Original subtitles

In watching television and going to the movies,

you might get the impression that the great human dramas

of today happen only to affluent people.

People who live in and near the cities.

You might say the so—called sophisticates.

The truth is that real dramas

are taking place everyday to real people.

During the recent truckers' strike, I talked with

some Americans that the media seems to have overlooked.

Arnold: How long have you been driving a rig like this?

About 15 years.

Do you work for a company?

No, I'm an independent. Independentdnven

that means you own your own rig? Yeah, me and the bank.

What sort of investment does a rig like this take to own?

About $38,000.

I imagine it puts quite a bit of pressure

on you making monthly payments. My wife works.

What kind of work she do? She's a bartender.

How do you stay ahead in business?

How do you get your loads lined up?

Oh, independent brokers, shippers.

If I don't get anything, I just sit.

So if someone controlled the brokers and the shippers

they'd be controlling the trucking industry.

They do.

You told me before that you carry a gun with you.

Is that true? Damn right.

Why do you?

To protect myself.

If someone tries to sneak in your cab,

just show 'em the gun, you know,

and they'll mosey on down the road.

Just how far would you go

to protect your rig and your profession?

You never know until you're put to the test.

J'j' long lonely years here without you j'j'

j'j' long years to call out your name j'j'

ii I wandered alone through the desert j'j'

ii lord, how I prayed for the rain j'j'

j'j' long years and finally it came j'j'

j'j' darling, it's so good to hold you again j'j'

j'j' fear was my constant companion j'j'

j'j' holding me sleepless each night j'j'

j'j' memories danced in the shadows j'j'

j'j' cast by the first rays of light j'j'

j'j' but how can you hold a shadow tight? J'j'

ii I wanted to hold you with all of my might j'j'

n“ friends and neighbors came to call j'j'

j'j'j' and found me staring at your picture on the wall j'j'

j'j' they would talk to me like old friends do j'j'

j'j' but I was drifting and dreaming of you j'j'

J'j' darling, it's so good to hold you again j'j'

n“ friends and neighbors came to call j'j'

j'j' and found me staring at your picture on the wall j'j'

j'j' they would talk to me like old friends do j'j'

j'j' but I was drifting and dreaming of you j'j'

j'j' but I was drifting and dreaming of you j'j'

Carrol Jo: This kind of money is out of my ball park.

Well, we got this wt—9000 Ford down here

I was tellin' you about. We had to repossess it.

Boy couldn't keep his payments up on it.

But for the kind of money we're talking about on it,

ought to be able to make you

a pretty good piece of equipment.

It's got a ntc—350 cummins in it.

Rpo 9—5—13 transmission.

You're still talking about an awful lot of money.

Talk it over with your missus and see what she thinks.

I'll tell you what, I'd even throw in a paint job

to your specification, just to help you young folks out.

Fellow shitkickers,

this here's, Carrol Jo Hummer

and I'm commencing broadcasting to you today from my new bucket.

Which will from now on be known as the blue mule.

We're in business for ourselves, me and the mule,

and we aim to get our butts out of hock.

So all you turkeys better watch out we don't get all the work.

Amen to that!

Man: Happy honkie to blue mule.

Say, what's that you got between your legs, Sonny?

It's the blue mule to happy honkie.

Got a Ford wt—9000 cummins.

What are you, Hummer, some kind of "outlaw"?

That's right. Owner, operator. You gotta operate to own.

Amen to that.

You're acting awful blue

for the half—owner of a brand new truck here.

You're not going to spend more time

with this rig than you are with me?

That's not likely.

You know what they say about drinking and driving?

Then stop driving.

This your bucket?

Till the bank says different.

Hi, honey. Something I can do you for?

Yeah, I wanna see Duane haller.

What? Hey, Duane, somebody's here to see you!

That's his office over there.

He's pretty cute too!

Hey, c.J.!

Birdie, what's been happening? Oh, nothing.

That ain't the same bunch of boys out on the dock, is it?

That sure ain't.

What happened to Jack? He died.

You going for work? Yeah, I hope so.

Hey, listen, kid.

Do like I do and keep your blinders on.

And stay on the highway, yeah?

Duane: This ain't the ladies' room! Come on in!

Well, bless my ass, Carrol Jo Hummer!

You little son of a bitch! How you doing?

Welcome home. How you doing, Duane?

Ah, dang, I've been expecting you since last Monday.

Oh, bank held me up, I got payments up the wazoo.

You know, you gettin' fat, Duane.

Oh, shut up! Sit down, and have a drink.

Hey, tell me you got your papers.

On the money.

Goddamn, this is a nice rig.

At least it's mine.

Ran into birdie outside. Where's...

Got a new bunch of boys working for me.

They get the job done.

Course ain't like it was

when your daddy and me was a—drivin'.

Just ain't been the same since he passed away.

Well... hey!

You know what I got?

I got you an Arizona special to akron.

Duane: I'd appreciate it if somebody would find my secretary

and send her into the office.

I have a little bit of work for her to do today.

Here's a present for you.

What's this stuff? I ain't slated to haul cigarettes.

You ain't nothing but a little country boy.

You just gotta have a little more Patience, pops.

Look, I'll see if I can't slip a haul past buck

to you later in the week.

Duane, don't you ever get tired of singing that same old song?

Good god almighty, do my eyes deceive me?

Where have they been keeping you, boy?

Up in the air, pops. How you been?

Oh, comme ci, comme ca. Mostly comme ca.

Been lots of iayin' off around here.

Later, pops. I got business with Duane right now.

I'll be across the way here.

Know your obli—goddamn—gation to buy old pops a drink.

Come in.

You know what's going on out there?

Boys are packing contraband.

Now what are you talking about, son?

Cigarettes, slot machines.

What's wrong with that?

That's just a little bit of untaxed tobacco out there.

When did all this start, Duane?

Shoot. You gotta keep up, son.

What are you telling me?

I'm telling you here's a chance

to pick up a little easy piece of change.

Get something nice for Jerri.

Hell, Duane, you know they catch me hauling that stuff

I'm liable to lose my license.

Oh, shit, boy, be sensible.

There ain't nobody gettin' hurt out yonder except uncle Sam.

And hell, he's getting too much already.

How about you, Duane? How much you getting?

Now don't get hot with me, boy.

I ain't askin' you to do a goddamn thing

that the rest of 'em ain't doin'.

We ain't tryin' to break the law, just bend it a little bit.

That and a piece of change supposed to make it all right?

It don't make it wrong. Hey, Duane!

Good paying work ain't that easy to come by.

Lucy: You got a 3:00. Yeah, I know.

I'm doing you big favor just slotting you in here at all.

That mean I don't haul that stuff I don't drive, huh?

That's right. Keep your mouth shut and do as you're told.

Know something, Duane?

I think you've gotten fat in the head too.

Don't sass me, you little son of a bitch.

Let me tell you something. Times have changed.

You ain't gonna get any place pullin' your fly—boy heroics!

Well, I'll tell you what.

Times may have changed but I ain't.

You can just take your Arizona special

and shove it right back up the cow's ass.

You're about to walk off a cliff, boy!

There's a whole lot more to this than just you and me!

Unload it! All of it!

J'j' well I'm a—goin' where the water tastes like wine j'j'

pops.

Double whiskey and a brew.

Hey, you're new around here, aren't you?

Something sure is.

As one of us sitting right next to us said...

Pops. Fulfillin' my obli—goddamn—gation.

Soon as, um...

Oh, you got your father's good taste for whiskey.

Carnell, you remember Carrol Jo, don't you?

Yeah, I remember him.

He said, "hey lady"... Cut that mess out!

Pops, you're not his daddy's nigger no more.

And I ain't gotta kiss his ass.

Hey, look, man,

the only thing that you and I have in common

is that we're both competing for the same job. Understand?

Green: And if you're waitin' for an invitation,

it ain't coming.

Oh, damn y'all. Come on, let's go here.

Don't pay no attention to them amateur mau maus.

We got enough trouble around here without their foolishness.

So I'm findin' out.

Just shovin' this shit back up the cow's ass, sugar plum.

Now you learned your lesson, darling.

Now why don't you go back to mommy

and tell her when you growed up some

we'll let you play with the big trucks.

Take your hand off my shoulder.

What do you say, partner?

Well, Mr. Carrol Jo Hummer.

I heard you were back.

What is this, Bob, a social call?

Not really. I just thought I'd take a look

at that new rig you've been bragging about.

It's mighty nice.

What did it set you back? I'd rather not say right now.

You in a hurry? No.

That's good. 'Cause I'd hate

to have to give you a speeding ticket.

I could cite you for usin' foul language

over that two—way radio of yours.

You know that, don't you?

Improper inflation. Now that's dangerous.

You know better than that.

Dispatcher: Four—eleven in progress at speedway.

Well, that's mama calling me.

And when mama calls, I gotta come running.

What the hell are you doin', Bob? You know me.

Just hold it right there.

Now you stay put.

Ah!

Pick him up.

Pops: What you got?

I got some apples and some tangerines.

I bet you you got them hard apples. You know I hate 'em.

No. I got some soft ones for you. You can gum these.

Yeah, well, get one out for me.

Pops: Hey, did I ever tell you the one about the peach picker?

Oh, yeah, yeah, you told me that.

You know there was this peach picker.

He was supposed to be the expert squeeze, you dig?

Now this farmer had this wife.

She had titties on her big as cantaloupe.

Pops, I already heard that joke before.

And wasn't it funny? Yeah, it was funny.

What's wrong with hearing it a second time?

It won't be funny a second time. Why not?

Because I already heard the joke.

I know the punch line,

there's not gonna be any surprise to me

and I won't laugh. Why not?

Because it won't be funny.

Look, I laugh at your jokes when you tell 'em.

Yeah, well I'm not gonna laugh at this joke.

Oh. I'm gonna tell it anyhow.

This farmer had this wife and she had titties...

Both: On her as big as cantaloupes.

I know already. Yeah, well,

I think you're losing your sense of humor.

Yeah, well, I think you're getting senile.

Watch your mouth, boy.

Ain't that Carrol Jo's rig up there?

Carnell: Hey, pops, listen, let's just get out of here.

Whatever it is, it's between him and them.

You ain't got nothing to do with it.

I happen to like the kid, all right?

Business or broads?

Buck, what the hell do you think you're doing?

Slow down. Just slow down.

Don't get your bowels in an uproar.

Now what's the idea of bustin' that boy's ribs?

Oh, clem just kind of took

a personal interest and that was all.

Well, damn it, you've gone too far this time.

What's eating you?

Never bothered you them other times.

Well, hell, the boy's practically family.

Why me and his daddy used to...

Oh, oh. Now I understand.

I see what you're drivin' at.

Now what do you figure them ribs is worth?

One hundred? Two hundred? Now tell me, Duane.

Two—fifty? Duane!

I don't think you ought to be socializing with that boy

while he's nursing them ribs.

J'j' you'll be back in my iovin' arms again j'j'

man: Driver Bob herbs requested that one for Nadine,

who makes that mm—mm good trucker's stew.

And now for all you truck...

Woman: Hummer!

You're paid to work! Relax on your own time!

Another tough one, huh? Mmm—hmm.

Damn supervisor, another speed—up.

Bitch doesn't know what she's doin'.

Humans can't work that fast. I mean, she...

Come here, honey. Come on, Sadie.

Hello, you're so lucky you don't have to work, yes.

Just gets too confusing around there.

I gotta get a job where I can use my brain.

This assembly line stuff...

Ohh, spaghetti again.

I'm going for work tomorrow.

Honey, the doctor said... I don't give a damn

what the doctor says. He doesn't have to

come up with a $2000 payment for the bank this month.

It's not gonna heal your ribs any faster.

Hon, look, if we lose that rig out there,

we lose everything we've been hoping for.

Not gonna go back to that place red river, are you?

Good paying work's more important right now.

Not hungry, huh?

Woman: Would the fellas that came in on canyon

please report to the office.

Howdy. Oh, good morning.

I hear you're hiring.

Carrol Jo Hummer. Then you heard wrong.

We ain't got no loads today. None all week.

You know anybody who might be short?

Sure don't.

Howdy. I'm an owner—operator lookin' for work.

Well you've come to the right place, mister.

See Mr. Vogel in the office. Thank you.

Woman: Will the owner of the light green '66

rambler station wagon please come to the receptionist.

Yes, sir?

Yeah, I'd like to lease out my truck.

Henry Vogel. Carrol Jo Hummer.

Oh, well, we only, uh, lease by the year.

Girl out there said you was lookin' for drivers.

She don't run this company.

Well, who does?

I do.

I see.

Hey.

Where's that trailer goin'?

Bless my ass! Ain't that right, Duane?

Be careful with that goddamn thing!

Now look, boy, I was the dirty son of a bitch

who had 'em muss up your rig,

but I never had nothing to do with the rest of that.

You just sign me that Dallas load.

I can't. Buck, he'll kill me.

Come on, higher.

Come on, higher.

Hey, you ain't got nothing there to be ashamed of.

You wait outside for us, will you, Janie?

Close the door.

Who the hell are you?

Give him the work order.

Find a roost, Duane.

Sign it.

Sign it!

All right, boy.

You want work?

You got it.

Set up the, uh...

What's the name of your rig?

Set up the blue mule for Dallas.

Now we pay on delivery.

You're damn right you do.

Up on the truck!

Get down. Come on, move!

Get over there!

Get! Get up!

Stand on the beer! Go on, get up!

Buck: You, uh, drive careful now.

You hear?

Let's go.

Looks like we got a visitor.

Silver thunderbird.

You gotta get out of state!

They got people all over.

They'll be lookin' for you!

Little bit late to be puttin' much stock

in what you got to say, Duane.

Be careful, boy. They're mean bastards.

It ain't likely!

Maybe we ought to call the police for protection.

No, buck's got enough protection already.

Hey, I ever tell you the one about the peach picker?

And the farmer's wife with the jugs?

What's goin' on?

I don't know.

But I think we got company.

Pops, get over here and do some driving.

Be careful, son.

Well, you have yourself a good time?

Not bad. Let's get going. We got a load to deliver.

Oh, man.

Buck: Ain't nothing wrong with the way you're getting paid, is there?

Lucy: Oh, I don't know.

It's just getting so there ain't enough pay anymore

to keep on iayin' that old goat.

Everybody ain't lucky enough to enjoy his line of work.

Adelaide, I told you to hold the calls.

Adelaide: Glass house on 5, Mr. Wessle.

Thank you.

You got buck.

Uh, could you hold on

just a minute, Mr. Cutler?

Yeah, sure thing.

Get clem in here.

How are things to the house?

Fine, fine.

What's going on up there, buck?

That order of cigarettes ain't got to galveston.

You never been late before.

Now I hope it's nothing you can't handle.

Oh, I can handle it.

Jiggerboos and white trash is all.

I'm getting on it right now.

Bob: Yes, sir. What we got here

is a sure case of improper inflation.

And I'm an expert on the subject.

You truck drivers never learn.

Now, take this tire.

Now, that's dangerous.

Aw, come on, Bobby, them tires are fine, and you know it.

I sure do. Now don't you quote me on that.

Ah, ah, ah. Temper, temper.

You know, Bob, it's guys like you that give

the police department a bad name.

Bob: Ain't that the truth?

Well, iookie who's here.

Howdy, clem.

How you sitting, Bob?

You know, these peckerwoods left part of their load

down by the road a piece?

Thought we'd bring it to them.

That's mighty nice of you to help the boys out like that.

Hey, I got some stuff in the trunk.

You wanna help me load it up?

No. You got your job, and I got mine.

What are you on, a vacation?

All right, that's enough.

That's enough, I said!

Pops: Clem,

I think it's time you went home.

What do you say we have a smoke on buck wessle

and the rest of them turkeys, huh?

Man: All right!

You boys enjoying the party?

Good. That's good.

And this must be, uh,

Mrs. Hummer.

That's right.

Come on, let's play some pool.

Hey, you know that guy buck is more afraid of you

than you are of him.

What you sitting over here mopin' about?

Why don't you come over and join us for a drink?

Nigger's day in the sun, huh, pops?

Heh—heh. It's been 20 long years coming,

and I aim to enjoy it.

Even though he gave it to you.

Oh, I ain't as particular as you is.

You stupid old man!

You think that he's gonna get you work?

He's only gonna get you dead, man!

Carrol Jo: They got the four—ball.

And upjumps the scotsman and he says,

"walk proudly, man. Walk proudly."

Mighty hot in that formal attire, ain't it?

Don't see how you stand it here.

It's a hell of a place to hold meetings.

So what's all this you got up there, buck?

Some kind of rigger's revolution?

What I got up there is

cigarettes and slots out the ass.

First some hero goody—goody ain't trucking 'em.

Next thing you know, he got an old nigger and some crackers

carrying on like they above the law.

I tell you, Duane's behind this.

And Duane's runnin' scared.

He's got more respect for that old nigger

than he has for the glass house.

Why don't you throw me the ball on this one?

What you got in mind, Roy?

A little friendly persuasion.

Now, buck, what did you say this hero's name was again?

Hummer. Carrol Jo Hummer.

Honey, what college did I go to?

Pima.

You gotta be careful. They check on that sometimes.

No, they never check.

Previous experience.

What kind of previous experience you supposed to have

to be a nursery school teacher?

I don't know, but you ain't got any.

I could say that I worked in an orphanage.

O—r—p...

Day—care center.

You ought to say day—care center.

Carol Jo? This is Duane.

Hey, something come up and old buck and them's

up in scottsdale.

Yeah, what you got this time?

A double rigger of Mexican avocados

coming through here jack—knifed.

They wanna get somebody to haul 'em to salt lake city.

It's plumb whipped—cream.

What kind of money we talkin' about?

Two grand and some change if you can

land in there by noon tomorrow. Pay on delivery.

Better be on the level, Duane.

Oh, honest to god, boy.

Uh, meet 'em out east on I—10.Tow will help you hook up.

I promised them that you'd haul ass and get that stuff

in there before it goes soft.

All right, you got your boy.

Hey, have a good trip.

Driver: Hey, cowboy, you're all over the road.

Little case of white line fever, huh?

Time for a coffee break?

How far to the next truck stop?

You got a triple—t about a mile down the road.

Carrol Jo: Hey, hon, would you get me

a cup of coffee to go in a great big hurry?

Waitress: You betcha.

Man: What are you carrying?

I got 5000 pounds of avocados

gotta get into salt lake city by noon tomorrow,

else tonight's just a big sight—seeing tour.

Damn, brother. Someone's sure bustin' your balls.

I ain't got me no inheritance, you know.

Uncle Sam's not gonna give you one either.

He sure ain't. Here you go, Carrol Jo.

Thank you, hon. Uh—huh.

You Hummer? Mm—hm.

Ah, this is on me, Hummer.

Thank you. See you later.

Jamie: You haven't told c.J. About this, huh?

Please don't tell him, Jamie.

The last thing I need is him working

20 hours a day, seven days a week,

and that's exactly what he's gonna do when he finds out.

Sooner or later you gotta tell him.

You know that.

I want to borrow some money from you, Jamie.

I think that I want to get an abortion.

And I think it's the best thing.

There's lots of time for us to have a family.

Just gonna have to wait till things get better.

See, if I have the baby,

I'm gonna have to quit my job.

Now, how am I gonna get by if I'm not working?

You can't do this all by yourself.

You've got to talk to c.J. About it.

But see, if I tell Carrol Jo,

he's gonna want to keep the baby.

He wants a family so bad. I know.

And now is just not the right time. It's...

I'm not gonna have him on the road all the time.

Man: Hi, how're you doing?

About a half—hour late, aren't you?

I've been pushing her awful hard.

It's still pretty good time.

You like them avocados, huh?

I can't stand them myself.

My wife, she, uh... she likes 'em.

She makes that green Mexican stuff

they put them fritos in.

Tastes like green piss to me.

Hey, Joe Bob, get a load of this.

Joe Bob: Goddamn, they must have been picked a year ago.

What a waste of diesel.

I don't know what Duane's doing down there.

Oh, Duane, watch the road!

Good night!

I'd whole lot rather watch you, sugar.

Hey, you know what I got for you?

No, what you got for me?

Let me show you. Oh, Duane, gee!

How about that?

Well, you know I'm on a diet.

Come all the way from Europe.

Well, big deal. That don't make it good.

No, but it sure makes 'em expensive.

The inside's is good.

The rest just tastes like ol' hershey.

That's the biggest cherry I ever ate.

Hey, you still got your cherry?

Oh, Duane.

I bet you got the box it come in.

Ha, ha, ha.

Hey, tell me, honey,

why'd you bring me clear out here?

What's the matter, Duane? Don't you like surprises?

I sure do.

Well, it's going to be a real surprise.

Goddamn.

These guys don't seem to know

what they're doing, do they?

It's a goddamn convention.

Lucy: Come on, Duane.

Why don't you just pull over and stop?

Have another on the house.

You're all right, rube.

Hey, how'd it go, man? Well, they set me up.

Oh, what happened? Thirty hours

hauling rotten produce for nothing.

And I sucked it up like a two—bit Turkey.

Oh, god. Why don't you go on home?

I ain't leaving here till I see Duane haller.

Hi, baby. Hi.

Jerri thinks I'm coming home

with $2,000 in my pocket, I got nothing.

Thought that fat son of a bitch was a friend.

Let's go home. Jerri's waiting to talk to you.

You need rest. I ain't going.

It's no good... You're under arrest.

What is it this time, Bob? Get back.

Hands on the bar. Spread your legs.

What the hell is this? Head on the bar.

You're under arrest for the murder of Duane haller.

What the hell? Are you crazy? And we got an eye witness.

Carrol Jo, I brought you a lawyer.

This is Floyd Anderson.

He won that big case up in Prescott.

Might as well give a listen to what I got to say.

Look, son, what money we payin',

Perry Mason ain't likely to walk through that door.

Scum who calls himself a public prosecutor wants

to make a deal with you, Hummer.

He'll get the grand jury

to indict you on involuntary manslaughter.

Means you'll spend six months

chuckin' bricks on the county farm.

But if you ain't buyin' that, you're looking at murder one.

And that means 30 years

punchin' license plates at Florence.

What about the trial?

That comes after the grand jury sets the indictment.

You got an ice cube's chance in hell

of getting justice in that court.

The last thing they want is your ass

back out on that highway organizing them drivers.

What the hell are you talking about, "organizing"?

It ain't gonna do no one no good you going to jail

for 30 years, least of all me.

If I go away for six months, we can forget

about the family and everything else we've been planning.

The bank ain't gonna wait. The bank?

You're talking as if the bank runs our lives.

Well, don't they? Jerri: No, they don't.

Just take the deal, please.

Take the deal and let's get the hell away from here.

There's a lot more to this

than just what happens to us.

What about this grand jury?

They like a regularjury?

Anderson: Sixteen of your peers.

Signed, sealed and delivered.

Anderson: Just like the constitution says.

Prosecutor: In your practical opinion, Mr. Davidson,

you would say that Mr. Hummer had been drinking

long before he entered the bar where you work?

Rube: I certainly would.

Prosecutor: And once again, he was speaking

threateningly of Mr. Haller?

That's what I said. Prosecutor: Thank you.

Mrs. Forelady,

and members of the jury.

You heard four witnesses who saw

Mr. Hummer enter Duane haller's office

and threaten him with a gun.

You've heard the arresting officer's testimony

as to the violent nature of Mr. Hummer.

And you just heard

that he'd been drinking heavily on that evening.

Now, we'll present an eye witness

who saw Duane haller run down by the accused.

Prosecutor: You saw the running down

of Duane haller, did you not?

I did, sir.

How did you happen to be riding

on that stretch of road that afternoon?

Oh, I recently received a rather large inheritance,

and I was investigating the land in your area

for potential investment.

Describe what you saw.

A man was trying to fix a flat tire.

And as he was waving down a truck

to give him a hand,

he stepped out onto the road.

And the truck ran right into him and continued on the road.

Prosecutor: What did you do?

I made a mental note of the license number and then

I went directly to the police.

It was obvious there was no helping the poor man.

Can you identify these, uh, photos?

Miller: This looks like the man with the flat tire.

That is definitely the truck that ran him over.

I couldn't help but note the name.

Thank you, Mr. Miller.

You may step down.

Forelady: I think I'd like to ask

Mr. Miller a question or two.

What kind of property

around here were you looking for, Mr. Miller?

I was looking at land

primarily as an investment for the future.

Prosecutor: I hasten to remind

our distinguished forelady that the purpose

of this proceeding is not to establish the guilt

or innocence of the accused, but rather to determine

whether or not there is probable cause to warrant a trial.

Finally, we'll call Mrs. Hummer to the stand.

Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth

and nothing but the truth, so help you god?

I do.

Forelady: Please be seated.

I remind you that Mrs. Hummer was told

that she did not have to testify against her husband.

Now, Mrs. Hummer,

all of us understand how difficult it is

for you to give evidence, and the court appreciates

your desire to get all the facts out,

no matter how painful they might be.

In your own words, will you tell us

about the phone conversation

between Duane haller and your husband?

Duane called,

offered Carrol Jo... Excuse me, Mrs. Hummer.

Speak up, please, Mrs. Hummer,

so the jury can hear you.

Duane called and offered Carrol Jo a load,

'cause a rig jackknifed down the road

and they needed someone to drive it on through.

And what exactly did your husband say?

He said that Duane better be on the level.

Those were his exact words?

Well, I can only tell you what I heard.

Uh, just a simple yes or no.

Thank you.

My husband didn't kill anybody.

Carrol Jo had a right to be wary of Duane.

It was Duane had Carrol Jo come to him

in the first place for a job.

And when he come home, it was with busted ribs.

He couldn't work and I was working double shifts and...

Thank you, Mrs. Hummer.

Please, I'd like to say something else if I can.

Certainly, go right ahead.

You see, I didn't want this.

I didn't want to come here.

I didn't want this in the first place.

See, they offered Carrol Jo a deal that

if he went to jail for six months,

then we could leave here

and we could start our family elsewhere.

That's what I wanted.

But you see, Carrol Jo, he figured that

six months or 30 years,

it wouldn't make a difference to them.

They wanted him so bad that they wouldn't quit

until they had him in a place where he couldn't fight back.

Birdie: Blue mule!

You big, dumbjackass!

Hey, pops, this is birdie.

Carrol Jo is free.

He's free? Ha—ha!

Pops: You mother truckers, he's free!

Man 1: What's that about Hummer?

Pops: He's free! My boy, Carrol Jo Hummer!

Man 1: Didn't believe them lies!

Man 2: Bet the bank! Man 3: Damn!

Man 4: Grand jury didn't indict him.

Man 5: Carrol Jo's out of jail. Ha—ha—ha!

Man 6: Yeah, boy, go get 'em! Man 7: He's out of jail.

Honk your horn for Hummer.

He's free.

Go get 'em, Carrol Jo!

All right, what is it?

You were lucky today, Carrol Jo.

Damn lucky. I was innocent.

Christ!

Who the hell do you think got you off, the tooth fairy?

The truth got me off.

I got you off!

And next time, you just might not be so lucky.

I ain't looking fonnard to raising our kid alone.

Hon, don't you understand that we're finally making

a place for ourselves with all that happened here today?

We have a place for ourselves!

Being together and raising a family

was what was most important to us!

Hell, yes, it is!

Look, I don't want to raise our kids knowing that

their daddy left a fight half fought.

You're just so damn impressed with yourself

you can't even hear what I'm saying!

What the hell are you saying?

Stop the car.

Will you quit acting so damn crazy?

Stop the car, I said!

I don't want to be with you!

Stop the goddamn car!

Get in here!

Damn it, I said get in here!

Why don't you get out and kick my ass?

That seems to be your style.

Watch the car, buck.

What's the idea of blowing my game?

I got a 500 buck Nassau going with the governor's nephew.

Roy almost blew our game today

at that so—called trial. Now, look,

I scraped our cathouses clean lining up cow—brains

for the jury, but norm couldn't get his story straight.

It wasn't my idea to put that Hummer lady on the stand.

Oh, shut up, norm! Who the hell are you?

He was the witness for us in the Montana case.

Get him out of here! This isn't getting us anywhere.

Look, we got a problem.

Pretty soon every trucker's gonna

start believing in that goddamn union.

They think they got the right to haul

what they want to, when they want to.

This is gonna give the green light to a lot of horse's asses

think they can run their business

without dealing with the glass house.

Cutler: This Hummer business has gone far enough.

I'm sorry.

I know things must have been pretty awful in jail.

It's not that.

I always thought of myself as a strong man,

but I can't be fighting the whole world

and you at the same time.

I know.

And I don't mean it to be that way. I just...

You don't have to say anything.

I do.

I'm pregnant, Carrol Jo.

And I've been thinking I wish I weren't.

We was always planning on having a family.

Just getting started a little bit early, that's all.

The money'll come.

I'm just not gonna have you working all the time.

The bank ain't gonna keep me away from you and our family.

I don't give a damn if I'm in debt till the day I die.

Clem: Hey, buck, iwouldn't have brought my girl to this party

if I knew there was gonna be a tar—baby coming.

Buck: Hell, ithinkl know why he's here:

Revenge.

Ain't that right, boy?

Yeah, only we call it justice.

Gentlemen of the road,

before you go jumping to any conclusions,

let's take a look at the facts.

Fact one:

We're responsible for more housing development

and land reclamation in this here area

than a lot of outfits you think are real big.

Fact two:

You can't drive down a highway...

Perhaps we could share a few words

in private, Mr. Hummer?

Sure.

Hy: That hasn't been partially paid for by this here company.

Fact three:

Our interest in oil and minerals

help keep your trucks movin' on down the road, I can say.

We all admired the way you handled buck and his boys.

They play rough.

So can we.

Clearly, Mr. Hummer.

That's why we'd like to offer you a proposition.

Well, we came here to talk to you, Mr. Cutler.

That you will.

But hear me out.

We had a very profitable arrangement with buck.

We'd like to see the same kind of thing with you.

And I can tell you, it'd be very beneficial to your drivers.

Now don't decide right away.

Why don't you stay here with us a few days,

get to know some of the boys?

And gals.

I believe we've already decided, Mr. Cutler.

You're a very charismatic man, Mr. Hummer.

What you want is gonna go a long way

to deciding what they want.

As a member of the glass house, you'll be in a position

to help truck drivers all over the state.

You get my meaning?

We know of the things you have to have to have the good life.

You take your children.

You want to send 'em on to college.

Name any school house in america.

I think we can offer you some additional advantages

other than I've already discussed with you.

First, we've got... Hold it a minute, hy.

We all came here today to tell these fellas

to stay the hell out of our business,

that we want to make our livings without anyone from the state,

uncle Sam or the glass house telling us what to do.

But Mr. Cutler here has seen fit to offer me a job,

'cause he feels like I have some influence over you.

So I'm asking you, do we want to go to work

for the glass house and surely make a lot of money,

or do we want to work for ourselves

and take our chances?

I guess you all know what mind I'm of.

Anybody here feels any different,

now's the time to speak up.

Well, gentlemen, it's a big state.

Fourteen counties.

I don't suppose it'll hurt very much

if we was only operating in 13 of 'em.

We don't aim to go

into competition with you, Mr. Cutler.

You're a fine, sensible man, Mr. Hummer.

I can see that.

There won't be any more buck wessles,

I can assure you.

And remember, our door will always be open

for you down here at the glass house.

I almost wallpapered the hall with your head.

The next time I'll throw my hat in the door first.

Any trouble?

Nah.

So tell me, did they give the hero a big welcome?

Red carpet treatment.

That don't mean much.

Well, that don't mean shit.

I know that a bunch of scum,

they'll slip another buck wessle in on us.

That don't mean they're gonna mess with us though.

Jamie: I'll see you later.

And what about me?

Can I still mess with you?

Anytime you want.

Woman: Doctor arby to obstetrics, please.

Jerri.

Honey?

Mr. Hummer,

I think you should speak with the doctor.

Doctor: Mr. Hummer, you were advised to talk to me

before you went in to see your wife.

I don't need no permit to see my wife.

Well, we could have explained.

You see, she's under heavy sedation now,

but we do expect that she'll be able to lead a normal life.

The baby aborted.

I'm sorry,

but I'm afraid that your wife's not going

to be able to have any more children.

Deputy dog,

you know who this is.

You call 'em and tell 'em I'm comin', you hear?

Cutler: Yeah.

Yeah, sorry about your car, Bob.

Dusty, what are my appointments?

The usual with Roy this evening.

I've confirmed your reservations,

and with Joe Dante at 5.

Yeah, fine. Get Sam nedrose.

Tell him that Tucson trouble's on the way.

Tell him to get on it, take care of it personal.

And honey, be sure and tell Sam I said personal.

Got that?

Sam: Gentlemen, you're standing in front of $30 million

of private property, and you're here to protect it.

Now, when that truck comes down that drive, it's trespassing.

Anything you do then is legal.

Stop him.

Do whatever it takes.

Take your positions.

Health and money and love and the time to enjoy it.

Jeffers: On a normal day, this truck stop would be loaded

with the big diesels carrying food to the markets,

steel to the factories, lumber to the mills and more.

But this is not a normal day.

Today, Arizona's truckers are on strike.

But they're not on strike for wages,

or for hours, or for benefits.

They're on strike for a man,

Carrol Jo Hummer.

Woman: Dr. Tish, you're wanted in administration.

Dr. Tish, you're wanted in administration, please.

Listen, let's go outside for a minute.

There's something you ought to see.

Woman: That's him.

J'j' long lonely years here without you j'j'

j'j' long years to call out your name j'j'

ii I wandered alone through the desert j'j'

ii lord, how I prayed for the rain j'j'

j'j' long years and finally it came j'j'

j'j' darling, it's so good to hold you again j'j'

j'j' fear was my constant companion j'j'

j'j' holding me sleepless each night j'j'

j'j' memories danced in the shadows j'j'

j'j' cast by the first rays of light j'j'

j'j' but how can you hold a shadow tight? J'j'

ii I wanted to hold you with all of my might j'j'

n“ friends and neighbors came to call j'j'

j'j' and found me staring at your picture on the wall j'j'

j'j' they would talk to me like old friends do j'j'

j'j' but I was drifting and dreaming of you j'j'

j'j' drifting and dreaming j'j'

j'j' drifting and dreaming j'j'

j'j' drifting and dreaming j'j'

j'j' drifting and dreaming j'j'

J'j' but I was drifting and dreaming of you j'j'