An old cowhide-bound journal (tied with leather), with its cover titled "Early Tales of Texas," is opened to handwritten pages inside - the book's cursive manuscript appears on-screen every so often throughout he film to tell the story [although one version of the film featured Walter Brennan's off-screen, voice-over narration instead]...the chance came at last to Mother McTeague." By nightfall, a crowd has gathered in front of the saloon, where the dentist exhibits his art to an audience.Rightfully fearing that the deceased man would soon turn into a reanimated zombie, Cholo battered the zombie's skull as a security guard arrived." The two latecomers arrive after the meeting is already underway, annoying the members and disrupting the proceedings as they gingerly (but noisily) wind heir way through the seated audience to find their seats downfront.