(We open in a small room at the Inn. Sach watches Slip as he looks into a broken piece of glass that doubles as a mirror from his upper bunk. The room is fairly Spartan. The bunk has colorful, if faded and patched, quilts. There's a table with two splintered chairs and a plant that looks like it's never been watered, a closet with a couple of shirts, and two small dressers.)

Sach: (As he intensely watches Slip shave) Hey Chief, you missed a spot!

Slip: *Pauses and glares at Sach through the glass mirror* If you don't knock off the back seat commentary, I ain't gonna have to worry about missin' a spot.

Sach: If you wouldn't miss spots, I wouldn't talk!

Slip: I'm done anyway. Good enough. I don't wanna be all blotchy, anyway. *turns from the glass mirror* How do I look?

Sach: You look...like a watermelon.

Slip: Ehh, what am I askin' you for? You don't know nutin'. *smoothes out his jacket* I dunno why I thought yer truth serial was good idea. All it did was make me blab things I didn't wanna blab.

Sach: It's not like everyone in Bowery Canyon didn't know about you and Sally.

Slip: Well...I'm so nervous, the butterflies in my stomach have butterflies in their stomachs!

Sach: You'll be fine. I've seen you handle girls before. They're like puffy marshmallows in your hand.

Slip: Those girls were that way without me. Sally's different from them. I wonder if it's too late to say I'm sick...

Sach: You ain't sick! Your lunch is still in your stomach, and you ain't all green like you get when you're sick.

Slip: Will you quit helpin'? *runs a hand across his forehead* Lookit this! I'm already sweatin'.

Sach: (As there's a knock on the door) Oop! Better wipe off, Chief, 'cause I think she's here.

Slip: *Voice is an octave or two higher than it should be* Already!? *grabs a towel to mop his forehead*

Sally: (Beyond the door; keeps knocking) Hello, Slip?

Sach: Well, aren't you going to let your date in?

Slip: I can't get my feet to move.

Sally: Hello?

Sach: Oooh, Chiefy needs my help! (He climbs down the ladder against the bunk bed, then yanks open the door, revealing Sally in a nice pink gingham dress, a straw bonnet with pink flowers, and brown boots) Hi, Sally. Come in. Chiefy can't move at the moment.

*Slip's eyes just widen as he glares at Sach.*

Sally: (Looks around) You have a nice place. (She goes to Slip) Are you ok? You look pale!

Slip: I... *swallows hard* yeah... *nods* fine.

Sally: (She takes his hand) Let's go to dinner. Uncle Louie said he'd make us something special and give us his best table.

Slip: *Smiles* That's nice-a him.

Sally: We're like his children. I think he just wants to make this a nice night for us.

Slip: Let’s go.

Sally: (Takes Slip's hand) Yeah.

(Sach watches them as the two go down the hall and downstairs. He grins and follows them.)

*Sally and Slip enter the saloon, still holding hands. Slip is now only slightly pale.*

Louie: (Ignoring the whistles of the crowd) Ahh, the two lovers. I'm going to give you my very best table. (Takes them to a seat near the back of the saloon, where it's a little bit more private...or as private as a saloon can get.) Here you go. I hope you really enjoy yourselves. I have something special cooked up for you. Roasted chicken and potatoes, with creamed corn and fresh tomatoes from Mama's garden.

Slip: Yer too good to us, Louie.

Louie: I could never be too good to you. You're like the children we never had. Slip, you and Sachula are such a big help to Mama, and Sally...well, I couldn't measure all the delight you give us.

Sally: Aww Uncle Louie, you took me in when I came west. You're my family.

Louie: Well, I'm glad you're here (grins at Slip) and that somebody finally admitted to their feelings. It took me two years to finally say how much I liked Mama, before she finally said "why don't you just marry me?"

(Sally blushes.)

Louie: Well, I'm going to go get your dinner. You kids have a nice night. Don't do anything Mama and I would do. (He walks off.)

Sally: (She shakes her head) Uncle Louie is somethin' else.

Slip: He sure is som'en else.

Sally: (She takes his hand over the table) I'm glad you finally came out and said you liked me.

Slip: Me too.

Sally: I've liked you for a while, but, well, I guess I didn't know how to tell you, either. You guys always treated me like you were my sister. I didn't think you even saw me as someone who...well...was a woman.

Slip: The same goes for me. I've wanted to tell ya how I felt, but I couldn't find the words. *smirks* 'Magine that, me unable to find words.

Sally: Yeah. (She smiles) You're so smart. What's a smart guy like you doing with a cowgirl like me?

Slip: I was wonderin' what you wanted wit' a mugg like me.

Sally: I think you're a lot smarter than you act. You just don't want to admit it.

(That's when a familiar waiter saunters up to the duo. He carries two bowls of soup.)

Waiter: Here you go, Chiefy. Two bowls of Louie's Chicken Soup with Matzo Balls to start!

Sally: (Laughs) Hi, Sach. What are you doing here?

Waiter: Oh, Louie just asked Whitey and me to be extra helpers tonight.

Slip: *Rolls his eyes, but he's grinning* Oh, did Louie ask you?

Waiter: Yeah! Well, we sorta talked him into it, but he did mention that he needed help tonight, what with Sally being busy with Chiefy and all...

Sally: Well, I think it's very sweet of you.

Slip: You're a crazy moron, Sach, but that's what I like about ya.

Sach: Why, that's the nicest thing you ever said 'bout me, Chief! (Turns to Sally) You love him extra much tonight!

Sally: Oh, I will, Sach. You don't have to worry about that. (Sach walks off, leaving Sally and Slip to their soup.)

Slip: An' I may just hold ya to that, Sally.

Sally: (Grins) You do that. (She sips her soup) Oooh, I think it has extra matzo balls. Good ol' Uncle Louie.

Slip: *Tries his soup* I think yer right, Sal.

Sally: It's seasoned just right. (Sighs) I don't know what I'd do without Uncle Louie. He's the best cook ever.

Slip: I dunno what I'd do if me and Sach wasn't workin' for him and Mama.

Sally: I'm glad I came out west. I love it here. It's so beautiful (smiles at Slip) and the people are really sweet.

Slip: Certainly certain people are a little sweeter.

*Another familiar waiter comes over to their table, carrying a tray with two full beverage glasses. He smiles.*

Slip: Well, whadaya know? First Sach, now Whitey. And what are you bringin' us, Whitey?

Whitey: Two ginger ales on the rocks. *sets the glasses down*

Sally: Hi, Whitey. That sounds good! Uncle makes his own ginger ale with real ginger imported from China!

Whitey: It is good! I had some earlier!

Slip: Not some of ours, I hope.

Whitey: Awe, Chief, I wouldn't do that!

Sally: We know you wouldn't, Whitey. (She sips the soda) Umm, it's delicious!

Slip: So who's comin' out wit' the main course, hmmmm?

Sally: It should be interesting. Will it be my Uncle?

Whitey: We haven't flipped for it yet.

Whitey: I'll see ya later! *heads off to take care of another table*

*Gabe enters the saloon and sees the pair sitting at the table. He walks right over to them.*

Gabe: Hi, Sally, Slip.

Slip: What're you doin' here?

Gabe: I need to talk to you later, Slip. It's important.

*Gabe pulls up a chair next to Sally.*

Slip: *Makes a face* You did just say LATER, right?

Gabe: Yeah.

Sally: Hello, Gabe. What's so important that you need to discuss it now?

Gabe: It's just important, that's all.

Slip: Then like ya said, we'll concuss it later.

Gabe: *Ignores Slip* How's dinner, Sally?

Sally: It's very good. Why don't you get a table and order some yourself?

Gabe: Because I like the company here better.

Slip: *Drums his fingers on the table* Yet he's ignorin' me.

Louie: (He comes out with the meal) Here you go, everyone. (Frowns) Oh, hello, Gabe. What are you doing here?

Gabe: I just needed to talk to Slip.

Slip: Of which we agreed on doin' later, but now he don't seem to remember I'm here and won't leave.

Louie: Why don't you sit with Chuck over there? (Points to Chuck at a table) You're new in town. Maybe he could interview you for our newspaper.

Gabe: *Shakes his head* I'm not big on interviews.

Slip: Then why don't ya just go over there and keep him company, hmmmm?

Louie: Or you could help me in the kitchen. (He takes Gabe's arm) We really need your help.

Gabe: But...

Slip: We'll still be here later. MUCH later.

Sally: Tomorrow.

Gabe: But...

Louie: Come on, son. (He tugs Gabe away and back into the kitchen)

Sally: We owe Uncle Louie a big one.

Slip: No kiddin'. There's som'en about that guy...

Sally: He has a crush on me. (Shrugs) He's all right, but I like more meat on my men.

Slip: *Smirks* Glad to hear that, Sal.

(As they continue to eat and chat, Sheila Saunders and Wallace enter. Sheila wears an emerald-green gown and matching hat with a big bow in front and lots of ruffles. Wallace wears his usual rumpled suit.)

Sally: (Makes a face) What's she doing here, dressed like a general store dummy?

Slip: *Also makes a face* Dunno. Looks like she belong at the races...racing.

Sally: Yeah, preferably under the horse.

(That's when a pair of men burst into the room. They hold their guns up to the room in general.)

Robber #1: Ok, everyone, hands up! You're all our hostages.

Robber #2: We've gotta find a place to hide from that old lady sheriff.

Slip: *Groans* Now what?

Sally: I wish the Lone Disarrangers were here!

Slip: Yeah... me, too.

(That's when Louie comes out. Chuck joins him. Louie's trembling, but he goes up to the men.)

Louie: W...would you like to c...co...come in the kitchen? We could f..f...feed you.

Robber #1: Yeah. We could do with some vittles. (Turns to the crowd) Don't nobody go nowhere. (Nods at his friend) You take everyone's jewelry.

Sheila: (Sneers at Slip and Sally's table) Where are your Lone Disarrangers now?

Sally: They'll be here any minute, I'm sure!

Slip: *Mutters* I hope.

(That's when we hear thumping and banging in the kitchen! The other man, his hand filled with jewelry, runs into the kitchen...and is knocked out of it almost immediately! The other man goes spinning out, thanks to a familiar whip. Whitey jumps on one of the men on the floor. Butch leaves the piano and jumps on the other one. Gabe comes out next and helps Whitey. Louie and Sach follows him. Sach wears his Lone Disarranger costume and holds his whip.)

Louie: And stay out of my kitchen and my saloon! This will not be used as a den for robbers and goodness only knows what else!

Slip: *Smirks in Sheila's direction* Told ya.

Sach: Don't worry, Mr. Dumbrowski. I'm here. My partner and I will always take care of any disturbances in this town.

Louie: And where is your partner tonight?

Sach: Oh, he's busy. Lots of villains out there tonight that need rounding up.

Sally: (Frowns) That's a shame that he's not here. (She takes Slip's hand) He reminds me of you.

Slip: *Voice goes up an octave* Does he?

Sally: Yeah, he does. A lot.

Slip: Sally...

Sach: (Grabs Slip's hand and pumps it) And here's one of Bowery Canyon's finest law enforcement officers! Son, why don't you help these men take the bad guys back to the Jail House? (Mutters to Slip) And then you can come back here and really get to work. Sorry I had to cut ya outta this one, but you were busy.

Slip: *Sighs; mutters* It's okay, Sach. There's no way I coulda gotten to it anyway.

Sach: Ok. You can come back and have your dinner after you get these guys to Mama. Butch n' Whitey are gonna help ya. Chuck's gotta get back to the newspaper.

Slip: Okay. *to Sally* Sorry, Sally, I gotta take these goons to Mama, but I'll be right back.

Sally: I'll be waiting.

Slip: *Pauses a moment, then gives her a quick kiss on the cheek* You won't be waitin' long. *goes to the robbers, with Butch and Whitey* Okay, you goons, let’s go.

Sach: Come on, you nasty people. (The boys lead them out. Sheila gives a small nod...and he follows Gabe out the other way.)

*Gabe watches the boys take the two men away & decides to follow them...*

(The moment he gets outside, he sees another man running around the side of the building and follows him instead. He looks around, confused - where did he go? That's when a hand reaches over and hits him over the head with the butt of his gun. He's dragged behind the building as we fade out.)