"Beans, lard, flour... milk and sugar if they got it." "Go with Jonesy." "This a good town?" "Tipton?" "Never worked it." "Don't y'all have a regular, you know..." " Circuit?" " Yeah." "Used to." "Now it's just town by town, catch as catch can, and that ain't hardly nothing'." "Since when?" "Since you showed up." "That's right!" "Stake it down tight." "We could be in for another blow." "Jumpin' the gun a bit, ain't ya?" "Lyle." "What brings you out to these parts?" "Thought you was in Troy." "Ma got sick." "Come down to keep an eye on her." "Got myself elected two years back." "I'll be damned." "I was the only fella in the valley." "Last fella let out with a contingency fund, four colts and a Thompson gun." "Did you catch him?" "I will." "I sure would like that Thompson gun." "I'll bet you would." "I guess you know I didn't come out here to jaw." "I expect not." "I'll tell what though, we're kinda skinny right now." "The best we can do now is 10 now, 10 on the gate." "There ain't gonna be no gate." "Okay, 20." "Not 10, not 20, not 30." "I can't let you set up." "I'm sorry, it's just the way it is." "I gotta look after my people." "Your people?" "What the hell you talkin' about, Lyle?" "These people barely got a pocket to turn out and I'm not gonna let 'em get shook down by no carnies." "Shook down?" "!" "Why" " We run a clean operation here, Lyle, and you know it!" "I know what kind of operation you run." "Maybe next year." " How you doing?" " Howdy." "Got any milk?" "No, no water, cows are dehydrated." "Oh." "How much for this corn?" "What do you got?" "This ain't hardly real corn." "I'll give you a buck for the lot of it..." "There ya go." "Load it up back there." "That's him, Grammy!" "You sure, baby?" "Yes, ma'am." "Oh, glory be praised!" "He's the one!" "Saved my little Maddy!" "She was lame and he touched her and made her to walk." "Oh, bless you sir!" "C'mon, now c'mon." "She's walkin' now 'cause you touched her with your hands!" "Jesus Christ, lady." "Hawkins, get in the truck!" "Hawkins, get in the truck." "Hey, come on, goddamnit!" "Praise Jesus, brothers and sisters!" "Come hear the word of the Lord through his servant in Christ, Brother Justin!" "Welcome." "Praise the lord!" "Praise the lord!" "Welcome..." "Yes, that old time religion, brothers and sisters, rising like a phoenix from the ashes of sin and degradation." "Where there was a den of flesh and debasement, there is now a glorious, shining temple dedicated to the Lord God Almighty!" "Amen." "Now there were those who laughed when we started our great mission, men of the cloth, respectable learned men, who said the migrants had lost their faith." "Never!" "No." "He said that the migrants believed that God has abandoned them." "And so they in turn have abandoned God." "Well to them I say, who has more faith in God than those who have borne witness to His Fury?" "Who has more faith in God than the brother who has seen his land blow away in a raging tempest?" "Who has more faith in God than the sister who has buried her children in the hardscrabble left behind?" "Who has more faith in God than the families that wander the wilderness in search of the Promised Land?" "From Kansas to Colorado!" "From New Mexico to Oklahoma!" "Well, thank you for coming." "Thank you." "God Bless." "God bless..." "It's a miracle." "It is!" "Not a miracle, just a lot of hard work, sister." "Brother Justin?" " Munson." "Ned Munson." " Mr. Munson." "This is quite an operation you have here, quite an operation." " It's very impressive." " Thank you, sir." "There is a lot of talk about this down in city hall." "People who'd like to meet you, see what you've accomplished." "Maybe you could give myself and the other councilman here the old nickel-tour?" "Well, I suppose it would be an honor." "It'd be our honor, Reverend, it'd be our honor." "So we'll see you tomorrow." "Ma'am." "Well, well..." "Thank you for coming." "Thank you..." "Hawkins, grab that crate." "Hey boss, something's funny about that rube." "You should've seen what happened in town." "People were coming up to him, calling him "Jesus"" "Yeah, well, I don't really care about that right now!" "What the hell's going on here?" "Remember Lyle Donovan from Troy?" "The cop?" "Yeah, he was a sport." "Yeah, well, he's a son of a bitch now." "Says he doesn't want us shakin' down his people." "His people, like he owns 'em." "Hey, careful with that!" "Let me get this straight, what did the cop say?" "He said we had to clear out." "No, before that." "He said we couldn't set it up" "The carnival, right?" "The carnival." "Well, yeah, what am I speaking', Swahili?" "A revival?" "Yes, sir, Reverend." "Sheriff Donovan's got us all wrong." "We ain't been the carny-trade for a dog's age." "You don't say." "We all come to the Lord... when a young stranger wandered into our midst, a powerful young healer by the name of Benjamin St. John." "Perhaps you heard of him." "He was in town earlier today." "I understand he caused quite a stir..." "What we do, Reverend Goyer, is travel from town to town, preaching' the word, bringing hope where there is none, healing' the lame, the sick, and the poor-in-spirit." "For a small donation, of course." "Of which a full 50% is contributed to the local churches." "This is the only church in town, is it not?" "There's St. Andrews just down the road." "Well what say we let the Cat'lics take care of the Cat'lics." "Step right up, brothers and sisters!" "Step right up and witness the amazing Benjamin St. John!" "Fresh from a triumphant tour of Bethlehem, Jerusalem and the Holy Land!" "Experience the Lord's healing touch through this latter day prophet..." "Thank you." "Right this way!" "There's plenty of room for everybody!" " God bless you, ma'am." " Thank you." "Thank you, sir." "Well, hello, Lyle." "I told you to leave." "Well, you told me we couldn't set up a carnival-show." "This here's a revival." "I don't give a tinker's damn what you call it." "It's a clip-joint, plain and simple... and if you don't shut it down, I'm gonna to shut it down for you." "Well, I wish I could, but if I did, you and I would both have to answer to a higher authority." "The Lord?" "Nope." "The Bill of Rights." "Freedom of Religion." "Don't you be quoting' me your rights." "You listen up you shyster" "Well, hello, Reverend Goyer!" "I'm so pleased that you could make it by this evening." "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Brother Samson." " Hello, Lyle." " Tom." "A fine night for a good old-fashioned revival, huh?" " Just what the folks need." " Yes, sir." "It is." "A little old-time evangelism... to shake out the cobwebs, stir up the spirit." "Right, Sheriff?" "Enjoy, Reverend." "Lyle, I'm tellin' you, this operation is a hundred percent legit." "I never heard an honest man use the word "legit."" "Now, hold still." "Let me see myself." "Not yet." "Dear Lord..." "This dumb, forget it." "Easy, handsome." "You're gonna be just fine." "Damn straw house." "Gotta hand it to Jonesy." "Holy cow..." "It's like seein' a ghost." "Ain't it time you got ready?" " Who picked out this get-up?" " There something wrong with it?" "It was Lodz wasn't it?" "You gonna knock 'em dead, kid." "I wanna see myself." "I ain't doin' it." "Now, those are just butterflies, kid." "It's only natural to be a bit nervous." "I look like a damn fool." "Well, hell, kid." "You look like Valentino." "Doesn't he look like Valentino?" "Spittin' image." "Forget it." "That ain't an option." "Welcome to the traveling St. John Crusade and Revival!" "My name is brother Lazarus Dubois... and I stand before you tonight as living testimony to the power, to the glory, and to the almighty love of Jesus Christ!" "Four years ago, I was a salesman, a sinful man." "Full of lust and cheap hootch." "Sellin' lighting rods door-to-door." "Cheatin' good, honest farmers out of their hard earned pay." "Seducin' their wives." "Seducin' their daughters." "I was a drunkard!" "I was a thief!" "And I was an adulterer!" "I was a profane man ruled by profane desires with a one-way ticket to eternal damnation!" "When, ironically, I was struck down by a bolt of God's own blue fire from the sky!" "You said if I didn't feel one hundred percent comfortable, you'd have Schmidt do it." "It's too late now." "I don't even feel fifty percent comfortable." "You listen up, boy." "We got the whole nut riding' on this deal." "What if I foul up?" "You ain't gonna foul up." "All you gotta do is sit there lookin' cryptic." "It's automatic." "...When the man that you came to see here tonight laid his hands upon me and brought me back... from the veritable edge of the abyss!" "Brothers and sisters, I give you the right, Reverend Benjamin" "St. John!" "Follow my lead, boy, it'll be all right." "Reverend St. John!" "Hallelujah!" "That was some cute trick." "The tuxedo?" "Is he wearing it?" "You know goddamn well he is." "It is important, brothers and sisters, it's vitally important that you understand that unlike our Lord Jesus Christ, the Reverent St. John here, is but a mortal man of flesh and blood." "His constitution is such that he cannot lay his hands on but one poor soul a day." "To do so otherwise..." "could prove fatal." "Now, brothers and sisters, is there anyone amongst you faithful who is in special need of Christ's healing power?" "Who is here?" "Where are you?" "Who?" "The woman in the wheelchair." "The woman in the wheelchair in the back, boy." "Bring her up, boy." "Give her a hand, young man, so we may commence the healing'!" "I say gently, gently with her, boys." "Careful, careful." "Praise Jesus, this woman is injured." "What is your name, sister?" "Gertrude." "And what's ailing you, sister?" "I gots the stomach cancer..." "She's got stomach cancer." "Doctor says it ate my back bones." "So's my legs don't work no more..." "It's eatin' her back bone." "Her back bone's gone." "She cannot walk." "Her legs, they are useless." "Are you ready to be healed tonight, sister?" "I sure do hope so..." "Hallelujah." "Brothers and sisters, we need to put our hands together now and repeat with me, Jesus." "Repeat with me, Jesus." "Jesus..." "Jesus..." "Jesus..." "Lay your hands on her, boy." "By the power of the Almighty God, by the power of the Son and the Holy Ghost, we command you Satan's black cancer, to leave this woman and to make her healed!" "Gertrude, dear sister," "I want you to walk to me now." "Walk to me, now." "I want you to stand out of the chair and walk to me." "Now walk, sister!" "Stand up and walk, sister!" "Stand up and walk to me!" "Come to me." "C'mon!" "Lord God, I'm healed!" "I'm healed!" "Thank you, Lord!" "Thank you, Jesus!" "Hallelujah!" "Praise the Lord!" "Praise the Lord!" "Hey, turn that thing off, will you?" "!" " Ready, boss?" " Let's go." "Children, children!" "Gather 'round." "I have an announcement to make." "Due to the unprecedented success of our new endeavor, no small thanks going to master Hawkins." "I'm pleased to announce," "Possum and Bobby, armed with ample greenbacks, have braved the forty-plus-miles to Jefferson City and have procured..." "fresh eggs!" "Bacon!" "And orange juice!" "Come and get it, c'mon!" "The bugs extra?" "Hawkins, get the boys some more juice." "Congratulations." "I didn't do nothing'." "How's your ma?" "Better." "Not great, but at least she's talking." "That's good." "How's my boy?" "Good." "We got a morning show at eleven sharp." "Morning "service", I mean." "You ready to knock 'em dead like last time?" "Hey, boss?" "I got somethin' that needs takin' care of in town." "Take the Chevy." "Be back ten, though." "Ten thirty at the latest." "You're my gold mine, boy!" "Can't help you." "What about Big Sky Farms?" "You know where that is?" "Can't says I do." "Thank you." "You might want to talk to Mrs. Donovan, used to be her truck." "Pretty sure that fella you saw bought it at the auction." "Auction?" "Sad thing about the Donovans." "Used to own half this here town." "Pretty nearly the only thing she's got left now is that big old house... and a shovel full of dust in her lungs." "Where she live?" "Oh, about thirty minutes south on Moreau." "You can't miss it." "You got the time on ya?" "Quarter past ten." "What the hell happened here?" "There a wreck?" "No, there's a healer up there." "Healed an old lady with the cancer last night I hear'd." "Look!" "That's him!" "That's the miracle-man!" "That's Benjamin St. John!" "Hey, leave me alone." "Back off." "Let go!" "Back off!" "And this is our main hall." "At this point we can seat almost a hundred, but once we get the pews finished, we should be able to accommodate double that." "Double?" "!" "This is our children's shelter." "We're not quite finished yet, but we should have room for about a dozen boys." "The girl's dormitory across the hall is already completed." "Iris?" "Iris, this is City Councilman Munson." "And..." "Templeton." " Gentlemen, my sister, Iris." " Hello." "Mr. Templeton, was Carroll your cousin?" "My nephew." "Well, you have our deepest sympathy." "Lord knows that without Carroll Templeton none of this would've been possible." "That's a real comfort." "I'm amazed how much work you put into the place." "I just wish you'd come to us before." "Well, believe me, we'd appreciate all the support you could lend in the future." "We need all the help we can get." "Well, that's not exactly what I meant." "Ned?" "I think what Val's trying to say is... this whole block is slated for demolition." "Demolition." "When?" "Well, that's the old rub." "City planner originally had it down for the Spring of '31 but that was before the crash" "We took a real beating', I'll tell you what." "But we bounced back some." "Didn't I tell you we were gonna bounce back?" "Gentlemen!" "When?" "Middle of next month." "That is unacceptable." "Of course it is, Padre, of course it is." "You didn't think we were just gonna throw you out, did you?" "Is that what you thought?" "There is a..." "There's a big old empty roadhouse ... about five miles outside of town." "Now, it's a nice piece of land." "It's owned by Water and Power, but" "No." " Well, Reverend, don't be so hasty." " I'm not a fool, sir." "I know this has nothing to do with "city planning."" "It's all about the migrants." "The Okies." "The Ginks." "The Roadites." "It's fine as long as they stay outside town but, oh, don't let them within the city limits, no, they might get a mind to stay here!" "Try to make it their home!" " Reverend, I think you got us all wrong." " Shut up, Ned." "Now, you listen to me, Reverend." "We're offering' you a nice piece of property in exchange for this cracker-box." "Or we can exercise eminent domain for fair market value, which I'd say, looking at this place, it's about, I don't know, fifty bucks and a dead cow's fart!" "So what's it going to be?" "Excuse me." "Justin!" "Justin!" "Justin, wait!" "I know this place they're talking about, maybe we should just..." "No." "No." "The Lord was clear." "He spoke to me, Iris." "He chose this place, no other." " But Justin..." " No!" "Val, Val you okay?" "Can't breathe..." "Get a doctor!" "Let's take him outside, boys." "Easy, easy." "Watch his head." "No, don't..." "Val...?" "Yeah, they're done." "Who needs help?" "What kind of help?" "Oh, so now I'm his chauffeur?" "Come in." "I was wonderin'..." "Yeah, meet me in the Chevy." "And hunker down under this." "I'll get the keys." "So what's so important about this Mrs. Donovan?" "It's personal." "What do you mean, personal?" "It's family business." "Yes?" "I'd like to see Mrs. Donovan." "Well, I'm sorry, son, but Mrs. Donovan is in dispose." "It's important." "Well, I'll be..." "You're the miracle-man." "Well, c'mon in." "We ain't go time to fritter." "She been waitin' for you." "Miss Donovan?" "Miss Donovan." "Your man's here." "I knew you'd come." "Come sit close where I can see you." "You got his eyes, boy." "Walter?" "Why don't you show that young lady to the kitchen for a spot of lemonade?" "Yes, ma'am." "Crazy old bird..." "When was the last time you seen him?" "Oh, long time ago." "Fifteen years, or more." "Old Hack Scudder and me." "We got thick as thieves, we did." "You know this woman?" "Course I do." "That's Flora." "He showed me this picture, told me about her... good things." "You heard from since?" "Just dreams." "You know that." "Sent you one about me, Ben Hawkins." "You got the gift, just like him." "You might not see it as a gift, probably think it's more of a curse." "Fact is, it's both." "There's rules, boy." "You give life, you gotta take it somethin' else." "Could be an acre of wheat." "Could be Walter's old bird-dog, Jim..." "Could be that little girl you brought in here." "What the hell are you doing here?" "Get outta my house!" "I know what you're sellin' and I ain't buying'!" "Ben." "Ben..." "Yeah, that's right." "Get." "I don't suppose you're gonna tell me what that was all about." " Family business?" " Yeah." "So, who was she?" "Aunt?" "Long lost cousin?" "Grandma?" "Yeah." "She was my grandma." "You never saw that woman before in your life." "She said you had his eyes." "Whose eyes?" "Get out." "What?" "You heard me." "What do you want from me?" "I want to know who the hell you are." "I want to know what you did to my mother." "Hey, I told you, I didn't do nothin'..." "You're a liar!" "Crazy damn bitch!" "What'd you call me?" "I called you a crazy damn bitch." "Get in." "Go to Hell." "You're sure he ain't around someplace?" "Nobody seen hide-nor-hair of him since the last show." "Damnit." "Goddamnit!" "Lila, get Schmidt ready for the show." "Think they'll buy it?" "These birds?" "They'll buy anything." "Can I have a cigarette?" "Can I drive?" "Is there any of you fine folks here tonight who's in special need of Christ's healing power?" "Reverend, pick me!" "You there!" "You, sister on the end." "Why don't you go help her up here, boy?" "Help her up, little sister." "Praise Jesus!" "Let me help you up." "Need any help up?" "You up." "Now what is your name, little sister?" "Verna." "Oh my God." "What misfortune has befell you, sister Verna?" "How I got runned over by a thresher." "Lord, girl!" "You are lucky to be alive." "I thank the Lord Jesus Christ every day." "Folks, do you hear that, folks?" "This little girl, this poor little crippled girl, thanks Jesus just for sparing' her life." "Now isn't that inspirational?" "Hallelujah!" "Thank you, Jesus." "Thank you, Lord." "There, sweet, sister Verna." "Are you ready to be healed tonight?" "No!" "By Jesus." "You're gonna help my ma, you son of a bitch!" "I'm sorry, Sheriff." "We've already chosen this young lady here to be healed." "Perhaps you could bring back your mother tomorrow." " She ain't got till tomorrow." " Heal the girl tomorrow!" "Heal Becca!" "You ain't him." "That ain't him!" "Where's the healer?" "Where is he, goddamit?" "!" "I'm here." "Set her down." "Don't die." "Hey..." "I need to know them rules." "I don't want to have to hurt nobody." "Stand back." "You gotta get back." "No." "Don't touch me." "You all saw." "She don't wanna be healed." "She doesn't want it!" "Henry Scudder... when he left you, where did he go?" "Babylon..." "What if she hadn't stopped you?" "What?" "Well, you was makin' like to lay hands on that woman." "So my question to you is, what if you she hadn't stopped you?" "What was you fixin' to do?" "Well, that's what I thought." "You shoveling' shit." "It's latrine duty." "No more headlining for you." "I didn't ask for it." "Well, you ain't gonna get it, not 'til you earned it." "Maybe not even then." "Okay, children, start 'em up!" "We got dust to shake!" "Where we headed?" "Stay on 54." "Pick up route 66 to 27 south." "Through Texas?" "That's gonna take us awful close to Babylon." "No, it's gonna take us to Babylon." "Jesus Christ..." "Yeah, on a bicycle."