Bob Gale - Back to the Future - 3

Buford: (being a bit of a smart ass) Smile, Marshall. After all, this is a party.

Marshall Strickland: The only party I'll be smiling at is the one that sees you at the end of a rope.

Buford and Marshall Strickland glare at each other before the Marshall lowers his gun. Buford and his gang are allowed in.

Deputy Marshall: Have fun!

A young boy is now seen next to Marshall Strickland. He's the Marshall's SON - the future father of Mr Strickland.

Marshall Strickland: That's how you handle them son, never give them an inch. Maintain discipline at all times. Remember that word. Discipline.

Son: I will, Pa.

Cut to the dance. At the table, Marty is eating some pie when Seamus, Maggie and William walk past him.

Seamus: Why, Mr Eastwood. Nice to see ya. I see you got yourself some respectable clothes, lad. And a fine hat.

Marty: Yeah, well, a couple other people didn't like the way the other one looked on me.

Maggie: Sure that one suits you Mr Eastwood. Very good for you.

Marty: Uh, thanks.

Marty finishes his pie and notices writing on the plate - "Frisbee".

Marty: Hey...Frisbee. Far out.

Marty grins at his ancestors and then leaves. Seamus and Maggie look at each other in a "how strange was that?" type of way.

Seamus: What was the meaning of that?

Maggie: It was right in front of him.

Seamus: Aye.

Cut to the dance. Doc and Clara, as well as other couples, are dancing to the music. Below the dance floor though, Buford and his gang are trying to find Doc. Gang Member 1 spots him.

Gang Member 1: There he is, Buford.

Buford: Where?

Gang Member 1: Right there. Dancing with that piece of calico.

Gang Member 2: What are ya gonna do, boss?

Buford: (darkly) I figure...I'll bury this muzzle deep enough in his back. Nobody'll hear the shot.

Gang Member 1: Careful, Buford, you only got the one bullet with that.

Buford: I only need one.

Cut back to Doc and Clara. They are enchanted with each other and dance into a corner. Doc suddenly feels a gun barrel in his back and freezes. It's happening! Two days earlier than he thought!

Buford: I told you to watch your back, smithy.

Doc: Tannen. But you're early.

Buford: It's a Derringer, smithy. Small but effective. Last time I used it the fella took two days to die. Bled to death inside, it was real painful. That means you'd be dead by about suppertime Monday.

Clara: (to Buford) I don't know who you think you are, but we're dancing.

Buford: Well lookie what we have here! Introduce me to the lady; I'd like a dance.

Doc turns around to face Buford with a brave and determined look on his face. Buford moves the gun barrel to Doc's throat.

Doc: I wouldn't give you the pleasure. You'll just have to go ahead and shoot.

Buford: All right.

Clara senses what is about to happen.

Clara: No, Emmett. I'll dance with him.

Buford: (to his gang) Boys, keep the blacksmith company while I get acquainted with the filly.

Buford pushes Doc aside to his gang, who hold him down as Buford and Clara start dancing. Doc isn't very happy with this and has an angry look on his face.

Buford: Woo...ha, ha, ha! Yeah. Ooh!

Clara: I don't dance very well when my partner has a gun in his hand.

Buford pulls Clara closer.

Buford: Well, you'll learn. (to Doc) You know, smithy, I may just take my $80 worth outta her.

Doc struggles again to be let go.

Buford: Woo...ha, ha, ha! Yeah. (to Clara) I bet there's something you can do that's worth $80.

Clara: I'm afraid you've underestimated me, Mr.

Buford: Have I now?

Clara kicks Buford in the shins, and he cringes over with pain as Clara walks away. Doc mangoes to free himself, as the music stops and everyone (including Seamus and Maggie) stops to stare at Doc and Buford.

Doc: Stop it! Damn you, Tannen!

Buford: No, I damn you!

Buford gets his gun out and aims at Doc. Marty realises what's going on and grabs the Frisbee plate.

Buford: (continued) I damn you to hell!

Buford fires his one bullet. At the same time, Marty throws the Frisbee plate - well, like a Frisbee! It blocks the bullet and Doc is saved! He's a bit stunned and his hat falls off. Buford looks around to see who threw the plate. He spots Marty.

Buford: You!

Marty walks towards him.

Marty: Hey, lighten up, jerk!

Confused as to what Marty means, Buford turns to his gang members who are equally confused. He then turns back to Marty.

Buford: Mighty strong words, runt! You man enough to back that up with more than just a pie plate?!

Marty: Look, just leave my friends alone.

Marty starts walking away.

Buford: What's wrong, dude, you yella?

Marty pauses and slowly turns to face Buford

Buford: That's what I thought. Yellow belly.

Marty points at Buford.

Marty: Nobody...calls me yellow.

Buford: Let's finish it. Right now.

Gang Member 1: Uh, not now, Buford. Marshall's got our guns.

Buford: Well, like I said, we'll finish this tomorrow.

Gang Member 2: Tomorrow we're robbing the Pine City Stage.

Buford turns to his gang.

Buford: How 'bout Monday? We doing anything on Monday?

The gang members check with each other then nod their heads.

Gang Member 3: No, Monday be fine. You can kill him on Monday.

Buford turns back to Marty.

Buford: I'll be back this way on Monday. We'll settle this then. (pointing) Right there out in the street, in front of the Palace Saloon.

Marty is a little uncomfortable with this.

Marty: Yeah, right, well, when? High noon?

Buford: Noon? I do my killing before breakfast. 7 o'clock!

Marty: 8 o'clock. (more confidently) I do my killing after breakfast.

Doc: (whispering, concerned) Marty, no.

He notices Clara looking at them and smiles at her instead. In the crowd, William McFly (in Maggie's arms) begins to cry. After a long silence, Marshall Strickland arrives with his rifle.

Marshall Strickland: All right now, break it up. What's all this about? You causing trouble here, Tannen?

Buford: No trouble, Marshall. Just a little personal matter between me and Eastwood. This don't concern the law.

Marshall Strickland: Tonight everything concerns the law - now break it up. Any brawling, there's 15 days in the county jail.

He lowers his rifle and talks to the crowd.

Marshall Strickland: Come on, this is a party! Come on, let's have some fun!

The music starts playing again and the dancing resumes. Buford goes to Marty.

Buford: 8 o'clock. Monday. You ain't here, I'll hunt you and shoot you down like a duck.

Gang Member 1: It's dog, Buford. Shoot 'im down like a dog.

Buford is upset that everyone has seen his stupidity.

Buford: Let's go, boys! Let these sissies have their party!

They leave and Doc talks to Marty.

Doc: Marty, what are you doing, saying you're going to meet Tannen??

Marty: Doc, don't worry about it! Monday morning, 8am. We're gonna be gone, right?

Doc: Theoretically, yes, but what if the train's late?

Marty hasn't thought of this.

Marty: Late??

Clara arrives at Doc's side again.

Doc: We'll discuss this later.

Marty: No, we'll discuss this now - late?

Clara: Thank you for your gallantry, Mr Eastwood.

Marty tries to be modest.

Marty: No, hey, ma'am.

Clara: Had you not interceded, Emmett might have been shot!