Zander and the Young Medicine Man

By Gregory Coffin

In the old West, Zander is a lone cowboy traveling through a land with conflicting factions. He is both a hunter of men and is hunted by men. Akecheta Tadoka is a lone Lakota who enters that region. He is both a warrior and one seeking wisdom. From a battle of those conflicting factions, aA boy of mixed White and Indian blood gets orphaned, but rescued by Zander; they cannot communicate as the boy speaks Lakota. Akecheta Tadoka cannot speak with others, but comes upon Zander and the boy; Akecheta Tadoka can speak with the boy, but not with Zander. The two men, unable to communicate, first eye one another with suspicion, but then friendship. However, with their own histories and the conflicts all about, become mistrustful again. More are brought in from outside the area to help factions try to triumph, and these compound the struggles Zander and Akecheta Tadoka face while trying to understand each other and to save the boy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gregory Coffin
• Release date: Aug 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9780985980689

Gregory Coffin

Morality first; pragmatism second.I have earned PhD in Psychology (cognitive and evolutionary focus), and a Masters of Science in Forensic Psychology.Contributor in Volume 1, 2013 of The Voluntary Voice.My 4 fiction books (Sterling Honor, The Gospel of Reason, A Social Carol, and The Justified Trilogy) are available as audiobooks at Audible.com, and in print at Amazon.com.

Book preview

Zander and the Young Medicine Man

Gregory Coffin

Copyright

Other titles include:

The Gospel of Reason

A Social Carol

The Justified Trilogy and Warning

Sterling Honor

About this tale:

American and Japanese cinema have had a circular influence with each other. Great films in the American canon include adaptations or influences from Japanese originals, such as The Hidden Fortress was an influence for Star Wars, Yojimbo was the base for A Fistful of Dollars, Lady Snowblood was an inspiration for Kill Bill, Seven Samurai for The Magnificent Seven, among other films. Many of these samurai epics were directed by Akira Kurosawa; Kurosawa himself was influenced by early American director John Ford who had among his filmography many great Westerns such as Stagecoach, The Searchers, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.

The samurai of Japan and the cowboy of America have many overlapping characteristics. In particular, how the lone and wandering samurai or cowboy meets his adventure for the story. Even as an antihero, like a hero, the protagonist has a code. Revenge tales are routine stories of punishing those who caused an earlier harm. Otherwise, as often happens a distressed town or even individual is met in the journey and that calls upon the protagonist to act according to his code.

Following in the same vein the aforementioned films, the story presented here follows a previous Japanese story. Zatoichi is a character created by Kan Shimozawa who wrote fiction and about history. Multiple movies have been created based off of Zatoichi, but the base for here was Zatoichi Meets The One-Armed Swordsman. In that story there is not just one, but two heroes from different cultures: Zatoichi from Japan and Wang Kang from China. Each having their own paths and coming to points where their code calls them to act to help those who are being oppressed by a stronger group; however, Wang Kang is in a new environment where he cannot communicate with practically anyone. Eventually their paths cross. Unable to communicate with each other, they view the other with suspicion, then friendship, and with the convergence of interests against them, back to suspicion and hostility. All the while they’re still trying to help those they saw in need, and in doing so become the hunted like those they’re trying to help.

Zander And The Young Medicine Man follows that base, with more added. Instead of Japanese and Chinese leads, Zander is a Cowboy and in place of the Chinese man out of his element it is a Lakota Indian. With historic events in the background, each character has their understanding and perceptions influenced. Zander and the Young Medicine Man move toward the same goal of helping, yet get directed against each other. The ones seeking to control the region also conspire to get everyone in the region to turn against the protagonists. Others are brought in by the powerful to hunt Zander, the Young Medicine Man, and the rest; others already in the region find ways of helping. Can those who Zander and the Young Medicine Man are helping be enough to counter those greater forces working against them all?

Copyright © 2023 by Gregory Coffin

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Part 1

Part 1

EXT. FORESTED HILLS: AUTUMN – DAY

ZANDER is a man in his mid-40s, has a full beard to his collar bone, medium-length and speckled-gray hair, all of which is down to his shoulders; he has a solid build, just over 6', and a wary countenance. He is alone with his horse ZONTA an Appaloosa slightly off to the side; Zander is reclining against a fallen log, while cooking at a fire. His guitar is next to a copy of Moliere's The Misanthrope, and both are resting against a log. Seeing that the rabbit he's cooking is almost done, Zander gets up, plays a little jingle on his harmonica, walks over to Zonta, and gives him a little tune; Zonta nickers; Zander smiles and puts his harmonica back in his pocket. As he steps aside Zonta, Zander reaches into the saddlebag.

ZANDER

(gently teasing Zonta)

Oh, don't you worry. I ain't gonna sing; I know my strengths. And...

Zander pulls out two carrots and two apples and strokes

Zonta's mane.

ZANDER

We're both gonna eat. Lucky you easy to please and don't mind same thing repeatedly.

Zander looks back at the rabbit cooking.

ZANDER

(sighs)

But I'm gettin' tired a'this: rabbit better than coon, less tedious than skunk. Still damn tired o'it.

Zander pets Zonta, then turns and leans against him. Zander gesticulates toward the rabbit cooking.

ZANDER

(disapprovingly)

Ain't even got spices anymore. (wistfully,)

A nice rare steak, hell, even some frizzled beef, some whiskey, a hot bath... And some cards...

Zander laughs and gives a deep scritch into Zonta's mane.

ZANDER

That ain't askin' too much is it?

Zander turns and feeds the carrots to Zonta.

ZANDER

(scoffs)

Dinner and dessert for you. Spoiled-ass horse.

Zander feeds the apples to Zonta, grabs his canteen and turns back to the fire.

ZANDER

(scoffs)

Bland rabbit again.

Zander stops. The manner of his stop is recognized by Zonta who goes still and quiet. Quickly, silently, Zander moves to the cover provided by a large tree; he takes the rabbit off the fire and props it against the log as he moves. At the tree Zander listens for anomalies in forest sounds.

ZANDER

(declaiming)

Your skills suck. Best turn 'round an' leave.

Zander continues to listen, and can tell those who arrived are not leaving.

ZANDER

(declaiming)

You sneak as well as drunk hogs dance. Lost any surprise. Y'all might as well just fuck off.

Zander can hear more advancing.

ZANDER

You think your numbers give you advantage. It won't. (sighs) Don't throw your lives away.

Zander looks about while reaching behind to feel the tree; he glances at Zonta to see what he is responding to. In the periphery, Zander notices his rifle and long shotgun still at the log. He reaches down drawing his revolver and his bowie knife. He again pauses, scans, and listens. He hears the advance of those around him pause.

ZANDER

Wanna be food for animals? I'leave you t'be wolf shit. Not the first time I fed animals like that.

WAR BOUNTY HUNTER #1

(unseen from the trees)

We'll walk out just fine. Bet on that. Make it easy and I an' m'two buddies will let ya' walk out. Fight, an' we won't mind draggin’ ya.

Zander scoffs slightly at the notion that WAR BOUNTY HUNTER

#1 thinks him stupid enough to believe only two partners.

ZANDER

(mouthing his response to Zonta)

Two.

War Bounty Hunter #1 is rather skilled and keeping himself hidden. Zander checks the area, noticing anomalies. His eyes dart; his ears move as he listens. A simple sound springs Zander's reactions and he twists around throwing his bowie knife; the accuracy and the weight of the blade buried into a WAR BOUNTY HUNTER #2's eye socket, knocking him back: dead instantly, and he fell relatively silently. Zander resumes scanning while reaching down and pulling out his boot knife. Another sound from one trying to flank him, and he throws his boot knife; the blade buries deep in the neck of WAR BOUNTY HUNTER #3. The man falls and flails a couple seconds, his hand on the handle of the blade. Zander scowls, but refocuses on the rest of the forest. Hoping that the sounds of the dead were not heard, but knowing they probably were.

WAR BOUNTY HUNTER #1

Shit! You done pissed me off now.

ZANDER

How you're pissin' is on you, not me.

WAR BOUNTY HUNTER #1

(anger rising)

We're gonna make you pay for that.

ZANDER

Well, Hell... Ya' said 'two buds' and I just took two out... you not alone yet?

WAR BOUNTY HUNTER #1

(almost an enraged yell)

Fuck you!

ZANDER

Tha'aint a number. Remember your group at that trading post in Chamberlain: been track'n me while. Sounds like ya' already down two before you started here. I'm thinkin' ya got two, maybe three others remain'n wit'ya.

Zander narrows in on where War Bounty Hunter #1 is located among the rest.

ZANDER

You cn'still walk away. Better t'be pissed than dead; dead don't got the luxury o'bein’ pissed. Take that walk. It'll only get worse.

WAR BOUNTY HUNTER #1

(failing to calm himself)

Nah. We came for you dead or alive. More for alive and ya' just need t'be kickin; broken an' bleeding be fine, you son-of-a-bitch.

ZANDER

That's just rude. Mom was a good mom.

Zander further narrows in on where War Bounty Hunter #1 is hiding and hears the others.

ZANDER

You're runnin' outta your chance to leave.

WAR BOUNTY HUNTER #1

(scoffs at audacity)

You a crazy fucker. Lone cowboys don't last for a reason.

Zander hears a whistle, and then movements in the forest and butte about him.

ZANDER

Crazy... Lone... I still got gray in m'beard for a reason. (patience waning) Come at me or fuck off. I got dinner cookin' an' I'm hungry.

WAR BOUNTY HUNTER #1

You truly are a crazy fucker.

ZANDER

Been call'd worse.

War Bounty Hunter #1 shifts to motion for the others to advance. War Bounty Hunter #1 gives a coded whistle, which was obvious to Zander.

WAR BOUNTY HUNTER #1

I'm glad you got dinner ready. I'm kinda hung...

Zander spots enough of a heel appear from War Bounty Hunter #1's shift readying for the attack. Zander fires striking the heel which made War Bounty Hunter #1 fall in pain, screaming, but it was cut short as while he fell, Zander shoots an additional round and hit War Bounty Hunter #1's head. An anomaly becomes evident, and Zander turns and puts a bullet into the head of the one advancing. Two others dash and hide behind a thicket of trees in front of the hard rock of the butte. For a second Zander hopes they were leaving, but does not lower his gun. Behind the trees, they stick a barrel of a rifle out and tried to aim it; they know they were protected from Zander's pistol and blades. Zander jumps over the log, reaches down and grabs his shotgun, spins and fires both barrels into the rock face of the butte. The combination of buckshot and shrapnel from the rock face peppers the back and sides of the men; they scream and squirm. Zander quickly side-steps, aims with his revolver and fires, killing both men with shots to their heads. Zander pauses a moment, ensuring no other men were coming for him, then checks the men that he killed; he keeps money, ammo, cigarettes, but unimpressed with the whiskey, 'cheap shit' and drops it. The last one Zander checks is War Bounty Hunter#1: Zander opens wallet and takes the money; there is also a bag tied to War Bounty Hunter 1's waist, and it is full of money.

ZANDER

(impressed)

Get a good bounty 'fore comin' after me? Even hacks get lucky once in awhile. (ties the bag to his waist) You won't be needin' this anymore. It's appreciated.

Zander looks for remaining valuables and finds a picture of a woman in her 20s.

ZANDER

Hmm. You had a wife, girlfriend?

Zander looks closely at the photo: it is a beautiful woman.

ZANDER

(somber)

If you loved him, I'm sorry; but he was stupid and stubborn. Not a good combination.

Zander places the picture inside War Bounty Hunter #1's shirt.

ZANDER

She was way out of your league. You shouldn't have been so... you. Bad as any other wanna-be bounty hunter thinking you're th'shit - when you're just th'fertilizer.(stands) Your choices got you here. And out of the life of one who cared about you. Nothing special about the dead. 'course, you just got a head start on what awaits us all. Race I ain't rushin’ in.

Zander walks back to Zonta who neighs.

ZANDER

(scoffs)

I know: town's next. S'been too long an'I been talkin' t'too many damn things.

Zonta snorts.

ZANDER

Well, you don't count. I always talk to you. And you, ya' damned smartass talk back.

Zander puts the money and bullets in his satchel. The wind shifts and Zander smells burning. When he turns around, he sees his rabbit got shot and fell into the fire and was burning.

ZANDER

Goddamn it.

Zander reaches down and brushes off his book.

ZANDER

(sighs)

'... with injustice heaped upon me,

I mean to escape from this abyss where vice reigns triumphant...'

Zonta nickers.

ZANDER

(pauses, looks at Zonta)

Shut up.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. FORESTED HILLS: AUTUMN - DAY

Zander's cooking fire spot glistens with wet charred rabbit; he stops splashing the embers then takes a drink from his canteen and puts it in the saddlebag. Zander rides off on Zonta. After Zander leaves, two men come into the area. FLYNN and BART ride in and get off their horses. Flynn is a man in his early 50s, rather short and quite lean; Bart is a man in his early 30s, rather short and portly; they are both rather unkempt, riding for a long time. Flynn leans over and looks at one of the dead.

FLYNN

Good thing we held back.

Flynn looks in the direction Zander rode off. Bart starts digging through what Zander left among the bodies.

BART

Takin' out one shoulda be easy. Only Dave here had skill.

Bart sniffs a bottle.

BART

Hmm. Good whiskey. Ha! That fool.

Flynn stands up and glares at Bart and takes the bottle.

FLYNN

Figured Zander woulda taken out a couple then get chased off. Guessin' I was wrong. (looks at the bodies) Guess they got what they deserved, ditching us. Did us a faver.

Flynn turns to walk to the horses.

FLYNN

Don't be fucking stupid: he jus' killed the gang. There ain't here a 'finish-off-the-remainin'. We're the remainin'. We gotta be smarter here.

EXT. SMALL TOWN MARKET – DAY

AKECHETA TADOKA is a tall and muscular Lakota in his early 20s. Dismounting his horse, he takes off his gunstock war club and leaves it with his horse; he keeps his tomahawk. Leaving his horse at the edge of town, he walks along the main street. He has piercing scars on his chest from his sun dance, and his dress is traditional; the piercings are only visible at times behind his vest when he moves or the wind opens it just enough. The town is predominantly White with Blacks and Chinese moving about, though other races are scattered amongst the rest. There is a blend of Pagans and Christians. Some look at him warily, but most look at him friendly. Most speak English, but some speak other languages; he recognizes some English terms, but doesn't know exactly to what they refer. He walks along with a hackamore, holding up its broken rope. A couple walking see his expression looking like he needs help and approach him.

AKECHETA TADOKA

(in Lakota)

Where can I get rope?

The people motion to show they don't understand, but after looking at his holding the broken hackamore point up the road which leads out of town. Akecheta Tadoka sighs at being told to leave, but then he nods and walks away; he's uneasy being there and feels more uneasy as he continues. The more he inquires, the more he gets pointed up the same road, out of town. A pair of young children, around 10 and 11, a boy and a girl, motion for Akecheta Tadoka to follow them. After a brief walk Akecheta Tadoka sees a horse tied to a post outside a building; the horse has a similar hackamore he uses, and he recognizes Lakota work on the rest of the horse's gear, as well as what was traditionally White man's horse gear. The children pointed toward the horse and the building; the building was up the street that people pointed. Akecheta Tadoka realizes others were pointing him to the building, not out of town. The building has a sign which he cannot read, but also has Lakota circle, medicine arrows and forked tree symbols. He looks back and hopes he did not appear angry to those he met. Akecheta Tadoka then turns to face the children and smiles.

AKECHETA TADOKA

(in Lakota)

Thank you.

Akecheta Tadoka goes to the building and the children smile, wave, and leave. As Akecheta Tadoka nears the door, CIQALA runs out of the building; he is a 3 year old boy, of both Native and White blood. The toddler almost runs into Akecheta Tadoka who stepped back quickly. MACHA WICHIWI, is a White woman in her early 30s, with blonde hair and blue eyes, runs after Ciqala. Macha Wichiwi is a beautiful woman, somewhat petite. She is wearing a tradition western blue dress, but also has Lakota jewelry and Norse runes. She grabs and lovingly pulls Ciqala to her.

MACHA WICHIWI

(to Akecheta Tadoka)

I'm sorry. Children can be just bundles of energy.

Akecheta Tadoka smiles at her and the boy, and hesitates because he wouldn't be understood, but still figured he should respond. Ciqala circles behind Macha Wichiwi.

AKECHETA TADOKA

(in Lakota)

The boy has the spirit of the rabbit.

MACHA WICHIWI

(perfect Lakota which surprises Akecheta Tadoka)

The boy has not had a chance to spite Eye Walker yet. (coyly) Unless, you are him. You look quite the warrior sun dancer.

AKECHETA TADOKA

(disbelief, in Lakota)

It has been some time since I've heard my tongue. To hear it from a White woman is most unexpected, though welcome.

ODAKOTAH is a man in his late 30s/early 40s; he has the countenance of a warrior who recently put away his weapons.

He steps out of the building and approaches Akecheta Tadoka, Macha Wichiwi, and Ciqala.

ODAKOTAH

(in Lakota)

I did hear the words of my ancestors. With a glad heart I welcome you.

Akecheta Tadoka and Odakotah greet each other formally. Macha Wichiwi pulls Ciqala to her side.

MACHA WICHIWI

(in Lakota to Ciqala)

Be welcoming. Say hello.

CIQALA

(in Lakota)

Hello.

MACHA WICHIWI

(in Lakota)

And?

Ciqala shyly looks at the adults before him, then at Akecheta Tadoka before looking at his mother in consternation then in epiphany. Looks with a big smile at Akechta Tadoka.

CIQALA

(in Lakota)

Good travels. Come in.

Akecheta Tadoka is still in disbelief of meeting a White woman who speaks perfect Lakota, a full-blood Lakota, and Lakota-speaking child in this city. He wants to be gracious, forgets what he was looking for.

AKECHETA TADOKA

(in Lakota)

Thank you brothers and sister.

Odakotah sees the hackamore, then motions for Akecheta Tadoka to follow. The motion reorients Akecheta Tadoka