All language subtitles for Do e

No, Dolores!

Leave me be!

Let go of me,
Dolores!

Let me go!

please, Dolores.

Dolores, got a certified
letter here.

You'd never believe
what happened at the knot.

Dolores Claiborne,
what the hell are you--

Oh, my god.

What have you done?

Put it down, Dolores.
Do you hear me?
Just put it down!

Jesus, Dolores.

Oh, god.

Oh, my god.

You killed her.

So you lose the picture.
Not happening.

- It's half a page.
- I'll let you write the caption.

- Come on, Peter.
It's crucial.
- It's salad.

- I'm setting up the whole
campaign.
- It's a better piece
without it.

You already said
it was brilliant.

- I said it was wonderful.
- Oh, there's a difference?

Yeah, half a page.

Fine. I only left it in
so you'd cut it out anyway.

Okay, I'm ready for Arizona.

Wait 'til you see what I got
lined up for the malpractice
piece-- the surgeon's ex-wife?

- Wait a minute.
- Had her on the phone
for 20 minutes last night.

- I haven't assigned you
that story.
- You will.

- Slow down.
- Come on, Peter.

There's a book here.
I deserve this.

Why does every story
have to be do-or-die
with you?

Selena, you're not
the only writer here.

I've got a dozen people
to keep happy,
you know that.

Right.
so now you're not only
not fucking me anymore,

you're fucking me.

- What is it, Helen?
- There's a fax here
for Selena.

From Phoenix?
No, it's a clipping
from the Bangor Daily News.

"Socialite dead,
housekeeper held
for questioning.

Mrs. Dolores St. George
of little tall island, Maine--"
where's the cover sheet?

Fax?
Forget it.

They're hardly out
of the 19th century up here.

Are you kidding?
No, there's no motel.
One restaurant.

They got me sleeping
on a cot in the town hall.

No, tell him to relax.
This is no vacation.

I'll be back on the mainland
as soon as I wrap this up.

He was in for
a fishing license today.

He was just in
to talk yesterday.

Can I help you?
Yes, I'm looking
for Dolores Claiborne.

And you are?

I'm her daughter.

I'm John Mackey, detective,
Maine state police.

Hello.

Will you please call
Constable Stamshaw...

- And get him to come
right up.
- Yes, sir.

I'm sorry.
No smoking.

Public building.

- We've met before,
miss St. George.
- Have we?

You were about 13.

What year was that,
the eclipse?

Must've been,
what, '75?

I was the investigator
when your father died.

We met at the hearing.

What's up, John?

Miss St. George is here.

Selena?

Oh, my gravy.
Frank Stamshaw.

Marshall's brother?
Jonesport High. Right.
Of course.

How are you?
Ah, yeah, it's been
quite a while, I guess.

It certainly has.

To be honest, I'm kinda
surprised to see you here.

Your Mom's been pretty firm
about us not trying to
contact you.

John, I didn't know
Dolores made any calls.

She didn't call.
I saw the Bangor paper.
It was faxed to my office.

- And where's that?
- I came up from New York.

Look, is she here
or not?

- Sh-she's right upstairs.
- Thank you.

Uh, but, uh, John--

Um--
Is she under arrest?

Uh, technically no.

Detective Mackey
came out last night and
we're just getting started.

Started? On what?
We've scheduled an inquest
for Monday morning.

We'll take the weekend,
try and sort things out.

If she's not under arrest,
why are you keeping her
in custody?

Right, okay.
Vera Donovan is dead.

There was an autopsy
in Machias this morning...

And, you know,
she died from a fall.

Your mother was the only person
with Mrs. Donovan at the time.

Well, that was her job,
wasn't it?

I'm afraid, miss St. George,

there's a little more to this
than what you may have read
in the paper.

Dolores?

Dolores,
what are you doin'?

Straightenin' up
this friggin' mess,
is what I'm doin'.

Gorry, but this place
is a dump.

Jesus, Dolores,
you're a suspect,
not a maid.

Now, just leave that be.

Th-there's someone
to see you here.

I told you,
I don't want no lawyer.

Uh, Dolores, uh--

I-It's your daughter.

S-Selena?

My god!
Look at ya.

You cut your hair.

Oh.

I didn't--

You call her?
Is that what you did?

Jeezly-crow,
you got some nerve.

She's here on her own.

Look at ya.
Selena.

I'm just--

My god.

Is it really you?

Look!

Hey, miss Claiborne.
Kill anyone else today?

Not just yet.
When I change my mind,
I know where I'm gonna start.

Go on, Matt, or I'm
gonna call your mama.
Where's the car?

- Right there
across the street.
- Dolores?

I know you've been living
at the Donovan house,
but it's a crime scene now.

I got my own house
and you know it.

Selena, we'd like her
to stay on the island
for the next four days.

I decide to make my grand escape
to south America, I'll be sure
to let you know first.

- I'd appreciate it.
- Uh, one last thing,
Mrs. St. George.

The name is Claiborne.
I changed it back
after Joe died.

And you know it.
Oh, I'm very sorry.
Miss Claiborne.

Good mornin', Pam.

I'm sorry, but it's for the best
if you got yourself some
legal representation.

You're sorry, are ya?

I bet the last time you were
sorry was when you needed
to use the pay toilet...

And the string
on your pet dime broke.

I'm just muzzy here,
trying to think what to say.

All grown up,
looking so--

You turned out
a beautiful woman, Selena.

- Just can't believe
you're here.
- Oh.

That makes two of us.

I'm sure there's
a very good reason for why
you'd go out of your way...

To antagonize them
like that.

Sometimes bein' a bitch
is all a woman has
to hold onto.

Nice car.
It's a rental.

You pay by the day
or by the week?

I assume that's your way
of asking how long
I'm staying.

Gorry, you're more nervous
than I am.

I have to be
in Phoenix on Monday.

It's a big story;
I'm trying to get out of it,

but it may not
be possible, all right?

I didn't kill her.

I didn't push her down
that friggin' staircase.

That's what you want to know,
ain't it?

Well, I'm tellin' ya,
I did not murder that bitch...

Any more than I'm wearing
a diamond tiara.

He's got an eyewitness...

Who puts you standing
over a dead body
with a rolling pin.

- Since when
did you start smokin'?
- Are you not listening to me?

They're talking murder here.

You're lucky
I didn't have to post bail.

Spooky, ain't it?

Can't stand out here
all day.

What a mess.

A regular bunch of artistes.

Look at this mess.

Cheese and crackers!

Friggin' little bastards.

Got an idea
who they are too.

Let me try.

Go further out!

Check that over there.

He might be drunk,

and if he is,
we'll still find him.

It don't matter
if he's drunk or asleep,
we'll find him.

Selena.

Selena!

Get in the house.

Selena, I said get in the house
right now!

I am in the house.

It's cold, I know.

It's a dust bowl.

Oh, thank god
I kept the electric up.

I got some wood.
We'll have hot water
pretty quick.

Clean linens upstairs,
last I looked.

Longer you stand there,
the more boogery
it's gonna feel.

It's dead.

Gorry, it's off
three years at least.

I'd know that if I called
more often, right?

You called Vera's
last Christmas.

The lines go both ways,
mother.

Look, this isn't gonna work.
I need a phone.

I'm going to stay
at the motel.

It's closed.

It's off-season.

What about, um,
Riner's Inn?

He's gone.

It burned down,
must be five years ago by now.

Shit.

There's phones in town.

- We gotta go shoppin'
anyway.
- I'll go.

Alone.

I'll take care of it.

You don't know
what we need.

I'm assuming
it's everything.

You know what?
I've got a game.

- You can count by fives?
- No.

You don't know?
Well, let me teach ya.

I know you are.
You're smart.

Let's count by fives.
You wanna play hide and seek?
Ready?

Five, ten, fifteen, twenty,

twenty-five, thirty.

Five, ten, fifteen, twenty,
twenty-five, thirty.

Where is she?
Where did she go?

I can't find Selena anywhere.
Where is she?

I hear an awful lot of thunder
upstairs, but I can't find
Selena anywhere.

- Where is she?
Is she lost?
- No.

What was that I heard?

What did I hear?
I don't know, I think
I heard something.

There you are.

Huh, let me help ya.
That's my job.

You must be starving.
Oh, these calls.

It ended up longer
than I thought.

Water's warm.
You'll want a nice, hot bath.
I got this.

I spent an hour
tracking down this
goddamned radiologist...

Just so he can tell me
he won't go on record.

That your new story?

You say there's hot water?

Oh, yeah.
Why don't you go on up
and get yourself fresh.

Go on.
It won't bite ya.

Must be a lot of pressure.

All them famous people,
talkin' to 'em.

Oh, I framed the picture.

- You and Richard Nixon.
- He was selling a book, ma.

I got a scrapbook.
Saved all your articles.

Drugstore in Jonesport
puts 'em aside for me.

I used to read them
to Vera.

When she was clear enough
to listen.

You've done so well
for yourself.

Is that what you think?
How well I've done?

Hell, even miss Vera
kiss-my-back-cheeks Donovan...

Couldn't help
but be impressed.

The look on her face
the day you wrote that first
picture-on-the-cover story?

You would've thought
she passed a brick.

Maybe you oughta slow down.

Believe me,
I know my limit.

Yeah. Don't that
sound familiar.

I'd leave it alone
if I were you.

I've seen my share
of drunks, is all.

That's all I'm sayin'.

What did he have
to be happy about?

I suppose
making sure everyone else
was as miserable as he was.

Is that why you killed him?

Oh, tough question,
I guess.

Occupational hazard.

Don't feel too bad, ma.

I asked Jean Harris
the same thing once.

Look,

let's face it, mother:
We barely know each other.

We haven't spoken in years
and that's as much your doing
as mine.

You didn't kill Vera?
Great. You've got nothing
to worry about.

You did? Then you deserve
whatever comes.

Just let's not pretend we're
in some goddamn Norman Rockwell
family reunion here.

I'm sorry, ma,
but that's where we are.

And as for dad,

the few memories
I have of him,

I'd like to keep.

Are you listening to me?

Daddy!

Hey!
We made tapioca.

Get out!
We did!

And it's not instant
either.

And with real cream.

And the next thing you tell me
is you made it just for me.
Right?

There's that
St. George smile.

Don't you look
just like my mother!
That's enough foolin' around.

Tell her she's got
homework to do.
Better do your homework.

Theo called
about the chain winch.

He's got them parts
just sittin' there.
He'll go as high as 250.

I changed my mind.
I ain't sellin'.

It's not worth a hundred.
You said so yourself.

He's got those boats
sittin' there in dry dock.
He needs the damn thing.

Ain't that
the point in a.A.--
Helpin' out your buddies?

"Helpin' out."

Shit!

Besides,
I get that thing runnin',
it's worth 250 a month.

Goddamn it, Dee,
soda's warm!

I only got home
a half hour ago.
It went in first thing.

It's hard enough
drinkin' this stuff cold.

What's so fuckin' funny?

Your pants!

They're split
clear the way up!

Well, ain't that a scream.

Well, you're
pretty goddamn frisky
all of a sudden, Dolores.

Let me take a wild guess.
Vera Donovan's got a whole
freezer full of soda.

Take 'em off.
I'll mend 'em after supper.

What's the deal?

You kiss that rich summer ass
all day long, you got nothin'
left for me.

- Ohh.
- Just remember.

Your father used to
scrape my old man's boat,

so don't be gettin'
high and mighty with me.

You still had the boats,
we wouldn't need
the extra money.

Hey, Dee.

Lookee here.

Huh?

Big ol' smiley moon.
It's just for you.

You wanna see
the dark side?

Yeah, I guess
it is pretty funny.

Yeah.

I hope you haven't
been walking around
all day like that.

Why the hell
you make me do it?

Oh!

Fourteen times four
equals twenty-eight?

Yeah.
Come on.

Sure it is.
It's 14.
No, it's not.

Well, you take 14, you bend it
'til it snaps in half.

One of them pieces in there--

Can I have another
with raisins?
Not 'til after dinner.

You're right
about that real cream.
He loved the raisins.

He said
it's my best ever.

Mom, the cabbage.

Move it off the heat for me,
will ya?

I'm just-- I'm just
restin' here a minute.

That's right.

She run her mouth off
'til she got tuckered out.

She got
plumb tuckered out.

Mom?

D-do you want me
to set the table?

Yeah, that'd be nice.
Thank you, dear.

Each weeknight at 6:00
for the channel 3 news hour.

Stay tuned now
for Walter Cronkite.

each one of these girls
are representing...

A lifeguard station
up the length
of "Anquinid" beach.

It's "Algonquin,"
you goddamned flatlander.

Goddamn it, that better not be
one of my mother's dishes.

You oughta take a look
at this, Dee.

You might want to see
what an ass is supposed
to look like.

The guys on the boat,
always talkin'.

Everybody sayin'...

What a looker you are.

You know what I do?
I come right to your defense.

I say, "shit,
she may be ugly now,

but you should've seen her
when I was drinkin'."

My mother warned me
you'd let yourself go.

Fat ass.

Lousy cookin'.

Runnin' that
goddamned mouth--

Guess what, Joe?
I ain't tired anymore.

You better sit back down, Joe,
if you don't want this
in your head.

Mommy?

Go on back to bed, honey.
Your father and I are havin'
a little discussion here.

Is everything
all right?
Ayuh.

Isn't it, Joe?

Yeah.
Right as rain.

You go ahead, honey.
Go on back to bed now.

- Daddy?
- Go on!

Oh, bitch.

Ain't you gonna get
a payback.

Go on.
All I ask is that
you do it quick.

And don't let Selena
see the mess once it's over.

You wanna run me down?
You go right ahead.

You can be as mean
and hurtful as you want.

But this is the last time
you will ever hit me.

You do it again,

one of us is goin'
to the boneyard.

Make yourself useful,
woman.

And bring me a towel
for my head!

I'm bleedin' all over
my goddamned shirt!

That was one lesson
he got the first time.

Maybe the only one.

It's been a long day.

You must be tired.

What do you want me
to say?

Thanks for sharing?

Selena!

Been lookin' all over
for ya.

It's cold as Christmas.

What are you doin'?

I couldn't sleep.

Catch your death out here.

Tell me about plan "B."
I want you to tell me
you've got a plan, mother.

If it's about money,
it shouldn't be.

I got my
"sociable" security.

I can still work.
I don't need much.
What you need is a lawyer.

These guys, they don't say
"get an attorney" unless
they mean it.

It's you I'm worried about,
Selena.

Let's not
get off the track here.

You're my daughter.

I know that probably
feels like somethin' better
left alone, but it's true.

You're still my Selena.

You're still my good girl.

I can't help
but be worried for ya.
My god, your hands.

Scary.

Yeah, I guess you want
to know somebody's life,

you look at their hands.

Hmm.

Yeah.

That's what 22 years
of Vera Donovan
will do to ya.

Oh, Mrs. Donovan, I promise
there won't be any boys.

You're excused, Susan.

- But Mrs. Donovan,
please--
- look on the bright side, dear.

You may not have
gotten the job,

But think
what fun you'll have
telling your friends...

What a bitch
Vera Donovan is.

Next!

I've been workin'
since I was 13 years old.

Started out
at the Devereaux Hotel,
housekeepin'.

By the time I left there
in high school,

I was cleanin' three floors
all by myself.

I took care
of my father's house
after my mother passed on.

I'm married
and have a daughter.

This is a big house,
but I'm a big woman and
I think I can do a good job.

I do not pretend to be
an easy woman to work for,

Dolores.

This house
has a number of rules.

I'm sure you've heard them
secondhand,

but I'll tell you
in person...

So we can avoid
a teary scene later on.

I like all the windows
open every day
for at least two hours.

she did have her ways,
did she ever.

I don't know where she got
her ideas, but I do know
she was a prisoner of 'em.

The silver has to be checked
and, of course, cleaned
every week.

It may look clean to you,
but I like to see my face
in it.

the tubs had to be
scrubbed out every day...

With vinegar
and bakin' soda.

The tablecloths, napkins,
handkerchiefs--

Everything hand-washed,
ironed and starched.

Mildew was grounds
for firin'.

The sheets, now--

That was one thing
you didn't ever want
to get wrong.

You could've cut off
her high-flown, snobbish nose...

And she still would've
been able to smell a sheet
that had hung outside...

From one baked in the dryer.

Excuse me, Mr. Donovan.
Sorry.

You have to do that now?
Uh, talk to the missus.

Her husband, Jack--

He only came up once
all summer,

most of which he spent
ignorin' her anyway.

She could've just as easy
had the clothesline
beside the house,

but not Vera Donovan,
no, ma'am.

She had to have the south winds
blowin' through her linens.

And that meant trampin'
up and down that hill
twice a day when it was fair.

Isn't this glorious, Jack?

Six pins, Dolores!

You know that's the way
I like it.

Six pins, not five.

Jack?
It's 4:30.

Don't you want
a cocktail?

It was three square meals
of bitchery all summer long,

but I kept my head down and
my mouth shut 'cause every week
that $40 went in the bank.

And there wasn't a damn thing
she could say about it.

Thanks, Annette.
As much as she crabbed
that whole summer,

I must've done somethin' right
'cause come labor day--

Dolores, I'm sure
your winter schedule
is rather hectic,

but I need someone
to touch up the house
once a week.

Dusting,
keeping the mice company.

I could do that
for ya.

Twelve dollars a week
was what I had in mind.

That'd be fine.

Then I'll see you
next Memorial Day.

That winter,
Jack Donovan passed on.

He died in a car crash
in Maryland.

I wasn't sure what to expect
from Vera,

but Gorry if she didn't
show up in high spirits.
Dolores!

I believe I've told you
more than once...

I want the welcome mats
with the letters facing out
and not in.

Yes, ma'am.
She'd sold her place
in Baltimore.

She was movin' up
permanent.
Hand me that doily.

Oh, get that out of here
and put that there.

And take away
this disgusting sofa.

It took 'em two days
to load in her majesty's palace.

She offered me full-time
and I took it.

I took it;
I knew what kind of hell
it would be.

And hell ain't somethin'
you get thrown into overnight.

Nope, real hell comes on ya
slow and steady...

As a line
of wet winter sheets--

Snot leakin' off your nose,

your hands so cold and raw,
you start wishin'
they'd go numb.

It's only December
and you know by February,

that skin's
gonna be cracked so bad
it'll break open and bleed...

If you clench a fist.

But you go on
to the next and the next.

Before you know it,
those sheets stretch out
20 years.

Nobody made you stay there.

- I needed the money.
- Not in the beginning,
not $40 a week.

When I needed it the most.

Not for me, for you.

Oh, that's perfect.
So it's my fault?

You think your father cared
whether you ever got off
this befrigged island?

Here we go.

I put that money
every week--

I put it away in your account.
For school.

Get you out of this place,
once and for all.

- Well, it worked like a charm.
- Hello, ladies!

Little mornin' walk?

Nope. Just packin' up
the speedboat so's I can
make my big escape.

Something we can
help you with?

Dolores, uh--

- We need a hair sample.
- How's that?

We need a piece
of your hair, miss Claiborne.
We're running some tests.

- Are you now?
- Just a strand.

- I think we'll take
a pass on that.
- Look, Dolores--

Right now it's voluntary.
I'd appreciate it, is all.

- Bring your scissors,
did ya?
- I said we'll pass.

I'll have a warrant here
this afternoon.

You want it?

You cut it.

Actually,
I need to pull it.

We need the root.

Go on.
Take what you want.

I ain't doin' any
beauty pageants this week.

- Anythin' else?
- Mother, enough!

We spoke to Sheila Jolander
last night.

She told us she heard you
on more than one occasion...

Threaten to kill
Vera Donovan.

Is that true?
Ayuh.

If she'd have been there
every day, she'd have heard
plenty more than that.

Okay, get in the house.
Vera, in the end,
the way she got,

it's a wonder
I didn't say it every hour.

You go ahead, Mr. Mackey.

You scribble that down
in your pad there.

You make a note on that.

Long as you write down
that sayin' a thing
and doin' it...

Are two separate things.

- But then your wife probably already told you that.
- Dolores!

That's enough.

My wife,

miss Claiborne,

died 12 years ago,
bone cancer.

Natural... causes.

Okay. Guess we'll
press on here.

Frank! I want to
get into Vera's.

I got things up there I need.
Clothes and my personals.

We can go over tomorrow.
We're shipping out Vera's body
this afternoon.

Fine by me.

What the hell
did I just see?

That is the last guy
in the world you want to
make an enemy out of.

I ain't makin' one,
I'm keepin' one.

Oh, what is that
supposed to mean?

You gonna tell me
you don't remember him?

That's all well and good,
miss St. George,

but you told me
that at the time
of your father's death...

You were working as a maid
in a hotel?

- At Jonesport?
- Yes.

Well, Mrs. Devereaux...

At the hotel--

Remember?

Mrs. Devereaux said...

She was surprised
to see you.

She said your Mom
was pretty strict
about not letting you...

Spend the night there.

Isn't that true?

I guess.

So why did she let you stay
on that particular weekend?

Selena.

Problems at home perhaps?

Your Mom and dad--

That a happy situation?
Miss St. George!

The eclipse.

Because of the eclipse,
the hotel was full.

So the money--

They said that we'd make
twice as much.

So this was
all about money?

My Mom let me stay.

They said that we'd make
twice as much.

So your father--
that was just a coincidence,
was it?

My god,
how long are you
gonna let this go on?

The sooner this girl
starts telling the truth,
the sooner we'll be done here.

If he's out to torture somebody,
I'd be happy to get back
in the hot seat.

Mrs. St. George--
anybody who's gonna accuse me
of killin' my husband,

go right ahead
and call me Dolores.

Det. Mackey, you understand,
he's just doin' his job.

Well, if tryin' to turn
an accident into a murder...

And makin' a young girl
who just lost her father
cry her eyes out every night,

if that's just doin' his job,
you better put him down
for overtime.

All right.
Let's split 'em up.

- Slow down, John.
- Five minutes, alone.

Without her.

- Enough, John.
- I only need five minutes.
Come on!

I said, enough.

So don't be talkin' to me
about makin' enemies.
No, sir and no, ma'am.

That son of a bitch
has been waitin' a long time
to pick over my bones.

Hand me that ax.

Just look at this window.
Little piss-squirts!

I oughta call their parents
and have them pay for it.

Now I gotta
go buy glass and putty
and god knows what else.

Could've burned down
the whole goddamn house.

I thought the malpractice piece
was your most important story.

- If you left your number,
I would have called you back.
- Yeah, right.

Look, the radiologist
I told you about?

He got cold feet.

But the intern Levitt?
He's a talker.

I thought you were
going up there
to see your mother.

It's a small domestic
drama up here, Peter.

I can be in Phoenix Tuesday.
It'll be over Monday.

These family things--
I've been through it.
They take a lot out of you.

I am telling you
it's not a problem.

Look, we both want me
to do this story, Peter.

I'm telling you
I'm out of here
Monday at the latest.

Hey, you want a wet dream?
Wait 'til I tell you
what Levitt said.

Are you there?

I gave the piece to Maureen.

I'm sorry, I couldn't wait.
The magazine has to be
first on this.

I-- it has nothing
to do with you.
You know that.

So I guess you're
fucking Maureen now.

Nice try.
Come on, Selena.

- You couldn't tell me
to my face, could you?
- Look.

- I never promised you--
- You goddamned pimp!

Careful.
I need this story,
Peter.

Selena, there are
other stories.

- Better stories.
- Bullshit!
This was the one.

- Selena.
- It's over.

Selena,
it doesn't have to be--

I'll do this again.

Shouldn't you be off somewhere
analyzing my mother's hair?

I was thinking how hard
it must be for you.

Protecting her,
that is.

She's a Hardy soul,
isn't she?

Might just live
another 50 years.

Next eclipse
is due in '96.

She gets away with it
this time,

she might actually
have another chance...

To kill again
before she's through.

Is that something you want
on your conscience?

Yeah, I had a problem
with that myself.

You know, we're probably
more alike...

Than you'd care to believe.

No, we-- we live alone,
no children.

And we have our work.

My cases are my family.

In 30 years,
I've handled 86 homicides.

I've closed 85 of them
to my satisfaction.

I underestimated
your mother.

It won't happen again.

You sent that fax
to my office.

Didn't you?

"For god shall bring
every work into judgment
with every secret thing,

whether it be good
or evil."

You son of a bitch.

Vera Donovan's
on my head.

The next one's
on yours!

You know, Selena.

I can't help rememberin'.

You were a wonderful cook.

- Please.
- You were.

I can't even defrost.

You put supper on the table
three nights out of five.

I was workin',
I'd come back,

you'd have the house clean,
your homework done
and food on the table.

You're just out of practice,
that's all.

You find someone
to look after, you'll see.

It'll all
come back to you.

Someone to look after?

You must have boyfriends,
beautiful girl like you.

Smart and out in the world.

You're tellin' me
there's nobody?

I'm telling you
there's a lot of nobodies.

Dolores!

Friggin' yahoos!
Dolores!

Come on out here,
Dolores!

Stinkin' little bastards!

Get off little tall island,
you goddamn murderin' bitch!

Come on down here, ya little
ass-pickin' squirts!

How many people
you gonna kill before
they put you away?

Come on! Come on,
ya little chickens!

You're goin' to jail
this time, Dolores!

I know who you are!
Chester Lavelier
and the rest of ya!

Come on down here, you got
somethin' to say to me!

They're gonna put you
in the chair, Dolores!

Bye-bye, Dolores!

Bye-bye, Dolores!

What are you doin'?

What does it look like
I'm doin'?

Selena, you been drinkin'.

No shit.

I wish you wouldn't.

Look at me.

Look at me.
You see how I am right now?

Honey, what good
is that gonna do?

Because in ten minutes...

I'm gonna be fine.

Just... give me
ten minutes.

- Selena--
- Just give me ten minutes!

- Hello?
- Selena, I saw your father last night!

Did you help your ma
kill your dad, Selena?

Huh? Or did that fat
bitch do it all herself?
Murderer!

Huh, Selena?

- Did you help her push him
down that well? Huh?
- Who is this?

I find out who this is,
I'll hang your privates
from Battiscan light!

Selena, stop that!

Honey, it's gonna
be all right.

It won't!

- Oww!
- Selena!

My god!
Aah!
Get away!

It was a bad patch.

You had a bad patch,
and now you're feeling it
all over again.

"A bad patch"?
Ohh!

I had a fucking
nervous breakdown, mother!

Don't say words
like that!

I-it was a hard time
and you got through it.

Oh, what am I doing?

- You just needed
a rest, that's all.
- Right.

You snapped out of it
just fine!

You can't have one of
those things and get a full
scholarship to Vassar College!

- It was just a bad patch!
- I must've been out of my mind
to come back here!

Sheriff!

Over here!
Jesus!

- What did you
do to him, mommy?
- Nothin' baby. I promise.

Shit! Look at this!

Come on.

Fuck!

Goddamn it!

Selena,
let me take these
from you here.

Dolores,
I'll take you upstairs.

I'm going to ask you
to step very carefully
on the way up.

Still taking
blood samples here.

If you feel
more comfortable,
miss Claiborne,

you can always use
the back stairs.

John, is it all right
if we go upstairs
and get her things?

Yeah, go on.

I'm sorry.

Yup, h-he got
a search warrant,
so, uh,

had to go through it
for evidence, yup.

It's pretty routine.

Okay, let's get this
over with.

So, uh, you can pack up
and take anything
that's not...

Bagged or tagged.

That doesn't leave much.

I'm sorry, Dolores.

I'll g-give you
a hand here.

Dolores, is that it then?

No.
I got somethin'
in Vera's room.

This room's off-limits.

I'm still going
through things here.

Uh, miss Claiborne.

What's this then?
It's my scrapbook.

Selena's articles.

I'd read 'em
to Vera.

Oh.

Oh. Jean Harris.

Almost got away with it,
didn't she?

Nixon!
yes, I-I read that.
That was good stuff.

You really got him
to open up there.

Ahh. Scholarship?

Vassar.
Very impressive.

Ivan Boesky, Norman mailer,
Nancy Reagan, John Gotti.

Jeezly-crow.

Couldn't ya even clean up
after her? What kind
of people are you?

- Put that back where it was!
- You gonna tell me
this is evidence?

That's exactly
what I'm telling you.
Put that down.

- Jesus!
- Goddamn it!

Tryin' to do you a favor
and that's the way you act?

I ain't leavin' here
without my scrapbook.

I'm sorry, John.

So, Dolores, see you
day after tomorrow,
9:00 A.M. at town hall.

Don't put
your fur up, frank;
I'll be there.

I have a feeling
we could wrap this up
right now, miss Claiborne.

Not gonna be
like last time.

Is that so?

Mother, let's
just go, okay?

Now, you listen to me,
Mr. grand high pooh-bah
of upper butt crack,

I'm just about
half past give a shit
with your fun and games.

My husband's death was ruled
an accident, and you know it
better than anyone.

Death by misadventure,
to be exact.

I'm sure there's people
who'd tell you I had plenty
of reasons to kill Joe.

But Vera?
Why the hell
would I kill her?

All I am is out of a job
and a nice room to sleep in.

You don't need a job,
do you?

Motive?

I'd say one million,
six hundred thousand dollars...

Is quite a motive.

- What?
- your mother's
a wealthy woman, Selena.

What the hell
are you talkin' about?

I spoke to Vera's lawyer
in Baltimore last night.

- John--
- She left you everything.

- Look, John--
- Every last cent.

She can't do that.

- You're lyin'.
- You're a millionaire,
miss Claiborne.

John, wait a minute.

- This ain't hardly the place
to be bringin' all this--
- back off, frank.

It's crazy.
It's plain crazy.

She'd never do that.

She keep it a secret
from you too, Selena?

Or maybe
you knew about it.

Because this will, uh--

I mean, hell,
it's only eight years old.

Frank!

You wanna wait for
the district attorney
Monday morning?

Or should we go
take care of this now?

Get in the car, mother.

Get in the goddamn car!

Fine.

You had no idea
she left you the money?

I swear it.

- Over a million dollars,
mother.
- That bitch.

- That malicious,
high-flown, harpin' bitch!
- Oh, cut the bullshit!

You can afford a lawyer now.

- Car trouble?
- We're quite fine,
thank you.

I wish I had killed her.

Leaving me that money!

I wish I had!

I wish I had
killed her.

What happened
in that house?

Dolores.

Hell's bells.

Look who's up.

I'm wet.

What else is new?

How long this time?

Since ya last made sense?
'Bout two days, I guess.

Just leave me wet,
don't you?

- Oh, phhh!
- When I'm not thinking
straight enough...

To keep on you,

that's what you do!

Isn't it?

Ayuh, it's a regular
party around here
when you're snoozin'.

Where's my China pig?

Well, there's only
200 of 'em around.
Which one you want?

Are you being smart?

No, if I'd been smart,
I'd gotten done workin'
for you a long time ago.

Let's see
what you got left.

Vera! Goddamn it!
You gonna sit here and
marinate in it? Come on.

You're gonna
get on this Fanny pan,
one way or another.

Come on.

There we go.

your chariot awaits,
your highness.

Now, hold on with
your good arm, Vera.

Hold on this time.

Push with your good leg.

Oh, I don't know why
you make me do this.

Ohh.

I hate this nightgown.

Well, your days
of silk and satin
are over, Vera.

From now on,
it's wash and wear.

You're poisoning me.
Aren't you, Dolores?

Slow, but sure.

That's what
you're doing.

No, ma'am, when I get ready
to settle your hash,
I won't bother with poison.

I'll just shove you out the
window; There'll be one less
smelly bitch in the world.

Well,

Don't we have a hair...

Across our ass today,

Dolores Claiborne?

I want my China pig!

Then get off your
royal duff and go get it;
We both know you can do it.

Do you good.
You need the exercise.

What I need...

Is someone who'll
do as they're told!

Don't go too far,
Vera.

I'll go as far...

As I damn well want!

Yes, I will.

If this...

Is what's going to pass
as living,

I'll damn well say
what I want!

- Ah, this little piggy
had champagne.
- Yes, I will!

This little piggy
ate beans.

- I'll fix you some tea;
You'll feel better.
- No!

I won't.

I won't feel better.

I never will.

I'll never
feel better again.

My god.

Vera?

Vera!

Vera.

What-- what the hell
are you doin'?

Vera.
Out of my way,
Dolores.

Vera, where do you
think you're goin'?

Vera, what in god's name
has gotten into you?

Vera! Vera--
let go of me,
Dolores!

Vera--
Let go!

Let me go!

Oh, my god.

Vera.

Vera?

Oh, my god.

- Dolores.
- Don't try to talk.

I'm gonna go call
the doctor.

No doctor.
No hospital.

You're gonna be
all right, Vera.

You just lie still,
don't move.

You're gonna
be fine.

Dolores Claiborne
says I'm gonna be fine.

What a relief it is...

To have
a professional opinion.

Why?

Why'd you do this, Vera?
Why?

Because I hate...

The smell of being old.

I'm tired...

And I wanna be done.

Will you help me, Dolores?

Will you please...

Help me die?

Don't let me die...

In some hospital.

- Vera--
- Kill me now.

Please.

Dolores.

If you really want
to help me,

please hurry.

Dolores,
I got a certified letter here.

You won't believe what--
Dolores Claiborne!

You don't believe me,
do ya?

You think I killed her.

What I think
doesn't mean shit.

It's the rest of the world
you'd better start
worrying about.

I made a list
of attorneys.

These are all
the big muscle firms
in New York.

It could take a couple days.
That's why on Monday
you're not gonna say a word.

Take it.

In case you missed it,
I'm trying to help you.

You think I give
a Fiddler's fuck what
anybody else says about me?

Jesus.

It's you, what you think;
It's the only thing left
that's important.

I can't send you to prison.

You think that's
the end of the world?

Gorry,
might be a relief.

Sit and sleep; Three meals
served up every day.

Maybe you're just happier
being miserable. Is that it?
Is that it, mother?

- If it makes it
easier for ya.
- Vera's a bitch.

She's abusive,
she's mean, she's cheap.

Why not leave?
Why not just walk?

Is that what they do
in New York?

If someone hurts me,
I leave.

And believe me,
I learned that a long time
before I got to New York.

I'm not the one
that hurt ya.

What is that
supposed to mean?

You're blaming him?

Is that
what we're into now?

He was a drunk.

He could barely get out
of his own way.

Fine.

Maybe he hit you.
I don't remember it.

You don't seem to remember
much of anything.

But then he's not exactly
around to defend himself,
is he?

You honest to god
don't remember, do ya?

Look.

Here's the goddamn list.

You do what you want
with it.

That's why you're
so unsettled, ain't it?

"Unsettled"?
don't you mean
"boogery," mother?

If you're attempting some sort
of meaningful analysis, perhaps
we'd best define our terms.

Selena--
it's the cornerstone
of critical thinking:

- The ability to communicate
with an agreed-upon vocabulary.
- We'll have another drink.

No. I've had my fun
for the night.

No!

You sit down
right this minute,

and you can just stow
that Vassar shit!

We're gonna sit down
at this table,
you and me,

and we're gonna
have us a drink.

And when we're through--
When I'm through--

You can run upstairs and take
whichever of those little pills
makes you feel the best.

Don't say a goddamn word.

Before you get too deep in that,
I was wonderin' if you took
a look at her report card.

I saw it.

So what?

- Everybody slips
now and then.
- May I be excused?

Tell me how
an honor roll student...

Who skips the whole 7th grade
can go from A's to C's and D's
in two semesters?

Leave her alone already!

It's not like you were some
great genius at school.

Claibornes. Wasn't one of ya
even born in a hospital,
for Christ's sake.

May I please be excused?

- No, you may not.
- Yes, you may.
You go right ahead, dear.

Thanks a lot.

You'd better learn to stow it;
Gonna drive her
right out the door.

Mom, what are you
doing here?

Thought you and I might ride
back on the ferry together.
Do you mind company?

Beautiful, ain't it?

You used to be
beautiful too, Selena.

Why ain't you
anymore?

When's the last time
you washed your hair?

It's drugs, ain't it?

You've changed.

You're 13 years old,
you're smokin' pot.

I wanna know where
you're gettin' it from and
how long it's been goin' on.

I don't do drugs,
mother.

Whatever trouble you're in
won't change my love
for ya, Selena.

But I can't begin
to help you out of it
'til you tell me the truth.

- Are you pregnant?
Get real.

You wanna end up like me,
dumb and stuck?

Think I been pushing you
so hard in school...

So you can stay in a uniform
cleanin' up after people
your whole life?

- Is that what you want?
- I'm not pregnant.

- Well, then, what is it?
What's goin' on with you?
- Just leave me alone!

No. You and I are gonna ride
the ferry all day until you
tell me what's got you this way.

Leave me be!

- Why won't you talk to me?
- Don't touch me!

- What? Selena--
- stop touching me--
aaah!

Selena! I got you!

- Oh, god!
- Get off of me!

What is the matter
with you?

Talk to me!

Where did you get this?

What are you doin'--

This is your
grandma St. George's cameo.

It's mine.
What did you do?

Did you go
in your father's closet?
Please, Mom, please.

Selena,
did you steal this?

No! It's mine!

Selena, did he--

Oh, my god.

As you can see,
Mrs. St. George,

this account's
been closed out
by your husband and--

How can that be?

That's my life savings.
How can that be when I got
the passbook right here?

Well, you see,
Mrs. St. George,
that is--was--

What we call a custodial
savings account.

That means either parent
can countersign,
make a withdrawal.

But this doesn't show
any withdrawals.

How'd he get the money
without the goddamn passbook?

Mrs. St. George,
if I could ask you
to keep your voice down.

According to this,
your husband stated that
the passbook was lost.

He asked
to be issued a new one.
It's common enough.

Common be damned!
I opened this account!

Who the hell you think
put the money in the bank
to begin with?

Please,
Mrs. St. George.

I'm sorry,
but I assure you what we did
was not only legal,

but standard
bank practice.

Maybe it's legal,
maybe it ain't.

What I can't believe is that
"standard bank practice"
means...

You don't even make one
goddamn phone call to the person
whose name is on this account.

I'm very sorry, but--

Say you're sorry one more time,
I'll kick your butt up so high
you'll look like a hunchback.

Lydia.

It's 'cause I'm a woman,
ain't it?

If I'd been passin' off
a fairy story...

How I'd lost a passbook
and asked for a new one,

if I'd been the one who
started drawin' out what
took 11 years to put in,

you woulda called Joe.

Well,

suppose it's one
of two things.

Either he's buried it
in a Mason jar
in the backyard...

Or else he's opened up
a new account.

Mr. Pease,

I know you don't have to
tell me, but I'm hopin' you'll
think for just one moment...

About the grief and heartache
you coulda saved me by makin'
just one phone call.

I'm askin' you to please
tell me whether he's opened
a new account here...

Or if I gotta start
diggin' holes around my house.

As soon as
the luncheon silver
is clean,

I want the guest rooms
aired out.

I'll want to go over
the linens for the daybeds
in the study and sun room.

No, joy, I don't like
those colors together.
Change them.

Dolores,
did you check
on the flowers?

Oh, must you look
so trod upon,
Dolores?

In 36 hours,
you will have the uniquely
thrilling experience...

Of standing at the epicenter
of a total solar eclipse.

I've got guests travelling
800 miles for something
all you need do is look--

Dolores! Pamela,
have you seen Dolores?

Dolores, as soon
as the caterers arrive,

I want you
to make sure they have
everything they need.

I've made a list;
I want no last-minute,
frantic runs to Jonesport.

Do you hear me?

Pamela,

Would you put on
some tea?

Are we quite finished?

I'm sorry, Mrs. Donovan.
I truly am.

Vera.

I insist that all women
who have hysterics
in my drawing room...

Call me
by my Christian name.

So, enlighten me,
Dolores.

What turns
a stone-hard woman
like yourself...

Into the blubbering mess
I see before me?

I--

Joe stole my money.

I went to close out
my account--

It was money I'd been
saving for Selena.

Three thousand
dollars.

I went to get it out
and it was gone.

Well, don't look to me,
Dolores.

All my money's
tied up in cash.

Planning on playing
the stock market,
were you?

I was gonna leave!

I was gonna take Selena
away with me tonight,
before he gets back.

Well.

Isn't that dramatic.

And why, exactly,
are we running away?

Well, go on, Dolores.

Perhaps it's not as bad
as it seems.

Give it to me!
It's mine!

Oh, my god.

- It's your father, ain't it?
He's been at you, hasn't he?
- What are you talking about?

- What's he done to you?
- Nothing!

- He's been touchin' ya,
hasn't he?
- No!

- What's he done to ya,
Selena?
- Nothing!

You gotta tell me the truth.
It's important.

- No! Leave me alone!
- Selena, you've got to
tell me what's happening!

- Aah!
- You bitch!

- You crazy,
old, lying bitch!
- Selena!

You're fucking psychotic.
Do you know how insane
that is?

- You think I'd make this up?
- Did this actually come to you
or did you work on it?

- How can you not remember--
- I remember you hitting him!
That I remember!

I remember the blood
coming down his face!

- I remember the drinking,
the fighting, but this?
- You're not responsible!

- Mackey's right;
You are dangerous.
Fuck you!
- Selena, please.

- You gotta believe me!
- No, I don't.

Selena!

Selena?

Don't try and stop me.
I'm going to the hotel.

Mrs. Devereaux
needs extra help
for the eclipse.

Selena!
I'll be back
in a few days!

- Selena, we talked about this!
- Look, I don't care
what we talked about!

- Selena!
- I don't wanna be here...

When you talk to dad
about your crazy ideas!

- You come back here
right now!
- Leave me alone!

Selena!

Ohh!

Oww!

Ohh.

For 12 hours sleep,
you don't look so good.

I need to be in Arizona.

It's a big story,
and I need it.

I know.

I packed your things.

You had stuff
lyin' around.

Coffee's on the stove.

What is it?

It's Detective Mackey's
report.

- Here.
- I don't want it.

How remarkably brave,
mother.

I'll make some calls.

You will have your phone
turned on tomorrow.

I'll take the report;
I'm gonna fax it
to a lawyer.

You can expect a call
tomorrow.

And when you talk
to that lawyer,

you damn well better do
what he tells you.

You'll miss your ferry.

You wanna hang yourself,

go into that inquest
tomorrow and start
shooting your mouth off.

I'm sorry, mother.

Sometimes being a bitch
is the only thing a woman
has to hold onto.

Shit.

I hope
I'm doin' this right; I never
worked one of these before.

Gorry, don't
these Japanese make the
cunningest little gadgets?

You're sleepin' now,
Selena,

but I know when you get up
you're gonna leave.

By the time you hear this
I figure you're in Arizona.

By now it's all been
said and done.

Forget about the lawyer;
I'm gonna go down tomorrow
and talk to those people.

I ain't makin' a stink
about it no more.

I'm tellin' you now
what I'm gonna tell them.

I just thought you oughta
hear it firsthand is all.

How far has he gone,
Dolores?

She says
it ain't never happened.

And she screamed and cried,
denied it so bad,
I know it's true.

I shoulda--

The way she's
been actin' around him,
I shoulda known it sooner.

- My god!
- How far has he gone?

We weren't always like this.
We started out-- it weren't
a dream come true, but--

Has he fucked her?

I don't know.

I don't know.

But if he hasn't,
he's gonna soon enough.

He's workin' the boats.

He'll be back tomorrow.

That money--

I was gonna use that $3,000
to get us as far away
from here as possible.

And how far is that,
Dolores?

Jonesport? Bangor?

You've never been more
than 50 miles away
from this island...

In your life.

How long do you think
it will take him to find you?

It's a depressingly masculine
world we live in, Dolores.

Maybe I'm wrong.

What if you're right?

Husbands die
every day, Dolores.

Why, one is probably dying
right now while you're
sitting here weeping.

They die...

And leave their wives
their money.

I should know,
shouldn't I?

Sometimes they're
driving home from their
mistress' apartment...

And their brakes
suddenly fail.

An accident, Dolores,

can be an unhappy woman's
best friend.

Don't you just love
the Bossa Nova?

- I found them in New York;
I just had to have them.
- They're marvelous.

Hi! How are you?

There's a buzzer
goin' off in the kitchen;
You'd better check it.

Dolores!

I'm sorry, Mrs. Donovan.
We're goin' as fast
as we can.

Oh, please!

Everything's...
charming.

- I heard on the radio
they're callin' for rain.
- Oh, don't worry.

I'll have my eclipse.

I'm sending you home,
Dolores.

You've done a wonderful job
and it's all under control.

I want you
to go and share this
remarkable experience...

With your husband.

He will be back,
won't he?

I suppose so.

I've got you
two eclipse viewers
and two reflector boxes.

I thought you and Joe
might like them.

I can't.

Sometimes, Dolores,

sometimes you have to be
a high-riding bitch...

To survive.

Sometimes...

Being a bitch...

Is all a woman has
to hang onto.

Thank you, Vera.

Now, go on home.

Pam and Sheila
can clean up.

Remember,
eclipse at 5:00.

Bring that over here.

I wouldn't miss this
for the world.

I got my binoculars,
gonna find myself
a good spot.

Yeah. Come on.
Come on!

Ha! Get, get going!
All right!

Yeah!

You stupid-- shit--

You sorry
piece of shit!

What the hell
are you doin' back?

Got the afternoon off.

Welcome home to you too.

Ah, don't start
with me, Dolores.

Where's Selena?

She's workin' at the hotel.

Looks like you bought out
the whole store.

Well, what's all this?
It's a present,
to celebrate the eclipse.

Eclipse. Shit.

I been feeling so good lately,
I just thought I'd share
some of my happiness.

What do you got
to feel happy about?

Huh.

Well, Jesus Christ.

- You don't want it?
I can pour it down the sink.
- Yeah, right.

Vera sent us some, uh,

thingamajigs
to watch the eclipse.

Yeah,
like I give a shit.

- Ohh, I don't wanna
fight with ya, Joe.
- Yeah.

Let's just try to
enjoy the day.

That won't be hard.

Looks like D day!

Hey, Dee, look at 'em!

Whole goddamn island's
out there!

Ah, I hope it rains.

Hope it comes down so hard
it drowns 'em all.

What the hell's
got into you?

Ain't nothin' gonna happen
any more'n a thunderhead
goin' across the sun.

Eat up, Joe,
before the flies
beat you to it.

Ah, up
for air we go!

Hey, Dee!

Isn't this what you and all
the rest of them fools
been waitin' for?

Better get your butt
out here!

Oh, goddamn--

Yeah, she's disappearin',
all right.

I got another surprise
for ya, Joe.

Oh, yeah?

What, did somebody invent
a pill to cure ugly?

You know the money
in Selena's bank account?

Yeah, well,
what about it?

You took it.

Mm-hmm.

Well, don't you look sour.

Yeah, I guess it is
pretty funny, isn't it?

I fooled you
right and proper,
didn't I?

You fooled me about a lot
of things, but I guess I
finally caught up with ya.

You already spent
five hundred of it.

What'd it go for, Joe?
Poker?

Beer?

There you go,
sellin' me short.

It was set aside
for school.

Maybe you figured you blown
all our money, you might
as well run through hers.

Ah, school. Shit!

Can't even wipe your ass
for three grand these days.

I spent the day
with the people at the bank.

Turns out you weren't
supposed to do that--

- lie to 'em,
make 'em break their rules.
- What?

What did you go and do?

I got all that money given
right back to me in cash.

All but the five hundred
you pissed away.

So you can just go
fuck yourself,

that is if you can get
that limp noodle of yours
to stand up.

I told you what'd happen...

If you didn't leave off
bein' fresh with me,
didn't I? Huh?

You believe me now,
do ya?

Huh?
Yes-- yes! Joe!

Oh... my-- my god.

Look at that.

A star.

A star!

Well, you'll see
plenty o' them,

you don't start tellin' me
where that money is right now!

I buried it...
In the yard.

- Out by the field.
- Let's go get it back where
it belongs, why don't we?

Oww! God!

Believe you me,
there'd better be
every last cent of it!

You better save
the big talk...

For your pals
at the barber shop!

I wonder if they'll
think you're such a stud...

When they find out
the only ass you can
get your hands on...

Belongs to your
13-year-old daughter!

I don't know what
you're talkin' about.
Really?

Then how come you
look like the devil
just reached in...

And grabbed
them little raisins
you call balls?

She's a liar.
She's a little liar!
She's a goddamn tease!

How could ya do it, Joe?

After everything
I did for her,

she's...
mouthin' off like that,
tellin' lies like--

When she gets back,
I'm gonna get my belt.

I'm gonna-- I'm gonna--
I'm gonna get my belt!

The only thing
you're gonna get...

Is a long stretch
in Shawshank prison
for child molestin'!

You goddamn bitch!

The more you run,
the worse it's gonna be!

You're gonna get
your payback now, bitch.

It's gonna cost you
more than money!

You're mine now,
you little--

Dee! Give me a hand before
I fall all the way in!

Dee! Help me before
I fall all the way in,
goddamn it!

Goddamn it,
what are you doing?

Dee, where are you goin'?

What the hell are ya doin'?
Dee, come on!

Dee, don't go nowhere!
Where are you going?
What are you doing?

Dee. Dee.

What are you--

Oh, you bitch!
Oh, you're gonna die!

Help, somebody!

Oh, god,
somebody help me, please!

Help! Y-- help!

Help, somebody!
Oh, goddamn it.

Nobody can hear you, Joe.

You bitch!
You'd just better hope
I don't get outta here.

The eclipse lasted
six-and-a-half minutes.

They said it was
some kind of record.

It was a helluva lot more
than a thunderhead
passin' across the sun.

It was beautiful.

I burned my dress.

I dropped the whisky bottle
out near the well...

And started askin' folks
if they'd seen Joe off
on a bender somewhere.

Other than Detective Mackey
showin' up and makin' trouble,
it was easier than I thought.

That's what happened,
plain and true,

and I don't care no more
who knows it.

Guess all I do care about,

all I ever cared about,

is that
you're safe and sound.

I lied to ya.

And I lied to myself.

Now it's time
to pay the Piper.

Here we go.

One coffee, one dollar.

Out of five.

Okay, one coffee,
one hot cocoa.

That'll be 60 cents.

Ah, my credit
ain't worth half that.

There you go.

You look cold enough to
climb inside a clam shell.

Here.
This'll warm you up.

What's the matter?
You don't want it?

It's hot chocolate,
just for you.

Come on, let's take
the top off.

Hey, you got
that little thing
I give ya?

Let's have
a look at it.

You know, this is
very special, Selena.

My mother got it
from her mother...

And I'm not gonna
give it to just anybody.

It's very special for you,
okay, sweetheart?

Here, take that.

It's a very special thing
for you, sweetheart.

Your hands cold?

I'm okay.

Here,
give me your hand.
I'm fine!

Nobody's gonna see us,
sweetheart.

Here, come on.
Gimme your hand.

- My cocoa will spill!
- Oh, gosh.

Well-- well,
I'll buy you another one.

Come on, let me
dry your hands off.
I'm all right.

Oh, gosh,
your hands are cold.

I can't get my hand--

damn it.

Daddy, please.

No!

Now, come on now,
you know how to do it;
I showed ya.

You remember
how I showed you?

Nobody's gonna see us.

Come on, baby.
Do you remember?
Huh?

Selena?

You remember
how I showed ya?

Selena, please.
Come on.

Come on.
That's it.

Ohh, that's it.
Ohh, you're my good girl.

I love you, Selena.

You're my good girl.

You want your change
or what?

No. You keep it.

I was gonna kill her,
your honor.

She tried to do it herself,
but she was still alive.

She begged me to finish
what she started.

I didn't know if
I could do it or not.

By the time I got
back from the kitchen,
she was dead.

Just your good luck,
I guess.

They tell me you've waived
your right to counsel.

Yes, sir.

I can tell you
I've married people who
brought lawyers with them.

Let's just get this
over with.

Before I sign
Det. Mackey's report,

there are a few things
I'd like him to clarify
for me. John?

Uh, miss Claiborne,

I have several witnesses
who say they were present...

When you threatened
the life of Vera Donovan.

Now, that's true,
is it not?

Why don't you ask me
what you really
want to know?

In due time,
miss Claiborne.

In due time.

- Is it true you made those threats?
- Of course, it's true.

She told you herself
on Saturday.

I'm sorry, miss.
This is a closed hearing.

The woman sitting over there,
the one without a lawyer?
That's my mother.

This isn't a trial.
I have every right
to be here with her.

John?

Selena St. George.
Let's just wrap this up
and get back to the mainland.

This report is incomplete.
Maybe before you sign off
on this--

We're in the middle
of a questioning,
miss St. George.

My mother did not kill
Vera Donovan.

Oh, that's funny.
I've got 30 pages here
that says she did.

This thing is totally
circumstantial.

Excuse me, but I've covered
enough courtrooms to know
he's got no hard evidence.

Circumstantial?
Samuel Marchant, page six.

Why don't you tell him
what's not in the report?

You've had a whole weekend
to get yourself a lawyer.
John!

What is it, miss,
that's not in the report?

These two women
loved each other.

Oh, really?

Well, that's something
we'd like to hear.

That's something
we definitely missed...

In our investigation.

Isn't it, frank?

Why don't you tell us
about this great...
Mutual affection.

Your personal observations.

How they'd get along
when you'd visit.

Christmas, birthdays,
holidays.

Whenever you could
tear yourself away from
your judicial reportage.

Why don't you tell us,
miss St. George?

When was your last visit?

Miss?

Fifteen years ago.

You must have some memory.

These women were together
for 22 years.

My mother spent
the last ten years caring
for Vera 24 hours a day,

365 days a year...

For $80 a week.

Maybe you oughta quit
while you're ahead.

He says they hated
each other.

I want to know,
if you hated each other,
why you stayed together.

There were other jobs,
better jobs.

Why go through
20 years of hell?

- Why, mother?
- Please, miss St. George.
This is embarrassing.

You're supposed to be
a professional,
aren't you?

We know I never visited.

Who did?

In the past few years,
who else has been
in that house?

- Doc Cullen came once a month.
- Let's not forget
Sammy Marchant.

Nobody else gave a damn
whether they lived or died.

All they had
was each other.

That's why
you stayed together.

I mean, really,
is that what you do
when you hate someone?

You trade off
your life for--

What is it,
twenty cents an hour
just to keep them going?

Ah, please, all this
is very touching.

But one million,
six hundred thousand dollars...

Is a little more
than 20 cents an hour.

- My mother never
knew about the will.
- Oh, come on.

Miss St. George,
the will is eight years old!

You were there, frank.

You were there
when Det. Mackey
told her about the will.

- Do you think
she knew about it?
- The constable's not on trial.

Neither is my mother!

Constable?

Sh-she seemed pretty surprised,
I guess.

To me.

That's how I saw it.

You want us to believe
that they were best friends...

And alone for eight years,
and they never even talked
about it?

I think people
can keep secrets
a lot longer than eight years.

A $1.6 million secret?

Ah, come on!

Did you know about the will,
miss Claiborne?

No, sir.

Vera made it pretty damn clear
she was takin' it all with her
when she went.

I figured when she passed on,
there'd be some laundry to do
and a fare-thee-well.

- Isn't that convenient?
- You don't believe her.

Then I tell you what,
detective.

We may be in the presence
of a truly gifted criminal mind.

For eight years, she's
a heartbeat away from being
the richest woman on the island.

So what does she do?

Does she wait one year
and let Vera drown in the tub,
spend three years starving her?

- You're only
digging yourself in deeper.
- Smother her in her sleep?

Drug her? No.

No, my mother's "plan"
is far more brilliant
than that.

Howard, please!

She waits through eight years
of bed pans and sponge baths...

And diapers and bedsores.

She waits eight years
until Vera's got one foot
in the grave.

- Then what does she do?
- We know what she did.

That's your theory.
She waited eight years
to throw her down the stairs.

Yes! To make it look
like an accident.

An accident?
She ransacked the kitchen
for a rolling pin!

- Calm down!
- Is beating Vera to death going
to look like an accident?

She panicked,
just as you're doing now.

Sammy Marchant brought
the mail every day at noon.
Why not wait 'til midnight?

She panicked!
She knew she had to
finish her off!

- How do you know what she knew?
- Forty years experience!

- And you've never been wrong.
- Not when it counted.

Oh, that's right.
You're 85 for 86,
aren't you?

- Yes, I am.
- One case away from
a perfect record.

- This report is the truth!
- Truth? Bullshit!

Why don't you tell him
why we're really here.

Go on.

Tell him.

- Because she's done it before.
- Wait a minute!

Is there some
prior felony here, John?

No. No, there's not.

They wouldn't indict her.

Eighteen years ago,

my father drank
a bottle of scotch
and fell down a well.

Det. Mackey didn't think
it was an accident,
which is...

Why we're here today.

And what do you think,
Selena?

I think I owe you
an apology.

I called you
a son of a bitch.

You said you thought
we were a lot alike?
And you are right.

We both spent
the past 18 years
prosecuting this woman.

We came out here--

I know I did--

Believing she was guilty.

We forgot this case
is about Vera Donovan.

Not my father.
And what if
it wasn't an accident?

Look.

It's been 18 years.

I don't know
what this has done to you,

but let me tell you,
it's consumed me.

I have lived with this
every day of my life.

Every day.

I was wrong
and I won't do it anymore.

And if I can say that,
my god,

can't you?

She didn't kill
Vera Donovan.

You've been out here
all weekend looking
for a smoking gun.

There isn't one.

All you've got
is a 30-page description
of a suicide.

I'm asking you
as an honorable man.

In all your experience,

all that you've seen,

would we be here right now
if this was anyone other
than Dolores Claiborne?

This report's the truth!

I'd like you to know
that if you go to trial
with this,

you'll fail again.

You better ask yourself
how you want to finish
your career.

Because I've got a long list
of New York lawyers...

Who would just love to
take you and this case apart
in front of a jury.

Mother.

Come on, let's go.

He can't hurt you
anymore.

John?
This is your ball game.

I'm gonna leave this
up to you.

Come on.

It's time.

Even when it's warm here,
it's cold.

Yeah. It won't be
like that in Arizona.

There is no Arizona.

I don't have to go.

It was a lie.

My editor--

The story, the book--
It's all over.

Do I still have to
worry about you?

I don't know how to feel
about what you did.

Maybe I never will.

But I know
you did it for me.

- Hey, let's go!
- I don't want to lose you again.

Go on.

You're not gonna lose me.

You go on.

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