Original subtitles

[narrator] Previously on Picket Fences...

We received a federal court order this morning.

Starting on Monday, 400 Black students

‐are being bussed here from Green Bay. ‐What!

I certainly don't want to see congested classrooms.

I'm ordering that 400 Rome students

be bussed out to Green Bay.

Jimmy, assemble your men. Go down to the school.

Keep those students from getting off the buses.

I'm not your wife talking, I'm the Mayor.

Do it.

You want a confrontation, Colonel?

You, Sheriff?

Now, these kids are going to get into the school.

Okay, let's not be late.

We will select 133 names from each of the three baskets,

the elementary, the junior high and the high school.

And the first 400 names picked

will be those students bussed to Green Bay.

Now, since my own children are involved,

as well as the children of some of the other City Council members,

we decided also to pick a disinterested third party

to select the students' names.

Just get on with it for God's sakes, yeah.

‐[indistinct chatter] ‐Mr. Lawson,

I will have you thrown out

if you don't keep your mouth shut.

Yeah, well, I think my mouth speaks for a lot of the people in this town.

Well, I don't doubt that, but since I am the mayor, I'm the one who speaks.

‐Have you got that? ‐Oh, yeah. I got it.

I got it. And next month when I'm running for mayor,

‐we'll see who‐‐ ‐Don't campaign for it now.

Sit down!

All right, I will now select the name of the person who will pick the students.

If the person whose name I've picked is not present,

I'll just keep on plucking until we find somebody who is.

So, please, if your name is called, be a citizen

and come forward.

Douglas Wambaugh.

[crowd exclaims]

[laughing] Well.

This is the first raffle I ever won.

Before I begin, let me say...

Vince Lombardi was from Green Bay. And he put it best.

"Busing should only be used for away games."

‐[laughs] ‐[Jill] Come on, Doug.

Oh... we'll pick a name.

Yes, we're gonna start with the elementary, please.

All right.

Uh‐oh. Richie Levin.

[crowd exclaiming]

[Douglas] Libby...

Don't send him with a yarmulke.

‐They'll beat him to a pulp. ‐[crowd murmuring]

Just pick.

[Douglas] I like to be a part of things.

Who?

Zachary Brock.

[crowd exclaiming]

[theme music playing]

[theme music ends]

‐I wanna go. I like Green Bay. ‐[Jill] Yes. Uh...

‐You're not going. Come on. ‐How are you gonna get around it?

When's the bus supposed to come down?

It's coming, just not coming for you.

Would you take him to school? I'm gonna gonna be late.

‐Just teach him at home. ‐Come on.

‐You don't need to guy it up. ‐[Zach] I'm not.

[Jill] Thanks. Bye.

Okay, I worked it out with Henry Novotny.

They can start it as early as next Monday.

Hmm... you feel right about this?

Of course, I don't feel right about it.

The whole thing makes me sick, but...

do you really want Zack bussed out?

‐No. ‐No.

Well, this is the best alternative.

So, instead of going to Green Bay, they're going to Church?

Oh, it's not Church, Mrs. Levin, no, it's a private school.

We're calling it Belmont, Noble and Granaugh,

after the three families who are funding it.

And the Plymouth Church is just temporarily facilities.

And all the kids who got picked in the lottery get to go to this, right?

That's right, for a nominal fee of $50.

What about the education?

Well, the school board has agreed to loan out teachers, books, supplies,

and Michael Oslo has agreed to donate his time

as acting pro‐bono principal.

In fact, since the classes are smaller, the education might be better.

‐And what about the rest of us whose kids are... ‐[man] Yeah, what about it?

...still in the regular schools?

‐[indistinct chattering] ‐Well, so far,

I hear that everything's going just fine.

[teacher] Now, let's turn our attention forward to the Quaternary period.

This period was broken into two epochs.

The early of the two was an ice‐age in the Northern hemisphere.

Can anyone tell me the name of that epoch?

Wait. How about one of our new people?

Aiesha Campbell? Can you tell us, please?

Miss Campbell?

‐Can you tell me the name of the epoch? ‐No.

Have you... have you read the assignment, Aiesha?

Miss Campbell, I'm the teacher, and I asked you a question.

Have you read the assignment?

Mm‐hmm.

Good.

Now, in addition to doing the reading,

another requirement here is class participation.

So...

can you answer my question, please?

Mr. Steinberg, maybe she doesn't want to participate.

Maybe, Kimberly, you should let me finish my discussion with Miss Campbell.

I just thought that since, you know, everybody's so new...

New or old, we have rules here.

And sometimes, the rules need to change.

One that won't is who is in‐charge of this classroom.

[Steinberg] All right?

Let's open our books, please.

Chapter two, page 68.

‐[door opens] ‐[woman] Excuse me, sir...

I'm very upset. When I give an order,

I expect it be carried out.

I don't expect mayors to be trying to stop me using their police department.

I do not expect mayors to be jury‐rigging private schools

in order to circumvent the spirit of my orders.

I think you should be just a little more cognizant

of my expectations, Mrs. Brock.

If a town wishes to setup private schools, it has the right.

Is that so?

Yes, this is Wisconsin.

Parents can teach their kids at home, if they want.

They don't have to send them to any school.

So, none of our children will be going to Green Bay.

But I'll be sure to tell everybody just how upset you are.

You're right.

I have no recourse against those parents.

But a mayor, who orchestrates an end around

to circumvent desegregation?

She's all mine.

You're under arrest

for contempt to Federal Court. Take her!

What, you can't do that.

Oh, watch me.

Oh, hey, I'm only the co‐mayor.

And your are the one I want.

And be sure to put her in a cell without windows.

My husband in the Sheriff. You're not gonna get away with this.

Where are you taking me?

[Jill] What the hell is this?

The beginning.

That's what this is.

Just the beginning.

Damn it, he arrested her.

Now, how the hell could he do that?

They took her away in handcuffs.

He's trying to get her to squash her little private school plan.

And that's legal? He can just lock her up?

Yes. Federal Court judges have broad contempt power.

This guy likes to use his.

He can just lock up a mayor?

Look, you're wife picked the wrong judge.

Now, this man has been acting very erratic for the past few months.

Nobody knows why.

Maybe he's a nut.

Maybe he just has a political death wish.

How do I get my wife out of jail?

Hire a lawyer.

Take it to appeals. There's nothing I can do.

[door closes]

‐Thank you. ‐Uh, Deputy?

Um... I've been meaning to ask you, uh...

Do you wanna have dinner sometime?

What?

Dinner sometime, you and me.

Uh...

Sure.

Get me out of here.

We're off to see Judge Nance in Chambers,

but first I need to know exactly what went down.

What went down is I let you talk me into being the Mayor.

Get me out.

‐Now! ‐We'll get you out.

Nance is an honorary son of a bitch,

and I don't want to antagonize him.

Oh, the man lives for antagonism.

I have three children

and a medical practice, at least I did.

My patients have probably gone on to find another doctor by now.

If I sit in this jail cell one more hour,

that judge will enjoy a very special relationship with antagonism.

Get me out!

Now!

‐[guard] Open gate three. ‐[buzzes]

[indistinct chatter]

I'm not talking to her.

[laughing] What would I say?

We could start with hello.

[girl] She doesn't look like she wants to talk.

Come on.

Hi.

I'm Kimberly Brock.

This is Roseann, Suzanne...

and Hayden.

Uh... where's Alicia?

Bolted.

Oh, anyway...

well, we just wanted to introduce ourselves.

[scoffs]

I've brought with me Sheriff James Brock,

who happens to be the husband of the woman you have so capriciously jailed.

I'm all aflutter.

‐Listen to me, Judge. ‐Sheriff!

Your Honor...

Mayor Jill Brock's actions

are supported entirely by the law.

I will tell you, as her attorney,

that she has gone to great pains

to ensure that each decision she's made

be grounded in legal basis.

How nice!

Now, while she has been careful to stay within the law,

I would submit that you have not.

This is an extraordinary abuse of judicial power.

And I would respectfully request‐‐

Well, power tends to be most abused

by the ones that go it,

don't you agree, Sheriff?

‐My wife has done nothing wrong. ‐Your wife

used technical maneuvers to get around the law.

I don't give a damn if she had an attorney to help her do it.

I find that contemptible.

So, I'm holding her in contempt.

It's a perk I get.

Comes with my big black robe.

I'm not intimidated by you

or your big black robe.

No, I can see. You're a tough guy.

When those students got off that bus,

you were the big boy

standing there with your gun and all your deputies

making those kids feel so very welcome.

If you had stood up against the National Guard,

I would've thought you at least had some guts.

A judge shouldn't behave like this.

Get our of here, tough guy.

I'll let your wife go... when I'm ready.

[indistinct chatter]

[cop] Max, I'll put these in lock up for you.

Okay.

‐Oh. ‐I'm sorry.

‐No, that's my fault. ‐No, it's my fault.

No, okay, it's your fault. No problem.

Hey, Max, um, Thursday and Friday are good for me.

You wanna try and have dinner then?

Uh... well, actually, this week is so lousy for me.

How about next week?

Oh, no! The week after is even better

because I go off grave yard.

Oh , well, let me see. How about never?

How does that work out for you? Is never good?

Oh... no. No, I really wanna go out.

I do.

Okay, well, let me know.

Okay.

Yeah, you better buy your own book

'cause you ain't gonna be marking it in mine.

Wait, I ain't even staying here.

And if I was, I won't be buying no history books.

My mother told me it ain't nothin' but lies, anyway.

Oh, look, these things have faucets.

And they got mirrors to see what you look like.

I look fine and you know that.

Oh, I noticed you scanning white boys.

[laughing]

What you looking at?

‐Nothing. ‐Well, it look like you lookin' at something.

‐Don't she look like that? ‐Mmm‐hm.

She's okay.

We just make her nervous.

[chuckles] You don't make me nervous.

Let's go.

[door closes]

[guard] Open number five.

Clear.

Am I supposed to quake?

There's nothing else you can do to me.

You've taken the only shot available to you.

And now I suppose you'll be taking yours, mm?

You are the walking‐talking personification of Federal Government arrogance.

And what are you the personification of?

Using troops to stop those buses.

Have you got children, Your Honor?

Two, but one's dead, but tell me about yours.

Alive and safe. I wanna keep it that way.

I'm not gonna apologize for that. And if you're acting out

your personal hardships on the bench, then I suggest‐‐

All I'm trying to do is give some kids a chance.

‐Same as me. ‐But different kids.

Okay, fine, consider me slapped.

Can I go now?

[chuckling] I don't think you understand.

You're not going anywhere.

Well, you can't just lock me up here indefinitely.

You know, there seems to be a big misperception about that.

You see, I can

Contempt is one of those broad powers belonging to me.

And I'm exercising it for all of its elasticity.

[exhales]

I don't get it. There...

there are a lot of real bigots out there,

people much more dangerous than me.

Why are you coming after me?

Because I've been trying to catch the Mayor of a small town

for a long, long time.

And now, I've got one.

So, I'm not letting you go until I get exactly what I want.

Now, do you get it, Mrs. Brock?

Yes, I get it.

And here's something for you to get, Judge.

If you are keeping me here until I say,

"Okay, you can take our kids to Green Bay,"

I will rot in this cell.

My Zachary is nine years old,

and you will never, never take him away!

That is from a mother.

And as a Mayor, I won't let you do it to the others, either.

Maybe I better lock all you mothers up.

Well, maybe you better.

It's against the law.

What he's doing is against the law.

[Franklin] Just calm down.

I will not calm down.

He's got my wife in jail!

All I had to do is send in my own troops.

Look, he can't keep her in there forever. If we can go into appellate court

and demonstrate that the jailing will have no effect on her,

we should be able to get an order for her release.

When will that happen?

I'm on my way to court right now.

The question they'll be asking, and the one I have to answer is,

will he be able to change her mind?

Not a chance!

And I will not be bullied by you‐‐

No, you just dig your heels in

'cause that's the traditional thing to do.

What, Black students coming into your town?

Well, you better dig those white heels in deep, Mrs. Brock.

You better get in that dirt up to your knee.

Oh, top of the ridiculous hyperbole.

At least Jesse Jackson throws in some interesting rhymes to make it fun.

Now, it's Jesse Jackson, I bet Martin Luther King really pissed you off.

No, what really pissed me off

is you categorizing me as a bigot,

so that you can preach your rhetoric.

And that's what desegregation is, rhetoric?

I have nothing against desegregation.

I've said that to you from the beginning!

I just don't think you can thrust it on the town

‐and expect us to‐‐ ‐Thrust it? It's been 40 years

since Brown vs. Board of Education,

and I'm thrusting it?

It's still radical. You have to give us time to‐‐

You've had enough time!

This is 1994, time has run out.

Do you hear me? Time has run out!

‐He won't let her out? ‐Mmm‐mm.

How can he do this? She's not a criminal.

He's in some Black‐powered ego trip, that's all.

I didn't mean it like that.

Is she okay?

Yeah, she's okay.

She's fine.

The CBS News poll, however, shows 53% in favor of the President's plan.

The bill is expected to go to the House on Thursday.

In other news, US district court judge Harold Nance, yesterday,

jailed the Mayor of Rome, Wisconsin, after...

This is the same town where the Mayor shooed people, right?

This is not a good place to be the Mayor.

Why can't she make bail?

Because the Judge won't give her bail.

So, how long will she be locked up?

Just as long as I see fit.

Shouldn't you be in court, there are lot of other lives you could be ruining.

[chuckles] No, this is more cathartic for me...

being in a steel cage with a bigot.

Oh, gee, my pride is so wounded.

Let me get down on my knees and beg for forgiveness.

You don't seem to be making much progress here.

What do you want from me?

I was the one who stood in for the town hall.

I recognized the bigotry.

I stared those people down,

and I said that Rome was a prejudiced community.

After which you sent out the troops.

I was scared.

What, that's an excuse?

"I was scared'?

Oh, it's okay to be prejudiced

just as long as you can back it up with fear.

Oh, hear comes the speech.

Hey! Lady, don't you ever get smug with me.

The fact that you recognized the bigotry makes you worse.

Your discrimination was knowing,

and that to me makes you a thousand times more malignant.

Hey, I'm supposed to protect the welfare of a town!

And that welfare's promoted by excluding Blacks?

It's promoted by guarding against violence.

And you guard against the violence by excluding Blacks!

By avoiding the tension and the confrontation.

By excluding Blacks!

Keeping the Blacks away from the whites! Both sides are involved.

"By keeping the Blacks away from the whites."

I didn't mean it like that.

[Judge Nance] Right.

But sometimes, it comes out like that just the same.

[indistinct chatter]

[laughing] I guess Aiesha's right.

You're scared of us.

Look, why don't you mind your own business, all right?

I'm not doing anything to you.

Well, what's going on?

‐She your friend? ‐Yeah, she is.

Black people make her nervous which is making us nervous.

Just tell her we don't need her help, all right?

[bell ringing]

‐Hello? ‐Oh, hi.

[sighs]

Look...

I don't want to go out with you.

I dated a midget...

I slept with my shrink, who I then arrested.

Then I posed for those pictures.

I don't need to be dating the DA,

for my sake, for your sake.

‐It's a bad idea. ‐Okay.

What's the real reason?

I just told you.

All right.

Max, if there's anything we both know,

it's that you're fundamentally lonely.

Now, if the right man came along,

you wouldn't think twice about jeopardizing your career.

So, let's just admit

I'm not the right man, okay?

Okay, let's admit it.

Okay.

Now my question is, how can you be sure?

I mean, there's something going on between us.

There has been for a long time.

We both antagonize each other without even knowing why.

Are you really sure that we are not right for each other?

Yes.

What's going on, Max?

What if you did turn out to be the one?

I mean, from what I've seen in this town, the last few weeks...

that would be the biggest disaster of all.

I mean, I'm not gonna fall in love with a man I know I wouldn't marry.

I'm sorry?

You're Black. I'm white.

Not that that makes any difference to me,

but it sure does to society.

Then therefore, it does to you.

Well, no.

Look, if we go out,

one of two things could happen.

I mean, it could end up being a short‐term thing,

in which case, why bother?

I mean, you're the DA, I'm a deputy,

and there's too much at stake, so, why bother?

Or it could turn out to be a long‐term thing,

maybe even a forever thing,

in which case, what if we had kids?

Half‐Black, half‐white. They'd get the worst of it.

I mean, is it fair for us to do that to them?

So, in fairness to our children, we shouldn't have them?

Don't make it sound like I'm being stupid, I'm just...

being stupid.

You're right.

[laughs] I'm just buying in to all this insanity.

Well, I won't. I'm not gonna let this town get to me.

I wanna go out with you.

How about next Thursday?

[scoffs]

Well, I'll check my book. I'll get back to you.

‐Good. ‐Good.

She's got a visitor.

I said no visitors.

I'm her only company.

Her son.

Oh, well... five minutes.

It's your kid.

‐Oh, Zach! Hi! ‐Hi, Mom.

How did you get here?

‐Kenny drove me. ‐He did?

Is this your cell mate?

[laughing] No. Honey, this is Judge Nance.

Hello, son.

Can you say hello to Judge Nance?

Hi.

When you coming home?

Oh, I'm gonna be home soon.

Everything's gonna be just fine.

Matthew says I need new clothes for Green Bay.

I need baggy clothes.

[Jill] Oh... [chuckles]

I wouldn't be taking fashion tips from Matthew.

‐Does daddy know you're here? ‐[laughs]

[Zach] Couldn't find him. He wasn't at the office.

But Kenny's taking me right back.

[Jill] I'm so glad you came. I missed you.

‐[Zach] I missed you, too. ‐Thanks.

You don't make me nervous.

What

You don't make me nervous.

I just tried to be a little nice.

If there's a problem with that, it's yours, not mine.

Then I got a problem. Can I get back?

Bitch.

What did you say?

Nothing.

What, you decided to make me a little friendship project,

and I'm supposed to be all grateful?

I haven't decided anything.

I just saw you were a little uncomfortable in class,

so, I asked the teacher to lighten up.

The only thing I've decided is that you're not worth it,

and I shouldn't waste my time.

‐Don't push me. ‐Get off of me.

Let me tell you something.

Don't you ever put your hands on me again.

Do you understand me? Else, I will take you

by your pretty blond hair and pluck you bald.

I'm not afraid of you.

[both grunting]

[boy] Fight, fight.

My own daughter?

‐She started it. ‐I didn't start it.

[indistinct shouting]

Stop it!

Now, let me tell you both something, all right?

This isn't just a school‐yard fight.

I could bring assault charges.

And add on hate crime 'cause from what I see here, it applies.

She's the one that hates.

‐Kimberly? ‐Who's calling who a bitch?

Wait. Wait a minute.

What was this fight about?

You wanted to be nice, right?

You wanted to be left alone.

You were offended by that,

so, you end up pulling each other's hair out.

What is that about?

What is wrong with you, Kimberly?

Can I leave, please?

No, you cannot leave.

And you're too big to accept a little kindness, is that it?

No, not from her.

‐Bitch. ‐See?

‐Kimberly! ‐Kimberly, watch it!

Aiesha, you're gonna get a lot of crap thrown at you.

There's a lot of attitude over you even being here.

And you're gonna have to have the common sense to pick your battles.

Now, she may not be acting like it right now,

but she's one of the good ones.

If you wanna fight everybody who says something funny to you,

that doesn't make you strong, Aiesha.

I just want her to stay away from me, okay?

And I just want her to stay away from me.

You can't legislate cultural attitudes.

I agree.

But the only way for the two sides to get over their ignorance

is to put them together.

Let them know each other.

But you can't force it.

But unless you do a little forcing, it's never gonna happen.

And if you don't give us the time‐‐

It's the time that's run out!

Why can't you get that?

Why do I have to get that?

Who set the deadline?

Why do you keep shouting we're out of time?

Maybe you're out of time.

What, you're about to get disbarred, Judge?

Are you out of time?

As a matter of fact, I am.

I've got cancer of the liver.

What?

I've got about six months.

So, that makes me desperate, I...

Maybe that's what your little Rome, Wisconsin, needs...

desperation.

[indistinct conversation]

What's the deal here, Joe?

You see the deal.

They're just standing out there, and my business if off.

Oh... don't say I didn't warn you.

Hey, kids. Hey!

Shouldn't you kids be in school?

Recess.

Yeah, I see.

Well...

My name's Ed Lawson, I'm running for Mayor next month.

My candidacy is official today.

See, the problem with spending your whole life in the same town

is you get blind spots.

I could really use some feedback from a fresh pair of eyes.

So, you guys have anything to say to me, anything at all...

I'd love to hear it, okay?

Okay, man.

Okay.

See you around.

I really don't know what else to say except that I'm sorry.

Well, let's not have a hallmark moment here.

So, that's what's going on.

You're trying to put the world on your timetable.

You're gonna fix race relations in six months

because that's your deadline.

You have to know how unfair that is.

You wanna know what's really unfair, Mrs. Brock?

Those children that went to school back in 1954...

they were called niggers...

they were taunted, beaten...

some of them even killed.

I made a vow to myself

that one day I'd make a difference.

So, I went to law school, became a lawyer,

superior court judge.

And now, I'm on the federal bench.

And look at all the difference I've made.

My own son...

What about your son?

He was killed in a peace march.

He was stepping along for racial equality in Washington D. C.,

our nation's capital, and...

violence broke out...

somebody stabbed him.

Well, two weeks later...

I had a white supremacy case.

Council asked whether I should recuse myself.

I said, "No! I can be objective."

And you know what, Mrs. Brock, I was.

My evidentiary rulings were right on.

I was the perfect impartial jurist,

a prototype judge.

I rose above my personal situation

and played my proper role in this wonderful system.

Then, I went home...

and I came this close to putting a gun in my mouth.

How dare I be so damned objective!

What gave me the right?

My own son was killed.

So many others were killed.

And here I am preserving my judicial integrity.

Well, I am sick to death of being a role model judge!

I'm sick of it!

I'm sick of it all!

[sniffling]

I know I can't change the world.

I know this.

But maybe I can affect one small town.

Before I go, just one small, little town...

Rome, Wisconsin.

That's not right.

You're dying and you have no choice,

and you're trying to take the choice away from the rest of us.

You had choice.

And you abused the privilege.

I had choice, 24 years on the bench

and I abused the privilege.

Well, my last six months are gonna count.

I've gotta make 'em count.

How can they take it under advice? What the hell's going on?

They'll probably rule by end of the day.

And if not, she just sits there?

Jimmy, Zach's in your office. He's upset.

Excuse me.

Hi, Zach.

What's wrong?

Saw mom in jail.

What if she doesn't get out?

Oh, she'll get out.

Don't you worry about that.

And I heard Kim was in a fight.

‐Some black girl tried to kill her. ‐Oh, no, no, no.

She's just fine. It was just a little pushing and shoving.

Are you okay?

I don't want to go to Green Bay.

I know.

I don't wanna go there. [crying]

Oh.

It's okay.

We're not gonna let you go. Don't you worry about that.

We're not gonna let you go.

You can't withdraw now.

This case goes to the Supreme Court in less than a month.

Well, I'm thinking of resigning my position as District Attorney,

so the case needs to be reassigned.

What the hell is going on?

I don't wanna live in Rome, Wisconsin, anymore.

I've become a little disillusioned here.

So what?

You're gonna pack your bags

every time a town disappoints you?

I hope you got a good set of luggage.

Look, I was prepared to face a lot of things when I came here.

And now that I faced it all, I guess I can move on.

Grow up, Counsel.

Whether you want to admit it or not,

you represent the Black leadership in this town.

What the hell are those Green Bay kids gonna think if you throw it in?

Think about the plank they're walking.

Think about how scared they are.

You are their hope, I'm not.

Look, for all we know, I could represent their futility.

I'm the man that supposed made it.

Law school, DA.

I'm off to the Supreme Court.

But at the end of the day,

what do I add up to in Rome, Wisconsin?

Nothing.

Is that what you think?

Here's a hard flash for you, Mr. Littleton.

You, more than anybody else,

represent the center of Rome, Wisconsin.

‐Ah... ‐Don't look so shocked.

It used to be Jimmy Brock.

Today, it's you.

Oh, he's still admired and loved, no question.

But, on pure integrity, you're a bigger influence.

I sit up on that bench and I see it.

And here's what else I see.

The Black man has made strides in government,

in law, in medicine,

in almost every arena,

except the heartlands.

In small town USA,

the African‐American still need pioneers.

And like it or not,

the badge is pinned to your ass in Rome, Wisconsin.

It's also pinned

to those kids from Green Bay.

I will not let you let them down!

I will not let you out of this case.

I will not let you leave this town.

You can't force me to stay here.

You think a Federal Court Judge

is the only one with contempt powers?

Just try me.

Um... could y'all wait outside for a second?

Could you guard the door?

‐I'm stayin' in. ‐No. Go outside.

[door closes]

What?

I've been thinking about things.

And...

I'm sorry.

God, I thought you were gonna stab me.

What?

I didn't mean that.

Look... I'm sorry, too.

Maybe you did make me a little nervous.

But I really was trying to be nice.

Till you thought I was a bitch.

Till then, yeah.

So, I was thinkin' that...

I don't know, maybe we could try and do something together.

You know, see if we like each other.

We probably won't...

but we could see.

That'd be good.

Okay, hostage time is over.

The appellate court has overruled your little one‐man crusade.

The contempt order's officiated.

The prisoner's free to go.

Do you always talk like that?

Or has your underwear ridden up?

I'd fire right back at you, Judge,

but you'd probably whack me with contempt.

[chuckles] Go ahead. I give howdy doodies a free shot.

Come on, Jill.

[Judge Nance] You can go.

Rock beats scissors.

Um, I'll be just a minute. I, I just want a word in private. Okay?

Okay.

[sighs]

I would like to be able to send our kids to a regular school,

not just the makeshift Church thing.

But if you don't lift the order‐‐

Order's lifted. Your kids can stay.

But the ones coming in still come.

Thank you.

You know...

You said that you wanted to make a difference.

You have.

Once my temporary term is up,

I've decided to run for Mayor full‐time, and I promise...

to be a little desperate.

You're a fine person, Mrs. Brock.

But unfortunately, that gives me little hope.

Why?

Now you've made me realize.

The people out there resisting desegregation

are ones trying to protect their children and their towns...

are probably also fine, caring people.

Respectable, scared.

And the reason it'll be a long, long time

before Black children can run happily

in the streets of Rome, Wisconsin.

I wish I had an answer.

Me too.

[exhales] If you'll pardon me, I'd like to just...

sit here for a minute.

Do me a favor.

Go be a good mayor.

[theme music playing]

[theme music ends]