Normally I don't post comments in the beginning of a story, but I have to explain this somewhat. This is a minific I wrote taken from season III of the Samurai Jack Cartoon. This is from Episode XXIX. Out of all the bounty hunters that ever chased Jack, I loved this couple the most. The show actually revolved around them quarreling, as much as it did Jack trying to get away! And you can tell the two of them still had feelings for each other, but just didn't get along. And the way this episode ended, I just had to have an alternate ending, with an unexpected twist! Not just with Jack, but between them as well! So. . .here is some of Cartoon Networks script of this episode, so you'll get an idea. What you read is exactly from the show itself! Then my version follows soon after! Enjoy!
*************Cartoon Networks script.**************
It started when Ezekiel, known as Zeke, a tall, broad, rugged, silver bearded bounty hunter, learned from a Saloon owner that Jack was going to be boarding a train. Unknown to Zeke, his estranged wife, Josephine Clench, better known as Josie, watched as he left the saloon, and went inside to get the information on where he was going. She surprised Zeke when she met him at the doorway of the train Jack had boarded.
Even though her long black hair was pinned up elegantly under a bonnet the way he always liked it, and the pretty way she dressed herself still appealed to him, Zeke wasn't at all thrilled to see her. As a matter of fact, he found her to be a complete threat! "Josephine! What in tarnation are you doin here?!"
"Well. It's nice to see you too, Ezekiel. . ." she said, quietly shutting the door behind her. Letting out a sigh of disgust, he snapped,
"Aww, shoot! There ain't never been nothing nice about you, woman!"
"Now, now. Let's not get nasty, darlin. . ." She said, artfully raising an eyebrow.
Stubbornly Zeke snapped, "Don't call me darlin!" Before he knew what was happening, she reached for the front of his shirt, and yanked him forward.
"Well then, don't act like a fool! I know what you're up to! You're after the bounty on that Samurai!" Slowly his hand reached out, brushing hers away.
"What business is it of yours?"
"I want in!" she shouted in protest. Appalled with her nerve, Zeke retaliated,
"Phhhhsh! No!"
"You need me!" she said, shaking a finger at him. More determined than ever, he calmly pushed her to the side and headed for the door. Right before he went in, Josie warned him, "He's better than you!" Slowly he turned around just before opening up the door, and said with a shifty grin,
"Ain't nobody better than me, woman. You oughta know that." As he stepped inside the room, Zeke spitefully added, "Besides, the Court says you ain't even supposed to be within 150 ft of me, so back off!"
With that, he slammed the door behind him.
Josephine crept behind Zeke, and took a seat right by the door. She watched as he slowly made his way toward Jack, who had been startled out of a light sleep. At first confused as to where the noise was coming from, Jack began to make out the sounds of someone walking from behind. As it grew louder, he noticed that in the refection of the window, a tall figure approached him from behind. Immediately he knew there was going to be trouble. Scowling, Jack folded his arms, glaring up at him out the corner of his eye. "Looking for a seat?"
"Yup. Yours. I'm gonna make a lot of money cashing in on your hide!"
"I hear that often, but only from poor men."
"Well. I've got bills to pay. And I've already addressed the envelopes." Letting out a frustrated sigh, Jack slowly stood up, putting his sword into the sheath.
"Well. I hope you've yet to stamp the postage on your parcels . . .because-" Before he could finish, Ezekiel's metal fist swung, punching Jack dead in the jaw.
"Consider them stamped!"
Though Zeke thought he had gotten the best of Jack, that was the last free punch he was able to throw. Jack began to kick and block every swing that Zeke threw his way. Not to mention come back with a few good counter punches of his own. Seeing that the car was too crowded to pull out his sword, Jack quickly dodged past Zeke offensive lunge, and headed for the top of the freight car. Once on the outside, Zeke soon found out the hard way that Josie was right. Even with the sophisticated Metal gloved-weaponry that he possessed, it occurred to him that Jacks fighting style was much too fast and cunning to take on by himself. . . especially when he lost his footing, and was nearly thrown off the top of the train. What made it even worse, was when Zeke crawled up the side of the freight car, and found Josie waiting for him with a satisfied grin on her face, as though to say, "I told you so." Though humiliated, Ezekiel realized that it would take more than his brawn, and immense size to catch Jack. Though Josie was very beautiful, under that flirtatious side she had a manipulative and rough edge about her, which he knew all too well.
After about ten minutes Zeke couldn't believe what he was seeing. He didn't know how she'd done it, but somehow she managed to talk Jack into taking her right back up on top of the train! Silently he crept up closer, and before Jack knew what was happening, his huge metal hands flew out, grabbing Jack and pinning him from behind. "Well y'all look so cute here on the veranda, I'd figured I fix y'all some lemonade. Fresh squeezed!" Before Zeke knew what was happening, Jack fiercely headbutted him, then kicked him in both the knees. This sent him flying over backwards. Quickly he sprinted in front of Josie, and shouted, "Stand back, ma'am. Once again this bandit has reared his ugly head!" Now in a flash, the closed umbrella Josie had used to shade herself, was now being used to put Jack in a vicious chokehold. "Well, I guess love is blind. Cause that ugly head didn't keep me from marrying him."
"Who ya callin ugly?" Zeke said, as he began to punch Jack hard in the stomach.
Knowing he had little choice, Jack roughly flew forward. Tossing her over his shoulders, she roughly crashed into Zeke. Aggravated she glared up at Jack, while Ezekiel quickly stood to his feet.
"Looks like we'll have to stick this old jack rabbit like we did that boy in Kansas City."
"Yeah, darlin. I see your point." Grabbing her umbrella, she flicked it forward causing a switchblade to come out on the end. There she held it in front of her in a defensive stance, ready to fight along side her estranged husband, and partner.
One at a time, the two of them each took turns fighting Jack, and getting whipped at every effort. Until finally after several futile attempts Josie shouted, "The south shall rise again!" From Ezekiel's iron fist, a sling shot exploded wrapping around Jacks arms, tightly pinning them down to his sides. In a flash Josie aimed her umbrella at him, and another chain shot out of the end, wrapping around Jacks ankles, causing him to fall flat on his face. Content, the two of them began walking up to Jack who was squirming back and fourth like a worm, desperately trying to get loose. Throwing her hands on her hips, Josie said, "Well. Ain't that a pretty little package tied up with a bow!"
"Yup. Hog-tied. Just like that pig we caught back in Goward gulch."
"Yes sir-ree. Their ain't a pole cat around who could slip through the grip of the Clenches. I reckon we're just a pair of aces ain't we?"
"Yup. Just like old times Josie. Just like old times," he said giving her a tender smile. That smile turned into a look of shock when Josie scooted up closely to him.
"You know Zeke-" She said, sliding her arms through his. "All this excitement has got me to wonderen . . .why'd we ever split up? Working together again stirs up all them good old feelins. . ." Even though Ezekiel didn't want this to happen, he felt his guard start to slip and fall.
"Well Josie. You know I was always a powerful sweet on ya. . .but. . ."
"But nothin, Zeke. I love watching the way you handled that cagey old Samurai. You're just so brave and so strong." She flattered, gently beginning to rub her hands up and down his chest. At the same time, Jack though disgusted by what he was seeing, found an opportunity to move while they were distracted. Inside he knew that Josie was up to no good. This caused him to silently kick out, manipulating some of the chain he was wrapped in, around the spur of Zeke's boot.
"You make a girl feel all a flutter. Don't ya see Zeke? It's just like Kansas City all over again. And with this huge bounty we're about to collect, I could end up- twice as rich!" Before Zeke knew what was happening Josie had pushed him over the side of the train. All the way down he fussed and hollered, "Dang burn it, Josie! You contharned cram- a- landin, rattlesnake in sheep's wool-over-my-eyes, trick up her sleeve, witchy woman!"
As Jack watched the chain spin by him, he readied himself to be pulled out too. As he was yanked forward, he purposely brushed up against his sword, popping off all the ropes. Grabbing the chain from around his feet, he reached out and flung it at Josie, wrapping it around her ankle. Before she knew what was happening, her laughing was cut short to a surprised yelp when she too was tossed over the edge with Zeke. Smiling with satisfaction, Jack turned and casually walked back inside the car, knowing that he wouldn't be bothered again with them anytime soon. Within seconds the chain somehow managed to loop itself over the railing of the bridge, causing them to carelessly hang upside down in mid air. Knowing inside she was in just a bit of trouble, Josie nervously looked toward Zeke who was furious. "Uh, Zeke? Sugar plum? Maybe I was a might hasty. . ."
"The Court says 150ft woman! 150ft!" He hollered at the top of his lungs. Shakily all Josie could do was rub a hand over her face, as they continued to swing back and fourth.
(My version continues here)
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Gradually, the more Zeke hung there and realized what she had done, the more irate he became. "Contharn it!" he snapped, pointing a closed up fist toward the bridge. As Josie watched, a large hook with a steel cable attached, fired from his metal glove, wrapping itself around the railing of the bridge. Furiously he yanked with two hard tugs to make sure the hook was secure. Then without another word, he undid the chain from around the spur of his boot, and began to climb up on the rope.
Still hanging upside down Josie nervously asked, "Uh, Zeke. Where ya goin?!"
"Where does it look like?" he said, not stopping for a minute. "I'm goin up!" Now Josie began to panic.
"But, what about me? You're not just going to leave me hangin here?" Appalled by the nerve of her urgent question, Ezekiel glared down at her with sarcasm.
"Well, I don't know, Josie! Maybe I should! Since ya insist on doin things by yourself. Let's see you get out of this one!" Knowing inside that he meant business, Josie felt a lump in her throat.
"Look, Ezekiel. . .I know you're mad at me. . ."
"Mad?!" He sharply cut off. "Shhhh! Mad ain't the word, woman!"
"I know but please don't leave me here . . I don't know what I'm supposed ta do." Hearing how her voice began to tremble, Ezekiel rolled his eyes with disgust.
"Awwww! Come on, for pete's sake!" he vented, climbing back down. Reaching out to her, he snapped, "Grab ahold of my neck!"
As she swung forward and grabbed ahold of Zeke, he quickly undid the chain around her ankle. Under his breath, he fiercely muttered, "I shouldn't be doin this! I ought to be letting the buzzards peck at your hide!" Burying her face in the back of Ezekiel's hair, Josie closed her eyes, not wanting to look down in case he would slip and lose his grip on the rope. It was a long climb. And by the time the two of them had reached the top, Ezekiel had enough of a chance to calm down a bit, and think about what had happened. When they got on the tracks, Josie gently let him go and stood to the side. Watching as he roughly tried to undo the hook from the rail. When he looked at her, she saw a hurt look flash through the anger.
"Do you know what you cost me today?!" He yelled, as he quickly began to gather up the cable. "We had him, Josie!" Rolling her eyes, Josie helplessly stared up at the sky. "We had that Samurai right where we wanted him!" Now he began to grow angry all over again. Quickly he turned and began stalking down the tracks in a fast pace. Reluctantly Josie began to follow, watching as Zeke whirled back around toward her in a rage. "I was this close to collecting one of the biggest bounties of my career! And like a fool not only did I let ya get involved, but I was even gonna split it with ya fifty-fifty!" Looking away from her, he glared down at the track. "I guess I was hopin things would've been different . . ." Slowly he gazed up at her, shaking his head. "But boy, did you blind-side my eyes!"
Intrepidly Josie found herself stiffening with defiance. "Well turnabout's fair play, darlin. You robbed me. . .so I robbedyou!"
Catching onto what she hinted, Ezekiel could feel himself beginning to fume.
"I never robbed you, woman!"
"Yes you did. . .When you took money from me ta gamble, that was the last straw! And I was determined ta get it back from you one way or the other!"
"Yeah, I'll say ya did! By bustin the windshield of my car!" he barked, as she grinned with satisfaction. "Humph! That's why I put that restraining order on ya in the first place. . .which you violated today!" Giving her a mean look, he cruelly added, "I could get you for contempt, ya know. Or maybe, even for stalkin!"
Letting out a scoff, Josephine actually chuckled. "Stalkin? Hah! Don't flatter yourself! You're not that good. . ." she hissed as an insulted expression crept over his face. "To be honest, I don't know what I ever saw in you! I really must've been blind!"
Literally shaking with anger, Ezekiel hissed through his teeth,
"Well, I'm sorry I ever laid eyes on you! You're nothin but trouble!"
At her wits end, Josephine threw her hands up with exasperation.
"Well! I'm sorry for the day I ever married you, Ezekiel Clench!"
Past his limit with anger, Ezekiel shakily hissed through his teeth.
"Fine, then! The divorce will be final next week! So that should make you happy!"
"It will. . ." Josephine sharply retorted, now growing very serious. "And when it is, you won't have ta worry about me interfering in your life ever again." Voice beginning to crack, she sadly concluded, "I'm going home to Kansas City. . . because I can't do this anymore." For one brief second, Ezekiel saw the tears beginning to gleam in her eyes. Then just as quickly she spun around and began to walk away from him. As she did, she never noticed the hurt expression that washed over Ezekiel's face.
After about an hour, the two of them spotted the train station about 300 hundred yards away. By then dusk was beginning to fall, making it harder and harder for them to see the tracks. In spite of the fact that the sun wasn't baking on them anymore, the heat off the desert, and the long walk had Ezekiel somewhat thirsty. This had him reaching for a small canteen on his belt. As he opened the flask and took a sip, he noticed how flushed Josephine had become, and nudged it toward her. With thirst overruling her anger, she silently took it from him. In the middle of taking a long swallow, the sound of a train horn echoing in the distance, causing her eyes began to widen with nervous suspicion.
"What was that?" She asked, breaking the silence.
Trying to act nonchalant, Ezekiel shrugged.
"What was what?" Suddenly it blew again, only a little louder this time.
"That!" She said, giving him a look of fear. "That sounded like a train whistle, Zeke!" Though beginning to grow a little nervous himself, Ezekiel tried to be as calm as possible. "Nah! It can't be! There isn't another train due till eight o'clock." Now he was cut off when the train whistle blew even louder, causing them both to turn around. Sure enough in the distance, a train was quickly on its way. Gulping, he gaped down at her.
"Uh- oh. . .I guess we were walkin a little longer than I thought. . ."
"Well, that's just great! Now, are we going to do?"
"Now don't start panickin, woman! Let's pick up the pace! We don't have that much further to go. Come on!"
Meanwhile at the station, Jack was sitting in the restaurant area waiting to board that very train. Out of nowhere he began to hear a bunch of noise from the outside. Gradually this led to people gathering by the window one by one. Overwhelmed by his own curiosity, Jack set down his cup to tea, and headed towards the window to see what the commotion was all about.
"What is this?" he asked, to the conductor on the side of him.
"Look out there," he said pointing to the track. "Ya see um? The eight o'clock trains a comin, and there are two people on the track! From the looks of it, I don't think their gonna make it in time. . ." he said, now turning to Jack, to find he was already gone.
Once outside, Jack began to focus in on who the two figures were. At the same time, the train was getting closer and closer to them. And though their pace sped up, it still wasn't fast enough. The closer they got, the more Jack realized that these were the two who tried to shanghai him over two hours ago. Suddenly the ill will he felt toward them was lost. In it's place emerged deep concern, and fear. As the light from the train shined off the tracks, Ezekiel and Josie's pace had sped up drastically. As it beckoned closer and closer, Ezekiel saw Josephine beginning to tire out and hollered in a panic.
"Run, woman! Run before ya get ran over!"
"I'm trying!" she gasped out. Suddenly she tripped and flew forward, falling flat on her face. Looking down, she was horrified to notice that her heal was wedged between the wooden plank, and the track itself. "Ohhh.. . .No. Zeke?!"
"What?!" Now his eyes widened to the sight of her down on the tracks. "Josie! This ain't no time ta rest, now! Get up!"
"I can't! Ohh . .my foot. It's caught in the track. I can't move!" Beginning to realize that they were in great danger, Ezekiel's eyes rolled with hopelessness. Quickly he ran up to her, kneeling by her side.
"Dang it, woman! Didn't I tell you them blasted high heels were a hazard?!" he shouted as he roughly tried to pry her ankle loose. When he did, she yelped out in pain. The approaching train whistle, being no less than 100 yards away drowned it out.
Feeling the blood draining out of his face, Ezekiel swallowed hard.
"Oh, boy. . ." Suddenly, he felt the hand of Josie firmly gripping his arm.
"Zeke. . ." she shouted over the rumbling of the engine. "Zeke. . .I'm not going to make it. Go. . .Go!" By the helpless look in her eyes, he knew Josephine had given up hope and was ready to except the inevitable. This suddenly caused flashbacks of their past to overwhelm him. This included the horrible words he said to her just before. Looking into her eyes, his head defiantly began to shake.
"No! I'm stayin. . .No matter what."
At that moment, Josie was so overtaken by Zekes noble gesture that all she could do was choke back a sob. "Stand aside!" A familiar voice shouted over the two of them. Startled, they both looked up to find Jack standing there, with his sword drawn out. Though stunned, Ezekiel instinctively grabbed her and pulled her back, stretching her leg across the track. Assuming the worst, Josephine gaped up at Jack in horror. "Uh, Zeke. What is he gonna do with that thing?!"
"I think I know . . .Just be still. . ." Though the intensity, he watched as Jack carefully focused in on her foot. As he quickly raised his sword Josephine shouted, "Oh please, don't cut off my-" Before she could finish, his sword flew down with one swipe, cutting clean through the heal of her shoe. In that second she was free.
Grabbing her by the waist Ezekiel shouted, "Jump!" And together, the three of them lunged off the track just as the train loudly rumbled over head.
Roughly the railing of the bridge shook, as the three of them hung off the edge. Already weak from the first fall, Josie felt herself starting to slip off. Helplessly Zeke watched as she began to lose her grip. "Hang on, Josie! Hang on!"
"I. . .I can't!" Unable to hold on anymore, she weakly let go. Zeke lashed out and caught her by the arm, but it wasn't quick enough. She slipped right through his grasp. The last thing Ezekiel heard was a weak whimper, followed by a heavy thud as she hit the desert ground below. "Josephine!" He hollered at the top of his lungs. Quickly he released the railing, jumping to the ground in a pounced position. Quickly running by Josephine's side he knelt next to her and whispered, "Josie! Josie?! Speak to me. Are you alright?!'
In response in his pleas, she moaned and tried to move. When she did, waves of pain stabbed through her torso like a knife. Her breath sharply caught, and she began to cough violently, until eventually she went limp with unconsciousness. In a panic, he gaped up at the bystanders who had gathered overhead, and shouted, "Well, don't just stand there! Do something!"
Feeling himself growing overwhelmed, he sat back, beginning to shake his head with unbelief. "Somebody do something. . ."
Within the next hour, the two of them were rushed to the town hospital. Immediately Josephine was taken to the back, while Ezekiel was forced to wait in the lobby. Upon his return, he began to wonder if his eyes were playing tricks on him. But when he saw Jack stand up in the distance, they widened with disbelief. As Jack approached him, he mocked, "Well, I didn't expect to find you still here. I thought you would have been long gone, by now."
"No. I wanted to make sure you were all right before I left. Have you heard anything yet?"
"No! And it's been over an hour! I gotta feelin something really bad happened in there. . ." Very calmly Jack shook his head and replied,
"It is never wise to assume the worst. I'm sure she will be fine." Marveling from his compassion, Ezekiel gave Jack a rueful glance. "Hey look um. . .I know we were a little rough on ya before."
Clearing his throat, Jack raised an eyebrow. "Rough? You tried to kill me."
Confronted with the truth, Ezekiel nodded. "I know. And I won't make any excuses. . ." Letting out a remorseful sigh, his head shook. "I've been bounty huntin fer nearly seven years. . .and it's all I do for a livin. And with "Dead or Alive," cases like yourself, I do whatever it takes and bring um in, by all means necessary. " Cocking his head at him, he added, "Kinda odd, though. . .But with all the fuss Aku is makin over your hide. . .you don't look like a threat to anyone. . ."
"Only to him." Jack deviously replied in a calm voice. Catching on to his hint, Ezekiel's eyebrow raised with some amused suspicion.
"Oh, I see. . .Well. . . whatever the case, fugitives don't come back ta save the lives of people who tried ta rough um up." Now he looked Jack dead in the eyes, and replied, "So I reckon we owe you one. I mean we really owe you one. If there's anything ya want, just ask," Realizing what Ezekiel was quite sincere, Jack nodded, giving him a serious stare. "Alright. All I want is to be let go. With no questions asked."
Waiting for that answer, Ezekiel nodded with satisfaction. "You got it."
Before he could finish, the ER doors opened up, and the doctor emerged.
"Mr. Clench?" he asked.
"Yeah, doc. That's me." Ezekiel said, slowly standing up. "How is she? Is she alright?"
"Well, aside from a broken ankle, your wife suffered a serious concussion. She also bruised several of her ribs, which is causing her extreme pain. But our main concern right now is for the babies safety. . ."
Mouth falling open, Ezekiel flung a metal hand up in the air.
"Whoa there. . .are my ears hearin right? Are you sayin she's- "
"Pregnant?" The doctor quickly cut off. "Yes. Approximately 8wks. . ."
His voice suddenly echoed in Ezekiel's clouded mind. Now suddenly it was as though all the blood drained out of his face, as his head slowly shook with disbelief. "What?" he muttered, swallowing down a lump in his throat. "There's just no way."
"But it's true, sir. And the impact of her fall has endangered it, somewhat. . ."
"Wait a minute. . .Are you. . .tellin me she could lose it?"
"Right now, there's a strong possibility. The next 12 to 24 hours should tell the tale." Through it all, the reality of everything began to hit him like a hard slap in the face. By then, Ezekiel could feel his stomach beginning to turn over, causing him to look away in anguish. Clearing his throat, he stiffened, trying hard to keep his tough composer. "When can I see her?"
"Now, if you like. But I must tell you that we've given her a light sedative for the pain. So she may be unconscious throughout most of the night. . ."
Adamant, E Ezekiel rugged.
"Doesn't matter. . .I still want ta be there. . ."
"That's fine. . .But by law you're required to dismantle your weapons and leave them at the counter," he said, pointing to the loaded metal gloves that he was wearing. As Jack silently watched, Ezekiel unclicked his left glove. Once it was pulled off, he twisted the bottom of the right glove until a loud 'click' was heard. Once removed, Jack was stunned to find him without a hand at all. It was just a nub, covered with a black stocking. Now he glanced toward Jack, who gave him a friendly nod, then turned and walked in the room.
For a moment, he stopped taken back to the sight of Josephine's frail form. She was in a hospital gown, her wounds dressed and cleaned. Her long black hair wasn't pinned up anymore, but it fell loosely down her neck and shoulders. Still in disbelief over what he was seeing, Ezekiel numbly found himself taking a chair next to her. Gradually he could feel his tough-guy image beginning to topple.
"Oh, Josie. . ." he muttered, trying to absorb this disturbing image.
Through her spacey, incoherent state, she heard the sound of Ezekiel's voice, causing her to slowly come to. "Mmmmm. Zeke?" Eyes widening, he quickly leaned forward getting a little closer.
"Yeah. . .I'm here. . ." The sound of his voice caused her eyes to open, slowly focusing on him. Grimacing from the pain, she moaned out. "Please don't leave me. . .Don't leave me alone."
Almost immediately, Ezekiel could feel his true feelings for her resurfacing. Swallowing down a lump in his throat, he reached for her hand. "I won't. . ." he whispered, gently squeezing it. "I promise. . ."