- [first lines]
- Adolph Strauss: I'm very sorry, but the store is closed. I was careless to leave the front door unlocked.
- Webb Crawford: Well, you're carelessness could be my good luck. I was afraid I wouldn't find a store open. I've traveled a long way to get here; I still have a long way to go. I liked the creche in your window.
- Adolph Strauss: You really like that?
- Webb Crawford: I think it's one of the most wonderful things I've seen in a long time.
- Adolph Strauss: In the old country, my father was a woodcarver.
- Adolph Strauss: Is there some way I can help you?
- Webb Crawford: Well, I have to get some Christmas presents.
- Adolph Strauss: I would guess you have children.
- Webb Crawford: A boy six; girl four.
- Adolph Strauss: Oh, I know why you have traveled a long way. Christmas is important to children. Maybe it's important to all of us.
- Webb Crawford: You can put this coat on the bill, too... and add this gun and some shells. I'll take care of it later.
- Adolph Strauss: I don't do any credit business, mister.
- Webb Crawford: Maybe you've just changed your policy.
- [Webb points the pistol at Adolph and cocks the hammer]
- Webb Crawford: Mister, I don't like to do this, but I need those presents and I haven't got the money. Now turn around.
- Adolph Strauss: Two days before Christmas... the presents for the children will be gifts from me... the coat and the gun, too.
- Webb Crawford: Mister, I believe you but I can take the chance. I'm sorry.
- [three formidable looking men carrying rifles ride down Main Street]
- Cal: Huh. Strangers in town?
- Simon Kane: Yeah. Doesn't look like they're gonna stop long enough to get acquainted either.
- Cal: Well, that's just fine with me. I never did like a man come ridin' in with a rifle in his lap.
- [referring to the three men brandishing rifles as they rode through tonw]
- Cal: Could be they're chasin' somebody.
- Simon Kane: Or runnin' from somebody.
- Cal: Could be their chasin' the man that robbed Old Man Strauss last night.
- Simon Kane: Hadn't heard about it.
- Cal: Yeah! They found the old man this morning all trussed up like a turkey and a gag in his mouth. Sure... Funny thing about it, Sime... he was all bedded down real comfortable and a blanket over him. Ha! I never heard of a robber doin' that before.
- Simon Kane: Yuletide spirit, Cal.
- [In the spirit of Christmas, Simon offers Webb a free ride in his stagecoach]
- Webb Crawford: I promised myself I'd spend Christmas with me wife and kids.
- Simon Kane: Well, we're wasting time then. Get inside.
- Webb Crawford: This is the first time I ever knew Saint Nick drove a six-up. I always heard he heard he used eight reindeer.
- Davey Kane: Hey, Luke!
- [Luke is pouring drinks for Zeke and himself]
- Luke Perry: When are you going to learn not to bother people when they're busy.
- [toasting Zeke]
- Luke Perry: God rest ye merry gentlemen.
- Zeke Bonner: Likewise.
- Webb Crawford: Well, one thing you can say, Mr. Kane - your turkey didn't go to waste.
- Simon Kane: Well, it sure went someplace.
- Susan Crawford: I just can't tell you how grateful we are.
- Luke Perry: Well, ma'am, we're the ones who oughta be grateful to you. You see, if Simon had brought home that bird, I was the one who was due to cook it and I guarantee you it wouldn't have tasted like this.
- Davey Kane: I guarantee it wouldn't have, either.
- Simon Kane: Davey, on this night we refrain from criticizing our fellow man.
- Davey Kane: Oh, you've eaten as much of Luke's cooking as I have.
- Simon Kane: That's why I'm not saying anything.
- [pointing a shotgun at the three bounty hunters]
- Luke Perry: Just a while ago, I heard a boy say you were the three wise men. If you're really wise, you'll turn around and allow Simon relieve you of those sidearms. This blunderbuss I'm holdin' isn't exactly loaded with rock salt.
- Simon Kane: It took you long enough getting here.
- Luke Perry: I was tryin' to make up my mind whether I should get here at all. You mind letting me have one of those?
- [Luke reaches for one of the guns Simon is holding]
- Simon Kane: What's wrong with the one you've got?
- Luke Perry: Well, you see, that Mr. Crawford was a real thorough man. He pulled the loads from this and hid all the shells. I wasn't kiddin' when I said this thing wasn't loaded with rock salt. It's not loaded with anything.
- Simon Kane: I'm going to give you a choice. There's a man who inside who's asking nothing from the law except to spend what may be his last Christmas with his family. Now that doesn't seem like an awful lot to me. Does it to you?
- Boone: No, sir. It sure don't, Mister. I'm a family man myself.
- Simon Kane: If you're deputized you have my word I'll turn Crawford over to you in the morning. Meanwhile, you can either step inside and act like human beings or I'll have Luke cut your horses loose and you can walk. It's up to you.
- Boone: Well, it may be hard for them to act like human beings, Mister, but I give you my word you can trust me.
- Simon Kane: I believe you.
- Boone: Good. Now can I have my gun back?
- Simon Kane: I don't believe you that much.
- [reading the note that came with Davey's Christmas gift - a pistol]
- Susan Crawford: "This is for you, Davey, to keep as long as you remember what it's for. Used rightly, it can be your friend. It can clothe and feed you... it can protect you and the ones you hold dear. Used wrongly, it becomes a weapon of destruction and evil. We both feel you're old enough to know the difference. Merry Christmas, Davey - signed Pop and Luke." I think you'll want to keep this card. It was written by two very wise men. Seems as though they're hopin' you'll be the third one.
- [the clock strikes midnight]
- Simon Kane: Gentlemen, a Merry Christmas to all.
- Webb Crawford: And to all a good night.