Trama

Johnny Rain, a friend to all and beloved by all, has a problem. He does not particularly like whiskey and it doesn't agree with him, but his girlfriend insists that he should drink. While under the spell of whiskey, Johnny takes to stagecoach holdups. Bret figures out that it is Johnny behind the robberies, but can he figure out where the loot is hidden?—graymatters

Bret is riding a stagecoach when it is held up by a polite robber. Bret runs into a polite man who resembles this robber in a saloon where the stagecoach stops. Bret is accused by a fellow passenger of having a shaved deck (which he had palmed and tried to plant on Maverick). The polite man, 'Johnny Rain', intercedes and saves Bret when he points out that the passenger palmed a card. Later a man robs the same stage and Brent, and Brent pulls his bandanna and says "Hi Johnny." The town then begins looking for 'Johnny Rain' and makes Bret the deputy sheriff in charge.—Thomas J McKeon

Bret is heading cross-country by stagecoach, having lost all of his money in the last town. A tinhorn, Sam, has been watching Bret for the last few hours sizing him up. Sam makes conversation and warns that Bret won't find next action in the next town, Apocalypse. He suggests that they play blackjack to while away the hours on the trip. They cut for deal and Sam wins. A shot rings out and a masked bandit calls everyone out when the stagecoach stops. The outlaw tells them that he hates shooting and has Bret and Sam toss over their guns.

Once they do, the outlaw takes the strongbox and tells the driver to go on his way. Once the outlaw wishes them a good trip and leave with the box, the river says that it's the fourth time the same outlaw has robbed him. Sam and Bret get their guns and Bret gets back aboard first. He realizes that Sam's deck is shaved and swaps their cards, and continues playing with Sam when he gets aboard. Bret wins the hand and the deal, and the driver continues on.

The stagecoach arrives in Apocalypse and the driver tells the townspeople that he was robbed by the same outlaw. Mayor Pembroke H. Hadley asks the driver if he recognized the outlaw, but the driver didn't and goes to report to the sheriff. Local Johnny Rain greets Bret and talks about how the outlaw never hurts the passengers, and Bret figures that it's typical, Bret goes into the saloon and invites Johnny to join him at a table, but Johnny says that he doesn't have enough money.

Johnny goes to the bar where Sam is watching, and Sam goes over and plants his marked deck on Bret. Sam accuses Bret of cheating, and Johnny comes over and says that he saw Sam palm the cards to plan them on Bret. Sam refuses to fight and Johnny tells him to move on. Bret gives Sam the cards before he goes, and thanks Johnny. He gives Johnny a bill but Johnny insists that he didn't do it for money. Bret offers to buy Johnny a drink, and they go to the bar and the bartender Benny pouts drinks.

Johnny chokes on the drink and when Bret notices, Johnny explains that he doesn't like drink but his girlfriend Millie Reid made him promise to drink because her father beat her when he was sober. Millie is a saloon girl and comes over, telling Johnny she's proud of him for dealing with Sam. Johnny does the introduction and Johnny makes clear to drink where Millie can see him. She encourages him and leaves, and Bret notices Johnny wiping his mouth with the same bandanna the outlaw was wearing as a mask.

The driver comes over and tells Bret they're pulling out, and Bret buys Johnny's drinks and thanks him before leaving. On the stagecoach, Hanley makes conversation and says that the governor has summoned him to explain why he hasn't stopped the robberies. Hanley admits that he has no idea what to do but figures it isn't one of his citizens because they're all so honest. The robber orders the driver to pull over, and takes the money Bret has. Bret points out that he offered Bret the money a few hours ago, but the robber says that he's never seen Bret before in his life. The gambler pulls off the robbers handkerchief, and Johnny pistol-whips Bret unconscious. Johnny still claims he has no idea who Bret is and rides off.

Back in town, Hanley tells the townspeople that Johnny is leading a double life. He tells Sheriff Billy to go after Johnny, and Billy, warns that it won't be easy. None of the townspeople want to join the posse, all owing Billy favors for how they've helped them. Hanley says that they have to set sentiment aside and asks who will join, and Johnny comes in and volunteers. He doesn't remember robbing the stagecoach, and Billy takes Johnny to danger. Johnny points out that he doesn't have the money, and Billy figures Johnny is innocent.

Hanley tells Johnny that he saw Johnny at the robbery, and Johnny insists that he wouldn't have pistol-whipped Bret because Bret's his friend. He doesn't remember anything after having left the saloon, and then went to the sheriff's office to join the saloon. Billy has Johnny hand over his bandanna, and Hanley says that it's all the evidence they need. Billy refuses to hang Johnny, saying that he's resigning because he considers Johnny his own son. The deputy also resigns, and Johnny offers to lock himself up and assures everyone he won't try to run away before entering his jail cell.

At the saloon, Hanley tells Bret that hanging Johnny is a problem. Bret suggests that they try to get the $45,000 back, and they haggle over how much of a percentage Bret will get if he recovers it. They settle on 25% and Hanley deputizes Bret so he'll have the authority to investigate. Before he goes, Hanley tells Bret that if he doesn't find the money then he'll have to hang Johnny.

Sam meets with Millie, who says that she can't find out where Johnny hid the money. Neither one of them trusts the other, but figures they need each other to get the money.

Bret goes to the sheriff's office and takes Johnny out for a meal. When they go to the saloon, everyone applauds Johnny. The bartender serves Johnny drinks on the house, and says that Millie is out because she went out on a date. Johnny gulps several drinks and then switches personalities, apologizing for hitting Bret and attacking a passenger for the first time. Bret tries to prod "Johnny" into remembering where he hid the money, realizing that Johnny is a blackout drink.

The next morning, Bret brings breakfast to a hungover Johnny in his cell. Bret offers Johnny some alcohol to get over his hangover, and Johnny says that he's got to quit drinking and is going to tell Millie as much. The gambler wanted to take Johnny out on a wagon, and says that Johnny started remembering things. They go out to the wagon, and Bret stops to buy some "Indian tonic" at the general store. Millie comes along and sees Johnny, who tells her they're going for a drive. Shed makes sure that Johnny is coming back, and Millie leaves as Bret comes back. Bret claims the alcohol is "medicine" and tells Johnny to take a big swig. Once Johnny does so, he starts coughing and Bret encourages him to drink some more. Meanwhile, Millie realizes that the Indian tonic is 80% alcohol. Robber Johnny comes back and apologizes to Bret again for hitting him over the head, and they run off.

Sam and Millie follow Bret's wagon in her own, staying a safe distance back. Robber Johnny keeps drinking and says that he's feeling fine, and his memory is working good. When Bret notes that Robber Johnny first robbed a stagecoach it was on the Fourth of July, and Robber Johnny says that he did it on the third because he's patriotic. He explains that he hid the money in a no-yield gold mine that he staked out a year ago, and gives Bret directions to it while taking another drink.

Bret and Robber Johnny arrive at the mine and Johnny puts a fake tree behind them to cover the branch road leading in. Sam and Millie arrive and go past the mine road. Meanwhile, Bret and Johnny reach the mine and find the stagecoach loot. Robber Johnny never spent any of it because it's his own, and thought he was going to Mexico. Bret suggests that they take it back to Apocalypse, and Robber Johnny agrees because he can't remember what he was going to do with the loot.

Once they load up the money and Johnny sobers up, Bret tells him to start walking to Mexico. He explains Johnny's drinking problem and warns that they might hang Johnny. Bret gives him a gun to protect himself on the trip, and Johnny asks for some "tonic" to drink on the way. Johnny shakes his hand and says that it's been a pleasure. Once Bret drives off, Johnny starts drinking.

Bret emerges onto the main road, and Sam and Millie come over and spots the road when Bret fails to out the fake tree back. Meanwhile, Robber Johnny finds Bret and takes the loot. He takes Bret's wallet and badge, and pins the badge on himself. Robber Johnny takes the wagon and heads back to the mine to do a lot of "stashing".

Sam and Millie find the mine, and Millie greets Johnny when he arrives. He can't remember where he was taking the money, but says that he remembers they're going to Mexico. Sam comes out and holds Johnny at gunpoint, and Millie explains that Sam is her husband. Johnny jumps Sam, but Millie pulls out a gun and shoots Johnny. They drive off in Bret's wagon with the loot before Bret can return.

Bret returns to the mine and finds the wounded Johnny on the ground. He wakes him up and Johnny realizes that Millie was using him to get the money for her and her husband. Bret confirms that Johnny is sober but remembering everything, and tells Johnny that the shock of finding out the truth shocked him out of his split personality. Johnny figures that Sam and Millie will take the road to Mexico and, much to Bret's dismay, says that they'll head them off at the pass as they ride off in Millie's wagon.

Sam and Millie find Bret's wagon across the road, and Bret tells them that they're surrounded and they should step down. Millie and Sam dismount, and Sam puts a gun to Millie's head and tells them to step out or he'll kill them. Johnny insists on saving a lady's life, and tells Bret at gunpoint to do it. Bret disarms Johnny and tells Sam that he's bluffing. Millie doesn't believe it, scratches Sam's face, grabs his gun, and shoots him dead. Bret assures her that he'd shoot her, and on the way back Bret insists on taking the loot.

Back at the mine, Johnny tells Bret that they'll follow him back to town. Millie is impressed that Johnny is so stern, and tries to charm him. Johnny says that he'd do the same for any female. As they go the wagon, Millie claims she sprained her ankle and Johnny carries her. Millie kisses him and he kisses her back... but then says that he'll speak up for her at her trial. She tells him to put him down and walks on her own to the wagon, disgusted. Millie suggests that they have a drink for the road, but Johnny refuses and ties up her hand. He insists that he isn't going to drink water... and Bret's tonic.

The townspeople meet Bret at the mine, and Bret explains that Johnny helped him recover the loot. Johnny and Millie arrive and Johnny gives the badge back to Bret. Bret suggests that Hanley make Johnny the full-time sheriff. Johnny is eager to accept and Hanley appoints him sheriff. As the townspeople take the wagon back, Johnny tells Bret that a sheriff has to act against any crime even if it breaks his heart. Bret agrees that it's Johnny's sworn duty, and Johnny draws his gun on Bret and tells him to hand over his gun. Bret does so and then fires both guns into the air. He says that he's arresting all of the townspeople for transporting stolen goods.

Johnny takes everyone to Apocalypse and throws them in a cell. Bret points out that Johnny forgot he stole the loot, and the law recognizes possession over intention. The door is unlocked, but Bret warns that when Johnny sleeps off his blackout, he won't remember anything and will let them go. Johnny wakes up and stares at the boxes of loot in shock. He smiles proudly to himself, wishes everyone a good night, and goes back to sleep.