Original subtitles

[Jimmy] Previously on Picket Fences...

Four hundred Black students

are being bussed here from Green Bay.

‐I’ve become a little disillusioned here. ‐[Henry] So what?

You’re gonna pack your bags every time a town disappoints you?

Big things seem to be happening

in the tiny town of Rome, Wisconsin.

Yesterday, Dr. Jill Brock rocked the community

by announcing her candidacy

to become the first woman mayor in Rome’s history.

All it takes for evil to succeed

is for good Black men to do nothing.

How many times are we gonna have this discussion?

Every time you run for mayor.

[sighs] I didn’t wanna do it, he tricked me.

‐He tricked you, Judge Nance? ‐He just, he...

He somehow got me to think that it was important for people

to contribute to the community they live in.

‐It’s not too late to back out. ‐I’m ahead in the polls.

And look, Rachel Harris doesn’t have a chance.

Everybody in town’s rented her porno tape.

And Louise Talbot is a very smart woman

but she used to be a man.

And that leaves Ed Lawson.

Do you really want Ed Lawson to be the mayor?

‐No! But you’re a doctor. ‐Oh, but I’m hiring somebody.

You’re also a parent. Your children need to have you around here.

Jimmy, our children are very well‐adjusted.

Don’t be using that as an excuse.

‐We have model children. ‐[Zach] Hey, Mom.

Trick or treat?

‐What’s this? ‐Our Halloween costumes.

We’re the Menendez Brothers.

‐I’m Erik. ‐And I’m Lyle.

Trick or treat? [mimics gunshot]

[gasps]

[♪♪♪]

[people chattering]

I don’t like pulling you off the street

for everything little hiccup in my school...

but I am in over my head here.

Two weeks and they’ve started with the gang symbols.

I looked it up in the glossary of street slang.

Tagging, they call it. This one isn’t even in the book.

Is it the Crips or the Bloods?

It’s not a gang symbol, it’s a pentacle.

‐What? ‐It’s an occult thing.

Halloween’s right around the corner.

‐It’s probably just some prank. ‐It’s not a prank.

Zach, would you please excuse us?

It is a pentacle and I know who did it.

Who?

The girl right there. Sarah Keegan.

How do you know she did it?

’Cause she put a hex on me. She’s a witch.

It’s for protection.

Everybody was talking about the Black kids coming

and all the trouble there was gonna be.

I didn’t want anything to happen to me... and the school.

Well, that’s an interesting thought, Sarah,

but you realize you’re defacing public property?

‐Am I going to jail? ‐No.

Why did you think that would protect the school, Sarah?

It can neutralize the Black kids.

My mom taught me.

Last year, she neutralized this dog

that kept peeing on our lawn.

Now it pees in all the lawns in our neighborhood

but walks right on past ours.

‐Your mom put a curse on a dog? ‐They’re spells.

We don’t do curses.

Who’s we?

Witches.

The official point of this meeting is of course

to finalize the nominations.

As you know, Ed Lawson and Louise Talbot and I are already on the ballot.

But if there’s anyone else you wish to nominate, then now is the time.

But before we get to that,

something has come up which I feel needs addressing.

[sighs] Last night, my sons came downstairs

in their Halloween costumes

dressed as the Menendez Brothers.

[crowd murmuring]

Now after reprimanding them,

we found out that their original idea for costumes

was OJ and Nicole Simpson.

Now, I mention this because

the reason they decided not to be OJ and Nicole

is because they were aware of at least 20 other kids

with the same plan.

[murmuring]

Aside from the obvious bad taste...

this poses a particular problem for us...

The victim is a white woman and the alleged killer is a Black man.

We don’t need that right now.

So as mayor...

I am passing an ordinance effective immediately

which makes OJ‐Nicole Simpson costumes illegal.

‐And as a matter of fact... ‐[woman] What?!

...any costume which is deemed to be discriminatory

or racial insensitive

will be illegal within the town limits.

‐Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on a second. ‐I’m talking, sir!

I know that, I have something I want to say.

And as a mayoral candidate,

I think there are a lot of people

who would like to hear my point of view.

‐[audience chatters, applauds] ‐I’ve‐‐

‐All right, go ahead. ‐Thank you.

Well, now, of course...

it would be completely insensitive for kids to dress up like OJ.

Well, with this busing thing going on it would be...

it would be pretty repulsive

to dress up as Jerry Falwell also.

The fact is that Casper the Ghost costumes

are dangerous right now

because white sheets can give people the wrong idea.

But that is a parent thing.

A mayor has no business regulating Halloween costumes.

I mean, where is it gonna stop?

It stops right there. Sit down, Ed.

Politicians should not be telling us what to do?

See, this is exactly the problem that this town is facing.

First, the feds came in here, enforced bussing.

Then they almost took our kids away.

And now she wants to control Halloween.

The next thing you know, well, uh‐‐

They’ll put a cap on the number of Christmas lights

that can twinkle on your tree so we don’t offend the Jews.

I mean, look, I’ve said it before, I will say it again,

government has no business telling you how to live.

And as your mayor... I won’t.

And that is a campaign promise.

[audience applauds]

[supportive chattering]

Now, I would like to say something please?

Carter, make it quick.

‐Very quick. ‐Okay.

At this time, I, Carter Pike,

hereby announce my candidacy for mayor of Rome, Wisconsin.

[all laughing]

Oh, that’s great. That’s great.

What?

Don’t you think this is an overreaction?

‐Like I have a choice? ‐Yes. Investigate a little.

[Miriam] That’s what we’re doing.

[door bell rings]

What’s wrong? Are you all right?

‐[Miriam] She’s fine. ‐Who are you?

I’m Miriam Thorn from the Department of Human Services.

May we come in?

Okay.

‐What’s going on? ‐They made me tell.

I don’t mean to alarm you, Mrs. Keegan, uh...

Ms. Thorn just has a few questions to ask you.

Okay. I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have.

[Jimmy] Mm‐hmm.

[Vera] Does Sarah have to be here for this?

Yes, I’m afraid she does. Can you explain this?

It’s an altar, it’s part of my religion.

[Vera] You know, I’m not sure

you people can be here without a search warrant.

Well, we’re not searching for anything, Mrs. Keegan,

we just wanna talk.

Sarah says she’s a witch.

Oh, well, she’s not supposed to use the word "witch",

it scares people.

And what word would you use, Mrs. Keegan?

Wiccan. It’s an established religion.

‐[clatters] ‐I’d be happy to give you pamphlets to read if you’d like.

Sheriff, could I speak to you in private for just one second?

Max, what’s going on here?

You know me, I’m not a nut.

Look, the word "occult", it scares people.

Just be cooperative.

Maybe stay in on Halloween night.

Mrs. Keegan, may I have a word with you in private?

Not until you explain to me what the hell’s going on here?

Well, everything maybe perfectly fine,

but we must continue to investigate.

And while we’re investigating,

Sarah must be remanded into the care of the State.

‐What? ‐[Miriam] So if you’ll provide us

with a small suitcase of her clothing and toiletries.

‐No, no, no. You’re not taking her away. ‐Mommy!

‐[Vera] No, you’re not‐‐ ‐Mrs. Keegan, please‐‐

‐Mom, what’s happening? ‐You can’t do this.

‐I have not done anything wrong! ‐Mom, what’s happening?

[Vera] Where are you taking her? No! Get away from me!

If you don’t do as we say, I’ll have you arrested!

Now get Kenny and go on out to Ginny Weedon’s house,

she knows about this witchcraft stuff.

We’re taking her now.

Now bring her suitcase out to the department

and we get it delivered to her. Please.

‐[sighs] Sheriff, I’m begging you‐‐ ‐It’s just an investigation.

We have no choice.

Eight years old. We just snatched her away.

‐[drawers closes] ‐It’s ridiculous!

Maybe not, Max.

Ed Lawson has seen these witches in the woods at night

doing their voodoo stuff.

‐In the woods where? ‐I don’t know, he’s gonna show me.

But he said that it’s definitely occult.

‐Let’s go get Ginny. ‐What do we need her for?

Because she’s an expert in this occult stuff.

She knows about Wiccan. Maybe she can help Vera.

‐Well, let’s give her a call. ‐I did call, she didn’t pick up.

‐[knocks on door] ‐[Maxine] Ginny?

Ginny, it’s Max. Max and Kenny.

[sighs] Something doesn’t smell too good.

Yeah.

Here’s the stench.

[sighs] That’s been there a while. Where is she?

Here’s her purse.

‐[Kenny] Max? ‐[Maxine] What?

That’s Ginny’s dress.

What? You think she’s in there?

She’s not in there, she couldn’t be in there.

‐Well, open it. ‐You open it.

‐You’re sure she’s not in there? ‐You’re the one who saw

‐the dress, you open it. ‐Just open it.

Well, let’s both open it.

Yeah.

Uh...

[police siren blares]

No sign of forced entry.

Looks like she might have fallen in.

‐[smacks lips] My God. ‐[Carter sighs] Yep.

Looks like she was reaching for the peas and tumbled over.

One trauma bruise on the head,

lot of frost, hard to tell much else.

‐Take her to the morgue. ‐Autopsy?

You were close to her, can you do this?

Yeah.

Okay, guys.

‐[sighs] ‐When was the last time you saw her?

[sighs heavily] I can’t remember.

‐[man 1] She’s frozen solid! ‐You?

[man 2] Yeah, like a popsicle.

‐I don’t know. ‐[man 1] Get her feet.

‐[man 2] All right. ‐[Carter] Set her up against the wall.

[man 1 grunts] Watch the ice cream, come on.

‐[woman] Can we have all that? ‐Excuse me, yeah.

[man 1] That’s it. Ah. Okay, stand her up.

[man 1] Easy.

[man 1] Well, there, she’s a little stiff.

‐Douglas Wambaugh for the witch. ‐I beg your pardon.

My client is a member of the Wiccan religion.

And for no other reason than that,

they’ve taken away her child.

Your Honor, I am Miriam Thorn

from the Department of Human Services.

We simply want custody of the child

while we investigate the environment in which she’s being raised.

I’m all for protecting children, Ms. Thorn...

but I don’t believe that’s done

by yanking them away from their parents.

That’s what they did, Judge. It was a vicious yank.

Shut up.

You see that? We’re close.

Your Honor, I have encountered the Wiccan religion.

It teaches evil. It’s satanic.

And no child is ought to be exposed to that kind of‐‐

[scoffs] It’s not evil. It’s not satanic.

‐[Henry] Mrs. Keegan! ‐She knows nothing about Wiccan.

Neither do I. Ms. Thorn, are you a lawyer?

Uh, no, sir, I’m not.

All of my department’s lawyers are tied up at the moment.

However, we can be ready to go by Thursday.

‐That’s three days, you can’t‐‐ ‐Mrs. Keegan, please.

I don’t want a delay if there’s a safety issue.

Uh, Your Honor, I’ll represent Human Services.

‐You will? Why? ‐Well, it’s a custody matter.

I’ve handled DHS cases before, I can do it.

[chuckles] My worthy opponent.

‐Will you be quiet? ‐[Henry] Shut up!

This is what we’re going to do.

I’m releasing the girl for now.

Until DHS makes it’s case, the presumption goes to her mother.

Especially since you’ve offered no suggestion of real abuse.

Three o’clock, call your first witness.

‐[bangs gavel] ‐Adjourned.

Halloween. So we have a witch. Why should I be surprised?

[metallic clicking]

Excuse me.

I’m Benjamin Weedon.

Ginny Weedon’s brother.

I’m very sorry.

‐Uh... ‐Can I see her?

Yes.

She’s not quite thawed.

What happened?

[smacks lips] I think she was

bending over to reach the frozen peas and fell in.

She probably bumped her head and...

‐[snaps fingers] ‐it knocked her unconscious,

door fell shut, and she died of hypothermia.

‐When did this happen? ‐[smacks lips] Uh...

My best guess is three weeks ago, maybe four.

Ginny...

I talked to her the day she quit her job.

She said she was moving on to bigger challenges.

And now you’ve fallen into a freezer.

Ginny.

[Zach] It was a gigantic hex.

‐[John] What kind of a hex? ‐She had this crystal thing.

She started waving it in front of my face.

She started saying stuff about golden rings and stars.

And she told me it was a hex.

‐Hmm, were you scared? ‐Yes.

[John] So what’d you do?

I wanted to find a way to get the hex off.

And I knew she had this book on witches.

So I went into her desk to look for it

and that’s when I found the doll.

Mmm.

This doll?

‐Yes. ‐You took this from her?

Yes. I’ve been keeping it in my locker,

so she wouldn’t do anymore voodoo on me.

Looks just like me.

Yeah. Mm‐hmm. I can see that.

Pin sticking right through the heart.

Yeah, I can see that too. Anything else?

No, I’m through this witness, Your Honor.

Thank you, Zachary.

Zach, did Sarah ever threaten to hurt you?

No.

What was the worst thing she ever did besides the hex?

Hmm. She tried to kiss me.

[Douglas] Did she want to be your girlfriend?

‐Yes. ‐But you didn’t want this.

No.

Now, when Sarah put the hex on you,

did she tell you what it was for?

To make me fall in love with her.

[Douglas] Did it work?

No.

All right, all right. What’s going on?

[Kenny] All right, we’re almost there. Keep your hands back.

Here we go.

[metallic thudding]

‐[Kenny] Hey, what’s your name? ‐Jimmy Webb.

Are you okay?

[Oslo] All right, everybody, move along.

Go back to your class. Move along.

‐[children groan] ‐Are you okay, Jimmy?

They just threw me in.

‐Who? ‐The big kids.

It’s a high school thing. They come over here

and target the squeakers.

It’s been happening for years.

‐Who did it? ‐I don’t know.

Kids never rat. We usually just let it go.

We can’t let this go, can we?

[male officer] And you’ll be on for a double shift?

[female officer] Yeah, that’s right.

[Kenny] You’re not making a mountain out of this, are you?

[Jimmy] What, those kids?

"White high school kids assault a Black elementary student"?

Yeah, but high schools have been doing this for years.

It’s selective prosecution.

[Jill] Well, then let’s make it selective.

You let this go, there could be a backlash from the Black students.

Yeah, but there’s been 20 white kids

thrown into lockers and heads first in toilets.

What do we tell their parents?

[Jill] Go after all of them. I don’t care.

But this isn’t gonna go unpunished while I’m the mayor.

‐I’m sorry. Can I help you? ‐I’m Benjamin Weedon.

I’m Ginny’s brother.

Hmm.

Oh.

[sighs] We’re so sorry.

Thank you.

I’m told she may have been dead three weeks.

I’m curious as to how nobody discovered her.

Um...nobody knew she was missing.

I see.

She led me to believe that she was very popular in this town.

Was she making that up?

‐No, she was popular. ‐Right.

She was very popular.

Vera Keegan is not an evil woman.

Well, there’s something wrong with her

if she’s teaching her daughter witchcraft.

It’s a religion.

‐What about Christian Scientists? ‐[scoffs]

They don’t take their children to doctors sometimes.

And you don’t run around declaring them unfit?

Christian Scientists don’t make potions out of grave dust, Max.

They don’t hop around casting spells on people.

This woman is a kook.

[Maxine] Casting spells on people?

You mean Black people.

Why did you volunteer to take this case?

Because Mrs. Keegan raised her daughter to be a witch.

‐And that has to be stopped. ‐Uh‐huh.

[Ed] Yeah, yeah, Kenny, this is...

This is where I always see them

when I’ve been out hunting.

Always... always on Wednesday nights.

[Kenny] Yeah, well, they’re not hunting now, Ed, okay?

[Ed] Well, you never know when you’re gonna spot something.

‐You shouldn’t even be hunting at night any way. ‐Listen, listen.

‐[chanting in distance] ‐Yeah, here we go. They’re down there.

Okay.

[indistinct chanting]

[all chanting] Falling star in the streaking path...

destroy and dissolve all wrath.

Falling star in the streaking path...

destroy and dissolve all wrath.

Falling star in the streaking path...

Whoa, there she is!

Do you see her, the kid? Buck naked.

...destroy and dissolve all wrath.

And we’re told there’s an entire colony of witches in Rome.

‐Any comments? ‐No, I know nothing about that.

Nor do I wish to comment on any case pending in the court.

I’d like to comment.

I saw them dancing in the woods, naked, last night.

‐[woman] Who’d you see? ‐[Ed] Vera Keegan and her daughter.

‐Men and women together? ‐It’s outrageous.

If, if people wanna get into this crap, fine.

But when they start involving kids,

I think we have to step in.

And what about your big intrusion argument?

You want the government to confiscate children?

How hypocritical is that?

If... If they’re putting kids at risk, we have to act.

She’s more worried about trick or treat costumes.

‐Don’t you have some mail to deliver? ‐[crowd gasps]

‐[woman] Dr. Brock... ‐That’s a real leadership‐type response, don’t you think?

‐Your Honor, what about‐‐ ‐[reporters clamoring]

[sighs]

‐Oh... [clears throat] ‐Why aren’t you helping me?

[sighs] How did you get in here?

Through the window on my broomstick.

Why aren’t you sticking up for me?

‐I’m not saying anything. ‐Exactly!

You’re Sarah’s doctor.

You... You know she’s never been abused.

She’s a good kid and I’m a good mother.

You know and it and you’re staying silent for political expediency.

You can’t ally yourself with a witch‐‐

it’d be bad for public opinion.

Well, the truth is, Vera, I never knew that you were a witch.

So how can I stand up and publicly vouch for you?

I obviously don’t really know you.

You know I’m not dangerous.

You know it!

They’re trying to take away my kid.

My daughter.

People are just concerned for her welfare.

Trying to separate an eight‐year‐old from her mother?

She could do without your concern.

[door slams shut]

It was just a joke.

Throwing kids into lockers isn’t a joke.

Yeah, well, nobody got arrested when I got stuck in a locker.

[Maxine] I’m sorry about that.

[Zach] I just wanted to tell I’m sorry.

[Jimmy] I don’t care. I don’t want you to go to that house, young man.

‐Why? ‐Because I say so.

I don’t want your head full of magic and all that witch stuff.

Now, just do as I say and don’t go that house.

Please, go on back to school, okay?

I’d like to arrange a service for my sister.

Uh... okay.

The mortuary can arrange that with the church.

People will come, right?

It’d be embarrassing if people didn’t come.

I think they’ll come, yeah.

You know, I don’t mean to intrude but...

Ginny was involved with psychics,

and sometimes the occult.

It is an imaginative world.

Too much imagination can be dangerous, Mr. Weedon.

Children are impressionable‐‐ we have to be aware

of the psychological consequences.

Our divinity is a goddess.

She has a male consort known as the Horned God.

You mean the devil?

[Miriam] The devil is a Christian concept.

Not only do we not worship him,

we don’t acknowledge that he even exists.

Well, how can you cast a decent spell

without the devil?

[chuckles softly] We don’t cast spells.

Like evil hexes.

Wicca is about symbolic rituals

that unlock the powers of the mind.

That’s what my daughter was trying to do with Zachary Brock,

to shift his awareness through a series of rituals

that would cause him to love her.

Then why the doll, Mrs. Keegan?

It’s just used for healing.

We locate the acupuncture points on the doll’s body

that correspond to the specific ailments of the patient.

Sarah put a pin in Zach’s heart hoping to heal it.

You don’t deny that you taught Sarah about witchcraft then?

No.

[Douglas] Have you ever taught her to harm people with it?

Of course not.

‐And she never has. ‐[Douglas] Thank you, Vera.

Nothing further.

Your husband left you six years ago?

‐Yes. ‐Was witchcraft an issue?

Lots of marriages end because of religious differences.

‐It was an issue? ‐Yes.

What were you doing in the woods last night?

Did you not hear my question?

We were praying and dancing.

‐With your clothes on? ‐No, we were naked.

It’s a nature ritual.

Men and women dancing naked together?

We don’t do it in winter.

And was your daughter with you in the woods last night?

Yes.

Dancing naked with naked men?

It was a prayer ritual necessitated by this crisis.

We were praying for a safe‐‐

She runs around with naked adults,

she sticks pins in dolls to make kids fall in love,

she sprays pentacles to protect her against danger,

and she calls herself a witch.

She’s eight years old.

Did you tell your daughter that spraying pentacles has healing powers?

I didn’t encourage her to spray paint the school.

But you’ve taught her that pentacle

can protect her against evil.

Once again...

lots of religions have symbols of good luck.

Jewish people put mezuzahs on their door.

Catholics wear the cross.

And the pentacle is good luck to ward off evil.

Yes.

And what was the evil that your daughter was vending off, Mrs. Keegan?

‐Objection! ‐Was it the Black students, Mrs. Keegan?

She was afraid‐‐

Does that make you a fit mother, Mrs. Keegan?

To raise your daughter to be afraid of Black students?

Is that kind of bigotry conducive to your methods of child rearing?

‐Objection! ‐[Henry] Sustained.

What kind of mother passes on prejudice to her child?

‐Objection! ‐Mr. Littleton.

‐I didn’t do that. ‐She went into that school...

and sprayed all over it to neutralize the evil.

Now where did she get the notion to that kind of evil, Mrs. Keegan?

I don’t know, but I promise you it wasn’t from me.

You’re her mother!

I didn’t teach her that!

She got that fear some place else.

‐What case are you trying? ‐I beg your pardon.

Never mind begging my pardon.

What case are you trying?

The one about the witch and her daughter.

Uh‐huh. I’m watching you, Counsel.

You asked me to stay in Rome

and contribute to the town, Judge.

‐That’s what I’m doing. ‐Right!

I’m watching you.

Well, it’s an improvement but it’s still questionable.

It’s too late to change now.

Can we go?

Be back by 10:00 p. m.

Come on.

Why me?

‐[both chuckle] ‐[door closes]

There’s no romance in Halloween anymore.

Kids just dress up as characters

they see in the movies or on the news.

There’s no myth. No imagination.

Well, we live in a town with real witches,

we don’t need imagination.

You know what I mean.

Halloween should be a little bit about...

[inhales sharply]

...oh, I don’t know, sampling the persona of evil?

Darkness? The unknown?

It should be scary and exciting.

Today, it’s just buy a mask and total up your candy bars

at the end of the night.

The illusion part is gone.

Well, Carter, speaking of illusion...

this is why we’ve asked you over here tonight. Um...

[Jill sighs]

I don’t think that you have any real chance of winning the election.

And your candidacy is hurting mine.

So, I would like you to withdraw from the election.

‐I could be a good mayor. ‐I know that, Carter.

I have no doubt about that.

And your speech in the town hall, that was fabulous.

People will vote for you because of that.

But you can’t win.

And you’re only helping Ed Lawson.

It’s selfish of you to run for mayor, Carter.

Let me tell you something...

The reason I decided to run for mayor

is because this town has no legitimate candidate.

You ordered troops to stop those buses.

You faced down those students like it was Alabama.

I like both of you very much,

but you’re also the two reasons

I’m most embarrassed about living in Rome, Wisconsin.

I’m sorry that you feel like that, Carter.

Me too.

I’m not just a medical examiner!

Uh‐oh, wrong house.

‐[boy] Ow, watch my foot. ‐I should’ve been Wambaugh.

[kids] Trick or treat?

It wasn’t because he was Black. He was a squeaker.

The trick is to get in and out of school without getting caught.

He was the first squeaker we found.

And what’s this club that you need this initiation for?

Well, it’s just a club. The Blue Devils.

We’re not a gang or anything.

He was just the first squeaker.

[door opens]

Ruined our Halloween.

‐Are you kids okay? ‐[softly] Yeah.

This is ridiculous!

We’re releasing them.

But I suggest you talk to your sons

about throwing small children in lockers‐‐

The next time, I’ll prosecute.

White kids have been getting hazed

in this town for years.

It isn’t fair.

If my kid gets picked on by one of these Green Bay kids,

I’m gonna expect the same kind of "public service."

There’s one thing for equal treatment, but special treatment,

the federal order said nothing about that.

[woman] That’s right.

[♪♪♪]

‐She’s right. ‐Who?

Vera Keegan, she’s right. It isn’t her.

It didn’t come from her.

[knocks on door]

Oh, Mr. Weedon.

I’m sorry to intrude, is your husband at home?

Actually, no.

Um, he’s working.

They have to enforce a curfew tonight.

He might be at the office by now.

Curfew on Halloween?

Well, it cuts down on the trouble.

[man] Hurry up, kids, we’re gonna go home pretty soon.

Come in, is there something I could do?

‐Maybe... ‐[kids in distance] Trick or treat!

Did my sister have any friends?

‐Oh, of course she did. ‐They must be hiding.

Dr. Brock...

Ginny and I were both ostracized as children, so I can...

It’s just that she told me that she was really adored here in Rome.

She said she gave seminars at the schools and...

used to host outings and picnics for the children.

‐None of this happened, did it? ‐Well, it used to.

Mr. Weedon, Ginny was very liked.

She was. But, um...

a lot of people found her odd.

Different.

And it made the parents nervous to have her with the kids.

Why?

Well, you know her wild imagination.

She would fill them up with stories

that were sometimes... maybe a little too vivid,

and it made the parents nervous.

Is anybody gonna come to her memorial tomorrow?

Oh, yes, absolutely. If there’s one thing about Rome,

everybody’s there for you when you die.

[indistinct conversations]

[detector beeps]

[boy in distance] Hey, wait up!

How come you’re not in court?

I go at 10:30.

I’m sorry I testified against you.

You got me in trouble. I had to miss Halloween.

They made me do it.

I only wanted for you to stop kissing me.

I know.

‐Can we still be friends? ‐Mm‐mmm.

My parents won’t let me

’cause you live in a world of delusion.

What?

I heard them talking.

It’s dangerous to be around black magic.

If you make believe too much, it could cause brain damage.

Who said?

That’s why they have to stop you from believing in Easter bunnies.

Or Santa Claus.

It could screw you up if you believe in pretend stuff too long.

It’s the same with witches.

But witches are real.

See? You’re screwed up permanent.

Witch‐hunts are nothing new in this town.

We chased out Frank the potato man

because he was spooky and homeless.

We threw Louise Talbot out of the Christmas pageant

because of her sex change.

If you’re different enough you’re not welcome here.

Vera Keegan is different.

She believes in love potions and hocus pocus.

There can be no such thing as magic

or spiritual forces of nature.

How, how can we take her child?

How can we do that?

I guess witches will always be in season in Rome, Wisconsin.

Mr. Littleton?

[John sighs]

I have nothing against witches, Your Honor.

I’m sure most of them are very good people.

I’m sure Vera Keegan is a fine person.

But the thing is, we must protect our children.

We have to insulate them from influences

which could be dangerous.

And the reality is, like it or not,

by allowing witches to enjoy freedom in this community,

we make Rome a less safe place.

I mean, what if suddenly a lot of witches came here to live

before we had time to adjust?

Now one of two, I’m sure that’s no threat.

We could mainstream them right in but...

what if suddenly 400 witches were thrown into this town?

[crowd murmuring]

Now you put witches and regular people together...

you increase the likelihood of tension, maybe even violence.

No! No, we must keep Rome pure!

Even if it’s just fear itself,

which could cause the harm.

Damn it! We have to keep out frightening elements.

We’re a pragmatic people here in Rome.

We like to feel safe.

We have to make it safe for Sarah Keegan‐‐

So for God’s sake, let’s keep her away from witches.

Let’s keep the evil out.

I have found no evidence of parental abuse,

at least not by Vera Keegan.

I order that Sarah Keegan be returned to her mother.

‐Case adjourned. ‐[bangs gavel]

[reporters clamoring]

I suppose that was aimed at me.

When I heard what that little girl did with that pentacle,

I was so... [sighs heavily]

I was just so angry.

I mean, she’s just a kid.

How am I gonna hate an eight‐year‐old?

You made me hate her, Jimmy.

You and your wife and all those damned concerned‐‐

You can’t condemn us for being afraid.

No, that’s where you’re wrong.

That’s where you’ve always been wrong.

I can! You and Jill had a choice!

You could have stood up for the hope in it.

You know, desegregation, maybe that’s an opportunity.

Maybe there’s optimism to dwell on.

Instead you got up there and ratified their fear

so that little white girls think

that they have to spray paint a‐‐

[scoffs] Jesus...

I condemn you for your fear, Jimmy.

I condemn you!

[door opens]

[door closes]

CHOIR: ♪ When peace like a river ♪

♪ Attendeth my way ♪

♪ Whatever my lot ♪

♪ Thou hast taught me to say ♪

♪ "It is well ♪

♪ It is well with my soul!” ♪

[music ends]

Steeped deeply in Rome tradition, as you know,

is that before going on with religious services,

we open up the floor to any friends

of the deceased who would like to speak.

‐So... ‐[clearing throat]

Excuse me.

I’d like to do it.

I’m Benjamin Weedon. I’m Ginny’s little brother.

First of all, I’d like to say that this is a terrific turnout.

Ginny really loved this town. She, uh...

She was always described it as so caring.

Which makes it so difficult to understand

how she could be dead for three weeks

without anybody noticing.

I know things have been very, very busy around here,

and...Ginny knows that too.

Busing and all this stuff going on at school.

The upcoming election.

I think Ginny understands.

Ginny and I had a favorite song.

It’s silly, it’s, uh...

It’s a song from a movie.

It’s not really for grown‐ups but...

But we loved it. Whenever we’d get together

in the last couple of years,

we would sing and play this song.

I think it reminded us of when we were little children

and...some of the things we’ve clung to.

Anyway, I’d like to sing it for my sister one last time.

This is for Ginny.

[playing gentle melody]

♪ Why are there so many Songs about rainbows? ♪

♪ And what’s On the other side? ♪

♪ Rainbows are visions ♪

♪ But only illusions ♪

♪ Rainbows Have nothing to hide ♪

♪ So we’ve been told And some choose to believe it ♪

♪ I know they’re wrong Wait and see ♪

♪ And someday we’ll find it ♪

♪ The rainbow connection ♪

♪ The lovers, the dreamers And me ♪

♪ Look, who said That every wish ♪

♪ Would be heard And answered ♪

♪ If wished On the morning star? ♪

♪ Well, somebody thought Of that ♪

♪ And someone believed it ♪

♪ Look, what it’s done so far ♪

♪ And what’s so amazing ♪

♪ That keeps us stargazing ♪

♪ And what do you think We might see? ♪

♪ Well, someday we’ll find it ♪

♪ The rainbow connection ♪

♪ The lovers, dreamers And me ♪

♪ The lovers, the dreamers... ♪

♪ And me ♪

[♪♪♪]