All language subtitles for Cross.Creek.1983.1080p.WEBRip.x264-RARBG-English

CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY
LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT

Marjorie:
MY JOURNEY TO MATURITY

BEGAN IN NEW YORK
IN 1928.

I WAS MARRIED
TO CHARLES RAWLINGS,

A NEWSPAPER MAN
AND YACHTING ENTHUSIAST.

I HAD BEEN TRYING
TO WRITE STORIES

THAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE
MOST LIKELY TO SELL.

GOTHIC ROMANCES
WERE EXTREMELY POPULAR,

AND I HAD WRITTEN DOZENS.

I WAS DESPERATE
TO EXPRESS MYSELF.

EVEN AS A CHILD,
I HAD BEEN CONSUMED

WITH A DESIRE
TO BE A WRITER.

[RAGTIME MUSIC PLAYING]

Man: CAR,
PLEASE, NORRIS.

[PEOPLE CHATTERING]

MARJORIE.

MAX REJECTED
MY SHORT STORY.

MAX PERKINS ISN'T
THE ONLY EDITOR

IN THE WORLD.

I KNOW.

I THOUGHT YOUR STORY
WAS DAMN GOOD.

EXCEPT FOR
THE PRETENTIOUS PARTS.

LET'S TAKE A RIDE
UPSTATE TOMORROW.

WE'LL MAKE A DAY
OF IT?

IT LOOKS LIKE I'M GONNA HAVE
A HANGOVER TOMORROW.

[SIGHS]

I HAVE ARRANGEMENTS
TO MAKE, CHARLES.

WHAT KIND
OF ARRANGEMENTS?

I DON'T THINK
WE SHOULD DISCUSS IT HERE.

WHY NOT?

WELL, PUBLIC SCENES
EMBARRASS YOU.

YOU BOUGHT THAT
DAMN ORANGE GROVE.

WHAT IN HELL POSSESSED YOU
TO BUY A PLACE SIGHT UNSEEN?

I WASN'T CONSULTED.

YOU DIDN'T FOR ONE MINUTE
THINK ABOUT ME

OH, THAT'S NOT TRUE.

ALL YOU CARED ABOUT
WAS YOU AND YOUR DESIRE

TO WRITE
THE GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL.

DO YOU SERIOUSLY
EXPECT ME TO MOVE

TO SOME HICK TOWN
AND GROW ORANGES?

IS THIS YOUR VISION
OF AN ARTIST?

I--I'M NOT A KID.

I CAN'T JUST PICK UP
AND LEAVE.

WHY NOT?

FINE.

TAKE YOUR TYPEWRITER
AND GO TO CROSS CREEK.

JUST DON'T EXPECT ME
TO SHARE IN YOUR SIMPLE LIFE.

CHARLES...

YOU'RE MY HUSBAND.

AND I LOVE YOU, MARJORIE.

COULDN'T YOU
COME WITH ME?

NO.

[RADIATOR HISSING]

[ENGINE SPUTTERING]

[TURNS ENGINE OFF]

[HISSING]

Marjorie: AFTER 30 YEARS
OF URBAN LIFE,

I WAS TOTALLY UNPREPARED
FOR THIS SMALL FLORIDA TOWN.

[DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE]

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

EXCUSE ME,

UH, IS THERE
A TAXI AVAILABLE?

YOU WANT THE HOTEL.

OH, THANK YOU.

YOU WANT NORTON BASKIN.

JUST ASK FOR NORTON,
HE'LL HELP YOU OUT.

THANK YOU.

[SWING MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO]

[RINGS BELL]

MR. BASKIN?

MM-HMM.

I--I'M LOOKING
FOR A TAXICAB.

[LAUGHS]

I'M GOING TO CROSS CREEK
AND I NEED A RIDE THERE.

IF YOU JUST COULD TELL ME

WHERE I MIGHT FIND A TAXI.

THERE'S NOT MUCH
BUSINESS HERE.

IF YOU CAN WAIT
A MINUTE,

I'LL RUN YOU DOWN.

NO.

IT'S TOO BAD
ABOUT YOUR CAR.

YOU AIN'T GONNA GET HER
RUNNING AGAIN.

NO, SIR.

YOU GONNA HAVE
TO GET YOURSELF

ANOTHER ONE.

SOMETHING IN A CLEANBLUE
MIGHT BE NICE.

I DON'T NEED A CAR.

WELL, IF YOU'RE PARTIAL
TO DIRTY BLUE--

NO, I DON'T HAVE ANY
USE FOR A CAR.

OH, I SEE.
I LIKE WALKING.

HA. THAT'S NICE.

I INTEND TO WALK
A LOT.

THOSE YOUR HIKING SHOES?

HEH.

YOU AIN'T GONNA GET
TOO FAR IN THEM.

I'LL MANAGE.

Baskin: UP THERE IS SIMMONS'
TURPENTINE STILL.

AND OVER THAT WAY
IS ORANGE LAKE.

IT'S GOOD FISHING.

IF YOU DON'T MIND
THE GATORS.

SO YOU SAY
YOU'RE A WRITER?

WHAT DO YOU WRITE?

I'M WORKING
ON A NOVEL.

MM. MM-HMM.

HOLD ON, NOW.

YOU ALL RIGHT?

I'M JUST FINE.

HMM.

SO YOU WRITE
LOVE STORIES?

I'M WRITING A GOTHIC.

YOU DO SAY.
I DON'T BELIEVE

I KNOW WHAT
THAT IS.

IT'S A TYPE OF WRITING.

A CLASSIC GOTHIC NOVEL HAS
A CASTLE AS ITS SETTING,

AND A GOVERNESS
OR A GENTLEWOMAN IN DISTRESS.

LIKE YOU.

YOU WON'T BE MEETING

TOO MANY INTELLECTUALS
OUT HERE.

IT MIGHT GET
A LITTLE LONESOME.

I'VE COME HERE TO WORK,
NOT SOCIALIZE.

WELL, THIS IS
CROSS CREEK.

HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE
IN CROSS CREEK?

NOW, LET'S SEE...

THERE'S NEVER BEEN
MORE THAN...

SAY, UH...

A DOZEN FAMILIES.

YOU GOT TO BE
A LITTLE CRAZY

TO LIVE OUT
AT THE CREEK.

AH, NO OFFENSE,
MA'AM.

THE WAY I LOOK AT IT
IS,

IF AN ATTRACTIVE
WOMAN WANTS TO HIKE

HERSELF OUT INTO
THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE,

IT IS HER BUSINESS.

[ANIMALS CHIRPING AND CALLING]

THERE SHE IS.

YOUR NEW HOME.

PLACE HERE LOOKS
SLIGHTLY RUN DOWN.

I GUESS YOU'LL BE
WANTING ME

TO TAKE YOU BACK
INTO TOWN.

THAT WON'T BE NECESSARY,
THANK YOU.

HERE, LET ME.

HOW MUCH DO I OWE YOU?

NOT A THING.

THAT'S RIDICULOUS.

I'D LIKE TO PAY
FOR MY RIDE.

HA. THE WAY I LOOK AT IT,

YOU'RE A POTENTIAL
CUSTOMER.

AFTER A NIGHT OUT HERE,

YOU'LL MOVE
TO THE HOTEL

GLADLY.

I'LL, UH...

GET A ROOM READY
FOR YOU.

I WON'T BE NEEDING IT.

CAREFUL, NOW.

THAT THING IS LIABLE
TO GIVE OUT

ANY MINUTE.

I'LL LOOK IN
ON YOU TOMORROW.

I'LL BE PERFECTLY FINE,
MR. BASKIN.

OF COURSE YOU WILL.

I'LL COME
AROUND NOON.

I'LL BE WORKING.

IT'S NO TROUBLE
AT ALL.

MR. BASKIN--

I'LL GET THE REST
OF THE LUGGAGE.

IT'S NICE TO MEET
YOU, MISS RAWLINGS.

Marjorie: MY PLAN HAD BEEN
TO LIVE OFF MY ORANGE CROPS,

BUT THE GROVE HAD BEEN
LONG UNTENDED.

AND AS I HAD FILED
FOR DIVORCE,

I WAS TOO PROUD TO ACCEPT
ANY MONEY FROM CHARLES.

[FROGS CROAKING]

[OWL HOOTING]

[CLOCK TICKING]

[GENERATOR STARTS]

[TYPEWRITER KEYS CLACKING]

I HEAR TELL YOU LOOKIN'
FOR A GIRL.

TAKE ME.

WELL, I COME
FOR THE JOB.

I CAN'T PAY
VERY HIGH WAGES.

ANY WAGES IS BETTER
THAN NOTHIN'.

I GOT TO GET WORK.

I GOT USE
FOR MY PAY.

I DON'T THINK
THAT YOU'D BE SATISFIED

SO FAR FROM TOWN.

OH, TOWN AIN'T NOTHIN'
TO ME!

OH, YOU DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T DO NO COURTIN'.

I DON'T WANT NO MAN
AROUND ME.

I'M SURE THAT IT
WOULDN'T SUIT YOU.

IF I DON'T SUIT YOU,
YOU CAN CUT MY THROAT.

THIS PORCH FLOOR
AIN'T BEEN SCRUBBED.

YOU GOT TO HAVE
CLEAN THINGS.

I'LL BE HERE TOMORROW.
I GOTTA GO FETCH MY THINGS!

WAIT, I DON'T KNOW
ANYTHING ABOUT YOU.

I DON'T KNOW YOUR NAME,
OR WHERE YOU CAME FROM.

I BE GEECHEE.

YOU DON'T NEED TO KNOW
NO MORE THAN THAT.

Man: HELLO?
HELLO?

HELLO!

HELLO?

I'M MARSH TURNER CALLED.

THIS IS MY DAUGHTER
ELLIE.

MORNIN'.

YOU CAN DO BETTER
THAN THAT, YOUNG'UN.

PLEASED TO MEET
YOU, MA'AM.

I'M MARJORIE RAWLINGS.

YES, MA'AM.

WE'RE JUST WONDERIN'
WHETHER YOU HAD--

HAD A COMFORTABLE NIGHT.

YES, I DID.
THANK YOU.

NO TROUBLES?

NO. NONE AT ALL.

SOMETIMES, CITY FOLKS
THINK THEY HEAR THINGS

AT NIGHT...

BEARS OR GATORS.

I SLEPT VERY WELL,
THANK YOU.

LOOKS WASHED OUT.

SURE COULD USE
SOME PAINT.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT
I INTEND TO DO.

YOU GONNA FIX IT
YOURSELF?

YES.

WELL, THAT ROOF
LEAKS REAL BAD, NOW.

WELL...

I'LL JUST HAVE
TO FIX THAT, TOO.

[DUCK QUACKS]

THAT'S A REAL
ENTERPRISING WOMAN.

YOU GET TO PATCHING
THAT ROOF,

AND YOU FALL OFF AND BREAK
A LEG OR SOMETHING,

YOU GIVE US A HOLLER.
WE'LL COME FETCH YOU.

THAT'S WHAT NEIGHBORS
ARE FOR.

GOOD DAY TO YOU, MA'AM.

SOME SAGE AND LILY ROOT

WILL EASE UP
ON THAT RASH.

HEY...

DIDN'T MEAN
TO SCARE YOU.

THERE'S
A COTTONMOUTH.

DEADLY.

[READING ALOUD,
INDISTINCTLY]

WHERE I BE PUTTIN'
MY THINGS?

IN THE ROOM
BACK OF THE KITCHEN.

NOBODY BEEN CARIN'
FOR THINGS AROUND HERE.

GEECHEE--

WE'LL SET THAT RIGHT.

I'M NOT SURE THAT
THIS IS GONNA WORK OUT.

YOU SEE, I'M A WRITER.

AND MY PRIVACY
IS ESSENTIAL TO ME.

NOBODY BE BOTHERIN' YOU,
DON'T YOU WORRY.

I'M WORKING,
AND IT'S DIFFICULT

TO CONCENTRATE
WHEN THERE ARE PEOPLE AROUND.

YOU JUST WRITE,
I'LL CLEAN UP THE HOUSE.

YES, WELL...

WE'LL TRY THAT.

LISTEN.

I DON'T CARE
IF THE ROOF FALLS IN.

I DON'T WANT
TO BE DISTURBED

UNLESS IT'S A LIFE OR DEATH
EMERGENCY.

IS THAT CLEAR?
YES'M.

MISS RAWLINGS,

YOU BE WANTIN' BEATEN BISCUITS
WITH YOUR LUNCH,

OR SPOON BREAD?

BEATEN.

[WATER PUMP SQUEAKING]

OH, MY.

GOOD MORNING.

MORNIN'.

HE'S BEAUTIFUL, ELLIE.

MY PA SAYS TO PUT
THIS ON YOUR RASH

3 TIMES A DAY.

OH, THANK YOU.

MY MA SAYS WE'RE
GONNA HAVE

A POUND PARTY
NEXT SATURDAY.

SHE'D BE MOST PROUD
IF YOU'D COME.

I'D BE DELIGHTED TO.

WHAT IS A POUND PARTY?

EVERYBODY BRINGS
A POUND OF SOMETHING...

SUGAR OR BUTTER
OR CAKE.

CAKE WOULD BE FINE.

DO YOU KNOW HOW
TO BAKE A CAKE?

I CERTAINLY DO.

WHAT'S HIS NAME?

OH, I CALL HIM FLAG.

ON ACCOUNT
OF HIS TAIL.

KINDA LOOKS
LIKE A FLAG.

WELL, THAT'S A GOOD NAME
FOR HIM.

MY PA DON'T BELIEVE
IN KEEPING PETS.

BUT FLAG'S SPECIAL.

HE'S REAL SMART
AND KNOWS HIS NAME.

HE LIKES YOU.

WHY DOES YOUR FATHER
NOT BELIEVE IN KEEPING PETS?

MILK'S SOMETIMES SCARCE.

BUT I DON'T NEED MILK
NOW.

SO FLAG GETS MY SHARE.

DO YOU GO TO SCHOOL?

MY MA TAUGHT US
HOW TO READ,

AND I'M
A PRETTY FAIR SHOT.

IT MUST GET LONELY
OUT HERE.

USED TO BE.

BUT NOT SINCE FLAG.

I'LL COME SHOW YOU
THE WAY SATURDAY.

ALL RIGHT.

[KNOCKING]
MORNIN'.

MORNIN'?

MISS RAWLINGS
IS BUSY WORKIN'.

MORNIN'.

LIKE TO GO
FOR A LITTLE SPIN?

I HAVE WORK TO DO.

I THOUGHT YOU'D LIKE
TO TRY HER OUT.

MR. BASKIN, I DON'T REALLY
HAVE TIME FOR GAMES.

WELL, I FIGURED THAT YOU
MIGHT BE NEEDING A CAR.

IT IS A LONG WALK
INTO TOWN.

SO, I BROUGHT ONE OUT
FOR YOU TO TRY.

I CAN'T AFFORD A CAR.

YOU CAN AFFORD THIS ONE,
MISS RAWLINGS.

PUT YOUR SHOES ON,
I'LL SHOW IT TO YOU.

'COURSE, IT'S NOT WHAT
YOU'D CALL A FORMAL CAR.

SO IF YOU'D LIKE
TO COME AS YOU ARE,

THAT'D BE FINE.

IT'S ALL RIGHT IF
I CLEAN UP NOW?

YES. THANK YOU.

AND IF YOU WANT
TO PUT ON A SUMMER DRESS

AND PACK A NICE
PICNIC LUNCH,

THAT'D BE FINE, TOO.

YOU DON'T WANT
TO TURN IT DOWN

BEFORE YOU LOOK
IT OVER.

MR. BASKIN--
NORTON.

I APPRECIATE YOUR CONCERN,

BUT I CAN'T POSSIBLY
AFFORD A CAR.

SO IF YOU'LL JUST
EXCUSE ME--

NO MA'AM, I CERTAINLY
DO NOT EXCUSE YOU.

NOW, I'VE CONSIDERED
THAT YOU'RE NEW HERE,

AND THAT YOU'RE NERVOUS
ABOUT STARTING OUT.

BUT YOU'RE BEING
PIG-HEADED.

I DIDN'T COME TO SELL
YOU A CAR.

I PUT 2 AND 2 TOGETHER,
AND AS FAR AS I CAN TELL,

YOU DON'T HAVE ANYBODY
TO DEPEND ON.

I'M PERFECTLY CAPABLE
OF TAKING--

I DON'T CARE HOW
PERFECTLY CAPABLE

YOU MAY THINKYOU ARE,

THE FACT IS THAT
YOU DON'T HAVE

A MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION.

NOW, MAYBE I'M OUT OF LINE,

BUT I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF

TO FETCH THAT OLD JALOPY
OF YOURS.

IT DOESN'T RUN.

IT DOES NOW.

OH.

SO HOW MUCH
DO I OWE YOU?

I BROUGHT IT OUT HERE
AS A GIFT.

IF THAT OFFENDS YOU,
I'M SORRY.

BUT I SURE AS HELL
DIDN'T COME HERE

TO TAKE NOTHIN' FROM YOU.

MR. BASKIN?

WOULD YOU LIKE
A CUP OF COFFEE?

[SCREEN DOOR CREAKS]

OH, MY GOODNESS.

IT LOOKS BRAND-NEW.

ALL IT NEEDED WAS
A LITTLE LOVE AND AFFECTION.

I'D LIKE TO PAY YOU
FOR WHATEVER

IT COST YOU
TO DO THAT.

[LAUGHS]

ARE ALL WRITERS STUBBORN,
OR IS IT JUST YOU?

IS IT A DEAL?

WELL, SEEING AS HOW
WE'RE IN BUSINESS TOGETHER,

YOU COULD DO ME A FAVOR.

I'M GONNA NEED A LIFT
BACK TO TOWN.

[BOTH LAUGHING]

Marjorie: THE PARTY WAS
A WELCOME RESPITE

FROM MY WORK.

I LOOKED FORWARD
TO SEEING ELLIE AGAIN.

SHE STOOD ON THE THRESHOLD
OF WOMANHOOD.

CLINGING TO HER FAWN
AS IF HE WERE THE LAST

OF HER YOUTHFUL DREAMS.

[PIANO MUSIC PLAYING]

MAMA...

MISS RAWLINGS HERE.

HOW LOVELY
OF YOU TO COME.

I EXPECT
THE OTHER GUESTS

WILL BE HERE
MOMENTARILY.

AND THIS IS FOR YOU.

OH, THANK YOU.

HOW SWEET OF YOU.

PLEASE, SIT DOWN.

[CHICKENS CLUCKING]

IT'LL HELP KEEP
THE MOSQUITOES OFF YOU.

FEELS LIKE RAIN.

THE CHILDREN PICKED
BLACKBERRIES ALL AFTERNOON.

WE HAD A BLACKBERRY PATCH,
BUT MY HUSBAND'S HOGS

JUST HELPED THEIRSELVES
TILL THERE WASN'T

ANYTHING LEFT.

I ENJOY PICKING BERRIES.

FLOYD, BLOW SOME
FOR OUR COMPANY.

MARY.

FLOYD TALKS
TO THE ANIMALS.

THEY COME CALLIN' FOR HIM
EVERY MORNIN'.

[PLAYS CAMPTOWN RACESON
HARMONICA]

DID MARY DANCE?

NO, MA'AM.

MARY.

I BELIEVE THE OTHERS
HAVE BEEN HELD UP.

BILLY, PRESTON?

YOU MAY BRING OUT
THE REFRESHMENTS.

YES, MA'AM.

[WATER POURING]

THANK YOU.

[CHILDREN TALKING]

NO, I GET HER.
I GET FLAG.

Ellie: TASTE GOOD,
DOESN'T IT, FLAG?

MA, ELLIE SAID
I COULD PLAY WITH FLAG.

Ellie: TASTES GOOD,
HUH?

Y'ALL HAVIN'
A GOOD TIME?

[ALL TALKING AT ONCE]

HELLO, MISS RAWLINGS.

HEY, BUBBA!
HELLO.

I BROUGHT YOU A NICE
SOFT-TAILED CRITTER, HERE.

HE SHOULD BE TIED
BEHIND THE HOUSE.

BUT HE'S SO SMALL,
BUBBA.

I'M SCARED A WILDCAT
MIGHT GET HIM.

CAKE'S AS LIGHT
AS A FEATHER.

GO ON, NOW.

I SAVED YOU
A PIECE, BUBBA.

GO ON, NOW.

COULD FLAG STAY IN?
JUST FOR TONIGHT?

HE BELONGS IN THE WOODS,
YOU KNOW THAT.

YES, SIR.

BUT SEEING IT'S
A SPECIAL DAY,

YOU CAN LEAVE HIM BE.

OH, THANK YOU,
BUBBA.

WE'RE HAVING
A WONDERFUL PARTY.

THREAT OF BAD WEATHER
KEPT THE OTHER GUESTS AWAY.

WE HAD A LOVELY
CONVERSATION, DIDN'T WE?

YES.

I'M GONNA SEND MARY OVER
WITH SOME DRESSES.

I'LL BE TAKIN'
MISS RAWLINGS HOME NOW.

I HAD A LOVELY AFTERNOON,
THANK YOU.

IT WAS A PLEASURE.

GOOD-BYE.

ELLIE, NOW YOU COME
HELP ME WITH THE DISHES.

ALL YOU CHILDREN--

[CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY]

[CHILDREN TALKING]

I WANT LACE TRIM
ON THE SLEEVE.

STITCH IT NICE
AND SMALL,

SO THE THREAD
DOESN'T SHOW THROUGH.

[PIANO PLAYING]

SHE WAS A VISITOR.

SHE CAME TO A LOCAL
SQUARE DANCE.

I COULDN'T KEEP
MY EYES OFF HER.

SHOULDA LET HER BE.

HEH.

SHE'LL BE SENDING
YOU CLOTHES TO MEND,

DRESSES TO SEW.

WELL, I'M AFRAID THAT...

I HAVEN'T ANY NEED TO--

AW, SHE'S
GOOD-HEARTED.

DON'T PAY HER
NO MIND.

SHE'S SLIPPING AWAY
FROM US.

SHE'S FOUND HERSELF
A MORE PEACEFUL WORLD.

THIS CREEK'S HARD
ON FOLKS.

PARTICULARLY WOMEN.

I'M NOT AFRAID
OF LIVING HAND-TO-MOUTH.

[LAUGHS]

WELL, THAT'S WHAT
IT'LL BE.

I GUESS
YOU'LL MAKE OUT.

FOLKS AROUND HERE HAVE
TO SCRATCH AND SCRAMBLE.

THE PEOPLE
THAT LOVE IT,

THEY STAY HERE
TILL THEY DIE,

AND IF THEY DON'T,
THEY MOVE ON.

ARE WE LOST?

THIS HERE'S THE RIVER STYX.

BUT I LIVE
AT CROSS CREEK.

DON'T WORRY, I'LL GET YOU
THERE, MISS RAWLINGS.

SOMEBODY I WANT YOU TO MEET.

GOT A GATOR HOLE
RIGHT HERE.

YOU DON'T WANT
TO STEP IN IT. HEH.

YOU'RE NOT EVEN AFRAID
OF GATORS, ARE YOU?

EVER BEEN BIT BY ONE?

NOT RECENTLY.
HA!

WATCH YOUR STEP,
NOW.

WOULDN'T WANT
TO FISH YOU OUT.

THIS HERE'S
YOUNG PAUL.

WE CALL HIM "P".

THIS IS MISS RAWLINGS.

SHE'S LOOKING
FOR A HIRED MAN.

I COULD START
ON MONDAY.

WELL, I'M NOT SURE
THAT I CAN AFFORD--

OH, HE'LL WORK OUT.
HE'S A GOOD 'UN.

GIVE YOU MORE TIME
WITH YOUR WRITIN'.

OH, I LIKE THIS
BATCH, "P".

WELL--
GOOD!

IT'S SETTLED, THEN?

WOULD YOU LIKE
A LITTLE TASTE OF THIS?

OH, THANK YOU.

HERE'S TO YOU.

AH, THAT'S GOOD.

[SLURPS]

HOW'D YOU--HOW DID YOU KNOW
I WAS A WRITER?

WILDCAT'S NOT
THE ONLY THING

THAT PROWLS AROUND
IN THE DARK.

[SPITS]

I SEEM TO HAVE
VERY LITTLE SAY

ABOUT WHO I WILL
AND WILL NOT HIRE.

THAT'S THE WAY IT IS
AT THE CREEK, MA'AM.

'SCUSE ME.

I DO INTEND TO WRITE
AT LEAST 8 HOURS A DAY.

ALL RIGHT, I'VE DECIDED
TO HIRE YOUR FRIEND PAUL.

HA! YOU YANKEE WOMEN
LIKE TO MAKE

ALL THE DECISIONS,
DON'T YOU?

WELL, IF YOU STAY,
I'LL TAKE YOU

ON A GATOR HUNT.

I'LL BE STAYING,
MR. TURNER.

[HORSE NICKERS]

ELLIE!

THIS OLD BED MAY SEEM
LIKE PURE "D" TRASH TO YOU,

BUT IF YOU WANT IT,
IT'S YOURS.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL, MARSH.

WELL, IT'S BEEN LAYIN' UP
IN MY BARN ABOUT 50 YEARS.

YOU WANT IT?

WAY I FIGURE, A THING
DESERVES TO BE USED.

USED RIGHT.

YOU LIVIN' NICE.

YOU'RE TAKIN' CARE
OF THIS OLD GROVE.

YOU'RE THE ONE
TO HAVE IT.

BEEN SITTIN' UP
ALL THESE YEARS

WAITIN'
FOR THE RIGHT PERSON.

[HORSE NICKERS]

YOU GOT BUGS
IN THEM COLLARDS.

YOU BETTER DUST 'EM.

YOU'RE GONNA STAY BEHIND
AND SHOW HER HOW,

WON'T YOU, ELLIE,
SWEETHEART?

WHAT'S THAT
FINE, HANDSOME CAR

YOU GOT
SITTIN' OUT FRONT?

MR. NORTON, MR. BASKIN
BROUGHT THAT OUT TO ME.

IT'S MY CAR.
HE JUST FIXED IT.

THAT'S ALL RIGHT,
MARJORIE.

THERE'S NO NEED
TO EXPLAIN ANYTHING.

WELL, NOW,

PAINTED YOUR HOUSE,

PLANTED SOME COLLARDS,

BOUGHT YOURSELF A MULE...

FIXED YOUR CAR.

I THINK
YOU'RE SETTLIN' IN.

WE GONNA TAKE YOU
ON A GATOR HUNT REAL SOON.

THANK YOU.

FIRST WE GONNA START OUT
WITH SOMETHIN' EASY--

SAY A BEAR HUNT.

MARSH...

YOU WANT IT, MARJORIE?

IT'S YOURS. COME ON.

[TYPEWRITER CLICKING]

Marjorie: MARSH TURNER
AND HIS FAMILY

WERE UNLIKE ANY
OF THE FRIENDS

I HAD KNOWN BEFORE.

I WAS DRAWN TO THEM.

THE RUSTIC COTTAGE,
THE CHILDREN.

I WONDERED IF,
LIKE THEM,

I'D FIND PEACE
IN MY NEW WORLD.

PAUL WAS
CARING FOR MY GROVE,

AND GEECHEE WATCHED
OVER THE HOUSE.

SOMETIMES IN THE DISTANCE
IN THE HAMMOCK SWAMP,

I COULD HEAR THE FELLING
OF CYPRUS TREES.

I WAS LEARNING THAT
THE GROVE WAS HARD FOUGHT,

AND HARD MAINTAINED,
AND MUST ALWAYS AS A CHILD

BE KEPT SAFE
FROM A SUDDEN FROST.

I COULD NOW CONCENTRATE
ON MY WRITING,

BUT EACH WORD
WAS A STRUGGLE.

PHRASES, LINES,
PARAGRAPHS ELUDED ME.

I HAD BEEN HERE
FOR SOME TIME.

A STORY WASN'T
HALF-FINISHED,

AND MY FUNDS
WERE TRICKLING SLOWLY AWAY.

WHOO-HO!

WHOO-WHOO, SOOIE!

[PIGS SNORTING]

HOG! HOG! HYAH! HYAH!

OH, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE.
GEECHEE!

HYAH!

Marjorie: FOR PETE'S SAKE!

GET OUT OF THERE!

GET, GET!
GET OUT OF HERE!

GET ON! AAH!

MISS RAWLINGS
THEY GOT YOUR--

Marjorie:
MR. TURNER.

GOOD AFTERNOON,
MA'AM.

GO ON,
GET OUTTA HERE!

GET, GET!
LOOK AT THIS.

YAH! YAH!
DAMN IT, GO ON!

[PIGS SNORTING]

MR. TURNER, YOUR PIGS
ATE MY FLOWERS.

I SEE MY HOGS
BEEN BOTHERING YOU.

IF THEM HOGS EVER COME
BACK HERE TO BOTHER YOU,

THEM'S YOUR HOGS!

HAA! SOO!

YA-YO!

YO-HO!

YO, HOG! DAMN YOU!

HYAH! HYAH!

HYAH!

WHOA!

[GIGGLING]

I'M DONE TO SUIT YOU?

YES.

YOU TRUST ME?

YES.

I GOT A THING
TO TELL YOU.

I GOTTA HAVE HELP.

THESE HERE
IS FROM MY MAN.

READ 'EM.

"MY SWEET BEATRICE..."

THAT'S WHAT
HE CALLS ME BY.

"I GOTTA GET OUT,
I CAN'T STAND IT.

"YOU GOTTA GET ME A JOB,

SO THEY LET ME OUT."

HE IN THE STATE PRISON.

YOU CAN GET HIM OUT.

YOU CAN WRITE 'EM
A LETTER

AND SAY YOU GOT
WORK FOR HIM.

BUT IT SAYS HERE,

"20 YEARS
FOR MANSLAUGHTER."

HE DIDN'T DO NOTHIN'.

THE OTHER NIGGER
WAS LAYIN' FOR HIM.

AND HE COME AT LEROY
AND HE BOPPED HIM ONE,

AND LEROY, SEE,
HE'S STRONG,

AND HE MADE A PASS AT HIM,

AND IT DONE KILLED HIM.

YOU NEED ANOTHER MAN
OUT HERE TO HELP OUT.

GEECHEE, I'M NOT SURE

I CAN AFFORD
TO HIRE ANYONE ELSE.

MONEY DON'T MATTER.

YOU WRITE
THE SUPERINTENDENT A LETTER.

HE'D LISTEN TO YOU...

'CAUSE YOU THE WRITER.

WELL, FINE,
DON'T EXPECT TO--

[GRUNTING]

THIS IS MY COUSIN, TIM.

HIM AND HIS WIFE
COME OUT TO HELP.

Marjorie: THANK YOU.
IF YOU LIKE,

YOU CAN STAY IN THE SHACK
AT THE END OF THE GROVE.

HOW MUCH LONGER CAN MY GROVE
LAST WITHOUT WATER?

WELL...LEAVES WILL BE
COMIN' UP.

I DON'T KNOW
WHAT THAT MEANS.

IT MEANS YOU MIGHT
LOSE YOUR CROP.

WELL, I JUST CAN'T
SIT HERE AND WATCH

WHILE MY ORANGE GROVE DIES.

MA'AM, TIM AND I
CAN'T HAUL ALL THIS

OUT OF HERE
BY OURSELVES.

WHAT DO I DO?

A WOMAN CAN'T
DO THIS KIND OF WORK.

IT AIN'T RIGHT.

DON'T YOU TELL ME

WHAT A WOMAN
CAN AND CANNOT DO.

UHH.

WELL?

TIM?

THAT WAS A GOOD
DAY'S WORK, THANK YOU.

MA'AM,

[STAMMERING]
THE W-WIFE NEEDS

TO USE THE W-WATER PUMP
ONCE A DAY.

I W-WOULDN'T ASK,

BUT SHE'LL BE HAVIN'
A CHILD SHORTLY.

SHE'S WELCOME
TO USE MINE.

IF SHE NEEDS
ANYTHING AT ALL--

W-WATER'S ALL
SHE'LL BE WANTIN'.

THAT'S A-ALL
I'LL BE ASKIN'.

HE'S USED TO LIVIN'
IN THE WOODS,

MORE THAN ME.

CAN'T SEEM
TO ABIDE BY PEOPLE.

♪ WE ARE CLIMBIN'
JACOB'S LADDER ♪

♪ WE ARE CLIMBIN'
JACOB'S LADDER ♪

♪ WE ARE CLIMBIN'
JACOB'S LADDER ♪

♪ SOLDIERS
OF THE CROSS ♪

[DOOR HINGE SQUEAKS]

TIM SAID
IT'D BE ALL RIGHT.

OF COURSE
IT'S ALL RIGHT.

WOULD YOU LIKE
TO SIT DOWN

AND REST FOR A MINUTE?

[PUMP SQUEAKS
AND WATER RUNS]

IT'S HEAVY.

THANK YOU, MA'AM.

Marjorie: DEAR MAX,

HERE IT IS, FINALLY,

MY GOTHIC STORY
ABOUT AN ENGLISH TUTOR

AND HER MISADVENTURES

IN A NOBLEMAN'S
ANCIENT CASTLE.

I THINK IT'S THE BEST STORY
I'VE EVER WRITTEN,

AND I'M SENDING IT
OFF TO YOU,

POSITIVE THAT I WILL
FINALLY BE PUBLISHED.

SO MUCH HAPPENS HERE
AT CROSS CREEK.

MAX, I'M ATTEMPTING
TO GET GEECHEE'S BOYFRIEND

OUT OF JAIL
AND BUILD A DAM.

YOUNG ELLIE
FOLLOWS THE FORTUNES

OF MY GROVE AS CLOSELY
AS IF IT HAD BEEN HER OWN.

SHE AND HER FAWN
ARE MY COWORKERS

OVER THE HAZARDOUS
FORTUNES OF MY CROP.

IF THERE CAN BE SUCH A THING
AS INSTINCTUAL MEMORY,

THE CONSCIOUSNESS
OF LAND AND WATER

MUST LIE DEEPER
IN THE CORE OF US

THAN ANY KNOWLEDGE
OF OUR FELLOW BEINGS.

WE WERE BRED OF THE EARTH

BEFORE WE WERE BORN
OF OUR MOTHERS.

ONCE BORN, WE CAN
LIVE WITHOUT OUR MOTHERS

OR...FATHERS,

OR ANY OTHER KIN,
OR ANY FRIEND,

OR HUMAN LOVE.

WE CANNOT LIVE
WITHOUT THE EARTH,

OR APART FROM IT.

AND SOMETHING IS SHRIVELED
IN MAN'S HEART

WHEN HE TURNS AWAY FROM IT,

AND CONCERNS HIMSELF ONLY
WITH THE AFFAIRS OF MEN.

COME ON, MULE,
COME ON!

MISS RAWLINGS!

WE DID GOOD!

WE DID MAGNIFICENTLY!

[CRICKETS CHIRPING]

MY, MY, MY.

THIS IS
MY UTTERLY DEADLY

SOUTHERN PECAN PIE.

MY, MY.

I NEVER ATE BETTER
IN MY LIFE.

DO YOU WANT MORE COFFEE?

I DON'T MIND IF I DO.

DELICIOUS.

MY OWN RECIPE.

CANDLES, FLOWERS,

DELICIOUS
HOME-COOKED MEAL...

I MUST HAVE DONE
AN AWFULLY GOOD JOB

ON THAT CAR.

I TAKE IT IT'S STILL
RUNNING SMOOTHLY?

PERFECTLY SMOOTHLY.

TO MY FIRST
DINNER GUEST.

THERE'S STILL
PLENTY OF PIE.

HMM.

WE COULD EAT IT
IN THE MORNIN'.

DON'T YOU THINK THAT'D
BE A GOOD IDEA, MARJORIE?

IS YOUR GOVERNESS
STILL LOST ON THE MOORS?

NOW YOU KNOW
WHAT I WOULD DO?

I WOULD GIVE HER
A FULL MOON--

SOMETHIN' LIKE
WHAT WE HAVE TONIGHT--

AND A HANDSOME LORD.

WELL, HE COULD LOOK,
JUST A LITTLE BIT LIKE ME.

AND HE'LL LEAD HER
SAFELY HOME.

I'M SURE OF IT.

NORTON...

YOU'RE A BIT
OF A POET.

YES'M.

WITH YOU...I THINK
I'M EVERYTHING.

[BABY GURGLES]

[HUMMING]

I THOUGHT
YOU MIGHT LIKE THAT.

HOW ARE YOU GETTING ON?

NOTHIN' EXTRA.

THERE AIN'T NO SCREENS
TO THE HOUSE, AND...

THE SKEETERS
LIKE TO EAT US ALIVE.

CAN'T KEEP THE ANTSES
OUT OF TIM'S BREAKFAST.

WHY DIDN'T ANYONE
SAY ANYTHING TO ME?

I HAD NO IDEA.
I'LL SEE TO IT.

DON'T MATTER.

WE'LL MAKE OUT.

THAT'S A NICE BABY.

THE OTHER DIDN'T
LAST TILL SPRING.

THIS ONE MIGHT FARE BETTER.

TILL WINTER, MAYBE.

I WAS WONDERING
IF YOUR WIFE

MIGHT HELP ME
AT THE HOUSE.

JUST A BIT
OF LIGHT WASHING.

[STAMMERING]
W-WHITE WOMAN

DON'T ASK ANOTHER
W-WHITE WOMAN

TO DO HER WASHIN'.

CARRY HER SLOPS,
NEITHER.

US'LL BE
LEAVIN' HERE NOW.

I DIDN'T MEAN
TO OFFEND YOU.

I WAS TRYING
TO BE NEIGHBORLY.

[HARMONICA PLAYING]

[BIRDS CAWING]

[THUNDER]

MAIL FOR YOU,
MISS RAWLINGS.

THANK YOU.

Max: "MY DEAR MARJORIE,

"PLEASE, BELIEVE ME
WHEN I SAY

"IT DISAPPOINTS ME
AS MUCH AS YOU

"TO HAVE TO RETURN
YOUR MANUSCRIPT.

"MARJORIE, YOUR WRITING
IS TECHNICALLY PERFECT,

"YET IT IS STILL
AN IMITATION

"OF OTHER AUTHORS' WORK.

"YOUR LETTERS TO ME ABOUT
YOUR LIFE IN CROSS CREEK

"ARE ALIVE WITH EMOTION,

"AND I READ THEM
WITH SUCH PLEASURE.

"THEY ARE THE MOST
REVEALING BITS OF LIFE

"THAT TELLS
NOT TRIVIAL FACTS,

"BUT HUMAN MOTIVES

"AND THE SECRETS
OF HUMAN HEARTS.

"THAT CHILD
WHO WANTS A DEAR,

"THE YOUNG COUPLE WHO CHOSE
TO LIVE IN THE WOODS

"RATHER THAN CONFORM
TO CIVILIZATION.

"WRITE ME THOSE STORIES,

"NOT THESE
ENGLISH TEA PARTIES

AND GOTHIC TALES
YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT."

[THUNDER]

[CAR HORN HONKS]

AFTERNOON.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

STICKY, ISN'T IT?

YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS DID
ADMIRE A WOMAN

WITHOUT CURIOSITY.

MOST WOMEN'D
RIP THEIR MAIL OPEN

AS SOON AS THEY
GOT THEIR HANDS ON IT.

BUT YOU--

THERE'S NO NEED
FOR ME TO BE CURIOUS.

THIS IS FOR GEECHEE,

AND THIS IS
A REJECTED STORY,

AND I DON'T WANT
TO TALK ABOUT IT ANYMORE.

WELL, I GOT A FEELING
IT'S A MIGHTY FINE STORY.

I DOUBT THAT.

GOOD STORIES
GET PUBLISHED.

[ENGINE STARTS]

MARJORIE, I DON'T
KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT WRITING,

BUT I DO KNOW THAT
YOU'RE THE KIND OF WOMAN

THAT'S GONNA BE GOOD
AT WHATEVER IT IS

SHE DECIDES TO DO.

NOW YOU BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH
SINCE YOU CAME HERE,

MAYBE YOU JUST NEED
A LITTLE TIME

FOR THINGS TO SETTLE OUT.

THANK YOU.

SUPPOSE I DROP BY
LATER ON?

[PIGS SNORTING]

WHAT YOU DOIN'?

PUT THAT THING DOWN!

LEAVE ME ALONE!

IT'S JUST
MR. TURNER'S PIGS!

I INTEND
TO SHOOT THEM.

AAH!
[THUNDER]

[PIGS SQUEALING]

AAH!
GET ON UP!

COME IN THE HOUSE!

[BOTH TALKING AT ONCE]

WHERE'S MY GUN?

COME ON IN.

HERE IT IS.
WHERE'S MY GUN?

MISS,
COME IN THE HOUSE!

YOU'RE GONNA BE SICK!

[SOBBING]

WHOA!
AAH!

MISS RAWLINGS!

I THINK I GOT ONE!

GET ON IN THE HOUSE!

[CAR ENGINE REVVING]

[BRAKES SQUEAL]

[ENGINE STOPS]

MISS RAWLINGS
NOT HOME.

WOULD YOU TELL HER
I'D LIKE TO TALK TO HER

FOR A MINUTE, PLEASE.

I MEAN,
SHE BUSY WORKIN'.

YOU CAN'T SEE HER.

BETTER TELL HER
I'M HERE.

THOUGHT JUST FOR A MINUTE,
I'D SPEAK TO HER.

GEECHEE?

WHO IS IT?

IT'S MR. TURNER,

AND HE GOT THAT
FRESH FELLOW WITH HIM.

SEND THEM IN.

NO, MA'AM, YOU CAN'T
BE ENTERTAININ'

IN YOUR BEDROOM!

[KNOCKS]

YOU MAY COME IN,
MR. TURNER.

DEBT TO YOU, MA'AM.

GOOD MORNING.

I'D LIKE A CUP
OF COFFEE, PLEASE.

IT WAS STORMIN' LAST NIGHT,
MISS RAWLINGS.

REMEMBER?

WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU,
MR. TURNER?

SOMEBODY SHOT MY PIG.

THIS IS SERIOUS,
MARJORIE.

I'D JUST
LIKE TO KNOW WHO.

I SHOT YOUR PIG.

IT TORMENTED ME,
AND I SHOT IT.

THAT WAS MY PIG,
MISS RAWLINGS.

NO, THAT WAS MY PIG.

YOU GAVE THAT PIG TO ME

WHEN YOU SAID THAT
IF THEY TRESPASSED,

THEY WERE MINE.

WHAT KIND OF WOMAN
SHOOT A HOG

IN THE MIDDLE
OF A STORM?

WAS IT A GOOD SHOT?

NO, MA'AM, IT WAS NOT,

I HAD TO FINISH IT OFF
MYSELF.

MR. TURNER, WOULD YOU
LOWER YOUR VOICE, PLEASE.

WON'T YOU JOIN ME?

THANK YOU, MA'AM.

WON'T GET
NO WRITIN' DONE

IF YOU'RE ENTERTAININ'
ALL MORNIN'.

WELL, THANK YOU,
KINDLY.

YOU'RE CERTAINLY
WELCOME.

I'LL PAY FOR YOUR PIG.

BUT IT WAS AN OUTLAW.

IT WAS PRACTICALLY
A PET.

YOU COULD CATCH IT
WITH YOUR BARE HANDS.

WELL, I WOULDN'T
HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE

OF SHOOTING IT.

MISS RAWLINGS,

I DIDN'T WANT
TO DISTURB YOU, MA'AM.

I WENT AROUND
AND TALKED

TO A LOT
OF YOUR FRIENDS.

EVEN NORTON,
HERE, ASSURED ME

YOU'RE NOT
THE KIND OF WOMAN

THAT WOULD HAVE
SHOT MY HOG.

THAT IS JUST
THE WAY I AM.

I GO ALONG QUIETLY
FOR A WHILE,

AND THEN OUT
OF THE CLEAR BLUE SKY,

I DON'T KNOW
WHAT HAPPENS TO ME,

I JUST PICK UP A GUN,

I SHOOT WHATEVER
MAKES ME ANGRY.

I'M SO AFRAID ONE DAY
IT JUST MIGHT BE A PERSON.

I'M AFRAID WHATEVER
IT IS I OWE YOU

WILL HAVE TO WAIT
UNTIL I'M...

SOLVENT.
I'M FLAT BROKE.

MY LAST STORY
WAS REJECTED.

MISS RAWLINGS,

SEEM IF I DO REMEMBER
THAT WAS YOUR HOG.

GOOD DAY TO YOU NOW,
MA'AM.

GOOD DAY.

SEE YOU NOW.

MR. TURNER, I'D LIKE
TO HAVE THAT HOG BACK.

SAY WHAT?

I'D LIKE
TO HAVE THAT HOG

AND IT EAT IT,
TOO, FOR DINNER.

PERHAPS YOU AND
MR. BASKIN WOULD JOIN ME?

BE A SHAME
TO WASTE ALL THEM RIBS.

MISS RAWLINGS,

YOU'RE GONNA
HAVE THAT HOG

BEFORE SUNDOWN,
RIBS AND ALL.

WON'T WE HAVE
A LOVELY BARBECUE?

DO IT PROUD.

THIS MISS MARJORIE'S
WORK TIME.

YOU HAVE TO BE GOIN'.

MARJORIE,
I WOULD LIKE TO READ

WHAT YOU WRITE TODAY.

YOU WON'T READ
WHAT I WRITE TODAY

OR ANY OTHER DAY.

WHAT I WRITE IS NONE
OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS.

NOW WHY DON'T YOU
JUST GET OUT OF HERE?

I THINK I'LL
DO JUST THAT.

NORTON!

I'M SORRY.

[SIGHS]

YOU GOT QUITE A TEMPER,
MARJORIE.

SHOOTIN' PIGS AND
CHOPPIN' MY HEAD OFF.

I KNOW...

[SIGHS]

I'M SCARED STIFF.

I CAN'T IMAGINE YOU
SCARED OF ANYTHING.

I'M WRITING A STORY
ABOUT TIM AND HIS WIFE.

IT'S CALLED JACOB'S LADDER.

IT'S SOMETHIN'
I CARE VERY MUCH ABOUT.

IT WOULDN'T BE
LIKE ANYBODY ELSE'S WORK.

IT'LL COME
STRAIGHT OUTTA ME.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT?

IF THIS GETS TURNED DOWN,
I HAVE TO FACE THE FACT

THAT I WASN'T
MEANT TO BE A WRITER.

THAT SOUNDS A LITTLE
DRASTIC, MARJORIE.

NO...

THIS IS MY WORLD--
CROSS CREEK.

THE PEOPLE HERE...

ARE RICHER THAN
MY IMAGINARY GOVERNESSES.

IF I CAN'T WRITE

MY OWN HONEST THOUGHTS
AND FEELINGS,

THEN I'M NO AUTHOR

YOU'RE GONNA
DO JUST FINE, MARJORIE.

BELIEVE YOU'RE
HOLDING MY HAND AGAIN,

MR. BASKIN.

SEEMS I AM.

I SUPPOSE YOU'LL BE INSISTING
ON STAYING FOR SUPPER.

MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY.

NOTHING'S GONNA HAPPEN
BETWEEN US.

Marjorie: THE YEARLING
WAS GROWING UP.

AND SO WAS ELLIE.

THE LAND WE TOILED OVER
RESPONDED TO OUR CARE.

MY GROVE WAS THRIVING.

THANK YOU, PAUL.

[CHICKENS CLUCKING]

[TYPEWRITER CLACKING]

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

LEROY!

[LAUGHING]

THIS IS HIM!
THIS IS HIM!

[LAUGHING]

LEROY!

Marjorie: IT SEEMED
NOTHING COULD GO WRONG.

GEECHEE HAD HER LEROY HOME,

AND I HAD
SETTLED INTO WRITING

10 TO 12 HOURS A DAY.

BUT AS TIME WENT ON,
I SAW THAT LEROY

MADE NO EFFORT
TO LEND THE GROVE WORK.

HE WAS CONTENT
TO LANGUISH COMFORTABLY

INTO GEECHEE'S CARE.

AS FOR ME, MY DIVORCE
HAD BECOME FINAL,

AND I WAS BUSY
WORKING ON JACOB'S LADDER.

I SENSED IT WAS MORE
HONEST AND ALIVE

THAN ANYTHING
I'D EVER WRITTEN.

BUT I COULDN'T BRING MYSELF

TO SEND IT
TO MAXWELL PERKINS.

I COULDN'T FACE REJECTION...

NOT WITH JACOB'S LADDER.

PUT THAT BACK.

THAT BELONG
TO MISS MARJORIE.

DID YOU HEAR ME?

I HEAR YOU.

YOU WANT MARMALADE
OR MOLASSES?

I SAID, YOU WANT
MARMALADE OR MOLASSES

WITH YOUR PANCAKE?

Marjorie:
GEECHEE...

I'D LIKE TO SPEAK
TO LEROY ALONE.

Marjorie: WE'VE HAD
FROST WARNINGS.

PAUL COULD USE
YOUR HELP IN THE GROVE.

I'LL CHOP ENOUGH WOOD
FOR YOU TOMORROW.

I HAVE BETTER THINGS IN MIND
THAN WORKING IN THE GROVE.

LEROY, YOU HAVE
TO LEAVE.

I SUPPOSE GEECHEE WILL
WANT TO GO WITH YOU,

AND I'LL BE SORRY
TO SEE HER GO,

BUT THIS IS NOT
GOING TO WORK OUT.

[DOOR OPENS]

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

I PACKED.

I'LL BE GOING AFTER
LEROY NOW.

SO, GUESS
I'LL BE GOING.

I GOT SOMETHING
TO ASK YOU.

CERTAINLY.

YOU SATISFIED
WITH MY WORK AROUND HERE?

OF COURSE I AM.

THEN HOW COME YOU LET ME GO
JUST LIKE THAT?

I ASSUMED
YOU WANTED TO GO.

SO WHAT IF I DID
WANTED TO?

WHAT KIND OF PERSON
LET ANOTHER PERSON

DO SOMETHING THEY KNOW
WILL HURT HER?

GEECHEE...

I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU,

I DON'T HAVE
ANY RIGHT TO STOP YOU.

YOU DO IF YOU CARE
ABOUT ME.

YOU KNOW WHAT LEROY
GONNA DO TO ME.

USE ME UP AND SPEND
ALL HIS TIME IN JUKE JOINTS

DRINKING UP MY PAYCHECK
JUST LIKE BEFORE.

I GOT A GOOD LIFE HERE.

I GOT A BETTER LIFE
AT THE CREEK--

I DON'T WANT YOU TO GO.

I THOUGHT
THAT YOU KNEW THAT.

HOW AM I SUPPOSED
TO KNOW THAT?

IT'S EASY GET SOMEBODY
FOR COOKIN' AND SWEEPIN'.

I THINK OF YOU
AS A FRIEND.

YOU CARE ABOUT ME AND YOU WAS
GONNA LET ME GO AWAY?

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT
TO LEAVE SOMEONE

YOU'VE BEEN WITH.

AFTERWARDS,
THE LONELINESS--

I UNDERSTAND LONESOME.

MY LIFE WITH LEROY
WAS LONESOME.

PROBABLY WILL BE AGAIN.

BUT YOU'RE A WOMAN,
AND YOU LIVE BY YOURSELF

AND DON'T LET NOBODY
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU.

I'VE BEEN WATCHIN'
HOW YOU DO IT.

THAT'S WHAT I WANT
TO BE LIKE.

THAT'S SOMETHING
I LEARNED OFF OF YOU.

I AIN'T GOIN' ON NO TRAIN
WITH LEROY AND THAT'S FINAL.

HE AIN'T NEVER DONE
NOTHIN' BUT WRONG TO ME.

AIN'T NOBODY--
NOBODY EVER

DONE FOR ME
WHAT YOU DONE.

GIVING ME DECENT WAGES
AND LENDING ME YOUR CAR.

WELL, US WILL DO FINE.
US WILL DO BETTER.

I'M GLAD YOU'RE STAYING,
GEECHEE, I REALLY AM.

NOW THAT WE'RE FRIENDS,

I GOT SOMETHIN' TO TELL YOU
YOU DON'T KNOW.

[SIGHS]
WHAT IS IT?

ON PAPER, YOU MIGHT BE
REAL SMART,

BUT IN REAL LIFE,
YOU GOT A LOT TO LEARN,

A WHOLE LOT.

WELL, IS THAT SO?

YOU CAN'T GO LETTIN'
PEOPLE YOU LIKE

WALK OUT ON YOU.

YOU ALMOST LOST ME.

YOU'RE GONNA LOSE
MR. NORTON, TOO.

[TYPING]

I DON'T WISH
TO DISCUSS IT.

I DON'T KNOW WHY
I STAY HERE WITH YOU FOR,

YOU OLD BAD-TEMPERED WOMAN!

JUST CRAZY, I GUESS.

I GUESS SO.

[TYPING]

[BLUEGRASS MUSIC PLAYING]

BUBBA!

HEY, HEY!

♪ SOMEBODY STOLE
MY OLD COON DOG AWAY ♪

♪ SHOULD BRING HIM BACK

♪ HE'LL THROW THEM
BIG HOGS OVER THE FENCE ♪

♪ LITTLE ONES
THROUGH THE CRACKS ♪

♪ WHOA, TROUBLE,
TROUBLE, TROUBLE ♪

♪ ALL I'VE HAD IT
ALL MY DAYS ♪

♪ JUST LOOKS LIKE
OLD TROUBLE ♪

♪ GONNA FOLLOW ME
TO MY GRAVE ♪

ALL RIGHT!

[APPLAUSE]

[GIGGLING]

THANK YOU
FOR COMIN', NOW.

Marjorie:
I BROUGHT YOU A CAKE.

THANKS! BUBBA!

SHE BAKED ME A CAKE!

YOU KNOW, SHE WAS HOPIN'
THAT YOU WERE GONNA

BAKE HER A BIRTHDAY CAKE.

I WAS HOPIN' YOU'D MAKE IT
A BOURBON CAKE.

IT'S A CHOCOLATE
LAYER CAKE.

I GUESS WE'LL HAVE TO SAMPLE
MY HOME BREW, THEN.

WOULD YOU LIKE A TASTE?
HERE WE GO.

THERE'S ONE
FOR MISS RAWLINS.

I KNOW YOU HAVE
TO SAVE YOURSELF

FOR YOUR WRITIN',
MARJORIE,

SO WE, UH, WE GOT YOU
A PITCHER

OF SASSAFRAS
AND TEA OVER THERE.

WELL, THIS WILL
DO ME FINE, THANK YOU.

HOLD IT, LILLY.

THANK YOU, LILLY.

NORTON,
THIS ONE'S FOR YOU.

EASY, MARSH.

I'D LIKE TO PROPOSE
THIS TOAST

TO MY DARLING
DAUGHTER ELLIE

ON HER 14th BIRTHDAY.

HERE'S TO YOU,
SUGAR.

Mary:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELLIE.

All: HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Ellie: BUBBA?

HMM?

COULD I CUT THE FIRST
PIECE FOR FLAG?

IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY,
SWEETHEART.

YOU GO RIGHT AHEAD.

PAUL! PAUL, PLAY SOMETHIN'
FOR US, WILL YOU?

YOU WERE GIVEN
THE PERFECT DAY

TO CELEBRATE ON.

THANKS.

FLAG!

FLAG! FLAG!

FLAG! PLEASE!

FLAG!

PRESTON, HELP ME!

FLAG!

FLAG, STOP! FLAG!

PLEASE, FLAG, STOP!

FLAG, NO!

[GLASS BREAKING]

MY HUSBAND IS A GENTLEMAN.

WHATEVER HE DOES WRONG,
HE'LL SET RIGHT.

YOU YEARNED TO HAVE
A PET OF YOUR OWN.

I DIDN'T HAVE THE HEART
TO DENY YOU.

YOU'VE DONE AN INJUSTICE
TO FLAG.

HE'S NOT HUMAN.

HE'S NOT A CRITTER.

HE BELONGS IN THE WOODS.

COULD HAVE CRIPPLED HIM,
DARLIN'.

HE WOULDN'T KNOW
HOW TO SURVIVE.

I PROMISE
HE WON'T GET OUT AGAIN.

YOU CAN'T CHAIN HIM UP
FOREVER.

WELL, I'LL WALK HIM
AFTER MY CHORES ARE DONE.

LOOK, BUBBA, HE'S BEING
REAL GOOD NOW.

HE DIDN'T MEAN
ANY HARM.

MARJORIE.

PLEASE, BUBBA, DON'T
MAKE ME GIVE HIM UP.

I DON'T THINK
HE'S GIVING ME ANY CHOICE.

MARSH...

MAYBE IF THE PEN
WAS A LITTLE STRONGER.

HE'D GO RIGHT THROUGH IT
OR HE'D GO RIGHT OVER IT.

MARSH, PLEASE.

CAN'T WE TRY?

I'LL THINK ABOUT IT.

BUT I'M NOT MAKING YOU
A PROMISE,

DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?

YES, SIR.

I'LL THINK ABOUT IT.

COME ON, ELLIE.

[ELLIE CRYING]

IT'S GONNA BE ALL RIGHT.

OUT HERE, YOU JUST
CAN'T AFFORD

TO HAVE NO SOFTNESS
IN YOU.

DAILY LIFE
DON'T ALLOW IT.

YOU KNOW ELLIE'S
SPECIAL TO ME,

DON'T YOU?

SHE ALWAYS HAS BEEN.

SHE'S THE ONE THAT
STAYS UP AT NIGHT

WAITIN' FOR ME.

SHE CALLS ME BUBBA.

IF ANYTHING HAPPENED
TO THAT GIRL,

I DON'T THINK
I COULD LIVE.

THAT'S JUST
THE WAY IT IS.

THAT'S HOW MUCH
I CARE.

MAY NOT MAKE
MUCH SENSE,

THAT'S THE WAY
IT IS.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.
DO YOU?

WHY DO YOU INSIST ON...

PROLONGING
THE PROBLEM?

SHE LOVES THAT ANIMAL.

IT'S GONNA HAVE
TO BE SHOT.

WHY?

YOU SEE, IT'S ALMOST
FULL GROWN.

IT'S NOT ONLY GOING
TO DESTROY MY CROPS,

IT'S GONNA
GET YOURS,

IT'S GONNA GET
EVERYBODY'S

UP AND DOWN
THIS CREEK.

NOT IF THAT NEW FENCE HOLDS.

[CHUCKLES]

WHAT IF IT DON'T,
MISS MARJORIE?

IT'S ELLIE'S LAST DAYS
OF CHILDHOOD, MARSH.

[CHUCKLES]

IT'LL BE
A STRONGER FENCE.

[CHUCKLES] I HOPE SO.

OH, LORDY.

Marjorie: WE HELD
OUR BREATHS,

PRAYING THAT THE FENCE
WOULD BE STRONG ENOUGH.

DAYS PASSED,
AND ELLIE'S DEER

STAYED WITHIN
THE CONFINES OF THE PEN.

JACOB'S LADDER
WAS FINISHED,

BUT I WAS AFRAID TO LET
MAX PERKINS SEE IT

UNTIL I FELT
IT WAS PERFECT.

MARJORIE?

THIS IS
A GOOD STORY.

MAX WILL LIKE IT,
MARJORIE.

I MIGHT AS WELL BRING
A SUITCASE OVER,

I SPEND SO MUCH TIME
OUT HERE.

THAT'S UNNECESSARY.

MARJORIE...

AHEM, MARJORIE.

I'M TRYIN' TO PROPOSE.

I DON'T WANT
TO GET MARRIED.

[SCOFFS]
I EAT WITH YOU,

I SLEEP WITH YOU,

I WORRY OVER
YOUR WRITING WITH YOU.

IF THAT'S NOT
BEING MARRIED,

I DON'T KNOW
WHAT IS.

I JUST HAVEN'T TIME
FOR MARRIAGE.

YOU HAVE TIME
FOR PAUL

AND ELLIE
AND GEECHEE.

WELL, THAT'S DIFFERENT.
THEY'RE FRIENDS.

YOU'D WANT MORE OF ME,

AND I WOULDN'T BE ABLE
TO GIVE IT TO YOU.

THAT'S A DAMN LOUSY EXCUSE.

WHY ISN'T
WHAT WE HAVE

GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU?

IT'S NOT.

IT'LL HAVE TO BE.

MARJORIE,
YOU'RE SO BUSY WRITING

AND LIVING
OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES,

THAT YOU'RE CUTTING
YOUR OWN OUT.

AND YOU CAN'T HIDE
FROM FEELINGS.

I'M NOT IN LOVE
WITH YOU.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT.

Marjorie: I DELIBERATELY
TURNED AWAY FROM NORTON,

FOR I BELIEVED
THAT I COULDN'T BE

A WIFE AND A WRITER.

MY RELATIONSHIP WITH CHARLES
HAD PROVED THAT TO ME.

I CHOSE TO ISOLATE MYSELF,

AND I USED MY WORK
AS A REFUGE.

[TYPING]

[CAR APPROACHING]

[TYPING]

MAX?

MAX PERKINS?

WHAT IN THE WORLD
ARE YOU DOING HERE?

OH! HA!

OH, UH, SOMETHING
TO PROD THE MUSES WITH.

THANK YOU.

WELL, MR. BASKIN HERE
WAS KIND ENOUGH

TO OFFER ME A LIFT.

HE SUGGESTED THAT
I COME OUT RIGHT AWAY.

I'M SURE HE DID.

I HOPE
I'M NOT INTRUDING.

NO.

I'M JUST...
SURPRISED TO SEE YOU.

I'VE JUST BEEN ON A VISIT
WITH ERNEST IN KEY WEST,

AND I JUST DROPPED BY
TO SEE HOW YOU WERE.

WELL,
YOU COULDN'T CALL

BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T
HAVE A PHONE.

YOU ALREADY HAVE
AN OPEN BOTTLE, MARJORIE.

MAX DRINKS
ONLY THE BEST.

WELL, WE CAN START
ON THAT ONE

AND THEN FINISH YOURS UP
LATER ON.

AH.

MMM.

YOU HAVEN'T WRITTEN
TO ME LATELY, MARJORIE.

I DON'T THINK MY WRITING
INTERESTS YOU.

I-I'LL GET
SOME GLASSES.

[DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES]

BIT CHILLY.

YOUR LAST LETTER
DIDN'T GO DOWN SO WELL.

OH, DEAR,
NOT ANOTHER GOTHIC, HMM?

SO WHAT IS IT
THIS TIME, MARJORIE?

ANOTHER GOVERNESS
PACKED OFF TO WALES,

DESTITUTE
AND FILLED WITH FOREBODING?

YOU'VE MADE IT CLEAR

THAT YOU DON'T LIKE
MY GOTHICS, MAX.

CORRECT.

I'VE OFTEN WONDERED
WHY YOU BOTHER

WASTING YOUR
PRECIOUS TIME

ON SUCH
AN UNTALENTED NOVELIST.

I HAD HOPED
THAT ANYONE WHO IS

AS DESPERATE
TO WRITE AS YOU WERE--

DAMN IT, MAX PERKINS,
YOU'RE A COWARD!

YOU DIDN'T DARE
TELL ME THE TRUTH.

WELL, I MUST ADMIT,

I DID STOP.

YOU CAN BE MOST FORMIDABLE,
MARJORIE.

YOU LET ME BELIEVE
I HAD TALENT.

YOU MAY BE ONE OF THE MOST
TALENTED WRITERS

I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE
OF WORKING WITH.

I HAVE HERE SOME
OF YOUR FINEST WORK--

YOUR LETTERS.

THE LETTERS I KEPT
LOOKING FORWARD TO.

AND NOT BECAUSE
I MISSED YOUR GOOD COMPANY,

BUT BECAUSE WHEN YOU WRITE
ABOUT YOUR LIFE HERE...

THAT'S WHEN YOUR WRITING'S
AT ITS BEST, MARJORIE.

MY SENSE TOLD THAT
SOME TIME AGO.

THANK YOU.

[DISHES CLANGING]

MARJORIE, HE'LL LIKE IT.

IT'S A GOOD STORY.

YOU NEVER DID
EVEN GET TO THE END.

YOU NEVER GAVE ME
THE CHANCE.

[DOOR OPENS]

[FOOTSTEPS]

SMELLS GOOD.

COOKING IS MARJORIE'S
ONE VANITY.

MAX.

THANK YOU,
MARJORIE.

I KNOW THAT--

I GAVE IT TO YOU
TOO SOON.

IT WASN'T READY
FOR YOU TO READ YET.

WELL, DEAR,

I LIKED IT,

AND I'M GONNA
PUBLISH IT.

DOES $700
SEEM FAIR TO YOU?

YES.

YES, MR. PERKINS,
THAT SOUNDS FINE TO ME.

MISS RAWLINGS!

MISS RA--
MISS RAWLINGS!

YOU HAVE TO HELP ME!
FLAG ESCAPED.

[PANTING]

[SQUEALING]

JUST GO HOME,
MARJORIE.

MARSH...
GO HOME, PLEASE.

I FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS.

NO, IT'S THIS GIRL

THAT HAS TO BE
RESPONSIBLE NOW,

NOT YOU.

DARLIN'...

WE HAD OURSELVES
A BARGAIN.

NOW, YOU GOTTA DO
WHAT'S RIGHT.

DARLIN',
LISTEN TO ME.

A FAMILY
CAN'T STARVE

OVER THE LOVE
OF AN ANIMAL.

NOW TAKE IT.

I AIN'T DOIN' IT, BUBBA.
YOU CAN'T MAKE ME.

TAKE IT.

[GASPS] BUBBA,
PLEASE, NO!

BUBBA, NO!
STOP IT, BUBBA!

NO, PLEASE,
I PROMISE!

I'LL MEND THE FENCE,
AND I'LL GROW SOME NEW CROPS.

PLEASE, BUBBA!

I'LL MAKE IT UP TO YOU.
BUBBA, PLEASE!

LISTEN TO ME!

PLEASE, BUBBA!

BUBBA, PLEASE! PLEASE!

BUBBA! [SOBS]

STOP HIM!

ELLIE...

HE'LL LISTEN TO YOU!

I CAN'T STOP HIM.

HE HATES FLAG,
HE ALWAYS HAS.

THAT'S MY DEER
AND THERE AIN'T NOTHING--

[GUNSHOT]

BUBBA, NO!

[ELLIE PANTING]

GO BACK TO THE HOUSE NOW!

GO BACK TO THE HOUSE!

I HATE YOU!
I HATE YOU SO MUCH!

SAVE ME, I HATE YOU!
FIGHT ME!

I HATE YOU SO MUCH!
FIGHT ME! FIGHT ME!

AAH! SAVE ME!
I HATE YOU!

I'LL ALWAYS HATE YOU!

[SOBBING]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Man: NOT BAD.

[HORSE NICKERS]

[BALL ON POOL TABLE CLACKING]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

AHH.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[HORSE NICKERS]

Man: UH-OH!

[LAUGHTER]

[ALL YELLING]
[HORSE NEIGHS]

[YELLING CONTINUES]

Man: MARSH!

MARSH!

Marsh: ELLIE!

[HORSE NEIGHS]

ELLIE!

HEY, ELLIE!

[HORSE NEIGHS]

HEY, ELLIE?

SHE'LL COME HOME.

DON'T MAKE NO
DIFFERENCE.

IT'LL NEVER BE
THE SAME AGAIN.

AH.

MARSH?

IT'S ME,
THE SHERIFF.

HOW YOU DOIN', JAKE?

PUT DOWN THAT GUN.

YOU WANT IT? IT'S YOURS.

[GUNSHOT]

Marjorie:
THE SHERIFF SHOT...

AND MARSH FELL.

AND IT WAS THE END
OF GLAMOUR AT CROSS CREEK.

AND THE ONLY PERSON
WHO KNOWS,

WHO UNDERSTANDS
THAT WHEN MARSH TURNER

SPOKE TO THE SHERIFF,

IT WAS WITHOUT MENACE.

I'M SURE HE WAS
OFFERING THE SHERIFF

THE OFFENDING GUN,

EXACTLY AS HE ONCE
OFFERED ME

HIS TRESPASSING HOGS.

ELLIE...

YOU DON'T BELONG HERE.

I WISH YOU NEVER CAME
TO CROSS CREEK.

YOU'RE NOT ONE OF US.

WHY DON'T YOU TAKE
YOUR STORIES

AND LEAVE US BE?

CROSS CREEK
AIN'T FOR YOU.

[BOAT ENGINE HUMMING]

Marjorie:
I LEFT THE CREEK.

I LEFT THE GROVE--

SUDDENLY...

AND WITH NOTHING.

[ENGINE STARTS]

Geechee: MISS!

MISS RAWLINGS!

[LAUGHING]

[SOBBING]

[WHISTLE BLOWING]

WE'LL BEAT IT.

I WORKED ALL YEAR
ON NURSING THOSE ORANGES.

I AIN'T GONNA
LET A FREEZE HAVE THEM.

DON'T YOU WORRY.

HANG IN THERE.

ASK HIM
WHAT'S TO BE DONE.

COME ON UP IN HERE.

COME HERE.

COME ON, Y'ALL.

TAKE ON OFF.

I SHOULD HAVE
COME SOONER.

GOOD FRIENDS
SHOULDN'T KEEP APART.

[BRAKES SQUEALING]

[SIGHS]

AND THAT LITTLE MARY

WAS KEEPING UP
WITH US,

JUST SLOSHING
THROUGH THE MUD.

ONE TIME,
SHE WAS RIGHT HERE

AND THERE WAS
HER SHOES

ABOUT 10 FEET BACK,
STUCK IN THE MUD.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

WOULD YOU LIKE
A CUP OF COFFEE?

THAT'D HIT THE SPOT,
THANK YOU.

I WANT TO THANK YOU
FOR YOUR HELP.

I JUST HAPPENED TO BE

PASSIN' THROUGH
THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AT 5:30 IN THE MORNING?

AT 5:30 IN THE MORNING.

I HEARD YOU WAS
DOIN' POORLY.

YEAH?

HMM. PININ' AWAY
FOR AN OLD BEAU.

I'M DOING EXTREMELY WELL.

SO I SEE.

LISTEN,
WOULD YOU LIKE--

YES.

GET MARRIED?

JUST LIKE I FIGURED.

YOU CERTAINLY ARE
SURE OF YOURSELF.

YOU DIDN'T MISS ME AT ALL?

NOT A BIT,
MR. BASKIN.

NOT A BIT.

Marjorie: I HAD BECOME
A PART OF CROSS CREEK.

I WAS MORE THAN A WRITER--

I WAS A WIFE,
A FRIEND,

A PART OF THE EARTH.

WHO OWNS CROSS CREEK?

THE EARTH MAY BE FARMED,
NOT BOUGHT.

MAY BE USED, NOT OWNED.

IT GIVES ITSELF IN RESPONSE
TO LOVE AND TENDERNESS,

OFFERS ITS SEASONAL
FLOWERING AND FRUITING.

CROSS CREEK BELONGS
TO THE WIND AND THE RAIN,

TO THE SUN AND SEASONS,

TO THE COSMIC SECRECY
OF SEED...

AND BEYOND ALL, TO TIME.

CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY
LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT

CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL
CAPTIONING INSTITUTE
--www.ncicap.org--