“In the Wild West, where outlaws live and die by the gun, treachery fans the flame of everlasting legends.”
Watch the original version of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Prologue:
In these realms where law was a sparse luxury, few had the gall to walk the outlaw’s path. But Jesse James didn’t just walk it; he had turned it into his playground. The ‘fastest gun in the West’ they called him. A title hard-earned and well-deserved, for the tenebrous tales of Jesse’s cunning and speed had ventured far and wide. As the sun set, painting the plains a bloody red, whispers of his deeds stirred the winds, his name echoing in every saloon, every homestead.
Yet, among the crowd of admirers, there were some who dared to dream the unthinkable. Young Robert Ford was one of them. Consumed by a hunger for notoriety, he saw in Jesse a legend he could become. For destiny is a fickle mistress, and she had an intriguing game to play in the dusty, lawless expanses of the Wild West.
Chapter 1 – “Dawn of the Outlaw”:
As dawn broke across the Western plains, a figure cut through the dust-kissed trails like a bullet. Jesse James – his name hung in the air like an unsaid prayer or perhaps a curse, depending on who uttered it. His notorious gang of outlaws had but one code – loyalty. Betrayal was met with steel-cold retribution. Into this band of brothers, was ushered the newest member – Robert Ford.
A mere lad, yet Robert had the fire in his belly, a burning ambition to match the intensity of the Western Sun. Wide-eyed and bristling with the naivety of youth, he was eager to carve his legacy into the infamy of the West. He idolized Jesse, the man, the legend. Yet, within that admiration lay a dangerous seed – envy. To be so close to greatness and yet feel light-years away can poison the purest of hearts. And for Robert, that poison was starting to seep in.
Under the searing sun, with the merciless plains stretching beyond the horizon, the gang would mount their horses, their dark silhouettes against the cerulean blue of the sky. Their guns were an extension of their souls – ruthless, unwavering, lethal. A streak of chaos in an otherwise serenity of the vast landscape.
Jesse, atop his black mare, would lead the men, his silhouette standing as an intimidating preface to the horror show about to unfold. He was the embodiment of the lethal ballet that was a gunfight. His every move, every shot was an orchestration of death – swift, accurate, final.
Robert watched, his heart pounding, as Jesse left devastation in his wake. A part of him yearned to be Jesse James, to command such fear, respect. But being close to Jesse was a double-edged sword. He basked in the proximity to power while simultaneously being swallowed by the shadow of his greatness.
As they galloped onwards, the spoils of their latest heist jingling in their saddlebags, Robert realized, that from the depth of his admiration for Jesse, a green monster had emerged. For in the lawless lands of the West, where power was won at gunpoint, love and hatred rode the same horse. And Robert, engrossed in the pursuit of his ambitions, was starting to lose sight of where one ended and the other began.
Chapter 2 – “A Shot in the Shadows”
The world of the outlaws was as volatile as a barrel of black powder. In it, Jesse James was a burning wick, a mad and beautiful fire that drew people to its warmth and danger. One such moth drawn to this flame was Robert Ford. A young man eager for renown, he looked to Jesse as a beacon of what he could become.
In the beginning, Robert’s reciprocated admiration was like a shadow in the light of Jesse’s fame. He was a loyal follower, fascinated by the audacious legend that was Jesse James. This fascination was fueled by every heist the gang executed, their daring contributing to the increasing boldness of Robert’s dreams. He mimicked Jesse’s mannerisms, his style of shooting, even the way he wore his hat. However, it was a daunting task, like a shadow trying to capture the stature of the man casting it.
Each successful escapade was a testament to Jesse’s genius, his ability to bend circumstances to his will. Robert, amidst his admiration, felt a prickling seed of jealousy. The more he attempted to emulate Jesse, the more he realized the chasm between them. Every tale of Jesse’s exploits, every gasp of awe from a listener, it all slowly, slowly started turning the wheel of envy in Robert’s heart.
One such heist, however, was to play a pivotal role in shaping the course of their respective destinies. A sturdy, well-guarded bank in the heart of Liberty, Missouri, was their target. Jesse devised a smart, audacious plan for the heist. Each member of the gang had a role to play, but the critical move was Jesse’s. The success of the plan hinged on his famed precision and speed with a gun.
The day of the heist arrived. Adrenaline flowed like river rapids, seizing their nerves and steeling their resolve. The usual bravado was replaced by a deafening silence as each man, including Robert, prepared to play his part. And then, amidst the frenzy of panic, came the shot. A single shot, clear and resounding, a proclamation, a declaration. Jesse had fired, his target met.
In the wake of that shot, as the dust settled, Robert stood in the shadows. He saw the awe in the eyes of the townsfolk, the fear and the grudging respect. He saw an outlaw elevated to a legend. And therein, in the cold, creeping shadows of his heart, the seed of jealousy sprouted. It was not enough to be like Jesse James anymore. He wanted to be Jesse James. The flame that Jesse’s shot had sparked grew into an embers of the fire, and Robert, no longer a mere shadow, was ready to step into the light.
The world of the outlaws was a world of shadows. It was a place where a man could rise from obscurity to infamy in a single shot. But every shot casts a shadow, and within that shadow, Robert Ford began to cultivate his own dangerous ambition. Jesse’s bullet had hit more than just the bank’s safe. It had hit the heart of Robert’s admiration, fracturing it and allowing jealousy to seep into the cracks.
Thus, Chapter 2 draws to a close, with the stage set for a drama as old as humanity itself – envy. The hero, Jesse James, continues his journey unaware of the wavering loyalty in his ranks. Robert Ford, once an eager recruit, now walks down the path of treachery, one step at a time, pushed by the force of his growing envy.
Chapter 3 – “The Rising Animosity”
The morning sun rose languidly over the rugged plains of the West, casting long, creeping shadows that cut across the terrain. The outlaw camp was already abuzz, filled with the noises of life on the run. The aroma of brewing coffee, the soft clattering of pots and pans, the distant whinnies of horses, and the low murmurs of men filled the air. At the heart of this chaos, seemingly untouched by the bustling activity around him, stood Jesse James. His cold, blue eyes surveyed the scene with an air of detached authority.
Robert Ford observed him from a distance, the morning sunlight illuminating his face. These stolen moments of observation had become a ritual for him, an opportunity to study the man he had once admired and now resented. His eyes traced the hardened lines of Jesse’s face, a face that bore witness to a tumultuous life of crime and survival. A face that was loved and feared in equal measure across the West.
Ford’s heart was a battleground, torn between his initial respect for Jesse and a burgeoning envy. He resented the way men around him practically worshiped the ground that Jesse trod on. The noise around him seemed to fade into a dull hum as he scrutinized Jesse’s interactions, the tacit authority that he commanded, the fear he inspired. Ford yearned for that respect, that fear, and that power.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Ford, his own brother Charley watched him. He noted the change in his brother ever since they had become members of Jesse’s gang – the mirthless smiles, the veiled resentment in his eyes when he looked at Jesse, the listless tone in his voice. No words were spoken about this change, but Charley was not a fool. He knew that Robert’s simmering resentment was brewing into something darker, something dangerous.
One evening, as the sun set, dying the sky in hues of red and orange, the Ford brothers found themselves alone. The rest of the gang was huddled around a campfire, their laughter and chatter carrying across the settling dusk. It was a rare moment of solitude, an opportunity to confront the elephant in the room.
“Rob, what’s eating you?” Charley asked, breaking the silence that hung between them like a shroud.
“Nothing, Charley,” Robert replied, his gaze transfixed on the horizon as if he were looking for answers in the setting sun.
“Rob, you can’t fool me. I see the way you look at Jesse. That ain’t admiration in your eyes anymore,” Charley pressed.
A moment of silence hung between them, weighed down by unsaid words and unexpressed feelings. “I want to be him, Charley. I want to be Jesse James.”
Charley was taken aback by the raw honesty in Robert’s voice. He began to comprehend the depth of his brother’s longing, his jealousy, his ambition.
The rest of the days seemed to bleed into one another, the tension between the brothers and Jesse growing, palpable in the awkward silences and stolen glances. The gang continued their antics, oblivious to the insidious undercurrents that threatened to overturn their world.
The chapter closes with the Ford brothers huddled together under the starlit sky, a shared understanding of what was to be done. A path of treachery was to be trodden, a path which would change their lives and the legends of the West forever. The air buzzed with a newfound energy, the electrifying anticipation of an approaching storm. The last vestiges of the day disappeared, swallowed by the darkness that mirrored the intentions within their hearts. With the dawn of a new day, the saga of betrayal would begin. The man they had admired was now their prey, and the hunters were ready.
Chapter 4 – “The Unlikely Ally”
The hot, dusty streets of the Wild West town were all but deserted as a lone figure, unremarkable in size and demeanor, dismounted his horse. This was Charley Ford, the younger brother of Robert Ford, and the latest addition to the feared James’ gang. His arrival would prove to be a pivotal element in the chain of events that would eventually lead to the downfall of Jesse James, the legendary outlaw.
Charley was just as captivated as his brother by the dramatic tales of Jesse James’ exploits, his daring heists, and his unparalleled skill with a gun. On the one hand, he was drawn towards the opportunity to learn and work under Jesse’s wing, while on the other, Charley felt the simmering jealousy that gnawed at his older brother, Robert. He saw in Jesse a picture of everything he aspired to be but knew he could never attain.
In the weeks following his arrival, Charley observed the dynamics of the gang, meticulously absorbing the details, while he also evaluated the standing of his brother within the group. Charley noticed his brother’s obsession with Jesse James, the silent admiration turning into a bitter rivalry. Robert was no longer content with being just another member of Jesse’s gang; he yearned for recognition, for fame that matched or exceeded Jesse’s.
Charley, too, felt a strange sensation growing within him. It wasn’t just the awe or envy of a legendary figure. It was a sinister desire, a longing to attain that legend’s status, not by hard work or daring performances, but by an act so shocking that it would etch their names into the annals of the Wild West history forever.
In the dim-lit surroundings of the tavern, the Ford brothers shared hushed conversations, cryptic words, the foundation of a nefarious pact brewing. A pact that would soon stain their hands with blood and transform them from loyal gang members to treacherous assassins.
The whispers amidst the clinks of whiskey glasses and the soft humming of an old western tune went unnoticed as the brothers’ plot grew darker. It was the paradox of their situation – the closer they grew to Jesse in their roles in his gang, the deeper they buried their intent to betray him.
As Charley engaged himself in these perilous dealings, he was both exhilarated and terrified. There was a certain thrill to the secret meetings, the cryptic exchanges of words, and the anticipation of carrying out an act so unthinkable yet momentous.
However, the fear of being discovered, the uncertainty of the consequences, and the knowledge of the moral abyss they were about to plunge into also gnawed at him. The burden of their plan cast long, ominous shadows in their hearts. Yet, they moved forward, driven by their twisted desire for fame and recognition.
This chapter in the life of Charley Ford and the legendary Jesse James gang, a suspenseful brewing of treachery, was a stark representation of human frailties – jealousy, ambition, treachery, and fear. It hovered on the precipice of morality, setting the stage for the tragic climax that was yet to come.
The air in the tavern seemed to grow colder, heavy with the brothers’ secret pact, their whispered plots, and echoing with the faint, ominous tolling of destiny’s bell. The chapter closed with an undercurrent of impending doom, leaving the reader on the edge, yearning to know what fate had in store for this band of outlaws.
Chapter 5 – “The Plan”
Another day waned into dusk, casting long shadows in the saloon where the Ford brothers conspired under the soft glow of gaslight. Huddled in a secluded corner, their whispers were drowned in the boisterous laughter, clinking glasses, and crackling fire from the hearth, providing an unhindered platform for them to design their stratagem.
“Jesse is not just a man, he’s a legend. To kill a legend, our plan must be flawless,” Robert began, his sharp eyes darting to and fro, ensuring they were alone. His breath hitched, the weight of their intentions sinking in.
Charley nodded grimly. This wasn’t just about killing Jesse James. It was about dethroning the king of outlaws, of stepping over that fabled threshold into an unknown that promised power, reverence, fear, and respect.
The plan was perilous, fraught with danger, demanding perfect execution. It needed to be prepared meticulously, for one wrong step could end their lives as swiftly as they planned to end Jesse’s.
Their strategy began to take shape, whispered between sips of whiskey and hushed voices. They would harness their proximity to Jesse, a lethal weapon disguised as loyalty. Leaving no room for suspicion, they would strike when he least expected it, turning his trust in them into his fatal flaw.
As the nights rolled into days, the brothers slipped into their roles in the gang effortlessly, their double lives masked by their act of devotion towards Jesse.
They rode with him, drank with him, stood by his side while he planned his audacious heists, all the while hiding their scheme behind veiled eyes. Robert, the eager follower, was now a treacherous snake in the grass, ready to strike when the time was right.
They watched Jesse carefully, learning his habits, his strengths, his vulnerabilities. Every information, every insight was a potential weapon. They learned about his penchant for late-night rides, his habit of polishing his gun near the window every evening, his trust in them, blinding him to their real motives.
Charley often was the voice of reason, reminding Robert of the consequences of their schemed treachery. But Robert’s jealousy and ambition drowned out any seeds of doubt or fear. The plan was set in motion, a silent countdown to the day they would rid the West of its most feared outlaw.
Every new sunrise brought them closer to their goal. The tension was palpable, a tangible shroud hanging over them, but it was a burden they carried willingly, for it promised a future of unparalleled power and renown.
As the days slipped by, they perfected their stratagem, wrapping it in layers of deception. Their plan was a ticking time bomb, waiting to explode and change the course of their lives.
Yet, as they prepared for the dark deed, they could not shake off an underlying fear, a haunting specter of the aftermath. They were about to kill a man revered and loathed in equal measure, a man who had garnered a mythical status.
But amidst the angst, a rising anticipation filled them, a strange exhilaration at the impending conclusion of their plot. Their dreams were on the verge of fruition, and the legend of Jesse James was about to be forever altered by the coward, Robert Ford.
Chapter 6: “The Last Heist”
The chill of the Missouri morning swept through the vegetation, as the silhouette of the infamous Jesse James Gang took form through the misty veil. James, atop his muscular steed, looked the part of the devilish hero the tales painted him to be. Robert Ford trailed behind, his eyes sharp on James, yet undeniably filled with a glimmer of envy. His brother, Charley, mirrored his gaze, their secret pact resonating in the air.
The plan for the day was audacious. A train loaded with gold, heading from Kansas City. If their heist succeeds, it would be the grandest in their history. Yet, the air simmered with an unsaid tension. The Ford Brothers, with a dual loyalty at play, found themselves walking a tightrope between their role as outlaws and their secret mission.
As the gang rode on, the burden of the impending betrayal weighed heavily on Robert Ford. He felt it in every clattering hoofbeat, every echoing gunshot from their rehearsals, every fleeting glance that Jesse cast his way. Even as the wind whipped his face, he was acutely aware of the perspiration trickling down his spine.
The outlaw world was never for the faint-hearted, yet Robert had always felt certain about his role – until now. The dichotomy of his existence had him on edge. His admiration for James had slowly morphed into an overwhelming jealousy, threatening to consume him whole. The very idea that made Jesse James the hero of his dreams now made him the bane of his existence.
Charley tossed a glance at Robert, a silent reminder of the pact they had. They both knew that this heist, this mesmerizing dance of danger could potentially be their last with the gang. The idea of their plan progressing incited a cocktail of dread and anticipation.
Before long, the gang was on the move, embarking on their grand mission. Each galloping hoof-beat felt like a ticking clock, counting down to the inevitable climax. Like a well-rehearsed orchestra, they simultaneously swung into action. Jesse commanded the scene with an ease that spoke volumes of his experience. The Ford Brothers acted their part, their minds straddling their current roles and their sinister future plans.
An intense chess game unfolded. Menacing guns were drawn, bullets flew, and shouts echoed. Robert, gritting his teeth, played along with the gang’s tactical maneuvers, all the while his mind swirling with the thought of pulling the trigger on Jesse instead of the guards.
In this chaotic world of theirs, normalcy was a luxury they couldn’t afford. The adrenaline-fueled heist drew to a successful close, their hands smeared with the sin of blood and the glimmer of stolen gold. Their cheering voices echoed around the empty fields, serving as a hollow celebration of their victory. For Robert and Charley, the spoils of victory were not the glittering gold but the escalating possibility of their plan’s success.
The return ride to their hideout was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the cacophony of the heist. Their last heist. The Ford Brothers shared a glance that screamed volumes about the path they had chosen. Amid the victorious laughter and shared glances, the brothers rode on, bearing the weight of their secret pact, their hearts pounding louder with every hoof beat of their steeds.
Unbeknownst to them, these were the final hours of Jesse James as they knew him. The man they admired, the man they envied, would soon become the man they assassinated. As the night descended, a palpable tension filled the air, a premonition of the storm that was about to come. Little did they know, the echoes of their cheers would soon morph into whispers of regret, the triumph soon replaced with guilt, and the admiration with remorse. For now, they were just outlaws returning from their last heist together.
And unbeknownst to Jesse, these were his final hours of life. Oblivious to the treacherous plan hatching within his gang, he rode on, unaware that his tale was about to take a dramatic twist. The Ford Brothers, stewing in their inner turmoil, silently counted the final hours of the legendary Jesse James.
Chapter 7 – “The Unseen Enemy”
The ebbing glow of the setting sun painted the sky a fiery watercolor of red and orange, the warm hues reflecting in Jesse James’s steely blue eyes. The air was heavy with anticipation, thick with the prospect of a night brimming with danger and adrenaline. In the heart of the wilderness they stood, surrounded by the stark silence only broken by the occasional whispering of the leaves. Jesse, the notorious outlaw known to all, was oblivious to the fact that the deadliest enemy was not the lawmen on his trail, but within his own ranks. His trust in his comrades was his blind spot, and his demise was quietly fermenting in the shadows.
Robert, the youngest of the Ford brothers, harbored a lethal secret behind his wide, innocent eyes. He lived amidst the gang, shared fires and meals, laughed, and fought alongside them, yet was nurturing a plan so vile that it caused his stomach to churn each time he stole a glance at Jesse. Deception lurked in his every corner, a snake waiting to strike when least expected. His envy for Jesse was a fire that burned incessantly, feeding off the oxygen of his insatiable desire to usurp his hero’s place.
As the gang sat around the campfire, the pop and crackle of the wood, the merry banter, the tales woven of old exploits, all conspired to conceal the deadly twist in the fabric of their kinship. Even Charley, the elder Ford who stood a silent witness to his brother’s consuming jealousy, was drawn into the quagmire of this toxic ambition. As he fed the fire, his mind was aflame with the thought of their impending action that would shake the very foundation of their existence.
As the night deepened, Jesse, standing apart and silhouetted against the fire, seemed to be lost in contemplation. He was a man of few words, his silence often his most formidable weapon. His tall, imposing figure towered over the gathered men, his strength apparent not just in his physicality but in the unshakeable resolve reflected in his stance. He stood as a beacon of rebellion, oblivious of the clandestine meetings and whispers of treachery that buzzed around him like a swarm of bees.
He was the target, the prize trophy, his life the ticket to another’s glory. Yet, so self-assured was he, so confident in the loyalty of his men, that the imminent threat to his existence remained a fiend in the shadows, unseen and unheard.
In the quiet corner, away from the jovial storytelling and the warmth of the fire, the Ford brothers communicated through their shared understanding of their dire plan. Their silence spoke volumes, a seeming telepathy that came from years of shared dreams, fears, and now, a shared monstrous plot. Their decisions were made, lines were drawn, and their minds were already witnessing the aftermath of a post-Jesse era.
Amidst the laughter and camaraderie, the anticipation of danger was a palpable entity, a ghost that was slowly shedding its invisibility, ready to make its chilling presence known. The unseen enemy was preparing to strike, the countdown to betrayal was commencing, and Jesse’s fortress of trust was about to crumble under the weight of treachery.
As the night wore on, the fire began to wane, the stories started dying out, and one by one, the men retired to their tents. The calm before the storm hung heavy in the air, the ominous silence a preamble to the thunderous action that was to follow. The unseen enemy was ready to strike, cloaked in the shroud of the night, on the verge of altering the course of history.
Unbeknownst to Jesse, his reign was nearing its end, set in motion by the very men he considered his brethren. Of all his legendary battles, his toughest was to be against the monsters of betrayal and jealousy: the unseen enemies that lurk in the hearts of even the most loyal comrades. But, as the saying goes, it is the unseen enemy that is the most fearsome.
Chapter 8 – “The Betrayal”
Robert and Charley Ford had spent countless nights sketching out their plan meticulously, carving their path to treachery and murder with intricate detail. The day had finally arrived, shrouded in the grey light of a cold winter dawn which only seemed to echo the brothers’ chilling intentions. Jesse, the man who had once been Robert’s idol, was completely unaware of the impending betrayal from his most trusted comrades.
The Ford brothers sat in the dimly lit room, the flicker of the lone candle casting long, monstrous shadows across their somber faces. They glanced nervously at each other, their hearts beating synchronously to the rhythm of their dark plot. The room was filled with silence, only occasionally broken by the creaking floorboards, a haunting prelude to the day’s events.
Jesse James, the legendary outlaw, entered the room, bringing with him a gust of cold wind that made the flame on the candle flicker wildly. He placed his renowned guns on the table – the dreaded weapons that were rumoured to be as quick as the devil himself. Their metallic gleam reflected in Robert’s wide, admiring eyes, igniting a strange mix of fear and jealousy within him.
Jesse was in high spirits that day, completely oblivious to the malicious thoughts brewing in the Ford brothers’ minds. He engaged in playful banter with the other gang members, his laughter echoing around the wooden walls. Robert watched him intently, the man he once admired now the object of his deep-seated envy.
As the day wore on, the atmosphere in the room turned denser. Each tick of the clock felt like a drumbeat heralding the march towards an inevitable doom. Jesse, carrying his carefree demeanour, was blissfully ignorant of the palpable tension. He was seated with his back towards Robert, a fatal positioning that the latter noted with a menacing glint in his eyes.
Seizing the moment, Robert slowly reached for his revolver, his hand trembling slightly under the weight of the act he was about to commit. His heart pounded fiercely against his chest, every beat screaming at him to reconsider, but his resolve was stone set. He cast one last look at his older brother Charley, who returned it with a grim nod, sealing their resolution.
With a deep inhale, Robert drew his gun, each second stretching into an agonizing eternity. The room fell eerily silent, as if in suspense of the tragedy about to unfold. As his shaking finger squeezed the trigger, he whispered a silent prayer, a futile attempt at seeking forgiveness for his unforgivable sin.
The shot echoed through the room, puncturing the jovial chatter and laughter of Jesse’s gang. Instantly, the room was thrown into chaos, the gang members scrambling to make sense of the sudden violence. Jesse, caught off-guard and mortally wounded, fell forward onto the wooden table, his hand desperately reaching for his weapon, but it was too late. The fastest gun in the West had been outdrawn.
As Jesse’s lifeblood seeped slowly onto the wooden floorboards, Robert Ford stood there, the smoking gun still in his hand, his face a mask of shock, remorse, and an unspoken triumph. He had done the unthinkable. He had assassinated the legendary Jesse James, the man whom they had all loved and feared.
The tidal wave of what the Ford brothers had done came crashing down on them. The room echoed with the gasps and cries of the gang, every mind unable to comprehend the reality. The Ford brothers stood amidst the chaos, their expressions a ghastly testament to the gravity of their deed. The myth of Jesse James had been extinguished, but his legend, paradoxically, was about to be magnified in death, immortalizing him more than his life ever could.
Chapter 9 – “Aftermath”
In the immediate aftermath of Jesse James’ assassination, an unsettling calm descended on the heartland of the West. A veil of mourning hung heavy, as if the very land grieved for its fallen son. The Ford brothers, Robert and Charley, found themselves in the midst of a churning storm, one they had created themselves and were now trapped within, struggling to find their footing.
They had anticipated some repercussions, but not to this scale. Their names were whispered in hushed tones, their roles dissected in every bar, every bordello, every homestead. Some saw them as cold-blooded killers or ruthless opportunists; others labeled them as reluctant heroes for ridding the land of a notorious outlaw. The brothers, however, felt far from heroic.
Robert had thought that killing Jesse would give him the fame he craved, the recognition he thought he deserved. But as he looked into the mirror, he did not see the face of a lauded gunslinger; instead, he saw the face of a man haunted by his deeds. Each night he was visited by the specter of Jesse James, his accusing eyes alive in Robert’s dreams.
Charley, on the other hand, battled with an all-consuming guilt. He remembered the times when Jesse had shared stories of his exploits, his near escapes, his laughter echoing in the quiet night around the campfire. He saw the admiration in the eyes of his younger brother and the unspoken bond between them. Charley had not just killed an outlaw; he had betrayed a friend.
They watched as Jesse’s legend grew exponentially with each passing day. He was the Scotch-taped hero, the romantic outlaw, the mythical figure who had cheated death multiple times, only to be brought down by his own kind. The Ford brothers, instead of rising in notoriety, found themselves fading into obscurity, their names dissolving into a sea of whispers.
There were moments when they questioned their actions, flirted with regret, tasted the bitter tang of remorse. They mourned for the man they had killed and for their own innocence lost in the face of ruthless ambition. But most of all, they mourned for the love and trust they had shattered that fateful day.
Newspapers ran elaborate stories of Jesse’s daring adventures, christening him ‘the last of the great outlaws.’ His face – which they had once seen up-close, animated in laughter, contorted in anger – now stared back at them from lifeless newsprints. It was a twisted fate: as Jesse’s legend soared, their identities were reduced to mere footnotes.
In desperation, Robert attempted to capitalize on their act. He penned a play titled ‘How I Killed Jesse James,’ casting himself as the valiant slayer and Jesse as the demonic outlaw. However, audiences saw through the facade, booed his performances, and loudly mourned their fallen hero.
Simultaneously, Charley, unable to bear the guilt, turned to the bottle for solace. Each drink was an escape, a short trip away from the reality they had created. But the vortex of guilt, regret, and despair was inescapable, drawing him back with every sobering dawn.
As the nights turned into days and days into weeks, the Ford brothers grappled with a grim realization – Jesse James was more alive in his death than they in their lives. Their act had not propelled them to legendary status, but had instead elevated James to near-mythical proportions, his fame reaching regions he’d never been.
This chapter, then, was a chilling testament to the adage that actions invariably have consequences. The Ford brothers had aimed for glory but were served with ignominy. The public had loved Jesse James in his life, but in his death, they revered him. He lived on, not just as a man of flesh and blood, but as an idea, an enduring symbol of the wild, untamed West. Meanwhile, Robert and Charley Ford faded into the annals of forgotten history, the cowards who shot the legendary Jesse James.
Chapter 10 – “End of an Era”
The morning after the dark night of betrayal was oddly serene. The Ford brothers, Robert and Charley, woke up to a world where Jesse James’ name was whispered with reverence. The bullet that had ended Jesse’s life had also birthed his legend, and with each sunrise, it only seemed to grow.
There was a strange dichotomy in the town’s atmosphere. A place that, until yesterday had trembled at the mere mention of Jesse’s name, now seemed to mourn him. A hero in death, an outlaw in life – Jesse’s legacy was a vast, perplexing labyrinth that people could only begin to comprehend.
The fame the Ford brothers had sought was theirs, but it was a bitter fruit. Once eager for their names to be known, they found themselves shying away from the limelight, their victory overshadowed by the weight of their guilt. They were hailed as conquerors, yet felt like prisoners – a paradox that only they could understand.
Charley, the softer of the two, found himself drowning in remorse. He found no joy in the spoils, no satisfaction in his infamous achievement. His nights were haunted by Jesse’s eyes, full of surprise and betrayal, his days filled with an oppressing silence. He began to hallucinate, seeing Jesse’s phantom in every corner of his world.
Robert, on the other hand, was more practical. He understood that their actions, however harsh, were influenced by the need for survival in their ruthless world. The justifications, however, did nothing to quell the storm of guilt inside him. Riding on the coattails of Jesse’s legend, they were living a paradox – slayers of an outlaw, yet outlaws themselves.
News of Jesse’s death attracted journalists and bounty hunters alike. This influx brought in an unforeseen burst of wealth and notoriety to the town. But as the Ford brothers watched the world from their ivory tower, they saw how their actions had propelled Jesse to heights unreachable in his lifetime. The irony wasn’t lost on them; they had sought to overthrow a legend, only to immortalize him further.
As months turned into years, the regret wormed its way deeper into their souls, leading them down a path of self-destruction. Charley, unable to bear the guilt, took his own life, leaving Robert alone to bear the burden of their shared sin.
Robert, now a solitary figure, moved through life with the ghost of his past actions haunting him. His envy of Jesse had now switched places with a bizarre admiration. He had eliminated a man, only to elevate him to god-like status. The paradox gnawed at him relentlessly, his nights filled with tormented dreams, his days a monotonous echo of regret.
Everywhere Robert looked, he saw Jesse – in the whispered tales of his past exploits, in the awe-struck eyes of those who came to visit, in the hushed sobs of those who mourned his loss. Jesse’s legend had grown beyond the man himself, a colossus casting a long shadow over the lives of the living.
In a final twist of poetic justice, Robert met his end at the hands of a young man, not unlike the man he had once been. As life ebbed out of him, he found himself thinking of Jesse. His last thoughts were not of his own life, but of Jesse, the man whose death had defined his existence. And as Robert’s vision blurred, he realized that he was destined to be forgotten, while Jesse James would live on.
The echoes of that single gunshot faded, but Jesse’s legend remained, inscribed into the annals of history, and etched onto the hearts of countless people. Amidst the irony, paradoxes, and guilt, one truth remained clear – heroes may be remembered, but legends, like Jesse James, never die. The Ford brothers had ended an era, but the tale they had woven had only just begun.
Some scenes from the movie The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford written by A.I.
Scene 1
FADE IN:
EXT. DUSTY DESERT TOWN – DAY
A lone rider, JESSE JAMES, powerful, feared, approaches the town. He rides with the kind of confidence that makes ordinary folks nervous.
ANGLE ON – SALOON
The saloon doors swing open. Robert Ford, young and eager, watches Jesse approaching.
ROBERT
(to himself)
That’s him. The fastest gun in the West.
He downs his drink, leaves a COIN on the counter and exits the saloon.
EXT. DUSTY STREET – CONTINUOUS
Robert crosses the street, approaching Jesse with a mixture of fear and admiration.
ROBERT
(grinning)
Mr. James, I been hearin’ tales of your exploits. I’d like to ride with ya.
Jesse chuckles, amused by Robert’s audacity. He eyes him up, sizing him up.
JESSE
(laughs)
You think you can handle it, son?
Robert nods determinedly. Jesse grins, pulling Robert into a firm HANDSHAKE.
JESSE
Welcome to the gang, Ford. Let’s see what you’re made of.
FADE OUT. TO BE CONTINUED.
Scene 2
INT. SALOON – DAY
A raucous crowd fills the smoky saloon. Jesse James enters, instantly commanding the room’s attention. Robert Ford, a young gang recruit, watches him in wide-eyed admiration.
ROBERT:
(whispering)
That’s Jesse James…
BARTENDER:
(grinning)
Fastest gun in the west…
Robert can’t hide his awe. He approaches Jesse, offering to buy a drink.
ROBERT:
(smiling)
Can I buy you a drink, Mr. James?
JESSE:
(smirks)
Sure, kid.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. TRAIN – NIGHT
The gang, including Robert, prepares for a daring heist. Jesse orchestrates the plan with the coolness of a seasoned outlaw. Robert watches as Jesse seemingly dances with danger.
ROBERT:
(in awe)
How do you do it, Jesse?
JESSE:
(chuckles)
Years of practice, kid.
As Jesse takes down their targets with the ease of an expert, Robert’s admiration turns into jealousy, burning a hole in his heart. The successful heist paints Jesse as a legend in Robert’s mind, a status he both envies and resents.
FADE OUT:
TO BE CONTINUED…
Scene 3
INT. SALOON – NIGHT
Dimly lit, filled with the tangy scent of cheap whisky and stale beer. Robert and Jesse sit across from each other at a scarred wooden table.
ROBERT
(trying to sound casual)
Y’know, Jesse, ever wonder what it’s like to be a normal bloke? No guns, no heists, no runnin’?
Jesse looks up at him, eyes slightly narrowing.
JESSE
(dismissively)
That ain’t the life for me, Robert. I ain’t made for the ordinary.
Robert stews in silence, his jaw clenched as he gulps down his whisky. Finally, he speaks, his voice edged with a bitter jealousy.
ROBERT
(challengingly)
And what makes you so special, Jesse?
Jesse’s gaze sharpens, studying Robert. He leans back, exuding easy confidence.
JESSE
(smiling subtly)
The fear in their eyes. The respect. The power.
He leans in closer to Robert, his eyes hardened into slits of ice.
JESSE (CONT’D)
(emphasising)
The legend.
Robert swallows hard, feeling the sting of the words. His eyes hold Jesse’s, full of conflicting emotions. There’s an undeniable tension in the air.
CUT TO:
EXT. SALOON – NIGHT
Robert steps out, his face a mask of turmoil. He kicks a stone in frustration. His brother, CHARLEY, steps out behind him.
CHARLEY
(questioningly)
Everything okay, Robbie?
Robert doesn’t reply, just keeps walking. A plan begins to form, the seed of treachery firmly sown.
FADE OUT:
Scene 4
FADE IN:
EXT. EDGE OF TOWN – NIGHT
We see the silhouette of CHARLEY FORD, Robert’s older brother, walking briskly towards a small cabin lit by a single candle. He’s a wiry man with sharp hawk-like eyes, always on edge.
INT. SMALL CABIN – NIGHT
ROBERT FORD, a young man in his early 20s with an unassuming demeanor, waits anxiously. He looks up as Charley enters.
ROBERT:
(to Charley)
You’re late.
CHARLEY:
Just making sure no one followed me.
Robert nods. He understands the need for secrecy. The brothers sit across each other. Robert pulls out a crumpled poster.
ROBERT:
I want to talk about Jesse.
Charley tenses.
CHARLEY:
Jesse? What about him?
Robert slams the poster on the table – JESSE JAMES, WANTED. Charley glances at the poster, then back at Robert, eyes narrowed.
ROBERT:
I believe we can make our mark now, Charley.
Charley takes a moment before answering, careful.
CHARLEY:
You’re talkin’ about killing Jesse, ain’t ya, Robert?
Robert’s eyes meet Charley’s. There’s a dangerous glint in them. A nod. The room falls silent as the proposal hangs in the air, a treacherous plan put in motion.
FADE OUT.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Scene 5
FADE IN:
INT. FORD’S SHACK – NIGHT
A dimly lit room. A flickering oil lamp throws long, dancing shadows against the wooden walls. ROBERT FORD, a young man with ambitious eyes, and CHARLEY FORD, his older, quieter brother, sit hunched over a wooden table. In the middle of the table is a worn-out map.
ROBERT
(whispers)
We need a foolproof plan, Charley.
Charley looks at Robert, uncertainty in his eyes. Robert points to a spot at the map.
ROBERT (CONT’D)
Jesse trusts us. He’ll never expect…
CHARLEY
(interrupts)
To be shot by his own?
Robert looks at Charley, a thin smile playing on his lips.
ROBERT
Well… isn’t that the best kind?
They both stare at the map.
CUT TO:
EXT. JAMES’ HIDEOUT – DAY
The FORD BROTHERS ride up to a secluded house in the woods. Jesse James, the legendary outlaw, steps out to greet them, his charismatic smile masking a potential threat.
JESSE
(cheerful)
The Ford brothers! Ready for another ride?
The brothers share a glance. The tension is palpable. The stage is set for betrayal.
FADE OUT.
Scene 6
INT. SALOON – NIGHT
Dimly lit saloon humming with the discordant notes of jaunty piano music. Patrons mumble in hushed tones over their drinks. JESSE JAMES (mid-30’s rugged, charismatic outlaw) sits at a corner table shuffling his cards, eyes darting over the crowd.
At the door, ROBERT FORD (early 20’s, eager and wide-eyed) and CHARLEY FORD (late 20’s, sturdy, determined) enter. Jesse’s gaze lands on them.
JESSE
(raises his glass)
Gentlemen. Our absence’s been noticed.
Robert and Charley join him. Tension hovers in the air, an almost palpable cloud.
CHARLEY
(lowers his voice)
Tomorrow’s heist, Jesse. We been thinking…
He gets cut off by Robert.
ROBERT
(interjects)
It’s the last one, Jesse.
Confused, Jesse leans back. His eyes, steady, observing the Ford brothers.
ROBERT
(points at a map)
This train, full of gold…our ticket to a fresh start.
The weight of the proposition hangs heavy. Jesse cracks a smile, his eyes still wary.
JESSE
(smirks)
And what makes it the last one, boys?
Charley meets Jesse’s gaze, a hint of defiance in his eyes.
CHARLEY
We’ve had our fill, Jesse. Time to make our own legends.
Robert’s eyes dart between Jesse and Charley, anxiety visible. Jesse ponders over Charley’s words, raising his glass in a silent toast.
FADE OUT.
Scene 7
FADE IN:
EXT. JAMES’ OUTLAW CAMP – DAY
Wide open plains under a hazy, sun-baked sky. We see a group of hardened gunmen – JESSE JAMES’ GANG. In the distance, ROBERT FORD and his brother CHARLEY, their faces masked by shadows and unease.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIRE CAMP – NIGHT
All is still around the fire except for the crackling flames. Jesse, a complex figure of terror and magnetism, shares tales of conquests and heists. Robert and Charley swap glances, their shared secret simmering under the surface.
JESSE:
And that, boys, is how you bring a town to its knees!
Laughter erupts, but Robert and Charley share a tense smile. Robert, a studied innocent, speaks.
ROBERT:
You sure have lived, Jesse.
Jesse grins, completely oblivious to the looming danger.
JESSE:
And plenty more to live, Ford.
CUT TO:
EXT. JAMES’ OUTLAW CAMP – NIGHT
Robert and Charley, under the moonlit sky, discussing their treacherous plan.
ROBERT:
We need to act soon, Charley.
CHARLEY:
Are you sure about this, Bob?
ROBERT:
It’s him or us.
Panic flashes in Charley’s eyes, but he nods, sealing their pact.
FADE OUT:
TO BE CONTINUED…
Scene 8
INT. JESSE JAMES’S LIVING AREA – MOODY LIT – NIGHT
Jesse James, mid-forties, ruggedly handsome with a dangerous aura, sits alone. Robert Ford, early twenties, eyes alight with a mix of fear and determination, and Charley Ford, Robert’s meeker older brother, enter.
Robert steps in timidly.
ROBERT
(Awkward)
Jesse…
JESSE turns, looks at Robert. He offers a faint smile.
JESSE
(Nonchalant)
Robert. Charley.
Robert and Charley share a glance. Jesse goes back to cleaning his gun, oblivious to the tension.
CHARLEY
(Whispering to Robert)
It’s now or never.
Robert nods.
ROBERT
(To Jesse)
Mind if we join you?
JESSE
(Indifferent)
Suit yourself.
Charley sits opposite Jesse, Robert behind him. There’s an intense silence.
Suddenly, Robert stands up, pulls out his own gun and points it at Jesse’s back. Jesse freezes, sensing danger.
CHARLEY
(In shock)
Rob!
Robert ignores him, eyes locked on Jesse. He pulls the trigger.
The gunshot ECHOES. Silence. Jesse slumps, lifeless.
Robert looks at Charley, gun still smoking. Charley’s eyes are wide with shock and fear.
ROBERT
(Breathing heavily)
It’s done.
FADE OUT. TO BE CONTINUED.
