Week 2 Day 2: Worthy Opponents – TOMBSTONE

[Susan]

Tombstone

The tension that comes from putting the 2 worthy opponents together is the audience concerned that Ringo will kill Doc Holliday because he’s so drunk, even though Earp has a shotgun pointed at Ringo which he cocks (we hear), but no one else in the bar appears to hear. Doc could get shot first anyway. Then it is a pissing contest between Ringo with a pistol and Doc with a wine cup that is pretty funny. It makes Ringo angry, but it appears he doesn’t feel like this would be a good time to shoot Doc, the audience was laughing and would be against him… maybe 12 people would shoot him.

In their first meeting Doc discovers that he doesn’t like Ringo. 1st because there’s something around his eyes that reminds him of himself, 2nd because Ringo can speak Latin so he’s educated and now he really hates him.

How these 2 stand out from the others: they each appear to have a chip on their shoulder, they make fun of each other in front of everyone, they are the center of attention and everyone’s eyes are on them, they have a talent to be able to play fast with guns (or other items) and make them dance.

The Drama is built around the pissing contest between Ringo and Doc Holliday.

The profile items (right character, traits, secret, wound, future) that showed up in these two character’s words and actions in the scene are:

Right character: Doc is a worthy opponent (even though a drunkard) to Ringo and has a part of himself that is just as mean an ornery as Ringo. Doc knows that part of himself and that is why he really hates Ringo. Doc has a secret that makes him drink. Doc is well loved by many who support him.

Ringo is a creep who wants praise and adulation so he shows off. He feels he must keep his reputation of being the deadliest gun slinger so he will do whatever he needs to, to do that.

Traits:

Doc Holliday – Cocky, Smart, Calm, Troubled/Alcoholic/Wounded, Expert/Marksman,

Ringo – Mean, Concerned about his reputation, Show off, Lurker, Needy

Doc definitely has some wound, psychologically speaking it is likely Ringo has a wound, but his character is a creep so the audience probably won’t care about it, or think he should have outgrown it. Also in the film (but not necessarily in history) Ringo is educated and probably comes from some money and so therefore would have destroyed his life on his own murdering so many people which makes him incredibly detestable, otherwise why did he come from that background into what he is doing now – even with a wound).

Future: One can tell from this scene that the characters will have more run-ins and probably a shootout later.

What makes each character great from a writing perspective:

Doc Holliday: He has some sort of deep wound (likely from his family dying of TB) which makes him an alcoholic, he is a dentist and highly educated and at the same time he is a gambler, and an incredibly fast gun slinger. This triple nature along with his wound makes him a great character to explore in wound, action, future, and in history.

Ringo: Is so mean and hateful it doesn’t matter that he lost his father young. His wound informs to his creepiness, but isn’t necessary to create his vileness as plenty of people have lost parents and don’t become vicious outlaws. Delving into his true dark side makes him great from a writing perspective.

[Andrea Verde]

Tombstone:

The tension putting these two together creates a wild fire. Both Doc and Ringo are drunk and each tries to out do the other.

Doc discovers that Ringo is just as mean and unruly as himself. When Doc looks into his eye he sees himself and the need to have power and be right and rule. He’s a threat to Doc.

These two characters stand out from the others since they are both so much the ame. Both command attention and authority. They show off in front of the others in the bar to look like they are superior than the others and tougher than all. This is demonstrated this by the way they slung their gun and bottle.

The drama in this scene is built around the bar which is rough and tough and very male. Even though there are women there they are submissive to the men and it’s definatly a mens place. Not to mention poker that’s being played.

They are right characters for this story since they both want power and control. And will fight the other to get it. This makes them worthy opponents.

Doc traits: Aggressive, Arrogant, Educated. Future: You know there will be some kind of fight for superiority. Wound: untrusting (not sure what happened since I don’t know story but he wants control which comes from a deep wound of unable to control his situation).

Ringo’s traits: Reactive, Intelligent, Controlling. Wound: Similar to Doc a deep hurt to want to control and conquer. maybe in his past someone tried to over come him and now he won’t let one person over come him. Future: He will be fighting for real with Doc it’s been set up. At this point they are equal so you don’t know who will win. This creates intrigue.

The breakthru is how the scene builds slowly. First a few gestures, looks, words, then small actions. This is great to see and it’s what I learned most. It builds and it gets quieter in the bar too until everyone is watching! Great writing!