Original subtitles

[gong sounding]

[ambient sounds of nature]

[country music playing]

DEVON [VOICEOVER]: Once upon a time

in a far off land lived a girl and her mother and father.

Their village was surrounded by a high wall.

Outside the wall was the forest, home of Baba Yaga, the witch.

Baba Yaga had iron teeth that could bite through trees.

His legs were like chicken legs.

And he ate little girls for dinner.

But inside the wall, the girl was safe.

[country music playing]

[ratchet wrench clacking]

[sighs]

Stick 'em up, Injun.

MORTON: Try the Madison house first.

Then the Langers.

Skip the Kutchners.

They're in Rhode Island for the weekend.

Hm. That's the Laughlins.

The Kutchners are in town.

Don't forget to ring three or four times

at the Neill's in Birch Grove Court.

His wife is almost deaf.

CLARE: And on the school board.

MORTON: Everyone will get a taste of the Stockards.

Yum, yum.

DEVON: These are ready.

[imitating sound of gunfire]

[country music playing]

CLARE: Billy?

Snack time!

[country music playing]

[thwock]

CLARE: Don't lose the money you get.

[footsteps]

Everyone loves that smile.

Remember.

Your photo will be in the papers.

If she sells the most bags.

Oh, she will.

She's the perfect little sales woman.

Make a good impression, honey.

We're still the new kids on the block.

All right? - Ah, ah, ah, ah!

It's off to work we go.

Don't fiddle with your socks. They're just new.

MORTON: Be careful on the roads.

Watch for cars, sweetie.

Look left and right.

Now get going.

[footsteps]

CLARE: Whatever you do, don't go outside the gate, sweetheart.

[wagon clattering]

Daddy loves you.

[wagon clattering]

[buzzing]

[radio playing jingle]

[wagon clattering]

Devon Stockard.

Now there is a girl who's out to conquer the world.

You want me to buy a bag of those cookies from you?

You're not on my list.

[radio playing in background]

[footsteps]

[sprinkler chittering]

[footsteps]

[doorbell rings]

MAN: Can I help you?

Yeah.

I finished your lawn, sir.

MAN: Already?

I did a good job.

Short back and sides.

Got all the weeds, sir.

[door opens]

Thank you.

[door closes]

Sir, do you think I could use your bathroom facilities?

Guess not.

[sighs]

[urinating]

[rock music playing]

[music fading in distance]

[sighs]

[truck engine sputtering]

[groans]

[country music playing]

[cookies crunching]

[wagon clattering]

Can I give you some help, son?

Oh, I can get it, thanks.

[door opens]

[door closes]

Just tell me when.

TRENT: Just a minute.

[TOOLS CLINKING AGAINST

ENGINE]

OK.

[truck engine sputtering]

Nothing.

All right.

Try it again.

[truck engine turns over]

[thud]

Get in.

[door opens]

Not for long.

[door closes]

Business must be good.

I'm not complaining. [lighter clicks]

You live close by here?

- [laughs] Not that close by. - [laughs]

[lighter clicks]

Me either.

What you got in that cooler?

Oh, soda pop.

Shit.

I was hoping it was ice cold beer.

It's hotter than a cat's crotch today, isn't it?

[laughs] Yeah.

And I stink.

I need a shower.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[thud]

I used to mow lawns when I was a kid.

After a while, it gets to me there's nothing in the world

but lawn.

Green lawn.

And the best damn thing about lawns

is, they always grow back.

Best not be in here past five, lest you

clear it with me first.

[truck slowly driving away]

[urine pouring on ground]

[ambient sounds of nature]

[wagon clattering]

[bottles clinking]

[hiss]

[radio clicks on]

[MUSIC - DWIGHT YOAKUM, "A THOUSAND MILES FROM NOWHERE"]

[SINGING] --there's a vision of what used to be a man.

[wagon clattering]

[SINGING] I'm a thousand miles from nowhere.

Time don't matter to me.

I'm a thousand miles from nowhere.

And there's no place I want to be.

I got heartaches in my pocket.

I've got echoes in my head.

And all that I keep hearing are the cruel things that you said.

[car horns honking]

[door closes]

[SINGING] I'm a thousand miles to nowhere.

Time don't matter to me.

Because I'm a thousand miles to nowhere.

And there's no place I want to be.

Oh, I, oh, I, oh, I yeah, I.

I want to know if he's going to be here next Friday.

[door closes]

[truck slowly driving away]

[SINGING] Oh, I--

[wagon clattering]

DEVON [VOICEOVER]: At the edge of a big,

dark forest lived a girl and her mother and father.

[crow cawing]

One day, her mother said, girl, I shall

make you a batch of cookies.

And you must go and sell them in the forest.

Now the girl was not stupid.

She knew they were trying to get rid of her.

But her father said, don't argue.

So she went.

[crow cawing]

The girl walked on until she came to a clearing

in the forest.

[crow cawing]

[wagon clattering]

[crow cawing]

[wagon clattering]

[gate creaks open]

[crow cawing]

[fluttering of bird wings]

In the middle of the clearing, there was

a hut and a very skinny dog.

The dog was starving.

The girl said to the dog, you look hungry.

So she fed it.

[footsteps]

[knocking on door]

[door creaks open]

[jingling]

Baba Yaga's house?

[door creaks closed]

[footsteps]

[clinking]

[gate creaking in distance]

[footsteps] [thud]

[groans]

[door creaks open]

Hello.

I'm Devon Tompkins Stockard.

Girl Ranger.

I'm selling thumbprint cookies.

All proceeds go to the Pine Cone Charity House of McCade County.

[door creaks closed]

[ambient sounds of nature]

[footsteps]

Is that a '65 Ford?

The '65 F100 is the best motor Ford ever made.

Is it three on a tree?

Yeah.

My uncle had a truck like that.

He was Russian, from Indiana.

Born on the wrong side of the train.

Wrong side of the tracks.

Right.

He said the mounts were going bad on the truck.

So one night he drove it into Spoon River

and never drove back out.

What a shame.

[laughs] That's what my aunt said.

You can rebuild the mounts.

I did.

Can you take me for a ride in it?

[footsteps]

I don't want to buy any cookies.

This is private property.

Go home.

[footsteps]

[door creaks open]

[door closes]

[ambient sounds of nature]

[wagon clattering]

Four bags?

Does that include the two that we bought?

Well, you'll have to do better than that.

How far did you get down the list?

It all depends on your face, sweetheart.

It's not what you got in the bags they want to buy.

It's your happy face.

The ones who weren't home today try tomorrow.

Don't forget to say it's for the Charity House.

It'd be a shame if some other little girl

got her picture in the paper.

CLARE: You'll do better tomorrow, sweetheart.

Give me a kiss.

Good night, sweetheart.

I'll be up in a little while.

Oh, I changed your doctor's appointment for day

after tomorrow, 9:30 AM.

[footsteps]

[fire crackling]

[ambient sounds of nature]

[cookies crunching]

MORTON: Oh, I'd like to see her happy for a change.

CLARE: Well, she's going through a stage.

It's her age.

Well, all we get is mope and complain.

Imagine what she'll be like in a few years.

She hardly complains.

MORTON: She could at least pretend to be happy.

I mean, when I was a kid, that's what you did for your parents.

[laughs] We've only been settled for a couple of months.

Give it time.

She's met that one girl, Donna?

Well, I feel sorry for that Donna kid's father.

Imagine having a-- ow--

daughter with a face like a possum.

[laughs]

MORTON: [laughs]

She's got a lovely voice.

Well, if I'm going to have a voice at all,

we've got to start pushing.

Elections for the County Board are this Fall.

That will be four boards you're going after.

You'll have to be careful you don't lose your own voice.

Well, but you want a real say in this county--

in this suburb, right here where we live-- then

I've got to become the Board man.

The model of citizen involvement.

[rock music playing in distance]

Isn't that why we moved back here?

[ominous music]

[wind rushing]

[howls like a wolf]

[answering wolf cry in distance]

[wind rushing]

I want us all to make a home here, Dev.

I want you to find lots of new friends.

A popular girl's never bored or boring.

Look, honey, this is the new Dev.

Right here.

You don't have to tell your new friends

anything about the old Dev if you don't want to.

And the new Devon, she's raring to go, isn't she?

[sighs] I love you, honey.

The world's at your feet, sweetheart.

Thanks, Dad.

[wagon clattering]

[screaming] Halt, squaw!

You'd be doing the community a favor.

[wagon clattering]

Bang!

[ambient sounds of nature]

Hello, Mrs. Stockard.

Hello, Brett.

You should call Spray Green Lawn Service.

He'll have those weeds out in a couple hours.

I like to work up a little sweat.

And if you leave the root in, it will grow back.

Just ripping the heads off is more fun.

Would you like to lend a hand?

And do something useful this summer?

Sounds criminal to me.

[laughs]

You should both have summer jobs.

Keep your mind sharp.

If we had jobs, who'd help you weed?

I'll just let you two finish up here.

[ambient sounds of nature]

[wagon clattering]

[owl hooting]

[crow cawing]

[gate creaks open]

[distant sound of raised voices]

PAM: Stop it!

[laughs]

[gate creaks closed]

TRENT: You did it earlier.

PAM: [laughs] Get off!

[laughs] Stop it!

[growling]

[laughs]

Hello.

Mm.

[thud]

[thud]

What is that?

[door creaks open]

Hey, isn't that my belt?

Found it on the dresser.

But how am I supposed to keep my pants up?

You'll think of something.

Hey, Patty, you sure you don't want that ride?

Country club? Stables?

Tennis courts? - No, thanks.

I can make it.

And it's Pam.

Pam Gregory.

See you, trailer man.

Hey, I'm not always going to live in a soup can.

Next year, I'm going to be at the, uh, White House.

[ambient sounds of nature]

[footsteps]

[door creaks closed]

Baba Yaga went inside and put a huge kettle on to boil.

The dog told the girl to run because Baba

Yaga was going to cook her.

But the girl knew she could never

outrun Baba Yaga boney legs.

When they sent the girl into the forest,

she was kind to the things she found.

She found a tree and dressed it up in ribbons.

Trees don't give a damn about people.

Was that your girlfriend?

Look, I got some lawns take care of, so--

Can you climb a tree?

I'd climb it myself but I'm not supposed to strain.

I'm telling you to leave.

OK.

I'll leave.

But only if you help me hang the rest of these ribbons.

I don't like ribbons and I got me a hangover.

[ambient sounds of nature]

You know, I almost died twice.

Climbing a tree?

No.

I almost died, too.

How?

Shotgun.

You?

It's a lemon, my heart.

You know how yours goes de-dum-de-dum-de-dum?

Yeah?

Well, mine goes, diddy-dum, diddy-dum, diddy-dum.

So are you dying or what?

Not anymore.

They put in extra pumping station.

Hm.

Nice.

Can I see your scar?

It's ugly.

Cool.

Don't you have any friends your age?

Kids you can hang out with and stuff?

I don't like kids.

They smell like TV.

And they talk too fast.

[bird scolding]

Higher.

Go higher. [snap]

[crack]

[groans] [thud]

[groans]

[wind rushing]

[sighs loudly]

[yelling dramatically]

Hey, I could be dying over here.

[footsteps]

Is your heart going diddy-dum, diddy-dum, diddy-dum?

Something like that.

Hey, come here.

Get me a beer out of my truck.

It's in the cooler.

And the cigarettes are on the dash.

[footsteps]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[bottles clinking]

[IMITATING SOUND OF CAR ENGINE] Beep beep!

TRENT: [yelling dramatically]

[footsteps]

[hiss]

[sighs] Mm.

[click]

[belches loudly]

[belches] [laughs]

TRENT: [sighs]

Where'd you get shot?

In the gut.

By a robber?

[laughs] Look, I have to do three, maybe four, lawns.

You're from Camelot, right?

Camelot Gardens.

Yep.

Over the hills and far away.

[door closes]

[sighs] It's better if I let you off here.

Yeah.

I know.

[truck engine starts]

[truck slowly driving away]

[wagon clattering]

[sprinkler chittering]

ANNOUNCER [ON TELEVISION]: --in the South.

We're told by other US officials that this was

a clear desire on the part of-- DEVON: Tracker!

ANNOUNCER [ON TELEVISION]: --the US to try to embarrass

Saddam Hussein by--

Be careful, Devon.

My dog doesn't like kids.

ANNOUNCER [ON TELEVISION]: --in southern Iraq.

That would be a further infringement--

Clare!

People getting hungry out here, dear.

ANNOUNCER [ON TELEVISION]: In this particular case,

it would embarrass him further.

Tracker!

[tracker growls]

Tracker!

Leave the dog be, honey.

ANNOUNCER [ON TELEVISION]: --zone operations

with impunity.

Would you go tell her we're about ready for the salad?

All right.

ANNOUNCER [ON TELEVISION]: --seconds.

He is now in the Oval Office.

We're told he has a brief statement.

He will make that statement.

[radio playing quietly]

[MUSIC - THE HUES CORPORATION, "ROCK THE BOAT"]

[SINGING] --you got the notion--

They need the salad, Mrs. Stockard.

Yes.

Well, I should think we could have that

ready in about four minutes. What do you say?

[lawnmower humming]

[SINGING] --notion.

So I'd like to know where you got the notion.

Don't rock the boat.

You got the notion--

[heavy breathing and moans]

[footsteps]

[laughs]

The salad is arrivee.

[ambient party noise]

Hey, how you doin'?

Hey.

[MUSIC - SISTER SLEDGE, "WE ARE FAMILY"]

Hey.

Hi.

MAN: He was a great quarterback.

[sighs]

[sizzling]

Oh, hello.

Can I help you?

I finished your lawn.

I did the trimming as well, and I blew the drive,

short back and sides.

Oh, yes.

We heard you loud and clear.

[sizzling]

Worked up an appetite, son?

Oh--

Devon, put a couple hot dogs on the grill

for this young man. - Oh, no.

Thank you, sir. But I'm better--

I better get back to work.

Nonsense.

Go take a seat over there.

[SINGING] We are family.

I got all my sisters and me.

We are family.

Get up everybody and dance.

Hey.

I heard a rumor that Pamela Gregory

took you out the other night.

Now tell me that isn't true.

What could you and her possibly have in common?

Ah, Brett, putting your social skills to work again?

Yes, I am.

[tracker whines]

So what you going to be when you grow up, huh?

Landscape designer?

[tracker growls]

Conservationist?

Hey, which colleges you apply to, boy?

A real charmer, isn't he?

What about computer design?

That's a solid choice.

Everybody's going in for that these days.

Yeah.

Let's talk about exotic careers.

High divin', for instance.

Say from bridges?

Say, single lane bridges?

MORTON: Hot dogs coming up.

Plenty of ketchup for you, right?

TRENT: Yeah. Oh.

Thank you, sir.

You wouldn't happen to know anything

about all those lampshades keep disappearing around here,

would you?

[SINGING] Get up everybody and sing.

Living life is fun and we've just begun--

Mm.

I can't help you, sir.

It's the funniest thing.

I mean, what could a person do with so many lampshades?

Sell them.

[SINGING] High hopes we have for the future

and our goal's in sight.

We, no, we don't get depressed.

- Sir, for your lawn? - Oh!

[laughs] Yeah.

Here we go.

TRENT: It's 20.

Here.

[clears throat] Ah, all right.

You're just $10 shy here, Mr. Stockard.

Just what are you saying?

I'm saying you're just $10 shy of what we agreed on.

I just gave you a couple dogs, didn't I?

[SINGING] Hey, hey.

I got all my sisters and me.

Just pulling your leg there, son.

[laughter]

There we go.

[laughs] All right.

Meat's on!

[clapping]

Bring me a beer, man.

[laughs]

[SINGING] Everybody, hey, hey, hey.

We are family.

Yeah, I bet.

You're a better man than I am.

[laughter]

Well, I should hope so.

Hey.

McCade County School?

Sean Torrance. Third grade, remember?

No.

I was only there a few months?

My parents pulled me out, put me in private.

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

Yeah, your Dad drove that blue BMW.

[laughs] Did he?

I don't remember.

I remember.

It was the only new car in the school parking lot that winter.

We were friends, right?

No.

Just in the same class.

You know better than come to a party dressed like a slob.

In third grade, you had better taste.

My bet is you could have made a good surgeon.

Like your daddy?

You've got the hands for it.

[footsteps]

[door closes]

[MUSIC - CAROL DOUGLAS, "DOCTOR'S ORDERS"]

[SINGING] Hi, honey, it's me.

I went to see the doctor today 'cause ever

since you've been gone I have a pain deep down inside.

He said there's nothing wrong with me.

I'm just missing my man.

[urinating]

[SINGING] So honey, please, come on home as soon as you can.

[windshield wipers squeaking]

[SINGING] Only one thing for me, nothing he can do 'cause only

you can cure me.

Says in my condition--

Go ahead.

Make my day.

Bang!

[ominous music]

[laughs] Oh!

Daddy's gun, huh?

That's pretty dangerous.

[click]

Hm.

You ever wonder what one of these might feel like going in?

You smell like your mom.

[ominous music]

Get out!

Hey!

Shh!

[ominous music]

- Mom? - Hmm?

Tracy asked me if I could spend the night.

MORTON: Tracy who?

Tracy Keller.

You know, I met her at the picnic last week.

You liked her parents.

Her dad's with the Federal Security Bank.

Is he?

Huh.

All right.

But later on.

First, you need to get the dolls out of the bath

and their arms out of the sink.

OK.

[footsteps]

See?

What did I tell you?

She's made a friend already.

Just a matter of time.

[running water]

[car engine]

[door opens and closes]

Don't wait.

Can't I come in with you?

No!

I'll look like a kid, OK?

All right.

[door closes]

Call you in a few hours.

Try to have fun, sweetheart!

[car engine starts] [footsteps]

Have a nice evening!

[footsteps]

[ambient sounds of nature]

[music playing in distance]

[footsteps]

[door creaks open]

TRENT: I'd give you a ride home, but my tank's on empty.

PAM: [laughs] I'm not surprised.

I'd rather bike.

It's just up the road.

TRENT: Hey, Pam, when you going to give me your number?

[laughs] What do you need my number for?

You haven't got a phone.

So?

I got a quarter.

Lucky man.

So I'll see you around? TRENT: All right.

Sure. Same time next week?

PAM: Um, maybe.

My schedule is kind of wacky.

But I'll drop by when I can.

Hey, I want to be introduced to your mother.

And your father.

Any dogs, cats, or canaries you live with?

Right.

I'll see you around.

I'm sure they'd love to meet me.

[music playing]

[door creaks closed]

[gate creaks open]

[gate creaks closed]

[footsteps]

Hi.

[ambient sounds of nature]

What did it feel like when you got shot?

It's like getting shot.

Could you feel the bullet go in?

Don't remember.

I would have remembered if it happened to me.

Ah!

Got any whiskey?

It stings, but it kills the germs.

No.

You're supposed to suck the poison out or you die.

What poison?

I read in a book on snakes.

Snake didn't bite me.

And the next time one does, you'll know what to do.

[footsteps]

I'm not afraid of blood.

Every time they open me up I lost a bathtub full.

How much blood did you lose when you got shot?

I don't know.

Did you nearly die?

Yeah.

I guess I did.

But we was drinkin', me and Jeff, and we ran out of beer.

Pulled over at the five star.

And there's these three J-town cops

slurping on donuts and coffee.

I know them.

And they sure know me, so I'm up paying for my 12 of Bud

and I turn to the three of them.

And I let out this killer burp.

[laughs]

I mean, this son of a gun was loud as a shotgun.

Kind of ruined their snack, I guess.

So five minutes later, they pull us over.

Jeff gets scared.

[laughs] He makes a run for it.

So now they thinking we got something to hide.

And they're whacking me with their sticks

until finally I was able to punch one of them.

And I busted his nose.

And his buddy aims his shotgun at me.

Bang.

Bang.

You're dead.

Only I wasn't.

Wow.

What happened to Jeff?

Mm, Jeff is OK.

He got three months.

I got six.

Boy, I tell you.

People say you're trash.

[chair creaks]

Yeah.

I guess they do.

I wouldn't like that.

Well, you get used to it.

My father says if everyone worked hard,

there wouldn't be any poor people.

You're a poor person, aren't you?

He says that anyone who works hard

can be rich, just like him.

Sounds like you got a smart daddy.

Trash is something you put a lid on because it stinks.

You don't smell that bad.

[laughs] That makes my day.

[laughs] [clears throat] [laughs] The way I see it,

you got people who own lawns and you got people who mow 'em.

And they're never the same people.

OK.

It's time for you to get on home.

I told my mom I'd spend the night at Tracy Keller's.

Do you know Tracy Keller?

No.

Neither do I.

Wait a minute.

So where do I sleep?

[ambient sounds of nature]

[door creaks open]

[footsteps]

Go home.

No!

[sighs] Get out of here.

Just go.

What the hell you want from me?

What?

What?

Huh?

What?

Is that what you want?

[laughs] You can have it.

Anything you want here, it's yours.

Take it. OK?

What's with you?

You curious?

You just curious?

When you got all that out there?

Everything out there is yours.

There's nothing here for you, you understand?

Go home.

[sighs] Go home.

[footsteps]

[door creaks closed]

[country music playing]

[owl hooting]

[footsteps]

[country music playing]

[footsteps]

[lid clattering]

Know where we can find two live chickens?

[upbeat country music]

Why don't we just drive to the supermarket?

They have to be fresh.

The one's at the supermarket have been

frozen for years, maybe longer.

You know, stealing livestock's a criminal offense.

Would could go to jail.

We won't be stealing them.

We'll just be borrowing them.

And then we'll change our minds and eat them.

Trust me.

[country music playing]

Look!

A chicken walk!

[grunts]

Shh!

They're trying to sleep.

[chickens clucking contentedly]

[country music playing]

[chickens clucking contentedly]

[imitates a rooster crowing]

[upbeat country music]

[CHICKENS SQUAWKING AND FLUTTERING

WINGS]

Trent!

Trent!

I caught one!

Looks like your luck's changed, buddy.

Just a few more minutes until the end of your life.

[chicken squawks dolefully]

[COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYING IN DISTANCE]

Um, Tracy's fine.

We're having chicken for dinner, Well, um, her mom can't

come to the phone right now.

She's having a bath.

Got to go, Mom.

Tracy's waving at me.

[CHICKEN SQUAWKING AND FLUTTERING WINGS]

See you. Love you.

Bye.

[CHICKEN SQUAWKING AND FLUTTERING WINGS]

No.

[laughs]

Watch the legs, please.

[CHICKEN SQUAWKING AND

FLUTTERING WINGS]

[laughs]

Do you think if we'd met hundreds of years ago,

we'd still have ended up as friends?

We're not friends. We're hunters.

So who's going to kill the meat?

You do yours.

And then I'll do mine.

Mm.

Do you know how?

Not yet.

[chicken squawking dolefully]

[belches]

[belches]

[belches loudly]

[belches]

If you promise never to pull this one on me again,

I'll let you sleep over.

What you think your dad would do if he found out?

He'd cut off my feet.

That's right.

And then he'd tie you to a stake and burn you.

[blows heavily]

Baba Yaga boney legs has teeth made of steel

and he can bite through trees.

And his legs are like chicken legs.

Who is this Baba Yaga?

A witch who lives in a forest.

I mean, what's this monster here stand for?

The moral of the story?

Yeah.

For whatever's bad, I guess.

Sometimes when it's dark, Baba Yaga goes out into the field.

And a wild dog comes to meet him.

And then a big, scary wind starts to blow and blow.

[imitating sound of wind] And then Baba Yaga

kills the dog with his bare hands and eats it.

And Baba Yaga sings and dances.

His belly all full of dog meat and blood.

[ominous music]

[SINGING LIKE A NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN]

[jingling]

Do you know how the girl escapes from Baba Yaga?

TRENT: No.

The starving dog she fed gives her

a magic comb and embroidered towel.

And the girl runs away through the forest.

And when Baba Yaga almost has her,

the girl throws down the towel and a great river springs up.

And Baba Yaga can't cross until he drives his cows

to drink up all the water.

TRENT: Look, I got to get up early, OK?

And when Baba Yaga's at her heels,

the girl throws down the comb and a great forest

springs up behind her.

The end, OK?

[click]

[jingling]

That's the third one they got on your street this week.

[sighs] Someone is making fools of us.

I've been watching the lamps in this neighborhood

at all hours.

All hours!

I don't like it one bit.

We're insecure.

[crash]

[airplane zooming overhead]

[distant sound of artillery]

[explosions]

BILLY: Ah!

Let's see some blood on that sand!

Come on!

Bring the second squad!

Come on!

[whirring]

We got to flatten Baghdad by dawn!

[whirring]

[crash]

[whirring]

[crash]

[ambient sounds of nature]

[footsteps]

It won't take all day, will it?

It'll take as long as it takes.

Can I come?

I can help you.

I'll drop you off at the gates.

I can pull weeds.

No.

But I'll make you a deal.

We can be friends if you can keep it a secret.

What's wrong with you and me being friends?

Well, for one thing, I'm a country bumpkin, right?

I was born suckin' on a bottle of rotgut,

and I'm a real poor retard son of a gun.

Do anything for a buck.

I'll slobber and I'll spit, and I [IMITATING

SOUND OF A PIG SNORTING] fart!

Hey! What are you doing?

[imitating fart sounds]

Put me down!

And I eat little princesses like you for breakfast.

[growling]

[laughs] I'm not a princess.

No?

Well, I'm still real poor.

[thud]

Do you want me to feel sorry for you?

[sighs] Oh, I don't know.

Well, you can forget it.

Polish my golden slipper.

[spits] Yes, ma'am.

I polish it so shiny I could see my face in it.

Yeah! Yeehaw!

[country music playing]

What do you want to be when you grow up?

[laughs] When I grow up?

I don't know.

I don't think about it.

Well, think about it.

Uh, when I grow up, hell, I don't know.

I just want to be gone.

You know, away from here.

And one day I'm going to save up enough money to do that, too.

And I'm going to put on a clean shirt, a new pair of socks,

and I'm just going to walk out of this life.

I like how it sounds.

How what sounds?

Trent and Devon.

Devon and Trent.

Trent and Devon.

Devon and Trent.

Get out of here.

DEVON: Trent and Devon.

Devon and Trent.

Trent and Devon.

Devon and Trent.

Trent and Devon.

Devon and Trent.

[country music playing]

When I was a kid, my mom and my old man

took me fishing here.

In those days, you could catch five or six big catfish.

Big as your arm.

And one night, well, I just let the two of them fish.

And then I walk a ways down the bank.

And I take my shorts off.

And I plop myself down on the sand in my bare ass,

and I piss.

- Yuck. - No!

No!

There's nothing like the day cooling all round you,

and you're sitting in warm piss with the river floating by.

Yuck again.

Yuck again?

I was a kid, OK?

What you piss in is yours for life.

[radio clicks on]

[MUSIC - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND,

"DANCING IN THE DARK"]

[SINGING] --morning, I go to bed feeling the same way.

I ain't nothing but tired.

Man, I'm just tired and bored with myself.

Hey there baby--

Come on up here.

[SINGING] I could use just a little help.

You can't start a fire, you can't

start a fire without a spark.

This gun's for hire.

This is my river!

You hear me?

This is my river!

You hear me?

Damn kids.

River rats.

[SINGING] My senses keep getting clearer.

Radio's on and I'm moving around my place.

I check my look in the mirror.

I want to change my clothes, my hair, my face.

And I ain't getting nowhere.

[making silly noises]

[SINGING] I'm just living in a dump like this.

[making silly noises]

[SINGING] There's something happening somewhere.

Baby, I just know that there is.

You can't start a fire, you can't

start a fire without a spark.

[laughs]

[SINGING] This gun's for hire even if we're

just dancing in the dark.

Woo!

[gun shot]

Well, that will get the fish bitin' for sure, Nash.

Let's get out of here. Come on.

- Well, wait a minute. - What?

What? What?

Come here.

You know, I recognize that truck.

It's that lawn mower kid.

With one of his little tramps.

[SINGING] --on me.

I shake this world off my shoulders--

What-- what are they doing now?

I'll be damned.

They're mooning us.

[SINGING] And they'll be carving you up all right.

You say you gotta stay hungry.

Hey, baby, I'm just a fast starter tonight.

I'm dying for some action.

I'm sitting, sitting, around here trying write this book.

I need a little reaction.

CLARE: You don't look like you got much sleep at Tracy's.

MORTON: Did you have good time, honey?

Brett put his hand up my shirt yesterday at the barbecue.

What?

You let him put his hand up your shirt?

No.

He just did it.

You mean he forced his hand up your shirt?

Is that at all?

Nothing else?

I ran away.

Good for you.

That's my girl.

I had a good chat with Brett's dad at the barbecue.

He's Vice President Maxitell Kentucky.

He told me had a wild one on his hands with that boy.

He was just tickling me.

Oh, honey.

Why didn't you say so in the first place?

[laughs] He was just playing.

MORTON: Well, then he didn't mean any harm, Dev.

You gave us a scare.

Can I be excused?

I don't feel well.

[country music playing]

[sighs]

Do you think Brett really upset her?

She's just growing up.

CLARE: Well, she has a last doctor's appointment on Friday.

TRENT: I still think we should look into some plastic surgery

options.

CLARE: She doesn't want it, at least not for now.

MORTON: She'll want it when she starts dating.

In a few years, if a boy like Brett feels that in the dark,

he won't be back for more. - [laughs] Morton!

[laughs]

[MUSIC - ALANNAH MYLES, "BLACK VELVET"]

[SINGING] --black velvet in that little boy's smile.

SEAN: What a waste.

Guy just keeps on mowing.

Just mows and mows, like it'll make a difference in the world.

That man there ain't just mowing lawns.

He's got a plan.

First our lawns, then our women.

He's just waiting to make his move.

SEAN: Geez, Brett.

That guy really gets under your skin, doesn't he?

[laughs] How about we go to the mall

and pick up some fresh sound?

This stuff is stale.

[SINGING] --bound to drive you wild.

[car engine starts]

Oh, let's not run over Mexico there.

SEAN: El Salvador, stupido!

BRETT: Viva Mexico!

Arriba, arriba, eh!

BRETT: Arriba, Cortez lives, burrito breath!

[tires screeching]

Woo!

[laughter]

SEAN: Woo hoo!

BRETT: Ai yi yi yi yi yi yah!

[lawnmower humming]

[pop and squeal]

[thud]

That was a smart move, kid.

Your go.

That move, my friend, just cost you another arm and a leg.

[pop]

All right.

One more.

But don't get too smart, doll face.

[clatter]

If you lose this time, it will cost you your head.

[LAWNMOWER HUMMING IN

DISTANCE]

[footsteps]

[radio playing in background]

Can I bring him a glass of water?

Why would you do that?

Because it's hot.

Well, that would be considerate.

Oh, not one of the nice glasses, honey.

There's a glass under the sink.

RADIO ANNOUNCER: It will take a 435 million

mile 10 month journey to explore Mars.

Wow.

That's perfectly clean.

[water running]

RADIO ANNOUNCER: [laughter] Right now

it's time for the real news.

Here's Theresa Hall. RADIO ANNOUNCER: Thanks, John.

It's 92 degrees.

I'm Theresa Hall with today's top local news

on Oldies 103 WRKA.

While most Kentucky businesses are preparing

for a new trade commission, officials with the Kentucky

World Trade Center--

Hey, what's this?

You got some on your dress.

Well. - Hey!

[laughs] - Whoa!

Hey!

Trent, Trent!

Come on!

Hey, stop it.

Hey!

Hey, stop that!

[laughter] Hey, Trent.

TRENT: Stop it.

Stop it. Come on.

Come on.

Stop it.

What are you doing? Come here.

I want to show you something.

[footsteps]

[groans]

Wow.

Mm.

Where'd you get it?

Almost ran over it with the mower.

Turtle spaghetti.

Ew!

[laughs]

It'll eat lettuce.

Devon!

Oh, I got to go.

OK.

Bye!

Thanks!

[tracker growls]

Oh! Ah!

[tracker snarls]

Don't bite me.

[footsteps]

Hey, boy.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[car engine starts]

Good boy.

[crack]

What the hell?

[door opens]

[WEED EATER WHIRRING IN DISTANCE]

SEAN: What if he didn't take the CDs?

He took them.

Who do you think been taking the streetlamps?

What if it's his only my mower?

They always got a spare.

Come on, let's go.

[blows]

DEVON: He just gave me a turtle, mom.

Well, people don't just give away turtles.

Has he spoken to you before?

Yes.

When?

[sighs] Listen to me, sweetheart.

I'd rather you didn't talk to him anymore.

People don't just give you things without wanting

something in return.

The next thing you know he'll be asking your father for a job.

He's got a job.

There's probably something wrong with it.

[gasps]

[lawnmower humming]

[engine sputters and dies]

[rock music playing in distance]

[pull start cranking]

Looks like you've got some sugar in your gas tank.

How did you manage that?

Sugar will ruin a motor for sure.

Just a minute there, son.

I got a call from a woman that lives around here.

She said you gave her daughter a turtle.

Is that right?

Yeah.

I gave a kid a turtle.

Now why'd you go and do a thing like that?

[laughs]

Look, I like turtles.

I used to go a-hunting them back up

Heron's Creek when I was a kid.

But folks are nervous these days.

It'd be best if you'd kept to yourself

when you're working around here.

[ambient car noise]

[brakes squealing]

How's it going?

Mind if I could get by here?

Hey, I've been meaning to talk to you.

It's about this lawn my grandmother has.

Only the problem is, it's on her face.

[laughter]

Think you could handle it?

That's a nice mower.

How's that running for you?

OK.

Now, you get that car out of my way.

What's the rush?

Just got something we need to work out is all.

Oh, will you look at this. This is ancient.

I bet you could sell this for an antique, huh?

Don't touch it.

Brett, put it back.

What's it feel like to play with a four foot

long vibrator all day, huh?

[whirring]

[tracker barking]

Hey, Sean, let's trim some weeds.

[whirring]

If you took music, just give it back.

There'll be no trouble.

Yeah, it was four CDs, river rat.

What did you do?

You sell them already?

What the hell are you talking about?

No more bullshit!

I want answers, river rat!

I'll cut you up.

[whirring]

Dammit, Brett!

What are you, crazy?

[tracker barking]

[sighs] You're bleeding.

What you want from me?

Hm?

Well, what have you got to offer?

[thud]

[tracker snarling]

Get this dog off of me.

Get this damn dog off of me.

[tracker snarling]

Get!

Get this--

[tracker snarling]

[door closes]

[tracker whimpering]

[truck engine starts]

[truck engine revving]

He bit me.

Move my car.

Huh?

Move it, dammit.

[truck engine revving]

[car engine starts]

[tires squealing]

[thud]

[ambient sounds of nature]

[footsteps]

[sighs] Well, I could sell the truck to get a new mower.

But then how am I going to get the mower around?

I could sell the chainsaw and that might bring me

enough to buy half-ass mower.

But then I'm going to be mowing with a piece of junk

and I'm going to be out of a chainsaw to do tree work.

So you know what?

Just forget the whole thing.

Forget it.

[clank]

[repeated clanking]

[repeated clanging]

[country music playing]

Where are we going?

Trent?

[country music playing]

[kids laughing]

Oh!

You want to come in?

[door opens]

Hey, Momma.

Hey!

How you doing?

Hey, give me some sugar.

[laughs] What happened to your face?

Oh, it's nothing.

I just scraped it is all.

What's this?

Oh, I cut myself with the weed eater.

TRENT'S MOTHER: You want me to get you a new bandage?

TRENT: No, it's-- don't worry about it.

This Devon, Momma.

TRENT'S MOTHER: Oh, well, nice to meet you, Devon.

You look tired.

Well, your dad could keep the whole county awake

with his wheezing and kicking.

[laughs] He's out back.

Yeah?

You two look hot.

You want some iced tea?

Well, I do.

[laughs] Get us a couple of glasses out

of the cupboard there, honey.

Get the nice ones, the horse ones for a change.

I hope you like it sweet.

Trent's daddy likes it real sweet.

[laughs]

[tea pouring]

There you go.

Well, now!

How are you, Dad?

Well, I'm still here.

[laughs]

I lost the mower today.

Was it stolen?

No.

Some kids put sugar in the motor.

Well, why would they do that?

Because they like me.

Or if you're worried about us, is that why you come here?

Hey, you know we do just fine on the pension.

What you send us is a treat.

Something extra.

So I'll do without the extras.

Hell, I can't bowl no more anyways.

[laughs]

Yeah.

Can I listen? - No.

Don't worry about it.

Hey, it's not so bad.

No, no.

Not exactly.

It's more like yours goes de-dum, de-dum, de-dum.

And mine goes diddy-dum, diddy-dum, diddy-dum.

[TAPPING HANDS IN TIME WITH HEARTBEAT]

[laughs]

I picked these up during my years in Korea.

Lots of guys would sleep with them under their pillows

at night.

And when a guy didn't come back, well, I got his flag.

Take them. - Oh, no.

I don't want them.

Oh, I want you to have them.

I don't want them.

I don't want them, Dad.

Goddammit, accept a gift.

I don't want them around the house no more.

I can't bring myself to throw 'em away.

[coughs feebly]

Just when are you going to die and get it over with, Dad?

You been doing it for years now.

Takes a while to die.

You think I don't know that?

You think I don't know?

You and your damn flags!

I don't want them!

OK?

Send them to whatever bastard sent you your pension.

[footsteps]

[door closes]

This one was always my favorite back then.

Here, feel of it how soft it is.

Who's was this one?

It was mine.

[MUSIC - BOB DYLAN, "KNOCKIN' ON HEAVEN'S DOOR"]

[SINGING] Momma, take this badge off of me.

I can't use it anymore.

It's getting dark, too dark to see.

I feel I'm knocking on heaven's door.

Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door.

Why is your father dying?

Is it because of the Koreans?

Did they torture him?

Koreans didn't miss up my old man.

It was the canned cheese, the government

rations the soldiers got.

The cans had some sort of bacteria in them, see?

Of course, the government still denies it.

It gets inside you.

Lives in your lungs, it eats 'em up, bit by bit.

He had one lung cut out some years back.

He's got half of one left.

You ever wondered how it'd be to live on half a lung?

[imitating wheezing]

Gross.

[imitating gagging] Do you want a cigarette?

[imitating wheezing] Do you want a cigar?

[imitating wheezing]

[SINGING] Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door.

Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door.

Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door.

Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door.

So what you want to show you?

We're best friends, right?

[laughs] Well, I don't know.

Yes, we are.

I don't as I ever had a best friend.

I had a--

You gave me a turtle.

Yeah, I did.

Then I'll show you.

Oh, no.

Stop that.

Ah, geez.

I want to.

Well, I don't want you to.

You're not old enough.

It's not my chest I want to show you, stupid.

OK.

I'm ready.

Come on.

Look.

Ah, damn!

[laughs] My dad can hardly look at it.

He says gives him the cold shivers.

Touch it.

No.

No thanks.

Go on.

[laughs] See?

Hm.

That's cool.

Now I get to see yours.

Fair's fair.

[sighs]

[laughs] Mine's bigger.

Yeah.

Can I touch it?

[laughs]

[dog barking in distance]

It's Tracker!

He's loose.

[tense music]

Let's catch him!

[ominous music]

Tracker!

Come here, boy!

[ominous music]

Tracker!

[ominous music]

[thud]

[tracker whimpering]

[tense music]

[door opens and closes]

Stay in the car.

But he's hurt!

I said stay in the car.

[ominous music]

If he's hurt, we'll take care of him.

Is he all right?

No, he's not.

He's hurt, bad.

We'll take him to the vet.

I want you to cover your eyes, OK, buddy?

Why?

Cover your eyes.

[ominous music]

[thud]

[thud]

[thud]

[thud]

[thud]

[door closes]

[ominous music]

[sobbing]

[footsteps]

Devon, what happened?

Devon?

What is it? Devon?

[gasping]

Oh, my god.

[ominous music]

I said I don't know.

Just come home.

[footsteps]

Did somebody hurt you, honey?

He didn't hurt me.

Who didn't?

Trent.

Oh, my god.

Trent?

CLARE: The man who mows our lawns.

He's the one who gave her the turtle.

You tell me about Trent, honey.

Did he touch you?

No one's going to blame you, sweetheart.

[footsteps]

[footsteps]

I'll call Nash.

[phone beeping]

[phone ringing]

Devon, this is important.

Did Trent touch you in any way?

Yes.

But it was only because--

I'll kill the boy!

Where did he touch you, honey?

Show me where.

I let him see my--

he touched my--

Take your time, sweetheart.

We're listening.

He touched my scar.

Oh, great.

He thought it was cool.

And I touched him, too, where he was shot.

We were friends.

Secret friends.

Oh, god!

But then he killed the dog.

I hate him!

Was it yours?

Yeah.

Do you know where he lives?

I'll by god find out.

It's got to be just up the road.

Ah, now you better stay here with Mrs. Stockard and Devon.

You stay with me, sweetheart.

Dad?

I know where he lives.

[ominous music]

[crash]

[sprinkler chittering]

[ominous music]

We'll check further up.

Right.

That was a big help.

[ominous music]

Is this the road?

Bingo.

[car engine revving]

[sound of vehicles approaching]

[door opens and closes]

Stay in the car, Dev!

[gate creaks open]

I warned you, Mr. Burns.

- This here is private property. - No.

This is state property and you and that tin

can are trespassing.

[laughs] What you want?

We're looking for a dog.

You've seen one?

You ain't no real cop.

I don't have to talk to you.

A big dog.

Doberman.

Wore a chain link collar.

This here is his owner.

I'll tell you what.

Why don't you all go to hell?

[laughs] He's got a sense of respect, doesn't he?

[thud]

Oh!

I may not be a real cop anymore but I still act like one.

I loved that dog!

- You touch my daughter? - What?

- Huh? - What?

Is that the hand you used to touch her?

She's 10 years old, you piece of dirt.

[thud]

[thud]

[thud]

[groans]

[thud]

[groans]

[thud]

[thud]

A girl like Devon will never belong to you.

[repeated thuds]

[thud]

[groans]

I think that's enough.

Yeah?

Just about.

Here.

Take your crack at him.

Martin!

Stay out of this, Nash.

This is a personal situation.

I said, that's enough!

[ominous music]

Do it.

[ominous music]

Hit him!

[gunshot]

Oh, geez.

[gasping]

Trent?

Trent?

Ah, god.

Trent, get up.

You have to get up.

God, Devon!

You shot him!

Honey?

Give me the gun.

Stop.

TRENT: He's bleeding, Devon.

He's bleeding bad.

NASH: We've got to get him to a hospital

or he'll bleed to death.

He won't die.

I lost buckets full and I didn't die.

They're going to pin this on me, Devon.

They going to-- they going to pin this on me, you hear me?

They won't.

They'll kill me, Devon, do you understand?

Not if you go, Trent.

You have to get out from here now.

Go.

Go!

[footsteps]

Dev, aw, Dev.

Give me your wallet.

Give me your wallet, Dad, or I'll shoot you.

Better do what she says, Mr. Stockard,

or I believe she will shoot you.

[footsteps]

Here.

No.

Buy a new shirt.

There's blood on yours.

Here, hold the gun.

[footsteps]

[door opens]

I've slowed the bleeding, but we

have to get him to a hospital.

[door closes]

Morton?

Morton?

[gun clicks]

[clicking]

[door opens and closes]

[footsteps]

They're going to come after you.

When they get close, throw down this towel.

If there's still gaining on you, throw down this comb.

Whatever happened at the end of that story?

The girl got away.

She ran ad she ran until she was home.

Home?

Yeah.

Tell me where that is, Devon.

Home is in my hands.

[poignant music]

Now drive fast!

Fast!

[poignant music]

[truck engine starts]

[poignant music]

[ominous music]

Dev, honey.

Get on your knees, Dad.

You're just scared, honey.

I'll tell them it was an accident.

Kneel down.

[ominous music]

Stand up slowly.

[gasping]

[wind rushing]

Walk straight.

Stop.

[poignant music]

NASH: Yes.

I need to get an escort out of here.

Gunshot victim.

The wound is in the lower right abdomen.

DEVON [VOICEOVER]: Once upon a time

in the middle of a big, dark forest there lived

a boy in a house all alone.

He took care of the trees and fed a stray girl

and was kind to her.

And she loved him for it.

But one day, Baba Yaga entered the forest to eat the boy.

The boy wanted to run, but he knew he could never

outrun Baba Yaga boney legs.

[splash]

The girl said to the boy, take this magic comb and embroidered

towel and run.

When Baba Yaga chases you, throw down the towel

and a great river will rise up behind you

and cover your tracks.

[dramatic music]

[rushing water]

[dramatic music]

.

If Baba Yaga is still chasing you, throw down the magic comb

and a forest will spring up behind you.

[pavement cracking]

[dramatic music]

And the boy drove on and on, never

coming back, safe at last.

[poignant music]

[wind rushing]

[poignant music]

[country music playing]