Original subtitles

IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT

I'VE GOT TROUBLES WALL TO WALL

IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT

YEAH

MUST BE AN ENDING TO IT ALL

OH

BUT HOLD ON

IT WON'T BE LONG

JUST YOU BE STRONG

AND IT'LL BE ALL RIGHT

IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT

IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT

OH BEAUTIFUL, FOR SPACIOUS SKIES

FOR AMBER WAVES OF GRAIN

FOR PURPLE MOUNTAIN MAJESTIES

ABOVE THE FRUITED PLAIN

AMERICA, AMERICA

GOD SHED HIS GRACE ON THEE

AND CROWN THY GOOD

WITH BROTHERHOOD

FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA

AMERICA

AMERICA

AMERICA

THAT WAS WONDERFUL. WONDERFUL. THANK YOU.

IN CASE ANYBODY DOESN'T ALREADY KNOW,

STEVEN AINSLEE HAS PERFORMED MIRACLES

IN OUR MUSIC DEPARTMENT.

I SPEAK FOR THE STAFF

WHEN I SAY WE'D LIKE YOU ON BOARD PERMANENTLY.

HURRY UP AND FINISH THAT DEGREE.

BEFORE WE SAY GOOD NIGHT,

SPECIAL THANKS AND CONGRATULATIONS

TO CYNTHIA AND EDWARD.

WE'RE VERY PROUD OF YOU.

AND THANKS TO OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT'S REPRESENTATIVE,

AND MY FAVORITE COP, DETECTIVE VIRGIL TIBBS.

GOOD NIGHT, EVERYBODY. AND PLEASE DRIVE SAFELY.

SEEMS LIKE THESE PEOPLE LIKE YOU A LOT, HONEY.

WELL, WHY NOT, RIGHT? RIGHT.

READY? SHALL WE GO?

YEAH, I-- I WANT TO...

MEET SOME FOLKS. JUST SAY HELLO.

WHY NOT BRING THE SCHOOL PAPER PHOTOGRAPHER?

MOM MIGHT LET ME GET MY HAIR DONE AGAIN.

WE WANT PICTURES, OF COURSE.

O.K., TOMORROW AFTER SCHOOL

BETWEEN 3:30 AND 4:00 AT THE STATION.

OH, GREAT. THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN.

MR. TIBBS. STEVEN AINSLEE.

MY WIFE HAS SPOKEN OF YOU.

HAS SHE?

OH, YES.

SHE'S A WONDERFUL LADY.

YES, SHE IS.

HE'S A GOOD TEACHER. IT'S JUST THAT...

JUST THAT WHAT, BABY?

IT'S NOT THAT I DISLIKE STEVEN,

BUT I'M HIS BOSS,

AND HE HAS A PROBLEM WITH MY AUTHORITY.

I DON'T KNOW. MAYBE IT'S A RACIAL THING.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I...

HAVE TROUBLE DEALING WITH YOUR AUTHORITY SOMETIMES.

IS THAT SO?

YEAH, THAT'S SO.

BUT UNLIKE HIM, I'VE LEARNED...

TO THINK ABOUT OTHER THINGS.

O.K.?

YEAH!

HAVING THAT TIME DURING SUMMER WAS GREAT,

AND NOW WE'RE BACK TO THE SAME OLD GRIND.

YOU HAVE THAT STATE FUND REPORT FOR ME?

I KNEW YOU'D BRING ME DOWN.

[BELL RINGS]

EXCUSE ME?

YOU DON'T HAVE TO STAY ON MY BACK.

I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, O.K.?

NOT O.K.

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM, STEVEN?

DON'T YOU THINK IT'S SILLY HAVING TO REPORT TO YOU

EVERY TIME THE WOODWINDS ARE OUT OF REEDS?

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT REEDS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT STATE FUNDS, BUREAUCRACY.

IF YOU NEED HELP WITH THE PAPERWORK, TELL ME.

YOU JUST LOVE CRACKING THE WHIP, DON'T YOU?

I DON'T CRACK WHIPS,

BUT YOU'LL BE STUCK REPORTING TO SOMEONE,

AND RIGHT NOW, THAT SOMEONE IS ME.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

I'M ACTING LIKE AN OVERSENSITIVE TEMPERAMENTAL MUSICIAN.

I'M SORRY.

IT'S OK. WE'LL MAKE IT WORK.

[CAR HORN HONKS]

HI, ALTHEA.

HEY, MAGGIE, HOW'S IT GOING?

I SHOULD TURN THAT SPRINKLER UP FULL FORCE

AND FLOP DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF IT.

GO FOR IT.

WANT TO JOIN ME?

HERE'S SOME THINGS FOR YOU.

ICE CREAM... OOH...ALTHEA.

MOSQUITO SPRAY.

ALTHEA, THANKS, HONEY.

SEE YOU LATER. BYE-BYE.

OH!

AAH! YOU'RE DEAD!

NO!

STAY DOWN.

NO, PLEASE! STAY DOWN! DO IT!

NO!

NOW! NO, PLEASE!

SHUT UP! SHUT UP!

DO AS YOU'RE TOLD!GOD, HELP ME!

PLEASE, GOD, HELP ME!

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

YOU DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO, I TELL YOU.

STEVEN?

STEVEN, DON'T! TURN OVER!

STEVEN, DON'T!

AAH!

SMILE.

OH, NO. I WAS SQUINTING.

THAT'S ALL RIGHT. HEY, CHIEF!

YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUESTED.

OH, NO, I DON'T WANT MY PICTURE TAKEN.

NO, DON'T TAKE IT, HONEY, ESPECIALLY FROM BEHIND.

COME ON, THE KIDS ARE WAITING.

O.K., THEN. GET IT OVER WITH.

TAKE YOUR GLASSES OFF.

THIS IS SOME TORTURE.

SMILE, SMILE.

YES, MA'AM, I KNOW IT.

GOOD ICE CREAM SHOULD NEVER GO TO WASTE.

ALL RIGHTY, MAGGIE, I'LL TELL HIM. BYE-BYE.

NOW, SWEET, YOU'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING.

I WANT YOU TO DRIVE

THESE TWO FINE YOUNG PEOPLE HOME PRETTY SOON.

YES, SIR.

YOU DON'T WANT TO HANG AROUND.

DETECTIVE, YOUR NEIGHBOR SAID MRS. TIBBS

FORGOT TO BRING SOME GROCERIES IN FROM HER CAR...

INCLUDING SOME ICE CREAM.FINE, PARKER, FINE.

SHE SAID TO GO TO HER HOUSE ON YOUR WAY HOME.

O.K., ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT.

PARKER. WHAT?

HOW COME MAGGIE DIDN'T CALL MRS. TIBBS' HOUSE?

SHE SAYS SHE TRIED. NO ANSWER.

SHE FIGURED MRS.TIBBS WAS IN THE SHOWER OR SOMETHING.

MRS. TIBBS, IT'S BUBBA.

MRS. TIBBS!

HEY, MRS. TIBBS!

OH, GOOD LORD ALMIGHTY.

MRS. TIBBS.

IS HE STILL IN THIS HOUSE?

INSURANCE?

WHAT?

HAVE YOU GOT INSURANCE?

THE LADY NEEDS A DOCTOR.

MOST OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE THEIR OWN DOCTORS.

ARE YOU GOING TO GET HER A DOCTOR,

OR AM I GOING TO TAKE HER BACK THERE?

PLEASE STOP.

SHE SOMETHING TO YOU?

YOU GET HER A DOCTOR RIGHT NOW.

WHY ARE YOU REQUESTING TREATMENT?

I'VE BEEN RAPED.

OH, MY GOD.

THEA.

DO YOU KNOW WHO IT WAS?

STEVEN AINSLEE.

WHO'S HE?

STEVEN AINSLEE.

THE MUSIC TEACHER OVER AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.

OH, GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY.

YOU HEAR THAT? THE HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC TEACHER.

SHE TELL YOU ANY DETAILS?

HARDLY ANYTHING. I DIDN'T WANT TO PUSH HER.

HOW'D YOU HAPPEN TO GO BY THE TIBBS' HOUSE?

I FOUND THIS FIDDLE,

AND I THOUGHT MRS. TIBBS WOULD KNOW

IF IT WAS WORTH SOMETHING.

GET SWEET AND SOMEBODY.

GO TO TIBBS' HOUSE AND GO THROUGH THE WHOLE PLACE.

YES, SIR.

WHAT YOU SAY I TAKE THE MUSIC MAN

FOR A RIDE BEFORE I BRING HIM IN?

BUBBA, PLEASE LEAVE THAT TALK IN THE PAST.

JUST GO GET THE MAN.

YES, SIR.

DON'T TOUCH HIM MORE THAN YOU HAVE TO.

YEAH.

YEAH.

BABY, IT'LL BE ALL RIGHT.

IT WAS...

HE WAS...ALL OVER ME.

I FORGOT THE WALNUTS FOR THE CAKE ICING.

OUR HOUSE, OUR BEAUTIFUL HOUSE.

HE WAS TOO BIG, AND--

I--I CAN'T FIND MY--

DON'T LET ANYBODY SEE ME, NOBODY.

DON'T LET ANYBODY SEE ME.

WHAT DID I DO? WHAT DID I DO WRONG?

WHAT DID I DO WRONG?

[CHOIR SINGING IN LATIN]

HEY!

I'M SORRY.

EXCUSE ME, KIDS.

HERR SCHUBERT, WHERE DID THE BEAT GO?

THERE'S ONLY A RETARD THERE.

WE'RE STILL IN 2/2. READ AHEAD, CHRIS.

GO ON.

GO ON.

BE WITH YOU IN A MINUTE.

STEVEN AINSLEE?

ONE MINUTE.

A CERTAIN UNNAMED TENOR

IN AN AWFUL ORANGE SHIRT IS FLAT AGAIN.

COME WITH ME, MR. AINSLEE. NOW.

HOLD IT. HOLD IT, CHRIS.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

WHY DON'T WE TALK ABOUT THAT SOMEPLACE ELSE, HUH?

IS IT LINDA?

DID SOMETHING HAPPEN TO MY WIFE?

YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, AND IT WASN'T WITH YOUR WIFE.

COME ON, LET'S GO.

BACK OFF. WHAT'S WITH YOU?

COME HERE.

DON'T MESS WITH ME.

I'LL WRAP YOU IN PIANO WIRE AND DRAG YOU OUT.

YOU WANT ME TO TELL THIS CLASS

HOW YOU ASSAULTED A SCHOOLTEACHER?

GET ALONG.

THERE... THERE WE GO.

YOU'RE DOING JUST FINE.

NOW, HAVE YOU BATHED, CHANGED CLOTHES,

OR BRUSHED YOUR TEETH SINCE THE ASSAULT?

GOOD.

THERE WON'T BE ANY MORE PHOTOGRAPHS.

ARE YOU ALLERGIC TO ANY ANTIBIOTICS?

WE'RE GOING TO DO A PELVIC NOW.

HMM, A LOT OF TISSUE HAS BEEN TRAUMATIZED.

WE'RE GOING TO TEST YOU FOR THE USUAL VENEREAL THINGS

AND ALSO FOR HEPATITIS-B.

WE'LL GIVE YOU A TETANUS SHOT FOR THE LACERATIONS,

AND WE'LL SATURATE YOUR BODY WITH AN ANTIBIOTIC.

YOU NEED TO REPEAT THE GONORRHEA TEST IN TWO WEEKS

AND THE SYPHILIS TEST IN SIX.

AND THOUGH THE RISK FACTOR IS SMALL,

LET'S ALSO DO AN HIV TEST FOR AIDS.

YEAH, PARKER, IT'S ME.

HAVE YOU FOUND HIM YET?

LISTEN, CHIEF GILLESPIE, MY WIFE'S SCARED TO DEATH.

CAN YOU BLAME HER?

SHE'S LYING AND SHE'S MARRIED TO YOU.

I'M TERRIBLY SORRY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED.

MRS. TIBBS SEEMS TO BE A FINE WOMAN.

HAVE YOU BEEN REGISTERED AS A SEX OFFENDER?

WHAT?

NO.

WELL, DO YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ALL WOMEN

OR JUST BLACK WOMEN?

ASK HER IF SHE'S GOT PROBLEMS WITH ALL MEN,

OR JUST WHITE MEN.

HOW DID HE GET HOME FROM SCHOOL, ANYHOW?

SAID HIS WIFE DROVE HIM.

HIS WIFE DROVE HIM HOME?

AND DROPPED HIM OFF AT THE TIBBS' HOUSE ON THE WAY?

THAT'S HOW I SEE IT.

NOW, JUST A MINUTE. WE WENT HOME TOGETHER.

WHAT TIME WAS THAT? 3:30.

HAD AN EARLY DINNER.

I DROVE BACK FOR CHOIR REHEARSAL AT 7:00.

ASK MY WIFE.

WELL, THEN, MR. AINSLEE,

TELL ME THIS, HUH,

WHY IN THE WORLD DO YOU THINK MRS. TIBBS

POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED YOU

AS THE MAN WHO RAPED HER, HUH?

I DON'T KNOW.

MAYBE SHE'S HAVING A HYSTERICAL REACTION OR SOMETHING.

I'MGOING TO HAVE A HYSTERICAL REACTION OR SOMETHING

IF YOU DON'T GET OUT OF MY SIGHT.

ONLY TOO GLAD TO LEAVE.

BUT YOU'RE NOT LEAVING.

WHERE WE GOING?

WHERE YOU GOING? BUBBA, TELL HIM.

YOU GOING TO A CELL.

BACK BEYOND AND DOWN BELOW.

GO ON.

I'LL HIRE A LAWYER.

COME ON.

[VIOLIN PLAYS OFF-KEY]

THEA.

BABY, LET ME CALL YOUR FOLKS.

NO.

I DON'T WANT ANYBODY.

[TEA KETTLE WHISTLES]

THEA, IT'S JUST A TEA KETTLE.

OH, ALTHEA.

BABY, YOU HAVEN'T BEEN EATING MUCH LATELY.

MAGGIE SENT OVER SOME CHICKEN...

AND SOME PIE.

MMM...PEACH.

DO YOU WANT A SLICE?

NO.

NO, THANK YOU.

ALTHEA--

VIRGIL...

I CAN'T COME IN THERE YET.

FLOWERS FROM THE GUYS.

THEY REALLY WORKED VERY HARD IN HERE.

FLOWERS AND FOOD.

YEAH.

JUST LIKE A FUNERAL.

YOU DIDN'T EVEN GLIMPSE HIS FACE, DID YOU?

NO.

SHE RECOGNIZED HIS VOICE.

I KNOW THAT.

CAN YOU REMEMBER ANYTHING HE SAID TO YOU?

ORDERS. JUST...

CONSTANT...ORDERS,

TELLING ME WHAT TO DO.

I KEEP WONDERING...

WHEN DID HE DECIDE?

YESTERDAY? LAST MONTH?

TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN I REJECTED HIS MUSIC BUDGET?

WHEN I ASKED HIM NOT TO SMOKE?

HOW LONG DID I WORK WITH HIM, EVERY DAY,

WHEN HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO?

WHY DIDN'T I SEE THIS COMING?!

DON'T BLAME YOURSELF.

YOU CAN'T GO THROUGH LIFE

WONDERING WHAT YOU SAID TO A CREATURE LIKE THIS.

THAT'S RIGHT. YOU--

YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG.

WHY DO I FEEL SO ASHAMED?

WHY?

I'M GOING TO GO ON NOW, MRS. TIBBS.

I'LL CALL AGAIN, AND THANK YOU FOR TALKING TO ME.

I'LL BE BACK.

YOU'RE GOING TO NEED PATIENCE.

YEAH, I KNOW.

I WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING BY HER, CHIEF.

I WANT TO HOLD HER, LEAVE HER ALONE,

STAY CLOSE, STAY AWAY...

YOU KNOW, SMILE AT HER, CRY WITH HER.

I JUST DON'T KNOW.

WAIT AND LET HER TELL YOU.

YOU GET A COURT ORDER FOR HIS BLOOD?

YEAH, YESTERDAY.

WHAT ABOUT BAIL?

I'M HOPING THE JUDGE SETS IT SO HIGH

AINSLEE CAN'T MAKE IT.

FIND ANYTHING IN THE KITCHEN?

IT WAS SUCH A MESS WE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING.

BUT YOU'RE PRESENTING TO THE D.A. TODAY, RIGHT?

YOU STAY OUT OF THIS CASE.

CHIEF, I SWEAR, IF THAT--

IF HE GETS OUT, I'LL KILL HIM. I MEAN THAT.

YOU DON'T MEAN THAT, AND IF YOU DID,

WE WOULDN'T LET YOU.

PUT YOUR MIND ON HER.

YEAH, YEAH.

SOMETIMES I GET SO TIRED.

LET ME SEE. SCHOOL LETS OUT AT 3:00,

MRS. TIBBS WENT TO THE STORE.

SHE GOT HOME BY 4:00, AND THE GUY WAS WAITING.

MAGGIE KNOCKED ON THE TIBBS' DOOR ABOUT 4:30,

CALLED THE STATION AFTER THAT.

I GOT HERE AT 5:30, BUT HE WAS GONE.

YEAH, WELL, HE TOOK HIMSELF HOME,

HAD A SHOWER,

THE LITTLE WIFE GAVE HIM SOME SUPPER,

AND THEN HE WENT BACK TO CHOIR PRACTICE BY 7:00.

CHIEF, I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW COME HE KNEW

THAT VIRGIL WOULDN'T COME HOME AND WALK RIGHT IN.

HE MUST HAVE KNOWN

ABOUT THAT PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION VIRGIL SET UP.

HE KNEW VIRGIL WAS GOING TO BE THERE.

IF I DIDN'T LALLYGAG ON MY WAY OVER,

HADN'T SAID HELLO TO SOME PEOPLE,

I WOULD HAVE STOPPED THIS.

LET'S NOT ALL START FEELING GUILTY ABOUT IT.

ONLY ONE PERSON IS GUILTY FOR HARMING THAT GIRL.

NO, THERE IS ANOTHER PERSON. ONE OTHER.

LET'S GO.

MRS. AINSLEE, I ALMOST MISSED YOU.

I'M SURPRISED YOU'RE WORKING.

YESTERDAY WAS MY DAY OFF.

RIGHT, YOU HAD THE CAR.

I THOUGHT MAYBE, UH...

YOU MIGHT HAVE REMEMBERED SOMETHING, OR...

MAYBE THERE WAS SOMETHING YOU WANTED TO SAY.

NO.

YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT RAPE?

ENOUGH.

EVER TALK TO ANYBODY WHO HAD BEEN RAPED?

NO.

MOST WOMEN ARE RAPED BY MEN WHO ARE FRIENDLY

OR PRESENT THEMSELVES AS FRIENDS,

MEN WHO ARE MARRIED TO WIVES THAT THEY TREAT BADLY.

YOU ARE WRONG ABOUT STEVEN.

THAT'S ALL. JUST PLAIN WRONG.

LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED? DOES THAT BOTHER YOU?

I'LL SAY IT AGAIN--

STEVEN WAS WITH ME FROM 3:00 TILL 7:00.

GOODBYE NOW.

HOW CAN SHE KNOW AND CONTINUE?

MAKES YOU WONDER.

GOT A CLEAN-CUT, WHITE, MUSIC MAN WITH AN ALIBI,

NO FINGERPRINTS, NO WITNESS.

BLOOD TEST AIN'T WORTH DIDDLY.

WE GOT ALTHEA'S WORD. THAT'S SOMETHING.

PLUS WE GOT THE RAPE KIT.

YEAH, WHAT?

NOBODY IN SPARTA HAS ANYTHING TO SAY AGAINST AINSLEE.

AND WHERE HE USED TO LIVE?

NOTHING YET.

WE KNOW HE'S DONE THIS BEFORE

BY HOW EASILY HE SLIPPED INTO THAT HOUSE.

HE KNEW WHAT HE WANTED AND HOW TO DO IT.

THE GUY'S GOT EXPERTISE.

IT'LL PAY TO KEEP DIGGING INTO HIS BACKGROUND.

THERE'S NO PRIOR CONVICTIONS.

WE KNOW THAT DON'T MEAN HE DIDN'T DO IT.

THAT'S RIGHT. THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A ONE-TIME RAPIST.

ALTHEA, WHERE DO YOU THINK ARE YOU GOING?

I CAN'T STAY IN THIS HOUSE.

ONLY BEEN FOUR DAYS.

MY, HOW TIME FLIES WHEN YOU'RE FALLING APART.

HOLD IT.

NOTHING'S CHANGED. I STILL LOVE YOU.

VIRGIL, OF COURSE THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

I'M IRONING HERE BECAUSE I CAN'T GO IN MY KITCHEN.

I CHANGE MY UNDERWEAR 20 TIMES A DAY.

I SCRUB THE SKIN OFF OF MY BODY

EVERY HOUR ON THE HOUR.

THERE ARE 336 LITTLE ROSES ON THAT COUCH.

I COUNT THEM OVER AND OVER

TO TRY TO PUSH AWAY HIS HANDS, HIS LEGS, HIS MOUTH...

I GOT TO GET OUT OF HERE.

[SNORING]

VIRGIL?

GIVE ME THOSE KEYS.

THANK YOU.

[CHOIR SINGING IN LATIN]

I DON'T LIKE THIS.

WE JUST PRESENTED THE CASE TO THE D.A.

LET HIM READ IT.

HE'S ONLY INTERESTED IN CASES HE CAN WIN, YOU KNOW.

WHAT I KNOW IS THAT RAPE CASES

DON'T GET PRIORITY FROM ANYONE.

YOU SURE YOU DID YOUR BEST IN THERE?

AW, VIRGIL.

DON'T BLOW THIS CASE.

JUDGE NEWMAN SET BAIL AT $5,000.

AND?

THE WIFE PAID IT. THEY JUST LET HIM GO.

ALTHEA, THESE ARE FOR YOU.

I'M NOT GOING TO HURT YOU.

I JUST WANT TO TALK TO YOU. JUST A MINUTE.

ALTHEA, WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?

YOU'RE MAKING A LOT OF TROUBLE FOR ME

AT WORK AND AT HOME.

I'M WILLING TO APOLOGIZE

IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT. I'M SORRY, O.K.?

PLEASE DON'T DO THIS TO ME.

ALTHEA!

ALTHEA!

ALTHEA!

ALTHEA!

ALTHEA, ARE YOU HERE?

VIRGIL!

HE WAS THERE AT THE CHURCH. HE FOLLOWED ME.

AINSLEE? DID HE HURT YOU?

NO.

VIRGIL!

[CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYS]

HI, BABE.

FAURE...

NOCTURNE IN A FLAT MAJOR.

WHERE YOU BEEN?

YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE SOLD MY PIANO.

YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN IN JAIL.

I NEEDED THE MONEY TO GET YOU OUT.

DON'T START. I'VE HAD ENOUGH TROUBLE THE LAST COUPLE DAYS.

I'M SORRY.

THIS IS NICE.

I LIKE THIS. CAN I HELP?

THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

I CAN GET DIRTY--

NO!

SUIT YOURSELF.

[MUSIC STOPS]

STEVEN.

STEVEN?

WHAT--HEY!

STEVEN!

STOP!

STOP IT!

YOU SON OF A BITCH.

I'LL KILL YOU. I WILL KILL YOU.

SOMEBODY HELP!

COME ON, VIRGIL, DON'T.

WHAT THE HELL'S THE MATTER WITH YOU?

HE FOLLOWED HER TO CHURCH. TO A CHURCH!

I'VE BEEN RIGHT HERE AT HOME ALL DAY.

RIGHT, HONEY?

YES.

CHIEF, I WANT TO PRESS CHARGES FOR ASSAULT AGAINST MR. TIBBS.

VIRGIL! COME HERE.

COME HERE. CUT THIS OUT.

YOU LISTEN TO ME.

NOW, LISTEN!

IF YOUR WIFE'S WILLING TO TESTIFY IN THIS CASE,

THERE'S NO REASON WHY YOU CAN'T HANG IN THERE, TOO.

HEAR ME? DON'T BLOW THIS CASE!

ALL RIGHT.

LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING--

IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS, I'D USUALLY WAIT A WEEK--

WAIT. IN A SITUATION LIKE WHAT?

IN A SITUATION

WHEN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

DOES NOT FIND ITSELF IN A POSITION

TO BE OF SUFFICIENT ASSISTANCE TO THE PLAINTIFF

TO WARRANT FURTHER ACTIONS.

SEEMS I'VE HEARD THIS SONG BEFORE.

BUT DUE TO MY RESPECT FOR MRS. TIBBS,

I WANTED TO TELL HER IN PERSON.

IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN, IS IT?

I'M AFRAID NOT.

YOU'RE DROPPING THIS CASE?

AT LEAST WE CAN SPARE MRS. TIBBS THE EMBARRASSMENT--

LET MRS. TIBBS WORRY ABOUT HER EMBARRASSMENT.

IS THIS BECAUSE I HIT HIM?

AINSLEE'S CHARGES AGAINST YOU DON'T HELP.

WE JUST DON'T HAVE ENOUGH EVIDENCE.

YOU'VE GOT THE VICTIM'S OWN TESTIMONY,

A RAPE EVIDENCE KIT, PICTURES OF HER CUTS AND BRUISES.

HOLD IT! WE DO NOT HAVE A POSITIVE I.D.

THE VICTIM ONLY IDENTIFIED THE DEFENDANT

BY HIS VOICE,

UNDER EXTREME STRESS.

THE EVIDENCE KIT ONLY PROVES THAT MRS. TIBBS HAD INTERCOURSE

WITH SOMEBODY OTHER THAN HER HUSBAND.

IT DOESN'T PROVE SHE WAS RAPED.

HOW CAN YOU LOOK AT THOSE HOSPITAL PHOTOGRAPHS

AND SAY SHE WASN'T?

THE PHOTOGRAPHS MERELY SUGGEST THAT SHE WAS ASSAULTED.

AINSLEE'S BLOOD TEST

TELLS US HE'S NOT A SECRETOR.

HE'S ONE OF HUNDREDS IN TOWN

WHO COULD HAVE HAD SEX WITH MRS. TIBBS.

YOU KNOW ALL THIS, CHIEF.

WHAT ABOUT RUNNING A DNA STRIP?

IF THE MISSISSIPPI CRIME LAB'S EQUIPPED FOR THAT,

IT'S NEWS TO ME.

AND EVEN IF WE COULD GET DNA EVIDENCE ADMITTED,

THERE'S NO JURY IN THIS AREA

SOPHISTICATED ENOUGH TO COMPREHEND THE SCIENCE.

NOW, LET'S GET REALISTIC, O.K.?

HE'S SAYING WE DON'T HAVE A CASE.

YOU WANT TO DROP THIS THING, MRS. TIBBS?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I THINK YOU DON'T NEED ME HERE.

I THINK THE THREE ZIPPERS IN THIS ROOM

AND ALL THE ZIPPERS IN COURTROOMS EVERYWHERE

ARE MAKING THE DECISION FOR ME

ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE, MY CHOICES,

MY FUTURE, MY JUSTICE.

BUT, HEY, BOYS WILL BE BOYS.

I'M SORRY.

DON'T SAY THAT.

BUT I AM.

I'M SORRY ABOUT ALL OF IT.

YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG.

THEA, I LOVE YOU.

I KNOW YOU LOVE ME, HONEY...

BUT THERE'S A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF DOUBT IN YOUR MIND.

NO.

NO.

VIRGIL, WHAT ARE YOU SO MAD ABOUT?

BABY, I HATE WHAT HE DID TO YOU.

YOU HATE IT?

AT LEAST YOU GET TO PUNCH HIS FACE IN!

I'M THE ONE WITH MEDICATIONS IN MY BODY,

THE ONE WITH BRUISES,

WAITING TO SEE WHAT DISEASE I MIGHT HAVE!

THE ONE MISSISSIPPI DOESN'T THINK WORTHWHILE

GOING TO COURT FOR! WHY SHOULD YOU BE MAD?

THEA, HOW COULD--

HOW COULD I WHAT?

NOTHING.

HOW COULD I WHAT?!

BABY, LET'S JUST GO. NO, VIRGIL, YOU SAY IT!

HOW COULD I WHAT?

WHAT'S THE REST OF IT?

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW?

YOU WANT TO KNOW

HOW COULD I LET HIM DO THAT TO ME, RIGHT?

THAT'S IT, ISN'T IT? TELL ME.

TELL ME!

TOO LATE. GO TO HELL.

CHIEF, YOU WAS RIGHT.

AINSLEE GOT QUESTIONED OVER IN MARIETTA COUNTY

ABOUT A YEAR AGO

AND UP NEAR HATTIESBURG BEFORE THAT.

OUR BOY'S SOMETHING OF A BREAK-IN ARTIST.

ONLY ONE THING,

SO FAR NOBODY'S PUT A DENT IN HIS ALIBIS.

LET'S SEE IF I CAN CHANGE THAT.

STAY IN THAT CAR. STAY THERE.

GO AWAY, CHIEF. OUR LAWYER CALLED. IT'S OVER.

IT'S NOT OVER FOR ALTHEA TIBBS.

IT'S NOT OVER FOR THE NEXT WOMAN YOUR HUSBAND RAPES,

AND WE BOTH KNOW HE'LL RAPE SOMEBODY, DON'T WE?

WE SHOULDN'T EVEN BE TALKING.

I KNOW ABOUT THAT WOMAN IN MARIETTA COUNTY

WHERE YOUR HUSBAND TAUGHT,

AND ABOUT THE WOMAN IN HATTIESBURG.

WE'RE MOVING-- LEAVING TOWN RIGHT AWAY, O.K.?

PLEASE GO.

HOW CAN YOU DO WHAT YOU DO TO OTHER WOMEN--YOUR SISTERS?

I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.

YOU MIGHT AS WELL HAVE BEEN THERE WITH YOUR HUSBAND.

YOU MIGHT AS WELL HAVE BEEN HOLDING DOWN ALTHEA.

AM I SUPPOSED TO DISSOLVE IN A HEAP OF TEARS?

I'M SORRY. YOU LOSE AGAIN.

WHAT ARE YOU GIVING ME,

BRAVE, SELF-SACRIFICING WIFE

STANDING UP FOR HER POOR HUSBAND?

I KNOW YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE. YOU'RE AN ACCOMPLICE.

YOU'RE A SADISTIC SILENT PARTNER,

AND YOU MAKE ME SICK!

YOU MAKE ME SICK.

YOU MAKE ME SICK.

THERE'S A "FOR RENT" SIGN

ON THE AINSLEES' YARD ALREADY.

A MAN LIKE THAT-- A TEACHER--

IT MAKES YOU WONDER.

LISTEN, JUST RECONSIDER THE THING, WILL YOU?

AND, UH, AND GET BACK TO ME.

THANK YOU.

CHIEF?

YEAH?

WELL...

I'VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

[KNOCK KNOCK]

AFTERNOON, MRS. TIBBS.

HI, SWEET.

MR. TIBBS ASKED ME TO CHECK ON YOU.

OH. THANK YOU.

I'M--I'M FINE, SWEET. THANKS.

IF YOU NEED ANYTHING, JUST LET US KNOW.

I WILL.

O.K.

I GOTTA GO IN THERE SOMETIME.

YOU BITCH!

I TRIED TO REASON WITH YOU.

I LOST MY JOB.

MY WIFE'S LEAVING ME.

YOU DON'T REALLY THINK

I'LL LET YOU GET AWAY WITH THIS, DO YOU?

HELP ME!

SOMEBODY HELP!

HELP ME!

AAH!

AAH!

AAH! SOMEBODY!

OH, GOD!

HELP ME!

[SIREN]

[HONKS HORN]

ALTHEA.

THEA, BABY, IT'S ME.

ALTHEA, PLEASE, IT'S O.K. IT'S VIRGIL.

ALTHEA, LOOK AT ME BABY, PLEASE!

BABY, LOOK. LOOK, LOOK, LOOK, LOOK.

THEA! LOOK, BABY, LOOK.

YEAH, SEE, IT'S O.K.

SHH! BABY, BABY, IT'S O.K. IT'S O.K.

GET DOWN. WATCH YOUR HEAD.

DO YOU WANT TO MOVE--

SELL THE HOUSE?

I MEAN...THERE ARE SOME REALLY TERRIFIC PLACES

OUT BY THE LAKE.

I CAN'T LET HIM WIN.

I LOVE THIS HOUSE...

BUT I THINK WE OUGHT TO TRY TO RECLAIM IT...

UNLESS YOU WANT TO MOVE.

NO, I JUST WANT TO FIND MY WAY BACK TO YOU.

THAT'S ALL I WANT.

VIRGIL... THERE'S A PLACE IN JACKSON...

A CRISIS CENTER.

I THINK I'D BETTER GO TALK TO THEM...

ONCE A WEEK...

JUST FOR A WHILE.

O.K.

AND THEN MAYBE WE COULD GO...

THE BOTH OF US.

YES.

YEAH, BOTH OF US.

ALWAYS THE BOTH OF US.