know. I guess Missouri got too rough for him.

DOC:

(UNHAPPY) Why don't they handle their own outlaws - instead of chasing 'em into Kansas for Matt to catch?

CHESTER:

Mr. Dillon says Brand's got three of his gang with him.

DOC:

You mean Matt's gone out alone after four men?!

CHESTER:

Well, if I knew where he was, I'd go help him, Doc.

DOC:

Oh, well, there's nothing you can do about it, Chester. It's just that--

CHESTER:

It worries me, though. That last holdup the gang pulled, they say four men got shot down.

DOC:

Oh. Well, maybe they've quit. Maybe that's why they came to Kansas.

CHESTER:

Did you ever hear of a bunch of outlaws quitting?

DOC:

No, I guess not. I guess I was just talking to myself, Chester.

MATT:

(OFF, CALLS) Chester! Chester!

CHESTER:

Oh, that's Mr. Dillon, Doc.

DOC:

Yeah.

FX:

THEY WALK TO DOOR WHICH OPENS ... DOC & CHESTER'S FOOTSTEPS ON BOARDWALK ... HORSE AND WAGON SLOWLY APPROACHES AND STOPS DURING FOLLOWING--

DOC:

Uh, where is he?

CHESTER:

There he is. Setting on that wagon.

DOC:

Oh, yes. Who's that with him?

CHESTER:

Some fella give him a ride, I guess. Hello, Mr. Dillon!

MATT:

(GRIM GREETING, FROM WAGON) Hello, Chester. Doc.

DOC:

Hey, you lose your horse, Matt?

MATT:

We left our horses out at Bower's ranch and borrowed this wagon. One of his riders'll bring 'em in tomorrow.

CHESTER:

Who's this with you, Mr. Dillon?

MATT:

You've seen his picture, Chester.

CHESTER:

Oh my goodness -- it's Jack Brand.

MATT:

Let's get down, Brand. You first.

BRAND:

Sure.

FX:

BRAND CLIMBS DOWN

CHESTER:

How come you let him drive the wagon, Mr. Dillon?

MATT:

(CLIMBS DOWN) To keep his hands full, Chester. Here. Take my shotgun and lock him up.

CHESTER:

Yes, sir. Where's the others? I thought he had three men with him.

BRAND:

(BEAT, TAUNTING) Well, tell him, Marshal! Tell him where they are.

MATT:

They're in the wagon, Chester. Under that canvas.

CHESTER:

Oh...

DOC:

Well, are they all dead, Matt? All three of 'em?

MATT:

They're all dead, Doc.

BRAND:

Bloodiest marshal I ever saw. It's just a wagon-load of meat to him.

MATT:

That's enough, Brand!

BRAND:

It ain't hardly enough! I never seen such killing!

CHESTER:

What happened, Mr. Dillon?

MATT:

It doesn't matter. They put up a fight and I had to take 'em.

BRAND:

Well, I'll tell him what happened. Your "lawman" here -- hid hisself in the grass and just waited for us to come out of that cabin. And then he yelled, so naturally we headed for cover. Who wouldn't? He just laid there and he cut loose with his shotgun. Tore up two of the boys that way. Then he stood up and he cut down Hank Smith with his six-shooter.

CHESTER:

How come you got out of it, Brand?

BRAND:

I jumped back in the cabin, and then I give up. We weren't putting up a fight! He spooked us - yelling like that! It'd make any man jump!

DOC:

Oh, I suppose you're trying to say that you wouldn't have shot him?

BRAND:

We tried to shoot him! Who wouldn't? Any man's got a right to defend himself.

DOC:

Well, I never heard of "resisting arrest" called "self-defense."

BRAND:

I never heard of no marshal shooting down everybody on the landscape!

MATT:

Lock him up, Chester.

CHESTER:

Get going, Brand.

BRAND:

(MOVING OFF) The way he acts, you'd think he was killing hogs, not men.

CHESTER:

(MOVING OFF) Shut up and keep walking.

BRAND:

(MOVING OFF) Bloodiest marshal I ever seen. (FADES OUT)

DOC:

Say, how come you brought the bodies back, Matt? Why didn't you just bury 'em out there?

MATT:

I wanted more witnesses than me to identify 'em, Doc. Might save trouble when Brand goes to trial.

DOC:

Say, you were mighty lucky, taking four outlaws that way, Matt.

MATT:

Yeah.

DOC:

And you killed three out of-- Oh, say, wait'll people around here hear about this.

MATT:

(LOW) Brand's right, Doc. It's a lot of killing. An awful lot.

DOC:

Oh, no, you don't. Don't get to thinking about it too much, now, Matt. It's your job - you did it - so it's over.

MATT:

It's over?! Wait till tomorrow, or the next day - there'll be somebody else! There's always another man to kill.

DOC:

Oh, no, that's not the way to look at it, Matt. I - I've never heard of you shooting anybody you didn't have to.

MATT:

No, I never did. But sometimes that doesn't help much.

DOC:

Say, you look tired, Matt.

MATT:

(SIGHS) Well, I haven't slept since I rode out of here two days ago.

DOC:

Well, now, you get some rest, and you'll feel better.

MATT:

Sure.

FX:

CHESTER'S FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

CHESTER:

Brand's snug in jail, Mr. Dillon. He don't like it much, but I told him not to try kicking his way out -- that I'd be sleeping in the office.

MATT:

We'll both be sleeping in the office, Chester. I'm too tired to walk to my room. Uh, take care of this wagon - and what's in it, will you?

CHESTER:

Mm hm.

MATT:

You and Doc can identify those men. We'll write it out on paper in the morning.

CHESTER:

All right, sir. Uh, I'll be coming to bed 'bout midnight, but I'll be real quiet.

MATT:

Nothing could wake me, Chester. Not tonight.

MUSIC:

CURTAIN ... THEN FOR JINGLE--

SINGERS:

THIS IS IT
L & M FILTERS
IT STANDS OUT
FROM ALL THE REST
MIRACLE TIP
MUCH MORE FLAVOR
L & M'S GOT EVERYTHING
IT'S THE BEST

ANNOUNCER:

L & M is best - stands out from all the rest! L & M's got everything!

GIRL:

Everything?

ANNOUNCER:

Everything!

GIRL:

Best flavor?

ANNOUNCER:

L & M stands out for flavor. The miracle tip draws easy ... lets you enjoy all the taste!

GIRL:

Best filter?

ANNOUNCER:

L & M stands out for effective filtration. No filter compares with L & M's pure, white miracle tip for quality or effectiveness.

GIRL:

Best tobaccos?

ANNOUNCER:

Highest quality tobaccos .... low nicotine tobaccos ... L & M Tobaccos, light and mild. Every way, L & M is best - stands out from all the rest!

GIRL:

How easy they draw ... how mild they are!

ANNOUNCER:

L & M is sweeping the country - It's America's best filter-tip cigarette.

MUSIC:

SECOND ACT OPENING

FX:

NOCTURNAL BACKGROUND ... DOC & CHESTER'S FOOTSTEPS ALONG BOARDWALK

CHESTER:

Gosh, Doc, you sure I shouldn't wake him up and tell him?

DOC:

It can wait until morning, Chester. Matt's too tired to do anything about it tonight, anyway.

CHESTER:

Mm, I guess you're right.

DOC:

Of course I am.

CHESTER:

Well. Okay.

DOC:

(MOVING OFF) Good night, Chester.

CHESTER:

G'night, Doc. (WHISTLES TUNELESSLY)

FX:

CHESTER WALKS TO DOOR AND ENTERS JAIL (DOOR OPEN-AND-CLOSE)

CHESTER:

(WHISTLES TUNELESSLY UNTIL--)

MATT:

(TALKING IN HIS SLEEP) No. No. Don't go for your gun!

CHESTER:

Don't go for my--? What?

MATT:

No! No, don't do it, I tell ya. Leave that gun alone!

FX:

CHESTER TAKES A FEW STEPS

CHESTER:

Mr. Dillon?

MATT:

No! No. Don't make me kill ya. Don't make me kill another man!

CHESTER:

Mr. Dillon, wake up.

MATT:

No, I've spilled enough blood! I don't wanna kill ya! No!

CHESTER:

Mr. Dillon! Mr. Dillon! Wake up!

MATT:

No!

FX:

SCUFFLE AS CHESTER SHAKES MATT AWAKE

CHESTER:

Hey, it's me, Mr. Dillon! It's Chester! There ain't nobody here!

MATT:

(AWAKE) What?

CHESTER:

(STAMMERS) You was asleep. You - you been dreaming.

MATT:

(TAKES A FEW BREATHS) Oh. Oh, yeah. Yeah.

CHESTER:

I'll light the lamp.

MATT:

No, no, it's all right, Chester.

CHESTER:

My gracious, I - I come in, and I heard you talking and I - I thought somebody was here. That moonlight ain't too bright. I couldn't see good at first.

MATT:

Sure.

CHESTER:

My, I had to yell at you a couple of times before you woke up. You was dreaming you was in a fight, I guess.

MATT:

Yeah. Yeah, that - that's what I was dreaming.

CHESTER:

Nightmares like that -- they're - they're just terrible, ain't they?

MATT:

There's a bottle in the desk drawer over there, Chester. Get it for me, will ya?

CHESTER:

Yes, sir, I know where it is.

FX:

CHESTER TO DESK ... OPEN DRAWER ... TAKE OUT BOTTLE ... UNDER--

CHESTER:

(SLIGHTLY OFF) I used to have nightmares, sometimes, when I was a boy. But I don't get 'em much no more.

FX:

CHESTER TAKES BOTTLE TO MATT

CHESTER:

Here 'tis, Mr. Dillon. Good stiff drink'll do ya good.

MATT:

Thanks, Chester.

FX:

UNCORKS BOTTLE, TAKES A PULL

MATT:

(COUGHS A FEW TIMES)

FX:

PUTS CORK BACK ... BOTTLE SET DOWN

MATT:

What time is it?

CHESTER: A little past midnight.

MATT:

Jack Brand awake?

CHESTER:

No. He'd be bellerin' if he was. But, Mr. Dillon, now that you're awake, there's something I ought to tell you.

MATT:

Oh? What?

CHESTER:

Well, me and Doc was having a drink over at the Alafraganza and a fella come in there and started talking real loud--

MATT:

Talking about what?

CHESTER:

Well, sir, mostly about how he's gonna tree Dodge and how he's gonna tell you, too.

MATT:

Oh?

CHESTER:

He says he's a friend of Jack Brand's, and he's heard 'bout how you caught him and all.

MATT:

What's his name?

CHESTER:

Stanger. Joe Stanger.

MATT:

Yeah, I know him.

CHESTER:

Well, do you think he'll cause trouble?

MATT:

Probably. But I'm not gonna worry about him tonight.

CHESTER:

No, sir. That's what me and Doc figured. He won't try nothing tonight.

MATT:

All the same, keep your gun handy, Chester. Now, let's try to get some sleep.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

BRAND:

(OFF, CALLS) Chester! (NO ANSWER) Chester! Come on out here!

CHESTER:

(WAKES, GROANS) Oh, my gracious, what's Brand hollering about now?

MATT:

(WAKES) What?

BRAND:

(OFF, CALLS) Wake up, Chester! Time for breakfast!

MATT:

Oh, go shut him up, Chester. It's hardly dawn.

BRAND:

(OFF, CALLS) Hey, Ches-ter!

CHESTER:

Sure, I'd like to throw a bucket of water on him.

BRAND:

(OFF, CALLS) Ches-terrrrrr!

CHESTER:

Oh, shut up, Brand! I'm coming!

BRAND:

(OFF) 'Bout time, too.

CHESTER:

(OFF) Cut out that cussed yelling, Brand. What's the matter with you?

BRAND:

(OFF) Come on over here. Just unlock this cage, Chester.

CHESTER:

(OFF) What?

BRAND:

(OFF) I'm holding a gun on you -- can't you see it?

CHESTER:

(OFF) Where'd you git that gun?

FX:

MATT GETS UP ... GRABS HIS SIXGUN AND STARTS QUIETLY TOWARD BRAND & CHESTER

BRAND:

(OFF) Come on over here, I said.

CHESTER:

(OFF) The keys ain't over there. They're hanging on the wall down here. I'll git 'em.

BRAND:

(OFF) Don't take your own sweet time about it. I been in this chicken coop long enough.

MATT:

Drop it, Brand!

BRAND:

What?

FX:

GUNSHOT! RICOCHET! BRAND'S GUN CLATTERS TO FLOOR

BRAND:

(GROANS IN PAIN) Ohhh. Ohhh.

FX:

MATT WALKS TO CELL

MATT:

You're not hurt. I hit the gun.

CHESTER:

I got the keys, Mr. Dillon. I'll get his gun out of there.

MATT:

All right, go ahead.

FX:

KEYS RATTLE ... KEY IN LOCK ... CELL DOOR UNLOCKED

MATT:

Stand back, Brand.

FX:

CHESTER ENTERS CELL, PICKS UP GUN

BRAND:

You like to bust my hand!

MATT:

You're lucky.

BRAND:

Eh. Lucky you didn't kill me, I suppose -- just like you kill everybody.

MATT:

Shut up!

CHESTER:

I got it, Mr. Dillon.

FX:

CELL DOOR SHUTS

CHESTER:

It ain't no good, anyway. Not now.

MATT:

Where'd you get that gun, Brand?

BRAND:

(SARCASTIC) I made it, Marshal.

CHESTER:

Don't be smart.

BRAND:

(DISMISSIVE) Ohhhh--

MATT:

Wait a minute. Joe Stanger brought it to you. He tossed it to you right through those bars on the window, didn't he?

BRAND:

I didn't know Stanger was in town.

MATT:

Didn't you? (BEAT) Chester, get some boards and nail 'em over the window so nothing can get through it.

CHESTER:

I'll fix it, Mr. Dillon.

BRAND:

Aw, wait a minute, Marshal. That's the only window in here. You can't board it up.

MATT:

You'll get enough air.

BRAND:

No, but it'll be dark! I don't like it dark.

MATT:

Don't you? (BEAT) When you get it fixed, we'll go to breakfast, Chester.

CHESTER:

It won't take long, Mr. Dillon.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

FX:

EARLY MORNING BACKGROUND ... MATT & CHESTER'S FOOTSTEPS ALONG BOARDWALK

CHESTER:

It's been some time since I've been out on the Plaza this early in the morning, Mr. Dillon.

MATT:

Oh? Weren't you up gambling all night last Saturday, Chester?

CHESTER:

Oh, well, that's different.

MATT:

Oh? How?

CHESTER:

Well, I've been asleep all night this time, and things looks different when you've had a good night's sleep.

MATT:

Yeah, they sure do.

CHESTER:

You didn't have no more nightmares last night, did you?

MATT:

No, but I didn't sleep well.

CHESTER:

You ought to take some time off -- go out buffalo hunting or something.

MATT:

Yeah, maybe I ought to take a lot of time off. (BEAT) Wait a minute.

FX:

THEIR FOOTSTEPS OUT

CHESTER:

What?

MATT:

That's Joe Stanger coming there.

CHESTER:

Say, by golly, it is. What's he doing up so early?

MATT:

Maybe he wants to find out why Jack Brand hasn't shot his way out of jail yet.

CHESTER:

Well, he won't throw him no more guns. Not the way I got that place boarded up now.

MATT:

Get out of the way, Chester.

CHESTER:

Yes, sir.

FX:

CHESTER WALKS OFF A LITTLE ... STANGER'S FOOTSTEPS APPROACH AND STOP

STANGER:

Morning, Marshal.

MATT:

You're up early, Stanger.

STANGER:

Train leaves for Abilene in about an hour.

MATT:

Going to Abilene?

STANGER:

I'll be back next week.

MATT:

Jack Brand'll still be in jail.

STANGER:

I heard you caught him.

MATT:

Good friend of yours, isn't he?

STANGER:

Sure. But I ain't part of his gang. Never was.

MATT:

Yeah, I know.

STANGER:

'Course, there ain't much gang left now.

MATT:

No.

STANGER:

You're a pretty rough man, Marshal.

MATT:

When I have to be.

STANGER:

Don't it ever bother you -- killing people the way you do?

MATT:

Stanger, I shot a gun out of Jack Brand's hand this morning. You come by the office later, and I'll give it back to you.

STANGER:

Now what would I want of a smashed-up six shooter?

MATT:

It's yours, isn't it?

STANGER:

I'm wearing mine.

MATT:

I ought to throw you in jail, too.

STANGER:

What for?

MATT:

To get you out of sight, if nothing else.

STANGER:

I wouldn't go to jail, Marshal. Not without a fight, I wouldn't. I ain't afraid of you. You want to try it? Go ahead. Go ahead, draw.

MATT:

(PAUSE) No.

STANGER:

What's the matter, Marshal? I thought you liked killing men. What's holding you back? You're gonna have to fight me, sooner or later.

MATT:

Get out of here, Stanger. Go get on your train.

STANGER:

(LAUGHS) Wait'll I tell everybody about Matt Dillon. How he's lost his nerve.

MATT:

Get out, I said.

STANGER:

Well, I don't want to shoot down a man that won't draw. Not today, anyway. But I'll be back, Marshal -- next week.

FX:

STANGER WALKS OFF ... CHESTER STEPS UP TO MATT

CHESTER:

Why didn't you shoot him, Mr. Dillon? He's nothing but a big bluff.

MATT:

Chester, you go on to breakfast. I'm going back to the office.

CHESTER:

What? Why, you told me only five--

MATT:

(SNAPS) You heard me!

CHESTER:

(COWED) Well -- yes, sir. Okay, Mr. Dillon.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

FX:

SCRATCH OF PEN ON PAPER ... OFF, DOOR OPENS ... CHESTER ENTERS ... DOOR CLOSES ... CHESTER'S FOOTSTEPS TO DESK

CHESTER:

I brought you a canful of coffee, Mr. Dillon.

MATT:

Thanks, Chester.

CHESTER:

I'll put it right here. What you doing, writing a letter?

FX:

MATT FINISHES WRITING ... FOLDS PAPER

MATT:

It's a telegram. Here, Chester. Take this down to the depot, will ya?

CHESTER:

Sure.

MATT:

I want it to go out right away.

CHESTER:

(READS SLOWLY) U. S. War Department. (TO MATT) What're you telegraphing Washington about?

MATT:

That's my resignation, Chester.

CHESTER:

What?

MATT:

I'm quitting. Right now.

CHESTER:

Why, you can't do that.

MATT:

I've done it.

CHESTER:

Oh, I don't believe it. You're funning me.

MATT:

A man can quit a job, Chester. I've quit jobs before.

CHESTER:

Well, I know, but this is different.

MATT:

What's different about it? The government doesn't own me.

CHESTER:

But think what'll happen if you ain't Marshal here.

MATT:

There're other men can be Marshal!

CHESTER:

Mr. Dillon--?

MATT:

What?

CHESTER:

You ain't doing this because of, well, what Joe Stanger said?

MATT:

(BEAT, SLOWLY) That I've lost my nerve? No, he's wrong about that. And he's wrong about my liking to kill men, too.

CHESTER:

You've never killed nobody unless you had to.

MATT:

And now I don't have to! I'm through, Chester. And I knew I was through when I didn't draw on Stanger this morning. I've killed my last man.

CHESTER:

I just don't know what to say, Mr. Dillon.

MATT:

I've hated this job since the day I took it. I never did have a taste for killing -- and now they can find somebody who has! And he'll make a better Marshal than I ever was.

CHESTER:

That ain't true.

MATT:

Go send the telegram, Chester. I'll be at Delmonico's having breakfast. And with a good appetite for a change.

MUSIC:

SECOND ACT CURTAIN

MAN 1:

I've got L & M!

GIRL:

I've got L & M!

MAN 2:

I've got L & M!

GIRL:

And L & M's got everything!

MAN 1:

Best filter! No filter compares with L & M's pure, white miracle tip for quality or effectiveness.

GIRL:

Best flavor! The miracle tip draws easy - lets you enjoy all the taste.

MAN 2:

Best tobaccos! Highest quality tobaccos - low nicotine tobaccos - L & M tobaccos ...

GIRL:

Light and mild!

MAN 1:

Today - buy L & M! It's sweeping the country because it's America's best filter-tip cigarette!

MAN 2:

Yes - today - why don't you get L & M - because L & M's got everything!

MUSIC:

FOR JINGLE

SINGERS:

THIS IS IT
L & M FILTERS
L & M'S GOT EVERYTHING
IT'S THE BEST

MUSIC:

THIRD ACT OPENING ... THEN BEHIND MATT--

MATT:

(NARRATES) After breakfast, I went to my room, and got some of the sleep I'd missed the night before. And I slept good. It was as though what was past, was past -- and none of it bothered me now I didn't have to face it happening over and over again. And when I woke up, I felt better than I had in years. I even felt a little cleaner somehow -- there wasn't gonna be any more blood on my hands. Washington, as usual, was pretty slow answering my telegram. Week later, I still hadn't had an answer. But I didn't care. I'd quit. And that was that. I even began to enjoy myself for a change. Like the day I finally took Kitty fishing.

FX:

FISHING BACKGROUND ... A STREAM, BIRDS ... AND A SPLASHING, FLAPPING FISH

KITTY:

(OFF, DELIGHTED) Matt?! Hey, Matt! Look, I got another one.

MATT:

Oh? Well, throw him back, Kitty. We got more than we can carry now.

KITTY:

(OFF) I will not throw him back. (TO FISH) Hold still, you.

MATT:

(CHUCKLES) Come on over here in the shade. You've done enough fishing.

KITTY:

(OFF) Okay.

FX:

KITTY'S FOOTSTEPS

KITTY:

(APPROACHES) Hey, look at him, Matt. Isn't he a beauty?

MATT:

Yeah. He's bigger than any I caught. Why don't you throw him in the sack and then sit down here, huh?

FX:

KITTY DUMPS FISH IN SACK ... IT FLOPS ABOUT SOME

KITTY:

Say, you're right. I didn't know we'd caught that many.

MATT:

Yeah. Maybe we'll have a fish fry tonight, huh?

KITTY:

Well, we can feed half of Dodge with all those.

MATT:

(CHUCKLES) Well, I doubt it. You ever see Chester go through a mess full of fish?

KITTY:

The last time he starved himself a couple of days in advance. Maybe we can kind of sneak up on him tonight.

MATT:

Ah, no. He knows we're out here.

KITTY:

Maybe you ought to go into the business, Matt.

MATT:

Oh? What business?

KITTY:

Fishing. You could do it for a living.

MATT:

(CHUCKLES) I am going to have to find something to do for a living, I guess.

KITTY:

Well, it won't hurt you to loaf for a while, Matt.

MATT:

Yeah. (SIGHS DEEPLY) I'm enjoying it.

KITTY:

You know something, Matt?

MATT: What?

KITTY:

I think this is the first time I've ever seen you that you weren't wearing a gun.

MATT:

Hm. It is. And I'm enjoying that, too.

KITTY:

Someday maybe nobody'll wear guns.

MATT:

Yeah, maybe. (YAWNS, STRETCHES) You know something? I'm sleepy.

KITTY:

(CHUCKLES) You're lazy. So lazy, you're probably going to starve to death before you find a new job.

MATT:

I don't care. (CHUCKLES)

KITTY:

Matt? Look. Somebody's coming on horseback.

MATT:

Oh?

KITTY:

Uh huh.

MATT:

Hey. Oh, that's Chester.

KITTY:

Oh, he's as lazy as you are. Imagine taking a horse to come this far.

MATT:

Oh, Chester hates walking. And besides, he looks like he's in a hurry.

FX:

GALLOPING HOOFBEATS APPROACH ... SLOW DOWN AND STOP BEHIND--

KITTY:

Maybe he couldn't wait for that fish fry.

FX:

CHESTER DISMOUNTS

CHESTER:

Mr. Dillon? Hello, Miss Kitty.

KITTY:

Look in that sack, Chester. We got about thirty catfish already.

CHESTER:

That's fine, Miss Kitty, but-- Mr. Dillon, Joe Stanger's in town.

MATT:

Oh? Well, that doesn't matter to me, Chester.

CHESTER:

Oh, but you don't understand.

MATT:

Understand what?

CHESTER:

What I come to tell you. Stanger's at the Alafraganza. A while ago he had words with one of the girls there, and she slapped him and he pulled out his gun and he killed her!

MATT:

(BEAT) What?

KITTY:

Who was the girl, Chester?

CHESTER:

Kate Hawkins.

KITTY:

Oh, no.

CHESTER:

That's who it was, Miss Kitty. And then the bartender tried to stop him, and Stanger shot him, too. And I hear he's gonna die. I grabbed a horse off the hitch-rail and come right down to tell you. You've gotta stop him, Mr. Dillon!

MATT:

(DEFIANT) I'm not Marshal any more here, Chester. I quit.

CHESTER:

Oh, that don't matter--

MATT:

It does to me.

CHESTER:

You mean you're gonna let Joe Stanger walk around Dodge and shoot everybody that gets in his way -- including women?!

MATT:

I'm through killing! I told you that.

CHESTER:

Who's gonna stop him then? You're the only man around here that'll go up agin' him, and you know it.

MATT:

That may be true. But I'm still not gonna do it.

CHESTER:

Wait, Mr. Dillon. Wait a minute. I - I been thinking a lot about all this lately, and there's something you been overlooking.

MATT:

Oh?

CHESTER:

(SLOWLY) Men like Stanger - and Brand - they got to be stopped. I'd do it, if I could, but I can't. I ain't good enough. Most men ain't. But you are. It's kinda too bad for you that you are, but -- that's the way it is. And there's nothing you can do about it. Not now. It's too late. It's way too late.

FX:

LONG PAUSE ... FINALLY, MATT GETS UP

MATT:

(ANOTHER PAUSE) Gimme your gun, Chester.

CHESTER:

Yes, sir.

KITTY:

(SOBS A LITTLE)

CHESTER:

Want my holster?

MATT:

I'll carry it in my belt.

FX:

MATT SLOWLY WALKS TO HORSE ... THEN STOPS

MATT:

(OFF) Oh, Kitty? Chester'll help you carry the fish back.

KITTY:

Sure, Matt. Sure.

FX:

MATT MOUNTS HORSE ... RIDES AWAY

MUSIC:

HEAVY, SOMBER ... FOR CURTAIN

ANNOUNCER:

And now our star, William Conrad.

CONRAD:

Thank you, George. Mild and plenty quick on the draw, that's L & M for you. And the pure, white miracle tip, on the business end of every L & M, filters out everything but the taste of the world's finest tobaccos. All you have to do is pick up a carton of L & M's and you'll see what I mean. L & M stands out from all the rest,

MUSIC:

THEME ... THEN UNDER--

ANNOUNCER:

GUNSMOKE, produced and directed by Norman Macdonnell, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U. S. Marshal. Our story was specially written for GUNSMOKE by John Meston, with music composed and conducted by Rex Koury. Sound patterns by Tom Hanley and Ray Kemper. Featured in the cast were John Dehner and Lawrence Dobkin. Parley Baer is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc, and Georgia Ellis is Kitty.

MUSIC:

UP AND OUT ... THEN JINGLE

SINGERS:

STOP!
START SMOKING WITH A SMILE WITH CHESTERFIELD
SMILING ALL THE WHILE WITH CHESTERFIELD
PUT A SMILE IN YOUR SMOKING - JUST GIVE 'EM A TRY
LIGHT UP A CHESTERFIELD ... THEY SATISFY!

ANNOUNCER:

Put a smile in your smoking. Buy Chesterfield..so smooth - so satisfying...Chesterfield!

MUSIC:

THEME ... THEN UNDER--

ANNOUNCER:

You'll also enjoy Chesterfield's great radio shows. Perry Como sings all the top tunes on CBS Radio every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Jack Webb stars in DRAGNET on Tuesday nights. Check your local listings. Listen to GUNSMOKE again next week transcribed for L & M FILTERS.

MUSIC:

THEME ... UP, TILL END