Showdown – Fifth Episode: "The End is Near"

Showdown – Fifth Episode: "The End Is Near" refers to the fifth performance of Showdown, which was improvised on 4/8/11.

Episode Summary

• The minister is called to attend to Clement’s injury, but professes his limited knowledge of injuries.
• Sam Johnson tries one more time to win Fancy over to the Black Cat by painting a bleak future for her once Clement is dead. Fancy tells him that there is nothing that he has to offer her.
• Adelaide visits Delilah in prison and offers to set her free in exchange for making her the patsy for Adelaide’s plan to steal the Burnet campaign money. They are interrupted by the Sheriff before Delilah can be freed.
• Sam Houston and his bodyguard Jacob contemplate the upcoming election and fortify themselves with Bourbon.
• Miss Jessie brings a poultice – made after her own special recipe involving purple cone flower, lemon balm and fresh cow dung – and instructs the minister on how to use it on Clement.
• Celia is distraught about Tobias’ death and chides George for killing him.
• Hank, Johnny and the Sheriff talk business about the election at the Jones’ restaurant.
• Angelica offers information on Sam Johnson’s plans to take over the Jewel Saloon. Clement is suspicious but it becomes clear that Angelica and Fancy have a history.
• Sam Johnson is upset by Clement’s apparent recovery. Caleb and Adelaide formulate the plan to make sure the Sam Houston assassination attempt is pinned on Clement.
• Judge Clancy and Clement ponder their options. Bertram gets a tongue-lashing from Fancy for not protecting Clement.
• Celia meets the minister at Tobias’ grave and confesses her feelings of guilt over his death.
• On main street Johnny Matthews gets beaten up by a mob over his campaigning and is saved by Texas Ranger Boudreau who just arrived in town.
• Word about Houston’s victory in several cities is coming to Showdown. The good news is celebrated with more drinks.
• Fancy disciplines Angelica for running away from her in the past but the two make up and rekindle their friendship.
• After Sam produces the writ about Clement’s involvement in the assassination attempt things between Adelaide and him get tense as it becomes apparent that Sam is not up for a fight if it would come for that. Adelaide implores Caleb to take care of Sam.
• Sheriff Solomon leads Delilah from prison and gets her out of town.
• Clement, judge Clancy and Bertram are preparing for the gunslingers that Sam Johnson might send over to the Jewel. Bertram confesses that he had difficulties finding men willing to fight for Clement.
• George turns to Clarinda for solace and explains the problems he has regarding Celia.
• Caleb follows Sam to his office and they stage a fight to make it appear as if they had a falling out. Caleb leaves for the Jewel Saloon after assuring Sam that all will go according to plan.
• Hank gets drunk celebrating the Houston victory at the restaurant with Celia and they have a tender moment.
• Caleb is greeted with hostility at the Jewel and shows the forged confession to Clement. He claims that it was Sam’s plan all along. Clement is furious and leaves to have words with Sam.
• Sheriff Solomon leaves Celia at his ranch with enough food to survive for a few days. He has not yet made up his mind about what to do with her.
• Clement surprises Sam in his office and after Sam confirms that he had planned to take over the Jewel, Clement mutilates and kills him.