Original subtitles

JOLENE: I married Mickey HoIIer when I was 1 5.

He was 20 years oId, Mickey -- real name, Mervin.

JUDGE: I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Are you happy, baby?

Oh, sure I am, Mickey.

[ Both laugh ]

Welcome to the family, pumpkin.

Mm.

It sure is gonna be nice having you around

with my knuckleheaded nephew here.

-You did good, bub. -Yeah.

If your mama were alive today, she'd be proud of you, too.

Congratulations.

I sincerely hope it works out for the both of y'aII.

Thank you!

[ Laughs ]

M ICKEY: Yeah!

Hold on. Don't fall, baby.

Get on my back.

JOLENE: I came from a series of foster homes,

where my so-called "daddies" wouId end up fooIing with me.

Here we go!

[ Laughs ]

My foster moms wouId beat me for no reason. . .

and every reason. . .

so I married Mickey.

I'll see you later, Uncle Phil.

Thanks, Aunt Kay.

[ Engine turns over ]

Bye.

Mickey seemed like a dream come true.

All l ever had to do was say what I wanted,

Iike go to a movie

or get a griIIed-cheese sandwich with a chocolate shake,

and it became his whole purpose in life.

Uncle Phil's gonna give me some more routes soon.

I was thinking that, you know, when you finish schooI

and we save up some money, in a few years,

we shouId start to think about getting a place of our own.

In a few years?

Well, yeah.

I mean, Uncle Phil and Aunt Kay don't mind.

I mean, you are family now.

Well, I know.

It was just --

l was kind of hoping we could get our own place,

like, in a few months.

WeII, hey, my baby wants a place of her own,

my baby's gonna get a place of her own. . .

in a few months.

Really, Mickey?

Yes, Ma'am!

You don't gotta worry about nothin' no more.

He Ioved me -- and that was a pIus.

[ Laughing ]

Even if he didn't know much about it.

[ Jeff Carson's "I Thought I was A Stud" plays ]

♪ I was a wiId-eyed, skirt-chasin' ♪

♪ Love-takin' troublemaker ♪

♪ BuiIt Ford tough, every square inch a heII-raiser ♪

♪ The bar-room king of this town ♪

♪ And then -- ♪

[ Music stops ]

[ K.C. & The Sunshine Band's "Shake Your Booty" plays ]

♪ Baby, babe ♪

PHIL: Hey, hey, everybody!

♪ Here comes the bride ♪

♪ All dressed in white ♪

[ Jolene giggles ]

Mm.

Ain't she just the prettiest thing you ever seen?

My, my.

[ Smooches ]

Mickey Holler, I think you've got horseshoes up your ass.

That's for sure.

I'm the luckiest guy alive.

I'll say.

Excuse us.

Mick, I hate to break this to you,

knowing it's your weddin' day and aII,

but we're a little shorthanded tomorrow.

I'm gonna have to have you fiII in for Leroy.

-What? -Yeah. His mama died.

Tomorrow?! Well, shit!

Hey, you're a married man now. You have a wife to support.

I know, but, Uncle Phil, come on!

-Are you a man? -I. . . .

Mick, are you a man, or are you a mouse?

I. . . uh. . .

Mick.

Philip!

Yes, dear?

Burgers -- they're on fire.

Oh, shit.

Well. . . .

This will be your new home. . .

for now.

Mm.

There's spare sheets and blankets in the cIoset.

Towels are in the bathroom under the sink.

Thank you, Ma'am.

Do you know how to cook?

Oh, of course, Aunt Kay.

[ Sighs ]

I'm not your aunt, Jolene.

Please, call me by my name -- Kay.

Of course, Kay.

Mickey, I don't think your aunt likes me.

Hey! How can you say that?

UncIe PhiI and Aunt Kay, they think you're real special.

And you're my wife, for chrissakes!

[ Brakes squeal ]

[ Bell rings ]

Hold on!

Give your husband a kiss good-bye.

Now go learn something for me. . .

[ Laughs ]

. . .and teach it to me later.

Okay.

So, what do you think?

I don't like it.

It doesn't seem real.

Then try drawing what you've seen or experienced.

Most of the things I've seen, l'd never want to draw.

Then draw the rest.

Okay. I'll try.

[ Exhales ]

You have talent, Jolene.

It'll come to you, if you let it.

Great meal, Jolene.

Yes sirree. [ Chuckles ]

Ain't she a peach?

What is that special sauce on top?

Well, whatever it is, it sure is gourmet-like.

[ Grunts softly, gulps ]

Where did you learn how to cook?

I taught myself.

WeII, you don't need to Iearn anything more about meatloaf, sugar.

It's gourmet-like.

Thanks, but I got to save some room for dessert.

Oh. I'm sorry.

I-I didn't make any dessert.

That meatloaf was so sweet-tasting,

it was Iike having dessert and dinner all rolled into one.

Maybe you could think about making a-a salad

or a vegetable next time.

Well, if you're still hungry, Aunt Kay,

we can run out and get you some ice cream.

No, thank you, Mickey. l'm fuII.

Anyway, don't forget to clean up, okay?

Oh. lf you want, Kay, I can make you a sandwich.

Oh, my.

Maybe she shouId do her own damn cooking.

It wasn't that bad, was it?

Oh, God, no, baby. lt was great.

[ Sighs ]

You almost done with that?

Yeah.

I'm tired.

Good.

I got somethin' for you.

Go ahead. Open it.

My birthday isn't till tomorrow.

I know, but. . . this is for tonight.

Gee. . . .

Mickey, it's so nice!

I picked it out myself.

Aren't you gonna try it on?

The ladies at the store were asking me all sorts of questions

about your sizes and everything.

And I just hope that I got it right.

[ Laughs ]

I got it from Berman's if you want to return it.

No, I like it!

Thanks, Mickey.

I'm sure I'll grow into it.

You look good, baby.

Real sexy.

Come here.

Oh.

I wish my ma could have met you.

She'd love you just the same as me.

Mick?

Yeah?

How'd she die?

I don't want to talk about that right now.

But I'm your wife.

We ought to be able to share everything.

I know. We ought to.

I just don't want to talk about it right now.

Okay.

[ Sniffles ]

What's the matter, Mickey?

I'm just so lucky I found you.

[ Sniffles ]

[ Sobbing ] Happy birthday.

I'm sorry.

I love my present, Mickey.

Thank you.

[ Smooching ]

[ Sniffles ]

Jolene?

Shh.

[ Smooches ] Here.

JOLENE: He had no ambition.

[ Gasps lightly ]

[ Grunting ]

He no Ionger taIked about getting a IittIe pIace of our own

or moving toward anything

that wouId make things different for us than they were then.

[ Moans ]

He was a day-to-day person.

[ Sighs ]

Wakey, wakey!

♪ Tonight's the night I've been waiting for ♪

♪ Because you're not a baby ♪

♪ Anymore ♪

♪ You've turned into the prettiest girI I've ever seen ♪

♪ Happy birthday, sweet 1 6 ♪

[ Humming ]

[ Giggles ]

♪ Happy birthday, sweet JoIene ♪

Mm.

[ Slap ]

Get your skinny ass out of bed, boy!

"Boy"? Don't be callin' me that, old man!

Hey, hey, hey.

Why do you gotta get all sensitive about it?

I don't want you callin' me that in front of my wife.

Huh? What?

[ Clears throat ]

I hate to break up the happy little party here,

but, um, the kitchen floor is an absoIute mess,

and, well, being as you cooked last night, Jolene,

do you think you could possibly manage to cIean it up?

Sure, Kay. I ain't got nothin' better to do.

Oh, and, by the way, happy birthday.

JOLENE: UncIe PhiI was aIways tryin' to show off around me,

and he gave me great big hugs. . .

that Iasted way too Iong.

[ Exhales ]

[ "Shake Your Booty" plays ]

♪ Oh, everybody ♪

♪ Get on the floor ♪

♪ Let's dance ♪

♪ Don't fight your feeIings ♪

♪ Give yourseIf a chance ♪

[ Humming ]

♪ Shake, shake, shake ♪

♪ Shake your booty ♪

♪ Oh, shake, shake, shake ♪

♪ Shake, shake, shake ♪

♪ Shake your booty ♪

♪ Oh, you can ♪

♪ You can do it ♪

♪ Very weII ♪

♪ You're the best in the world ♪

♪ l can tell ♪

[ Gasps ]

[ Inhales sharply ]

♪ Oh, shake, shake, shake ♪

♪ Shake, shake, shake ♪

[ Gasps ]

♪ Shake your booty ♪

Happy birthday, pumpkin.

♪ Oh, shake, shake, shake ♪

♪ Shake, shake, shake ♪

♪ Shake your booty ♪

♪ Oh, oh, yeah ♪

♪ Shake, shake ♪

JOLENE: In my whoIe Iife,

l'd never been to where l couldn't wait to see someone.

I tried to contain myseIf, but l couldn't.

l don't know.

It was just that way with PhiI.

[ Both grunting ]

lt was so intense and constant,

so ever-present and undeniabIe

that PhiI was no Ionger Iaughing.

It was every day now,

and always between the hours of when Aunt Kay Ieft for the bank

and when Mickey would drive her home.

Poor Mickey.

I just feIt so sorry for him.

l couId keeI over right now and be perfectly fine with that.

Hey, I wouldn't be fine with that.

I think this must be one of the most beautifuI pIaces in the worId.

See that ridge over there?

We could build a house up there. Just you and me, pumpkin.

Look out over the valley every day,

and as long as you were there,

it wouId be the most beautiful place in the worId.

Kiss me, baby. Let's make it real.

Stop it, Phil.

[ Cries ]

It hurts too bad.

What hurts, angel?

Look at me.

I'm looking.

Can't you understand I'll wait for you, Phil?

However Iong it takes. Even till after Kay dies.

That's how much I care.

I love every little inch of you, JoIene,

and I'm not gonna give you up for anything or anyone.

But we got to be sensitive and careful.

I can be sensitive and careful.

We got to think about Mickey and Kay.

We don't got to think about anything right now.

[ TV chatter, Jolene giggling softly ]

[ Keys clank ]

[ Giggling continues ]

Do you hear something?

It's probably just the TV.

No, I hear something.

WOMAN: lt's something that's very, very important.

We have, back again, a bIood-pressure monitor!

Okay, here it is.

[ Channels changing, static ]

[ Giggling continues ]

[ Tires screech ]

WOMAN #2: Information not....

[ Giggling continues ]

[ Chuckling ]

Oh! Kay!

You little whore!

You little bitch! Damn you!

[ Grunting and screaming ]

You heinous little bitch!

The next time you want to ruin someone's Iife,

make it your own!

Aah!

[ Indistinct shouting ]

[ Shouting continues ]

[ Sobbing ]

KAY: How could you hurt Mickey?!

PHIL: No, no, no. Hey! Hey! Put that down!

Put that down!

[ Shouting continues ]

[ Sobbing ]

Mickey, I'm so sorry.

No, Mickey, please.

Mickey!

I didn't mean to hurt you!

Mickey, no!

[ Sobbing ]

[ Wailing ]

[ Engine turns over ]

PHIL: Well, it's your damn fault!

[ Shouting continues ]

Mickey!

[ Brakes squeal ]

[ Engine shuts off ]

Ohh!

[ Water splashes ]

JOLENE: When they toId me about Mickey, I cried for days.

I'm gonna give you a mild sedative so you can sleep tonight.

You're just gonna feel a IittIe pinch.

Aah.

Now, why don't you go ahead and lie back on down?

Come on.

Protective services want to see you in the morning.

They want to talk to you about what happened.

But it was an accident. I told you.

I know, honey.

Try to get some sleep.

They put me in a moteI by the interstate

untiI they couId figure out what to do with me.

They caIIed me a home-wrecker,

but also a widow,

but aIso a juveniIe deIinquent with no living relatives.

I guess everything they said about me was true.

They sent a psychiatrist that worked for the county to interview me.

Tell me your feelings about Mickey.

He loved me.

Nobody ever did before.

Did you love Mickey?

I miss him.

And Philip?

lt was the double cross of all time.

He recommended l be sent to the juveniIe Ioony bin

until such time l was to become a reasonable adult.

I had toId my story in aII honesty,

and for that I was sent away. . .

. . .to be punished for it.

My name is Mrs. Ames,

and I'm the head nurse here at South Sumter.

And this is Cindy. She's your attendant.

She'll be looking after you,

along with all the other girls in your ward.

I'm here every day except Friday.

FoIIow the ruIes, and we will get along just great.

Do you have any questions for us?

C-could I have some paper and some colored pencils

to draw with?

Unfortunately, pens and pencils are not aIIowed in our faciIity.

But maybe we can get you some CrayoIas.

Would that do?

Yes, Ma'am.

Do you have anything to add?

Just the pills.

Here you go.

[ Pills rattle ]

Take these.

But I'm not sick.

Don't worry. Everybody here takes 'em.

Come on.

Good girl.

[ Door closes ]

[ Young woman crying softly ]

JOLENE: After a few days,

I Iearned that this was no pIace to get back your wits,

even if you never Iost them in the first place.

MAN: Your Honor. . . .

About two months later,

I was caIIed upon to prove to the judge l was 1 6. . .

However, we do reserve the right. . . .

. . .which made Phil a statutory rapist.

Thank you.

JUDGE: Very weII. The witness is excused.

At first. . .

. . .I didn't know what was different about him

until l realized that his hair was gray.

Phil.

He must have been dying it all this time.

Hey, Red.

Here.

I can't imagine you mixed up with that creep.

He ought to be taken out and hung up by his balls.

Fuckin' child molester.

No, it was my fault.

Now, that's a load of crap.

You know, in my opinion, all men are pigs.

[ Coughs ]

Hey.

Practice with these.

Come on, take 'em.

[ Chuckles lightly ]

Now, just don't tell the doc, okay?

Now, Red,

don't let anything they said about you back there bother you.

Okay?

You're just a pretty girI that got taken advantage of.

I don't belong here, Cindy.

Oh, I know you don't,

but it's just how the system works.

It's killing me.

Well, you just do your time, and before you know it,

you'll be starting all over again.

Come on. Let's get you to bed.

Kill the lights in five minutes.

JOLENE: l heard that Phil got sentenced

to 1 8 months in state prison.

I reaIIy couIdn't care Iess, being in one of my own.

[ Smooches ]

Fuck! Aah!

[ Sobbing ]

[ Crying ]

[ Sobbing ]

Hey!

[ Wailing ]

We got a bleeder!

No! Let me die!

Let me die!

We got a bleeder here! We got a bIeeder!

Let me die!

Let me die! Let me die! Damn it!

[ Door slams in distance, screaming stops ]

[ Knock on door ]

Hey. Pill time!

[ Door closes ]

[ Gulps ]

I'm gonna take a break. You want to go for a smoke?

Won't I get in trouble?

Hey, you're with me.

Oh, of course.

[ Chuckles ]

Hey, Red.

Geez, this is good!

I wish I had me some watercolors.

Let's go.

Just a sec.

lsn't it amazing how you can still find beauty

no matter where you are?

Mm.

I don't know if I ever told you,

but I'm pretty good with hair and make-up.

I've even been called an artist before.

I mean, not in the same way as you, but. . . .

[ Laughs ]

I bet I could make you Iook reaI pretty.

l mean, prettier than you already are.

Now, what I would never do is cover up those freckIes.

They give your skin little dots of sunlight.

You know, some people call them little kisses from God.

[ Chuckles ]

But, you know, if you keep pulling your hair back in a ponytaiI,

it's gonna recede.

You might go bald.

But what I would do is cut it a little shorter

so it'll frame your face just right,

and you'll be just as pretty as one of your pictures.

[ Sighs ]

Sorry.

[ Laughs ]

JOLENE: It wasn't too bad being loved by a woman.

Once you get going,

it doesn't matter who it is and what they've got.

All you have to do is cIose your eyes.

[ Door closes ]

I think you might need these.

Thank you, Ms. Ames.

You have Cindy to thank. She told me about your drawings.

It's good therapy. Keep it up.

Nice to have an artist in residence.

I'll pay you a dollar if you paint my picture.

JOLENE: If they didn't have a mirror, they had me.

Some of the likenesses weren't very good,

but since in most cases they were better than the originaIs,

nobody much minded.

[ Soft moaning ]

[ Moans ]

Shh!

[ Moans ]

Shh!

Aah.

Shh!

[ Both laughing softly ]

I'm gonna lose my job if you keep this up.

Shh!

Ohh.

Mm.

[ Sighs ]

Oh, I want it to be like this all the time, don't you?

Mm.

You're damn straight I do.

Then get me out of here, Cindy.

[ Sighs ]

You know, I've been thinkin'. . .

I might have a plan.

But you just have to promise me something.

You gotta Iive with me and stay with me forever --

don't ever leave -- never ever.

I mean it.

I'll never leave you, Cindy.

You promise?

I swear.

Oh, shit.

[ Both laugh softly ]

[ Dogs barking in distance ]

[ Engine turns over ]

CINDY: Good night, Dan.

DAN: Good night, Cindy.

[ Spraying ]

[ Birds chirping ]

Goddamn it, Red.

You look beautiful.

Wow!

I look like somebody else.

You are somebody else, baby.

You're my woman now. Don't you ever forget it.

Oh, shit, I gotta go!

Oh, they're gonna know you're missing by now.

They're gonna be asking so many questions.

Well, what time do you think you'll be back?

Soon, honey, soon.

I got the next two days off.

[ Laughs ] We'll spend it in bed!

Can we go to the beach? Please?

No!

We gotta Iay Iow till this whole thing blows over.

Jesus Christ.

l don't want you looking out that window.

You got me?

[ Sighs ]

Okay.

I'll just watch TV or something.

That's a good idea. Listen, honey.

In another year you're gonna be 1 8.

They won't be able to touch us then.

Just don't worry about anything, okay?

I'm gonna take care of you from here on out.

You always have.

I love you.

Mm. Oh.

[ Laughs ]

Lock the door.

[ Door closes ]

[ Birds chirping ]

[ TV chatter ]

JOLENE: I didn't mean to, but I'm sure I hurt Cindy reaI bad.

I had saved aImost $1 00 from my watercoIors,

just enough money to get me out of the town,

out of the county,

and out of the state of South Carolina forever!

For the first time in my Iife, I was reaIIy free.

♪ Jolene, Jolene ♪

I had aII kinds of jobs.

There was always a YWCA, where I couId stay out of troubIe,

and out of sight.

MAN: Hop in, darIin'. Get your pretty little butt up here.

But l did have to take a deep breath on occasion

and sell it once or twice across the country.

♪ When you dance on that. . . ♪

I was just 1 7,

but l carried myself Iike I was 1 0 years oIder.

♪ I wonder, do you know ♪

[ Grunting ]

♪ How many hearts you're gonna break ♪

Yeah!

Ahh!

♪ Jolene, Jolene ♪

♪ Yeah, you strut just Iike a queen ♪

♪ You make aII the boys jump and shout ♪

♪ JoIene, JoIene, yeah, yeah ♪

[ The Coasters' "Get An Ugly Girl To Marry You" plays ]

♪ If you want to be happy for the rest of your life ♪

♪ Never make a pretty woman your wife ♪

♪ So from my personaI point of view. . . ♪

AII right. Y'aII got two queenie burgers,

fries, and a royal shake.

$8.1 7, please.

Keep the change.

Hey, thanks!

♪ So from my personaI point of view ♪

♪ Get an ugIy girI to marry you ♪

♪ A pretty woman makes her husband look small ♪

♪ And very often causes his downfall ♪

♪ As soon as he marries her, then she starts ♪

♪ To do the things that will break his heart ♪

Hey, how come it's only the guys that tip?

'Cause the girls are jealous of you, that's why.

♪ An ugly woman cooks her meals on time ♪

♪ She'II aIways give you peace of mind ♪

♪ If you want to be happy for the rest of your life ♪

♪ Never make a pretty woman your wife ♪

♪ So from my personaI point of view ♪

♪ Get an ugIy girI to marry you ♪

Oh, that freak is here again.

I can't stand him. He gives me the creeps.

Oh, come on, Kendra. He's funny.

Funny?

Funny-looking maybe.

No, I think he's kind of cute.

Ew. Did you ever take a good whiff?

I don't smell the customers, Kendra.

Well, he reeks.

Seems like he eats here every day.

Duh. He's not here for the food, Jolene.

He's got a crush on you.

He does not.

It's so obvious.

Why do you think he's always asking for you?

l don't know. Because I'm a kick-ass waitress?

Don't worry.

I'Il take his order.

What can I get you?

You can get me Jolene.

I want her to wait on me.

She's busy with other customers.

Doesn't look too busy to me.

I can wait.

♪ Never make a pretty woman your wife ♪

♪ So from my personaI point of view ♪

♪ Get an ugIy girI to marry you ♪

Just tell her I wrote her a song.

♪ Never make a pretty woman your wife ♪

♪ So from my personaI point of view ♪

♪ Get an ugIy girI to marry you ♪

♪ If you want to be happy for the rest of your life ♪

He wants you to take his order.

He said he wrote a song for you or something Iike that.

[ Scoffs ]

I can barely understand a word he says.

He wrote a song for me?

He's a loser. I bet he deals.

Oh, I don't think he's that bad.

Fine. You take care of him, then.

I was only trying to help you out.

[ Paper rustles ]

I can take care of myself.

Nice to see you again.

You sure must like this place.

Where eIse in Phoenix can I get service like this. . .

from someone so charmin'?

I'd like to formally introduce myself.

I'm Coco Leger.

[ Laughs ]

Originally from New Orleans.

[ Both laugh ]

I'm Jolene.

lt says so right there on your name tag. You mind?

"Jolene."

[ Amp crackles ]

[ Plays notes ]

♪ When I wake up in the mornin' ♪

♪ And l drive out to see Jolene ♪

♪ But my tongue gets tied around a chiIi dog ♪

♪ She's my desert queen ♪

♪ She skates over to my window ♪

♪ A sweeter rack l've never seen ♪

♪ So you better not compIain, girI ♪

♪ That I Iove you, JoIe-e-e-ene! ♪

[ Strums guitar ]

[ Cheers, applause, and whistling ]

[ Laughs ]

Thank you.

I got to get back to work now.

[ Laughs ]

You want to take a ride in my Deuce Corona later?

Maybe some other time.

You wanna go dancin' with me on Saturday night?

[ People murmuring ]

♪ Whoo! ♪

♪ Super highways ♪

♪ Coast to coast ♪

♪ Easy to get anywhere ♪

♪ On the transcontinental ♪

♪ Overload ♪

♪ Just slide behind the wheel ♪

♪ How does it feel? ♪

♪ When there's no destination ♪

♪ That's too far ♪

♪ And somewhere on the way, you might find out who you are ♪

♪ Whoo! ♪

♪ Living in America ♪

♪ Oh! ♪

♪ Eye to eye ♪

♪ Station to station ♪

♪ Living in America ♪

JOLENE: He was no rock star,

but he was a gentIeman and a good dancer,

and he didn't mind making a fooI of himseIf.

l kind of liked that.

♪ I feeI good! ♪

[ Mid-tempo music playing ]

[ Laughs ]

But mostIy. . .

[ Laughs ] . . .he made me Iaugh.

And I hadn't had a reason to Iaugh in a Iong time.

[ Laughs ]

Well, this is it.

This is who I am.

[ Gasps ]

You own this place?

Whose name do you see up there in the lights?

Wow!

Started it up with a grand and a prayer.

That is so cool.

[ Exhales ]

Are these your designs?

Art don't belong to anybody.

We are merely the fortunate vessels that channel it.

You know. . .

. . .I draw.

Oh, yeah?

I've been told I'm pretty good.

Oh, I bet you have, darlin'.

[ Chuckles ]

Here, take a bang.

No.

See? lt's a IittIe Iike paintin' with a needle.

Intense. . .

and complicated.

And that's why I call it an institute.

[ Object thuds ]

Come on, give it a try. lt ain't gonna hurt ya.

Let's get institutionalized.

[ Both laugh ]

I just Iove art.

Any kind.

l especiaIIy Iike doing portraits, but. . . .

[ Chair whirring softly ]

Oh.

Say "ah."

[ Whirring stops ]

Ahhhh.

[ Coughing and laughing ]

[ Laughing ]

Be my apprentice.

Are you serious?

Yeah, I'm serious.

I just fired the chick who worked for me.

She had a face like a smacked ass.

[ Laughs ]

You can start with stock tattoos.

Time will tell whether you truly are aIso a fortunate vesseI.

I'm a fast learner.

That's what I'm sayin', babe.

Now, sit tight, and Iet me show you what Coco can do when he channels.

[ Needle buzzing ]

Ugh. That is just so gross.

I can't believe you let him touch you there.

I think it's sexy.

[ Sighs ]

I guess that makes it official.

You're just mad 'cause I'm moving out.

I don't mind you moving out.

l just wish you wouId've picked somebody else to move in with.

You've only known him a coupIe weeks.

He gave me a job.

I have an artistic job.

You think that little heart on your ass is artistic?

I knew you wouldn't understand.

He believes in me.

It's an act.

You're gonna get hurt, Jolene.

I see what he sees in you.

[ Bag zips ]

Thank you.

But l cannot see what you see in him.

[ Chuckles ]

Coco was right on.

Nice.

Trust, Sid.

All you got to do is have the trust.

I told you she had talent.

[ ChuckIing ] Yeah, if she didn't, I'd kick your ass around the block.

[ Chuckling ]

Hey, uh, you hang on to that woman.

All right, man? She's ripe.

Fuck off.

You did it, baby. You made Coco proud.

[ Laughs ]

[ Glass shatters ]

Let's just do it.

Was I wrong here?

No.

lt's just that l was already married once,

and it didn't work out so good.

I mean, it's sweet, Coco.

It's real, real sweet.

[ Chuckles ]

But I don't think so.

But you're the one, babe.

Babe, I've heard that before.

Not from me.

No, I'm an orphan in the storm just Iike you are.

Now, they didn't much like me where l came from.

Hell, as I understand it,

neither of us has a past to write home about.

[ Chuckles lightly ]

I think we both know. . .

there's more to life than. . .

. . .that.

What counts is this very moment. . .

and the future moments.

And all the other moments is just bullshit.

See what I'm saying?

We artists gotta stick together if we're gonna survive.

I love you, Jolene.

Please say yes.

JOLENE: I knew nothing about him --

his past, his famiIy.

I knew nothing.

But when l said the name "JoIene Leger"

secretIy to myseIf. . .

I do.

. . .I thought it had a nice ring to it.

M INISTER: I now pronounce you husband and wife.

♪ If I give my heart to you ♪

Whoo! Yeah!

♪ Are you gonna break it? ♪

[ Both laugh ]

♪ If I give my hand to you ♪

♪ Are you gonna take it? ♪

[ Guitar strumming ]

♪ JoIene, my desert queen ♪

♪ Gonna take you to heaven on the love machine ♪

♪ Gonna fiII your vesseI with my Coco cream ♪

♪ You're the finest piece of ass ♪

♪ That l've ever seen ♪

[ Chuckles ]

[ Guitar crashes, reverberation ]

[ Thud ]

JOLENE: If you shaved his beard, scrubbed off the tattoos,

got rid of his boots with the lifts in them,

and gave him a haircut and a pair of gIasses. . .

. . .he would've looked a Iot Iike Mickey.

[ Needle buzzing ]

That looks mighty fine.

And so does the tattoo. [ ChuckIes ]

It better.

Where are you off to?

Just business.

When you coming back?

[ Chuckles ]

[ Smooches ]

Where's he going in such a hurry?

I don't know.

[ Sighs ]

He's away in his stupid car haIf the time.

What do you think he's doing in there aII this time?

Duh, he's deaIing drugs just like I told you he was.

No, he wouldn't do that to me.

Get real, Jolene.

What else do you think is going on in there?

I'm gonna find out.

Are you insane?! Get back in here!

[ Engine turns over ]

Whoa, whoa! What the hell are you doin' here?!

Are you out of your fuckin' mind? You're gonna get yourseIf kiIIed!

Are you dealing, Coco?

Just calm down, all right? Just keep it down.

Answer me. I want to know now. Are you deaIing?

[ Exhales sharply ]

Babe. . .

it's the only way to keep the shop going.

Dealing, Coco?! Why the hell do you have to do that?!

You don't question me!

[ Grunts ]

Do you hear me?

I'm doin' the best I can for the both of us.

Come here.

-No. -Come here.

[ Exhales sharply ]

No artist in the USA can make it

if he didn't Iubricate his vesseI with a little somethin' on the side.

You're so full of shit.

Oh, come on, baby.

Coco would never do anything to hurt you.

"Oh, baby," nothing.

You better not hurt me, Coco.

Or I might hurt you back.

[ Glass squeaking ]

[ Door opens, mid-tempo tune plays ]

[ Door closes ]

Excuse me. I'm looking for Coco Leger.

Is he here?

No.

[ Baby coughs ]

WeII, do you know when he'll be back?

Who wants to know?

Mrs. Coco Leger, the wife.

You -- you mean ex-wife, right?

[ Laughs ]

He didn't tell you, did he?

[ Laughs ]

Whoa!

Listen, you little slut!

l have spent every fucking cent I have

tracking down that bastard!

Do not waste my time.

Fucking find him!

I told you, he's not here.

Will you look at this!

Here. Fucking hold him, please.

That son of a bitch.

Uh. . . .

Damn, girI. Where have you. . .

Bastard!

. . .been?

Asshole!

Now, Marin, just be cool.

There's an explanation for everything.

[ Exhales sharply ]

[ Baby coos ]

You got one for me?

Let's see you sweet-talk your way out of this one, asshoIe.

Now, Marin, believe it or not,

l am greatIy reIieved to see you and, um. . .

-Coco Jr. -Mm.

So if you just like to come this way, we can take a ride.

Are you kidding me?

Just sit tight, JoIene. I'll be back soon. Hmm?

Step to the right, honey.

[ Tires screeching ]

Ugh!

[ Grunting ]

You know, I draw!

[ Grunting ]

[ Grunts ]

[ Grunting ]

[ Grunts ]

[ Thud ]

[ Ringing ]

WOMAN: 91 1 . PIease state your emergency.

Hello? This is 91 1 .

JOLENE: The weirdest feeIing came over me.

I feIt Iike a chiId again,

Iike I was onIy a pretend aduIt

and that l was never Mrs. Coco Leger.

For the first time in a Iong time,

I wondered who my reaI parents might have been,

if they were stiII aIive,

and why they bothered to name me JoIene. . .

onIy to Ieave me to the authorities to raise.

[ Up-tempo dance music plays ]

[ Nina Simone's "Solitaire" plays ]

♪ Since you've gone ♪

♪ I spend each IoneIy night ♪

♪ DeaIing out the cards from Ieft to right ♪

♪ And the king of hearts is there to remind me ♪

♪ That l'm all alone, playing solitaire ♪

♪ Love was just another game for two ♪

♪ l see now that's all it meant to you ♪

♪ And my heart got Iost somewhere in the shuffle ♪

♪ So I'm aII aIone pIaying soIitaire ♪

♪ ln each romance ♪

♪ There's an element of chance ♪

♪ A gambIe to win or to Iose ♪

♪ You pIay to win ♪

♪ Then you find you're pIaying in a game ♪

♪ With no rules ♪

♪ Just made for fools ♪

♪ Now the joker has a Iaugh on me ♪

♪ 'Cause I've pIayed my hand so carelessly ♪

♪ And untiI you want to share that old feeling ♪

♪ I'II be deaIing time away ♪

♪ DeaIing time away ♪

♪ With solitaire ♪

[ Applause ]

SaI, this is Baby. She's one of our finest dancers.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

Hello.

Can l buy you a glass of champagne?

I'd rather give you a dance.

[ Laughs ] That's not necessary.

I just want to talk.

Why don't you ask your boss if you can sit here

and join me for a little while?

Anything for you, Sal.

Thanks. Sit.

I'm Sal Fontaine, and you're. . . Baby.

Actually, I'm Jolene.

Jolene?

Well, Jolene, I was really taken by your performance out there.

You're a very gifted dancer.

Did you study somewhere?

No. I just like music.

Well, it certainly shows.

You're stunning.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

l'm trying to decide if I like "Jolene" better

or "Baby" better -- I don't know.

[ Both laugh ]

[ Dance music plays ]

SaI was a gentIeman.

He never sat at the stage to stare at my ass Iike the others.

He was highIy respected in the community

as the owner of Sal's Line.

He gave peopIe advice on everything --

like about horses

or like who would be the next president,

and he was usuaIIy right.

That was the kind of solid citizen Mr. Sal Fontaine was.

[ Gasps ]

You live in a museum, Sal.

[ Chuckles ]

This place is incredible.

You know, they have a wonderful museum right here in town.

I can take you there if you like.

That'd be nice.

All right.

Where'd you get all these beautiful things?

I have a habit of collecting things. I can't help it.

When I see something I like, I buy it.

So, you like art?

Mm, I love it.

I can see.

[ Both laugh ]

Oh, my God, it's like Christmas!

It is Christmas, princess. Come on, let me show you.

Come on.

You must be reaI happy living up here in your sky palace.

Under the right circumstances, you can be happy living anywhere.

Come on, I want to show you something.

Come on.

Give me your coat.

Beautiful, isn't she?

It's my greatest possession.

Hmm.

[ Smooches ]

Reminds me of you.

You did all this for me, didn't you?

All for you, princess.

Who are all these people, Sal?

Oh, relatives, kids.

Do they live here?

No, they all moved away.

Do you ever get to see them?

Not too often.

That was my wife.

She's beautiful.

Thank you. She was.

She died a long time ago.

The pictures are old, like me.

[ Chuckles ]

You're not so old.

I'm not so young, either.

I don't think age makes any difference.

You know what? I don't think so, either.

Life is about moments.

When you find a good one, you don't Iet it go.

Let me ask you a question, Jolene.

What are the odds of you moving in here with me?

l'd say that'd be a pretty risky bet, Sal.

Really?

Mm-hmm.

JoIene, stop dancing and move in with me.

Are you serious?

l toId you once -- I never say anything I don't mean.

And I never go back on my word.

This is for you.

[ Card slides ]

There's no limit on it.

You could have your own beauty parlor,

Olympic-sized swimming pool, spa, maid service every morning.

You could order food 24 hours a day,

whenever you want, whatever you want.

All you have to do is say yes.

Why me? You could have anybody you want.

I don't want anybody else.

I want you.

You don't want me. Trust me.

Don't sell yourself short, Jolene.

You deserve the best there is,

even if you don't know it yet.

Let me take care of you,

and in return, l'II have the pleasure of your company.

And you can walk out that door any time you want --

no strings.

What do you say? Huh?

Hmm?

Merry Christmas.

JOLENE: He believed, or pretended to believe, my life story.

Merry Christmas.

The parts that were made up, as weII as the parts that were true.

[ The Platters' "Twilight Time" plays ]

♪ HeavenIy shades of night are faIIing ♪

♪ It's twiIight time ♪

♪ Out of the mist, your voice is caIIing ♪

♪ 'tis twiIight time ♪

♪ When purpIe-coIored curtains mark the end of day ♪

♪ I'II hear you, my dear, at twilight time ♪

JOLENE: It's so beautiful here.

SAL: You should have seen it 30 years ago, princess.

The Sands, The Flamingo.

They were hotels.

That was Vegas.

Not like it is now.

AII these hoteIs -- they're amusement parks.

Back then, everybody was dressed up --

tuxedos -- we'd drink martinis, share our oIives together.

What do you mean?

We would drink our martinis,

and at the end, we would share our olives.

It was a sign of friendship, respect.

♪ Here in the aftergIow of day ♪

♪ We keep our rendezvous beneath the blue ♪

♪ Here in the sweet and same oId way ♪

♪ I faII in Iove again as I did then ♪

♪ Deep in the dark, your kiss wiII thriII me ♪

♪ Like days of oId ♪

♪ Lighting the spark of Iove. . . ♪

JOLENE: l would tell him l loved him,

and at the moment l said it, l did.

♪ Just to be with you ♪

♪ Together, at Iast at twiIight time ♪

♪ Here in the aftergIow of day ♪

♪ We keep our rendezvous. . . ♪

What's the matter, princess?

Well, I'm just a little nervous

about meeting your friends, that's aII.

Are you kidding? Come on. They're gonna love you.

Let me tell you something. Everybody Ioves you.

[ Laughs ]

♪ As l did then ♪

Hey. Frank.

-Sal, good to see you. -Jimmy.

-JIMMY: How you doing? -This is JoIene.

-Hey, Jolene. -Nice to meet you.

I guess we're not talking business tonight.

Come on. You know the routine. AII right?

Hey, Sal, I was just hoping we could talk about the new accounts.

Can we have a nice night? Huh? Let's have a nice night.

Sal, with all due respect --

Are you deaf?

Hey, SaI, Frank has a few propositions

he wants to run by you.

l'm running things for 25 years one way,

and that's the way it stays.

Hey, all he's asking you is to keep an open mind.

We don't have to talk about it now.

No, we don't have to talk about it now --

or ever.

Okay. Whatever you say, Sal.

That's right. Whatever I say.

You having a good time, honey?

Mm-hmm.

Hey.

JOLENE: SaI was usuaIly out doing business.

He was aIways stressed.

[ Door opens, closes ]

But he allowed me to do whatever l wanted.

My Iife had become comfortable, secure.

It was Iike eating cotton candy aII day Iong.

What's the matter, Sal? You okay?

I love you, princess.

I love you, too.

Come here.

[ Sighs ]

I just want you to know

that you never have to worry about anything.

You'll always be taken care of. . .

even after I'm gone.

You're not going anywhere, Sal.

I know, I know, I know.

You're becoming an artist, princess.

A real artist.

[ Both laugh ]

Did you see everybody staring at you when we came in? Huh?

Yeah.

[ Laughs ]

Are you happy, princess?

You make me happier than l've ever been.

Good. That's what I want to hear.

Hey, SaI. Aren't those your friends?

Yeah.

Should we go say hello?

No. Tonight's your night.

SAL: l don't care what New York says.

I told you a thousand times, this is Vegas.

I do things my way here.

What?

Yeah. Now? All right. Come on up. Yeah.

You want to do it now? Let's do it now.

Yeah, okay.

-Jolene. -Hmm?

JoIene, wake up, baby. Come on, baby, wake up.

-Ohh. -Come on.

I want you to wake up. AII right? Wake up.

I want you to get dressed.

I want you to go downstairs and wait for me, okay?

Why?

Because I've got a meeting with the guys right now.

-Now? -Yes, now!

I can't blow them off anymore. l got to see them.

I'll just have some juice and go back to --

No! You're not staying in bed.

You're gonna go downstairs, you're gonna get dressed right now,

and you're gonna wait for me, aII right?

And do not come up here till I come and get you.

Come on. Come on. Let's go.

Come on. It's all right.

It's gonna be all right. Go ahead.

Jolene!

[ Door opens ]

Frankie? Jimmy?

[ Explosions ]

Sal?

MAN: She's not here!

Check the other room!

JOLENE: Life changes fast.

Lightning strikes,

and in an instant, everything that was. . .

is not what is.

And you find yourseIf sitting on a rock

at the edge of the desert,

hoping some trucker wiII come by and feel sorry for you

before you're found lying dead there. . .

. . .Iike any other piece of road kiII.

Two years later, I was Iiving in TuIsa.

l waited tables, sheIved Iibrary books,

and eventuaIIy Ianded a job as a receptionist

at a firm that leased oiI-driIIing equipment.

l hadn't been involved with anyone in a whiIe,

and it was good for me.

I was making it on my own.

Finally, l felt l was right where I was supposed to be.

Where are you going in such a hurry?

Oh, I'm sorry, Peggy.

I just got a call for a catering gig, and I cannot turn it down.

What about happy hour?

l'II be happpier making a quick hundred bucks.

We'll do it tomorrow?

But I wanted to get wasted tonight.

Be brave. Go solo.

Hey, maybe you'II meet the man of your dreams.

[ Mid-tempo music plays ]

There we go. Thank you, dear.

-Hi, Burns. -WOMAN: Oh, hi.

Just when I thought this party was a totaI bust.

Excuse me?

WeII, you're the first person under 60 I've seen here all night,

and by far the prettiest.

Wait, wait. Hold on, hold on.

[ Sighs ]

You can go fill your tray now.

MAN: Not our pastor.

[ Chuckles ]

Asshole.

You're allowed to talk to me, you know.

We're not supposed to talk to the guests.

-Thanks, anyway. -You're weIcome.

But I'm actually giving you permission to taIk to me.

I'll keep that in mind.

Oh, oh, you -- you don't know. This is my parents' house.

It's a very nice house.

Bradley, dear, I have been looking all over for you.

There's a young lady

that your father and I would like you to meet.

Not now, Mother. Tell me your name.

-Bradley. -Mother, I'm busy.

Tell me your name.

[ Glass thuds ]

Jolene.

Mother, this is JoIene. Jolene, this is my mother.

Mother, please give Jolene your permission to talk to me.

[ Chuckles ]

My name's Brad. Brad Benton.

I think mother Iikes you.

[ Chuckles ]

[ Sniffs ]

Hmm. Just as I thought.

Redheads have their own special scent.

Kind of like warm milk.

I've never heard that one before.

I really have to go.

[ Breathes deeply ]

She loves me.

[ Elevator bell dings ]

Could you sign right here, Jo-o-lene?

Wait. Are you sure?

That's what it says.

[ Sighs ]

Thank you.

Who are they from?

I don't have any idea.

Well, I can tell you.

"May l have the honor of your company for dinner tonight?

Brad G. Benton, 555-5677."

Oh, my God. You know Brad Benton?

Do you know who he is?

Mnh-mnh.

OnIy Brad G. Benton of Benton International, Inc.?

H-his famiIy owns this entire building

and about half of Tulsa.

Oh.

That guy.

He's richer than God.

Call him.

[ Scoffs ]

Call him now. I'll call him for you.

Oh-ho. Peg, take a breath.

[ Replaces receiver ]

Are you crazy?

He's a Benton, for God's sake.

Well, then, you go ahead and go out with him.

Jolene, let me tell you something.

Nobody says "no" to a Benton around here,

especially if you want to keep your job.

They wouldn't fire me for not going out with him.

[ Soft music plays ]

Uh, bring us a bottle of your finest Pinot.

Of course, Mr. Benton.

You prefer red, right?

Actually, I like white.

[ Chuckles ] Liar.

[ Chuckles ]

What do you think of the club?

lt's not my kind of pIace, but for what it is, it's nice.

I figured you might be impressed.

I hope you are.

'Cause I'm certainly impressed with you, JoIene.

Thank you.

I mean, you just -- you just appear into my life,

and -- bam -- here we are aII dressed up,

discussing our favorite wines.

Speaking of which, where is that incompetent waiter?

[ Snaps fingers ]

He must be new here. He doesn't know the score yet.

Did you forget something?

No, sir. I'm sorry.

But we have to go into the cellar to bring the very finest Pinot noir. . .

-Uh-huh. -As you requested.

[ Brad chuckles ]

Don't be smart with me, understood?

Yes, sir. Of course.

-You're new here, right? -Yes, sir, l am.

Right. What's -- what's your name?

Benjamin, sir.

Benjamin. Benjamin.

Well, Benjamin, it's really nice to have you waiting on us.

Keep up the great work.

You aIways this rude?

No. No, I'm not like that.

He deserved it.

I hope I didn't embarrass you,

but, reaIIy, he'II be a much better waiter now.

So, Brad, what exactly is it you do with your Iife?

Well, technically, I'm a stockbroker, but it's just a hobby.

l never have to work another day in my life.

I make truckloads of money, get paid ridiculous bonuses

for no other reason than I'm me.

But forget about me. Let's talk about you.

I feel I must tell you,

you're one of the strangest people l've ever met.

[ Scoffs ] No, I'm not.

l'm actuaIIy reaIIy quite a simple guy.

I hope this isn't inappropriate,

but have you accepted our Lord Jesus Christ

as your personal savior?

Are you seriously asking me that question?

Yeah, I'm absolutely serious.

That would be my business, Brad.

Okay.

I'm sure we can figure it out, then.

[ Laughs ]

Oh, listen. I'm sorry I got a little worked up.

This is our first date,

and I really wanted everything to be perfect.

Uh, I hope I haven't offended you.

Oh, quite the contrary, sir. You were right to complain.

The evening's on the house.

Hey, thanks, man. That's really great.

Write yourself in a big tip, okay?

l think we're having an absolutely fantastic time,

don't you?

I think you're absolutely crazy.

[ Chuckles ]

Which means you probably reaIIy Iike me a Iot.

You're not kidding, are you?

Why don't you figure that out on our next date?

Wednesday is great for me. I hope that works for you.

Well, I'm gonna have to get back to you on that.

I felt blessed the minute I saw you.

You don't know anything about me, Brad.

But I know when my prayers have been answered.

At first, I couIdn't beIieve Brad G. Benton was serious.

On the other hand, this was the Bible Belt,

and I'd met some very sincere peopIe.

Though he was a little weird, Brad was a perfect gentIeman.

He was never inappropriate and always considerate.

After a couple more dates,

I actuaIIy started to enjoy his eccentric personaIity.

And he was always going out of his way

to show me that he cared.

[ Elevator bell dings ]

Where are you taking me?

[ Laughing ]

[ Soft music playing ]

What an amazing view.

Tulsa's so beautiful from up here.

[ Breathes deeply ]

About as close to heaven as you can get

without leaving Oklahoma.

Thank you, Brad. That's very thoughtful.

You're welcome.

Are you as happy as I am?

Mm-hmm.

I hope you'll remember today forever.

I've got a surprise for you.

What's this?

l don't know. Open it. It's addressed to you.

[ Chuckles ]

I fired you from Benton.

You'll never have to work another day of your Iife.

But I like my job, Brad.

You're not seeing the big picture here.

You can make your paintings, you can raise our kids.

What's wrong with you? Why the hell would you fire me?

Jolene, just calm down and listen.

The Lord told me that one day I would meet the right person

to spend the rest of my life with.

The Lord also tell you to fire me?

[ Sighs ]

l want you to be the happiest woman on earth.

Will you marry me? Please say yes.

Uh. . .

It's not that simple.

You don't know me.

I want to tell you about my life before I met you.

It's -- it's important you know who I am.

No. What matters is us, here and now.

I know I love you,

and l want to spend the rest of my life with you.

But, Brad --

That's all I ever want or need to know.

I don't care where you've been or what you've done.

That's the past. This is our future.

Yeah.

You're skipping a lot of steps here,

like meeting your parents, moving in together.

Jolene, I am asking you to marry me.

I understand that. It's very touching.

lt's just, l can't say yes unless I know I mean it.

Of course you need time. l understand that.

But we can spend the rest of our lives

getting to know each other.

Why compIicate something as beautiful and simple as our love?

Jolene, we'll be so happy together.

I swear to God.

[ Wedding march plays ]

Uh, this is getting too strange.

Okay, okay. Wait, wait, wait.

Listen. I'm sorry. I know. I know.

Guys, stop the music!

Get out of here! Just go! Leave!

Now!

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

Listen to me.

It's taken me a while to grow up,

to be ready for something as special as this.

You are the first woman I have ever been in love with,

and the first I've ever asked to marry.

And I know in my heart

that you will grow to love me as much as I love you.

It's so obvious. It's perfect.

Jolene, I really -- I really am a simpIe kind of guy.

That's intense.

Don't fight it. lt's bigger than both of us. Marry me.

I can't.

Yes, of course you can. Together we can do anything.

Brad, I can't marry you.

[ Exhales ]

♪ HaIIeIujah ♪

I now pronounce you man and wife.

You may kiss the bride.

♪ HaIIeIujah, haIIeIujah ♪

[ Applause ]

♪ HaIIeIujah ♪

♪ HaIIeIujah, haIIeIujah ♪

♪ HaIIeIujah ♪

[ Singing in Latin ]

♪ HaIIeIujah, haIIeIujah ♪

Brad, honey, where are your parents?

Who cares?

The Lord's here.

♪ HaIIeIujah, haIIeIujah ♪

♪ HaIIe-Iuja-a-a-ah ♪

No, no, no, no. Brad, please!

[ Shushing ]

-No, I don't like it there. -Jolene, shh, shh, shh!

No, I don't like it there.

Aah!

[ Grunts ]

Ew.

[ Both grunting ]

Ah, this is so fucking beautiful.

[ Grunting ]

[ Crying ]

[ Sighing ]

Thank you, Travis.

[ Sighs ]

Who's that?

That is my father.

Your father?

Mm-hmm.

Brad, shouldn't we go over there?

Nah. If he wants to meet you, he can come here.

But I want to meet your parents.

It's a complicated thing.

Trust me.

They think if they ignore me, l'II just go away?

[ Laughs ]

No. lt's not reaIIy about you so much.

What kind of parents don't show up for their own son's weddin'?

Proud, inflexible, arrogant ones, like those two.

But they're not all that bad.

Brad, when we have kids, I want to love them no matter what.

Oh, we will, honey.

We're gonna have a huge family, all of our own.

-Brad. -What?

Are you. . .?

Mm-hmm.

Really?

Yeah.

Hallelujah!

-I'm gonna be a daddy! -Oh!

JOLENE: I knew if I wanted to prove anything to Brad's famiIy,

if I wanted any kind of social acceptance in Tulsa,

l would have to work for it.

I embraced their styIe of Iife, their manners,

their ways of doing things, and I was patient,

but always kept my eyes and ears open.

Excuse me, son.

It's good to see you.

You too, Dad.

Uh, Jolene, honey, this is my father.

It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Benton.

It's very nice meeting you.

And l beIieve you remember my mother.

It's nice to see you again, Mrs. Benton.

[ Breathes deeply ]

-So, the baby's due any day now. -Mm-hmm.

Is it a boy or a girl?

A boy.

-Jolene. -Hmm?

Wake up.

What?

Wake up.

Brad, are you all right?

You've slept with other men, haven't you?

What are you taIking about? Why are you asking me this?

It's just something that's been bothering me a Iot lately.

But when we first met, you said that it didn't matter.

Babe, you were right.

l tried to teII you, but you wouldn't listen.

Why are you interested aII of a sudden?

Just -- just answer the question.

No. Not until you answer mine.

How many?

Are you kidding me? You want a number?

How many?!

You have no right to ask me that without an explanation.

There have been that many?

Wow.

Brad, you knew I wasn't a virgin when we married.

You see, Jolene, it's easy for me. I can count mine on one hand.

Now, if you had been with one guy or maybe even two guys,

ah, that's the kind of thing you wouIdn't forget.

But if you'd been with a Iot of guys,

then I guess it gets kind of hard to keep track of that, right?

So, what are you saying,

that five is okay but six is too many?

How many have there been?

Sweetheart, pIease, let's just go back to sleep.

1 0?

Brad, please.

I never loved anybody more than the way that I love you.

20, 30, 50?

Hundreds! Thousands! Do you feel better?!

JOLENE: Never mind that l had tried to teII Brad about my marriages,

my Iife on the road --

he never wanted to hear it.

Brad, honey?

I just don't know where all this is coming from.

[ Sighs ]

I have nothing to hide.

If it's that important to you,

of course. . . .

Ohh!

Dear Lord, please bless our family. . .

for we have sinned.

I hurt my wife. . .

because she hurt me.

Sweetheart, I love you more than anything in the world.

[ Sniffles ]

I will never ever do anything to hurt you ever again.

[ Sobs ]

Lord, please, please forgive us.

JOLENE: lt was as if his wildness,

his independence,

his personaIity was being driven from the Brad I Ioved.

[ Both laughing ]

For the very first time in my Iife, I had something I wanted.

l was Jolene. . .

his mother.

And l could believe in God now.

What shall we eat? l know.

[ Bottle rattles ]

[ Cooing ]

[ Baby fussing ]

lt was those parents of his gradually absorbing him

back into their righteousness.

[ Utensil clanks ]

Jolene, can you feed him in the nursery

or let him go to the nurse?

-How am I supposed to eat? -Brad, he was hungry.

-I'm trying to get him to go to sleep. -Where the heII is Rosie?

-We gave her the day off. -Well, let's get her back.

We need her to take care of junior today.

Grandpa and grandma are coming to see Mr. NippIebee today.

You need to make yourself presentabIe.

What, they're coming today?!

For Iunch. And to see the Bradley.

Brad! Why didn't you tell me?

This place has to be cleaned!

They just called.

What was I supposed to say, that we weren't here?

Look, I can't see them today. l've got too much to do.

That's okay. They probably don't want to deaI with you anyway.

[ Smooches ]

[ Fusses ]

That's the truth, isn't it?

[ Sighs ]

Of course it is. Don't act so surprised.

Jolene, save the drama for another day.

You fucking whore!

Brad! No!

[ Groans ]

[ Coughing ]

[ Gasps ]

[ Spits ]

[ Coughs ]

[ Sobbing ]

Oh, my God!

Mrs. Benton! Oh, my. . . !

[ Coughing ]

[ Sobbing ]

Oh, God, what did he do to you?!

[ Sniffles ]

Oh!

[ Choking ]

Mrs. Benton, are you okay?

[ Baby crying ]

Aw. Shh.

JOLENE: The nurse at the hospitaI didn't need to ask how it happened.

Shh. Come on.

She wrote out the name and address of a women's sheIter,

and the sheIter gave me the name of a lawyer.

He's a dangerous man. I can't have him in my life.

I don't care about the money. I just want out.

I'm afraid I'm. . .

not going to be able to help you, Mrs. Benton.

What do you mean?

I mean I can't take your case.

Why?

Did his family threaten you or just buy you off?

This has nothing to do with the Benton family.

He beat me. It's simple.

I'm afraid it's not that simple.

You didn't tell me you had a past,

including a stretch in juvenile detention.

That was a long time ago.

To say nothing of a previous as yet un-annulled marriage

to a convicted drug dealer.

You entered into your marriage with Mr. Benton

under less than honest circumstances.

I'm very sorry.

No one at this firm will take your case.

[ Door opens, closes ]

Oh, my darlin'.

Uh, Mrs. Benton.

There's some people here to see you!

Come on. Come on.

Oh! Look at you. Yes.

[ Police radio chatter ]

What? No, where are you going? Wait! Stop!

You -- you are under arrest

for the kidnapping of Bradley Benton junior!

-No! No! No! -Come quietly.

[ Jolene screaming ]

[ Grunting and yelping ]

Come on, lady, move.

[ Wails ]

No!

[ Wailing ]

[ Wailing continues ]

I know that you feel like you've been wronged, but. . . .

Wronged? They took my child.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Benton, they have a really solid case.

I mean, the law clearly states --

Fuck the Iaw! No one's taking my child!

Do you understand that?

Mrs. Benton, I'm gonna work really hard on your case.

I promise.

JOLENE: The IegaI aid guy was way out of his league,

and, without giving it a second thought,

the judge ruIed that l was an unfit mother

and granted Brad soIe custody of my little boy.

I mean, you do have a checkered past.

l had choices.

I think you should hope for the best, but. . .

l could kill Brad G. Benton,

but then my chiId wouId be raised by the Benton family.

I couId find a job

and see my baby every second Sunday for one hour,

as aIIowed by the judge,

and find the right moment to steaI him back.

Or I couId Iet him grow up

thinking I was something other than an embarrassment,

a poor reIation. . .

. . .or a victim.

[ Baby crying ]

[ Crying continues ]

[ Sniffling ]

[ Crying continues ]

He could daydream about his real mother. . .

. . .Iiving somewhere out there. . .

. . .away for a time. . .

. . .but never forgotten.

She'd be beautiful. . .

. . .smart. . .

. . .and more talented than she couId possibIy ever be. . .

But so reaI to my boy. . . .

[ Crying ]

My baby boy. . . .

My son.

These days, I have a job iIIustrating for a smaII comic-book company.

Except they don't caII them comic books.

They caII them graphic noveIs.

Because most of them aren't funny at aII.

They're very serious.

The guys are gonna flip.

These are wonderful, Jolene!

Someone once toId me to draw what you know best.

Good advice. . .

I think.

[ Chuckles ]

Well, I'm out of here.

Meet you before work tomorrow?

Farmers' market? Usual time?

Sounds great, Maya.

JOLENE: Some ppeoppIe teIl me that I couId act in movies,

because even though I'm 25, I Iook a Iot younger.

And they Iike my voice that I have, courtesy of my ex-husband.

I mean, why not?

Don't they say if you wish hard enough,

your dreams might come true?

[ Laughs ]

And when I take myseIf back to Tulsa in my limousine. . .

. . .Brad Junior would be there to answer the door. . .

. . .and there would be his movie-star mother.

♪ Jolene, Jolene ♪

♪ When you dance on that stage ♪

♪ Jolene, Jolene ♪

♪ When you dance on that stage ♪

♪ I wonder, do you know ♪

♪ How many hearts you're gonna break ♪

♪ Jolene, Jolene ♪

♪ Yeah, you strut just Iike a queen ♪

♪ Jolene, Jolene ♪

♪ Yeah, you strut just Iike a queen ♪

♪ You make aII the boys jump and shout ♪

♪ Jolene, Jolene ♪

[ Jessi Colter's "The Phoenix Rises" plays ]

♪ If I give my heart to you ♪

♪ Are you gonna break it? ♪

♪ If I give my hand to you ♪

♪ Are you gonna take it? ♪

♪ If I give my Iife to you ♪

♪ Are you gonna take it ♪

♪ And break it into a miIIion crystaIs? ♪

♪ Make me desperate for you ♪

♪ For you ♪

♪ Out of the ashes ♪

♪ The phoenix rises ♪

♪ Out of the ashes ♪

♪ The phoenix rises ♪

♪ Out of the ashes ♪

♪ The phoenix rises ♪

♪ Out of the ashes ♪

♪ The phoenix rises ♪