Atomic Julie - THE PACIFISTS by Charles E. Fritch

Even in the middle of a blizzard, Lem and Fanshaw find someone in need of help - outlaws have taken over a Quaker hostel, holding the proprietress' children hostage.

Written and Produced by Julie Hoverson

Cast List

Lemuel Roberts / Deadeye Kid - J. Spyder Isaacson Clarence Fanshaw - J. Hoverson Don Phelps - Reynaud LeBoeuf Randall Cullom - J.D. Lloyd Garrett Cullom - Shawn Connor Burden Fayette - Beverly Poole Will Fayette - Glen Hallstrom Fayette Children - Al Aseoche, Krystal Baker, Molly Tollefson, Reynaud LeBoeuf, Julie Hoverson

Music: Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com) Editing and Sound: Julie Hoverson Cover Design: Brett Coulstock

"What kind of a place is it? Why it's the middle of a blizzard, can't you tell?"

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HOSTEL TERRITORY

Cast:

Olivia

Lemuel Roberts, the Kid

Clarence Fanshaw, the sidekkick

THE FAMILY

Burden Fayette, the woman

Faith, Hope, Fortitude, Courage, and Pious, the children

Will Fayette, the dead husband

Valor, the dog

THE OUTLAWS

Don Phelps, the leader

Randall Cullom, the rabid one

Garret Collum, the dying one

OLIVIA Did you have any trouble finding it? What do you mean, what kind of a place is it? Why, it's the only building for miles in a blizzard, can't you tell? Good thing it's a hostelry.

1 INCOMING

SOUND BLIZZARD

SOUND HORSES AND MAN WADE THROUGH SNOW

FANSHAW [not cold] Not much further.

LEMUEL [very cold] You been saying that fer the last hour.

FANSHAW And you've kept walking. If you look up, you can see the light from the window.

LEMUEL And get a snootful of frozen sleet? No thank you very much. Is there a barn?

FANSHAW Yes. It's a bit closer, why?

LEMUEL These here horses'll drop afore I do. Need to get 'em inside.

VALOR [distant howl]

FANSHAW I'll go and see if it's unlocked, then, shall I?

2_INSIDE

MUSIC

AMBIANCE INSIDE, BLIZZARD STILL RAGES OUTSIDE

SOUND DOOR CLOSES, WOMAN'S FOOTSTEPS

DON Well?

BURDEN [quiet] He ain't doing too well, but I think he'll pull through.

RANDALL You think?

BURDEN [sharp] My husband was the one with some doctoring. I am doin what I can.

DON You best keep on. [threat] Them children o'yours depend on you.

BURDEN [almost breaking] I know.

SOUND BABY CRIES, NEARBY

3_BARN

MUSIC

AMBIANCE INSIDE THE BARN - CLOSER TO THE STORM

SOUND HORSES BLOW, RUBBING SOUNDS

LEMUEL [to horses, and self] It ain't much, but leastways it's above freezin in here.

FANSHAW [coming on] I've taken the liberty of looking around, Lemuel. It is a hostel, so you're very lucky on that count. I haven't been inside, but a peek through the windows shows they're sitting down to dinner even as we speak.

LEMUEL [almost drooling] Dinner. Mebbe even coffee.

VALOR [distant but approaching - insistent barking]

FANSHAW Perhaps, but--

LEMUEL How could anyone leave a good dog out on a night like this?

FANSHAW You're certain it's not a wolf or a coyotay?

LEMUEL You mean a kai-yote? You could try to speak normal from time to time, y'know. Nah. Neither o'them barks like that. That's a hound, right enough.

FANSHAW Your guns?

LEMUEL What about em?

FANSHAW The hostel sign shows they're quakers. They do not allow guns in the house.

LEMUEL Idjits. Fine. I'll cache em here somewheres.

SOUND RUSTLING

VALOR [coming on, barking and panting, doesn't seem at all cold]

FANSHAW Oh, I say.

LEMUEL That explains a lot. You look after 'em. I got t'get inside and get around some grub.

FANSHAW Right-ho. Here boy. There's a good dog.

VALOR [enjoys the petting, then barks a couple of times]

4 DINNER

MUSIC

SOUND TWO TIN PLATES AND FORKS

BURDEN I haven't spoken grace yet!

DON Grace yourself, woman. We're hungry.

BURDEN For what we are about to receive, let the lord make us thankful. Amen

ALL CHILDREN Amen.

SOUND POUNDING ON THE DOOR

BURDEN [gasps, almost a scream]

CHILDREN [also react]

RANDELL Shut up! Tell em to go 'way.

BURDEN We are a stage stop - we have to take folks.

DON Not tonight. Go on.

SOUND CHAIR, WOMAN'S FOOTSTEPS, KNOCK ON DOOR AGAIN

BURDEN But if I send them away, they might could make it to Corvel in the valley, and tell folks--.

RANDALL We can't have no one--

BURDEN Even on a night like this, the sheriff would--

DON Let 'em in. [threat] We can deal with 'em, if'n we have to.

SOUND BAR REMOVED FROM DOOR, DOOR OPENS, LEM'S STEPS COME IN

BURDEN [as if trying to tell him something] Sorry about the wait, stranger - thing...