The Night of the Fatal Trap - Recap

A man in a black sombrero smokes outside of the Cane Fork Merchant’s Bank just after 1:10pm. He tosses the butt into the street and loosens the reins of several horses from the hitching post, then mounts his own horse. Several men back out of the bank. They wear bandannas over their faces and point guns through the bank door as they mount up and ride. Once riding, they fire several times into the air.

Down the street, the door to the Cane Fork Sheriff’s office opens and Sheriff Cantrell rushes out. Realizing immediately what happened, he takes a couple of shots as his deputy Charlie warns him the robbers are from the Vasquez gang. The sheriff and several deputies mount up hoping to catch the robbers before they can make the Mexican border, past which the sheriff cannot go. The chase goes on awhile but the robbers reach a muddy ford and cross the trickle-thin river to their side of the border, where Vasquez joins them. He sneers at Sheriff Cantrell and proclaims a Mexican standoff. Deputy Charlie moves to shoot at the gang, but the sheriff stops him, reminding him that Washington has said once the gang gets to its side of the border the law cannot touch them. Charlie asks what they should do, and Cantrell wryly notes that this is exactly what Washington asks him about once a week by telegram. Cantrell muses that perhaps it is time for him to send Washington a telegram, asking what they are going to do about Vasquez...

Sometime later, The Wanderer slows to a stop. Inside, Jim turns a printing press. He’s making wanted posters. Artie tells him to stop messing with the press because they have a real problem – another favor for President Grant – the Vasquez gang. Jim then asks Artie how you catch a rat, and Artie replies, “with a trap.” The wanted posters are part of Jim’s trap. Last week the law caught a desperado named Frank Slade in Missouri but officials have kept this a secret. The posters Jim has printed have his face instead of Slade’s; since Slade never operated near here, Vasquez does not know him by sight, so Jim can easily impersonate the outlaw. With Artie’s help, he’ll trap Vasquez.

Tennyson enters bearing a silver tray with a pot and several cups. Artie suggests Tennyson might go with Jim, but Tennyson wants no part of whatever adventure the Secret Service men are about. Jim, teasing, asks whether he’d do it for combat pay, and Tennyson archly replies that he’d need hazardous duty pay AND combat pay. Jim notes that a gentleman should never sell himself short and hands Tennyson one of the wanted posters so that he can see Jim has increased the reward for “Frank Slade” to $10,000.

Later, an old prospector (Artie in disguise) hands a wanted poster to Sergeant Gomez in Casa Verde, Mexico. He tells Gomez that the man on the poster is hiding not ten miles away, and suggests a split: $5,000 for each of them. The sergeant tells Artie that Slade has not broken the law in Casa Verde and that there is no extradition treaty. Artie points out that if something were to happen to Slade, there would be a corpse in Casa Verde worth $10,000 on delivery in Laredo. Then he suggests that the Sergeant, as sheriff, must be a good shot. The sergeant offers Artie a coin to wet his whistle and sends him off, keeping the wanted poster “to think about it.” Artie leaves, reminding the sergeant to remember where he got the poster.

Later, Artie, still disguised as “Mohave Mike,” regales a bartender with bad jokes, badly told. The man in the black sombrero enters and approaches the bar, where he tells Artie that Vasquez wants to see him. Artie starts to tell a story and the man emphasizes that Vasquez wants to see him now. Artie allows that he’ll go when he’s finished his beer and the man pours it out. At that point, Artie’s ready to go.

Artie and the man ride some distance across the badlands of Mexico to homestead. They dismount and a servant takes the reins of their horses. Inside, the man escorts “Mike” to see his boss Vasquez. Vasquez tells “Mike” how Sergeant Gomez was kind enough to bring the Frank Slade wanted poster to his attention, and asks “Mike” to confirm that Frank is in the area. “Mike” explains that he rode with Frank Slade back in Kansas and that’s how he knows him. Vasquez seems surprised that “Mike” would betray his friend and “Mike” explains that Frank was such a good friend that $10,000 is the least he could accept for his location. Vasquez next wants to know what Slade is doing so far from his usual haunts, but “Mike” cannot tell him. He does figure it’s some kind of business, because he caught wind that a fellow named Matthew Greeley checked into the Cane Fork Hotel, and that Greeley is a United States Treasury Department big shot. Vasquez asks “Mike” what he thinks and “Mike” replies that he doesn’t think anything – he just wonders.

A woman enters the room bearing a silver platter with a carafe of brandy and several glasses. She sees the Frank Slade wanted poster bearing Jim’s likeness and becomes pensive. As Vasquez and “Mike” share a brandy, she seems deep in thought.

At the Cane Fork Hotel (“Western Hospitality, No Credit”) Sheriff Cantrell and Greeley (actually Tennyson) talk for unseen ears. They speak of a telegram from Del Rio that arrived this morning, and of its contents. On the other side of the wall, Vasquez’ henchman uses a drinking glass to listen. He hears the men describe how a million dollars in gold bullion is on deposit at the Del Rio Merchants and Citizens Bank, and how they plan to deploy a prison van containing a half dozen deputies dressed as prisoners on Thursday...

Artie finishes transforming Jim into Frank Slade. Jim fears he isn’t ugly enough; Artie explains that he’ll have to feel the part – telling himself he’s ugly will make it seem so to others. Tennyson suggests a cast in the left eye but Artie tells Jim he doesn’t want to be too ugly – there’s likely a girl out there... Jim quickly dismisses Tennyson’s idea. Then he sends Artie back to Casa Verde before they miss him. Artie asks for hotel money, but Jim suggests that “Mohave Mike” would sleep in a livery stable, instead.

Elsewhere, the woman from Vasquez’ headquarters enters his office. She lights several candles and then searches his desk until she finds the wanted poster. She compares the picture on it to a newspaper clipping depicting Jim (identified as “Harrison Briggs”) with her at a gala Washington event...

Jim rides into Casa Verde as “Frank Slade” and pulls up outside the saloon. “Mike” emerges with Vasquez’ lieutenant and several other men. One of them comments that “Frank” is certainly ugly. Mike introduces them as Viper Black and Matthew, Mark, and Luke Dawson. “Frank” dismounts and pushes Viper Black aside so he can enter the saloon. “Mike” scuttles in after him, then runs back and tells the Vasquez men to follow him.

Inside, “Frank” stands by the bar and “Mike” approaches. “Frank” orders “Mike” to get him a room and “Mike” agrees, then “Frank” approaches the Vasquez men. “Mike” tells “Frank” that they just want to talk, so “Frank” invites them to do so, and they in turn explain that Colonel Vasquez wishes to speak with him, and that they will take him to see the colonel. He agrees; after he leaves the bar, a nervous “Mike” quaffs a shot and offers the barkeep one.

The men ride to Vasquez’ holding. As they dismount, a gunshot rings out and “Frank” drops into a crouch as he draws his own weapon. But the noise is simply Vasquez sharpening his aim by shooting at a wheel whose spokes are fitted with bottles. A servant operates the wheel to move the bottles for a greater challenge; “Frank” slips next to Vasquez and calmly shoots a bottle of his own. Vasquez comments that he could use a man with that skill but “Frank” is not for hire; he’s looking for a few men of his own. Vasquez wonders why “Frank” would hire men in Casa Verde but “Frank” evades the question and elaborates; he needs five or six good men who know the territory. To Vasquez, “Frank” sounds like a man with big plans; Vasquez savors big plans – and fine meals. He asks “Frank” to join him for dinner.

Inside, “Frank” displays rough manners, first asking if Vasquez won his trophies in a shooting contest. Vasquez explains that he once served Emperor Maximillian as a ranking officer and won his trophies as prizes of conquest – up until (as “Frank” ungently reminds him) he lost. “Frank’s” boorish behavior continues as he snaps the stem from a two hundred year old glass, offers a coin for a new one, then (upon learning its age) suggesting that Vasquez got his money’s worth.

The woman appears; Frank introduces her as Linda Medford. Although she clearly recognizes Jim, she accepts him as “Frank Slade.” Vasquez catches the hesitation and asks if the pair know each other. “Frank” dismisses it saying he has the sort of face people confuse with someone they know. They sit to table and “Frank’s” boorishness continues; he refuses to realize that the servant awaits his hat, then unfolds a pocket fork and eats salad with gusto and no finesse, ignoring the laid out utensils. He wipes his plate on his napkin. Linda clearly finds his behavior amusing while Vasquez finds it appalling.

Sometime later, as the servants take away the last course, Vasquez asks if “Frank” enjoyed the meal, and “Frank” allowed that it was “right good, right good.” A servant offers a cigar from a box but Vasquez sends him away, saying he has something far finer. He leaves and Linda leans forward, suggesting she could add some spice to the dinner party – a veiled threat to expose Jim. Loudly, he tells her the “food is fine.” They spar a bit before she complains he’s not worth $10,000 dead or alive, and he leaves the table, walking into the next room where Vasquez waits, thinking. Vasquez has a box of cigars from Cuba. “Frank” collects a few and then prepares to leave, but Vasquez asks him to stay so they can talk. Linda excuses herself with a headache and leaves up the stairs.

Vasquez reminds “Frank” that he needs five or six good men, and tells him the best men are his. Frank calmly says he’ll settle for second best, and Vasquez suggests that second best is a poor choice for appropriating a million dollars of Federal bullion. “Frank” is irate that Vasquez apparently knows his plans; Vasquez counters that it’s his business to know everything in this territory. And he knows that for what “Frank Slade” plans he needs the best men. And he needs Vasquez’ protection, also the best. “Frank” tells him to forget it. Vasquez then suggests that his own men might simply take the shipment with what they know, and “Frank” invites him to try. Del Rio swarms with Federal men. Vasquez realizes “Frank” has a plan and “Frank” confirms this, and says as well that it doesn’t include Vasquez or his men. Vasquez argues that it should, that “Frank” has the plan but he has the manpower and the sanctuary afterwards. “Frank” dislikes partnerships because they mean more than one leader; Vasquez allows that Frank should lead this operation. He concludes that separately they could accomplish only their own deaths, but together they might share a million. “Frank” remains unconvinced and Vasquez plays his final card: he reminds Frank of the bounty. “Frank” wonders if Vasquez is getting ideas, but Vasquez reassures him that he would never mishandle a guest in such rude fashion, but that others aware of the bounty might take advantage of the situation. He wonders if “Frank” can leave Casa Verde alive without protection.

“Frank” is reluctant but realizes he has few other options. He explains his plan. Upstairs, Linda listens at a curtain. Tomorrow morning a prison van will leave Cane Fork. It will have a guard and a driver and six more guards dressed as prisoners inside. Vasquez knows all this, and interjects that the van will collect the bullion in Del Rio and take it to San Antonio, then speculates that “Frank” plans to hit the van en route. But he’s wrong. “Frank” explains that the van must stop at a way station between Cane Fork and Del Rio for fresh horses – and that’s where “Frank” will be with Vasquez’ men. Vasquez corrects him; they will both be there with the men. “Frank” seems surprised, since he understood that Vasquez never crosses the border. For this prize, Vasquez explains, the reward is worth the risk.

When the van arrives, “Frank” and Vasquez and the men will take over, change uniforms and ride into Del Rio. They’ll take the gold and cross the border before anyone’s the wiser; Mohave Mike will drive. That gives Vasquez pause. He tells “Frank” that as commander this is his decision, but then explains how Mohave Mike recently and unsuccessfully tried to enlist Gomez in a plan to convert “Frank” into a corpse. “Frank” asks Vasquez if he’s sure, and Vasquez offers his word as an officer and a gentleman. Then he asks if “Frank” would like him to arrange Mike’s death. “Frank” explains that he doesn’t arrange deaths. He’ll handle it himself. Then he asks if Viper can drive. Assured he can, he assigns that post to Viper.

Artie brings a collection of prisoner’s uniforms to the sheriff’s office. There, he makes sure the men understand their role: when attacked, they play it up but with no gunfire. One of the men wonders why they don’t just attack the outlaws, and Artie replies that if he wants a gunfight he can have one – but following the plan, they’ll cage the men without gunfire. Cantrell offers his word that the agents can count on him and his men. As Artie leaves, Tennyson takes over assigning the uniforms...

“Frank” returns to his hotel room, and Linda Medford is there to put a gun in his back. He knows who she is; she hasn’t changed her scent. And she knows who he is... he hasn’t, either – it is polecat! She has him move to the center of the room, as he doffs his hat she turns up the light and scornfully addresses him as Harrison Briggs. Jim had almost forgotten that name; Linda tells him she’ll never forget it. Jim, for his part, will never forget the weeks in Washington, the moonlight on the Potomac, the Presidential Ball... She feels he swindled her; he reminds her of a picnic at Mount Vernon and how she bought the champagne. She reminds him that she paid for it with good money and he reminds her that it wasn’t quite as good as what they made at the mint. She asks after the counterfeit plates and learns the Secret Service got them when they picked up her old man, if that’s who he really was. She parries, suspecting he is not Harrison Briggs of Chambersburg. Jim moves slightly toward her; she tenses and reminds him she has the gun. Then she demands half. Jim seems to consider it as he begins undressing for bed, saying he has a busy day tomorrow. Then he asks “half of what” and she reveals that she overhead their plan, and wants half of his half – a quarter of a million in gold bullion. He’s incredulous, and she reminds him that her little “bang bang” can make a quarter inch hole. Jim accepts that and then asks what keeps him from agreeing and then running out on her, and she explains that she knows him. She knows his name isn’t Slade and probably isn’t Harrison Briggs, either, and she knows he’s a swindler and a thief and several other things she can’t mention, since she’s a lady, but she also knows that he doesn’t go back on his word.

Jim knows her, too. Her name isn’t Medford, and if a man kisses her he ought to have one arm around her and the other around his poke. And she can point a gun at a man but she won’t fire. By this point he has moved behind a screen and apparently finished disrobing. He emerges and she turns her back, but Jim has only removed parts of his Frank Slade costume. He confirms that she’s right – if he gives his word he’ll keep it, but he can’t give his word. Then he wonders why she needs money, since she’s found a pot of gold “at the end of Vasquez’ rainbow.” He takes her gun and lowers the hammer gently, then asks about Vasquez. It seems he was a king in Mexico City, but this is not Mexico City and Linda wants out. Jim realizes the truth is that she’s bored and she hates Vasquez so much she’d leave if she had the money to do it.

Linda plans to leave, and for a moment offers Jim the chance to come with her, but then realizes he wouldn’t. Somewhat lamely, he explains that there are reasons he cannot, and she almost believes him. She tells him he can make a girl feel like a queen and a fool at the same time. He promises that one day, she’ll have that picnic and he’ll bring the champagne. She peels off his mustache and slips it into her bag – insurance in case he has second thoughts about their deal.

Sometime later, Linda returns to Vasquez’ remote home. He watches her arrive from a partly open upstairs window. Downstairs, she lights candles and pours herself a drink. Vasquez creeps down the stairs behind her; she is not aware of him until he asks whether anything is wrong. She explains that she couldn’t sleep so she went for a ride; Vasquez nastily wonders if the ride was to Frank Slade’s hotel and she sarcastically agrees. She claims she got so bored she rode over and threw herself into Frank’s arms; Vasquez tells her he knows it wouldn’t be the first time – but that if she’s lying, it will be the last. He grabs her arm, hurting her and hauling her around to face him, demanding she look him in the eyes as he asks again. She tells him she did not go see Frank Slade again, and he hopes not for her sake. Then she explains that he’ll never know...

Vasquez tells her he should have left her in Mexico City, and when she asks why he did not, he explains a weakness: he had hoped to make a lady of her. She wonders how, in their dreary, over furnished cave. Vasquez then suggests that a lady in such poor accommodations needs a bodyguard, a confidant she can pour her heart out to. Someone gifted in the art of conversation. And Vasquez has just the man: Viper Black (who has not yet said anything to anyone!) Bitterly, she plays along, commenting at how considerate the gesture is. Vasquez summons Viper from the next room and explains that he’ll sleep like a faithful dog outside her door, because nothing is too good for Linda! Then he kisses her and bids her buenos noches.

The next morning, Viper and the Dawsons tend their horses as “Frank” and “Mike” arrive. Vasquez bids them buenos dias, and notes that “Frank” has shaved his mustache. “Frank” comments that he did it to make himself harder to recognize. “Mike” pipes up that “Frank” always keeps ‘em guessing. Vasquez sends Viper Black to guard Linda and assigns Mark Dawson to drive; Viper has a weakness for shooting people and additionally, Vasquez does not wish Linda left alone. He orders Viper to keep the señora in her room until he returns. “Frank” has no problem with the change in plans and prepares to ride, but Vasquez first wishes him to deal with a traitor – “Mike.” Frank says he’ll do it when they return but Vasquez will not ride with a man who would betray his partner, and demands “Frank” act now. “Frank” calls “Mike” over and explains how he heard “Mike” was shooting off his mouth to the law. “Mike” hems and haws a bit trying to explain until “Frank” orders him to draw, a contest “Mike” loses badly. Vasquez wants to put a bullet through “Mike’s” head (a suggestion that gives Artie a bad moment) but “Frank” feigns offense, wondering aloud whether Vasquez believes he can’t shoot straight. They ride off and leave “Mike” in the dirt.

The men ride to the way station between Cane Fork and Del Rio, where “Frank” dismounts and feigns a conversation with the stationmaster. “Frank” then feigns knocking the man out and carries him inside where he ties him up. Vasquez’ other men enter the stationhouse and man the windows.

Sometime later, the prison van arrives and the guard (Tennyson in disguise) calls to Charlie for the fresh horses. He dismounts the vehicle and enters the building, where “Frank” overpowers him and orders him to call the driver into the building. He does so, and the men easily overpower the driver, too. Then “Frank” calls into the van, explaining that he knows the men are armed and orders them to toss their weapons out lest he and the men with him fill the van full of lead. The men inside comply and “Frank” opens the door and orders them into the stationhouse. Inside, Vasquez’ man Mark Dawson has stripped the guard and driver of their uniforms and has retrieved the receipt that will permit them to collect the gold. And that’s when Vasquez puts a gun in “Frank’s” back. He’s changing the plan: Mark will ride with him, and “Frank” will ride in the back. He has what he needs and no longer requires “Frank” – but wants him along in case of trouble. He further comments that he makes it a point never to trust a stranger, a practice he suggests Frank would do well to have learned by this point.

Vasquez and Mark drive the van towards Del Rio, while Matthew and Luke keep their guns on “Frank” in the back.

Back at the station. Sheriff Cantrell manages to free himself and Tennyson, ordering him to free the men while Cantrell looks after the horses. Tennyson sends the men off, but lacking street clothes cannot go with them.

The van enters Del Rio. Vasquez tells Mark he’ll call when they’re ready to load, and also to have his brothers keep an eye on “Frank” – they know what to do if he makes trouble. Vasquez takes the receipt and enters Del Rio Merchants and Citizens Bank. Inside he finds a junior teller who knows nothing about the gold shipment (which is not surprising, since it is a fraud). He takes the receipt to the manager, his boss, whom he assures Vasquez will know what to do.

Elsewhere, the freed guards ride hard for Del Rio.

Inside the bank, Vasquez sees a wanted poster for Frank Slade – a real one – and realizes the trick “Frank” has played. He walks calmly out and then races to the van, ordering Dawson to ride. Nearby, Artie sees this and rides hard after them. Mark spots Artie and tries to whip him away, but Artie manages to snag the whip and pull Mark from the van. Three quick punches drop the man unconscious to the ground.

Inside, Jim moves slightly, drawing a warning from the Dawsons. Outside, Vasquez drives like the devil was chasing him; Artie remounts and races after them. The van races on. Inside, Jim carefully nudges his foot forward, and operates a catch that opens his hinged boot heel. A small glass vial drops out and rolls along the floor, lodging near Dawson’s foot. Jim suddenly twitches, and when Dawson flinches in response, he smashes the vial, releasing its contents. Jim holds his breath as the Dawson brothers eyelids go heavy and sag shut. Then he grabs a gun and shoots the lock from the back door. He climbs along the side of the van; Vasquez notices him and nearly dislodges him, breaking a piece of the railing in the process. Jim manages to haul himself onto the roof where he grabs Vasquez and wrestles with him. Several gunshots damage the traces. Jim hooks Vasquez to the broken rail by his expensive watch and leaps onto the left hand horse as the damaged traces part and team breaks free. With effort, Jim turns the horses. Vasquez is not so lucky; still unable to free himself, he and the Dawsons go over a cliff and into a ravine. By the time it reaches the bottom, the van is little more than kindling.

Moments later Artie arrives and asks if Jim is okay. Never better, replies the agent. And Vasquez? Looking down into the ravine, Jim comments that the outlaw bought a one way ticket.

Back aboard The Wanderer, Linda Medford notes that it’s Washington all over again. And that Jim has managed to escape again. He says he’s learned his lesson; crime is no kind of live, always involved in one shabby operation after another. Linda notes that the counterfeit plates were lost and the gold shipment got away, and wonders that Jim has done a remarkable job making success out of failure. Jim gestures at the car and says none of it belongs to him; it’s all the property of a business associate who obtained it legally. It kind of makes one stop and think, he concludes. Linda wonders about what and Jim elaborates – about going straight. For a moment, she wonders if they might “go straight” together, but Jim demurs, saying it would only be a reminder of their respective sordid pasts. She notes that life is easy for him with his business associates, but that she has no one. Twice she thought she did, and twice Jim showed up and they wound up in jail. She wonders where her “someone” is and Artie obliges with a bound and gagged Viper Black. She’s not sure what to do with the criminal until Jim notes that Sheriff Cantrell is offering a two thousand dollar reward – enough money for a new start. That’s when she realizes it’s the loveliest gift a girl could ever have. As The Wanderer pulls away, she pulls Jim into a kiss...

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