INT. SHERIFF BELLWHETHER’S OFFICE - DAY

BELLWHETHER

If that story’s true, you ought to’ve told me long before this, Mr. Oliver.

OLIVER

It wadnt nothin’ to me. That’s yins’ lookout. It just I come to talk to you about Hardin, and if I wanted him to know my business, I’d just as soon cut out the middleman and deal with him direct. Bellwhether takes out a CIGARETTE and stares at it thoughtfully without lighting it.

OLIVER

This other thing, though - I ort to have come about it... I knowed yins would work it around or blame it on me, and I didn’t want that boy thinkin’ that it was me killed his pa. I reckon I’d’ve brought it anyway if I hadn’t knowed he’d kill Hardin and throw his own life away...

BELLWHETHER

(interrupting) Here, slow down a little - I can’t follow whatever it is we’re talkin’ about here...

OLIVER

‘Course I couldn’t care ‘bout him killin Hardin, ‘cept for him messin’ his own life up. I think a right smart of that boy...

BELLWHETHER

Who are we talking about here, Mr. Oliver? 32.

OLIVER

(impatiently) Hardin, Hardin... Somethin’s gotta be done about him. Somebody’s gonna have to waste a cartridge on him and I wish I’d done it myself a long time ago. Holding the cigarette, Bellwhether looks at Oliver.

BELLWHETHER

Do you have something I can use against Dallas Hardin or is this a general complaint? Oliver puts the shoebox on the sheriff’s desk and takes the lid off. He steps back away from it.

OLIVER

There he is. He’s yourn. I’ve done with it. Bellwhether leans forward and peels back the tissue paper covering the skull of Nathan Winer, Sr. Seeing the skull, Bellwhether leans back in his chair and lights his cigarette.

BELLWHETHER

Tell me a story, Mr. Oliver.