Get your own Free Home Page
January 1998 © By Sarah Porter
Authors note:I wrote this before I saw the episode the episode Cooper Vs. Quinn. In England we are 3 seasons behind America so if Brian seems a bit wimpy it’s because I still think of him as a 10-year-old boy.
STATION
The Sully’s say goodbye to Colleen as she returns to college after the holidays.
MIKE
I wish you didn’t have to go. I miss you so much when you’re gone.
COLLEEN
I miss you too, Ma.
SULLY
You be sure to wire us as soon as you arrive.
COLLEEN
I will, Sully. Bye.
Brian come here and give me a hug.
BRIAN
Bye Colleen, I love you.
COLLEEN
I love you too.
In a playful voice to Katie
Now where’s my baby sister. There she is.
Colleen then takes Katie from Dr. Mike.
COLLEEN
Now you be a good girl for your ma and pa.
Colleen then kisses her.
MATTHEW
Bye Colleen, don’t work too hard.
COLLEEN
You look after yourself Matthew.
MATTHEW
I will. I love you.
They then all give Colleen a final hug as she gets on the train as it starts to leave. They all wave, shouting ‘bye’. Just then a pretty, young woman walks past and Matthew stares at her.
SULLY
She’s pretty isn’t she Matthew?
MATTHEW
I hadn’t noticed.
SULLY
I saw you looking at her. Why don’t you go and talk to her?
MATTHEW
I might just do that.
Matthew starts to go after her.
MATTHEW
Hi, I’m Matthew Cooper, the town sheriff.
WOMAN
Hi, I’m Josephine McCarthy.
MATTHEW
Would you like a hand with your bags?
JOEY
That’s very kind of you Sheriff Cooper.
MATTHEW
Please, call me Matthew.
JOEY
Ok Matthew, and you may call me Joey. It’s what my friends call me.
MATTHEW
Joey, I was wondering if you’d like to join me for supper tonight.
JOEY
I’d be honoured. I’ll be staying at the Preston Lodge Hotel.
MATTHEW
I’ll pick you up at 7.
JOEY
I’ll see you then.
HOMESTEAD
MIKE
Brian, would you set the table please. I think I hear then coming.
There’s a knock at the door and then Matthew and Joey enter. Matthew then introduces Joey to the family.
MATTHEW
This is Dr. Mike and Sully. My little brother Brian and my baby sister Katie. I also have another sister, Colleen. She’s at medical school in Denver.
JOEY
It’s nice to meet you all.
BRIAN
Ma, can we eat now? I’m starving.
MIKE
Ok. Sully, would you get the meat out of the oven?
SULLY
Brian, will you get the carrots?
BRIAN
Sure Pa.
JOEY
Sounds nice.
NEXT DAY IN TOWN
Dr. Mike and Brian are walking through town towards to the telegraph office.
MAN
Hello Brian.
Brian looks at him funny.
Don’t you remember me, I’m your Pa.
Brian says nothing.
MIKE
Hello Mr. Cooper.
COOPER
Nice to meet you again Dr. Quinn. I was wondering if I might spend some time with Brian.
MIKE
Why don’t you come round to the homestead tonight. I’m sure you’ll be able to find it.
COOPER
Well I’ll see you tonight then. Goodbye Dr. Quinn.
MIKE
Mr. Cooper.
COOPER
Bye Brian.
Brian still says nothing.
Mr. Cooper then walks and Dr. Mike and Brian continue their journey towards the telegraph office.
MIKE
Brian, why didn’t you talk to him?
BRIAN
I didn’t want to. I got nothing to say to him.
TELEGRAPH OFFICE
MIKE
Is there anything for me today, Horace?
HORACE
Only one today.
Horace gives the message to Dr. Mike and she reads it through quickly.
MIKE
There’s a typhus epidemic in Soda Springs. They’re asking for doctors to help. If I leave this afternoon I could be there by tomorrow.
AT THE HOMESTEAD
Dr. Mike is packing things on to Flash, ready to leave.
BRIAN
Ma, why do you have to go?
MIKE
The people in Soda Springs need my help.
BRIAN
We need you too.
MIKE
Brian I know you’re worried about your father coming, but Sully’ll be here.
Dr. Mike then kisses Katie then Brian.
MIKE(Taking Katie from Sully)
Now you be good for your Pa. You too Brian.
Dr. Mike then hands Katie back to Sully then kisses him.
MIKE
I love you.
SULLY
I love you too.
LATER THAT NIGHT
Brian is walking around nervously while Sully plays with Katie.
SULLY
Don’t worry about it. He’ll only be here for a little while. He’s probably going back to San Francisco in a couple of days and just wants to see you.
Then there’s a knock at the door. Sully gets up to answer it.
SULLY
Mr. Cooper.
COOPER
Sully.
SULLY
Come on in.
COOPER
Thank you. Hi Brian, how are you?
BRIAN
Fine, I guess.
COOPER
That’s good. And who’s this little girl?
BRIAN
That’s my sister, Katie.
SULLY
Would you like some coffee Mr. Cooper?
COOPER
Yes please. And call me Ethan.
SULLY
Do you want anything Brian?
BRIAN
No thanks, Pa.
Mr. Cooper is a bit shocked to hear Brian call Sully ‘pa’ but he carried on as if he hadn’t noticed.
COOPER
So Brian, do you go to school?
BRIAN
Yes.
COOPER
What’s your favourite subject?
BRIAN
I dunno.
SULLY
You like English, don’t you Brian?
BRIAN
I guess so.
COOPER
What do you like doing in your free time?
BRIAN
Playing with my friends, going fishing.
COOPER
Maybe we could go fishing sometime?
BRIAN
No, I only go with Pa.
Mr. Cooper is now getting a little annoyed hearing Brian call Sully ‘pa’.
BRIAN
Pa?
Both Sully and Mr. Cooper answer at the same time.
SULLY COOPER
Yes Brian? Yes Brian?
Brian turns to Mr. Cooper and says…
BRIAN
I wasn’t talking to you, you’re not my pa.
Brian then turns to Sully and continues…
BRIAN
Pa, I think Katie’s tired. I’ll take her to bed.
COOPER
I’d better be going now, it’s getting late.
SULLY
What about your coffee?
COOPER
Some other time.
SULLY
Ok. I’ll see you out then.
COOPER
No, that’s ok.
Mr. Cooper then leaves.
SULLY
I know you didn’t want to see him but you didn’t have to treat him like that.
BRIAN (changing the subject)
I’m going to take Katie to bed.
Brian then walks up the stairs with Katie.
NEXT DAY IN TOWN
Matthew and Joey are walking through town when Mr. Cooper spots him.
COOPER
Matthew!
MATTHEW
Pa? Pa!
Matthew then runs over to Mr. Cooper and shakes his hand.
MATTHEW
Hey, when did you get here?
COOPER
Yesterday. I went and saw Brian at the homestead. You’ve moved house.
MATTHEW
The rest of the family have. I still live at the old homestead, Sully gave it to me.
COOPER
Where’s Colleen?
MATTHEW
She’s in medical school. She’s learning to be a doctor like Dr. Mike.
COOPER
Speaking of pretty ladies, who’s this you’ve got with you?
MATTHEW
This is Josephine McCarthy.
JOEY
This is your pa? What about Dr. Mike and Sully? Aren’t they your parents?
MATTHEW
Sort of. This is my real pa. My ma’s dead. Pa where’s your wife?
COOPER
Lillian died two months ago.
MATTHEW
I’m sorry.
COOPER
That’s why I’m here. I want to take Brian back to San Francisco with me.
MATTHEW
I don’t think that’s such a good idea. Brian’s happy here with Dr. Mike and Sully.
COOPER
Well he’ll be happy with me too.
LATER OUTSIDE THE CLINIC
SULLY
I’m just going to check the clinic. Are you coming in or waiting outside?
BRIAN
I think I’ll wait out here.
SULLY
I’ll just be a minute.
Sully walks into the clinic then Mr. Cooper walks over to Brian.
COOPER
Hi Brian, mind if I sit down? There’s something I want to talk to you about. You see the reason I came here was to come and get you.
BRIAN
What do you mean?
COOPER
My wife died and it’s been kind of lonely so I would like it if you came back to San Francisco with me.
BRIAN
But I don’t want to.
COOPER
Well Brian, I’m your pa and if I say you’re coming, then you’re coming.
BRIAN
No I’m not. You can’t make me.
COOPER
I can and I will.
Mr. Cooper then takes Brian by the arm and starts to pull him.
BRIAN
Hey! What are you doing? Stop it! Get of me! Help! Help! Pa! Sully! Pa!
Sully then comes running out the clinic and pushes Mr. Cooper off Brian.
SULLY
What do you think you’re doing to my son?
COOPER
Your son? He’s not your son. I’m his pa.
SULLY
You gave up any rights you had when you left him. Now get out of here! I don’t want to see you anywhere near my boy again!
Mr Cooper then starts to leave as Brain runs up to Sully and gives him a hug.
SULLY
Are you alright, Brian?
BRIAN
Yes Pa.
SULLY
Let’s get your sister from Grace’s and go home.
HOMESTEAD
SULLY
You feeling better now?
BRIAN
Yeah. Pa you won’t let him take me away will you?
SULLY
Of course not. You’re my son now and there’s nothing he can do about it.
BRIAN
I wish Ma was here.
SULLY
I know. She’ll be home in a couple of days. Listen Brian, I have to go out to the reservation to drop some supplies off.
Brian then grabs onto Sully.
BRIAN
Don’t leave, what if he comes. I want to come with you.
SULLY
I need you to look after Katie.
BRIAN
We both could come.
SULLY
Brian, it’s too dangerous. There’s been a lot of fighting lately. You’ll be safer here. I’ll only be an hour. Ok?
BRIAN
Ok. But hurry back.
Sully then kisses Katie then Brian on the head. Sully then walks out the door and Brian locks it behind him. We then see Sully ride off and Mr. Cooper come out from behind a tree and head towards the homestead.
INSIDE HOMESTEAD
BRIAN
Ok Katie, what do you want to play?
All of a sudden there’s a knock at the door.
BRIAN
Come on Katie, let’s play hide and seek upstairs.
Brian the picks up Katie and runs upstairs.
COOPER
Brian I know your in there. Open the door.
Brian and Katie are hiding underneath Dr. Mike and Sully’s bed. Mr. Cooper then bursts through the front door. Brian can hear Mr. Cooper’s footsteps coming up the stairs. Mr. Cooper then walks into the room and looks under the bed.
COOPER
There you are. Get out here!
He then drags Katie and Brian out from under the bed. Katie starts to cry.
COOPER
Shut her up! Make her stop crying.
Brian then picks Katie up and tries to comfort her.
COOPER
Now you two are coming with me.
BRIAN
I don’t want to!
Mr. Cooper then smacks Brian across the face.
COOPER
Don’t ever talk back to me boy! Now you do as I say or I’ll hurt the baby.
LATER AT THE HOMESTEAD
Matthew rides up to the homestead to find when he enters the house trashed.
MATTHEW
Sully! Brian! Katie!
Sully! Brain!
Matthew then hears a horse riding up and goes outside to see it’s Sully.
MATTHEW
Sully! Sully!
SULLY
What’s wrong?
MATTHEW
What happened to the homestead?
SULLY
What are you talking about?
MATTHEW
The house has been trashed.
SULLY
Where’s Brian and Katie?
MATTHEW
I don’t know. I couldn’t find anybody.
Sully then dismounts his horse and runs into the house followed by Matthew.
SULLY
Brian! Katie! Where are you?!
MATTHEW
Sully, I found this. It’s my pa’s hat.
SULLY
Oh my God! He’s got Brian and Katie.
MATTHEW
You don’t know that.
SULLY
Matthew, he tried to take Brian earlier today but I wouldn’t let him.
MATTHEW (unsure)
I don’t know.
SULLY
Look Matthew, I know he’s your pa but he’s got my kids. We gotta go look for them.
MATTHEW
I’ll get some men from the town.
SULLY
No, we’ll be quicker on our own.
IN THE WOODS
Mr. Cooper, Brian and Katie are riding in the wagon. They then stop.
COOPER
Get out, we’re walking from here.
BRIAN
Our Pa’s gonna find us.
COOPER
I’m your pa.
BRIAN
No you’re not!
COOPER
Stop saying that!
KATIE
Papa! Mama!
COOPER
I thought I told you to keep her quiet.
BRIAN
Come on Katie. Be quiet for Brian.
KATIE
Bwian!
BRIAN
That’s right. Be quiet for Brian.
SULLY AND MATTHEW IN THE WOODS
MATTHEW
We’re never gonna find them.
SULLY
Yes we will. We have to!
MATTHEW
It’s getting dark.
SULLY
That could work to our advantage. He’s got a baby and a young boy with him. They’ll be tired. It’s bound to slow him down.
There is then a slight pause till Sully speaks again.
SULLY
Matthew I know this is hard for you.
MATTHEW
It’s ok. I just want to get my brother and sister back.
Matthew then rides off and Sully follows him.
COOPER, BRIAN AND KATIE IN THE WOODS
BRIAN
Where are we going? I’m tired.
COOPER
We’re going back to San Francisco.
BRIAN
Then why did you bring Katie?
COOPER
Insurance. I had to get you to come quietly. She’s just here in case anything goes wrong.
MATTHEW AND SULLY IN WOODS
MATTHEW
Look! I’ve found the wagon.
They ride up to the wagon and dismount their horses next to it. They then look around for clues.
SULLY
They must be on foot. There’s no hoof tracks from here. They can’t be that far away now. Come on, let’s go. We’ll leave the horses here. It’ll be quieter to sneak up on them.
COOPER, BRIAN AND KATIE IN THE WOODS
BRIAN
Can we stop now? I’m tired.
COOPER
No, we’ve got to carry on!
BRIAN
Just for a little while. Please!
COOPER
Ok. Just for a minute.
Brian sits down with Katie but Mr. Cooper hears a noise.
COOPER
Hey, what’s that? Brian come here!
Mr. Cooper then grabs Katie and Brian.
COOPER
Don’t come any closer or I’ll hurt them!
SULLY
We just wants the kids back!
COOPER
Now you know what it’s like for someone else to have your kid!
MATTHEW
Just give them back!
COOPER
Matthew!
MATTHEW
Just hand Brian and Katie over!
COOPER
I’ll do you a deal, Sully. I’ll give you your daughter back if you let me walk away with Brian!
SULLY
No! I’m not gonna let you do that!
COOPER
Come on Sully. It’s a choice between Brian or Katie!
SULLY
No! I’m not going to choose between my children!
Brian then kicks Mr. Cooper and puts Katie down.
BRIAN
Run Katie! Run to Pa!
SULLY
Come on Katie! That’s it!
Sully then picks her up and gives her a big hug and kiss. Mr. Cooper then grabs Brian.
SULLY
We want Brian as well!
COOPER
You can’t have him, he’s my son!
MATTHEW
No he’s not!
COOPER
What are you talking about?
MATTHEW
Sully’s our Pa now! Give Brian back! Don’t make me shoot you!
Mr. Cooper then pulls out a knife and holds it to Brian’s throat.
SULLY
No!
Then a shot rings out and Mr. Cooper falls to the ground.
SULLY
Matthew! You shot him!
MATTHEW
I thought he was gonna kill Brian!
Brian is stood there, scared frozen to the spot.
SULLY
Brian, it’s ok. Come here.
Brian runs into Sully’s arms and starts crying.
SULLY
Are you alright? Did he hurt you?
BRIAN
I’m fine. Take me home.
SULLY
Matthew, will you take Katie?
Matthew then picks up Katie as Sully carries Brian back to the wagon.
NEXT MORNING AT THE HOMESTEAD
Sully and Matthew are talking as Brian comes down the stairs.
BRIAN
Ma should be home soon.
SULLY
Why don’t you take Katie outside and see if you can see her coming?
BRIAN
Ok. Come on Katie.
Brian then takes Katie’s hand and walks her out the front door.
MATTHEW
He looks like he’ll be ok.
SULLY
Brian’ll be fine. I’m more worried about you.
MATTHEW
The judge said nothing’ll happen to ‘cos I had just cause to use my weapon.
SULLY
That’s not what I meant. It must of been hard for you.
MATTHEW
Sometimes you have to do, what you have to do.
SULLY
Well I appreciate what you did.
MATTHEW
Besides, he wasn’t my pa anymore. He’d changed.
Brian then rushes in.
BRIAN
Ma’s home!
SULLY
Come on…
They then follow Brian out to greet Dr. Mike.
THE END
Get your own Free Home Page