The Fugitive Transcripts

EXT. FARM - TYLER COUNTY, NEBRASKA - DAY

Chickens in the yard.  Farm equipment.  A water tower.  A peaceful, calm 
morning.  In the corral, a young man named BENJY forks hay for the nearby 
horses.  A door SLAMS.  He looks up to see a man backing out of a house 
opposite.  The man acts strangely as if in fear of something.  Surprised, 
Benjy stops what he's doing to take a closer look.

The frightened man is PAUL BELLOWS.  As he runs from the house, the blood 
stains on his shirt can be seen.  He's a rough juvenile delinquent-type in 
his early twenties, wearing clothes appropriate to farm country.  Ducking 
under a fence, he tries to race off the property.  

				BENJY
		Hey!
			(to another worker)
		Charley!  Stop him!

CHARLEY BRIGHT looks up from a machine he's working on to see Bellows who 
stops short at the sight of him.  Bellows abruptly takes off in the opposite 
direction, back towards the house.  Charley gives chase.  Benjy hops the 
corral fence and joins the pursuit.  Bellows ducks back under a fence and 
runs for his life through the chicken-filled yard.  

Benjy gives up the chase and rushes into the house to see what Bellows had 
been running from.  Charley follows Benjy inside.

								CUT TO:

INT. HOUSE - DAY

Benjy and Charley enter a living room that looks like a tornado's been 
through it.  They freeze at the sight of an unconscious woman with blood on 
her arm, sprawled on the floor beside an overturned chair.  Next to her, a 
man.  Both dead.

				BENJY
			(shock, disbelief)
		Look what he done, Charley.  Look what he done.

A stunned Charley moves to cover the bodies of his parents with a tablecloth.

								CUT TO:

INT. WORKROOM - DAY

A power saw cuts off a section of wood.  CAL SHRADER, a wishy-washy, elderly 
man in suspenders, shuts off the saw and inspects his work.  As he does, he 
hears the sound of running water and turns to investigate.  Cautiously moving 
to an adjacent washroom, he sees Bellows standing at the sink, rinsing the 
blood from his shirt.  Bellows catches sight of the old man, immediately 
drops the shirt, and takes off running out the door opposite.   Cal Shrader 
moves to the door and watches the fugitive depart. 

				CAL SHRADER
			(recognizes him)
		Bellows.

Shrader turns to the sink, picks up the bloody shirt, and stares at it in 
horror.

								CUT TO:

EXT. ANOTHER FARM - DAY

A key turns in an automobile ignition.  Bellows sits in the driver's seat of 
the car, STARTING the engine.  The car's owner, ED CLEMENT, is nearby, 
spraying insecticide.  He looks up in time to see his car being stolen.

				ED CLEMENT
		Hey!  Hey!

Ed Clement catches sight of the car thief as he pulls away.  Bellows burns 
rubber and disappears down the road.

				ED CLEMENT
			(recognizing Bellows)
		Him!

								DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY

A tractor, pulling a trailer loaded with a large farm machine, slowly makes 
its way down the road under a majestic, cloud-filled sky.  The equally 
majestic voice of the OMNISCIENT NARRATOR sets the scene.

				NARRATOR (v.o.)
		Nebraska: a world of wheat -- dirt roads all 
		open to the sky, but still a silent sky.

The man at the wheel of the tractor, a cowboy hat on his head, is none other 
than RICHARD KIMBLE, interstate fugitive.

				NARRATOR (v.o.)
		Richard Kimble has found a temporary refuge in 
		the remote farming community of Black Moccasin.  
		And, even here, there are questions.

Two farmers with shotguns suddenly block the road.  An uneasy Kimble brakes 
the tractor.

				1ST MAN
		Hold it right there, Mister!

Kimble stops the tractor.

				1ST MAN
		What's your name?

				KIMBLE
		Rogers.  Ben Rogers.

				2ND MAN
			(to 1st Man, off Kimble)
		Never seen him before.  Might be him.

				KIMBLE
		Him?  Can I ask what this is about?

				1ST MAN
		Double murder.  Other side of Black Moccasin 
		Hill.

				KIMBLE
		You think I--?

A third farmer arrives.

				3RD MAN
		That's not him, boys.  I seen him in town.  Tad 
		Crummers' new mechanic.

				KIMBLE
		I'm, uh, taking this, uh, grinder, in for 
		repairs.  You men part of a posse?

				1ST MAN
		Just a little part.  We got an army.  And 
		Bellows is somewhere in the middle.

				KIMBLE
		Bellows?

				3RD MAN
		The one who did it.  Broad daylight.  Witnesses 
		and all.  Well... you can be movin' on.

				KIMBLE
		Thank you.

Relieved, Kimble puts the tractor in gear.

								DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. OPEN FIELD - DAY

The well-armed posse, led by DEPUTY BOWERS, works its way through a grassy 
field.  We PAN DOWN TO reveal Bellows in his undershirt crawling desperately 
through the tall grass mere yards in front of his pursuers.  He pauses at the 
sound of the Deputy's voice.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Bellows?!  We know you're in here!  We got a 
		dozen guns starin' at ya!  If you don't come 
		on out, we gonna spread you all over this 
		field!

The Deputy points his rifle skyward and FIRES off a shot.

				BELLOWS
		Don't shoot!  I'm comin' out!

Bellows, dirty and sweating, cautiously rises, with his hands up.  The posse 
moves forward to take him into custody.

								DISSOLVE TO:

INT. POLICE STATION - DAY

Bellows, now wearing a clean shirt, stands in his cell.  Through the bars, he 
watches the Deputy talking on the phone.  

				DEPUTY BOWERS
			(into the phone)
		Uh huh.  Mm hmm.  Certainly.  Yes, sir.

Also present are Ed Clement whose car was stolen and Cal Shrader who found 
the bloody shirt.  Ed Clement approaches Bellows and sneers at him.

				ED CLEMENT
			(off Bellows, with disgust)
		Stole from them three years ago.  Now comes 
		back for more.

Ed Clement stalks away.

				CAL SHRADER
		Milk of human kindness.  Look what it got them.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Yes, sir.  Right away.

				ED CLEMENT
		When are you takin' him to the county seat, 
		Deputy?

				DEPUTY
		Right away.  The Sheriff wants us to--

The door bursts open.  Charley Bright and young Benjy enter, angry.

				MEN
			(ad lib)
		Aw, Charley. Sorry, Charley. It's just...

				ED CLEMENT
		Charley, what can we say?  Your folks were the 
		kindest people who lived on this green earth.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		Thank you, Ed.  I appreciate that.

Charley sees Bellows in the cell and starts towards him.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Aw, now take it easy, boys...

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		What do you mean, take it easy?

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		He'll get all he's got comin' to him if he's 
		guilty.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		If he's guilty?

Charley confronts Bellows through the cell bars.  Charley's expression is 
savage -- he seems far more like a killer than Bellows.

				BELLOWS
		I didn't do it, Charley.  They were like folks 
		to me.  May God strike me dead.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		That's just what I'd do, boy, if I could get in 
		there at you.  Strike you dead.  

Bellows looks down.  He seems genuinely hurt that Charley doesn't believe him.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		Don't you look down, Bellows.  Look at me.  

Their eyes meet. 

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		That's right.  I wanna be there when they 
		execute you, boy.  Because I want you to 
		remember me when everything starts gettin' 
		black and you try and scream.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		All right, Charley.  All right.

Deputy gently pulls Charley away from the cell but Charley keeps talking to 
Bellows.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		You know what that means, boy?

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		I know you had to get that out of your system.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		Huh?

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		All right, Charley.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		I'm gonna be seeing you, boy.

Deputy Bowers confers with the four witnesses: Charley, Benjy, Cal Shrader, 
and Ed Clement.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Men, the prosecutor wants you four witnesses 
		down at the county seat tonight.  The grand 
		jury's going to disband tomorrow at noon-time 
		and he wants to rush through the indictment.

				CAL SHRADER
		I don't know why I have to go.  Be kind of a 
		fifth wheel, know what I mean?

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Cal, those are orders from the county sheriff.  
		Ed?

				ED CLEMENT
		Don't look at me.  When he stole my car, he 
		broke the spring.

Charley still glares at Bellows.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		After what Charley's been through, I can't ask 
		him to drive.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Your license still suspended, ain't it, Benjy?

				BENJY
		You ought to know.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Cal?

				CAL SHRADER
		How much am I paid for mileage?

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		How would I know?  You have to take that up 
		with the county.

				CAL SHRADER
		And we all know what that can mean.  County's 
		short-changed us before.  Payment in advance.  
		Nobody gets hurt, huh?

				ED CLEMENT
		Shrader's right.  If they want us there 
		tonight, they can pretty well get us there.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		All right.  Tad Crummers keeps the school bus 
		up at his place.

				ED CLEMENT
		Ah, that's a good idea.  We'll get Tad to drive 
		us there.

				CAL SHRADER
		Yeah, that's what we can do.

Deputy gets on the phone and dials a number.

								DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. TAD CRUMMERS FARM EQUIPMENT - DAY

A sign reads TAD CRUMMERS FARM EQUIPMENT - LEASED REPAIRED.  Crusty TAD 
CRUMMERS himself emerges from a building to address his mechanic, Kimble, 
who's hard at work.

				TAD CRUMMERS
		Oh, Rogers!

				KIMBLE
		Huh?

				TAD CRUMMERS
		Rogers, I've just been on the phone with the 
		Deputy.  Wants to borrow the school bus.  Gotta 
		take that Bellows boy and those witnesses down 
		to the county seat tonight.  I'd, uh, drive 'em 
		myself but the wife isn't feelin' well so, 
		uh...

Understandably, Kimble doesn't like the idea of hanging out with the police.

				KIMBLE
		Mr. Crummers, I've been on the road since six 
		this morning.

				TAD CRUMMERS
		Well, you're young, strong.  Ain't gonna hurt 
		ya.

				KIMBLE
		I, uh, I did have some plans... for this 
		evening.

				TAD CRUMMERS
		I realize, Mr. Rogers, you've only been around 
		these parts a few weeks.  So, the Brights, rest 
		their souls, probably didn't mean much to you.  
		I just thought as a law-abiding citizen, you 
		might be willing to help out.

				KIMBLE
			(nods reluctantly)
		Of course.

				TAD CRUMMERS
		Good.

Kimble grabs his coat and cowboy hat and puts them on.

				TAD CRUMMERS
		Get her filled up.  Get a receipt.  Drive over 
		to sheriff's sub-station.  They're waitin' for 
		ya.

				KIMBLE
		Tires all right?

				TAD CRUMMERS
		Yup.  

Kimble climbs aboard the school bus.

				TAD CRUMMERS
		Gettin' Bellows and those witnesses down there,
		you mind what you're doing now.  Don't forget 
		the mileage.  Get a receipt for the gas.

A disgruntled Kimble STARTS up the bus and shuts the door on Crummers.

								DISSOLVE TO:

INT. POLICE STATION - DAY

The Deputy interviews a nervous Kimble.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Ben Rogers, huh?  All right.  Raise your right 
		hand.

				KIMBLE
		What for?

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Well, when I spell you at the wheel, you're 
		gonna have to guard the prisoner.

				KIMBLE
		Crummers didn't tell me I'd have to be sworn in.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Well, we have to keep it legal, Ben.

				ED CLEMENT
		It's almost seven.  Come on, Rogers.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		I swear to faithfully fulfill all duties of 
		temporary aide to the Deputy Sheriff of this 
		county.  Say, "I swear."

				KIMBLE
		I swear.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		You're now an officer of the law.
			(abruptly walks off)
		Come on everybody, let's get started.

The expression of disbelief on Kimble's face is priceless: the fugitive from 
the law has just become the law.

				CAL SHRADER
		How 'bout food?  We ain't had dinner yet.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		We'll stop along the way.

The Deputy handcuffs Bellows and leads him out of his cell and then out of 
the station.  

				KIMBLE
			(off Bellows)
		That boy live around here?

				CAL SHRADER
		Used to spend summers here.

				ED CLEMENT
		Workin' for the Brights.  Stole fifty dollars 
		from 'em three years ago, then lit out.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		Come back for more today.

Kimble reflects for a moment before following the group out of the station.

								DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY

Late afternoon, early evening. The school bus rolls down the road beneath a 
dark sky.

								CUT TO:

INT. BUS - DAY

Kimble at the wheel.  Behind him sit Bellows and the Deputy, handcuffed 
together.

				BELLOWS
		Can I, uh, I have a cigarette?

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Sure.

The four witnesses sit woodenly on the opposite side of the bus.

				BELLOWS
		Your folks, Charley, I loved them.

				ED CLEMENT
		Loved their money.

				BELLOWS
		No.  That's not true.  I went hundred miles out 
		of my way to see 'em.  When I got there, there 
		was nobody around.  When I went in the front 
		door, I-I got this feeling.  House was so quiet.  
		And there they were.  Made me sick.

				BENJY
		Not so sick you couldn't run.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		That's right, boy.  How come you didn't stop 
		when he yelled at you?

				BELLOWS
		I was scared.  I knew I'd be blamed.

				ED CLEMENT
		You were right.  Got your shirt.  Their blood 
		on it.

				BELLOWS
		I'm not denyin' that I'm--  I bent over him, I 
		listened for his heart.

				CAL SHRADER
		Look, boys, we've plenty of time to talk about 
		this later.  It's not our job to question him.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
			(sharply)
		Look, I think I got a right to question him.

				CAL SHRADER
		Oh, yeah, Charley.  Sure.  Yeah, guess you have.

				ED CLEMENT
		How'd my car get piled up in the ditch?

				BELLOWS
		I was stupid.  Crazy.  I-I just wanted to get 
		away.

				ED CLEMENT
		Why, if you didn't kill 'em?

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		And if you didn't kill 'em, who did, boy?

				BELLOWS
		I don't know.  House is near the road.  Anybody 
		could have walked in while you were out back.

				ED CLEMENT
		It wasn't anybody they saw run -- it was you.  
		It wasn't anybody stole my car to make a 
		getaway -- it was you.  Wasn't anybody washin' 
		the blood off, Bellows -- it was you.

				BELLOWS
		None of you ever liked me.  All those summers 
		when I came back, I was always an outsider.  
		Was never anybody but them.  Now, they're dead.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		Somebody had better shut him up.

Kimble, at the wheel, turns to the Deputy.

				KIMBLE
		Bowers?

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Yes?

Kimble and the Deputy quietly confer.

				KIMBLE
		Boy's just a suspect.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Technically, yes.

				KIMBLE
		Legally.  They've no right to badger him.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Makes sense.
			(to the witnesses)
		Look, fellas, he isn't even booked yet.  Let's 
		cut out this cross-examination and leave that 
		for the trial.

				CAL SHRADER
		You're absolutely right, Deputy.  Things must 
		be done in a proper manner.

				ED CLEMENT
		Don't worry.  When we get through testifyin', 
		he'll hang... in a proper manner.

Bellows doesn't like the sound of that.  Neither does Kimble.  As if to 
mirror the mood, an ominous roll of THUNDER sounds.  Kimble turns on some 
ancient windshield wipers as the first drops of rain hit the bus.

								FADE OUT

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - NIGHT

The bus, with its headlights on, rolls slowly through the dark, rain-drenched 
countryside.  It's coming down hard.

								CUT TO:

INT. BUS - NIGHT

The Deputy now sits at the wheel.  Kimble sits behind him, handcuffed to 
Bellows.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Can't see with these lights on.  
			(switches lights off)
		Watch 'em good now, Rogers.

				BENJY
		We're all watchin' him good.

After a pause, Bellows ventures to speak quietly with Kimble.

				BELLOWS
		Thanks.

				KIMBLE
		What for?  

				BELLOWS
		For stoppin' 'em before.  You don't know how it 
		feels.  Arrested.  Hated.  Didn't even do it.

Kimble knows how it feels but can't say anything.  He changes the subject.

				KIMBLE
		You married?

				BELLOWS
		No.  No family, either.

				KIMBLE
		You from around here?

				BELLOWS
		Back east.  I was hitchhikin' out to California.  
		I thought I might get a job in one of those 
		aircraft plants.

				KIMBLE
		You just happened to be going through here.

				BELLOWS
		Told ya, I went out of my way to come here.  I 
		wanted to tell 'em how sorry I was about... 
		about that other time.  Think I'm lying, too?

				KIMBLE
		I don't know.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the bus, the four witnesses quietly confer.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		Crummers' mechanic's gettin' pretty friendly 
		with him, ain't he?

				ED CLEMENT
		Wouldn't be the first time Bellows has fooled 
		somebody.

				BENJY
		Like your daughter, huh?

				ED CLEMENT
		Shut up.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Must be about eight-thirty.  Better stop and 
		get us some food.

The Deputy pulls to a halt in front of a diner.

								CUT TO:

INT.  DINER - NIGHT

THUNDER and lightning rage outside as a gum-chewing waitress named STELLA 
stands behind the diner's counter watching the men file in and grab stools.
Kimble and Bellows, still joined at the wrist, take seats at the far end of 
the counter.

				STELLA
		Hi, Joe!

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Hi, Stel.

				STELLA
		I was just fixin' to close up.  Hadn't anybody 
		in for hours what with that storm brewin' up.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Coffee still hot?

				STELLA
		Mm hmm.  Steamin'.  Why, evening, Mr. Clement.

				ED CLEMENT
		Hello, Stella.

				STELLA
		Mr. Shrader.

				CAL SHRADER
		Good evening, Stella.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Say, Stella, how 'bout makin' us up some 
		sandwiches?  You know, about a dozen.  Ham and 
		cheese or whatever you got leftover, huh?

				ED CLEMENT
		Better make up some hot coffee, too, Stella.

As she brings some coffee to the counter, her face brightens at the sight of 
Charley.

				STELLA
		Charley!  Charley Bright.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		Hi, Stella.

				STELLA
		Hi yerself.  Golly, it's been a long time since 
		I've seen you.  Why, I was just out in the 
		garden the other day and the Brights crossed my 
		mind.  Now in walks Charley himself.  Well, I 
		can see you're fine.  Hey, how's your folks?  
		You know, one of these days I'm gonna get your 
		Ma to let go that recipe for her--

				DEPUTY BOWERS
			(whispers)
		Stella.

The Deputy holds up a hand to stop her.  He beckons for her to lean over to 
him.  He whispers the bad news into her ear.  She's shocked.  Returning to 
Charley, she gropes for the right thing to say.

				STELLA
		Oh, Charley.  I'm sorry.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		That's all right, Stella.  You didn't know.

				ED CLEMENT
		At least we got the man who did it.

Stella looks quizzically at Ed Clement who nods towards Kimble and Bellows at 
the far end of the counter.  She looks at them -- they sit side by side, 
rather like twins as lightning illuminates them.

				STELLA
		Which one?

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		The younger one.

Upset, she moves to confront Bellows.

				STELLA
		Well, talk.  Say something.  Or can you just 
		make noises like an animal?

				BELLOWS
			(without looking up)
		I didn't do it, lady.  I didn't.

				ED CLEMENT
		We're all witnesses.  He keeps saying he's 
		innocent.  Must be something wrong with his 
		mind.

				STELLA
		Oh, don't say that, Mr. Clement.  Might give 
		him ideas.  That's what his lawyer'll prob'ly 
		say, you know?  Temp-o-rarily insane.  I think 
		a trial's a waste o' time with an animal like 
		this.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
			(darkly)
		That's right, Stel.  For an animal.  Mad dog.  
		And whoever heard of givin' a mad dog a trial?

Bellows lowers his head even further, if that's possible.  Kimble watches him 
sympathetically.

								DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - NIGHT

The bus rolls on through the rain.  The storm has let up some but it's still 
slow going.

								CUT TO:

INT. BUS

The Deputy still drives.  Kimble and Bellows still sit behind him, cuffed 
together.  On the opposite side of the bus, Ed Clement confers quietly with a 
brooding Charley.

				ED CLEMENT
		Don't worry.  He'll get what he deserves.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		Will he?  I know what they mean by 
		circumstantial evidence.

				ED CLEMENT
		There'll be more than that when that trial 
		comes.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		I guess.  Supposin'... he gets himself a good 
		lawyer, y'know, and tells him his story.  You 
		know, about the house bein' way back 'way from 
		the road and Benjy and me bein' back in the 
		back there for over an hour.  Then he'd say 
		somebody else coulda got in there.

				ED CLEMENT
		Charley, what's the matter with you?

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		I'm gettin' a little bit worried.  You know 
		what I mean?  I mean, nobody did see him do it 
		actually.  Ain't nobody in the world saw him do 
		it.

				ED CLEMENT
		You startin' to talk like you think he didn't do 
		it.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		Naw, I'm not sayin' that he didn't do it.  

				ED CLEMENT
		But you said--

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		No, I'm not now.  Now I know that he did it.  
		What I'm sayin' is, I don't know what that 
		jury's gonna think, you know.  Or what they're 
		gonna say.  And you know what a lawyer could
		do with him.

				ED CLEMENT
		Yeah.  Yeah, I see.

An increasingly nervous Bellows turns to Kimble.

				BELLOWS
		How much longer you think it'll be?

				KIMBLE
		With this rain, not till midnight.

				BELLOWS
		You know, this may sound funny but I'm lookin' 
		forward to bein' in that jail.  Know what I 
		mean?

Kimble glances over at the witnesses -- he knows what Bellows means.  
Meanwhile, the Deputy pulls out a jug and takes a swig.

				BENJY
		Deputy!  Where'd you get the firewater?

				DEPUTY BOWERS
			(as if it were obvious)
		I bought it back at the diner.

				BENJY
		Drinkin' and drivin's a serious offense.  

The Deputy gives Benjy a dirty look.

				BENJY
		Mind if I pass it around?

				DEPUTY BOWERS
			(resignedly)
		All right.

				BENJY
		Deputy, you're all right after all!

Benjy takes swallow and passes the jug to Charley.

				CAL SHRADER
		Doc told me last week he took a blood sample 
		out of you, Deputy.  Said it was half alcohol!

As the others laugh at this, Kimble and Bellows look on with concern.  Cal 
Shrader drinks some of the hooch.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		All right, you guys!  Take it easy on that jug.  
		We got a long way to go.

But Cal Shrader waves him off.  Ed Clement drinks his fair share.

								DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. END OF THE ROAD - NIGHT

The bus comes to a stop in front of a dead end.  The Deputy gets off the bus 
to look over the scene.  He scratches his head and sighs before returning to 
the bus.  Charley Bright and Cal Shrader meet him at the door.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Bridge is out.  

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		Well, let's take that road back by Far Brook.

				CAL SHRADER
		Never make it.  Not in the dark.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Naw, we'll head back to that motel we passed.  
		Start out again in the morning.


The Deputy climbs aboard.

								DISSOLVE TO:


EXT. PIKE MOTEL - NIGHT

A little sign reading VACANCY attached to a big sign reading PIKE MOTEL. 

								DISSOLVE TO:

INT. BELLOWS' MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

Deputy enters and snaps on the light.  Kimble and Bellows follow him in.
Through the doorway we see the four slightly drunk witnesses head off to 
another room.  

				DEPUTY BOWERS
			(to the witnesses)
		We'll get to the County Seat by noon easy.

				ED CLEMENT
			(standing ominously in doorway)
		If I had my way, he'd never get there.

Deputy shuts the door on Ed Clement, unshackles Kimble, and cuffs Bellows to 
a bed frame.  Bellows sits on the bed, staring at his cuffed hand.  The 
Deputy, clearly wanting to do a little drinking, confers with Kimble.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Well, Rogers.  You won't have any trouble with 
		him now.  You been doin' a good job with him so 
		far.  So, I'll just, uh... uh...

				KIMBLE
			(a little disgusted)
		I'll watch him for ya.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Good.

The Deputy exits.  Kimble removes his hat and takes a seat in a chair next to 
the bed.

				KIMBLE
		Better get some rest.  You got a big day 
		tomorrow.

Bellows cringes at the sound of WHOOPIN' and a-HOLLERIN' from the drunken men 
in the next room.

				BELLOWS
		Have I?  Am I gonna see it?  I don't think so.  
		Naw, I don't think I'm ever gonna see another 
		morning.

Kimble's face indicates that he knows Bellows may be right.

								FADE OUT

INT. BELLOWS' MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

FADE IN on Bellows lying cuffed to his bed.  Kimble sits on the bed opposite.  
They listen to the drunken men LAUGHING in the next room.

								CUT TO:

INT. WITNESSES' MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

The men, including the Deputy, are far from sober.  They sit and stand around 
the room, still LAUGHING, still passing the jug around.
 
				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		Why don't you all just shut up?  I don't see 
		anything so funny to be laughin' at now!

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Awww, I'm sorry, Charley.  It's just some of 
		the things that Benjy says.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		Well, there better not be any one of you 
		laughin' on the witness stand, you know?  

Benjy BANGS on the wall and shouts to Bellows in the next room.

				BENJY
		You sleepin' good, killer?!

								CUT TO:

INT. BELLOWS' MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

Bellows grows increasingly nervous.

				BELLOWS
		Listen to them.  I'm never gonna get to the 
		county seat alive.

				KIMBLE
		Get some sleep.

				BELLOWS
		They hate me.

				KIMBLE
		Yeah.  I guess they do.  But they have respect 
		for the law.

								CUT TO:

INT. WITNESSES' MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

The witnesses keep LAUGHING.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		Quit the laughin' now!  I'm gonna tell you all
		somethin' else.  

Charley is dead serious.  Everybody shuts up.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		Now if that jury comes in there tomorrow and 
		they say that boy ain't guilty, I'm gonna shoot 
		him down right in the courtroom.

				ED CLEMENT
		Well, you'll have to beat me to it.

								CUT TO:

INT. BELLOWS' MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

Bellows reacts darkly to Ed Clement's remark.

				BELLOWS
		Respect for the law? 
			(laughs)
		You know what they're gonna put on my 
		tombstone?  Here lies the blue-ribbon, 
		first-prize sucker.

				KIMBLE
		What?

				BELLOWS
		Guy picked me up going all the way to Phoenix.  
		But no.  I got out.  Hitchhiked a hundred miles 
		out of my way to see 'em.  I had to.

				KIMBLE
		Why?

				BELLOWS
		You know what they did when I stole that money 
		from 'em three years ago?  Nothin'.  Not a 
		thing.  They coulda had the cops on me before I 
		got out of the state.  You know how that made 
		me feel?  Like a bug.  Like a dirty little bug.  
		I had to tell 'em.  I had to tell them they 
		taught me the best lesson I ever had in my life.  
		And I was too late.  They died without ever 
		knowin' how much I loved them.  And whoever did 
		is still on the loose.  God, I'd like to find 
		him.

Long pause.

				KIMBLE
		I'll be right back.

Kimble abruptly exits.

								CUT TO:

INT. WITNESSES' MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

The Deputy, far drunker than any of the others, tries to lecture Charley who 
merely dismisses him with a wave.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Charley, ya gotta remember that a suspect has 
		got certain rights.  

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		No, no...

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		He's got certain Constitutional rights.  
			(to Cal Shrader)
		Right?

				CAL SHRADER 
		Sure.  Every man's entitled to a fair trial.

Kimble enters the room unnoticed.

				ED CLEMENT
		Protect the rights of murderers?  What about ours?

				CAL SHRADER 
		Yeah.  Yeah, heh, what about ours?

				ED CLEMENT
		Do us a favor, Bowers, save the county a little
		money and shoot him tryin' to escape.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Aw, now, now, Ed, I don't like to listen to 
		that kind o' talk.

				BENJY
		Hey, I got a idea.

Benjy shows the others a windowshade cord done up like a noose.

				BENJY
		How 'bout it?  He don't weigh too much.  Find a 
		tree, just like those cowboys on TV.

				CAL SHRADER 
		Oh, no, no.

				ED CLEMENT
		You don't have a daughter, Cal.  You know, even 
		now, there are nights I stand outside her 
		bedroom door, hear her cryin'.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		You know, I'm the one who ought to do it.  
		Because I got the right.

Kimble walks timidly to the Deputy who is barely conscious at this point.

				KIMBLE
		Bowers, the sheriff gave you the obligation of
		protecting that boy.  Seeing that nothing 
		happens to him.  Bowers, listen...

But the Deputy has passed out.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
			(to Kimble)
		Boy, aren't you supposed to be in there 
		watching him?

				KIMBLE
		He's handcuffed to the bed.  Bowers has the key.

				BENJY
			(twirling his noose)
		Then what are you worryin' about?

				KIMBLE
		The four of you are going to see that justice 
		is done, is that it?  Well, the people around 
		here ought to be really proud of you.  Oh, 
		yeah, they'll come to beautiful Tyler County 
		where they still hold lynchings, is that it?

				BENJY
		Aw, shut up!

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		Boy, why don't you climb down off your soapbox 
		and just shut your mouth?

After a pause, Kimble exits.  After he goes, Charley beckons the others to 
him.  They confer.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		Now, look, if we all gonna do this thing 
		together, what are we gonna do about him?  
		Huh?

								CUT TO:

INT. BELLOWS' MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

Kimble enters and stands with his hands in his pockets, wondering what to do.

				BELLOWS
		Are you gonna help me?

Abruptly, the drunken Deputy enters.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Rogers.  Did a good job.  I'll take charge now.  
		Hey... Hey, what were you talkin' about in 
		there?

The Deputy drops down on a bed and starts to doze.

				KIMBLE
			(off Bellows)
		I said, we've got to get him out of here and 
		get him to the sheriff.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Right.  Get him to the sheriff first thing in 
		the morning.

The Deputy passes out again.  Kimble stares at Bellows for a long moment, 
then reaches down and takes the handcuff keys from the Deputy's hand.  He 
moves to Bellows and unhooks him from the bed.  Bellows wants to head for the 
door but Kimble gestures that it'll be safer to exit through the window.  
Kimble locks the motel room door from the inside while Bellows climbs out the 
window.  Kimble grabs the open handcuff dangling from Bellows' wrist and 
follows him out the window.

								CUT TO:

EXT. MOTEL - NIGHT

Kimble exits the room through the window, still hanging onto the cuff.

				BELLOWS
		How come you're doing this for me?

				KIMBLE
		I've got my reasons.

Kimble cuffs himself to Bellows.

				BELLOWS
		You don't trust me?

				KIMBLE
		I'm not sure I trust myself.  Come on.

The two men rush off into the night, past the closed window of the witnesses' room.

								CUT TO:

INT. WITNESSES' MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

Charley leads the others to the door and opens it.  Benjy stuffs the cord in 
his pocket.  Charley sees that the coast is clear and beckons the others to 
follow him.  They all exit, save for wishy-washy Cal Shrader who changes his 
mind at the last minute and stays in the room.  He clearly wants no part of a 
lynching.  The sound of the other men BEATING and POUNDING on Bellows' door 
fills the air.

								CUT TO:

INT. BELLOWS' MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

The Deputy, asleep in bed as the POUNDING continues at the door, awakens.

				BENJY
		Let us in, Deputy!

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		Come on, Bowers, we want in there!  Open the 
		door!

The Deputy rises and struggles to the door.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		Open the door, Bowers!

The Deputy opens the door.  Charley, Benjy, and Ed Clement enter.

				ED CLEMENT
		All right, we voted.  It's already decided.

Charley sees that Bellows and Kimble are gone.

				CHARLEY BRIGHT
		He ain't here, Bowers.  Now what'd you do with 
		him?

				BENJY
		Yeah!  And what about that other guy?

				ED CLEMENT
		Drunken bum!

Stunned, the Deputy tries to get a grip.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Telephone?

				ED CLEMENT
		In the office.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
			(rushes out)
		Gotta call the sheriff.  Make a report.

								CUT TO:

EXT. THE WOODS - NIGHT

An exhausted Kimble and Bellows come to a barbed wire fence.  Kimble gets 
through easily but Bellows snags his shin and collapses in pain taking Kimble 
down with him.  Kimble examines the cut on Bellows' shin.

				BELLOWS
		It's no use.  I'm beat.

				KIMBLE
		It's a bad cut.  But you won't bleed to death.

				BELLOWS
		I told you I can't make it.

				KIMBLE
		They'll have found out by now.  Think about 
		that.

				BELLOWS
		Look, why go on with this, huh?  I'm on a 
		straight line right for the death house.

				KIMBLE
		I thought you were innocent.

				BELLOWS
		What difference does that make?  You think it 
		never happens?  You think I'd be the first one?

				KIMBLE
			(looks away)
		No, you wouldn't be the first one.

				BELLOWS
		Mister, I don't understand you.  I mean, I 
		don't get you.  You don't even know me.  What's 
		it to you, all this?

				KIMBLE
		Let's just say--  No, forget it.  Come on, 
		let's get going.

Kimble helps Bellows to his feet and they move on.

								DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY

Early the next morning.  Kimble and Bellows walk along.  They approach a 
small farm house.  Kimble KNOCKS on the front door.  A middle-aged woman 
named CORA answers.  She looks at them somewhat suspiciously but fails to 
notice the handcuffs.

				CORA
		Yes?

				KIMBLE
		I'm sorry to bother you.
			(off Bellows)
		This man's been hurt.  May we come in, please?

				CORA
		You better go 'round the back.

She watches as Kimble and Bellows go 'round the back.

								CUT TO:

EXT. THE BACK - DAY

Kimble and Bellows walk through the back and enter the house.

								CUT TO:

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Kimble and Bellows enter the kitchen.  Cora's husband, a farmer in overalls 
named JEFF, eats his breakfast at the kitchen table.

				CORA
		Well, come on in.

				KIMBLE
		May I use your phone, please?

				JEFF
		Sorry, Mister, storm knocked it out.  

				KIMBLE
		How far is the next farm?

				CORA
		Maybe the public one's workin', Jeff.

				KIMBLE
		Is there a public phone?

				CORA
		It's about a hundred yards down the road.  Near 
		the gas...
			(sees the handcuffs)
		...station. 
			(nervous, to her husband)
		Jeff.  It's the killer.

				JEFF
		Him?
			(rises, to Kimble)
		What are you doin' with him?

				KIMBLE
		Joe Bowers deputized me.  I'm bringing him in.  
		I want to call the sheriff.

				JEFF
		Well, I-- You get him out of here.

				KIMBLE
			(points to Bellows' shin)
		This man's been hurt.

				JEFF
		I don't care.
			(grabs a nearby shotgun)
		You get him out of here.

				KIMBLE
			(takes out the handcuff key)
		He cut his leg.  We've been walking halfway 
		across the county.

Kimble starts to unshackle himself from Bellows.

				JEFF
		None o' that.  He goes with you to the phone.

Kimble unshackles himself.

				JEFF
		Don't move!  Cuff his wrists together and I'll 
		tie him out in the barn.

				KIMBLE
			(calmly, with authority)
		I'll put him over there.

Kimble leads Bellows over to a chair, sits him down, and cuffs him to a pipe.

				KIMBLE
		He won't give you any trouble.  Keep an eye on 
		him.  I'll be back in a few minutes.  You have 
		a car?

				JEFF
		Pick-up.

				KIMBLE
		How far is it to the County Seat?

				JEFF
		Twenty-two miles.

				KIMBLE
		Sheriff may want you to drive us in.

Kimble gives Bellows a last look, then exits.

								CUT TO:

EXT. THE BACK - DAY

Kimble exits the house, looks around at the back yard, then heads around 
front to look for the public phone.

								CUT TO:

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Jeff, shotgun in hand, carefully watches Bellows who sits, head bowed.  Cora 
sits to do some work at her sewing table, near Bellows.

				JEFF
		Cora, I wouldn't sit so close.

				CORA
		Oh, Jeff, for heaven's sake!

Cora cuts some fabric with a pair of scissors.  Bellows watches the scissors 
out of the corner of his eye.  An intense look crosses his face.

								FADE OUT

EXT. PHONE BOOTH - DAY

FADE IN on Kimble as he finds and enters the phone booth to call the sheriff.

								CUT TO:

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Jeff, shotgun in hand, still watches Bellows who still sits, head bowed. 
Cora still sits at her sewing table, near Bellows.

				JEFF
			(savagely, to Bellows)
		Rotten blackheart!

				CORA
		Jeff!

				JEFF
			(confronts Bellows)
		Well, they're treatin' you with kid gloves.  
		You ought to be hung.  Horsewhipped and then 
		hung.

Bellows looks up.  Cora studies his face, realizes something.

				CORA
		Jeff?  He's no older than Lonnie.

Her maternal instinct takes over and she rises and crosses to Bellows.  Jeff 
blocks her way.

				JEFF
		Cora, what are you doing?

				CORA
		What the good Lord would want me to do.

				JEFF
		Meaning no blasphemy, I say stay away from him.

				CORA
		His leg is hurt.  I've seen you two days and 
		two nights without sleep on account of a sick 
		heifer.

Cora brushes past Jeff and fills a pan with water, grabs a cloth and the 
scissors, and kneels at Bellows' feet.  She cuts away his bloody trouser leg 
with the scissors to reveal an ugly wound.  

				CORA
		Jeff, there's some bandagin' in the first aid 
		kit out in the barn.

Jeff makes no move.

				CORA
		I asked for the bandaging.

				JEFF
		All right.  But you take one step back first.

				CORA
		Oh, Jeff, he's handcuffed!

				JEFF
		You want the bandaging or no?

Scissors in hand, Cora rises and steps back.

				JEFF
		That's better.  For all we know, he could've 
		escaped from the state asylum.

Jeff leans the shotgun on the wall as he moves to the door.

				JEFF
		Well, you're not to take one step closer.

Jeff exits as Cora sits at her sewing table.

				BELLOWS
		I didn't do it, ma'am.  They made a mistake.  
		I swear.

								CUT TO:

EXT. PHONE BOOTH - DAY

Kimble talks on the phone with the SHERIFF.  Throughout the call, we CUT BACK 
AND FORTH between Kimble in the booth and the Sheriff at his OFFICE.

				KIMBLE
		That's right, Sheriff.  They were gonna hang 
		him.  The Deputy was too drunk to stop it.

				SHERIFF
		That isn't the way I heard it.

				KIMBLE
		I'm sure they concocted a fine story.  That's 
		beside the point.  He's here for you.  Waiting 
		for a fair trial.

				SHERIFF
		Where are you phoning from?

				KIMBLE
		I don't know.  I lost my bearings, uh...  
		There's a gas pump, farm house, and I'll give 
		you the number of the phone.

								CUT TO:

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Still alone with Bellows, Cora makes small talk.

				CORA
		We have a son.  Lonnie works in an office in 
		Omaha.  He's just about your age.  Do you have 
		any folks?

				BELLOWS
		Just my mother, ma'am.  I keep wonderin'... I 
		mean, my name's probably been in the papers all 
		over.  If she's seen it, how terrible she must 
		feel.  They haven't even let me call her and 
		tell her it's all a mistake.

				CORA
		Hm!  Least they coulda done is let you call her.

Bellows steals a glance at the scissors in Cora's hand.

				BELLOWS
		Ma'am?

				CORA
		Yes?

				BELLOWS
		Now, 'member what your husband said.  Don't get 
		too close to me but this, uh, handcuff's cutting 
		my wrist.  Could I just move my chair a little?

Cora nods.  Bellows half-rises and moves the chair away from the wall -- 
closer to the sewing table.  He sits and glances at Cora, trying to gauge how 
much he can get away with.  She looks at him sympathetically.  He lowers his 
head, then grunts as if in pain.

				CORA
			(off his leg)
		That's startin' to hurt again, huh?

				BELLOWS
		Yeah.  It's bleedin' again, I think.

				CORA
		We better bathe it some more.

Bellows tries to cover his reaction as Cora rises and kneels at his feet.

				CORA
		Now you just grit your teeth 'cause this might 
		hurt a little bit.

Bellows eyes the scissors on the sewing table.  They lie just out of reach, 
atop some fabric.

				BELLOWS
		How, uh, how long has your son been gone?

				CORA
		Oh, just about a year now.

				BELLOWS
		Year?  Long time.  Must miss him a lot, huh?

				CORA
			(smiles)
		Sure do.

Cora, concentrating on the wound, fails to see Bellows reach for the scissors.

				BELLOWS
		Well, if he's like you folks, he'd be a nice 
		guy to know.  I mean, I wish... wish I coulda 
		met him.  

Bellows' fingers clutch the fabric and pull the scissors toward him.

				BELLOWS
		Lonnie's a nice name.  You know, I don't think 
		I ever heard that before.  My name's Paul...

Bellows grabs the scissors, gets a good grip on them, then violently pulls 
the back of Cora's head to his chest and jams the scissors under her throat.

				CORA
		No!

				BELLOWS
		Not a muscle, lady -- or I'll kill ya!

Jeff returns with the bandaging a moment too late.  He freezes, stunned.  
Cora trembles in terror.

				BELLOWS
			(to Jeff, viciously)
		Ever butcher a pig?  Sure you have.  Well, 
		that's what it's gonna be like.  Just like 
		that!  Unless you cut me loose.

Jeff drops the bandaging.

				BELLOWS
		You hear me?  You think I care about one more?

Cora is suddenly more angry than afraid.

				CORA
			(to Bellows)
		You killed 'em.  Decent people like that.  How 
		could you kill 'em?

				JEFF
			(tries to calm her)
		Cora...

				CORA
			(to Bellows)
		How could you kill 'em?  Why?

				BELLOWS
		Why not?  I was passing through.  I needed 
		money.  They wouldn't give it to me.

Bellows presses the scissors a little tighter to her throat.

				JEFF
		Cora, don't move.
			(to Bellows)
		I'll get the cutters.

Jeff wheels and hurries out the door.  Cora goes back to being scared again.

				CORA
		Please... Oh, please...

				BELLOWS
		Just don't move.

In her stress, Cora cries quietly for her son.

				CORA
		Lonnie...  Lonnie...

				BELLOWS
			(amused)
		Well.  If I don't slit your throat, you'll 
		really have somethin' to write him about, won't 
		ya?

								CUT TO:

EXT. PHONE BOOTH - DAY

Still on the phone: we CUT BACK AND FORTH between Kimble and the Sheriff. 

				KIMBLE
		He has a pick-up.  He can drive us in.

				SHERIFF
		No, wait there.  I already got the location 
		from the phone company.  I'll be out.  And 
		listen...

				KIMBLE
		Yes?

				SHERIFF
		If you're tryin' to throw us off...

				KIMBLE
		We've wasted enough time.  He'll be here.  I 
		give you my word on it.

								CUT TO:

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Breathing heavily, Jeff returns with a heavy pair of cutters.  He quickly 
crosses to Bellows and Cora and cuts the handcuffs.

				BELLOWS
			(to Jeff)
		Now stand over there.

Jeff moves away.

				BELLOWS
		Drop the cutters.

Jeff drops the cutters.  Bellows pushes Cora away, rises, and heads for the 
door.  Cora rushes to Jeff. 

				CORA
			(to Jeff, a little too loudly)
		The gun...

Bellows stops, turns, and brandishes the scissors at Jeff.  The two men face 
off.  Jeff's shotgun leans against the wall on the opposite side of the room.  
Both men move toward it.  But Jeff is unarmed, old, and out of breath.  
Bellows grabs the shotgun and points it at him.

				BELLOWS
		Now get over there with her.

Jeff obeys orders.

				BELLOWS
		Woods in back.  How deep are they?

Cora shakes her head at Jeff as if to say, "Don't tell him anything."  But 
Jeff is no fool.

				JEFF
		Two miles.

				BELLOWS
		Behind them?

				JEFF
		State highway.

				BELLOWS
			(off the shotgun)
		Now, lady, I guess you know what this'll do.  
		So you gonna get me some food to take with me.

				CORA
			(indignant)
		I will not.

Bellows cocks the shotgun and points it at her.

				JEFF
		I'll get the food!

Jeff pulls some food out of the refrigerator.

				BELLOWS
		Dump it in that towel.

Jeff brings the towel and food to the breakfast table.

				BELLOWS
		Bread.

Jeff takes some bread off the table and puts it on the towel.

				BELLOWS
		Wrap it up.

Jeff wraps it up.

				BELLOWS
		Now, get back.

Jeff stands clear as Bellows moves in slowly and takes the bundle.

				BELLOWS
		Now, uh, do me a favor.  Tell that knight on a 
		white horse when he comes back:  "So long, 
		sucker."  Can you remember that?  "Sucker."

Bellows backs out the back door and rushes off.  Cora buries her face in 
Jeff's shoulder and breaks down completely, sobbing.

				JEFF
		It's all right, Cora.  It's all right.  It's 
		all right.

								CUT TO:

EXT. THE BACK - DAY

Kimble, hands in pockets, casually returns to the house.  He looks up to see 
Bellows, shotgun in hand, running through the yard towards the woods.

				KIMBLE
		Bellows!

Bellows glances back at Kimble but keeps running.  Before giving chase, 
Kimble decides to check on Jeff and Cora.  He rushes into the house.

								CUT TO:

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Kimble finds Cora seated and Jeff comforting her.

								CUT TO:

EXT. THE WOODS - DAY

Bellows, shotgun slung over his shoulder, bundle of food in hand, stops to 
check his wounded leg, then moves on.

								CUT TO:

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Kimble learns the truth about Bellows.

				CORA
			(to Kimble)
		Then, when Jeff cut him loose -- he had to cut 
		him loose -- he grabbed the shotgun.

				JEFF
		Grabbed the food like a wolf.  Nothing we could 
		do.

				KIMBLE
			(incredulous)
		He admitted the killings?

				CORA
		He bragged about 'em.

Kimble turns and runs out the back door.

				JEFF
			(calls after Kimble)
		Headed for the state highway!  With my shotgun!

								CUT TO:

EXT. THE WOODS - DAY

Bellows hurries through the woods, pausing to glance backwards and make sure 
he isn't being followed, then stopping behind a tree to open the towel and 
wolf down some of the food.

Farther back, Kimble makes his way through the woods, searching for Bellows.

The food half gone, Bellows starts moving again, leaving the towel behind.

Kimble makes his way slowly but surely after Bellows.

Limping a little on his bad leg, Bellows pauses to catch his breath.  He 
wipes his mouth, and then moves on.

								CUT TO:

EXT. CORA AND JEFF'S HOUSE - DAY

In front of Cora and Jeff's house, a posse of lawmen stand around next to a 
couple of police cars.

								CUT TO:

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

The Sheriff questions Cora and Jeff.  Deputy Bowers is also present.

				CORA
		We didn't want him in here, Sheriff.

				JEFF
		I wanted to tie him up in the barn.

				SHERIFF
			(to Deputy Bowers)
		You may be right about Rogers.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Ten to one, they made some kind of deal.

				SHERIFF
		You had no business swearing him in.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		But I just took Tad Crummers word for him.

				SHERIFF
		When I called Crummers, he didn't know the 
		first thing about Rogers.  So get on that phone 
		down the road and call my office. 

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Yes, sir.

				SHERIFF
		Give 'em a complete description.  I want it 
		teletyped to state headquarters.  Let's find 
		out if he's wanted for anything.

				DEPUTY BOWERS
		Yes, sir.

The Deputy scoots out the door.

				JEFF
			(to the Sheriff)
		This Bellows, he was headed for the highway.  
		Straight through the woods.

				SHERIFF
		Thank you.
			(to a 2nd Deputy)
		Tell the boys to split up in fours, fan out, 
		and we'll surround the entire area.

The policemen exit, leaving Jeff alone with Cora.

				JEFF
		Shoulda got the gun, Cora.  I coulda got it 
		first.  Coulda stopped him.

				CORA
		Maybe not, Jeff.  Maybe you couldn't've.

								CUT TO:

EXT. THE WOODS - DAY

Kimble finds the towel that Bellows left behind and knows he's on the right 
trail.  He scans the woods, then moves forward.


								CUT TO:

EXT. THE EDGE OF THE WOODS - DAY

A police car pulls to a stop at the edge of the woods.  The Sheriff and his 
posse get out and head into the woods.  The Sheriff speaks into a walkie-
talkie.

				SHERIFF
		Eddie?  Take no chances.  If they don't 
		surrender, shoot to kill.  Over.


								CUT TO:

EXT. THE WOODS - CLIMACTIC MONTAGE - DAY

Bellows hustles through the woods.

Not far behind comes Kimble.

Bellows steps on a branch and the noise frightens a flock of birds who 
flutter out the trees above him.

Kimble sees this and realizes he's closing in.

				KIMBLE
		Bellows!

Bellows hears his name and ducks behind a tree.

				KIMBLE
		Now, you know who it is, Bellows!  

Bellows knows who it is but doesn't answer.

				KIMBLE
		I'm coming for you!

Bellows readies the shotgun.

Kimble walks forward.

Bellows, crouched behind a tree, lines up a perfect shot.  But Kimble catches 
sight of him and ducks just as the gun goes off.

Farther back, the Sheriff and his posse hear the shotgun BLAST and move 
toward the sound.

Meanwhile, Kimble lies, unhurt and hidden from Bellows' view, in a ravine.

				KIMBLE
		Should have taken a rifle!  Only one more shot!

				BELLOWS
		One shot's all I need!

				KIMBLE
		You asked me why I tried to help you!  I had a 
		reason!  Now, I've got a reason for bringing you 
		in!  You're guilty!  Come on out, Bellows!

				BELLOWS
		Not till I get you!

Bellows runs off, hoping to draw Kimble out so as to get a good shot at him.  
Kimble rises and follows.  Bellows ducks behind another tree and waits.  
Kimble hides behind a tree of his own, then, after a moment, sticks his head 
out.  Bellows FIRES as Kimble dives back.  The shot HITS the tree.  But 
Kimble emerges, unharmed.

				KIMBLE
		That's it, Bellows!  You haven't got any more!  
		Come on out!

Bellows comes out.  The two men confront each other.

				BELLOWS
		Hey, now, listen to me.  You haven't heard the 
		whole story.

				KIMBLE
		I listened to you enough.

				BELLOWS
		Now, you saved me.  I'll never forget that.  
		I'll spend the rest of my life paying you back.  
		The point is: why?  Now, why keep after me?  
		Just 'cause they swore you in?  You saw that 
		Deputy.  That drunk.  And all the others, 
		they're all the same.  They're a bunch of 
		stupid hicks.  You're not like that.  You're 
		not one of them.  I mean, why you?  Well, 
		they're probably gonna get me anyway.  Why 
		you?

				KIMBLE
			(emotional)
		Because if I'm not against you, I'm for you.  
		And if I'm for you, I'm lost.

Bellows sees that it's hopeless.  He charges Kimble and swings the shotgun at 
him like a club.  He misses as Kimble ducks.  The two men go down.  Kimble 
tries to grab the gun away from Bellows but is pushed backwards, the barrel 
of the gun against his throat.  His back to the ground, Kimble pushes Bellows 
off him.  The men rise and Kimble tears the gun away from Bellows, then slugs 
him to the ground.  Bellows rises and tries to run off.  Kimble gives chase 
and tackles him.

The Sheriff and his men arrive to see: a wild, violent fight, with Kimble 
throwing punches and knocking Bellows to the ground.  The two men slide down 
a ravine.  Bellows has had the fight knocked out of him but Kimble keeps 
punching away.  The policemen must pull Kimble off of Bellows' unconscious 
body.  Kimble falls backwards, out of the lawmen's arms, exhausted.

				SHERIFF
			(to Kimble)
		First you save him.  Now you try to kill him.

				KIMBLE
			(dazed)
		I'm sorry.

				SHERIFF
			(smiling)
		Sorry?  You caught him.  Not a man here 
		wouldn't trade places with you.

Kimble sees himself surrounded by police officers and lowers his eyes.

				KIMBLE
		Yeah.

The Sheriff fails to catch the irony and offers his hand to Kimble, helping 
him to his feet.  The policemen escort a half-conscious Bellows away.  As 
they follow, the Sheriff puts an appreciative hand on Kimble's shoulder.

								FADE OUT

EXT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - DAY

FADE IN on a parking lot, next to which is a building marked SHERIFF'S 
OFFICE.

								DISSOLVE TO:

INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - DAY

The Sheriff shakes Kimble's hand.

				SHERIFF
		Never know how close I came to having you 
		arrested, Rogers.

				KIMBLE
		I know how it must have looked, Sheriff.

A YOUNG WOMAN enters the office with a piece of paper.

				YOUNG WOMAN
			(to the Sheriff)
		Excuse me, sir.  From state police headquarters, 
		on that query you sent them.

				SHERIFF
		Thank you.  Just put it on the desk.

The woman does so and exits. 

				SHERIFF
			(off the paper)
		Even started checking to see if you had a 
		record.

				KIMBLE
		If you don't need me anymore, Sheriff, I'll be 
		going.

Kimble heads for the door.

				SHERIFF
		Rogers?

Kimble freezes, his back to the Sheriff. 

				SHERIFF
		You ever thought about law enforcement?  

Kimble turns to the Sheriff, another priceless expression on his face.

				SHERIFF
		I could use a good man.  You're it as far as 
		I'm concerned.  Took a lot of guts to do what 
		you did.  You showed a lot of people around 
		here the respect they should have for the law.

				KIMBLE
		Uh, well, I thank you, Sheriff.  I'm honored...

				SHERIFF
		But not interested, huh?

				KIMBLE
		No, sir.

Kimble heads for the door again.

				SHERIFF
		Listen to this.

Kimble freezes again.

				SHERIFF
			(reads from paper)
		"Information on Ben Rogers not sufficiently 
		detailed for identification.  Can you send 
		fingerprints?"

The Sheriff smiles as he crumples the paper.  After a moment, Kimble, though 
realizing now just how close he came to capture, manages to force a smile.  
He waves to the Sheriff and hurries out the door.

								DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY

With his back to us, Kimble, cowboy hat still on his head, sticks his hands 
in his pockets, and walks down a long, empty road.

				NARRATOR (v.o.)
		A walk toward the horizon.  A hope that it 
		will lead to the man with one arm.  Only then 
		will the search be over for the Fugitive.

								FADE OUT