In the episode A Woman Lost, the central character, Rita Marlowe (played by Ruta Lee), is portrayed as an alcoholic singer. Ben Cartwright, performed by the iconic Bonanza character, hopes to help her overcome her addiction. However, Rita’s desperation for drinking money leads her to accept a $200 offer to entice ex-prizefighter Mase Sindell (portrayed by Don Megowan) back into the boxing ring. Complications arise when Rita unexpectedly develops genuine feelings for Mase, complicating the original plan.

The episode features notable actors such as Dick Miller (as Sam), Harry Hickox (as Dink), Roger Torrey (as Tiny), Bern Hoffman (as the Fisherman), and John Indrisando (as the Referee). Originally aired on March 17, 1963, this particular episode sparked considerable discussion, as evidenced by a TV Guide “behind the scenes” article about Bonanza published two weeks later.

Written by Frank Chase, “A Woman Lost” delves into themes of addiction, redemption, and unexpected love, making it a memorable installment in the Bonanza series.

You can enjoy the episode below, whether intrigued by its plot or seeking fascinating trivia.

Watch the Full Episode of A Woman Lost

Watch the Full Episode of A Woman Lost:

Main Cast

Besides the main cast, “A Woman Lost,” the twenty-fifth episode of Bonanza Season 4 highlights various recurring and guest-supporting actors. The following are featured in the episode:

• Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright
• Pernell Roberts as Adam Cartwright
• Dan Blocker as Eric ‘Hoss’ Cartwright
• Michael Landon as Joseph ‘Little Joe’ Cartwright
• Ruta Lee as Rita Marlowe
• Don Megowan as Mase Sindell
• Harry Hickox as Dink Martin
• Roger Torrey as Tiny Mack
• Bill Edwards as Merchant
• Don Kennedy as Fisherman
• Dick Miller as Sam
• John Indrisano as Referee
• Brandon Beach as Townsman (uncredited)
• John Bose as Townsman (uncredited)
• Rudy Bowman as Townsman (uncredited)
• John Breen as Townsman (uncredited)
• Dick Cherney as Townsman (uncredited)
• Bill Clark as Townsman (uncredited)
• James Cornell as Townsman (uncredited)
• Russell Custer as Townsman (uncredited)
• Dave Dunlop as Townsman (uncredited)
• Richard Elmore as Townsman (uncredited)
• Betty Endicott as Townswoman (uncredited)
• Joe Garcio as Townsman (uncredited)
• Joseph Glick as Townsman (uncredited)
• Mickey Golden as Townsman (uncredited)
• Herman Hack as Townsman (uncredited)
• Buck Harrington as Townsman (uncredited)
• Al Haskell as Townsman (uncredited)
• Lars Hensen as Townsman (uncredited)
• Michael Jeffers as Townsman (uncredited)
• Dick Johnstone as Townsman (uncredited)
• Tom Kennedy as Batender (uncredited)
• Ethan Laidlaw as Townsman (uncredited)
• Bob LaWandt as Bob (uncredited)
• Wilbur Mack as Townsman (uncredited)
• Martha Manor as Townswoman (uncredited)
• Rex Moore as Townsman (uncredited)
• Charles Morton as Townsman (uncredited)
• Charles Perry as Townsman (uncredited)
• John Rice as Townsman (uncredited)
• Robert Robinson as Townsman (uncredited)
• John Roy as Townsman (uncredited)
• Cosmo Sardo as Bartender (uncredited)
• Dean Savant as Townsman (uncredited)
• Phil Schumacher as Fisherman (uncredited)
• Clint Sharp as Stage Driver (uncredited)
• Charles Sherlock as Townsman (uncredited)
• Leslie Sketchley as Townsman (uncredited)
• Cap Somers as Townsman (uncredited)
• Rudy Sooter as Townsman (uncredited)
• Jack Tornek as Townsman (uncredited)
• Sid Troy as Townsman (uncredited)
• Sailor Vincent as Townsman (uncredited)

Full Story Line for A Woman Lost

During a business trip to San Francisco, Ben unexpectedly reunites with Rita, an old acquaintance who has spiraled into alcoholism and now works as a saloon girl. Concerned for her well-being, Ben offers Rita a no-strings-attached invitation to stay at the Ponderosa for a month.

While at the ranch, Rita crosses paths with Mace, a former prizefighter who becomes obsessed with her. Complications arise when Rita agrees to a bribe to persuade Mace into accepting a fight, despite his reluctance. Ben finds himself entangled in a complex situation, needing to intervene to assist Rita and Mace, ultimately aiming to guide them toward a better path.

Full Script and Dialogue of A Woman Lost

I hope so.

Here you go.

A toast.

To the finest
consignment of lumber

the Gunnar Shipyard
has ever purchased.

Thank you, gentlemen.

I hope Ponderosa timber
builds a whole fleet for you.

I'll drink to that, too.

Well, guess it's time


 


to entertain the paying
customers, Charlie.

Oh.

Hey.

Hey!

Thank you, gentlemen.

Gentlemen.

That's the funniest thing

that's gonna be said
in here all evening.

Gentlemen, I am
paid to sing here,

and I expect a little
courtesy when I do.

So, please pay attention,

or else the next bottle
may not bounce off that wall.

♪ Oh, dear, what
can the matter be? ♪

♪ Dear, dear, what
can the matter be? ♪


 


♪ Oh, dear, what
can the matter be? ♪

- Who is she?
- I've never seen her before.

♪ Johnny's so long at the fair ♪

♪ He promised to buy
me a trinket to please me ♪

♪ And then for a smile, oh,
he vowed he would tease me ♪

♪ He promised to bring
me a bunch of blue ribbons ♪

♪ To tie up my
bonnie brown hair ♪

♪ Oh, dear ♪

♪ What can... ♪

Forget it, dolly.

Singing ain't one
of your talents.

Let's see what you can do.

You stink of dead fish.

I'm gonna teach
you some manners.

Let go!

Friend, why don't you
go back to your drink?

And what if I don't?

Come on, let me buy you a drink.

Bartender, how about a
drink for my good friend here?

Ah, her kind of woman
ain't worth fighting over.

No.

Drink hearty.

Hello, Ben.

Long time.

Long time.

How have you been?

Oh... breathing.

In and out.

Why... why this?

Well, I don't eat, I get hungry.

What about Ken?

How are the children?

They're dead.

I have to go now.

Wait.

So many things I want to know.

Oh, Ben,

the Rita Marlow that
you know is dead, too.

Dead and buried.

So, let's just leave
it that way, huh?

Oh.

Anything broken?

No. Just run down.

Well... drink will
take care of that.

Oh, get one for me,
will you, Ben? There.

What you need is good
food, sunshine and...

Ben, please! After the drink.

Oh.

Well, what happened?

Oh... nothing. Just-just
a little accident.

I'll be all right
in a few minutes.

Why did you give him a bad time?

Because he rated one.

Not when he spends
money in my place, he don't.

Look, you don't do
my business any good.

You better get
yourself a new job.

Look, I get a week's pay.

These bar tabs you ran
up... They show you owe me.

Call us even.

Sam?

Could you let me
have a few dollars?

You'll get it back.

Honey, I'm out to make
money, not give it away.

Put out the light
when you leave.

Oh, that's... big of Sam.

What happens now?

Now?

No problem.

I'll make out just fine.

You'll make out...

about as far as the street.

Then you'll fall
flat on your face.

Ben, don't keep
your friends waiting.

They've left.

Give me ten dollars.

I'll give it back to you
soon as I get a job.

Money isn't the answer.

Sure is a good start.

I have a better one.

Look...

all I want from
you is ten dollars.

If you're going to
give it to me, fine.

If not, then get out of here.

If you want to kill yourself,

there are better
ways of doing it.

I'm sorry.

I have no right to say that.

Say what you want.

I couldn't care less.

I'll make a deal with you.

You come out to the Ponderosa,

and stay with us... for a month.

Just one month, that's all.

And after that, I'll give you
whatever money you need

to start over again.

No strings?

No strings.

Well... what have I got to lose?

All right.

All right, you have
yourself a deal.

Good.

But remember this, Ben.

Don't expect me to be
any different than I am now.

I'm not about to change

for you or for anybody.

Understand?

I understand.

Good.

Hyah! Hyah!

Hey! Hyah!

Doggone it, Bob.

Your stage line's getting
more efficient all the time.

It ain't but three
hours late already.

Sorry, Hoss. Should
have been here by now.

Hyah!

Hyah!

Whoa.

Hey, Pa!

- Well.
- Welcome home.

Well, thank you.
It's good to be back.

But I'm a little stiff.

Oh. Mrs. Marlow, this
is, uh, my son Hoss.

Hey.

This is Mrs. Marlow I
telegraphed you about.

- Hello.
- Ma'am, our pleasure to have you.

- Oh, we can take things out?
- Yeah, I'll get the stuff.

- Where's the rig?
- Right over here, Pa.

Right over here, Mrs. Marlow.

Let me help you, Hoss.

Anything happen
while I was gone?

Nothing. Nothing. Rolled
along smoothly as could be.

- Good.
- Yeah, except one thing.

We-we lost our barn, Pa.

- It burned down.
- What?!

I'm just funning.

- Oh.
- Pa, you and the lady go ahead.

I got some chores I got to do,

and I'll catch
up with you later.

I'll catch up with you later

if I hear any more
funning out of you.

Don't be late for supper.

- Yes, sir. You know me better than that.
- Yeah.

Now, again, a pleasure.

Well... we had a long trip,

but a hot bath and a good meal
will make a world of difference.

Ben, I want a drink.

We'll be at the Ponderosa
in a couple of hours.

Please. I need one now.

Whoa.

Morning, Mase.

Oh, good morning, Ben.

You open for business yet?

Oh, not till noon.

- New law the sheriff put in last week.
- Oh.

Well, I'm sure the
sheriff won't mind

if we bend his
law just a little.

Now, would you get
me a bottle, please?

If I get caught,
it'll be my job.

Please, just this once.

All right, just this once.

Mase, this is, uh, Mrs. Marlow.

She's staying with us out at the
Ponderosa for a couple of weeks.

Mase Sindell.

Well, I'm sure you'll
enjoy your stay.

Yes, I'm sure I will, too.

Now, uh, how
about my drink, huh?

Oh.

That's better.

One more, please.

I'm sure I'll be thirsty again
before we reach your place.

That should take care of it.

Oh, I've been
meaning to ask you.

I have a chair that needs
some work. Leg's splintered.

You think you'd have
some time to look at it?

Well, I'll make time.
Uh, say, Friday.

Friday? Fine. Thank you.

Oh. Thank you.

That saloon swamper...
What's his name?

Mase Sindell.

Yeah, I think I've seen
him somewhere before,

but I can't remember where.

Maybe in the prize fight ring.

Yeah.

You're right, in San Francisco.

Friend of mine took me.

Sindell knocked his man
out in the second round.

Oh, he really had a punch.

Yes, Mase was a
leading contender.

What happened to him?

He, uh, decided to give it up.

For what, working in a saloon?

It's honest work.

Dad-burnit, I can't understand
why it takes a female so long

to get ready for supper.

I can't understand
why it takes you so long

- to eat supper.
- Because eatin' supper's

a dang sight more pleasurable

than getting ready
for it, that's why.

Hey, Pa, did you tell her
what time we sit down?

Yeah, I told her.

Gentlemen.

I'm, uh...

afraid that you'll be dining
without me this evening.

See, the, uh...

the trip wore me out
more than I realized.

Would you, uh...

would you like your
supper in your room?

Oh... no, no,
I'm-I'm fine, I'm fine.

I have everything, uh,

in my room that I need
to make me comfortable.

So if you will excuse me...

I will say good night.

Rita... sleep well.

Mm.

Pa, she looks sick to me.

She is sick.

In soul as well as in body.

The woman I remember
was... beautiful.

As gentle a human
being as I'd ever known.

Two lovely children...
A boy and a girl.

Her husband was a lawyer
that I knew some years back.

What happened to her, Pa?

She didn't say where
or when or how,

just told me that her husband
and her children were dead.

Just that.

They were dead.

I'm hoping that we can
find some way to help her.

Well, we'll do everything
we can to help, Pa.

Well... let's have some supper.

You see, ma'am?
There ain't nothin' to it.

You just clean the hoof
out with this hoof knife.

Hand me that rasp, will you?

Then you level it up so's he
don't wobble when he stands up.

Just like doing your nails.

Soon as I get this one
done, I'll let you do one.

♪♪

Howdy, ma'am.

Found these flowers
down by the stream.

I thought you might like 'em.

See you at supper.

Check... and... mate.

Well, you did better that time.

- Oh...
- Let's play another one.

No, no, thanks, I've had enough.

What's the matter?

Why should anything
be the matter?

You seem restless.

Oh?

I don't see why.

You and your
sons have seen to it

that I've been
properly entertained

and kept very busy.

But tell me something,
Ben, why is it that there isn't

any liquid refreshment
in this house?

It might help if you didn't have
anything while you were here.

Did you think that it would get
washed out of me in one month?

I thought it would
be a good start.

You thought wrong.

Ben... you've had
someone that you love...

that you dearly loved
die, haven't you?

Yes.

And you were with
them when it happened.

Yes, I was.

And your presence gave them...

some kind of
assurance and strength.

I hope so.

It did, Ben.

I know it did.

We were on our
way to San Francisco,

Ken and myself, the children.

That night we were at a hotel.

It caught fire...

and our room was
on the second floor.

And we were
trapped by the flames.

Ken... carried me
to the window...

and then he lowered me out...

and dropped me.

My ankles were broken, but...

I could drag myself clear.

And I turned
back... and I saw...

Ken going back for the children.

And then there was a...

terrible crackling sound...

and the hotel
started to collapse.

I lay there...

and I heard my
children calling out to me.

I heard them screaming to
me to come and help them.

I tried.

Oh, I tried.

But I couldn't go to them.

When I buried my family, Ben...

I buried a way of life,

and I'll never go back to it.

I will never be
hurt by it again.

You know, when you found
me in San Francisco, I was...

I was all right.

That's what I want...

and that's what
I'm going back for.

There's no purpose.

There's no meaning
in that kind of life.

But it is my kind of life.

And don't feel pity for me,
Ben, because I don't need it.

So why don't you just
give me the money now

and let me get out of here.

We made a bargain,

and I'm going to keep you to it.

Well...

I guess I don't
have a choice, do I?

All right...

all right, we'll play
your silly game!

Good night, Ben!

♪♪

Hello.

Oh, good morning, Mrs. Marlow.

That's wonderful.

I don't think I could
tell it from the original.

Well, thank you.

Wood works easily in my hands.

Those hands do
other things well, too.

I've seen you fight.

Is there something
I can help you with?

No.

No, I'm just wandering around,

trying to keep out of trouble.

- You been doing that long?
- Since I was a boy.

I like building things.

I should think there would be
a demand in almost any town

for men with your talents.

Well, I keep busy.

Then why do you
work in a saloon?

I need the money.

Don't we all.

Well, I want a shop of my own.

Taking on extra work just
makes it come that much sooner.

Then you plan on settling
here in Virginia City?

Yeah.

Well, you have no problems.

Ben Cartwright likes you.

I'm sure that if you
were to ask him,

he'd be more than willing
to lend you the money

- to get started.
- Well, he already has.

Well?

Well, when I stand in my shop,

I want it to be mine, only mine.

I'll be beholden to no man.

Good luck.

Hey, Mase, there's a couple
fellers up here to see you.

See me?

Yeah, that's what they said.

They're up in
front of the house.

Well, I'll... I'll
see you later.

If you'll excuse me.

You're excused.

Mase! What do you say, big man!

Surprised to see
your old buddy boy?

Hello, Dink. What
brings you here?

Listen to the man, Tiny!

Three years we
haven't seen each other,

and all he's got for me is,

"Hello, Dink. What
brings you here?"

You do, baby!

Why else you think I'd
bounce all over the countryside?

Only for you would I do it!

They told me in town I'd
find you here, so out I come,

just like that.

Ah, you look
great, kiddo, great!

Still flat and hard as a plank.

You working out,
keeping in shape?

You still haven't answered me.

Same old Mase...

Straight and hard
from the shoulder.

Okay! Now, this is Tiny Mack.

Number one boy
since you left my stable.

But there's never been
one like you, Mase.

You could've gone
to the top, all the way.

Now he tells me that.

Good luck.

His right hand'll take
care of all the luck,

but he needs something more.

He needs to fight
a name... like you.

You know better than that.

A favor to an old pal, Mase.

Your name's still
big. It carries weight.

Tiny here, climb
in the ring with you?

He's gotta get a
crack at the big boy.

Forget it!

You stay five rounds,

you pick up an easy thousand.

You're wasting your time here.

You know, you get
in the ring with me,

you don't go five rounds.

Enjoy your stay
in Virginia City.

All right.

Come on, Tiny. Get in. Go.

All right.

We'll be in the hotel if
you change your mind.

Hey, Swamper!

Two more of the same,
and, uh, don't spill any.

It ain't right, Mase.
It ain't right at all.

A man like you doing this.

You come back with me, boy,
we'll go right to the top again.

I'll get your drinks for you.

Well, good evening, Mrs. Marlow.

Is there something
I can do for you?

Yes, Mase, you can,
uh, buy me a drink.

Well, I'd like to, but
I'm working right now.

Oh, well then, why don't you
lend me a couple of dollars

and I'll buy myself one?

Thank you, kind sir.

I will remember
you in my prayers.

Oh, why don't you sit down here?

I'll bring anything you want.

Thanks, but I don't drink
alone unless I have to.

Whiskey, twice.

Stay here and keep out
of trouble till I get back.

I beg your pardon. Are
you expecting anyone?

The only thing I'm expecting

is to have a couple
of drinks and relax.

Well, maybe we do it together.
Care to join me and my friend?

Why not, if you're buying.

This is Tiny Mack and
I'm Dink Martin, Miss, uh..?

Rita. That's good enough.

I've seen you two
before at the Cartwrights.

Oh? Do you work for them?

No. I'm, uh, a guest.

Unwilling, but
nevertheless a guest.

So, why stay?

Well, there's a certain
little matter called money.

It takes some to go
from one place to another.

Could be I could
do you some good.

Anything good you'd do
me, you'd come out ahead.

Well, we'd both come out ahead

if you'd arrange to
get Mase in the ring.

In the ring?

Yes, with Tiny.

And $100 would buy
you a lot of traveling.

We're staying over a
couple of extra days.

You think about it.

Hey, Swamper,
where's our drinks?

And bring one for the lady.

All right, tiger, all
right. The round's over.

Why don't we get back
into our corners, huh?

How about you and me
find a corner all to ourselves?

With you, it would
have to be a cave.

Come on, be a good girl.

Because I am a good girl,

I don't want a slob
like you pawing me!

The lady doesn't
want your company!

Come on.

Come on, you don't
get paid for this.

Now, let's sit down.

Stick to swamping out
saloons. It's all you're good for.

Sorry, kiddo.

Fighting in here don't
put money in my pocket.

I need him in a ring.

Now, you make it
happen, I'll up it to $200.

Get me out of here,
will you, Mase?

Yeah.

Do you mind taking me home?

I don't mind.

If you're expecting
thanks, you're wrong.

That isn't necessary.

If you thought you were
defending my honor,

you're wrong, too.

I lost that a long time ago.

Well, I enjoyed it very much

once we got past
the rough spots.

So did I.

You know, Mase,
when I first saw you,

I said that you
were an ugly brute.

And Ben said, "No, not
when you get to know him."

You know something?

He was right.

Good night.

Uh, Mrs. Marlow,
could I see you again?

Yes, if you'd like to.

Well, I have to bring this
back tomorrow. Maybe then?

All right. Tomorrow
will be fine.

No, it's all right.

Well, you boys did a
good morning's work.

Yeah, we'll finish by tonight.

Where's Mrs. Marlow?

Same place she was yesterday.

And the day before that.

With Mase?

Mm-hmm, yeah, he picked her up

while you were
out checking fence.

Well, what do you know?

Only thing I know for sure is
that he's mighty stuck on her.

You can tell that, all right.

It's like he's got
a sign hung out.

Well, if it works out,

she couldn't find a
better man, I'll tell you.

Well, let's hope
it does work out.

Only thing I hope is that you'll
let us go into town tonight, Pa.

What's so important in town?

Well, tonight's the last night

that prize fighter's
gonna be there,

and they tell me he's
meaner than a treed wildcat.

Well, let's all ride in and
have a good look at him.

Hey.

Hey, you could use $1,000,
Hoss. Why don't you fight him?

The only fellah I'm gonna
fight is you over that last spud.

You happy?

Mm-hmm. How about you?

Well, what do you think?

Well, I think the last few
days have cost you money.

Why, I'm not complaining.

But when are you
going to go back?

Oh, let's not talk about that.

It's now that's important,
so let's just enjoy it.

Now, Rita...

When I get back to
San Francisco, I'll, uh,

send you my address.

I'd like to know how
you're doing with the shop.

I didn't have the
right to do that.

I didn't even have
the right to think it.

I'll take you back.

No, Mase.

You had all the
right in the world.

I wanted you to do that.

I'm no good with words.

All I can is I-I love you.

I want you with me... always.

They're the only words
a woman wants to hear.

But... Well, we both know

that we can't
build a life together

on dreams and kisses.

I have a trade. We'll
have a good life together.

When? Next year? The year after?

That's too long.

I want to enjoy
my happiness now.

Well, I'll find another job.

No. It's still too long.

Well, I won't borrow.

It's gotta be ours,

and I won't share our
happiness with anyone else.

Mase, you don't have to.
It can be the way you want.

How?

By going into that ring tonight.

Five rounds... That's
all you have to go,

and with that $1,000, Mase,
we wouldn't have to wait.

I can't do it.

But why? He's not that good.

I know you can take care of him.

That's not the reason.

Well then, what is the reason?

Well, it was fun
while it lasted.

I guess our picnic's over.

Take me home, will you, Mase?

Rita, does it mean
that much to you,

to have the money now?

Yes, it means that much to me.

All right.

I'll go against him tonight.

We'll have our $1,000 tomorrow.

Then, will... will you marry me?

Yes, Mase, I'll marry you.

Well, I guess I
better take you back.

But, Rita...

Don't go see the fight tonight.

I'll be out first thing
in the morning.

I love you, woman.

Best seats you got.

Here we are. Best
seats in the house.

Hey, who's fighting him?

I don't know. They'll tell
us when we get in there.

Here you are, Pa.
Ma'am, here you are.

Rita, you sure you
want to see this fight?

Oh, Ben, I've seen men
fight before. Don't worry.

Uh, but listen, you go on in

and I'll join you in
a moment, all right?

Ma'am, we'll be right
down in the front row.

Come on, Joe.

You know, I'm surprised
Mase didn't ask her.

Yeah.

Well, let's go inside

and see what a treed
mountain lion looks like.

Quiet! Quiet!

Thank you, folks.

Now, for the past few days,

you have all seen Tiny Mack,

the next heavyweight
champion of the world,

go against the best
men in your town.

Your best... were none too good.

But tonight...
you're in for a treat.

You're going to see
two of the greatest

fighting machines in the world.

One of them is Tiny
Mack, and the other

is Mase Sindell!

Thank you.

Do you know anything about this?

No, I didn't know.

Well, Mrs. Marlow
must've known about it.

She didn't say anything.

I'll be right back.

Mr. Martin?

Hello, sweetheart!

What are you doing back here?

Waiting for you.

- I filled my end of the deal.
- You did great,

just great. And I'll
take care of you,

soon as this is over.

Uh-uh. Right now.

Wh-What's the
matter, sweetheart?

Don't you trust the old Dinker?

Mr. Martin, as easily as
I got Mase into the ring,

I can get him out.

So I want $200 right now,

because that crowd
just isn't gonna like it.

Oh, of course, baby, of course.

I was just having
a little laugh, is all.

Are you gonna stick around
and watch your boy work?

First of all, he's not my boy,

and I'm leaving on a
stage in 20 minutes.

They don't come much
harder than you, gal.

See you around.

Did you hear?

Why did you do it?

Because I wanted to get away
from here and takes money.

If you needed money
that badly, all you had to do

- was come to me.
- Oh, really?

Well, that's not what
you said last week.

Last week I had to live up
to my end of the bargain!

What did you say to
Mase to make him fight?

That's none of your business!

That you were going
to marry him? Is that it?

You lied to him.

He'll climb into that ring

thinking he's going to
make a life for the two of you,

and all he'll have to live with
is a rotten memory of a lie.

Well, the thousand
dollars will help him forget.

If ever you're in San
Francisco, do look me up.

You'll know where to find me.

Let's go, Mase! It's that time!

All right!

- Oh, Ben.
- Hello, Mase.

- Oh, did Rita tell you about us?
- Yeah, yeah, she told me.

I don't deserve
a break like that.

A woman like her wanting
to marry an ugly mutt like me.

Listen, Mase... are
you ready for him?

Well, as ready as I can be.

Oh, Ben, I don't
have a cornerman.

I'd be pleased if you'd
act as my second.

Yes, sure, sure. Come on.

Folks paid to see a good fight.

Let's give them one.

Shake hands.

You take him, every newspaper
in the country'll carry it,

and we'll be on
our way to the top.

He's all yours, Mase.
Now, load it on him!

Come on, Mase!

Hit him, Mase!

Hit him!

Mase has had some good
openings; why doesn't he throw 'em?

Eh, just wait, wait, he's
just waiting for the big one.

He better throw
the little ones first.

Hit him back, Mase!

What's the matter with you?

You didn't land one punch.

I'm not going to.

What?

I get a thousand dollars
for staying five rounds.

I'm not fighting.

Well, aren't you
gonna hit him back?

You know better than that, Ben.

But he'll hurt you,
he'll hurt you bad.

I can take what he hands out.

I have to.

I was worried for a minute,
but he's lost everything.

It's all gone.

Now, take him out in this round.

Why? I'm enjoying it.

I'm gonna chop
him up for a while.

Now, you listen to me.

He was a great fighter
and he's still a lot of man.

Don't strip away his dignity.

Look, you take care of
things outside the ring,

I'll handle 'em in here.

What's the matter with him?

All he's doing is
defending himself.

Sure is a one-sided
affair so far, ain't it?

Mase... listen to me.

You got to stop. Now.

I can't stop, Ben.

Three more rounds, it'll be
a new life for Rita and me.

She isn't here, Mase.

She's gone.

What?

I said she's gone.

There's no need for you to
take any more of this punishment.

Oh, no, no, Rita
loves me, she told me.

She used you, Mase.

All you meant to her
was stage fare out of here.

Oh, you're just saying
that to get me to stop.

It's all right, I can last, Ben.

Don't worry.

Have you had your laughs?

Yeah.

Now I dump him in your lap.

One, two, three...
Stay down, Mase.

Five, six... Down.

Before you leave, there's
something I want you to see.

I'm staying right here
until the stage leaves.

Woman, you're gonna
see what you've done.

If I have to drag you,

you're going to see it.

Now, you decide
which way it'll be.

I hope you enjoy it;
he's doing it for you.

Why doesn't he fight back?

Because three years ago he
destroyed a man with his fists.

It was legal; he
did it in the ring.

He killed him?

No, it would've
been better if he had.

The man's in a mental institute.

He's a vegetable.

Mase takes care of him.

But he swore he'd never use
his fists on another human being.

You could have
stopped this, Ben.

You could have
told him about me.

Oh, I told him about you,

but he wouldn't believe me.

He refused to believe
what you really are.

So he won't quit.

This may destroy him, but...

but like you said,

he'll have a thousand
dollars to help him forget.

Two, three, four, five, six,

seven, eight...

Go on, get on that stage.

Nobody's gonna stop you!

He's had all he can take.

- I think you better call it off.
- No.

No, nobody stops
this, you hear? Nobody!

♪♪

Oh, Mase.

No more, my darling,
please, no more.

It's all over
now, it's all over.

It's all right.

I can last.

It'll be like I promised.

I can do it, Rita, I can do it.

Oh, no.

We'll find another way.

It doesn't matter
how long it takes,

but we'll find another way.

It's all over now.

Please.

♪♪

Please, for me. Please.

♪♪

Welcome back, Rita.

Welcome back.

Looking for More Bonanza Episodes?

Bonanza is an excellent, family-friendly show for solo viewing or enjoying with loved ones. A Woman Lost is the 125th episode out of 430 episodes in the series. NBC produced Bonanza, which aired on the network from September 1959 to January 1973, encompassing 14 seasons.

You can find more about any of the 430 Bonanza episodes here>>