What are you gonna do, kill me?
You can't kill either now, can you?
Or yourself.
What a terrible, terrible conundrum.
What news from the mines, Harvard?
It ain't pretty, darling.
We're gonna have to sell something right quick then.
Fargo's calling.
We ain't gotta sell nothing but Religion, sunshine.
This town's gonna be bigger than God's illegitimate son.
How you reckon that?
We gonna throw ourselves a card game.
More whiskey!
This could get ugly.
Not on account of us.
Leave the bottle.
Yes, sir.
You know those hombres?
I've seen them cut down ten men without taking
their lips off of whiskey.
That's why I ain't involved.
Pulp of whiskey.
Hey, son.
You're blocking our view.
Then move yourself.
Mustn't value your life way you's running that mouth'll.
No, I just don't value yours.
Do you know who I am boy?
A dead man, I reckon.
Would you settle their tab?
Why don't you play something, piano man?
God bless, John.
Raise.
Color me cracked, but I just might call that.
I'm sorry.
I thought that was mine.
Shall we complete the play?
Look at all of these distinguished gentlemen
come to the party.
A cognac, darling, and whatever corn juice this
Darwinian misstep imbibes.
Read 'em and weep.
Dear, dear, the suicide king.
And just when the felicitous and fortunate
Salt Peter has the only card that can bring about its demise.
Gentlemen...
Hey, you ain't taking my money.
But you can't take it with you.
This says I can.
I'm not presently heeled.
You're gonna die.
You got something smart to say about that?
My valise, darling.
Thank you.
To you, my ace in the hole.
Thank you, sir.
Mr. Salt Peter...
Have you heard of this?
What do we have here?
A high stakes poker game in Religion, Arizona.
Why, that just sounds divine.
Hands up.
Both hands.
Should've stayed working on the railroad instead of robbing 'em.
You got two guns on you now, and that poster says
alive or dead.
Whichever I prefer.
Say your prayers, Chinaman Dan.
You first.
Leave gun.
Only one shot.
Give bag.
Drop belt.
Don't kill me, mister.
I promise I won't say nothing to nobody.
Go away.
This bloody country.
It goes on forever.
No sense to it all.
I beg to differ.
There's a freedom in it's wild, open spaces.
Freedom is an illusion created by servants to
help them sleep at night.
Illusion...
Now you're speaking my language.
Impressive.
Can you make my writing assignment disappear as well?
What story are you covering?
There's a poker tournament in Religion.
How providential.
I am one of its participants.
Edward James, New York James.
Raven McCabe.
Magician at large.
Next time, pay the bill!
What'll it be?
Red wine.
Jackeroo John, right?
Saint John.
Mighty biblical for these parts.
I'm a man of god now.
That's not what I heard.
Yeah, people change.
The only change men make around here is from the
living to the dead.
Drum up some business.
-Bess! -Hey!
Sorry!
Gimme some neck oil.
You gotta stop endangering my customers.
Ever known me to miss?
There's always a first time.
Not when I'm shooting.
Takin' my leave for a spell.
Well, don't be gone long.
You ain't my Pappy, Southern Bill.
As long as you owe back rent on that hook house
you're running under my roof, I am your Pappy.
Two whiskies.
Extra thirsty are we?
We don't do credit.
Well, Southern Bill at your service.
Bed, booze, broads.
I provide 'em all.
I'm Waylin Smith.
I got word of a card game.
That's Harvard Gold's affair.
How do I enter?
Go over at the Grand Hotel, pay your fee, and sign up.
I don't know how I let you pluck me from my station.
Sisters of Divine Mercy.
I broke up with God for you, Harvard.
He didn't build your own town now, did he?
Numbers don't lie.
Religion can't afford the gold prize staked on this
foolish card game.
It's hardly a mere card game now, darling.
Got a reporter from the New York Times doing a
major story about it.
Well the folks a comin' better enjoy spending money.
Card players always lavish their funds about.
And what about the gunfighters?
They like their double barreled discounts.
I'll have myself a new lawman.
A Marshal from Kansas City.
Just one?
That's all we can afford.
What's he gonna do?
Protect our money, honey.
Whoa!
You shouldn't sneak up on folks in these parts.
Accept my humble apologies.
I'm Bobby Shea. Traveling carpenter.
Bootstrap Bess.
I don't shake hands.
I saw you lookin' at this plot.
You fixin' to build somethin' on it?
My own hotel.
A respectable kind.
For well-heeled tourists and the like.
Built the Gold Hill Hotel in Virginia City, near on my own.
What brings you to Religion?
Just looking for the next town on the map.
Aim to see the whole wide world someday.
Well I'll keep you in mind, Shea, if'n I raise the funds.
You got a plan on that account?
Gonna win the big poker tournament.
Mr. Salt Peter, how are you, sir?
Royal, my dear.
I've traveled far and wish to be installed.
Will you be staying long?
Not in this rabbit warren.
I'm sorry, sir.
Be forewarned, I like my amenities and men that tease.
The presidential suite is available if you so desire, sir.
Is it king sized? Because my appetites are.
Yes, it is, sir.
You may follow our bellman to your quarters.
I like the view already.
Sorry, we don't serve your kind.
Serve him.
What can I do for you?
Food, drink...
Pretty lady.
I can help you with the first two.
And I can provide the third.
You angry about something, preacher?
Nothing you need concern yourself with.
Sources tell me you're a genuine man of the people,
Marshall Stone.
I aim to please, and my aim is pleasing.
That it is.
When there's call for it.
We frown upon violence in Religion.
Unless it's necessary, of course.
You're gonna need some deputies, Mr. Gold,
on account of the influx of visitors.
Yeah, as budget allows.
There is one Zain Mohammed, honest to God Arabian Prince.
Certainly does advertise his wealth.
Yes, he does.
And that is how the stars aligned to produce the
handsome product you find before you.
I'm doing an article for a prominent publication.
Might be a book on it.
Well, I will allow you thoroughly behind the scenes.
For the good of the story, of course.
I am not a homosexual Mr. Peter.
Neither am I.
Mr. James!
Once again, a multitude of thanks for lending
Religion your considerable talents.
Well I am here for the story.
If the bank cheque clears.
Meet my better half, Roberta.
Enchanted, Mr. James.
We expect great things from your pen.
Well, I see you met Mr. Peter, one of our more
colorful participants.
Yes, yes, indeed I have.
He is in the room opposite ours.
Yes, I was thinking perhaps the three of us
could enjoy each other the way the French do.
Mr. Peter!
You are so indulgent.
Now, if you would be so kind as to recommend me a Doctor.
But, of course.
Are you ill?
Not quite yet.
Well, we invite you both to join us this evening
for the declaration of the tournament rules.
And the Gold's make the rules?
In this town, yes.
We are the very model of Capitalism.
All we want is a clean, fair game, gentlemen.
A fair poker game.
Well, that would be a first.
Follow the Jack of Diamonds and win your very own diamond.
Who will be the first to test their luck and
increase their personal fortune?
Make your choice, good sir.
Better luck next time.
Game of chance?
What's the stakes?
Name it, my friend. I'm a betting man.
I'll bet you don't see morning if you try to palm
that diamond off as a real thing.
I stand by my production, sir.
You do your trick then.
It's two bits.
I make my deals in blood, cardsharp.
The cards stuck together.
You dirty huckster.
These are legitimate games of chance.
Do I have a game of chance...
There's a Russian descent.
Is there a dispute here?
Not with the law, marshal.
All firearms must be turned in the sheriff's
station at the start of the tournament.
Gentlemen, they'll be announcing the rules in
front of the saloon in about a quarter of an hour.
Lucky break, traveler.
My fine good fellows and esteemed womenfolk, I am
please to declare the first annual World Poker
Tourney in the dynamic city of Religion, Arizona.
We are making history here tonight!
The prize is a pure gold cross, worth a yearly salary
of ten hardworking men.
We will be adhering to the rules of five card stud poker.
You will each be issued 1,000 Religion poker chips.
You may buy them back one time on the first evening only.
I will be the sole judge.
And cheating in any fashion will not be tolerated.
I wish you all well, and Religion welcomes you.
Who's thirsty?
Name?
Don't matter.
We all look same.
True.
Next. Name.
Bear Johnson.
What do you want her for?
Tournament rules.
You'll get it back.
I better.
Bear Johnson.
I heard him.
What's the name of your tailor?
I'd like to pay him a visit.
Afterhours, of course.
I do not wish to speak of such things.
Raise.
If you wish to speak of such things, call.
An unfortunate hand for you.
Chen.
Poker invented in China.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a last minute
entrant, who I only allowed because he paid a penalty fee.
This here is Bobby Shea, the carpenter.
Sorry I'm late.
I was getting fitted for a suit.
You're throwing your money away here, Bobby.
Two hands are better than one.
Sometimes the best hand is the one you don't play, son.
Same to you.
Off to a rollicking start.
Quite the cast of characters.
And the setting?
How do you find our little metropolis?
Very hospitable, but what happens when the bullets
start flying?
Do you see any firearms, Mr. James?
Well, not in plain sight.
Then we have ourselves a peaceable proceeding.
And when the big guns start losing?
Then they'll just have to spend their money in the
humble little township.
Ever the optimist.
I never was one to the see the glass half empty
or half full.
But the owner of the glass and the price of whiskey.
I call your trifling bet, fool.
Fool is more powerful than the king as he is not
bound by the dictates of the throne.
The fool lives to play another day.
You got the guts to play back, son?
Or you think I'm bluffing?
Don't lose your head.
That's what I thought.
It's a man's game, son.
Last hand, competitors.
Please bag your remaining chips and leave them at the desk.
Well, my American friend, it is down to you and I,
and I have more chips than you.
I'm Viennese.
And you only have chips because you bought 'em
back after I relieved you of them.
It does not matter how one begins, rather how one ends.
Are you finished talking?
Yes, Salt Pepper.
It's Salt Peter.
What a big hand.
And all I have is this little deuce.
We're even my friend.
The royal we as it were.
Well...
Look at your little outfit.
You think that's gonna change anything?
I answer to a higher power now.
You answer to me.
What are you gonna do, kill me?
Well you can't kill me either now, can you?
Or yourself.
What a terrible, terrible conundrum.
Competition has ceased for the evening.
Results will be posted on the board.
Now go out and enjoy yourselves in Religion.
How'd you end up in this god forsaken town anyway, Mr. Shea?
I had a twin brother named Tommy.
He died in my arms some time ago.
Tommy?
Tommy!
Lost part of myself that day I'll never get back.
You after that rancher that killed him?
The law done got him.
He got a life in prison to think about what he done.
And I got life outside it to do the same.
Waylin! Get your mother behind the wagon.
No!
Why?
I am called Iron Wolf.
Pale faced blood is poison, but you are different.
You have Apache spirit in you.
I will teach you to live free on this land.
Now our blood flows as one and the great spirit will
guide your actions.
Drink this.
I will teach you the ghost dance and you will know
your purpose in this world.
I am your father now in spirit as nature intended.
Who's there?
I got the hot water that you asked for, Mr. Smith.
May I enter?
You may.
How are you finding the accommodations?
Pleasing, thank you.
Anything further that you require?
My eternal gratitude and a fortune filled evening for you,
my good doctor.
Trust that your health recovers at speed, sir.
It always does.
Well, what a handsome sight.
My fellow competitors.
You may go.
Now we have a proper threesome.
Your advances mean nothing to me.
Just getting to know who I'm playing with.
All part of the game.
But only one of us could win, unless there are side games.
Which would be my pleasure to host one in my suite as
I'm not partial to sleep at this hour.
Count me in.
Prince?
You just gonna bat your eyes or do you have the metal?
More than you can imagine.
You.
I like 'em small.
Come on!
Hey!
Leave her be, you jackal!
Or what, woman?
What the hell!
Keep the pistol, lose the dead weight.
This is goodnight then, Shea.
It has been an honor and a privilege, Bess.
Don't get sentimental on me.
Tomorrow's just another day you can lose it all.
Or win it all.
Around the world, my darling, it could all be ours.
If we play our cards right.
Get out of here, Shea.
Saloon's closed.
See Bootstrap if you fancy a room.
I'm not here for the bed house.
Due to lock up, partner.
I'm not your partner, bardog.
Now fetch me some coffin varnish.
Don't you look black at me and expect to see morning.
Them irons meant to be with the Marshal.
Care to take 'em from me?
Settle down.
I get a little balmy this hour.
Perhaps this will awaken you.
Quite a tip.
I'll get you my best.
What is that?
Morphine.
Under strict doctor's orders.
Fortunately, I self-administer.
Are you ill?
About once every four to six hours, yes.
Shall we play?
Yes, I would prefer, my friend, you not deal the cards.
And whom do you suggest?
I would be more comfortable with the prince dealing.
That is if you would oblige us.
That I will.
As you like it gentlemen, but be forewarned, I have
a photographic memory.
I don't miss a thing.
If you do a thing, many, many times,
it becomes second nature.
And when it matters most, you will do it again.
I can't tell what matters most anymore.
The great spirit will show you.
When?
When you don't question the time.
Who's the Injun?
Who are you?
Call me Saint John.
Eagle Wing.
What's your white name?
Waylin Smith.
You seem to have something of a second sight.
Well versed in the occult.
Not by choice, was thrust upon me.
You mean spirits and such?
Spirits, demons.
You mean Anton Stice?
That sorta demon?
That's right.
Right this way, Mr. Stice.
Mr. James.
Mr. James, rise and shine.
New day in Religion.
Mr. Edward James.
Trust we have not disturbed your repose.
The truth is you have.
Mr. Anton Stice, the current leader of our
little poker tournament, has arrived for you.
Heard you been penning an article on the subject.
Doing something long form, as well.
How novel.
Well, you two will have plenty to discuss then.
If you'll kindly excuse me, Religion calls.
I understand the power of word, Mr. James.
And it is you who will write of these things.
Yes, well, I suppose it is up to me to immortalize
the event as it were.
Would you be so kind as to invite me in?
Yes, yes, please do come in.
Morning, Mr. Peter.
Good morning.
A package has arrived for you, sir.
Why, thank you.
Thank you all for your test of skills.
Prince, your breakfast is ready.
Trust he didn't clean you out.
I let him win.
Is that right?
How much of my money did you take?
We broke even to the coin.
I played you straight.
The prince is a great shot and a fine card player,
but he's too proud of his birthright.
An Achilles heel in an otherwise formidable foe.
Why reveal this to a fellow competitor?
In the right circumstances, I believe
the shared victory is the best stratagem.
You're quite handy with the cards.
Perhaps we could work together, share the winnings.
Perhaps.
I owe you some gold then from tonight's game.
We're even my friend.
I miss nothing in the matters of finance.
Ever heard of alchemy?
You switch the coins.
They switch themselves.
At a level beyond where the mere eye takes you.
So you'd have me believe you're an honest to god
magician then?
Do you believe in honesty or god?
No.
Nobody believes in anything nowadays except what they see.
I believe in everything unseen, that is my magic, Salt Peter.
Hey.
Look what I found.
Where'd you get that?
Guess.
Scary guy?
Must be worth a lot.
We could run away with it.
We already ran away, Sadie, and we ended up here.
You find yourself a second place?
One step from where I aim to be.
This Anton Stice, he's a pretty serious competitor.
It's just another man with two legs and something
dangling between them.
Yeah.
Well what I'm saying is, be careful.
After all these years, I've grown tolerant of you.
You getting soft on me, Southern Bill?
Gonna have my own hotel soon, and you can come work for me.
That'll be the day.
Hey there, preacher man.
Can we help you find god?
We accept donations, too, just like church.
Ain't nothing for you here.
Don't judge us.
We's working girls.
Go on.
Can we talk a moment, Saint John?
I suppose.
I know greed is one of them deadly sins,
but I can't avoid it.
I wanna win that gold cross.
Why is that?
For Bess.
I love her.
Then it's not the cross you want, it's Bess.
So when you do something for someone else's gain,
it ain't greed?
It's greed either way, Bobby.
I just wanted to build her that hotel.
Why's that?
I saw how much her heart wanted it.
You know, Bobby, I think you're the only one
playing this game for the right reasons.
-Name? -Waylin Smith.
Come play.
Not now, sweetie. Later.
Can I have your autograph, Mr. Smith?
What for?
You're famous.
Sure thing, partner.
Hey, what's your name?
Dani Boyd. I want you to win.
Well, thank you, Danny.
That's for you.
Be careful of your mortal ego.
They hinder your spirit.
Don't break me up in pieces here, I'm just one person.
Are you?
Thank you, sir.
Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the traveling
bare knuckle champion, Mr. Roland Dunn.
Yeah!
And now, number one, undefeated challenger, Sam Samson.
Gentlemen...
Show time, gentlemen.
You like that?
You want some more?
Here, you like that?
You got nothing!
Come on, hit him!
Hit him!
Come on, now.
Yeah!
We have a champion, ladies and gentlemen!
Roland!
Knuckles!
Day two will now commence.
The hotel bar is stocked with the finest of
imported refreshments.
So enjoy yourselves, one and all, and let's play poker!
Your eyes reveal the depths of pain, Mr. Smith.
I trust it's not because of the hand you've been dealt.
Trust has nothing to do with it.
Just want you gentlemen to know you're playing for second place.
I'm a flying high today.
I am surrounded by bearded men.
Could we call in the town barber?
I'd like to see a gent's face.
Quit your jaw flapping, missy.
I only quit when the game is over and
I'm declared the victor.
The room was filled with tension and anticipation.
Be careful.
This is not an ordinary man.
He has access to the world between worlds.
I cannot make my appearance known to him.
That man is energetically bound to this one.
He lives off his life force.
How you faring, Magus?
Breaking even.
No intermingling.
You wanna live to see the next round, you keep your mouth shut.
A is for apple, B is for boy,
C is for captain who says, ahoy!
One more word and I knock your teeth out.
Should I handle this?
A little drama's good for the show.
D is for deadly, E is for end,
F is for fortune on which we depend.
G is for gorgeous, H is for haggard.
I is for individuals known to be braggers.
J is for joker, K is for king,
L is for lackeys that hang by a string.
M is for missed by a whole country mile.
That's two M's my friend and one more if you smile.
The rules clearly state that violence against a fellow
player will not be tolerated.
Bear Johnson has been removed from the tournament.
After the break, we will resume with our final tables.
You're doing very well, Waylin.
Thank you, but I've got a long way to go.
The paper says your half Indian, is that true?
In a manner of speaking.
What would be your plans for any winnings?
I intend to employ my winnings to a number of
charitable organizations.
Connected to my non profit corporation Stice United.
Very commendable, Mr. Stice.
Very commendable.
History is written by the victors, old sport.
I take it is.
Still in it, I see, Bobby.
Just barely.
Made a few mistakes, but I'm learning quick.
Halt.
Chinaman Dan, AKA Daniel Chen.
You're wanted by the law for the federal crime of
train robbery.
I am here and now apprehending you, dead or alive.
A little blood.
I don't believe in your laws.
Believe in this, I never miss.
Should we send a posse?
This is a federal matter. Clear the street.
Ladies and gentlemen, legends have been created in this town.
I tell you, legends of the wild west right here in
Religion and you all have the best seat in town.
And I will sing.
Yes, I will sing praises to the lord.
And with acceptance, we can rejoice and he will
offer us eternal life.
To save us from the fires of hell.
The devil himself is in Religion and no one can beat him.
The magician?
His tricks won't save him.
Or the Ingun gunfighter.
Too slow for the prince of darkness.
And what about the other prince, the Arabian...
All he's done is show us his fancy clothes.
Fancy clothes, boy.
I got my fancy clothes on. I like...
You mock me, little fingers man?
No, sir.
I'm immortalizing your character.
Now, what have we here?
I'm Zain Mohammed. Prince of Asir.
I could not help but note, prince, that you are not
in Asir at the moment.
You are not half the man that I am.
I beg to differ.
I challenge you to a duel.
But the marshal has our weapons.
Religion's gonna be a major metropolitan center someday,
my darling.
People will come far and wide to see our little,
my little flower in the dessert.
I believe it, Harvard.
Once upon a midnight dreary, will I pondered weak and weary.
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore.
This should be intriguing.
Indeed.
One.
Two.
Looks like the odds are shifting, Bobby.
-Three. -You wait here.
Four.
Five.
Your weapon, Mr. Stice.
Wasn't mine to begin with?
What sort of magic was that?
Black.
What color do you practice?
Grey.
Take the prince to the doctor at once.
Stice.
It was a gentlemen's duel.
The results were not fatal.
Zain Mohammad is disqualified for producing
weapons during the gaming.
Anton Stice will not be penalized.
Is he a better shot than you, Waylin?
No, he ain't.
Told you, mom!
Your competitors are dropping like flies, Mr. Gold.
But you got your story, yes, Mr. James?
I have all that and more.
You will not be disappointed.
Well, then the players are exchangeable.
Some more exchangeable than others it would seem.
Such is life in Religion.
Got work matters now, Bobby?
Good work, girls.
You are paving the way to a brighter future.
Hey, look what I found, Bess.
Who'd you pluck this from, little Jill?
That Anton fellow when he was gabbing with the reporter man.
You're a good little witch.
My favorite of the bunch.
Now back to work girls and steer clear of that Stice
character unless you hear different from me.
Yes, ma'am.
Tonight we will decide which of our players are
skilled enough to do battle on the final table.
Let the playing begin.
So what's it gonna be, carpenter?
I think you're bluffing.
Why don't you put your money where your mouth is?
I call.
Can't keep a good man down.
Yes you can.
You're just delaying the inevitable, Shea.
Feel the big pay day coming.
All in.
Bootstrap, such an extravagant display of wealth.
Prefer to watch you roll about in it.
Right behind you, Salt.
I'm gonna call.
I got you dead to rights, missy.
Name's Bootstrap.
Deal the card.
There she is.
Why did you make that bet?
You in cahoots with the dealer?
Get your hands off her.
Well what are you gonna do, little man?
Yeah!
That's what you get for messing with Roland Dunn.
A mouth full of fists for dinner, boy.
Hit him, Bobby. Choke him out!
Finish him!
This man put hands on our Bess.
Toss him in jail!
And Shea?
He was protecting Bess.
Is he still in the tournament?
Yes, yes he is.
Ain't love grand?
It can be, yes.
You ever known it to last?
Hope spring's eternal.
Delusion, as well.
You're gonna win this, Bessie.
Yes, you are.
Yes, you are, my girl.
Go away. I'm indisposed.
I know what you have in there, and believe me,
you don't want it.
Come in.
What are you nosing about for?
I'm a dead man, but you needn't go down my road.
Anton Stice, he's gonna make you choose between
your world desires and what love you have left in your heart.
How's he gonna do that?
By giving you what you want.
Here, take it. I don't want it no more.
It's not mine to take.
I just wanna live a simple life.
You can still do that.
But I'll still aim to win.
Man is a bundle of contradictions.
It's how he's so easily defeated.
In case you haven't noticed, I ain't no man.
But you hold a man's fate in your hands.
A man who's willing to die for you if need be.
Anton Stice is gonna visit you tonight and I'm afraid
that nothing I've said here can prepare you for that.
Bess.
Bess, I know you're in there.
Innocence is wasted on the innocent.
Ain't that right, Bess?
Good lord, you gave me a fright.
Not my intention.
You don't strike me as the card playing type, Saint John.
I've done my fair share of gambling unfortunately.
So it's true what they say then.
That you once robbed banks and left a trail of dead
men in your wake.
No, it ain't true what they say.
Well...
It is a comfort.
It's much worse.
I ain't coming out. I don't care what you say.
I'll kill everybody in here.
You shut up.
You keep your mouth shut.
I'll kill you, I swear to god.
Keep withdrawing the neck tie committee.
Who the hell are you?
Those won't help you now.
And you can?
If you follow me.
Where the hell am I supposed to follow you to?
The salvation.
Evening, Mr. Smith.
I see I scared your Ingun off.
What do you want Stice?
I could ask the same of you.
Would you like anything Mr. Stice?
I'll have what he's having.
I hear you're quite the shot.
I do what needs doing.
Well now we have something in common.
We ain't got nothing in common, Stice.
Except part in a card game.
That's enough now, isn't it?
Salt Peter!
Care to join us?
Not you.
I didn't know you swung that way, Miss Peter.
Well, you know what I always say...
There's enough Salt Peter for everyone.
We have work to do, my friend.
Treating these folks like some kind of gods.
Ain't natural.
A few days ago, they was just a bunch of low lives.
Interesting.
As a fantasy.
With a little alchemy, it could be real.
Dreams and reality walk hand and hand.
Indeed.
Bill.
What in the hell has gotten into you two?
This thieving scoundrel stole my diamond.
You wretched liar. It was my diamond to begin with!
Lock 'em up.
And the diamond?
That, too.
I'm gonna fetch Mr. Gold, and get to the bottom of this.
Watch them.
Yes, sir.
Could you take this for me?
I fear this criminal might steal it.
What time is it?
What is this?
It isn't real.
You're merely dreaming all of this.
Asleep right now on a comfortable bed.
On a comfortable bed.
Did you get those numbers?
Like a photograph, my friend.
Those two are essential components to our final table.
They was at each other's throats over stolen goods.
We cannot afford to lose them, marshal.
I'm just doing my job.
There he is.
Ringmaster of the fine circus called Religion.
I heard you two had yourself a disagreement this morning.
Seems I have a similar diamond to Mr. McCabe.
If memory serves, I've left it in Vienna.
We've mutually apologized and all is forgetten.
Yeah.
Must've consumed a large supper.
Liquid supper, perhaps.
Well, case is solved then.
Unlock 'em, marshal.
If this was my town, I'd have you hung.
Well thank goodness it's not.
Anton Stice cannot be harmed by ordinary means.
I'll stay clear of him.
But if he crosses me, I've always got this.
Can I see it?
It's okay.
It's a nice piece.
Use it wisely.
Hey, Saint John.
Yeah?
Let's keep this amongst ourselves.
Don't sneak up on me, Bobby.
I ain't sneaking, Bess, I'm walking.
It's how I get around.
Still see it here, how about you?
Don't know.
Maybe.
That's not the Bootstrap I know.
Look, I got a one in seven chance to win this.
With you that makes two in seven.
That's not how odds work, Bobby.
We make our own odds, Bess.
This could be a beautiful hotel.
Just leave me be, Bobby.
Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues and
members of the international press.
I'm proud to announce the final table in Religion,
Arizona's first official world poker tournament.
Our competitors, in ascending order according
to their positions.
In seventh place, we have the journeyman carpenter,
Bobby Shea.
In sixth place, we have the reformed bank
robber turned preacher, Saint John.
Nice hand, John.
For us both.
In fifth place, we have the magic man himself,
renowned illusionist, Raven McCabe.
In fourth place, we have the half Ingun gunfighter,
Waylin Smith.
Where's your friend?
Gone the way of the ghost?
Every ghost was once flesh and blood, Anton.
Just like you and I.
I thought we had nothing in common.
In third, we have the most colorful dandified
character to ever step foot in Religion.
By way of Vienna, Salt Peter!
Woo!
The crowd adores me and I them.
You are addicted to their praise.
I embrace my addictions, sir.
They are my traveling companions.
In second place, we have the formidable,
but charitable cardsharp, Anton Stice.
And a charitable applause as well.
I haven't forgotten about you yet.
How could you?
And finally, the fastest draw God ever gave a woman,
the madame to end all madames, our very own Bootstrap Bess!
How bad you want it?
Bad as I need to.
Check.
All in.
Call.
I see that bet.
I think I'll stick around.
Call.
Full dance card, gents.
Raise.
I can't tell what matters most anymore.
The Great Spirit will show you.
When?
When you don't question the time?
Still with us, gunfire?
Fold.
Not this time.
Was that to me?
Guess I should call then.
I do believe we will thin out the pretenders with this hand.
Call.
We're gonna build us that hotel if it's the last thing we do.
All in.
This has gotten away from me.
Victory always comes at a cost.
I turn this one over to the fair lady.
Back to the wood shed, Shea.
Take it away, Bobby.
A fitting hand before our break.
Now one and all, please enjoy the culinary
comforts of Religion and prepare to return for our
final table.
We will crown our victor on this very evening!
You can't win 'em all.
Don't go too far.
Don't intend to.
We need to talk, friend.
This game is taking too long.
The doctor calls presently.
Dear god.
If I believed in you, you would feel like this.
What took you so long?
Gaze upon me.
Know what you just saw?
Tuesday?
You cannot deny what is in front of your own very eyes.
I'm not in the business of denying.
Do you know who I am?
I know who you think you are, but to Salt Peter,
you're no one in particular.
But I deal in particulars.
I can't deliver until you, my friend, the deepest of
all your mortal desires.
I already do that on my own.
I can also terminate your life.
That will also happen without you.
You are a strange sort, Mr. Peter.
I can see my work's been done here.
Fresh?
Yeah, more or less.
Mr. Anton Stice.
They say he's the devil.
They say a lot of things in Religion.
I believe it.
My, my, my.
Aren't you the most angelic thing I ever did see?
Give me your hand.
Don't touch her.
Don't you ever, ever defy me, woman.
Anton Stice!
Mr. Smith.
Get away from them.
Now.
Or what?
We'll send you straight to hell.
And the drama continues.
Let's hope it hastens the game.
Well I accept your challenge.
That's a nice piece.
Use it wisely.
Whenever you're ready.
How about now?
Good god, the odds of that!
Come on.
Take your best shot.
You are unusually courageous.
A man can die once or a thousand times.
I see you've already made your decision.
Now, marshal.
Gentlemen, this little breach in our rules has
complicated our game.
And what hastens?
I'm withdrawing from the tournament.
What for?
Another life.
Are you okay, Bess?
I'm okay, Bobby.
A heartwarming twist of fate.
Indeed.
And what of Anton Stice?
He's still in play.
Some men make the rules and some men break them.
The right ones do, Mr. James.
Interesting how right and might are so closely related.
Enough material for your novel?
Very close, Miss Gold.
Very close.
Well do stick around.
Every great story has a great ending.
Pity only one of us can win.
But that is the way of the world now isn't it?
There are more worlds than this one.
There are many things not spoken of in polite company.
Right, Bess?
Play the hand.
We ain't here to talk this out.
Let's let the cards decide who is worthy of the victory.
Your fates hang on a mere game of chance.
My kind of odds.
Who do you reckon wins?
Religion wins, Bill.
That was always the outcome.
Well, well.
We find ourselves at the witching hour.
Time to see what you are all made of.
Check.
Interesting.
I think you dropped something.
Some dreams were never meant to be.
I raise. All in.
Odds are two in five, right Bobby?
That's right.
Wasted on the innocent.
Right Bess?
All in.
I see you remember what game you're playing.
I know what I'm doing.
This is what I live for.
Well it looks like we got ourselves a showdown.
Let the cards decide.
The moment of truth is upon us.
Must be my lucky day.
In cahoots, I see?
You know the game well.
This is goodnight then.
Well.
A marvelous and enchanting occasion.
I thank you all for amusing me.
Drink that. It will help with that cough.
Got ourselves an even playing field.
You can't win unless I let you.
And why would you do that?
Let's go in the alley. We'll talk.
Careful, Bobby.
I know what I'm doing.
Mr. Shea.
I have an offer to make.
One time only deal.
If you accept it, all your worldly desires will be
realized in this lifetime.
Riches and power.
The ability to bend the world to your masculine will.
You can't promise those things, Stice.
No man can.
I'm not a man, Shea.
I never was.
Who are you?
I'm sure you've heard the stories from as far back
as your childhood.
Can't expect me to believe that.
You believe in god, don't you?
Yes.
Then why not me.
I believe you're a hustler who is good with a gun.
Look into my eyes.
We will play til we have a winner or we reach dawn.
Can't be.
The devil?
Here in Religion?
Is there a better place to be?
Think of me as your corporal ally.
Pulling the world's strings in your favor.
In return for what?
Nothing you wouldn't miss in this lifetime.
You tried to make this deal with Bess, didn't you?
Bess is her own worst enemy because she needs
a man like you to lead her to her salvation.
I can do that on my own.
Can you?
A destitute carpenter?
One job removed from the poorhouse?
I have made kings out of paupers.
Gods of mere men.
Men can't interfere with the will of god.
You wanna talk about will?
Well this is my will.
You take the cross, you go get that hotel.
What if I don't take it?
Then I return in one month's time and will bury you
with your brother.
And Bess.
We will play til we have a winner or we reach dawn.
Whichever comes first.
When the cock crows, if we do not have a victor,
we will play one final hand for the gold prize.
All comes down to this, Bobby Shea.
You have the power to save two lives.
Deal me in.
Nothing like gold to bring a man to his knees.
Last hand, gentlemen.
To the victor goes the gold cross.
Highest chip stack wins.
Check.
I raise.
I call.
I raise.
Call.
I raise.
No point in turning back now, Shea.
A betting's just a formality.
Call.
Just one card away now.
Remember Bess.
Raise.
Got nothing.
I was told not to sneak up on folks in these parts.
Love don't sneak, Bobby.
Disappears when you least expect it.
We came so close.
But at what cost?
Don't seem possible what happened.
Do you think he's really who he says?
Think we are?
When all is said and done, this whole world and all
that's in it is just some kind of spell.
Who's spell?
Could be ours, if we choose it.
We should just enjoy our time here while we have it.
If we're together, Bobby, we don't need the money.
I answer to a higher power now.
You answer to me.
What are you gonna do, kill me?
Well, you can't kill either now, can you?
Or yourself.
Please, make room for Mr. Stice.
He's had a long day and night.
And remember, tell folks about the fine town of
Religion when you get home.
About that book deal, Mr. Stice.
Don't you worry, Mr. James, you'll get all
that's coming to you.
I thank you, sir.
I thank you for all your help.
There will be time to thank me later.
Now if you will excuse me.
You're not gonna need that where you're going.
You lost this time, Anton.
The carpenter didn't take your deal.
But this is where things get interesting.
The tournament's finished.
I think it's best we just leave Religion behind.
I have one more hand for you, Saint John.
There ain't no more hands left to play.
No?
How would you like your immortal soul back?
That is what you most desire now, isn't it?
What are you proposing?
You'll bring Shea to me in exchange for the return of
your soul.
And a gold cross to boot.
To start a new life with as a man of means.
Shea already turned you down.
You will convince him otherwise.
Will I ever see you again, Salt Peter?
Probably not.
But you never know.
Let's go!
There goes Salt Peter.
Religion won't see the likes of him in this town again.
Excuse me, Bess.
Where you going?
My stomach's bothering me.
I got something for that.
Just give me a minute.
I, for one, am glad he's going.
I second that, darling.
You wish to save Bess?
I'll give anything.
Will you?
I'm ready to go with you.
You chose wisely, Shea.
Bess will not be harmed.
And you will give your soul to me.
What do I have to do?
You step forward.
You're not gonna kill me, are you?
Nothing of the sort, my boy.
I will lose my sixes.
Now come to me.
Couldn't stand to miss the last hand.
Salt Peter.
How amusing.
The self-serving hedonist arrived to save the day.
Indeed.
And I will take his life before I let you take his soul.
And what's in it for you?
Because we both know there's always a little something.
Just the delightful pleasure of seeing you lose, Stice,
and knowing I had a hand in the trick.
I could shoot you in between the eyes before you even blink.
But you've lost your sixes.
Come now, what's your price, mercenary?
You have nothing to offer me.
Isn't this what you were playing for?
Now you pick it up, you walk away, and you have my word.
I will not harm you.
It's made of tin.
It's too late for your petty games.
Gaze upon it.
That foul magician.
McCabe.
Is this what you're looking for?
Three sixes, fool.
Just another dirty huckster.
An Achilles heel in an otherwise formidable foe.
Indeed there is some magic left in mortal men.
Pity we couldn't save him.
It's tragic.
Tragic is the way he was living before.
He's free now.
Salt, are you acknowledging the possibility of a soul?
Perhaps.
Gentlemen, it has been a magical acquaintance.
A deal's a deal.
I will not stop until the game is over and I am
declared the victor.
You deserve it, Mr. Peter.
I have no place to put this.
Would you relieve me of this burden?
I can't take this.
But you can.
Even I know love most conquer all.
Go back to town. Find your Bess.
And you, Mr. Peter?
I'm off the find the next adventure.
And to die with a smile on my face.
Bess, for once you didn't draw.
What are you crying for?
I thought I lost you.
I never left you, darling.
The hotel meant nothing without you.
Well, I guess we're gonna need this now.
How you figure that?
I raised the finances.
It's a miracle. How'd you do it?
God works in mysterious ways, Bess.
And love comes when you least expect it.
I see it all in my mind now, Bobby.
Clear as day.
What should we call it?
The Redemption.
I like the sound of that.