Original subtitles

Downloaded from YTS.MX

Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX

[crickets chirping]

[baby crying]

[man panting]

(guard #1) DON'T LET HIM GET AWAY.

[dog barking]

COME ON. COME ON. COME ON. COME ON.

[dog panting]

HERE. COME ON NOW.

MOVE IT! MOVE IT! COME ON NOW!

[dogs barking]

[crickets chirping]

MARTHA.

MARTHA.

ARE YOU AWAKE?

I AM NOW.

YOU HEAR THEM HOUNDS?

(Martha) THEY RUNNIN' AFTER THAT CONVICT

THAT'S TRYIN' TO GET AWAY.

RECKON SO.

[dog continues barking]

(guard #1) KEEP GOING, FELLAS!

(guard #2) MOVE IT OUT THERE, GOD DAMN IT.

[gun fires]

MOVE IT OUT! YES, SIR!

HOLD ON.

(guard #1) MOVE! MOVE!

COME ON, Y'ALL.

GOD DAMN IT! MOVE IT OUT!

I DON'T WANT TO LOSE THAT MAN.

COME ON, NOW. LET'S GET HIM!

[gun fires]

BEN. BEN.

THEY'RE SHOOTIN'.

I HEAR 'EM.

YOU THINK THEY KILLED HIM?

GOD KNOWS.

IT'S QUIET NOW. GO BACK TO SLEEP.

[crickets chirping]

[birds chirping]

(Billy) ASA, WHY AREN'T THOSE CONVICTS OUT IN THE FIELD WORKIN'?

(Asa) GOD ONLY KNOWS.

(Billy) WE'LL HEAD BACK TO TOWN AS SOON AS WE FINISH UP HERE.

GIVE ME A DRINK OF THAT WHISKEY.

[Asa chuckles]

AS SOON AS I'VE FINISHED.

[sighs]

(Asa) BEFORE WE GO BACK TO TOWN,

I HAVE TO STOP BY MY PAPA'S PLANTATION.

WHAT FOR?

I LIKE TO CHECK ON THINGS OUT THERE WHEN HE'S GONE.

HMM, LOOK AT THAT GUARD OVER THERE.

(Billy) WHAT'S GOIN' ON AROUND HERE?

[hens clucking]

(Asa) I EXPECT WE'LL BE COMIN' OUT HERE

BEFORE TOO LONG FOR UNCLE SOLL'S FUNERAL.

(Billy) AW, ASA.

THE OLD BUZZARD CAN'T LAST MANY MORE CHRISTMASES.

WELL, YOU'VE BEEN SAYING THAT FOR THE LAST 5 CHRISTMASES.

[rooster crowing]

(Billy) WHOA.

I'LL GO SEE IF HE'S INSIDE.

DON'T BE LONG.

[horse snorting]

[birds chirping]

[woodpecker pecking]

(Billy) MR. SOLL.

MR. SOLL.

MR. SOLL.

NOWHERE AROUND.

GODDAMN CHRISTMAS WILL BE RUINED FOR SURE NOW.

[cow mooing]

I'LL BE RIGHT OUT.

HURRY UP NOW.

♪[humming]

MARTHA.

OH, GOOD MORNIN', MR. BILLY.

WHERE IS HORACE?

HE'S GONE FISHIN'.

WHERE IS MR. SOLL?

OH, HE'S AROUND SOMEPLACE.

HE SENT FOR THE SHERIFF.

ONE OF THEM CONVICTS KILLED ANOTHER ONE AND RUN OFF.

THEY GOT ALL THE REST LOCKED UP THERE IN THE QUARTERS

TO KEEP THEM FROM FIGHTIN' AMONGST THEMSELVES.

IS THAT WHY IT'S SO QUIET AROUND HERE?

NO ONE OUT IN THE FIELDS.

I THOUGHT MAYBE HE GAVE THE CONVICTS THE DAY OFF

BECAUSE OF CHRISTMAS EVE.

YOU KNOW MR. SOLL DON'T GIVE NOBODY NO TIME OFF.

HE'LL WORK 'EM CHRISTMAS DAY, TOO. ALWAYS HAS.

THE ONLY REASON THAT THEY AIN'T OUT IN THE FIELDS NOW

IS SO THAT TROUBLE WON'T SPREAD.

OH, MY GOD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT HORACE'S PEOPLE ARE THINKING ABOUT,

LETTIN' HIM WORK OUT IN THIS GODFORSAKEN PLACE.

WOULD YOU GO SEE IF YOU COULD FIND HIM?

YES, SIR.

MARTHA, WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GOING?

TRYING TO FIND HORACE.

WHAT?

[grunts]

[birds chirping]

YOU SEEN HORACE?

NOT FOR A SPELL.

IF YOU SEE HIM, WOULD YOU TELL HIM

MR. BILLY VAUGHN IS LOOKING FOR HIM UP THERE AT THE STORE.

YOU ALL RIGHT?

[sighs]

I CAN'T FIND HIM. BEN HASN'T SEEN HIM EITHER.

GIVE ME SOME MORE WHISKEY.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

WELL, I'M GOIN' UP TO UNCLE SOLL'S

AND GET ME SOME MORE.

HORACE, WHERE YOU BEEN?

I BEEN DOWN TO THE FIELD WHERE THEY FOUND THE DEAD CONVICT.

WELL, MR. BILLY WANTS YOU TO GO INTO HARRISON FOR CHRISTMAS.

WELL, I WON'T LEAVE UNTIL MR. SOLL GETS BACK.

HE TOLD ME YESTERDAY THAT HE'D PAY ME TODAY.

AND HE TOLD YOU THE DAY BEFORE THAT HE'D PAY YOU YESTERDAY.

DID HE DO IT?

NO.

I WOULDN'T BE WASTING MY BREATH

WAITING ON HIM TO PAY YOU TODAY.

I DON'T WANT TO GO UNTIL I GET MY MONEY.

THERE'S STILL NO TOMBSTONE ON MY DADDY'S GRAVE,

AND I WANT TO MAKE A DOWN PAYMENT ON ONE.

IT WORRIES ME TO DEATH

THAT THERE'S STILL NO TOMBSTONE ON MY DADDY'S GRAVE.

HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK ONE WOULD COST ME?

I DON'T KNOW.

AIN'T YOUR FOLKS GONNA BE MAD WITH YOU

IF YOU DON'T GET HOME FOR CHRISTMAS DAY?

MY FOLKS DON'T CARE WHAT I DO.

YES, THEY DO. SURE THEY DO.

NO, THEY DON'T.

MY DADDY CARED, BUT HE'S DEAD.

I SAW THE GRAVE THEY BURIED THE MURDERED CONVICT IN.

THEY GOT NO MARKER ON IT. WHAT WAS HIS NAME?

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HIS NAME IS.

I DON'T BE STUDYIN' THEM CONVICTS.

(Ben) HORACE! HORACE!

COMIN', BEN.

I'M TIRED OF WAITIN' OUT HERE. TAKE THE GUN AND WATCH HIM FOR A SPELL

WHILE I GO INSIDE. IT WON'T BE LONG.

STAY WAY OVER HERE OUT OF THE REACH OF HIS CHAIN.

WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T LET HIM GET A HOLD OF THAT GUN.

I WON'T.

WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE CONVICT THAT WAS KILLED?

I DON'T KNOW.

THINK HE KNOWS?

I DON'T KNOW.

WAS THERE ANY PRAYERS SAID OVER HIS GRAVE?

NO, NOW YOU KNOW MR. SOLL.

HE AIN'T GONNA HAVE NO PRAYER SAID OVER NO DEAD CONVICT'S GRAVE.

WHO'LL SAY 'EM? MR. SOLL?

AIN'T NO PREACHER OUT HERE.

NOBODY BUT MR. SOLL AND THE OVERSEER AND THE GUARDS

AND YOU AND ME AND THE CONVICTS.

YOU BEEN OUT HERE A LONG TIME, HAVEN'T YOU?

I WAS BORN OUT HERE.

RIGHT AT THE END OF SLAVERY TIME.

MY MAMA AND PAPA ARE BURIED OUT HERE.

OUR CABIN USED TO BE RIGHT OVER YONDER.

MY MAMA AND PAPA STAYED ON TO WORK FOR WAGES

AFTER THE SLAVERY TIME.

A LOT OF THE OLD FOLKS DID.

WHEN THEY COMMENCED TO DIE OFF,

MR. SOLL BROUGHT IN THE CONVICTS TO WORK THE PLACE.

(Horace) BEN.

CAN I TALK TO THE CONVICT?

I GUESS YOU CAN.

HE MAY NOT WANT TO TALK TO YOU.

[cow mooing]

♪ WELL, THEY CHAIN US TOGETHER AND WE STARTED CUTTING CANE ♪

♪ OH, OOH, OH, OH

♪ I WISH YOU WERE HERE WAY BACK THEN ♪

GOOD MORNING, CONVICTS.

[birds chirping]

I SAID GOOD MORNING, GOD DAMN IT.

DID ANY OF YOU SEE NANCY?

[horse neighing]

I BEEN LOOKING ALL OVER THIS DAMN PLANTATION. I CAN'T FIND HER.

I WONDER WHERE THE HELL SHE'S GONE TO.

I BEEN LOOKIN' ALL MORNING.

[horse snorting]

[sheep bleating]

♪[convict continues singing]

HEY, CONVICT,

YOU WANT A CHEW OF TOBACCO?

CONVICT, YOU ASLEEP?

IF YOU'RE ASLEEP, I WON'T BOTHER YOU.

I AIN'T ASLEEP.

IT'S TOO COLD ON THIS GROUND TO GO TO SLEEP.

YOU WANT A CHEW OF TOBACCO?

PASS IT ALONG.

THROW ME A KNIFE.

I AIN'T GOT NOTHING TO CUT IT WITH.

YOU'LL HAVE TO BITE IT OFF. I CAN'T GIVE YOU A KNIFE.

MY NAME'S HORACE. WHAT'S YOURS?

LEROY KENDRICKS.

A LOT OF KENDRICKS DOWN IN KENDLETON.

EVER BEEN TO KENDLETON?

NO,

I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE IT'S AT.

EVERYONE THAT LIVES THERE IS COLORED.

I STILL AIN'T NEVER BEEN.

WHERE DO YOU COME FROM?

I COME FROM DOWN ROUND LOUISIANA.

HOW'D YOU GET UP HERE?

I GOT INTO A FIGHT WITH A MAN.

CUT HIM.

ANYWAY, THEY SENTENCED ME TO RETRIEVE PRISON PLANTATION ON THE COAST.

THAT'S THE WORST PLACE I EVER BEEN IN MY LIFE.

I HEARD THAT YOU COULD HIRE OFF

TO WORK ON PLANTATIONS AROUND HERE,

YOU KNOW, TO WORK OUT YOUR FINE.

SO I ASKED THEM IF I COULD WORK OUT MY FINE.

AND THEY SENT ME HERE.

WELL, MR. SOLL PAYS YOU.

HOW MUCH IS YOUR FINE?

ABOUT $500.

THE PAY ME $7 A MONTH

OR THEY PAY THE STATE FOR ME TO PAY OFF MY FINE.

HOW LONG YOU BEEN HERE?

ABOUT A YEAR.

HOW LONG ARE YOU GONNA HAVE TO WORK AT $7 A MONTH

TO PAY OFF YOUR FINE?

I DON'T KNOW. THEY DIDN'T TELL ME.

DIDN'T YOU FIGURE IT OUT?

FIGURE IT OUT?

[Leroy chuckles]

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO FIGURE IT OUT?

JUST FIGURE IT OUT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW.

DIDN'T YOU GO TO SCHOOL?

NO. I AIN'T NEVER BEEN TO NO SCHOOL.

NEVER?

NO.

I'M DOING SOME FIGURIN' IN MY HEAD.

COMES TO ALMOST 6 YEARS TO PAY OFF $500.

IT'S GONNA BE MORE THAN THAT NOW.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

I DONE KILLED ME A MAN NOW.

WHAT WAS HIS NAME?

JESSE.

JESSE WHAT?

JESSE WILKES.

GOT A BROTHER HERE, TOO.

BROTHER SAY THAT HE GONNA KILL ME

IF THE WHITE SHERIFF DON'T KILL ME.

ARE YOU SCARED OF HIM?

NO.

WHAT'S HIS NAME?

NAME IS SHERMAN.

SHERMAN EDWARDS.

HOW CAN THEY BE BROTHERS IF ONE'S EDWARDS AND ONE'S WILKES?

THEY GOT THE SAME MAMA, BUT THEY GOT A DIFFERENT DADDY.

HE GOT A WHITE MAN FOR A DADDY.

WHO DOES?

SHERMAN EDWARDS.

SEE--SEE, NOW THAT'S-- THAT'S WHY HE'S SO MEAN.

IT'S THE WHITE BLOOD IN HIM.

SEE, NOW HE KILL YOU, TOO, IF HE HAD THE CHANCE.

BEING AS HE IS. HE DON'T LIKE WHITE PEOPLE.

I ASKED HIM, I SAY-- I SAY,

"HOW COME-- HOW COME YOU DON'T LIKE WHITE PEOPLE

WHEN YOU'RE HALF WHITE YOURSELF?"

BUT HE DIDN'T ANSWER THAT.

HE JUST CUSSED ME.

[birds chirping]

YOU GIVE ME THAT KNIFE, I JUST MIGHT CUT MY OWN THROAT.

SAVE SOMEBODY ELSE THE TROUBLE.

CAN YOU GIVE ME THAT KNIFE?

NO.

GIVE ME ANOTHER CHEW OF TOBACCO?

SURE.

KEEP IT.

IF I GAVE YOU THIS KNIFE,

WOULD YOU REALLY TRY AND KILL YOURSELF?

GIVE IT TO ME AND SEE.

I COULDN'T KILL MYSELF.

WELL, YOU AIN'T WAITING IN CHAINS

FOR NO WHITE SHERIFF.

I COULDN'T DO THAT. I'M AFRAID TO DIE.

YOU'RE NOT AFRAID OF DYING?

NO.

WHERE YOU GOIN'?

JUST GOIN' OVER THERE.

TO SAY A PRAYER OVER JESSE'S GRAVE.

DIB, TAKE THE SHERIFF'S HORSE.

YES, SIR. THE CONVICT'S OVER YONDER BY THE TREE.

LEROY,

DO YOU KNOW THE LORD'S PRAYER?

NO.

I'VE FORGOTTEN THE LAST PART OF IT.

BEN, DO YOU KNOW THE LORD'S PRAYER?

YES, I DO.

WHAT COMES AFTER "FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES"?

NO, I CAN'T SAY IT THAT WAY. GOT TO START FROM THE BEGINNING.

"OUR FATHER WHICH ART IN HEAVEN,

"HALLOWED BE THY NAME. THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE.

"ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. GIVE US...

FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US..."

THERE HE IS, SHERIFF. RIGHT THERE.

YOU THE ONE? WHO GOT THE KEYS?

(Ben) RIGHT HERE.

BEN, HOW MANY THROATS DID THIS DEVIL SLIT LAST NIGHT?

(Ben) ONLY ONE, SIR.

UH-HUH. BUT WAS HE COLORED OR WHITE?

(Ben) THEY ALL COLORED, SIR.

NOW GET UP OR I'LL KILL YOU.

MR. SOLL? MR. SOLL?

YOU TOLD ME YESTERDAY THAT YOU'D PAY ME MY WAGES TODAY, SIR.

YOU WORK FOR ME?

NOW YOU KNOW, MR. SOLL, HE WORKS FOR YOU.

DID I ASK YOU A QUESTION?

NO, SIR.

THEN YOU KEEP QUIET UNTIL I DO.

SHOOT.

WHY DO YOU SAY THAT?

'CAUSE I'M DISGUSTED.

THIS POOR BOY OUT HERE WORKIN'

TO GET A TOMBSTONE FOR HIS DADDY'S GRAVE

AND HE BEEN HERE 6 MONTHS AND YOU AIN'T PAID HIM NOTHING YET.

GO UP TO THE HOUSE IN A WHILE. I'LL PAY YOU.

THINK HE'S GONNA DO IT?

I WOULDN'T WASTE HOLDING MY BREATH IF I WAS YOU.

[birds chirping]

[gun shot]

(Martha) LORD JESUS, HAVE MERCY, GOD.

LORD, THEY KILLING EACH OTHER.

SOMEDAY ALL OF THEM CONVICTS GONNA GET LOOSE

AND WE'RE GONNA ALL BE KILLED.

[horse neighs]

(Soll) BEN!

[bell clanging]

GET YOUR SHOVEL. GO DIG A GRAVE FOR HIM.

I'LL SEND JACKSON OVER THERE TO HELP YOU. YES, SIR.

BOY, YOU GO WATCH THE BODY UNTIL WE GET HIS GRAVE DUG.

NO, SIR, I WOULDN'T CARE TO SEE HIM RIGHT NOW.

WHY?

BECAUSE HE'S DEAD, SIR.

YOU NEVER SEEN A DEAD MAN BEFORE, BOY?

NOTHING TO WORRY YOURSELF ABOUT.

SIR, I JUST DON'T WANT TO SEE HIM.

SUPPOSE I TOLD YOU, YOU HAD TO DO IT, BOY.

HE DON'T HAVE TO DO IT. I'LL DO IT.

WHAT'RE YOU DOIN' HERE? YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE COOKIN' MY CHRISTMAS DINNER.

THIS AIN'T CHRISTMAS DAY YET.

WHAT THE HELL DAY IS IT?

IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE.

OH, ALL RIGHT.

[sighs]

LORD. JESUS.

THAT CONVICT TRIED TO KILL ME, YOU KNOW.

WHICH ONE?

THE ONE THE SHERIFF JUST SHOT.

(Soll) HE REALLY DEAD, MARTHA?

YES, SIR.

THE WHITE ONE OR COLORED ONE?

YOU SAW HIM.

WELL, I FORGET. I FORGET.

COME SEE FOR YOURSELF.

I FORGET.

HE TRIED TO KILL ME, HE DID.

JUST ONE CHANCE. IT DIDN'T WORK.

(Martha) COLORED OR WHITE. CRAZY OLD FOOL.

LORD, YOU KNOW.

MARTHA, MMM-HMM.

YOU AFRAID OF DYIN'?

NO, I AIN'T AFRAID OF IT. JUST NOT READY TO GO YET.

WHERE IS MR. SOLL?

HE'S OVER THERE BY THE BODY.

HE SAYS HE TRIED TO KILL HIM.

MIGHT HAVE.

JACKSON, HE LISTENS TO YOU.

TELL HIM TO GIVE ME MY MONEY.

HE DON'T LISTEN TO ME.

(Soll) JACKSON!

TELL MARTHA TO GET IN THE HOUSE

AND START COOKIN' MY CHRISTMAS DINNER.

YOU HEAR THAT, MARTHA?

TELL HIM TODAY AIN'T CHRISTMAS.

SHE SAY TODAY AIN'T CHRISTMAS.

[bird squawks]

[snorting]

DID YOU BURY HIM?

YES, I DID.

RIGHT NEXT TO THE OTHER CONVICTS' GRAVES.

MR. SOLL SAY ANY CONVICTS THAT DIE GETS BURIED OUT HERE.

HE DON'T WANT THEM NEXT TO HIS PEOPLES' GRAVES.

I DON'T WANT THEM NEXT TO MINE.

IN MY GRAVEYARD.

MY MAMA AND PAPA BURIED OUT THERE, YOU KNOW.

MY SISTER'S BURIED OUT THERE. AND HER BABY.

HMM.

HOWDY, MR. BILLY.

[slurring] WHERE IS MR.--MR. SOLL.

[groans]

IS HE DEAD?

DEAD DRUNK.

(Jackson) WHO'S THAT ON THE GROUND?

MR. BILLY VAUGHN. HE'S DRUNK.

I THOUGHT HE WAS ANOTHER DEAD CONVICT.

LOT OF 'EM OUT HERE NOW.

(Horace) HOW MANY?

GOD KNOWS. ALWAYS ROOM FOR ONE MORE, THOUGH, AIN'T IT?

I'M A CONVICT, YOU KNOW.

THEY MADE ME A TRUSTEE SO I CAN WALK ABOUT FREE,

BUT I'M STILL A CONVICT.

IS THAT A CONVICT?

(Ben) NO.

WHO THE HELL IS IT?

WHO IT LOOK LIKE?

BILLY.

WAKE UP, BILLY.

[laughs]

THE SON OF A BITCH IS DRUNK. BILLY'S DRUNK.

[Billy snoring]

WHERE YOU TAKING HIM TO?

OVER TO THE HOUSE.

JACKSON, DID OVERSEER GET THEM CONVICTS

BACK OUT IN THE FIELD LIKE I TOLD HIM TO?

ALL BUT ONE.

WHY ISN'T HE OUT IN THE FIELDS?

HE'S SICK.

WHAT THE HELL'S WRONG WITH HIM?

I DON'T KNOW. YOU HAVE TO ASK HIM.

BOY, COME HERE.

GO TELL THAT DAMN OVERSEER TO GET THAT CONVICT

OUT IN THE FIELD WITH THE REST.

YES, SIR. DON'T GO OVER THERE.

WHAT'D YOU SAY, WOMAN?

I TOLD HIM NOT TO GO OVER WHERE THEM CONVICTS LIVE.

LET JACKSON, BEN'LL GO OVER THERE.

I'LL GO OVER THERE, GOD DAMN IT.

THEN YOU GO OVER THERE.

YOU THINK I'M SCARED OF ANY GODDAMN SICK CONVICT?

I'M SCARED OF NO GODDAMN CONVICT,

SICK OR WELL. I'LL GO OVER THERE.

(Ben) HE AIN'T GONNA BE SICK LONG NOW.

WHICH ONE IS IT?

THE BROTHER TO THE ONE THAT GOT KILLED.

WHAT IF HE IS SICK?

AIN'T GONNA HELP HIM.

GONNA HAVE TO WORK OUT IN THE FIELDS JUST THE SAME.

MR. SOLL DIDN'T BRING HIM HERE TO GET SICK.

YOU KNOW MR. BILLY VAUGHN'S DIVORCED?

YES.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU'RE NOT DIVORCED, BUT YOUR FIRST WIFE DIES,

AND THEN YOU MARRY AGAIN?

WHEN YOU GO TO HEAVEN, WHICH WOMAN DO YOU CLAIM AS YOUR WIFE?

I DON'T KNOW.

TAKE SHERMAN EDWARDS.

HE'S GOT A WHITE DADDY AND A COLORED MAMA.

NOW WHEN THEY ALL GO TO HEAVEN TOGETHER, WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN?

HOW WOULD I KNOW ALL THAT, HORACE?

I WORRY ABOUT THINGS LIKE THIS.

'CAUSE MY DADDY DIED AND NOW MY MAMA'S MARRIED TO ANOTHER MAN.

GOT TO WONDERING LAST NIGHT, WHO'S GONNA BE HER HUSBAND IN HEAVEN.

KEPT ME AWAKE HALF THE NIGHT.

READ THE BIBLE.

ALL THAT'S IN THE BIBLE SOMEPLACE.

KEEP MOVIN'.

[Ben laughing]

GOTCHA.

[Ben continues laughing]

I LOVE PECAN PIE.

THERE'S A BOY OUT HERE SAYS I OWE HIM SOME MONEY, BEN. YOU PAY HIM.

WHAT AM I GONNA PAY HIM WITH? I HAVE NO MONEY.

TAKE IT OUT OF THE CASH AT THE STORE.

WHAT CASH?

YOU KNOW EVERYBODY'S BEEN BUYING ON CREDIT SINCE OCTOBER.

EVERYBODY?

HOW ELSE THEY GONNA BUY?

I GOT A LOT OF MONEY, YOU KNOW.

I KNOW YOU DO.

WHERE THE HELL DID I PUT MY MONEY?

I DON'T KNOW, SIR.

WHEN YOU FIND IT, OR I FIND IT, I'M GONNA PAY THE BOY.

NOW YOU TELL HIM THAT.

YOU TELL HIM. THERE HE IS, RIGHT THERE.

WHERE?

RIGHT THERE.

OH, YEAH.

WHERE'S NANCY?

SHE DEAD, SIR. SHE BEEN DEAD MORE THAN 15 YEARS NOW.

(Soll) WHERE'S JULIA?

SHE'S DEAD, TOO, SIR. SHE BEEN DEAD.

WHERE'S--WHERE'S SARAH?

SHE DEAD, TOO, SIR.

WHO THE HELL'S OUT HERE?

JUST YOU AND ME AND THE BOY HERE AND MARTHA AND THE OVERSEER

AND THE GUARDS AND THE CONVICTS.

WHERE'S MY GUN?

I DON'T KNOW, SIR.

GET IT FOR ME.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS, SIR.

HAVE YOU GOT A GUN? YES, SIR.

GET IT FOR ME.

YES, SIR.

I'M GOIN' HUNTIN'.

YES, SIR.

WELL, I WOULDN'T GO HUNTIN' TODAY IF I WAS YOU. IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE.

I DON'T CARE THE HELL WHAT DAY IT IS, I'M GOIN' HUNTIN'.

YES, SIR.

NOW, WHERE IS JACKSON?

I DON'T KNOW, SIR.

I'LL PUT THE LAZY SON OF A BITCH BACK ON THE CHAIN GANG

IF HE AIN'T CAREFUL, YOU HEAR?

[Soll coughs]

BASTARD.

[birds chirping]

BEN, GET OUT HERE. MARTHA, COME HERE.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

WHAT'S THIS?

CHRISTMAS GIFT.

THAT'S CONFEDERATE MONEY.

AIN'T GONNA BUY YOU NOTHIN'.

BETTER HOLD ON TO IT. NEVER CAN TELL.

WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?

HORACE ROBEDAUX, SIR.

HOW OLD ARE YOU?

(Horace) 13, SIR.

NOW, WHOSE--WHOSE BOY ARE YOU?

WHY, YOU KNOW WHO HE IS, MR. SOLL.

HIS DADDY IS DEAD, SIR.

LET HIM ANSWER.

YOUR DADDY'S DEAD?

YES, SIR.

WHAT WAS HIS NAME?

PAUL HORACE ROBEDAUX, SIR.

WELL, I KNEW THE BASTARD. HE WASN'T WORTH KILLIN'.

HE WAS MY BROTHER'S LAWYER.

HE HELPED MY BROTHER CHEAT ME.

HOW DID-- HOW DID YOU GET OUT HERE?

MR. ALBERT THORNTON IS HIS UNCLE. HE COME OUT HERE IN THE FALL

TO HELP HIM WITH THE STORE WHEN THE CROPS COME IN. YOU KNOW THAT.

WHERE'S ALBERT?

(Ben) HE'S IN TOWN.

WHAT THE HELL'S HE DOING IN TOWN?

WELL, HE TALKED TO YOU ABOUT IT.

THINGS ARE SO SLOW IN THE STORE HERE NOW,

AND THE FEW CUSTOMERS THERE ARE, THE BOY CAN TAKE CARE OF.

UH, I DON'T WANT HIM HERE.

I DON'T WANT PAUL HORACE ROBEDAUX'S BOY ON THIS PLACE.

TAKE HIM OVER TO MY BROTHER'S PLACE.

LET HIM TAKE CARE OF HIM. I DON'T WANT HIM.

(Ben) YOUR BROTHER'S IN NEW ORLEANS.

TAKE HIM BACK TO TOWN, GOD DAMN IT.

HE DIDN'T MEAN THAT. HE'S JUST DRUNK.

HE SAY ANYTHING WHEN HE'S DRUNK.

HE BE OVER HIS DRUNK TOMORROW.

[hen clucking]

NOW, WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?

(Horace) HORACE, SIR.

OH, YES. YES. YES.

[bird cawing]

WHAT WAS YOUR DADDY'S NAME?

PAUL HORACE. PAUL HORACE ROBEDAUX.

I KNEW HIM. HE'S DEAD.

YES, SIR.

I HAVE A BROTHER. DID YOU EVER MEET HIM?

NO, SIR.

HE HAS A PLACE NEXT TO MINE, ONLY WE DON'T GET ALONG HERE.

MEAN, NO-GOOD BASTARD.

[laughs]

YOU KNOW WHAT MY DADDY SAID TO ME JUST BEFORE HE DIED?

NO, SIR.

HE CALLED ME AND SAID, "EVERYBODY ELSE OUT OF THE ROOM.

"SOLL," HE SAID, "SIT DOWN.

"NOW WATCH OUT FOR THAT SON OF A BITCH TYRE.

"HE'LL STEAL YOU BLIND. HE'S A RATTLESNAKE.

HE HAS VENOM IN HIS FANGS."

THAT'S WHAT HIS OWN DADDY THOUGHT ABOUT HIM.

[laughs]

YOU WANT SOME WHISKEY?

NO, SIR.

I WAS JUST ABOUT TO COME UP TO THE HOUSE LOOKING FOR YOU, SIR.

YOU SAID IF I COME UP THERE IN A BIT, YOU'D PAY ME.

[sighs]

PAY YOU FOR WHAT?

FOR WORKING FOR YOU, SIR.

YOU WORK FOR ME?

YES, SIR. HERE IN YOUR STORE.

HOW OLD ARE YOU?

13.

THEN YOU SHOULD PAY ME FOR LETTING YOU WORK OUT HERE.

YOU SHOULD PAY ME FOR LETTING YOU LEARN HOW TO RUN A STORE.

YES, SIR. I SUPPOSE SO.

BUT YOU AGREED.

I AGREED TO NOTHIN'.

YES, SIR. YOU DID. YOU SAID YOU'D PAY ME 50 CENTS A WEEK.

AND I'VE BEEN HERE 6 MONTHS AND YOU AIN'T PAID ME NOTHIN' YET.

YOU OWE ME $12.50.

AND YOU SAID YOU'D PAY ME THAT ON CHRISTMAS EVE. AND THAT'S TODAY.

AND BEFORE THAT YOU SAID YOU'D PAY ME--

HOLD ON. HOLD ON. HOLD ON.

[snickers]

I MUST'VE BEEN DRUNK.

I REMEMBER YOU NOW, BOY.

YOU CAME OUT HERE TO EARN THE MONEY

FOR YOUR DADDY'S TOMBSTONE, RIGHT?

YES, SIR.

OH, YOUR DADDY WAS NO GOOD, ALBERT SAYS.

MISTREATED YOUR MOTHER. DIED A DRUNKARD.

"THEN WHY DOES HE WANT TO PUT A TOMBSTONE

ON THE BASTARD'S GRAVE?" I ASKED HIM.

"THAT'S HOW THE BOY IS," HE SAYS. "HE'S STRANGE."

"HE'LL GET OVER THAT," I SAYS.

"SOME--SOME WOMAN WILL HELP HIM GET OVER THAT."

YOU EVER HAD A WOMAN?

[chuckles]

NO, SIR.

WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

CHEWING TOBACCO?

YES, SIR.

COME ON. GIVE ME A CHEW. RIGHT HERE.

HMM.

MY DADDY, GOD REST HIS SOUL IN PEACE, TURNED OUT TO BE A PROPHET.

BUT MY BROTHER TYRE IS A LIAR, A THIEF, AND HE'S A KILLER.

I HOPE HIS SOUL WILL ROT IN HELL FOREVER.

[Soll chuckles]

HE GOT A BITCH OF A DAUGHTER, TOO.

SHE'S UP THERE AT MY HOUSE NOW AND I KNOW WHAT SHE WANTS.

TO KNOW HOW I MADE OUT MY WILL.

EVERY NOW AND THEN SHE SAYS,

"WHO YOU GONNA LEAVE ALL THIS TO, UNCLE SOLL?"

[snickers]

CAN YOU WRITE?

YES, SIR.

GET A PENCIL AND A PIECE OF PAPER.

TAKE DOWN WHAT I TELL YOU.

(Soll) EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING.

ALL MY LAND. EVERYTHING.

READY?

YEAH.

"I, SOLL GAUTHIER,

"ON MY OATH,

I LEAVE MY LAND, MY HOUSES..."

WHO AM I GONNA LEAVE IT TO?

EVERYBODY WHO'S KIN TO ME IS DEAD

EXCEPT TYRE AND 2 UGLY OLD DAUGHTERS.

UH...

YOU HAVE A BROTHER?

NO, SIR. I HAVE A SISTER.

GET DOWN ON YOUR KNEES, AND THANK GOD YOU GOT NO BROTHER.

'CAUSE THEY STEAL EVERYTHING YOU GOT.

THEY CUT YOUR HEART OUT AND SMILE ALL THE WHILE.

THANK YOU, GOD. WE THANK YOU, GOD.

THANK YOU, GOD.

YEAH. YOU'RE A GOOD BOY.

COME ON.

[grunts]

I'M GOIN' HUNTIN'. COME ON WITH ME.

GIVE ME THE GUN.

THERE'S A DAMN BEAR OVER THERE.

NO, SIR. THERE'S NO BEAR--

YEAH, THERE IS, TOO.

AND I'M GONNA KILL THE SON OF A BITCH.

I KILL IT?

I DON'T KNOW, SIR.

GO SEE. GO ON.

(Soll) SEE.

I GET IT?

IS SARAH DUNCAN STILL ON THE PLACE?

SARAH WHO?

SARAH DUNCAN.

IS SHE THE ONE YOU ASKED BEN ABOUT EARLIER?

BEN WHO?

BEN JOHNSON. LIVES UP AT THE STORE.

I DON'T KNOW IF I ASKED HIM ABOUT HER OR NOT.

SHE'S A SMALL WOMAN. NO--NO MORE THAN 5 FEET.

WHERE'S HER HOUSE?

IT WAS OUT THIS WAY SOMEPLACE.

WELL, IT'S NOT OUT HERE NOW.

IT'S NOT.

NO.

IF SHE'S THE ONE YOU ASKED BEN ABOUT, SHE'S DEAD.

SHE IS?

YUP.

NOBODY OUT HERE NOW BUT YOU, ME, AND BEN,

AND, UH, MARTHA, THE CONVICTS AND THE GUARDS,

AND THE OVERSEER AND JACKSON.

WHO THE HELL IS JACKSON?

WELL, HE'S THE ONE WHO STAYS UP AT THE HOUSE WITH YOU.

WHAT KIND OF TOMBSTONE YOU HAVE IN MIND FOR YOUR DADDY'S GRAVE?

OH, JUST A SMALL ONE.

WHAT THE HELL YOU WANT A SMALL ONE FOR?

SEE THE ONE I PUT ON MY DADDY'S GRAVE?

IT'S THE BIGGEST GODDAMN TOMBSTONE EVER MADE.

IT'S GOT ANGELS ALL OVER IT.

2 WOMEN CRYIN'.

COME HERE. COME HERE.

LOOK. SEE, THERE'S 8 TOMBSTONES ON THAT GRAVEYARD.

NOW WHICH DO YOU LIKE BEST?

THERE ARE NO TOMBSTONES OVER THERE.

YOU DON'T SEE ANY TOMBSTONES?

NO, SIR. THERE ARE NONE THERE.

WHO THE HELL TOOK 'EM AWAY? WHO THE HELL STOLE 'EM?

DAMN CONVICTS. THEY STEAL EVERYTHING.

EVEN THE TOMBSTONE OFF MY DADDY'S GRAVE.

NO, SIR. THAT'S-- THAT'S THE CONVICTS' GRAVE.

THAT'S NOT YOUR GRAVEYARD.

WHERE THE HELL'S MY GRAVEYARD?

THAT'S OVER YONDER.

YEAH?

WELL, THEN LET'S GO FIND THE GODDAMN PLACE.

[dog barks]

WHAT ARE YOU SHOOTING AT NOW, SIR?

CONVICTS. I'M GONNA KILL ALL OF THEM CONVICTS.

I'M GONNA HAVE A SURE ENOUGH CONVICT GRAVEYARD OUT HERE.

YEAH.

SHOOT YOU A CONVICT? HUH?

YEAH.

GO ON.

STEADY.

[crow cawing]

HOW MANY WE KILL?

I DON'T KNOW, SIR.

A LOT?

YEAH, I GUESS SO, SIR.

UNCLE SOLL?

SOLL?

(Ben) WHAT Y'ALL SHOOTIN' AT?

FIRST HE SAID HE WAS SHOOTING AT BEARS, AND THEN CONVICTS.

BUT THERE AIN'T ANY BEARS OR CONVICTS.

TRIED TO KEEP HIM FROM LAYING ON THE COLD DAMP GROUND,

BUT HE WOULDN'T LISTEN.

MR. SOLL.

GET UP NOW.

YOU'LL CATCH YOUR DEATH, MR. SOLL.

DAMN CONVICTS TAKE ALL THEM TOMBSTONES OFF THE GRAVES.

NOW THEY'RE COMIN' TO KILL ME.

[laughs]

MR. SOLL.

STAY WITH HIM WHILE I GET-- GO GET JACKSON.

GET UP, SHERMAN.

HE AIN'T FOOLIN'. HE'S SICK.

HE OUGHT TO GO BACK TO THE BUNKHOUSE.

HIM GO BACK WHEN WE GO BACK. PICK HIM UP.

PICK HIM UP.

[coughing]

WHO'S BURIED HERE?

WHO THE HELL AM I SITTIN' ON?

I THINK THAT'S THE CONVICT THAT THE SHERIFF SHOT THIS MORNING, SIR.

(Soll) UH-UH. UH-UH.

I KNOW WHOM I'M SITTIN' ON.

(Horace) SIR?

I KNOW.

I THINK HIS NAME IS LEROY, SIR.

UH-UH, I KNOW WHO IT IS. IT'S A WOMAN NAMED VERNA.

I KNOW WHO IT IS.

HMM.

[muttering] I KNOW WHO IT IS.

YOU CRAZY SON OF A BITCH.

WHERE ARE YOU HIDIN'?

[birds chirping]

SOLL!

UNCLE SOLL!

WHERE YOU TAKIN' ME?

UP TO THE HOUSE.

I'M GOIN' HUNTIN'.

HOW'LL YOU HUNT AS DRUNK AS YOU ARE? YOU'RE GETTING PUT TO BED.

NO, I'LL BE GODDAMNED IF I'M GONNA BE.

COME NEAR ME, I'LL KILL YOU. NOW GET OUT OF HERE. GET OUT OF HERE!

STAY AWAY FROM ME.

GO ON.

I WANT THE WHITE BOY TO STAY.

HE'S THE ONLY ONE AROUND HERE I TRUST.

DON'T CROSS HIM WHEN HE'S DRUNK.

GO AHEAD. STAY WITH HIM.

I'M SCARED OF HIM.

HE AIN'T GONNA HURT YOU. JUST GO AHEAD.

HE'S TOO DRUNK TO PULL THE TRIGGER

ON THAT DAMN GUN. NOW GO AHEAD.

WHAT'S YOUR NAME AGAIN?

HORACE, SIR.

WHAT ARE YOU CRYIN' FOR?

I'M SCARED, SIR.

WHAT ARE YOU SCARED OF?

I DON'T KNOW, SIR.

YOU SCARED THE CONVICTS WILL GET LOOSE ONE NIGHT?

HELP ME UP.

COME OVER THERE AND KILL YOU?

I DON'T KNOW, SIR.

WHAT ARE YOU SCARED OF THEN?

A LOT OF THINGS, SIR.

COME HERE. YOU'RE A GOOD BOY.

[laughs]

♪[humming]

[birds chirping]

[giggles]

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

TYRE'S WIFE IS A JACKASS.

"I WANT MY GIRLS TO BE EDUCATED," SHE SAID.

"EVERYBODY SHOULD BE EDUCATED,

NO MATTER WHAT COLOR THEIR SKIN IS."

"WHAT FOR?" I SAID.

"I AIN'T EDUCATED. YOUR HUSBAND AIN'T.

"WE KNEW ENOUGH TO COME HERE,

"GET A HOLD OF 8,000 ACRES OF THE RICHEST LAND

"IN THE WHOLE GODDAMN WORLD.

WE CAN GROW-- WE CAN GROW 3 CROPS A YEAR HERE."

ALBERT SAYS YOU CAME OUT HERE TO WORK.

SO YOU COULD BUY A TOMBSTONE FOR YOUR DADDY'S GRAVE.

YES, SIR.

WELL, I'M GONNA BUY IT FOR YOU.

I'M GONNA BUY THE BIGGEST GODDAMN TOMBSTONE IN TEXAS.

I'LL PUT ANGELS ON IT.

AND 2 CONFEDERATE VETERANS.

WAS YOUR DADDY A CONFEDERATE VETERAN?

NO, HE WAS BORN AFTER THE WAR.

WELL, I WAS A VETERAN.

I FOUGHT IN EVERY GODDAMN BATTLE THEY'D LET ME.

NOW...

WHAT WERE WE TALKIN' ABOUT?

A TOMBSTONE FOR MY DADDY'S GRAVE.

YEAH. YEAH.

WELL, I'LL PUT "REST IN PEACE" ON IT

AND 3 VERSES FROM THE BIBLE.

HAVE YOU SEEN THE TOMBSTONES I HAD PUT UP OUT HERE?

NO, SIR.

TOMORROW FIRST THING, I'LL TAKE YOU OVER TO MY FAMILY GRAVEYARD.

YOU PICK OUT THE TOMBSTONE YOU LIKE

AND I'LL HAVE A COPY

PUT ON YOUR DADDY'S GRAVE.

OVER YONDER, THAT'S ALL MY LAND OUT THERE, SEE.

ALL MINE.

HOLD THIS.

YOU KNOW MY BROTHER TYRE?

I'VE SEEN HIM.

ACCUSED ME OF CHEATIN' HIM.

"WHY WOULD I CHEAT YOU," I SAID.

"I GOT ALL THE LAND AND MONEY I WANT."

"WELL, GIVE ME HALF AND YOU TAKE HALF," HE SAID.

"MY WIFE IS AGAINST WORKING CONVICTS."

THEN I SAID, "YOU'LL NEVER GET THE WORK DONE."

TOOK HIM 2 YEARS TO FIND OUT.

NEXT THING I HEARD, HE HAD HIS OWN CONVICTS.

WHO'S THAT OVER THERE CROSSIN' THE BACK FIELD?

NOBODY.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

UNCLE! UNCLE!

(Asa) UNCLE, YOU WANT ANY SUPPER?

NO.

IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE.

I DON'T GIVE A GODDAMN WHAT DAY IT IS.

IF I WANTED SUPPER, I'D TELL YOU.

WHERE YOU GOIN'?

(Soll) I'M GOING HUNTIN'.

[Soll coughing]

WHAT ARE YOU GOING HUNTING FOR THIS TIME OF DAY?

CONVICTS. THERE'S 3 OF THEM THAT HAVE ESCAPED.

[Asa snickers] THERE'S NO DAMN CONVICTS LOOSE.

(Soll) AND YOU'RE A GODDAMN LIAR.

AND YOU'RE CRAZY.

YOU DRUNK SO MUCH WHISKEY, IT'S FINALLY MADE YOU CRAZY.

AND YOU'RE A WHORE.

MY GODDAMN BROTHER SAID TO ME, "YOU SON OF A BITCH,

YOU'RE CHILDLESS. I HAVE 2 DAUGHTERS."

"2 WHORES," I SAID. "2 NO-GOOD, SLUTTISH WHORES!"

[grunts]

YOU! LEAVE HIM ALONE.

I HOPE HE BROKE HIS GODDAMN NECK.

[shouting] DID YOU HEAR ME?

I HOPE YOU BROKE YOUR GODDAMN NECK.

(Soll) YOU'LL GET NOTHIN' OF MINE.

BEN AND MARTHA ARE TO HAVE IT ALL.

ARE THERE WITNESSES HERE?

(Asa) WHO WANTS ANY OF YOUR GODDAMN LAND?

I HAVE ALL THE GODDAMN LAND I WANT.

BEN AND MARTHA. FAITHFUL AND TRUSTWORTHY.

THE CONVICTS ARE ALL AROUND.

HAND ME MY GUN, PLEASE. ALLOW ME TO DEFEND MYSELF.

DON'T LEAVE ME HERE ALONE, DEFENSELESS, TO HAVE MY THROAT CUT.

I SLEEP WITH MY GUN BESIDE ME.

NOW, WHERE'S THAT BOY? WHERE'S THAT WHITE BOY?

COME HERE. DON'T LEAVE ME.

TOMORROW FIRST THING, WE'LL GO TO MY FAMILY GRAVEYARD

AND PICK OUT THE TOMBSTONE YOU LIKE.

I'LL HAVE IT COPIED. PUT ON YOUR DADDY'S GRAVE.

WHAT'S YOUR NAME, BOY?

HORACE, SIR.

OH, YEAH.

YOU'RE GOING TO SLEEP IN MY ROOM TONIGHT.

I'LL HAVE MY GUN AND YOU'LL HAVE YOURS.

NO DAMN CONVICTS WILL GET NEAR US, RIGHT?

[door shuts]

MR. SOLL WANTS YOU UP AT THE HOUSE.

IS HE GONNA GIVE HIM HIS MONEY?

JACKSON DIDN'T SAY.

HE JUST SAID THAT HE WOULDN'T GIVE HIM ANY PEACE

UNTIL HE GOT HIM UP THERE.

SO, BETTER GO ON, HORACE.

WELL, LET HIM FINISH HIS SUPPER FIRST.

COME ON NOW.

[crickets chirping]

(man) WHAT HAPPENED? DID HE DIE ON YOU?

(Jackson) HORACE, OVER HERE!

COMING, JACKSON.

COME ON.

[whispering] HE'S ASLEEP NOW.

EVERY TIME HE WAKES UP, HE ASK FOR YOU TO COME OVER.

HE'S DRIVIN' ME CRAZY ASKIN' FOR YOU TO COME OVER HERE.

HE SAYS HE WANTS A WHITE PERSON WITH HIM WHEN HE DIES.

(Horace whispering) WHERE'S MISS ASA AND MR. BILLY?

THEY WENT OVER TO HER DADDY'S PLACE.

IS HE DYIN'?

THAT'S WHAT HE SAYIN' TO 'EM, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE HIM.

I'VE HEARD IT ALL BEFORE.

DON'T LEAVE, JACKSON.

I DON'T WANNA BE HERE ALONE WHEN HE DIES.

HE'S NOT GONNA DIE. HE JUST TALKS ABOUT IT.

TOO MEAN TO DIE.

I DON'T WANT TO DIE, DO YOU?

NO.

I WAS THINKIN' COMIN' UP HERE

OF THAT CONVICT, LEROY, DYIN' THIS MORNIN'.

HE SAID IT MEANT NOTHIN' TO HIM.

I WAS THINKIN', WHEN I DIE, MAYBE I CAN GO TO HEAVEN,

AND SEE MY DADDY.

BUT AS MUCH AS I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM,

I WOULDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO DIE TO DO IT.

[crickets chirping]

[owl hooting]

(overseer) HERE'S ANOTHER ONE FOR YOU, BEN.

(Asa) BILLY, WAKE UP. WE'RE AT PAPA'S.

LENA!

WHOA, WHOA, THERE. COBB!

Y'ALL COME ON AND HELP ME GET BILLY INTO THE HOUSE.

HE'S PASSED OUT AGAIN, COBB.

[Cobb grunting]

YOU GOT HIM THERE?

JACKSON?

[footsteps approaching]

THAT WHITE BOY'S HERE.

TE-TELL HIM TO COME HERE WHERE I CAN SEE HIM.

DID THEY TELL YOU I WAS DYIN'?

YES, SIR.

HAS ANYONE SENT FOR A DOCTOR TO COME SEE ME?

MISS ASA SAID SHE'S GONNA SEND ONE OUT HERE WHEN SHE GOT BACK TO TOWN.

SHE'S A DAMN LIAR. SHE WON'T SEND NOBODY OUT HERE.

SHE WANTS TO SEE ME DEAD SO SHE CAN CLAIM ALL THIS FOR HERSELF

AND HER NO-GOOD FATHER.

[coughs]

[breathing deeply]

THERE WERE 3 OF US GAUTHIER BOYS, YOU KNOW.

THERE WAS TYRE, MELVIN AND ME.

TYRE POISONED MELVIN, YOU KNOW.

AT LEAST, HE HAD HIM POISONED.

PAID A MAN TO MIX SOME JIMSONWEED IN HIS FOOD

AND HE POISONED HIM.

HE DENIED IT OF COURSE, UP AND DOWN.

BUT I KNOW HE DID IT.

'CAUSE I HAVE IT CARVED RIGHT ON MELVIN'S TOMBSTONE:

"POISONED BY HIS BROTHER TYRE,

WHOSE MOTIVE WAS GREED."

COME CLOSER, BOY. COME OVER HERE. SIT HERE. SIT HERE.

[coughing]

I'M DYIN'. DID THEY TELL YOU THAT?

YES, SIR.

YOU EVER WATCH AN OLD MAN DIE?

NO, SIR.

PROMISE YOU WON'T LEAVE ME ALONE

AFTER I DIE TILL THEY GET ME IN MY COFFIN.

'CAUSE THERE ARE WILD VARMINTS OUT HERE.

I KNEW A MAN THAT DIED OUT HERE.

THEY WENT OFF AND LEFT HIS BODY ALONE

WHILE THEY WENT FOR THE COFFIN OR THE PREACHER OR SOMETHIN'.

THEN THEY CAME BACK TO THE BODY

AND THE VARMINTS HAD COME AND TORE IT ALL APART.

WHAT KIND OF VARMINTS?

I DON'T KNOW. WILDCATS. WOLVES.

GOD KNOWS WHAT ALL.

DON'T LET THAT HAPPEN TO ME.

NO, SIR.

IF I FALL ASLEEP, DON'T LEAVE ME, YOU HEAR?

DON'T LEAVE ME.

NO, SIR.

JACKSON.

(Jackson) YES, SIR.

CONVICTS ALL QUIET?

YES, SIR. BEEN QUIET.

BEFORE DAYBREAK, GO DOWN THERE AND TELL THE OVERSEER

I WANT THEM CONVICTS

TO MAKE A COFFIN FOR ME, IF I'M DEAD OR NOT.

YES, SIR.

WHEN YOU REACH MY TIME OF LIFE,

YOU BETTER HAVE YOUR COFFIN HANDY.

(Soll) AND WHEN IT'S MADE,

I WANT YOU TO PUT IT UNDER MY BED.

AND IF YOU CAN'T GET IT UNDER MY BED, I WANT IT BESIDE IT.

(Jackson) YES, SIR.

JACKSON, YOU WERE A CONVICT, WEREN'T YOU?

YES, SIR. YOU KNOW THAT.

WHAT'D THEY SEND YOU TO THE PEN FOR?

KILLED A MAN.

WASN'T A WHITE MAN, I HOPE.

NO, SIR.

WAS IT A NIGGER, A COLORED MAN?

YES, SIR.

WHAT'D YOU KILL HIM FOR?

'CAUSE HE KILLED MY ONLY BROTHER.

TOOK A CLUB AND CLUBBED HIM TO DEATH.

THEN TOOK HIS BODY INTO THE HOUSE AND BURNED IT UP.

(Soll) THE HOUSE, TOO?

(Jackson) YES, SIR.

WHOSE HOUSE WAS IT? HIS HOUSE OR YOUR BROTHER'S HOUSE?

(Jackson) MY BROTHER'S HOUSE.

UH-HUH.

HOW LONG THEY GIVE YOU FOR?

LIFE.

WELL, HOW OLD WERE YOU AT THE TIME?

19.

WELL, HOW OLD ARE YOU NOW?

55.

YOU KNOW HOW OLD I AM?

NO, SIR.

HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU CAME TO WORK ON THIS PLACE?

32.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A TRUSTEE?

8 YEARS.

EVER SINCE YOU KILLED THAT CONVICT IN THE CLOSET OVER THERE.

YOU SAID YOU WANTED SOMEONE YOU COULD TRUST

TO GUARD YOU WHILE YOU SLEPT.

AND CAN I TRUST YOU?

YES, SIR. I HOPE SO. I BELIEVE SO.

I--I BELIEVE SO, TOO. I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.

I'M GONNA LEAVE EVERYTHING I GOT TO YOU.

(Jackson) THANK YOU.

I DON'T WANT YOU TO WAIT TILL DAWN.

I WANT YOU TO GO OUT THERE NOW AND GET THE CONVICTS

TO MAKE MY COFFIN FOR ME.

NOW, WAIT, JACKSON.

NOW, IS THAT YOUR FIRST NAME OR YOUR LAST?

MY FIRST NAME.

WHAT'S YOUR LAST NAME?

HALL.

HERE.

THIS IS MY WILL.

THANK YOU.

WHY'D THAT MAN KILL YOUR BROTHER?

I DON'T KNOW.

WELL, HOW'D YOU KILL HIM?

SHOT HIM.

UH-HUH.

WHAT, FROM AN AMBUSH

OR DID YOU JUST WALK RIGHT UP TO HIM AND KILL HIM?

I WALKED RIGHT UP TO HIM.

DID YOU GIVE HIM ANY WARNIN'?

I HOLLERED FOR HIM TO RUN. I WAS GONNA KILL HIM.

[chuckling] DID HE RUN?

NO, SIR. HE TRIED TO TAKE THE GUN FROM ME.

AND, UH, AND YOU SHOT HIM THEN?

YES, SIR.

(Soll) NOW, DID HE HAVE A GUN ON HIM?

(Jackson) NO, SIR. JUST A KNIFE.

[sighs]

YOU EVER REGRET KILLIN' HIM?

(Jackson) NO, SIR.

AND YOU WOULD KILL HIM AGAIN IF YOU HAD IT ALL TO DO OVER AGAIN?

YES, SIR.

YOU WERE FOND OF YOUR BROTHER?

YES, SIR.

WERE YOU HERE

WHEN I SHOT THAT CONVICT WHO WAS HIDIN' IN THE CLOSET?

I WAS HERE ON THE PLACE. BUT I WASN'T WORKING DIRECTLY FOR YOU THEN.

WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE CONVICT I SHOT?

WHICH ONE?

THE ONE IN THE CLOSET.

(Jackson) YES, SIR.

WHAT WAS HIS NAME?

TUCKER, I THINK. I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THAT.

BUT I REMEMBER WHAT HE LOOKED LIKE.

HE WAS CRIPPLED 'CAUSE HE HAD RUN AWAY ONCE BEFORE.

GOT CAUGHT IN A BEAR TRAP AND BROKE HIS LEG. IT NEVER HEALED RIGHT.

SO HE LIMP WALKED AROUND HERE FROM THEN ON.

YEAH. UH-HUH.

WELL, I WALKED.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HE WAS DOING IN THAT CLOSET THERE?

YOU THINK HE WAS WAITING IN THERE TO--TO KILL ME?

(Jackson) I DON'T KNOW, SIR.

WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?

(Jackson) YES, SIR.

(Soll) YES, SIR, WHAT?

I THINK HE WAS WAITING IN THERE TO KILL YOU.

I THINK HE WAS, TOO. I THINK HE WAS.

YES, SIR.

YOU HEAR SOMETHING IN THAT CLOSET OVER THERE?

NO, SIR.

WELL, I DO.

COME OUT OF THERE, YOU DIRTY SON OF A BITCH, YOU HEAR ME?

I'LL GIVE YOU ONE MORE CHANCE. COME ON OUT OF THERE.

I WARNED YOU.

GO SEE IF I KILLED ANYTHING IN THERE.

I DON'T SEE NOTHING, SIR.

(Soll) HOW CAN YOU TELL? GO IN THERE AND LOOK.

THERE'S NOTHING HERE, SIR.

LOOK AGAIN.

GOD HELP ME.

THANK YOU, LENA.

[snoring]

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

[drawer opening]

I'M FROM HARRISON.

WHAT ARE YOU DOIN' OUT HERE?

WORKIN' FOR YOU, SIR, AT THE STORE.

YOU'RE WHITE, AREN'T YOU?

YES, SIR.

WHO'S THAT OLD MAN?

THAT'S YOU, SIR.

WE'RE THE ONLY 2 WHITE PEOPLE BETWEEN HERE AND HARRISON.

THE ONLY OTHER ONES ARE THE OVERSEER AND THE 2 GUARDS.

THE REST ARE CONVICTS.

NO, BEN AND MARTHA AREN'T CONVICTS.

WHERE ARE THEY?

DOWN AT THE STORE.

ARE YOU THE ONE I--I PROMISED A TOMBSTONE?

(Horace) YES, SIR.

(Soll) I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN.

AND I OWE YOU MONEY.

YES, SIR.

SOON AS JACKSON GETS BACK I'M GONNA PAY YOU WHAT I OWE YOU.

HOW MUCH IS IT?

$12.50.

$12.50?

YES, SIR.

I'M GONNA PAY YOU $100, MAYBE EVEN $1,000

FOR ALL YOUR KINDNESS TO AN OLD MAN.

YOU KNOW HOW MUCH MY DADDY'S TOMBSTONE COST?

$5,000.

I BROUGHT IT BY BOAT FROM NEW ORLEANS.

[chuckles]

USED TO BE A WOMAN OUT HERE NAMED SARAH.

YOU SEEN HER LATELY?

NO, SIR. I BELIEVE SHE'S DEAD.

HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?

I HEARD BEN SAY IT.

(Soll) BEN WHO?

(Horace) BEN JOHNSON.

HE WAS BORN ON THIS PLACE.

(Soll) TALK UP.

NO, NO, NO, NO, SIR! JACKSON! JACKSON!

WASN'T ANYTHING IN THE CLOSET.

NO? I SWORE I HEARD SOMETHING IN THERE.

YES, SIR.

GO GET 'EM TO MAKE MY COFFIN RIGHT NOW.

GO ON.

YES, SIR.

[crickets chirping]

[clock ticking]

[crickets chirping]

[bird cawing]

I HAD A DREAM ONE NIGHT LAST WEEK.

I HAD A DREAM THAT THE CONVICTS GOT LOOSE AND THEY CAME OVER HERE

AND THEY CAUGHT ME HERE IN THIS VERY CHAIR.

AND THEY SHOT JACKSON, AND THEY BOUND ME.

I DON'T REALLY REMEMBER IF THEY SHOT JACKSON OR NOT.

PART OF THE TIME IT SEEMED LIKE JACKSON WAS ONE OF 'EM.

DID YOU HEAR ANYTHING IN THAT CLOSET OVER THERE?

NO, SIR.

WELL, I DID.

COME OUT OF THERE, YOU SON OF A BITCH! I HEAR YOU!

I'LL GIVE YOU ONE MORE CHANCE TO COME OUT OF THERE.

I WARNED YOU.

[gun fires]

THAT GOT WHOEVER WAS IN THERE.

GO SEE WHO IT WAS. GO ON.

NO, SIR.

[Soll laughs]

ARE YOU SCARED?

WELL, I'LL GO. HELP ME UP.

[coughing]

I KNEW THERE WAS SOMEBODY IN HERE. I KILLED THE SON OF A BITCH.

THERE'S BLOOD EVERY PLACE.

CRIPPLE.

HE'S A CRIPPLE.

WHAT WERE WE TALKING ABOUT?

OH, YEAH, ABOUT MY DREAM.

I WAS SITTING HERE AND JACKSON CAME IN WITH ALL THEM CONVICTS.

I NEVER SAW SO MANY.

AND, UH, THEY GRABBED ME

AND JACKSON HAD A CLUB AND HE BEGAN TO CLUB ME.

I SAID, "JACKSON, YOU'RE KILLIN' ME."

THEN ALL THE CONVICTS GRABBED CLUBS AND BEGAN TO BEAT ME.

AND JACKSON SET FIRE TO THE HOUSE.

I SAID, "WHY DID YOU DO THAT?"

I SWEAR, I SAID IT.

HE SAID, "WE'RE GONNA BURN YOU

AND ALL YOU GOT TO THE GROUND."

[whispering] THAT'S WHAT HE SAID.

GET OUT OF MY DAMN CHAIR. GET UP. GO. GO.

[sighs]

BUTTERMILK.

HERE, THAT'LL PUT HAIR ON YOUR CHEST.

[dog barking]

[door creaks]

[footsteps approaching]

(Soll) WHERE YOU BEEN?

I WENT TO TELL THEM ABOUT YOUR COFFIN.

HAVE THEY STARTED?

(Jackson) YES, SIR.

THEY MAKING IT OUT OF CYPRESS WOOD?

I DON'T KNOW, SIR.

WHEN IT'S FINISHED WILL THEY BRING IT HERE?

YES, SIR.

HOW LONG WILL THAT BE?

THEY'LL HAVE IT DONE IN AN HOUR.

(Soll) I--I--I KILLED A MAN IN THE CLOSET.

IT'S FULL OF BLOOD, SO YOU GO CLEAN IT UP.

GET BEN TO HELP YOU BURY THE BODY.

YES, SIR.

THAT WAS A CONVICT.

SO YOU BURY HIM IN THE CONVICT'S GRAVEYARD, YOU HEAR?

YES, SIR.

HE'S A CRIPPLE.

YES, SIR.

HOW MANY, UH, CONVICTS WE HAVE OUT HERE?

I DON'T KNOW, SIR.

HMM.

WELL, IF I LIVE, TOMORROW I'M GONNA GO OUT THERE AND COUNT 'EM.

IF I LIVE.

NOBODY IN THAT CLOSET, SIR.

(Soll) NO?

NO, SIR.

YOU SEE ANY BLOOD?

NO, SIR.

I SAW A CRIPPLED CONVICT LYING THERE.

BLOOD OVER THE WALLS AND ON THE FLOOR.

SO, DON'T TELL ME.

[door squeaking]

[sighs]

♪[humming]

THIS IS MY MAMA.

THERE'S NOTHING IN THERE.

WHO'S THAT SINGING IN THERE?

(Jackson) I AM.

JACKSON, COME HERE.

SIT DOWN THERE.

THERE.

[wolf howling]

WHAT WAS MY MAMA'S NAME? ANY OF Y'ALL REMEMBER?

(Jackson) NO, SIR.

NO, SIR.

I THINK IT WAS ERNA.

SHE DIED WHEN I WAS BORN.

MY DADDY RAISED ME AND MY 2 BROTHERS.

IT WAS MY DADDY'S IDEA TO GET CONVICTS.

WE TRIED AFTER SLAVERY TO HAVE TENANTS OUT HERE.

YEAH.

WE HAD 300 AT ONE TIME LIVING ON THE PLACE.

BUT WE HAD A SERIES OF BAD CROP YEARS

AND WE ALL NEARLY STARVED. SO PAPA SAID,

"GET RID OF THE TENANTS AND HIRE YOURSELF CONVICTS."

AND I DID.

♪[humming]

[muttering]

[crickets chirping]

NOW WHERE IS MY MAMA BURIED? IS SHE BURIED OUT HERE?

(Jackson) I DON'T KNOW, SIR.

I DON'T THINK SHE IS.

I THINK ONE OF 'EM CONVICTS GOT LOOSE

AND TOOK A CLUB, CLUBBED HER TO DEATH

AND BURNED HER BODY UP IN THE HOUSE.

THE HOUSE WE USED TO LIVE IN BURNED TO THE GROUND.

THAT'S WHY WE NEVER HAD A PICTURE OF MY MAMA.

'CAUSE ALL HER LETTERS AND PICTURES WERE BURNED IN THE FIRE.

EXCEPT THIS ONE.

♪[humming]

COULD SOMEBODY PLEASE TELL ME WHERE MY MAMA'S BURIED?

I DON'T KNOW.

[coughs]

WHAT'S THE BOY'S NAME?

HORACE, SIR.

HORACE, COME HERE TO ME. COME HERE.

SIT DOWN HERE.

GOOD BOY.

WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE,

THIS WAS ALL DENSE FOREST.

SO THICK A MAN OR BOY COULDN'T GET THROUGH WITHOUT A CANE KNIFE

TO CUT HIS WAY THROUGH, YOU SEE.

BESIDES THE FOREST,

THERE'S SOMETHING OUT HERE I'VE SEEN NO OTHER PLACE.

MILES OF CANE.

CANE THAT GREW 10 AND 12 FEET HIGH.

AND SO THICK, YOU COULDN'T MAKE YOUR WAY THROUGH WITHOUT A KNIFE.

AND A COLD SPELL WOULD COME

AND KILL THE CANE AND IT WOULD LIE ROTTIN' ON THE GROUND

UNTIL THE SPRING

AND THEN A NEW CROP WOULD START UP.

THAT'S WHY THEY CALL THIS CANE LAND.

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

NO, SIR.

DID YOU KNOW THAT, JACKSON?

YES, SIR.

DO YOU KNOW ANY SONGS, JACKSON?

YES, SIR. I KNOW SOME.

DO YOU KNOW, UH, GOLDEN SLIPPERS?

THAT'S WHAT I BEEN HUMMING.

GET UP HERE AND SING IT.

[Jackson slapping rhythmically]

♪ GOLDEN SLIPPERS, GOLDEN SLIPPERS ♪

♪ OH, THEM GOLDEN SLIPPERS

♪ OH, GOLDEN SLIPPERS GOLDEN SLIPPERS GOLD ♪

I DON'T REMEMBER THE REST OF IT. I KNOW SOME HYMNS.

DON'T SING THEM AROUND ME. I CAN'T BEAR 'EM.

YES, SIR.

AND ANOTHER THING. IF I DIE, I DON'T WANT ANY PREACHER NEAR ME.

(Jackson) YES, SIR. BUT WHO GONNA PRAY OVER YOU

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PREACHER?

I DON'T WANT ANYBODY PRAYIN' OVER ME.

AND I DON'T WANT MY BROTHER HERE OR ANY OF HIS CHILDREN.

WHO YOU WANT THEN?

JUST YOU AND BEN AND MARTHA.

AND THIS BOY HERE. AND SARAH.

SARAH? SARAH CAN'T BE THERE.

WHY?

(Jackson whispering) SHE'S DEAD.

DON'T YOU WANT ANY WHITE PEOPLE THERE EXCEPT HORACE?

IS THE OVERSEER WHITE?

YEAH.

AND THE 2 GUARDS? YEAH.

THEY CAN COME.

IT'S NOT GONNA BE MUCH OF A FUNERAL, YOU WON'T HAVE A PREACHER

AND YOU DON'T LIKE HYMNS, WHAT KIND OF FUNERAL IS THAT GOING TO BE?

IT'S THE KIND I WANT.

NOW GO SEE HOW THEY GETTING ALONG WITH MY COFFIN. GO ON.

YES, SIR.

THEM GOLDEN SLIPPERS...

[hammering]

[dog barking]

(Ben) THAT COFFIN ABOUT READY?

(convict) ALMOST.

DID YOU KNOW THAT BOY MR. ALBERT THORNTON BROUGHT OUT HERE?

YES, SIR.

IT WAS ME.

WAS IT?

(Horace) YES, SIR.

YOU'RE THE ONE WHOSE DADDY DIED?

MY DADDY'S DEAD, TOO. STROKE.

HE GOT SO MAD AT THEM CONVICTS HE HAD A STROKE.

FELL OVER DEAD.

YOU THINK THEM BASTARDS WOULD CALL OUT AND TELL US? NO.

THEY WENT ON WORKIN', LEFT HIM LYING DEAD THERE

IN THE COTTON FIELDS.

MY DADDY WAS 84 WHEN HE DIED.

HOW OLD WAS YOUR DADDY?

(Horace) HE WAS JUST 32.

MMM-HMM.

WELL, WE ALL HAVE TO GO SOMETIME.

IS IT DAYLIGHT YET?

NO, SIR.

I WONDER WHAT TIME IT IS.

(Horace) I DON'T KNOW, SIR.

I GOT A WATCH. LOOK AND SEE THERE.

IT SAYS IT'S 11:00 P.M.

I THINK IT'S LATER THAN THAT, THOUGH.

GET OUT OF MY DAMN CHAIR.

YOU HEAR SOMETHING IN THAT CLOSET IN THERE?

NO, SIR.

I DID.

COME OUT OF THERE, YOU SON OF A BITCH.

YOU HEAR ME? GIVE YOU ONE MORE CHANCE.

[clicks]

YOU GOT A GUN?

NO, SIR.

WHAT'LL PROTECT US NOW?

I NEED BULLETS FOR MY GUN.

SIR!

(Jackson) GOT YOUR COFFIN.

WHERE DO YOU WANT IT?

(Soll) PUT IT DOWN HERE. RIGHT THERE.

(Ben) JACKSON SAYS THAT YOU WORRIED ABOUT--

ABOUT THIS BEING MADE OF CYPRESS WOOD.

WELL, IT'S MADE OF CYPRESS WOOD ALL RIGHT.

GRAB HOLD OF THE TOP OF IT, JACKSON.

WHY DON'T WE TRY IT OUT, SEE IF IT FITS?

IT'S BOUND TO FIT.

LET ME BE THE JUDGE OF THAT, JACKSON.

MY CONFEDERATE COAT. HOLD IT.

(Soll) HELP ME IN THERE.

(Jackson) DON'T YOU WANT YOUR TROUSERS, TOO?

NO.

HORACE, HORACE, YOU GOT A CHEW OF TOBACCO?

SURE.

I LEARNED A LONG TIME AGO.

(Jackson) WAIT FOR YOUR PILLOW.

HERE. I GOT A KNIFE.

SO WHAT?

THANKS.

YOU KNOW A CONVICT DIED LAST NIGHT?

(Ben) THE ONE THAT SAID HE WAS TOO SICK TO WORK?

I GUESS HE WAS TELLING THE TRUTH.

(Horace) WAS HIS NAME SHERMAN EDWARDS?

THAT'S HIS NAME. JUST FINISHED BURYING HIM.

MR. SOLL GONE TO SLEEP IN THAT COFFIN.

MAYBE HE'S DEAD.

NO, HE JUST ASLEEP.

HE HAD A LOT TO DRINK, YOU KNOW.

WELL, I'M GONNA GO.

I'M WORE OUT.

DID YOU KNOW SHERMAN EDWARDS?

SURE. I KNOW THEM ALL.

AIN'T YOU SLEEPY?

YES, I AM.

MR. SOLL, CAN THE BOY GO ON TO SLEEP NOW?

MR. SOLL?

MR. SOLL?

BEN!

YOU BETTER COME ON BACK UP HERE.

MR. SOLL IS DEAD IN HIS COFFIN.

[horse neighing]

HE WAS ALL ALONE IN HIS COFFIN WHEN HE DIED.

(Jackson) HE WAS. HE BETTER GET USED TO BEING ALONE IN THERE.

HE GONNA BE ALONE IN THERE FOR A LONG TIME.

HE DEAD. OLD DEVIL IS DEAD.

IS HE?

HE SURE IS. HE GONE.

(Ben) I'M GONNA HAVE TO GO GET WORD TO MISS ASA.

(Jackson) BUT HE SAY HE DON'T WANT HER AT THE FUNERAL.

NOR HIS BROTHER.

AND HE DON'T WANT A PREACHER. GIVE ME A HAND HERE.

YOU GONNA BE THE ONE TO TELL HER THAT?

NOT ME. I'M SCARED OF HER.

[sighs]

I WONDER WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

I WAS PAROLED TO HIM. THEY CAN SEND ME BACK TO THE PEN NOW.

WHY DON'T YOU TAKE OFF?

WHERE AM I GONNA GO?

I'M TOO OLD TO RUN.

HE WAS RIGHT AND I WAS WRONG.

HE SAID HE WAS GONE DIE AND HE DID.

WHAT TIME DO YOU THINK WE OUGHT TO BURY HIM?

I GUESS AS SOON AS IT'S DAYLIGHT.

CAN'T HAVE MUCH OF A FUNERAL

'CAUSE HE DON'T WANT NO HYMNS AND NO PREACHER.

I CAN SAY THE LORD'S PRAYER.

HE DIDN'T SAY I COULDN'T DO THAT.

(Ben) NO.

AND YOU COULD TESTIFY.

HE DIDN'T SAY YOU COULDN'T DO THAT.

NO.

I COULD SAY THAT HE ALWAYS WORKED HARD. I CAN SAY THAT.

AND I COULD SAY HE LET ME BE A TRUSTEE. I COULD SAY THAT.

AND HE DRANK A LOT OF WHISKEY.

YOU HEAR SOMETHIN'?

THAT WAS RATS, I THINK.

THIS OLD HOUSE FULL OF RATS.

I HEARD SOMETHING

[Soll coughing]

IN THAT COFFIN.

OH, MY GOD. HE'S RISEN FROM THE DEAD.

[chuckling] WE THOUGHT YOU WAS DEAD.

I WASN'T DEAD. I WASN'T.

MAYBE YOU THOUGHT I WAS. I'M NOT DEAD YET.

[sighs]

HAND ME MY GUN.

SHERMAN EDWARDS IS DEAD.

WHO THE HELL IS SHERMAN EDWARDS?

(Jackson) BROTHER OF THAT CONVICT GOT HIS THROAT CUT.

SOMEBODY KILL HIM?

NO, SIR. HE JUST DIED.

HE TOLD YOU HE WAS TOO SICK TO WORK, BUT YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE HIM.

WHO BURIED HIM?

I DID. I BURY THEM ALL.

OH, YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO BURY ME.

YES, SIR. I DID.

YOU THINK I WAS DEAD? I WASN'T DEAD.

I'M NEVER GONNA DIE.

TELL THEM TO TAKE THAT DAMN COFFIN OUT OF HERE.

I CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT DYING. TAKE IT OUT.

YES, SIR.

I KNEW HE WASN'T DEAD.

(Soll) I MIGHT OUTLIVE ALL OF THEM PEOPLE.

ASA AND MY DEVILISH BROTHER.

BEN AND JACKSON. ALL THE DAMN CONVICTS.

I MIGHT OUTLIVE THEM ALL.

HOW OLD ARE YOU?

13.

MAYBE I AIN'T GONNA OUTLIVE YOU.

LET ME LOOK AT YOU.

I NEVER MARRIED.

I DIDN'T HAVE NO CHILDREN I KNOW OF ANYWAYS.

YOU GOT A DADDY?

NO, SIR.

WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM?

HE DIED.

YOU AN ORPHAN?

NO, SIR. I HAVE A MAMA.

OH.

WHERE THE HELL IS SHE?

SHE'S IN HOUSTON.

BE MY BOY.

A DESERT BOY.

ONE MINUTE I THINK I'M GONNA LIVE.

THE NEXT MINUTE, I'M GONNA DIE.

COME CLOSER TO ME NOW. COME HERE.

I GOT MONEY.

HIDDEN IN THE BACK OF THAT CLOSET IN A SUITCASE.

NOW GO GET IT FOR ME SO I CAN PAY YOU WHAT I OWE YOU.

REWARD YOU HANDSOMELY BESIDES FOR YOUR KINDNESS TO AN OLD MAN.

(Horace) WHICH ONE?

THE SMALL ONE.

[door opening]

BRING IT HERE.

HOW MUCH MONEY YOU THINK I HAVE HERE?

I DON'T KNOW, SIR.

MORE THAN $10,000 LAST I COUNTED AND YOU'RE TO GET HALF.

NOW REACH IN THERE AND HAND ME THE MONEY.

[paper rustling]

THERE'S NO MONEY IN HERE, SIR.

DON'T LIE TO ME, BOY. DON'T TRY TO FOOL ME.

I'M NOT LYING TO YOU, SIR.

HAND ME THAT GODDAMN SUITCASE.

MY GOD, I'VE BEEN ROBBED.

CALL BEN. CALL JACKSON. CALL THE GODDAMN OVERSEER.

I WANT ALL OF THEM GODDAMN CONVICTS SEARCHED.

BEN!

SOMEONE'S ROBBED ME OF MY MONEY. COME HERE! BOY, COME HERE!

DON'T LEAVE ME. DON'T EVER LEAVE ME.

I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE GODDAMN MONEY.

YOU DON'T LEAVE ME.

ANYWAY, THE MONEY WASN'T IN THE GODDAMN SUITCASE.

I JUST REMEMBERED I BURIED THAT MONEY.

OUT THERE IN ONE OF 'EM CONVICT'S GRAVES.

CALL BEN.

BEN.

BEN, DO YOU KNOW WHICH CONVICT'S GRAVE I HID THE MONEY IN?

I'M GONNA PAY THIS BOY WHAT I OWE HIM.

NO, SIR.

DO YOU READ?

YES, SIR.

GET THAT PAPER OVER THERE.

READ ME THE NEWS.

[sighs]

OH, THIS IS AN OLD PAPER.

IT'S DATED 1865.

IT SAYS "TEXAS CAN'T COME BACK INTO THE UNION."

WHY?

'CAUSE IT WAS IN THE CONFEDERACY.

OH, YES.

READ IT TO ME.

"YESTERDAY, GEN. GORDON GRANGER

"OF THE UNION ARMY TOOK POSSESSION OF TEXAS

FROM CONFEDERATE LT. GOV. FLETCHER STOCKDALE."

COME CLOSER TO ME.

DON'T LET THEM BURY ME WITH MY OWN FAMILY.

'CAUSE MY BROTHER AND HIS DAUGHTER ARE GOING TO BE BURIED THERE.

AND I DON'T WANT TO BE BURIED BY THEM OR NEAR THEM.

I'D RATHER HAVE CONVICTS NEAR ME THAN THAT STINKIN' BUNCH.

"THE GENERAL, SPEAKING TO A SUBDUED CROWD

"AT GALVESTON'S CITY HALL SAID,

"'TEXAS CAN'T COME BACK INTO THE UNION.'

"RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENSHIP ARE OFFERED ONLY TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS

"WHO DO NOT OWN PROPERTY EXCEEDING THE VALUE OF $20,000

"OR POSSESS MORE THAN 100 BALES OF COTTON.

"MEANWHILE, 52,000 TROOPS UNDER THE COMMAND OF GEN. SHERIDAN

"DISPERSED THROUGHOUT THE STATE

"AND ALONG THE BORDER TO ENFORCE MARTIAL ORDER

"AND TO RESTORE THE AUTHORITY

"OF THE UNITED STATES OVER THE TERRITORY OF TEXAS.

GEN. G-GRANGER..."

[crickets chirping]

MR. SOLL.

MR. SOLL.

MR. SOLL.

BEN!

BEN!

BEN.

OH.

HE DEAD.

HE DEAD FOR SURE.

THERE'LL BE NO MORE HOLLERIN' AND CUSSIN' FROM HIM NOW.

(Horace) IS THAT ALL THERE IS TO DYIN'?

YOUR BREATH JUST STOPS?

(Ben) YES. WHEN YOU GO LIKE THAT.

DO YOU THINK MR. SOLL MINDED DYIN'?

I DON'T KNOW.

DO YOU THINK MY DADDY MINDED DYING?

I DON'T KNOW.

BEN, HE WON'T LET ME GO.

[patting]

HE MINDED DYIN'.

I THINK HE MINDED IT IN THE WORST WAY.

I THINK HE DID, TOO.

AND I THINK MY DADDY DID.

THAT'S WHAT WORRIES ME.

GO GET JACKSON.

NO. I THINK YOU BETTER GO.

I PROMISED MR. SOLL TO SIT BY HIM WITH THE GUN AFTER HE DIED

TILL WE GOT HIM IN HIS COFFIN.

DON'T LET THAT BOTHER YOU.

LOOK AT ALL THE THINGS HE PROMISED YOU. HE DIDN'T KEEP ONE OF 'EM.

NO.

BUT I'D LIKE TO KEEP MINE. IT'D MAKE ME FEEL BETTER.

HOW MUCH DID THE OLD DEVIL OWE YOU?

$12.50.

ONE TIME HE SAID HE'D PAY ME $500, THEN $1,000, THEN $5,000,

AND A TOMBSTONE FOR MY DADDY'S GRAVE.

HE SAID A LOT OF THINGS.

HE WAS ALWAYS MAKIN' PROMISES.

AND MISS ASA GONNA GET IT ALL. YOU'LL SEE.

[birds chirping]

MISS ASA!

MR. BILLY!

THEY UPSTAIRS, SLEEPIN' OFF THEIR DRUNK.

LENA, TELL MISS ASA I NEED TO SEE HER.

WHY?

MR. SOLL IS DEAD.

I NEED TO KNOW WHERE SHE WANT HIM BURIED AT.

[door shuts]

[bird squawks]

(Ben) I HOPE WE'RE DOING RIGHT,

BURYING HIM OUT HERE INSTEAD OF WITH HIS PEOPLE.

(Jackson) WELL, HE SAID HE WANT TO BE BURIED HERE.

THAT'S ALL WE HAVE TO GO ON.

[birds chirping]

WELL, HE SURE HAS A PRETTY DAY FOR HIS FUNERAL.

ANYBODY ELSE COMIN', YOU THINK?

NO. THIS IS ALL THERE'S GONNA BE.

MISS ASA SAYS SHE WOULDN'T WANT TO COME.

SHE DON'T CARE WHAT WE DO WITH HIM. BURY HIM HERE

OR THROW HIM IN THE CREEK. SHE DON'T CARE.

MR. BILLY'S STILL DRUNK.

OVERSEER DON'T WANT TO COME.

IT'S JUST US.

AND HE DON'T WANT NO HYMNS, NO PRAYERS, AND NO PREACHERS.

AND HE WON'T HAVE NO TOMBSTONE.

UNLESS SHE PUTS ONE UP AND YOU KNOW SHE WON'T.

MARTHA AND I WENT OVER TO HIS FAMILY GRAVEYARD YESTERDAY EVENING.

HE SAID HIS DADDY'S TOMBSTONE HAD ANGELS ALL OVER IT

AND IT CAME FROM NEW ORLEANS.

BUT I COULDN'T FIND IT.

(Ben) HE WAS LYIN'.

THERE WASN'T NOTHIN' ON IT.

JUST A SLAB OF MARBLE STICKIN' UP WITH HIS NAME ON IT.

IF THE CONVICTS DIDN'T KEEP IT WEEDED OVER THERE,

YOU WOULDN'T FIND IT FOR THE WEEDS IN A WEEK.

I TOLD HER THAT YOU WERE STILL HERE,

STAYED ALL NIGHT WITH HIM TILL HE DIED

AND HE STILL OWED YOU MONEY.

SHE SAID THAT'S YOUR HARD LUCK.

SHE'LL PAY NONE OF HIS DEBTS.

I ASKED HER WHY? HOW WOULD YOU GET BACK TO TOWN?

SHE SAID "WALK."

WE'LL ALL BE WALKING, I GUESS,

CAUSE SHE'S GONNA CLOSE THE STORE

AND TAKE THE CONVICTS OVER TO HER DADDY'S PLACE.

SHE SAID WEEDS, THE TREES, AND THE CANE CAN TAKE THIS LAND.

6 MONTHS FROM NOW YOU WON'T EVEN BE ABLE TO TELL

WHO WAS BURIED HERE.

NOT MY PEOPLE. NOT THE CONVICTS.

NOT MR. SOLL.

THE WEEDS, THE TREES AND THE CANE TAKE EVERYTHING.

"CANE LAND" IT WAS CALLED ONCE.

CANE LAND IT WILL BE AGAIN.

THE HOUSE WILL GO, THE STORE WILL GO, AND THE GRAVES WILL GO.

THOSE WITH TOMBSTONES AND THOSE WITHOUT.

I COULD SING GOLDEN SLIPPERS. HE LIKED THAT.

HE ASKED ME TO SING IT ONCE BUT I COULDN'T REMEMBER. BUT NOW I CAN.

GO AHEAD. SING IT THEN.

♪ OH, MY GOLDEN SLIPPERS ARE LAID AWAY ♪

♪ I DON'T EXPECT TO WEAR THEM TILL MY WEDDING DAY ♪

♪ AND MY LONG-TAILED COAT THAT I LOVE SO WELL ♪

♪ I'LL WEAR IT ON THE CHARIOT IN THE MORNING ♪

♪ AND MY LONG WHITE ROBE THAT I BOUGHT LAST JUNE ♪

♪ I'M GONNA GET IT CHANGED 'CAUSE IT FIT TOO SOON ♪

♪ AND THE OLD GRAY HORSE THAT I USED TO RIDE ♪

♪ I'LL HITCH IT TO THE CHARIOT IN THE MORNING ♪

♪ OH, DEM GOLDEN SLIPPERS

♪ OH, DEM GOLDEN SLIPPERS GOLDEN SLIPPERS ♪

YES, SIR.

THE HOUSE WILL GO, THE STORE WILL GO, AND THE GRAVES WILL GO.

(Ben) THOSE WITH TOMBSTONES AND THOSE WITHOUT.

♪ SO IT'S GOODBYE CHILDREN I WILL HAVE TO GO ♪

♪ WHERE THE RAIN DON'T FALL OR THE WIND DON'T BLOW ♪

♪ AND THE ULSTER COATS WHY YOU WILL NOT NEED ♪