Crack-Up {reused script} | Gunsmoke (10-16-60)

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast: Episode Summary

Episode: Crack-Up {reused script} | Gunsmoke (10-16-60)
Host: Andrew Rines
Release Date: August 3, 2025

---

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Old Time Radio Westerns, host Andrew Rines transports listeners back to the tumultuous days of Dodge City with a riveting installment of the classic radio drama Gunsmoke. Featuring the steadfast Marshal Matt Dillon, the episode delves into the dark underbelly of frontier justice as Dillon confronts a menacing gunman, Nate Springer.

---

Setting the Scene

The episode opens in the heart of Dodge City, where Matt Dillon (voiced by William Conrad) maintains law and order amidst growing tensions. The atmosphere is thick with anticipation as news of a dangerous gunman, Nate Springer, begins to surface.

---

Introduction of the Antagonist

Around the [08:03] mark, Sam, a local doctor, approaches Marshal Dillon with alarming information about Nate Springer. He recounts Springer's unsettling behavior and violent tendencies, painting him as a formidable threat to the peace of Dodge City.

Sam: "He's the most nerveless gunman that ever lived. He's all ice... he never wanted to die without saying what it was like."
[09:01]

This revelation sets the stage for the central conflict of the episode—Dillon's pursuit of Springer to prevent further bloodshed.

---

Tensions Rise at the Barbershop

Springer enters the local barbershop, stirring unease among the townsfolk. His aggressive demeanor towards the barber, Nate Springer, underscores his volatile nature.

Springer: "I want to know why he was doing it... I want to know why you were staring at me."
[11:40]

Dillon, ever vigilant, observes Springer's interactions, noting his erratic behavior and the potential for imminent violence.

---

Strategizing the Confrontation

As Springer continues to wreak havoc—nearly shooting a young woman and displaying increasingly reckless actions—Marshal Dillon realizes that waiting passively could lead to tragedy. He decides to take proactive measures to confront Springer.

Dillon: "The only way to stop this killing is to find out who that is."
[18:11]

Dillon enlists the help of Sam to surveil Springer, determining that immediate action is necessary to safeguard the town.

---

Climactic Showdown

The tension culminates in a dramatic encounter between Dillon and Springer. As Springer confronts Dillon with threats, Dillon remains resolute, challenging Springer to a duel of wits and willpower rather than immediate violence.

Springer: "I feel like it. Now let's draw."
[25:35]

Dillon: "I didn't think you would. Then be out before dark, Springer. And don't come back."
[22:31]

Their verbal sparring reflects the deep-rooted conflict between law and lawlessness, highlighting Dillon's commitment to justice without succumbing to brutality.

---

Resolution and Aftermath

In the aftermath of their confrontation, Springer reveals his motives, admitting to personal turmoil and a desperate need to regain his nerve. Dillon's empathetic yet firm approach underscores his leadership and understanding of human frailty.

Springer: "I did hire me. I had to face somebody like you. Did get my nerve back."
[26:37]

The episode concludes with Dillon reaffirming his dedication to Dodge City, ensuring that peace prevails despite the challenges faced.

---

Key Themes and Insights

• Justice vs. Vengeance: Dillon embodies the thin line between upholding the law and seeking personal revenge, choosing the former despite provocations.
• Redemption and Understanding: The interaction between Dillon and Springer highlights opportunities for understanding and redemption, even for the most troubled individuals.
• Community and Vigilance: The episode emphasizes the importance of community vigilance and the role individuals play in maintaining societal order.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Sam on Springer’s Reputation:

  "He's the most nerveless gunman that ever lived. He's all ice."
  [09:02]

• Dillon on Completing the Job:

  "The only way to stop this killing is to find out who that is."
  [18:11]

• Springer’s Challenge:

  "I feel like it. Now let's draw."
  [25:35]

• Dillon’s Ultimatum:

  "Then be out before dark, Springer. And don't come back."
  [22:31]

---

Conclusion

This episode masterfully captures the essence of frontier justice and the perpetual struggle between order and chaos. Through stellar voice acting and a tightly woven narrative, Old Time Radio Westerns brings Gunsmoke to life, offering listeners an immersive journey into the rugged landscapes of the Wild West. Marshal Matt Dillon's unwavering resolve serves as a beacon of hope and integrity in a land fraught with danger and uncertainty.

Transcript

[Sam]

Mmm.

[Matt Dillon]

Ooh.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Whatcha eating?

[Doc Adams]

The new banana split cookie from AM pm. All freshly baked with real butter with banana, chocolate and strawberry flavors.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Ah, that sounds amazing. Can I have a bite?

[Doc Adams]

I'm sorry, but no. But you can't split the banana split.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Not even a little.

[Doc Adams]

Not even a crumb.

[Chester Proudfoot]

What if.

[Doc Adams]

No, please.

[Matt Dillon]

Mine.

[Kitty]

When it's too legit to split. That's cravenience. Get a 3 pack for 99 cents with our app ampm. Too much good stuff plus tax where applicable. Prices and participation may vary. Terms and conditions apply.

[Chester Proudfoot]

What do you think makes the perfect snack?

[Doc Adams]

Hmm, it's gotta be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Could you be more specific?

[Doc Adams]

When it's cravinient.

[Sam]

Okay.

[Doc Adams]

Like a freshly baked cookie made with real butter available right down the street at a.m. p.m. Or a savory breakfast sandwich I can grab in just a second at AM pm.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I'm seeing a pattern here.

[Doc Adams]

Well, yeah, we're talking about what I.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Crave, which is anything from AM pm.

[Doc Adams]

What more could you want?

[Kitty]

Stop by AM pm where the snacks and drinks are perfectly craveable and convenient. That's cravenience. AM pm Too much. Good stuff.

[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines and I'm excited to bring you another episode absolutely free. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. Now let's get into this episode.

[Matt Dillon]

Around Dodge City and in the territory on west, there's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. marshal and the smell of gun smoke. Gun Sport, starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America and the story of a man who moved with it. I'm that man. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal, the first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancy job and it makes a man watchful and a little lonely.

[Chester Proudfoot]

M whatcha eating?

[Doc Adams]

The new banana split cookie from AM pm. All freshly baked with real butter with banana, chocolate and strawberry flav.

[Chester Proudfoot]

That sounds amazing. Can I have a bite?

[Doc Adams]

I'm sorry, but no. But you can't split the banana split.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Not even a little.

[Doc Adams]

Not even a crumb.

[Chester Proudfoot]

What if.

[Doc Adams]

No, please.

[Matt Dillon]

Mine.

[Kitty]

When it's too legit to split. That's cravenience. Get a 3 pack for 99 cents with our app AM PM too much good stuff plus tax where applicable. Prices and participation may vary in terms of conditions apply.

[Nate Springer]

Well, Marshall Dillon. Come in. Marshall, come in.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, teeters. You got Time to get me a haircut. I think I kind of need one.

[Nate Springer]

Yes, You're. You're the only customer I've had in an hour, Marshall. Just hang your coat and your gun belt right over there, and I'll get things ready for you.

[Matt Dillon]

All right?

[Nate Springer]

Yeah.

[Matt Dillon]

I haven't seen you around town lately, Marshall. I've been over in Abilene for a week. I just got back late last night.

[Nate Springer]

You must have come in on the midnight Steve.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, that's right.

[Nate Springer]

I sure wish I could get out of Dodge once in a while.

[Matt Dillon]

Not the way I do it, you wouldn't. You'll just be glad that you can stay here.

[Nate Springer]

Titters. Yeah, maybe you're right, Marshall. All right.

[Matt Dillon]

Isn't this a new chair you've got?

[Nate Springer]

Yes, sir, that's the finest barber's here west of St. Louis. Wow.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, well, well. That's pretty fancy.

[Nate Springer]

You betcha. Try it. Now, you comfortable?

[Matt Dillon]

I'll tell you after I find out if you've raised your prices to pay for it.

[Nate Springer]

And here, let me get this cloth over you. Here we are. Yeah. Haircut still quarter, Marshall? A shave too tight around your neck?

[Matt Dillon]

No, it's okay. What about shaves?

[Nate Springer]

Price of a shave is going up a dime, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

A dime?

[Nate Springer]

Now, Marshall, you wouldn't want to stay in the way of progress for the sake of a dime, would you?

[Matt Dillon]

Whose progress?

[Nate Springer]

Well, anyway, you don't need a shave. Not today, anyway.

[Matt Dillon]

That's a good thing.

[Nate Springer]

Just take a chair there, stranger. I'll be with you in a few minutes. In a few minutes? Yep, you're next. Right in line, barber. What? I ain't next. Why, of course you are. Ain't nobody ahead of you. I said I ain't next. You mean you won't wait? That's right. I won't wait. Oh, sure you will.

[Sam]

I work fast.

[Nate Springer]

It won't be longer than 10 minutes at the most. Now, you. You don't understand. I want to shave. I want it right now. You can cut his hair later. What? You heard me. Now, look, mister, you don't know who you're. Shut up, Taters. Get out of that chair, mister.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Taters, take the sheet off of me.

[Nate Springer]

All right. Here.

[Matt Dillon]

Okay, monsieur, I'm out.

[Nate Springer]

They move. I want to sit down.

[Matt Dillon]

You don't quite understand.

[Nate Springer]

I don't understand what?

[Matt Dillon]

I didn't get out of that chair so you could have it.

[Nate Springer]

You're gonna be troublesome, ain't you?

[Sam]

Mm.

[Nate Springer]

There's not much you can do about it, isn't there?

[Matt Dillon]

You don't see very well, mister.

[Nate Springer]

What?

[Matt Dillon]

I'm not wearing a gun. It's hanging on the wall over there. Oh, you're gonna shoot an unarmed man in front of a witness?

[Nate Springer]

Go get your gun. Put it on. No. Do it.

[Matt Dillon]

You lick, mister. How you gonna make me do it? By shooting me.

[Nate Springer]

Put your gun.

[Matt Dillon]

I don't like killings. But if you don't turn around and walk out that door, I'm gonna half kill you with my fist. Now you get moving.

[Nate Springer]

All right, you got me this time. The next time you'll be wearing a gun. It'll be something different then. My goodness, Marshall, you took an awful chance here.

[Matt Dillon]

Who was he?

[Nate Springer]

I don't know. I never saw him before. But he might have killed you. Marshall, that had been murder.

[Matt Dillon]

He got hung for murder. Why don't you quit shaking and let's get this haircut over with? He won't be back.

[Sam]

Hello, Miss Dawn.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, Chester.

[Nate Springer]

I was looking for you.

[Matt Dillon]

I've been right here in the office past half hour.

[Sam]

I know you have. I went by the barbershop and Teeters told me. And he also told me how you handled that fellow.

[Nate Springer]

Now, today, Peter's described him to him.

[Sam]

Mr. Dillon, I know who he is.

[Matt Dillon]

You do?

[Sam]

Come here by a week ago, just after you went Albling.

[Matt Dillon]

What's his name?

[Sam]

Springer. Nate Springer.

[Matt Dillon]

What?

[Sam]

That's right.

[Matt Dillon]

Are you sure that was Nate Springer?

[Sam]

Well, couldn't have been nobody else. But why? You said you don't know him.

[Matt Dillon]

I don't, but I've heard about him.

[Nate Springer]

You have? Where?

[Matt Dillon]

All over, mate. Springer's got quite a reputation.

[Sam]

As a gunman, you mean?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, he's a gunman all right. They say he's the most nerveless gunman that ever lived. He's all ice. Pat Masterson told me once that out in Arizona a man got the drop on him and Springer started to laugh.

[Sam]

Laugh?

[Matt Dillon]

He asked him what he was laughing about. Springer said he never had before. And he didn't want to die without saying what it was like.

[Sam]

Oh, my. What happened?

[Matt Dillon]

It's kind of hard to shoot a man who's enjoying his first laugh.

[Nate Springer]

Chester.

[Sam]

I'll be darned. What do you reckon he's doing in Dodge?

[Matt Dillon]

Springer's a killer. A paid killer. That's all he's ever done anywhere.

[Sam]

Well, then why don't you go arrest him?

[Matt Dillon]

He's not wanted. That I know of. There are no circulars out on him.

[Sam]

Well, but you can't just wait till he kills somebody.

[Nate Springer]

No.

[Matt Dillon]

And I can't put him in jail till he does.

[Sam]

You got time for another cup of coffee, Matt?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, take time, Doc.

[Sam]

Good. Here you are.

[Matt Dillon]

Thanks.

[Sam]

Well, things pretty wild up in Abilene.

[Matt Dillon]

It's still a camp with a hair on, Doc.

[Sam]

Worse than Dodge?

[Matt Dillon]

No, I wouldn't say that.

[Sam]

But I'll stay here.

[Nate Springer]

Why?

[Matt Dillon]

You're usually complaining about Dodge.

[Sam]

I'm thinking of business, Matt. Business? What's there to do in a peaceful town? Aside from delivering a baby now and then or setting a broken leg?

[Matt Dillon]

You sound pretty bloodthirsty, Doc.

[Sam]

I don't do the shooting, Matt. It's men like that Nate Springer that you were telling me about.

[Matt Dillon]

Doc? Yeah? Nate Springer's sitting over there in the corner.

[Nate Springer]

He is?

[Sam]

Where?

[Matt Dillon]

Right over there, along with his back to the wall.

[Sam]

Oh, yes, yes, yes. Well, he looks like a killer.

[Nate Springer]

Or he is.

[Sam]

Did you see how he keeps looking around there? It's like he thinks everybody in this room's his enemy.

[Matt Dillon]

Man like that doesn't have friends.

[Sam]

He doesn't even take his hat off. You see there? He's all ready to shoot and jump out of the door. How can he eat if he doesn't even look at his plate? Oh, he's getting up, man. He's coming this way.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Sam]

He hasn't finished his dinner.

[Matt Dillon]

You better turn around.

[Sam]

Okay, but you keep your eye on him. I don't like that, man.

[Nate Springer]

Where are you? Hey, you.

[Sam]

Me?

[Nate Springer]

What was you staring at me for?

[Sam]

I wasn't staring at you.

[Nate Springer]

No man stares at me without a reason. I don't like it. I want to know why he was doing it.

[Sam]

Well, now, look here, mister. You're getting all upset over nothing. You ruin your dinner working yourself up.

[Nate Springer]

Tell me why you were staring at me. I'll put a hole in you. I'll do it. Well, you're awful jumpy for a big gunman.

[Matt Dillon]

Tell me.

[Nate Springer]

I said hold it.

[Matt Dillon]

Springer, this is Doc Adams. He doesn't carry a gun.

[Nate Springer]

He doesn't?

[Sam]

No. But sometimes I wish I did.

[Matt Dillon]

Wait a minute, Doc.

[Nate Springer]

You getting into this, mister?

[Matt Dillon]

I am.

[Nate Springer]

Who are you, anyway?

[Matt Dillon]

Matt Dillon.

[Nate Springer]

Matt Dillon? That's right. I knew I'd run into you sooner or later.

[Matt Dillon]

Why?

[Nate Springer]

In my line of work, there's always some law man wanting to interfere. Sure.

[Matt Dillon]

It'll happen here, Springer. You kill anybody, fair fight's a fair fight, ain't it? Not when you're paid to pick a fight with a man.

[Nate Springer]

Like I said, Marshall, I knew I'd run into you.

[Matt Dillon]

Springer, when I find out who you're after, I can probably Find out who's paying you. Then I'll jail you and him both.

[Nate Springer]

But you're going to lose a lot of sleep trying to find out. Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

I can stand it. You're the one that needs sleep, Springer. A lot of it. Without any bad dreams.

[Nate Springer]

I.

[Sam]

Looks like a man of ice is starting to melt. Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Something's happening to him, Doc. Whatever it is, it isn't good.

[Chester Proudfoot]

What do you think makes the perfect snack?

[Doc Adams]

Hmm, it's gotta be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Could you be more specific?

[Doc Adams]

When it's cravinhe.

[Nate Springer]

Okay.

[Doc Adams]

Like a freshly baked cookie made with real butter, available right down the street at a.m. p.m. Or a savory breakfast sandwich I can grab in just a second at a.m. p.m.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I'm seeing a pattern here.

[Doc Adams]

Well, yeah, we're talking about what I crave.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Which is anything from AM PM what.

[Doc Adams]

More could you want?

[Kitty]

Stop by AM PM where the snacks and drinks are perfectly craveable and convenient. That's cravenience am pm too much. Good stuff.

[Narrator]

Got a 2013-2018 Ram with a Cummins diesel. Well, you're about to get paid. Complete your emissions recall 67A and get a $200 cash card, a free warranty extension and up to 13 chances to win $10,000. That's how you win, win and win again. Visit CumminsWin.com to learn more. No purchase necessary. US residents, excluding New York 18 and old. Complete service by August 23rd. C [e-mail].

[Matt Dillon]

Get in.

[Sam]

I didn't see you, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Why don't you sit down? See if you got time.

[Sam]

Oh, I don't have to go to work till after sundown. Guess I might as well sit here and watch Front street with you. As anything else.

[Matt Dillon]

Good little air is good for you.

[Sam]

A lot of it would be even better.

[Matt Dillon]

You know, Kitty, you ought to buy a horse.

[Sam]

Huh?

[Matt Dillon]

Take a ride up the river every day or so.

[Sam]

I'm too broke.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I'll lend you one. I got a little bay that's pretty gentle.

[Sam]

Imagine having more than one horse.

[Matt Dillon]

That's about all the government does give me, Kitty. A couple of cheap horses.

[Sam]

I've seen you riding your arm.

[Matt Dillon]

I gotta keep him in shape in case I decide to quit.

[Sam]

The day you quit, that horse will be as old as a man.

[Matt Dillon]

You may be right.

[Sam]

Hey look man.

[Nate Springer]

What?

[Sam]

There. Walking down the middle of the street.

[Nate Springer]

Springer.

[Sam]

Now who'd expect a man like Springer to have a little yellow dog?

[Matt Dillon]

I don't know that the dog's his kitty. Maybe he's just following him.

[Sam]

He's right at his heel.

[Matt Dillon]

I don't think Springer knows it.

[Sam]

He's trying to sniff. Snap. He shot him. Poor little dog. He didn't do anything.

[Matt Dillon]

I'll be back, Kenny.

[Nate Springer]

Well, what do you want, Marshall? Just a dog.

[Matt Dillon]

You think he was going to bite you?

[Nate Springer]

He might have. How did I know? I didn't know what it was. Could have been anything or anybody, huh? I knew it wasn't a man.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, but you just said. Who cares what I said?

[Nate Springer]

That dog shouldn't have been sniffing around.

[Matt Dillon]

Not around you, that's for sure. Well, why don't you go get a drink, Springer? I think maybe you need one.

[Nate Springer]

I don't drink, Marshall. Never.

[Matt Dillon]

You don't have any vices, do you.

[Sam]

Marshall?

[Nate Springer]

Huh?

[Matt Dillon]

Yep.

[Nate Springer]

Nothing. Go ahead.

[Sam]

Matt. Is he crazy or something?

[Matt Dillon]

I don't know, Kitty.

[Sam]

Well, he's the meanest man I ever saw.

[Matt Dillon]

He didn't shoot that dog out of meanness, Kitty.

[Sam]

No? Well, why then?

[Matt Dillon]

He's jumpy.

[Sam]

Well, if he's that jumpy, nobody need worry about him.

[Matt Dillon]

I worry about him.

[Sam]

Kidding you.

[Matt Dillon]

He's dangerous. He's more dangerous now than the way everybody tells me he used to be.

[Sam]

What do you mean?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, suppose that instead of a dog smelling at his heel, it'd been a man who had happened to bump into him.

[Sam]

I'd hate to be the man. He'd probably get killed.

[Matt Dillon]

That's right.

[Sam]

Then Springer shouldn't be carrying a gun. Mess.

[Nate Springer]

Yes, I know.

[Sam]

Well, why didn't you take it off him or run him out of town?

[Matt Dillon]

If I did that, whoever's paying him would just hire another gunman.

[Nate Springer]

Kidding.

[Matt Dillon]

The only way to stop this killing is to find out who that is.

[Sam]

Well, I hope you do before it's too late.

[Matt Dillon]

That night I had Chester follow Springer around and keep an eye on him. But all he did was buck the faro bank for a few hours and then go to bed earlier than the most respectable citizens. Next day, Chester went back to trailing him while I sat in the office and tried to figure a way to trap him into telling me who'd hired him. But mid afternoon I was no further than when I'd started. The only idea I had was to choke it out of him. Yeah, what is it, Chester?

[Sam]

That mate Springer, he. He dug on there.

[Nate Springer]

Shot a girl over there.

[Matt Dillon]

What?

[Sam]

One of the girls were at the long branch.

[Matt Dillon]

What do you mean he almost shot her?

[Sam]

Well, he stayed in his room at the Dodge house. All morning.

[Matt Dillon]

So just never mind that. What about the girl?

[Sam]

That's what I'm getting to. Well, just afternoon he went over at the long branch and started gambling. He was setting at a table in the corner with his back again. One of them wooden windows, you know. And one of the girls that works there, well, I guess she needed a breath of air. So she slipped in behind Springer's chair and started opening that shutter.

[Matt Dillon]

I wonder she got that far.

[Sam]

He just won. He was raking in a pot. But when he heard her. I never see a man move so fast, Mr. Dillon. That poor girl near about fainted the way he jumped around at her.

[Matt Dillon]

She's lucky she didn't get shot.

[Sam]

He had a six gun stuck right in her face. He was within a hair letting go of that hammer. And when he seen who it was, he started cussing her something fierce.

[Matt Dillon]

He's getting worse.

[Sam]

Yeah, and he's going to kill somebody. Sure acting a fool that way. Yeah, and there probably won't even be the one come here to kill neither. Imagine him about to shoot a woman.

[Matt Dillon]

I guess I can't wait any longer, Chester.

[Nate Springer]

What are you gonna do?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I'm gonna shame him first. That doesn't make him talk. I'm gonna have to run him out of town. All.

[Nate Springer]

Right.

[Sam]

Ms. Jones. I can't help thinking all your friends who told you about Nate Springer was mighty poor judges. He's about the uncoolest gunman I ever saw.

[Matt Dillon]

I agree about that, sister.

[Sam]

Who was it told you about him last?

[Matt Dillon]

I don't remember.

[Nate Springer]

Been two or three years maybe.

[Sam]

Just a lot of rumors. You know how the talk gets to started sometime.

[Matt Dillon]

Wyatt Earp was the first man who told me about him when we got inside. Here, you go to the bar and you stay there, huh?

[Sam]

Yonder ears, Ms. John.

[Matt Dillon]

I see him. Spring ringer. Come over here.

[Nate Springer]

You're interrupting my game. Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Your game's over. Springer, if we could.

[Nate Springer]

What does that mean? Get out of Dodge.

[Matt Dillon]

What if you've been paid in advance? You better give him back his money. You're not gonna earn it.

[Nate Springer]

You're saying I ain't?

[Matt Dillon]

It's an hour to sundown. Be out of town before dark.

[Nate Springer]

A long time since a man's talked to me like that, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

How long's it been since a dog scared you into shooting him? Or since you drew on a woman? You've lost your nerve, Spinger. You're not gonna kill anybody.

[Nate Springer]

Shut up.

[Matt Dillon]

I'll shut up if you tell me who hurt you.

[Nate Springer]

No. No.

[Matt Dillon]

Then who Are you supposed to kill?

[Nate Springer]

I won't tell you.

[Matt Dillon]

I didn't think you would. Then be out before dark, Springer. And don't come back.

[Nate Springer]

Ever.

[Narrator]

Got a 2013-2018 Ram with a Cummins diesel? Well, you're about to get PA complete your emissions recall 67A and get a $200 cash card, a free warranty extension, and up to 13 chances to win $10,000. That's how you win, win and win again. Visit CumminsWinWin.com to learn more. No purchase necessary. US residents, excluding New York, 18 and old. Complete service by August 23rd. C [e-mail].

[Sam]

Hello, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Doc.

[Sam]

What do you stand out here for? Why aren't you inside with your feet on your desk the way you usually are?

[Matt Dillon]

I'm waiting for somebody, Doc.

[Sam]

Oh. Oh, you sound serious.

[Matt Dillon]

Nate Springer, Doc. He's got about 20 minutes.

[Nate Springer]

Leave town.

[Sam]

Was that so? Well, you. You finally had to come around here.

[Matt Dillon]

He's still on the long branch over there. If he doesn't come out before dark, I'm going in after him.

[Sam]

Well, there comes somebody.

[Nate Springer]

Huh?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, that's Chester.

[Sam]

Oh, yes. Is there going to be a shooting mat?

[Matt Dillon]

I doubt it, Doc. Springer's already back down.

[Sam]

Well, you never know. I'm gonna get my things ready just in case.

[Nate Springer]

Yeah, sure, Doctor.

[Sam]

Mr. Dunn, I thought I'd better come.

[Nate Springer]

Tell you what, Chester.

[Sam]

Springer's been bellied up to the bar over in the long branch for the last half hour.

[Nate Springer]

He has? Yes, sir.

[Sam]

Been drinking down one glass after another.

[Matt Dillon]

Doc was right. You never know what he's getting ready to use his gun. Chester. I'm going over and stop him.

[Sam]

Look, he just come out.

[Nate Springer]

Yeah.

[Sam]

He'S headed this way.

[Matt Dillon]

You stay here.

[Nate Springer]

Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

I thought you didn't drink, Springer.

[Nate Springer]

I never did before.

[Matt Dillon]

You started too late. You haven't time to find your man. You're leaving town.

[Nate Springer]

I've found him. What? You, Marshall. It's you I'm going to kill.

[Matt Dillon]

Who had you? Springer.

[Nate Springer]

Let's draw, Marshall. I feel like it. Now let's draw.

[Matt Dillon]

I'll be a fool.

[Nate Springer]

You're drunk. Not that drunk. I can kill you and then I'll be all right again.

[Sam]

Now, no.

[Matt Dillon]

You shouldn't have tried it, Springer.

[Nate Springer]

I had to. Why? You moved prisoner two years. I come out scared. Lost my nerve in that prison.

[Matt Dillon]

And why did you take this job?

[Nate Springer]

I had to.

[Matt Dillon]

Who hired you, Springer?

[Nate Springer]

I did, Marshall. I hired me. I had to face somebody like you. Did get my nerve back. Don't you understand? Yeah, yeah, I understand. It didn't work. No. And I I paid everything I had for cost me every thing in the world.

[Narrator]

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[Matt Dillon]

Gun smoke, produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman McDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. The story was specially written for Gun Folk by John Meston. Featured in the cast were John Forkham and Jessica Clatrick. Harley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc, and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. This is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week when CBS Radio presents another story of the Western frontier, when Matt Dillon, Chester Proudfoot, Doc and Kitty, together with all the other hard living citizens of Dodge, will be with you once more. It's America growing west in the 1870s. It's gun smoke.

[Andrew Rines]

This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate this episode within your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands, Steve and Ron W. Who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com donate send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail. 707-986-8739. This episode is copyrighted under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.

[Sam]

Sam.