NARRATION
Before Johnny Ringo joined the Cowboy Gang in Tombstone. Arizona in 1879, he honed and plied his outlaws ways in Texas.
During the Mason County War of 1875, Johnny Ringo joined the Gladden - Cooley Gang who committed several murders and acts of mayhem around Fredericksburg, Llano and Lampasas.
An encounter with this ruthless gang of Texas outlaws was a taut and often lethal affair. To face down these thugsIttook the kind of courage that made Texas lawmen legendary.
Let’s watch now to see how such a drama may have played out on the streets of Roanoke.
Maybe you might think about stealing a page out of SHakespere's book and go with something that rouses the blood and puts the audience in the mood.
Try something like this:
Narrator:
"Now... you all know Johnny Ringo wasn't no daisy. That he wasn't no daisy at all. But most folk don't know that before he wore the red sash of the Tombstone Cowboy he rode with another band of mad-dog gunmen in the Mason County war. The Gladden-Cooley Gang were as ruthless a pack as any found on the streets of Tombstone. In the Texas towns of Frederickburg, Llano, and Lampas hysteria ran before the pack like it does with any rabid animal.
And they, as any rabid dog, would have to be put down. It takes a certain kind of man to deal with murderous madness and not catch the madness himself. It takes the kind of man that made the Texas lawmen legendary. It takes a wolf to bring down a dog...
And here comes the wolf now...
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(after RIngo tells the sherrif there's no cause to call em out...)
(Sheriff)
Cause or not, our bank been robbed and you boys are the only strangers I see leavein’ town carrying saddle bags that belong to our bank, that makes you my huckleberries. Now get on down here so I can have a closer look.
CHANGE TO:
Sheriff: I ain't callin' you boys out... I'm eliminatin' suspects. Let's have a peek in them saddlebags, boys, and then you're on your way. 'Course... if ya refuse, then I'll have to assume there's somethin' in there ya don't want to be seen by the eyes of the Law and are willin' to kill to keep it so. That makes you criminals and me your huckleberry.
Later:
(Sheriff)
Understand this, I’ve got two guns, more than enough lead to take all of you with me. (He pauses to calculate silently and smiles widely) Hell... I can even miss a couple times.
Later:
(J. Ringo)
I don’t sweat for no man, never have, never will.
(Sheriff)
Being cool is good, Johnny. Cause, some of these armed folks are truly hot under the collar. After all, it’s their money you boys are stealin’. Them and their young'un are the ones who’ll go hungry this winter. You boys should consider all the possibilities you’re facin’ by pullin’ this stunt.
Edit to:
SHERIFF: Good, Johnnyboy. Good. Cause you'll need a cool head to think your way through the next few minutes. See... these townspeople standin' around? They ain't exactly innocent bystnaders. That loot I figure you've got slung over your shoulder is their savings. Their Christamases. Their birthdays. Their farms. Their food. Their new dresses and their medicine for sick young 'uns. That makes them concerned parties.
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Just something to think about. Use it or not. Up to you.
I liked it the way it was, but I didn't want you to feel we weren't paying attention.
Long days and pleasant nights,
Will