Original subtitles

( Projector clicks )

( Projector clicks continue )

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( bell tolls )

( Gurgling )

( Gurgling )

( Gurgling )

( Bell tolls )

( Seagull squawks )

( Seagull squawks )

¶ Always late ¶

¶ with your kisses ¶

¶ won't you come to my arms, sweet darlin' ¶

¶ and stay? ¶

¶ always late ¶

¶ with your kisses ¶

¶ why, oh, why do you want to do me this way? ¶

¶ how long do you think I can wait ¶

¶ when you know you're always late ¶

¶ always late ¶

¶ with your kisses ¶

¶ why, why, why do you want to do me this way? ¶

announcer ( Over radio ): That was lefty frizzell's "always late with your kisses."

Before that, we heard buck Owens.

Get your waders out.

It's seven days before the state officially drowns northfork.

It's sunny skies with the highs being 51...

"To the loving o'brien family.

"It has been brought to our attention

"that the remains of a Mrs. Patricia o'brien

"have yet to be excavated.

( Typewriter clicking )

Please make arrangements immediately."

( Typewriter carriage grates )

( Typing continues )

( Grunts )

( Typing continues )

( Drumroll )

( Cymbals clap )

Man ( Reverberating ): The hardworking citizens of northfork

will be able to have their much-needed power...

As well as...

The pleasure of the recreation that this body of water

will provide.

Let me add this:

The good people of northfork

will be able to have their cake and eat it, too.

( Applause )

Two, three...

( Playing slow, simple melody )

Where are we going to start... right in here?

Where should we start?

Let's start right in here.

( Camera snaps )

( Applause )

Man: Then the water shall become a flood

and destroy all flesh...

And the bow shall be in the cloud,

and I will look upon it, and I will remember

the everlasting covenant

between God and every living creature...

Of all flesh that is upon the earth.

And that's what we have here.

Our town is dying.

I have seen the concrete

monument...

The headstone for the town for northfork.

This dam gate will close...

The water will rise

over the plains,

and cover our businesses...

Our homes...

And our well-being.

We have lost northfork.

We will be losing our dear son...

But we will gain the hope,

the courage...

To move

to a higher ground.

We're all angels.

It is what we do

with our wings

that separates us.

That separates us.

That separates us.

( Car door shuts )

( Car door shuts )

( Car door shuts )

( Cow moos )

Boy: What are we waiting for?

Boy: What are we waiting for?

( Heavy footsteps )

( Door creaks open )

( Door creaks open )

( Wind blowing softly )

( Wind blowing softly )

( Door opens )

Well, Mr. and Mrs. Hadfield.

Father, his health isn't getting any better.

Rose has had to stay by his bed.

All the doctors have left northfork.

You're returning him then?

Mr. hadfield: He's a very ill child.

We cannot make the journey with him in this condition.

Mrs. hadfield: We apologize, father.

We appreciate your honesty,

and will ask for forgiveness.

Forgiveness?

Let's be honest, father.

You gave us a sick child.

I gave you an angel.

You're misunderstanding us.

Mrs. hadfield: We love irwin.

( Teakettle whistling )

Halo home is deeply regretful

about the grief

irwin has brought to your family.

God bless.

Have a nice journey.

( Mrs. hadfield sobs )

( Sobbing )

( Teakettle whistling )

( Door opens and closes )

( Teakettle whistling )

( Teakettle whistling )

( Squeaking )

( Squeaking )

This is wrong.

This is just downright wrong.

When did you get this letter?

I received the final notice yesterday.

I don't like this damned cake.

This is wrong on every level.

Yeah.

( Sighs )

( Tapping )

( Cup clanking softly )

( Cup clanking softly )

Where did my parents go?

We don't want to go where they're going.

You rest now.

You rest now.

Father, everybody's leaving.

Oh, I know.

I know.

Oh, let's stay here.

Huh?

Huh?

Huh?

Huh?

Huh?

Huh?

Huh?

Huh?

Huh?

Huh?

You're the caretaker?

Yes?

Cookie takes care of the yard.

Cookie takes care of the yard.

Maybe you can help me?

Who are you looking for?

A relative.

Hold still.

Hold still.

Hold still.

Hold still.

Hold still.

Hold still.

Hold still.

Hold still.

Marvin, Matt, Eddie, Arnold.

Walter, Willis,

Eddie, Arnold.

Walter, Willis, Eddie, Arnold.

Walter, Willis, Marvin, Matt.

Marvin, Matt, Walter,

Willis.

Marvin, Matt, Eddie, Arnold.

Marvin, Matt, Eddie, Arnold.

Marvin, Matt, Eddie, Arnold.

Marvin: Anybody voted for him

voted themselves right out of northfork.

Have a good journey.

Nice concrete cork.

( Motor hums )

( Whirring )

( Whirring )

( Whirring )

Rudolph: I have done countless evacs.

And as long as I've been doing this job,

it is never come down to 48 hours before.

And by the time I'm through with you it's gonna be 47.

So you'd better listen up.

And remember one very important thing.

Despite tertiary inconveniences

we're putting these people through,

we're giving them new power.

All right.

Matt...

Marvin.

Please go pay a visit to the youngs.

Eddie, Arnold.

Arnold.

I want you to get down to hungry horse road

and I want you to nail jigger, do you understand?

You betcha.

Now, you can't go into this

you're throwing out homesteaders,

poor old homesteaders.

Look at it like you're saving

some poor dumb son of a bitch from drowning.

Mr. Rudolph.

( Clears throat )

It says here that, uh, there has been

some previous attempts at evacuation.

( Sighs )

Walter,

Willis.

Stallings. Highway 93.

Remember, the one single most important thing:

It is not our business

to tell anybody else theirs.

You just come in like you're their guardian angel.

You give them wings

and then move them up on to higher ground.

Good luck now, gentlemen.

( Slide projector clicks )

Harlan: In the early 1800s,

European settlers named northfork

after the river that embraced their town.

Word traveled throughout the world

that angels roamed these plains like bison.

I find the humor quite parched.

19th century.

A remarkable piece.

Artist used the finest oils.

Organic pigments.

Magnificent.

The artist has a religious vocabulary.

He used the luxuriantly white wings of the swan.

Fascinating representation of the angelic messenger.

Lovely bird.

If I do recall correctly,

the celts employed the majestic swan as their sacred symbol

and messenger to the other world.

Their link that existed between the realm of their gods

and the realm of humans.

Very relatable.

I can only speculate...

That the man with swan wings, or in this painting,

the wild bird man,

is a creation

of the overtaking by christianity.

Bless the imagination.

¶ Walk, walk, walk ¶

¶ walk, walk, walk ¶

¶ just a closer walk with thee ¶ it's wrong.

It's just downright wrong.

702.

¶ For thou art strong ¶

departed.

¶ Jesus keep me from all wrong ¶

it's wrong, and I'm not gonna do it.

And neither should you.

It's death till you part.

She's your mother.

¶ I'll be satisfied as long ¶

¶ as I walk ¶ 705.

¶ Let me walk close to thee ¶ departed.

¶ Just a closer walk with thee ¶

¶ just a closer walk with thee ¶

¶ grant it, Jesus, is my plea ¶

( music fades ): ¶ daily walking close to thee. ¶

have you ever smelled death?

I don't recall smelling it.

Death smells like

nothing you've ever smelled in your life.

What does it smell like?

You know when you've smelled death.

'Cause when you smell it,

you say to yourself, "damn, did something die?"

( Motor revs )

Anything?

Does it say anything about a child?

No. Not specifically.

There was a small child

roaming the garden.

Oh, flower,

it said nothing about children.

Wait.

Narrator fluctuates between the first and third person.

Quite interesting.

I would have to say that he's above the age of a child.

Flower,

every town you go scurrying off looking for offspring.

Wait.

Wait.

Wait.

Wait.

Wait.

( Loud thud )

( Loud thud )

( Loud thud )

( Loud thud )

( Loud thud )

( Loud thud )

( Loud thud )

( Loud thud )

( Loud thud )

( Loud thud )

( Loud thud )

( Loud thud )

( Plinking )

( Rattling )

( Plinking )

( Plinking )

( Plinking )

( Plinking )

Would you like a cup of tea?

One lump or two?

My name is cup of tea.

To my right,

as you may already know,

is flower Hercules.

To my left, COD.

And behind us all,

but in front of you, happy.

And you are?

Irwin.

Hello, irwin.

And your surname?

Sir irwin.

Well, sir irwin

of northfork,

my family and I have traveled

a long way.

And we are having trouble finding a loved one.

Are you familiar with the unknown angel?

Yes.

Now...

This is where we can be of help to each other.

What could we offer you?

When you leave just take me with you.

( Laughs ): No.

Never.

We do not take children.

Then I can't help you.

Now, sir irwin...

You're being unreasonable.

Where we're going

we can't take you with us.

Then take me a thousand Miles.

A thousand Miles in anybody's book is a long way.

How about a hundred Miles?

A thousand. 200.

A thousand. 300.

A thousand.

400, and that's it.

A thousand, and that's it.

Do you know how far that is?

A thousand Miles is a far, far, faraway place.

500 Miles.

A thousand.

All right.

We'll take you a thousand Miles

if you bring us the unknown angel.

In the morning?

Deal?

¶ You make a living of a heart full of shame ¶

¶ you broke the law... ¶

¶ of God and man ¶ you have two customers.

¶ You stole that little one who's ring was on my hand ¶

¶ I see that you are with that old flame ¶

¶ but will that take from you a heart full of shame... ¶

( music continues )

These son of bitches are harder to yank

than a tick on the touch-hole of a chicken.

I hear ya.

Ursula...

Good morning.

You have six customers... Now seated.

( Door opens )

Well, if it ain't the bottom feeders.

Go ahead, Willis.

Eggs?

( Explosion )

( Record scratches, rumbling )

Bacon?

( Music continues )

Sausage?

No meat?

Potatoes?

Soup.

Chicken?

Broth?

Cup or bowl?

Yeah!

Good work, boss.

Nice work, Walter.

Nice work, Walter.

Thank you, boys.

I'll have a bowl.

Same.

Same.

Same.

Same.

Okay.

( Explosion )

( Explosion )

( Explosion )

( Explosion )

( Explosion )

( Explosion )

Damn it.

It's only dirt.

Afternoon, boys.

Good afternoon,

father.

Walter.

Your wife, Patricia...

Henry...

Irwin's still sick.

I'm sorry, father.

Well, you got anything

that'll keep his spirits up and his fever down?

If I was those parents, I'd be ashamed.

Well, most parents can't see their child ill.

So they throw him in a lake.

All depends, Henry, on how you look at it.

Either you're halfway to heaven or halfway to hell.

Here we go, father.

It's an antibiotic.

Inject five cc's of this into his arm.

All right?

Bless you. Have a safe journey.

Thank you, father.

Thank you, father.

Thank you, father.

Thank you, father.

Thank you, father.

Thank you, father.

Thank you, father.

Thank you, father.

Thank you, father.

Thank you, father.

Pop?

Yeah, son?

You suppose he's got two of everything in there?

I suppose we'll find out.

Damn it.

I know.

Not one, but two chevys.

I know.

This is going to be difficult.

Yep.

Ever since we started moving folks out...

We've never done well

with people that owned chevrolets.

Matt...

This country is being divided into two types of people...

Chevy people...

And Ford people, Matt.

Yep.

( Country music playing )

¶ Now, I don't care ¶

¶ if I'm not the first love you've known ¶

¶ just so I'll be the last ¶

¶ now, I don't care... ¶

looks like he's got some kind of a hammer.

No, it looks more like a...

I think he was holding a shotgun.

( Gun cocking )

I think you're right.

( Gunshot )

Every town we come to,

you want a child.

Once again, selfish.

How observant.

The noble englishman.

How I longed to be Earl gray.

The wit that got us here.

It's a splendid acquisition.

Unknown architect.

Probably owner-builder.

A true visionary, I might add.

Jesus.

No, no, he was a carpenter.

We-we're searching for the unknown.

The unknown doesn't just come knocking on your door.

If it is unknown, how would you know if it did come knocking?

Well, it won't be in the shape of a child.

I would have to agree.

Flower Hercules: Happy.

Do you ever disagree?

I disagree with the englishman's use of starch.

What do the scriptures say?

"Temperature, 105 degrees. High.

Please look after him when I leave."

( Music box playing )

( Music stops )

What do you suppose we do?

We're gonna wing it.

We're gonna wing it.

( Gunshots )

( Gunshots )

( Gunshots )

( Bell ringing )

Marvin: It appears they've...

Worn out their welcome.

Good afternoon, Mr. stalling.

My name is Walter o'brien.

This here's my son, Willis.

We're with the evacuation committee.

It's been brought to the state's attention

that you are seeking some assistance.

I'm not going anywhere, son.

We're aware of that, sir,

that's why the state has asked us to come to your aid.

The state understands your difficulty with moving on.

Group: The state will not hurt, destroy,

nor harm you physically in any way.

It is our civil duty to assist you in making this transition

as easy and pleasant as possible.

Your agreement is this...

you will each be assigned 65 households to depart.

Having fulfilled said obligation,

you will then each receive 1.5 acres

of prime, lakefront property.

Your lot size will be increased

by one fifth of an acre for every additional household

that you assist in evacuating beyond the initial 65.

Have I made myself clear?

I'll take your vacant stares as a yes.

I could live with an acre and a half.

( Gunshot )

Okay by me.

May we, sir?

( Squeaking )

So...

The prodigal son returns.

Already packed.

A little ahead of yourself.

I've brought what you're looking for.

You have?

Outside.

I don't see anything.

We still have a deal?

Yes, yes, yes.

We have a deal.

Yeah, we still have a deal.

Where is it?

Oh, my.

Oh, my.

Hello.

( Muffled music playing )

( Music playing clearly )

We'd appreciate it

if you both would stop

screwing around.

Well, what do you want to do?

The youngs are going to have a moving sale.

Perfect.

( Chirping )

Stalling: Now, all I need is a pair

of sinners like yourselves

to mount up there now.

We appreciate

very your giving us

this time to discuss this matter.

( Whispering ): A pair of wives?

At least they're not mounted.

You know,

it appears to me that you folks

are preparing for a flood in biblical proportions.

You got that right, son.

A flood is going to wipe through this place,

cleansing the soil of all sin.

Understandable.

When God tells us to get a move on,

we're gone at the first holler of a rooster.

We ain't needing the state to come in here

and tell us when to pick up and get going.

That's God's doing.

This is God's land, and by God

we ain't moving until we get that sign from above.

We aren't telling you to pick up and get going.

Look at us as your life preservers.

You can use us if you want,

or not at all.

We give you that choice.

We're all in the same boat.

So, sir, if you don't mind, sir,

I'd like to bend you and your wives' ear a bit

and tell you about the signs of God

that we are familiar with.

This could be that sign.

A what?

He said he was a relative.

To us?

Yes.

You're the unknown angel?

Yes.

The one you're looking for.

Optimistic.

He is unknown.

The angel part's

questionable.

Very.

How romantic.

There's a novel about you, too.

I started to collect these.

This is the first one I grew.

Walter: Now I'm not saying that this boat

you have built isn't worthy.

From the looks of it,

you've done a mighty fine job.

But for the sake of my job, let's just say

it doesn't.

Doesn't what?

Your boat doesn't float.

Imagine this, if you will.

A town on the plains, let's say northfork,

was hit by a catastrophic flood,

similar to the days of Noah,

and you husband and yourselves

are standing out there on the roof waiting to be rescued.

A friendly neighbor

comes paddling by in his little wooden boat,

and he yells, "hey, there, Mr. and Mrs. stalling,

"and... uh, Mrs. stalling,

jump on in and I'll take you to dry land."

What do you say?

I don't know.

The water's rising.

"No, thank you, thy friendly neighbor.

I'm waiting for a sign from God."

No, thank you.

I'm waiting for a sign from God.

Yes, exactly.

And your friendly neighbor paddles away.

A few days later

a state rescue team comes by in a larger boat.

And let's just say

me and Willis are on board.

And we offer you the same deal.

"Jump on in,

"and you, Mrs. stalling and... Mrs. stalling,

will be saved."

And you say...

No, thank you.

We're waiting for a sign from God.

Walter: A few more days pass,

and the water level has risen.

It has risen above the roof.

And unfortunately,

you and Mr. stalling have drowned

and now are in heaven in front of God.

Dear, we died.

What about our belongings?

What about our belongings?

We died?

Oh, yes, you three have died

because you waited for a sign from God

and it never came, and you three died.

But why?

That's the exact question you would ask God.

You would say, "we waited for the sign and it never came."

And you and she...

And Mr. stalling... died.

Now what do you suppose

God is going to say to you both?

I don't know.

Mr. stalling?

I'm dead, remember?

May I?

I'll tell you what God will say.

"I sent you two boats...

"Two boats.

To save your lives."

What more of a sign did you three want?

( Sighs )

May I?

Fascinating.

You have a lovely

collection of feathers.

Thank you.

And your halo.

Where's that?

( Whispering ): They took it off when I was little.

I didn't need it anymore.

And these must be your wings.

And these must be your wings.

Oh, mighty.

Look at this.

And where did we get this?

Mrs. stalling: These are quite stunning.

The grace of God.

Willis: Yes, they are.

We're offering you a pair of something

that only the man upstairs is willing to give you.

Where'd you get these boys?

Born and raised right her in northfork.

Dear, what are you thinking?

I'm thinking, what bird suffered this?

Oh, there's nothing fowl about these wings.

I understand your initial doubt,

but how many times have you seen wings

of this size and beauty?

Irwin: This is what

most of us were shot with.

Tranquillity at its finest.

This could make and elephant fly.

Irwin: It stuck in me

right here.

May I look?

Appears to be lengthy needle of some sort.

Five years, maybe six years of age.

Used numerous times

for injection.

You were shot with this rifle?

Yes.

I was running with my flock

and they shot me.

You were running with your flock?

Yes.

Flock of what?

Doves? Geese? Seagulls?

Angels.

Mr. stalling: Angel wings, huh?

I'm here to tell you these wings is worthless.

And to remove all doubt,

we included this certificate of authenticity.

Signed, sealed and blessed by your own father Harlan.

"Found near the glaciers,

these wings, blah, blah, blah."

This particular pair were detached from a juvenile

who probably strayed from the flock.

"Perhaps no wiser than four years of age.

"The abbreviated wingspan reveals to us

"that he weighed no more than 25

to 30 pounds before they were removed."

A bit too disturbing for me.

Happy...

Are you looking at this?

( Rumbling )

Would you say amputated?

Yes. Amputated.

Fascinating.

Cup of tea: Angel. Huh.

Aren't we all?

I'd say quite the opposite.

Probably a little devil,

and daddy gave him a good strapping.

There's a back story for you.

Does these cause any pain?

No.

This would be recognized

as a highly dangerous

procedure without anesthesia.

Some people would just

bite a bullet.

A highly

skilled surgeon was overly concerned

with muscle stabilization.

There's no evidence of curvature of the spine.

You're discovering

feathers in this area?

Yes.

What time of day?

Morning.

Can you run your fingers

through his hair?

What can you tell us about your relatives?

My mother and father were 12th generation angels.

And grandma had wings the size

of bombers and would glide the plains

of northfork.

Mr. stalling: Come on, you ladies,

can't you just smell the bird shit?

I mean, I'd like to believe these wings is authentic,

but the feathers,

they ain't attached to anything.

You take those moose antlers back there.

Oh, dear.

Yeah, it's a fine

set of antlers, but it's more than just a rack of horns

attached to a piece of board.

That wouldn't be enough.

It's an okay place to hang your hat,

but there ain't no pride in it.

What you need is the whole head hanging up there.

And these marble eyes just a-staring on down at you.

Then you know you've got something really worth having.

Mr. young: We're still not leaving.

I've got a thousand-dollar check from the state,

or would you rather use that for your funeral services?

Then you best get the hell out of here right now.

Use these to fly the hell out of here.

Wow.

( Snoring )

( Snoring )

( Snoring )

( Whispering ): Eddie. Hey, Eddie.

I think jigger's asleep.

I think jigger's asleep.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Let's go.

( Snoring )

Arnold: Jesus Christ.

Arnold: Jesus Christ.

Arnold: Jesus Christ.

Happy: The scars on his forehead

tell me he did

have a halo.

Most likely metal.

To stabilize his...

( Rifle firing )

Oh.

Everything all right?

Dankish, beetle-headed foot-licker.

Flower: What is wrong with you?

Happy?

You should be asking yourself that question.

Fired from a long barrel rifle.

Ten feet away.

Needle meant

to penetrate two to three inches of skin.

Perhaps the hide of a herbivore.

Beast to the hallucinogenic.

Would you like a cup of tea?

This isn't tea time.

Given my weight,

calculated dosage...

This could be a lengthy trip.

Moist.

Mother...

May I?

No.

Yes.

Cup of tea: Plenty more where that came from.

Here.

Shoot me, shoot COD.

And then shoot yourself

in the foot.

You saucy, sheep-biting flat-mouthed dewberry.

This could be a family...

( Rifle firing )

( Glass breaking )

( Thudding )

( Glass tinkling )

Oh.

( Tone sounding )

Santa's everywhere.

I'm happy.

( Thudding )

( Glass tinkling )

( Wind whipping )

This should back off some evil spirits.

Hmm?

Oh.

Hmm.

( Quiet sigh )

( Quiet sigh )

( Trunk closing )

Two out of three ain't that bad.

Damn it. I say

we hook that thing up to our bumper

and drag it out ourselves.

What are you talking about, Willis?

You know why? I'll tell you why.

That there was number

65.

I know that, Willis.

I'm marking them down as departed.

We can't.

The state makes their final pass-through,

and they find that Mr. stalling locked up in that

boat with his

moosehead.

It's our butt.

It's our job to move them out of northfork.

It's not our job to know where they go.

Willis... It's our job

to move people,

not change their beliefs.

What more

could we have said?

Without the proper words,

this is just a man, nailed to two pieces of wood.

Oh, he's cute.

Irwin: Father?

( Whispering ): Yes, son.

( Whispering ): I don't think they want me.

Oh, no, they do.

They do, son.

They came a long way for you.

Then,

can I go with them?

I will still have to speak with them.

Then,

can you tell them I'm an angel?

I will.

Because I want them to see my wings.

Do you have wings?

Yeah? Me, too.

But mine got old and fell off.

You get some sleep now.

All right.

Father Harlan: Mr. and Mrs. hope?

Yes.

I'm father Harlan.

Father.

Father Harlan: Thank you

for coming on short notice.

Irwin is

a good boy.

I could go on, but

that would seem like I'm selling him to you.

And I'm not.

What?

You're not...

Well, given the chance, I'm sure irwin

would do a better job at selling himself...

Mr. hope: Oh. Than me.

( Soft chuckle )

Can we meet him?

Unfortunately...

You will have to make a decision

before you can meet him.

But, father, it says right here

that we can spend the afternoon with him.

Yes, I know. I...

I'm sorry. I apologize.

But irwin is a fragile boy.

I can't let him get his hopes up too high,

only to have them diminished.

His health can't afford that kind of a disappointment.

Oh, father, we can't make a decision

based upon viewing him from a window.

I'm sorry.

( Whispering ): Why don't you go wait in the car?

( Car door closing )

Father, we come here attempting to adopt a child.

And you turn it into window shopping.

He's not a puppy.

Oh.

Well, maybe that's

what you and your wife should be considering.

I'm sorry

if I have wasted your time.

Have a pleasant journey.

Radio announcer: Many townspeople have speculated

that the body of Jimmy Miller,

son of Doris and James Miller,

still lays in the northfork dam.

One worker has said,

"there is a slight lump in the interior wall

that will hold back 19 million acres of water."

Another work said, "yes, Jimmy is in there.

"They never could retrieve him from the dam.

He is resting in peace."

Tom Johnson, a fisherman, put it this way,

"heck, you can't exactly troll 100 feet

of just-poured concrete fishing for a body."

Walter: Marvin. Matt.

Marvin: Walter. Willis.

Tours of the northfork dam, and possibly Jimmy Miller,

will be starting in January.

For more information,

please contact Montana's water and power.

Somebody is laying there.

You feel a heartbeat?

No.

You can figure...

A death of person is still considered progress.

Son of a bitch is getting the biggest headstone

this side of rushmore.

Yeah.

Congratulations.

65 residents departed.

Good job.

You sign on that bottom line,

1.5 acres will be transferred into your name.

1.5 acres will be transferred into your name.

Hmm.

Well, your log reads 64 residents departed.

Is this correct?

Well, sir...

Yes, sir, it is.

Well, you know what?

I'd like to thank you personally

for your hard work and dedication

in the evacuation of northfork,

and hope to see you boys out there enjoying the lake.

Wait a minute. That's it?

We get nothing?

That's correct.

Sir, there...

There is another house

that we did not confirm their departure.

Well, then, you best go out there

and get it confirmed, huh?

And get it confirmed, huh?

Duck.

Duck.

Goose.

Boy was a tad pigeon-toed.

What do you think?

For most, Vincent van gogh was a fine artist.

To some, he lacked technique.

Paint straight from the tube,

very heavy-handed.

( Clicking into place )

How van gogh cut off his ear

is what is most intriguing to folks.

In each piece I've ever appraised, the story

is always more fascinating than the actual piece itself.

It's a fantastic yarn the boy has spun.

Unfortunately...

The story is more valuable than the actual piece.

What about his collection of feathers?

Cup of tea: Perhaps...

From the stork that dropped him.

Feathers are inconsistent.

I couldn't find any connection

in the scriptures.

Cup of tea: And that spleeny

ill-nurtured gnat.

Flower Hercules: Are you positive?

Oh, flower, please, be open to inconsistency.

What did the feathers come in?

A book.

The book

was in a pillowcase.

I presume that the pillow that the boy

lays his head on is stuffed with feathers.

He is not what we are here for.

LA Fleur was touched by an angel.

LA Fleur was touched by an angel.

LA Fleur was touched by an angel.

Is it snowing?

Is it snowing?

Can I go?

¶ You're not mine anymore ¶

this is it, son.

Looks pretty vacant.

Indeed it does.

Indeed it does.

¶ If you don't ever change your mind ¶

¶ if you don't ever change your mind ¶

¶ if you don't ever change your mind ¶

trick or treat.

( Plucking note )

( Note speeds up )

( Note speeds up )

( Note speeds up )

Smells like something died in here.

That is precisely why we're not going to get mother.

Willis, you smell that?

Yeah, it smells like something died.

Yeah, it smells like something died.

Go upstairs and check all the rooms.

Then we'll leave.

What?

You're kidding.

You go upstairs and check everything out.

Willis, go upstairs,

and see if anyone is up there.

I'm personally not ready to face death.

This is number 65.

Go upstairs, check it out,

and let's get this over with.

I'm checking out the other side.

Willis.

Willis!

( Snoring cuts off )

( Snoring cuts off )

( Snoring cuts off )

Hello?

Hello?

Hello there.

Hello there.

Hello there.

Pop.

Pop!

Do you see anything?

No.

Come on. Jump.

It's about

five feet, come on.

You can make it. Jump.

Come on.

Pop, come on, jump!

You can make it. Come on.

( Grunting )

Flower Hercules: Are you okay?

Would you like a cup of tea?

Happy: I would qualify this

in the area of concussion.

A frothy, Clay-brained snapper.

Let's help you get up onto your feet.

Definitely

going to feel that in the morning.

Willis, let's go.

Did you see anyone?

Nope.

Come on!

Come on!

Get in the car!

Get!

What's got you so spooked?

¶ If you don't ever change your mind ¶

¶ to take me back again ¶

grab the book.

Pop...

Just do it!

Mark them down as evacs.

Evacuated.

Do it!

Okay, I will.

¶ Since the day you say we're through ¶

¶ I'm even more in love with you ¶

¶ and it's my fault that you're not mine anymore ¶

and I think we should go get your mom.

And I think we should go get your mom.

And I think we should go get your mom.

Happy: These have the same texture

as the feathers that were in the boy's book.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

No more than four years of age.

Weighed no more than 30 pounds.

These were attached to something very young...

I'm going to have to evaluate the other side.

Fascinating.

Father Harlan: Oh, lord...

Let the holy angels come

to irwin.

And carry him to your heavenly city.

Free his spirit...

From the prison of his body.

From the prison of his body.

From the prison of his body.

( Praying to himself )

( Praying to himself )

( Praying to himself )

Fascinating.

No.

Please, no.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm a man of faith.

Forgiveness is my job.

But right now,

I can't forgive my faith.

Hmm.

Here.

He grew two inches this summer.

He grew two inches this summer.

He grew two inches this summer.

Pop. ( Sniffling )

Still stacking wood?

Yep.

Pop?

Yeah?

You're not even close to what death smells like.

You're not even close to what death smells like.

You're not even close to what death smells like.

I'm sorry.

I'm coming to get you.

I'm sorry.

I didn't forget you.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

( Sniffles )

( Brakes squealing ) Pop.

Come here.

What?

Can you see?

What?

Look closer.

No, I can't see anything.

What am I looking for?

There's a Nick in my paint.

There's a Nick in my paint!

( Grunts ) ( Finger squeaking across paint )

Don't make it worse.

Don't make it worse. It's only dirt.

I was rubbing it off.

What color is dirt? Brown?

If Marvin weren't blind, he would see

that it was gray... the color underneath my paint.

Walter: Willis, the speck is brown.

Look.

Brown after Marvin's filthy hands rubbed it.

Well, I can't see how you'd think

you could keep your car perfect the way you drive anyway.

It hurts.

The first one... hurts.

You just never know when it's going to come.

You know, that's fate for you.

Walter: A little rock.

You do not have a say in the matter.

Now that you've gotten the first one...

The rest comes easy.

You spend all your time...

Polishing your car,

making everything perfect.

Then this rock...

Flies out of nowhere,

and puts all your hard work to shame.

Nothing you can do about it.

Absolutely nothing.

( Car exhaust knocks )

Holy cow. Oh, my God.

Holy cow. Oh, my God.

( Metal part clangs on the ground )

( Thunder rumbles )

( Thunder rumbles )

( Thunder rumbles )

( Walter mumbling through handkerchief )

into the hole... Take that...

soft, so when you get down in there,

you just thread this rope through the top handle.

What?

You jump down there and do it.

Willis. No more. No, no, no, no.

This is downright wrong.

Once something's buried,

it should stay buried.

I can't show no more respect.

Walter: You know, when this small town

becomes the biggest lake this side of the Mississippi,

your mother will be the catch of the day!

Then throw some rocks on her.

That should keep her down.

Marvin: Where you going to take her?

Eddie: What about California?

Matt: What's there?

Arnold: I heard in California

they're serving cheeseburgers and a soda

in less than two minutes flat.

Marvin: Wow...

That's fast food.

That's fast food.

I know you've been praying.

Not to worry.

A family will come soon.

You may be an orphan...

But you're still a child of God.

Happy: We must go get him, flower.

If I didn't know your voice,

I would think it was my subconscious.

( Sniffles ): Could he be?

Happy: He is.

( Sighs )

You don't want to believe him, do you?

You do?

( Sighs )

He's just a child.

I can't accept that.

( Sighs ) Yes, I know.

We can't.

We have to.

You have to.

Don't let

your motherly nature

cost you your manhood.

He prayed for us.

He prayed for us.

He prayed for us.

Walter: 1.5 acres of lakefront property.

Hmm.

Marvin: Northern pike?

Might be.

Eddie: Pike's not a fish.

It's a dog.

Skull full of teeth.

Pick those suckers up by their eye sockets.

Weapons of massive destruction.

They drop that

pike's milt into this lake.

Willis: You can forget all about the fish

living in peace and harmony.

Pike eat their children.

What they should do is introduce a nice game fish

like the muskie.

Now, that's a fine species.

Mm. Marvin: No fish

from Minnesota should be allowed to swim

past the Missouri.

The fine citizens of northfork knew

that muskie was swimming through their houses,

we would've never been able to get 'em to leave.

Canada ought to claim

that bug-heap they call Minnesota.

Throw in Wisconsin for free.

You have to think that this must have been

his last day on the job.

His last day on the job.

His last day on the job.

His last day on the job.

His last day on the job.

His last day on the job.

His last day on the job.

His last day on the job.

You ready?

1,000 Miles?

Farther.

You're a relative.

Hercules...

The strongest man ever to wear a skirt.

Are you going to be my mother or my father?

I'm both.

Considered the perfect soul,

I search for no one, and no one looks for me.

Whatever I need I look within myself to find.

I am

complete.

I am not king nor queen, yet I am both.

A mother and a father.

You prayed to be this way?

Isn't that what father Harlan says?

"Pray and you shall receive?"

"Pray and you shall receive?"

"Pray and you shall receive?"

"Pray and you shall receive?"

Would you like a cup of tea?

Would you like a cup of tea?

Would you like a cup of tea?

Would you like a cup of tea?

( Laughs )

( Laughs )

Irwin?

Well?

Well?

There you go, son.

There you go, son.

And in that journey of time,

you see many things.

But all issues I had passed.

Because I was to be a witness.

A helper.

And that's the thing, I think,

is important about death,

is the ability for us

to be witnesses.

Not only for our births of coming in,

but going out.

And that's what we have here.

We've lost our town. It's gone.

But maybe there's

a birth someplace else.

Maybe there's a blessing

from that experience.

I'm no longer afraid of death,

but it's a lesson that's taken me

60 years to learn.

60 years to learn.

60 years to learn.

60 years to learn.

60 years to learn.

60 years to learn.

60 years to learn.

60 years to learn.

60 years to learn.

60 years to learn.

60 years to learn.

60 years to learn.

60 years to learn.

60 years to learn.

60 years to learn.

60 years to learn.

60 years to learn.

60 years to learn.

60 years to learn.

60 years to learn.

( Radio static )

Radio announcer: As you stroll around northfork,

take your last walk down the dirt road

that leads to where your house may have been,

and look at the trees that you once climbed.

Smile, and remember those trees for what they will become:

Future snags for fishing tackle.

As you continue your walk, think to yourself,

"this is the only time I will ever be able

"to walk on the bottom of a lake

without having to hold my breath."

Remember when you leave to pack all your good memories.

No one else will pack them for you.

Good night to you all.

Captioning sponsored by Paramount pictures

captioned by media access group at wgbh access. Wgbh. Org