All language subtitles for The Liberation of L.B. Jones 1970

Hey, boy.

What you doin'
jumpin' off here, boy?

Well, see it's...
Close to where I'm goin'.

You know where
you goin', boy?

Yes, sir.

You got someplace to stay?

Yes, i got people there.

Friends.

Okay.

You be careful,
hear me?

Yes, sir.

Pick up
your stuff.

You forget
somethin'?

Box with
my things.

Boy, don't you know
a pistol gonna get you

In a whole mess of
trouble with the law?

What if i was to phone
the chief of police

And tell him that a boy
came in my place of business

And laid down
a loaded pistol

In a king Edward's cigar box
on my counter?

You want your ass
in a sling?

No, sir.

And yet if i don't
call the chief...

Don't you know I'd be failing
my dereliction of duty?

'Cause you done
broke the law.

If the chief was
to find it out,

And he knew that i knew it,
and didn't call him,

And didn't perform
the dereliction of my duty,

He could ride my britches around
the block for an accomplish.

That's what I'd be if i didn't tell him,
an accomplish.

That's just
the plain law on it, see?

But there's no law if a man finds
a pistol that he can't keep it.

Miss griggs.

What we've
been waiting for.

My nephew, Steve mundine
and his wife nella.

How do you do?

Miss griggs.

Welcome to somerton.

See you
in a minute, I.B.

My office?

You like it?

What can i say?

Unpack your diplomas,
hang 'em on the wall.

Excuse me a minute.

Well, I.B.

It's my wife,
Mr. hedgepath.

I've decided
to divorce her.

And I'd like you
to represent me.

Me?

I consider you
the finest.

Divorce?
Why?

Adultery.

Emma's what,
twenty-two?

Three?

Man your age.

Can't you make allowances?

I tried.

But she won't
give him up.

Will she contest it?

No.

She agrees
to it.

Will you
represent me?

I'm too busy.
No.

May i ask if...
No, no.

I'm just too busy
with my nephew,

And law partner,
Mr. mundine, and his wife.

L.B. Jones.

Our colored undertaker
here in the cemetery.

How do you do?
Hi.

How do you do?

They just arrived,
you know.

And, well, uh...

Well, i understand.

Good day.

Now this, is my office.

Mama lavorn?

Mama lavorn?

Mama.

Me.

Mosby.

Lord, God.

Let my eyes
have light.

Child.

Child.
Oh, Sonny boy.

Thank you, Jesus.

Oman.

Seein' you
don't have time

To take the undertaker's
case, maybe i could.

I'm sure
not busy yet.

Simple divorce,
he said.

Well...
Not all that simple.

Hardly a place
for you to start.

I gotta
start somewhere.

The way you put
the man off, i...

Important to you, huh?

Miss griggs.

Call I.B. Jones.

Tell him I've changed my mind,
I'm taking the case.

We have
an uncontested divorce.

Get all
the information.

He'll need two witnesses
in my office,

Tuesday morning,
9:00.

Bring those
witnesses?

Yeah.

He's my client.

Right.
Mustn't steal your clients.

Not this soon, anyway.

C'mon, let's go home.

Miss ponsella.

All right,
I'll take care of her.

Ahh, there you are,
miss ponsella.

Mr. Jones.

I've come to pay my policy.

Right here,
miss ponsella.

Well, it's the same
this week as last.

Two dollars.

Same as usual.
Same as usual.

You ain't got me yet,
is you?

Not yet, not yet,
miss ponsella.

You will, though.

You will.

Yes, i suppose so.
Miss ponsella.

Can i see
my coffin again?

Certainly, miss ponsella.
Right over this way.

Yes, yes, of course,
miss ponsella.

Nice and soft in here.

Gonna be real comfortable.

Yes, miss ponsella.

Can't hardly wait.

Well, thank you,
Mr. Jones.

Miss ponsella.

Hi! Hello there!

Lavorn here?

They back in the parlor.

Hardy!
Bring back old times.

Benny don't know
who this is.

Benny's mind worried
because he don't know,

And don't remember that
child i took and raised

After his mother died.

Can't be!
It is, though.

Sonny boy, you!

He been gone 13 years

And now Sonny boy
have come home.

Been tellin'
me how he come all the way from Kansas City.

But you did
come back!

Took it easy.

Slept in a field,
slept in a barn.

My mind always running
ahead of me to my...

My main love.

And my main hate.

You came back after bumpas?

Stanley bumpas.

How?

Oh, i said to myself when
they brought this child in

From that front yard where
that policeman beat him,

I said, either my
Sonny boy's gonna die tonight,

Or he's gonna kill
that white man someday.

Put the prod to him.
C'mon, roll him outta here.

Miss griggs said you
needed to see me.

Heard the good news?

Your wife's hired
a lawyer.

Gonna file an answer.
Gonna contest the divorce.

What do you
know about it?

Nothing.

Didn't tell you she
was getting a lawyer?

No.

Didn't let on
what she was doing?

What does it mean?

Come with me.

Yeah, come in.

Oh, it's you.

Emma.

Yeah.

Well, you got something
to say to me?

Huh?

Why don't you say it?

I'm listening.

Why you want to
come botherin' me?

You hired a lawyer.

Get outta here.

You led me to believe,
and i led Oman hedgepath

To believe that all
was decided between us.

Now suddenly,
without a word...

That's right,
no word.

Why?

That's for Emma to know,
and you to find out.

Like my mama always said,

Now you keep a little something
for yourself, Emma baby.

If you don't want
a divorce,

Promise me you'll
never see him again.

You must be
outta your mind.

If you promise me,
I'm willing to call it off.

It still isn't too late, Emma.

Not where I'm concerned.

Give up Willie Joe?

No, daddy.
Why, he's twice a man.

Will you get rid
of your lawyer?

Never happen.

Then let me have
a divorce.

Why fight me?

Well maybe Emma likes things
just the way they are.

Then i must have it
from you once and forever.

Tell me no.

Hell, no!

Then I'll see you
in court.

Oh sure, Mr. lord Byron Jones.

I believe you.

Hey, uh...Stanley?

Hmmm?

I'm... feelin' like
a visit with Emma.

Why don't you take
me over there.

You call that a visit,
Willie Joe?

Benny?

Yes?

Let's go.

I'll get my coat.

Mornin'.

Why, sugar boy!

Hi!

You goin' someplace?

Well now, i was.

Just a minute!

I must see Mr. hedgepath.

Mr. hedgepath is in
a meetin', you...

Oh.
Come in, I.B.

Why don't you
sit down.

I'll stand.

I talked to my wife.

Excuse me.

No, you stay here.
Is it all right with you?

Yes.

You talked to Emma?

She agreed to...
Withdraw?

No.

Positively wouldn't?

Positively.

Well, i think
you must, I.B.

Mr. hedgepath.

I didn't come here
for advice.

Okay...Let's hear
my instructions.

I want this divorce.

Now.

L.B., this is somerton,
Tennessee.

You were born
and raised here.

You know the difficulty if a
white man's named in open court.

To hell with the white man.

If you instruct me to go ahead,
realize what you're doing.

Yes.

Tuesday, then.

Thank you.

Now you see?

See what, Oman?

See what comes from
practicin' nigger law.

Nigger law, Oman?
My God.

Well, of course,

Since you learned to make
niggers your hobby,

Instead of golf or whiskey,

Or somethin' decent,
like duck huntin',

Then i suppose
I'll just have to

Learn to live with it,
won't i?

I'm confused.
You take the man's case,

Next you try to
talk him out of it.

I'm going to tell you something I've
never told another living soul.

I want you to promise not to
breathe a word of this to anybody.

When i was a law student,
years ago in Nashville,

There was this nigger gal
that cooked...

And swept and dusted.

Young.
Cassie was 19.

Well, one day
i stayed in my bed

When she made
up my room and...

Well, Steve, it went
on all summer long.

After some time, i began
to see Cassie as a woman.

Real person.

You mean you fell
in love with her?

God forgive me,
i think i did.

Anyway, Mary Covington
found out about it.

Now you know why miss Mary
stood me up at the church.

Why i never married.

I'm glad at least you...

Saw one negro
as a human being.

But what's that got
to do with this case?

I don't get the point.

Point?

How can i judge
Willie Joe worth harshly?

Do we take the man's job?

Shame his family
for that?

Does Willie Joe
deserve a break?

But Willie Joe
is not your client.

He's white.

I've got an errand.

See you later.

Check his gums?

Go ahead and laugh.

Some day, by God,
when a blue-gummed nigger

Fangs one of you hotshots
in the settee, then I'll laugh.

Yeah, 'cause a laugh will
help as much as anything.

Ain't no medicine
gonna save ya.

Come here, boy.

Let me see your teeth.

Pull your lip down.

Naw, the other one!

Blue as a razor blade.

Whew!

Close your mouth,
boy.

We don't need to count your
teeth and give you no receipt.

You gonna book him, Mr. ike,
or send him to a tooth dentist?

I'll book him.

Be careful taking
him down.

You know a bite from
a blue-gummed nigger

Is like being struck
by a rattlesnake?

'Cept worse!

Willie Joe.
Mr. hedgepath.

See you a minute.

Sure thing,
Mr. hedgepath.

Yes sir, Mr. Oman.

Maybe you heard about
the nigger undertaker?

Wantin' a divorce?

No, sir.

I didn't know about
that, Mr. Oman.

Wife's accused of having
relations with an unnamed man.

A white man.

Oh.
Is that so?

Normally in such cases
nobody cares who the man is,

But...

His wife's gone
and hired herself a lawyer.

And the cross-examination
is sure to bring out

The white man's name.

I see.

Now let's assume...

I wouldn't want
to see a man,

A policeman,
for example,

Lose his job over
something like this sort.

Would i?
No, sir.

And i shouldn't have
to tell a man like that,

That co-habitation between
white and colored is...

Dynamite to begin with.

No, sir you sure shouldn't.
That's right, Mr. Oman.

I'm glad you agree.

Now, because Emma Jones
is not my client,

I don't have the privilege
of talking to her.

I see.

Let's assume i get her
husband to talk to her.

Yeah, yeah.

And he don't
get anywhere.

Well...Well,
what then?

Well then,
a certain white man

Has had
his goose cooked.

Uh, a thing like that
just can't happen, Mr. Oman.

Yeah, but it has.

Now, another man...

Even her lover,

Wouldn't be prevented
from talking Emma Jones

Out of contesting
this divorce.

All she'd have to do is pick up
the phone, fire her lawyer.

Wouldn't take her
five minutes.

Sure, not five minutes.

Now, the situation's bad.

But with a little...
Finesse.

No one need ever know
who the white man is.

Just a little persuasion...
Yes, i understand.

So, if between now
and Tuesday mornin'...

Situation of this sort
were to be

Cleared up.

See what i mean?

Yeah. Between now
and Tuesday.

Yeah. Then i
wouldn't be embarrassed

And this white fellow wouldn't
have shame heaped upon him.

Between now
and Tuesday mornin'.

Be a terrible thing
a man's family find out

He been layin' out with a
nigger girl, wouldn't it?

Sure would, Mr. Oman.

Very idea of it
makes me sick.

Physically sick.

Me too.

All right, Willie Joe?

Oh yes, Mr. hedgepath,
and thank you, sir.

Yeah.

Between now and
Tuesday mornin'.

What was that
all about?

Who pulled
your chain?

Oman, you remember that last October,
the year mother died?

Yeah, the two of you come down from
chattanooga. Sure, i remember.

We came down to watch you win
that case against the railroad.

You know from
that day on, Oman,

I never wanted anything
but the law.

Because of the man you were.

Yeah. I was pretty,
by God, magnificent.

I thought so.

But no more?

Oman, you wouldn't mind
if i called you a racist?

Mind? Hell, boy,
get it out.

Get it said.

Wait'll you been here
a couple of years.

Give it time, boy.

You'll find yourself doing
a hell of a lot of things

You'd maybe rather not do
in an ideal world.

Well...

This isn't an ideal world,
so you do the best you can.

So i built a practice.

Waited damn near 30 years
to see you come in and...

Share with me what
I've worked and slaved

And yes, by God,
compromised to build.

Goddamnit,
so I'm a racist.

Hell, nobody in my situation but a racist
could have built this law practice.

Already half yours.

When i die, retire,
the law will be yours.

All this too.

And if I've ceased
to be your hero.

Maybe I've ceased
to be my hero too.

Oman.

You're a force in this town,
a prime mover,

A city attorney, most prominent
citizen they've got.

You can change things here.

If you choose to.

Come Tuesday, i intend
to be in court.

Watch you win a divorce
for a deserving client.

Why, sugar boy!

Been wonderin' when
you'd come.

Hey.

Why don't you bite
me right here, daddy?

Listen, by God.

Hey, is somethin' wrong?

Or is somethin'
botherin' old...

What the hell are you
tryin' to pull?

What?

I didn't stutter,
by God.

You want to spill my guts,
is that it?

I don't understand.

Sugar boy, please!

Got to get fancy,
going to the lawyers.

Sugar boy,
you're bustin' my arm.

You want to get fancy,
going to the lawyers.

You think they wouldn't
warn a white man?

I seen fools, but you take
the sap-suckin' prize.

How'd it be if i blew
your goddamn head right off?

Huh? Huh!?

How'd that be?

You wouldn't!

I wouldn't?

No!

You wouldn't!

Oh yeah, beatin' up women,
that's your style, all right.

Women and children,
that is.

But i don't quite picture you
for no triggerman.

I see you much more
as a lightweight.

Beatin' up women
and children, yeah.

I knew that the first whiff
of your hair tonic.

You just try me.

Well, my back is turned.
Go ahead and shoot.

Oh, hell!

I ain't gonna.

Sugar boy.

Easy daddy.

Let's say you had it
as good as i did,

Would you give it up?

So, lord Byron lovernuts
wants his freedom.

But you know what
he said. He said,

Take the house, take the
air-conditioned Cadillac.

But sugar boy,
it takes money too.

Now, do you have
the money?

Or do i have
the money?

Oman hedgepath says he...

Sugar boy.
I'm asking you.

Now who does have
that money?

L.B.'S got it.

Did i ever say that
bastard didn't have it?

But I'm on the police force,
i need this job.

And you gonna
spill my guts.

The hell you are.

If you don't back out,
they're gonna spill my guts.

So where does that
leave me?

Well, i can see that i don't
need to explain to you

No further
than you already...

Now you call that damn lawyer,
you call to see his butt,

And you tell him you changed
your mind, i mean it!

Don't you know Emma
better than that?

You won't
call him, huh?

There's no way out.

No goddamn way
in the world out of it,

And that's just how it's all
figured out, ain't it?

Why don't you talk
to I.B.?

You know, he just might
listen to reason.

Yeah.

What if he don't
listen to reason?

Well now, i been thinkin'
the very same thing myself.

I said, now just
supposin' old I.B.

Won't listen to
no kind of reason.

Somethin's going to have
to give somewhere.

"Let him divorce me.
What do i care?" You said.

I changed my mind.

Changed your mind?

What the hell for?

Dear daddy.

Ain't you noticed nothin'
different about me?

What?

Well now, can't you see
that I'm gainin' weight?

You're lyin'.

Beginnin' to see
the light?

I asked doctor pentacal.

Why, I've got
a livin' child in me.

You let that nigger
knock you up.

Uh uh.

Nobody but you.

This is your baby,
Willie Joe, all yours.

And you know, he just might be
'bout as white as you.

Still gonna be
a nigger.

Yes, daddy.

And he's gonna be somethin'.

Now i can't let nobody
rob my baby.

And i cannot let my baby come
into this world without a dime.

Emma?

Hey, baby.
Listen.

Now...

I know a man.
He's practically a doctor.

And you won't hardly
feel nothin'.

If we call now,
it'll be over in a hour.

And you won't have no more
reason to fight the divorce.

Now this here
is a real fine man.

He uses big words like
the best doctor you ever saw.

If i was sick, i wouldn't want
nobody but him to look at me.

You listen. All my life
i never had nobody.

But for once, I've got
somebody who's gonna love me.

And somebody
who's gonna honor me.

I'm not gonna let you take him.
Can't nobody take him!

If i call Oscar now, he'll come right over.
You won't feel nothin'!

You dumb son of a...

That didn't take long.
Wasn't it up to snuff this time?

Will you shut up!

Let's sit over here
where we can hear ourselves.

You don't mind celebratin'
while we make plans?

No, no.

Now, tell me 'bout
my funeral, Mr. Jones.

Well, of the four services,

The eclipsed in Christ
is the most economical.

Well, i want
the best, Mr. Jones.

You know i want
the very best.

Well, there's one service
we've not sold.

Never sold.

The angel chorus.

It's too expensive,
but we stock it

Just to show our client
the ultimate possibilities.

Tell me about it,
Mr. Jones.

Well, for
the angel chorus...

The grave is dug 12 feet
deep instead of six.

Twelve?

Gates to the city.
Let me go deep when i go.

How much?

A band of singers,
the gospel ramblers is hired from Memphis.

The object of the angel chorus
is to omit nothing

That will glorify
and beautify the service.

How much?

Three thousand
dollars, mama.

I'll take it!

I'll take that angel chorus!

What color dress?

Shinin' gold.

I have it.

I'll get it, Mr. Jones.

Jelly, dance
for Mr. Jones.

Show him how good
you can dance.

Jelly dances real good,
Mr. Jones.

Stanley.

Fire away.

That nigger you arrested
earlier, not blue-gum,

Archie Parsons...

Don't Archie like
his accommodations?

His wife wants to talk
to the arrestin' officer

Waitin' on the corner
of sycamore and sixteenth.

Do tell.

Okay, me and Willie'll
wipe her nose for her.

You erleen Parsons?

Yes please, sir.

Say you want to get Archie
out of jail, erleen?

Archie ain't never been
in no trouble before.

He got him a job
at the tannin' factory.

He need work.

And if he don't show up,
they'll lay him off.

I mean work bein'
so scarce.

And i called the police station
and they said that you would...

Would help give me the details
on how to get him out.

Yeah.

So soon?
You're kiddin'.

Hop in the back seat, Emma.
Uh, erleen.

Is...Is Archie all right?

I gotta get him out.

Okay, just uh...
Get in the car.

Well, you want to
get him out, don't you?

Where are you takin' me?
You takin' me to see Archie?

There's some certain things
you gotta understand, erleen,

If'n you want to get
that boy outta jail.

You understand?
Isn't that right, Mr. bumpas?

Right.

It comes down to a man like me
bein' asked to rush things.

To manhandle, sorta,
the due process of the law

Which has to be carried
out step by step,

Whereas otherwise, uh...
It ain't the law.

You understand?

The boy in jail
for bein' drunk.

He never drank.
Archie never took the drink.

Yeah, well, uh,
swearin' at an officer.

Whatever it was.

Uh...Are you denying
and disputin'

The word of
an officer of the law?

No.

I don't like it,
Mr. worth.

No, tamperin' with the law
and the due process,

I'm for takin' her in and gettin'
her name written down in the book.

Take it easy on the girl,
Mr. Stanley.

Well, here I've drove
clear out in the country,

Just to help her get
her boy outta jail.

Let's take her in,
right, Mr. worth?

Well, let me just talk to her
one more time, Mr. bumpas.

Can't make up
your mind, huh?

Is that it?

No, sir.

Course, it's uh...
Already wrote down.

I'd be takin' a chance,
but uh...

Then you say he's got
to be to work on Monday.

I admire a boy that's...
Take it easy.

I ain't gonna
hurt you none.

I admire a boy...

You like that?
Please, sir.

See, so many of them no
account black son of a bitches

Is always playin' off.

Robbin' their wages
outta their boss.

Take it easy,
it ain't gonna hurt.

Nothin' you ain't done
before, plenty of times.

That cop, Willie Joe.

He been botherin' you,
Mr. Jones?

You know somethin'?

They say Emma's gone
and got her own lawyer.

Benny say we may have to
speak Willie Joe worth's name

When we testify
come Tuesday.

You can back out,
you know.

I won't
hold you to it.

I tell Benny, i say
we will testify anyway.

Benny and me agree on that.

That is, if you go on
with it, Mr. Jones.

You sure you
gonna do that?

A few years back, one mornin'
on main street in this town,

There was a picket,
a black man.

Paradin' up and down,

Alone in front of price
burkhalder's hardware store.

A crowd gathered,

Curious to see what
price burkhalder would do.

I was watchin' when
burkhalder came out,

Shotgun in hand.

I heard him say,
"by God nigger, get!

Or I'll blow daylight
through your black skin!"

Picket dropped his sign,
and then... he ran.

Lately, I've asked myself,

What if he had not run?

I see him runnin'.

I hear the mob yellin',
"run, nigger, run!"

I hear 'em laughin'.

But...What if he had not run?

Be a dead man,
Mr. Jones.

I wonder.

I really wonder.

I believe erleen understands
how the law works, Mr. bumpas.

I believe
we can let her go.

Okay.

'Course the best the law can
provide in a case like this

Is just a suspension
of the charge,

Whereas no charge as serious
as Archie's can ever be

Wiped off the slate
clean forever.

You understand?

Huh?

Okay.

You can get out.

Okay.

Benny and me, we think you
need protection, Mr. Jones.

Colored can't go up
against white alone.

Mostly not a policeman
like that Willie Joe.

Benny and me want you
to meet somebody, Mr. Jones.

Come on.

Come on, Mr. Jones.

I let Sonny boy have
the room next to mine.

Keep on with him,
Emma.

Finally,
he'll kill you.

Come in,
Willie Joe.

Mr. Oman.

Uh...We're just family.
Well?

Well, uh,
i talked to her,

But she wasn't
very cooperative.

How do you mean?

Well, see Emma...

Emma's not just
some ordinary nigger.

Never mind about that.

First place, i don't want
to hear about it.

Second place, all i want to know
is whether it's fixed.

Is it fixed?
Well, uh, not exactly.

Not yet.

But you're gonna fix it.

You can fix it?

Is that what you mean?

Well...Yeah.

Yes, sir.

All right, now that's
all i want to hear.

Because like i told you,
if it ain't fixed...

I see, Mr. Oman.

Don't worry,
I'll take care of it.

All right, Willie Joe.

Bye.

Hey, uh...

Wife and kids doing okay?

Oh, yeah.
Doin' fine, Mr. Oman.

That's good.

Everything's fine, isn't it?

Yes, sir.

Let's keep it that way.

Yes, sir, Mr. Oman.

Wife and kids,
job on the force,

And he can't keep out
of Emma Jones' pants.

Yesterday, Willie Joe
and i had a little

Man to man talk,
you know.

I see.

Well, why shouldn't Willie Joe
talk to I.B.'S wife?

He sleeps with her.

Talk? You mean
intimidate her.

Steve, i took this case
at your insistence.

Now, I'll handle it.

Jones will be a free man.

Bird free, come 10:30
Tuesday mornin'.

A liberated man.

Morning.

Good morning,
miss nella.

Am i interrupting?

No, we were just discussing
the divorce case of

Lord Byron Jones,
the undertaker.

He sure puts on some
mighty fine funerals.

May i have the floor,
Mr. champ.

Sir?

You mind if i talk?

Go ahead.

If miss nella and Steve
can stand it, suppose i can.

My God.

I don't know
why i put up with him.

Wouldn't no one but me
put up with you.

That's why.

Well, I'm with Henry.

I can hardly take it myself.

Excuse me.

Well.

Tell me about Cassie.

Cassie!

Whatever happened to her?

By God, Steve promised.

And Steve made me promise
not to tell, but...

I'll be damned.

What became of her?

Was she pretty?

Oh, as pretty a little
nigger gal as i ever saw.

I never saw her again.

That's how you lost miss Mary.

She made a big mistake.

Lookin' at you,
i see everything i lost.

Everything.

Live long enough without love
and something inside you...

Changes.

And only the touch
of beauty...

Such as yours in this house,
can bring it back.

You and Steve mean more to me
than...Anything,

More than my own flesh,
you must know that.

Oman...

Don't let Steve
lose respect for you.

What does Steve want of me?
What does he...Expect of me?

To treat I.B. Jones
as if he were white.

I don't know sometimes
whether to laugh or cry.

I have to use
my own judgment.

Maybe I'm going through
the menopause, or somethin'.

Henry!

Sir?

Dump this out and get me some fresh,
you damned old witch doctor.

You let your coffee get cold in
the cup before you drink it?

No, sir.
I drinks mine.

I pays attention
to what I'm doin'

And when mine get right,
then i drinks it.

It's the police.

Go.

You alone?

Yes.

I'll come to the point,
by God.

That is, if you don't mind.

I wouldn't want to be cause
too goddamn much inconvenience.

All right,

Mr. worth.

I like to be reasonable.

I tried to reason
with your wife.

No telling how many favors
I've done people.

Favor here, favor there,
you know what i mean?

Huh?

I'm listenin',
Mr. worth.

Well, I'm that way.

I like everybody,
black or white.

You ask anybody,
they'll tell you.

Now you take lawyers,
they don't care.

Just another day's work
for them, but...

I got the job of enforcin'
the law in Southern Tennessee,

And with me
it's different.

Let people get the wrong idea about
me and I'm out of a goddamned job.

You see what
I'm tellin' you?

Huh?

I think i do.

Well, good.

'Cause i wouldn't want nobody
to walk into somethin' blind,

And get hisself hurt,
like the little boy says.

I don't care who he is, by God,
i think he deserves a little warnin'.

Uh...Well.

Take if, uh...
A colored man's wife

Was to fool around on him a little,
and he got tired of it.

Take if the other man,
let's say a white man.

Take if the other man
was to be reasonable,

Let's say agreed
to leave her alone,

If he was asked
straight out in a nice way.

Now, why wouldn't that
settle the whole thing?

Let's say, let's say,
this colored man

Was to tell his lawyer
he didn't want no divorce, see?

He done changed his mind.

Well, hell, Jones.

Everybody could rest easy and
forget about it, couldn't they?

What's his hurry?
Five minutes ain't no skin off his bottom.

Shut up, Stanley.
I'm comin'!

All Mr. bumpas cares about
is that damn farm.

Man can't even do business
with him out there.

Tootin' that damn horn.

I hope he roasts!

I hope, by God, the sweat rolls
down his legs into his shoes.

Well, now.

Well, we'll leave it
this way.

If i get word by
6:00 tomorrow night,

That's Monday night,
that'll be soon enough.

If Mr. Oman hedgepath
notifies me by then, well,

That's all right.

If he just phones me,
sends me word,

By 6:00 tomorrow night,
that it's called off.

Now i don't mean,
by God, postponed.

Understand?

I mean called off.

Well, then, we're okay.

I wouldn't want there to be no
misunderstandin' on it, Jones.

I mean, do you by God,
understand?

Well, don't ever say
you weren't told.

We're late.
I'll get my coat.

Maybe i better go
with you.

No.

Benny.

He's gonna be
at his farm.

All day.

Bumpas.

You see how good you feel?

Mama told you right.

There he was on the
other end of the dark.

There was that honky.

That beat up and nearly killed
a 13-year-old boy.

But i couldn't remember
no more how it hurt.

And there's no blood
on my hands, mama.

Mama told you.

Somethin' happened
so long ago,

It ain't hardly
the same no more.

Mama, i don't have to
kill nobody.

Lordy, lordy,
this is the day.

It's Monday, ain't it?

All day.
You comin'?

Way past 6:00, and that black
son of a bitch never called.

Just let it ride,
by God.

From what you said,
lawyer hedgepath

Couldn't have put it no plainer
if he'd wrote it down.

How many times you
have to be told?

Oman means
for you to fix it.

Why couldn't Jones
have called?

Man has to tell you twice,
by God, twice?

Okay, okay!

Can't you shut up five minutes
and let a man think!

Hello?

Hello? Mr. Jones?

Yes?

They took Benny.

What?

Bumpas. They took him
down to the jail.

They're asking seventy-five
dollars bail.

I said I'd pay it right now.

They say, "he work
for I.B., don't he?

"If I.B. Don't
want him locked up,

Let I.B. Come downtown
and bail him out."

I'll go right away.

Emma...

I must go.

Oh, go, go up against
those big white men.

And go up against Willie Joe
and Oman hedgepath.

Sure, go, baby.

Scared?

Yes.

Well, i took my beatin'.
Now you take yours.

Emma...

I, um...

Feel foolish?

Big man?

Out.

I said, out!

Nobody never done called me,
all day long.

I waited...
Nobody never done called.

You didn't forget
to call Mr. Oman?

No.

You gonna call him?

No.

You didn't forget?

No.

Try to grab my pistol,
will you!

Did you ever, by God,
hear of handcuffs?

I never figured
the son of a bitch would jump.

Never figured there was
any need to handcuff him.

Shhh!

Come here.

Come here, shorty.
Come here.

Go...Go.

I don't see
a damn thing.

He's nearby.

I can smell him.

Jolly!

Jolly!

I know you're here, Jones!

So, by God, why not
make it easy on yourself?

What the...

Yes, by God,
straight through the head.

Why'd you
shoot him?

He come at me.
I had to touch him off.

That old dog?

Cucumber keeps him here to bark
when a customer comes by!

You had to, by God,
kill the blind man's dog.

Run, nigger! Go on!
Run, nigger, run!

Run, nigger! Go on!
Run, nigger, run!

Look at him go!
Run, nigger!

Here.

Here!

Get your hands
on your head.

Get over here.

So you finally knew
it was no use runnin'.

I'm not runnin'.

Anymore.

We might have to work
you over, by God!

Jumpin' out of a patrol car
after you was arrested.

Never done following me and
Mr. Stanley like you was told.

Better tape his mouth,
if you mean to work him over first.

Damn you, Stanley bumpas!
Will you, by God, shut up!

I'm tryin' to reason
with this man.

Now...

For the last time,

Are you gonna
call Mr. Oman?

No.

What are you sayin'
for yourself, nigger?

For the last time,

Are you gonna call off
the divorce, for God's sake?

No.

Do you know what you're
forcin' me to do?

Do you, by God,
know you're askin' for it?

Go on,
tape his mouth.

You got a prayer, I.B.?
You better by God pray.

Only peace.

Huh?

What did you say?

Amen.

On your knees.

Now.

Feel that, nigger?
You know what that is?

Now, for the last time.

You gonna call it off?

Damn you!

Call it off!

What the hell
are you waitin' for?

Last time, nigger.

Well, for...

Ain't he dead yet, Stanley?

Is he?

What the hell you doin'?

Oh, my God, what a...

Jolly!

Jolly!

Jolly!

Jolly!

Where are you, doggie?

Now that, by God, says
nigger revenge, plain as day.

Couldn't say it no plainer
if you hang a sign on him.

Where the hell
have y'all been?

Hmmm?

Had to kill us
a nigger.

Any nigger
in particular?

Maybe i should
phone the chief.

Not if you mean
to live and do well.

Yeah, but killin' a nigger
seems kind of important.

Maybe the chief would
like to be notified.

That nigger undertaker,
know him?

Lord Byron Jones?

You killed him?

Dead, did ya?

You gotta make a thing
like that look good,

Like another nigger
done it outta revenge.

I altered him.
Taken his shoestrings.

Just keep it quiet.
We'll pick up some suspects.

All there is to it.

He was one rich black
son of a buck.

You know,
i kind of liked him.

I never
wished him any harm.

Reckon if he kept his place like that little
boy said, he'd still be alive and rich.

I could use a drink.

No, Hank, my stomach's
all tore up as it is.

Well, mine ain't.

Boy, killin's one thing.

But that else.

What if it was you?

When the time come,
i didn't do nothin'.

They didn't take
no points off him.

Yeah?

Mr. hedgepath?

The mayor wants
to speak to you, sir.

Thank you.

Hello?
Mayor Jack.

Got 'em both, Oman.

What?

They wanted to kill
I.B. Jones.

L.B.?

Killed?

Him, all right.

Oman?

You there, Oman?

Oman?

I'll be right over.

Happened to him, sir.

Happen to anybody.

Oh, Oman.

Well, i said the one with
the most to gain: Emma Jones.

But she had to
have help.

Who else but Benny?

Are you sure?

Emma and Benny?

How did they get
these confessions?

Well, i don't know.

I make it a policy not to be
present for that point of it.

But in my opinion,

We got a case that'll hold water
with the grand jury.

And I'm ready to call in
the district attorney.

Well, don't.

I don't have
to tell you.

People expect the murderer
to be caught.

Well...

I just might need
more proof than these.

You think it wasn't them?

I'll see you
in a few minutes.

Chief, come with me.

Open that door.

Wait here for me.

Here's Benny.

Over there's Emma.

Did you do it?

I signed it.

Benny...

How could i, Mr. Oman?

Didn't i love that man?

And besides...

I was locked up in this cell
all night long.

Did you kill him?

That's what they say.

Can you get us outta here?

I have to arrange
for a funeral.

How'd you get these?

Cattle prod.
Mr. ike?

Yes, sir.

There it is.

I only had to sock it
to her once.

But i had to lay it
on Benny three times.

This is Benny Smith's
confession, huh?

He killed I.B. Jones?

That's right.

A very clever fella, Benny.

Huh?

Slipped out of jail,
killed I.B. Jones,

Slipped back into jail,
very clever.

Sir?

My understandin' Benny Smith
was locked up all night.

Mr. ike,
is that right?

Yes, sir...

Was Benny Smith
locked up all night?

Yes, sir, the boys brought
him in early yesterday evenin'.

Benny's been down
in that cell, locked up,

And he's still there,
according to my records.

Maybe he's got
a key to this place.

Turn him loose.

Well, turn him loose!

Dumb, stupid cops!
I've seen better heads on cabbage!

Here.
Here!

So long, Benny.

Get!

Come on.

I killed him.

He...He...He wouldn't..
Wouldn't cooperate.

I just about got down
on my knees to that damn nigger.

Ain't nothing else for it,
Mr. hedgepath.

Hell, he give me
no room to turn around.

Maybe i ought to go across the street
and get myself a cup of coffee.

Sit down.

Well, Willie Joe wanted
to turn himself in to me.

I said we already
had the guilty ones.

I said besides, i wasn't the one
he should turn himself into.

'Cause you're
the city attorney.

I'm turnin' myself in to you,
Mr. hedgepath.

It was a good thing that
you thought enough of me

To come and tell me
the trouble i was in...

And get me to do
what i could about it.

I?

I told you?

Well, you said to fix it, sir.

Dear God.

So, what i mean is,

Benny didn't do it
and neither did Emma.

I done it.

I know now i ought
not to have done it.

But it was either
the nigger or me.

Well, it's self-defense.

Can you prove you did it?

Here's the proof.
My gun.

You take that damn thing off
my table, if you don't mind.

Nigger in white.
Don't bring me into it.

If you be so kind
as to excuse me,

I haven't heard one single solitary
word spoken in this office today.

Oh, sit down!

Both of you.

Take me, book me,
lock me up.

Goddamn it, will you
please shut up!

What kind of city do you think the
people will imagine we're running

Where a police officer gets caught
out sleepin' with a nigger?

Ain't there enough white women
around to keep you satisfied?

Hell, up until this morning i was the
mayor of a clean, decent little city.

I'm awful sorry.
Just book me.

Book you, hell!

I don't even want to
look at you.

I wish to God
I'd never seen you.

Aw, nothin' we do, any of us,
will bring I.B. Back.

Is that right?

Let the law lay on me.
Otherwise I'll never sleep again.

And have the case dragged in
every newspaper in the country?

If you don't lay it on me,
I'll never get right, Mr. Oman.

Never.

Now son...

I wouldn't want you
to do anything...Hasty.

That you'll regret later.

Well, what about your wife?

Lonnie.
And your little girls.

Are they worth
standing up for?

Have you got guts enough...

To shelter them from ruin?

He's a brave man,
Oman.

I know he's got
the guts.

Willie Joe,

You killed a man
in the line of duty.

Is that so bad
for a police officer?

Doing your duty
as you saw it?

Son?

It's your decision,
but if it were me...

I'd go on just like
nothing happened.

But you...

You still got Emma
and Benny in jail.

If they go free,

Will you promise not to say
one word about this?

Yes, sir.

Mayor Jack,
let me have your gun.

Now you swap guns.

Use this one.

In a few months,
report yours lost.

We'll issue you a new one.

Yeah.

You're a lot of man,
Willie Joe.

He's got the stuff.

Take the day off
and get some rest.

Nice work, Oman.

Yeah, that about covers it.

Oman, i know
what you must feel.

I figured you might need me.
Can i help?

Oh, we handled it.

But how?

The way things
always been handled here.

Quietly.

But Oman, a man's
been murdered.

I don't want to discuss it.
I don't want you involved.

Jones knew what he was doing.

I've got to go
by the office.

Get out.

Get out, Mr. Stanley.

Now what...
What's this all about?

Boy.

How you, Mr. hedgepath?

Pretty girl.

You want to crack
my heart?

Goodbye, Oman.

Goodbye, Oman.

* i hear music in the air *

* over my head *

* i hear music in the air *

* over my head *

* i hear music in the air *

* there must be *

* a heart somewhere *

* over my head *

* i hear praying in the air *

* over my head *

* i hear praying in the air *

* over my head *