A Continual Feast/dialogues

[Uncle stands on a hilltop, looking through a spyglass.]

Marston: What are you looking at, old man?

Uncle: There's some mustangs and some such out there beyond that ridge. Wondering if it was worth it getting you and round some of them up...

Marston: Fair enough. We're nearly out of money, the ranch is in turmoil, we may not make it through the winter. What could we possibly want with some good quality horses? Come on.

Uncle: That tone of voice ain't so becoming on you. Makes you seem all pent up and angry, like some Blackwater would-be business tycoon with a bad case of hemorrhoids.

Marston: I'll give you a bad case of someone just shot me in the head if you don't hurry up.

[They mount up.]

Marston: What were you going to do? Just look at them horses all day?

Uncle: Well, God forbid I do anythin' round here without checkin' with his royal highness first.

Marston: Yeah, you're real good at watchin'. That's about all you're good for apart from bendin' you elbow.

Uncle: I can't do right for doin' wrong. You're an ungrateful bastard, you know. I did my best when you was gone.

Marston: Your best is like anybody else's worst.

Uncle: Come on, I'm gettin' old. I gotta start takin' things easy.

Marston: You've been takin' things easy for forty years.

[Marston catches three.]

Marston: I think that's enough for now. Let's get them back to the ranch.

Uncle: That weren't half bad for a couple of old reprobates.

Marston: I learned a few things while I was away.

Uncle: Anythin' you wanted to know, you only had to ask me.

Marston: You? What the hell do you know about any of this?

Uncle: I was a rancher myself back in the day.

Marston: Firstly, I don't believe you. And secondly, if you was, why have you been hidin' it all these years?

Uncle: You act like I never do anythin'. I do plenty.

Marston: You're asleep half the day, and the other half you're so drunk you couldn't hit the ground with your hat in three throws.

Uncle: I've taught you a few things, John Marston.

Marston: Like how to steal beer when the bartender's not lookin' and piss without takin' down your pants.

Uncle: All useful skills, partner.

[They arrive back at the ranch.]

Uncle: Look at these here horses. Like cream gravy. It sure will be nice to have some money in our pockets.

Marston: Any money we make it goin' straight back into this ranch, not down your gullet. Make sure there's enough fresh hay. We need to keep 'em strong.

Uncle: Alright, damn, a little gratitude wouldn't kill you. Not a bad day's work.