Original subtitles

No,

no, it's not all.

Where were you between seven and eight?

Objection calls for hearsay. I knew it. Here's the objection here.

We're talking about murder.

That's murder.

You are incapable of sticking to the facts and

refraining from the courtroom.

Mr. Burks, you had that appointment at 5, so they're just going to meet us at

the restaurant if that's okay.

All right, fine.

I have an appointment at 5 tonight? Friday night. Oh.

I got a new client. I promised I'd meet him at Stumpy Point, but we adjourned

here. You're not going to drive all the way to Stumpy Point this afternoon.

It's just Stumpy Point.

It's only 9 o 'clock in the morning, and you can't even open your mouth without

yawning.

Has it occurred to you that you might be spreading yourself a little thin these

days? Well, it's just against my nature to turn down work, you know.

You're cutting it a little close, Uncle Ben. Huh?

This isn't a business deal that can go sour a bit. I can't afford to lose here.

Oh, Frank, I've been doing this so long, I got down to the science.

Take me exactly 20 minutes to drive my house to the parking lot, two minutes to

walk from the parking lot to the courtroom, nine seconds to organize my

All right.

And about two seconds longer to get to my feet than it used to.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

No more questions, Mr. Matlock. Thank you, Your Honor.

Lieutenant, were you able to find... anybody who saw Mr.

Englewood leave the bakery that day.

Who? My client, Mr. Englewood.

You mean Mr. Mitchell.

Yeah,

yeah, Mr. Mitchell. What did I say?

Englewood. No, I meant Mr. Mitchell.

In answer to your question, no.

We didn't find anyone who saw him leave the bakery.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

Remember me?

Frank Mitchell?

Yeah, I opened my mouth.

Say your name and another client's name popped out.

Try not to lose interest in my case, will you?

Officer Tidyman, will you please tell the court what you found when you

the defendant's garage?

Objection. The warrant Officer Tidyman had when he searched my client's garage

was invalid.

It was issued without probable cause.

Anything seized in that search is therefore inadmissible. But Officer

didn't know that. He believed the warrant was valid.

The warrant was invalid.

Who cares what Officer Tideman believed?

Well, the United States Supreme Court does.

According to the United States v.

Leon, good faith belief justifies the search, whether the warrant is valid or

not. The United States.

Versus who?

Leon.

When did this happen?

Late last year.

Objection overruled. The gun seized by Officer Tidyman will be admitted into

evidence.

What is going on, Ben?

Oh, I got overruled.

It's not the end of the world.

We gotta talk.

Things will look better once we start presenting our case. I guarantee it. You

just have to hang on.

Ben.

This isn't working, Ben.

Frank, Frank, you're overreacting.

I'm replacing you, Ben.

I'm sorry, but I need an attorney I have more confidence in.

I'm hiring Edwin McClure.

Edwin McClure, the man who wins one little case and writes a book. You can't

serious. I like his approach, and I like him.

I feel like I can relate to him better than I can to you.

Relate?

McClure and I are the same generation. We think alike.

Edwin McClure is dynamic, and on top of it, I want him representing my case.

Huh?

It's your choice.

I'll ask for a recess and speak to Mr. McClure.

Thanks, Ben.

Ben, and again, I'm sorry.

You're withdrawing from the case?

That's right, Your Honor, and turning it over to Mr. McClure here.

But why?

Well, personal reasons.

I've decided to retire from the practice of law.

What? You have?

Well, it had to come sometime, and it just turned out that this was a

good time.

Well, this comes as quite a shock.

I guess if anybody deserves a rest, you do.

Good luck, Ben.

You'll be missed.

Defense's motion is granted.

Softly and tenderly Jesus is

calling, calling for you and for

me.

He by the portals is watching

and waiting, waiting for you.

What's up?

See you shining your shoes there. Oh, yeah.

A man can't take too much pride in his feet.

What's up with you?

What's up with us?

Yeah. Well, Julie just called and said you'd retired.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, well, yeah.

Just like that, without any warning, you retired.

That's right.

But because... Frank Mitchell fired you? You retired?

Oh, no, no, no, no, no. I just figured it was time.

Ben.

Is there something you haven't told us?

Like what?

Like, are you sick?

No, no, no, no. I just figured it was time.

And I'm leaving the office and the practice to you.

There'll be morning up work for both of you for a long time. I'm going down

tonight and get my stuff.

Tonight? Yeah. You know, files and stuff.

Look at that boot.

I was waiting for you at your house. I was starting to get worried.

Oh, I'm sorry. I just thought I'd come over here tonight and pack up some of

this stuff.

Oh, leave it here.

I'm sure Conrad and Michelle won't mind.

Oh, no. They can use the space.

See?

I

couldn't

remember my client's name.

Oh, that was just a flip of the tongue. It happens to everybody.

Yeah, I guess.

I didn't know about that Supreme Court ruling.

Well, sometimes I don't know. Those rulings come down so fast.

Yeah, I guess.

You've just been working too hard, that's all.

You've got too many cases. You're tired.

Yeah.

Yeah, maybe.

Or... Are you going to say I'm not tired, I'm old?

No, I wasn't going to say that.

Of course I am.

I mean, not much, but some.

Hey, are we still on for Friday?

Or are you too ancient to take a lady to dinner?

Oh, I'll pick you up at six.

You'll recognize me. I'll be wearing a gray suit.

Morning, Mrs. McArdle.

Top of the morning to you, Mr. Matlock.

Or bottom, now that I look at my watch.

Well, will you be having breakfast or lunch?

Surprise me.

Is this what you're going to be doing now?

Spending half the day in bed?

Maybe.

Well, that's what my Grandpa Aloysius did when he retired.

Go to bed at midnight, wake up at noon, day in, day out.

Sounds like the life.

Well, he was dead in two years, of course. I mean, the body can only stand

much inactivity.

And then there was my second cousin, Paul, the retired policeman.

He shot his wife and the family dog in a fit of rage and then turned the gun on

himself.

Everyone survived.

He was a terrible shot.

It sounds like retirement in your family is a pretty dangerous fact.

I won't even begin to tell you what Uncle Bernard did when he retired.

I don't think I've ever heard you speak of an Uncle Bernard.

That's because now we have to call him Aunt Bernice.

I still can't believe it.

Me either. I guess we'll have to.

It's not like he doesn't deserve to retire.

Yeah. Never thought about it, but I guess we all have to retire someday.

I'm going to miss him.

Well, I'm going to see him.

Oh, we're all going to see him.

It won't be the same.

You know what?

Let's give him a retirement party.

Surprise retirement party. Yeah. Yeah.

What about Friday?

Perfect. He's taking me to LaBelle's at 6. This is great. You know what? This is

going to knock his head off. It'll be fun.

We've got to get lots of people. And let's have something to eat besides hot

dogs. Anything but hot dogs. I've never known what Ben sees in them.

That's right, 6 o 'clock at LaBelle's.

Okay, I'll see you there. Sorry I'm late.

Look at all the decorations.

I kind of got carried away.

In fact, it might be a good idea if you and Ben didn't show up until 6 .30, give

us a chance to set everything up.

I'll give him a call.

How many people have you told?

Fifty, and almost all of them are coming.

He's not home.

I sure hope he's not on his way over here.

Me too.

Want to do that?

Yes.

I'm calling my house. Maybe he left me a message.

You guys, that's beautiful.

Julie, it's Ben.

Listen, I'm not going to be able to make dinner tonight.

My neighbor's mad at me, and I kind of need some time to myself. So I'm just

going to leave town and do a little fishing, okay?

I'll call you when I get back.

And I'll take you to whatever restaurant you want to go to then.

Car trouble?

Si. Blown head gasket.

Oh.

Where are you headed?

Oak Creek.

It's just up the road.

I have a map.

Si. Oh.

Where did you get this?

Mr. Jones sent it to me.

He's my new boss.

It was a big farm by Oak Creek.

Oh, you got a new job.

I have a job before a mobile.

This one is better.

More dinero.

Oh.

What do you do?

Mechanic. I fix farm machines.

Tractors, combines, harrow beds.

I meet Mr. Jones in a tractor shop in Mobile.

He see I do good work. Promise to pay me double.

But this is big problem.

Yeah.

Well, I tell you what.

Get your stuff and I'll give you a lift.

You're a very nice man.

Oak Creek.

Here, I'll help you.

You leaving Oak Creek?

Atlanta.

They have farms there?

Well, no.

No, not right in town.

I tell you what they do have, though.

Lawyers.

That's what I was.

Lawyer. Retired.

Now you fish?

Yeah. Been metal.

I'm Ramon Alonso Comaneres Lomas.

Ramon. Ramon.

You like to fish?

I'm going to learn to like it.

You have time to do now what you want to do. Now what you have to do.

You're a lucky man.

Well, you're young, got your life ahead of you, got a brand new job.

You're the lucky one, Ramon.

Where'd you learn about all this farm equipment?

Back home in El Salvador.

My family is still there.

Here is my mother, my two sisters, and my brothers.

You're the oldest.

Si. I send all my money to them.

Someday they live here too.

Fashion your seatbelt.

Fill her up? Yeah. I come back for my things. Okay.

Nice day.

Elbow aches.

Gonna rain.

Oh, whereabouts is the, uh... Okay, thanks.

Hi. My truck broke down on the road.

I need for someone to bring it here.

So you need a toe.

Si.

Name.

Spell it.

Slowly.

C -O... You got it

on that rack.

Ammonia. Smells off.

Don't streak.

Don't run.

Cheaper than dirt.

Cleans my fingernails.

1455. Everything is taken care of.

You don't want me to drive you to the farm?

I called Mr. Jones.

He says go to his office above the hardware store and he'll drive me.

Adios y gracias, señor Matlock.

You're a kind man.

It was a pleasure, Ramon.

Gracias. Good luck to you. Bye. Bye -bye.

Oh, thanks.

Did you check my oil?

Didn't ask me to.

No, I guess I did.

Mr. Jones?

Yes.

My name's Ben Matlock. I just gave a young man, Ramon Comineres, a ride into

town. Oh, yeah.

He told me about you.

Sit down. Oh, hey.

Hey, is he still here?

No, my foreman just drove him out to the farm.

Oh, daggone.

Something wrong?

Well, he left these pictures of his family in El Salvador in my car, and

mean a lot to him, and I'm sure he'd want him back right away.

Well, I'll be driving out there in about an hour.

I'll see that he gets it.

What kind of farm you got?

Well, I got about 600 acres in Timothy right now, about 500

in wheat, 200 in field corn, and I'm running cattle in about 70 acres.

Oh, that sounds good.

I just retired, and I'm trying to... Kind of figure out what to do with

for the next 20 years.

Well, unless you enjoy being on the brink of bankruptcy 90 % of the time,

stay away from farming.

Give me the pictures. I'll make sure you get them.

That's okay. I'll take them to him.

I got nothing else to do today.

It's a big farm, Mr. Matlock.

You'll never be able to find them.

I'll just keep looking till I do.

I got nothing else on my calendar.

I'll see you.

Bye. Yeah.

You got it.

Kid said he knew all about farm equipment.

Expert mechanic, he said he was.

So they put him on a tractor, and what does he do?

Falls in these disc blades.

Oh, that's horrible.

They all lie.

They come up here saying they got all kinds of experience looking for work,

look what happens.

And no more than an hour after he gets here.

Halfway to die.

Sorry you had to come way out here just to verify the obvious, Doc, but rules is

rules.

Yeah.

Okay, EJ's all yours.

Come on, you crackers, let's get back to work.

Come on, boys, let's go.

How'd it happen, Buck?

Kid told me he was a mechanic.

So I bring him out here, tell him to figure out why this tractor keeps

out. He fires her up.

And the next thing I know, he's caught my displays.

Well, couldn't you help him?

I was climbing back into my pickup.

By the time I realized what was happening, it was too late. Who the hell

you? I'm Ben Matlock. I just gave that boy a ride out here.

He seemed so excited about working here, and he seemed to know so much about

farm equipment, I just can't believe this happened. Well, you got no cause

blaming me.

I'm not blaming you. It's just... Okay, okay. Calm down, Buck. We're all a

little shook up.

Did anybody else see the accident?

Yeah, one of the farmhands, Lester.

He was up in the cab. In the cab? Couldn't he have turned the damn thing

It happened too fast.

Look, mister, this is a private farm, and since I'm its foreman and you ain't

got no business being here, why don't you just get... Look, take it easy. You

think I like seeing a man get chewed up like that? Just trying to find out what

happened. We all are, mister... Matlock, Ben Matlock. But you're kind of

interfering with my investigation here, and I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask

you to move on.

I brought these to give to Ramon.

He left them in my car.

Family pictures.

I'll send them back to El Salvador with the rest of his effects. The address was

in his wallet. Why don't you keep them with him?

I'm sure he would have wanted it that way.

Yeah.

Okay.

E .J.

Excuse me.

I couldn't help but over here.

Are you Ben Matlock, the lawyer?

Retired lawyer.

What an honor.

Hal Matthews.

You're a doctor, huh?

Not a doctor, the doctor.

If I ever retired, I don't know what folks around here would do.

I'd do everything from pulling teeth to delivering puppies.

But what on earth brings you to Oak Creek? Not that I'm complaining, mind

I'm on my way to Abbotsville to do some fishing.

Oh, I envy you.

I hear they're biting so well this year, you don't even need bait. Yeah?

Fact is, I know a great motel up there.

Sundown Lodge.

Owner's a friend of mine. Be glad to give him a call and tell him you're

Well, thanks. I don't feel like doing any more driving today.

Is there a good motel here in Oak Creek?

Let me put it this way.

There's only one motel in Oak Creek. It ain't the Ritz.

You change your mind. Just let me know.

I'm in the book. Thanks.

Sorry. Well, you should be. Someone did that to my cousin Esther once, and she's

been stuttering ever since.

I just wondered if you'd heard anything from Ben.

Oh, not a peep.

Do you have any idea where he went? No, I don't. But I do know one thing. A man

his age out on his own, well, it's just not healthy.

I remember when my Uncle Clive went out on his... Did I tell you about my Uncle

Clive? Well, I'm not... Well...

Uncle Clive didn't have it quite all together when he was home, much less

he was on his own. Now, one time, he went to New Orleans by himself, and he

one peck of raw oysters and two dozen chocolate -covered donuts in one

fell in love with a hoochie -coochie dancer, and died. Oh.

Grain was too much for him, don't you see? I see that. Well, wherever Mr.

Matlock is, I hope there's no hoochie -coochie dancers. I hope so. Oh, they

be an awful strain on a man his age. Yes, listen. If he calls, you'll let me

know right away, won't you? Oh, yes, the poor, defenceless thing.

Sure hope he doesn't go like Uncle Clive. Yeah. I lit a candle for him.

Light one for me.

I'd like a room.

You need to fill out this form, and I need to be a major credit card.

How long are you staying?

One night.

Two, if there's a good place to eat.

You'll just be staying the one.

The charge is $40 a night.

You want to eat more than one bar of soap, will you?

No, I guess not.

Follow me. It's right over here.

You own this place?

Me and the bank, yep.

What about your husband?

I noticed you wear a ring.

My husband had a stroke two years ago.

In a home over in Montgomery.

There you go.

Appreciate it if you took short showers and keep the lights off and you're not

using them.

Where's the bed?

You see that strap?

Give her a pull.

If you need anything else, just dial zero.

I'll pick up eventually.

Good evening.

Ben Matlock. I saw you out at the farm today.

Yeah, I'm out at the farm out there every day.

Tackle our turning bombs. Just call me Zach.

Oh, all right.

You work out there?

Well, I have been for the last ten years. Ever since they foreclosed on my

property outside the bakery.

Three hundred acres of bottom line.

Now it's just one big subdivision.

What's good, Zack?

Well, chicken fried steak ain't bad.

And a meatloaf neither.

As long as it's not more than three days old. I'll have chicken fried steak.

That was a terrible thing that happened out there.

Farming is a dangerous profession.

Ain't no place for amateurs.

Did you see the accident?

I was putting hay up in the barn.

First I heard of it was when Mr. Rahal came roaring in to call the doc. Mr.

Rahal?

Fool. Buck Rahal.

Evening, Mr. Matlock.

Good evening.

Hello, Jack.

Jones?

Don't tell me you decided to spend the night.

Well, like I say, I'm not exactly on a tight schedule.

How's me, little bit?

Maybe yesterday.

That's what I'll have then.

Well, early to bed, early to rise.

And a pie ain't too bad either if you don't mind chewing on the crust a while.

Take it easy. You too.

Doc Matthews tells me you're on your way to Abbotsville to do some fishing.

Yeah.

Is there going to be a funeral?

You know, for Raymond?

I'm having his body shipped back to El Salvador so he can be buried there.

That's been very nice of you.

Well, at least I could do.

Such a tragedy.

Farming's a dangerous profession.

That's just what Jack said.

One chicken fried steak and one meatloaf.

Something wrong with your dinner?

Oh, I guess I'm just not used to that much gravy.

Order something else, then, and tell them to hold the gravy.

No, that's okay. I'm full.

I heard Ed's feelings. You don't have a piece of pie.

Oh, I can't.

No. Well,

it's a nice time of the year for a vacation.

I'm retired, Mr. Jones, and so far, there's been no vacation. Nice to see

31, 32,

33.

Hi.

We're closed.

I was wondering if you towed that truck in yet.

You know, the one that belonged to Ramon Comineros.

You know, the boy that was killed in the accident today.

I thought he'd come into town with you. Well, he hitched a ride with me because

his truck broke down.

I thought maybe you could, you know, maybe sell it and send the money to his

family in El Salvador.

I don't know nothing about it.

Hmm. Well, maybe the other fellow that works here towed it in.

Ernie don't drive the tow truck. I do.

He says it's because the air conditioning don't work no more.

He didn't mention it to you?

Nope.

Maybe he's busy.

Just between you and me, mister.

Ernie don't know the meaning of the word busy.

Well, thanks anyway.

One, two, three.

Mr. Matlock, I'm afraid I... misplaced that registration card you filled out

today. Could I trouble you to come in now and fill out a new one?

Sure. Insurance companies are real strict about such things.

No

notes?

No papers?

Nothing. Just some fishing gear and clothes.

And me sneaking around in there like a fool.

I told you.

Ben Matlock's a lawyer.

Not some kind of federal agent.

Then why was he asking so many damn questions out there today?

Well, I'm not crazy about him being here either, Buck.

But I'm inclined to believe it's just an unfortunate coincidence.

So, I suggest we all relax.

Come morning, he'll get up, eat some of Ed's Teflon pancakes, pack his things,

and... Be out of our hair for good.

I'm telling you, somebody was in my room last night. Just because you found a

smudge on your undershirt? This undershirt was perfectly clean

Ms. McCarla washes my undershirts, they're clean.

Who are you accusing?

Me? All I'm saying is there's something about this town and that boy's death

yesterday that just plain don't feel right. And now that somebody's drug my

undershirt into it, I'm gonna find out why.

I went in my room last night, and I smelled something funny, like cigar

And when I saw that smudge on my undershirt, I knew somebody had been in

room.

You don't smoke, do you?

No, I don't, Sheriff.

And your hands ain't particularly dirty.

I didn't say it was her. It was somebody.

And they didn't take anything? They just went through your stuff?

Yes, while I was over at Ed's trying to eat.

Now, Mr. Matlock, you have to admit you don't exactly have an open and shut

case. Somebody was in my room.

I can't exactly go arresting anybody. Somebody was in my room.

The doc tells me you just retired. Yeah, but somebody was in my room. Why don't

you just relax and enjoy retirement? That boy that was killed, his truck

down on the highway.

That's how come I gave him a lift into town. He made arrangements with that fat

fella at the gas station. Ernie.

Yeah, he made arrangements with him to tow his truck into town. He never did.

Hmm. Don't you think that's a little strange?

Ernie probably forgot.

He does that with irritating frequency.

Mr. Matlock, I was due over to Lowell half an hour ago. Why don't you get some

breakfast? Maybe things will look different after some of Ed's gravy and

Hello?

Anybody here?

May I help you? I was wondering if you could tell me

something about the young man who was killed in that accident yesterday, Ramon

Comanares. I happen to be working on him even as we speak.

Working on him? You know, preparing him for shipment.

Believe me, it's going to take me all day and then some.

What can I do you for?

Did you notice anything unusual about the body?

You mean, other than the fact that it was mangled so bad, I had to get it on

anatomy book to make sure I got everything facing in the right

Okay, dumb question.

When is he going back to El Salvador?

Well, I'm sure EJ has it written down here somewhere.

Well, I... Sorry, Paulie, something's come up. I'll have to call you back.

Matlock's at the funeral parlor.

EJ's gone, and that idiot who works for him's there.

He just might say something.

For God's sakes, why didn't you call me?

He's been on the phone.

Ramon will be shipping out on...

The 24th, this Thursday.

Excuse me for a sec.

Net gap undertaking.

Yeah?

Yeah?

Yeah.

I'm sorry, I forgot.

It's against policy to release any information concerning one of our

unless you're a blood relative.

That's okay, I understand.

Thanks for your time.

You did what? I went to the undertakers and I discovered something I think you

ought to know about.

Ramon didn't die till yesterday, but arrangements to ship his body back...

afraid I just don't have time for this right now, Mr. Matlock. This is

important, Sheriff. I think Ramon was murdered.

Turn left on Reservoir Road.

I'm at the Simpson Farm about five miles down on the right. Give me ten minutes.

Watch your blinds. You're welcome.

Mr. Matlock, are you all right?

I don't know.

I heard the report on my radio. What the hell happened?

Somebody tried to kill me.

What?

Pickup truck ran me off the road.

Deliberately? Yes, deliberately.

Ow!

Kept ramming me until I lost control.

Take it easy, will you?

What did this pickup look like?

cream colored an older model a paint was faded looked like the hood was all

rusted i couldn't see the license plate what is that battery acid did you get a

look at the driver no but whoever it was didn't want me to tell you what i found

out at the undertakers which was what exactly i found out that arrangements

already been made to ship ramon common errors body to el salvador before he was

even dead the freight order was placed on the 17th three days before

the accident you're sure about that i saw the books tell me how this

undertaker knew he had a body to ship before ramon was even dead that boy's

death was no accident

I'll tell you what, Mr. Matlock. Since I'm the one with the star on my chest

you're the one who's getting patched up like an old tire, let me handle this.

Ow!

Sorry.

I ain't gonna do no such thing. Come on, E .J.

You wanna look at my books?

You go get yourself a search warrant.

Old Rusty over there let Mr. Matlock look at your books?

Rusty's brain is so addled from that rat garbage he listens to all day, he don't

hardly know up and down, and you know it. He's hiding something, Sheriff. Mr.

Matlock. I am not, you nosy old bag of cats. Better that than a bald -faced

liar. All right, that's enough.

E .J., if I have to, I will get a warrant.

So either I see the books now or I see them later. It's as simple as that.

You owe me, Dewey.

There, see?

Ramon Cominera.

Remains to be shipped the 24th. Order called in on... Order called in on the

20th. Made the call as soon as I got back from picking him up.

You used to say 17th. He changed it. How could I change it? It's in ink.

He changed the whole page. Look.

See, the shade of ink is different here from here.

All right, all right. That's it.

Get out. Take it easy, E .J. I've been more than accommodating here, Dewey.

Now get him out of here before I'm forced to shoot him for trespassing.

Come on, Mr. Matlock. There's no sense giving E .J. any more business than he's

already got. Out.

Stop pulling.

He's changed the book, Sheriff. You've got to believe me.

Ramon was murdered.

Chances are he knows by whom and what for, and probably who just tried to kill

me. Until we have proof, Mr. Matlock, we are dead in the water. I know that, and

you know that.

Now, why don't you go on back to the motel, take some aspirin and a nice hot

bath, and I'll see if I can track down that pickup you described.

Ow!

You can't hit me like that. You keep hitting me, and I'll keep hitting you.

What's the matter?

Surprised to see me?

Oh, you look terrible.

What happened?

Somebody forced my car off the road, turned it over.

But you know about that, don't you?

Oh, you're talking crazy again, Mr. Matlock.

Now, what do you want?

More soap.

I'm going to stay a while longer. Is that a problem?

Not for me, it isn't. Meaning what?

Meaning that some places, some people just plain don't belong. And if they had

any sense, they'd clear out while they still can.

What's going on in this town, Alice?

Here.

You know what?

Whatever it is, I got a feeling your heart's not in it.

Is that enough soap?

Yeah. I'll be fine.

Why would you go putting something like that down in your records in the first

place? Why shouldn't I? It was a legitimate business transaction.

Come on, E .J., use your brain.

Hey, comrades were supposed to arrive on the 17th. Remember?

In order to guarantee shipment by the 26th?

I had to put the order in then.

Yeah. It ain't his fault, Elliot.

It's this bozo's fault for not taking care of that jackass lawyer when he had

the chance. I couldn't.

A car came along before I could make sure he was good and dead.

Yeah. Well, next time, I'll handle it. There won't be a next time.

The state police were there. They filed a report.

He has another accident.

A lot of people are going to start asking a lot of questions.

So, what are we going to do?

Nothing.

We keep Mr. Matlock right here and make sure he stays out of trouble until the

shipment goes out.

After that, it won't matter how many questions people ask, because all the

answers will be on their way out of the country.

Yeah?

Hi. Hi.

Just got your meth?

What's up?

I thought we'd take the current files back to the office and Ben can figure

what he wants to do with the rest of them.

All right, good idea.

Want to give me a hand?

Yeah.

So, what kind of changes have you got in the works?

For what?

Business, the office.

We are moving into new offices now that Ben's retired.

I hadn't really thought about it.

I have.

Michelle, the office we've been using isn't you.

It's older, established, like Ben.

People walk in there, they see dark, heavy furniture.

Thick carpet.

They expect to see a gray -haired fatherly man in a gray suit. It's not

Well, it's true, but... We need something upscale.

Yeah, windows.

Reception area with soft leather couches and a beautiful secretary.

Conrad. Okay, forget the couches.

A new office might not be a bad idea. And computers, state -of -the -art

computers. We've got to move into the 20th century.

You know...

Ben's way wasn't so bad.

Well, that was Ben. Ben's not going to be around anymore.

Oh, to mercy.

What'd the other fella look like?

I wish I knew.

How's the meatloaf tonight?

I wouldn't know. This here's a chicken pot pie.

Looks just like the meatloaf.

No, it don't.

I'll tie the chicken pot pie.

Come on up.

How are things at the farm today? Any more accidents?

No, no, thank God.

About one of them a year is all I can handle.

There was a fatal accident out there last year?

Yeah.

The year before that, as I recall.

Same thing happened?

A factor tipped over on somebody last year, and, boy, that seems to me like a

fellow got himself caught in a hay bale.

Boy, that's awful.

Well, it's like I've been telling you. Farming is a dangerous business.

Now I'm 62 years, and I tell you, it's remarkable that I still got my fingers

and toes.

Zach?

Good evening, Mr. Ray Hall.

Come on over here, Zach. I want to talk to you about how many hands we'll be

needing next year.

Bring your plate. This might take a while.

Sure, sure.

You know what? Excuse me.

Piece of boss, you know.

Go ahead.

I've been trying to get through to Atlanta for the past ten minutes. All

long -distance lines in the Oak Creek area are down at the moment, sir.

When will they be back up?

Well, I have no way of knowing, sir.

Okay, thanks.

There's your car, mister.

Your transmission is shot.

Your universal joint is broken.

Your frame is bent. And I can't even find your water pump.

I don't suppose it runs.

Nope. Don't suppose it does.

Is there anywhere around here I can rent a car?

Closest rental place is up in Abbotsville.

But all the long distance lines are down. I can't call out.

Maybe I can rent your car.

Don't got one.

Could always rent you my Harley, though.

Well, I guess you won't be going anywhere anytime soon, will you?

So that's the idea now, is it?

Keep me bottled up here so I can't go anywhere and blow the whistle about

going on.

I don't know what you're talking about.

How about renting me your car?

Sorry, I'm gonna need it.

Look, Mr. Matlock, you know, we got some real good fishing around here. Maybe

you should just relax and enjoy yourself.

As long as you can't go nowhere, man.

We'll see about that.

Hey, Lucas. How you doing?

Just fine, Dewey.

Mr. Matlock.

We were wondering what happened to you. I bet you are.

He seems to think that things aren't quite right around here.

Come here.

Pardon us.

Lucas, the guy just retired.

He has nothing to do but sit around and try to invent some excitement with a

Justine, ain't he?

Retired or no, he still pulls a lot of weight in this state, Dewey.

You know why I'm here?

He called the governor.

Collect.

But there's not a word of truth to what he's saying.

I'm sorry.

The heat is on.

Now, not only am I going to investigate this thing, I'm going to dot every I and

cross every T in the process.

Where do you want to start?

With the accident report and that boy who died out at the farm.

You got it.

You're not going to see for yourself?

The sheriff here tells me there's nothing to see, Mr. Matlock. The

happened three days ago. It appears to me that there's absolutely nothing

suspicious about it. That's because he wrote the report.

Whatever's going on around here, he's in on it. Mr. Matlock. That undertaker

could not have known to change his books after that failed attempt on my life

unless you called him.

Well, I've done everything I can here.

Now, if you need a ride someplace, I'd be glad to give you one. No.

Okay.

Well, Dewey, next trip I'll give you a couple of jars of black -eyed peas. I

a bunch this year. Sounds good.

You're back.

Yeah.

Something just kind of drew me back.

I made some phone calls while I was gone, though.

Boy, that dumb place you got your husband in over there in Montgomery.

Don't know why you call it a home. That's one of the finest rehabilitation

centers for stroke victims in the country.

Expensive, though.

It's hard to believe how you pay your bills on time every month, but you do.

You got no... Business prying into my personal affairs.

Somebody tried to kill me, Alice.

It wasn't me.

But you know who it was, don't you? No. Just like you know how the undertaker

can afford that big house on the beach and how Doc Matthews can afford to keep

that big yacht down at Pensacola. Where'd all that money come from, Alice?

I can't tell you. You have to.

Because like I said, your heart's not in it.

You're not greedy like the others. Your money goes for a good cause.

So that makes you an outsider, too.

Sooner or later, the others are going to realize that.

And they're going to come after you just like they came after me.

Please just leave me alone.

This here is Conrad McMasters.

Hi.

He's looking for work.

Since we are a man short, well, I thought... You talked to him?

Yes, sir.

You're the man who does my hiring and firing. What do you think?

Well, if he can do everything he says he can do, I think we ought to hire him.

Then we'll give him a shot.

Starting pay is $6 .25 an hour. Zach will fill you in on all the rest.

Thanks.

Welcome aboard.

Hey, Jen.

You're pretty good up around the bend here.

A whole lot better up near Abbotsville.

Get in. I'll give you a ride back to the motel so she can pack, and I'll take

you on up there.

First you want me to leave, then you want me to stay, now you want me to

again. Wish you fellows would make up your minds.

Anybody ever tell you you were paranoid, Mr. Matlock?

Jeff, I've been meaning to ask you something.

Those three racehorses you got up there in Kentucky, where'd you get that kind

of money?

Is that roast beef?

A turkey?

And one chicken and dumpling.

What do you mean he's fishing?

The sheriff got off at Coral Creek an hour ago fishing.

Why would he go fishing?

Why not?

It's what you said we should tell him to do, ain't it?

Why'd he have to come around here just now anyway?

I got Ernie keeping an eye on him. In the meantime, I got a call from Atlanta.

They want to add to the shipment going out tomorrow.

They're making another delivery?

Tomorrow afternoon.

Matlock buzzing around here like some infernal horsefly? Why don't you just

him to forget it?

Maybe I'll call him back and let you tell him to forget it. Would you like

Well, what are we going to do?

We're going to get words of Rahal, and we're going to continue to keep an eye

Mr. Matlock.

Yeah?

Well, what if he goes someplace we don't want him to go?

We'll make sure he doesn't.

Sure, I'm glad I brought some bug spray.

A lot of mosquitoes.

A lot of mosquitoes.

Yep. Boy, I'd sure hate to be somebody out here today without bug spray.

Be slapping mosquitoes and green flies all day.

Yep.

This field here, I treated two weeks ago.

We wouldn't move it, but we can't get the damn tractor started. So we just sit

there reminding everybody to come by how fragile and transitory life is.

Did you see it happen?

Oh, I was there when Lester pulled that poor fella out of them blades.

That was bad enough.

Ever seen anything like that happen before?

It's the third fatal accident we've had up here.

Three fatal accidents?

It's those operations.

Farming is a dangerous profession.

Just remember that.

He's doing it.

You're trespassing, Goldie.

You had no right to get me fired like that.

I ain't working with a drunk, and I don't want my boys working with a drunk,

just get on out of here before I have to call the sheriff. My drinking ain't the

problem, old man. You are.

You get back on that contraption and get out of here before I run over the both

of you.

Unless you want another whooping and some time in jail.

Whoa, hey, are you all right? Sit down.

All of a sudden, it just occurred to me how close I'd come to getting killed.

Well, it looked to me like you were on your own pretty good.

You'd have cut me wide open if you hadn't have jumped in there.

Thanks, Howie.

Howie, big.

Oh, come on. Let's go get you patched up.

Will you be having a cookie?

Oatmeal and raisins.

Oh, I'm too upset to eat. I hate this.

This is not fair. First Ben goes off, then Conrad, and neither one will tell

where they are. You know what I feel like? I feel like the... Stupid little

women sitting at home while the big strong men are out hunting bears.

It's fish, dearie, not bears.

And calm yourself.

Have a cookie.

You're right. If Ben's in trouble, we should be there.

Oh, no, no. You don't want to be taken off like those two young women in that

movie. Out on the road alone? And look at the trouble they got into.

We're not Thelma and Louise, Mrs. McArdle. We're just worried about Ben

Conrad. Now, girls, we women have always sat and waited for the men to come

home. Haven't you ever seen the play Riders to the Sea?

All the men at sea fishing and all the women at home waiting.

And the storm coming up and the boats capsizing.

And the men all drowning and the women all wailing and keening and tearing

hair. This wasn't a comedy, was it?

No, dearie, and neither is life.

But it's what it's meant to be.

The men go out to slay the dragons, and the women wait and pray.

And there's always the hoochie -coochie dancers.

I have a client.

I've got to get to court.

Thank you. You've been a wonderful help. I try.

I try.

How's that, R?

It's awful sore, but I ain't complaining.

I'm just glad I still got an arm.

Looks like old Lester's in thick with the boss, huh?

Yep, always has been.

Was he around when those other men died in accidents, too?

Well, yeah, now that you mention it, seems to me he was.

You're gonna have to help me with this.

I'm sorry, Dad.

Who's that?

Probably one of Mr.

Rahal's friends from Atlanta.

They're always a -coming and a -going.

All right, boys, we're finished here. I'll be in the barn if you need me.

You fellas go on ahead. I'll catch up.

I'm gonna go use the head.

I wish you'd do something about all that damn dust out there.

I'm going to have to go straight to the car, aren't you, after this?

Give us more notice next time and get the road oil down.

How much you got?

Two million.

Think you can fit it all in?

No problem.

Hey, you!

What are you doing?

Mr. Ray Hall!

I need help.

Zach, that new guy Conrad, did he come in here?

No. He's supposed to be down there, just in the north field. Well, he ain't.

Wait a minute.

Come on, let's go.

What's quickest way to town?

From a pickup truck, I reckon. What the hell is going on here? I'll tell you the

way. Come on.

Got enough for you too, Ernie.

You can stop slapping some skewers long enough to eat.

What's this all about?

Conrad! Conrad.

Conrad. Hang on.

Everything's going to be all right. Hang on. Oh, I don't know about that, Mr.

Matlock.

Appears to me you shot him pretty good.

The hell are you talking about?

The way I'm going to tell it, you came into your room, caught him in here,

mistook him for a burglar and shot him.

Knowing full well he wasn't armed.

You'll never get away with that. I don't even own a gun.

Do now.

Trints on it are probably a little smudge.

I'm sure the ballistics will match.

I'm afraid you're under arrest for manslaughter, Mr. Matlock.

Okay, get up.

He's still alive. You've got to call a doctor.

Who, Doc Matthews?

He's busy.

At least I'm pretty sure that's what he would say.

Then I'll work on him myself.

No, you don't.

You're going to jail.

Now stand up before I have to shoot you for resisting arrest.

You go to hell.

Then let me put it this way.

Right now, your friend is alive, Mr. Matlock.

It would be a shame if in all the excitement, I accidentally killed him,

wouldn't it?

Let's go.

I gotta get my pills.

What pills?

It's one of my hard, hard pills.

It's beating something fierce.

If I die, your scheme goes out the window.

Where are they, in there? In the closet, left -hand coat pocket.

No pills in here.

Maybe they're in my right -hand pocket.

He's in there bleeding to death. I gave him the key, but I didn't think he was

going to shoot anybody.

Then help me. I've got to get him to a hospital.

I can't. They'll kill me. Whose side are you on, Alice?

You've got to make up your mind once and for all. Are you going to keep being a

part of this, or are you going to help me stop it?

Take my car.

Tell me what's going on.

A bunch of hoods in Atlanta are using the town to launder drug money.

They deliver it here, and then we smuggle it out of the country, sometimes

shipments of agricultural goods, and then sometimes... In coffers, bodies of

dead farm workers.

We get a cut of everything we handle.

Sometimes the people who deliver the money need a place to spend the night.

I was drowning in medical bills when this all started up. Mr. Jones knew

it.

Next thing I know, he comes to me, and I'm on their payroll, too.

Conrad must have found out about it some way.

They shot him to get him and me out of the way.

Now, you hold on, Conrad, you hear?

Hold on.

Money came in from Atlanta this afternoon.

Maybe he found out about that.

It's Thursday.

Ramon's body gets shipped out of here today.

Is that town bombing on this?

No. Believe it or not, most of the people in this town are honest, law

citizens. It's just the pillars of the community are corrupt.

Leany, stop.

This pulse is better.

Drop me off at the farm.

What? Drop me off at the farm. Then take Conrad to the hospital.

Then call the state police.

Ask for Lieutenant Wells. Tell him to get down here right away. If that body

leaves this town, so does all the proof.

What are you going to do?

I'm gonna try to round me up a good old -fashioned posse.

Okay, goodbye.

When's the trustee? Any minute.

Is that the sheriff?

He figures Matlock and Alex are on the way to the hospital. They're trying to

catch up to him. What if he can't? I mean, what if they go to the cops?

As long as this casket's gone by the time they get here, we got nothing to

about. Madlock has just come off sounding like a babbling lunatic again.

means hurry the hell up. I don't know if I can fit it all in here.

Stick something to the body. Nobody's got the stomach to be poking around

remains.

Mr. Metcalf, great trick you've got here.

So have we.

Well, look who's here.

Do you always meet at the Undertaker's or is this a special occasion?

Get out.

All of you.

You're trespassing.

I've been telling the folks how you've been laundering money for the mob.

What? They'd kind of like to see inside this casket. Are you out of your mind?

There's a body in this casket. A body in what else?

Zack. Everybody.

Mr. Matlock's recently retired.

Because mentally, he's no longer competent.

Now, I hate to say it, but he's senile.

He's making fools of you.

He's so senile. Why don't you just let the rest of us take a look in that

casket? Because you've got no right to.

Are you going to move out of the way or do you want us to move you out?

longer mentally competent, huh?

A man just pulled Dewey over out on the highway.

They're bringing him in.

I'm sorry, Lieutenant. I know the sheriff was a friend of yours.

Not anymore.

Excuse me.

I talked to the doctor just before I left.

Conrad's out of surgery and he's going to be all right. Oh, thank you, Alice.

I guess it's time for me to turn myself in.

I'll put in a good word for you.

And thanks again for Conrad.

No. You did, too. I didn't know one thing about this party. You weren't

suspicious when Mrs. McArdle kicked you out of the house this afternoon. No, she

said she was having the rugs cleaned. She kicked me out of the house all the

time. It came as a total surprise.

And you're having a good time. I'm having a fine time.

I'm enjoying retirement.

I had a good time up at Old Creek.

Now, then.

Any hoochie -coochie dancers?

Huh? Never mind.

Yeah, the easy life's the good life.

Oh, somebody else. Excuse me.

Come in.

Oh.

Come in, Frank.

I lost Ben.

I know I hurt.

I shouldn't have fired you, Ben.

I'd like you to handle my appeal.

Oh, Frank.

I'm retired, you know.

Come on, Ben.

I might call you by the wrong name. Men my age get forgetful.

Name your price.

Come on in, Frank. Have some punch.

The spike starts green.

Michelle?

Guess what?

What?

Frank just asked me to handle his appeal.

Dad, are you going to do it? You're not retiring?

No, I'm not retiring.

I guess I was feeling...

Sorry for myself.

I retired and thought things would be better. But I know how to do one thing.

Practice law.

It brings me a great deal of joy.

And anything that gives that much happiness to give it up, I'd be a

fool. I'm not retiring. You're not retiring. You son of a gun.

Oh, two.

Yeah.

Sorry.

I'll tell you one thing.

I'm glad to be back.