Original subtitles

[�]

Hyah!

MAN: What are you telling me, "He's not there"?

He's not in his trailer or what? MAN 2: No, he's not.

Did you check craft service? Yes.

He's not there either? No.

How about hair and makeup? Did you check with the girls?

He's gone, Mickey. [CHUCKLES]

I'm telling you, man, he is gone.

Well, that's interesting.

Where do you think he's gone off to?

'Cause look around. What do you see?

I see sand and big fuckin' rocks.

There's nowhere to go. Camera's ready.

I need him now. You copy that?

Yes, I copy that. I copy.

Don't yell at me, Mickey. I can't take that right now.

Howard! Are you in there? You are killing me, buddy.

Camera's ready, I need you out here now.

He's not in there, man--

Shut up.

Who are you?

What do you mean, who am I? Who are you?

Where's Howard?

My God, don't push me around like that.

Oh, my God.

All right, what the fuck is go--? What--?

Where's Howard?

Howard? Who's Howard?

Aw, Jesus. He's not in here.

MAN 2: I told you. MICKEY: Will you shut up?

Will you shut up?

[�]

Come on, come on.

[CLICKS TONGUE]

Come on!

Get!

MAN [OVER MEGAPHONE]: Action!

[YELLS]

MAN: Ooh, ooh, ooh!

Cut! Cut! No good.

WOMAN: Cut. Get that horse.

MAN: Camera reload.

Get the other wrangler.

Diffuse this lens.

Let's go.

MAN [OVER RADIO]: We've got a problem, Anthony.

The assistants tell us that Howard Spence is gone. Over.

What do you mean, "He's gone"?

I mean, he just...

[SIGHS]

...disappeared.

DIRECTOR: Disappeared?!

[SOFTLY] Easy.

Good boy.

Easy.

Hello?

Hello?

[�]

[SNORING]

Hey. You want these?

What?

You want this set of spurs?

Free-like?

Yeah.

What's wrong with 'em?

There's nothin' wrong with 'em.

If you give me your shirt and your vest,

I'll give you that set of spurs, okay?

We'll... We'll swap.

I'll give you these boots too. Okay?

My shirt? My vest? Yeah.

Is it a deal?

You'll give me the spurs.

Yep.

Yeah, I'll give you that... fancy jacket and the chaps.

You want those?

All right. But you can't have my hat.

Because I've had this 30-some-odd years.

No, I don't want your hat.

I just want-- I just want your shirt and vest, okay?

Is it a deal?

All right.

Good.

Ain't any good anyway.

Appreciate it.

You bet.

Warm out here. Yeah.

Thank you. And you can have this horse too.

He's a pretty good gelding.

You must be getting out of ranching altogether.

Yeah.

Is there a car-rental place around here?

What?

Place to rent cars?

Ain't seen any.

T-train?

Oh, now and then.

Well, thanks. Appreciate it.

You bet.

[HUMMING]

[HELICOPTER WHIRRING]

Who the fuck is that?

Some big shot from the bond company.

Let's go check him out.

[BRITISH ACCENT] I'd like to see Mr. Spence's trailer, please.

Uh, his...trailer?

That's right. It's still here isn't it?

Yes.

[CHUCKLES]

Yes, the trailer's still here.

Wouldn't you like to come down,

meet the director, the producer first?

No, I'd like to see his trailer. His mobile home.

"Mobile." "His mobile home."

[CHUCKLES] [CLEARS THROAT]

Sure.

Right away.

I got the producers on the line. You wanna talk to 'em?

No. Let me have the director come.

I'm sure he'd be more than happy to come right--

I don't want to see the director.

I don't want to see anyone.

I want to be left alone. Is that clear?

Nice talking to you.

What a dick.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER IN DISTANCE]

MAN: I'm sure there's enough gas.

WOMAN: I'm on my way.

There is every indication

that Mr. Spence is engaged in totally irresponsible,

self-indulgent, immoral behavior.

Not unlike many members of his profession.

OFFICER: Hey, pull up there a second.

Let's see some ID.

ID? You gotta be jokin'.

HOWARD: Mom? WOMAN [OVER PHONE]: Howard?

Mom? Howard, is that you?

Yeah, it's me.

Where in the world are you?

I'm not sure.

Are you in good health?

Yeah, I'm fine, Mom.

Are you far, far away?

Well, no. I think--

I think I'm somewhere in Utah.

Near the border.

What border is that, now? Nevada.

The Nevada border.

You haven't been that close

since you went away to do that movie years ago.

Yeah.

Listen, Mom, would you mind

if I came by and spent a couple days with you?

Well, if you're that close,

and you don't come and stay with me,

you'd better not ever, ever call me again. I swear--

Mom, you're breakin' up on me, Mom.

Howard...? Can you hear me?

You're breakin' up on me.

["A LONELY MAN" PLAYING]

� He's a lonely man Who's lost his only love �

� It's hiding in his system Like a drug �

� It's just around The corner there �

� It's hiding from him Everywhere �

� He's a lonely man Who's lost his love �

� He's a lonely man Who finds no one to blame �

� He knows that love's no war That life's no game �

� He has an anger in his soul �

� That holds to love And won't let go �

� He's a lonely man Who finds no blame �

MAN [OVER P.A.]: Attention, all passengers.

The bus to Elko is now boarding and departing immediately.

The bus to Elko is now departing.

[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]

Adios!

Hey.

[�]

[BABY CRYING]

[ORGAN PLAYING SOLEMN MELODY]

You must be Sky.

Your mother will be very much missed around here.

[MELANCHOLY THEME PLAYING]

Oh, John, do you really have to leave?

[SOBBING]

I-- I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Okay, I can't do this. Cut! Cut.

What's going on now?

Sorry, I just-- I can't do this. What's wrong?

I can't do this. What's wrong, Monica?

I'm having a very difficult time

pretending that he is supposed to be Howard.

I mean... I can't kiss that guy.

Who is that guy? That's not Howard.

It's just a temporary thing, Monica.

Temporary, my ass.

Where is Howard? When's he supposed to get here?

Howard's coming. He's going to be here soon.

What we've got to do is try to continue

until he gets here.

Why?

I am supposed to be acting with Howard Spence

not some stand-in jerkoff.

The bond company wants us to keep shooting!

[�]

Hey.

Mom.

Howard.

[CHUCKLING]

[LAUGHS] Oh.

What in the wide world has become of you?

Are you my son?

Yeah, it's me, Mom.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

Is that all your luggage?

Yeah, I'm traveling light.

[CHUCKLES]

You didn't have to bring any flowers.

I didn't. These aren't for you.

What would you do with a bunch of plastic roses?

[CHUCKLES]

Come on, let's get going.

Sold the old ranch house?

I had to when your father died.

So you're not living in the country anymore?

Oh, no, I moved 10 years ago.

SKY: I don't know what to do with you, Mom.

It all happened so fast.

I mean, I remember...

I remember you talking about that place.

That place out near where you grew up.

You were always talking about that

like you were happy there or something.

When I was a kid.

You remember that?

Always seemed like you liked that place.

I thought maybe I'd, uh...take you up there.

Hm?

Well, what were you thinking about?

Nothin'.

So...now they'll be... lookin' for you, is that it?

I guess.

And you want me to hide you out or something?

Just like Jesse James?

[CHUCKLES]

Yep, just like Jesse James.

Well, I suppose I could do that.

You are my son, aren't you?

Just need a place to rest for a while, Mom.

Might as well be the place you grew up in.

Yeah.

You know...I always have the same damn problem

finding your father's gravesite.

Well, don't you recognize the stone, Mom?

Well, they're all alike.

I mean, they used up all the pretty little white arches

during Vietnam.

Then by the time your father died,

all they had were these simple slabs of granite.

Just a slab, flat on the gr--

Here it is.

That it?

Yep.

I never thought it was appropriate.

Flat slab on the ground.

People just walk right on top of it.

Dogs pee on it.

Just isn't right.

DIRECTOR: Gentlemen,

I can shoot around Howard for another day or two--

That doesn't solve the problem, Anthony.

Well, you know, Mr. Daily, sir,

I, uh... I don't see exactly how the director,

or any of us, for that matter,

can be held totally accountable for Howard's actions.

Well, somebody has to be held accountable, don't they, Jim?

I mean, Mr. Daily's company's

insured us for 30 million dollars.

Thirty-two-point-five.

Well, yes, of course,

but Howard has a long history of this kind of behavior.

I don't think he's ever

completely disappeared before though, has he?

No, no.

He's never done that before.

We gave the guarantee of completion, didn't we?

DAILY: Yes, we did,

Mr. Sutter.

Well, then, we'll find him.

There's no question, we'll definitely find him.

[SLOT MACHINES BEEPING & WHIRRING]

What kind of trouble are you in, Howard?

Trouble? Oh, it's nothing, Mom.

I mean, I might end up owing them a bit of money, that's all.

I don't-- I don't mean that.

Then what?

Well, a man doesn't go off for nigh 30 years without a word

then show up at his mother's door

unless there's some kind of serious trouble.

No, I just-- I just needed to see you.

Well, I understand that part.

I mean, I thought it'd...do me some good to come back here

and just stay for a while, you know.

You been doing all that stuff

what they said about you in the magazines?

What stuff?

You know, that stuff.

Now, now-- Like carousing around.

You know the magazines are full of gossip--

I don't give two hoots about it, I'm just curious.

No, I haven't been doing anything.

I haven't been doing any of that stuff.

Because if you were doing all that stuff,

it's no wonder you're not feeling so hot.

I feel fine.

I mean, just the sheer exhaustion of it.

I wasn't doing anything. It's just that-- That--

That things came up, and they kind of snowballed.

What things?

Well, you know, opportunities...

Opportunities are supposed to be a good thing, aren't they?

Yeah, but not always, I mean sometimes--

What the hell are you starin' at?!

Come on, Mom, let's get out of here.

Well, I haven't finished my coffee.

I just gotta get some air.

You'll have to excuse my son, he's lost his manners.

That happens sometimes when people

stray too far from home, Susie.

Don't worry about it, Lulu.

I don't know why you're so upset about this, Mom.

I mean-- Rudeness is one thing

I've never been able to tolerate, Howard.

I mean, I-- I don't understand rudeness.

I know, Mom, I mean, it's nothing, it's over.

The man was starin' at me. It's rude to stare.

Well, so be it.

You didn't need to take his head off.

Well, I apologize.

Well, it's embarrassing, Howard.

Just embarrassing.

I'm sorry. Sorry, Mom.

So I--

I prepared a room for you downstairs.

I hope it'll fit you, I just...

I just don't have all the space we had in the old ranch house.

No, it'll be fine, Mom. It'll be fine.

It's handy to the kitchen,

and there's a bivvy right down the hallway.

Where do you sleep?

Just down the hall.

So if you need anything, you just holler.

Well, thanks, Mom.

Yeah, sure.

[SIGHS, CHUCKLES]

Good night.

Night.

Oh, where is the basement?

Right through the kitchen.

Okay.

Nighty-night. Night.

[�]

ANNOUNCER [OVER TV]: Here's the wind-up. And the pitch. Ball two.

ANNOUNCER 2: Now, he faces a count of two and two.

ANNOUNCER: And Garrett has a sign for the ball. And the pitch.

There's a smash up the middle.

Off Garrett's glove, fielded by Scott near the bag.

The throw... They got him.

ANNOUNCER 2: What a play by the second baseman, Greg.

There was no way to make that play.

But then what are you gonna say? He really showed you

why he's regarded as being the best in the business.

ANNOUNCER: I tell you, it was amazing.

I thought-- I saw Neil slipping out of that collision--

[COMMENTATORS SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

[�]

What do you believe?

[SIREN BLARING]

Hey, Ma?

Think I'm gonna go out and get some air, all right?

Have a nice time.

ANNOUNCER: Long fly ball, way back to the wall.

[ENGINE REVVING] It's gone. A home run.

[MACHINES WHIRRING & BEEPING]

[SOFT, SWEET MELODY PLAYING]

MAN: � Love �

� Is �

� Rock him in your arms �

� Brighter than The brightest light... �

What'll it be, buddy?

Um...

Let me have a-- A Coke, please.

Hey! Hey!

Are you in the movies?

My friend says

you're in the movies.

[ALL GIGGLING]

Change for a hundred.

MAN: Let's see your hand. MAN 2: Let's see your hand.

MAN 3: What's that?

[BOTH YELLING]

MAN 4: All right, knock it off. Let's go.

Outside. Let's go.

And no more bets. No more bets, please.

WOMAN: Thank you, dear.

Anything for you?

Uh, let me have a Jim Beam on the rocks.

I'll be right back.

You, sir.

What is so goddamn fascinating about me?

Howard! Howard! Howard!

Why do you keep dogging me around?

Howard, Howard, it's me.

It's me, Cliff. Cliff Ormsby.

Cliff Ormsby?

Yeah. Yeah.

Plains High, 1959.

1959.

Yeah, don't you remember me?

I don't remember anything! Ah!

Nothing that ever happened back then happened to me.

Okay? All right.

Ah!

Goddamn.

Hey.

I was lookin' for you.

There you are.

Thought you may have skipped out on me.

[CHUCKLES]

Ahhh...

WOMAN [OVER PHONE]: Mr. Spence seems to have done

a good job cutting himself off completely

from family and friends.

I have no traces to immediate family

except his mother.

Uh, she lives in Elko, Nevada.

That's very good, Miss Ronce.

Thank you, sir.

That's excellent work.

Thank you.

Mothers are always the last refuge, aren't they?

Sure are, sir.

Just a tick.

Oh, sir, are you there?

Are you still there?

Sir?

And you can contact the car-rental company

and tell them that we've located Mr. Spence's car.

Very good.

At the Rio Grande bus terminal.

Rio Grande, where's that, sir?

Here in Salt Lake City.

All right.

I'll be back in touch shortly.

[WOMAN SINGING SWEETLY IN DISTANCE]

[ALARM RINGING] Ahh!

Oof! [BOTTLES CLATTER]

[GRUNTING]

ANNOUNCER: On your line!

Round one. [BELL RINGS]

All right.

Get ready. I'm ready. Are you ready?

I'm ready. Ready? Fight!

All right. Bam!

Uppercut. Left hook.

Uppercut. Jab. Jab.

Come on. Bam!

Right. Right jab. Bam! Bam! Bam!

Left hook. Uppercut.

Get up! What's the matter with you?

What do you think you're doing?

Get up! Take it easy. Take it easy.

Take it easy. Bam!

Hey! Take it easy.

Take it easy.

HOWARD: What, this second?

MAN: Give me your arm. HOWARD: Goddamn it!

MAN: Come on.

HOWARD: Just hang on a second, would you?

I need to take a pee.

You can take a pee at the station.

I've been having to pee for a long time.

[HUMMING]

[DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE]

All right, back there.

[DOORBELL RINGS]

[HUMMING]

Morning, Charlie. Morning, Mrs. Spence.

What's happened to Howard?

Well, he was having a little too much fun last night.

Weren't you, Howie?

[GRUNTS]

Mm?

You keep an eye on him now, Mrs. Spence.

MRS. SPENCE: Oh, I will. Don't you worry about that, Charlie.

CHARLIE: To tell you the truth, I didn't recognize him at all.

I haven't seen him in so long.

Of course, I guess we've all gotten

a little bit longer in the tooth,

haven't we? [SIGHS]

I guess so, Charlie. It happens.

Bye-bye. Goodbye.

Yes, it happens.

Did you have any fun out there last night?

Fun, yeah. Yeah...

Girls? Drinking and gambling?

No, Mom.

Well, it's supposed to be fun, isn't it?

I mean, that's what they claim.

People come from miles around to have fun.

[CHUCKLES]

That's what I thought it was, anyway.

It's just designed to be fun.

Yeah, I don't know.

I don't know what to do with myself anymore.

Aren't you gonna eat your eggs?

Yeah, I'm not feeling so hot.

Well, hand them over then. No sense in wasting them.

They look good.

Oh. Thank you.

Fork.

[SIGHS] Yeah.

You don't happen to have any pictures

of your little family, do you?

[�]

My--? My family?

The child you never told me about.

My grandson.

I mean, I had to find it out

from his poor mother back then.

What child?

Now, don't tell me you gave it up for adoption

or something stupid like that.

I don't know about any child.

You don't know?

No.

How'd you get to be such a mess, Howard?

A woman called me years ago,

back, just after you had finished that--

That big motion picture of yours

up there in Montana, the Western.

--said she was pregnant with your baby.

What woman was this?

I don't know. A woman.

You're the one who got her pregnant.

I never got anybody pregnant!

Well, she said that you did.

She had a pretty strong notion about it.

What did she want?

She wanted to know if I'd seen you.

Of course, I hadn't. I never saw you again after that.

You were just a total stranger.

She called from somewhere up in Montana.

I remember that.

Montana?

I got-- I gotta lie down, Mom.

Oh. Don't you want your orange juice, then?

No. Thanks.

[SIGHS]

[DOORBELL RINGS]

[DOOR OPENS]

SUTTER: Mrs. Spence, I'm looking for your son.

MRS. SPENCE: My son?

I haven't seen him in over 30 years.

Ever since he became a big movie star.

You'd think at least he'd drop his mother a card

now and then, wouldn't you?

Yes, you would.

So you haven't heard from him in 30 years?

No.

Not a phone call?

Not an e-mail?

What's an e-mail?

You must be from the movie company, is that it?

Sort of.

Well, uh, Mrs. Spence, here's my card.

If you hear from your son, could you give me a call?

My number's over here.

Oh, I'd be glad to.

I appreciate that.

Bye-bye.

Goodbye, now.

Howard, the coast is clear.

MRS. SPENCE: I remember your father

barreling down those long dusty roads in this thing,

heading back from the cattle auctions.

You could see him from miles away.

Just a plume of dust,

like a giant rooster.

It was quite exciting, actually.

It's a beauty, Mom. Does it still run?

Oh, I use it every week for shopping.

But I can walk just as easy.

You sure? Mm-hm.

Well, let me know now and then where you're staying.

Keep in touch. I will, Mom.

Oh.

Oh. I packed some things of your father's for you.

Thanks, Mom.

Don't be a stranger.

No, I'll give you a call.

[ENGINE STARTS]

Runs like a top.

You look good.

Bye, Howie.

Bye, Mom.

[�]

Have you seen this man?

Yeah, yesterday.

Thank you. MRS. SPENCE: Comin'.

[CRICKETS CHIRPING]

Good evening, Mrs. Spence.

It's you.

Yes, it's me.

Sorry to be such a nuisance.

Would you like to come in and have some cookies and milk?

Cookies? Mm-hm.

What kind?

Peanut butter,

with little chips of butterscotch.

I'll try one.

Oh. Just come on in then and help yourself.

I've just baked them.

Well, that's very kind of you, Mrs. Spence.

Are you staying in Elko, Mister...?

Sutter. Mr. Sutter.

Sutter?

Uh, no,

I'm just passing through.

[CHUCKLES]

That's about all you can do here, isn't it?

Just pass on through.

Here.

You lied to me, didn't you, Mrs. Spence?

I beg your pardon?

You deliberately lied to me about your son.

He was here all along, wasn't he?

I don't know what in the world you're talking about.

I've never told anything but the truth in my whole life.

Lying is for cowards, Mr. Sutter. Hm?

Excellent cookies.

[�]

[MEN CHATTERING]

[BONO & ANDREA CORR'S "DON'T COME KNOCKING" PLAYING ON STEREO]

BONO: � You're everything I could want �

� There's no house You couldn't haunt �

� You're the key That could keep me in �

� You're the sense Under the skin �

� I won't bring you roses �

� I'll bring myself instead �

� Time only is time �

� For what is meant Not what is said �

CORR: � Don't come knocking �

� Don't come knocking �

� Don't come knocking At my door �

� Don't come knocking �

� Knock, knock, knocking �

� Don't come knocking No more �

� You're a dream I could wake up in �

� You're a fight I shouldn't try to win �

You want me to freshen that up?

There you go. Thank you.

Can I help you, sir?

Oh...

Just a cup of coffee, please.

WAITRESS: You want Coffee-mate? HOWARD: Yeah, sure.

WAITRESS: All right.

� Off a tree-lined avenue �

� In a cottage made of stone �

� I'll sleep there Not dreaming �

� I would rather live alone �

BOTH: � Don't come knocking �

� Don't come knocking �

� Don't come knocking At my door �

� Don't come knocking �

� Knock, knock, knocking �

� Don't come knocking No more �

CORR: � All the stars in the sky �

� They can't light our way �

[CAR STARTS]

[PHONE RINGS]

[PHONE RINGS]

[WOMEN CHATTERING]

MAN: Hi, Terry.

[MAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

Scotty didn't come in. I gotta pull a double.

I'm probably not gonna get out until midnight.

Can I get a room for a couple nights?

Yes, sir. No problem.

Would you fill this out, please?

HOWARD: You take cash, I hope. CLERK: Absolutely.

Here's your room key.

You're in 201, just down the hall.

[INHALES DEEPLY]

WOMAN: Hm. Ancient history now.

This place is just full of ghosts.

Are you from out of town?

Uh, yeah, sort of. My mom was from Butte.

She was? What was her name?

Oh, you wouldn't know her, she kind of...

She came and went a lot.

Oh. Yeah, well, she's not alone.

There are only a few of us die-hards left here.

What movie was this? It's a Western?

Yeah.

It was shot right around here, wasn't it?

Right here, yep.

Must have been really exciting.

[CHUCKLES]

Yeah, well, for about five minutes,

and then real life came back and took its place.

Yeah, I don't know. I think...

I think I like the movies better.

Than what?

Than real life.

[CHUCKLES]

Well...

You let me know if you want

some coffee or something, huh, hon?

Thanks.

� Strike �

� A pose �

� Imagining �

� Lauded �

� Ecstatic applause �

� Simply �

� Because �

� You are on pause �

� Strike my face �

� So we can see �

� If it leaves some kind Of mark �

� No, it's too dark �

� Life �

� It's dark �

Excuse me.

Ginger ale, please.

[CHUCKLES]

Wha...?

Well, it took you long enough.

[CROWD CHEERING & APPLAUDING]

SINGER: Thank you. Thank you, folks.

MAN: That's really good.

This next song is for everybody

who's ever been shaken,

rattled and rolled.

He's got a pretty good voice, don't you think?

Yeah.

Dedicated to Bill Haley. Okay, guys.

Where have you been, Howard?

[LAUGHING]

Where in the world have you been?

[CHUCKLES] I don't know.

� I can feel � You just kind of...

fell off the face of the Earth.

Yeah.

You know, I looked for you for a while.

I tried to find you.

I looked everywhere.

I even tracked down your mother.

My mother? Yeah, didn't she tell you?

No. I haven't seen her for a good, long while.

That's too bad, Howard.

You should never lose track of your mother.

� And I get rattled sometimes �

� And I got rolled In the dim light �

So, what are you doing back up here?

Oh, you know, just... kind of passing through.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

Just passing through. On a whim.

[CHUCKLES]

Yeah. I just thought I'd drop back through.

� And I'm lost And detached �

� Along with all who never Had a chance �

Well, if you're looking for your son...

that's him...

right there in front of you.

� And I get rattled sometimes �

� And I got rolled In the dim light �

It's really good to see you again, Howard.

Well, wait a second. Can I get you a drink or--?

� I can feel it all spinning �

Doreen!

� Away from me �

[APPLAUSE & CHEERING]

Thank you.

Thank you, guys. Thanks.

We're gonna take a short break. Come back. Tip the bartender.

WOMAN: All right. MAN: All right.

[CROWD CHATTERING]

MAN: Honestly, I'm not sure if I am gonna do it or not.

I mean, it depends if she,

you know, lets me come in without it bought, you know?

MAN 2: Yeah, I hear you.

I mean, you think I can crash at your place or something?

[ENGINE STARTS]

Hey! What?

What's your story, pal? What are you talking about?

What are you doing? Following me? No, I'm not.

Who is this joker, baby? You know this joker?

He's been following me. I'm not following you.

You've been follow--

Get your hands off me.

He's a narc. He's a narc. I bet he's a narc.

HOWARD: What are you, nuts?

He's lying.

Who are you then? Who the fuck are you?

I'm your father!

[LAUGHING]

Well, shit, honey, I didn't know you had no daddy.

SINGER: Shut up, will you?

GIRLFRIEND: You got a father

out of the blue. Kablammo!

[LAUGHING]

Your daddy's a narc, Early.

[LAUGHING]

[�]

[SIGHS]

HOWARD: What in the world did you expect?

What? I wanna go to bed.

I know, baby. Come on.

Hm.

[TAP]

[TAP]

What are you doing? Who are you?

Can I talk to you for a second?

What for? Who the hell are you?

I need to talk to you.

What about?

It's just something.

GIRLFRIEND: What's going on, Early?

Look, I got somebody up here now.

It doesn't matter.

What is it? Can't you just tell me from down there?

It's about your father.

[SCOFFS]

Ah!

GIRLFRIEND: What is wrong with you?

You, uh, allowed to sit down with customers?

Well...

Yeah, sure.

Kind of...

running the place now, huh?

Yeah.

Yep, I stepped up in the world.

So, what are you doing back here in Butte, Howie?

What's going on with you?

Well...

I don't know, I just kind of came

to the end of something, I guess.

Of what?

Just a whole... string of little disasters,

little...train wrecks.

Was I one of them?

You? No.

No, it was after-- It was after that.

After I left.

Everything just kind of, shwttt, went downhill.

Wow, that was a long time ago.

Yeah.

Wasn't it?

Yeah, it sure was.

Did you...?

Did you talk to Earl last night?

Ear-- Oh, that's his name? Earl?

Yeah. Yeah.

I don't get it, Howard.

I mean, what-- What did you come back up here for?

You knew all about him, about Earl.

You knew I had your kid.

No, I didn't-- I mean, I just found out.

I just now...

Well...

uh, my mother did too.

Yeah, I figured that.

That's the kind of thing

a mother would find hard to keep from her son.

So isn't that, uh, why you came up here, to meet him?

I mean, isn't that the only reason?

Yeah. Yeah, of course it is.

I just didn't know it was gonna be so...

So, what?

Hard.

Looking in his face, his eyes...

I don't know.

What?

I didn't know I was gonna recognize him like that.

Like what?

See myself in him...

and...

And you seeing me the same way too, I can tell.

[WHISPERING] And what way was that?

I don't know. Just scared, I guess.

Just plain scared.

[CHUCKLES]

GIRLFRIEND: I don't know, baby.

Why can't we just be how we used to be, Earl?

Why is that? Why is that, Earl?

I mean, you remember how we used to be.

How come we can't be like that?

You remember, baby.

[SCREAMS]

Well, you just don't even want a woman,

do you?

That's it, isn't it?

You don't even want a woman. Ha-ha!

Why don't you want a woman, Earl?

Why is that? I mean, what is up with that?

[SCREAMS]

Baby!

Is it just 'cause you're so messed up in your mind,

you're just so fucked up that you don't even know

how lucky you might be to have a woman like me?

[RAZOR BUZZING]

[BUZZING STOPS]

[BUZZING STARTS]

[BUZZING STOPS]

Hello?

Hello?

[T-BONE BURNETT'S "I WISH YOU COULD HAVE SEEN HER DANCE" PLAYING]

� She wore a low-cut Black satin dress �

� Slit up the front And down the back �

� She wore black High-heeled shoes �

� With laces That went up her ankles �

� She wore black Velvet gloves �

� With rhinestone bracelets Around them �

� She had long blonde hair �

� Long blonde hair �

� She had long blonde hair �

� Long blonde hair �

� And she sat on the jukebox With one leg propped up �

� And a crowd of boys Gathered round her �

� And one of them Tried to kiss her �

� But she turned her face �

� And I wish you could have Seen her dance... �

I need to talk to you.

Huh?

[LAUGHS] Oh.

Okay.

Now.

It's important, Mom.

All right. Uh--

Where?

Well, let's-- Let's go back out...

� And I wish you could have Seen her dance... �

MAN: There you go.

Read 'em and weep.

What's going on?

What?

This guy,

this man who came into the bar last night.

What about him?

You know him?

Yes...

I know him.

Yeah.

He says he's my father.

Did he tell you that?

That's what he told me, yeah. Yeah.

Is he?

Is he my father, this guy?

Please.

Yes, he is.

He is?

Yes.

Are you sure?

I'm sure.

Well, who the fuck is he? Why did he come back here?

Why did he suddenly come back here?

I told you. You watch your language.

No, you told me nothing.

You told me jack shit.

What did you tell me? When did you tell me?

I told you a long time ago.

You told me nothing.

You just told me...

there was some actor, something. You never said that--

There was.

What?

An actor.

Him? He's the actor?

Yes.

I don't believe this. I don't fucking believe this.

You know, I tried to tell you, but...

Why did he come back here, Mom?

What?

Why did he come back here?

I don't know. I don't know.

Didn't you talk to him?

Yes.

Maybe-- Maybe he wanted to see you.

What's his name?

Howard.

"Howard"? What a dumb fucking name that is.

Howard Spence.

Sounds like a dentist.

[GIGGLES]

Well...

that's his name.

[PANTING]

And he's an actor?

Yes.

Movie actor.

That's-- That's where you met him?

When-- When he did that movie up here?

And you just--

Just fucked him?

He doesn't look anything like me, does he?

Mom?

Huh?

[SIGHS]

[WHISPERS] No, honey.

Not at all.

I liked it better when I never knew who he was.

I liked it a whole lot better.

[SNIFFLING]

Thanks, Mom!

Thanks a lot.

Well, well, well.

[T-BONE BURNETT'S "POWER OF LOVE" PLAYING]

� The power of love �

� Can make a blind man see �

You're still winning, champ?

MAN: I'm putting these guys in the poorhouse.

� The power of love �

� Can make a sultan grieve �

� Can make a skeptic believe �

� The power of love �

� Is south of south �

� And scorches out �

� All the doubt �

� The power of love �

� Is the name of names �

Get the fuck out!

� And burns away all the pain �

If you calm your ass down, you call me.

� The power of love �

� Can make a gangster cry �

� Can make a loser try �

� The power of love �

[PANTING]

[CHUCKLES]

[LAUGHING]

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

It's open.

You can go ahead and make the bed.

I won't get in your way.

Oh, you're not the maid, are you?

[CHUCKLES] Sorry.

Weren't you over at the M & M?

Yeah.

You're staring at me. What's the story?

You're an actor, right?

Look, this is a private room here, okay?

Could you just get out of here?

I don't care if you are or not.

I'm not a fan or anything.

I don't have fans anymore, honey. I'm all washed up.

Seen better days. You understand, now?

Look, would you please just go away?

What are you doing here anyway?

What is that you're holding?

That's my mother.

Look, I am not in the mood for wackos right now.

You used to know her, I think.

Will you please leave?

Or do you want me to throw you out?

I'll leave.

What are you doing?

What is that?

Bye.

[EARL GRUNTING]

What the fuck are you doing here?

I was wondering if maybe we could talk or something.

Talk? Yeah.

Talk? What do you wanna talk about?

The weather maybe?

Watch it, buddy.

What do you want? What are you doing here?

What do you want from me?

I just...

Is she crazy?

...wanted to see you, that's all.

See me? Yeah.

Well, here I am.

This is me.

You're seeing me right now.

Recognize anything?

Your mother told me about you.

[SPITS] Your mother.

Yeah. You got a mother?

HOWARD: You shit.

What did she say about me, huh?

What did she say about me?

Not much.

You out of your fucking mind or something?

I mean, I thought I was fucked up.

Your mother? You're a full-grown man.

Yeah.

I still got a mother.

Well, that's-- That's a miracle.

Yeah.

Who is your mother, anyway?

She's--

Never mind who she is.

She's supposed to be my grandmother, I suppose?

Yeah, I guess she is.

You know, I don't care who she is.

I don't care who you are.

This is so fucked up.

Fucking asshole.

I just thought maybe--

What?

You just thought what?

You just thought you'd...

casually drive back into town here?

Back to the scene of the crime,

20-something years later?

Just kind of introduce yourself?

Thought maybe we'd slap each other on the back?

Go have a couple shots of tequila?

Crack a few jokes about the old lady,

or something stupid like that?

Is that it, huh?

Is that what you thought?

Yeah.

You're not my father.

You never have been my father, and you never will be.

You got that?

Go fuck yourself, man. You're pathetic.

[�]

HOWARD [SIGHS]: Oh, fuck.

[CHUCKLES]

[SOBBING]

[DOG PANTING]

[BARKS]

[PLAYING SOFT, DREAMY MUSIC]

[WIND CHIMES JINGLING]

[CHILDREN LAUGHING IN DISTANCE]

[�]

[PEOPLE TALKING IN DISTANCE]

WOMAN [IN DISTANCE]: Here, boy. Come here.

Come here, boy.

[DOG BARKING]

[MAN SPEAKING SPANISH IN DISTANCE]

He didn't jump, did he?

Huh?

[GRUNTS, SIGHS]

No.

Good.

That's good.

He wouldn't talk to you, I guess.

No.

No, huh?

He wouldn't talk to me either.

He's scared, I guess.

Why would he be scared of you?

Just the idea that we might be related.

He doesn't wanna be related, I don't think.

[LAUGHS] Ah...guess not.

Do you?

What?

Wanna be related?

I thought I did.

[CHUCKLES]

Why?

Why, suddenly, when you haven't been for so long?

Just start thinking maybe I'd missed everything, you know?

Maybe I...

threw everything away.

Cut myself off.

Why'd you let so much time go by?

I didn't know it was passing.

[CHUCKLES]

You're gonna leave now?

Leave town?

I mean, since it didn't work out with Earl?

I got nowhere to go.

Maybe you should just stay here.

What do you mean, live here in Butte?

Yeah, why not?

It's not a bad little town. Lots of history.

What am I gonna do here?

Make it your home.

You need a home, don't you?

[�]

I'll be back in a while, okay?

Where are you going?

Don't go away.

Wait a minute, where are you going?

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

Jake. Hey.

Hi, Jake.

Got something for you. Here you are, Doreen.

Thank you.

Have a good one.

[CHUCKLES]

Hey.

MAN: Nah, he didn't show up.

MAN 2: Nope, not today.

Hey, Joe.

Hey, Doreen.

[SIRENS WAILING]

Oh, I was just looking for you.

Howard.

You look great.

[LAUGHS] Thanks.

Yeah, yellow. I remember you in yellow.

You always looked good in yellow.

I never wore yellow.

Must have been

someone else.

DOREEN: What are you doing up so early?

HOWARD: Well, I never went to bed.

DOREEN: Must have a lot on your mind, huh?

HOWARD: Yeah.

You look awful.

I suppose.

So how are you two getting along?

Any progress?

Who? Oh, you mean--?

Your son, Howard.

How are you getting along with your son?

Well, it's hopeless, I think.

Well, you haven't given it much of a shot, have you?

In a couple of days you just, what, give up?

I haven't given up.

No?

No. I just realize--

What?

That it's you. It's you I came up here for.

It's you I wanted to see.

[LAUGHING]

What's so funny?

You're unbelievable, Howard.

What do you mean?

Well, how many years has it been?

What's that got to do with it?

Everything. It's got everything to do with it.

When time goes by, you know,

people slip away from each other if they don't have contact.

Yeah, but I mean, we could maybe get back together again.

What, are you out of your mind?

No.

I mean, there's no reason we couldn't have

some kind of a, you know--

What?

A reconciliation or something.

Reconciliation? Yeah.

Ha! Reconciliation? Now we got lawyer talk.

No, I mean, you know--

You know, we should have got married.

We should have. Don't you think?

Married? Yeah.

Married.

Yeah. I realize that now.

That was my big mistake.

We should've got married and settled down right here.

I did settle down right here, Howard.

Yeah, I know, but--

Oh, stop it! Just stop it!

You're an absolute idiot, Howard.

You come back here, supposedly wanting

to meet up with your abandoned son.

I don't know why exactly.

Maybe guilt, was that it, huh?

To relieve yourself of some kind of guilt?

I don't know, I don't care.

But, you know, it might have made...

some little difference...

in Earl's life.

And that would have been great.

But now that probably won't even happen

because you're just too gutless to see this thing through.

You're a coward, Howard!

[LAUGHS]

That rhymes, doesn't it?

But you are, you're a total coward.

And now--

[SNIFFLES]

Now you wanna hide and run away again, don't you?

You wanna hide and disappear into my life.

You want me to give you cover, don't you, Howard?

No.

Don't lie to me.

Lie to yourself.

You just keep telling yourself

that there's some remote possibility

that some pathetic woman somewhere on this planet...

[SOBBING] is gonna take pity on you

and save you from the truth,

but it's not me!

I am not that woman, and I never will be.

[GRUNTING]

[�]

GIRLFRIEND: What if he actually was your father?

Now, what's so outrageous about that?

He just came to see you, like a friendly visit.

EARL: I don't need a father. It's too late for a father.

GIRLFRIEND: You don't know that.

Might be nice to have a father. You don't know.

Nice?

Yeah, he could be a really nice guy.

He's not a nice guy. He's a fucking jerk.

Hey, now, you just have that in your head, Early.

Shut up, would you?

How do you know what's in my head?

You know, you can't just go around

judging people like that all the time.

Yes, I can.

No, you can't.

You judge me all the time, and I'm not so bad.

You're terrible.

You're like that stupid cricket from Pinocchio.

What's Pinocchio?

Oh, shut up.

You know, you really made a mess here, Earl.

Yeah.

Piss me off.

[CHUCKLES]

You must have gone ballistic.

You threw all this out that window?

[GIGGLING]

What are you lookin' for anyway?

I found it.

How much power does that thing have?

Enough.

[PLUGS RATTLING]

[PLAYING HARD ROCK MELODY]

[CHUCKLES]

[GIGGLES]

You know,

you should really see what he wants.

I mean, talk to him at least.

That can't hurt.

See if he wants to give you,

like, a jillion dollars or something.

You ever thought about that?

Nope.

[PEACEFUL COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYING]

I have a question for you.

Yes.

Now, how do you distinguish

between the hash browns, the home fries

and the red buds? I'm not familiar with--

Oh, well...

there's three different kinds of potatoes

that you can have with your eggs.

No, that's not my question.

What I'm trying to find out

is the difference between the three.

Oh.

[CHUCKLES]

Sure. I-I'm sorry,

I was thinking about something else.

The home fries...

well, they're pretty much just

your regular, ordinary, old

home fries.

The hash browns, those are shredded

and then fried in butter.

And, uh...

the red buds, we leave the skins on them.

You just serve them

with the skins left on, is that right?

Yes, that's right.

Uh, I-- I mean, they're boiled and everything.

They're boiled.

Yes. And then the, uh...

Then the skin kind of,

uh, peels off them.

It peels.

Well...um...

Blisters, kind of.

Can I have...

a glass of water, please?

And thank you for your time.

Well, you're welcome.

[OVER SPEAKERS] � Don't come knocking 'Round here �

[GUITAR PLAYING COOL HARD ROCK]

[PLAYING COOL HARD ROCK]

Where's Howard?

Who?

Howard.

He was just sitting here on the sofa?

Howard.

You know who I'm talking about.

Where's Howard?

Where's Howard?

Uh, Earl?

Early!

There's somebody here wants to know where's Howard.

Who's Howard?

� Where is Howard? Who is Howard? �

� We wanna know We wanna know �

� Where is Howard? Who is Howard? �

� Where did he go? Where did he go? �

� He's down in the ditches �

� He's down in the ground �

� Disappeared himself �

� He's nowhere to be found �

� Where is Howard? Who is Howard? �

� He's long gone He's long gone �

[GRUNTING] Push it.

You need some help?

EARL: No.

Yes, we do. We do need help.

Why can't you admit we need help?

EARL: You just stay over there on that sofa

and wait for whoever it is.

You know who it is.

Why do you keep pretending you don't know who it is?

GIRLFRIEND: Who? Who? Wha...?

Howard?

Is that the guy

that was following us, the narc?

Yeah. He knows.

He knows it's his father.

He knows who's whose father?

[YELPS]

Oh.

He's not my father.

Yeah, he is.

He told me he'd be here.

He told me he'd wait for me.

Reliable.

[�]

Isn't he the reliable type?

You know, there was a time

that I was curious about him.

Long time ago.

I don't remember how young I was.

There was a hole.

Something missing.

I went around tryin' to fill it.

I felt...

desperate.

Like I couldn't breathe sometimes.

Like I was...

falling, and I had to catch myself.

Like I couldn't stop falling.

Then one day it ended.

It just came to an end.

It just stopped.

And I don't ever wanna go back to that.

Falling.

I don't ever wanna go back.

Mm-hm.

[EARL SIGHS]

[SIGHS]

[MOANS]

[TAPPING]

[GROANS]

I have something for you, Mr. Spence.

Ahem. "This is to inform you

"that your presence is required

"by law of California State court

"to appear on the set of the motion picture titled,

"Phantom of the West, currently shooting in Moab, Utah,

or face the consequences."

Hm.

You understand what I'm saying to you?

You are obliged by law to fulfill your contract.

Yeah, obliged. Yeah.

Could you step out of the car?

Wait a minute. I understand

but, you know, I-- Wait.

Could you come out of the car? Step out.

All right. That's it, now.

Now, if you could just give me your arm.

Now, that's not necessary. I'm not gonna run or anything.

I understand. No, I understand, Mr. Spence.

I'm just wondering if you could give me a little more time.

Time. Yep.

Time for what? You've had plenty of time.

No, no. I just discovered I've got some family here in town.

Family. Yeah. I just found them.

I've just...

been tracking them down from a long, long time ago.

I see. Yeah, and I-- I-- Just a min--

I need to say goodbye to my children.

HOWARD: I owe it to 'em. SUTTER: Your children?

Yeah.

Where are your children?

Well, I could show you.

HOWARD: I mean, this used to be a boomtown.

You believe that? I used to know my way--

Here it is. This is it.

Right here.

Hi.

I thought you were gonna wait for me.

Well, I was, but then, uh...

You gave me an idea.

An idea about what?

Um...

Home, remember?

Oh, excuse me.

This is, ah, my daughter, I guess.

What's your name, honey?

My name's Sky. Glad to meet you.

Sutter. It's a pleasure.

He's a detective, sort of.

No, I'm not a detective. Oh.

Well, security, I guess.

No, I have nothing to do with security.

Are you in some kind of trouble, Howard ?

No. Yeah, he's in deep trouble.

Hey, is that Howard down there?

You finally showed up! Hey!

What are you doing back here? Who's that?

EARL: You never give up, do you?

That's my son. [GIRLFRIEND LAUGHS]

I'm gonna meet him. No!

Yeah, ha-ha.

GIRLFRIEND: Lemme go!

I'm doing you a favor, Mr. Spence.

Let's get this over with.

I don't have all day.

You arrested him for something? He's not arrested, ma'am.

Why is he handcuffed?

It's just a formality. Just a formality.

You a cop?

I'm not a cop, no.

EARL: Get your ass back! Goddamn it.

Is that him for real? Who's this?

Is that Earl's father? I have no idea.

Man, you don't look a thing like Early.

Are you sure you're not lyin'? Stand back, please.

Hey, what is--? Step away from him.

Mr. Spence is in breach of contract,

and I'm returning him to the injured parties.

Is he a criminal? Is your daddy a criminal, Early?

Shut up. [GIRLFRIEND LAUGHING]

If you'd like to say goodbye to your father now--

He's not my father. He's nobody's father.

He's my father. Let's go.

Shit, I'm going back up. Don't go away yet.

I'm staying here. You're not.

You're coming with me. Hold on.

I've gotta go. Let go of me.

I've gotta tell you something.

I need to tell you this before you leave again.

I used to wonder about you all the time.

[�]

I'd study your pictures.

Old photographs.

I would stare at them for hours.

I'd run my fingers over your face,

tracing the bones.

Study your hands under a magnifying glass.

Looking for veins and...

knuckles and...

some clue.

I'd stare at my own face in the mirror.

Wondering.

Watching.

Hunting for some...

Some tiny twitch of the eye.

Some wrinkle of the lip.

Anything that might suddenly give the whole thing away.

Never revealed itself.

[SNIFFLES]

It was always something...

halfway hidden.

Now you're here.

[CHUCKLES]

You're right here in front of me.

You're standing right here.

[CHUCKLES]

I'm still not sure.

Why is that?

How could that be?

[CHUCKLES]

Say goodbye, Mr. Spence. Time's up.

Goodbye. Bye.

Howard!

Could you use a car?

It's a good one.

Belonged to your grandfather.

[�]

HOWARD: This my call sheet, huh?

SUTTER: Yes, it is.

"Makeup and hair at 8.

Costume 9:15. On set by 10."

Everything's structured.

Nothin' left to chance.

Think we'll make it?

We'll make it.

You know, I can drive if you want--

If you wanna take a break or something, I could...

I like to drive. I love to drive.

If you want.

I had a great car for a while.

[CHUCKLES]

You have a family, Mr. Sutter?

SUTTER: No. No, I don't.

I don't need a family.

Some people do. I'm not one of them.

You mind if I turn the radio on?

Yes, I do, as a matter of fact.

I don't like outside influence.

Outside?

That's right.

The world at large.

It's a nasty place.

Why allow it in?

Livestock reports.

Navajo chanting.

Beheadings.

Bestiality.

SUTTER: Well, nothing's changed.

Black Death.

The Inquisition.

Crusades.

[CHUCKLES]

The Conquest of Mexico.

What's changed?

I was thinking...

What?

I don't know.

Nothing's changed.

I guess not.

Hm.

We need gas.

Yeah.

Ahem, I'll pull up

over there.

[SIGHS]

Done.

[�]

HOWARD: Don't cry, Belinda.

Please don't cry.

The Staked Plains is just no place for a woman.

Man, they come at you here thick as flies.

Oh, Johnny,

I won't get in your way.

Please. Please take me with you.

I'll be back for you.

You know I will. I always come back.

But how long, Johnny? How long this time?

I can't wait forever.

Before the snow flies.

Oh, Johnny.

Don't forget me.

You're always in my heart, Belinda.

You always will be.

[WHISTLES]

Hyah!

[WHINNYING]

[SNIFFLES]

� Where is Howard? Who is Howard? �

� Where did he go? �

ALL: � Where did he go? �

� He's down in the ditches �

� He's down in the ground �

� He disappeared himself �

[GIGGLING]

� He's nowhere to be found �

Whoo!

� Where is Howard? Who is Howard? �

� Where did he go? Where did he go? �

� He's down in the ditches �

� He's down in the ground �

� He disappeared himself �

� He's nowhere to be found �

GIRLFRIEND: Whoo!

ALL: � Where is Howard? Who is Howard? �

SKY: � He's gone on a... �

[GIRLFRIEND LAUGHS]

[HENRY BURNETT'S "LONELY MAN" PLAYING]

� He's a lonely man Who's lost his only love �

� It's hiding in his system Like a drug �

� It's just Around the corner there �

� It's hiding from him Everywhere �

� He's a lonely man Who's lost his love �

� He's a lonely man Who's lost his wildest dream �

� Nothing is to be As it would seem �

� He hid it With the greatest care �

� And now he can't Remember where �

� He's a lonely man Who's lost his dream �

� He's a lonely man Who finds no one to blame �

� He knows that love's no war That life's a game �

� He has an anchor In his soul �

� That holds a love And won't let go �

� He's a lonely man Who finds no plain �

� He's a lonely man Who's lost his only love �

� It's hiding in his system Like a drug �

� He hid it With the greatest care �

� And now he can't Remember where �

� He's a lonely man Who's lost his love �

[BONO & ANDREA CORR'S "DON'T COME KNOCKING" PLAYING]

BONO: � You're everything �

� I could want �

� There's no house �

� You couldn't haunt �

� You're the key �

� That could keep me in �

� You're the sense �

� Under the skin �

� I won't bring you roses �

� I'll bring myself instead �

� Time only is time �

� For what is meant �

� Not what was said �

CORR: � Don't come knocking �

� Don't come knocking �

� Don't come knocking At my door �

� Don't come knocking �

� Knock, knock, knocking �

� Don't come knocking No more �

� You're a dream �

� I could wake up in �

� You're a fight �

� I shouldn't try to win �

� You're the door �

� I'll always leave open �

� You're the heart �

� That's always hoping �

� Off a tree-lined avenue �

� In a cottage made of stone �

� I am sleepin', not dreamin' �

� I would rather live alone �

BOTH: � Don't come knocking �

� Don't come knocking �

� Don't come knocking At my door �

� Don't come knocking �

� Knock, knock knocking �

� Don't come knocking No more �

� All the stars �

� In the sky �

� They can't light our way �

� Oh, no �

� All the maps �

� And all the charms �

� All the trees �

� Dreams won't leave you �

� Hooo-o-o-ome �

� Hooo �

� Hooo-hooo �

BOTH: � Don't come knocking �

� Don't come knocking �

� Don't come knocking At my door �

� Don't come knocking �

� Knock, knock, knocking �

� Don't come knocking No more �