Aging gunfighter John Bernard “J. B.” Books shoots an assailant in the stomach then rides away on horseback, warning the man to find another line of work. Sometime later on 22 January 1901, on a street in Carson City, Nevada, Books reads a newspaper headline announcing the death of Queen Victoria, unaware that he is blocking the road. Driving an oncoming milk truck, would-be gunfighter Jay Cobb orders Books out of his way, then grabs his gun in anger, but teenage passenger Gillom Rogers declares that Books is not worth a bullet, and they drive away. Books then learns that he is dying of cancer from Dr. Hostetler, and has about six weeks to live. Following the doctor’s advice, Books seeks accommodations at a boarding house owned by widow Bond Rogers, who is also Gillom’s mother. When Books orders the boy to take his horse to a livery, Gillom balks at the gunfighter’s tone, but complies when Books asks politely. Unloading his weapons, Books falsely introduces himself to Bond as the legendary Wild Bill Hickok, but the widow dislikes the man and expresses her hope that he leaves the boarding house soon. Meanwhile, the livery proprietor, Moses, and Gillom discover Books’s true identity, which is written underneath the shootist’s saddle. Gillom reports back to his mother, who confronts Books about his misrepresentation and demands that he leave. When Books refuses, Bond telephones Marshall Thibido, and the lawman orders Books to comply. Books confides to Thibido that he is dying, and the marshall is happy to hear of the gunfighter’s fate; however, Thibido promises to keep the illness a secret under the condition that Books die soon. Sometime later, Books detects motion outside his window and discovers young Gillom. He snatches the boy, demanding an explanation, and Gillom confesses that he is a great fan of Books. When Gillom leaves, Books apologizes to Bond for falsely identifying himself, and admits that he is dying. The next day, newspaper reporter Dan Dobkins visits Books, hoping to pen Books’s life, but the gunfighter shoves a revolver into Dobkins’s mouth and kicks him off the boarding house porch. Widow Bond is scandalized, but she holds her tongue when Books slumps against the porch posts, unable to breathe. Dr. Hostetler gives Books an opiate mixture and suggests that the gunfighter consider suicide. That evening, Bond apologizes to Books for her “un-Christian” behavior while Books admits he is too proud to ask for help. However, he convinces the widow to take him on a buggy ride in the morning, so he can see nature one last time. Meanwhile, at the saloon, a stranger tells gambler Jack Pulford that Books is dying, and Pulford declares himself a superior shooter. When a patron disagrees, a gunfight ensues, and Pulford proves his skill by targeting the man’s heart from a great distance. During Bond and Books’s morning buggy ride, the widow mentions her husband’s death and her fear that young Gillom will become an outlaw. Returning to town, they are confronted by Sweeney, an ornery man who invites Books to visit him so they can discuss “old times.” When Sweeney leaves, Books admits that he killed the man’s brother, but insists that he only shoots in self-defense. That evening, Books kills two men when they crash through his bedroom window. Seeing Gillom thrilled by the gunfight, Bond disapproves of her son’s obsession with Books and informs the boy that the shootist is dying. The following day, the boarding house is vacated of its other guests and Marshall Thibido orders a guard to protect the premises from further violence. Thibido tells Books about the recent Pulford shooting and claims that the world will be a better place once the old shootists have passed away. Later, at the livery, Moses tells Books that he intends to buy the gunfighter’s horse from young Gillom for $100, but Books is outraged by the price and sells the horse himself for $290. When Books confronts Gillom, the boy argues that the money should be used to help his mother, who might lose the boarding house now that Books has scared away the other boarders. Books seeks forgiveness by giving Gillom a shooting lesson during which the boy realizes he is nearly as good a shot as his hero. However, Books explains that being a skilled gunfighter is not enough to stay alive. The gunman who is most willing to kill is always the winner, and amateurs are the most dangerous shooters, because they are likely to fire at their opponents’ backs. Books expresses his credo that he will not be wronged, insulted, or laid hands upon, nor will he inflict these injustices on others. Back at the boarding house, Books is visited by his former mistress, Serepta, who proposes that they marry, so she can get rich by writing a memoir with Dobkins, but Books refuses. The next day, Books asks widow Bond to brush his suit, and she suggests he meet her minister. When Books declines, Bond warns that his demise will be met with perdition. However, Books says he is simply afraid of the dark and Bond cries. At the barbershop, an undertaker offers Books a free funeral and the gunfighter accurately suspects the man of selling tickets to people who want to view his dead body. Still, Books agrees to the undertaker’s scheme in exchange for $50 and a headstone, carved by Monday morning. That evening, Books asks Gillom to convey a message to his adversaries, Sweeney, Pulford, and Cobb, inviting them to meet him at the saloon at 11 a.m., Monday morning. On Sunday night, Books asks Bond not to cry when she sees him in his Sunday best the following morning. Later, Gillom tells Books that the men have accepted the invitation, and Books announces that he bought back his horse as a gift for the boy. On the morning of 29 January 1901, Books places his money and gold watch in an envelope addressed to Bond. His headstone is delivered with a date of birth, 29 January 1843, but the death date remains unmarked. Books leaves the boarding house, explaining to the tearful Bond that it is his birthday and he is going to celebrate at the saloon. There, Books is awaited by his adversaries. Cobb draws first, but Books guns him down. Sweeney then shoots Books in the shoulder, and Books returns fire with three lethal bullets. With gunfire knocking Books behind the bar, Pulford crawls to the other side for a surprise attack, but the shootist sees Pulford’s reflection in a glass and shoots the gambler between the eyes. Just as Gillom rushes into the saloon, the bartender fires his shotgun into Books’s back. Gillom grabs Books’s gun and empties its bullets into the bartender’s chest. Gillom throws the gun aside and Books nods in approval. Dazed by loss of his hero, Gillom walks past his mother through the gathering crowd.