Original subtitles

Good evening and welcome to tonight's show. We are delighted to have with us

here a very talented musician and singer.

You're probably familiar with his work with the Flying Burrito Brothers and the

Birds.

He has just returned to our shores, having played with none other than the

Rolling Stones. Ladies and gentlemen, Graham Parton.

And he felt

so

bad when he saw the traces of old

lies still on their faces.

So why don't someone here just spike his drink? Why don't you do him

in some old way?

Supposed to be a funeral.

It's been a bad, bad day.

What? He's dead.

God, he's dead.

Hold on.

Tell me who's dead.

Larson.

Grand Larson.

We met in a bar.

Are you sure he's dead?

Yeah, he's really dead.

He just... Listen.

Call an ambulance and then get out of there.

The standard bearer of the new country music movement is dead following an

overdose of drugs.

While many of America's young people are today in mourning, their parents will

view this as another example of how today's drug culture can so easily claim

life.

He was so beautiful.

And he understood what my heart was feeling.

I'll never laugh again.

He sang country music in a way that it had never been sung before.

It was country rock, although Graham hated that term. And I think it's fair

say that when Graham died, he died a star.

We'll leave you with a young man's own words.

Graham Parsons wrote a song called In My Hour of Darkness, which contains these

words.

And you are?

I'm his road manager.

Oh, I see.

His road manager.

Yeah. So you're not his physician or a close relative?

No. Mr. Parsons is awaiting a post -mortem. He will then be delivered to

family. I suggest you speak to them if you want to pick through his personal

effects. Sir.

You listen here. No, you listen here.

Mr. Parsons is dead and no longer appears to need a road manager.

Which makes two of us.

Hey.

Hello, buddy.

How you been?

Good morning, doctor.

Good morning.

What are you doing?

Just taking some stiff down in neurology.

We don't have a neurology department.

Urology? Whoa, whoa. Hold your horses.

Let me get my paperwork.

I have the paperwork.

You have your paperwork. I need to get my paperwork.

Graham Carson was the best friend I ever had.

The greatest musician I ever saw.

We loved it out here in Joshua Tree.

We made a pact that whoever died first, the other would come out here and fed

the spirit tree.

Graham gave his word and I gave mine.

Now there's so much that time has.

Time and memory fade away.

We've got our own roads to ride.

Chances we've got to take.

We sit side by side.

Each one fighting for the other.

And we sit until we die.

But always be blood.

God damn, I'm so sorry, baby.

Out of a job again.

Never would have happened if you'd been there.

How do you know why I wasn't?

Well, if you were there, you wouldn't have let him die.

I was still on staff. He was still my responsibility.

So where you been, anyway?

How long this time? Two weeks?

Yeah.

Let's have this conversation again like you haven't just done six weeks on the

road. Yeah, but I usually leave a note.

And there's a paycheck involved.

A long time no see. Don't try and schmooze me, Kaufman, you repellent

Huh. Is that the latest victim?

Me, Barbara.

Wow. It's a lot tidier than I remember.

Who the hell is she?

Graham's ex -girlfriend.

Girlfriend? I thought he was married.

Welcome to the 70s, sweetheart.

What do you want, Barbara?

I'm here to fulfill Graham's wishes.

That's nice.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Do you know what this is?

No.

It's Graham's will.

To whom it may concern, I would like it to be known that it is my wish to leave

Barbara Mansfield my assets and belongings in the event of my death.

Signed, Graham Parsons.

That absolutely settles it. I mean, that's the single most impressive legal

document since the Magna Carta.

Still the Jester Kaufman and still very unfunny.

It's not a will and you know it.

Oh, no.

It's better than a will, darling.

It's a signed promise from Graham to leave me all of his things.

Hmm.

Anyway, it's none of your business, okay?

I'm here for the guitar.

Oh, okay.

Thank you.

There you go.

I don't have the guitar.

Gretchen, his wife, took it about six months ago.

Fine.

Then I want the masters.

I'll get them myself. Thank you.

Hey!

Maybe you want to check the cookie jar, too.

Why'd you let her in?

It's all part of the grieving process.

Do me a favor, sweetheart.

Will you go grab the guitar?

Where are you going?

I have to make a call.

Afternoon. The Joshua Tree obsequies.

Obso -what? It's Latin.

It means burial.

Graham Parsons was shipped in to you yesterday. Is he still with you?

Yeah.

It was a real thrill for us here. We're such a small facility.

We nearly had Jane Mansfield back in 67 when she passed through, but she was

diverted to Frisco.

We'd done him up real nice, too, but he's been moved on.

Where to?

New Orleans.

Although he just left, so he's still on the road to Los Angeles Airport.

Hello?

Hello?

What you doing?

These things aren't that big.

Okay. Is that a problem?

Not really.

So what are you up to?

It's best you don't know.

All right.

Keys.

I don't know what this craziness is, but I'm not getting involved.

That's the point. I don't know what it is you're planning, but I'm not bailing

you out this time.

Right. I'm leaving.

Again? This time I'm not coming back.

I simply can't give you any money based on this piece of paper.

Well, this isn't a piece of paper.

This is a promise from Graham to give me all of his money.

Miss Mansfield, Mr. Parsons is a valued customer of ours.

Was.

Why? We can't just pass his money across to someone who says they're in his

will.

We have rules.

You don't seem to understand.

These are his wishes.

Miss Mansfield, I truly understand.

Tell me how I'm supposed to get my money.

Well, I imagine you first need to prove that Mr. Parsons is actually dead.

As we have no record here.

Are you saying that I'm lying?

No, no, no, absolutely not.

But getting a copy of his death certificate would probably be a good

to Larry Osterberg.

You Osterberg?

Welcome to my home.

Nice place.

What the hell's that noise?

Mono Manjari on sitar by Nikhil Banerjee.

Okay.

There's no smoking in here, I'm afraid.

Right.

Who are you, please?

I'm Phil Kaufman.

And how may I help you, Phil Kaufman?

I'd like to hire your car.

Why?

Well, I'm picking someone at the airport.

Don't you know anyone with a car? Yeah, I know someone with a car, but I'm told

yours is more suitable.

Huh.

Why is mine more suitable?

It's a hearse.

Yeah.

How is a hearse gonna be more suitable for picking someone up from the airport?

It's a joke.

A joke?

Yeah, a prank, surprise.

Oh, okay.

Is it $200 worth of surprise?

No, no, no. It's more of a $50 surprise.

I can lend you a bicycle.

Besides, the car is booked.

Booked how?

I use it to carry equipment for a band.

Look, here's $200 to unbook it.

Let them carry their own trombones.

You don't got to count it. You can trust me.

Let's see.

I've never met you in my life. You shouted me through my window, you want

hire my hearse as a joke, and you're $20 short.

Why should I trust you?

The last 20 is for gas, and besides, I don't know who's operating that trust. I

haven't even seen the car yet.

It's a hearse.

What else do you need to know?

Meet Bernice.

Bernice is a Cadillac Superior Royale Tiara limousine funeral coach.

You got a 429 V8 engine offering 340 BHP at 4 ,600

revolutions per minute.

You're looking at a 21 -foot beauty with a 156 -inch wheelbase.

containing a four -barrel Rochester quadrajet carburetor with turbo

transmission.

Bernice weighs over 6 ,000 pounds.

It's yellow.

Yeah, it's yellow. Bernice comes in yellow.

It's supposed to be black.

But they're all black.

That might be my point.

So how is a yellow hearse covered with flowers going to be less of a surprise

than a black hearse?

Because I paid you $200 for a black hearse. No, you paid me $180 for a

and a hearse is what you got.

Take a long, hard look at Bernice, you'll see she's one of a kind.

She's big, she's fast, she's beautiful, comfortable.

But she's not black.

All right.

Give me the keys.

Why? Because I got to go.

Oh, no, she doesn't go anywhere without me.

Got rainwater in my boots.

My thumbs unfroze, can't feel my toes. I'm feeling a little deaf, too.

Wheels throwing water all over my ax and hit the door. Don't lend me a hand.

I've come to camp in a Cadillac. They say, won't you hop in now?

I went flying.

Nothing. Well, what flight are they on?

We'll wait here.

Okay, well, what time's their flight gonna?

Soon.

Okay.

How soon?

Why do you ask so many damn questions?

I don't know.

Shouldn't we be at arrivals?

Would you please shut up asking me stuff?

Okay.

Okay.

So how long are we going to wait?

Morning.

Morning? What do you mean, morning?

We'll make the pickup in the morning.

You

wait

till morning. I'm going home.

i'm only back because i don't trust you with bernice if you i i don't even know

you and if you think i'm just gonna walk away and leave you with the car you got

another thought on the way

Parsons.

You've just arrived from New Orleans, Mr. Parsons? Yes.

And you're flying directly back to New Orleans on the same plane?

That's correct.

Well, I hope you enjoyed your stay at Los Angeles Airport, Mr. Parsons.

Thank you.

I'm here to pick up my son's body.

He died out here, you see, and I'm here to take him home.

I'm hoping that's enough information for you.

I'm so sorry.

We'll see to it that you get every assistance you need on your journey,

Most kind.

Can I help you?

Yeah. I'm here to pick up a coffin. Um, name?

Minor the... the deceased?

Parsons. What was his name again?

Parsons. P -A -R -S -O -N -S.

Parsons. And he's a, uh, physician.

What? What do you mean?

Papers? Oh yeah, they'll be right along.

This being a rush job, they said you'd understand.

Yeah, well, you better tell them that we got rules.

And this would be the exception that proves that particular rule.

I'm afraid we... can't issue a certificate until we have official

of death.

Well, he's dead.

At this current time, the Greater Los Angeles Registrar of Births, Marriages,

and Deaths does not regard the local newspaper as an official recorder of

record.

And here's your deceit.

Much obliged.

Good luck with her.

Yep. That's the she.

And yours is supposed to be male?

Yeah.

Huh.

Um... Gone.

Gone. What do you mean, gone?

You must have got the wrong box.

The box is being loaded.

How do I get it back?

You're a damn thief.

Well, that's very hurtful.

Barney, you receiving?

What the hell?

Excuse me. Why?

I gotta get off the plane.

I just got settled in.

Are you okay, boy?

Okay, sure.

What you doing here, boy?

Huh?

Shit.

Can we speed things up a little?

What's your hurry?

I just wanted to get out to Joshua Tree where it's still light.

Joshua Tree?

They said New Orleans.

What? When you came in, you said you were driving the casket out to New

But... Just now, you said you were heading out to Joshua Tree, so... Joshua

Tree, yeah.

Joshua Tree City, Louisiana.

Never heard of that.

It's small. It's just another local community struggling to get by.

I don't like the look of you.

Wherever there's a hippie, there's a crime.

Even if that crime hasn't happened yet.

That's what I always say.

And here we are.

She told me it was a Berkeley.

Hey. I need you to sign for it again.

And three more.

So what you doing here?

We're meeting someone off a flight.

You're meeting someone off of a flight?

Yes. In a hearse? Yes.

It's a surprise.

Which part's the surprise?

The fact that you're in a bright yellow hearse?

The fact that you look like something out of a horror film?

Or the fact that you're a half a mile away from the terminal and they're going

to have to walk across two runways to reach you?

The first part.

The first part.

Okay, you go ahead and tell me what the hell's going on. Well, I don't care if

it is first thing in the morning, but I need a drink. Never signed so many darn

bits of paper.

To hell with Vietnam.

It's paperwork which is slowing this great country down. We're drowning in

triplicate. Morning, officer.

Morning.

I was just saying how people with work to do, people like yourself, officer,

engulfed by paper.

Grab the end, will you?

Doesn't that just drive you crazy?

Yeah, I guess it does.

One casket, six sheets of paper to size. Six.

That can't be right.

Does that sound right to you? No, sure don't.

Last thing I want to do is hold you up further with my chatter.

You have a good day now, officer.

Thanks for your help.

Come on, let's go, let's go. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Just a moment, boys.

Your sidekick here just got finished telling me about you picking someone up

from the terminal.

A surprise, he said.

And here you are, loading a coffin into your vehicle.

You see, the gentleman we're meeting at the airport doesn't yet know about the

sad passing of his... aunt.

And you're going to meet him off of his flight with her coffin?

Yeah. We're doing it this way for the avoidance of all doubt.

That's a real nice touch.

The ignition's a bit temperamental.

Right. You have to use the screwdriver.

I see that.

You have a good day now, officer.

We did it.

We did it. What was all that babbling about? I didn't babble.

Goddamn hippo.

You hit the wall. I clipped it. I clipped the wall.

There's a gap 50 yards wide. All you gotta do is aim for the gap, and you

the gap! I was distracted.

We are supposed to be picking someone up, and you arrived with a coffin.

I just woke up.

You on drugs, boy?

Hello, officer.

Guess they make these hearses wider than they need to. Shut up! You on drugs,

boy? Uh, not, not, not at this time. Not at this time? Well, let's see. You just

missed a gap of 50 yards, and you hit a wall in broad daylight.

Why was that?

Well...

Fantastic. Well done. Oh, yeah. Now it's all my fault.

You hit the wall. Of course it's your fault.

Jesus.

Here it comes.

Well?

Well, what?

What are we doing now?

He said to wait.

Nice going, Nippy. Went straight through the gas that time.

You got it.

Jesus! What now?

Get out.

What are you talking about?

Come on, we gotta keep moving. Get out and take your friend with you.

Look, I can see you're a bit sensitive about this whole casket thing. Get out!

Stop saying that!

I can't get out. Why not?

I... Look, man.

It ain't right to throw me out into the street with a coffin.

Stop.

What are you doing? I'm driving back to the mortuary.

You can't do that. I'm driving back to the mortuary.

God damn it, come on, man, that can explain.

Parsons? Parsons.

Was he in a Berkeley?

What's a Berkeley?

A luxury casket of solid mahogany finished with a split hinged lid, eight

plated casket handles, and an engraved inscription plate.

Empty.

Absolutely, completely, totally.

It seems awfully heavy for an empty coffin.

Well, they're made of the finest poplar, and that's very heavy wood.

Poplar?

No way.

Mahogany or oak.

But not poplar.

Well, I'm not going to argue with you over it.

Poplar is very well suited into making the coffin.

Okay, so why is there an empty coffin in the back of my car?

I'm selling them onto a company in Palm Springs.

Lots of stiffs, lots of money.

And then, of course, they're very environmentally sound, you know.

And perhaps under these circumstances, you and I should renegotiate the

financial agreement between us.

You just gave the body away?

Well... It's a bank.

The people around here don't generally just take bodies they're not entitled

Why did you give it to him?

Because he signed for it.

Who signed for it?

John Nobody.

John Nobody.

And where do I find this John Nobody?

There.

So then Bobby transfers them over into hardboard boxes just prior to cremation,

and I drive the caskets over to a guy I know in Palm Springs who resells them.

That's new.

Well, I'm not sure the one careful owner thing works at all.

The whole thing is completely immoral.

Yeah, well, I saw how upset you were back there when I mentioned money.

Just think of it as recycling.

Look, I really need to get home.

What?

I just do.

Well... While I acknowledge the power of your argument, we have some place we

need to be.

Sit back and enjoy the ride.

What do you mean the body was stolen?

Son of a bitch.

Son of a bitch isn't here.

Yeah, well, he's stolen Graham.

Stolen Graham?

Mm -hmm.

No, they had some sort of weird pact.

I don't know. I think he's taken Graham out to the desert.

Why?

I don't know.

Some voodoo thing with hot wax and dolls to stick pins in.

That's ridiculous.

That's a wise move, if you ask me.

I didn't ask you.

So where are the cops?

I called them.

It's supposed to be a funeral in New Orleans. I gotta find my son.

New Orleans?

The man said he was driving the casket to Joshua Tree, Louisiana.

Joshua Tree?

Won't it scratch my head, sweet Annie Rich?

And welcome me back to town.

Come out on your porch, step into your parlor, and I'll tell you how it all

down.

Out with the truckers and the kickers and the cowboy angels.

And a good saloon in every single town.

I still don't fully understand what you do.

Well, I do everything.

Everything?

Low number here for drinking money. By trade, I'm a role manager.

Oh, one of those.

Like a well -paid gopher?

No, not like a well -paid gopher.

I'm in charge of movement, maintenance, and management. I'm a patron and a

partner. I'm a confidant and companion, ally, agent, and ambassador.

I'm like an executive nanny, not a gopher.

Oh.

Executive nanny, not a gopher.

Thanks for clearing that up.

He's a brainless, interfering asshole!

Look, I don't know what it is you want exactly, but... That's him, isn't it?

Baby, it's a love machine.

Oh, God, what a horrible thought.

Look, you are going to rot in jail today.

And when I get you, you are...

Phil?

Phil!

Hello?

Sorry, Barb. Gotta go.

Thanks. Thanks a lot.

that about?

Sunstroke.

You've hardly left the car since we met. How can you have sunstroke?

I'm susceptible.

Oh, you're a winner. You are a winner.

You want to see what Phil Coffman is all about? You want to see what that

asshole is capable of?

Pull off here.

This isn't the way to Palm Springs.

It is if you're a coffin smuggler.

I give up.

What now?

Yes, now.

Hey, you're an undertaker?

Sure am.

Ain't you supposed to be in black?

No, we're special rock and roll undertakers. Musical morticians.

Hey, can you slam some high testimony for me?

Uh, this car runs on regular.

Who said it's for the car?

Ain't for the car.

Maybe let's roll!

Afternoon. Hello.

I was wondering... Did you happen to see a hearse pass by here in the

last couple of hours?

What's it look like?

Oh, it's a big car. Couple of guys inside.

Did one of them guys get sick over there?

I don't know. Maybe.

Yep. I seen it.

So.

The yin represents negative, the dark side.

And yang represents positive, good.

If you like, the first is earth, second, heaven.

The yin -yang symbol is really evocative about the whole concept.

As you travel around the circle, white or black will increase until the

opposite. Let me give you an example.

What seems to be good, in order to truly know good, you must first know evil.

Without good is a comparison.

I'm allowing the end to flourish.

Welcome, Yang.

I'm letting go of you.

It would be so nice if we could get through a couple of hours without

the car.

I was distracted.

Of course you were.

I don't believe it.

Middle of nowhere.

Quick, get out of the car.

But now, it's in to have a conversation.

Okay, what about?

I don't know what about ever since I met you. You talk yabba yabba yabba.

Religion, your supersonic supercharged car, the dark side. Now you got to talk

and you can't think of anything to say?

Whatever your damn poor religion is, I think it worked.

Well, it's more of a philosophy than a religion.

I mean, religion is...

Shut up.

Afternoon, gentlemen.

Afternoon, officer. How's it going?

Oh, it's going just fine, thank you. And how are things with you?

Good, good. We just stopped to take a look at this fine view you guys got.

Uh -huh.

It is mighty nice around these parts. Feel like the desert.

And how are things with you today, sir?

Oh, well, really well, actually.

Thanks. The reason I ask is you seem to have run into one of our road signs.

Oh!

Yeah, I'm surprised you hadn't noticed earlier, as it does appear to be

your forward progress.

That's a funny line.

Thank you.

I was wondering if you gentlemen could give me a hand. Sure, anything.

I'm looking for some fellas that stole a body back there at the airport.

A body? Stole a body?

Uh -huh. A body.

Rather like the one in the back of your vehicle there.

That's an empty coffin, officer.

I know it sounds strange, but these guys, there were two of them.

They stole the body, loaded it in the back of an old yellow hearse painted

flowers, and they're supposed to be headed out this way.

Hearse.

Flowers. I think he's on to us, Larry. He's just having a little fun at our

expense.

Uh -huh.

In the car.

Take the keys.

God damn!

He said body.

He said we stole a body.

I'm in a coffin. He didn't say coffin. He said body. Apprehended suspects in

Yellowhurst with stolen body.

Tell me we have not stolen a real person.

Look, the place I get the coffins from probably hasn't filed a report yet.

be sorted out within the hour. Trust me.

I'm overflowing with trust for you, man.

I feel this overwhelming feeling of trust every time I look at you.

What are we going to do?

Time. What? We're going to get arrested, and then we're going to go to court,

and then we're going to go to jail, and that's what we're going to do for a

while.

What if I could slip out of these cuffs?

That'd be great. And maybe we could spin you from a bridge in a straight jacket

and light the rope on fire.

No, really, I can slip out of these cuffs.

Show me.

I think we should go.

We'll be moving on now that your sign no longer appears to be impeding our

forward progress.

Hey, stop that car!

You hit my bike! What are you doing?

Turn it off! I can't! So we just escape, but we can only drive in a circle!

Yes!

Lock me up, throw away the key. Why would they do that?

So what happened? I drove into that cop's bike. That's destruction of police

property or something.

You worry too much.

Not until I met you.

What are we doing?

What do you mean?

What are we doing here?

What are we chasing?

I don't know about you, honey, but I need Graham.

That's real touching, but you've got to come to terms with the fact that he's

dead.

I know he's dead, honey.

Okay? This is that his body hasn't officially been identified, and there's

certificate of death.

It's all about money, isn't it?

Isn't everything?

Look, I was an orphan at 14 and a waitress at 15.

I do things the way I do them because it puts food on the table.

Now, I just want what's mine, and then I'll be gone.

All real.

And why do you deserve anything more, Brenda?

Without my support, he would have never even made it.

Until Kaufman came along and just shit on everything.

Phil's not responsible for your problems with Graham.

You lost him all on your own. I know that he can be a pain in the ass, but

it came to Graham, Phil only ever did the right thing.

Never in his life has Phil Kaufman ever done anything because it was the right

thing to do.

I'll bet the ranch that wherever he is right now, he's having some fun. Because

that's what he does.

That is all that he does.

Jesus, what the hell is that?

It's a dinosaur.

I'm very perceptive. What's it doing?

All the on -ice plates.

All the on -ice is probably some kind of dinosaur.

Dino burgers.

Reptile steak.

I'm able to, uh, obtain a story in portions, prehistoric prices,

liquor served.

Pull over. Let's eat.

Let's not.

The cop is probably right on our trail. We need to get on to Palm Springs and do

this thing. I can go home.

You can do whatever it is you do.

We need to stop. I'm starting to get hungry, and I ain't very nice hungry.

I'd vote to keep going.

What gave you the impression this was a democracy?

Pull over!

Do you have any idea what... Oh.

Oh, sweetie, that's very touching that you're in love with Bill Kaufman, but

unfortunately, so is he.

I'm sure you're just handy to have around.

Okay.

You vindictive bitch.

I am going with you to Joshua Tree because I want to know what the hell is

on. But don't you ever tell me how or what to feel about anybody, or I'll

that pretty little face of yours off the road. Got it?

You kiss your mama with that?

You frighten me.

Everyone else, when he brings the food, he announces it.

Diplodocus this, Allosaurus that. With us, he just slaps it down and runs for

cover.

Probably something to do with that rabbit food you're eating.

Look, I'm a vegetarian.

I have a problem with dead flesh.

I get it.

Stuff will mess you up every time.

Howdy. Yep.

Beer.

Would you put a slug of bourbon in that, please?

Sure.

Okay.

My boy died out here the other day and a couple of punks stole his body.

Oh, man, I'm sorry.

That's worth a shot on the house.

Obliged.

We gotta go. I haven't finished my drink.

Why would someone steal a body?

All gone. Maybe they were souvenir hunters or something. He was sort of

Thanks, guys.

Graham Parsons.

Graham Parsons?

Graham Parsons.

Graham Parsons.

Is Graham Parsons dead?

We better get going.

He said someone took Graham Parsons' body. Two people.

Yeah, he was a real blabbermouth, wasn't he? I didn't think he was ever going to

shut up. And although that's real interesting, we got to keep our

Schedule? What schedule?

There is no schedule.

We got to make our delivery. We got to get our package. Paul Springs, remember?

Package?

We've stolen that man's son!

Stolen? His son? That's outrageous!

I'm appalled that you could even think we would do such a thing.

I don't know what you take me for.

I want to see in that box.

We gotta go!

It's heavy.

Well, of course it's heavy. Wood is heavy. Yeah, I remember.

Finest poplar.

Jesus!

Jesus! Jesus!

Oh, boy.

Yep, they gave us the full one.

Look, we'll sort all this out when we get out to Palm Springs.

Oh, my God.

You stole Graham Parsons?

Technically, we stole Graham Parsons. I stole a coffin. I didn't know there was

a body in it.

Save that line for court.

What are you doing? I don't know.

What am I doing? I mean, what am I doing?

Why am I here?

Why am I with you? What is going on? Calm down.

I thought it was bad enough when I ran over that cop bike.

Now I'm a fucking body snatcher. If you can wrap it up, we can go. Go?

You go.

I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to go inside, and I'm going to

give that man his son back. I'm going to do the right thing. I'm going to follow

my conscience.

I'm going.

Oh, Jesus.

Come on.

Hippie.

Hippie, come on.

Hippie.

Hippie, come on.

Sorry about that, Hippie, but there's something I gotta do.

Welcome back, Hippie.

Why'd you do it? Do what?

Have a guess.

I gave my word. What grand morning?

What, cruising around the desert until he started to smell?

Well? If I make a promise, I keep it.

You made me do it, you jerk.

I've never hit anyone in my life.

You put and you put.

You gave me no choice.

Come on. Stop your light stuff now.

Yeah I'm one of the guys that took your son Where is he?

May I come in?

What happened to your head?

A hippie hit it.

I thought you had gone.

Hold that thought.

What the hell does that mean?

It means I need to know what the hell is going on here.

I told you what's going on. He's going to set fire to my gram in some freaky

ceremony with black magic and dolls.

Dolls? I want my man back.

Enough of this shit.

What ever happened to peace, love, and understanding, hippie?

You're Kaufman?

Yeah.

Well, hello, Stanley.

You remember me?

The psychotic girlfriend?

Hello, Barbara.

Nothing wrong with your memory.

You boys mind telling me why you stole my son? Well, I didn't even know he was

in the box. I'm going to cremate him out here in the desert, where he felt most

at home. That's what he wanted.

How the hell you are, Kaufman?

You know I can't let you do that. I know you have to. I don't have to do

anything, Mr. Kaufman.

This is my loss, my son.

It's too late to claim him now.

And what's that supposed to mean?

All he ever wanted from you was your approval.

He wanted you to be proud of what he achieved.

Of course I was proud of him.

I saved everything.

Every photo, every album, every article.

It's no good telling me. You should have told him.

I understand you were his right -hand man as well as his friend.

I was both, yeah.

And that when he died, you weren't there when he needed you the most.

That's right.

So the guilt is not all mine, then?

I guess not.

Lost him once in life, and now you're trying to take him away from me again.

God, can we just cut through this, okay?

Now, you two stole the body.

Theft.

And you are an old fool who should have called the police, but hasn't.

Stupidity. Now, let's just call the cops and get this thing done, okay?

Sooner we get a death certificate and bury him, and then his soul will be

properly laid to rest.

Wait!

Give me a chair.

Let me out of here!

Oh, you are in trouble, Kaufman.

This is bullshit, Kaufman!

I was his road manager and his friend.

We both loved it out here in the desert.

We had a pact that whoever died first, the other would come out here and set

free.

Graham gave his word and I gave mine.

You're a couple of druggies. Why should I believe you?

Sir, I don't take drugs.

What about you?

Are you a druggie?

Yes. Yes, I am.

Stanley!

They're gonna burn your car, Stanley!

Nice work.

Let's go.

Hey, man.

What?

You can't do this.

Do what feels right to you.

God damn it.

You called them?

No.

You gonna call them?

You haven't given me a reason not to.

There isn't a reason.

Someone tried to steal my son's body, I'd stop them for sure.

So, are you prepared to go to jail?

I'm expecting to. Oh, don't you worry, Kaufman. It's gonna happen.

Mr. Parsons?

What is it, son?

I've been a junkie for over four years. You don't need to... I've taken heroin,

speed, uppers, downers, blues, morphine, methadone, mushrooms, quaaludes, acid,

volume, barbiturates, straight LSD, marijuana, marijuana laced with opium,

nimbotol.

mescaline, of course, and medicinal methoqualone, which made me shake

uncontrollably for six days and vomit on the hour.

That's very impressive, son.

Not my point, sir. Better make that point.

I started working my way through this list on June 5th, 1969, and since then,

there hasn't been a day when I didn't at least smoke a joint.

Are we sure this is helping?

And now I've stopped.

I stopped because it seemed I had something more important to do.

He's doing this because he gave his word.

And I'm prepared to do it now because I think it's right.

I believe everybody has a soul, and Graham's soul does not belong in some

plot surrounded by strangers.

It belongs out here where he was happy.

and say goodbye to my son.

You really take all those drugs?

I don't remember.

Where'd he go?

Hi, listen, I know I was going really fast, but you have to help me, okay?

They have stolen my boyfriend's corpse, and they are going to perform a ritual

with his body.

Is here your driving license, please, ma 'am?

Excuse me, what?

Your driving license, ma 'am.

I just told you that they stole a body, and you want to see my driver's license?

Okay, okay.

Officer Larson, you people are supposed to be on the lookout for a hearse, okay?

A hearse.

is a big, long car.

Now, you can usually tell which ones are the hearses because they have coffins

at the back of them!

Now, the one you're looking for is painted yellow.

Does this look like a yellow hearse to you, you homosexual?

Get a ticket.

Are you writing me a ticket?

Yes, it is, man.

Yes, I am.

Turn it off, you, man.

Can you give me a hand here?

Jesus, Graham.

Sorry, Graham.

What now?

Now we do it.

Lift up the lid. What?

Why? Flesh burns easier than wood. I have a problem with dead flesh.

Oh.

Look a little peaky, man.

A little decorum would be nice.

Right.

You think that's enough?

A little more.

Enough? I am not having a conversation with you about how much gasoline you

to burn a human body.

That should do it.

There's a little, uh...

I'm

sorry I wasn't there when you...

Throw away your damn full life.

I was there before.

And I've been there ever since.

Good luck, Graham.

Here's my last one, buddy.

is like a wild goose

wanders all around

everywhere

trembles and shakes

till every tree is loose

it rolls around and

it

people when they dare.

Paint a different color on your front door.

And tomorrow we will still be there.

Jesus built a ship to sing a song.

Jesus,

what the hell is that?

That would be Graham Parsons on fire.

Whoa.

Maybe too much fuel.

No, I just didn't factor in the amount of booze he had in him.

How do you know that's your boyfriend?

I recognize the birthmark on his shoulder.

You know, officer, can I make an observation?

Knock yourself out.

We're in the desert, and it's dark.

And if you want to catch somebody in the dark, it's probably best not to turn on

your big flashing lights and make a big loud noise with a siren.

You know what I think, ma 'am?

No.

Maybe it's suicide.

I just want to get away from you.

Hello, Graham.

Phil.

You think you should?

Not gonna hurt me now, is it?

Nice wheels.

Very stylish.

Come in handy for transporting dead people. Nothing better.

I am dead then, huh?

You're more than dead. You and the box are down to bones and brass.

Here's mud in your eye.

What can I do for you, Graham?

I guess I just wanted to say thanks.

I'm just taking care of business. That's what you pay me for. That's what I do.

You shootin' for a raise?

Actually, I... I just quit.

Bye, Graham.

What? I'm glad it all worked out.

Oh, what worked out?

Doesn't matter.

When you go, I'm getting sick of saying.

Hey, baby, we're boogieing.

You made a believer out of me. I'm moving on up now.

Getting out of the darkness.

My life.

This is my damn mustache, that's for sure.

Shall we?

Yeah.

Let's roll, hippie.

I think we got the wrong card, man. I thought I didn't do it.

You love me and you stole my clothes.

I love you and that's the way that it goes, so it goes.

Now you know how I feel, so it goes.

It just couldn't be real.

We know it's wrong and I don't think it's

gonna go on.

When I come home Carrying my dues I've been waiting

Let it go, so it goes Now you know how I feel, so it

goes It just couldn't be real You won't be home

all night And you don't want another bite

There's a train out on the main line Climbing to Hatchipee

There's a place across the railroad track They call

eternity Somewhere

there's a jukebox A cowboy shooting pool

Street narcotics in his socks.

No thread left on the spoon.

There's a fire in the desert.

Whiskey on the wind.

I must say it's been a pleasure.

Adios, my friend.

And all that's left... It's a promise and a pack of matches.

Put a sequined ghost in Buck Owens' clothes and rhinestones in

the ashes.

So long, city of angels.

Speckled bird, spread your wings.

Braid me a halo through Jean Norman.

There's no spirit in the ember Just a sweet song on

the breeze A station wagon zigzagging

Through the Joshua Tree There's a fire

in the desert Whiskey on the tree

I must say it's been a pleasure.

Adios, my friend.

And all that's left is a promise and a pack of matches

for the sequined ghost in Buck Owen's clothes

and rhinestones in the ashes.

It's the sequined ghost in Buck Owen's clothes.

Riding storms in the ashes