Original subtitles

Previously on Picket Fences, 400 black students are being bused here from Green

Bay. I've become a little disillusioned here.

So what?

You're going to pack your bags every time a town disappoints you?

Big things seem to be happening in the tiny town of Rome, Wisconsin.

Yesterday, Dr. Jill Brock rocked the community by announcing her candidacy to

become the first woman mayor in Rome's history.

All it takes for evil to succeed is for good black men to do nothing.

How many times are we going to have this discussion?

Every time you run for mayor. I didn't want to do it. He tricked me. He tricked

you, Judge Nance? He just, he somehow got me to think that it was important

people to contribute to the community they live in. It's not too late to back

out. I'm heading the polls.

And look, Rachel Harris doesn't have a chance. Everybody in town's rented her

porno tape. And Louise Talbot is a very smart woman, but she used to be a man.

And that leaves Ed Lawson. Do you really want Ed Lawson to be the mayor?

No. But you're a doctor. Oh, but I'm hiring somebody.

You're also a parent. Your children need to have you around here. Jimmy, our

children are very well adjusted. Don't be using that as an excuse. We have

children.

Trick or treat.

What's this?

Our Halloween costumes.

We're the Menendez brothers.

I'm Eric.

And I'm Lyle.

Trick or treat.

I don't like pulling you off the street for every little hiccup in my school.

But I am in over my head here.

Two weeks and they've started with the gang symbols.

I looked it up in the glossary of street slang.

Tagging, they call it. This one isn't even in the book.

Is it the Crips or the Bloods?

It's not a gang symbol. It's a pentacle.

What? It's an occult thing.

Halloween's right around the corner. It's probably just some prank.

It's not a prank.

Zach, would you please excuse us? It is a pencil, and I know who did it.

Who?

Go right there.

Sarah Keegan.

How do you know she did it?

Because she put a hex on me.

She's a witch.

It's for protection.

Everybody was talking about the black kids coming and all the trouble there

going to be.

I didn't want anything to happen to me and the school.

Well, that's an interesting thought, Sarah, but you realize you're defacing

public property.

Am I going to jail?

No. Why did you think that would protect the school, Sarah?

It can neutralize the black kids.

My mom taught me.

Last year, she neutralized this dog that kept peeing on our lawn.

Now he pees on all the lawns in our neighborhood, but walks right on past

Your mom put a curse on a dog?

They're spells.

We don't do curses.

Who's we?

Witches.

The official point of this meeting is, of course, to finalize the nominations.

As you know, Ed Lawson and Louise Talbot and I are already on the ballot.

But if there's anyone else you wish to nominate, then now is the time.

But before we get to that, something has come up which I feel needs addressing.

Last night, my sons came downstairs in their Halloween costumes dressed as the

Menendez brothers.

Now, after reprimanding them, we found out that their original idea for

was O .J. and Nicole Simpson.

Now, I mention this, because the reason they decided not to be OJ and Nicole is

because they were aware of at least 20 other kids with the same plan.

Aside from the obvious bad taste, this poses a particular problem for us.

The victim is a white woman and the alleged killer is a black man.

We don't need that right now.

So as mayor...

I am passing an ordinance effective immediately which makes O .J. Nicole

costumes illegal.

And as a matter of fact, any costume which is deemed to be discriminatory or

racially insensitive will be illegal within the town limits.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on a second. I'm talking, sir. I know that I have

something I want to say. And as a mayoral candidate, I think there are a

people who would like to hear my point of view.

Of course, it would be completely insensitive for kids to dress up like O

Well, with this busing thing going on, it would be pretty repulsive to dress up

as Jerry Falwell also.

The fact is that Casper the Ghost costumes are dangerous right now because

sheets can give people the wrong idea.

But that is a parent thing. A mayor has no business regulating Halloween

costumes. I mean, where is it going to stop? It stops right there. Sit down,

Politicians should not be telling us what to do. See, this is exactly the

problem that this town is facing.

First, the feds came in here and forced busing. Then they almost took our kids

away. Now she wants to control Halloween. The next thing you know,

put a cap on the number of Christmas lights that can twinkle on your tree so

don't offend the Jews.

I mean, look, I've said it before, I will say it again.

Government has no business telling you how to live.

And as your mayor, I won't.

And that is a campaign promise.

Now, I would like to say something, please.

Carter, make it quick.

At this time, I, Carter Pike, hereby announce my candidacy for mayor of Rome,

Wisconsin.

I

don't

think this is an overreaction.

Like I have it today?

Yes.

Investigate a little. That's what we're doing.

What's wrong?

Are you all right?

He's fine.

Who are you?

I'm Miriam Thorne from the Department of Human Services. May we come in?

Okay.

What's going on?

They made me tell.

Don't mean to alarm you, Mr. Keegan.

Ms. Thorne just has a few questions to ask you.

Okay.

I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Does Sarah have to be here for this?

Yes, I'm afraid she does.

Can you explain this?

It's an altar.

It's part of my religion.

You know, I'm not sure you people can be here without a search warrant.

We're not searching for anything, Mrs. Keegan. We just want to talk.

Sarah says she's a witch.

Well, she's not supposed to use the word witch. It scares people.

And what word would you use, Mrs. Keegan?

Wiccan.

It's an established religion.

I'd be happy to give you pamphlets to read if you'd like.

Sheriff, could I speak to you in private for just one second?

I'm not a nut.

Look, the word occult, it scares people.

Just be cooperative.

Maybe stay in on Halloween night.

This is Keegan. May I have a word with you in private?

Not until you explain to me what the hell's going on here. Well, everything

be perfectly fine, but we must continue to investigate.

And while we're investigating, Sarah must be remanded into the care of the

state.

What? So if you'll provide us with a small suitcase of her clothing and

toiletries. No, no, no, you're not taking her. Mommy!

No, no, no, you're not. No, no, look at me.

I have not done anything wrong.

I'm not taking her. No, get away from me. We'll have you arrested.

Now get Kenny and go on up to Ginny Weedon's house. She knows about this

witchcraft stuff.

We're taking her now.

Now bring her suitcase out of the apartment and we will get it delivered

Please.

Jeff, I'm begging you. It's just an investigation.

We have no choice.

Eight years old. We just snatched her away.

It's ridiculous.

Maybe not, Max.

Ed Lawson had seen these witches in the woods at night doing their voodoo stuff.

In the woods where?

I don't know. He's going to show me, but he said it's definitely a cult.

Let's go get Ginny.

What do we need her for? Because she's an expert in this cult stuff. She knows

about Wiccan. Maybe she can help Vera. Well, let's give her a call. I did call.

She didn't pick up.

Ginny!

Ginny, it's Max.

Max and Kenny.

Something doesn't smell too good.

Yeah.

Here's the stench.

That's been there a while.

Where is she?

Here's her part.

Matt. What?

It's Ginny's dress.

What, you think she's in there?

She's not in there. She couldn't be in there.

Open it. You open it.

You're sure she's not in there? You're the one who saw the dress. You open it.

Well,

let's both open it.

Yeah.

No sign of forced entry.

Looks like she might have fallen in.

My God.

Looks like she was reaching for the peas and tumbled over.

One trauma bruise on the head, a lot of frost, hard to tell much else.

Take her to the morgue.

Autopsy?

You were close to her. Can you do this?

Yeah.

Okay, guys.

When was the last time you saw her?

I can't remember.

She's frozen solid.

You? Yeah, like a popsicle.

I don't know.

Better off against the wall.

Watch the ice cream.

Where's me?

Stand her up.

Easy.

Douglas Wombo for the witch.

I beg your pardon?

My client is a member of the Wiccan religion, and for no other reason than

they've taken away her child.

Your Honor, I'm Miriam Thorne from the Department of Human Services.

We simply want custody of the child while we investigate the environment in

which she's being raised.

I'm all for protecting children, Mrs. Thorne, but I don't believe that's done

yanking them away from their parents. That's what they did, Judge. It was a

vicious yank.

Shut up.

You see that? We're close.

Your Honor, I have encountered the Wiccan religion. It teaches evil. It's

satanic, and no child ought to be exposed to that kind of advice.

It's not evil. It's not satanic. Mrs. Keegan. She knows nothing about Wiccans.

Neither do I.

Miss Thorne, are you a lawyer?

No, sir, I'm not.

All of my department's lawyers are tied up at the moment. However, we can be

ready to go by Thursday.

That's three days. You can't... Mrs. Keegan, please.

I don't want to delay if there's a safety issue.

Your Honor, I'll represent Human Services.

You will? Why?

Well, it's a custody matter.

I've handled DHS cases before. I can do it. My worthy opponent.

Will you be quiet?

This is what we're going to do.

I'm releasing the girl for now.

Until DHS makes its case, the presumption goes to her mother.

Especially since you've offered no suggestion of real abuse.

Three o 'clock, call your first witness.

Returned.

Halloween. So we have a witch.

Why should I be surprised?

Excuse me.

I'm Benjamin Whedon.

Weedon's brother.

I'm very sorry.

Can I see her?

Yes.

She's not quite thawed.

I think she was bending over to reach the frozen peas and fell in. She

bumped her head, knocked her unconscious, the door fell shut, and she

hypothermia.

When did this happen?

My best guess is three weeks ago, maybe four.

I talked to her the day she quit her job.

She said she was moving on to bigger challenges.

Now you've fallen into a freezer.

It was a gigantic hex.

What kind of a hex?

She had this crystal thing.

She started waving it in front of my face. She started saying stuff about

rings and stars, and she told me it was a hex.

Were you scared?

Yes.

So what'd you do?

I wanted to find a way to get the hex off.

And I knew she had this book on witches, so I went into her desk to look for it,

and that's when I found the doll.

This doll?

Yes.

You took this from her?

Yes. I'd be keeping it in my locker so she couldn't do any more voodoo on me.

Looks just like me.

Yeah? Mm -hmm.

I can see that.

Pin sticking right through the heart.

Yeah? I can see that, too.

Anything else?

No, I'm through with this witness, Your Honor.

Thank you, Zachary.

Zack, did Sarah ever threaten to hurt you?

No.

What was the worst thing she ever did besides the hex?

She tried to kiss me.

Didn't she want to be your girlfriend?

Yeah. But you didn't want this.

No.

And when Sarah put the hex on you, did she tell you what it was for?

To make me fall in love with her.

Did it work?

No. All right, all right, what's going on?

We're almost there. Keep your hands back.

Here we go.

What's your name?

Jimmy Webb.

Are you okay?

All right, everybody, move along. Go back to your class.

Move along.

Are you okay, Jimmy?

They just threw me in.

Who? The big kids.

It's a high school thing. They come over here and target the squeakers. It's

been happening for years.

Who did it?

I don't know. The kids never rat. We usually just let it go.

We can't let this go, can we?

I'm not nervous, are you? What happened? The orange?

White high school kids that sell to black elementary students?

Yeah, but high schools have been doing this for years. It's selective

prosecution. Well, then let's make it selective. If you let this go, there

be a backlash from the black students.

Yeah, but there's been 20 white kids thrown into lockers and heads flushed in

toilets. What do we tell their parents?

Go after all of them. I don't care. But this isn't going to go unpunished while

I'm the mayor.

I'm sorry. Can I help you?

I'm Benjamin Whedon.

I'm Ginny's brother.

We're so sorry.

Thank you.

I'm told she may have been dead three weeks.

I'm curious as to how nobody discovered her.

Um, nobody knew she was missing.

I see.

She led me to believe that she was very popular in this town.

Was she making that up?

No, she was popular.

She was very popular.

Vera Keegan is not an evil woman. Well, there's something wrong with her if

she's teaching her daughter witchcraft.

It's a religion.

What about Christian scientists? They don't take their children to doctors

sometimes, and you don't run around declaring them unfit. Christian

don't make potions out of grave dust, Max.

They don't hop around casting spells on people. This woman is a kook.

Casting spells on people.

You mean black people.

Why did you volunteer to take this case?

Because Mrs. Keegan raised her daughter to be a witch.

And that has to be stopped.

Uh -huh.

Yeah, yeah, Kenny, this is where I always see them.

When I bit out hunting.

Always, always on Wednesday night. Yeah, well, we're not hunting now, Ed, okay?

Well, you never know when you're going to spot something.

You shouldn't ever be hunting at night anyway.

Oh, yeah. Here we go. They're down there.

Okay.

Falling star in a streaking path.

Destroy and dissolve all wrath.

Falling star in a streaking path.

Whoa! There she is. You see her? The kid?

Fuck naked.

And we're told there's an entire colony of witches in Rome. Any comments? No, I

know nothing about that, nor do I wish to comment on any case pending in the

court. I'd like to comment.

I saw them dancing in the woods naked last night. Who did you see? Vera Keegan

and her daughter. Men and women together?

It's outrageous.

If people want to get into this kind of crap, fine.

But when they start involving kids, I think we have to step in. And what about

your big intrusion argument?

You want the government to confiscate children? How hypocritical is that?

If they're putting kids at risk, We have to act.

She's more worried about trick -or -treat costumes.

Don't you have some mail to deliver?

That's a real leadership type response, don't you think?

Your Honor, what about... Oh,

why aren't you helping me?

How did you get in here? Through the window on my broomstick.

Why aren't you sticking up for me?

I'm not saying anything.

Exactly.

You're Sarah the doctor.

You know she's never been abused.

She's a good kid, and I'm a good mother. You know it, and you're staying silent

for political expediency.

You can't ally yourself with a witch. It'd be bad for public opinion.

Well, the truth is, Vera, I never knew that you were a witch. So how can I

up and publicly vouch for you? I obviously don't really know you. You

not dangerous.

You know it.

They're trying to take away my kid.

My daughter.

People are just concerned for her welfare.

Trying to separate an eight -year -old from her mother?

She could do without your concern.

It's just a joke. Throwing kids into lockers isn't a joke.

Yeah, well, nobody got arrested when I got stuck in a locker. I'm sorry about

that. Just wanted to tell him something. I don't care. I don't want you to go to

that house, young man. Why?

Because I say so. I don't want your head full of magic and all that witch stuff.

Now, just do as I say and don't go to that house now. Please, go on back to

school, okay?

I'd like to arrange a service for my sister.

Uh, okay.

Wharton Mortuary can arrange that with the church.

People will come, right?

It'd be embarrassing if people didn't come.

I... I think they'll come, yeah.

You know, I don't mean to intrude, but Jenny was involved with psychics,

sometimes the occult.

It's an imaginative world.

Too much imagination can be dangerous, Mr. Whedon.

Children are impressionable. We have to be aware of the psychological

consequences.

Our divinity is a goddess.

She has a male consort known as the Horn God.

You mean the devil?

The devil is a Christian concept.

Not only do we not worship him, we don't acknowledge that he even exists.

Well, how can you cast a decent spell without the devil?

We don't cast spells like evil hexes.

Wicca is about symbolic rituals that unlock the powers of the mind.

That's what my daughter was trying to do with Zachary Brock, to shift his

awareness through a series of rituals that would cause him to love her.

Then why the doll, Mrs. Keegan?

It's just used for healing.

We locate the acupuncture points on the doll's body that correspond to the

specific ailments of the patient.

Sarah put a pin in Zach's heart, hoping to heal it.

You don't deny that you taught Sarah about witchcraft, then?

No.

Have you ever taught her to harm people with it?

Of course not.

And she never has.

Thank you, Vera.

Nothing further.

Your husband left you six years ago?

Yes.

Was witchcraft an issue?

Lots of marriages end because of religious differences.

It was an issue?

Yes. What were you doing in the woods last night?

Did you not hear my question?

We were praying and dancing.

With your clothes on?

No, we were naked. It's a nature ritual. Men and women dancing naked together.

We don't do it in winter.

And was your daughter with you in the woods last night?

Yes.

Dancing naked with naked men.

It was a prayer ritual necessitated by this crisis.

We were praying for a safe... She runs around with naked adults. She sticks

in dolls to make kids fall in love. She sprays pinnacles to protect her against

danger. And she calls herself a witch.

She's eight years old.

Did you tell your daughter that spraying pentacles has healing powers?

I didn't encourage her to spray paint the school.

But you've taught her that the pentacle can protect her against evil.

Once again, lots of religions have symbols of good luck.

Jewish people put mezuzahs on their door. Catholics wear the cross.

And the pentacle is good luck to ward off evil.

Yes.

And what was the evil that your daughter was fending off, Mrs. Keegan?

Objection. Was it the black students, Mrs. Keegan?

She was afraid. Does that make you a fit mother, Mrs. Keegan, to raise your

daughter to be afraid of black students? Is that kind of bigotry conducive to

your methods of child rearing?

Objection. Sustained. What kind of mother passes on prejudice to her child?

Objection. I didn't do that.

She went into that school and sprayed all over to neutralize the evil. Now,

where did she get the notion of that kind of evil, Mrs. Keegan?

I don't know, but I promise you it wasn't from me.

You're her mother.

I didn't teach her that.

She got that fear someplace else.

What case are you trying?

I beg your pardon?

Never mind begging my pardon.

What case are you trying?

The one about the witch and her daughter.

I'm watching you, counsel.

You asked me to stay in Rome and contribute to the town, Judge.

That's what I'm doing.

Right. I'm watching you.

Well, it's an improvement, but it's still questionable.

It's too late to change now.

Can we go?

Be back by ten.

Come on.

There's no romance in Halloween anymore. Kids just dress up as characters they

see in the movies or on the news. There's no myth.

No imagination.

Well, we live in a town with real witches. We don't need imagination.

You know what I mean.

Halloween should be a little bit about, oh, I don't know, sampling the persona

of evil, darkness, the unknown. It should be scary and exciting.

Today it's just buy a mask and total up your candy bars at the end of the night.

The illusion part is gone.

Well, Carter, speaking of illusion, this is why we've asked you over here

tonight.

I don't think that you have any real chance of winning the election.

And your candidacy is hurting mine.

So I would like you to withdraw from the election.

I could be a good mayor.

I know that, Carter. I have no doubt about that. And your speech in the town

hall, that was fabulous.

People will vote for you because of that.

But you can't win.

And you're only helping Ed Lawson.

It's selfish of you to run for mayor, Carter.

Let me tell you something.

The reason I decided to run for mayor is because this town has no legitimate

candidate. You ordered troops to stop those buses.

You faced down those students like it was Alabama.

I like both of you very much, but you're also the two reasons I'm most

embarrassed about living in Rome, Wisconsin.

I'm sorry that you feel like that, Carter.

Me too.

I'm not just a medical examiner.

Wrong house.

Ow! Watch my foot! We should have been warm, pal.

Trick or treat!

It wasn't because he was black.

He was a squeaker. The trick is to get in and out of school without getting

caught. He was the first squeaker we found.

And what's this club that you need this initiation for?

Well, it's just a club.

The Blue Devils. We're not a gang or anything.

He was just the first squeaker.

and our Halloween.

Are you kids okay?

This is ridiculous.

We're releasing them.

But I suggest you talk to your sons about throwing small children in lockers

next time I'll prosecute.

White kids have been getting hazed in this town for years.

It isn't fair.

If my kid gets picked on by one of these Green Bay kids, I'm going to expect the

same kind of public service.

Just one thing for equal treatment, but special treatment?

Federal order said nothing about that.

She's right.

Who?

Vera Keegan. She's right. It isn't her.

Didn't come from her.

Oh, Mr. Whedon.

I'm sorry to intrude. Is your husband at home?

Actually, no.

He's working. They have to enforce a curfew tonight. He might be at the

by now.

Curfew on Halloween?

Well, it cuts down on the trouble.

Come in. Is there something I can do?

Maybe.

Did my sister have any friends?

Oh, of course she did.

Must be hiding.

Dr. Brock, Ginny and I were both ostracized as children, so I... It's

she told me she was really adored here in Rome.

She said she gave seminars at the schools and used to host outings and

for the children.

None of this happened, did it?

Well, it used to.

Mr. Whedon, Ginny was very liked. She was, but a lot of people

found her...

Odd.

Different.

And it made the parents nervous to have her with the kids.

Why?

Well, you know her wild imagination.

She would fill them up with stories that were sometimes maybe a little too

vivid, and it made the parents nervous.

Is anybody going to come to her memorial tomorrow?

Oh, yes, absolutely. If there's one thing about Rome, everybody's there for

when you die.

How come you're not in court?

I go at 10 .30.

Sorry I testified against you.

You got me in trouble. I had to miss Halloween.

They made me do it.

I only wanted for you to stop kissing me.

I know.

Can we still be friends?

Mm -mm.

My parents won't let me because you live in a world of delusion.

I heard them talking.

It's dangerous to be around black magic.

If you make -believe too much, it could cause brain damage.

Who says?

That's why they have to stop you from believing in Easter Bunny or Santa

It could screw you up if you believe in and pretend stuff too long.

It's the same with witches.

But witches are real.

See? You're screwed up permanent.

Witch hunts are nothing new in this town.

We chased out Frank the Potato Man because he was spooky and homeless.

We threw Louise Talbot out of the Christmas pageant because of her sex

If you're different enough, you're not welcome here.

Mary Keegan is different.

She believes in love potions and hocus -pocus.

There can be no such thing as magic.

or spiritual forces of nature.

How can we take a child?

How can we do that?

I guess witches will always be in season in Rome, Wisconsin.

Mr. Littleton?

I have nothing against witches, Your Honor.

I'm sure most of them are very good people.

I'm sure Vera Keegan is a fine person.

But the thing is, we must protect our children.

We have to insulate them from influences which could be dangerous.

And the reality is, like it or not, by allowing witches to enjoy freedom in

community, we make Rome a less safe place.

I mean, what if suddenly a lot of witches came here to live before we had

to adjust?

Now, one or two, I'm sure that's no threat. We could mainstream them right

but what if suddenly 400 witches were thrown into this town?

Now, you put witches and regular people together, you increase the likelihood of

tension, maybe even violence. No, no, we must keep Rome pure, even if it's just

fear itself which could cause the harm. Damn it, we have to keep out frightening

elements.

We're a pragmatic people here in Rome.

We like to feel safe.

We have to make it safe for Sarah Keegan, so for God's sake, let's keep

from witches.

Let's keep the evil out.

I have found no evidence of parental abuse.

At least not by Vera Keegan.

I order that Sarah Keegan be returned to her mother.

Case adjourned.

I suppose that was aimed at me.

When I heard what that little girl did with that pinnacle, I was so... I was

just so angry.

I mean, she's just a kid.

How am I going to hate an eight -year -old?

You made me hate her, Jimmy.

You and your wife and all those damn concerned people. You can't condemn us

being afraid.

No, that's where you're wrong. That's where you've always been wrong. I can.

You and Jill had a choice. You could have stood up for the hope in it.

You know, desegregation, maybe that's an opportunity.

Maybe there's optimism to dwell on. Instead, you got up there and ratified

fear so that little white girls think that they have to spray paint a...

I condemn you for your

fear, Jimmy. I condemn you!

Deep, deeply in Rome tradition, as you know, is that before going on with

religious services, we open up the floor to any friends of the deceased who

would like to speak.

So.

Excuse me.

I'd like to do it.

I'm Benjamin Whedon, Ginny's little brother.

First of all, I'd like to say that this is a terrific turnout.

Ginny really loved this town. She always described it as so caring, which

makes it difficult to understand how she could be dead for three weeks without

anybody noticing.

I know things have been very, very busy around here, and Ginny knows that, too.

The busing and all the stuff going on at school.

The upcoming election.

I think Ginny understands.

Ginny and I had a favorite song.

It's silly.

It's a song from a movie. It's not really for grown -ups, but we loved it.

Whenever we'd get together in the last couple years...

We'd sing and play this song.

I think it reminded us of when we were little children and some of the things

clung to.

Anyway, I'd like to sing it for my sister one last time.

It's for Jenny.

Why are there so many?

Songs about rainbows and what's on the other side

Rainbows are visions but only

illusions Rainbows have nothing to hide

So we've been told and some choose to

believe it I know they're wrong Wait and see.

And someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,

the lovers, the dreamers, and me.

Well, who said that every wish would be heard and answered

if wished on the morning star?

Well, somebody thought of that.

Someone believed it.

Look what it's done so far.

And what's so amazing that keeps us stargazing?

What do you think we might see?

Well, someday we'll find it.

The rainbow connection, the lovers, dreamers, and me.

The lovers, the dreamers.

Repair and Synchronization by Easy Subtitles Synchronizer 1.0.0.0