All language subtitles for Ruby.in.Paradise.1993.1080p.WEBRip.x265-RARBG2_English

[acoustic music]

[car engine roaring]

[car hoots]

[acoustic music]

♪ Building cage I can
only study the blame ♪

♪ I can think of a word
for myself but no name ♪

♪ Question darts throw me
to the dogs of progress ♪

♪ But they run from
what really matters ♪

♪ Raised on promises

♪ Raised on promises

♪ Raised on promises

♪ To the furnace for shade
to the dust for a drink ♪

♪ Logic's mad and shame
doesn't care what you think ♪

♪ The ocean's dry it's only
a phantom that you fathom ♪

♪ But the flood comes
from the desert ♪

♪ Raised on promises

♪ Raised on promises

♪ Raised on promises

♪ Raised on promises

♪ Land of the known

♪ Free of the brave

♪ They sell us ourselves

♪ The center has moved and
water bleeds from broken faces ♪

♪ Raised on promises

♪ Raised on promises

♪ Raised on promises

[singing in foreign language]

[acoustic music]

[wind soughs]

[engines roaring]

[coins clunking]

- I'd love to hire you, honey,

but you've come out
of step of the season.

We just cut three girls.

The last one goes back
to school tomorrow.

Tried any place else?

- Yes, those all have shut
down or they're not hiring.

- Well, like I say,
your timing is way off.

- It's now or never.

Mrs. Chambers, I've
done retail before

and a work real cheap.

- What is your name?

- Gissing.

Ruby Lee Gissing.

[faint footsteps]

[tag gun cranking]

- Ricky is slime.

He'll come on to
you sooner or later.

Came after me once
and he even liberal.

You know, even Ms. Chambers
knows her son is a true bustard,

but see, admitting it would
be a confession of her own.

Now, wouldn't it?

- All bustards are scumbags.

- Is that why you left wherever?

- Manning, Tennessee.

My mom passed and things
kinda went bad all around.

There's more to
life than working

in Uncle Jacks Store and
taking crap from men.

- You are a dreamer, ain't you?

Right here, moving up
in the world and all.

- I got out of Manning without
getting pregnant or beat up,

thus I an't stopping.

[car engine roars]

[car hoots]

- Well, speak of the devil.

Ain't he a mess?

Works his mama's books upstairs

and God knows what on the side.

- He must be a drug dealer.

- Hardly, real estate
stocks, that kinda stuff.

He's one can make money
when all the news is bad.

- It's a good trick.

- Yeah, for him, maybe.

[loud footsteps]

[tag gun cranks]

[acoustic music]

[waves roar]

- I was here once when
I was 10 years old,

only vacation I can remember.

- Yeah?

Some was fine.

On the other hand, this
time of year is kinda bleak.

- Seems fun to me.

- You like ghost maybe.

[acoustic music]

[waves roar]

- It'll be like this pretty
much still spring break.

This year, they're
expecting thousands,

hundreds of thousands.

- Sounds impossible.

- Well, just the same
that's what they're saying.

You know, most of the
locals try to stay clear,

but sometimes it's fun, you
know, the clubs have great music

and everybody just goes
a little bit crazy.

Last spring, you know,
Billy, my boyfriend,

he just about got
himself killed.

- What?

- Well, he didn't get hurt.

I mean, we will
in this club, see,

when these four rednecks
pull up and start shouting,

they don't want us
niggas on their beach

and they were drunk,
you know, wild,

and up on us before we knew it.

So club security, they
got their in a flash.

It was a good thing too to see
Billy, he was kicking behind.

And club, they gave us some
passes and round of drinks

and I got to start a jail.

- And Billy?

- Billy goes to
school in Atlanta

and we're supposed to get
married and all that good stuff.

Knock on wood.

- Where's that club at?

Just up ways.

[melancholic music]

- My God.

Tomorrow World Geo
and Counting 201.

- Yeah.

[melancholic music]

[door bangs]

[fading footsteps]

- [Mildred] We agreed that
you don't make these kind

of deals without telling
me about it first.

- [Ricky] I tried,
but I had the act

when I couldn't find you.

- [Mildred] And
out of my account?

I don't like being told
that I can't write a check.

You know, selling
short and all the rest

of the stock market crap
doesn't make any sense, Ricky,

you're betting on losing money.

Why don't you just throw
it away at the dock?

- I only made four grand

in three days, was the
store net last week.

- [Mildred] This store has
been very, very good to you.

If you spend half the time here

that you do on your deals,
could be even better.

- [Ricky] How many times do
we have to go through this?

Yes, the store has
been great for me.

No, I will not commit because
there was no future retailing.

- [Mildred] I don't
see us hurting.

- [Ricky] I want my own deals.

- You know, one day one

of your hunches
is gonna backfire.

I've gotta be able
to trust you, Ricky.

- I'm not going
anywhere, mother.

And I'm sure as hell I'm
not gonna bite the hand

that so generously fed me.

- Well, you don't have
to get nasty about it.

- I don't have to get
anything about it.

I'm late.

[faint footsteps]

[car engine roars]

- You and Rochelle get all
those t-shirts marked out?

- Yes, Mrs. Chambers,
they're all pressed on shelf.

- Well, next time make more
noise when you come in.

I'm gonna be away for
a week starting Monday.

Ricky will be in to open
up and cover the upstairs.

There's one rule I have
for all my employees.

They don't take my son.

Do you understand that?

- Yes, ma'am.

[bells chime]

[acoustic music]

- It's so great being
out of high school.

When I saw all the other
kids gone back last month,

I felt like I was out of prison.

It's amazing how much you
grow in a couple of months.

[bike engine roars]

[foreign language]

Jimmy's an artist.

Does air brush shirts and stuff.

It's a glory to watch.

He's gonna teach me so that
I can do it next summer.

- Did you know Jimmy in school?

- I knew Ed.

It's his night to cook,
but I always help.

We all get along
just fine, you know.

We're very liberated.

It's a needle rocker.

- Thanks.

It was my granny's.

- You knew your granny?

- [Ruby] Both of them,
granddaddy's too.

- Wow, I barely knew my ma'.

[car engine roars]

- [Ed] Where the
hell have you been?

[female neighbor laughs]

You've been out, I guess.

- [Female Neighbor]
No, not at all.

- [Ed] Come one.

Guess what I got.

[door bangs]

[acoustic music]

- Nothing fancy here.

Just try to put down
my thinking over time.

Maybe figure out the why's of
running off of coming here.

Back home, it seems
strange to say that.

Back home, it seems
strange to write that.

It was do this, do that,

now, it's up to me
to what I want to be.

I got some idea about
inside, feelings and stuff,

but about the outside, the
acts and looks of things

of me,

I am not so clear.

Wonder if I'll ever
feel just what I am.

[cash booth cranks]

- No, you're right.

You're right, it may
never be the same.

Except for bustards
who have nothing more

to make trouble for business.

Uh huh

Leeches is what they are.

[buttons clicking]

No, no! [inaudiable dialogue]

- $30.73, please.

- No, not at this time, Lee.

Hey, I'll keep you
informed, okay?

- There you go.

- If I got to meet you, jut
give me half hour, I got to go.

- See you later.

- Are you leaving?

- It's dead.

- But the store
needs two people.

- No, you don't.

Trust me.

So how about tonight?

- Excuse me.

- Dinner, dancing.

This is a resort town you
move to, you need to resort.

What do you say, Ruby?

- For one thing, I say you're

about as appealing
as day old road kill.

- A roadkill?

- And for another,
your momma says

that the help stays
clear off the boss's son.

- Well, my momma tries to
protect me from opportunists,

but I can take care of myself.

- Can you?

Come on, we might as well
get this out of the way.

Who knows?

I dare you.

8:00 o'clock, where do you live?

- I'll meet you here.

- Okay.

[car engine roars]

[upbeat music]

So far fun has been
nothing, but work.

Ricky was right,
get it over with.

[car engine roars]

- Here.

It's for those lonely nights
when we can't be together.

I really enjoyed our evening.

We'll do it again some time.

I'll get the cash drawer.

Another day, another dollar.

Do some of that towels
when we get a chance.

Some sidewalk would be sweet.

[background chatter]

- Glad you could come.

Had to know how you were
doing were Freddy Krueger.

- Who?

- Slick Rick, the
honk in the truck.

- All right, I guess.

Mrs. Chambers has
been on vacation.

- So you've been
alone with the masher?

He come on to you yet?

- I keep him at arms length.

Besides, half the time,
he's not even there.

- That's good, see, 'cause
he's the kind you give an inch

and he owns your butt.

- He could care less
about the store.

How's school?

- I'm on what they call
a pre-business track,

is junk mostly, buying and
selling like Ms. Chambers.

Mama wanted me to be a teacher.

But I say, forget that no
money crap, a blue Volvo,

and job security will
make me a happy camper.

My worst nightmare is I
turned into another Ricky.

Well, is one of my
professors says,

"Necessity has always
been our easiest excuse."

- What would you teach?

I mean, children?

- How to survive

with your soul and intact?

- Yeah, I guess that's it.

[bell rings]

[melancholic music]

- Today lunch with Rochelle.

I don't know what
I'm doing here.

[lips smacking]

[panting heavily]

[bells chime]

[acoustic music]

- Call it an experiment.

Folks do this crap and a whole
lot worse without Batman.

After all, why slave your life
out, when you can just take?

Are there any real reasons
for living right anyway?

Momma always thought so

and they held her
like a moth to light

with the hopes of earning
everlasting peace and glory.

"There's life in the
next," she used to say.

It was all bloody mean trick,
I don't want none of it.

Get away from Ricky.

[acoustic music]

Welcome back Mrs. Chambers.

- Thank you, Ruby.

How's everything been?

- Fun, real nice.

- Yeah, the store looks good.

You know, usually, I'm afraid
to come back after a trip,

but you did a good job.

I'll ask you to do the cash
drawer, if you don't mind.

[cash drawer cranks]

- Surprise.

How about tonight?

We can meet at the Driftwood?

- I don't think so, Ricky.

- Last time was wonderful.

It was fantastic.

I don't wanna lose
that momentum.

- It was real nice,
Ricky, but your mom's back

and I just think it's too risky.

- Don't worry about that.

- And I didn't come all
this way to be your chippy.

- [Mildred] Ricky,
Ricky, it's for you.

- There in a second ma'.

I'll give you a few days
and we'll work it out.

[faint footsteps]

It was fantastic.

It was fantastic.

[acoustic music]

[door bangs]

- That's right, Tom.

In fact, now might be a good
time to cover your plants

and bring in the cat because
we're expecting the first

severely cold weather
of the season.

As you can see,

there is quite an extensive
Canadian front draping

into the Southeast this hour.

Behind it, some parts of
the Tennessee Valley are

already reporting
record low temperatures.

They're experiencing blizzard
conditions in some areas.

Here in Northwest Florida,
we'll be feeling the effects

of that cold front by
early tomorrow morning.

There's also a small craft
advisory in effect tonight.

If you have to be
out on the Gulf,

do exercise extreme caution.

We'll have a look at
current conditions

and the extended forecast
right after this message.

- Do exercise extreme
caution [laughs].

We'll have a look at
current conditions

and the extended forecast
right after this message.

[upbeat music]

[bells chime]

[wind soughs]

It's snowing back home.

They don't need snow here.

Here you could get
washed out to sea

and nobody even
know where to look.

[tides roar]

[vase crackles]

[cash drawer clicks]

- How's the Jay?

- Excuse me.

- You came in here and while
back, a little Jay plant.

Products that have cut
and so I did myself.

- Fun, that's fun,
that's one back.

- Right.

[cash drawer cranks]

- You know, most of the
nurseries around here,

they buy their stuff,

but we grow almost
everything ourselves.

[cash drawer cranks]

Now, I'm the
California Jays there,

there is biggest garbage
bins, bigger out here outside,

it wouldn't make
it to Thanksgiving.

- Thanks, I'll remember that.

- But now you need to know
about your new companion here.

Can I get off in 10 minutes?

Five?

I'm a good guy.

You've seen where at work.

Okay, you tell me where you work

and I'll come by
and visit you there.

- Chambers Beach Emporium,

but I'm not allowed
to have visitors.

- Is that a fact?

It's too bad?

- Yeah.

- Well, I was just
thinking, you know,

everybody's got to eat sometime.

- Would you promise not to
say another word about plants?

- What's a plant?

- I've come from all
around, but I was old enough

to figure out she had
something special going on.

I spent all day in the kitchen.

- I don't know people
from Tennessee Lacoste.

- Everyone I know [laughs].

- Thank you.

- It's so funny to me,
my aunts didn't care

about how great she cooked.

They never tried to learn.

Met a new guy,
Mike Mike McCaslin.

He could talk your ear
off about anything,

but he's a good listener too.

I guess I've been
needing that [laughs].

[bike engine roars]

We've seen each other
a few times now.

[bike engine roars]

His great, great granddaddy
helped settle Panama City

and Mike says he knows
everything about this place.

[faint footsteps]

Like how the Indians lived

and where the
Spanish first landed

[wind soughs]

until things started going
wrong almost from the start.

[car engine roars]

Mike was role involved once

in trying to make things better.

But now he says he
see there's no point.

- My granddaddy and I, we used
to fish off this bridge here.

Ain't nobody gonna be
fishing off of this bridge.

Always seems like people
have to tear something down

to make themselves feel alive.

Then we run around scared to
death of whatever is gonna come

along and take us up and turn.

- Like cockroaches
are big mouth fast?

- Right [laughs].

Anyway, this whole place will
be in a water in a 100 years

or so and that'll
slow us down some.

- Why wait?

Why not just end it all now?

- It's pretty, isn't it?

- It's kind of dirty.

[Mike and Ruby laughing]

- You know what these are for?

Never mind.

- Mike can get morose,
that is no lie.

But most often he just
seems glad to be here.

Like a tree, he says.

That's his job.

[bike engine roars]

That and keeping the
records straight.

[upbeat music]

- Looks like you live
next to a junkie.

- There's Jimmy and Debrah
Ann, they're all right.

[rock music]

- You want to come in?

- Next time.

I'll fix you something.

[bike engine roars]

- It's been a long time since
one kiss made my lips home.

I can still feel it.

Must be all that bike riding.

Got to watch it with Mike.

- Be careful now.

There, beautiful.

- So what's this all about?

- Our second season, you'll see.

[cash drawer cranking]

- Don't got enough stuff now.

[customers chatter]

- So I like selling
stuff okay, is that good?

Five days of one thing

or two of something
else, fair enough.

Anyway, the weeks are
moving faster now.

Sometimes I see Rochelle.

- 'Cause you can take finance
or marketing management

so that you can have
control of the business

or general education.

If you don't know what
you want, you can just--

- She says I should
set my sights higher,

go back to school.
- You really need to get back

It's the only way to get ahead.

- But Mike doesn't
see much point to it.

- Yeah.

You just need a guy to aim
you in the right direction.

- And here you are.

- At your service.

Mike says there's a whole
new way to see the world.

Low impact living, he calls
it, getting them burdened,

giving nature a
chance, it sounds fun

one I can pick of it.

And yes, we've gotten it
on, all tender and romantic.

[waves roar]

[Ruby screams]

I've been here almost three
months and hadn't gone swimming.

Mike said that was long enough.

The Canadians go all the time,

but God, it was miserable cold.

We sure had fun.

That cold water can wake you up.

[instrumental music]

[birds singing]

- Good morning.

- I've never seen so
many books in a house.

- That's 'cause only
fools read any more,

but you can have anything you
like, whatever looks good.

- For someone who doesn't
see the point of school,

how do you figure all these?

- It's a mouthsome.

- More like a Bain
addiction really.

- I only read what I
had to like the Bible.

A lot of good it did me.

I guess you think
I've missed something.

- Now that, that may be a
little bit tame for you,

but it's a great choice.

- No one who had ever
seen Catherine Morland

in her infancy would have
supposed her born to be
a heroine.

Her situation in life, the
character of her father

and mother, her own
person and disposition

we're all equally against her.

Those are my odds.

Her father was a clergyman
without being neglected rapport

and a very respectable man.

- Go on.

- I don't think so.

- Well, take it then.

You can join my fools
reading society,

meetings this night,
after love making.

- A lot of good it's done you.

- It saved me from able,
restore with my soul,

brought peace to
my troubled mind

and joy to my broken heart.

[Mike and Ruby laugh]

[lips smacking]

I'm not sure what Mike's
getting at

but I liked this one.

All that fuss over
finding a man,

isn't all that different now?

Who's it gonna be,
and when, and why.

- Never got around to.

- You don't wanna
let mother catch ya'.

She might wonder what
you're doing on the job.

Take care.

- Ricky is 100% of something
I would like to forget.

- Isn't it wonderful,
the way Austin seems

to dwell on a
superficial comic and yet

all the while revealing
the contradictions

and value system of
an entire society.

I don't think there's been
anyone so subtle and elusive.

What do you think?

- It was a neat story.

And my gut always feel
good around him [chuckles].

- Of course, I tend to
lean towards other writer.

- He's like that red and blue
sweater I had when I was 13.

So perfect.
- I'm not sure

how much fiction means.

- I wanted to wear it all the
time even when I call it hot.

- But sometimes.

- Not always a pleasant feeling.

[tense music]

- This is crap, let's go.

- This is the good part.

- It's brain wreck, come on.

[gun firing]

[character screaming]

- Hey, Mike, I don't see
why we have to leave.

- This is garbage.

What good is the headache?

Can you tell me?

- It just a movie.

- It's bullshit.

Takes over your brain
with stupid fantasies.

So have nothing to
do with being alive.

Next thing you know, they're
just going to wire you up

and set you spinning no
screens, no popcorn, no nothing.

- Maybe sometimes that's okay.

That gives you
the right to know.

- 'Cause it's so clear.

- Well, to you maybe,
it's not other people.

They have to make
up their own minds.

Perhaps it's all they need.

- Do you really believe that?

- I don't know.

I'm not deciding right
now, so don't press it.

- Do you wanna go back inside.

- Sit next to you
when you're miserable?

[bike engine roars]

- Morning.

So how's our number one
and only salesperson today?

- Fine, Ricky, and yourself?

- I'm in the mood
for act to remember.

I think we got to
give it another go.

- Not a good idea.

At least not right now.

- You know, most people
are only two paychecks

from the streets,
did you know that?

- I'll keep that in mind.

- I didn't mean that Ruby.

It's just that I can't
get you out of my mind.

Look I'm going to be
money for a few days.

I'd like you to come with me.

Why won't you just
give me a chance?

- Ricky, that hurts.

It's just not a good time,
maybe after the holidays.

- Yeah.

We'll work it out.

I'm sorry.

- I don't know why I just
didn't tell him right there

I was seeing someone else.

Maybe I didn't want that to
mark me to be what I was.

Hands-off, I'm some
other man's lady.

[background noise]

[female neighbor screaming]

[neighbors laughing
hysterically]

- I'm sorry to ask this,

but is it all right
if I stay the night?

- No problem.

- Thanks.

Thanks, Ruby.

I'll be all right tomorrow.

I've grown so much in
the last two weeks.

You'll see.

- Messes, I've sure been there.

And if I'm not careful,

everybody's fantasy, tender
unions, precious ties.

I wonder how many folks
get anywhere near.

[faint footsteps]

Mike's boss at the
nursery has a family.

Everything is perfect.

But from what I've seen,
it's the woman pays the most

for the dream of
security and belonging.

Still for some, there must
not be any charge at all.

Like it comes without
effort like breathing.

Lord help us if we
don't fit that mold,

especially when we're all so
willing to buy-in every chance

we get suckers for
the tender cozy life.

[Ruby laughs]

- You all done?

[Ruby laughs]

[TV chatters]

- No.

- I put up with your garbage,

now it's time for
some inspiration.

- Move away from the selfish
claims of our will and desires.

I know pride objects,
a petty spirits rebel,

but he knows we seek
limits to our lives

- that we are happy only
when we yield and follow--

- Don't you love it
just enough truth

to keep the sheep in mind?

- No, I don't love it.

- [Preacher] No servant
can serve two masters.

- You go ape over a damn movie

and then you put up
with this kinda crap?

- [Preacher] Our LT
will hold to the one--

- That's how most
folks make too.

- [Preacher] And
the Lord commanded--

- So now you make too?

- [Preacher] Because
he had done wisely

for the children of this world
- I guess.

- [Preacher] And their
generation wiser than the
children--

- Way back somewhere.

I figure there's
a God out there.

[TV chatter in the background]

But generally, I thought the
harsh word and the misery.

- Can I have that kinda comfort

without the health threat
coming from somewhere?

- Worth it.

- God's message,
so clear and bright

like a crystal beacon
lit 2000 years ago

and still shiny obey
and be saved and love,

turn away and be damned
for all eternity.

[remote clicks]

- My family bought it
all Hook Line & Sinker.

I grew up with the security

and certainty of
living in the law.

I also know the guilt
and shame it can bring.

Nothing is ever going to get
that kinda hold on me again.

- My poor tormented rebel from.

- I'm not your poor anything.

- I didn't mean real one, Ruby.

Honest.

Merry Christmas.

- Same to you.

- Good night.

- Emily,

Mike's Emily.

Strange words,

too many thoughts, but I
thumb through the pages

to ache is human, not polite.

The film upon the eye,

mortalities old custom,

just locking up to die.

[noisy chatters]

[bells chime]

- I wish I had a set of these.

- Let's see the price.

Woody, I'll take a dozen
of each of the trays.

How soon can you
make that happen?

[melancholic piano music]

- You keep all of
this in your head?

- Well, most of it doesn't
change just the numbers

and what you think you
can sell this year.

[crowd laughs]

- Mrs. Chambers, I
need to know something.

Am I doing a good job?

- You still have a lot to learn,

but you're earning your money
if that's what you mean.

- I see.

[car hoots]

[acoustic music]

- [Mildred] You're all packed.

- I'm all set.

- I'm glad we did that.

It's always good to go back
to the floor a second time

on some things, especially
with sweet stuff.

But two days of it is
enough for any human being.

I've been coming to these
things for 20 years.

I'm still afraid I'm
gonna forget something.

- I'm gonna let
you start driving.

I got to take a nap.

[car engine roars]

- [Ricky] Ruby.

[dog barks]

- Ricky, you scared
the hell out of me.

[noisy footsteps]

- Sorry.

Can I come in?

- It's really late?

I'm already tired.

- Here.

Happy Valentine's day.

- Ain't it a little early?

- Yeah, that's right.

- Come in.

[door bangs]

You want some coffee?

- No, thanks Ruby.

I'll be all right,

Missed you so much, Ruby

more than I ever
thought possible.

- Your mom and I just
got back from Tampa.

I guess you've been to
a lot of trade shows.

- Not since I can say no.

- Your mum spent $6000 in
four hours on the floor.

And then we went to a
big meeting about tourism

and ate in a fancy
restaurant and got some sleep

before hitting the
floor again this morning

and then drove
straight back through

so you can see how
I'm real worn out.

- Ruby, I ain't seen
anybody since you.

I got feelings,
don't you understand?

[ruby screaming]

The best thing to
do is set them free.

Everything will be all right.

[Ruby moans]

[bike engine roars]

[neighbor screams]

- Back off or I scream.

[Ruby pants heavily]

Get out of here, Ricky.

- Ruby,

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, a man
offers you his heart

and look at you.

[neighbors laughing]

What's in this for
you, Ms. Gissing?

You know, if you're not careful,

you're gonna end up one
lonely cock teasing bitch.

I should've known.

I don't want to see you around.

In fact, don't even
bother coming into work

'cause you're fired, terminated.

I'll send your last check here.

I think it's for
the best, don't you?

I'll never wanna see you again.

I mean it.

[door bangs]

[car engine roars]

[Ruby crying]

[car engine roars]

- Driving along the road,
once I swerved trying not

to hit a rabbit and
ran smack over a skunk.

I'm sorry, Ricky.

I guess, nothing good can
come from being a fool.

Goddamn Ricky and his lying

about folks being two
paychecks from the streets.

[cash drawer chimes]

Well, we're just right here.

You kinda gotta go up on
that big road to get on that.

I met a family from
near back home.

Either that or you
want to take these.

[Ruby speaking in
the background]

Everything they owned
was in their car.

Out of work and on their way

to mobile to stay with a cousin.

I don't think the mom
was counting on much.

Gave him 10 bucks for gas.

Can't meet up with anymore.

Not for a while at least.

Not until I'm settled
again and unbeholding.

[melancholic music]

[car engine roars]

[car hoots]

- Hey.

- Hi.

- How about a movie?

- I'm not feeling so good,
I think I've got the flu.

- Well, I'll come in and
make you some soup then.

- I think I should just sleep.

- All right, you call me, right?

- Yeah.

- Like a ghost, I'm
gonna haunt you.

[melancholic music]

- No.

- Well, I can do just about
anything right around it?

It looks like it's--

- Not in here.

- Are you sure?

'Cause there are plenty
of people in here.

I'm sure that you can
just add me right in

and I could do something
just bad for you.

[car engine roars]

[upbeat music]

[background noise]

- Good afternoon,
may I help you?

- No, I was supposed to meet
someone, I guess he's not here.

- No problem.

[pool balls colliding]

Did you know you're not
supposed to be here alone?

- I sure didn't.

- We will be seeing around.

[upbeat music]

[woman laughs]

[sirens wailing]

- Impressive stuff

to flaunt it in front
of paying customers.

The ultimate merchandise.

Maybe that's all there is.

We're all selling.

Forget what's inside.

It's all in our skin and what
touches it and what covers it

and what hides it
and what it can do.

[car engine roars]

Too close to feeling gone.

- [Mike] Why didn't
you tell me soon?

- It was my problem, I
wanted to work it out myself.

- But didn't you just tell me

your lady Chambers said
you were doing a great job?

Why did she fire you?

- There was no traffic
in the store, she had to.

- Typical, money stifled,

forget the worker,
save your own ass.

Not even a week's notice?

Well, you'll get another job

and if you need some
money to see you through.

- It's all right.

- And Ruby, you can
always move in here.

Stay as long as you like.

I'd take real good care of you.

It'd be wonderful.

- Every girl's dream.

- Right.

Well, you think about it.

- For now, I'll just settle
for what you got in that pan.

- Saved it.

[acoustic music]

[laundry machines roar]

- Welcome

okay.

You take the top
part of the sheet,

the longest piece of hem,
you put it all in one hand,

you draw it out, and you
set it in that basket.

[laundry machines roar]

- The first day is always
the toughest, you'll make it.

- Though none of us plan to
be here long, do we want that?

- Nah.

- Sometimes?

What you've been doing?

- Sales, I've in sales.

- Much better choice.

The talkative one is
Wanda, I'm Persefina.

- Ruby.

- Well, Ruby, don't forget
to eat your Wheaties.

- That's right.

- Don't worry, pretty soon
you won't feel a thing.

[laundry machines roar]

- Why'd you wait
so long to tell me?

Didn't I warn you about
that man, didn't I warn you?

- What really matters
now, Rochelle,

I can always run the Navy.

- Sure, you can marry a
preacher and have 15 babies.

It's not your style, I'm afraid.

I've got 50, $60,
maybe little more.

- Yes, 50 would help.

Thanks.

You'll get it back.

On the edge of
the edge, a dream.

Everyone I'd ever
known was there,

living on a beautiful mountain.

We all did our share.

We all felt joy in being alive,

wild and free, without
harm, without sorrow.

Beyond reality,

beyond fantasy

only there,

only there.

- Rudy, you're awake?

- Yeah, come on in

- You're okay?

- Yeah, I've just been keeping
some light hours, that's all.

- Brought you some chest pie.

Tell the thing my mom taught me.

- [Jimmy] Debrah Ann, are you
coming back today sometime?

- Coming, Jimmy.

I'll see you later.

- She says, well, she's
old enough to my sister.

She says, that's how you
get baby, you get daddy

soon you get a mummy, so
that's how you get babies.

So cool girl and
she looked confused.

She says, well, I see
you looking at him.

Don't look at the key holder
and I saw daddy's thinking,

you're a mom, and she says,

girl, that's how
you get jewelry.

[group laughs]

- I heard that.

[laundry machines roaring]

- Looks like you're
getting the hang of it.

- I don't think so.

- Well, that's good.

Don't loose your mind.

- Hello, Ruby.

Is it all right if I come in?

Thank you.

- Can I get you some tea?

- No, thanks.

- I paid for that.

- I would never have
thought otherwise.

Ricky told me that
you came by the store

with the car loaded
and left for home.

Some emergency, he said.

I was furious and heard that
you hadn't even said goodbye.

It wasn't until Rochelle called

that I found out
what really happened.

My son is a lot like his long
forgotten ass of a father,

but I still have
some hope for Ricky.

I know that must sound crazy,

but you've got more pressing
concerns at the moment.

I like mysteries, the
ones with women detectives.

- I'll have to try one.

- You know, when you
first came in the store,

I didn't really need anybody.

I had a feeling about you.

You reminded me of something.

You were hungry.

There was a rage and a fury

that I recognized
from a long time ago.

- A lot of good it's done me.

- Most of us learned to lay low.

- Sounds like dying.

- Come on back to
the store, Ruby.

You're doing fine and I
need an assistant manager

with energy and good ideas.

Besides I'm thinking of
opening a second store

up the beach ways.

Lord knows the way
this country's going.

Maybe nobody's ever
gonna buy anything again,

but still memories and
dreams are important.

And so our beach towels,
swimsuits, and suntan lotion.

We gotta be ready.

We'll have fun.

And Ricky will leave you alone.

- All right. Mrs. Chambers.

- Mildred.

- Mildred.

- Great.

- And now I think I
would like that tea.

- You're gonna wash
in your dress clothes.

- No, I just came
by to turn this in.

I got my old job back.

- Just when you were
getting the neck of it.

[Ruby and Persefina laugh]

- Chambers Beach
Emporium, come by,

I'll give you a real good deal.

- [Persefina] Wanda.

- [Wanda] Yeah.

- I dream about that room
and Wanda and Persefina.

[bells chime]

I'm up to remembering that
we're all in the same world.

I don't know, I hope so.

I know it won't be easy.

[bright instrumental music]

- We'll keep it up, girls.

After this, we're gonna
tackle the upstairs.

This rate, it's gonna
take us 10 years

to get the store restocked.

[customers chatter]

Y'all come back now, you hear?

Thanks a lot.

Tell your friends about.

[cash drawer cranks rapidly]

Thank God for a spring.

[crowd cheering]

- [Announcer] And
the best dancer

on the beach contest continues.

Ladies in the house,
can you make some noise

as you welcome contestant
number six, Jeff.

[Announcer's voice
drowns into crowd cheers]

Ladies make some noise as
this guy wiggle for ya'.

Wiggle it, not
just a little bit.

Ladies are you there
for the spring break?

It's spring break.

[crowd cheering]

[Announcer's voice
drowns into crowd cheers]

- Not for most
gorgeous shade of blue.

- Yeah, but one size fits all.

You got the upside?

Okay.

Let's go to work.

These knobs set your price,

you look through the little
window and make sure it's right.

Give a good, hard squeeze
and then just roll it

off like that, someplace
flat, all right?

You wanna try?

- Ruby, never mind.

Rochelle.

- Yes, Ms. Chambers.

- Has the new staff
been priced yet?

- The new girls are
putting on the floor.

- Great, thank you.

[customers chatter]

- Nothing like that inventory.

It's nothing like
when I first started.

- You wouldn't believe the
inventory that we're moving.

We get all this stuff and
the next day, it's gone.

Mildred says it's
like a buying frenzy,

like it's contagious
or something.

- What do you think
about all this, Rochelle?

- It's what we're getting
paid for, isn't it?

When the fish bite enjoy.

- Like lemmings to the sea.

- [Ruby] What?

- Nothing.

- It's not working.

- There were other options.

- What do you mean?

No matter how much
they mess things up,

there's always the ocean.

- Yeah, polluted and dying.

There it is.

Glad you finally called me.

I was beginning to think I
was a flapper or something.

- I got caught up in getting
the store ready for spring.

- Ruby, it can't mean
anything going back

to the selling game.

It doesn't mean anything.

It can't be the
reason you're here.

- It's a game whose
rules I understand.

And for a while, at least

that's just gonna
have to be enough.

What are you really
trying to say, anyway?

It's better than I
have a no game at all.

You and all of your
gloom and doom crap, man,

do something about
it or leave it alone.

Just please, stop looking
down at the rest of us.

- You're absolutely right.

I'm sorry.

- Me too.

That's when I started
seeing less of Mike.

We go to movies and stuff,
but we get uncomfortable

if we stay together
for too long.

He's working on something.

One of his causes again,
but he won't say what,

maybe afraid of losing it.

I understand.

I hope we keep in touch.

Somewhere, I heard that hell is

when I'll hear dreams come true.

Maybe it's because you find
out they won't all go together

or that there's always
sides you can't see

when you're dreaming away.

- I won't be staying long.

I just wanted to tell you how
much regret what happened.

I'm in counseling now,

getting in touch with
myself, they call it.

Becoming to new man.

I just wanted to apologize.

That's all.

Maybe I'll see you around.

Business is booming.

[crowd cheering]

[waves roaring]

[bright electronic music]

- Before, we have a free moment,

thanks, Rochelle,
it was real help.

- Yeah, not forgotten.

- Almost.

All right, so Mildred should
have made you assistant.

- Now, after this summer,

Mildred won't be able
to afford this one here.

Really finished school in
December and I'll have my degree

and will be straight.

I hope.

[car hoots]

[singing in foreign language]

[faint footsteps]

[brush scrubbing]

- Hello?

- Hello?

- Did you used to work
over at Porter's Court?

- My uncle's place, I still do.

He and my father had
just bought this complex

and we're fixing it up.

Do you live here?

- Yeah, I do.

- Would you like
to have some tea?

- Sure.

What about that song?

Praise do Shiva,
who is everything?

- Everything?

- When my family came here,
we were skin and bones.

I mean it, we were
skin and bones,

but four years later and look
at me now, I'm so healthy.

Don't you think?

- Don't you miss your home?

- But this is home now.

Everyone wants to be here.

- It doesn't make it right.

- Just for now, the
great dream of the world,

whether it's right or wrong,
that's always much harder.

- It really is a beautiful song.

- Maybe you would
like to learn it.

[faint footsteps]

[bike engine roars]

- I suppose it means
more, making it

in some big great
city somewhere.

But this is the world I found.

And I guess the question
stayed the same.

- Morning, Ruby.

[Debrah screams]

- Like, where does
caring come from?

Can we ever know
our true desires?

And why are we all of us
so often lonely and afraid?

The answers are probably
real simple, real close,

smiling somewhere, a quiet life,

waiting for us

So morning, everybody.

♪ If I close my eyes

♪ I'm afraid I won't wake up

♪ If I stop and listen

♪ I'm afraid I'll
hear too much ♪

♪ Trying to hold
on to the earth ♪

♪ Trying to hold
on to the earth ♪

♪ Trying to hold
on to the earth ♪

♪ I've got a long
black Cadillac ♪

♪ Marble hot tub in the back

♪ Champagne waterfall

♪ Solid gold question
mark twenty feet tall ♪

♪ Solid gold question
mark twenty feet tall ♪

♪ Trying to hold
on to the earth ♪

♪ Trying to hold
on to the earth ♪

♪ Holding on for
what it's worth ♪

♪ Try to paint a
world of shapes ♪

♪ Over the holes
as we're falling ♪

♪ The tightened grip
is our mistake ♪

♪ As we're trying to
hold on hold on hold on ♪

♪ Trying to hold on
hold on to the earth ♪

♪ Looking for his name

♪ Wet on brave lips
carved on road ♪

♪ Look for flame and mercy

♪ Hope that tired
hands can hold ♪

♪ Trying to hold
on to the earth ♪

♪ Trying to hold
on to the earth ♪

♪ Holding on for
what it's worth ♪

♪ Trying to hold
on to the earth ♪

♪ Trying to hold
on to the earth ♪