“Revelations”
By Ryan Bridges
Limited Series Treatment
Logline:
In the aftermath of the 1885 Rock Springs massacre, four mysterious individuals representing the Horsemen of the Apocalypse arrive to bring destruction and salvation.
Concept:
“Revelations” is a Western historical fiction series set in the aftermath of the real 1885 Rock Springs massacre in Wyoming. The massacre was performed by white miners who took the lives of over thirty Chinese immigrants. The story follows four riders representing the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who each have prophetic dreams. Each of the riders is a real-life historical figure who existed during the height of the Wild West.
The Horseman of Conquest is the infamous Black outlaw cowboy, Isom Dart. The Horseman of War is the transgender Civil War veteran, Albert Cashier. The Horseman of Famine is the female sharpshooter of the frontier, Annie Oakley. The Horseman of Death is the two-spirit warrior of the Crow tribe, Osh-Tisch. The fateful dreams of the Horsemen have led them to Rock Springs in order to assassinate the instigators of the massacre, the Seven Seals.
“Revelations” is a story that embraces the true diversity of the Wild West. The riders will not only struggle to survive the harsh frontier but also battle against their fate as Horsemen. The American West is a place of extreme cruelty, greed, and loneliness that is only matched by its vast freedom.
Characters:
Isom Dart: A Black cowboy born in a Texan town steeped in racism. From a young age, Isom has been haunted by murderous dreams. While still a boy, Isom was taken in by a mysterious man, named Vaquero, who taught him horse wrangling and the many ways in which to take a life. For most of his life, Isom has struggled between his fate as the Horseman of Conquest and his desire for a peaceful life. His dreams terrify him and have slowly been pushing him toward insanity. Only recently has he decided to embrace his role as a killer in an attempt to be free from his dreams.
The leadership position in the group has been thrust upon Isom, much to his displeasure. Isom cares for his companions deeply but doesn’t believe that he’s fit to lead them. He attempts to put on a brave face about it with his confident persona, but his greatest fear is that he will be the cause of their deaths. Their mission in Rock Springs will be the ultimate proving ground to see if Isom is strong enough to protect the people he loves and do what needs to be done.
Albert Cashier: An Irish immigrant and a transgender man. For as long as he can remember, Albert has always had dreams telling him exactly where he needs to be. Albert was raised by his mother and stepfather, who taught him how to be a man.
After immigrating to America, Albert joined the Union Army and fought in the Civil War. During the war, Albert distinguished himself as a skilled scout and fighter, even killing an officer. Once the war was won, Albert lived a quiet life in solitude until Isom came to recruit him as the Horseman of War.
Now, Albert holds the honor (or the misfortune) of being Isom’s right-hand man. The veteran has found a group that accepts him for who he is. The Horsemen have become his true home. Albert is terrified of being alone again and is desperate to keep the group together, even if it costs him his life.
Annie Oakley: A huntress of the American frontier, Annie was born into poverty. Her incredible marksman skills kept her and her family fed for years. In her dreams, Annie sees the vulnerabilities and weaknesses of her enemies, making her an effective predator. For most of Annie’s early childhood, she worked for an abusive family that treated her like a slave.
As a teenager, Annie’s shooting skills earned her a spot in Buffalo Bill's Wild West, where she gained fame and a stable income. Her newfound independence has been like a treasure that she selfishly guards. While enjoying her hard-earned life of luxury, Annie was approached by Isom to be the Horseman of Famine. Although she initially refused, Annie reluctantly agreed to join the group after proving their worth and dedication.
Now, Annie debates over whether or not she made the right choice in joining the Horsemen. The idea that she may be getting exploited again like she was as a child scares her more than anything. Rock Springs will be the breaking that decides whether Annie is a part of the group or not.
Osh-Tisch: A badé (a male-bodied person who takes part in the social and ceremonial roles filled by women) born amongst the Crow people. At a young age, Osh-Tisch went on a vision quest and received Baaxpée( power transcending the ordinary.) This power allows her to see the evil/good in a person’s soul. She dreams while awake and knows exactly who deserves death. After the vision quest, Osh-Tisch finds three dogs that she names Coyote, Duck, and Bear.
In 1876, Osh-Tisch fought in the Battle of the Rosebud, where she saved a member of her tribe by killing an enemy warrior. This act of bravery earned her the name Finds Them and Kills Them. Later on, Osh-Tisch and other badé were taken by an American agent and put in a conversion camp.
Isom, Albert, and Annie rescued Osh-Tisch from the camp and recruited her as the Horseman of Death. Osh-Tisch believes the group serves a vital purpose and is eager to fill her role. She worries that the other Horsemen don’t take their jobs as seriously. Osh-Tisch is afraid that the group will change who she is and make her lose her identity.
Seven Seals: The Rock Springs massacre was not a spontaneous moment of violence. The initial riot was organized in secret by a cabal of government officials, businessmen, military officers, and labor union moles. The objective of the group was to redirect the anger of the exploited white miners to the underpaid Chinese immigrant miners. The riot was supposed to allow the white miners to release their rage and scare the Chinese miners into remaining obedient, but it quickly spiraled out of their control. Most of the Chinese miners are either dead or fled away from Rock Springs.
The conspirators are now attempting to cover up their involvement and press the surviving Chinese immigrants back to work. The seven members of this cabal are known as the Seven Seals.
Government: Francis E. Warren is the governor of Wyoming and the one who brought the Seven Seals together. It was his idea to instigate the riot to appease the white miners. His partnership with Union Pacific grants Warren land and prosperity for his state.
Union Pacific Railroad: This vast and powerful corporation that built the Transcontinental Railroad owns the mine in Rock Springs and the mine in Evanston. Two bosses, Jonas Crowle and Huey Toll, manage both mines. Their only goal is to break up labor unions among their white employees and to continue underpaying their Chinese employees.
Knights of Labor: This is a labor union composed of the whiter miners in Rock Springs. The Governor and the Union Pacific bosses have embedded two moles, Duncan Rutter and Burl Baley, into the Knights of Labor. Their job is to sabotage the union and manipulate it in favor of Union Pacific.
Military: After the massacre, the Governor requested the aid of the military to secure peace in both Rock Springs and Evanston. Decorated military officers Lieutenant Anderson and Colonel Chipman lead the military companies and are prepared to be the strong arm of the cabal.
Survivors of the Massacre: In the aftermath of the massacre, many of the surviving immigrants fled to the neighboring town of Evanston. The refugees have found temporary shelter among the town’s Chinese population, but they’re not free from danger yet. The white miners of Evanston are eager to commit a massacre of their own, and Seven Seals wish to put the survivors back to work whether they want to return or not. In order to secure their freedom, the survivors must work alongside the Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Ah-Say is the community leader of the Rock Springs Chinese miners.
Lady Yeoh is the community leader of the Evanston Chinese miners.
“Flowers” the Killer: A mysterious killer whose identity is unknown to either the Horsemen or the Seven Seals. Flowers is a Finnish immigrant who has had nothing but bad luck since coming to the United States. His misfortune has driven him to insanity. He has wound up as a miner in Rock Springs, where he gained his nickname “Flowers” because he keeps flowers in his pockets to mask his “ripe” smell.
Flowers is a member of the Knights of Labor and took part in the riot organized by the Seven Seals. The violence around him awoke his darker side, causing him to start killing people. Flowers is the one who turned the planned riot into an unexpected slaughter, but he wore a mask, so no one knew that it was him. After the massacre, Flowers has been committing murders in both Rock Springs and Evanston. The only clue to his involvement is the horrendous smell left behind at the scene of his crimes.
Flowers represents a problem for both the Seven Seals and the Horseman. No one is safe from the seemingly random murderers that Flowers commits. Both sides attempt to solve serial killings while fighting one another at the same time. Unknown to Governor Warren, Flowers holds a years-long grudge against him for cheating him out of a land deal.
Setting:
“Revelations” takes place primarily in two neighboring 1885 mining towns named Rock Springs and Evanston. Both towns are located in the southeast corner of the state of Wyoming with the Green River dividing them. Racial tensions have reached the tipping point in both locations, many among the white population believe the immigrant Chinese workers are a threat to their jobs. A race riot has broken out in Rock Springs that has led to the massacre of over thirty Chinese immigrants. Even greater violence looms on the horizon now that the Chinese population is vulnerable and displaced.
Rock Springs:
This mining town is the site of the September 2, 1885 massacre of Chinese immigrants. The murderous riot resulted in the burning of the city’s Chinatown and the death of over thirty Chinese workers. The majority of the Chinese workers have fled the town with just the clothes on their backs, abandoning their destroyed homes and businesses.
The mining in Rock Springs has interrupted the underground flow of water, causing the natural springs in the town to disappear. Rock Springs is unable to supply its own water and must rely on freshwater delivered from the Green River.
After the massacre, a military platoon led by Lieutenant Anderson arrived to maintain peace. The platoon has built a temporary base near the city called Camp Pilot Butte.
Evanston:
Almost all of the survivors of the massacre have fled to Evanston. The neighboring town has become a temporary haven for the immigrants. The still-standing Chinatown in Evanston has now become overcrowded.
The addition of new immigrants has increased aggression from the white miners of the town, who now feel that their jobs are in jeopardy. Daily, the survivors are subjected to threats of murder and other violence. It seems that another massacre is just around the corner.
Governor Warren and the Union Pacific bosses have stationed themselves in Evanston to oversee the crisis. They manage everything from positions of safety and authority.
After the massacre, a military platoon led by Colonel Chipman arrived to maintain peace. The platoon has built a temporary base near the city called Camp Medicine Butte.
Structure:
As the name of the series suggests, “Revelations” will follow the Book of Revelation in the Bible. The title of each episode is named after a verse in Revelation. The entire corresponding verse will appear at the beginning of each episode. These quotes establish the tone and theme of the episode. It’s expected that the limited series will have a total of eight episodes, but that can easily be expanded if needed.
Synopsis:
Episode 1: Seven Seals - The Horsemen arrive in Rock Springs and become the guardians of the injured Chinese immigrants as they escort them to Evanston. While traveling to Evanston, the Horsemen befriend the Rock Springs community leader, Ah-Say. During the night, Isom dreams of the Seven Seals members, who they will face off against.
At the same time, the Seven Seals attempt to cover up their involvement in the massacre and track down the crazed miner who started it. Governor Warren requests the assistance of the military to help secure both Rock Springs and Evanston from any future riots.
The Horsemen arrive in Evanston’s Chinatown, reuniting the injured with their families and friends while also befriending the community leader of Evanston, Lady Yeoh. While in Evanston, they learn that the military is arriving, and an argument breaks out between the Horsemen over their next course of action. During the argument, Osh-Tisch is shot in the gut by an unknown shooter.
Episode 2: To Conquer - The Horsemen attempt to escape the Evanston Chinatown with a critically injured Osh-Tisch but get pinned down by a military squadron. In order to allow the others to escape, Isom leads the military away into the woods. Isom gets injured during the manhunt but manages to kill the squad.
While the Horsemen are away, the military discovers the corpses of some of the Chinese immigrants left behind by an unknown killer. Ah-Say is one of the murdered. Rutter and Baley write up a list of suspects they believe could be the masked rioter that started the massacre. They include individuals on the list that they have personal grudges against and that they know did not participate in the riot.
Throughout the episode, there are flashbacks of the first half of Isom’s origins. These events include Isom’s childhood. He was taken in by a mysterious man named Vaquero, who taught him how to kill. As he got older, Isom started having dreams about Vaquero’s murder. The mentor gladly embraced his death to spur Isom into becoming the Horseman of Conquest. Isom kills Vaquero’s murderers but still chooses to reject becoming a Horsemen.
Episode 3: A Great Sword - While attempting to flee from Chinatown, Albert gets separated from Annie and Osh-Tisch and is forced to stay in Evanston. He meets back up with Lady Yeoh, who informs him of Ah-Say’s murder. During the night, he dreams of a battle outside of Evanston with Isom fighting beside him. With the help of some of the Chinese immigrants, Albert escapes Evanston and finds Isom. Over the next few days, the two of them come up with a plan to assassinate Colonel Chipman.
On the day of the assassination, Albert sneaks back into Evanston disguised as a miner and instigates another riot. While the military deals with the riot, Isom and Albert sneak into the military base and attempt to kill Chipman but fail. Thanks to Albert, the two of them manage to escape unharmed, and with a map of the routes, the military plans to transport the Chinese immigrants back to Rock Springs.
Throughout the episode, there are flashbacks of Alberts's origins. These events include Albert’s childhood in Ireland, their immigration to America, and their time in the Union army during the Civil War. After the war, Albert is recruited by Isom to become the Horseman of War.
In Rock Springs, the military has arrested the suspects of the massacre. Some of the men took part in the riot while others did not. A new spree of murders erupts in Rock Springs.
Episode 4: Balances - Annie has been nursing Osh-Tisch back to health in a cave between Evanston and Rock Springs. Annie and Osh-Tisch argued over whether they should abandon the mission and prioritize their safety or continue the mission. Annie begins attacking provision wagons, bringing water and food to Rock Springs.
In Rock Springs, the lack of resources has triggered a famine that has driven many to abandon the town. With the serial killer still on the loose, the military realizes that none of the arrested suspects is the person who started the massacre. Lieutenant Anderson decides to ship the suspects to a different town where a sympathetic jury will release them. He has Rutter and Baley help transport the criminals.
Annie stumbles upon this information and initially plans to ignore the prisoner transfer, but Osh-Tisch convinces her that those who participated in the riot deserve to pay for what they did. While the suspects are being moved, Annie snipes the ones whom Osh-Tisch tells her deserve death. Rutter and Baley escape the shootout, but Osh-Tisch chases after them. While searching for her, Annie stumbles upon both Isom and Albert, rejoining the group.
Throughout the episode, there are flashbacks of Annie’s origins. These events include Annie’s childhood in poverty, her time as a slave to a family, and joining Buffalo Bill’s circus. While a part of the circus, Annie is recruited by Isom and Albert to be the Horseman of Famine.
Episode 5: Beasts of the Earth - Osh-Tisch stalks the wilderness, hunting Rutter and Baley while the rest of the Horsemen search for her. During her hunt, Rutter and Baley attack Osh-Tisch, but she fakes her death and ambushes them. Rutter and Baley get separated. Osh-Tisch kills Rutter with her pack of dogs, and Baley is killed by Albert when he is corned by the Horsemen. Osh-Tisch joins back up with the Horsemen.
Throughout the episode, there are flashbacks of Osh-Tisch’s origins. These events include her childhood in the Crow tribe, going on her vision quest, meeting her three dogs, and the Battle of Rosebud. Later in life, Osh-Tisch was forcibly taken by an American agent and put into a conversion camp. Isom, Albert, and Annie arrive and free her from the camp. Osh-Tisch kills the agent and is recruited as the Horsemen of Death.
Governor Warren coordinates with Colonel Chipman and the Union Pacific bosses to begin moving the immigrants back to Rock Springs. The Union Pacific bosses raise concerns about the viability of Rock Springs with the famine going on, but Governor Warren assures them that this is only a temporary setback. The military begins to round up the immigrants in Chinatown and put them in caged wagons. The immigrants fight back initially but are forcibly restrained. Lady Yeoh swears to free her people.
Episode 6: Be Killed - With all four Horsemen together again, they make plans to ambush the caravans carrying the Chinese immigrants. Two different caravans are taking two different routes, so the Horsemen decide to split up. Albert and Osh-Tisch will attack one route, while Isom and Annie attack the other.
Union Pacific bosses Toll and Crowle decide to travel with the caravans to make sure the transfer goes off without an issue. Governor Warren and Colonel Chipman stay in Evanston, plotting a way to kill the Horseman. Lieutenant Anderson investigates the serial killer in Rock Springs.
While on the way to ambush the caravan, Osh-Tisch decides that she needs to kill Lieutenant Anderson. With Albert’s blessing, Osh-Tisch leaves for Rock Springs. Her three dogs assist Albert with the ambush. The raids on the caravans are hard-fought battles, and the Horsemen are almost killed until Lady Yeoh arrives with a group of Chinese immigrants. With their help, the Horsemen are able to overpower the military and free the imprisoned immigrants. Toll and Crowle die in the battles.
In Rock Springs, Lieutenant Anderson’s investigation leads him to discover that Flowers is the serial killer. After he learns this, Osh-Tisch attacks and kills him. Flowers then knocks Osh-Tisch out and kidnaps her.
Episode 7: Day of His Wrath - Flowers brings Osh-Tisch to Evanston and holds a meeting with Colonel Chipman. During the meeting, Flowers offers to give Osh-Tisch to Chipman if he can get him in a room alone with Governor Warren. Chipman agrees. Flowers prepares for his long-awaited confrontation with Governor Warren.
The Horsemen receive a letter from Chipman informing them that he has Osh-Tisch and that they must surrender themselves or else he’ll kill her. They all agree to go to Evanston.
Once in Evanston, Isom meets with Chipman alone in a public space. Osh-Tisch is tied up, and soldiers surround the area. Albert, Annie, Lady Yeoh, and all the Chinese immigrants are hidden throughout the town, waiting to strike. An all-out war breaks out between the two sides. Isom frees Osh-Tisch, and the two of them kill Chipman during the battle. Fires break out all over Evanston.
A letter from Chipman tricks Governor Warren into meeting Flowers. Flowers explains how Warren ruined his life and then attacks him. Warren is injured but manages to escape. Flowers chases after him.
Throughout the episode are flashbacks of Flower’s origin. These events include his arrival in America from Finland and his string of bad luck while in this country. He is lied to, persecuted against, and robbed. All of this misfortune reaches its peak when Warren cheats him out of a land deal and drives Flowers into extreme poverty. He is forced to become a miner in Rock Springs, where he stews in his hate until the day of the riot, where he lets it out and becomes a killer.
Episode 8: Silence in Heaven - The Horsemen fight their way through a burning Evanston trying to get to Governor Warren. Warren races through the town, trying to escape Flowers. Warren, Flowers, and Isom end up trapped in a burning building. The three of them engage in a three-way fight.
Albert, Annie, and Osh-Tisch evacuate the Chinese immigrants from the town and then look for Isom. They end up in the burning building with Isom, Warren, and Flowers. A beam ends up pinning Albert while Osh-Tisch and Annie fight Flowers and Warren, respectively. Isom’s worst fear has become a reality. He has led his companions to their deaths and must pick who to save. Isom sacrifices himself in a manner that saves the rest of the Horsemen and kills Flowers and Warren.
Throughout the episode, there are flashbacks of the second half of Isom’s origins. These events include Isom leaving his home in Texas and joining the Basset Gang in Browns Park. Isom becomes an accomplished cattle and horse rustler. He begins a polyamorous relationship with Elizabeth and Herber Basset. Isom also becomes a mentor to a new member of the gang called Matt Rash. Isom’s infamy draws the attention of a Pinkerton named Tom Horn, who infiltrates the gang, arrests Isom, and kills Matt Rash. Through the intervention of fate, Isom escapes captivity and murders Tom Horn. Elizabeth and Herbert blame Isom for the trouble and death brought into their lives. They end their relationship with him and kick him out of the gang. With his life destroyed and no other options available, Isom decides to become the Horseman of Conquest,
Isom survives the sacrifice with one of his eyes missing. Rock Springs is a deserted ghost town, and only charred ruins remain of Evanston. The Apocalypse has come to pass. The Chinese immigrants plan to leave the region and try to forge new lives somewhere else. The Horsemen are finally content with both their fate and their positions in the group. They ride off to cause the next disaster, knowing that they’ll be doing this until the day they die.
Conclusion:
By the end of “Revelations,” the Horsemen have a greater understanding of themselves and the true role that they play in the world.
Isom understands that being a Horseman is something he has to do but now trusts himself to be the leader that the others need him to be. Albert feels secure within the group and knows that the others will not abandon him. Annie finally trusts the others and is comfortable putting her life in their hands. Osh-Tisch knows that the others have her best interest at heart and that they are as dedicated to their mission as she is.
The Horsemen of the Apocalypse are not heroes or senseless killers. They are reclaimers restoring the Wild West to the place of freedom and opportunity it claimed to be. This is a story that highlights both underrepresented historical figures and an underrepresented historical event. This country is built upon the buried legacy of minorities. Their sacrifices, tragedies, courage, and perseverance are the lifeblood of our nation. “Revelations” honors their existence and imagines a world where justice is possible.
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