Original subtitles

Downloaded from YTS.MX

Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX

[ chirping birds ]

[ humming ]

♪♪

Mercer: IF YOU WANNA KNOW,

I HAD THIS PROBLEM WITHHUCKLEBERRY FINN.

I MEAN, I READ IT,

AND IT'S GOOD AND EVERYTHING.

THE JOURNEY AND AMERICA AND ALL OF IT...

BUT IT JUST MADE ME FEEL STUCK.

I HAD AP LIT FIRST PERIOD,

AND WE'RE SUPPOSED TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE RIVER...

WHICH IS WHEN I THOUGHT OF IT.

A WAY NOT TO BE STUCK.

Woman: HAD YOU EVER STOLEN ANYTHING BEFORE?

Mercer: NOT REALLY.

NOT LIKE A CAR.

♪ [ upbeat rock song plays ]

[ song continues ]

[ music stops ]J: HOLD ON.

Mercer: IT'S RANDOM, I GUESS. JUST LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE.

Woman: STEALING SOMEONE'S CAR?[ piano keys jangling ]

Mercer: YEAH. I MEAN, IF ONE THING CHANGES...

HEY, WHAT'S UP, MERCER?

Mercer: LIKE IF MY FRIEND J. SAID NO, I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT.

CAN I BORROW YOUR SHIRT?

[ brushes whirling, water sloshing ]

♪ [ Vincent O'Brien by M. Ward plays ] ♪

♪ HE ONLY SINGS WHEN HE'S SAD ♪

♪ AND HE'S SAD ALL THE TIME

♪ SO HE SINGS THE WHOLE NIGHT THROUGH ♪

♪ YEAH, HE SINGS IN THE DAYTIME TOO ♪

♪ HE ONLY DREAMS WHEN HE'S SAD ♪

♪ AND HE'S SAD ALL THE TIME

♪ SO HE DREAMS THE WHOLE NIGHT THROUGH ♪

♪ YEAH, HE DREAMS IN THE DAYTIME TOO ♪

♪ THERE MAY BE MERMAIDS UNDER THE WATER ♪

♪ THERE MAY EVEN BE A MAN IN THE MOON ♪

♪ OH, BUT VINCE YOUR TIME IS RUNNING OUT ♪

♪ YOU BETTER GET YOURSELF TOGETHER SOON ♪

♪ OUT OF BUFFALO THE MAN

♪ BELOW THE BELT HE SWUNG

♪ AND THEN AFTER THE BELL HAS RUNG ♪

♪ ANOTHER CHEAP SHOT HERE IT COMES ♪

♪ ANOTHER CHEAP SHOT HERE IT COMES ♪

♪ HE ONLY LAUGHS WHEN HE'S SAD ♪

♪ AND HE'S SAD ALL THE TIME

♪ SO HE LAUGHS THE WHOLE NIGHT THROUGH ♪

♪ YEAH, HE LAUGHS IN THE DAYTIME TOO ♪

♪ THERE MAY BE MERMAIDS UNDER THE WATER ♪

♪ THERE MAY EVEN BE A MAN IN THE MOON ♪

♪ OH, BUT VINCE YOUR TIME IS RUNNING OUT ♪

♪ I HOPE YOU GET YOURSELF TOGETHER SOON ♪

Mercer: ♪ I HOPE YOU GET YOURSELF TOGETHER SOON ♪

♪♪

[ Mercer humming ]

[ cell phone rings ]

Mercer: SHIT![ car door opening ]

SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT.

[ heavy breathing ]

[ birdsong ]

[ birds singing, wind rustling trees ]

[ cell phone rings ]

[ beep ]

HELLO?

Woman: YOU DON'T LOOK MUCH LIKE A THIEF.

TO WHOM AM I SPEAKING?

"WHOM"? IT'S MY CAR AND MY PHONE YOU'RE TALKING ON,

AND JUST DON'T TRY TO BE POLITE, OKAY?

TRY SOUNDING--I DON'T KNOW, CRAZY OR TOUGH.

I CAN DO YARD WORK.

YARD WORK?

TO MAKE UP FOR IT.

UMM, WHEN I RETURN THE CAR, AFTER THE TRIP.

THERE'S A TRIP?

OH, JESUS CHRIST.

I DON'T HAVE A YARD, I HAVE A CAR.

NOT JUST YARD WORK.

I MEAN, UH, I CAN DO OTHER STUFF, LIKE CHORES.

NO. OKAY, JUST TELL ME, DO YOU THINK THAT LIFE IS RANDOM

OR IS THERE SOMETHING LIKE FATE?

BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE TWO EXPLANATIONS.

UH, WHAT? TWO EXPLANATIONS FOR WHAT?

FOR YOU, MERCER.

OH, SHIT, THE SPAGHETTI'S DONE. I GOTTA GO.

WAIT, WHAT?

NO, IT HURTS MY NECK TO HOLD IT LIKE THAT.

[ phone clicks ]

♪ AHH

♪ AHH

Better Than Toast: DID YOU SEE IT?

NOT EVERYONE CAN SEE IT.

YOU'RE ARLEN'S BROTHER.

YOU DON'T EVEN LOOK LIKE HIM.

I MEAN, JUST THAT HE'S OLDER AND MEXICAN.

OR LATINO.

THERE ARE SO MANY COUNTRIES DOWN THERE. IT'S CRAZY.

HE'S MY HALF-BROTHER.

IS HE HERE?

NICK, ASK NICK. NICK'LL KNOW.

NICK. A GOOD GUY.

GOOD AS IN GOOD, YOU KNOW?

IT'S NICK'S PLACE AND KILN.

DID YOU GET TAFFY?

MMM-MMM.

NICK MAKES TAFFY.

MAKES IT JUST TO MAKE IT, RIGHT?

I MEAN, TAFFY.

JESUS CHRIST.

AREN'T YOU COMING?

AM I COMING?YOU'RE COMING.

♪♪

[ overlapping chatter ]

[ floorboards creaking ]

[ door slams ]

YOU'RE ARLEN'S BROTHER?

TELL ARLEN THIS IS FOR THE SNAP-ONS.

[ smack, crash ]

Nick: AHH, FUCK! FUCK!Better Than Toast: WHAT HAPPENED?!

Nick: I HURT MY FUCKING HAND.[ Better Than Toast gasps ]

HOW DID HE GET DOWN THERE?HE'S ARLEN'S BROTHER!

I KNOW! HONEY, COME HERE.

DON'T TOUCH IT, I'LL HELP YOU WITH SOME ICE.MOTHERFUCKER.

WE HAVE A FIRST AID KIT BACK HERE.

COME ON.

NO.

[ horses neighing ]

ARLEN STOLE--

ARLEN STOLE A KENNEDY TOOL BOX

THAT BELONGED TO MY DAD.

IT HAD A SET OF SNAP-ON RATCHETS IN IT FROM THE '50s.

PLUS, HE DIDN'T FINISH THE ANAGAMA, THE TUNNEL KILN,

WHICH IS WHY I PUT HIM UP IN THE FIRST PLACE

AND TAUGHT HIM POTS.

HERE'S WHERE MARY SAYS HE IS.

RENO.

HE'S DOING CONSTRUCTION, MARY SAID.

SHE GOT A POSTCARD LAST YEAR.

HEY, IS RENO NEAR FALLON?

I KNOW A GIRL IN FALLON, NEVADA.

WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU SAW ARLEN?

I WAS FIVE, HE WAS TWENTY-THREE.

HE'S EIGHTEEN YEARS OLDER THAN ME.

SO YOU DON'T REALLY KNOW HIM.

THAT'S PROBABLY BETTER IN THE LONG RUN.

I'M A LAPSED BUDDHIST,

BUT I STILL LOVE EVERYBODY.

EXCEPT THAT FUCK-ASS ARLEN.

LET'S GET SNACKS.

[ Nick sighs ] LOOK, IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN STAY HERE A BIT.

WORK ON THE ANAGAMA, MAKE SOME MONEY.

STILL HAVE TO DIG THE FUCKING THING.

THERE'S SOME CUTE GIRLS. MARY MAKES PAELLA.

REALLY, IT'D BE BETTER THAN MEETING ARLEN.

YOU GOTTA BELIEVE ME.

[ inhales ]

MY DAD USED TO SAY,

"IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING,

MIGHT AS WELL STICK AROUND."

[ exhales ]

I NEVER REALLY SMOKE POT.

IT WORKS LIKE AN ICE PACK.

UHH...

♪♪

[ coughs ]

Mercer: DOES ANYBODY KNOW-- IS RENO NEAR FALLON?

I KNOW THIS GIRL I WENT TO MIDDLE SCHOOL WITH

IN FALLON, NEVADA.

OH, GOD, IT'S NICE TO BE HUNGRY.

[ Better Than Toast laughs ]RIGHT?

LIKE, HUNGRY.

IT IS.

THEY HAVE A CANTALOUPE FESTIVAL THERE.

IN FALLON, NEAR RENO.

GOD, CANTALOUPE'S SO FUCKING TASTY.

I ONE TIME TOOK THE 50 FROM PROVO TO RENO

WITH MY MOM TO GO CAMPING AT GREAT BASIN,

WHICH IS WHERE SHE GOT GIARDIA, WHICH ISN'T FUNNY.

WE THOUGHT SHE WAS GONNA SHIT OUT A LUNG.

SHE SAW GOD.

[ laughter ]

IT'S NOT FUNNY!

IT'S NOT FUNNY!

SHE HAD TO TAKE OFF A WHOLE SEMESTER OF TEACHING.

MY MOM WAS A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER.

SERIOUSLY?

WHAT IS SHE NOW?

MAYBE HE DOESN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT...

UH, NO, IT'S OKAY.

IT'S OKAY. UH, MY MOM IS--

MY MOM IS A DOG SLED RACER UP IN FAIRBANKS.

NO WAY.

WITH DOGS AND WHIPS?

SHE HAS HER OWN SIGNATURE LINE OF WHIPS.

OH, SERIOUS?

[ Better Than Toast laughs ]

UHH...

OH, GOD. [ deep breath ]

NO, NO, SHE'S ACTUALLY DEAD.

YEAH, SHE REALLY IS.

SHE'S A DOG SLED RACER.

DEAD.

NO.

NO, SHE'S A DEAD SUBSTITUTE TEACHER.

NO.

UH--

SHE'S HOT, TOO.YOUR MOM?!

THE GIRL IN FALLON.

SHE'D BE PERFECT TO TAKE TO RENO,

IF, UH, IF YOU WERE--

IF YOU WERE LACKING FEMALE COMPANIONSHIP...

WHICH IS, UH, WHICH IS JUST, UH--

WHICH IS SOMETHING I--

[ crying ]

HEY, UM...

LET ME GIVE YOU SOMETHING ARLEN MADE.[ quietly ] OKAY.

MAYBE THIS ONE TEA POT.

HE'S MY HALF-BROTHER,

AND, UH, I'M SORRY IF HE TOOK YOUR DAD'S SNAP-ONS,

ESPECIALLY IF THAT'S THE LAST THING YOU HAD LEFT OF YOUR DAD.

I'M SORRY, BUT TAKE IT EASY ON ARLEN, OKAY?

'CAUSE, I MEAN, HE MIGHT BE A THIEF,

BUT I MEAN, HIS MOM-- OURMOM--

IT'S JUST-- HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW YET.

HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW YET,

AND IT'S BEEN EIGHT AND A HALF FUCKING MONTHS.

IT'S BEEN EIGHT AND A HALF, AND, UHH--

IF I COULD JUST TELL HIM--

IF I COULD JUST TELL HIM, THEN I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T KNOW.

MAYBE IT WOULD BE OVER.

♪ [ Coast to Coast by Elliott Smith plays ] ♪

♪ LAST STOP FOR A RESOLUTION ♪

♪ END OF THE LINE

♪ IS IT CONFUSION?

♪ SO GO, GO SEE WHAT'S THERE FOR YOU ♪

♪ NOTHING NEW, NOTHING NEW FOR YOU TO USE ♪

♪ I'VE GOT NO NEW ACT TO AMUSE YOU ♪

[ radio static ]

[ click ]

Audiobook narrator: ...BULLET RIPPED THROUGH THE SHERIFF'S NECK,

KNOCKING HIM OFF HIS HORSE.

BLOOD BUBBLED FROM HIS LIPS AS CARLSON TOOK THE WINCHESTER.

Instructional narrator: END TAPE TWO.

INSERT TAPE THREE.

Instructional narrator: CHAPTER TEN.

Audiobook narrator: "MAN'S GOTTA HAVE HIS COWBOY TRICKS," LEROY SAID,

"COUPLE OF COWBOY TRICKS STORED UP FOR WHEN IT GETS COLDER."

IT GETS-- "GETS COLDER THAN THIS?" CARLSON SAID.

GETS COLDER THAN THIS.

CARLSON LIKED LEROY.GETS COLDER THAN THIS.

[ cell phone rings ][ narrator continues]

[ ringing continues ]

Narrator: EVEN THE PIANO WAS...

UH, HOWDY.

Woman: HOWDY?

UH, YEAH, I KNOW. SORRY.

Woman: WE WERE WEIGHING FATE VERSUS COINCIDENCE,

THE MEANING OF LIFE,

AND THEN I HAD TO GET MY SPAGHETTI.

HOW DO YOU KNOW MY NAME?

WHERE ARE YOU?

I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

MMM, THAT'S OKAY FOR NOW, MERCER. YOU'VE GOT THE CAR.

YOU CAN FIGURE OUT THE REST AS WE GO.

DID YOU GET MY NAME FROM THE POLICE?

NO, NO POLICE.WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

I TALKED TO MY MOM YESTERDAY.

SHE THINKS THAT I SHOULD TELL THE POLICE,

BUT I'LL MAKE YOU A TRADE.

YOU JUST CALL ME AND TELL ME HOW YOUR TRIP IS.

THAT'S THE DEAL I'M OFFERING.

TO ME, IT FEELS PRETTY FAIR.

RIGHT NOW, YOU'RE THINKING, "WHO IS THIS GIRL,

AND WHAT'S WRONG WITH HER? SHE MUST BE CRAZY.

NO, SAD. SAD IN A CHAIR,

WITH CATS. CATS?

NO, A CROSSWORD PUZZLE.

A PUZZLE, A PUZZLE AND TEA. NO, BEER.

BEER. SHE'S TOUGH?

THINKS SHE'S TOUGH, BUT NOT LIKE THAT.

PICTURE HER YOUNGER. NO, OLDER.

PICTURE SOMEONE WITH FAKE TEETH.

WHAT DO YOU EVER REALLY KNOW?

Mercer: YOU THINK ABOUT FATE.

SO? EVERYONE.

YOU DON'T LIKE YOUR SPAGHETTI OVERCOOKED.

EVERYONE.

FUNNY, ARE YOU FUNNY?

I USED TO BE.

THE WAY YOU CALLED ME, YOU'RE KIND OF ALONE.

HELLO?

♪ AHH

♪ AHH

[ answering machine beeps]

Mercer: HI, THIS MESSAGE IS FOR JOELY.

THIS IS MERCER.

WE WENT TO MIDDLE SCHOOL BACK IN EUGENE,

AND, UM, I'M GONNA BE IN RENO--

ERR, FALLON, ACTUALLY, AND--

YOU KNOW, I'LL TRY YOU LATER.

I HAVE A CAR.

Joely: MOM'S DOING MAINLY REAL ESTATE.

SO SINCE WE LIKE TO PASS FOR SISTERS

I HELP HER SOMETIMES WHEN IT'S A SINGLE GUY BUYING.

NOT THAT ANYTHING, WOO, MUCH REALLY HAPPENS.

JUST TO MESS WITH THEM.

BUT SHE DOES END UP SELLING A LOT--A LOT OF HOUSES.

MY COUSIN BUDDY RACES HERE.

WE GET SIXES AND WATCH HIM WRECK.

I USED TO, UH,

READ MOM YOUR E-MAILS,

AND ALL SHE SAID WAS,

"THAT KID MERCER IS A GO-GETTER.

IS HE CUTE?"

THAT'S HOW SHE PUT IT.

YOU'RE TALLER NOW.

Old man: MY FINGERS ARE SWOLLEN.

Nurse: WHAT DID THEY GIVE YOU LAST TIME

TO GET YOUR RINGS OFF?

Old man: WELL, THEY GAVE ME A LOTION OF SOME KIND, I THINK.

Joely: FLIGHT ATTENDANT SCHOOL.

YOU'RE, UH, YOU'RE GOING TO--

FLIGHT ATTENDANT SCHOOL, NEXT SUMMER.

IN TUCSON.

MOBY RECOMMENDED IT.

MOBY. YOU--MOBY?

MOM AND I HAVE HUNG OUT WITH HIM A FEW TIMES BACKSTAGE

IN, LIKE, TAHOE AND OAKLAND.

HE'S JUST THIS REALLY AMAZING PERSON.

LIKE, AS A PERSON, YOU KNOW?

HE CAN JUST READ YOU AND KNOWS RIGHT AWAY.

YEAH, THAT'S A SKILL HE HAS.

SO, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE YOUR BROTHER?

IN RENO, YEAH.

SO I WAS WONDERING--

SO WE'RE GOING TO RENO.

I WAS WONDERING IF YOU WANTED TO COME TO RENO.

UGH, SORRY I'M SQUIRMING.

I SHAVED DOWN THERE. IT CAN BURN.

[ soda splashes ][ Joely gasps ]

I'M SORRY! OH, SORRY.

[ motors revving ]

♪ [ 10 A.M. Automatic by the Black Keys plays ] ♪

♪ WHAT ABOUT THE NIGHT MAKES YOU CHANGE ♪

♪ FROM SWEET TO DERANGED

[ flinches ] UGH!

OH!

Joely: HEY.

THE FUCK YOU DOING?

I DON'T RIGHTLY KNOW, MA'AM.

YOU EVER DONE IT BEFORE?

WHAT?

IT'S ONLY ECSTASY.

OH. NO, I HAVEN'T DONE MUCH.

JUST POT.

MORPHINE.

♪ [ Keep Me by the Black Keys plays ] ♪

♪ KEEP ME CLEAN KEEP ME WARM ♪

WOW. WOW, THIS STUFF IS, LIKE--

IT TAKES 90 MINUTES.

YES, IT DOES.

DO YOU HAVE ANY LOTION?

WHAT?LOTION.

Old man: LOTION,

OR OINTMENT MAYBE,Woman: WHAT KIND?

WHAT?WHAT KIND OF OINTMENT?

WELL, IT WAS A JELLY, SEE, SOMETHING YOU USE FOR MARITAL RELATIONS.

[ stifled laughter ]Nurse: KY JELLY?

NO, NO, NO, NO--YES!

YES, IT WAS EXACTLY-- KY JELLY.

THAT HELPS GET YOUR RINGS OFF?YES.

GO ASK THE NURSE, WILL YA? AND ALSO FOR AN EXTRA PILLOW.OF COURSE.

[ labored breathing ]

YES. MY, UH, MY MOM IS--

MRS. WHITE IN ROOM 28.

SHE'S, UH, SHE'S DEAD.

♪ [ Color Me Impressed by the Replacements plays ] ♪

♪ EVERYBODY AT YOUR PARTY

♪ THEY ALL LOOK DEPRESSED

♪ EVERYBODY'S DRESSING FUNNY

♪ COLOR ME IMPRESSED

OH, I NEED TO TELL YOU, JOELY, HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU.

I WANT TO TELL YOU THE SPECIFICS--

SPECIFICS OF MY LOVE FOR YOU,

BEGINNING WITH YOUR KIND HEART,

AND YOUR ASS, JOELY,

YOUR ASS IS SO NICE.

IT'S SO BRAVE, SO VERY, VERY BRAVE.

AND I WANNA SEE WHERE YOU SHAVED.

WHY DON'T YOU DRINK ORANGE JUICE, OKAY?

DO YOU THINK IT WOULD BE ALL RIGHT...

IF WE HAVE SEX WITH EACH OTHER?

WE'RE DEFINITELY GOING TO.

IT'LL BE MY FIRST TIME, AND...

SHOULD I HAVE SAID THAT?

I JUST CAN'T NOT SAY ANYTHING RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS JUST THE WAY IT IS TO BE, THIS WAY.

CHERRY TOMATOES, CHERRY TOMATOES.

GOTTA EAT 'EM WHEN THEY'RE RAW. THEY CALL IT FRUCTOSE.

FRUCTOSE! FRUCTOSE!

♪ THE MONKEY ON THE MIRROR

♪ WON'T YOU PASS THE BILL TO CHRIS ♪

♪ INTOXICATED LOVER ENDED OUR FRENCH KISS ♪

♪ CAN YOU STAND ME ON MY FEET? ♪

♪ CAN YOU STAND ME ON MY FEET? ♪

Mercer: WASHINGTON, ADAMS, JEFFERSON,

MADISON, MUNROE,

ADAMS, JACKSON, VAN BUREN,

OH, HARRISON, UH, TYLER,

POLK! TAYLOR!

Joely: YOU WANNA FUCK MY WET LITTLE PUSSY?

Mercer: FUCKING FILLMORE!

[ gasps ]

[ sirens wailing in distance ]

I'M SORRY.NO.

I DIDN'T--I DIDN'T MEAN TO.

NO, IT'S OKAY.

YOU--YOU'RE JUST SO GREAT.

WE CAN TRY IT AGAIN LATER.

I LOVE YOU.

Woman: WHERE'D YOU GET THE CAR WASH SHIRT, ANYWAY?

Mercer: MY FRIEND J.

I WENT TO HIS BAND PRACTICE.

Woman: YOU'RE NOT IN THE BAND?

Mercer: NO.

[ sighs] HEY, DO YOU EVER WONDER IF PEOPLE JUST START BANDS

TO MAKE THE REST OF US FEEL LIKE CRAP?

Woman: YEAH. WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

Mercer: RENO.

Woman: RENO DOESN'T SEEM LIKE YOUR KIND OF PLACE.

Mercer: HOW DO YOU KNOW?

Woman: I JUST KNOW.

Mercer: YEAH. YOU'RE RIGHT, I THINK.

[ doorbell rings ]

Woman: YOU'RE NOT GAMBLING?

Mercer: NO, I'M JUST LOOKING FOR SOMEONE.

HI, I'M SERGIO LEONE.

THAT'S NOT MY REAL NAME, OBVIOUSLY.

I'M HERE TO--I KNOW.

JUST COME ON IN, PLEASE.

MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE.

YOU CAN WAIT IN THE FAMILY ROOM.

[ indistinct female voices ]

DO YOU THINK THEY STARTED?DUDE, SHUT UP!

SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP!

DUDE, FUCK, SERIOUSLY.

YOUR FIRST TIME WITH THIS TOO?

PROBABLY, YES.

YOU SEEN THE MASKS YET?

M-MASKS?

DO YOU KNOW-- I MEAN, LIKE,

THEY TEST THEM AND EVERYTHING, RIGHT?DUDE, SHUT THE FUCK UP!

DO THEY LET YOU DO ANAL?

Sergio: ARLEN HAS NOT LIVED HERE

FOR A YEAR.

♪ [ classical music plays ]

BUT HONESTLY, PORNOGRAPHY WAS HIS IDEA.

GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE.

I HAD UNDERGONE THIS SPIRITUAL REBIRTH,

AND ARLEN SAID I SHOULD GET A CAMERA,

CAPTURE HUMAN CONNECTION,

AND JUST ACCEPT ITS REWARDS

AS THEY FLOW PAST,

JUST LIKE BEARS WITH SALMON.

HAVE YOU READ RUMI?

THE HUMAN RIVER, NEVER CEASING,

I AND THOU ARE ONE.

THAT'S WHEN I THOUGHT OF THE RUBBER MASKS.

YOU SEE, IF HE WEARS A MASK,

A MORE REGULAR BOY

WILL HAVE INTERCOURSE ON CAMERA.

WE PROTECT THEIR IDENTITIES.

WHAT IS IDENTITY, ANYWAY?

WHAT IS CONSCIOUSNESS?

CAN YOU HAND ME THAT DUCT TAPE, PLEASE?

JUST THROW IT OVER.

I'VE EVEN HAD REGULAR BOYS COME HERE TO LOSE THEIR VIRGINITY.

IT'S--IT'S EMPOWERING.

NO MASK FOR THE GIRLS, THOUGH.

WE NEED THE GRIMACE.

PAIN HAS ITS OWN ENERGY.

IT'S THE WAY OF THINGS.

I QUIT!LAUREL, YOU FUCKING BRAT, WE HAD A DEAL!

LAUREL!

ARLEN WOULD NEVER MAKE LOVE TO THESE YOUNG LADIES.

I DON'T KNOW WHY,

AND I HONOR THE MYSTERY.

YOU--YOU DON'T LOOK MEXICAN.

HE'S MY HALF-BROTHER.

I WAS SEEING THIS YOUNG LADY IN WEST SACRAMENTO.

HAL'S PETS WAS THE SHOP SHE RAN.

SHE WAS OLDER THAN HIM, TOO,

WHICH CAN BE A COMFORT.

IF YOU SEE ARLEN,

TELL HIM I WON'T BE PRESSING CHARGES.

I IMAGINE HE NEEDED THE MONEY MORE THAN I.

I WASN'T ANGRY. I WAS DISAPPOINTED.

BUT THIS IS AMERICA.

OUR AMERICAN RIVER.

THIS LENS SLOWS THE CURRENT.

THE AMERICAN EYE.

I HAVE TO GO AND HELP THAT YOUNG LADY RELAX.

WHAT GOOD IS IT

IF SHE CRIES BEFORE SHE GETS FUCKED?

[ footsteps thudding ]

MR. GORBACHEV, TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!

♪ [ classical music plays ]

♪ [ music crescendos ]

♪ [ music stops ]

Mercer: IT'S KIND OF DISAPPOINTING,

NEVER TO BE CHASED.

Woman: IS THIS NOW OFFICIALLY A CRIME SPREE?

Mercer: WELL, IF YOU KNEW WHAT THAT CAMERA WAS FOR,

I THINK YOU'D HAVE STOLEN IT TOO.

Woman: WHOSE WAS IT?

Mercer: IT'S A FRIEND OF MY BROTHER'S.

YOU SAW YOUR BROTHER?

I'M TRYING TO FIND HIM.

UM, I DON'T KNOW, THOUGH.

I MEAN, HE MAY NOT BE THE BEST GUY.

SOME OF THE THINGS I'VE HEARD

WOULD HAVE KILLED MY MOM, IF THAT WAS STILL POSSIBLE.

YOUR MOTHER...DIED?

YEAH.

UM, THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO TELL HIM.

I'M REALLY SORRY.

IS IT JUST YOU AND YOUR DAD?

MY DAD? NO, NO, I DON'T KNOW MY DAD.

WHO DO YOU STAY WITH NOW?

A FRENCH TEACHER I HAVE, WITH HIS FAMILY.

I MAKE THEM NERVOUS.

IF YOU DON'T WATCH ENOUGH TV, YOU MAKE PEOPLE NERVOUS.

[ Woman laughs]

[ water sloshing]

ARE YOU IN A SWIMMING POOL?

YEAH, SORT OF.

Mercer: HOW OLD ARE YOU?

Woman: HOW OLD AREYOU?

Mercer: I'M 19.

BUT YOU PROBABLY KNOW THAT.

I JUST--I SAW YOUR READING GLASSES.

YOU KNOW, THE KIND YOU SEE ON OLDER PEOPLE.

[ Woman laughs] I'M AN OLDER PERSON.

Mercer: WELL, I HOPE YOU DON'T MIND.

I KINDA USED YOUR GLASSES.

I SOMETIMES THINK I NEED GLASSES.

Woman: WHAT'S MINE IS YOURS.

TRY THE MACE.

[ Mercer laughs] OH, GOOD.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS AN ASTHMA INHALER.

I WAS WORRIED ABOUT YOU.

Woman: THAT'S NICE.

IT'S NICE TO HAVE SOMEONE WORRY ABOUT YOU.

BUT I'M OKAY, MERCER.

♪ [ Carolina by M. Ward plays ] ♪

AND I'M 24.

[ phone line clicks]

♪ BETTER WATCH YOUR SOUL

♪ IT'LL LEAVE YOU LIKE A HUNDRED BUCKS ♪

♪ MY FRIEND SAID STICK TO YOUR GUNS ♪

♪ BUT INSTEAD I JUST GOT STUCK ♪

♪ AND I'M WALKING BACKWARDS

♪ LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING DONE ♪

♪ BUT THAT AIN'T ENOUGH, NO, YOU WANT ME TO RUN ♪

Man: HEY, YO.♪ [ rock music playing ]

[ knock, knock, knock ]

Man: HEY, YO, BRING THE FOOD IN HERE, SON!

[ overlapping chatter ][ Joely coughing ]

HEY! HEY, MERCER.

THIS IS MY COUSIN BUDDY, AND THIS IS RID.

AHH![ laughter ]

WE'RE JUST CHILLING OUT, WAITING FOR YOU.

Rid: THIS KID'S GONNA TAKE US TO MOJAVE?

TAKE YOU TO WHAT?!

SO RID AND BUDDY ARE BUILDING THIS STOCK CAR

PRETTY MUCH FROM SCRATCH

IN THIS JUNKYARD IN THE MOJAVE

THAT RID'S FRIEND OWNS, AND SO IT'S BASICALLY FREE.

I MEAN, THEY'RE HIGHLY MOTIVATED.

THEY'RE REALLY GOOD GUYS.

BUT IT'S BASICALLY DONE.

AND I TOLD THEM

THAT MAYBE WE COULD GIVE 'EM A RIDE

TO MOJAVE TO PICK IT UP,

SINCE WE'RE ON A ROAD TRIP, AREN'T WE?

UM, YEAH.

IS MOJAVE NEAR SACRAMENTO?

ARLEN MIGHT BE IN WEST SACRAMENTO.

YEAH. NO, I MEAN-- IT'S FURTHER SOUTH.

I MEAN, AREN'T WE ON A ROAD TRIP?

DON'T YOU WANT TO TRY AGAIN?

WE SHOULD GET PACKING.

♪ [ Keep Me by the Black Keys plays ] ♪

Audiobook narrator: IT WAS THE BEST PART ABOUT THE WEST,

CARLSON HEARD THEM SAYING,

THAT YOU COULD KEEP SOME DISTANCE FROM PEOPLE.

YOU WERE FREER THAN YOU HAD BEEN.

IN THE WEST, YOU COULD LET THINGS LIE WHERE THEY FELL.

♪ KEEP ME CLEAN, KEEP ME WARM ♪

♪ KEEP MY SOUL AWAY FROM HARM ♪

♪ KEEP THE NIGHT

♪ KEEP THE DAY

♪ KEEP THE IN-BETWEEN AWAY

Rid: WHERE'D HE GET THIS CAMERA?

Joely: I DUNNO, IT'S HIS CAMERA.

DO YOU HAVE THAT TIGER BALM SHIT?

Rid: DOPE EFFECT. ALL THE CAMERAS HAVE THIS SHIT?

DO YOU HAVE THE TIGER BALM, BABY?

Rid: SOMEBODY SHOULD MAKE A WHOLE MOVIE WITH THIS EFFECT.

Joely: HEY, LET'S MAKE OUR OWN MOVIE LATER AT THE HOTEL.

WE'LL JUST TAKE THE CAMERA FROM HIM.

Rid: FUCK YEAH!

SHIT, DO THAT AGAIN.

THIS SHIT'S AWESOME.

LET'S GO INSIDE AND SEE WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF.

Joely: HEY, HOW'S YOUR, UH, YOUR MOM DOING?

SHE WAS ALWAYS A BIT WEIRD.

YEAH, MY MOM--

SHE'S GOOD.

SHE'S MAKING HER WALKABOUT.

HER WHAT?

SHE'S IN THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK RIGHT NOW.

SHE'S MAKING HER WALKABOUT.

WHAT'S A--

WHAT'S A WALKABOUT?

IT'S LIKE A BAR MITZVAH.

JEWISH?

Mercer: NO.

Kate: YOU'RE NOT RELIGIOUS AT ALL?

Mercer: MY MOM WAS RELIGIOUS.

I MEAN, SHE--

SHE WAS FROM POINTE COUPEE PARISH, LOUISIANA.

EVERYONE'S CATHOLIC DOWN THERE.

SHE WAS KIND OF A HIPPIE.

I MEAN, WITH ALL THESE BOYFRIENDS

AND HOW SHE HAD ME WHEN SHE WAS OLDER, LIKE 45.

BUT SHE WENT TO CHURCH EVERY WEEK AT ST. MARY'S.

Kate: DID SHE TALK ABOUT IT, AT THE END?

GOD OR ANYTHING?

Mercer: NO. IN THE END, SHE WAS UNCONSCIOUS.

AND ALL YOU CAN DO IS SWAB HER MOUTH WITH THESE LONG Q-TIPS.

I NEVER REALLY TOLD ANYBODY THIS.

A PERSON GETS CALCIUM DEPOSITS

ON THEIR TONGUE AND ON THEIR MOUTH

WHEN THEY'RE DYING,

AND THE NURSE JUST GIVES YOU THESE Q-TIPS

THAT YOU CAN SWAB THEM WITH,

LIKE SHE WOULD CARE ANYWAY.

I MEAN, IT'S PRETTY FUNNY...

BUT YOU DO IT.

I MEAN, WHAT ELSE ARE YOU GONNA DO?

I JUST-- IT SMELLS SO BAD, KATE.

I WOULDN'T EVEN TELL YOU.

YOU KNOW MY NAME.

YEAH. I FOUND YOUR GYM BAG.

UH, YOUR YMCA CARD.

YOU FOUND MY GYM BAG? WHERE WAS IT?

IT WAS IN THE BACK, WHERE THE SPARE SHOULD BE.

I'LL BRING IT BACK WITH EVERYTHING.

YOU CAN SHOW ME THE TRIP, NOW THAT YOU HAVE THE CAMERA.

YEAH, I GUESS I SHOULD FILM THINGS.

SCENERY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT...

IF YOU COULD MAKE A MOVIE,

IF IT COULD ALL BE A MOVIE,

WHAT MOVIE WOULD YOU MAKE, IF YOU COULD?

THIS FRENCH FILM I SAW, WHERE THEY END UP DANCING.

NOT FOR ANY GOOD REASON, PROBABLY JUST TO DANCE.

Kate: THERE WERE TWO OF THEM DANCING?

THREE.

[ staticky phonograph spinning ]

♪ [ ritzy jazz tune plays ]

SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT, ONE, TWO...

Kate: THAT SOUNDS ALL RIGHT.

SO, UM, I THINK YOU SHOULD MAKE A MOVIE WHERE PEOPLE DANCE.

♪ [ loud rock song plays ]

YEAH, I DON'T KNOW.

I, UH, I DON'T THINK PEOPLE LIKE THAT ANYMORE.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

JUST GOT SIDETRACKED HERE.

I'M GOING TO FIND MY BROTHER ARLEN.

Buddy: HEY!

HEY, YOU'RE NOT GONNA DO THAT, BUD!

I JUST GOT SIDETRACKED HERE.

NO!

HEY! HEY!

I'M GOING TO FIND MY BROTHER ARLEN!

WHAT ARE YOU--Rid: HEY!

GET OFF!HEY, WE GOTTA GO, MAN!

WOULD YOU GET HIM IN THE ROOM?

[ indistinct shouting ]

I HAVE TO FIND MY BROTHER ARLEN!GET IN THERE, FUCKER!

[ door slams ]

IT'S GONNA BE OKAY. YOUR MOM'LL COME BACK.

FROM AUSTRALIA?

I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE...

TO BE DIFFERENT.

[ door flying open ]

NO! GET IN HERE!

SHIT!

I'VE GOT TO FIND MY BROTHER!

IT'S OKAY.YOU CAN'T TAKE THE CAR!

IT'S NOT MY CAR!

WELL, WHOSE CARE IS IT?

IT'S MY GIRLFRIEND'S CAR.

YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND?

YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND?

MAN, FUCK YOU!

[ door slams shut ]

BABY, GO GET IN THE CAR.

YOU ARE SO FUCKING SELFISH.

[ door slams shut ]

DON'T DO IT, KID.

DON'T FUCK WITH BUDDY'S HEART.

HE'S REAL STRONG,

BUT NOT LIKE THAT.

DON'T TRY AND CONTACT HIM.

DON'T.

♪ [ Sweethearts on Parade by M. Ward plays ] ♪

Kate: DO YOU EVER FEEL LIKE YOU'RE KIND OF EARLY

OR LATE FOR EVERYTHING?

LIKE, MY MOM SAID THAT PEOPLE USED TO HUM

OR SING ALL THE TIME,

JUST 'CAUSE THEY WANTED TO.

I GUESS I KIND OF MISS THAT.

Mercer: YEAH.

I HAD TO, UM,

DROP OUT OF SCHOOL LAST YEAR

TO HELP MY MOM DIE.

MY FRIENDS ALL GRADUATED.

Kate: DO YOU KNOW THE IRISH LULLABY?

MY MOM USED TO SING IT FOR ME.

Mercer: NO.

HOW'S IT GO?[ phone beeps ]

SHIT! SHIT!

I THINK THE BATTERY'S DYING.

WELL, PLUG IT IN TO THE LIGHTER.

ARE YOU IN THE CAR?

KATE, UM, THERE'S SOMETHING I SHOULD PROBABLY TELL YOU.

YOU...HAVE A GIRLFRIEND?

NO! NO. UM.

IT'S JUST THAT I KINDA--

I GOT SIDETRACKED HERE

AND, UH--[ phone beeps ]

HEY.

HEY, KATE?

♪ OH, TWO BY TWO

♪ THEY GO MARCHING THROUGH

♪ OH, SWEETHEARTS ON PARADE

♪ AND HOW I CRIED

♪ AS THEY PASSED ME BY

♪ THOSE SWEETHEARTS ON PARADE ♪

Mercer: IT'S NOT FAR, YOU SAID?

MOJAVE.

Man: FIFTY MILES.

TELL YOU WHAT,

SOMEBODY TAKES MY RIDE,

I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY.

WHERE WERE YOU HEADING?

TO SEE MY BROTHER, ARLEN.

CLOSE TO HIM?

YES.

GOOD.

GET TO GOING ALONE SO FAR,

YOU FORGET THE PEOPLE YOU DID HAVE.

I'M A LIQUOR WHOLESALER.

YOU?

NO, I'M NOT.

I'M NOT EMPLOYED.

MEET A MAN WITH HIS CLOTHES HUNG ACROSS THE BACK SEAT,

HE CAN SAY TWO THINGS ABOUT BEING ALONE.

THE FIRST THING HE CAN SAY IS

IT COME TO NOTHING.

ALL THAT LONESOME COWPOKE SHIT,

FAKER THAN CHRISTMAS.

MY BLOOD HAS TURNED TO GASOLINE.

SECOND THING HE CAN SAY IS PROTECTION,

IF YOU DO HAVE TO BE ON THE ROAD.

ARLEN PROBABLY TAUGHT YOU ABOUT HANDGUNS.

GOING TO GET YOUR CAR.

PROBABLY COMING FROM THE INSIDE POCKET.

I MEAN, I MIGHT, AND...

I THINK WE'RE FAIRLY ALIKE.

I DON'T WANNA STEP ON WHAT ARLEN TAUGHT,

BUT I HAVE MY IDEAS ON PROTECTION...

AND WHAT GUNS HAVE LOST US AS A COUNTRY.

THIS IS PROTECTION!

THIS IS PROTECTION!

GENTLEMAN JIM CORBETT AND ONION BOY MILLS.

BARE-KNUCKLE FIGHTING.

PROTECTION YOU WERE BORN WITH.

NATURAL PROTECTION,

LIKE JESUS AND WHITE BLOOD CELLS.

KNOW WHAT WOULD MAKE ME PROUD AT MOJAVE?

IF YOU UNBUCKLE THAT BIBLE BELT

AND WHIP SOME OLD-FASHIONED ASS

BEFORE AMERICA FORGETS HOW.

KNOW WHO ELSE WOULD BE PROUD?

YOUR BROTHER.

♪ [ indistinct country song plays on radio] ♪

♪ GET READY TO SEE THE FACE OF JESUS ♪

♪ AND LET YOUR BURDENS BE LIFTED UP ♪

♪ WHEN WE TURN THIS SWITCH, BOY, YOU WON'T BE BREATHING ♪

♪ BUT JESUS IS GONNA TAKE YOU HOME ♪

Audiobook narrator: THERE WERE TIMES

CARLSON WISHED HE DIDN'T RIDE ALONE.

HE COULD USE ANOTHER SHOOTER.

CARLSON SWUNG FIRST, LIKE HIS DAD TAUGHT HIM,

AND RIGHT AT THE SHERIFF'S EAR.

SOMEONE HIT HIM FROM BEHIND, AND CARLSON STAGGERED,

BUT THAT WAS A BREAK.

AS CARLSON DOUBLED OVER, HE MISSED A HAYMAKER

AND CAME UP WITH HIS FOREARM.

[ gunshot ]

[ rapid gunshots ]

[ gunshots echoing, birds cawing ]

GIVE THE BOY BACK HIS HAT.

YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE A BROTHER, DO YOU?

NO AND YES.

NO ONE TAUGHT YOU HOW TO FIGHT?

SHOULDA TOLD ME.

I'D NEVER THROW A MAN TO THE LIONS

AND WATCH HIM LOSE HIS HAT.

I HAVE MY FIGHTING IDEAS, BUT...

YOU NEED TOOLS FOR LIVING.

CAN'T GIVE YOU THIS ONE,

OR I WOULD.

PARENTS GAVE ME IT ON MY CONFIRMATION.

GET YOURSELF A HUNTING KNIFE, MAN.

CAN'T NOBODY TAKE YOUR HAT.

♪♪

Mercer: DO YOU LIKE WESTERNS IN PARTICULAR?

Kate: YOU HEARD THE BOOK ON TAPE.

YEAH, THE MIDDLE PART. I'M ON TAPE TWO OF THREE.

YOU CAN HEAR THE REST WHEN YOU COME BACK.

OKAY.

I'VE BEEN HEAVILY PONDERING SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW.

[ overlapping conversation ]

I GUESS PEOPLE WOULD THINK THAT,

BUT WOULD YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW

WHAT YOUR DOG AND CAT WERE THINKING ABOUT?

[ Kate laughs]

YEAH, YOU DON'T WANT THAT POWER?

NO.

WHAT IF THEY WERE JUST AS DISAPPOINTING AS HUMANS,

AND THEY JUST THOUGHT ABOUT NOTHING,

AND THEY-- [ laughs ]

JUST THOUGHT ABOUT

WHERE THEY WERE GONNA GO TO COLLEGE

AND HAVING A BACK-UP SCHOOL?

I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH A SQUIRREL ONCE.

I WAS, UM, I WAS JUST WALKING ALONG

AND I SAW HIM. HE WAS JUST UP ON A BRANCH.

SO I SAID, "HEY, HOW'S IT GOING?"

AND HE SAID, "[ squeaking]"

[ Mercer laughs ]

AND SO I WAS LIKE, "ARE--DO YOU NEED ANYTHING?

WOULD YOU LIKE SOME JUICE OR SOME MILK?"

AND HE JUST SAID, "[ squeaking ]"

[ Kate whispering] What kind of ice cream do you like?

WHAT KIND OF ICE CREAM?

Yes, if you had to choose, like,

one flavor on the spot.

[ Mercer whispering ] I don't know if I have one.

I'm gonna let you think about that.

I'm gonna lie down now.

When do you get back?

Pretty soon, I think.

I'm finally done with Joely.

[ regular voice] WHO'S JOELY?

JOELY'S A GIRL?

NO.

BUT YES. I MEAN...

YES, SHE IS A GIRL,

BUT I MEAN, IT'S NOT LIKE THAT.

IT'S NOT LIKE ANY-- UH, I'M SORRY,

I SHOULDN'T HAVE--

SO I'M GOING TO WEST SACRAMENTO TOMORROW.

ARLEN KNOWS A GIRL UP THERE

WHO WORKS IN A STORE. HAL'S PETS.

I MEAN, NOT A GIRL.

SHE'S A WOMAN.

ARLEN'S LIKE ME. HE LIKES OLDER WOMEN.

HELLO?

HELLO?

♪♪

[ faint marching band music ]

Trumpeter: IS THERE ANYTHING-- I'M TRYING TO--

I'M GOING FOR THIS MANGIONE VIBE,

ARE YOU GUYS GETTING THAT?

HOLD ON.

UH, WE DON'T HAVE A PUBLIC BATHROOM, HONEY. TRY WINCHELL'S.

OH, NO.

I'M LOOKING FOR ARLEN WHITE.

OH, FUCK ME.

THERE GOES SCOTT.

Woman: MUST HAVE HEARD ARLEN'S NAME AND FIGURED COPS,

WHICH IS HOW IT IS WHEN YOU'RE ON PAROLE.

BELIEVE ME.

SCOTT'S A LITTLE GIRL ANYWAY.

HEY, CAN YOU SING?

SO ARLEN'S NOT HERE?FUCK NO!

ARLEN LEFT AFTER WE ALL GOT ARRESTED.

HI.

WELCOME TO HAL'S PETS.

UH, THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF TROUBLE WITH SOME--

COUPLE, A FEW CHECKS THAT WERE WRITTEN

OUTSIDE THE STRICT LETTER OF LAW,

AND, UH, SOME OF US WERE ALREADY ON PROBATION

AND, UH--YOU WANT THE REST?

NO.

BREAKFAST. IMPORTANT.

OKAY, WELL, ANYWAY, ARLEN GOT NERVOUS AND HE WENT TO L.A.

THAT'S THE NUMBER THAT HE GAVE ME,

BUT I HAD ALREADY PRETTY MUCH LET HIM GO BY THAT POINT ANYWAY,

BECAUSE HE'S SO TRADITIONAL, ARLEN IS.

I MEAN, HE'S SO INTO THIS "ONE MAN, ONE WOMAN" THING.

AND I WAS LIKE, "YO, JESSE FUCKING HELMS!

HANDS OFF MY BODY!" CHOICE IS CHOICE, RIGHT?

RIGHT.RIGHT?

SERIOUSLY THOUGH, HONEY, CAN YOU SING?

SO IF ARLEN'S IN L.A., THEN--BECAUSE HERE'S THE DEAL.

THE TERMS OF OUR PROBATION

ARE WE DO THIS COMMUNITY OUTREACH

CHRISTIAN SONG AND STORY HORSESHIT

FOR THESE DAYCARE PLACES,

AND YOU JUST CHASED OFF OUR LEAD SINGER.

OH, SO YOU WANT ME TO BE IN YOUR BAND?

NO, IT'S NOT A BAND.

YEAH.

WE WANT YOU TO BE IN THE BAND.

DO YOU KNOW HYMNS?

I KNOW SOME, YEAH.

WAIT A MINUTE, THOUGH, YOU'RE NOT...

SUPER-CREEPY RELIGIOUS KID, ARE YOU,

BECAUSE--YOU KNOW WHAT, DOESN'T MATTER, NEVER MIND.

BEGGARS AND CHOOSERS, ALL THAT.

DOUG'LL GET YOU A JACKET.

WHAT ARE YOU, A 40, RIGHT?

LAST CHANCE.

NO, THANKS.

OKAY.

WHAT?

I'VE NEVER BEEN IN A BAND BEFORE.

IT'S NOT A BAND.

IT'S 140 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE.

♪ NEED TO BRING YOUR LOVE DOWN FARTHER ♪

Accordionist: ♪ ...AT THE SERVICE STATION

♪ WON'T YOU GIVE FULL SERVICE TO ME? ♪

♪ HERE COMES MY NOZZLE

♪ GIMME THE KEY TO YOUR TANK

♪ ROCK AND ROLL...

♪ ANGEL, DON'T FALL AWAY

♪ WANNA FALL...

♪ YOUR DADDY'S GONE, I'M COMING OVER ♪

♪ ANGEL, BRING YOUR LOVE DOWN FATHER ♪

♪ OHH...

♪ [ A Mighty Fortress Is Our God] ♪

♪ SHOULD THREATEN TO UNDO US ♪

♪ WE WILL NOT FEAR, FOR GOD HATH WILLED ♪

♪ HIS TRUTH TO TRIUMPH THROUGH US ♪

WOW, THAT WAS-- THAT WAS GREAT.

YEAH. UM...

CAN YOU GIVE ME THAT JACKET AND THE DRUM?

GUYS?

YEAH. WHAT ARE WE DOING?

UM, GUYS.

THIS PART'S NOT FOR YOU, HONEY.

WE'RE GOING IN THERE TO, UM--

IT'S A BAND THING, YOU KNOW,

BUT YOU WERE GREAT OUT THERE.

IT WAS GREAT.

GIVING THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT.

GOD.

STRING CHEESE.

YOU'RE CLUTCH, YOU KNOW, WHO ARE YOU?

YOU'RE LIKE MY LITTLE PINCH HITTER,

BUT THIS ISN'T FOR YOU.

LISTEN, THOUGH, LISTEN TO ME.

TELL ARLEN...

YOU TELL ARLEN

THAT I'M STILL PRAYING FOR HIM.

HEY!

HEY, THAT'S-- THAT'S MY CAR!

IS IT? IS IT YOUR CAR?!

HOW DID YOU KNOW WHERE I--

YOU SAID HAL'S PETS IN WEST SACRAMENTO, JACKASS.

NOW GIVE ME THE KEYS TO THE DOOR.

I HAVE THE KEYS TO THE IGNITION.

I'M SO SORRY.GIVE ME THE KEYS.

KATE, I'M SO SORRY ABOUT THAT GIRL JOELY.

I DON'T CARE ABOUT HER!

I JUST-- I JUST WANT MY CAR BACK.

FUCKING THIEF, GIVE ME THE KEYS.

GIVE ME MY FUCKING KEYS.

NOTHING REALLY HAPPENED.

IT, UH...

IT WAS GONNA BE MY FIRST TIME.

YOU LIED TO ME, AND...

I JUST--

I THOUGHT WE KNEW EACH OTHER,

AND DOESN'T ANYONE

KNOW ANYBODY AT ALL?

♪ [ I'll Be Yr Bird by M. Ward plays ] ♪

I STINK.

LIKE B.O.

NO YOU DON'T.

WE TALKED ABOUT LYING JUST NOW.

OKAY, YOU DO STINK. I NOTICED.

YOU'RE A JERK, JERK, JERK.

OWW!

BUT I LIKE THE SOUND OF YOUR VOICE.

♪ I'M NOT YOUR DJ ON LATE NIGHT RADIO ♪

♪ I'LL BE THE FIRST ONE TO ASK WHERE YOU WERE ♪

♪ I'LL BE YOUR BIRD

Mercer: IS THIS PERSON A NOTED EXPLORER?

[ Kate laughs ]

HOLY HELL, YOU'RE BAD AT THIS GAME.

FIFTEEN QUESTIONS IN,

AND YOU HAVEN'T ASKED ME IF IT'S A MAN OR A WOMAN YET.

I HAVE MY WAYS.

THEY MAY NOT BE THE WAYS OF YOUR PEOPLE.

NO, HE'S NOT A NOTED EXPLORER.

YOU SUCKERED ME.

WHAT?

Mercer: IT'S THE MACHINE AGAIN.

HI, THIS--THIS MESSAGE IS FOR ARLEN.

UM, THIS IS HIS BROTHER, I GUESS.

I-I LEFT YOU-- I CALLED YOU BEFORE

AND LEFT YOU THE CELL PHONE NUMBER.

UM...

IF YOU COULD JUST TELL HIM TO CALL ME--

THANKS.

THAT'S GOOD.

♪ I'LL TELL YOUR DAD ANYTHING THAT YOU WANT ME TO ♪

♪ I'LL HIDE YOUR LOCKET UNDER THE DIRT ♪

♪ I'LL BE YOUR BIRD

♪ I'LL HIDE YOUR LOCKET UNDER THE DIRT ♪

Mercer: WHAT IS--

THAT THING LOOKS HORRIBLE.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT IS.

IT'S JUST A BIG MAC WITHOUT THE BEEF PATTIES.

CAN I TRY IT?

I'M GETTING A DIVORCE.

WE WERE REALLY YOUNG,

AND THEN PEOPLE LIE TO YOU

AND MESS AROUND.

WHEN HE WAS GOING TO U OF O,

I WAS WORKING AS A COOK.

THAT PLACE AURELIA.

IT'S THE RESTAURANT

THAT'S, LIKE, CONNECTED TO THE HUMBLE BAGEL.

YEAH, I USED TO GO TO HUMBLE BAGEL

ALL THE TIME AFTER SCHOOL.

I KNOW. I SAW YOU.

SO WHEN I STOLE THAT CAR,

YOU RECOGNIZED ME?

YEAH.

BUT THAT'S NOT THE WHOLE STORY.

THERE'S SOMETHING THAT I CAN'T TELL YOU RIGHT NOW.

KATE, YOU'RE NOT--

YOU'RE-YOU'RE OKAY, RIGHT?

YOU'RE NOT, LIKE...

SICK OR DYING OR ANYTHING?

NO! NO.

NO, I'M FINE.

I USED TO RIDE MY BIKE

DOWN THE TRAILS AT AMAZON TO WORK EVERY DAY.

AND I LOVE COOKING.

I WOULD WORK FROM 1 TO 12

WITH ALL THESE FREAKY GUYS, THESE CRIMINAL GUYS,

AND I HAD, UM...

TENDONITIS,

AND I SMELLED LIKE OLD BUTTER.

AND I WAS REALLY GOOD AT IT, TOO.

AND MY HANDS...

ARE LIKE STEEL.

YOU COULD BURN 'EM LIKE IT'S NOTHING.

ALL THOSE KNIVES AND BLOOD.

IT'S LIKE I DIDN'T HAVE A BRAIN.

IN THE KITCHEN, YOU JUST HAVE, LIKE,

THIS ONE BRAIN.

IT WAS REALLY NICE.

Mercer: IT WAS THE DREAM I HAD THAT NIGHT.

YOU MIGHT HAVE HAD IT, TOO.

IT COULD'VE PASSED THROUGH OUR FEET.

♪ [ Outta My Head by M. Ward plays ] ♪

♪ WELL, YOU BROUGHT ME FROM THE COLD BAY ♪

♪ FOR TO SHARPEN UP YOUR NIGHTS ♪

♪ AND THEN OFF WITH MY HEAD, OFF WITH MY HEAD, OH MY ♪

♪ ONCE YOU TAUGHT ME HOW TO CRAWL ♪

♪ AND YOU TAUGHT ME HOW TO CRY ♪

♪ AND THEN OFF WITH MY HEAD, OFF WITH MY HEAD, OH MY ♪

♪ AM I OUTTA MY HEAD

♪ AM I OUTTA MY HEAD, MY LOVE ♪

♪ AM I OUTTA MY HEAD OR IS THIS GOOD-BYE? ♪

♪ AM I OUTTA MY HEAD OR IS THIS GOOD-BYE? ♪

[ distorted audio ]

[ shower running ]

[ Kate whistling ]

[ Kate singing indistinctly ]

♪ [ Not A Gang by M. Ward plays ] ♪

Audiobook narrator: CARLSON LEFT BRANDS ALMOST BEFORE HE'D GOTTEN THERE.

BACK TO THE BROKEN T.

RIGGS NEVER UNDERSTOOD WHY CARLSON STAYED ALONE,

BUT RIGGS HADN'T LOST ANYONE BEFORE

AND STILL HAD A HOPEFUL DISPOSITION.

FOR CARLSON, LEAVING WAS A SHORTCUT AND A SHIELD.

THE MORE YOU LEAVE, THE LESS YOU LOSE.

♪ [ Not A Gang by M. Ward plays ] ♪

♪♪

♪♪

HI, HI, I'M CALLING FOR ARLEN. THIS IS--

[ woman on phone speaking Spanish]

NO, ARLEN.

COULD--NO, COULD YOU JUST PLEASE, UM--

UH, NO ENGLISH?

IS HE THERE?

[ woman on phone speaking Spanish]

Clerk: IT'S RINGING.

OKAY, SO, UM,

SHE SEEMED PRETTY UPSET.

I DON'T KNOW. [ clears throat ]

COULD YOU JUST BE POLITE?

[ woman on phone speaking Spanish]

HE ISN'T THERE.

SHE SAYS HE SPLIT WITH...

HER OLDER SISTER, DAMN.

WAIT, SHE SAYS HE LIKES TO FUCK OLDER CHICKS.

NO, SERIOUSLY MAN, I JUST NEED YOUR HELP.

JUST TRY AND BE NICE.

I TOTALLY GOT HER!

SHE SAYS I GOT NO DICK AT ALL.

I DIG THIS GIRL.

PLEASE.

OKAY, OKAY, OKAY.

HOTEL LAS ROSAS.

THE SISTER ARLEN SPLIT WITH,

SHE DOES AROMATHERAPY AT A HOTEL.

WHERE?

ENSENADA.

ENSENADA, MEXICO?!

[ clerk speaking Spanish ]

MEXICO. JESUS.

HEY, DO YOU KNOW WHERE I CAN SELL A CAMERA?

NOW?

JUST PASS MacARTHUR PARK.

SOME GUYS BY BEST LIQUOR, THEY'RE OKAY.

YOU NEED SOMETHING ELSE?

BECAUSE I CALL THIS CHICK BACK SOON,

I'M HIP-DEEP BY 10:00.

NO OFFENSE TO YOUR BROTHER.

♪ [ Fuel for Fire by M. Ward plays ] ♪

Kate: WHO'S THAT?

Mercer: SOMEONE ELSE WHO USED THE CAMERA.

Kate: YOU'RE SELLING IT?

Mercer: YEAH.

HEY, ARE WE TALKING RIGHT NOW?

Kate: NOT REALLY. IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO SAY?

Mercer: NO, I JUST THOUGHT--

I THOUGHT MAYBE WE COULD PLAY 20 QUESTIONS.

♪ GOT .45s TO PLAY AT NIGHT

♪ GOT BOOKS TO SPEND WITH EVERY WEEKEND ♪

♪ THE STORY'S ALWAYS THE SAME ♪

♪ GOT LONESOME FUEL FOR FIRE

♪ FUEL FOR FIRE, UNCOMFORTABLE PAUSES ♪

♪ BETWEEN FAMOUS LAST WORDS

♪ FUEL FOR FIRE, MISSING PERSONS ♪

♪ IN A SMALL, SMALL WORLD

HEY KID, YOU CAN'T COME IN HERE,

OKAY, THIS IS A NICE HOTEL.

JUST GO.

ARLEN?

WHAT?

NO, NO.

NO, I--

HOW THE FUCK YOU FIND ME?

I DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY.

NO, I DIDN'T--

LOOK, ARLEN, I AM NOT HERE FOR MONEY.

I JUST HAVE--

DID MOM SEND YOU DOWN HERE TO GET ME TO HELP YOU?ARLEN--

WHAT, TO PUT YOU UP?

HAS THE BITCH GONE CRAZY?

WHERE THE FUCK WERE YOU?!

[ valet speaking in Spanish ]

NO!

[ valet speaking Spanish ]NO!

SHE DIDN'T TAKE CARE OF ME,

SO WHY SHOULD I TAKE CARE OF YOU?!

Valet: YOU DON'T WANT YOUR HAT, COWBOY?

HEY, COWBOY!

YOUR HAT!

COWBOY!

[ children calling out ]

Mercer: HIT IT, KID!

H-HIT IT!

HIT IT!

[ muttering ] Oh, it's all right...

HIT IT!

I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY.

I'LL GO.

♪ [ Spanish song plays on radio] ♪

CAN I...?

[ distorted audio ][ gasps ]

Valet: COWBOY!Joely: SO FUCKING SELFISH.

[ distorted audio ]Valet: COWBOY!

Kate: IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO SAY?[ Mercer gasps ]

[ bang, bang ]

Liquor salesman: THIS IS...Joely: FRUCTOSE!

[ footsteps approaching ]

MERCER!

NO! I'LL CUT YOU!Kate: OH, OH!

YOU OKAY?

[ voice breaking ] YOU FOUND ME.

YEAH. THE NUMBER WAS STILL ON THE PHONE.

THAT GIRL TOLD ME WHERE YOU MIGHT BE.

I MEAN...

I THOUGHT WE WERE TRAVELING TOGETHER.

JESUS, WHAT'S IN THIS THING?

BOOKS AND, UH...

BOOKS AND ASHES.

Kate: YOU WANNA SCATTER THEM HERE?

Mercer: NO. [ inhales deeply ]

LOUISIANA.

MY TWO COUSINS THAT I STILL HAVE THERE AT POINTE COUPEE PARISH...

AND MY MOM'S SISTER.

I SORT OF THOUGHT

THAT IF I FOUND ARLEN,

MAYBE HE'D COME WITH ME THERE,

BUT...

IT...

[ laughs ]WHAT?

IT WASN'T ONLY BECAUSE I RECOGNIZED YOU.

I-I LET YOU TAKE MY CAR

BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT YOU MIGHT BE A SIGN.

'CAUSE...

I DIDN'T JUST USED TO SEE YOU

IN THE RESTAURANT...

I LIKED YOU.

AND... [ laughs ]

AND I HAD A-- I HAD A--THIS--

I HAD A FANTASY ABOUT YOU.

THAT WE WOULD SHARE AN ICE CREAM CONE.

WE'D ORDER A DOUBLE SCOOP OF MINT OREO AND COFFEE,

AND WE WOULD SIT AT TUGMAN AND JUST...

SHARE AN ICE CREAM CONE.

THAT'S IT? THAT'S THE WHOLE--

NO, IT WASN'T--OKAY! GOD, IT WASN'T THE WHOLE FANTASY.

BUT THEN, WHEN I SAW YOU AT THE CAR WASH,

OKAY, AND I SAW YOU SITTING IN MY CAR,

YOU JUST LOOKED LIKE YOU FIT THERE.

AND I JUST--

JUST WANTED TO GO DRIVING WITH YOU

TO THE DAIRY MART,

OR JUST DO ERRANDS, YOU KNOW?

JUST DO ERRANDS WITH SOMEONE.

KATE,

DO YOU WANNA GO TO LOUISIANA WITH ME?

IT'S MY CAR.

I KNOW.

BUT I MEAN, IF IT WASN'T.

WHAT, UH,

WHAT DID--WHAT DID I DO?

I JUST HAVE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM.

YOU BETTER GET UNDRESSED.

IT'S FILLMORE, FILLMORE, YOU BASTARD.

PIERCE, BUCHANAN,

LINCOLN, ASSASSINATION, EMANCIPATION.

[ whispering ] GRANT, HAYES, GARFIELD, ARTHUR,

[ Kate laughs ]

WHAT?

♪ [ Carolina by M. Ward plays ]♪

♪ BETTER WATCH YOUR SOUL

♪ IT'LL LEAVE YOU LIKE A HUNDRED BUCKS ♪

♪ MY FRIEND SAID STICK TO YOUR GUNS ♪

♪ BUT INSTEAD I JUST GOT STUCK ♪

Arlen: WHAT KIND WAS IT?

IT WENT TO HER LIVER,

BUT IT STARTED OUT-- IT WAS LUNG CANCER.

YOU FUCKING WITH ME?

NO.

IT'S BEEN EIGHT AND A HALF MONTHS,

LIKE NINE--NINE MONTHS.

JESUS.

YEAH.

I'M SORRY, YOU KNOW.

EVERYTHING I SAID, I DIDN'T MEAN, YOU KNOW?

I'M JUST SORRY I WAS ACTING LIKE A DICK.

IT'S JUST FUNNY,

THE THINGS THAT YOU DON'T LET GO OF, YOU KNOW?

HEY, HAVE YOU, UM,

HAVE YOU EVER HAD A FRIEND WHO STARTED A BAND AND--

I DON'T KNOW, I MEAN, HE USED TO BE YOUR FRIEND,

BUT THEN, YOU KNOW, HE STARTED A BAND AND YOU'RE NOT IN IT?

YEAH, I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE IN A BAND. YEAH.

MY FRIEND BILLY KLEINSESSER,

HE WAS STARTING A BAND SENIOR YEAR

AND IF I COULD JUST-- IF I COULD JUST

HALFWAY LEARN TO PLAY THE DRUMS, I COULD BE IN IT.

AND I TOLD MOM, AND SHE'D JUST HAD YOU

AND SHE WAS WITH HER BOYFRIEND.

YOUR DAD, WHAT'S HIS NAME?

TED SOMETHING.

WELL, OLD FUCKER TED,

HE SAID THERE WAS GONNA BE TOO MUCH NOISE FOR THE BABY.

THAT'S BULLSHIT, BECAUSE BABIES ARE COOL WITH ANYTHING.

THAT WAS JUST FOR HIM, YOU KNOW.

HE DIDN'T EVEN LIVE THERE, BUT MOM WENT ALONG WITH IT.

IT WASN'T THAT.

THAT WASN'T IT.

I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW.

I MEAN, SHE JUST WANTED TO TRY HARDER THEN, YOU KNOW, WITH YOU.

YOU WERE THE DO-OVER.

YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY'S ALWAYS TRYING TO MAKE A BAND

AND THE REST OF US FEEL LIKE SHIT.

I GOTTA GET BACK TO THE DESK.

HEY, UM...

I HAVE MOM'S ASHES.

NO, NO, NO, DUDE.

PLEASE DO NOT DUMP THAT SHIT HERE.

PLEASE. I WILL LOSE MY FUCKING JOB.

NO, NO.

I'M TAKING THEM.

ME AND KATE ARE GONNA TAKE THEM

BACK TO POINTE COUPEE PARISH.

I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF YOU WANTED TO COME.

NO, NO.

NO, BUT SERIOUSLY,

JUST LET ME KNOW, YOU KNOW.

I'LL COMP YOU PAY-PER-VIEW OR SOMETHING.

Arlen: HEY.

JUST WATCH YOURSELF IN LOUISIANA.

IT'S LIKE A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY.

ALL RIGHT.

♪ USED TO FEEL LIKE CALIFORNIA ♪

♪ WITH BABY, EYES SO BLUE

♪ NOW I FEEL LIKE CAROLINA

♪ SPLIT MYSELF IN TWO

OKAY, I GOT ONE.

IS THIS PERSON ALIVE?

IS HE, UM...

IS HE A MAN?

♪ [ When I Get To The Border by M. Ward, Zooey Deschanel plays ] ♪

♪ DIRTY PEOPLE TAKE WHAT'S MINE ♪

♪ I CAN LEAVE THEM ALL BEHIND ♪

♪ THEY CAN NEVER CROSS THAT LINE ♪

♪ WHEN I GET TO THE BORDER

♪ SAWBONES STANDING AT THE DOOR ♪

♪ WAITING TILL I HIT THE FLOOR ♪

♪ HE WON'T FIND ME ANYMORE ♪

♪ WHEN I GET TO THE BORDER

♪ MONDAY MORNING, MONDAY MORNING ♪

♪ CLOSING IN ON ME

♪ I'M PACKING UP AND RUNNING AWAY ♪

♪ TO WHERE NOBODY TAKES ON ME ♪

♪ IF YOU SEE A BOX OF PINE

♪ WITH A NAME THAT LOOKS LIKE MINE ♪

♪ JUST SAY I DROWNED IN A BARREL OF WINE ♪

♪ WHEN I GOT TO THE BORDER

♪ WHEN I GOT TO THE BORDER

♪ ONE WAY TICKET'S IN MY HAND ♪

♪ HEADING FOR THE CHOSEN LAND ♪

♪ MY TROUBLES WILL ALL TURN TO SAND ♪

♪ WHEN I GET TO THE BORDER

♪ SALTY GIRL WITH YELLOW HAIR ♪

♪ WAITING IN THAT ROCKING CHAIR ♪

♪ AND IF I'M WEARY I WON'T CARE ♪

♪ WHEN I GET TO THE BORDER

♪ MONDAY MORNING, MONDAY MORNING ♪

♪ CLOSING IN ON ME

♪ I'M PACKING UP AND I'M RUNNING AWAY ♪

♪ TO WHERE NOBODY TAKES ON ME ♪

♪ DUSTY ROAD WILL SMELL SO SWEET ♪

♪ PAVED WITH GOLD BENEATH MY FEET ♪

♪ AND I'LL BE DANCING DOWN THE STREET ♪

♪ WHEN I GET TO THE BORDER

♪ WHEN I GET TO THE BORDER