Original subtitles

-He thinks nobody else... -Exactly.

-This is a popular... -I can get over there by noon.

Right. Tomorrow.

All right, so that will help.

I don't know why you spend the entire day here.

Good afternoon.

Uh, we don't handle properties in Chinatown.

Yes, I've already inquired about properties in Chinatown,

but there's nothing available.

I was hoping you could find me a suitable property nearby.

Uh, Fillmore Street, perhaps?

-Oh, I'm afraid that's not possible. -I don't require much.

A storefront with a room above?

I have cash.

I could put the deposit down now.

We only sell or let to Americans, so...

-Wonderful, I am American. -Not in San Francisco.

Thank you for your time.

I hear there are 20,000 Chinese in San Francisco now.

And they expect us all to live in a couple blocks.

Their rules serve their purposes.

Eat before it gets cold.

There's nothing like your winter melon soup.

How long have you been in the city?

Well, I would have come sooner, but I heard that scholar Lau was gone

and that Lucky Lau had taken his place.

You used to rail against gambling. What changed?

Nothing.

There was always baccarat, fan-tan games.

How do you think I got in debt back home?

Is that why you stayed away all these years?

Because I disappointed you?

You stopped visiting me. You stopped answering my letters.

I thought something happened to you.

I was embarrassed.

I've only ever been a cook,

a domestic.

I never achieved what you dreamed for me.

Are you so much a child still to think that anyone gets the life they planned?

Make what you can with what you have.

-You can sell books from this apartment. -It wasn't about selling books.

I just wanted a place where I could belong.

And you can't find that anywhere else?

The only place I've ever made for myself belongs to someone else.

Can't it be yours as well?

At what cost?

That's for you to determine.

Someday, a bookstore will exist of the kind we imagined.

And perhaps you will even open it.

Life, if you're lucky, is long.

If you soak the pot overnight, it'll come right out.

I saw your new automobile.

If you're interested in spending your money now, there are better ways.

This place isn't really a home yet.

Hm. Who's gonna make it one?

I thought I might.

That is, if you haven't replaced me yet.

We couldn't replace you.

We couldn't if we tried.

I've been doing a little thinking...

in my time away.

The terms of my return.

I'll give you a raise, whatever you think is right.

I want more than money.

Like what?

Control over the running of the house.

Didn't you have that already?

No. I had to ask for every dollar we spent.

If I'm going to make a proper home for you and the boys,

I have to feel it's mine as well.

Fine.

I won't speak pidgin English to our guests anymore.

Oh, I... I didn't know you felt you had to.

Oh, then you weren't listening.

You will listen.

You will try to listen.

And you won't interfere with how I raise the boys.

They're my boys.

Then you should raise them.

I'm trying.

Try harder.

Is that all?

I'm sure there'll be other things. Give it time.

Mm.

We missed you.

-We didn't know how to do without you. -Well, that much is clear.

What happened in San Francisco?

I had my great try.

Thank God that's done with.

Is that all you're gonna tell me?

Adam.

I've never been so goddamn homesick in all my life.

Lee?

Yes.

You came home.

Yes.

Here, Cal!

And Abra!

-Okay. Whatever you want. -I think that... Yes.

And he's a... Hey!

Come on, Aron. I'm not waiting all day.

Aron.

A pound of flour and a half pound of lard.

Charge it to our account.

Charge... Mm.

Where have you been?

Ask Aron.

He's the one who needs a chaperone.

Cal, did you hear about the mastodon they dug up in Siberia?

Is there anyone in Salinas who hasn't heard about your mastodon?

It had been in the ice for thousands of years,

and the meat was still good.

Our icebox works on the same principle.

These have been in there for a week, and there's no sign of decay.

Amazing.

Miracles in their own home, and these boys don't even blink an eye.

What do you expect? They're natives of this century.

Well, I'm off.

I'm going down to meet the manager of the ice plant,

so don't wait on me for dinner.

-Again? -It is miraculous.

If you get things cold enough, you can keep them.

You can keep anything.

Cal, you're too smart to be getting grades like these.

I just want you to try.

But if I tried, people might expect something of me.

I know you don't like to be compared to your brother.

Who says I don't?

Just because Aron's a good student

doesn't mean that you can't be one as well.

You think I don't know that?

Hey, Lee, can I take the rest of the cookies over to Abra's?

We're gonna study.

-Yes. -Thanks.

To study?

We have an exam tomorrow, in case you forgot.

No one can say Aron doesn't try.

Go ahead and laugh.

The rest of us will be off at college making something of ourselves.

Tell Abra I said hello.

Mm. I will.

You'd think Abra was his twin, how much time he spends with her.

Keep talking like that, and people will say you're jealous.

-Of what? -Please, Will, come in.

Thank you.

Lee, is there fresh coffee?

-Whiskey, if you have it. -Cal, where are you going?

To Abra's to study.

Wherever you're going, be back by nine. I don't like you out at all hours.

Aye, aye, Captain.

Cars are really only a small part of my business now.

It's amazing to see what you've made of yourself.

Oh, Lee, you remember Will Hamilton, Sam Hamilton's son?

-Of course. -Now, it's the damnedest thing.

I'd just been thinking,

"If only I could talk this idea over with Sam Hamilton,"

and there you were, coming out of the Abbott house.

Will,

I have an idea.

And I can't get rid of it.

I suppose it's a business proposition, seeing that's your field of expertise.

Go on.

Now, the way I see it, the whole country is changing.

People aren't going to live the way they used to.

That's certain.

Do you know what the biggest market for oranges is in the winter?

New York City.

Now, cauliflower, lettuce, peas,

in most of the country, you can't get them fresh for months.

But here, in our valley, we can raise them year-round.

Now, if you chop ice fine, and you lay a head of lettuce in it,

and wrap it in wax paper, it'll keep fresh for weeks.

And the owner of the ice plant here in Salinas is looking to sell.

I thought I might buy it and try to ship some lettuce out east this winter.

Hm.

That'll cost a lot of money.

I have a lot of money.

Well, what do you think?

Look, Trask.

I... I come from a whole goddamn family of inventors.

We had ideas for breakfast. We had ideas instead of breakfast.

I'm the only one who didn't have any ideas,

and I'm the only one who ever made a dime.

So what are you saying?

If you wanna drop $40,000 or $50,000 quick, go ahead.

Otherwise, let your damned idea die.

Why? What's wrong with it?

There are too many variables outside of your control.

The weather, the trains, the market.

That's just one man's opinion.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to see a man about a horse.

Uh... Will, now, you don't think it'll make money?

Su... sure. You never know.

It could be a big success, or it could be a big flop.

The risk is too high.

You wanna put your money into something? Look around.

This war in Europe is gonna go on a long time.

-Mm. -When there's war, there's hungry people.

Rice and corn and beans.

They don't need ice.

They keep, and people can stay alive on them.

War profiteering.

No, I'm just reading the tea leaves. Now, I really do have to meet somebody.

Good to see you, Trask.

And you.

He didn't say it couldn't work.

No, he didn't.

I think I'll buy the ice plant.

♪ Private Perks is a funny little codger ♪

♪ With a smile, a funny smile ♪

♪ Five feet none He's an artful little dodger ♪

♪ With a smile, a funny smile ♪

♪ All the other fellows have to grin ♪

♪ When he gets this off his chest ♪

♪ Hey! ♪

♪ Pack up your troubles In your old kit bag ♪

♪ And smile, smile, smile ♪

♪ While you've a Lucifer To light your fag ♪

♪ Smile, boys, that's the style ♪

♪ What's the use of worrying? ♪

♪ It never was worthwhile ♪

♪ So pack up your troubles In your old kit bag ♪

♪ And smile, smile, smile ♪

♪ Pack up your troubles In your old kit bag ♪

♪ And smile, smile, smile ♪

♪ While you've a Lucifer To light your fag ♪

♪ Smile, boys, that's the style ♪

♪ What's the use of worrying? ♪

♪ It never was worthwhile ♪

♪ So pack up your troubles In your old kit bag ♪

♪ And smile... ♪

The shipment will go over the Rockies, across the plains.

It'll stop briefly in Chicago.

And then on to New York.

Cal, move your things.

Abra's worked very hard on this meal, and we are going to enjoy it.

When the train arrives in New York,

do you think we should have a photographer there to document it?

Oh. That's a fine idea.

I'd bet they put it in the papers. First shipment of its kind.

Father, if your venture goes well, you'll do it again, won't you?

Yes. That's the general idea.

Well, instead of giving the farmers a percentage,

wouldn't it make more sense to have your own product to sell?

But I'm not a farmer.

Yes, but if you did have your own product, wouldn't that be more profitable?

Cal, what are you getting at?

Let me plant our ranch this spring.

That way, it'll be our own produce we ship next fall.

What's funny?

You... you don't know the first thing about farming.

I can learn.

If we cut out our partners in success,

imagine what that would do to Father's reputation.

-Stay out of this, Aron. -All right.

Cal, it's not possible. Our land is already rented.

But you let Aron help with the business. Why wouldn't you give me a chance?

Because he's proven that he can handle the responsibility, and you haven't.

Maybe I should go after him.

No.

He needs to learn that we're not gonna bend to his every mood.

Hey, kid.

You ever get kicked out of a place?

Yeah, sure.

What have they got against a good time?

No room at the inn for old Rabbit Holman.

Rabbit?

-That's a funny name. -I'm a funny fellow.

Places like this, you'd want me around.

-They don't know what they're missin'. -Hey.

You ever been to the show at Kate's?

Brothel?

They got a circus. Boy, a real lulu. Just you wait and see.

I never forgot how Kate done her old man, and he never got over it neither.

Poor old Trask.

How... how'd she done him?

You know, just shot him and ran off.

She was no good as a wife, but she sure as hell is a good whore.

Come on.

Kid, come on.

You'll love her.

Best seat in the house. Come on.

Hi.

Oh, ain't you cute?

Don't you worry.

They won't bite, unless you pay for it.

-Shh. -Good evening.

May I present

Madam Kate.

Gentlemen.

Oh!

Good evening.

Tonight, you have gathered

to witness a rite of passage.

As is customary with rituals, there will be an offering.

But it's not always so clear who is doing the sacrificing

and who is sacrificed.

Give it to him!

Go easy on the poor fellow!

Go easy on him!

Joe.

Did you see a boy here tonight?

Back of the room.

Mm-hmm.

Has he been here before?

Not that I remember.

We don't entertain children.

You're on the door for a reason. Don't let it happen again.

Yes, boss.

You got it.

We're doing better every week.

Maybe we should add another show.

No.

Build demand, then raise prices.

Ah.

Oh, this came for you this afternoon.

Like I said in my letter, I was hoping you might help me back on my feet.

Now, why would I do that?

Well, we had some good times, didn't we?

All of us girls at Faye's.

-That was a very long time ago. -Come on, Kate.

Just 'cause you got lucky doesn't mean the rest of us don't deserve nothing.

I wasn't handed anything. I made my own way, just like you.

You remember how I've got second sight?

-I used to read palms, tell fortunes. -No.

Oh, I bet the other girls do. I told lots of things that came true.

Like the dream I had the night Faye died.

-I ever tell you about that? -I don't recall.

Well, in my dream,

I seen a person come out of the kitchen

and dig a hole in the yard near the old fire pit.

Then I was awake, and Faye was dead.

I went and looked in that spot,

and down in the dirt,

there were some smashed-up medicine bottles.

It is kinda funny, don't you think?

I think

you're an old whore who's been bashed over the head far too many times.

Don't you start saying that I am nuts.

No, but you are tired and sick.

Why don't you stay here for a while, hmm?

You can't work, of course,

but you could help out around the house and have a bed and some meals.

How does that sound?

I was thinking more like you give me $100 a month.

No, try someone else.

Those new rooms that you put out back,

well, seems like they got built right on top

of where I found those broken medicine bottles.

It's almost like someone was trying to hide 'em.

It would've worked too,

if those bottle pieces were down there.

But I took 'em for safekeeping.

You see, in my dream,

the person digging around out there was you.

How much did you say? $100?

Uh, yes.

Judge, this is a frame.

-I never seen this guy in my life. -How much did you lose?

Close to $100.

And you had $96 on you.

You're right, what a frame.

Oh, Judge, Judge, I've got to see you alone.

Tell the sheriff I want her run over the county line before noon.

No, don't! Ugh!

-This is a frame! This is a frame! -Next case to be heard, please.

What was that?

Good lad.

-Could you pass me the... -He tipped so well.

The judge ran her out of town.

She could come back.

Who said that?

Who said that?

If you have something to say, just say it.

No one said anything, Kate.

Thanks for coming.

Thank you.

Okay.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Friends!

Members of the Chamber of Commerce, citizens of Salinas, welcome!

I'd like to thank my sons, Aron and Caleb,

and my trusted associate Lee,

who probably understands more about my business than I do.

I see many familiar faces here,

many hands who helped gather, trim, box, and load this cargo.

So, while we may not have other investors yet,

we have the investment of your honest labor.

And without you,

there would be no Salinas Valley Lettuce.

So here's to you, and here's to progress!

Good to see you.

And hold.

To Salinas Valley Lettuce.

Cheers.

Cheers.

Mmm.

Ooh.

So, when will you know how the first shipment fared?

The commission office in New York said we should have estimated profits

within two weeks.

How much do you stand to profit?

Oh, Aron, that's not talk for the dinner table.

Oh, I'm sorry. Um...

I was only curious about the margins.

Let's say this.

In a matter of weeks, I could be a very poor or a very rich man.

Father, now that the first shipment is off and you have a little more time...

I have to tell you.

A man from the Defense Council asked me to serve on the Salinas Recruitment Board.

President Wilson said we're staying out of the European conflict.

Well, nobody wants war.

I was thinking of joining the ROTC. All the boys at school...

Now that the first shipment is off, I have some ideas

about how the ice plant might run more efficiently.

The plant runs fine as it is.

But Lee let me look at the books. I found some redundancies.

I told you, my business is not your concern.

He has a good head for numbers, Adam.

Then he should study his math lessons occasionally.

Cal's actually been doing better in school...

I don't need your pity.

I am defending you, moron.

No name-calling.

It's the effort that matters. You have to learn to apply yourself, Cal.

I do apply myself. The teachers just don't like me.

They don't like that you don't try.

If you wanna be liked, follow your brother's example.

Stop comparing me to Aron! I am nothing like him!

-Cal. Cal. -Sit down! Sit down!

Am I so bad? Why can't you accept me for who I am?

Yes?

I wanted to come and congratulate you again on the shipment.

It really is a remarkable accomplishment.

Thank you, son.

I wonder if you might go a little easier on Cal.

Hello?

I know he can get in his own way, but he's only trying to please you.

It doesn't matter how good his intentions are.

Your brother needs to learn to take responsibility for his actions.

-If Cal keeps acting... -Adam.

Sheriff Quinn's on the phone.

Go on.

Just do what you're gonna do to me and get it over with.

They picked you up in a gambling den.

I had to get you from jail.

I failed you, haven't I?

I'm as bad as my father was.

I don't think you're a bad father.

Cal, how would you know?

You've never had any other kind.

My father made a mold.

And he forced me into it.

I was a bad casting.

Hm.

I couldn't be remelted, so...

I remained a bad casting.

And now...

I'm the same as he was.

He didn't allow me to be my own person.

And I don't see my sons as people.

This fan-tan game where they arrested you...

do you go to places like that a lot?

Only to watch.

-And does your brother go too? -No, sir.

Aron doesn't do bad things or think bad things.

And you?

Do you do and think bad things?

But you also protect your brother, don't you?

I try to.

Why?

I love him.

My brother and I,

we weren't like that.

We might've even hated each other.

I've hated Aron.

But I don't want to. I... I don't wanna hate anyone.

I just...

I wanna be good...

like you,

like Aron.

Cal...

all I want

is for you to try.

-I will. -Good.

Then I'll try too.

I'm glad you were able to sleep.

Where is everyone?

Uh, your father and Aron are at the ice plant.

Adam said you could join them if you want. Hm?

No, thank you.

You know, Cal, if you ever needed anything,

you could ask me.

Money, even. I have savings.

I know where my mother is.

And what she's doing.

I saw her.

What do you wanna know?

You can ask me anything.

-Does my father know about her? -Yes.

Why did he say she was dead?

To save you from pain.

Did she really shoot him?

Nearly killed him.

Why? Was he hurting her?

Not that I know of, no.

Have you told Aron about her?

No. I wouldn't dare tell him. I don't think he could stand it.

If Aron ever learns about her, you'll have to help him.

I have her in me.

Cal...

you may have that in you, but you've got the other too.

It's easy to excuse yourself because of your ancestry,

but whatever you do...

it will be you who does it,

not your father, not your mother.

You.

-Do you believe that? -Yes.

And you better believe it too.

Or I'll break every bone in your body.

Suppose you had been the one to dig up the bottles.

-Wouldn't you have asked around? -Who's there?

Who said that?

Suppose you gave mercury to a person.

What would happen?

Could you kill a person if you gave them too much lead?

Now, now, Cathy.

Why would you wanna hide my pretty face?

-Have you heard the story... -Stop it.

About the rich madam who willed everything to a new girl and then died?

-Please shut up! Shut up! -Burying the bottles...

Hard to hide something like that.

And you had to have Ethel floated, and now she could be anywhere...

Shut up! Shut up!

Talking to anyone, out of your control.

You needed me?

Joe, I...

Mm...

You remember that old buzzard, Ethel?

Well, turns out she stole more than

the hundred dollars.

What'd she take?

Something of personal value. You're a smart fellow.

-Where would you find someone like that? -I'll bet she ain't further than San Jose.

An old hustler don't go far.

How'd you feel about making some extra cash?

You want I should find her?

Mm-hmm. But keep it quiet.

Leave it with me, boss.

You.

Who are you?

Who sent you, and what do you want?

I'm Cal Trask.

I think you're my mother.

Shut the door.

You keep your curtains closed.

Yes, the light hurts my eyes.

It's arthritis.

You'll probably get it. My great-aunt had it and my mother.

Take a seat.

Do you want a drink?

I don't drink.

Neither do I.

What do you want, then?

Just to look at me?

Which one are you? The firstborn or the second?

I don't know. He... Father never said.

Does he talk about me a lot, your father?

No.

Never.

Your brother, what's his name?

Aron.

Aron.

What's he like?

He's good.

-Is he dull like Adam? -Leave them alone.

My father and my brother, stay away from them.

Oh.

You like them.

I love them.

Did you mean to shoot him?

My father?

I could have killed him, you know, but I didn't.

-I just wanted him to let me go. -Why?

I was broken

and hurt.

And Adam took me in.

He waited on me, and he cared for me.

And that's how he tried to tie me down.

That's how most people get tied down.

But no one can trap me.

Didn't you want us?

Did you ever wish that you hadn't left?

Christ, no.

Sometimes, I...

I have this meanness in me.

I'll get mad at my brother, and I'll... I'll hurt him.

I don't want to. It makes me sick.

But I do it. I do it all the same.

Aron is like Father.

I must be like you.

When you were little, did you ever have that feeling that

you were missing something?

Like... like the others knew a secret

that they wouldn't tell you?

I fooled every one of them.

Just when they thought they could tell me what to do.

Oh, Charles, that's when I really fooled them.

My name is Caleb.

What are you doing?

Close those. What are you doing?

-I wanna see. -I told you, the light hurts my eyes.

-I don't believe you. -Let go of me.

I don't believe that it does. I think that you're afraid.

I am not afraid of you or anyone.

Get out. Get out of here.

Get out of here before I scream. Let go of me!

Oh, goddamn it.

Don't drink too much.

Charles?

Cathy.

I'm here.

You're not alone.

This tenderizes the meat.

Okay.

And the flour helps the buttermilk adhere.

Careful. Don't get flour on the floor, or Lee will make you mop.

Good, good. Let's bring it to the milk bath.

Oh, good.

What's all this about?

Nothing.

Here, I can do the breadcrumbs.

I'll get you an apron.

Aron, are you going to help?

No point. Abra will cook for me.

Oh, will I?

Everyone will know how to feed themselves.

-Lee. -Thank you.

Read it.

What is it?

Do you want me to tell them?

A snow slide blocked the passage through the Sierras.

Our train cars were left on the tracks there

for two days before they dug 'em out.

And when the train finally got through,

it hit unseasonably warm weather through the Middle West.

In Chicago, there seemed to be some kind of confusion about the orders.

Nobody's fault.

These things happen.

And our train cars were left in the yard there for five more days.

The commission office in New York is asking for a fee of $2,000

to dispose of what arrived there.

They called it slop.

Nothing made it?

None of it?

It couldn't have been a more effective failure if I had planned it.

Aron.

I let him down.

-It wasn't your fault. -Go on, get him. Bring him back.

Please.

I'm really sorry, Father.

I guess I've had my great try.

You're not gonna crawl back into your hole now, are you?

What makes you think that?

The look on your face.

I truly believed it would work.

-Am I completely wiped out? -You're not rich anymore.

But we won't starve.

I made sure of that.

-We should sell the ice plant. -No.

-Adam... -This was a lot of accidents.

It could still work.

So maybe I can figure something out.

Here you are.

Why did he have to go and mess with things he doesn't know about?

Your father lost some money. What difference does it make?

We're poor now.

I'm a poor kid.

Your mother and father won't want you to marry me.

Then I won't ask them.

What will we live on?

We could run your father's ranch.

I'm not gonna be a farmer.

Abra, you're not gonna be a farmer's wife.

No, I'm gonna be Aron's wife,

no matter what he is.

You're pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?

Yes.

I am pretty sure of myself.

Kiss me.

It's okay.

Lee.

Hmm?

Is Father all right?

As all right as he can be.

Uh, you...

You said that I could come to you if I needed something.

Money.

Uh, a loan.

How much do you need?

What... what could you manage?

I'd say 5,000.

I can... I can pay you back. You... you can even charge me interest.

I'm not going to charge you interest.

-Don't you wanna know what it's for? -No.

I trust you, Cal.

-Thank you, Lee. -Mm-hmm.

Cal.

Yeah?

Don't tell your father where you got the money, okay?

I'm not gonna tell him anything. I want it to be a surprise.

I wanna make a lot of money, and I want you to tell me how.

-What do you mean by a lot of money? -About $20,000 or $30,000.

You must have heard what happened to my father's venture.

I wanna give him back what he lost.

I don't like to take a partner without money.

-I could get money. -How much?

Five thousand dollars.

Is that borrowed? What interest?

None.

That's a good trick. Where are you getting it from?

I won't tell, sir.

Cal, do you know the present price of beans?

Three and a half cents per pound, up from two.

I'd been thinking about asking my father to let me run the ranch.

Oh, you don't wanna farm. You're too smart for that.

There's no money in farming.

If we go to the farmers around here and we guarantee them five cents a pound

with a seed loan, they'll plant beans in the spring.

I figure we could contract 5,000 acres of beans that way.

What would we do with five-cent beans in a three-cent market?

This war in Europe's only gettin' worse.

It wouldn't surprise me if we got into it soon.

I figure in a matter of months,

we'll be able to sell all the dry beans we can find for ten cents a pound or more.

And that, Cal, is how you make a lot of money.

What do you say?

Where were you? You missed ROTC.

I, uh... I had a business meeting on the other side of town.

What business?

Don't worry about that.

Come on, I'll buy you an ice cream.

Lettuce heads?

Ice-cold.

Ignore them.

That doesn't bother you?

They're dumb kids.

But it's not just them. It's everyone.

Father's turned our family into the laughingstock of Salinas.

We've gotta get out of here.

You can go to college soon enough.

Over a year from now.

I wanna crawl out of my skin.

You know, I bet if you worked hard enough, you could pass the entrance exams in June.

And then you'd start college in the fall.

Father probably can't even afford to send me now.

Then I will.

-Don't joke. -I'm not.

You'll send me to college? How?

Don't worry about that.

If you pass in spring, I'll send you in the fall.

Deal?

Why would you do that?

Because you're my brother.

Let's not tell Father though.

Why not? It'll make him happy.

Suppose I don't pass. I don't want him looking over my shoulder.

I'll tell you what.

When you pass, you can tell him. It'll be like we're giving him a present.