"Someone once told me, we always are where we're supposed to be." "Now I believe it." "Life is a journey." "You know where it begins, you never know where it ends..." "Or how..." "It's not easy finding one's path." "Sometimes we get lost." "Sometimes we stumble and fall." "And if we are not in control of our own destiny then what is?" "Is it fate or Lady Luck?" "Random chaos or God?" "And if it is God and you were given the chance to become the instrument of providence..." "Would you do it?" "TEXAS SIX MONTHS EARLIER" " Excuse me, I'm sorry to bother you, Ma'am." " Yeah, can I help you." "I'm lost and I ran out of gas a little ways down the road from you." "I was using my cell phone to navigate..." "Oh, we don't have cell phone reception out here." "Yeah, no kidding." "I got to a fork, I had no idea which way to turn." "Honestly I can't even find your road on the map." "I have no idea where I am." "I don't think I'm where I'm supposed to be though." "We always are where we're supposed to be..." "But you know you're right about the gas station." "Ain't none up this road that's for sure!" "Oh, honey, don't feel bad, everybody gets lost around here." "Heck, I've been trying to get out of this place myself for fifty years!" "I wanted us to move to Florida to be closer to my sister but my husband, God rest his soul, just didn't want to hear about it." "On account of all of his old cars." "Just look at this!" "What a mess!" "They're everywhere!" "You know, he never could see an old clunker without ending up buying it." "And when he'd come home from a business trip, he was a salesman you know, he'd be towing some piece of old junk behind him." "I sold the property last week and how in heaven am I supposed to have all this junk moved out by the end ofthe month?" "Well I sure hope the Japanese people buy them all tomorrow!" "I need to get all this junk out of here!" "Oh, there you are!" "I found the gas." " Joann, are you selling all your cars?" " Oh you bet!" " Even this one?" " Yeah all of them." "Would you consider selling it to me?" "You're not one of those crazy car people are you?" " I'm a hot rodder, Joann." " Oh for heaven sakes..." "Look, I don't have a lot of money and I'm sure your buyers tomorrow can offer you a lot more than I can." "But this here, this is my dream." "My husband always did love this one, not really sure why..." "You should have seen it when he brought it home." "It was a mess!" "He worked on it fourteen years, fixed it up like new." "You think he ever drove it once?" "No..." "It's just been sitting here, gathering dust, just like the rest of 'em." "Well, you know I'm sure your husband would prefer to see it stay closer to home..." "You reached Monk." "I'm doing burn outs right now, so leave a message." "Hey Monk, it's Faith." "Call me as soon as you get this message, okay, it's super urgent." "You'll never believe what I found here." "Um, no I'm not coming back with a script, but I'm coming back with inspiration." "I'll give you a hint:" "It's a car." "The lady is super nice, she's even throwing in an old trailer in the deal, so I'm going to be able to tow it back, the car is not running." "Anyways I need your help okay?" "I'm short two grand to close this deal and" "I'm heading back to Tyler right now, there's a Western Union up there." "And... shit I sure hope you get this message." "I'm running out of time." "Okay call me okay?" "Bye." "Joann, thank you so much for everything." "Oh you're welcome honey and I hope you enjoy it." "Hey if that pink slip shows up while you're packing, will you mail it to me?" "Oh, sure will Honey, sure will!" "And you have a safe trip back to LA!" "I will." " O.K" " Thankyou!" "Bye bye!" "What year is it?" "'32!" "Wow, right on!" "Rex, Rex." "Check this out:" "Filthy, this is so him!" "This is you man, I'm buying this!" "Oh shit, I forgot my purse in my roadster." "I'll be back." "Is this your car?" " Yes!" " Really?" "It's yours?" " Yes!" " I mean, not your husband's?" " I don't have one of those." " Boyfriend?" "Don't have one of those either." "No, this is my Deuce." " Well you got a very nice roadster." " Thankyou." "I like your steering wheel." "'53 Chevy, right?" "My dad was a hardcore hot-rodder from the fifties..." "Had a sweet '34 roadster with a Hemi engine in it..." "When I saw that spade on your steering wheel reminded me of a story he told me about him and his buddies, back in the days." "Come on!" "Can't this piece of crap go any faster?" "How long do you think it's gonna take him to test drive the coupe?" "Oh the way he drives?" " Probably not very long!" " Art's not going to do it anyway, Bob..." " He'll do it!" "OK." "Trust me!" " We'll see." "He's gonna marry my sister." "Trust..." "Hang a right, there." "Damn!" "Hey Daddy-o!" "Huh!" "What's up Bob?" "What's up guys?" "Hey is the Chief around?" "No, he went into town to pick up some parts." "Oh yeah?" "So he'll be gone for a while then?" "At least an hour." "Why?" "Why?" "Hey, can I talk to you for a second?" "You see, we came to see the Deuce of Spades and..." "I told the boys that you'd pop the hood for us." "You know I can't do that, I'll be in deep shit if I show you." "So, you want me to tell pop about your plans to marry Sandy then?" "Or not?" "Bob!" "Why do you always got to be such an asshole?" "Whatever it takes man." "I want to gander at what's under that hood." "OK..." "But make it quick." " Wow!" " Give me that." "He's gonna kick my ass if he finds out..." " No one's gonna to tell him, right boys?" " No!" "No way!" "Holy shit!" "Hot Damn!" "Look at that thing!" "Look at the power plant!" "No wonder no one can take him!" " What is it?" " It's a TURBO-FIRE V8..." "It's got a 162 horsepower right out of the box." "Oh man!" "How did he fit three carbs on there?" "He built that himself." "He's got to have at least 250 horsepower." " Good Christ!" " Those are some strange looking drums..." "These are prototypes." "Something he's been working on with a buddy over at GM." "He's working with GM?" "This lad is only a year older than me and he knows 10 times more about hot rods than any of us..." "Nothing is as fast as the Deuce of Spades, man!" "Well, why do they call it the Deuce of Spades anyway?" "Come on!" "Who brought this kid?" "There's a spade smack dab center in the steering wheel." "Ain't you seen it yet dummy?" "No!" "Ah, well, let's show it to you!" "Come here." "You see, it's his trademark." "He puts it on every one of his cars." "You see it now?" "My dad said that the guy was running the first overhead valve Chevy V8 ever built." "He was running it long before the fifty fives came out..." "Really?" "Yeah, when I saw that spade on your car..." "It made me wonder..." "Could this is be the Deuce of Spades?" "I don't think so." "This car's from Minnesota." "The woman who sold it to me was pretty sure about it..." "I'm sorry..." "Well, you know, my dad, he was quite a talker." "Had a lot of stories from the old days." "It's hard to tell how many of those were actually true." " I hear you." " It was nice meeting you." "Likewise!" "Thanks for sharing the story, I enjoyed it." " Have a good day." "Bye bye." " Bye bye." "DOES TRUE LOVE REALLY EXIST?" "YOU WILL COME TO THE HELP OF A STRANGER IN NEED" "Yeah, yeah there's room..." "Monk said to put a remote booster between the seat and the trunk panel..." "I've never looked, but I will today how's that?" "OK Rex, I'll talk to you later.." "Bye..." "Sunday, September 4th, 1955..." "My darling Bettie." "I know you're really mad at me right now but please hear me out." "I know what I did was wrong and I'm sorry.." "I should have stopped you that night, told you that I love you when I had the chance." "Now I fear it's too late." "I've lost you and it hurts." "I can't sleep, I can't eat..." "I can't think straight..." "What have you done to me?" "Tommy keeps saying I'll get over it but he's wrong." "He's been going to the Circus setting up races for me but my heart's not into it." "I don't want to do this anymore." "You asked me how long I needed and I told you I didn't know." "Well I know now." "I'm ready." "They took my license but I don't care tomorrow I'm driving the Deuce all the way to New York." "I'll drive day and night if I have to." "I'm coming to you Bettie and I'm gonna marry you." "So please forgive me and take back my ring." "Keep it close to your heart until I can hold you in my arms again." "Your Johnny." "The number you have reached has been disconnected." "Oh here you are!" " Is that a cigarette I'm smelling?" " Yes." "Why?" " You know what the doctors said, come on!" " Oh Doctors..." "What do they know?" "They're all floosies." "I'm 82 and I can still do burnouts!" "Hey Monk" "I wanted to pick your brains about something..." "Shoot!" "Ever heard of a fifties joint called the Circus?" "I'm thinking maybe in Minnesota..." "Minnesota?" "Hell no!" "Piccadilly Circus was right here in Southern California, the cradle of hot rodding!" "I used to go there all the time." "Set up street races." "In Southern California?" " That's what I just said!" "You want my hearing aid?" "Just a couple ofblocks up the street." "I'm gonna go check it out..." "It's all gone." "Bulldozed over a couple years back." "They built a shopping mall on it." "There's nothing's left Faith..." "Nothing." "DearFaith" "I found this box when I was cleaning up the barn." "The Bill of Sale was in it along with a few other items my husband found in the trunk of the car when he bought it." "I hope you're enjoying the car." "Joann." "When I saw that spade on your car, made me wonder." "could this be the Deuce Of Spades?" "There's a spade smack dab center in the steering wheel." "It's his trademark, he puts it on everyone of his cars." "Nothing is as fast as the Deuce of Spades man!" "MAKING ROADSTER HISTORY" "Johnny Callaway and his record breaking street roadster" "BILL OF SALE" "SAUGUS SALVAGE SEPTEMBER 5TH, 1955" "SOLD WRECKED 1932 FORD ROADSTER AS IS-$50-PAID" "September 5" "Oh, my God..." "September 4rth" "NEWS ARCHIVE SEARCH" "JOHNNY CALLAWAY CRASH" "ZERO MATCHING RESULTS FOUND!" "JOHNNY CALLAWAY CRASH SEPTEMBER 5TH, 1955" "ONE MATCHING RESULT FOUND!" "LOS ANGELES PRESS" " SEPTEMBER 5TH, 1955" "Shit." "TWO DEAD!" "LOCAL RESIDENT TOM MILLER WITNESSES FATAL CRASH AND ALERTS AUTHORITIES." "Come in please" "Dad, this is the lady that called yesterday." "She's here to see you." "She has some questions to ask you." "Mr. Miller?" "Yes..." "Sir, I wanted to ask you about a crash you witnessed 50 years ago involving a man by the name of Johnny Callaway..." "Yes..." "Johnny..." "Callaway..." "Sir, can you tell me about the crash please?" "What happened that night?" "The Deuce of Spades..." "They took it from Johnny..." "Theytook evertyhing..." "You knew Johnny didn't you?" "Two quarts to go..." "Two quarts to go..." "Every Saturday..." "Every Saturday..." "Sir, the Deuce of Spades crash..." "The paper said you witnessed it." "What crash?" "Johnny's crash..." "Who?" "Do you know anything about the crash?" "No." "He's never mentioned it to me..." "Johnny!" "God damn it Johnny don't you die on me." "I need a sign." "You the girl asking about Johnny Callaway?" "Yes..." "This is for you." "SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND 1406 ELLIS STREET GLENDALE, CA 91203 SUNDAY 4 p.m." "Come in..." "You have been asking yourself lots of questions..." "Wondering what happened to Johnny." "I'm Sandy." "How do you know I have been looking for Johnny Callaway?" "My son sometimes goes to Bob's Big Boy." " People talk." " Did you know him?" "Oh yes." "I knew Johnny Callaway." "I knew him real well..." "Full throttle Johnny." "That's what they called him." "The fastest guy around." "All the girls wanted to be with him and all the boys wanted to be him..." "He was a legend!" "The weather is great, it's great roadster weather..." "So how's the weather in Ohio?" "Yeah, the roadster ran great the whole way out." "No, but that's not why I called." "I'm stopped at a gas station you're never gonna believe who the attendant knows." "Johnny Callaway." "Hey Johnny, what did you do to my brother Eddie?" "He came home last night and started kicking the heck out of his coupe." "Put a big dent in the door!" "Yeah and then he tore his entire engine apart." "He was at it all night!" "Hey, Johnny we're going to the bowling alley..." " You wanna come with us?" " No I can't." "I got something I got to do." "Well, all right Johnny..." "Maybe some other time then..." "Soon?" "What did I tell ya?" "Like clockwork!" "Talk about the devil!" "Hey Johnny, 'two quarts to go'?" "Yeah." "Two quarts to go!" "This fellah just moved here from Ohio." "Said everybody back there's been talking about you and your Deuce." "Is that right?" "So you're the famous Johnny Callaway?" "It's an honor!" "My name is Gary, but everybody calls me ZIP." "I'm a CAM JAMMER." "All right!" "All right!" "Hey Zip, that is a nice beater you got there." "But what do you got under the hood?" " Enough to keep me awayfrom trouble." " Why don't we head out to Paradise road and have a little competition?" "Really?" " Yeah..." "Let's do it!" " Hell yeah!" "Alright!" "So Johnny, 'put it on your books'?" "Hey mac!" "Can I get some service over here?" "All right!" "Yeah, put in on my books." "Are you sure you should be doing this while smoking?" "You want gas or don't you?" "All right Zip, this is it." "I'm gonna give you three car lengths." "Three car lengths?" "Are you sure?" " Yeah, I'm sure..." " Ok..." "Damn he's fast!" "There's Johnny and his roadster in 1954..." "And this here is my late husband Art." "Him and Johnny were like brothers." "This here is the Callaway Speed Shop." "I have so many fond memories in that shop..." "That's where Art kissed me for the first time!" " Who's this?" " Ah!" "That's Bettie Thompson, Johnny's girl." "Look at them, they were so happy back then..." "It was so long ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday..." "The night they met" "August 20th 1953..." " This place's an armpit." " Yeah, Johnny let's shove off." "Come on you guys, I want you guys to meet my girl, Sandy..." "I'm gonna marry this girl, to hell with it!" "Oooh she's a dish!" "She's a dish alright!" "A dish with no meat on it!" "Hey Sandy!" "I want you to meet my best bud Johnny Callaway." "Johnny..." "I've heard so much about you..." "Oh, is that right?" "Yeah!" "We were just looking at your Deuce here.." " Art says it's the fastest rod in town?" " You'd better believe it!" "Hi!" "I'm Peggie..." "It's a nice roadsteryou got here." "You think you could give me a ride home later?" "I can't." "I'm going out to the desert." "He's gonna spend all night sleeping under his car just so he's first in line tomorrow morning." "He's crazy!" "Well, I'm gonna cut out." "It was nice meeting you all..." "Excuse me..." "All right, well..." "Guess we'll see you guys tomorrow morning at El Mirage." "Don't even think about it." "What?" "He'd break your heart..." "All right!" "You broke your own record man!" "Fast as shit!" "Good day racing today, guys!" "Good day racing..." " Johnny you were flying!" " That was incredible Johnny!" " Man you were fast!" " Cheers!" " Here's to Johnny!" " To Johnny Callaway, the fastest guy!" "Over the next two weeks, life resumed as usual." "Johnny was busy being..." "Johnny." "You guys OK?" "Go ahead and give it a crank now." "Wow!" "I don't know how you did that, but thanks!" " Jeff Granger" " Johnny Callaway" "Tommy Miller" "Vic Wayne, nice to meet you." " Well, I guess we're off." " What do you saywe run them?" " What on that road?" " That road is good as any." "All right!" "Let's do it!" "I'm gonna hop in here to even out the odds" "Good luck fellahs!" "Let's go Ladies!" "Come on Ladies!" "Oh!" "Oh!" "His hood just popped open!" "He's out!" "He's out Johnny!" "One down, one to go!" "Damn it!" "God damn it!" "Oh shit, Johnny we got a black and white on our tail!" "Is there a problem Officer?" "Johnny lived for speed." "Street racing, drag racing, Time Trials." "You name it, he did it." "And there was really no room in his life for anything else." "'Til Bettie came along..." "Hey Art!" "Yah!" "That girl the other day," "Sandy's friend..." " Who?" "Peggie?" " No, not Peggie." "The brunette..." "What 'bout her?" " What's her name?" " Bettie." "Why?" "ONE MAN WOMAN." "BUD DIDN'T STAND A CHANCE WITH HER, BUT HE COULDN'T STOP TRYING." " So?" "What did you fi!" "nd out?" " He's hot for you." "Really?" "Is that what Art said?" "Heck no!" "But Johnny's definitely interested." "Art started asking me questions about you and why do you think that is?" " You really think so?" " I know so." "So, what did you tell him?" "Well, I told him that you're one smart girl and that you're not like some of those easy girls that the hotrodders go for." "Really?" "You said that?" "Well, yeah, it's the truth!" "Hey Art?" "Yep?" "That girl Bettie, what's she like?" "Don't waste your time on her Johnny that girl doesn't put out." "She's tight." "She's tight?" "Yeah!" "Real tight." "Really..." "Great." "He's not gonna want to go out with me now..." "Well, I wouldn't be too sure if I were you..." "Today, Art asked me where you live." "I'm pretty sure Johnny's gonna offer you a ride in his Deuce!" "Oh my God..." "What am I going to do Sandy?" "I'm afraid of speed..." "Listen honey, you're gonna need a really strong stomach if you want to go out with Johnny Callaway..." "Alright, I'll mention it to Art." " So, do you like the boy?" " Like him?" "I think I love him..." "Look Bettie, I have to warn you all the girls in town are chasing after Johnny..." "And all he has to do is just snap his fingers and they'll fall right into his lap." "Do you know what I mean?" "I know..." "Alright, well then if you're really serious about him this is what you're gonna do..." "Have a good day, be a good girl." "OK sweetie?" "I love you!" "Love you too, mom!" "Hi there!" "Hi!" "Do I know you?" "We met a couple weeks ago..." "Remember?" " I'm Art's friend." " Oh..." "That's right..." "What's your name again?" "I'm Johnny..." "Johnny Callaway." "So..." "What are you doing out here Johnny Callaway?" "Well, Art mentioned you've been walking to school" "I thought I might come out and offer you a ride." "That's really nice of you but" "I enjoy the walk..." "Take care..." "Alright, see you tomorrow." "Hey that blister sure looks painful." "It looks worse than it is." "Hey why don't you hop in the Deuce, I'll give you a ride to school." "I'll drive slow, I promise." "No thank you..." "It's a nice day for a ride in the Deuce." "No, thank you." "Hey, we're a little bit late today, aren't we?" "Hop in, I'll get you there right on time..." "Thank you!" "I can make it!" "You want to get a ride with me today Bettie?" "Or do you still prefer walking?" "Walking is good for you!" "Aren't you tired of coming here every day?" "No." "I really like the view." "You'll get tired of the view soon enough." "Come on Sandy!" "It's been four weeks." "He's gonna get tired of this and give up..." "When Johnny wants something, he never gives up." "Are you gonna follow me all the way to school?" "Yep!" "Not anymore!" "Johnny you never give up do you?" "Check out the gait on that rig!" "Hey baby!" "What you doing out here all alone?" "I'll take her home and show her to my mother!" "Come on baby don't be scared!" "Well, hello there!" "Now, what's a pretty girl like you doing out here all alone?" "Leave me alone!" " Don't play so hard to get!" " Let go of me!" "God Damn it!" "Hey!" "Knock it off, she's with me." "Oh yeah?" "It doesn't look like it to me!" "Shit man, it's Callaway..." "Hey Johnny we were just having a little fun." "We don't want any trouble." "Take it easy Johnny we don't want any trouble." "We didn't know she was your girl." "Get the hell out of here, assholes." "These God Damn jocks think they can run this town 'cause they go to that God damn uppity college!" "I'm sorry..." "So why don't you go to school Johnny?" "I used to." "I have to run my dad's shop now." "Where is your dad?" "He's dead." "I'm sorry..." "What about you?" "What do you go to school for?" "To become smart." "Why you not smart already?" " I want to be a famous writer some day." " A writer eh?" "You gonna write a book about me?" "Maybe..." " So how did your race..." " Look I don't know" "You go." "I was just asking how your race went yesterday?" "I dusted every last one of them..." "You're used to always winning, aren't you?" "I was til I met you..." "So what do you do when you don't get your way?" "Bettie, I don't know what people have told you about me, but I'm not how you think." "Just give me a chance to prove it..." "Please." "Alright Johnny." "I'll let you drive me to school today." "Alright!" "Thank you..." "From that day on Johnny would drive Bettie to school every morning and take her home every afternoon." "He was always careful to stay clear of Bettie's house and her parents" "Hotrodders were considered hoodlums in those days you see..." "Oh!" "I'm Johnny Callaway!" "Every moment together was a moment they stole..." "And every day they looked forward to that little bit of time they got to spend together." "Let's go somewhere today, just you and me." " I have to go to school Johnny!" " Ah!" "School is always gonna be there." "I might not be, you know?" "I could crash and die and be gone in an instant!" "That's a horrible thing to say!" "Don't say things like that!" "So you do care..." "Some might say Johnny was a bad influence on Bettie but I think he was the best thing that could have happened to her..." "What are you doing here?" "Are you crazy?" "My mother's home, she'll see us!" "Go!" "Earl?" "I think we have a problem!" "Damn Hotrodders!" "Johnny..." "Johnny stop..." "Johnny Stop!" "I'm sorry..." "I'll be more gentle." "It's just..." "I never..." "No, it's ok, you don't need to explain." "I don't want to make you do anything you don't want to." "I'll wait for you..." "Johnny please, you should go..." "My parents will be home any second." "If my mom sees you, she'll have a cow..." "Oh my God they're here!" "Go!" "Go!" "Go!" "Don't try to deny it young lady, you have a hickey on your neck!" " I forbid you to see him you hear me?" " No ma!" "I love him!" " I forbid you to see that hoodlum!" " I love him!" "Earl, do something!" "Listen to your mother, Bettie." "You will not see that boy again, you understand me young lady?" "Ever!" "Now go to your room!" "Johnny heard everything and from that moment he knew that" "Bettie's mother would never approve of him." "Do you believe in True Love?" "I used to..." "I waited for it for a long long time." "Finally, one day, I stopped waiting." "It's easier that way, you see?" "No more disappointments." "Don't give up on True Love Faith." "It does exist." "But it's rare." "And precious." "And only happens once in a lifetime..." "If you're lucky." "Seems to me all that Johnny and Bettie found was heartache." "Well..." "Sometimes true Love and heartache go hand in hand." "True love can be a great blessing, and a great curse." "Well if it was true love for them, why did it end?" "Who says it did?" "They broke up." "Why?" "When I think back, I think it probably all started with the Passion Pit, late spring of 1955..." "Hey Art?" "Wasn't Johnny working on a red chevy today?" "Uh huh..." " That snake!" "He'd better not." " What?" "It's Johnny!" " Where?" " There!" " What's he doing here?" " What do you think he's doing here?" "Who is he doing it with?" "I don't know..." "Bettie?" "Bettie?" "No way!" "Bettie's not the Passion Pit type." "If that son of a gun is cheating on her I swear to God I will kill him..." "Sandy!" "Get back here!" "Johnny I love you..." "Wait." " What?" " I heard something..." "It's OK..." "You are a psycho Sandy!" "He was with Bettie!" "Did you know that they were going all the way?" "I mean I had no idea..." "She's been hiding it from me..." "Did you know?" "Get in the car!" "Johnny gave Bettie his ring." "They had been going steady for two years now but he never told her once that he loved her." "And he would not pop the question..." "Now that she had slept with him, Bettie started worrying that he never would." "But he loved her..." "Oh yes, he loved her." "But the wheels of fate were already in motion." "If you are not going to do something about it, I will." "She's having sex with that hoodlum, you know that, don't you?" "Well..." "How can you be so sure..." "I know she is!" "I can tell just by looking at her." "This has got to stop." "What do you want me to do?" "She's not a child anymore, Helen." "She's not even 18!" "She doesn't know what she's doing!" "And I will not let her make a mistake she'll regret for the rest of her life." "I'm sending her to College in Attica." " Attica?" "Where in the hell is Attica?" " NewYork, Earl, Attica's in NewYork." "That's all the way on the other side of the country!" "Exactly." "Johnny!" "Come down here!" "Could you hand me that wrench?" "Alright." "Now, the engine is running kinda rough." "So what do you think we should do?" "Check ignition system, fuel lines and carburetor." "That's good Johnny!" "That's really good." " Sir?" " Yes son." "Is it true that you are going away tomorrow?" "Yes." "But you'll be back sir, right?" "Yes, Johnny, I'll be back." "Promise?" "Yeah..." "I promise." "Hey and when I get back, you and I we're gonna put the 32 body on and then one day soon, she'll be all yours..." "You take good care of your mother while I'm away, you hear?" "I will sir." "Remember to start the roadster everyday." "Keep this for me, till I get back Johnny..." "OK." "Johnny!" "Come back!" "Don't go." "What?" "Tomorrow..." "Don't go." "Johnny, I have to..." "Why do you have to go to college all the way in NewYork?" "Tell your parents you're not going." "It's not that simple..." "You think I don't know what you want?" "I know what you want..." "What are you saying?" "I don't know..." "Just be patient with me..." "I just need more time..." "Bettie..." " Tommy sent us." " What's up?" "He wanted to warn you." "There's a new cat with a mean heap at Saugus." "He's looking for you." "He's been laying rubber all over town, telling everybody he's gonna cream you." "Oh, yeah?" "He's got the fastest hotrod in Fresno." "Oh yeah." "Tommy said you got triple trouble heading your way." "He's real fast Johnny." "You'd better get your ass down there quick." "What's he running?" "Dunno, but it sounds nasty!" "He means business." "Oh, one more thing." "Watch out for John Law." "There's a black and white on White Oaks, parked behind the hedge, waiting for you." " Yeah thanks." " You got it" "You're not thinking about going down to Saugus our last night together are you?" "Johnny please don't do this." "I have a really bad feeling about this..." "You don't understand!" "Everybody in town knows that he's looking for me." "I have to go." "Hey what's cooking?" "What did I miss?" "This Fresno guy, man he's a turkey, he just jumped the gun." "Thinks he's a real bad ass but he's a rookie." " So..." "What do you guys think?" " I think Johnny's gonna whip his ass!" "Ehhh..." "I don't know guys I mean this guy's green, but he tears ass." "I think Johnny's could be up shit creek this time." "Hey guys shut up, shut up!" "Tommy is about to flag." " You're out." " What do you mean I'm out?" " You're out!" " This is bullshit!" "This is bullshit!" "You tipped him off!" "I saw you move your foot asshole!" "Watch your God Damn mouth you dumb wop!" " Who are you calling a wop, asshole?" " Hey what's going on here?" "Oh this God damn wop thinks he can run our dragstrip." "Hey Buddy!" "If Tommy said you're out, you're out!" "So take your piece of shit and get it out of here?" "This ain't Raisin City!" "No!" "I'm not going anywhere until I get a fair chance to race this guy!" "You had three chances already asshole!" "Move your car off my track now!" "What, is this a set-up?" "Huh?" "You guys asshole buddies?" "This ain't over you son of a bitch!" "I'm not done with you either!" " Name your time and place asshole!" " Hey!" "Look out Johnny he's got a knife!" "Son of a bitch!" "Fight!" "Fight!" "Knock it off!" "Knock it off!" "Go back to Fresno, loser!" "Hey meet me at Sepulveda Boulevard tonight, Culver City." "We're gonna settle this once and for all damn it!" " I'll be there!" " You'd better be there, asshole!" "If racing this kid is so important to you if it's more important than us, then go ahead, go race him!" "But don't expect me to be here when you come back." "If you come back." "And so Johnny drove out to Culver City that night to race Fresno." "Dozens of Police cars raided the place." "They arrested everybody!" "Johnny was detained overnight..." "It's 6AM Bettie, he's not coming." "You're gonna miss your train..." "But Bettie didn't know." "She was hoping until the last minute that he was going to show up at the train station to stop her and make up." "Give this to Johnny." "He'll understand." "Tell him if he wants to work this out, to call me Sunday night 8 p.m. New York time." "If..." "If I don't hear from him, I'll assume it's over." "Here's the number he can reach me at." "Sweetie I told he would break your heart..." "But you didn't listen..." "Look, you're better off without him." "He wasn't good enough for you anyway." "You kids stay out of trouble, you hear?" "Yes Officer!" "Sure..." "God damn fuzz!" " Oh man..." " Yep..." "Johnny's definitely gonna lose his license over this!" " Yeah, I heard they impounded his car!" " Shit!" "Hey Johnny!" "Where you goin'?" "God damn it!" "Shit!" "She doesn't want to see you again for as long as she lives." "Get it?" "Is something wrong with the food Johnny?" "You haven't touched your food." "I have a message from Bettie." "She said to give you this, that you would understand." "Did she say anything else?" "No..." "I'm so sorry Johnny..." "Johnny spent the next two weeks in his shop, working night and day." "It was like he was using work as a pain killer." "He always said his brains worked best when he was wrenching..." "Well, he must have been doing a lot of thinking." "Hi Johnny!" "You hurt yourself Johnny." "It's nothing." "I think you should go." "What?" "You heard me!" "You should go." "Can't wait to see the look on Fresno's face when Johnny whips his ass!" "I should have backed right up in his piece of shit you know that?" " Yeah!" " I can't stand that son of a bitch!" "So I can pick it up in a couple hours then?" "Yeah it'd be just fine." "Great." "Thanks so much for doing this on Labor Day I really appreciate it." "Hey you're welcome Mr. Wilson!" " What kind of name is Crosciato?" " I think it's Italian for "slow"." "Hey Mr. Wilson!" "Ah, don't worry, Johnny's gonna show him." "Right Johnny?" " What you guys up to?" " Fresno." "Can you believe that asshole's still in town?" "He pulls in at Tips, blocks me off..." "Me and Art we're ready to bust out, so now we're stuck with this wop getting in our face." "He's wound tight, man!" "He's going on and on how he's not going back to Fresno until he has a chance to stomp your ass." "Stomp my ass, eh?" " That's what he said." " I set a race up for you man." "Saugus tonight, midnight." " So let's give him a real good ass whipping Johnny, what do you say?" " I gotta get this done." " Finish it tomorrow!" "I can't." "I'm leaving tomorrow and I'll be back in a couple weeks." "What about the race?" "You can do both Johnny!" "You can do the race and then come back and finish the car." "What's the big deal?" "You know Tommy you just don't get it!" "I'm done with this racing shit," "It's been nothing but trouble." "You what?" "You heard me, I'm done." " You can't hang it up Johnny!" "Not now!" " Yeah Johnny..." "Just do this last race!" "Listen you guys!" "There's always going to be the next race!" "There's always gonna be the next asshole coming into town just wanting to prove something." " Yeah Johnny this is our town we should do something about it!" "It's never gonna end!" "I don't want to do this anymore." "What the hell man?" " You know ever since that broad left you..." " Hey, watch it Tommy!" "Just watch it!" "Wow oh!" "Come on Johnny!" "Stop being such a jerk!" "Just do the race!" " I already set up the race for you." "You can't make me look bad Johnny!" "It's a matter of honor." "What do you say?" "I'll think about it..." "OK, Johnny you think about it and we'll see you at Saugus at midnight." "See you there buddy." "He's late." "I don't think he's gonna show." "He'll show." "Your buddy's a chicken!" "He's gonna be a no show." "Shut up you dumb wop!" "Johnny will show." "Johnny always shows." "Oh yeah, well, maybe he realizes he's not the hot shit around here anymore." "Yeah, yeah..." "We're gonna find out soon aren't we, asshole!" "Jerk!" "He'd better show..." "There he is!" "I told you he'd show." "Get ready to get your ass whipped, shit head!" "Johnny's here." "Let's just get this over with, OK?" " Alright!" "Line 'em up!" " Do I look like a stupid ass?" " We'll do a toss." "Fair and square." " Fine!" "I got a wrench." "Hell no!" " Now what?" " Have him do it!" "Will you just let him do it?" " I'll do it." " Asshole!" "Line them up!" "Bring it forward..." "Come on..." "Stop!" "Johnny, bring it forward..." "Stop!" "Alright!" "Are you ready?" "Are you ready?" "On three..." "One!" "Two!" "Three!" "Johnny..." "Johnny!" "Hop on!" "Art!" "Over here!" "Careful!" "Oh shit!" "Is he alive?" " Is.." "Is he.." "Is he breathing?" " I don't know..." "Johnny can you hear me?" "Go get help!" "Now God damn it!" "Damn it Johnny don't you die on me..." "Hang in there OK buddy..." "Help is on the way alright?" "It'll be here soon..." "You know how this accident happened, son?" "No sir, we were driving down Soledad and we saw a fire..." "So we stopped to check out what was going on..." "So what do we have here Detective?" "Two dead and the third kid isn't likely to make it." "Step over here for a moment please." "Hello?" " Mrs. Callaway?" " Yes!" "Your son survived the surgery." "But he's in a deep coma..." "Will Johnny live?" "He was hurt bad." "We are doing everything that we can for him." "I..." "I don't want to give you any false hope." "Doctor, there is a Detective here to see you..." "Tell him I'll be with him in just a few minutes." "Alright." "I got to go." "Tommy deserted Johnny and Art." "Went down to Mexico and laid low there for the next few years waiting for this whole mess to blow over." "He was scared." " How fast was he going?" " Probably as fast as he could go!" " I want you all out of the hallway!" " Tell us what's going on!" "God Damn it he's seizing!" "Hold him!" "Doctor check his vitals!" "Restrain him!" "Hold him!" "Administering one milligram Epinephrine." "Nurse!" "Get the door!" "Get that door!" "Bettie came back to town to visit her family during Spring Break." "She was still in love with Johnny." "Are you sure you want to do this Bettie?" "Yes." "It's gonna be real hard on you Bettie..." "I have to see him..." " But he won't know you're there..." " Hasn't there been any improvement?" "It's been six months..." "I'm so sorry sweetie..." "It's time you move on with your life." "Sandy said you met a nice boy in college?" "Yeah, maybe..." "But he's not Johnny." "Well, I've got to warn you" "Johnny's not like you remember him..." "You'll see what I mean when you see him." "Young lady get off of him!" "You could seriously injure him, he has a feeding tube in his abdomen!" "Is she OK?" "Here why don't you sit down?" "Are you injured miss?" "You have blood on your arm!" "It's not her blood..." "Bettie please don't cry..." "Look, I didn't want to tell you this because I knew it would hurt you but I think you should know." "Johnny had already moved on." "I saw him having sex on the back of his roadster just a couple days after you left." "What?" "I swear to God Bettie..." "You should move on..." "Give that Boston boy a chance." "Give him a chance." "A long year in the coma." "The Doctors wanted to pull the plug but Jeanne wouldn't let them." "She just wouldn't give up on him." "All her savings were gone so she had to sell the shop and her house just to keep Johnny alive." "On the outside, life went on." "Another fast guy came along and became the new hero." "Everyone forgot about Johnny Callaway and the Deuce of Spades." "Everyone, but Art." "I'm done with this racing shit, it's been nothing but trouble." "You can't hang it up Johnny!" "Not now!" "Yeah Johnny just do this last race..." "Come on man it's a matter of honor..." "What do you say?" "Nurse!" "Nurse!" "Oh my Good Lord in Heaven!" "Doctor!" "Well Mrs. Callaway, he sure surprised all of us." "His coming out of the coma is nothing short of a miracle." "But we ran some tests on him and... your son has some brain damage." "Right now he is unable to talk and his right side is non responsive." "Now some of it may come back with time..." "But..." "It's not very likely." "Three months went by with little to no improvement." "He was now coherent and able to talk and starting to understand what had happened to him." "How are you doing darling?" "I'm OK..." "Why don't you write to her?" "I can write it for you..." "Take a look at me Ma'..." "Take a really good look at me..." "Johnny was a strong kid but no matter how strong something is there's always a breaking point..." "Johnny, you didn't eat anything..." "I'm not hungry." "I know you're not hungry, but you have to eat something." "You have to get your strength back..." "Leave me alone." "Please eat this." "What do you want from me Peggie?" "Huh?" "What do you want from me?" "You're not her..." "You're never gonna be her!" " Now, get out of my room!" " Why are you doing this?" "Get out of my room!" "Get out!" " Why are you doing this?" " Get the hell out of my room!" " Get the hell out of my room!" " Why are you doing this?" "Good luck to you, Johnny!" "I got to give it to him." "He had a lot of will power." "He couldn't stand being on a wheelchair so he got rid of it." "Had Art toss it down a ravine if you can imagine that!" "He was such a stubborn, unreasonable boy." "Struggled for months trying to walk on crutches." "Drove everybody crazy!" "But in the end, he did it." "Here." "Put it back." "Put it back!" "You know what Johnny?" "You need to stop being so God Damn hard headed!" "I don't need your help." "I can do this myself!" "It's getting late..." "I gotta cut out." "Sandy's waiting for me..." "Oh, Sandy's waiting for you eh?" "Oh, then better haul ass!" "You've been at it for hours!" "Let me just help you get it done." "Just leave my sticks by the car" "OK?" " Come on!" " I'll be just fine!" "You're never gonna be able to get up without my help." "You know that, right?" "Just get out of here." "Just get!" "Fine!" "Now that Johnny was wrenching again, they were able to make rent." "And for a brief moment, it seemed that maybe he was going to be able to bounce back from all this..." "But Johnny's ordeal was far from over." "He was summoned to appear in court, now on trial for involuntary man slaughter." " Are you serious?" " Oh yeah!" "Two people were dead because of him, including an innocent farmer who left a wife and kids behind him." "Oh, the authorities wanted to make an example of Johnny." "They threw the book at him." "They gave him everything he deserved..." "And then some." "What about Art and Tommy?" "Tommy was gone and Art was too scared to step forward and confess." "So he lied and Johnny took the fall." "The Court hereby sentences the Defendant Johnny Michael Callaway to three years in the State Penitentiary." "We all thought they would go easy on Johnny because he was crippled." "But we were wrong..." "When Art heard the verdict, he could not handle the guilt." "Art?" "It's me, Sandy..." "It's me baby, come on, open the door..." "Don't do that to yourself Art, it wasn't your fault!" "Yes it was!" "Please just open the door?" "We're all worried sick about you..." "This is all my fault..." "I'm so sorry baby..." "He was my best friend..." "My best friend..." "And I betrayed him." "But baby, you can't turn your back on him now, OK?" "You have got to go visit him!" "I'll never be able to face him..." "I'll never be able to tell him how sorry I am..." "Johnny was a great friend to all of us but in the end, we all turned our backs on him in his time of need." "And so when he came out of jail in the spring of 1959 he left everything behind." "Johnny walked away and none of us ever saw him again." "What about Bettie?" "Bettie married that nice boy from Boston and became a novelist." "Look up her book "Deuce of Hearts"." "She wrote it in the seventies, after her divorce..." "She changed the names and some of the details but basically it was her story with Johnny..." "She was still in love with him." "Did you ever try to get in touch with her?" "My dear child, after all these years" "I would not know what to say or where to begin..." "Sandy, do you think Johnny is still alive out there, somewhere?" "I don't know..." "I am afraid no one can answer that question." "There was a rumor in the late sixties..." "But it was just a rumor." "There was this well known movie actor who bought a fast car from a customizer" "and guess what was painted on the firewall?" "A spade?" "Yeah." "There's a lady here to talk to you about Johnny." "Yes, Johnny did a car for me." "I don't know where he is though, I haven't seen him since." "Didn't Johnny do a car for what's her name?" "No, no..." "Johnny turned that job down, remember?" "Johnny didn't want to do the car, because of me and my big mouth." "I happened to mention that the owner wanted to street race it." "That was it." "Johnny wanted nothing to do with it." "He wouldn't budge on that either!" "He was a very stubborn man." "Difficult to deal with." "Yeah.." "That's what I hear..." "I ended up trailering that car all the way up there and back for nothing." "It was a good three hour drive, one way!" "Do you happen to remember where the shop was located?" "No, not exactly..." "I was only there that one time and that was over 15 years ago." "But do I remember it was in the desert, next to a dry lake and that Johnny guy, he had over a hundred old cars sitting in the back on his property!" "That was a pretty awesome sight to see!" "I think Johnny knew Winfield so why don't you check with Winfield" " maybe he knows..." " Yeah, he's right!" "Winfield might be able to help you." "He's been racing on the lakes since the Forties." "If you go to the SCTA Meet tomorrow, you'll probably catch him there." "He's still racing." "Damn it!" "I don't have time for this shit!" "Yep..." "Fuel pump!" "Great..." "Out on the rookie line folks you have to stay under 150 mph and if you're driving a roadster, you have to stay under 150 mph and spin..." "Ok, I'm gonna call this a good record." "You guys are all set to go, congratulations." "Excuse me!" "I'm looking for Gene Winfield..." "You'll find him in his pits, a blue roadster, a couple of bellytanks." "Thank you!" "Excuse me." "Hi there." "Are you Gene Winfield?" "Yes I am..." "Is this?" "I'll be damned..." "I just can't believe it!" "The last time I saw this car was July of '55!" "How the hell did you end up with Callaway's car?" "It's a long story..." "Did you know Johnny?" "Yes, everybody knew Johnny." "Do you happen to know where he is?" "If he's still alive?" "No..." "Nobody's seen Johnny since he crashed in '55." "I was told he lives on a dry lake..." "Somewhere around here..." " I was thinking may be here, at El Mirage?" " No..." "I've been here for 25 years and if Johnny was around here, I would know it." "Well, how many other dry lakes are there around here?" "Oh, many many!" "This is a big desert!" "He's got like a hundred jalopies sitting in his backyard." " You'd think somebody would know about it." " Well..." "I have to find him." "OK." "There's a hangar over there, the guy's name is Pete." "He flies all around this area and if anyone can see a hundred jalopies in a back yard, he would see it from up there." "You go see Pete and tell him I sent you, he owes me." "Thank you." "You're welcome." "MEET BETTIE THOMPSON BOOK SIGNING TODAY 2 p.m. TO 4 p.m. "WITHOUT LOVE"" "Thank you so much and it was a pleasure to meet you." "Thank you for coming." "Hello, could you make this out to Selma?" "Sure." " Thank you very much." " You're welcome." "Could you address this to Gloria please?" " Thank you it was a pleasure to meet you." " Thank you." "Does she still love him?" "Yes..." "More than anything..." "Excuse me." "Sorry to interrupt Mrs Thompson." "Could you please come by my office before you leave?" "I have some papers that I need you to sign." "Oh..." "Well, could you give me a moment please?" "Oh sure, sure take your time..." "YOU NEED TO KNOW THE TRUTH PEGGIE LIED TO YOU." "Oh..." "I'm Johnny Callaway" "I'll wait for you..." "Oh God..." "Oh God..." "Just be patient with me please..." "Why?" "Why didn't you tell me?" "HARPER LAKE" " JALOPIES" "Anybody home?" "Hello!" "Hello?" "Anybody home?" "Hello?" "I have decided to write so maybe I won't lose my sanity." "What's left of it." "If hell exists it's here and I'm in it." "They wouldn't let me keep my crutches so I'm back to being bedridden pretty much." "I'm in isolation somewhere on the third floor in Block D." "August 20th, 1957." "An inmate was stabbed to death yesterday." "They found him in a 10 foot pool of blood." "If I am to survive in here that damn leg of mine better heal fast." "I don't care what the doctors said." "I swear when I come out of here" "I'll be walking." "August 25th, 1957." "I know I died that night." "I remember hovering above the tree..." "I keep thinking about that kid." "He's been haunting me in my dreams..." "I never saw the tractor his roadster was in the way." "Why didn't we give up and slow down when we came to the end?" "Why couldn't we?" "I got to watch out for Yates." "He's been looking for a reason to get me." "He's a mean son of a gun and from what I hear there isn't an inmate in here who hasn't been tore-up by his club at least once." "I have yet to have anyone come visit me." "Every Sunday, I hope..." "But no one." "October 10th" " The horrible seizures and headaches are back." "Sometimes, I just want to slam my head against the walls just to make them stop." "The drugs they're giving me aren't working." "I feel and look like shit." "November 27th 1957." "I'm worried about my mother." "How will she manage without my help?" "How will she be able to pay the hospital?" "Another year and a half of this." "I don't know if I have it in me." "I think about Art, he was like a brother to me." "I would have laid down my life for him." "And I watched him standing there at my trial lying to them..." "I should have hit the brakes when I crossed the finish line." "Why didn't I?" "Dear Johnny" "I finally heard from Bettie." "She called me yesterday and we talked for a long time." "I am sorry to tell you this but she got married last month." "I just thought you should know." "Two people are dead because of me." "I have to live with that guilt for the rest of my life." "Lord forgive me for what I've done." "Have mercy on my soul." "I saw how the farmer's family looked at me how they hated me." "And the face of his kids" "I'll never forget their faces." "I still love her." "Why?" "Why can't I just stop?" "Callaway!" "You have a letter." "Callaway knock it off!" "I said knock it off!" "January 13th, 1959" "My mother died." "I can't even describe the pain or put it into words..." "The anger that consumes me" "I couldn't keep it in any longer." "They beat me really hard." "Maybe I deserve it for what I've done to her." "The hole was cold and dark." "Part of me died in there." "My whole life feels like a bottomless hole right now and I keep falling deeper and deeper in it." "I don't think I'll ever be able to come out of this." "Johnny!" "DO" "YOU" "BELIEVE" "IN" "SECOND" "CHANCES?" "JOHNNY" "And when I get back, you and I are gonna put the '32 body on, and then one day soon, she'll be all yours!" "Man you were fast!" " Cheers!" " Here's to Johnny!" "To Johnny Callaway the fastest guy!" " Hi Johnny, two quarts to go?" " Yeah two quarts to go." "Said everybody back there's been talking about you and your Deuce." "So you're the famous Johnny Callaway?" "It's an honor!" "Johnny..." "I love you..." "They took my license but I don't care." "Tomorrow I'm driving the Deuce all the way to New York." "I'll drive day and night if I have to." "I'm coming to you Bettie and I'm gonna marry you." "BETTIE STILL LOVES YOU"