All language subtitles for Picket.Fences.S03E05.WebRip

[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 ♪

[♪♪♪]