"I'm Ed Couch, Vesta Couch's nephew." "We're on our way but we'll be a little late." "I got lost." " You hear that?" " What?" " Train." " I didn't hear no train." "Nothing, I guess." " Where is Whistle Stop on the map?" " I can't find it." "Why'd you tell me to turn right ten miles back?" "God, you've got a negative sense of direction." "Sorry." "Your aunt will be disappointed if we're late." "She looks forward to our visit all week." "Must count the minutes." "How's my sweet Auntie V this afternoon?" "Remember us?" " You look pretty." " We got you something." "Let me look at you..." "Honey, don't act like this!" "I guess you'd better wait for me outside." "I'll get all this up." "If you think it's best." "Yeah, I do this time, okay?" "Have a nice day, Aunt Vesta." "Do you know they took my gall bladder out?" "No, I didn't." "Still in the hospital, in a jar." "I guess that's where they keep them." "I guess." "When I was in hospital... they gave me one of those enemas they're so fond of." "Mrs. Cleo Threadgoode... 82-year-old widow, imagine." "Naturally, everyone calls me Ninny." "'Course, I'm just visiting here." "Did you ever have one of them enemas?" "Well..." "No." "You'd remember it." "Me and my friend Mrs Otis come from Whistle Stop." "You ever been to Whistle Stop?" "Why yes, I passed by there today." "We lived in the same street for over 30 years." "But her son died and her daughter - in-law put her in this home... and they asked me to come live with her and be her roommate." "Mrs Otis don't know it, but when she's settled in..." "I'm going back home." "Does the name Idgie Threadgoode ring a bell?" "No, I don't think so." "You'd remember her." "I was practically adopted by the Threadgoode family." "I married her brother Cleo." "Yes, Idgie and her friend Ruth ran the Whistle Stop café." "Idgie was a character all right." "But I don't know how anyone could have thought... she could've murdered that man." "Beg your pardon?" "You sit and relax and I'll tell you about it." "Let's see..." "I remember the day they pulled the truck out the river." "That same rainy summer day..." "Idgie was arrested... for murdering the owner of the truck, Frank Bennet." "But to understand Idgie... you'd have to start with her brother Buddy." "Idgie was always Buddy's pet." "I remember the day of Leona's wedding." "The Great War had just ended... and another was about to begin in the Threadgoode house." "Buddy, get dressed, honey." " Mama!" " Leona, what is it?" "Idgie says she won't come out of her room as long as she lives." "She's gonna ruin my wedding!" "Leona, you'll be the most beautiful bride in..." "Of course she will, Papa." "Your papa has spent every last nickel to make you happy." "Try and be grateful, young lady." "Imogene Louise Threadgoode?" "This is your Mama." "You come down now, you hear me?" "Buddy, go fetch her." "Come down, Little Bit." "Ain't no firing squad down here." "Come on honey, let us see you." "You look so pretty." "I see London, I see..." "Hush, Julian." "Come on, honey." "You look nice in that dress." "You look fine, Idgie." "Looks like a monkey." "Stop it right now!" "Take it back!" "Get off, Little Bit." "I told you she'd ruin my wedding." "Take it back!" "Take it back, Julian." "I won't go to no stupid wedding!" "I'm real cross with you." "We have to be careful... when she's dressed up." "It matters to her." "It's my wedding and she's just ruined..." "Will you stop shrieking?" "It's your wedding day." "You got yourself up a tree, Little Bit." "I'm sick of them making fun of me." "So you're staying up here all day." "Yep." "Who wants to wear a stupid old dress anyway?" "Did I ever tell you about the oysters?" " Oysters?" " Didn't I tell you?" "Think about the millions of oysters living in the ocean." "The one day, God comes along and says..." ""I'm gonna make this one different."" "And you know what he does?" "He puts a little piece of sand in it." "And guess what that oyster can do." "What?" "It can make a beautiful pearl." "What if God made a mistake?" "I figure he never makes mistakes." "He made sure we got together." "So you got the best-looking brother in the world... who's gonna beat you to the chocolate cake." "You will not." "I got you out of the tree." "Did not." "Into this estate these two persons come now to be joined." "If anyone can show cause why they may not be joined together... let him speak now or forever hold his peace." "Be seated." "If either of you know any reason... why you may not be joined in matrimony... confess it now." "It is in your will to proceed." "Charles Osgood Justice..." "Thanks for your generosity." "You're so kind." "I don't think there was a sweeter boy than Buddy." " You look beautiful, Lily." " You sure do, Lily." "I had a crush on him." "He was a terrible flirt." "But his heart belonged to Ruth Jamison." "She and her mother were spending the summer with them." "Ruth Jamison, just the one I was looking for." "Thirsty?" "Let's go visit someplace." "The lake next to our house was bigger than this one." "We'd swim in it, fish in it..." "I sure do miss it." "What happened?" "Did it dry up?" "Worse than that." "See, last fall a flock of ducks... landed smack in the middle of it." "While they were there, this fluke thing happened." "The temperature dropped so fast that the lake froze." "Did it kill the ducks?" "No, they flew off, and took the lake with them." "Now that lake is somewhere over in Georgia." "Buddy Threadgoode." "Come back, Mr Hat." "Where are you going?" "I got it, Ruth." "Hold on, Little Bit." "It's all right, I got it." "Got it!" "Ah, got it." "Damn." "Buddy!" "Buddy Threadgoode!" "Get outta there!" "Buddy!" "You gonna have to be strong, now." "The Lord is my shepherd..." "It like to have killed us all... but no-one took it worse than Idgie." "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness..." "Everyone thought she'd die with him." "Night after night, she stayed by the river." "Big George was the only one she'd let near her... and he looked after her night and day." "A heart can be broken... but it still keeps a-beating." "Keep this blanket on you, you'll catch cold." "That's so sad." "Would you like one?" "Thank you, honey." "Evelyn..." "We gotta get going." "The game is fixing to start and you'll miss your... thing." "Excuse me, that's my husband, Ed." "Hi, Ma'am." "I can't believe Buddy died." "Neither could I." "I enjoyed talking to you, honey." "What's your name?" "Evelyn..." "Evelyn Couch." "I got to go." "Come back and see me!" "Okay." "Bye bye." "First of all I want you to dedicate yourselves... to finding little ways to put that magic... and that spark back into your marriage." "When we think of romance and marriage, what's... the first thought that comes to mind?" "Divorce." "Remember when marriage counsellors advised us... to wrap ourselves in cellophane?" "Do we really pay for these lectures?" "Have you gone insane?" "People can see you!" "What if I'd been someone else?" "Get in there!" "Evelyn!" "What we really need, instead of this baloney... is an assertiveness class for Southern women." "But that's a contradiction in terms, right?" "Especially you, sweetheart, you're living in the dark ages." "Hi, honey." "I need one of those." "You smell good, too." "I'll get one of these." "Oh, this looks good, yes indeedy." "Ed, why don't you sit and have dinner with me?" "Sorry, honey." "The game's almost over." "Why are you so dressed up?" "Scoot over a bit." "Ed, if I'd answered the door wearing only cellophane... would you still be watching the baseball?" "No, honey." "I'd be checking you into a loony bin." "How's my little dumpling?" "You ain't gonna throw one of them hissy fits, are you?" "You're meaner than a damn snake!" "Glad you're feeling better." "I was hoping you'd be here." "My roommate, Mrs Otis... said I could stay while her family visited... but I said "No thanks..." "I might have my own visitor", and here you are." "Well, sit down." "And donuts to boot!" "Can't beat that." "Help yourself, Mrs Threadgoode." "How's your friend?" "Mrs Otis?" "Well, not so good." "Looks like I won't be home for a while." "Funny what you miss when you're away from home." "I miss the smell of coffee, and bacon fried." "What I'd give for a plate of fried green tomatoes... like we made at the café." "Did I tell you about the café?" "No, Ma'am." "Let me back up a bit." "You see..." "Idgie never got over losing Buddy." "She hardly ever came home." "Only Big George knew how to find her." "She didn't care nothing for anything anymore." "Then one summer day, her mother sent for her." "Like they say..." "God never shuts one door without opening another." "That was also the day Idgie met Frank Bennet." "The man for whose murder she was arrested." "Hello there, miss." "Who might you be?" "Towanda." "Who are you?" "I'm Frank Bennet, Miss..." "Towanda." "You look mighty fine today." "You a politician or does lying just run in the family?" "Mama!" "Oh, you're here." "About time, Idgie." "You look like the Wild Man of Borneo." " Here you go." " Thank you." " Guess who's here?" " Who?" "Ruth." "She's staying with us this summer." "She'll be in charge of young peoples' activities at the church." "That why you wanted to see me?" "Well, we have some nice things planned." "You remember my youngest?" "Of course I do." "Hi, Idgie." "Hi." "Maybe this isn't a good idea." "It's got to work." "Someone has to help her." "I can't." "Sure you wanna go to the River Club?" "It's not a place for you." "It'll be okay, George." "Thanks." "Excuse me, is Idgie Threadgoode here?" "She's down there, honey." "I'll see you and raise you twenty." "You ain't got nothin'." "Maybe I do and maybe I don't." "Look what the cat drug in." "I came to talk to you." "You'll have to wait." "I'm busy." "Here's your chance." "Grady." "Are you in or out?" "I'll make you a rich man." "You're just bluffing again." "You'll have to excuse her." "She's going home to dinner." "Nice meeting you." "Say goodbye, Idgie." " Where you going with my money?" " Home." " Who are you to boss me around?" " I'm the one with your money." " Give it back." " Get in the car." "All right." "Get in the car!" "You win." "Come on." "I'll leave when I want." "I don't know how you can do this to your Mother." "Ain't doin' nothing to my mother." "So why d'you think I'm over here for summer?" "Your mother thought I might talk some sense into you." "You're too busy being selfish." "What are you talking about?" "You're not the only one who lost Buddy." "We all miss him... but turning your back on your family won't help." "What's he got to do with it?" "You're the one with problems in forgetting my brother." "Just ten miles away down by the river lurks a den of the Devil." "Where liquor, gambling and sin abide..." "Snakes and serpents..." "Hey, Scroggins!" "You're finally preaching about your kin... snakes!" "As I said... snakes and serpents... take many disguises." "Turn to page 53 in our hymnal." "Big George said I'd find you here." "If you give me a chance to get to know you... it might be fun." "Fun?" "Idgie, just spend some time with me..." " please?" " Suit yourself." "You don't wanna back out?" "It's not too late." "I'm sure." "Hold that." "D'you like trains?" " Yes." " Good." "We'll get along just fine." "Did we luck out tonight!" "Hop in." "Hop?" "Give me your hand." "Put your foot there." "Hold that." "Look at all this." "Shouldn't we get off?" "The train's moving." "No, the fun's just starting." "You all right?" "I get a little dizzy looking down." "Then don't look down." " What are you doing?" " Come on, look." "They're throwing food!" "Food!" "Talk about give unto others." "But this isn't yours to give." "That's church talk." "I've seen those same people who pray at church... down at the River Club doing other things." "Time to get off." "We gotta jump." " Jump?" " Yeah, jump." "Next stop's 5 miles down the tracks." "I don't wanna walk that far back." "Are you crazy?" "You're not kidding." "Well..." "I give up." "I'll tell Mama I'm not a good influence on you." "You'll never jump, will you?" "Don't say "never" to me." " You alright?" " I'm fine." "I'm alright." "Does it hurt?" "Guess so." " Better get you..." " Shit!" "To a doctor." "Which way?" "Two miles down the tracks." "Alright, let's go." "You'll never be able to carry me two miles." "I know, never say "never"." "I'm not carrying you." "You're walking." "Thanks, Julian." "I owe you one." " Ain't you ready yet?" " I'm ready." "This doesn't have anything to do with trains, right?" "You like honey?" " Oh, yeah." " Fresh honey?" " Yeah." " Me too." "There it is." "What?" "You'll see, soon enough." "Now stay here." "No matter what happens, don't move." "What are you gonna do?" "Here you are, Madam." "For you." "Why'd you do that?" "You could've been killed." "I'm sorry." "Don't you want it?" "Got it just for you." "I do it all the time and I never get stung." "Don't be mad at me, Ruth." "I'm not mad at you." "No fooling." "Is it bad what I did?" "No." "But you think I'm crazy." "No." "I've heard about bee charmers... but I've never seen one before, till today." "You're just a bee charmer, Idgie Threadgoode." "That's what you are, a bee charmer." "Wanna taste it?" "Surprise!" "Tonight we're having a party." "Drink this, then we'll play poker." "I don't know how to play poker... and I never drink, but thank you anyway." "I don't know how to bat." "You didn't drink, either." "You won't even see the ball." "It's you that won't see it." "Run round the base!" "And don't kiss everyone." "I've never had so much fun in my life." "I even got a home run." "A clean one at that." "A straight beats three of a kind?" "Y'know, poker isn't so bad." "Idgie, what'll you mother say... when she sees us both drunk?" "Stop worrying about what others think." "You always did the right thing." "You took care of your daddy, the preacher, when he got sick." "You take care of the kids at the church school." "And you'll care for your mother." "Yes, and I'll marry the man I'm supposed to." " You gettin' married?" " Soon as summer's over." "I'll really miss you." "This is the best birthday I ever had." "Ruth invited Idgie to the wedding." "But Idgie never wrote back." "But she did drive all night to Valdosta, to watch from afar." "Then she swore she'd never see Ruth again." "During these few weeks, we'll be learning to reclaim... our own power as women." "Hallelujah." "And tonight... we're gonna explore our own femaleness... by examining the source of our strength... and our separateness... our vaginas." "So, just slip off your panties and straddle your mirror." "Ms Couch." "Excuse me for a minute." "Missy... come with me to the bathroom." "Do you find this threatening?" "Do you have problems with your sexuality?" "No Ma'am." "But I do have problems with my girdle." "Hi, baby." "Alright, fried chicken." "My favourite." "Ed..." "Ed... those classes I've been taking... aren't helping us one bit." "Let's go to Florida, like when we got married." "Kyle's gone, busy with his own life." "It'd just be the two of us." "But it's just the two of us now." "You got a good scald on that chicken." "Really good." "Thank you." "We could drift around in a boat in the hot sun." "What do you think?" "I'm just getting used to the quiet life here." "Honey, if those classes aren't doing you good... then don't go to them." "Damn it!" "Mrs Threadgoode..." "Here, Evelyn." "Do you like it?" "Well..." "Who did it for you?" "Believe it or not, it was a little bitty student... from the beauty college." "Sometimes they come and do our hair for free." "Just for the practice." "Is Ed with you?" "No, Ma'am." "His aunt said she didn't want any more visits, especially us." "It's a shame." "I know he feels bad, but... he won't talk to me about it." "Thank you!" " Merry Christmas." " Merry Christmas." "Mrs Threadgoode... why don't you tell me some more about Idgie?" "Let me see." "Where were we?" "Ruth had just married Frank Bennet." "Didn't they arrest Idgie for his murder?" "That's right." "After Ruth left..." "Idgie went back to her old ways." "Hanging out with the boys at the River Club." "But after a few years... temptation got the better of her, and she drove... to Valdosta, Georgia, to see how Ruth was." "That's when the trouble began." " Hi there." " Yes?" "Is Ruth at home?" "Who's calling?" "Tell her it's the bee charmer from Alabama." "Ruth, there's some bee person to see you." " Idgie." " Hi." "You got a nice home, nice things and all." "Thank you." "Mama said to give you this pie." "Idgie Threadgoode." "How are you?" "You look... so grown-up." "The guys must be wild about you." "Tell me, do you have a fellow yet?" "A couple." "I hadn't decided on any." "Grady's persistent, but..." " Grady Kilgore." " Don't say it so loud." "Who's down there?" " What happened to you?" " Nothing." "Nothing?" "That shiner?" "Who's down there?" "Listen, I think you'd better leave now." "Did he hit you?" " Did he beat you?" " Idgie..." "Someone's gotta stop him." "I'll kill him." "You won't do anything." "I'll talk to him about picking on someone his own size." "You won't do anything, you understand?" "If you really care about me... you'll turn around and leave now, okay?" "Well..." "What did she want?" "Nothing." "Ruth's a grown woman and knows what's best for her." "I'm not so sure about that." "Idgie?" "Grady." "Hi." " Will you dance with me?" " No." "Come on, it's only a dance." "Miss Idgie Threadgoode... will you dance with me?" "I won't dance with you or marry you." "Go marry Gladys Moats, she adores you." "But she did fall on her head when she was a child." "You're just a goofy girl, Idgie Threadgoode, a goof." "Who you callin' a goof?" "If I get mad at you, I'll hurt you." "Try it." "Grady!" " You give up?" " I'll never give up." "Grady finally got dizzy and gave up." "Try as they might... none of them fellas could tame Idgie." "A little while later, a letter came from Ruth." "That's an obituary." "Ruth's mother died." "And this is from the Bible, the book of Ruth:" ""And Ruth said:" "Whither thou goest, I will go." "Where thou lodgest, I will lodge." "Thy people shall be my people."" "You wait for me here." "Mama died." "I know." "And I'm pregnant." "Julian, there's one more box." "I never knew anyone with so many hats." "It won't fit in the car." "We'll need another trunk for this." "What the hell's going on here?" "Your wife's leaving you." "Ah, sure she is." "Don't hurt her!" "I wouldn't do that, mister." "See, it might upset Big George." "And he's crazy." "There's no tellin' what he might do." "Get out of here." "Come on!" "Let's go." "Come on." "Come on, Miss Ruth." "If you ever touch her again, I'll kill you." "I sure as hell scared him, didn't I?" "Yes you did." "Towanda!" "The amazing Amazon!" "Towanda?" "Evelyn." "Evelyn?" "Sorry, Missy, I was just looking at the pictures." "They have great stories in that magazine." "Are you coming tonight?" "We'll be talking about masturbation." "No, I don't think so." "I think I've had enough learning for a while." "Excuse me." "Screw you!" "Excuse me, young man." "There was no reason for you to be rude to me." " Get away from me, fat cow!" " What did you call me?" "Beat it, you old bitch." "Why are you doing this?" "What did I do to you?" "I don't understand." "Look at my stuff..." "Tell me what's bothering you, sugar." "I feel so useless!" "So powerless!" "Everyone goes through that." "But I can't stop eating." "Every day I try and try... but every day I go off." "I hide candy bars all over the house." "A candy bar ain't gonna hurt you." "One, no, but ten or eleven..." "I can't even look at my own vagina." "Well, I can't help you on that one." "Wish I had the courage... to get it over with and get really fat." "Mrs Threadgoode, I'm just... too young to be old... and too old to be young." "Maybe I'm going crazy." "Do you get hot flushes?" "Sometimes." "D'you get the sweats, with your heart a-pounding?" "How'd you know?" "Simple." "You're going through the change." "I used to cry for no reason at all, too." "You need hormones." "Maybe some Stresstabs for good measure." "Is that all?" "Sure." "Get yourself some hormones... then get out of the house and get a job." "With your pretty complexion... you'd be great with cosmetics." "I know how you feel." "I was more or less your age when I had my son... and then I went through the change." " I didn't know you had a son." " Yes, I did." "Albert." "When he was born, the doctor said I shouldn't see him." "That his mind wouldn't develop past the age of five... and that I should put him in a home... because it would be too hard to raise him." "Well, I thought of Ruth." "She always said... there was a separate God for children." "So I smiled at him and asked for the baby." "How could anyone think... that sweet baby could ever be a burden?" "From the minute he was born, Albert was a joy." "The Lord's greatest gift." "I don't think there was a purer soul on Earth." "I had him with me till he was 30." "Then he went to sleep and didn't wake up." "Sometimes I can't wait to go to Heaven to see him." "It's a boy!" "I think a little thanksgiving prayer is in order." "Goddamnit to hell, Preacher!" "She did it!" "Here's to Ruth!" "To Ruth." "Idgie always had a way with words around the Reverend." "Well, Ruth had a baby..." "She named him Buddy, Buddy Junior." "Papa borrowed money so Ruth and Idgie could open... the Whistle Stop café." "Miz Ruth, we wanna thank you for that soup... the other night." "I'll pay you when I can." "You don't owe me a thing, Ocie." "Thank you." "I'm just glad they're better." "How is it?" "This is good." "Come on, Idgie, I'm talking to you as a friend." "There's people in this town... customers too, but I won't say who... that don't like you selling to coloureds." "Here you go." "Listen, Grady, next time those people come in here..." "I'll tell them that if they don't wanna be recognised... under those white sheets they wear... in those stupid parades you boys have... they should have the common sense to change their shoes." "Hold on there, Idgie." "You don't fool no-one, Grady." "I'd recognise those size fourteens you wear anywhere." "Just a minute, Idgie." "Want some more pie, Grady?" "No thanks Ruth." "I'll talk to the boys." "But you keep them out the back, you hear?" " Bye, Ruth." " Bye, Grady." "You gonna get in trouble." "Grady?" "He's harmless." "You should've seen that big ox by the river." "Three days, drunk as a dog, crying like a baby... 'cause Joe, that old black man that raised him, had died." "But he sure ain't joking now." "No Ma'am." "Won't even sit in the same room to eat today." "That don't make sense." "He won't sit next to a black child, but... he eats eggs straight out of a chicken's ass." "Let's go for a walk, Smokey." "Sorry about spilling my food in there, Ma'am." "I'll just head on." "See that land over there?" "That was a lake, yeah." "Then one November... all these ducks landed on the lake... and the temperature dropped so fast... the whole lake just froze." "Then the ducks took off and took the lake with 'em." "Now they say that lake's somewhere in Georgia." "God bless you, Ma'am." "Try this." " What do you think?" " It's okay." " The truth." " Well..." "It's terrible." "Oh, well." "Don't be shy, tell me how you feel." "I will." "Why'd you do that?" "Thought you needed some cooling' off." "You're right." "Try these." "Let's make a paste." "What the hell are you two doing?" "She's teaching me to cook." "Look at these fried green tomatoes." "Stop, or I'll have to arrest you for disorderly conduct." "Arrest us, then." " I'll handle this." " Alright." "Go ahead, arrest us." "Ruth, I think Idgie's a bad influence on you." "I agree." "I'll be back." " You all carry on." " We'll wait for you." "You can go to bed, Sipsey." "Where's the baby?" "Who are you?" "What do you want?" "Frank." "Get outa here!" "Leave us alone!" "Come on, Ruth." "You can't deny a father the right to see his son." "Scat, you!" "That's my boy... isn't it?" "Everything alright, Ma'am?" "Our guest is just leaving." "Come on, Frank." "I'll be back." "Then you and the baby are gonna be back." "I ain't scared of you." "No, sir!" "You should be." "Grady... what does Gladys think of you staying out late... and losing all your money to me in poker every night?" "She likes it fine." "They got Big George!" " Let go of him!" " Let me handle this." "We don't like how you treat your niggers." "Well I'm the law in these parts... and I don't care what you like or don't like." "Turn him loose." "Don't get riled up, nigger-lover." "Are you deaf?" "I said let him go." "Or you'll be in trouble." "Calm down, we just wanted a get-together... to make sure we see eye to eye on things." "You hear?" "Let him go, boys, that's enough fun for one night." "I'll get in trouble." "Now that's better." "I don't recognise any of you boys." "You ain't from round here, right?" " What's the matter?" " Frank saw the baby." " You sure it was him?" " Yes, I'm sure." "That's why the Kluxers were here." "Don't worry, if he comes back again..." "Grady and the Alabama boys'll take care of him." "And if they don't, I'll think of something." "Don't take any chances." "Promise you won't do anything crazy." "Me?" "Not me." "I'll put him down." "That's little Buddy." "That was the last time anyone saw Frank Bennet... till the night of the town show." "Ruth was away at one of the Reverend's revivals." "When a woman gets married she expects some sympathy." "Haven't you got that since you married me?" "I sure have." "From the whole town." "Miss Idgie, come quick." "The show's just begun!" "You gotta come now!" "Run!" "Run!" "Where's the baby?" "Excuse me, sir." "I don't believe you should go off with Miss Ruth's baby." "Hi there." "What can I do for you?" "This is Sheriff Curtis Smoote." "He's come from Georgia looking for a fella." " Recognise him?" " No." "It's my husband, but I haven't seen him in months." "I heard he got run over by an armoured truck." "What's he done?" "Nothing... we're trying to find out what's been done to him." "He told his hired man... he was coming to see his wife and baby... but he never showed up back home." "If he'd turned up here we would've known." "Looks a little sissified to me." "They say you boys in Georgia... are a little light on your feet." "That's what I heard." "Would you like some pie?" "No, Ma'am, but that barbecue smells good." "Best damn barbecue in the state of Alabama." "Here you go." "That's your fourth." "You're eating up all my barbecue." "Sit down." "You don't fool me, girly girl." "I know who you are." "I heard you threatened to kill Frank Bennet." "Now, he ain't showed up dead yet." "But if he does, you're in trouble, understand?" "We're talking about murder here." "And nobody gets away with that." "Not even a bunch of smart alecs from Alabama." "Now, if I find so much as a hair of his head..." "I'll arrest you faster than you can slam a tick." "'Cause I'm the law, and you can't beat the law." "You sure you ain't never seen this man?" "I told you, I ain't never seen him." "You'd do anything for Miss Idgie, right?" "Yes, sir." "Even kill for her?" "Did you kill for her?" "No, sir." "Maybe one day you'll tell me the truth." "Remember, in Georgia we hang... lying niggers, just like in Alabama." "Yes, sir." "I'll remember." "What are you doing here?" "No milk in the house." "Where were you?" "Doing things, and having a good time." "I've been thinking." "Maybe I should move on..." "because of Frank and all." "I don't want you to feel... you have to look out for us." "I don't wanna be selfish, that's all." "Maybe if I was gone, you'd settle down and..." "I'm as settled as I ever hope to be." "Then why can't you tell me where you were?" "I had a dream the other night." "I dreamt Buddy was gone." "I ran to his crib and there he was, sleeping like an angel." "And you know what?" "I thank God for letting me still have Buddy." "I remember having the same reaction... after Frank would beat me... thanking the Lord for giving me strength to take it." "And I remembered... thanking Him for each day my mother lived." "Even when she was spitting blood... and praying me to kill her." "I looked in her eyes... pleading for me to help her... and all I could do was pray." "While you were gone, I've been thinking." "If that bastard of Frank Bennet ever trust to get my child..." "I won't pray." "I'd break his neck." "You don't have to worry about Frank anymore." "What do you mean?" "It's his child too." "He won't give up on his blood." "I'll only tell you this once." "Frank Bennet won't bother you again." "Understand?" "You killed him..." " didn't you?" " No." "You don't believe me." "I don't know what to believe." "Believe me when I say I don't want you to move out." "Finally." "Come on, I don't have all day." "Excuse me, I was waiting for that space." "Yeah?" "Tough." "Face it, lady, we're younger and faster." "Towanda." "Towanda!" "Yes, ma'am!" "Someone!" "What are you doing?" "Are you crazy?" "Face it, girls." "I'm older and I have more insurance." "I never get mad." "Never!" "I was raised to think it was bad manners." "Well, I got mad and it felt terrific." "I felt I could beat the shit outta all those punks... excuse my language... just beat 'em till they begged for mercy." "Towanda the avenger!" "And after I wiped out all the punks in the world..." "I'd take on the wife-beaters, like Frank Bennet... and machine-gun their genitals." "Towanda'll go on the rampage!" "I'll put little bombs in Playboy and Penthouse... that explode when you open them." "I'll ban all fashion models... who weigh less than 130 pounds." "I'll give half the military budget to the elderly... and declare wrinkles sexually desirable." "Towanda, righter of wrongs!" "How many of them hormones you taking?" "Well, honey... what I can't understand... is how you could... hit someone six times by accident." "Ed, don't make such a big deal about it." "What the hell's this?" "A low-cholesterol meal." "Happy Valentine's." "My God!" "You trying to kill me?" "If I was, I'd use my hands." "I'm worried about Evelyn." "She said her husband, Ed, just sits around... watching sports on TV... and she has an urge to hit him in the head with a baseball bat." "Seems normal to me." "Hi, Janeen." "Hi, want some crudités?" "Thanks, but this raw stuff don't sit good with me." "Mrs Threadgoode... you have to tell me something." "Did Idgie murder Frank Bennet or not?" "Hold on, honey." "Where were we?" "You didn't kill Ed, did you?" "Not yet." "Oh good." "Anyway, five years had passed since Frank Bennet disappeared." "And Smokey Lonesome had been missing since that same night." "I remember the day he came back." "Son, you're the spitting image of Ruth." "Buddy Threadgoode, nice to meet you, sir." "I'm Smokey Lonesome." "Curtis Smoote was making one of his visits to Whistle Stop." "Still hunting and pecking... for evidence about Frank Bennet's whereabouts." "Who wants to begin?" "Thanks." "Life has a funny way of working things out." "Hey there!" "Smokey!" "Idgie." "Smokey Lonesome, must be old home week." "How are you?" "I'm rattling but I'm rolling." "What brings you here?" "The smell of good cooking." "Hey, Smokey." "Sipsey." "Let me fix you some lunch." "You know everyone here except Curtis Smoote." "He's the officer from Valdosta, Georgia." "Been looking for the same man for five years." "He's very stubborn." "He loves our food." "You'll be alright." "Open the door!" "Get him in the back seat!" "1933-1938 BUDDY Jr." "HERE LIES HIS ARM SO LONG OLD PAL" "I can understand having a funeral for an arm." "But I don't know why she insists on calling him Stump." "She says everyone's gonna call him that... so we might as well be the first." "There's ice cream and cakes for everyone." "My daddy always said there was a separate God for children." "The Lord was watching over Stump that day." "Then it rained for a month... and flooded part of Whistle Stop." "And that's how Grady's deputies... found Frank Bennet's pickup truck." "I just knew Idgie'd never get out of this mess." "Are you in or out?" "I didn't take any cards." "You're bluffing." "I have to talk to you." "Sit down and play, Grady." "Gladys won't mind." "It's private, Idgie." "Excuse us, Ruth." "I'm teaching you not to fall for any tricks." "You're doing a great job." "What's the hurry?" "What's so important?" "What's that?" "They found Frank Bennet's truck in the river." "What's that to do with me?" "Offically, you and Big George are under arrest for murder." "You're in my custody till tomorrow." "I have to take you to Georgia tomorrow morning." "Unless of course... people have been known to pack their things... and skip town in the middle of the night." "And Big George?" "I figure they'd be satisfied if they had him." "This is serious, We're talking murder of a white man." "Someone has to pay." "Nobody wants to hang a woman." "No deal." "I know how you feel about Big George... but these are the facts of life." "I can't do that." "Take me to jail." "I knew you'd say that." "'Cause you're absolutely... the most stubborn person I ever met." "So Idgie and Big George went to jail... in Valdosta, to await trial for murder." "They didn't have to wait long." " Did you know Frank Bennet?" " No, sir." "You mean you never met the man whose wife, Ruth... is your business partner?" "That's right." "And you never threatened to kill him at his home... in front of his hired man in June 1932?" "The same Frank Bennet you didn't know?" "Oh, yeah, that was me." "I though you asked if we'd ever met, and the answer's no." "I threatened to kill him... but we were never properly introduced." "Isn't it true that in September 1932... you came to take away Frank Bennet's wife and son?" "Just the wife." "The son came later." " How much later?" " The usual, 9 months." "I suggest that you... bribed this poor woman... with promises of liquor and money... and she lost control of her senses momentarily." "When her husband came to take her home... you and your coloured man... murdered him in cold blood." "No, sir." "Good." "Where were you on the night of September 30th, 1932?" "Acting in a show." " And after that?" " At my mother's house." " Anyone with you?" " Just Big George and me." "Can your mother confirm that?" "No, she died a year ago." "I'm sorry, Miss Threadgoode... but do you expect 12 intelligent men to believe you?" "With one witness dead... and the other a worthless, no-good, lying nigger... you expect these men to believe you... just because you say so?" "That's right, you baboon-assed bastard!" "Another outburst like that... and I'll hold you in contempt of court." "Understand?" "Yes, sir." "Dear Lord." "Next witness." "Did you know you were pregnant when you left Valdosta?" "Yes." "And yet you tell us again and again... you went with this woman... voluntarily?" "Yes." "I wouldn't raise my son with Frank Bennet." "Why?" "Did this woman promise you money?" "No." "A bigger home?" "No." "Tell us, Miss Bennet..." "Why would a respectable woman like you... go off with Idgie Threadgoode?" "Objection!" "Why did you leave that day with Idgie Threadgoode?" "Answer the question." "Because she's... my best friend and I love her." "Thank you." "That's all." "The defence calls... as its last witness, Reverend Scroggins." "Place your right hand on the Bible." "I brought my own, if you don't mind." "Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth?" "I do." "Do you know where Idgie Threadgoode... and her coloured man, known as Big George... were on the night of September 30th 1932?" "Yes, sir." "She claims that she... and her coloured man were at her mother's." "Can you confirm that?" "No, sir." "That's a lie." "Shit." "It's my habit to note down all the dates... and activities of the Church in my Bible... and I see that the night of September 30th 1932... our annual revival began... down at the Baptist campground." "Sister Threadgoode was there... together with her hired man, George Pullman... who was doing the barbecue, just as he has done... for the last ten years." "Objection!" "That doesn't mean anything." "The murder could've happened in the next two days." "Have you ever been to one of our revivals?" "Well, no." "Do you attend church regularly?" "Of course." "If you'd attended... one of our revivals, you'd know they last... 3 days and 3 nights, your Honour." "Approach the bench." "Percy, it don't look like you got a case at all." "In the first place, there's no body." "Second, we got a preacher nobody's gonna dispute." "What you got is a whole lotta nothing." "I say Frank Bennet got drunk... drove into the river and was long ago eaten up." "What we got here is a case of accidental death." "Case dismissed!" "See you in church, sister?" "Reverend..." "I can't believe it, he swore on the Bible." "Not really." "If the judge'd looked close... he would've seen it was a copy of Moby Dick." "But why'd he do it?" "For the joy of seeing you in church." "I suggested it might be your penance." "You didn't promise him?" "Yes, and I never break my word." "I won't forgive you for this in a thousand years." "I don't know what's worse, church or jail." "Towanda!" "Evelyn, what the hell are you doing?" "I need light and air." "Well, go take a walk... or jog, or whatever it is you do." "There's no dinner either." "Do you have any idea why I've gone to these classes?" "I was trying to save our marriage." "But what's the point if you're just gonna sit... drinking beer and watching baseball... basketball... football, bowling... hockey and golf." "And "Challenge of the Gladiators"." "Mrs Couch..." "I'm Sue, Mrs Otis' daughter-in-law." "Hi, I've heard lots about you from Mrs Threadgoode." "She's so sweet." "She's looked after Mrs Otis for years now." "And how is Mrs Otis?" "Much better, thanks." "I guess it takes time to get used to a new place." "I'm glad." "Mrs Threadgoode's anxious to get back home." "Mrs Threadgoode doesn't have a house anymore." "They tore it down." "What?" "They had to." "It was falling apart, and was condemned." "Oh, no." "Does she know?" "We didn't see any point in telling her." "It would break her heart, poor thing." "But I'm glad I met you." "Take care." "Bye." "Evelyn, hi." "Do you like my roses?" "As I can't get home to see my own roses..." "I made myself a paper garden." " Got everything but bugs." " It's lovely." " You been here long?" " Happy Birthday!" " I shouldn't have woken you." " Of course you should've." "Don't let me sleep through a visitor's day." "I look forward to them all week." "So do I, Mrs Threadgoode." "You remembered!" "You made me fried green tomatoes!" "They're delicious." "It's your recipe." "Are they cold?" "They're just like we had them at the Whistle Stop Café." "You couldn't be sweeter if you were my own daughter." "Your napkin." "Queen, queen!" "I don't feel 83." "It sort of slipped up on me." "I never expected to live this long." "'Course, the Lord takes us home when He wants." "You all right?" "I was thinking about Ruth." "After the trial, everything went back to normal." "Till that fall when Ruth lost her appetite." "The doctor said she had cancer so bad that... she only had a couple of weeks." "We took her home... and put her downstairs so she'd be comfortable." "CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS" "Sipsey moved in and never left her side." "Idgie just prayed for a miracle." "Listen to me." "Make sure he graduates." "And don't let him come to my funeral." "I don't want him going through that." "Quit talking like that." "What funeral?" "You'll be back on your feet... in a few days." "What's up, son?" "Let's go for a walk." "Get into a fight?" "Punched in the nose." "I can't play like the others." "Did I tell you the story of the oysters?" "All the millions of 'em just lying around..." "And God put sand in one and it made a pearl." "Did I tell you about Eve's three-legged dog?" "It never felt sorry for itself... and I should be smarter and not feel sorry for myself." "You listen to everything I say." "You get mad at me if I don't." "You know about your mama?" "She's sick." "Now's the time for courage." "You know there are angels... masquerading as people walking this planet." "Your mom is one of those." "Mama, you should see me." "Idgie hit me in the back with a ball... and I hardly cried." "She hit you?" "She did that to me, too, but I think I did cry." "Mama..." "I'm sorry you're sad." "Give me a big kiss and I'll never be sad again." "You best not be sad neither." "Understand?" "You promise?" "I promise." "Atta boy." "Go and wash up." "You two be alone." "Idgie..." "No, no." "That's nice." " Will you do something for me?" " Anything." "Be good to yourself." "Even... settle down, if you find someone who... can beat you at poker." "There's so many things I want to tell you..." "I love your stories." "Tell me one, Idgie." "You bee charmer." "Tell me a good tall tale." "The one about the lake." "What lake?" "The one that used to be here." "That was just a lie." "I know that, fool." "Tell me anyway." "Tell me the story." "One time... there was a lake." "Right outside of town... where we'd go fishin', swimming' and canoeing'." "But one November a big flock... of ducks landed on the lake." "And the temperature dropped so fast... that the lake just froze up." "Then the ducks... flew off and took that lake with them." "Now the lake is somewhere in Georgia." "Imagine that." "Easy, honey." "Let her go." "You know Miss Ruth was a lady... and a lady always knows when to leave." "When I think on our sister Ruth Jamison..." "I remember our Lord's sermon on the mount." "It's funny how Ruth affected everyone" "Even Smokey Lonesome." "When he died, some years back... he only had one possession... a picture of Ruth." "He was in love with her from the start." "We all were." "I shouldn't've told you this." "I hate death." "It scares me so." "Death shouldn't scare you." "I'm at the jumping-off place and I ain't afraid." "Ninny... you're so brave." "Ruth and Idgie were brave, not me." "You shouldn't fear death." "I'd be more afraid driving in rush hour traffic." "Hi, honey." "Look what I got you." "How sweet." "Lilies, my favourites." "Sometimes I even amaze myself." "What's the occasion?" "I feel sorry about the last few months." "I don't know what you're really up to." "But I could've helped more with your job and all." "Why are you putting up the wall... you just tore down?" "I changed my mind." "I don't wanna seem dense, but what's changed?" "The air and the light." "Ed..." "Remember how you said... you'd like two women in the house?" "Oh, yeah." "Well, what if I was the younger of the two?" "I don't get your drift." "I want something more than I ever wanted anything." "I want to bring Mrs Threadgoode to our house." "To live with us." "And to give her the love she's given me." " You're kidding, right?" " I'm absolutely serious." "That's why I'm rebuilding the wall." "Honey, this isn't so simple." "She's an old woman." "What if she got sick?" "Who'll take care of her?" "I will." "I can't leave her in that place." "She's not a stray cat." "And she isn't even family." "She's family to me." "Evelyn..." "Honey... have you mentioned... this harebrained idea to her?" "Not yet." "Good, then let's just pretend it never happened." "I'm making money now." "I'll pay for everything." "You don't have to do a thing." "Evelyn..." "It's never gonna happen, so forget it." "Don't say "never" to me." "Someone put a mirror in front of my face... and I didn't like what I saw." "Know what I did?" "I changed." "That someone was Mrs Threadgoode." "She needs my love now and I'm gonna give it to her." "Excuse me, I'm going to the gym." "And if you won't see reason, there's always Towanda." "Hey, Ninny..." "What are you doing?" "Those are her things." "Those are Mrs Threadgoode's things." " Where is she?" " Who?" "The woman who lives here." "Are you deaf?" "I'm sorry, all they told me... was that the woman who lived here died this morning." "My God..." "What are you saying?" "She died this morning." "They're shorthanded so they asked me to do this." "That's all I know." "Stop that!" "What's the matter with you people?" "Can't you even wait one day?" "Have you no respect?" "They're her things!" "They need the room for another patient." "She was just a patient to you... but she was my friend." "And I loved her." "I'm sorry, I'm just following orders." "What's going on here?" "Why didn't you call me before sending that idiot?" "I'm sorry, I never thought you'd take it this hard." "I didn't even tell her goodbye." "This is difficult, but she died peacefully in her sleep." "I thought you'd be happy for Mrs Threadgoode." " Happy?" " It's what she wanted." " What to be dead?" " No, to go home." "She left in a cab about half an hour ago." "I don't understand." "In a cab?" "Yes." "She didn't want to stay here now Mrs Otis had died." "Mrs Otis... is dead?" "Mrs Otis died!" "Mrs Otis... ha!" "Not that I'm glad she died, it's just..." "I gotta stop her!" "Evelyn, they stole my house." "It was right here when I left." "Evelyn, you don't think I'm crazy, do you?" " It was here when I left." " You're not crazy." "This is the place." "Why'd anyone steal an old lady's home?" "Wasn't worth nothing." "Nobody stole it." "It was condemned and they tore it down." "Sorry, I should've told you." "Someone should've told me." "I'm old, I'm not a child." "I'm sorry." "My husband Cleo and I lived in this house... for more than 40 years." "Now it's gone." "83 years of living and all that's left of me... is this box and a bunch of cards and pictures." " I'll take you home." " This is my home." "And now it's gone." "And Mrs Otis is gone." "It's the first time I haven't had someone to care for." "You can look after me and Ed." "You're sweet but you're fine on your own." "You'd be like a gift for us." "You're the reason I get up every morning... and that Mary Kay's having such a good year... and that I don't look like a blob from a horror film." "With some help from Idgie and Ruth." "Come on, I got your room ready." "What does Ed say?" "He'll learn to love it." "Did I tell you Mrs Otis was Sipsey's baby sister?" " No, Ma'am." " Yes she was." "Mrs Otis and me were with Sipsey the night she died." "Sipsey told me a story that night... that I've never repeated." "About what really happened the night..." "Frank Bennet disappeared." "Idgie, come quick!" "The show's starting." "You gotta come now!" "Run, run!" "Excuse me, sir." "I don't believe you should go off with Miss Ruth's baby." "You ain't going nowhere." "You're a thick-headed sonofabitch!" "I said you ain't going off with Rith's baby." "Come on, sweetheart." "It's all right, baby." "It was self-defence." "No white jury would care why I did it." "I saw it and I can testify." "No offence, but..." "I don't know who the jury would believe less... my Mama or Mr Smokey here." "No offence taken." "Good man, Smokey." "You did good." "Sun's almost up." "George." "I think it's hog-boiling time." " It's not cold enough." " It's hog-boiling time." "George..." " Is the barbecue ready?" " Anytime now." "Smells so damn good I just can't wait." " Call me when it's ready." " Alright." "Here you go." " Miss Idgie." " What?" "Smokey left town." "Thought it'd be best, under the circumstances." "He asked that you tell Ruth goodbye." "Shame he had to go." "This is the best barbecue I ever ate." "Secret's in the sauce." "Sipsey?" "My God..." "She fried more than chicken that night." "Did Idgie really barbecue Frank Bennet?" "You're pulling my leg." "Secret's in the sauce, or so I've been told." "Now you know why Idgie had to go on trial." "She knew the law wouldn't believe Sipsey." "Sipsey, Big George or anyone else of colour... would've been hung from the nearest tree." "To this day..." "I'm not sure if Ruth ever believed... that Idgie didn't kill Frank Bennet." "The truth's a funny thing." "I feel better now." "Good." "All these people will live... as long as you remember them." "You reminded me... of the most important thing in life." " Know what I think it is?" " No." "Friends, best friends." "Look." "I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU." "THE BEE CHARMER." "Idgie?" "Idgie's alive?" "Oh yes..." "She's still charming bees and selling honey." "Sometimes I think I catch a glimpse of her." "Maybe we'll see her today." "Maybe." "Let's go." "After Ruth died and the railroad stopped running... the café and everyone scattered to the winds." "It was never more than a little knockabout place." "But now I look back on it... when that café closed... the heart of the town stopped beating." "Funny how a little place like this"