"September third..." "I can't believe it's finally over, the summer vacation every girl dreams of... sure... 17 national parks in 28 days... and all in the company of her dad." "it's like being trapped in a "father knows best" rerun, except for this father doesn't know anything." "I wish he'd get it through his head that tomorrow I turn 14, not 12." "Madeline's parents took her to europe and let her go to discos every night." "my dad's idea of independence is letting me roast my own marshmallows, which is a good idea since he always burns his." "anyway, it'll all be over tonight... tomorrow I'll be back with mom, celebrating my birthday and staying in my own room... no more sleeping in bags, thank God." "what's the problem?" "just... there's gotta be another gas station around here somewhere." "let's see, it's 36 Miles to the next exit, that's not gonna be any good." "what's this?" "banco." "10 or 12 Miles down there." "open the door!" "hello!" "anybody here?" "hello?" "hello?" "hello?" "put your hands where I can see 'em." "whoa!" "who are you with, man?" "!" "nobody, I just want some gas!" "this is a gas station, isn't it?" "yeah, but I ain't got no gas." "I've got cash." "hah!" "I don't care if you got gold hub caps..." "I said I ain't got no gas, you dig?" "the delivery's overdue..." "Maybe tomorrow." "where you headed, man?" "home, to Los Angeles." "oh yeah?" "Far out." "I did some time there." "that is, before I got some intelligence." "is she with you?" "yeah." "look, can I use the phone?" "I ain't got one, try the mini-mart." "will my car be all right?" "yeah, if I keep an eye on it for you." "how much?" "you see, that's it, man, that's wrong with this world, everything's about money." "I'll watch your car for you for nothing." "all right, thank you." "get ahold of yourself." "you say they took no money out of the register?" "you sure?" "are you all right, ma'am?" "now don't touch nothin', there may be prints." "you lookin' for somethin'?" "yeah, I wanted to use the phone." "is there some problem?" "you got some I.D.?" "my name is Charlie Cox, sheriff, highways magazine, Los Angeles." "you're off your beat a little, aren't you?" "please, we've just run out of gas." "try the trailer park down the road..." "Agnes Reed might sell you some." "she sells everything else." "she's got a phone there, anyway." "what happened?" "somebody came in here and blew his brains out, that's what happened... most likely a drifter." "it happens out here, Charlie." "hello?" "hello!" "who's there?" "hi, we'd like to buy some gas, please." "I ain't got any." "well, how about using a phone?" "you got any money?" "yes, I've got money." "can't be too careful." "two dollar phone charge." "it's okay, I'm calling collect." "two dollar phone charge." "can I have a soda?" "how much for two sodas?" "a buck each." "surprise, surprise." "got any ice?" "another buck." "is that per cube?" "ice is out there." "hi, bill, how are you?" "good, good." "listen, I'm not going to get your article in tonight." "hot out here... is it always this hot?" "um-mmm." "somewhere in Nevada." "no, it's really too much to read over the phone." "give me a break, the troll that runs this place is charging me by the second." "joleen?" "joleen?" "what's goin' on?" "nothin'." "then get out of here!" "charming kid." "One of the neighbors?" "nah, he's mine." "always threatening to run away... never does." "look, I have to get back to L.A. by tonight." "ain't gonna happen unless your car runs on dirt." "I got a couple others stranded here too." "I fixed 'em up real nice." "camper, full view of the pool, kitchen." "I got one more left." "how much?" "for you?" "Fifty bucks." "fifty bucks?" "Out of the question." "fifty bucks for this?" "come on, it's not that bad." "just for a night." "this is how real writers live." "in overpriced campers?" "God, it's hot in here." "could I go swimming?" "okay, but go straight there... and then I come straight back." "and stay away from that boy." "you mean all boys, don't you?" "you know which one I'm talking about." "dad, I'm not 12 years old anymore." "I know you're not..." "That's the problem." "now, keep your shirt on till you get to the pool." "have fun." "ooh!" "hi." "who are you?" "pinky." "what's your name?" "joleen." "joleen?" "That sounds kind of funny." "look who's talkin', pinky." "you hear that?" "What?" "I hear your mother calling." "hi." "I'm Jimmy." "hi, I'm..." "I know." "I saw you watching them." "I don't know what you're talking about." "do you know what they were doing?" "joleen!" "coming." "I have to go." "jeez, it's beautiful." "you'd think people would be out here enjoying it.." "during prime time?" "Are you joking?" "start dinner, okay?" "I'll be right back." "hello?" "Charlie Cox here, temporary neighbor." "what is it?" "me and my daughter are stranded here in your lovely town, and we're wondering if you had any gas to sell?" "no." "Beat it." "thanks." "Enjoy." "don't give me that crap again!" "but it's true!" "what do you mean you got no money?" "where's your mom?" "at her sister's." "listen, you're late with the rent a week and two days!" "you got that?" "what are you lookin' at?" "you better cough up that cash..." "I'm gonna kick your butts outta here!" "I ain't shit'n ya." "hello?" "fuck off!" "hello?" "Charlie Cox here, temporary neighbor and concerned parent." "single parent... former angry young man... and poet laureate of the interstate highway system." "and you're looking for a little woman to start a new life with?" "actually, I was looking for a little cup of gasoline to start an old car with." "you're not from around here, are you?" "Amy!" "A real human!" "please, God, let it be a human with some cigarettes." "Hi." "He's not from around here, he smokes," "Let's go for the big win... does he want a beer?" "sure." "what do I win?" "you win a beer." "alley-cop." "the price is kinda crazy, if you got a little boy in your home, regardless of the age, stay with me on the next item and take a look, because there is a remote controlled pickup... this one is gorgeous!" "dinnertime!" "hey, Jo, sorry I'm late." "oh, it looks like we're going to have to miss the first day of school." "met a couple of people, though, Louise and Amy." "Louise and Amy, huh?" "yeah, Louise and Amy, "huh"." "they're stranded here, just like us." "take five dollars off that price, and we'll let it go at a price of $12.50!" "just watch it!" "where have you been?" "Out." "out where?" "outside." "dinnertime!" "thank God, some quiet." "mm-hmm." "they finally turned that thing off." "you know, if you worked on a computer like everyone else, you'd be done by now." "hey, dad, do you mind if I go out with a few bikers tonight?" "you know, have some laughs?" "sure." "I thought you told him you were finished." "I lied." "I guess your mom's right..." "I am a bad influence on you." "you should see the guy she's dating now." "look, I'm really not ready to hear about the men you're mom's dating." "I'm sorry." "you promised aqua boy fish sticks!" "they're too expensive." "these are just as good..." "Eat 'em." "I wanted aqua boy." "they're the same." "they are not." "I'm warning you... where's the coupon?" "There's no coupon." "just shut up and eat it!" "if you loved us... yum!" "Disodiumi-n-n- nosinate pyrodoxide hydrochloride." "these are poison." "poison?" "Poison." "mommy... they're good... they're good, they're perfectly fine." "eat 'em!" "is that what your mom and I sounded like?" "no, you never sounded like you hated each other." "that's because we didn't." "we loved each other." "a lot." "it's just that we couldn't seem to... do you still love her?" "yeah." "do you think... never mind." "what?" "nothing." "it's an unfair question." "poison!" "Poison!" "Poison!" "Poison!" "... you promised us aqua boy!" "yeech!" "you little bitch!" "ooh, mommy said a bad word." "get out of here!" "get the fuck in here you little witch!" "Get over there and sit down!" "you're just like your father, you little shit!" "at least my father had the good sense to leave you!" "my first and, I guess, last night in banco, Nevada." "it's probably one of the shittiest places in the whole world." "I can't get the picture of that poor man's body in the mini-mart out of my mind, and the woman next door won't shut up." "it's drmng me crazy." "on the other hand, there's this boy, Jimmy." "tall, intense eyes, so incredibly gorgeous I just want to die... and he likes me!" "too bad we're leaving tomorrow." "wait a minute... this is going to take some careful planning." "hmm... oh!" "oohhhh... oh, God." "aahhh!" "morning, Jo, birthday kiss!" "dad!" "not first thing in the morning!" "come on, Jo, I owe you one." "when we get back to L.A., I'm going to take out for a totally awesome birthday dinner, dude." "you can even bring that boy I never liked." "I'm not friends with him anymore." "Happy Birthday." "we can go to that place you love, it'll be great..." "Deal?" "Deal?" "aah!" "Aah!" "dad!" "aah!" "up and at 'em!" "Ow!" "Ow!" "alright, maybe 14 is too old for a babysitter, but you're not safe hanging around here by yourself." "anyway, Louise and Amy are a lot of fun." "on my way!" "I thought I'd help..." "It's only fair." "um, hi, I'm Louise." "hi." "Happy Birthday, joleen." "Amy!" "get up!" "Entertain joleen!" "what is this, the loud patrol?" "bye." "he's so perky in the morning." "your father's a good sport." "no, he's not... he's single." "oh." "well, come on in, we'll have some fun." "yeah, see if that fits." "thanks." "hi." "You're joleen's dad, aren't you?" "right." "I'm pinky sears." "nice to meet ya." "What's this?" "it's a secret." "say hi to your mom." "nice kid." "can we fill 'er up?" "no." "the gas truck didn't come?" "no." "someone in Nevada's got to be able to sell us some gas." "well, I got a friend, she lives out by two rock, about 30 Miles out of here." "she might have some." "lotta good that does us, there's no way of getting up there." "I didn't say that." "you've got gas?" "yeah... personal stash for emergencies." "can you sell us some?" "no, might give you a ride out there, though." "how much?" "Whatever you want." "you know, man, you're really starting to piss me off." "I told you already," "I no longer worship at the alter of mammon." "the word "money" means nothin' to me." "Mr. duckett?" "does the word "thai stick" mean anything to you?" "yeah... jail." "how about "please"?" "that's the word." "Mr. duckett, this fence here... it's federal land." "it's 27 Miles on the road over to two rock, and only ten in this direction." "naturally, the dickheads put up a fence." "of course, we gotta boogie through here pretty quick." "what kind of federal land?" "nuclear dump." "God, I love the desert!" "I still love him... so, um... do you wanna play some cards?" "are you sure?" "you want some potato chips?" "no, thank you." "okay." "oh!" "My soap's about to start, want to watch some TV?" "um, I think I'm going to go for a swim." "okay." "hey, viney." "howdy-do, ducky?" "that's my girl!" "hi." "it's a pleasure to meet you, too." "look, have you got any gas to sell?" "no." "bummer." "now, hold on, there's gotta be some gas in the tank's of these cars." "nope, they drain 'em when they bring 'em in." "'course I might not have gotten to that one there." "and there might be a gallon in this 'un." "yeah, now that I think of it, there might just be quite a few gallons around here." "you brung me a live one, ducky!" "I thought you didn't worship at the alter of money." "I don't, but old viney here is a true believer." "ha ha ha!" "September fourth..." "Happy Birthday to me." "so here I am at the pool again..." "Madeline's always telling me to go for it... easy for her to say, I always end up feeling like a geek." "dad was right..." "I'm keeping my shirt on today." "God, that was embarrassing for him to see me like that." "I want him to kiss me, but I'm really scared." "what if he's not around today?" "what if he's gone somewhere?" "what if..." "Hi!" "did I scare you?" "no, I just wasn't expecting that." "I know who you're waiting for." "I'm not..." "I know you like him, but there's a lot about him you don't know." "like what?" "you got a problem, pink-ass?" "No." "then what are you staring at?" "nothing." "you saying I'm nothing?" "n- no, I was just... just leaving." "I'll see you later, joleen." "bye, pinky." "come on." "why are you so mean to him?" "because he's just too weird." "come on." "come on." "I can't." "my dad wants me to stay here." "do you always do everything your daddy says?" "come on." "Jimmy..." "Jim..." "James..." "I wonder if he's got another girlfriend..." "I could ask, but it seems like a pretty dumb question, and he's definitely not the kind of guy who likes dumb questions." "so serious... something about him, though, is a little scary, sort of dangerous... but not really, not underneath." "I know that's just me being afraid." "well, here goes." "where to?" "um, I dunno, someplace cold." "Alaska, maybe." "ah." "from your dad?" "yeah." "yep." "you wanna go with me?" "wouldn't it be great?" "Hawaii first, then Switzerland." "we could leave tonight..." "I know where to get the money." "are you hot?" "that's a dumb question." "ah!" "ha ha!" "stop!" "stop!" "Aah!" "Jimmy!" "Stop it!" "Jimmy!" "Aah!" "stop it!" "aah!" "No!" "stop it!" "Jimmy, stop!" "get off of me!" "Jimmy!" "I'm gonna kill you!" "Come on!" "get off me!" "come on!" "Let go!" "drink it!" "drink it!" "where are we going, the moon?" "whoa!" "do you think he's still out there?" "don't worry, joleen, I'll protect you." "your turn, you suck." "this is the last of them." "how much gas have we got?" "eleven gallons!" "that's five and a half apiece." "Amy's rabbit gets 36 to the gallon... that's 200 Miles, that'll at least get us back to California." "how far can you get on five and a half gallons?" "I only get about eight or ten Miles to the gallon." "oh, well.." "We can carpool, we'll take the rabbit, it'll be fun." "what, and leave my rambler here?" "yeah, the black market's just bustin' for a gem that gets a whole nine to the gallon." "okay, okay, are we done here?" "I have to see if Jo's all right." "you know, when we were little, me and Jimmy used to hang together all the time." "you know, watch TV, shoot bottles... he used to be really nice." "my God, he's such a bastard." "I think he has problems at home." "doesn't everybody?" "I don't." "what's that?" "a microwave relay..." "Neat, huh?" "brings us TV." "pinky!" "oh, my God." "quick!" "pinky!" "Pinky!" "I gotta fuckin' talk to her, open this... argh!" "Joleen..." "Joleen!" "warm." "shit!" "Mrs. Reed!" "Mrs. Reed, I need some ice, the fridge shorted out again." "Mrs. Reed?" "hello?" "what's the matter, 'fraidy cat?" "This is only a tiny little bird." "anybody home?" "Aah!" "my God, you scared me!" "is your mother home?" "she's in the bathroom." "can I sit down and wait for her?" "come on, get up that ladder!" "no, I'm scared to go up high..." "I get height-rophobia!" "no, I don't wanna!" "Come on... you can't make me do it, you can't make me!" "Whoo!" "He do'd it!" "stay down." "I don't see him, where is he?" "there." "it's okay now." "oh, that was close." "not that close." "were you scared?" "no." "you were too." "I was not scared." "pinky, be careful." "are you scared now?" "no, get away from there." "pinky, don't!" "scared now?" "pinky!" "pinky!" "are you scared now?" "yes, pinky, please!" "that was the meanest, dumbest, stupidest thing ever!" "hey, where you going?" "joleen... wait, joleen!" "I was only kidding!" "joleen... hey, I thought you'd think it was cool." "well, I didn't." "what's the matter?" "you shouldn't have done that." "it was dangerous and it was mean." "I'm sorry." "ah..." "I guess Imng here would drive anyone nuts." "I have a present for you." "hold out your hand." "that was my dad's." "pinky, you shouldn't... you're worth it." "I know it isn't a girl thing, but it's pretty..." "Look at it." "it's very cool." "is your dad in the army?" "no, he's dead." "I'm sorry." "I gotta go." "if my dad gets back before I do, he'll kill me." "I'm off to see the king!" "can I go, too?" "will it be fun there?" "oh yeah, you're going to have a good time." "do they have a TV?" "yeah, a big color set." "can I get ice cream?" "sure, anything you want." "you just wait in here for me, okay?" "I'll be right back." "will you keep an eye on her?" "Sure." "you were supposed to be looking after her, Amy." "I was looking after her." "then where is she?" "I don't know." "shit." "where the fuck were you?" "I was at the pool." "don't you lie to me." "you were with that boy, Jimmy Reed?" "!" "Agnes Reed is dead, now she can wait!" "for once in your life you're gonna do exactly what I tell you." "you're going to sit in this chair... look at me." "you're not gonna wander away, you're not gonna see anyone, you're not even gonna look out the window." "is that clear?" "good." "I hate him, I hate him..." "Everything is so fucked!" "I almost get raped by a guy I trusted, and the guy turns out to be a killer... he killed his mother!" "and dad..." "I could have died and he wouldn't have noticed." "he just doesn't understand me at all." "life is just totally unfair... if it hadn't been for pinky... he's really sweet, and he lives out here in siberia where I'll probably never got to see him again... dad won't even let me go outside," "so I might possibly get to say at least goodbye to him." "so, you think it was like an accident?" "well, not unless a fan can fly." "a- ha." "I'll be damned." "duckett, I'm gonna have to secure this place until our boys from the lab can dust it." "I'm shy a few people... how'd you like to be a deputy?" "does that mean I'm not a suspect?" "oh, shoot." "okay, bill." "no one gets in here without your say-so..." "I'm ready." "ha ha!" "I don't know why you didn't just bring the gas to the car." "because I'm a fuckup, all right?" "get off my back." "it's like a furnace in here!" "lighten up, Charlie, we're all on the same team here." "great." "sorry." "I just don't think this trip with Jo was a good idea." "so are you gonna divorce her too?" "I don't think that's legal." "I'm a writer." "I'm supposed to be so good with words..." "I don't know what to say to her anymore." "we're leaving now." "I wanted to talk to you in person, but my father is holding me prisoner in here, so I guess this note will have to convey my appreciation for what you did for me today." "ugh." "thank you for helping me today," "I know it took courage." "I like you a lot, and I know we will see each other again one day." "corn, ooh ooh, corn pah!" "Oom, ooh ooh, ooh pah!" "we're her friends so we should know today's her birthday" "Happy Birthday, Jo!" "we've got some gas and it's time to go let's leave this dump before we start to glow!" "it's time to go... eew, it smells like gasoline all over this place!" "smells like perfume to me." "must be flooded, give it a rest." "psst!" "hey, pinky!" "come here!" "hey!" "what's up with you?" "I thought you liked me." "I do like you." "so why are you leaving?" "it's not my fault." "I mean, my dad, he wouldn't even let me say goodbye to you." "no... what?" "I won't say goodbye." "oh, come on... don't..." "Wait, wait!" "aw, shit." "Jo, gimme a hand in here." "thank you, Jesus." "let's go, L.A. or bust." "I can't find my journal." "it's probably in the car." "I'll take the back seat." "it's too cramped, you'll be a mutant by the time we get to California." "if you guys are going to bullshit all night, I'm leaving." "nice language." "Jo, come on." "I'm not leaving without it." "aah!" "Amy!" "aah!" "Aaah!" "daddy... daddy." "daddy." "daddy." "daddy!" "it's okay, I'm here." "it's okay." "it's okay." "I'm here." "having a party, pink face?" "you're in a lot of trouble, they're looking for you." "shh!" "Well, they're not gonna find me." "I'm gone, man, I'm outta here." "they can take this town and shove it up their asses." "I need your help." "reach out and touch someone else." "listen to me... you are sick, and you always have been, so don't fuck with me!" "just do what I say." "hey, buddy, what you got for me this time?" "fan motor to mom's air conditioner." "she didn't get the lifetime guarantee... can you fix it?" "I don't know, I'll take a look." "looks like there's a screw missing." "blades are all bent up." "don't screw around with that thing, pink." "hi, can I use the phone in the office?" "you can't go in there." "it's a secured area." "pink, turn that damn thing back where I told ya." "come on, it's really important." "okay, but be quick, and don't touch any evidence." "thanks, I owe you one." "keep an eye on things for a minute, I'll be right back." "all right." "let's go take a look at the unit." "where you going?" "why don't you just let me fix the whole thing at once?" "why are you bringin' it to me piece by bit?" "this is the only part that's broken." "you're sure?" "can't you just fix it on your bench?" "no, man," "I gotta hook it up and see what's wrong with it." "wait!" "aw... you have the right to remain... you have the right to remain there until the sheriff comes." "you okay?" "come on." "watch your head!" "Get in there!" "the kid killed his own mother!" "I'm the only thing resembling a reporter within Miles of this place!" "that's really uncalled for, Phil." "hunh... okay, that's fine with me." "really... that's fine with me," "I'm gonna write the piece anyway." "all right, Cox, let's go." "when I get back, we're outta here." "Jo, do me a favor and stay up here with Louise." "okay, daddy." "all right, girl, let's go inside." "how can you hate your mother so much?" "you hear me?" "it was easy." "she was an asshole, like you." "what about Amy?" "what about Farrell hovis, were they assholes, too?" "I didn't kill nobody, okay?" "oh, yeah." "God, she must be baking in there." "Mrs. sears?" "Mrs. sears?" "it's me, duckett." "thanks." "sure." "Mrs. sears?" "man, it smells rank in here." "um, I'm gonna go for a swim." "okay?" "Louise?" "ma'am?" "Mrs. sears?" "ma'am, are you okay?" "you got a fever or something, ma'am?" "holy shit!" "aah!" "I'm really sorry, Mr. duckett, but you absolutely should not have come in here." "pinky?" "pinky?" "pinky?" "pinky?" "shhh!" "you'll wake up mom." "did I scare you?" "no." "if you ever do that again, I will kill you." "do you want to go up to the hill?" "I shouldn't." "come on!" "The adventure continues." "joleen!" "he really hurt you." "so what do you want to do?" "I don't know." "let's just talk." "you can kiss me back if you want." "haven't you ever kissed anyone before?" "of course." "have you ever... done it?" "done what?" "you know... oh... that?" "I seen it in the trailer park." "yeah, me too." "first they kiss a lot." "French kiss." "and then they... girl... joleen!" "joleen!" "ah!" "please..." "The truck..." "I'm just gmng you a chance to tell your side of the story." "I'm just trying to understand you, Jimmy." "there is one thing." "come here." "come here." "watch it!" "hello, can anybody hear me?" "sheriff, pinky's got joleen!" "turn this car around, come on!" "Come on!" "he's at that condo under construction on Morgan path road." "I've gotta go." "no!" "Ow!" "that hurts!" "I'm sorry." "you're really mean sometimes." "I won't be anymore." "I've just had a lot on my mind lately." "I've got a super surprise for you, joleen." "isn't this cool?" "where did you get that?" "it was my dad's." "you know what I'm talking about." "let's play keep-away." "give it back to me!" "keep away from joleen... give it back to me!" ""Madeline's always telling me that I should just go for it." ""easy for her to say... i always end up feeling like a geek." "you are so fucked!" "I know you didn't mean that." "I trusted you!" "look, pinky..." "I think you're in a lot of trouble, and they know how to handle boys like you." "we can just go to your mom... my mom!" "my mom will always be there for me." "oh, pinky." "Jo!" "where are you going?" "we were playing keep-away!" "okay... hide 'n seek is fun, too." "one, one thousand, two, one thousand, three, one thousand, four, one thousand, five, one thousand, six, one thousand, seven, one thousand, eight, one thousand, nine, one thousand, ten, one thousand." "ready or not, here I come!" ""I want something really special for my birthday." ""I want Jimmy. "" "argh!" "I hate that part!" "olly-olly-oxen-free!" "where are you?" "come out, come out, wherever you are!" "Jo!" "Jo, where are you?" "Jo!" "Jo!" "Jo!" "Jo!" "daddy!" "Jo, where are you!" "Daddy!" "Gotcha!" "that hurt, joleen." "Take that." "ungh!" "I'm goin' up here!" "Jo!" "Jo!" "Jo!" "Jo!" "Jo!" "Joleen!" "Joleen!" "Jo!" "Where are you!" "Jo!" "joleen!" "aah!" "Jo!" "Joleen!" "what do you want from me?" "drop the knife, pinky!" "pinky, stop!" "daddy!" "I" " I'm sorry, this just isn't working out." "I thought you loved me!" "aah!" "Pinky!" "take my hand!" "goodbye." "daddy!" "long before he ever met joleen pinky started slipping over the edge." "I think when his mom died he just couldn't believe she was gone, so he just iced her down and kept that old TV goin' and did what he had to do." "he had to eat, so when he went to the mini-mart and Farrell tried to stop him, he popped him, and then Agnes came in and wanted the rent... it's just a shame." "A shame." "she'll be okay." "thanks, man." "how much do you want for the gas?" "you're starting to piss me off again." "hey." "stay out of trouble." "you too." "all summer long" "I thought my dad was such a geek and so full of shit, which he was at times, if you want to get technical." "but other times, it's weird how right he was." "how is it that someone can be so right and still be so wrong?"