Character Arcs of Act One

The Preacher

Introduction - Tall, tan, dirty blonde, mid forties, dresses in white clothing heavily drenched in sweat. Wears black rosary, walks with a limp, appears intense, speaks with compassion and conviction about God's love, easily angered by violence, seems to know the bible in and out, protective, says he heard God call him to Utah to speak a message of peace to the people whose lives were marked by violence. He is loving to his family, but they are secondary to God's call.

Backstory/Motivations - He fought for the South in the Civil War in one of the Colorado Confederate Partisan Ranger units. Father was a Methodist preacher who was against his son fighting in the war. The Preacher was injured in war. He told the nurse taking care of his injury that he had sinned, killed people, children. His leg injury was God's punishment for what he had done. He told the nurse that he would do anything for God's forgiveness no matter what the price. The nurse reminded him of the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. "Then Jesus said to (Peter), 'Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once send Me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?'"

The Preacher met wife through his father's church after he returned home to Colorado from the war. He was impressed by her quiet, but strong humility. He needed a woman who could stick with him through what God had intended for him. People of his father's church, including his father, were proud that he was going to spread God's message of peace to the bandits and victims of violence in Utah. Regardless of what happens to him, he believes there is nothing to fear because of Jesus suffering on the cross. He lead a band of people from Colorado to Utah and established a small settlement. The people look to him for guidance. He believes the Mormons have turned their backs against God and are part of the reason why violence has taken over Utah.  

Who is he at the end of Act One - when bandit comes to kill him, he is more worried about the soul of the bandit and his son than he is for his own life. He knows that it's God's will whether he lives or dies, because if God wanted to save him he would send twelve legions of angels. When he realizes that the Bandit is going to kill him he releases his life to God and prays for his son's soul.  

Fatal Flaw - Sacrificing everything, including his family, to satisfy God's call.

The Preacher's Son

Introduction - Four years old, blonde, wears white, like his father, but his clothes are always dusty from digging in the sand. He tries to act tough from time to time, but it looks like he doesn't really know what he is doing--just imitating someone. He actually seems innocent, and lacks fears because of it. He likes to dig in the sand outside of his house and plays with handmade dolls like they are gunfighters. He is just keeps staring at the shiny gun that he finds in the sand, reflecting it's white light in his face. It's almost like he can't put it down.

Backstory/Motivations - He has helped his father dig wells around the home for water, which is why he enjoys digging in the dirt. He has seen his father's badges from the war, which his father kept for some reason. He is forced to listen to his father complain and preach against violence and bandits and Robber's Roost. His parents are very loving and protective of him and make him feel like there is nothing to fear. Violence only seems like a game. The only time his father gets angry, and then he gets really angry, is when his son acts aggressive or violent. His father's extreme behavior has made violence a Pandora's Box for the boy. He has seen a few bandits, whom to him look tough and angry, and his father acts tough and angry, when preaching, so the Preacher's Son tries to act tough and angry. But at this point, he is only acting, and he doesn't know what these emotions mean.

Who is he at the end of Act One -  He has just shot the Bandit and watched his father die in front of him. The mask of toughness and anger that was only a game has now become part of him. The intensity of seeing a bandit actually point a gun at his father brings up rage for the first time in his life. While his father's maniacal rants against violence made aggression attractive, the gun only fascinated him at first. At some point during the confrontation, something in him or something about the gun took over. And after he shoots the bandit the gun goes from something that fascinates him to something of an obsession that he may never be able to let go of.

Fatal Flaw - His obsession with violence

The Bandit

Introduction - sweaty, curly black hair under squat black hat. His clothing looks dirty and unkept. He is stocky, slightly overweight, often wears a devious look on his face until he gets angry and then there is nothing but hate. He acts threatening, possessive, rage filled. Knows how to act respectable when it suits him to gain an advantage on people he wants to hurt.

Backstory/Motivations - Beats his wife, drinks heavily, murdered people for fun, robbed horses, banks, trains, stagecoaches, a glutton for everything that gives him pleasure. Killed animals growing up. Father was a minister who beat him. From New York.

Who is he at the end of Act One - even when he has a gun drawn on him he will not let go of his need to control people. He would rather die than give in.

Fatal Flaw: Needs to control people, to own them. Addicted to power.

The Wife of the Bandit

Introduction: Quiet, physical signs of being beaten, hiding behind bonnet and dress, because of scars. Wears all black with lace on the sleeves. She is still slightly sexual underneath, blonde, attractive, looks like she once dressed in fancy, sexy clothing and still knows how to wear it.  Nervous, histrionic, but tries to hide it so it doesn't turn people off. It bursts out at times. Almost seems forced, fake, overly dramatic, desperate. Get the feeling that she is offering up her body if the preacher will protect her.

Backstory/Motivations - Grew up rich on a ranch in Texas. Attracted to handsome, slick loner that her parents couldn't stand, so she married him--the Bandit. She was rebellious. She was always attracted to trouble and wanted an easy, yet exciting life. Spent some time as a show girl just to piss off her parents. When the bandit was gone on his outlaw adventures she started to sleep around because she suspected he was doing it. His criminal activities drove him to drink heavily and when he discovered her infidelity he beat her for it and then didn't stop beating her. When she tried to get away he threatened to kill her. She started wearing clothing that covered her up after her husband accused her of trying allure other men. She is looking for someone to take care of her and will do almost anything to get to her previous life back with her rich family, who now don't seem so boring to her.

Who is she at the end of Act One - She is willing to put the Preacher and his family in danger, in order to protect herself and get herself out of a jam based on her poor decisions in life.

Fatal Flaw - Her attraction to trouble and belief that she deserves an easy, exciting life despite how it affects others.

The Preacher's Wife

Introduction - Black, short hair, dark grey clothing. Strong, quiet humility. Brooding at times, and fiercely devoted to God and husband. There is a suffering aspect to her as if she is a martyred saint in the making. Works at church, cleaning and preparing.

Backstory/Motivations -The Preacher met her at his father's church when he returned home to Colorado following the Civil War.  Needed a woman who would stick by him in Utah. Her parents and the people of the church were proud that she had the strength to follow the Preacher to spread God's message of peace. They told her God has a glorious place for her in heaven. She believes this.

Who is she at the end of Act One - She continues her husband's calling. She raises her son in Utah despite what it may do to him. She is concerned with loosing her place in heaven now that she has to survive on her own.

Fatal Flaw - Too focused on how her actions on earth will give her rewards in heaven.