MATT DILLON AND FESTUS ARE IN THE JAILHOUSE TALKING.

So you thought the better option was to just turn your mule loose?

Well, Matthew, she started to show signs of ageing and became even more stubborn than mules are 'sposed to be! You follow me?

Well, Festus, ole Ruth has been pretty reliable, right?

Well, yeah. But -

And, didn't she more or less save your life a few times?

Only twice!

And, wasn't she OK just eating 'bout any kind of low-quality horse feed?

Yeah

(beat)

But, don't you see, she was getting more and more wore out by the day.

JUST THEN, DOC ENTERS THE JAILHOUSE.

(excited)

What's this I hear about abandoning Ruth? Have you lost your mind?

Now, I don't need you making a stink, too. Matthew has already tried to make me feel bad.

How long have you had Ruth, anyway? 'Bout twenty years?

Well, I reckon it may have been that long. Anyway, it was way before I wandered into this role. I think Ruth and Brisco Cass was the first pairing.

Who? What are you talking about?

(rubbing his chin, thinking more)

When I was Brisco Cass, way back when, I had Ruth then. But then Ruth went by the name of Galen.

(beat)

Now, why does that name sound so familiar?

Hey, isn't that your first name, Doc?

Sure is. I was named after the famous Greek, (or was it Roman?) surgeon.

Well, now you know why my Galen had to have her name changed.

Wait a minute! You were Brisco Cass? The guy I had to lock up back in season two for peddling completely ineffective snake-oil?

It's s'far back, I can't even remember. Way back.

Isn't that all the more reason to hold on to Ruth?

MATT AND FESTUS BOTH STARE AT DOC, TRYING TO FOLLOW HIS LOGIC.