We Begin at the End

“You all set for today, return of the King?”

Vincent King is a Christ figure. He is meek and humble. He cares about others. He is gentle and loving. And in the end, he saves his daughter by offering himself up in the leap off the cliff.

“I always thought [Martha] was it for you. I know we were young, but the way you looked at her.”

Vincent understands the agony and the isolation of his best friend, Sheriff Walk. By later demanding Martha as his lawyer, Vincent—certain the two will work together—fixes his friend’s lonely heart.

“You don’t need to ask if I’m alright. I’m an outlaw.”

This is Duchess’ go-to riposte whenever anyone asks her name. Fed on books about the Old West, she fancies herself a hard-core outlaw despite the reality of her tender heart and aching loneliness.