Original subtitles

[light orchestral music]

[light orchestral music]

[players chattering]

[players chattering]

[whistle blows shrilly]

[whistle blows shrilly]

[playful orchestral music]

[playful orchestral music]

- [Driver] Houston.

- [Driver] Houston.

[light orchestral music]

[light orchestral music]

- Can I give you a life, Robbie?

- Can I give you a life, Robbie?

- Thanks anyway, but as soon as the rest of the guys

get dressed we're gonna settle once and for all

get dressed we're gonna settle once and for all

who's the intercollegiate spin dry champion.

who's the intercollegiate spin dry champion.

I'm going for 500 orbits.

- That oughta make you laundronaut of the southeast.

- That oughta make you laundronaut of the southeast.

- That oughta make you laundronaut of the southeast.

- Hey, hurry up you guys.

We're due at the launching pad.

We're due at the launching pad.

- Check, mate.

- You got any shrunken Commie heads in there, trooper?

- You got any shrunken Commie heads in there, trooper?

- You got any shrunken Commie heads in there, trooper?

They was waiting for him when he got on the bus.

They was waiting for him when he got on the bus.

All them 'Frisco reporters.

That's the guy that broke outta that Viet Cong prison camp.

That's the guy that broke outta that Viet Cong prison camp.

Wiped out a whole buncha geeks.

They say he got a Purple Heart.

They say he got a Purple Heart.

So why don't he wear it?

- San Francisco, one way.

- San Francisco, one way.

- San Francisco, one way.

$48.

- [PA Announcer] Rice, Alma, Ennis, Palmer, Ferris,

- [PA Announcer] Rice, Alma, Ennis, Palmer, Ferris,

Wilmer, Hutchins, Dallas and Fort Worth.

Wilmer, Hutchins, Dallas and Fort Worth.

[light orchestral music]

[light orchestral music]

- [Linc] Goodbye, Willow.

- [Linc] Goodbye, Willow.

[solemn orchestral music]

[solemn orchestral music]

- Jimmy, you're in charge of the pre-takeoff countdown.

Jimmy.

Jimmy.

- [Jimmy] The eyes of the nation are on you Major Beale.

- Bye mom, bye dad.

- Bye mom, bye dad.

[dial clicking]

[dial clicking]

[coins tinkling] [bell dinging]

[coins tinkling] [bell dinging]

- [Man] Hello?

- [Man] Hello?

Hello?

Who is this?

[change clinking]

[dramatic orchestral music]

[dramatic orchestral music]

- [Willow] Coffee, please.

- [Willow] Coffee, please.

- A victory brew, Baccus.

- A victory brew, Baccus.

The major just made 516 orbits.

- Major?

- Major?

Looks minor to me.

Somebody better come up with some ID cards.

Somebody better come up with some ID cards.

- [Jimmy] You think we're minors?

[players groaning]

[players groaning]

- All laundronauts get a welcome kiss

when they return from space, right?

when they return from space, right?

Didn't Khrushchev kiss Gagarin when he came outta orbit?

Didn't Khrushchev kiss Gagarin when he came outta orbit?

[lips smacking]

Now that I am sweetly and officially back,

Now that I am sweetly and officially back,

will you join my friends and me?

Get a pitcher of beer, and an extra stein for?

Get a pitcher of beer, and an extra stein for?

- Willow.

Thanks anyway.

Hello.

- [Linc] Beer.

- Excuse me.

No bus 'til 11.

No bus 'til 11.

- The lady wants to sit down.

- The lady wants to sit down.

- That's alright.

- Maybe you'd rather stand.

- I'll come sit with you.

- I'll come sit with you.

- No, come on boys, let's all sit here.

- No, come on boys, let's all sit here.

Any objections?

- He didn't insult me, he didn't mean anything by it.

- He didn't insult me, he didn't mean anything by it.

- Jimmy, come on.

- Jimmy, come on.

[dramatic orchestral music]

[dramatic orchestral music]

- Call the police.

Will you please stop?

Will you please stop?

He doesn't like to be followed.

- Willow, we're not gonna hurt him.

- Willow, we're not gonna hurt him.

[dramatic orchestral music]

[dramatic orchestral music]

Apologize to the lady.

- I hate apologies.

- I hate apologies.

- Jimmy.

- Jimmy.

[dramatic orchestral music]

[dramatic orchestral music]

[players laughing]

[players laughing]

[glass shattering]

[glass shattering]

[fist thudding]

[fist thudding]

[intense orchestral music]

[intense orchestral music]

[sirens blaring]

[sirens blaring]

[dramatic orchestral music]

[dramatic orchestral music]

- Case.

About the chewing out.

About the chewing out.

You gotta understand about the Colonel.

He's a local boy, busting for a business suit

He's a local boy, busting for a business suit

and a VP desk next month.

From here on end his heart is with the civilians.

From here on end his heart is with the civilians.

Very rugged over there, huh?

Very rugged over there, huh?

Guess you don't wanna see a dish of rice

Guess you don't wanna see a dish of rice

for a couple of thousand years.

for a couple of thousand years.

- You can get to like rice.

- Without her testimony,

the least you would've wound up with was a canceled leave.

the least you would've wound up with was a canceled leave.

- Where you from, Sergeant?

- Where you from, Sergeant?

- New York.

- So long, New York.

- Miss, why is it that girls

always go for guys who never say thanks?

always go for guys who never say thanks?

- Why is it men think that being a girl

- Why is it men think that being a girl

makes one an expert on girls?

makes one an expert on girls?

- You know I made the Korean thing.

- You know I made the Korean thing.

I take one look at your boy and the whole thing comes back.

I take one look at your boy and the whole thing comes back.

Right now the world is full of patches and seams

as far as he's concerned.

as far as he's concerned.

- Jack fell down and broke his crown

so Jill comes tumbling after.

so Jill comes tumbling after.

[light orchestral music]

[light orchestral music]

[door slams]

[door slams]

[engine revs]

[door slams]

[door slams]

[light knocking]

[light knocking]

They have earthquakes in San Francisco, fires.

They have earthquakes in San Francisco, fires.

And that Golden Gate?

Forget it, it never opens.

[phone ringing]

[phone ringing]

- Hello.

- Hello.

Yeah, this is Lincoln Case.

Yeah, this is Lincoln Case.

- I counted all the lights in town.

Five million, 612 thousand, 327.

Five million, 612 thousand, 327.

I looked at all the faces.

Not one of them was lit.

Not one of them was lit.

- Hello?

Ma?

Linc.

I'm still in Houston.

I know you expect me tonight but...

I've having trouble making that last 50 miles.

I've having trouble making that last 50 miles.

I've having trouble making that last 50 miles.

- All kinds of people walk by, you know?

- Just fine, how are you feeling?

- Just fine, how are you feeling?

- So I play this little game.

I try to guess how old they are,

I try to guess how old they are,

what their name is, what they do.

But I never win.

But I never win.

- That's just the newspapers.

- You know why?

- You know why?

- No, I'm not just saying that.

It's all healed by now.

It's all healed by now.

They kept me in a hospital in Saigon for awhile.

- They're all the same, all of them.

- They're all the same, all of them.

- Saigon? It's a city.

- Sleepwalkers, trying to snore quietly,

- Sleepwalkers, trying to snore quietly,

trying not to wake each other up.

How can you tell them apart?

How can you tell them apart?

- Who?

Dad?

Dad?

Look, I called you, Ma.

Yeah, I know, but...

Yeah, I know, but...

I don't feel like talking to him.

I don't feel like talking to him.

Not this first time anyway.

- Kept saying to myself "It can't be right.

- Kept saying to myself "It can't be right.

"Am I the only one in the world who's still awake,

"Am I the only one in the world who's still awake,

"still alive?"

- Well tell him not to be hurt.

- Well tell him not to be hurt.

Look, I've gotta talk to you alone before I come home.

Look, I've gotta talk to you alone before I come home.

Now, I'll wire you the fare

and you run up here and we'll have dinner.

and you run up here and we'll have dinner.

A real spread.

One that you don't have to cook and we'll catch up.

One that you don't have to cook and we'll catch up.

Just you and me, okay?

- And I saw you standing on Market Street,

- And I saw you standing on Market Street,

waiting for the signal to flash walk.

waiting for the signal to flash walk.

And it flashed but you stood there

looking up at the buildings,

and the rest of the people they walked.

But you, just standing there,

But you, just standing there,

you were moving and they were only sleepwalking.

you were moving and they were only sleepwalking.

- Parade?

Tomorrow?

The mayor?

The mayor?

Come on, mom, what would I do with the key to Landor, Texas?

- "That one," I said, "that one's awake."

- "That one," I said, "that one's awake."

Remember, Linc?

I came running, I grabbed your hand.

I came running, I grabbed your hand.

- Ma, thing...

- Ma, thing...

Things are different with me.

That's why I've got to talk to you.

That's why I've got to talk to you.

Alone.

- "God," I said, "thank you, God.

- "God," I said, "thank you, God.

"I am alive, aren't I?

"I'm not alone, I am not dreaming."

"I'm not alone, I am not dreaming."

- [Mr. Case] Son?

Linc!

Linc!

Where are you, boy?

- Who needs to go home?

What's there?

What's there?

Rows of fake cars resting on the siding.

Rows of fake cars resting on the siding.

Framed houses with broken pickets.

You should see those pickets, Willow.

You should see those pickets, Willow.

The weeds break 'em.

The weeds break 'em.

Weeds just wrap around those old pickets

Weeds just wrap around those old pickets

and wring 'em like chicken necks.

Persian Street.

Stores with windows the rain won't even wash.

Stores with windows the rain won't even wash.

Fluorescent tubes inside, always flickering,

Fluorescent tubes inside, always flickering,

ready to go dark.

I used to stand there and think

I used to stand there and think

maybe they're sending out Morse code.

Maybe they wanna break outta here just like I do.

Maybe they wanna break outta here just like I do.

Maybe they wanna break outta here just like I do.

- You've got blood on your collar.

- Who needs a parade?

- Who needs a parade?

- Your head alright?

- Your head alright?

- Thank you, Willow.

[heavy knocking]

[heavy knocking]

[dramatic orchestral music]

- Case?

- Case?

Does it mean anything to you

that one of those kids you clobbered is in the hospital?

that one of those kids you clobbered is in the hospital?

- No.

- Get dressed.

- Get dressed.

[dramatic orchestral music]

- It wasn't his fault.

- It wasn't his fault.

- I want you to take a good look at what you did.

- I want you to take a good look at what you did.

But that's just for openers.

But that's just for openers.

The rest of it, that'll be between you and me.

The rest of it, that'll be between you and me.

[dramatic orchestral music]

[dramatic orchestral music]

- You his brother?

- You his brother?

- Come on.

[dramatic orchestral music]

[dramatic orchestral music]

- I'll take care of this.

- I'll take care of this.

I look at you.

I look at you.

Eyes, head,

arms, body, legs.

Is this a human being that could do this to my Robbie?

Is this a human being that could do this to my Robbie?

[solemn orchestral music]

[solemn orchestral music]

Show him, Robbie.

Show him, Robbie.

I said show him!

The tendons on his wrist are cut.

The tendons on his wrist are cut.

This boy of mine is no ordinary boy.

This boy of mine is no ordinary boy.

He's someone special.

I trained him myself, brought him along.

I trained him myself, brought him along.

At 10 he could sink a basket from mid-court.

At 10 he could sink a basket from mid-court.

And at 15 he made 112

And at 15 he made 112

consecutive foul shots without a miss.

consecutive foul shots without a miss.

Every pro team in the country was after him.

Every pro team in the country was after him.

Robbie and I

we lived for this.

And you took it away.

Well, say something!

Get him outta here.

- I saw a uniform hanging in your closet.

Is that all you got out of the service, judo and karate?

Is that all you got out of the service, judo and karate?

- At the hotel you said we'll go to the hospital,

- At the hotel you said we'll go to the hospital,

we'll take a look.

Okay, we took a look.

Okay, we took a look.

And then there was something else.

And then there was something else.

Something between you and me.

When do you trot that out?

- Right now, let's go.

- Later okay?

Like, 10 o'clock tonight?

Can you wait?

Can you wait?

- Yeah, I can wait.

As a matter of fact that'll give me time

As a matter of fact that'll give me time

to call those five other boys.

I got a feeling they might like to watch.

I got a feeling they might like to watch.

- Figures.

- Figures.

[dramatic orchestral music]

- Southeast Texas University gym at 10 o'clock.

- Southeast Texas University gym at 10 o'clock.

And if you run late, soldier, I'll come and get you.

And if you run late, soldier, I'll come and get you.

[dramatic orchestral music]

[dramatic orchestral music]

- You don't really think he's gonna show, do you?

- You don't really think he's gonna show, do you?

- I'll give him 'til quarter past.

- I'll give him 'til quarter past.

[anxious orchestral music]

[anxious orchestral music]

- Make it short.

- So go ahead.

Ease your conscience.

Ease your conscience.

Tell me how sorry you are.

Tell me how sorry you are.

I might as well get used to it, wouldn't you say?

I might as well get used to it, wouldn't you say?

- I could've killed you.

- I could've killed you.

Would have been easier than throwing you over my hip.

Would have been easier than throwing you over my hip.

I hate hospitals.

I hate hospitals.

A man shouldn't die on sheets.

A man shouldn't die on sheets.

He should soak into the ground like rain.

He should soak into the ground like rain.

Let the sun dry his grave.

Let the sun dry his grave.

You think death's so bad?

Only when it makes no sense.

That's the tough part.

Finding something worth spending it on.

Finding something worth spending it on.

When you find it, it's not bad.

When you find it, it's not bad.

Not bad at all.

You did a damn fool thing today, messing with a stranger.

You did a damn fool thing today, messing with a stranger.

You mess with a man be sure he's your enemy.

You mess with a man be sure he's your enemy.

If he is know him, know all about him.

If he is know him, know all about him.

Know him better than you know yourself.

Know him better than you know yourself.

Then if you've still got it in mind he's an enemy

you can mess with him.

you can mess with him.

No, kid, I'm not sorry about your hand.

No, kid, I'm not sorry about your hand.

I'm not sorry about your father's disappointment.

I'm not sorry about your father's disappointment.

What I am sorry about is that it had no meaning.

What I am sorry about is that it had no meaning.

It didn't have to happen.

It didn't have to happen.

About that, I could cry.

About that, I could cry.

I could stand here and cry.

I could stand here and cry.

[dramatic orchestral music]

[dramatic orchestral music]

[engine revs]

[engine revs]

- [PA Announcer] Dallas to Fort Worth.

Spring, Conroe, Willis, Dew, Fairfield,

Spring, Conroe, Willis, Dew, Fairfield,

Streetman, Richland Junction, Corsicana,

Streetman, Richland Junction, Corsicana,

Rice, Alma, Ennis, Palmer, Ferris, Wilmer, Hutchins.

Rice, Alma, Ennis, Palmer, Ferris, Wilmer, Hutchins.

Rice, Alma, Ennis, Palmer, Ferris, Wilmer, Hutchins.

[bus rumbling]

- He's not with you?

- Collecting for statute with that understatement.

- Collecting for statute with that understatement.

- Where is he?

- Where is he?

- Why?

- Because wherever he is that's where I wanna go.

- Because wherever he is that's where I wanna go.

- You have a car, don't you?

- You have a car, don't you?

And you need a guide, don't you?

- Okay, where?

- Closet.

Closet called Landor, Texas.

Closet called Landor, Texas.

[intense orchestral music]

[intense orchestral music]

- Anywhere along here.

- Anywhere along here.

Thanks for the ride.

[truck rumbling]

[truck rumbling]

[light orchestral music]

- There was once a price on his head.

- There was once a price on his head.

He showed me the poster.

$25,000 reward.

$25,000 reward.

There's a lot of printing on the poster too.

There's a lot of printing on the poster too.

Looked sort of like a mahjong set

so I made him translate.

so I made him translate.

He was described as a war monger, a gangster,

He was described as a war monger, a gangster,

tool of Wall Street, a vicious wolf, bloodstained butcher.

tool of Wall Street, a vicious wolf, bloodstained butcher.

tool of Wall Street, a vicious wolf, bloodstained butcher.

How can I explain to my mother that I'm flipped over

How can I explain to my mother that I'm flipped over

a tool of Wall Street?

It's those strangers.

It's those strangers.

Get you every time.

Come out of nowhere and there goes your balancing act.

Come out of nowhere and there goes your balancing act.

Say you knock him down,

you're gonna jump up and down on his chest 10 times

you're gonna jump up and down on his chest 10 times

and bay at the moon?

- Whether I knock him down or he knocks me down,

- Whether I knock him down or he knocks me down,

that's not important.

that's not important.

What is important, at least to me,

is that he's made to realize that somebody

is against the sort of thoughtless violence

is against the sort of thoughtless violence

he demonstrated today.

he demonstrated today.

I don't care who started it.

I don't care who started it.

I don't care how much provocation there was,

that doesn't matter.

that doesn't matter.

The point is

he turns out to be a trained killer.

A jungle fighter.

Trained killers are supposed to un-train

Trained killers are supposed to un-train

when they come home or else go back to the jungle.

when they come home or else go back to the jungle.

- Are you gonna teach him this with a little something

- Are you gonna teach him this with a little something

from your own jungle, right?

from your own jungle, right?

[excited applauding] [triumphant music]

[excited applauding] [triumphant music]

- [Tod] Case.

- I couldn't leave.

- I couldn't leave.

- It's way past 10.

- I thought about it.

The way it comes out is I don't even know you.

The way it comes out is I don't even know you.

Why should I fight you, what does it mean?

Why should I fight you, what does it mean?

- It means something to me.

- Please, Linc, let him hit you then maybe he'll go away.

- Please, Linc, let him hit you then maybe he'll go away.

But don't...

But don't...

Don't hurt him.

- Don't you see, Willow, he thinks he's right?

- Don't you see, Willow, he thinks he's right?

He believes in what he's fighting for.

He believes in what he's fighting for.

[podium crashing]

[dramatic orchestral music]

[dramatic orchestral music]

[jaw cracking] [chairs crashing]

[jaw cracking] [chairs crashing]

[dramatic orchestral music]

[dramatic orchestral music]

[chairs rattling]

[chairs rattling]

[Linc grunts]

[Linc grunts]

[Tod grunting]

[Linc thudding]

[Linc thudding]

[dramatic orchestral music]

[dramatic orchestral music]

[Linc grunts]

[dramatic orchestral music]

[dramatic orchestral music]

[Linc groans]

[dramatic orchestral music]

[dramatic orchestral music]

[both breathing heavily]

[both breathing heavily]

- How come no

judo?

No karate?

- What made you come for me?

- What made you come for me?

What made you take a chance like that?

What made you take a chance like that?

- I thought I had a pretty good reason.

- I thought I had a pretty good reason.

Now I don't know.

Now I don't know.

- I gotta learn to use my fists all over again.

- I gotta learn to use my fists all over again.

I guess that's part of coming home.

I guess that's part of coming home.

What's your name?

What's your name?

- Tod Stiles.

- Listen, Tod Stiles,

- Listen, Tod Stiles,

I came down here to see my ma.

I came down here to see my ma.

As soon as I've seen her I'm gonna wanna go back to Houston.

As soon as I've seen her I'm gonna wanna go back to Houston.

Willow's got a bus to catch.

Could you

maybe stick around awhile

give us a lift back?

give us a lift back?

- Okay.

[light orchestral music]

[light orchestral music]

- I didn't think our women's wrists were this thin.

- I didn't think our women's wrists were this thin.

I remember them as thicker.

I remember them as thicker.

- What's her name?

The girl in Vietnam whose wrist

you measured with your fingers?

you measured with your fingers?

- She's dead.

- There.

- There.

At least maybe now your mother will recognize you.

At least maybe now your mother will recognize you.

- I wash it out.

- Souvenir of combat, gets pressed in my scrapbook.

- Souvenir of combat, gets pressed in my scrapbook.

- Willow...

- Willow...

Willow, I don't know what happens tomorrow.

Willow, I don't know what happens tomorrow.

See, I've got this leave but...

See, I've got this leave but...

Well, I don't know if I'll go back in for another hitch

Well, I don't know if I'll go back in for another hitch

or turn civilian.

I just don't know.

I just don't know.

- I haven't even finished your socks.

- I haven't even finished your socks.

- Willow,

I'm just not set, you know?

Sometime, maybe, I'll ring the bell.

I'll come through San Francisco and I'll ring your bell.

I'll come through San Francisco and I'll ring your bell.

I've gotta see ma now.

I've gotta see ma now.

[light orchestral music]

[light orchestral music]

[hand scraping]

[hand scraping]

Ma.

[hand scraping]

- Linc?

- Linc?

- Shh! Don't wake him.

- Shh! Don't wake him.

Out front.

[solemn orchestral music]

[solemn orchestral music]

- Two arms.

Two legs.

You're still in one piece, Linc.

You're still in one piece, Linc.

Thank God they sent my boy home in one piece.

Thank God they sent my boy home in one piece.

What's that?

- It's nothing, Ma, I just had a little fight.

- Linc.

- Linc.

But you're too thin.

But you're too thin.

Way too thin.

That's the first thing I've gotta do,

That's the first thing I've gotta do,

put some weight back on ya.

I baked all day.

I baked all day.

And I got in an extra quart of milk.

- Ma.

- Ma.

- I'll wake your father.

- [Linc] Ma.

- [Linc] Ma.

- Linc, everyday he asked about you.

Everything he could read about the places they sent you,

Everything he could read about the places they sent you,

he read.

He even made a map, with pins.

He even made a map, with pins.

Linc,

he loves you, same as me.

he loves you, same as me.

- If he loves me, how come I can't talk to him?

- If he loves me, how come I can't talk to him?

- You were always quiet, Linc.

- You were always quiet, Linc.

It was hard to know what you was thinking.

It was hard to know what you was thinking.

- Ma, come sit down, please.

- Ma, come sit down, please.

- Wait 'til you see what's planned for tomorrow, Linc.

- Wait 'til you see what's planned for tomorrow, Linc.

- I don't want it.

- I don't want it.

- Well, your father's waited all these years

to show everybody what a fine boy you turned out be.

to show everybody what a fine boy you turned out be.

You just think back, Linc,

and you'll remember how they said you'd never

and you'll remember how they said you'd never

amount to a hill of beans

amount to a hill of beans

and how your father stuck up for you.

and how your father stuck up for you.

- For me, or for his own pride?

- One's the same as the other.

- One's the same as the other.

- Well now that's not right, Ma.

- Well now that's not right, Ma.

That's just what this is all about.

Let me ask you, and please think about this,

Let me ask you, and please think about this,

think real hard about this,

why are those banners out there on Persian Street?

why are those banners out there on Persian Street?

why are those banners out there on Persian Street?

- You know very well why they're out there.

- Ma, please, answer me.

- Ma, please, answer me.

Why are those banners out there?

Why are those banners out there?

- Because we're all proud of ya.

- Because we're all proud of ya.

That's why, Linc.

Why even old man Matherson,

Why even old man Matherson,

you remember that old tight head,

you remember that old tight head,

how he swore you'd end up in state prison?

how he swore you'd end up in state prison?

He donated the money for a brand new kettle drum.

He donated the money for a brand new kettle drum.

"We want our boy to march in to the right beat," he said.

"We want our boy to march in to the right beat," he said.

Linc,

what is it?

What's troubling ya?

What's troubling ya?

- What they're honoring, Ma, is the killer.

- What they're honoring, Ma, is the killer.

All the time I lived here, this house, this town,

All the time I lived here, this house, this town,

I didn't have anything going for me, you know?

I didn't have anything going for me, you know?

One day was connected to another like sausage links.

One day was connected to another like sausage links.

One day was connected to another like sausage links.

I couldn't tell Mondays from Fridays.

Ma, is there a mirror in my room?

Ma, is there a mirror in my room?

- You never wanted one.

- You never wanted one.

- You ever wonder why?

Because I wasn't there.

Because I wasn't there.

I wasn't anywhere.

I wasn't anything.

So there was nothing there to look at.

So there was nothing there to look at.

There's a trail comes down from the 17th parallel,

There's a trail comes down from the 17th parallel,

Ho Chi Minh.

The Viet Cong used it for infiltrating the south.

The Viet Cong used it for infiltrating the south.

I was sent in there with some Vietnamese troops.

I was sent in there with some Vietnamese troops.

Fine bunch of boys, they knew how to stand up to an ambush,

Fine bunch of boys, they knew how to stand up to an ambush,

until we could locate the main fire control

until we could locate the main fire control

and then go in standing up and out-shoot it.

and then go in standing up and out-shoot it.

Then they put me in place called the Plain of Reeds,

Then they put me in place called the Plain of Reeds,

in the Mekong Delta.

See, we had this program,

See, we had this program,

the brass calls it the Strategic Hamlet Program,

the brass calls it the Strategic Hamlet Program,

we go out with the rice farmers

and try and make them understand that

and try and make them understand that

if you have mudhole and it's your mudhole,

if you have mudhole and it's your mudhole,

then you can't let somebody come along

and take it away from you.

and take it away from you.

If you do there's no difference between you and the mud.

If you do there's no difference between you and the mud.

I lived with them, Ma.

I lived with them, Ma.

And I ate rice and fish sauce when they had it

and nothing when they didn't.

and nothing when they didn't.

The day I was wounded these farmers

brought me back to a village.

brought me back to a village.

There was this girl,

There was this girl,

she was 17, Ma,

and she had thin wrists.

and she had thin wrists.

I remember when she dressed my wound how thin they looked.

I remember when she dressed my wound how thin they looked.

Her name was Ama.

She had a father and a mother

She had a father and a mother

and two little brothers.

That night the guerrillas came to the village

That night the guerrillas came to the village

looking for me.

Ama and her mother and father and the rest of the village

must have known exactly what they were doing.

must have known exactly what they were doing.

But I didn't understand it until later.

But I didn't understand it until later.

Ama ran out to meet 'em, chattering and...

Ama ran out to meet 'em, chattering and...

Pointing off down the river.

Pointing off down the river.

Father ran after her.

Father ran after her.

Slapped her across the face and knocked her down

and screamed at her not to betray me.

and screamed at her not to betray me.

I saw the machine gun him.

I saw the machine gun him.

So close to me I could smell the cordite and phosphorus

So close to me I could smell the cordite and phosphorus

five minutes after they blew him apart.

five minutes after they blew him apart.

Ama laughed,

spit on her father's body,

spit on her father's body,

and ran off down the trail along the river.

and ran off down the trail along the river.

The guerrillas following to the place

where she pretended I was hiding.

where she pretended I was hiding.

Some farmers from the village came to me

Some farmers from the village came to me

and wrapped me in a blanket of reeds,

and wrapped me in a blanket of reeds,

took me away through the elephant grass.

took me away through the elephant grass.

Ama's mother kissed me before I left.

Ama's mother kissed me before I left.

Then she went out and...

Kneeled beside her dead husband.

Kneeled beside her dead husband.

I was supposed to be the teacher

I was supposed to be the teacher

but they taught me how to die.

but they taught me how to die.

More importantly, taught me how to live.

More importantly, taught me how to live.

Don't you see, Ma,

Don't you see, Ma,

it was the first time in my life I'd ever opened up.

it was the first time in my life I'd ever opened up.

So they sent me home on leave.

So they sent me home on leave.

I wanted to go up on a building and shout about Ama.

I wanted to go up on a building and shout about Ama.

But who'd listen, who'd understand?

But who'd listen, who'd understand?

How can I expect anybody here to understand it

How can I expect anybody here to understand it

when I didn't?

Those banners on Persian Street, Welcome Home Lincoln Case,

Those banners on Persian Street, Welcome Home Lincoln Case,

they're for killing and hate.

Ama died for love.

Ama died for love.

You see the difference, Ma?

You see the difference, Ma?

Love.

[solemn orchestral music]

[solemn orchestral music]

So that's why I can't go to that party.

Because it is a party.

Because it is a party.

I have to find it, Ma.

Some kind of meaning here in my own country.

Some kind of meaning here in my own country.

The same kind of meaning I found

The same kind of meaning I found

on the other side of the world.

on the other side of the world.

- I'll tell your father

that you asked for him.

that you asked for him.

[light orchestral music]

- I'll be back

- I'll be back

one day soon.

[light orchestral music]

[light orchestral music]

[lively orchestral music]

[lively orchestral music]

- [Announcer] This has been a Screen Gems film presentation,

- [Announcer] This has been a Screen Gems film presentation,

Herbert B. Leonard, executive producer.

Herbert B. Leonard, executive producer.

[END CREDITS]