Showdown in Breezy Meadows

The sound of a horse’s hooves can be heard as the screen comes to life. We see the horses legs as they stop moving and then we see someone’s boots land on the ground next to the horse. The man begins to walk forward as the camera pans up. We see his legs, a six-shooter on his hip, and finally, the camera comes to rest on the familiar gold star sheriff’s badge that we have seen in old westerns. The camera pans behind the man and we realize that we are in the ‘old west.’ The man enters the saloon.

Breezy Meadows 

The words flash across the bottom of the screen. The man sits down at the bar and the camera pans around to show none other than Eli Beazley. We watch as Eli orders a whiskey. He takes one sip and then spits it out. He gets water instead. We watch for several seconds as Sheriff Beazley sits alone at the bar. Suddenly a woman bursts into the saloon. She is wearing a prairie-style dress and is incredibly disheveled.

“Sheriff! It’s Giggles and his crew! They just stole my cattle, burnt down my house, and smoked my best tobacco. And they gave me this... “

Eli turns dramatically and looks at the woman for the first time. She is holding a letter. She hands it to Eli and he slowly unfolds it.

“Sheriff Beazley,

This town ain’t but enough for the two of us. It’s either YOU or ME. I want that gold badge your wear on your chest. I want the six shooter on your hip. I want to be the law and order inf Breezy Meadows. So Mr. Eli Beazley, I challenge you to a duel. Meet me by the meadow tomorrow morning at the sun’s rise.

Your friend,

James ‘Giggles” McGiggleton”

The crowd in the saloon gasps. The bartender leans across the bar. He looks concerned.

“You can’t do it, Eli. At least not alone. We will help you. Those boys have been nothing but trouble since they got to town. And Giggles is the worst of em’.”

Eli turns back to the bar and takes a long drink of water.

“I haven’t backed down from a challenge yet and I’m not about to now. As long as I have this badge people like Giggles are going to come after me. They’ve been lining up since I became Sheriff and there will be plenty more of them after I defeat Giggles and his gang tomorrow. When I became Sheriff of Breezy Meadows I promised each and every one of you that I would never back down from a challenge. Nothing has changed that. You were there when Harry ‘Flop’ Waters tried to take me down. You saw Tsukiko give it a go. I’m sure some of you remember the showdowns with Alex ‘Quick Draw’ Scott. I’ve been the law in this town for four months. I’ve been your leader. I’ve looked danger in the face countless times. They don’t call me Eli ‘Bulletproof’ Beazley for nothin’.”

The crowd erupts in cheers. The cheers get even louder when Eli proclaims that ‘drinks are on me.’ The screen turns black with the crowd gathering around their fearless leader.

The sun rises on Breezy Meadows. The meadow itself is gorgeous at this time of day. Frogs can be heard along with the chirping of birds. The small meadow remains still except for the occasional ripple caused by a fish coming up to grab an insect. The cameras pan away from the meadow and to a small group of people that are gathering. “Bulletproof: Eli Beazley is there already. In the distance, a horse-drawn carriage can be seen coming down the road. At the helm is a very tall, slender cowboy. He pulls back on the reins bringing the horse to a stop. This is James “Giggles” McGiggleton. Hanging out in the back of the carriage are several other people of various sizes and statures.

The carriage pulls up to the group and McGiggleton climbs down as the crowd gasps at the sight of the slender giant. Eli Beazley steps forward.

"Giggles, you have any last words?"

"We could be friends, Beazley. It's not too late."

Eli looks around and laughs.

"Maybe we could have been friends, Giggles. Maybe in a different situation, you and I could have hit it off. I remember what you were like before you met your friends and started letting Isaac run your life. I could have been friends with that guy but not the Giggles that stands before me today. The minute you decided to come after me and my gold badge was the minute that our potential friendship went out the window. I’ve worked too damn hard for this. I am not going to let Giggles and his band of fools take it from me. And honestly, Giggles. It’s not you. I like you. We all like you. You’re a talented guy. You’re charming in your own way. It’s just that your friends aren’t the best influence. You become a man that none of like when you’re with them. But I’m not your mother Giggles. I can’t just ground you from your friends and send you to your room. I’m the law and order in this town. And when you’ve got men causing trouble you have to solve it like men. Breezy Meadows can put up with a lot of stuff. We can deal with adversity but we’re not about to let someone come and take this from me. I have given up so much for this hunk of gold and for the people of Breezy Meadows. I’ve given up too damn much to let it all slip away to you.”

Eli pauses as the crowd murmurs.

“Giggles, when we do go face to face and draw our weapons it is going to be you that if left lying in the dirt. It is going to be you that regrets ever stepping up to try to take this from me.” Eli points to the gold on his chest. “I have had the success that I have had for a reason. I am damn good at what I do. I’ve locked eyes with men better than you. I went to toe to toe with Tsukiko and she could shoot circles around you. And Giggles every single one of them has fallen to Eli Beazley. Every single one. My record in these things is perfect. When the gold is on the line… I’m at my best. And Giggles, you’re about to find that out the hard way.”

“I admit that last week I was unfocused. I have been so concerned with Governor Ryan and his unfathomable rise to power. But Giggles, I learned my lesson last week when L Verez rolled in to town and smacked Breezy Meadows pretty good. But I have refocused. I am only concerned with one thing and Giggles, that’s you. So I say enough talk. Enough of the shenanigans. Let’s get to it.”

“You did most of the talking. But I suppose it is time. 15 paces?”

Eli nods. He and McGiggleton move together. They stand with their backs together. They each start moving forward counting their steps out loud. A hush falls over the crowd as they reach their 15th step. They slowly turn around. The bartender from the saloon steps forward.

“On my ‘Draw’. No sooner.”

The man steps back into the crowd. After a few seconds, he shouts out the word draw. Eli and McGiggleton both go for their pistols simultaneously. A puff of gray smoke erupts from the end of each revolver. Silence fills the air until finally… McGiggleton clutches his chest and falls to the ground. The crowd erupts and rushes over to Eli.

“And that’s why they call me “Bulletproof” Eli says with a grin as the mob continues to celebrate.

“BEAZLEY!!!” A voice cuts through the air. McGiggleton has climbed to his feet. He has his gun pointed directly at Eli. A gunshot rings out through the air. The growd gasps expecting Eli to drop but he remains unphased.

“GOT HIM!!!” we hear a voice call out as McGiggleton drops again. The camera pans over to find a man dressed in… well just look. He is holding a gun in one hand and a huge smile on his face.



“Grandpappy Beazley? What are you..

The screen switches to a shot of a sleeping Eli Beazley from modern times. He shoots up in his bed with his eyes wide."

“What a dream. Breazy Meadows? McGiggleton? I have got to stop drinking Boba tea before bed. 

Eli lays his head back down.

Fade to Black.