Corpse seller Zeb

By Caspar Hayes
EXT. Snow ridden forest - Day 1

We open on a snow-covered forest path; a carriage being pulled

by horses appears, it gallops through the forest, large
powerful black horses, they stomp into the ground, the
carriage being pulled behind is large, wooden, fitting for an
aristocrat, the curtains are pulled in, red in colour,
lanterns lit up front with a driver in a large fur coat and a
brim brown hat, at the back are two men dressed similar with
rifles. The people inside are of clear high class. The forest
is isolated from any sort of civilisation.

CAMERA PANNED BACK The carriage stops. It stopped next to a

MYSTERIOUS FIGURE sat on top of a steed, he looks as if he has
been waiting there for a long time, his get up includes a flat
brim black hat, a bearded face, a long brown leather coat, he
seems unarmed, next to him is an unholstered carriage with
four coffins laid on top. The door opens, out steps a grey fur
coated man with a round top hat, pencil moustache, he walks
out over to the mysterious figure, who is dismounting from his
steed.

THE MAYOR
Mr. Zeb!
He shouts to the mysterious figure stopping in front of him,
they’re equal in height, ZEB’S stature is more hunch compared
to the mayor.

THE MAYOR
Why don’t you step inside?
Zeb walks over to the carriage and sits inside; the mayor
follows behind and closes the carriage door.
INT. Mayor’s carriage

The inside of the carriage is with red leathered seats, a

small table with a lit candle, underneath is bottles of wine
and liquor. It’s very much the carriage of a successful mayor.
Zeb sits himself down, the mayor doing the same sitting
opposite to Zeb.
2
THE MAYOR
Now, I’m glad we could make a meeting today.

ZEB
Of course.

The mayor removes his hat and coat, getting comfortable.

THE MAYOR
Now. Zeb. Can I call you that?

Zeb nods, his mannerisms seem polite but with a slight edge to
him.
THE MAYOR
Perfect. Care for wine?

Zeb shakes his head politely with an affiliative smile on his

face. The mayor shuffles about putting the bottle he was going
to pour back.

THE MAYOR
Not a drinker. I respect that. Care for a smoke?
 ZEB
I prefer not to drink when talking about business.

The mayor slightly chuckles

THE MAYOR
Understandable. Alcohol relaxes the mind for some and helps
with focus. But I guess you prefer to live on the edge as they
would say.
3
Throughout these interactions you can tell the Mayor is subtly
flexing his power over Zeb. Zeb takes note of the rifle men
now standing outside the carriage by the side, they’re staring
in, they’re staring in.

THE MAYOR
Now. Zeb. That carriage out there you got, four coffins with
the bodies of my workers. Now as a man of business I
understand your position, you have a profession, man’s got to
eat. But... I fail to see how you had the right to shoot up 4
of my workers.

ZEB
Sir your four workers out there were recorded criminals, they
all had a bounty on their head.

THE MAYOR
Ah ha. Now, I can ensure you sir they had not committed any
crimes I am aware of.

Zeb gives a silent look, it’s not hostile but the mayor can
tell Zeb knows something.
The Mayor gives a blunt stare back at Zeb, they share a moment
of silence.
Zeb opens his jacket and pulls out a letter and places it on
the table. He says nothing but indicates the mayor should read
it. The mayor opens the letter.
The silence is deathly, the clock has been ticking subtly
throughout the scene.

CAMERA CLOSE-UP SHOT the mayor flips open the letter flap and
we see what is written on the letter:
4
NO VOICE OVER
“I have heard of your work, a bounty hunter. This letter is so
short as I want one thing from you, and I want it done soon.
My daughter was forced to be an escort for the mayor’s men,
they took advantage of her with the threat of her death. These
men are Michael Jove, Kurt Jove, two brothers as well as
Victor York and Quentin Beau. These men have taken my
daughter’s innocence. I will pay you what you need, you can
meet me in the bar in Telluride.”

There is no signature.

The Mayor’s expression has change, his composure has lessened.

He slowly places down the letter.

THE MAYOR
Well. Why didn’t they bring this issue to me? (his composure
has remained)

ZEB
As I’ve been aware these men have committed multiple crimes
across Colorado. And from my enquiries in town they had been
under your employment for a decent amount of time. In that
time had been informed of multiple cases of rape, improper
misuse of their weapons resulting in death.

THE MAYOR
And... Who have you gathered this information from?
Outside we see the driver take out a pistol.
Back inside:

ZEB
Few of the townsfolk. Best to gather information like this,
makes the bounty hirer if you can barter well knowing all of
this.
5
THE MAYOR
I don’t know what game you think you’re running but I am not
going to let my reputation be squandered by you. You’re an
intelligent man, I’m sure you’ve noticed the men outside with
their guns pointed at you.

Zeb was implied to have known this would happen since the
start, his composure remains too.

THE MAYOR
Now, what’s going to happen is you’re going to return those
coffins to me. You’re going to leave this place; you mention
it to anyone my men will find out where you are and you’ll die
here in Colorado.

Zeb remains silent, the mayor has closed in on his side of the
table.

THE MAYOR
Now step outside and leave the coffins with me.

Zeb complies and slowly steps out, the riflemen following

close behind. Zeb steps slowly, the mayor watching from the
comfort of his carriage. Zeb takes the 4 coffins individually,
the first one he takes and carries it to the mayor’s carriage,
then the second, the third and the fourth. He is careful and
slow as the riflemen pointed their guns at him.
 THE MAYOR 6
Now, you get on that horse of yours and leave.

Zeb does as he is told, he mounts his horse and leaves, the

empty wagon pulling behind, rocking slightly in the snow. He
goes up the hill, still in sight to the mayor, who has now
stepped out to open one of the coffins.

THE MAYOR
Shoot that bastard.

The mayor says to one of the riflemen.

They raise their gun, aiming Zeb in sight, his horse and him
still in sight, not too far to land a shot.
As he prepares to shoot the mayor opens one of the coffins.
An explosion goes off, exploding the carriage, the opening of
the coffin door was rigged to wire explosives, the mayor is
caught in the blaze, the driver too, the rifle men were set on
fire, they stumble around as the flames linger on them,
screaming.

Zeb from above looks back, a slight smirk he gives at the

sight. He rides up the hill and as we see the real bodies were
in bags placed at the hilltop.

END SCENE.