"I-l-I see that." "You see, if we..." "if we come forward with some kind of..." "arbitrary figure that..." "I have to go to the bathroom." "Mother has to go to the bathroom." "You're gonna have to stop." "Marvin, you need to get off the phone now." " If there's a gas station..." " Sorry, I missed that." " The phone broke up." " You're gonna have to pull over." " I bet." " There's not even a tree out here." "And there are 50..." "Marvin!" " And then when the bank comes through..." " Do you know that cell phones account for 6% of all traffic fatalities?" "Only 6%?" "I would have thought it was more." "I know it's a gamble." "Those pills aren't strong enough, are they?" "I'm fine." "Doctors these days... can't be bothered." "It's the system." "Oh, Doris, for pity's sake." "Oh, okay." "My, doesn't everything look green?" "You were expecting purple?" "Oh." "Silver Elms Spacious Retirement Living" " Marvin, where are we going?" " Uh-huh." "All right, I'm getting out of this car right now." " All right, I'll call you." " I'm getting out." " Mother..." "Mother, stop that." " Mother, relax." " Mother!" " Stop the car." "You'll kill yourself!" "A fat lot you'd care." "Well, for God's sake." "We're not..." "you're not staying!" "You can... you didn't even allow me to bring my own things?" "How can you be so mean?" "What'd I say about telling her?" "Oh yeah." "Right, blame me." "We'd never even get her in the car if we told her and you know it." "The plan is:" "We check it out, we all go home together, okay?" "We'd never make you do anything you didn't want to." "Let me show you our dining room..." " Oh." "...and our movie area." "Here she is." "Hagar!" "May I call you that?" "Fridays are our movie nights." "And sometimes we'll even sit around and have a campfire and roast marshmallows before the movie." "The sun streams in here every morning." "It's very cheery, don't you think?" "Are these chairs oak?" "Oh, solid." "I never cared much for army life." "She's a doll." "You met Mrs. Steiner yet?" "You'll be getting a detailed history of her endocrine system before your bags are unloaded." "Oh, I'm not staying." "My son and daughter-in-law brought me over to take a look, but I'm not staying." "Funny." "That's what I said." "That's what we all said, right?" "I hate petunias." "Time is unstuck for me now." "I am rampant with memory for no reason except that I'm caught up in it." "...two, one!" "Ready or not!" " Gotcha!" " Oh no!" "Aah!" "Matt!" "Hagar, Charlotte, where're y'all goin'?" "Come on." "If we run, we'll lose her." "I wonder if she's still there... the angel brought from Italy by my father at great cost in pride to mark Mother's bones and to proclaim his dynasty as he fancied." "Mother died when my brother Matt was born and Father could never forgive him for that tragedy." "To make it worse, Matt took after my mother, but I was sturdy like him with a stare that could meet anyone's without blinking an eye." "Jason Currie was a self-made man." "And it was true." "No one could deny it." "I'll take care of you." "Hey, that's Lottie's mother and that's Father." "Shut up!" "It's not him!" "It is!" " Oh, I'm gonna get you for that!" " Cannot!" "Oh, you watch me." "Hagar, Matt, I'm coming with you!" "SIMMONS FUNERAL HOME" "Telford, what'd they call her?" "Sarah." "If a baby of mine ever dies," "I'd dress her up in lace like Sarah." "As if anyone would ever marry you, Lottie." "You're gonna get your comeuppance, Hagar Currie, the whole lot of you, you'll see." "Telford, what are you doing down there?" "!" "Don't be scared, Telford." "I'd stick up for you." "I'd tell your father it was Hagar who made you do it." "Don't bother." "He'd never listen to the likes of you anyway." "So there!" "Mom!" "Mama!" "I'm not supposed to talk to her." "She's a bastard and my father says that nothing good can come of her sort." "Why don't you sit down, Mother?" "It'll be a few minutes yet." "He's got nothing but these cheap copies." "And he's a doctor." "Well, he should be ashamed." "Okay okay." ""Luxury Condo Living"?" "It's all right." "Oh, you thought I didn't know your plans, huh?" "Well, I do." "And I'll do just fine on my own by myself in my own home, thank you very much." "Hello?" "Yeah." "Let me..." "let me tell you what I was thinking." "Mother?" "Thank God I was right there." "She's been fainting a lot." "You might want to consider putting some of your art collection on the ceiling." "She's been throwing up and her bowels are not improving." "No more gall bladder attacks, but her sheets..." "there's not a night they aren't wet." "Oh, that's not true." "You're making that up." "Doris gives her a laxative every night." "Me and my bowels are in this room, you know?" "Such a fox and with the constitution of a 60-year-old." "Ha ha." "He's a comedian." "You'll let me know" " when the results are in?" " He'll let me know." "What am I, the patient or the experiment?" "I'll see you next week." "I'll let you know." "Well now, how bad was that?" "About like having a molar pulled." "Aw, Mom..." ""Mom"?" "I can't remember the last time I heard you call me that." " Mom." "Mommy." " Mom!" "Mommy!" "More carrots?" "They're from the garden." "Organic." "Pesticides are for sissies." "Seems like yesterday Trina was running around this big old place." "Big?" "Compared to what?" "A condo?" "Must you squirm like you're sitting on a barrelful of snakes?" "It's too big just for us." "That's what he means." "And there's stairs." "Yes, they usually do come with a big old house." "Doris can't take care of you anymore." "It's too much for her." " I won't have you talk..." " I've booked you into Silver Elms." "You what?" "Next week." "Finally." "Oh good." "Just in time for p... pie." "Reverend Troy was kind enough to visit us in case you or we, you know, want to discuss things." "Discuss what things?" "Like the weather?" "Politics?" "The price of real estate?" "Why don't we have dessert in the living room?" "So you think I should hold God's hand as some kind of insurance policy?" "Prayer has always been a waste of my time, Mr. Troy." "P-perhaps you didn't pray for the right things." "Oh, I see." "You have to know God's secret code or He'll strike you down, hmm?" "It is hard sometimes to understand His actions." "To be angry is human." "I would have to believe in Him in order to be angry with Him." "Your son is going through a difficult time, but he only wants what's best for you." "I'm afraid you know nothing about my son, Mr. Troy." "More pie?" "Those berries are from my garden." "Did I mention that?" "Organic." "You'll have to take me out of here feet first in a box before I go anywhere near that place, Marvin." "I'm sorry to have wasted your time." "Well, these things do work themselves out eventually." "Hagar, do you want me to light this?" "Yeah." "Does it ever bother you, you know, there's dead bodies?" "If it bothers you we can go somewhere else." "Oh no no no, it's fine... like "Romeo and Juliet."" " What's the matter?" " I don't know." "I just didn't think you were..." "What?" "What?" "!" "Shh." "My father's upstairs." "If you tell anyone about this, Telford Simmons," "I will tear your goddamn eyes out." "Mother... why would anyone your age take up smoking?" "Boredom." "I'm losing the business." "Oh, you always were one to worry." "No." "We're filing for bankruptcy protection." "Borrow more money." "If you're into the bank for enough, then they can't let you go down." "It doesn't look good on their books." "Or Doris could always get a job." "Tsch." "Why did you marry her?" " Doris?" " Yeah." "Because she loved me." "So I guess I can't blame the sex then." "She's not the villain here, and you know it." "I suppose... the way she tells it, she's the victim." "I suppose somebody has to be." "Do they?" "So what will you do with yourself if you lose your business?" "Relax." "Enjoy life." "Take up golf." "Sounds positively excruciating." "The doctor called." "He thinks... the nursing home would be best for now." "It'd be better for you, Mother." "What Marvin's trying to tell you..." "If you don't want to go, you don't have to." "I knew it." "He has ulcers, you know." "I promised you I would never be a burden!" "God damn you both!" "You will never throw me out of my own house, Marvin." "You're mixed up, Mother." "It's my house." "You are living in my house, Mother." "How did it get to be your house?" " You signed it over to me!" " I did not!" "You signed it over to me and now the bank owns it, so I have nothing!" "Nothing!" "God damn you anyway!" "I didn't sign." "I did." "I did." "Okay, I will." "Okay." "Bye bye." "That was Trina." "Can you imagine?" "Our little Trina getting married." "What have you done with my gray pants?" "I don't remember her meeting her young man." "...be on the ironing board." "I was trying to get that spot out." "He's at Pennsylvania with her at school." "It's all a bit sudden." "Well, if she's pregnant, they should live together first, have a dry run." "That's what I said." "She's not pregnant." "And I know I may be old-fashioned," " but in God's eyes, it is still sin." " Oh, Doris, she's not marrying God for goodness sakes." "And believe me, she's not in Pennsylvania living like a nun." "I hate that dress." "There's no talking to you when you've had a bad night." "Nonsense." "I slept like a baby." "What about the three times I was up with you last night?" "What?" "Don't." "I'm perfectly capable of dressing myself." "How about the blue one?" "I've always loved that color on you." "I can go get it." "I just washed it." "I don't like that dress either." "I've got a late meeting tonight." "Oh, well then you'd better get started." "It's not good to have the employees see you late." "Have a nice day." "Won't do to forget your pill." "Um, where was this?" "That's the cottage at Shadow Point." "Shadow Point." "Oh yeah." "Hey, look what we're having for dinner!" "I remember." "It was a lovely cottage." "That place was full of fleas." "I've got it." "Lord help us." "Now I'm gonna be late." "All right, I'll do it." "Incredible." "The mail came early." "Huh." "Nothing but bills." "I'm going to the store." "You need anything?" "Oh, you might bring home a nice cantaloupe for a change." "You know it'll just give you a nasty case of diarrhea." "Oh well, another worthless pipe dream." "Betty next door said she was gonna look in on you." "I'll be fine here with Trina." "Trina's been at school in Pennsylvania for two years now, Mother." "Of course." "I don't know what I was thinking." "I won't be long." "I would like to cash this check, please." "And here's my identification." "Your account is closed." "There's an automatic deposit into Mr. Shipley's account?" "Yes, but my name is on the check, isn't it?" "Yes, but I can't." "How am I going to get a surprise birthday present for my son if you... if I have to ask him for my own money?" "Okay." "Could you tell me where the bus to Shadow Point is?" "There?" "Hey, city slicker." "Matt!" "Oh my." "So Father lets my little brother drive the car now?" "Ah!" "Well, every lord of the manor needs a chauffeur." "So how is the captain of industry?" "Took over Miller's Gas." "We're in the oil business now." "Expansion..." "that's our future." "So that must be keeping you busy then, huh?" "Not really." "Well well." "Won't everybody be saying how sending you to that fancy school was worth every penny?" "Did I hear a commotion out here?" "Oh, Jason, look at her." "Spitting image of her mother." "Auntie Doll." "I won't be here for dinner." "You'll be telling me all about the high life in the city, young lady." "Yes." "It won't do to have you work at the store now, missy... but accounting and ordering, that can be done from the house." "The store's grown since you've been gone." "I entertain now." "It's part of the package, eh?" "Seems the odd meal goes a long way." "Two years." "It's great to have you back and looking so fine." "Your Aunt Doll is a passable cook, but as for hostessing, it's beyond her." "I want to teach." "I've applied to the South Wachakwa school." "Do you think I'd allow you to go to South Wachakwa and teach in a one-room schoolhouse and board with God knows who?" "Before long, you'd be at those dances they have with the filthy farm boys pawing you." " Father..." " That what you've learned back east?" "!" "Hagar, you know nothing." "Men have terrible thoughts." "Stay here." "I baked my special..." "apple rhubarb, which was quite a trick because rhubarb is not in season." "I'll not have coffee this evening." "I must pass on my secret recipe to you one day." "That's the order we needed three weeks ago and paid for six weeks ago." "Yes, I'll wait." "Your father's asked Michael Rayburn for dinner along with Ivy and James, a lovely couple." "There's nothing wrong with Michael." "I remember how he lost his leg." "Don't be so ungrateful." "Your father's just trying to introduce you to the right society." "And you're not getting any younger." "I am grateful." "I am grateful for... a widowed doctor with two chins, a cloth salesman who had more hair in his nose than on his head, an accountant who kept calling me "Hayley,"" "and an undertaker who looked like ferret." "Yes. 3401... that is my purchase order." "Yes, I'll wait." "There's a charity dance coming up at the Legion raising money for a hospital..." "a very good cause." "And anyway, your father's going to be away on business." "Ooh, that'll get the pistons firing." "Oh, look at that body." "Who'd have guessed Telford'd end up a banker?" "Be a pet, dear." "They're big and friendly, kind of like a pinto." "Would you care to dance?" "Is Bram Shipley dancing with Hagar Currie?" "I'd introduce myself, but I expect you already know who I am." "Only by reputation." "And you by yours." "So tell me:" "What brings the princess out of her castle to mingle?" "A good party." "Mmm, you smell lovely." "It was just a dance." "He's not taking me home." "Better a good name than a fine face." "Charlotte told me Bram Shipley's been seen with half-breeds." "And why should I care about that?" "You are joking." "Do you need a ride, Lottie?" "Yes, that'd be lovely." "That Lottie'll do all right in the end." "As Mrs. Telford Simmons?" "She might as well check into purgatory right now." "Go." "What was that?" " I beat ya." " No no no, you cheated." "I did no such thing." "What would you call pushing me then?" "That was convenient." "I expect your father doesn't know anything about us." "I'm not his prisoner." "No, but you're his daughter, aren't you?" "With my own mind." "I just don't want you to regret anything is all." "Well, thank you, Mr. Shipley, for looking out for my reputation, but I can take care of myself." "I know you can." "Is it true you go about with half-breeds?" "I prefer to call them my friends." "You know, according to a piece of paper," "I pretty much own everything you can see in any direction." "See, my father bought it from the Indians for a dollar an acre." "And they don't believe that any person can own land because it just belongs to God." "It was a joke on us white guys at the time, but now they're starving on a reservation half the size of this farm... so they're welcome here anytime." "Been away a long time, but this place will be something one day." " Ah." " Yeah." "Ow." "Oh my God." "Ants all over me." "Uh, come on." "Let's go, come on." "Whoa!" "Whoa, okay!" "Here, come on." "I was planning to impress you with my baked chicken." "You only have to breathe to impress me, Miss Currie." "Got caught in the rain, did you?" "Ah well, it's good for the garden." "I've got something for you, Hagar." "Gainsay who dare." "Scottish by birth, British by law..." " And a Highlander..." " By the grace of God." "It was my father's and his before that, and it's yours now." "You're the Currie." "One day you'll inherit everything I've built." "Well, you'd best change your clothes before you catch your death." "Matt..." "Easy." "Easy easy easy easy." "Whoa, easy." "Easy." "Come on." "Okay." "Give it to him." "Go ahead." "I'll have you up on him in a few weeks." "Uh, not me, no." "You afraid of such a gentle creature?" "Hmm?" "The automobile was invented for a reason." "Hmm." "It'll be the downfall of mankind." "You'll see." "I saw that!" "Oh, for goodness' sake, girl." "Look at these shelves... half-empty, they are." "You can't run a store alone, you know." "I've done my time, Father." " I think Matt..." " Is good enough for deliveries." "That's all he has in him." "The truth is what it is whether you or I like it or not." "You kept him home from the war to do what?" "You could have at least sent him to college." "And waste good money?" "Since when are you your bother's keeper?" "I'm gonna marry Bram Shipley." "I've no time for your jokes now, Hagar." "It's not a joke." "He's asked me to marry him and I said yes." "Has he touched you?" "Has he?" "!" "No." "You'll marry no one and certainly not him ever." "He's as common as dirt." "No decent girl in this town weds without her family's consent." "It's not done." "Well, it'll be done by me." "I'm only thinking of what's right for you." "You'll not leave." "Please." "I'm getting married and that's it." "Then you'll do so without me." "You're a vision of your mother and your father who's as stubborn as a mule on a hot day." "Hello, beautiful." "Ladies." "Did you see Matt?" "No." "Sweetheart, it's just not in him to go against your father." "It's all right, okay?" "I'm sure Telford could've found you a suit." "I wasn't thinking." "Ow." "It's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before they're married." " Hold on." "Here." " Thank you." "You look gorgeous." "What will Matt and I do with you out of the house?" " You'll be fine." " Bye." "Bye!" "Bye!" "Damn them all." "We don't need 'em anyways." " You've never..." " Shh." "Mm, damn you look good." " Whoa, where are you going?" " There's a train." "I'll stop." "Tell me to stop." "Hello." "Well, hello." "Yea, but in the weak flesh are the sins of being mortal," "God is there to get you through the means." "The road to temptation is broad and well-traveled." "Jesus hisself would be begging the poor bastard to stuff a cork in it." "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation." "Our hymn today is number 11." "All rise." " (music) All people that on earth... (music) - "Himself."" " What?" " (music) Do dwell... (music)" ""Jesus himself." "Hisself" is not a word." "(music) Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice (music)" "(music) Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell (music)" "(music) Come ye before Him (music)" "(music) And rejoice. (music)" "Now is the time to cash in on wheat like every other half-decent farmer around here and you know it." "It's time, actually..." "You said this place was gonna be something one day." " And it will." " With pastures full of horses and not a cent to bless ourselves with?" "Hey, I'll make a living and live as I want, understand that?" "Yeah, in an unpainted house with nothing but linoleum on the floor." "You know what?" "Take the money and go get your goddamn carpets" " if that's what's so important to you." " Not on your life." "You buy every horse you lay your eyes on." "I'm done with this conversation." " Lottie." " It's your brother Matt." "He's taken a turn for the worse and someone had to let you know." "Come on, I'll drive." "Thank you." "What's that look for?" "What look?" "Like I'm gonna die or something." "Could you tell her it's a joke?" "Oh, I wish you could've seen the look on his face the day you two got married." "I am sorry for everything, Matt." "Just be happy." "That'll kill him." "(music)... while Rose (music)" "(music) Her book, a churchyard tomb (music)" "(music) She talks to herself, talks to a fool. (music)" "Good." "Come here." "Could use your help." "Here, take this brush." "Mm-hm?" "Start combing here nice and easy." "This is how a horse gets to know you, see?" "Put this hand here." "By the way, I got some paint." "Well, apparently, I'm good with a brush." "There's a couple other things I think you're good with." "Oh, tell me that had nothing to do with animal excrement." "Honey, just say it." "It's called "shit."" "Is that how you're gonna teach our child to talk?" "Oh God, I am what I am." "You know that." "I ain't changing." " Come on, hm?" " Hm?" "Did you just..." "did you just say "our child"?" " Mm-hmm." " You serious?" " Yeah, I did." " Are you serious?" " Yeah." " What?" "Oh my God!" "I'm gonna die, aren't I?" "No you're not." "Now one more push." "Come on." "It's a healthy baby boy." "It's a boy?" "Oh my God." "Such big hands." "How strong they are." "He's got your build, Bram." "Does... does Father know it's a boy?" "He's not coming to see him, is he?" "Pray that you're not cursed with the hard head of the Curries." "Okay, come here, Marvin." "Okay, there we go." "Oh, yeah yeah yeah." "You're gonna be a cowboy, aren't you?" "Yeah, I figured after Matt died, a grandson would make a difference." ""Shipley  Son." That's what I'll paint on the barn." "He's more of a Shipley than a Currie anyway." "Hey, look what we're having for dinner!" "Marvin, get away from that horse!" "Marvin, get up." "What if that big stupid horse stepped on you?" "Daddy said horses are smart, though." "Then it's your father who's the fool." "That's what the constable said too." " What constable?" " The one who gave Dad a warning." " Who?" " The one who gave Dad a warning." "He said he'd put him in the clank if he ever does it again." "Marvin, go, uh, pick some tomatoes." "I had to piss." "That's the end of it." "On the steps of my father's store?" " Who saw?" " It was late." "Nobody was around." " Except the police." " I'm sorry." "Doesn't it bother you to be a source of entertainment for the entire town?" "At least somebody's laughing." "I'm not." "Oh, Jesus Christ." "What do you want me to do?" "You want me to get on my knees?" "Is that what you want?" "No, you know what I want?" "I want you to be different." "Yeah, well maybe I'd like you to be a little different too." " I don't disgrace myself." " Oh no by Christ," " you would never do that." " No, I wouldn't." "The rest of us have some self-respect, Bram." "I'll spell it for you." "Doris?" "Doris!" "Hello?" "Auntie Doll, what's wrong?" "His heart?" "Father." "How he must have hated me." "I suppose I'll go back east." "I have a cousin who'll take me in." "Al at "The Banner" gave that to me." "They'll be running it tomorrow." "I thought you'd want to see it first." "Luke McVidy asked me why a fine man like my father would do such a thing." "It's not fair." "Perhaps you could..." "Legally, it's air-tight." "I already checked." "How will my children go to college now?" "I don't need his goddamn money." "I hate petunias!" "Me too!" "Mommy, are you all right?" "You have your grandfather's chin." "That's for sure." "Is he asleep?" "I was at the Norris place when you caught him." "Mmn." "Hey, little fella." "He was in a hurry to get here." "Weren't you?" "He's kind of a..." "look at this..." "of a scrawny little boy." "What do you want to call him?" "He's not scrawny at all." "He's perfect." " We're calling him John." " John." "I like "John."" "(music) You're driving me astray (music)" "(music) Oh, whiskey, you're my darling (music)" "(music) Drunk or sober (music)" "(music) Some say the devil is dead... (music)" "(music) Some say the devil is dead (music)" "(music) The devil is dead, the devil is dead (music)" "(music) Some say the devil is dead and buried in Killarney (music)" "(music) I say he rose again, I say he rose again (music)" "(music) I say he rose again and joined the British Army (music)" " (music) Feed the pigs and milk the cows... (music)" " John." "(music)... and milk the cows (music)" "(music) Feed the pigs and milk the cows (music)" "(music) Early in the morning. (music)" "You'd better not let Mom catch you wasting these eggs." "John, that's awfully crafty." "It's Mom's birthday tomorrow." "Should we buy a cake or something?" "Son, you saved my ass from rotting in hell." "Okay, all right." "I got you a present." "I thought you'd like it." "Happy birthday." "Where did you get it?" "A pawn shop?" "It was my father's." "I've called the police again and everyone else I can think of." "No one's heard a thing." " Oh, what are you..." " It's mostly water." "She doesn't even have her pills." "It's been two days, Marvin." "She'll never make it through another night." "She'll outlive us." "It's her birthday tomorrow." "I'm sure she won't remember." "Come on, you need to sleep." "Doris..." "Doris, have you ever had a curl-your-toes straight-up-through- the-ground float-up-to-heaven spazz-out orgasm with me?" " That is the liquor talking." " Me neither." "Never have." "My fault, I'm sure." "Did I ever tell you Eve Phillips came on to me once?" "Turned her down." "Of course." "Much to do." "She was a slut." "I'm going upstairs." "Gainsay who dare." "My family motto." "Buried treasure." "John, don't ruin your dinner." "John, come here." "This was your great- great-grandfather's..." "Sir Daniel Currie." "The title died with him, unfortunately, but that's your stock." "This is our crest." "It's a three-towered castle and an arm holding a sword." ""Gainsay who dare."" "It means "We're tough, so don't get in our way."" "Scottish by birth, British by law, a Highlander by the grace of God." "I've been saving it for you." "I finished my chores." "I can see that." "You two go check and see if your father needs any help." " Are they all far enough apart?" " They're fine." "You never even looked." "I brought them longer stakes." "You know the ones you like?" "Yes, they're fine." "And I've got dinner to finish." "And for pity's sake, please say "those" longer stakes, not "them."" " Dad?" " Mm-hm?" "Were you really born in a barn?" " Who told you that?" " Mom." "Me and Jesus, huh, Hagar?" "For those who can't turn a crust of bread into a thousand loaves, dinner is ready." "Not gonna be eating home tonight." " Oh?" " Nielson's got a horse he wants me to take a look at." "Nielson hasn't got any horses." "I guess liars should have better memories." "Come on, let's go." "John." "Rock, paper, scissors." "Stop!" "John." "Rock, paper, scissors." "Stop!" "John!" "John, get off the tracks!" "Stop!" "Stop!" "I double-dare you, asshole." "Don't be stupid." "Stop!" "Come on, floor it." "John!" "Marvin, did he jump?" "John!" "Chickenshits!" "John, run!" " Shit!" " John!" "Oh my God!" " John!" " John!" "John!" "John!" "John!" "John!" "Oh my God." "Oh my God." "Oh my..." " Oh shit." " Get off... off, John!" "Oh my God." "You knew about this, didn't you?" "Marvin, that's a part of growing up, starting to make your own decisions." "What decisions?" "Marvin, you look like you're sitting on a barrelful of snakes." "I signed up for cadet training." "If I'm lucky, I'll be in Cyprus by next year." "You're barely 16." "It's what he wants." "I already signed the papers." "Do you get to carry a gun?" " Yeah." " Wow." "He'll be better off away from here." "I want long letters... lots of detail." "Think you'll be all right with Dad and all?" "Of course we'll be all right." "Don't forget to write." " Lots of details." " Yeah." "Come on, Marvin, or you'll be walking to Cyprus." "Marvin." "Let's go, son." "I'll get that." "Hello." "Are your parents home?" "I have some farm-fresh eggs and vegetables." "Hi, John." "Mom, the egg lady is here." " Hagar?" " Lottie." "You have such a beautiful house." "You knew it was her house, didn't you?" "So what's Mr. Fancy-Telford Simmons doing to afford it?" "He's the bank manager." "Everyone knows that." "He got there more by good luck than by good management if you ask me." "The Shitleys..." "that's what they call us." "It's who we are." "They have nothing to do with who we are." "Nothing!" "Listen to me." "You are a Currie." "Your grandfather founded this town." "And don't you think for one second that they forget that." ""Currie." Like the name on the sign." "This was my father's store and I've never asked, but I'd like to set up a credit account." "Well, that's not something we normally do." "How about you start talking to me" " like I'm a member of the human race?" " Excuse me." "Give me my goddamn liquor or me and you are gonna have a problem." "I think you'd better talk to Mr. Cooper." "Handle this shit." "The police told us we're not supposed to sell him any liquor if that Indian Charlie Bean's outside." "They get three times the price for it from the Indians on the reserve." "Just give him a bottle for Christ's sake." "One's not gonna make any difference." "We've changed our mind." "But thank you anyway." "Where are we gonna live?" "I got a job." "I'm gonna be a housekeeper like Auntie Doll." "Except I won't be alone." "I'll have my man around the house." "We'll get you in a decent school and on to a university." "You're going to make something of yourself." "It just feels funny." "Okay." "Go on." "Okay, let's go." "Come on, we're going." "21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27." "Wow." "27 windows." "Those two up on the left are gonna be ours." "Don't be so impressed." "I bet you'll have a house finer than this one day." "Now manners count." "His name is Mr. Oatley." "He's older and very smart." "He made his money dealing art or antiques or something." "Oh, tuck in your shirt." "You look like you were caught in a vacuum." "Look at me." " Wanna know something?" " Uh-huh." "Lost the Currie pin." "You lost it?" "Well, not exactly." "I traded it for a jackknife." "I'm Hagar the new housekeeper and this is my son John Shipley." "It was a calm life we led, a period of waiting and marking time." "But the events we waited for unknowingly turned out to be quite different than what I imagined they might be." " John?" " Yeah." "How'd the registration go?" " Huh?" " University's not bloody likely." "I haven't been to school for three years." "Well, if you'd stop wasting your time with all those so-called friends of yours you hang out with..." "I didn't ask your opinion." "Has that ever stopped you?" "I'm going back home, going back to the farm." "Don't be ridiculous." "Your father could be dead for all I know." "He's not dead." "He writes all the time." "Marvin too." "So the two of you are in on this together?" "We didn't think you'd be interested." " How is your father?" " Like you care." "I asked you how he is." "He's fine." "He's got an Indian girl who works for him." "She cooks." "She quit, though." "Yeah, I'll bet she cooks for him." "Have you forgotten what he's like?" "I haven't forgotten." "Well, then why are you going back?" "Because we might get along." "Come on, just do it." " Are you sure?" " It's not going to change anything, now is it?" "Oh my God, my father!" "No no no." "Believe me, it's not your father." "It's not your father." "If it was your father, we'd be dead already." "Baby baby baby." "Jesus... lady." "Missy!" "Missy!" "Missy!" "Missy, wait!" "Whoa, stop stop!" "What are you doing?" "Huh?" " Are you gonna mug me?" " What?" "!" "No!" "Are you gonna tell anybody I'm here?" "Trust me, I won't." "You were watching, weren't you?" "No I was not." "That's really sick, you know." "Yeah, well, this isn't a very nice place to bring a lady, is it?" "That's marijuana." "Illicit drugs." "Care to partake?" "Oh no." "Thank you." "It'd probably just make me paranoid." "On the other hand..." "I haven't had any of this since the '70s." "We used to have a farm." "My son grew it." "Of course he never knew I knew anything about it." "Listen... would it be too much to ask you to put a shirt on?" "You have a very distracting chest." "Mr. Oatley, I received a letter from my son John." "I don't know if I ever told you about my brother." "No, you never mentioned your brother." "Well, anyway, he's sick and he's not gonna last very long I'm told." "So I'm afraid I'm gonna have to take a bit of time off." "Fine fine." "Thank you." "Is it time for your medicine?" " Yeah." " Good God." " Oh." " Here you go." "There you go." "It's what he needs." "Hello, Bram." "Well, I guess I'll..." "I'll stay upstairs in our old room." "Well, did you have fun at the dance?" "Oh, shit." "Yeah, that's, um..." "I'm Mrs. Shipley." " Hi." " Hagar Shipley, that's... this is my Arlene." " Lottie and Telford's daughter?" " One and the same." "He'll be okay." "He just has a..." "I heard you were away at school on the coast." "Yeah, um... yes, I'm studying to be a teacher." "Taking a bit of a break." "He's not usually like this." " He isn't." " No." "You see each other then?" "Yeah, now and then." "Yeah." "Well, I will tell my mom that you're back." "Okay, thank you." "Come on." "Have to go to bed." " You're here to help out?" " Yeah." "You remind me of somebody." "That Hagar." "You know, maybe I..." "maybe I should've... and then maybe..." "maybe she'd see..." "Hi." "I got punched in the stomach and got sent across the floor like a hockey puck right in front of Arlene's parents and she still drove me home." "That's pretty impressive, right?" "Out of all the girls that I thought you might get serious about, she is the least likely of the lot." "I mean, she's a Simmons for goodness sakes." "Her grandfather was the first undertaker around here and a lousy one at that." "I'm not going out with her grandfather in case you were wondering." "I just want to say that I am not going to support you two to live out here like white trash." "Go to bed now." "Come on, I want you to get some sleep and go with me first thing in the morning out to the Currie plot." " Why?" " Because your father needs to be buried someplace, that's why." "Besides, the fresh air will do you some good." "How could this happen?" "Oh." "Just leave it." "The thing weighs a ton." "Well, we can't just leave it." "Oh, for Christ's sake." "I'll call Henry Pearl." "He'll figure it out." "You should leave her face like that." "She looks kind of cute." "Telford and Lottie come every Sunday, put flowers on their mother's grave." "What are they gonna think when they see this?" "Who could've done such a thing?" "I don't know." "Probably some drunk." "Oh, Doris would just burst a vein if she could see me now." "It's a shame, really." "You know, this was such a... nice little house... for all sorts of things." "Her father thinks she's still a virgin." "Well, I'm sure it helps him get through the night." "Well, you really know your way around this kitchen, don't you?" "Well, you know, I come here a bit to help John out and we love to cook, so..." "I always really really liked him... even as a kid." "But he would never talk to me, 'cause... well, you know what my mom was like with all the sashes and bows." "God." "But it's different now, 'cause we're both broke." "And that's all right with you?" "Yeah, for me it is." "That's because you've never been really hard up." "You just... you assume everything will get better." "And things might get better, but I wouldn't bank on it." "We'll get by." "You'll see." "What are you thinking?" " You'll not marry him." " Why not?" "Well, for one thing... it hurts me this..." "but he drinks too much." "He has for quite a while." "He's not... drinking that much lately, actually." "You think you'll change him, don't you?" "Well, you're in for a shock." "You'll not change one single person in this world." "I'm by him, that's all, and he's not like his dad, so..." "Yeah, well you just wait until you've had a son and you've planned and worked for him like a dog and it all comes to nothing." "How can you say that?" "I don't think you know the first thing about him." "Marvin will be here soon." "If you're gonna stay for dinner, why don't you peel some potatoes?" "I'm glad you came." "Don't be an asshole." "You grew up in the city." "Mom said you could have your room back at Mr. Oatley's." "I'm not leaving Dad." "Like he's gonna be a problem at the rate you're going?" "You know what, Marv?" "Stick around for two minutes... two minutes and see how long you keep him alive!" "You have life all figured out, don't you?" "And yet you're still an usher?" "!" "Huh, you working your way up to be vestryman someday?" "I worked for everything I got." " You know, after the army?" " Oh yeah, that brave stint in the army!" "I'm not leaving." "I'm not leaving and living in somebody else's house." "John?" "Can I help it if she's a sex maniac?" "How nice for you." "She's Muslim." "Oh dear." "I told her I'd convert, but it doesn't matter." "Her father, he'd lock her up in a box if he could." "Indeed." "Chain her up and keep her all to himself." "Huh?" "She doesn't see you." "She sees something that her father doesn't want her to have." "You're full of shit." "There's no need to be vulgar." "She loves..." "she rapes me practically every time she sees me." "She... she loves me." "You call that love?" "Lady, if it isn't, what is?" "You okay?" "Yeah, I'm fine." "I'm always fine." "I wanna have a baby." "Yeah, but we're broke." "Yeah, but we love each other." "It'll be a love child." "When my mom leaves town in a couple weeks, then we can get married, and we can talk about having a baby, okay?" "Oh, I don't care about a wedding or anything." "You can have whatever you want." "Come here." "I want lots of babies." "Lottie, whoever would've dreamed such a thing, our children together?" "Arlene is a lovely girl." "Of course, she's an only child, so she's had certain advantages." "Tea?" "Milk, sugar?" "A little milk, thank you." "She's certainly a determined young lady." "Well, that comes from Telford's mother." "Oh." "It might serve her well." "No one's going to get in her way." "Anyway, marriage is impossible." "I lost two before I had her." "She's all I've got." "You don't know." "Oh, I feel the same way about John." "Of course, I have Marvin, but John is the Currie." "You know, these affections do blow over with a little distance." "I mean, if they were apart for a while?" "My cousin Caroline in the east may be able to cook up a job for her." "And the suggestion would come from Caroline?" "Of course." "I'm gonna buy you some chickens and we'll clean up the garden." "You think she's gonna move back east, huh?" "Marry some big rich guy?" "Is that what you wanted?" "You just couldn't stand it, could you?" "Don't be ridiculous." "I'm gonna spend every single day with her until she leaves." "And I pray to God that she gets pregnant." "I see, so you can be a slave to your lust?" "Oh, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." "Isn't that what you always used to say?" "Word around town is you and dad used to fuck like jackrabbits all over the place." "A man does not allow himself to be broke with no trade, no training and nothing in sight." "Yeah, I know." ""Gainsay who dare."" " Where'd you get that?" " Some kid tried to pawn it off and Dad bought it, kept it all these years." "You always bet on the wrong horse." "Marv was your boy and you just never saw it." "John..." "John you can't marry her." "Yeah, I know, I know." "I mean, for Christ's sakes look at me." "She's a Currie!" "What?" "She's your cousin." "Her mother Lottie is my father's illegitimate daughter." "I don't even know if she knows." "We've never talked about it." "And we never will." "Okay." "It's a kilt pin." "That's like a skirt, right?" "A kilt, yeah." "But I understand they're very popular these days with the rock stars and the skinheads." "Want me to sell it for you?" "No." "I couldn't sell it." "Get it, Shitley." "You know what?" "You still owe me for last time." "Double or nothing." "Why are you doing this?" " It's a sucker bet." " I'm coming with you." "You don't have to." "Yeah, I know." "It's gonna be close." "It's John." "Get your coat." "I'll tell you on the way." " John." " Where's Arlene?" " Oh, John." " Where's Arlene?" "She's... it'll be all right." "It's all right." " It really hurts." " I know." "I fucked up." "No." "Shh." "Help me, please." "We need help, please!" "Help, please!" "Oh dear God, help him!" "Please, somebody help us!" "John?" "John?" "No." "No." "No." "No." "No." "No." "Oh my baby." "They're dead." "Killed by their hands." "Or mine?" "Did I say all that out loud?" "I did?" " I think you need a doctor." " No." "I don't need..." "anything but you." "I was worried." "I didn't think you were gonna come home." "She's a nice girl." " I'm glad you're home." " Okay." "Okay." "Okay, shh." "Oh, John, I was so worried." "I was so worried." "So how did you find her?" "She's confused." "I was walking by," "I heard a groan, look in, there she is." "I just knew that check had arrived, Marvin." "Mother?" "Thank God." "Oh my God." "I must have overslept." "You're suffering from exposure, Mother." "No no, I had such a good night's sleep." "I think it's the fresh air." "Do you remember this house, Marvin?" "No house should be left like this." "This place is full of fleas." " Do you want to try and get up?" " Oh yeah." "Be careful." "Oh yeah, I remember." "Apparently, he had some very good marijuana." "I think you should both try some." "I think it would do more for your sex life than that analyst she keeps dragging you to." " Oh." " I'll get her bag, Marvin." "I can manage." "Thanks." "Bye." "Thank you." " See ya." " Yeah." " Okay?" " Yeah." "All right, I'm ready for the petunia place." "No more fuss, I promise." "The doctor says you need to go to the hospital now." "Oh no, I was just very tired, but I've had a good rest." "You're going to the hospital." "No, I don't wanna go to the hospital." "You've got cancer." "Advanced." "That's just a word, isn't it?" "Mrs. Shipley, oh, looking good today, aren't we?" "Now, let's see..." "Temperature, Mrs. Shipley." "Thank you." "You're a good nurse." "It's my job." "Oh, h-how are you, Mrs. Shipley?" "Oh, just dandy." "What do you think?" "W-w-would you like to p-pray?" "Nice try." "No thanks, but you feel free." "Give it a go." " Heavenly Father..." " Wait." "Do you know "All People on Earth Do Dwell"?" "Well, certainly." "It... it's usually sung, though." "Yeah, so?" "Here?" "Why not?" "(music) All people that on earth do dwell (music)" "(music) Sing to the Lord with joyful voice (music)" "(music) Him, serve with mirth, His praise forth tell (music)" "(music) Come ye before Him and rejoice (music)" "(music) The Lord, ye know, is God indeed... (music)" " Give me your hand." " (music) Without our aid He did us make (music)" "(music) We are His folk, He doth us feed (music)" "(music) Come ye before Him and rejoice. (music)" "Oh." "Oh, I've upset you." "No." "Not in the least." "It's just been so long since I've heard that." "Hi." "I just got your mom some magazines." "You okay?" "Yeah." "Oh..." "oh, I'm sorry." "Mm, you okay?" "Mrs. Shipley, good God, what are you doing?" "Brunhilde." "What if you'd fallen?" "Ah well, he looked cold." "Please stop trying to piss her off." "That woman needs one of her own enemas." "Scottish by birth," "British by law, a Highlander by the grace of God." "Here, it's not much of a pin, and I don't know if it means anything to you now, but I want you to have it." " No." " Come on." "I should've given it to you in the first place." "I've been pretty hard on you the past few years." "No." "You've been a good son, Marvin." "Always." "What I would have... would've done without you." "I'm frightened." "Me too, Mom." "Oh, thank you." "Do you need anything?" "Not a thing in the world." "I'll be seeing you." "She's got an amazing constitution, your mother, one of those hearts that just keeps on working whatever else is gone." "She's a holy terror." "Do not go gentle into that good night." "Rage." "Rage against the dying of the light." "{{{the end}}}"