"Look, it's a skinhead." "A skinhead reject, you mean." "They probably threw him out 'cause of his daddy." "Shut up, Stevie Ray." "It's not his fault... it's his gene pool." "Yeah, the dead pool." "Ever see Curse of the Temples?" "A real freak show!" "Curse of the Temples." "I'm sorry, Caleb." "About what?" "About this." "About them." "About everyone like them." "It's the sins of the Father, and it ain't right." "It's okay." "No, it's not okay." "I want to do more than just watch over you." "I wanna put my arms around you." "I wanna cover your ears with my hands." "It's okay, really." "I can handle it myself." "That's cool." "I'm sure you can, kid." "Everybody needs a little help sometimes, right?" "Very funny!" "We'll get you, Ray!" "Someone's at the door." "Someone's at the door." "No!" "In my town, the American dream is still a reality." "'Course, you have to know who's boss." "That's Sheriff Lucas Buck, that's Buck with a "b."" "For those who follow my lead, life can be a paradise." "It's impressive to see you doing your job, Lucas." "But for those who don't, it can be a mighty rough road." "See, we all have choices to make." "You got no conscience about anything, do you?" "Conscience is just the fear of getting caught, Ben." "And if people are torn, it's only because... they've been listening to the wrong voice." "Caleb." "A voice that would lead them astray..." "Are you a ghost?" "I'm your family." "...seduce them with hope." "You working with the sheriff?" "I'm here to help you." "Even turn a son against a father." "I ain't your son!" "I beg to differ." "Caleb!" "An age-old battle between good and evil." "I'll make a deal with you." "You own my soul?" "There can only be one victor." "Now, I've come for you." "Care to place your bets?" "God, have I missed you, Christie." "Our offices were next to each other in Charleston." "We used to go over each other's stories..." "I know, we used to keep the jock scribblers in line." "We did." "You miss the city?" "All that excitement?" "No." "Why not?" "I would." "All right, so maybe a little." "OH!" "She just kicked again." "How do you know that?" "Well, it's not exactly very subtle." "Here, give me your hand." "Put it right there." "God." "She kicks pretty hard for a little girl." "Yeah." "She's anxious to get out of there and start a life." "Hey, we'd better get going." "Yeah." "Thanks." "Are you gonna have more babies?" "Now, why do you ask?" "'Cause if you only have one, he can get real lonesome sometimes." "She, but I see your point." "Bye." "See you later." "Caleb, it's time to get ready for school." "Yes, ma'am, in a minute." "Hey." "It's not fair." "What's not fair?" "How only some people get to be happy." "'Cause that's just the way it is." "Well, it shouldn't be." "We ought to have had our share of joy." "We should be able to sit on the porch... and eat fruit on a nice summer day like everyone else." "We got gypped." "Damn it!" "What's the matter with you?" "You usually just old peaceful Merly." "Don't you like it where you are?" "It's okay." "Well, what's it like?" "Well, you'll find out someday." "No, tell me, Merly." "Tell me." "Well, it's kind of like you're underwater." "You can't touch anything." "There's no pain, but there's no feeling, either." "You just float through everything!" "Merly?" "I wanna hold something!" "I wanna be held!" "That's very nice, honey." "That's good, I like your orange." "And what is that?" "My interpretation of a flower, ma'am." "Well, I didn't ask for an interpretation, Caleb." "I asked for you to paint what you see." "I'm on my way." "I'm on my way." "I love your flower, Caleb." "Is that you, Merly?" "Give me that." "It's me!" "I know how to do it." "How?" "Do what?" "What do you know how to do?" "I'm coming back, Caleb." "Who are you talking to, son?" "No one." "What'd you do that for?" "Because it was there." "Come on, man, I didn't do nothing." "My baby!" "My baby!" "My poor baby." "What are you on?" "Nothing." "You know, I'm with the program now." "Step 12:" "Having had a spiritual awakening... we turned our will and our life over to..." "Yeah, you'll turn your life over to me." "Stand up." "Empty your pockets." "Anything you say, boss." "Pathetic, right?" "What are you doing here?" "Just catching the rays... trying to get rid of my anemic looks, contemplating my next move." "Where you moving, Ray?" "Skid row?" "You wish." "No, I'm headed right on down that road." "Right on out of here." "Soon as..." "Soon as what?" "You rob another convenience store?" "You won't get very far without gas money, friend." "Look, man, I'd crawl across broken glass on my hands and knees... to get out of this lame town." "Really?" "Yeah, really." "Oh, my God." "I've eaten like a pig." "We all eat like pigs here." "What's the diff?" "For the last eight months, I've been in a non-fat, no salt, no fun... prenatal aerobic torture chamber, and look at me." "I am still as big as a house." "You look great." "No, please." "My ankles are killing me." "Gail." "Can you picture me staying at home all day long?" "'Cause that's what's gonna happen... once this baby comes out." "You can't very well say:" ""I am so sorry." "This has just been one big mistake."" "You're gonna work it out." "It's gonna be fine." "Oh, God." "And you know what else I decided?" "I am not doing any of that huffing and puffing stuff." "I'm gonna get the biggest shot of dope in all of Charleston, when the time comes." "You trust me." "I have never seen you so happy." "I am." "I'm scared to death to admit it though." "The third one's lucky." "Yeah." "Maybe I shouldn't have said that." "No." "It's just that people who haven't really experienced a miscarriage before... just don't quite understand how devastating the whole thing can be." "I'm sorry." "No." "Gail, you have been a comfort to me at times... that you're not even aware of." "I mean it." "Okay." "I miss you." "So how much longer are you gonna be staying in this town?" "Until I get some answers." "Answers about what?" "My parents." "What happened." "Why there's so much weirdness here." "Now, what kind of weirdness?" "Christie, what's wrong?" "Christie?" "Okay." "Easy." "Something happened, Gail." "Something is wrong." "It's me, Caleb." "Go ahead." "I did it, Caleb." "I told you I would." "Merly." "Taking a trip is never easy." "They said they were sure they were gonna find my stuff." "They don't think it was stolen, just put on the wrong bus, is all." "And your money was in the luggage?" "Well, yes, ma'am." "I know it's silly of me." "Thank you for trusting." "Trust's hard to come by nowadays." "I'm Halle." "Halle Monroe." "Halle." "Cool name." "I hope you get your belongings back without too much fuss." "Yes, ma'am." "I'm sure I will." "If you want seconds or thirds, I guess... you come on back to the kitchen." "Yes, ma'am." "My mama would not approve of how I'm gobbling up all this food." "My mama would not approve at all." "That bus never stopped so you could eat?" "Nothing wrong with eating, man." "Where is your mama?" "Back home." "Is that back home, South Carolina?" "It's back home, Georgia, if you must know." "Caleb, you're real quiet this morning." "Just enjoying myself." "That's the idea, man." "Yeah, and why not?" "Today's gonna be a wonderful day." "Come on, Caleb, let's go have some fun." "Somebody's gonna recognize you." "There you go." "Anyway, it's not like I ever got to town before... so who's gonna remember me?" "Nobody." "Mmm." "So, how is it?" "It's heavenly." "Ice cream in the morning." "This is the life." "Girl, if you keep eating like that... we're gonna have to buy you some new jeans." "It's not like I'm gonna be around that long, anyway." "What're you talking about?" "I thought last night you said you were back." "Let's not talk about it now, all right?" "Besides, you're it." "Merly!" "Merly, where are you?" "Merly." "Got you!" "What was that for?" "'Cause we never got to do it before." "You know, grass stains and shouting." "The good kind, you know." "Not yelling." "You won't get very far without these." "I guess that is why they call it a rowboat." "Now what?" "Now you row." "No." "You row." "Okay." "Hey!" "You're the boy from the trestle." "I am?" "Yes, you are." "I'm Ray." "Like a ray of light." "Hope." "You're the first person that ever put it that way." "I expect I am." "Merlyn!" "I'm Halle." "Well, Halle, where to?" "Anywhere." "Anywhere at all." "All right." "So everything's okay, right?" "Sit down, Christie." "What is it?" "I'm sorry, but..." "I'm getting some ominous signs in the baby's heart rate." "What are you talking about?" "The results from the ultrasound are pretty conclusive." "I don't care." "That's just a piece of hardware." "My baby girl, her heart is beating inside me." "There's also the fetal heart monitor." "She's alive." "So, what else are we talking about here?" "Do you have to be so damn clinical with her?" "You know what?" "You're right." "The equipment can be wrong." "I could be wrong." "You're going on your gut, that's good enough for me." "It is?" "Damn straight." "Well, good." "He said he would be here." "He promised." "He's already a half an hour late." "Well, he'll show up." "How do you know?" "He's a weirdo." "So, that's what people used to say about us." "See, I told you." "Hey." "Hey." "How you doing, buddy?" "Fine." "What's his problem?" "Well, he's just a bit jealous." "Why, has he got a crush on you, too?" "He just wants me to spend all my time here with him." "How much time you got here?" "Well, that depends." "On what?" "Tonight." "All right." "So, say tonight's the last night we have." "Your only night on earth." "What would you do?" "Everything." "No, one thing." "Something you've never done before." "That would be a long list, unfortunately." "I get to drive." "No way." "That is my wish." "You're denying me?" "No, but damn, you're crazy." "I mean, that's a 750." "It'll do 65 in second gear." "Well, then it's perfect." "You coming or not?" "All right." "Are you afraid?" "Of course not." "All right then, let's rev it up." "Oh, my God!" "I love this!" "Go for it!" "Damn!" "Pull it over." "And what's your name, darling?" "Halle Monroe." "Monroe?" "Monroe of the Goat Town Monroes?" "Pervis' little girl?" "No." "Good answer, Pervis don't have a girl." "I'm from Atlanta." "Atlanta." "Man, I've always wanted to go to Atlanta." "Walk down that big old main street." "What's that called?" "Peachtree." "Peachtree." "That's it." "You're good with names." "Right, Halle?" "What's his name?" "Ray." "Ray what?" "I don't know." "Don't care." "I can't place the face or the name." "But the scent is familiar." "What is it?" "Soap and water." "No harm in that, Miss Monroe." "What are you in her face for, Sheriff." "She didn't do..." "You wait in the car." "Halle..." "Don't you worry about her." "She's with me now." "Long as you're telling the truth, you got nothing to fear, miss." "Unless you're lying to me." "About what?" "About who you really are." "Don't you worry about Ray." "He and I go way back." "I can drop you off at the boarding house, if you like." "The boarding house?" "Yeah, that's where you're staying, isn't it?" "Halle?" "No, thanks." "I think I'll walk." "You're going the wrong way." "You got the worst luck, Ray." "Why, what've I done?" "Good question." "We don't know yet." "Leave me alone." "Okay." "You know, the interior of a closed vehicle... can reach up to 180 degrees on a sunny day, within minutes?" "Let me out of here!" "Ray, it's a police car, buddy." "They're built so that criminals can't open them." "I'm not a criminal!" "I'm not a criminal!" "I'm a human being!" "I'm not a criminal!" "You're a criminal, if I say you are, Ray." "I can plant any of this on you at any time... and then you will be leaving Trinity." "But it won't be for the life of the open road, no, sir." "It'll be for 25 to life with some really unpleasant roommates." "What do you want?" "I want you to help me get her." "Get it?" "Got it?" "Good." "Don't look so whipped." "This could be fun for you." "What is happening to me?" "The doctor will be with you any second." "God, it's my heart." "My heart feels like... it's just gonna jump out of my body any second." "I know." "Blood pressure's high." "And she's spilling protein in her urine." "And the swelling's a two plus." "I'm not dying, am I?" "Not on my shift." "Have you had any trouble with your blood pressure during the pregnancy?" "No." "A couple of times it was just a little high, but the doctor at home said... it was absolutely nothing to worry about." "Then let's not start worrying now." "Okay." "You've got a condition called preeclampsia." "That means you could go into seizure anytime." "God, what?" "Start a mag drip." "Wait a second, wait." "What are you gonna do?" "It's your call." "Either an emergency cesarean, or we can try it naturally." "Which one's more dangerous?" "Everything's dangerous." "You think I'm carrying a corpse in me... but I'm not." "I swear to you, I'm not." "You have got a beautiful and miraculous spirit inside of you." "And you and I are gonna get calm, we are gonna breathe together, okay?" "Breathe." "Then we're gonna bring your baby into the world." "Breathe out." "And in." "That's good." "You want a lift?" "No, thanks." "Then I'll walk with you." "Seeing as how you're all alone." "Well, I like being alone." "Me, too." "Gives a man time to think, sort things out." "Like what kind of things?" "You know, friendship, loyalty, trust, all the big questions." "Like your new friend Halle, for instance." "What about her?" "Seems to me it wasn't too loyal of her to ditch you like that... down by the rowboats." "How'd you know about all that?" "I know everything." "That's my job." "And I tell you what, I think that girl's pulling your string." "I don't know what that means." "You will." "You're an honest man, aren't you, Caleb?" "Yes, sir, most of the time." "Well, now that's an honest answer." "Soon as people tell me they never lie, I know they are." "Think Merlyn's lying to you?" "No, she'd never..." "What are you talking about?" "Merly's dead." "Anyhow, she'd never lie to me once." "It wasn't in her nature." "That's what I thought, son." "She's pure as the driven snow." "I love this color." "I love any color, don't you?" "Anything but white." "I liked your white dress." "A girl gets tired of being pure and innocent." "Yeah, pure as the driven snow." "Are you angry with me, Caleb?" "Why?" "What did I do?" "Lucas says you're a liar, and I shouldn't trust you." "Lucas said that, and you believed him?" "What's the matter with you, Caleb?" "Open your eyes." "Can't you see?" "You should stay away from me." "This isn't about you." "Please." "He's trying to poison you against me." "That's what he does." "His power comes from spoiling things." "No!" "No!" "No!" "This is my first real date." "Can you believe that?" "Well, better late than never." "You're leaving, aren't you?" "I'm going out, that's all, silly." "No!" "You won't tell me how you came here... and now you're being all mysterious with me." "Quit it, Merly, quit it!" "I just borrowed somebody, Caleb, that's all." "Just for a week or two." "There ain't nothing wrong with that, is there?" "I don't know." "I don't understand, Merly." "There isn't, I promise." "It's just like a ticket." "Round trip." "At least it gives me a chance to live for a little while." "It's okay." "Trust me." "You're so amazing." "Why?" "Everything pleases you." "Everything astonishes you." "Yeah, everything should." "I love my rose." "Thank you." "It's just a rose." "Tell me something about yourself." "Like what?" "I don't know." "Tell me some facts." "What's your family like?" "You want to go to college?" "Are you in college?" "Facts don't speak for people." "What does?" "Their spirit." "Their soul." "What does my soul say?" "That you're wonderful." "You are." "No, you are." "You shivered." "Was that wrong?" "No." "That was sweet." "Then don't make fun." "I'm new to all of this." "But you like it, don't you?" "I like you." "My, my." "What's wrong?" "Sometimes I just don't understand the ways of this universe." "You wanna believe all is right and balanced and then..." "Poor woman." "Who?" "Gail's friend Christie." "She's not doing well tonight." "What happened?" "Her baby might be dead." "She already had her baby?" "Not yet." "But something strange has happened." "Matt can't hear a heartbeat." "It's like the baby's life was just snatched away." "Can I come and get you later?" "For what?" "To slip away with me." "What's the matter?" "Didn't you hear that?" "What?" "A scream, I heard a scream." "No, the only thing I hear is my heart pounding." "And yours." "Don't go." "I have to." "No, I have been waiting for you." "Look, I didn't even know it, but there are things here..." "I need to put behind me, Halle." "Me, too." "Then meet me later." "Come on, we'll blow out of here together." "Blaze of glory, right?" "Come on." "Okay." "Okay, where?" "Johnson's Bridge." "At midnight, okay?" "Okay." "You're doing fine." "Just keep focusing." "Keep breathing deeply." "Keep breathing." "Christie, you okay?" "Caleb, what are you Come back later." "You having your baby now?" "You weren't supposed to have your baby tonight." "What are you talking about?" "Leave him alone!" "It's gonna be all right, I promise." "Your baby will be just fine, Christie." "She promised." "Everything's gonna be okay." "She promised." "What are you talking about?" "Well?" "There's not much to tell." "Then just give me the short strokes, lover-boy." "Look, I told you nothing happened." "Oh?" "What's all this, then?" "It's nothing." "I just thought, maybe tomorrow I'll make some headway." "Maybe?" "I didn't pay you for maybe, Ray." "I know, but..." "No buts, either." "So, what's the plan?" "Pick her up at the boarding house... ride off into the sunset?" "No." "No what?" "No to the sunset part, or no to the boarding house?" "Look, Sheriff, just let us go, okay?" "Here's your money back." "Please?" "Keep your money, son." "Use it to set up housekeeping." "But before you make that commitment to spend your life with someone... let me show you something." "Why are you making me do this?" "I'm not making you do anything." "I'm doing you a favor." "Come on, put some muscle in this." "This is about Halle." "It's not really about Halle." "Not the way you think, anyway." "Just let her go." "I love these night sounds, don't you?" "Nothing but crickets, tree frogs..." "Good." "Now, clean it off." "Give me that shovel." "Blessed Father, please, forgive me for everything I have ever done." "I'm sorry." "Cut it out, will you?" "You're such a drama queen." "Break those hinges." "Why?" "You'll see." "Oh, my God." "Now open it up." "Imagine waking up next to that every morning?" "What's happening?" "Oh, my God!" "Oh, my God." "I never told you." "I never got to say..." "Merlyn!" "Merlyn!" "What's the matter?" "Christie is having her baby." "What?" "It's her baby's spirit that you took, isn't it?" "I only borrowed it." "They say the baby's dead, and Christie could die!" "No, that is not the plan!" "It's not." "Merly, you're making a big mistake." "Please, Merly." "What's wrong with you?" "I'm in love, Caleb." "Save your breath for the next contraction." "Save your breath." "Okay." "Just keep panting, keep panting." "Breathe." "Pitocin drip to help you push the baby out, okay?" "Is there a heartbeat?" "Is her heart still beating?" "Check her pressure, have the C-section team standing by." "Wait, why do we need them?" "Relax, Christie." "Everything's fine." "Come on." "Christie, everything's fine, you're doing great." "Okay, okay, okay." "You're doing great, all right?" "I'm doing great, okay." "I should see the baby's head soon, all right?" "What should I do?" "Just relax, you're doing great." "Hey." "Is everything okay?" "Nothing's wrong, is there?" "No, everything's all right now." "Good, 'cause I was worried." "I was afraid you were going..." "What?" "Change my mind?" "Uh-uh." "Please be alive." "Please be alive." "There you go, Christie." "You're doing good." "Please." "Oh, God!" "Oh, God!" "No, wait." "I can't, I have to go." "No, you can't go!" "I have to go, let me go." "No, you can't go!" "I have to." "Let me go!" "No!" "I have to, it ain't right." "No!" "So, here we are." "Stay with me, Christie." "Stay with me." "There you go, breathe." "Good." "Here we go." "Good." "Good, yes." "So, what did you do to him?" "Who, Ray?" "I left him down by your grave... crying like a baby." "Go ahead." "Come on, it's your big chance." "Murder me again, Lucas." "Someone's at the door." "Yes, darling." "We won't have to worry about that no more." "Such tenderness." "Mercy killing?" "Isn't that what you told your deputy?" "You'd had a miserable life." "I know I did." "But now I'm not gonna let you ruin that for me again." "You don't understand me, Merly Ann." "I'm not gonna hurt you." "I want you to live." "You deserve it." "This could be the first day of the rest of your life." "Well, now." "It's nice to see you smile, young lady." "You don't understand me, either, Lucas." "I mean, people thought I was stupid, because of the way I acted." "But I wasn't." "I just saw too much." "I know." "And I know what you're trying to do now." "You want me to choose to live." "There's nothing wrong with that." "Except the baby dies." "And then I commit the ultimate sin." "And Caleb turns against me." "And then you finally won." "But I'm not gonna let that happen." "Okay, I see the head, I see the head." "Come on, here we go." "Is she gonna live?" "Is she gonna live?" "Please, God." "Come on." "Oh, yes!" "Here we go." "Okay, I see the head." "Merlyn!" "Is she alive?" "Suction." "Is she?" "You can't." "Yes, I can." "Come on!" "Come on, baby, breathe." "Come on, come on." "Is she alive?" "Is she alive?" "Tell me." "No!" "My baby." "No!"