The Moor's Revenge - Recap

Actors Charles Matthews and Victoria Vestris are performing The Tragedy of Othello in San Francisco as Paladin applauds from his personal booth. He sends them flowers and they look up to acknowledge his gift and his invitation to dinner. Over supper, they thank him for making their stay in San Francisco so pleasant. They inform him that they're heading for San Diego for its annual Round-Up, where they've been invited to play some scenes while the rest of their company heads east. Paladin warns that San Diego is a dangerous place but the actors are more amused than frightened. They insist that all audiences are receptive to Shakespeare and invite him to catch one of their shows. Once they leave, Paladin checks the advertisement for the actors' San Diego performance and sends his card to their manager, Lucien Bellingham.



Later in San Diego, Paladin meets with Bellingham and offers his services as a bodyguard. The manager admits that the sheriff disappears when the actors perform and trouble ensues. As Bellingham takes Paladin to see someone in the saloon, the gunslinger notices a poster of Victoria in provocative clothing. The man Bellingham wants Paladin to meet is Ben Jackson, an old "friend." Jackson is admiring a life-size poster of Victoria, and Bellingham explains that Jackson has been there for two days. Jackson plans to meet with Victoria herself when she arrives and warns Paladin to stay out of his way. As Bellingham pours Paladin a drink, the gunslinger warns that Victoria won't be happy with the posters. The manager admits he wouldn't mind some shooting if it makes money, and Paladin says he'll think about it.



Charles and Victoria arrive at the saloon and find it much quieter then Paladin claimed. However, they're shocked to see Bellingham's advertisements billing Charles as a comedian and Victoria as a temptress. As they go inside and start ripping apart the posters, Bellingham warns Paladin that Jackson is angered by Charles ripping up Victoria's posters. He finally fires a shot and Victoria begs him to stop. He agrees but tells Charles to keep away from him. Paladin steps forward and tells them to get to their hotel. Once they leave, Jackson warns Bellingham that he'll shoot the manger if Victoria leaves town, and then leaves with his men. As Jackson goes, he warns that he'll be back that night. Bellingham doubles Paladin's fee if he'll stay on, make sure the actors perform, and keep the saloon undamaged, and Paladin says he'll do what he can.



Paladin goes to the hotel and Charles tells him that they're going to stay. Charles has written a statement for the press announcing that they have no plans to deprive the citizens of Shakespeare just because of Bellingham and Jackson. The newspaper was glad to publish it, and even added some incendiary comments about Jackson. Paladin tries to warn them that Jackson is a ruthless gunman and Charles starts to take him seriously. Victoria doesn't and figures Paladin wants to send them home with a Wild West story. She figures he's only in costume for the Cattle Run. Charles swallows his doubts and promises to knock Jackson down if he interferes.



Bellingham finds Jackson and offers Jackson a job to keep the peace. The gunman accepts for the same fee as Paladin's.

At the saloon, people are reading the newspaper announcing the actors plan to defy Jackson. When Paladin arrives, he talks to Jackson, who warns that the real show will come later. He explains that Bellingham hired him to keep the peace, and Charles is breaking the peace. Jackson plans to do his job. Bellingham tries to announce the show but everyone starts yelling so he tells the actors to begin.

As Charles performs over Victoria's recumbent body, Jackson takes offense and draws his gun. Paladin disarms him with a chair and the two men fight brawl. Paladin finally tosses a gun to Charles and invites him to open fire. The rest of the audience backs off and Bellingham trips and fires a shot, dispersing the tension. Paladin asks Jackson to let the actors finish the show and then they'll have the gunfight afterward. Jackson agrees but insists they perform on the floor. The actors rise to the challenge while Paladin feigns a bruised hand.



The actors continue their performance and the cowboys are entranced. Jackson takes offense when a crying drunk interrupts the performance briefly. Afterward, Jackson tells Paladin it's time to resolve their gunfight. He's reluctant to do so after seeing Charles and Victoria perform, but has to keep up his reputation. Paladin informs him that Charles and Victoria are married. Jackson is surprised and everyone else is amused. Jackson hastily backs out of the gunfight, citing Paladin's injured hand and how he doesn't want to take advantage. He assures Paladin there'll be another time. Charles and Victor proceed with a new scene. Later, a smiling Paladin takes the stagecoach out of town.



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