Original subtitles

Did you ever see a poor man dance?

It's worse than living, hurt you more than dying.

Did you ever see a poor man dance?

They tend to give it all they got.

It's the only thing they have.

For a little while, I love to dance.

I feel me just the one more day.

Free is wild and single, and I'm free.

But that's all I do�

�stay.

Did you ever see a poor man dance?

Did you ever see a poor man dance?

Oh no,

look at that!

It looks mean.

You should stop.

That poor soul is suffering in this steam bath.

Why, it's our Christian duty.

That's what it is.

Well, then I'm in league with the devil because I'm

not about to stop for some filthy hitchhiker.

You let the foot break your foot off the brake.

Don't worry.

It's all right.

Like I live the town?

Yes, ma'am.

Well, I walk when I can ride.

Say, y'all live in, uh... Frenchman's Bend.

Most nowhere place in the entire Swelton State of Mississippi.

Honey,

you can't but sneeze before they're saying you got pneumonia.

Sometimes I feel like I'm wearing a straitjacket.

As for social amusements, there are none,

unless you consider church a social amusement.

Now,

I do believe in Jesus, I truly do,

but do you think it meant for life to be so dull?

Sounds fine to me.

Quiet living, myself.

I only know one reason for living quiet.

That's if you're too old to live any other way,

and you look young and healthy.

Uh-huh.

So you're saying you take your fun where you can find it.

Don't jump to any conclusions, mister.

We're giving you a ride.

That's all we're giving you.

Where you headed?

I'd go as far as you go.

You sound as free as a bird.

My, how I admire that.

Doesn't he sound as free as a bird, Noel?

Miss Noel's wondering what kind of bird, aren't you,

Miss Noel?

You must be a mind reader.

Knowles is a schoolteacher.

She wears out brain cells worrying about her spotless,

I repeat, spotless reputation.

Why, she didn't want to pick you up.

I said, why not?

It's such a nasty hot day,

and there's two of us and one of him.

And she said, I think he looks mean and dirty.

I'd say the lady's a real judge of character.

No!

I take.

You not.

I take.

This is it, Marissa.

I have something for you.

Thank you, Miss Suna.

Looks like Varner's a man to see around here.

You can find him over at our house most any time.

Y'all belong to Varner?

We two ladies most particularly belong to Varner.

Bye.

Have a good day.

Howdy, boys.

How's it doing?

How's a man make a living around here?

He don't.

Honest or dishonest?

Well, let me hear what's open.

Well, sir,

a man that's hard-working and clean-living can plant cotton over in the bottom lands�

�raise corn up along the edge of the hills.

If one isn't too particular�

�he can make whiskey in a homemade still and sell off what he don't drink.

Well, let's say I'm a farmer.

All right, sir, let's say so.

If you used to follow that road straight out there,

you'd come to a tenant farm.

You could work if you so would find them.

It belongs to a man by the name of Varner.

What does it?

What's the name, son?

Quick.

Ben Quick.

Quick.

So that's...

Daddy, I'm home!

Just about bought out the DeMarco store.

And then I moved on to the specialty shops.

Now sit down, honey, close your eyes,

I want to bottle up.

We'll quit spot when we're coming home, DeMarco.

Things are different here than it's just you and me.

You know something?

I hate this house when you're not in it.

Well, I'm in it now.

And I'm gorgeous.

You're gorgeous.

Don't you say that, though.

Would you take off your shirt, please?

Oh�

�no.

Stop.

What in the world is going on up there?

Well,

we don't exactly go in for stately quiet around here.

You know,

that party's been going on ever since Papa went to the hospital.

Well, speaking of your father�

�when is that august personage coming home?

Tomorrow.

The forecast is storm and thunder.

He'll roll into the house and rattle all the windows.

I can just hear him.

Aren't you engaged yet?

Well, we are still on the green side of 30,

so that's time to contribute our bloodlines to the future.

How's Alice?

You mean, is he still in the 20th century?

No,

my brother is lost in the�

�19th, writing that torturous document.

You'd think he was writing a bestseller,

for heaven's sakes, and there's no sex in it at all.

Start taking other men.

What other men?

Ask and you shall receive.

Don't babble the Bible to me, Agnes.

The Lord doesn't shine on blasphemers.

Don't swivel around that there's someone coming.

Someone young.

Probably a saw machine salesman.

Even if it is, we can at least talk to him.

Go ahead.

Y'all look like two butterflies that just lit on the grass.

Well, hello again, Miss Noel.

If it's work you're looking for,

see the foreman at the gin.

If it's food�

�go to the back door.

What I want is the man of the house.

Jody!

There's a person out here to see you!

That'll be waiting to help!

Could have said gentleman with the same amount of wind.

And barna one month you know that thing down would you go

we're going this way I heard you got a farm for him where�

�you've been farming west you lot bring that thing

down before I go up there and kick it in yeah well um.

How many family you got?

You're looking at it.

Oh, man, usually put six or seven hands in the field.

One's all you'll get out of me.

You got the story to talk business in.

Oh, for Christ's sake.

It's our passion.

Hello again, Miss Eula.

I'm glad to see you again.

You know him?

Noel and I obliged him with a ride.

It'd be in such a nasty day.

But you're too soft-hearted, honey.

You two girls are lucky he wasn't some sort of raven maniac.

Now go on, get out of here.

We got business to talk.

How much rent you aiming to pay?

How much you renting for?

Half your crop, all your shopping in my store,

no cash.

Food and tobacco at your prices?

Make my dollar worth about�

�50 cents.

Take it or leave it,

Mr�

�I'll take it.

Quick.

Ben Quick.

We didn't get here lady.

Living is easy.

Drop it, Adrian.

My father comes home tomorrow,

and he says quite a store by this rug.

You tracked it.

You clean it.

A lot of fuss about a rug, lady.

If it's a rug that's bothering you.

What else would it be?

Well�

�you correct me if I'm wrong.

But I get the feeling.

I rile you�

�me being mean and dirty and all.

Mr.

Quick�

�you're being personal with me�

�so I'll be personal with you.

I've spent my whole life around men who push and shove and shout

and think they can make anything happen by acting that way.

So I'm not anxious to have another one around the place.

There's no...

Slam the door in a man's face before he even knocks on it.

Please have the rug at the house by tomorrow morning.

Thank you.

You ruined�

�it.

Folks think that much of a rug�

�shouldn't put it where other folks can tromp on it.

Don't get smart with me, boy.

This'll cost you.

I'm taking 30 bushels of corn out of that crop you haven't even planted yet.

Now, maybe that'll teach you.

You're a hard man to deal with.

Yeah, you just keep it in mind.

I had to send that cursed rug to the dry cleaner.

All an old man has to do is see that first thing,

he'll be blacking up my blood.

Boy, you've rearranged some things out here.

Looks good.

Thank you, Jody.

Now, if you were Papa and everything looked good,

you wouldn't say anything.

And if everything looked bad,

I wouldn't hear the end of it.

I know he's coming home,

and I'm going to ask questions.

I ain't going to get rattled.

I'm just going to take my time and think my answers through.

Everything.

I've been in charge three months.

I think that's been a big change to me,

don't you think?

Oh, yeah, Jody.

Everything looks real good.

You've done real well.

I'm halfway between feeling glad and sick.

I want to see him and I don't.

The inside's all mixed up like a dog's breakfast,

as regards that man.

It's odd.

Most people are supposed to love their father.

We're mostly just afraid of ours.

Well, you've got more cause than me.

You're supposed to be engaged to Alan Stewart by now,

and I don't see no ring on your finger.

The old man will snarl, little sister.

Hello boys and girls�

�I'm back!

Amy!

How are you?

Good to see you!

How are you?

Hi boys!

Good to see you!

How are you?

Happy!

Excuse me, Anna.

You got any doubts about the potions?

Oh, I mean...

Wonder what they cut out of them at that hospital in Memphis.

Wasn't it pocketbook, I can tell you that.

All I've been looking at is anemic nurses.

Yeah, I hear you've been cut and stitched.

Anything left of you with him?

You just wait and see.

I've got to go up to the house.

I'll be back later.

I'm glad you're home, you huckabee.

Addick?

Yes, sir?

You work hard.

You miss many, you hear me?

Yes, sir.

That was like a man in a red robe before.

Oh, you're just a beat-all hell girl.

In honor of you.

That's what the kind of homecoming I was hoping for.

Oh, yeah.

That's what I like, a real woman.

Bones with some covering on them.

Hello, Papa.

Hello, Papa.

Why, there is a fulsome greeting.

There is a hallelujah chorus.

Not exactly a song pining for his daddy,

but simple and direct.

Two seconds, you're running over me like a crow.

Yeah,

can we get through the opening ceremonies without recreating the Battle of Vicksburg?

I'll get to you in a while.

I know you will, Papa.

Jody's been an absolute living doll since you've been gone,

Papa.

Well, that's what I call a glowing recommendation.

Except I just had a look around town.

I saw one dead asleep clerk in the general store,

a sign on a gas pump that said out of order,

and no one at the sawmill.

And it's high, high noon.

Rise late today, didn't you, Jody?

I slacked off a bit today because I was home,

seeing to your arrival.

Well, we did all right.

You can have a look at the books.

Well, I intend to.

I intend to crawl over them books like a fly over flypaper.

Now, they gutted me over there in Memphis.

They took out every pot they thought they could spare,

but they didn't tear down my spirit none.

Don't you think you can get up on me, Jody?

I'm a better man than you are still.

So you've been telling me since I was a boy, Papa.

Yeah.

Yeah, I'm fine.

And I thank you for your kind inquiries and my help.

Well, Papa, I do hope you're feeling better.

Didn't I call you every day at the hospital?

Yeah, that was right kind of you.

Except I never did see your face the whole time I was flopped in the hospital bed.

Your sister came.

Made a fool of herself,

passing out, but at least she passed out there�

�where folks could see she was a dutiful daughter.

Well, fact is, I couldn't leave my wife.

Oh,

that situation has been prevalent since your wedding night.

You pregnant yet?

Papa.

Lord.

Next.

What's on your mind, Missy?

Well, what do you want to know, Papa?

Have you seen any men?

Have any men seen you?

Have you been to any picnics�

�parties, or bazaars?

Any raffles, any barbecues, any dances?

Have you mingled, have you mixed,

or have you kept to your room reading poetry?

Or creating your papers from the summer school?

I hope this doesn't come as a great shock to your nervous system,

Papa.

But when you're not here,

I do exactly what I want to do.

Well, I'm back.

Now you get a ring on your finger, girl,

and get me some grandchildren soon.

Time.

Time, Noel.

Time is fast.

Faster for you than for me.

Maybe so.

You don't give me my respect in front of my wife.

Well, I like women too,

but you don't ever give her no rest.

I took time out to build up this place to make my life.

I've never seen such connubial bliss as you enjoy,

son.

Oh, well, that's your private life.

I'm interested in our business ventures.

Now, I didn't lay flat on my back in that hospital.

I acquired some standing pine,

which we'll cut at a future date,

and some horses when a tenant couldn't make his note.

Now, that's what I did.

What did you do?

Him.

Well, May is, uh, slacked off,

but June and so far July are making up for it.

It's to be expected.

I sold off all our heavy farm equipment.

We're fresh out of inventory.

Including that tractor that won't go up to hell?

Including that.

Well, well done, Jody, well done.

Um...

There was a fella from Boston,

just bursting with intelligence,

who bought a lot of land and put 40,000 feet

of fence around it to start a goat ranch.

Only he ran out of goats and went bust and returned

to that great distant state of Massachusetts.

So we own another 2,000 acres of good grassland.

Bet it was a college-educated band, too, wasn't it?

Jody,

you ain't just been sitting on your spine altogether,

have you?

No, sir.

How'd you rent off that farm?

On shares.

Oh, profitable.

I had a little trouble with the man.

I penalized him 30 bushels of corn.

Good,

good.

We're already ahead of the game.

Now, what is the name of this poor unfortunate?

Uh,

Quick.

Ben Quick.

Ben Quick?

From out west.

Don't you keep abreast of anything but Eula!

Flames follow around her quick like fleas follow dog.

Hellfire, he's a barn burner.

He settled his account with a torch,

and you had to go stir him up.

The only thing burning around here is your temper.

You want to hear something?

I sweat when I'm around you.

I don't want you in the hospital.

I was dry.

Now I'm sweating again.

Will you kindly tell me what it is you want out of me,

Papa?

I can't stop to analyze you or listen to your personal problems.

Well, someday you're gonna have to stop.

Someday I'm gonna make you stop!

Not right now.

You started something with Ben Quick,

and I gotta finish it before this house of mine goes up in smoke.

Hello?

Hello, right back at you.

I'm Varner.

I already met three Varners.

I'm the Varner.

Thought I'd come by and see what your plans are.

This house ain't fit for pigs.

So how we can discuss that?

I aim for us to get along.

I ain't along with anybody.

I heard somewhere that you had a little trouble.

Trouble that brings around the fire department.

If you're scared of me, Mr.

Barnum, why don't you just come right out and say so?

Now, why would I be scared of you, son?

Because I got me a reputation for being a dangerous man.

Matter of fact.

Well, yeah.

You are a young dangerous man.

But I'm an old one.

Allow me to introduce myself.

I am Justice of the Peace.

I'm a farmer.

I own most all the land you can see.

And what I don't own, I option.

I own the gas station, the general store, the sawmill,

the gin.

And it is bad luck.

To do your trading anywhere else.

That's who I am.

You can talk, too.

Yeah, I can.

And I'd like to add one more salient point to this most edifying conversation.

If anything at all happens to catch fire during your stay here�

�I am tossing you in my jailhouse�

�and I never heard the words ha be as corpus.

You'd rot.

Smart man would give me a job.

Yeah?

You're working for me already.

Well,

let's say a job more conducive to my mental abilities.

I passed through that town of yours.

Some of the people you got working for you got cobwebs on them.

You could use me, Mr.

Varner.

And you'd be writing yourself a fire insurance policy in the bargain.

Yeah, I'll think on it.

Yes or no, Mr.

Barner?

Nothing in between.

Now, look here, boy.

Nobody's ever been able to browbeat me with any degree of success.

Maybe that's because nobody ever tries.

Well�

�I do happen to have in my possession 30 Texas ponies due to a foreclosure.

Now,

if you were to dispose of them for me at a reasonable profit...

You'd be in business.

Sounds easy.

I thought I'd have to kill someone for you.

We won't start out with red-handed murder.

And easy is relative, son.

Relative.

I'll give you a world.

Have you ever seen so much in it?

And on plain grass, too.

No sweet weed here.

Ah, there ain't a lazy one in the herd.

Uh, son?

You don't want to be doing that.

You're liable to fall in there and spook me.

Why, until you know a horse real good,

you wouldn't want to do that in your own barn.

Bobby wants that, Bobby wants it.

They look pretty wild to me, son.

These little old ponies?

Well, now they're high.

I'll grant you that.

But they ain't been worked in weeks.

Hell,

even I can get high if I ain't been worked in weeks.

No,

sir,

all you gotta do is work with them and they gentle right down.

I wouldn't hesitate to put my own sister on one.

Well, that is, if I had a sister.

You know, Will...

The only thing worse than a horse trade is a downright fee.

When did you get into this business?

This is no ordinary commercial venture out here.

This is spectacle.

I'm not South Dakota.

You never learned who's what.

Now I'm talking one person's house.

While there is a bad one, a bunch,

all you gotta do is work with me and then work for you.

And I... Put that wagon up now.

So you can bend them to your ways.

Maybe you're trying to cheat us quick.

Maybe you ain't.

Those horses out there make me think of a horse my cousin brought me from Texas.

I think you can use $75 for that spot.

You mean that Appaloose over there?

He's worth hundreds.

That's good.

Enough chest up with the blaze.

We've got to get a little blowing to him.

Well, if you know something about horses,

how about we box for this little today?

All right, all right.

Now, one at a time, folks.

Let's start with that Appaloosa over there.

Who'll give me $100 for him?

Let's start the baby.

We've got $100 right here.

Who'll give me $100 and a quarter?

$100 and a quarter over here.

I'll give you $150.

$150 right back here.

All right.

I'll give you $150.

$150.

Go on three times.

Sold the Appaloosa to the gentleman in the hat.

Baby, over here.

Go on.

How you doing, Petey?

Fine, Mr.

Wilson.

You know, Army, it doesn't seem fair.

You find you boy a horse,

you can't even pay your damn bills, does it?

Wilson,

I'll buy my son one of our damn well-placed cars.

You'll get your money.

Yeah, well, I better get it.

Look at you, snapping and scratching at five.

Remind me of like a fanny rooster.

You're all hot and sweaty.

Yes, I am.

Born in a public place,

I might feel compelled to take advantage of you.

Listen, Eula,

why don't you just give me a real hot kiss on the mouth,

huh?

Right here in public.

Don't be ridiculous.

Am I gonna see you tonight, honey?

Maybe.

Hello?

Maybe not.

Alright,

I'm all square with everybody except you three gentlemen around here.

I believe it's, uh, 200 from you?

150.

150 from you, that's right.

75?

75.

200.

Thank you all kindly.

Now, remember what I said.

If they give you any trouble,

just hit them over the head a couple of times with the two before,

get their attention.

After they get used to you,

you won't have any problems.

A couple of years or so.

Hello, Miss Noel.

Are you sure I can't sell you something?

You don't need my money.

You got everybody else's.

Yeah, but it's to hold out the challenges.

Mr.

Quick,

the last time I parted with my money to a pitchman,

I was 12 years old.

And nobody's taking you, Sam.

And nobody's going to.

Well, now, life is very long and full of salesmanship,

Miss Noel.

You might buy something, yeah.

After you, ma'am.

Hey, y'all.

Hey, you.

Hey, man. Okay. Sorry.

Get on that off that truss boat and hurt yourself,

Henry.

Oh, okay.

Thank you.

All right.

Thank you.

Thank you.

You were right, Impressive.

I don't know when I've ever seen anybody do such a good job of selling.

You're even selling yourself.

Get out of here.

So listen to me back there, Taylor.

I told you then that you and me could do our business together.

Like the old days.

Quick,

sons.

You had to run.

The only reason you found me is because I didn't change my name like the others did.

I'd just as soon forget you.

Forever.

How long's the kettle?

I'm convinced to attend to.

There's my spy.

You don't fool me, boy.

Just don't be ashamed.

Okay?

Yeah.

What you say, man?

Yeah.

That's it.

Come on.

Easy now.

Hey, Ben!

Where's my cash?

Good afternoon, Mr.

New John.

Hey, come on.

You know better than a crook.

You know better than a con man if you can sell my crooked merchandise.

Enough of the name-calling.

Where's my cut?

I've got something for you.

Here's it, Benny.

Come on with me, boy.

Now,

the man who built this place back in 1830 had the wit to die before the Civil War.

When Grant overran the country on his way to Vicksburg,

those people�

�the Boncours�

�They buried all that gold and silver.

Now, after the excitement and confusion of the moment�

�they dug up the silver,

but they never could remember where they buried the gold.

Might have saved them that, if they'd have remembered.

Of course, then�

�I could never have bought the place back in 63.

What's all this got to do with me?

Well, I've been watching you, Ben.

You got brass and style and...

Not too dissimilar from the way I operate.

Been here only a few days.

Already grown an inch.

That's because you listen to me.

Now you keep on listening to me�

�and maybe one day�

�in a burst of generosity�

�I'll give you this place.

Thanks a lot.

Damn place is falling apart.

Ah, with your native shrewdness,

I know you'll find a way of getting some good out of it.

Mr.

Varner�

�you've been making me a lot of promises.

One of these days, I'm going to collect on them.

I'm well aware of that.

Come eat at the big house, son.

No, honey,

could you please come try to do this for me?

Thanks.

You going to a funeral?

I thought I looked elegant.

Elegant?

Girl, rip that dress off your back.

Elegant is for old ladies.

You're young.

You need a little flash.

Eula, you got enough flash for all Frenchman's band.

Now,

don't try to turn my head when I'm making feminine suggestions.

This dress is just too concealing.

Well,

you're burning secret.

I'm not hiding much.

Well, whatever there is,

it'd look better with more of it showing.

No, thanks, Eula.

I just wouldn't feel like myself.

Somebody new is coming.

So is somebody old.

Oh, no.

Don't you think... Don't you think Alan's a tad slow?

You know, that new boy's a flash.

Ever seen anything like him?

One minute, we're picking him up on Highway 47, and the next minute he's going

to be drinking wine out of your mama's French crystal glasses.

Well, he certainly got his foot in the door.

In the door?

Honey, I'd say he'd pulled himself a chair right up to the table.

Hey, Sabina.

Oh, there goes another one across the creek bridge.

And again, healthy exercise out there.

Gonna be glad, man.

They'll sleep better tomorrow night, provided they get back home by then.

Well, well, we're drinking more wine.

You're popular than my wine, aren't you, Alan?

Here, give me that glass.

How long have you been drinking it?

About a year and a half, I'd say.

Thereabouts.

I've enjoyed your hospitality for a long time.

Tell me, Alan, do you go to any other houses?

I ask myself, do we get the major part of your attention,

or are you brightening up other parlors in the town?

Papa, that is Alan's private business.

Why, Alan knows a friendly inquiry.

When he hears one, don't you, Alan?

Well, I hear one.

Well, then, am I to understand that you stay pretty

close to home with your mama when you're not here?

I can't stand this.

I think you forget that my mother's a widow, Mr. Vanna.

She relies very strongly on me and my sister.

Hell, she's no widow.

Your old man disappeared.

He's not dead.

He just wandered off.

The result is the same.

She's alone.

No, she isn't.

She's got you.

She sure has you, Alan.

I'll try my best.

Not around here, you don't.

Well, Judy, you seem to be getting a lot of enjoyment out of my conversation.

I believe I'll direct a little of it at you.

Papa, I didn't say anything.

Mr. Quick here�

�is my new manager in the general store right alongside you.

Same salary, same benefit.

That don't seem to strike you funny.

No, sir, it doesn't.

Well, you can sleep late tomorrow�

�if you think you can afford to.

Outside, everybody.

Let's enjoy the evening there.

It's down all the way they carry on.

Sometimes they even follow me around in town.

Don't go anywhere then.

Stay put, stay home.

Oh, honey, they're only 16 or 17.

They're harmless.

You call that harmless?

Come on, let's quit that now.

I'll pass it home.

You win a shotgun.

Go to any bar, it gets too close.

Outstand?

Bandsheez, huh?

Come short, Lake Kenny, boat ride and stew and your brother Cooper.

I know it's you that's out there.

Now stop it.

Now.

Stop it.

You boys run off now or you'll hide the mine.

The man house around here.

Hey, young boy.

Just young, healthy animals.

Are they hollering on anybody else's doorstep?

Are they hiding in anybody else's garden?

No, just this house.

We're the ones who are singled out.

Well, we're the ones that got you.

It's not her fault, it's yours.

They come here because they know you'll laugh.

No matter how crude or how vulgar.

Well, I was young myself once.

I used to hide in the bushes there and the hoot and holler.

I bet you did.

I bet you yelled the loudest and stayed the longest.

Mama, listen.

Come on, Ben, let's go in.

They have their business.

And we got out.

Come on.

These boys certainly made their desires known.

I wonder what they would do if Eula did get up and go with them.

Imagine they'd be quite around.

I don't know why I made such a fuss about it.

Because it offended you.

You're not the kind to be hollowed out from the bushes.

You're a lovely, quiet, self-contained woman.

I guess I'm just anxious.

Summer's not turning out the way I was expecting at all.

I guess I'm just confused about you and me, Alla.

I know what.

When I finish my manuscript, we'll go to New Orleans for a weekend.

That ought to alleviate your anxiety.

How would you like that?

Oh, I would like that.

We could go down and sit by a Lake Pontchartrain.

Let nature take its course.

Nature is taking its course with you.

And you'll see everything you want will be coming your way.

Blackjack!

All right.

What do you say we deal off the top this time?

Is this the way you acquired your fortune?

Is the damn sure the way you acquired mine?

Don't even lie, look.

Miss Minnie said, where are you at?

Well, now I'm at home.

Miss Minnie said, you come now or will she lock up?

Oh, it'll lock me out, huh?

Well, Isaac, you go on back and you tell Miss.

Minnie that I'll be there when I'm there.

It's a sad sight.

A girl and a man with the mind of a child.

Was he kind of Miss Little John?

No, no.

He was left here about 23 years ago.

Mother must have been unmarried.

No one was afflicted.

Miss Little John took him in.

She's a kind woman.

My wife was kind like that.

Guess women are.

Have to make up for us.

You married?

Nope.

Got a woman someplace?

I live single.

You like women, though.

I mean, you've known a few, haven't you?

My fair share.

Deal.

Heat brings out the mosquitoes.

Attracted to the light.

Your friend left early.

I was kissed goodnight, Mr. Quick.

The guest left.

For me, I've stayed the sun up.

A mile too reckless.

Aren't you?

No, I'm skittish, Mr. Quick.

Just plain skittish.

Got an answer for that.

Let's go jump in your convertible and plow up the countryside.

I think there's been enough commotion around here tonight.

You ain't quiet.

Let's go find us a needle in a haystack.

Those are both lovely and colorful suggestions, but

they are not exactly in keeping with my character.

And I don't think I should be out of character on such a night.

Aw, come on lady, get out of character.

Get way out.

Sudden changes are not in my character, Mr. Quick.

Hell, you never know until you try.

You mean Mr. Allen Stewart wouldn't like it if you went running off with me.

I don't want to discuss him with you.

Well, why not?

I respect him.

I admire him, his manners.

I admire his profession.

I admire that big old house he lives in up there.

But if you're saving it up for him, honey, you've got your account for the wrong bank.

You can leave any time now.

Don't ask me clients.

I'm putting time down only.

He has to get up early.

He's under a lot of pressure.

This is work.

Come on, go for a drive with me.

Fake and shiny tonight.

Looks like you might just reach right on up and grab one.

Well, baby, we're the Fixie Melodie.

Yeah.

Yeah.

No, we're there.

Thousands of acres, millions of seeds put down the ground.

Every year they come up, they bear.

Where's my crop?

Papa, my birthday's coming.

My life comes and goes.

And yet this is the only conversation we ever seem to have.

You know, I'm quite a lively, intelligent woman.

Well, what gets said between you and Alan?

Anything?

Anything of importance?

He thinks I'm a lovely, quiet, self-contained woman.

Well, if your blood is so delicate and frail that it calls for Alan Stewart, amen.

So be it.

I'll give you a big wedding.

But it's gonna happen now.

Now, no more pussyfooting, Missy.

You stir him up.

But if you get no for an answer, it's gonna be the other one.

Which other one?

That big, strong, red-blooded animal I brought around the table tonight.

My God, you can't mean that.

Okay.

I'm gonna get some strapping men in this family.

I'm gonna feed iron into this family's veins.

You talk like you're selling me like one of those damn horses.

Don't you care what I feel?

What I am?

I ain't selling you, Missy.

I'm saving you.

Oh, is that what you tell yourself?

Now, you're gonna get me grandsons and all.

Our granddaughters?

Now, you can get them by way of Alan, get them by way of the other one,

but you're gonna do it.

And�

�for too many years, Hula, for too many years, honey.

I play with you, Wilson, because you enjoy being played with.

Oh, no, I don't.

You want me to quit, honey?

Just tell me.

You know, Hula, I've been in love with you since I was a boy.

But I'm tired.

I'm tired of looking at you from a distance, and I'm

tired of having you whenever it suits your damn spirit.

So what I'm saying to you is I want you to leave Jodi.

I told you a thousand times, Wilson.

I love my husband.

Different thing.

I got the life I want, Wilson, with the man I want.

I'll never leave him.

Leave him or the property that comes along with him.

Shut up and kiss me.

No, I ain't kissing you no more.

And I ain't shutting up.

I'm the one, Hula.

I'm the one that needs you, not Jodi.

It's me.

Jodi needs me.

Honey, he can't even satisfy you.

No, I want to make you happy.

Not the truth.

You know, sometimes I don't know whether I should kiss you or I should kill you.

Kiss me first.

You going to work today, honey?

I go to work every day, don't I?

Well, I don't know.

The way you're looking at me, I thought maybe you had something else in mind.

I know for a fact you didn't sleep well last night.

Do you?

Well, you tossed and turned all night, don't you remember?

It was so hot, I finally got up and went out to the pond.

I must have fallen asleep there till almost

sunrise, so I know you couldn't have slept well.

Papa's home.

You know I don't sleep well when he's around.

Honey, let me take care of you.

You don't sleep well.

I had one of those dreams last night.

One of those shadow dreams about Papa and me.

I hate when I have dreams like that.

Honey, help us.

You know, sometimes when I'm by myself, I try

to remember a time when Papa and I didn't fight.

I can't.

I can't remember a time when I didn't feel like this.

She'll be all right.

I always throw me in the ring with this quick, like I was some sort of pit bull.

He ain't gonna be happy that one of us draws blood, Eula.

Your papa's been steamed up like a 40-ball tomcat, but he'll calm down.

He's original cunt, man.

He's got three shells on the table and a piece in his pocket.

Forget Ben quick.

He won't last till October's cool breezes.

You concentrate on me, here.

Damn him.

You just need me to take care of me, that's all.

Don't you want me to take care of you, Jodie?

Always in the shadow.

Damn Ben Quick, all the hell.

It's the early bird.

Jodie?

Jodie?

Jodie, I need to talk to you.

Yes, Miss Holler, what can I do for you?

Jodie, we having a hard year.

And I know you heard about my illness.

Yes, Miss Holler, and I'm glad to see you all recovering.

I'm scared my health gonna run us into the pool house.

My poor army works so hard.

And them $150 he paid for that horse yesterday, which we ain't seen since then.

Well, we ain't got the horse and we ain't got the money.

It's like it was all burned up.

Now, how could you take that money?

Now, Miss Holler, you know I let your accountant run six months overtime.

I often give Pete free candy.

He even treated very kindly at this store, and I'm deeply wounded to think that you

could believe that I would cheat you on a wild horse.

Now, the trouble is, we got an outsider here.

And he don't know anything.

He don't care anything about you and your worries.

All he cares about is himself and getting ahead.

Now, Mrs. Howard, I had nothing to do with that horse auction.

So if it's meanness and double dealing that you're

upset about, then you talk to the man that did it.

That man, right there.

A lot of harsh things been said about me, Miss Hallett.

Now, if I was to address each and every one of them,

it would take up too much of your valuable time.

So I'm going to say this to you.

You took your complaints to the wrong department.

You see, we're under new management here.

Now, I believe you said you have a $150 problem.

Am I right?

It's solved.

Have a good day.

Ah, good will.

Nothing in the world like it.

You think you got yourself an else's little coziness to you, don't you?

Careful you don't fall out of it.

You are not going to take over from me.

Hey, Quick!

Bring me a plug in the bagger!

So if it's blood you want in this new game of yours,

Papa, be careful, because you just might get it.

Now, if you excuse me, I'm going over the song now.

I don't seem to be needed around here.

Hey, see, boys?

Competition is the life of trade.

I take you fighters, new boy.

Quick to catch on.

It's the same old shop.

Same old stand.

Got a new broom in it.

75 cents.

Who the hell's store do you think this is, anyway?

Tobacco's still 75 cents.

Well, it ain't yours... yet.

Yes, sir.

Can I help you?

You the man who gave my wife back $150?

Yes, sir.

I'm no charity case, mister.

Well, I didn't think about it that way.

Your wife was dissatisfied with the

merchandise, so I simply refunded her money.

Will, Von, I never refunded a penny to anybody, and I don't want one now.

You think I need a handout?

Make you feel superior?

Make you feel more white?

Well, you sure got me there.

I sure am white, and I sure can't do a damn thing about it.

I'm gonna work off that money.

I don't know of any extra jobs around here.

It appears to be a long, slow summer.

But not for you, mister, quick.

You come blazing across the sky like a comet you do.

Look, you're feeling insulted is your problem.

Like I said, I considered it a refund.

That's where it ends.

Well, put it on my account.

Howl it.

Or, mister, howl it.

I know what you're thinking.

All right.

I'm six months behind.

Well, I'll pay back every damn miserable penny of it.

Now, I have the money for the horse.

Army, look, it's time I talked to you about the money you owe me.

Don't shut the door on me.

Listen to me.

I don't want to see you right now, Wilson.

You don't want to see me.

Look, you owe me money.

No, you owe me.

Well, that's good.

That's good.

What catch?

Almost had got anything worth running?

Not even high summer and things are heating up in all directions.

All right.

High five.

Yeah, I remember watching you play baseball when

he was a little kid with sexy little uniforms.

Of course.

I was a star.

You were sexy.

Get away.

Get away.

Get away.

Come here.

Get away.

Stop it.

He doesn't understand, Wilson.

Wilson doesn't know what's going on.

Stop it.

That's right.

Get out of here, boy.

Get out of here.

Stop it!

Shoo, fly, boy, you're crazy.

You're getting crazier, Isaac.

Shut up talking about Isaac like this.

Honey, he didn't hurt me.

Honey, it's all right.

Oh boy, so jealous.

He wants you, you know?

He's in love with you.

You know that?

Why�

�I like summer school by V.K.

Bookwright.

I don't.

I just can't live without you anymore, you understand?

You keep swatting your eyes at me and you're going to have to learn how.

I don't know what happens.

You see, I get around you and I just lose control.

Now's my time to talk about control, Wilson.

Kiss me, baby.

Oh, honey.

Final light to the keeping stoer.

Yeah, just moving some fans down front so that the

folks can see them when they first walk in the door.

Especially the ladies, since they do the household buying.

You seem to know a lot about women.

I know what makes them spend their money.

You come in to buy something, Miss Noel, or you just shopping around.

I was just passing.

It's a hot night.

I've been drinking some beer.

You want some?

Nothing cute.

You got a sweet tooth?

Not only has this store got fans and penny nails, but it's got rock candy�

�jaw breakers, licorice whips.

I do a big business in licorice whips.

Or I can tell you never say die diesel tractor.

Or if that's too big, I can tell you rototilla.

Or if you prefer gardening by hand, I got a sturdy pair of pruning shears here, right?

Or how about a sun bonnet?

Pretty colored, don't you think?

I just can't sell you nothing, can I?

Can I have a DC powder, please?

I've got a headache.

Yes, ma'am.

Coming right up.

It's not that back in your throat.

I don't get headaches.

Because I don't have problems.

Well, scruples.

Not those either.

Well, I have both.

You got thin skin is what you got.

The world belongs to the meat eaters.

If you got to take it raw, honey, take it raw.

I couldn't live that way.

Well, now, Miss Knoll, let's examine how you do live.

You drive around the country, and that car of yours, like it had wings.

You sit on the veranda with Agnes Stewart all day, drinking lemonade.

And you watch the whole world go by, paired up.

You're young.

These are golden years.

And you're being asked to play a waiting game.

But why wait?

School's out.

Night's fallen.

There ain't nobody around to see if you make a mistake.

Leave your books alone, old warden.

I'm going to kiss you.

Damn you!

Men are damned if they do, and damned if they don't.

All right, I'm human.

You proved it.

Yes, ma'am, you are human.

Barnburner.

So you heard about me.

I got flames behind my head.

If I don't like the cut of a man's clothes or the

way he looks at me, well, I just breathe fire.

Where I've been, there's smoke and cinder, and the ground is black.

Where I've been, nothing stands.

Isn't that right?

Anything you break, you got to pay for.

How long have you been sitting there long enough?

You hired me to tend your store.

I'm tending it.

It doesn't need any supervision.

I see you've been after your words with my girl.

A few.

She don't talk to you none now, does she?

Yeah, well, there's no love lost.

Well, I don't have to slow you down, none.

I put you in force of Canada.

What office you got me running for?

When I've opened a lot of doors for you and you pass through them.

You've got to ask yourself why I've done that.

All right, why?

I am a man with a purpose.

We all got some mission in life.

Care to hear yours?

What do you think you'd like me to do if you was able to make me do it?

Get married and have son.

Well, I'll be damned.

There's every possibility of that.

But before you are, you're going to get married up in a church with my daughter,

Noel.

Now, that's the one you didn't figure out, didn't you?

That's the one.

Move into the house.

Live with us.

Sleep under clean sheets.

Study that girl.

You want to put down roots?

You want to help yourself through a piece of the cake?

You can do it.

You'll let Noel live on it.

You picked yourself a dark horse, Father.

What do you know about me?

Are you young?

Healthy?

Do I need to know anything else?

Not if you're willing to take a chance.

I'd take a chance.

Now, listen.

Don't mistake that girl.

She's delicate.

You'll be good to her.

In her own way, she's fine.

Like a mother before her, she has quality.

And she's the closest you and I will ever come to her.

Looks like I'm in a position to do you a big favor.

What's in it for me?

I'm not forgetting that you're a man who wants figures and details.

Land and money is on the day of the wedding and more to come.

What land?

What monies?

How much more?

You meet with my lawyers.

You see for yourself.

I'll take that old Frenchman's place for a start.

Doc, I ain't quibbling with you.

I'll make you my heir.

I'll put that down and write.

You do that.

Don't tell me I got the wrong man.

You and me got a deal, Ben Quix.

I'm certain marriages are made in heaven.

Hell wouldn't have this one.

Good morning.

So we don't crowd each other.

I shave at night and shower in the morning.

Bringing him here?

Into the house?

Big house.

We got room for one more.

He's hard help.

He don't belong here.

Oh, he's much more natural.

He's a man of property now.

What are you talking about?

Frenchman's place.

I gave it to him.

Frenchman's place was mine.

Frenchman's place was mine to give his ass off it.

How much more are you going to give him, Pop?

Much as he requires.

He's going to be a brother to you, boy.

So look out.

He'll be awake when you're sleeping.

He's going to be where you ate.

So look alive, Jody.

You two's racehorse is starting out even.

We'll see who's faster or smarter.

Not exactly even.

Considering I'm your blood, son.

Honey?

Didn't you hear me calling you?

My mind was elsewhere.

We're moving on over in my direction.

Straight from Memphis to my body.

To and to us, your body.

No doubt about it, Eula.

You do have a gift.

A gift said to be unwrapped, Jody.

Care to see what's inside the package?

It's too hot.

Honey, it's going to be too hot all summer long.

I wasn't aware my touch was so repulsive to you.

It may come as a surprise to you, Eula, but

there's more to life than your biological needs.

There was a time my biological needs gave you a great deal of pleasure.

You know what I think?

I think you're afraid there's a better man in this house.

And I sure don't mean your daddy.

You look pretty with your glasses on.

You look pretty with them off.

You look so young, Miss Noel.

All curled up there in your bed.

Just like a little girl.

I bet you it's just as cute as a bug's ear when you was a little girl.

Bet your hair hung in a tank down your back.

Ought to be a church bazaar coming up.

You wear a white dress, put a ribbon in your

hair, and I'll waltz you around under the moon.

No.

No.

No.

No.

I'll be right with you.

I thought I told you to go to hell.

So we're crowded down there.

I'm still here in Frenchman's Bend.

You're looking to get cut in on some action.

Well, it ain't gonna happen.

I'm getting old, boy.

Now you can fix me up with something without too much terrible trouble.

Before I go carrying around a pitchfork.

You never gave anything to me.

Or Mama or the boys.

So I'm returning the favor.

I could make life sizzle them out for you, boy.

You're angling for the main chance here.

While I blow it, it won't take much to keep me happy.

Why don't you just turn your carcass around and

march out of here before somebody gets hurt?

That a fact.

That's a fact.

Well, I just might outdo myself.

Make you wish you were never born.

Whatever I gave you wouldn't be enough anyway.

You'd want more.

You're like father like son.

Well, that wouldn't go down with Will Almighty Varner now, would it?

If you're a rotten son, you'll make a rotten son-in-law.

You just give me a little more time, Wilson.

Hospital Bill caught me off guard.

I'm not running some kind of charity ward here.

I'm as sorry as anybody else that your wife took ill when she did.

But you're two months, son.

Two months behind in your mortgage.

Well, how about if I paid you off a little bit at a time?

Just for a while, until I can get back on my feet.

I need money just like you do.

You know, I have to ask myself, how come you're so mean, Wilson?

Mean?

Mean.

You'd skin a maggot.

And then I ask myself, why does a man like you,

a smart man, keep hanging around this town?

And why are you always lending out money to black folks?

Well, after my experience with you, I might not lend to the black man anymore.

What do you think of that?

The hell you want.

Now, you got a burn on, Wilson.

Think maybe if you can get rich enough, you can get her back.

Now, you shut your mouth, because it doesn't matter what

I think, and it doesn't matter what I do, you understand?

I'm the only one who lent you money when nobody give you nothing.

No bank in this county, no other bank anywhere else gonna give you a dime.

It was me, Army, me.

Now, look, you got ten days to come up for $1,200, or you consider yourself and your

whole damn family a bunch of homeless niggers, you understand?

That's right, homeless.

Just odds and ends, Mr. Quick.

Things we can live without, but never do.

Well, in the future, Mr. Stewart, feel free to call in your order.

I know you've got a schedule to keep.

I'll do that.

But up here, you find that Varna's a fascinating and rewarding association.

Not all of them.

No, perhaps.

I might quote the old sage.

It's just as easy to fall in love with the rich woman as it is.

I guess you could quote that.

Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Quick.

I don't imagine too many women find that appealing.

I care very dearly for no Varna.

You got a funny way of showing it, Mr. Stewart.

I intend to take Noel to New Orleans when I finish my book.

I think that'll give us the opportunity to sort out our feelings for each other.

Sort out your feelings?

Either you love a woman, or you don't.

You're much too clever, Mr. Quick.

But I wouldn't be so sure of myself if I was you.

Mr. Quick?

Mr. Wilson, my hood.

Yes, sir.

Pleased to meet you.

I understand you've been looking for me.

Yeah, I got some business to discuss with you, Mr. My Hood.

I hear there's a nigger named Armistead Howlett.

It's causing you all kind of trouble.

Come in, let's talk about it.

I guess I better do that.

Give me some of that.

No.

No, no, no.

Give it to me.

Give me a little kiss.

I can't.

There's too much happening.

You come here to talk, I came here to fool around with you, didn't I?

Well, some of the things stand in between us.

Everything used to be so easy.

You're not going to change from me, honey.

I don't know.

This is Ben Quick showing up.

Ben Quick, what the hell has Ben Quick got to do with you?

He's a fascinating man, listen.

One takes notice of a man like that.

You don't, you understand me?

No, no, you don't.

No, you don't.

I'm going to do a lot more to hurt you, thinking of any man, especially Ben Quick.

Listen, I've just tried to say that if Ben were gone, everything could go right.

No, shut up, shut up, shut up.

Uh-uh, no more Ben Quick, okay?

Don't say his name again.

Ben Quick, Ben Quick, Ben Quick, Ben Quick, Ben Quick.

Ben Quick, damn you.

You know what you do.

You tease me, and you taunt me, and you drive me crazy, and you think I'm

going to keep coming back to you, don't you?

You always do.

Damn you.

I'm sick of this.

Oh, God.

Ben, stop it, Wilson.

Say, get up, boy.

What did you do to my wife?

Let me quit it.

Stop it.

Stop it, Jody.

Stop it.

Ben, get it.

Jody, quit it.

Jody, stop it.

Stop it.

This way.

Protect him.

He's your lover, isn't he?

It wasn't him.

It was Wilson.

He went crazy.

Jody, he just went crazy.

He went wild.

He's been sleeping with me.

He attacked me.

He went wild, honey.

He's just crazy.

Oh, baby.

I'll kill him.

Jody!

I'll kill him!

Minnie, you see Jody?

I sure did.

He flew through here about seven miles an hour, about 15 minutes ago.

What's wrong?

Honey, I haven't got time to tell you about it right now.

If you see him, call home and tell one of the girls.

Oh, my God, Will.

You stay put.

You sit up there on the porch and you stay just like you were when I pulled up.

Watch out for Jody.

Will, don't do nothing foolish.

Don't worry about me.

It's like Armstead and Seldin's a wrong man.

Lots of wrong men in this town.

Everybody knows Wilson was planning to take back this place.

Well, that wouldn't give me the reason to burn it down now, would it?

No, there's only one man in Frenchmen's band who'd settle his accounts this way.

I knew we'd better settle our accounts with him.

You coming?

Yeah.

Me too.

I thought you'd be long gone by now, boy.

I could send you up in a flash and nobody'd even miss you.

It's about time I got me some satisfaction, don't you think?

You ain't got the guts, Ben Quick.

You're all show.

Don't you get the hell out of here now.

I got a chunk of money coming to me, boy.

My business ain't done.

Your business isn't done.

Wilson, my hood's dead.

The source of your income is dried up, old man.

Hell, boy.

You make an old man proud.

You go beyond barn burning, you go right to the heart.

Keep it up.

Get the hell out of here!

Get up!

Keep running, boy.

My name is Scorched in your hide.

Nothing's gonna change that.

Did you find Jody?

Big mob out there coming this way.

Maybe he's heard or done something crazy.

You should've thought about that a long time ago, view look.

How long before they get here?

Two minutes.

Give or take a bottle of whiskey.

What on earth are we gonna do?

You're gonna keep that face of yours out of sight.

You're gonna do fancy.

Poppy, you might need this.

No, no.

It'd make me look afraid, would you not?

Then I'll be standing upstairs with it.

You know, this is all you're doing.

I hope to hell you know what you're gonna do today.

I want your advice.

I'll ask for a little sit down.

Nothing's been right since Ben Quick showed up here.

Now he's gone and burned down the...

Now you don't know that Ben Quick has done a blessed thing.

Rest your mind, Eula.

Stop thinking.

Go on upstairs and get some more ice on your face.

Thank you, Johnny.

Looks like you've been rolling the dirt bend.

I have been.

Back in company?

I always expect company.

You're a very popular fella.

Barn was burned.

You do it?

Does it make any difference?

It's a whole lot of difference to me.

You're a gambling man.

I'd say I'm a barn burner.

Place your bet.

Get out of here!

Come on out here!

Come on out!

What are we gonna talk to you?

Yeah!

Hey, where are you going?

Come on in!

What are we gonna talk to you?

Come on out of there!

We know you had sex!

Come on in!

Hey, burner!

Give him up, Will!

Quiet down.

I say you're feeling kind of rowdy on this hot summer night.

We want Ben Quick!

Here I thought you was paying me and my family a social call.

Where is your army to bond?

You brought him into this town, Barnard.

We're gonna get him out.

Sir, he works for you.

Well, he does indeed, and I'm mighty glad to have him.

Give him up, Barnard!

Now, boys, you're barking up the wrong tree.

It's a hot night.

And for sizzling this weather, I know you're upset about Armistice Bond, so am I.

But it wasn't Ben Quick that burned it.

He's a walking torch, Barnard, and you know it!

What I know is that he was working here with me tonight, all night.

Send him out!

Now, someone kindly tell me how man can be in two places at the same time.

Let him come out here and tell us why you protect me.

Oh!

I'm trying to see you!

You swear he was with you?

Right here in this house, pouring over my books.

Now, go get some rest, boys.

Get some sleep.

Tomorrow you'll see things clearly.

Don't be mad, pal!

Bring it up!

I tell you, those boys are less than a sweet voice of reason.

Papa stood in front of his friends and lied for that man, a stranger.

Papa saved his neck.

Got a bad eula.

Get out of my room, Ben Quick.

Tell me something.

Is that gun to protect your daddy?

Or me?

Maybe it's to protect me from all you.

Lady, this whole night has been filled with threats against my life.

I need to use it.

Or let go.

Please leave, Mr. Quick.

Do you ever ask yourself, Miss Mo?

Just what it is you're so afraid of.

Jody?

No, honey.

It's just me.

All right, darling.

Here, honey, take a photo.

Yeah.

It's God's milk.

Mm-hmm.

You been looking for Jody?

Yeah, you seen him?

No.

I hear they come here looking for Ben.

You know, if they'd have found him, they'd have

skinned his hide right out there on my lawn.

They'd have skinned the wrong man.

I know that.

You're always so damn sure of yourself.

You ever known me to be wrong?

Well, if I did, I wouldn't tell you about it.

Well, what is it with fathers and sons?

One, I'm always racing to get to the top.

The other one's scratching and crawling and desperate to get over the other one.

You're speaking in generalities, Minnie.

Maybe so.

But I heard a lot between you and Jody.

And I heard you hollering his name out at night.

He's scared of death.

He's gonna do something.

I'm scared he's done something already.

I'm not scared of nothing.

It's in your voice, honey.

I've known that voice too long.

Too long not to know there's something wrong with something behind it.

Will.

Will, I... I've been hearing things at the hotel.

Ben ain't no barn-burner.

It's his daddy.

What are you talking about?

Fathers and sons.

That boy's got a daddy.

And he's the one that torched that barn.

Will.

Something else I heard too.

Will smell it's dead.

What?

How?

Damn fine though, but I know he's dead.

I know he's dead and Ben knows it too.

Jody.

Since when does that make a difference to you, Pop?

Since right now.

They got something to tell me, son.

I always got something to tell you, Pop.

Trouble is, you never listen.

Honey, you're a cop.

I got a cool rag here.

Why don't you come over here and let me wipe that sweat away.

Huh?

Aren't you curious as to where he is?

Where who is, honey?

Your lover.

You're my lover, Jody.

Don't play the fool with me, girl.

I'm not playing.

Maybe he's gone off without you.

Maybe your Wilson Mahood is run off without you.

I don't care about him.

I'm your wife, Jody.

Not as a hell of a time to think about that.

Maybe if I had a husband who did more than Tom.

I

Don't like what's happening to us.

Where are you going?

I don't.

It's a hot night and I'm in no mood to sleep.

Yula!

Yula!

What's going on here?

Yula.

Yula!

You don't seem to pay you much mind, son.

Oh, get out of my life, Papa.

I am your life.

Since when are you my life?

You... you know nothing about my life, old man.

All you know is what you want it to be, what you want me to be.

Well, I was not created in your image.

I am my own man.

Shut up, man boy!

If you're a man, you get children and I'd have ears.

Yes.

Well, you don't need me for that, Papa.

You bought yourself a stud and Mr. Ben quick.

I left a big footprint.

I said here, step in.

Fill it.

You never did.

It must be torture for you, Papa.

Knowing that I'm the best that you left behind.

Huh?

Isaac?

Isaac?

What's so funny?

What is it?

It's a fly.

It's beautiful.

It's me.

I want her too.

I'm scared, you lie.

I'm scared, you lie.

It's gonna be alright.

It'll be alright.

You scared me.

It'll be alright.

You in early, honey.

You noticed that, did you?

You notice that Ben Quick ain't here at all?

I don't pay much mind to Ben's whereabouts.

Papa should be here to see this.

You tell him.

You tell him when you see him that his son opened the store this morning.

I will, honey.

And cleaned it.

Look at that counter.

Go on, look at it.

Looks real good, honey.

Good?

Well, that kind of looks like a kind of supposed to look.

Everything ready to sell.

Nobody knows how to sell better than I do.

You ain't been home yet?

I'm sorry about last night, honey.

You ain't even been home to change?

I was with Isaac all night, Jody.

That's all.

Must have been a hell of a challenge for you.

I was just sitting up with him.

He needed someone.

Something's wrong with him.

Something's always wrong with Isaac.

Not like this.

He's scared to death.

Like he's seen a ghost.

Eula, I got work to do.

He's all alone.

I never realized it as much till this morning.

All of us alone, Eula.

One way or the other.

Afternoon, boys.

Well, just no.

Hampton, stay on afternoon.

Well, can we talk private?

Well, you're on my property, ain't you?

This is private.

We have found ourselves Wilson Mahood's car.

Well, I'm sure Wilson been mighty glad to hear that.

Does he know it was missing?

There's blood in the car.

Dirt and blood.

That wasn't a big man, huh?

You ought to be able to spare some.

I understand he got himself in a fight with Ben Quigg.

Boys will be boys.

I also understand your boy went looking for Wilson that night, and he was very angry.

Hampton, we've been friends.

We go back a ways.

You wouldn't accuse my boy of no wrongdoing, would you?

I ain't accusing anybody of anything, Will.

Good.

Since Ben Quigg was with me that night, all night.

No, he wasn't, Papa.

As I know it, Ben Quigg was gone most of the night.

Whatever the truth is, tell Mr. Quigg he's being watched here.

Afternoon.

No, boys.

Can you tell Jody to take care of yourself?

You here?

You got in so bad for that boy that you'd stand against me in front of my friends?

Well, if I stand with Ben Quigg, who's going to stand with my brother?

You know, I find it very interesting that you can find alibis for a perfect

stranger, but you can't find one for your own son.

There's a bond down, Papa, and a man is missing.

And all of that has happened ever since Ben Quigg walked up these steps.

If I thought Ben Quigg was a bonder, I'd be the first one to turn him in.

And as far as Wilson Mudd is concerned, I hope they never find the best.

Quigg!

Come on in!

What a pleasant surprise.

Good morning.

Morning.

Mr. Quigg?

Mr. Stewart?

You're a man of privilege... plus talent.

You try to flatter me, Ben?

Men is a compliment.

No, I don't see there's much difference.

They both seem to get the same results.

What's that?

People's attention.

All right.

You've got my attention.

Folks respect you in this town.

No, no, I appreciate that.

Especially from a man who not too long ago decided I was his enemy.

Even enemies have common ground.

I like this town.

I like the people in it.

Thinking about making it my home.

But I can see there's some things that need to be done

even though I may not be the man to do them.

Take Armstead's barn, for instance.

I'll bet you and Noel Varner could put on a barn-racing party

that would take care of that problem.

Noel Varner could do anything she set her mind to.

Well, then you'd make yourselves one hell of a team, wouldn't you?

Well, it's your idea, Ben.

Why don't you throw the party?

Well, I've never even been invited to a party much less thrown one.

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Give me a big kiss, huh?

Okay?

C'mon, cut.

Okay, he's welcome to his dinner.

See you later.

A lot of bets on the boards.

Some time it'll look all right.

What good luck's got to come down.

Taking over a French from this place, you know.

Probably planning to make some changes there, too.

Well, the way he's going, he'll probably find a hidden treasure.

Just a thing, a property owner.

When all he started with was a book of matches.

Hey, will you take a look at that?

Ten to one army knocks his butt right outta here.

I tell ya, no boy can do it, too.

Mr. Quake?

Mr. Howlett?

Some people say you got a hell of a nerve showing

up for a barn raising after a barn burning.

What do you say?

I'd say you got a clear conscience.

Mr. Howlett?

There's a man over twelve years old that's got a clear conscience.

Step right up.

I have a hula line lockin'!

That's my name!

You must be a mighty uncomfortable man, Ben.

If I had a cop watchin' every mood I made, I'd be mighty itchy.

Yeah, you better start scratchin', Cody.

I wonder what those two boys have to talk about.

Each of these young ladies is packed to box lunch, gentlemen.

And the highest bidder wins not only the sumptuous of mouth water and vittles,

but the privilege of eatin' them with the young

lady who prepared them with her own delicate hands.

Now, let's start here with a young lady who's responsible for all this.

Miss Noel Vana, everyone's favorite English teacher.

Now, what am I offered for this lovely and educated young lady's box lunch?

Ten dollars.

Ten dollars.

Anybody aim to hike that sum?

Fifteen.

Fifteen dollars.

A competitor.

Do I hear twenty dollars?

Twenty dollars.

Twenty dollars.

Twenty dollars!

Twenty-five.

Watch out.

Do I hear thirty dollars?

Thirty.

I have thirty dollars.

Thirty dollars goin' once, goin' twice.

Forty dollars.

I got forty dollars!

I got forty dollars goin' once, goin' twice.

Fifty dollars.

Fifty dollars!

Fifty dollars goin' once.

Fifty dollars goin' twice.

Come on, boys, keep it up.

One hundred.

One hundred�

�dollars goin' once.

One hundred dollars goin' twice.

So, Mr. Ben Quick, for once.

I know that this young lady's devil's good cake

with tipped an angel, because I'm her daddy.

What am I offered for a culinary experience?

Well, come on.

Either we eat it or the ants will.

That was quite a gesture back there.

How you gonna live for the rest of the month?

I got prospects.

He's good.

See what else you got in him.

Fancy little napkins.

Dandy little sandwiches with the crust cut off.

I guess you don't want my hair to get curly.

What's this?

Them frosted cakes.

Surely you got a bigger appetite than this.

Bull, Mr. Quick.

From the mouth of a lady.

You heard me.

You know, you've got some foolish ideas about me.

I'm not some little trembling rabbit with smoldering repressed desires.

Is that a fact?

Yes, that is a fact, Mr. Quick.

I am a woman full grown of sound intelligence.

And I'm not half bad to look at.

Amen.

And I expect to live to the top of my bent without any help from you.

Well, you're a regular fire eater, ain't you?

Well, you don't like my fire, Mr. Quick.

You're too much like the old man to suit me, and honey, I'm an authority on him.

Yeah, wonderful old man.

One wolf recognizes another.

Thomas.

I don't want to tame anybody.

I want a partner, a lover, and a friend.

I gave up on you the first time I looked in those cold, green eyes.

Well, at least you got the color right.

I got everything right, Mr. Quick.

Run.

Run like hell.

Buy a bus ticket and disappear.

Change your name, dye your hair, get lost.

And maybe you'll be safe from me.

Finished here in the hope.

Yes, Alan, thank you.

Let's get out of here.

It's all decay, Alan.

The heat and the damp eat through the wood.

And before you know it, something beautiful rots away inside.

That happens with neglect.

It's been a long, hot summer.

Things have been breaking loose in this town.

Well, maybe things have been breaking loose inside of me.

Alan, this is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.

Tell me about it.

Maybe I can make it easier.

I've told people you love me.

I've told myself you love me.

I've done that for almost two years now.

But I've never once heard you say it.

Not once.

I love you, Norm.

Enough to commit yourself to me?

Would you care for me?

Let me care for you?

Good days, bad days.

And in between?

Would you be there?

Will you marry me, Alan?

I would.

But I'd be doing you a great disservice.

God, I do love you.

But not the way a man's supposed to love a woman.

I

Don't feel the passion that other men feel.

That I'm supposed to feel.

I'm sorry.

For both of us.

How terrible it must have been for you.

With all those Friday nights with my father's snarl and her chills.

It was never terrible.

I never had one bad moment with you.

Forgive me for wasting your time all these years.

Alan, our time together has never been wasted.

I feel as though nature's played a trick on us.

Maybe she's wiser than we know.

We know you're all tired.

It's been a long day.

But for us, a good one.

And we thank you.

So let's have some fun.

Back up the band.

Oh, honey, don't you tired?

Don't you want to go home now?

I can't leave him just sitting out there.

Hell, he knows his way home.

He hasn't moved all day.

What makes you think he's going to go now?

Honey, won't talk to me.

Won't even let me touch him.

Won't you please take him home for me?

You love... I'll go to ride home with Papa.

Just make sure Isaac gets back home.

Isaac, come on, boy.

Isaac�

�time to go home, boy.

He's eating us up out here.

It's getting dark.

You don't want to be out here in the dark now, do you?

Come on, son.

Nobody's going to hurt you.

Ben, Ben, Ben Quick, hurry.

What are you talking about?

Ben Quick.

He hurt me?

Pick a hole.

You know what's so big?

Wilson.

Eula.

Wilson, what's Wilson got to do with him?

Wilson, Eula.

What are you talking about, Wilson?

No, Wilson.

Isaac.

God.

Isaac.

Adam, where do we want him?

Wake up, I got something I want to show you.

What time is it?

It's four thirty.

What time is it?

Oh, hell.

Are you telling me Ben Quick did this?

Did you see him do it?

No, but I just did.

Damn it, Joly, this whole town's got an end for Ben Quick.

And I can't say I blame him.

We're talking murder here, boy, and all you're

giving me is a word of the town, dimwit.

Come here, boy.

Come here.

Come on.

Why don't you tell him?

Did you see Ben Quick dig this hole?

Well, boy... Did you?

Did you see Ben Quick stick with some of the

hood in his muck and try and cover him up?

Boy, you better tell me what the hell went on here.

Go on.

Good boy.

Good boy, Isaac.

Now, he may be dimwitted, but he ain't blind.

Now, you tell me what you intend to do about this, Hampton.

Have trouble sleeping, Ben?

Nope.

Just chose to stay awake.

You know why we're here?

I'd say you heard some nasty gossip.

Hey, what's going on here, boy?

We're here to arrest Ben Quick for the murder of Wilson Mahood.

I had that one figured, right?

Wilson Mahood is dead, and your boy killed him, Papa.

How do you know Ben did it?

Isaac Saul.

Isaac.

Isaac's always seeing things.

We're just here to do our duty, Will.

We deal his rights.

Why are you talking rights?

Keep in mind, this is my house, my property.

There's no choice here, Will.

No man.

You seem mighty relieved to have Ben out of your way.

I think you would be, too.

You want a killer living under your roof?

Maybe I still got one.

Me?

A killer?

Well, Papa, I love life.

I feel life in me.

But for the first time in years, my insides are shaken with life.

Get in that house.

Get in there!

Shaken!

I feel good, you are.

That's good, honey.

That's real fun.

So what do we owe our thanks for this sudden change in fortune?

Because Ben quick got what he deserved.

Papa put his money on the wrong horse, and I came out the winner.

You're hurting me.

You're taking what's mine, and how is everyone going to stand that way but again?

No!

No!

No!

No!

Ugh!

Last time I saw anything like that was during the war.

But I was never to see it again.

It's going to take some time.

What are you talking about?

He's murdered.

It's plain to see how.

Why don't you wait for the autopsy, Jodie, before you start jumping to conclusions?

He was murdered, Lou.

Look at his chest.

I don't know any such thing, Causton.

There's one thing my years in his business have taught me is to expand.

Well, you can pontificate all you want.

Man was murdered.

Whoever did it knew him.

That's right.

Well, why is that?

Face is slash bad.

He wants left of it.

I read somewhere that if the face is disfigured, a killer knew the victim.

Well, that don't mean a whole lot.

Everybody knows everybody in this town.

All right, let's get him out of here.

Damn mosquito.

You're swatting the wrong insect.

Hell, it drew blood.

So did Ben Quick.

I don't see you doing nothing about him.

If a man's in jail, what more do you want?

It's the second section.

We sit here and allow a stranger to come in and start running our lives for us.

One by one.

Someone who's been kicked out of every other county around you.

That much is true.

We let him in with open arms.

And what we got to show for it?

Almost dead loses his bond.

I got a new one.

Wilson Mahood's dead.

One of our very own and we let it happen.

Look, he's in jail.

But you know he's going to get off.

You don't think he won't be laughing about it.

He's over there laughing already.

Well, we can't be much about that now, can we?

We got a town that's been sleeping all through the summer.

It's time we woke him up.

We got a lot of guns at the jail.

Yeah, but we got more.

Anybody that's worth an assault around here has got a gun.

Where you going?

You said something about getting a gun, didn't you?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Come on.

We got a job to do.

Miss Noah!

Miss Noah!

Army?

There's Noah.

We got trouble.

What?

It's Ben.

They're going to take him.

You better come quick.

I'll be right down.

I

Got this here rope to sleep with a horse I bought.

Remember?

I think it's over and right.

We use it on the man that I bought that crazy rope from.

Alright, let's go.

Let's get him now.

Let's get him.

Let's get that kid.

I didn't get�

�much rest today.

Don't care, Hampton.

There ain't no way I'm going to work.

We are moving to the next test.

On the bottom.

Just turn him over.

That damn thing on us and you know it.

Come on, Houston.

It's my job.

If you still want your job, then let us through.

About five of you guys ain't going to make it.

You're here to protect us.

Not scum like thick.

That's right.

They're gone.

They've headed off out back.

Damn.

They're here for criticism.

What the hell are we standing here for?

What are we going to do when we get there?

Damn DiVano.

Why are you so anxious to save Banquet?

Karma City burned you out.

Barnburner, don't go around talking people into building a new one.

Did they?

It was his idea.

No, he took no credit for it.

The question is, if he's a barnburner, if he

killed Wilson LaHood, why are you helping him?

Watch it!

Man.

Oh, my God.

He's got cuffs on him.

Get some keys or something.

He'll be all right there.

Is that you coming down the road?

Hey, give us a hand.

It's just like you know, Varner.

Hang on.

Hurry.

There's a guy on the other side.

Okay, let's get him up.

Hey, they're coming.

We better get out of here.

Get on that phone.

Keep trying.

You got somebody to get an ambulance down here.

We're gonna make it.

Come in.

We got an accident over here.

We need some help.

Is he dead?

First, quick.

We can do your luck.

Darner, Hanson, where is he?

Get inside and stay there.

I'll be back as fast as I can.

And then what?

Haven't had time to think about that yet.

Maybe you should.

Ben, I've been thinking all my life.

So this is a new experience for me.

Don't go and spoil it for me by being rational all of a sudden.

I'm not going now.

I've got things to do.

Where the hell is Ben Quick!

You had anything to do with turning him loose, boy.

You and what's troubling he is.

A retail crisis brings out the best in people.

You're an exception to the rule, Wilk.

Going on a holiday, Noel?

Noel, what the hell is going on?

Nothing, Papa.

You're an awfully big rust, little sister.

You joining the chase?

Are you the rabbit, Dad?

No.

Where the hell are you going?

I'm leaving.

You're running away, aren't you?

With Ben Quick.

She's running away with Ben Quick.

That's who those boys are chasing tonight, ain't it?

They're going to meet Jody.

You got them out, didn't you?

No, you got them here.

You're hurting me, Joe.

Where have you got them here?

That's your sister's business.

Ben, quick is your business, Papa.

You think you're running after your true love?

Hell.

He paid for him!

The same way he paid for the clothes on your back.

Jody!

What do you think he stuck around all that time?

Papa paid him to stick around.

Is that true?

Oh, honey.

Is that true?

Ben, quick is a paid-for stud.

Bought by Will Bonner, the service's only daughter.

All for the sake of his immortality.

There's only one place that Ben, quick can hide out.

There's only one place he can call his own.

My place.

Jody!

Aussie.

I only did what I thought was best for you.

No, you did what you thought was best for you.

I want to be left alone.

No.

There's been a long silence between us.

This is a night for a father and daughter to talk.

No.

Ask yourself.

What are children for?

Why does a man want them?

To give yourself a second chance to write all the mistakes that you made yourself?

There's truth in that.

But you and Jody are living proof of how your mama and me felt about each other.

Now I'll tell you something remarkable.

That woman loved me.

And she did.

She didn't know.

And if you can love a man, then he can love you back.

You got nothing to be afraid of.

But they say Ben Quick's a dangerous man.

Mm-hmm.

And a hallelujah for her.

Now you and I both know Ben Quick's no bond runner.

And God saved me through this.

He didn't kill Wilson Mahoud.

I know that.

So you did pay for Ben Quick.

Well, Papa... this time�

�you finally got your money's worth.

Rosie... I can't help you if you won't talk to me.

I... I love you.

I love you.

I love you, too.

I love you.

I love you, too.

I love you.

What the hell are we standing around here for?

We got a killer out there.

Let's move it!

Don't you think this has gone far enough?

You're going about this the wrong way.

Let's go back to town and get to the bottom of it.

Let's go get Ben!

You do what you want.

We're gonna find Ben Quick!

Come on, boys!

Let's get it!

I hate... I hate Wilson.

I hate you.

I hate Wilson.

I did a bad thing.

What, Isaac?

What?

I did a bad thing.

Ben Quick!

Ain't nowhere to run this time, Ben.

You're gonna burn me out, Jody.

You ever stick around and see how hot the fire gets, or you just�

�keep on running and never look back?

You and me are a lot alike, Jody.

Yeah?

How's that, Ben?

I let my daddy put me on the run my whole life, because I

never gave a damn about anything strong enough to fight for it.

And you... you stood by and sulked, because you couldn't get your daddy's respect�

�pretending the whole time that it's his fault.

Well, it ain't, boy!

It's yours.

Mine.

You shut the hell up.

You want your wife back, take her.

You want your daddy's respect, fight for it.

That's what I'm doing.

This place is going down, Ben.

God, no more.

No more!

Bridget, let's go!

Listen to you!

Hell, it ain't me you're fighting!

Who is it, Ben?

Who is it?!

Ourself!

Ourself?!

We're killing ourselves so we can't span who the hell we are!

We're killing ourselves so we can't span who the hell we are!

Come on, let's get the hell out of here.

Get down!

Come on, let's get the hell out of here!

Come on, get out of here!

Get out of here!

Come on, get in here!

Get out of here!

Get off me!

Hey!

Hey, come on!

Hey!

Get in here!

Coughing...

You gotta pray, huh boy?

You better say it now... Get away!

Get away!

Stop!

Stop!

I said stop!

Hey, Jody!

Get out of my way!

Move!

Jody, put in here!

What makes you so sure you got the right man?

Does nobody else make sense, Jody?

Is that what you think?

That's what we all think.

I'm the one set that fire!

Jody, don't!

Listen to me, sir!

Why don't you listen to me, Papa?

Amazing what we got inside ourselves, ain't it?

We think we know each other.

Well, here I am.

I came here to burn out Ben Crick, but it was you.

I was trying to burn out Papa, you and me.

Nothing is hanging!

They don't change the fact that Ben quick

burned Army out, and he killed Wilson for good.

Stop!

Stop!

Isaac saw Wilson hurt me and he wanted to hurt

him back, but he didn't know what killing is.

He just kept striking at him.

No, nobody else.

Yeah, you don't expect us to believe that.

Ben saw him doing it and was trying to protect Isaac.

Now tell me, you got something against that?

Take that rope off.

Take that rope off.

No!

Bring it up!

Now, let's finish him off.

Take it off!

Don't do it!

Don't do it!

Y'all going home?

Come on, get!

Come on, you guys are mad!

He's going to listen to Wilke here at Jodie Bonner.

Got a choice.

Don't make it stupid.

Start over.

Come on, boys.

Let's go.

Looks like maybe I found my son.

I never knew you'd lost one, Papa.

Come on.

This time I felt like he could have run fast enough.

I had no intention to front him.

Come on, honey.

You're coming home with us.

God, I'm sick of this sight.

I've not seen it 50 or 100 times.

I was 10 years old the last time I saw my daddy�

�until this summer.

I

Remember lying in a ditch.

I ended up God that I could just disappear.

My house was burning.

Men were shouting.

I remember gunshots and the smell of kerosene.

My daddy running.

Before I knew it, I was running too.

I never stopped.

Until I came here.

Hard-headed.

Since you saved my life, I guess I can return the favor.

Get the hell out of yours.

Will?

You were right.

There's a fortune in gold in there.

The deal's off.

I ain't for sale no more.

See you around.

Talk here wherever you go.

I'll break you.

Now you are.

You'll miss me.

Run like hell.

Buy a bus, ticket, disappear, change your name, die your hair, get lost.

Or maybe you'll be safer than me.