At the saloon, Books finds the three men waiting for him at different tables. He orders the saloon's finest whiskey, toasting his birthday and his three "guests". Cobb opens fire first, causing Books to dive over the bar. Books throws a bottle of whiskey to distract Cobb, and guns him down. Sweeney wounds Books in the arm, using his table as a shield. Books shoots through the table, killing Sweeney. Pulford then shoots one of Books' guns out of his hand. Pulford, then tries to sneak up on Books, who lays on the floor. Seeing his reflection in a whiskey glass, Books shoots Pulford in the head. A crowd fills the street outside the Metropole after hearing the gunshots, including Gillom, who enters the bar. His shouted warning is too late, and the Metropole's bartender fires his [[shotgun]] into Books' back, mortally wounding him. Gillom rushes over, takes up Books' gun, and kills the bartender. When Gillom realizes what he has done, he throws the gun away. Books smiles and nods in approval before dying. Gillom covers Books' body with his coat and walks outside to his waiting mother. He walks past her, his head hung low, and she turns and follows him.