Original subtitles

[Music]

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

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[Music]

[Music]

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Well, you know,

acting.

Would you have a local paper I can look

at?

You're new around here, aren't you?

Yes, ma'am.

Could I could I sit down here a minute

and read it?

Well, sure enough. Help yourself.

Can I get you cup of coffee?

Anything?

How much a cup of coffee cost?

10 cents. Just made some fresh.

Well, thank you. Just a second.

[Music]

[Music]

Take your brother and get in the house

now.

That's it.

That's it. Take your brother. Get in the

house now. Stay in the house.

What can I do for you?

I was looking for the Dinsmore place.

You found it.

Excuse me, ma'am. I I come about the ad.

I wanted husband.

Yeah, I'm the one that placed it.

Figured you were.

There's three of us near the four.

Figured they work.

Place needs work.

You still interested

record. So

then take off your hat. I can see you

one time.

You could use a haircut.

Yes, ma'am.

I'm Elanor Dinsmore. Mrs. Glendon

Dinsore.

Will Parker.

You've been around here long?

A day and a half.

Day and half way.

Feed me.

Feed me. Working for Harley over Meyer.

He's no good. You're better off working

for me. You know, Mr. Parker, I had that

ad going for over three weeks now.

And you're the first one fool enough to

come up that hill. Dan and Whitney, they

call me crazy. Did you know that?

No, ma'am. That's why you ain't run yet.

Maybe

maybe you should do the running, ma'am.

Why is that?

Cuz I done time in prison.

What they put you in there for? I said

take that hat off so I can see what kind

of man I'm talking to here.

They say I killed somebody.

Did you?

Yes, ma'am.

Did you have a good reason? I thought so

at the time.

Well, Mr. Parker, are you planning on

doing that to me?

I know, ma'am.

Mr. Parker, are you sick?

I'm

sorry, ma'am.

I'm all right now.

But you're throwing up.

This is those green apples I ate.

What green apples?

I had the green apples for lunch.

Oh, man. You had more sense than that.

Well, sense didn't come into it, ma'am.

I was hungry.

You didn't have no supper then.

Come on in the house

and I'll fix you something.

This hair is done away. There you go,

baby.

Had it on the way.

You going to stand by that door all day,

Mr. Parker?

Oh, no, ma'am.

Mr. Parker, this house ain't much, but

I'd appreciate you take your hat off

when you're in it.

Go to sleep

there. Baby tongue.

He's there. Three. Guess

we're going to be more close to

Christmas, I reckon.

Where's your daddy?

In the field.

I buried him out there.

Oh, I thought

you got a strange way of not saying

things, Mr. Parker. Out with it.

Well, I thought maybe uh maybe their

daddy run off. Well, so many men been

doing that since the depression.

I wouldn't be looking for no husband

then, would I?

I recognize would never run on. Didn't I

have to? Such a little dreams. He wasn't

here anyways.

How long you been dead?

Don't you worry now. The baby's hairs.

Oh, I didn't mean that.

Of course you did. I washed your eyes

when you come up here.

been dead since I

streams killed him. Bees on the honey.

What are your thoughts, Mr. Park?

How come you're not afraid of me?

Maybe I ain't.

That's how it shows.

Prison doesn't always have to let a

show.

Are you?

What if I said I was?

Well, then I'd walk back down that road

the way I come.

You want to do that?

No, ma'am. I I reckon not.

You want to stay up here with all them

down there thinking I'm crazy?

Are you

hear what I'm doing? Seems crazy to me,

doesn't it, to you?

I can see you need help. You got this

place. Kids,

you like kids?

I don't know. Never been around them too

much.

Just be sure, Mr. Parker. It says a lot.

They can be troublesome. I won't have

you laying a hand on them. You

understand?

Glendon's voice. And he never would have

dreamed of it. Oh man, he got my word on

that. It's got to be said.

I love my husband.

I wouldn't be looking for another unless

I owe it to you.

Winter's coming. I'm going to fakes. And

another thing,

having three babies under five years

old. Now, don't get me wrong, I love

them.

I don't want anymore.

Ma'am,

all I'm looking for is a dry bed and a

full plate.

You can spend the night,

cook the place over in the morning,

and I'll make you shake down out in the

barn.

That'd be real nice. I

want to wash up some.

[Music]

What?

[Music]

Help yourself.

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How long's it been?

How long has it been since you've had

more water, Mr. Barker?

5 years.

Been in prison for 5 years.

Yes, ma'am.

I should think a man who's been roughing

it might need a touch of soap.

Thank you.

You're no longer in prison, Mr. Parker.

Soap is free for the taking here.

So it's the hot water.

[Music]

[Music]

The whole night

will tell on you

when tears come down.

Honey, you turn that back up. That's my

favorite song.

Yeah. And I didn't come all the way over

here to get my eardrums busted.

Oh, yeah.

Now, what did you come over here for?

I'm walk

through.

Your cheating heart

will tell on you.

[Music]

Damn.

Oh, Lou, you make a man harder in

Chinese arithmetic. You know that.

I sure do, sugar.

Yes.

Oh my my my my.

Well, you'd like it right now, wouldn't

you? Yeah.

Well, I'm ready to wait. Feel

that?

I got gumdrops just thinking about you.

[Music]

Boy, you need your damper turned down.

You know that.

Wait,

what I need

is one of them electric fans. H

you know them oscillating kind that go

back and forth and back and forth. I I

saw one in a hardware store in Atlanta

last time when I was visiting my sister

Juny.

You know I got you that fridge in there

and I got you the filter. I turned your

closet into a bath.

And I said thank you.

I had to do some fancy fast talking with

May about where all that extra money

went.

M good low. You won't buy me electric

fan. I'm going to find me somebody who

wins.

Let me tell you something. Well, you

ain't going to find a bigger fool than

me in this town.

I don't know. This handsome stranger

come into the cafe today.

He looked fool enough to me.

Tall guy wiry.

Yeah.

Wearing a big old

cowboy hat.

It's one

Harley Overmire fired him today. His

name's Parker. He just done five years

over in Huntsville Penitentiary for

killing a [ __ ]

over in Lraange, Texas. Yes, he did.

What he want?

He went on up to Crazy Ali Dinsmo's

place about that ad she run.

How the hell would you know that? He

asked me the way and I told him.

Ellie Dinsmore, huh?

Yeah.

Advertising for her husband. She rushed.

What do you expect after being locked up

in that house all those years?

She's crazy. You know,

you're cheating hard.

cheating hard.

You might decide it's not such a good

idea to stay. Now, I sure wouldn't blame

you, no matter what you said before.

Same goes for you, too, Mr.

Watch out for this pile of junk. All

right, ma'am.

Over here. Here. Take this.

Oh, careful.

I'm sorry about that.

It's okay.

It's not much. I'm sorry.

It's fine.

You ain't got much for muscles, do you?

Oh, ain't I?

Got those up there, didn't I?

Just barely.

Here you go.

Don't be silly. Been walking in this

barnyard since long before you own that

thing you call a hat.

Well, it's my own anyways. And my boots.

Here you go.

Take it yourself.

Be careful. Don't away.

You milked the goat there.

No, I milk the cow.

Oh, you have a cow.

Herbert.

Herbert.

Over there's madam.

That's real nice.

You jump that there.

That's the way.

Watch out for that mud there. Done away.

Slow up, baby.

Oh, look at this.

Rex every one of them. Lon love

collecting all things just like his

daddy before him.

Can I ride it?

I sure can, baby. Hey, you want to take

baby Thomas?

Okay, take a pan.

Come on, baby Thomas.

One of Glendon's

daddy's pieces.

Well, it's not too bad.

[Music]

Oh my god.

Come on. Come on now.

Get in the mud.

Come on. Run to that mud. Run right into

that mud.

Get him to the mud. Get the mud. Right

in here. That's it.

Keep running over.

How you doing?

Oh, not bad.

There we go.

Never had any of your own?

No, ma'am.

Never married.

No, ma'am.

I reckon you're a little shy yourself in

those wet branches.

Well, they'll dry, ma'am.

Oh, got a leaky faucet here.

Oh, I'm sorry.

It's all right.

Oh, come on.

Oh, come on. I'm sorry.

Mr.

Thomas ain't trained yet. You see,

I'm sorry.

Well, like you said, ma'am, they're wet.

Anyways,

um I'll gladly wash your pants for you

and and get you a pair of Glendon's

overalls for you to wear until yours are

dry.

I'd appreciate that, ma'am.

I've decided to stay if you want me to.

I do.

And uh as far as Marion goes, you know,

well, we can put that off till you're

till you're comfortable.

If it's never, well, that's that's fine.

I I'll stay in the barn.

How's that?

Fine.

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[Music]

There it is.

Sometimes it's actually fly. You know

that.

[Music]

All right.

You can go there. Put your foot next to

his foot. All right.

[Music]

Morning, Mr. Ismore.

Uh, my name's Good Low. Reese Goodlo.

I don't know if you remember me. Uh, my

older brother went to school with your

mama.

I know.

You uh you have a man called Parker

here?

Yes.

I'd like to talk to him.

Stand around the band clearing weeds.

Uh,

but there's more. Uh,

I don't want to step in your business,

none. But, uh,

I don't know whether you know this boy

has a police record.

If you're trying to tell me he's been in

prison, I know it.

You do? Yes.

Well, I just wanted to make sure that

you knew

I do.

Appreciate it, man.

Parker,

will Parker

Reese Goodlo, Sheriff

How long you been in Whitney, Parker?

About a month. Little

Ain't you on parole?

Yes, sir.

Why haven't you been in to visit me?

Had to get me a job.

You're still supposed to report, ain't

you?

I'll be there.

Does uh

Mrs. Dinsmore know that you uh killed a

[ __ ]

She knows some.

Well, let me tell you what I know,

Parker.

I know that your best friend put you in

jail.

I am not your best friend.

So, why don't you just move on down the

road?

I'm not harming anybody.

As far as I'm concerned, you're in

violation parole already. I came all the

way out here just to put you on notice.

Now, I got a nice town here, Parker,

with nice people in it.

Worst thing happens. Harley Overmire

gets himself drunk

and gets into a fight.

You catch my drift.

So you best watch your backside, boy.

And don't you make me come out here to

get you again.

Cuz if I have to, I'm going to put you

away for good next time. You hear me?

Yes, sir.

Okay, boy.

What do you want?

Oh, he just

Oh, man. Those those bees.

Your husband. Did he have a, you know, a

hat and things to tend him with?

Somewhere.

You think you could find them for me?

I don't want you messing with those

bees.

Well, I'm I'm not going to mess with him

till I I know what I'm doing. But

there's a lot of honey.

No.

My husband thought he'd get rich real

fast making honey.

He went on a branch.

I told him not to.

P started swarming at him.

Branch broke.

So did he.

Never listen to me much.

I'm walking into town this afternoon and

got a report to the sheriff today.

Report?

Well, I'm on parole.

You want to go too?

I don't go to town.

I could take those eggs we got and try

to sell them for you.

Do whichever you like.

Do you have a card?

No, ma'am. But um I' I'd like to get

one.

Name, please.

Will Parker.

Will

address

honey.

I need some proof of identification to

verify your residency.

Oh, I don't have anything, ma'am.

Nothing?

No, ma'am.

Well, Mr. Parker, I'm sure you

understand. I cannot simply lend books

to anyone who walks in here unless I can

be assured they're residents. Those are

the rules.

If you wish to read, you may sit over

there.

Afternoon, Miss Peasley. What?

Sorry.

I'll take

What you studying?

How about that? I'm studying bees, too.

Beethoven.

Wrote music. You know, back when them

guys wore wigs and things.

Haven't seen you around. Where you been

keeping yourself?

Mr. Dmore's place.

Crazy.

could get bad reputation.

Must be bored as hell. You need somebody

to show you around too.

Excuse me, man. I got a lot of eggs and

need sailing. Better see to them.

Well,

if you're interested, I work most days

at Vicar.

I was wondering.

Yes.

Well, I'm working as a hired hand now,

Miss Glendon Dinsmore. If she has to

come in here to tell you that I'm

working for her, would that be enough to

give me a library card?

She won't come in.

She won't come in.

She's a recluse. Has been since she was

a child.

However,

if she could provide proof of employment

in writing,

I think that would be sufficient to

verify your residency.

I'll ask her.

Mr. Bara,

how is

Oh, well, she's fine, man. She's 6

months pregnant for the third time.

For the third time? Yes, ma'am.

Greet her for me, will you?

I sure will. By the way, ma'am, I got a

few dozen eggs here that I'd like to

sell. You have any ideas where I could

try?

Well, I could choose a dozen myself.

Yes, ma'am.

Here you go.

The busy little squirrel remembered his

cozy little nest in the magnolia tree

where he'd been warm and dry.

safe.

So he climbed up there and just for all

time's sake, what do you think he saw

there? Old tree growing there.

That's right. That's right. With enough

acorns that the squirrel never had to

run up and down that tree again.

Hey, Mr. Carter.

Hey there, Short Stuff.

Been gone a long time.

Yeah, well selling takes time.

How are you?

I did real good though. Heard this

general store took a whole lot except

for one dozen and I sold those to Miss

Beasley. Got a dollar 20. Miss Beasley

sends her cards, too.

She did it.

I was pretty pleased that night. Real

peaceful.

Yeah, it's nice in there, right? Smell

good, too.

Hey, Donald White. What you think I got

in here? Huh? We see what's in here.

Look.

Here you go.

Let's break it in half. Okay. Give half

your brother, too.

Say thank you, Don White.

Here you go.

Thanks, Mr. Parker.

You're welcome.

Appreciate you thinking of him, Mr.

Parker.

Little money, too. So, I got you

something.

May

It's beautiful.

Thank you.

Well, you're you're welcome,

Ellie.

Uh, you know, I was thinking we could

take the cream in the pipe jars and try

and sell that, too.

Are you fixing to turn into one of those

men who loves money, Mr. Parker?

No, ma'am. I just I don't think we

should lose an opportunity to make it,

though.

What the heck?

You did what?

I rubbed myself down with myth. Get the

smell of cow off me.

What has herbic got to do with it?

Please hate the smell of animals. Makes

him mad.

But you could have been stumped. I can't

believe this. You didn't take the

smoker. You didn't take the gloves.

I would have you to give them to me.

Oh, don't try to blame me for your own

stupidity. Will Parker, that was a damn

full thing to do. And you know it. I

know what you made me do.

I didn't know you going to get mad about

it.

I am not mad.

Somebody ain't mad. You're making a hell

of a mess out of them.

Hey, don't stick your head up.

Are you

watch out?

Watch out.

Elanar,

just calm down a minute. All right. Will

you listen to me?

Look, I'm not him. I'm not Glendon. I'm

a I'm a careful man. And I'm not going

to get hurt, but there's bees out there.

There's all kinds of honey. And I want

to take it to the market and sell it.

I don't care about money.

I do. You know, cuz there's some things

I'd like to do around here, like put in

more electricity. But what about the

baby? How you going to pay for a doctor?

Ain't have no doctor.

Yeah. Who's going to help you when the

time come?

You will. All you have to do is listen

to what I tell you. All you have to do

is tie the

Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

You're scared, aren't you? Yeah, you're

damn right I'm scared. And it don't make

any sense. You got a doctor down to

Whitney who can do it.

Ain't going down there. That count's got

no use for me and I got no use spraying.

But

that's crazy.

Crazy.

I didn't mean it like that. No, I mean

it's it's it's risky. What if something

happens?

I've had two that come right out with no

trouble at all. All you have

Well, I'm not a midwife. Godamn it.

Well,

maybe you got

collect your things.

Move on.

Wait, wait a minute. Ellen,

I don't think you have to do it alone.

I didn't hire on to deliver babies.

Glendon did it twice.

Yeah, that's different. He's your

husband.

It's okay with me if we got married now.

Well, you're good with the boys and they

like you a lot. I don't really throw

eggs too often.

That what you want?

I guess you want to.

Well,

don't you think there ought to be some

feeling for for people or or something?

I like you fine, Will. Don't you like

me?

Yep.

Yeah, I like you fine.

Well, then we ought to do it,

right?

Can I ask you something?

Ask

where did I sleep? Getting cold out

here.

The only place in the house is where

Glennon lived.

Yeah,

I sleep with the light on.

I know. Uh, that's okay.

It is never completely dark in prison

neither.

Well,

that case,

well, I don't exactly know how how a

person goes about getting married.

Oh, we can do it at the courthouse in

Calhoun. We can get the license right

there, too.

We can.

Uh, well,

you want you want to go tomorrow?

Tomorrow I'll be fine.

Well,

what time?

Better start early.

Early?

Yes, ma'am.

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

Okay, come on. Come on, big time.

Mama, what's your wedding? Mama,

well, will Will and me get married?

What's married?

Married is a

You know how you come in with me at

night? Well, you won't be able to

anymore cuz Will's going to be sleeping

there with me.

He is?

Uhhuh.

Maybe Thomas, come back here.

Can't even come in when it thunders and

lightning.

When it thunders and lightning. Oh,

[Music]

where it be?

Where did you get that?

Out in the field.

You mean it's it's one of the old

junkers?

It's more like five or six of them. I

just kind of put them all together.

Is there anything you can't do well,

Parker?

[Music]

Looks cheap.

Don't you dare say that about my wedding

ring.

The sooner we pay for it.

Thank you. Thank you.

So, we can get down to courthouse, speak

our words.

I'm the one should be buying it for you.

You got to learn not to be so proud.

[Music]

This is

I know

pretty strange wedding day, too.

Survived it.

Yeah.

[Music]

[Music]

Morning.

Morning.

Sleep. Okay.

Oh, yeah. Fine. Oh, did I grab you?

Oh, no. Did I crowd you?

No. So,

why you wake up? Wait.

That's uh

really sex. I got to go milk Herbert.

He's going to bust.

Mr. Pa

[Music]

Mr. Papa Mr. Parker.

Morning, Miss Beasley.

Morning.

A nice surprise. Did you walk all the

way out here from town?

Yes. I have never owned an automobile.

Well,

come on in the house, Ellie. Be real

surprised to see you.

How's Miss Dar feeling?

Well, she's not Mrs. Dinsmore anymore,

ma'am. She's Mrs. Parker now.

Oh,

man. We got married up to Calhoun

yesterday.

Oh,

Ellie, look who came out to surprise

you.

Ellen my haven't you grown up?

Last time I saw you, you went pigtails.

And these are your sons.

Yes, ma'am. Well, this is this is Donald

Wade. And

how do you do

Beasley? And this is Baby Thomas.

Fine, boys.

And another on the way. My,

aren't you lucky,

Mrs. Park?

Yes.

Well, won't you come in for some coffee

or something?

Thank you kindly. I can only stay a

minute. I hate to be the bearer of bad

news, but Leander Sprag, who's been my

custodian for 26 years, dropped dead

night before last.

Mr. Sprag, heart attack. It's a fine

man. He lived a long and fruitful life.

However, I am now without custodian. The

job pays $25 a week. Would

you like it, Mr. Parker?

Well, that's a mighty fine offer, ma'am.

Six nights a week.

Well, you can let me know your decision

later.

Can I give you a a ride back to town?

Oh, thank you. I appreciate the thought.

However, I got out here myself. I'll get

home myself.

May I call on you tomorrow?

That would be nice.

Best wishes, Ellie.

Congratulations,

Mr. Parker.

Kelly,

take it. Well, I can tell you want to.

You You don't want me to.

Don't be silly. Come on, let's go.

You don't want me hanging around the

town.

My feelings for town are mine.

Got no right to keep you from it.

Man,

look who I found.

You got me schooling again.

Frankenstein.

Well, I think man.

How's Crazy Ally? Mama.

You know why they call her crazy? Did

she tell you?

her god-fearing granddaddy locked her

and her mama up in the house when she

was a baby cuz she was a bastard. Pulled

all the shades down and didn't let her

out.

So, she didn't tell you. Well, you ask

her about it sometime.

You know,

men like you make a girl lie awake night

sometimes, you know. Maybe you lie awake

nights too. But with your woman being

pregnant in our no sense in both of us

losing sleep

know you're blushing. Am I getting some

heat out of you?

I don't want you coming around no more.

Some men don't know what they want.

What's it take, Parker?

James, please remove your finger from

your nose. If it requires attention, has

to be dismissed as the laboratory

under the doid.

Excuse me, children. Enjoy your books.

Morning, Malay.

Morning, Mr. Parker.

I brought you something.

Why Mr. Park?

It's from our hives. It's rendered this

week. It's so clear and pay you.

Ma'am,

by now that that job,

I'd be right proud to accept it.

Then you can start tomorrow night.

Thank you, Miss Basley.

If the parents dislike each other at the

time the child is born, something of

that

disposition will transmit itself to

their offspring.

I thought you were reading about

electricity.

Oh, yeah. I am. I was. See,

how to bear and conceive healthy

children.

Shouldn't be reading this stuff.

Producing the natural life. Indian women

squatt in the woods and did it all

alone.

Can I touch it?

I never touched a pregnant woman before.

Sure.

Well, it's hard.

I I thought it was going to be soft.

It's got to be hard to protect her.

I just know it's going to be a girl.

I feel valid.

No. You're not fat.

You're just pregnant.

Honey, I love honey.

You want to fix me some breakfast?

[Music]

Y,

you're working yourself right back to

Huntsville, Parker.

I could have kicked his ass from one end

of town to the other.

Why didn't you?

Well, I just let the dog have his bone.

That way, he'll leave us be.

Sounds nothing but trouble.

People just want to stir things up.

No, no, that's not so. Hell, every time

I go into town, I learn something new.

Yeah, I got you. What?

Ellie, I got to tell you something.

I know that your mama never was married.

And I know that your grandpa kept you

and your mama locked up in that house in

town and all the rest of it.

And I know how you feel. I know how you

feel about the town. But look, I all

that that town is is people. There ain't

nothing there that's bigger than you

are. It's just it's just people.

Yeah.

Book ain't been at you like you're a

lunatic.

People whispering loud enough so you can

hear them say. Crazy Ellie talks to the

birds and lives in the house with the

shades pulled tail.

Crazy mama.

Crazy grandma.

Ellie, all those folks are dead and

gone.

He'd make us kneel on the hard pile of

floor,

raise his hands to the ceiling,

shaking and trampled.

His eyes would roll back in his head,

pulling down forgiveness. God gone.

Mama.

Oh, mama.

Mama would squeeze her eyes shut,

fold her hands so tight,

her knuckles turned wide,

she'd start rocking back and forth.

something beautiful

and make

a child shame.

I peek out behind my fingers over my

eyes

and wonder what it was I had done wrong.

You didn't do nothing wrong as your

family. They're all They're all dead and

gone. I'm never going to hurt you again.

[Music]

[Music]

I've been wanting to do that for a long

time.

I

thought you wouldn't want to.

Why?

Because I'm awkward

pregnant with Glenn's baby. God,

you know what I wish?

You know what I wish? I wish this baby's

mine.

I love you.

Nobody's ever said that to me before.

Not my whole life.

I love you, Will Park.

[Music]

What?

What? What is it, Ellie? Ellie,

what is it? Go down to the barn and get

a couple of Madam Tuck straps.

What? What for?

Better stuck car in the water and fill

the boiler and the tea kettle.

Oh god. Ellie, is it I mean, is it is it

time?

Well, please just go.

Oh my god.

[Music]

Oh my god.

[Music]

Where'd she come from?

Come from inside your mother. She's all

curled up in there like a little

butterfly in a cocoon.

Got a name for Donna White.

Come here.

I was thinking about Lizzy. What do you

think of that? Liz Elizabeth.

It's

just plain old Lizzy.

Elizabeth

Parker.

Parker.

Well, you delivered her, didn't you?

And deserves some credit for a thing

like that.

That's for sure.

We interrupt this program with an

emergency announcement. At dawn this

morning, Japanese bombers attacked the

US naval base at Pearl Harbor in

Honolulu. Repeat, Japanese bombers have

attacked Pearl Harbor.

Well, if it ain't Harley and the boys.

Morning,

boys. How's it hanging? Norris

Elroy, what happened to your finger?

The accident.

Yeah, he ain't going to be no use to

these boys. Can't pull no trigger.

Can't pull nothing else neither.

Yeah.

[Music]

You and me,

we're the same person. Will Parka

[Music]

Ellie, I've been thinking

about how you'd do if I was to join up

to the service.

Don't I have anything to say about that?

No, ma'am.

Trip off their nail.

I got to volunteer. How could they take

a brand new father with two others?

I want you to promise me something.

Promise?

That you go into town and you get the

boys out. You got to go, Ellie. Donald

Wayne's going to be six next year. He's

starting school.

I can teach Donald Wade what he

just listen to me now.

They got to get out. Got to take them to

the library.

I can teach.

You want him to be smarter than you and

me, don't you?

All right. You take them in. You get

them used to town and to people and

surviving because that's what life's

about, Ellie. It's about surviving.

Why are you saying that?

You're better than any of them down

there.

You're bright. You got a real bright

pair of boys.

I don't want you ever forget what I'm

telling you now. No matter what happens,

[Music]

Oh.

Hallelujah.

[Music]

You're good.

Yeah, that's a lot better.

Looks real nice. What do they want?

I don't know. We're going to find out, I

reckon.

Morning, Miss Parker.

Morning, Sheriff.

Morning.

You know a woman by the name of Lula

Peak?

I know who she is. Yeah.

Did you see her last night?

Did you see her last night?

No,

she didn't come in the library.

Nobody comes in the library when I'm

there. It's after hours.

She never came in the library after

hours.

Well, maybe a couple times she did.

She did.

When?

I don't know. Maybe a month ago.

Did you invite her?

No.

Oh, what was she doing there then?

I think you can probably guess, sheriff.

So, you admit? Oh,

I knew what she was after. Yeah, I knew

what she was after. She didn't get it.

Am I being accused of something here?

Cuz if I am, I got a right to know. And

if that woman's putting a charge on me,

it's all a damn lie. All I did is shove

her out the back door.

When?

When?

Last night.

Last night.

But you just said

Yeah. Well, I didn't want to get into

it. She come in there after closing.

Did you invite her?

No, I damn well didn't. She just come

cating around like usual.

But what happened?

She kissed me and then I pushed her out

the back door.

Why didn't you tell me, will you?

I know. I didn't mean nothing.

Did you have sexual intercourse with

Lula Peak?

No. What the hell is this about?

Lula Peak was murdered last night. Her

body was found on the backst steps of

the library.

Oh my god.

Is this your bandana?

Well,

you did a stretch in Huntsville for

manslaughter, didn't you?

Yeah. You know, I've done my job.

For murdering a prostitute in a wh

house.

Mama lo wet her pants again.

William Parker, it's my duty to inform

you that you're under arrest for the

murder of Lula Pete.

Willie, you know I didn't do nothing.

Get out of here. Ellie,

you can't take him away. Go away.

I didn't do nothing.

Don't let him go.

You know that.

Please let him go.

I'll go with your mother, Donald. Miss

Parker, let her take it. Let her take

it. Wait a minute.

Let him go with his mother.

Just take the boy inside, Miss Parker.

Well, what's going to happen to him?

Wait. Wait. He needs a jacket.

No. What he needs is a lawyer.

What happened to my boy going?

[Music]

Get out.

Who's driving

[Music]

crazy alley?

That's the d my girl.

Oh sh quiet

out good law came out of the house and

arrested Will.

I know my

help me need a lawyer. Well, the only

attorney I know who might take the case

is way over in Calhoun.

I can drive me to Whitney. I can drive

us to Calhoun.

Drive?

[Music]

Are you still stamping books over at the

Whitney Library?

I am.

Well, please sit down.

And are you still shooting turkeys over

on Red Bone Ridge?

Been a long time, Daddy. Long time.

Yes, it has. Robert, I have brought you

a client much in need of your services.

I would consider it a personal favor if

you'd help her. Or more precisely, her

husband.

This is for you. It is the most

delicious honey.

Thank you.

And there's more where that came from.

Plus milk and pork and chickens and

eggs. The duration of the war without

any erration and coupons

to go along with whatever money you need

to clear Will's name.

Miss Parker, as for my fee, we'll get to

that later

after I decide whether or not I can take

your case.

jackets.

We're going to let you in here.

That what you wanted?

What did you tell me about a whale?

She came to the library. Now, if you

had, it wouldn't have been such a

surprise to me.

You ought to know about what I do. What

kind of man I am.

Should get out of here. I don't want you

to see me here.

Got some questions need answering.

Yeah.

Yeah. Like, did I kill the [ __ ]

It's not the question I need answering.

You can't forgive me.

I sure as hell don't need your kind of

wife.

God damn it.

Just like my best friend.

Just like

See, he's going to marry this [ __ ]

Yeah, he's crazy about her.

We went in there one night where she

worked. He booked her for a couple

hours. He asked her to marry him

and she just laughed in his face.

He went wild, grabbed for her.

Out of nowhere, she pulled this little

gun.

I've beamed her with a whiskey b.

She just never got up.

My stomach has never rested since.

Yeah. So my friend got scared.

He decided to testify against me.

Said how they were in love and he's

going to marry her, take her away from

the wh house. And

I'd spoiled all that for him.

Jeremy believed him

and I did five years

for saving his life.

And all you had to hear is just one word

from that sheriff. And you think I was

guilty?

I saw it in your eyes, Ellie.

You know what it did to me when you look

at me like that? Like I was a murderer.

I'm a human, ain't I?

Don't really care what you think

anymore.

You and I may pay it,

don't I?

But I'll leave you to go home and wonder

about that

just like I've been lying here and

wondering about you.

Your grandpa used to keep it so neat.

He's so small.

Shabby.

Oh my

my morning glories

ground so

[Music]

2,300

2,300

That's a

top listing prize.

Considering the work, could it be

necessary to

make this place liveable again?

Just sell it, Mr. Pride.

Just sell it.

Parker,

your lawyer's here. My lawyer.

Your wife and Gladis Beasley came to see

me. Asked me to have a talk with you.

Name's Bob Collins.

Will Parker.

So, Will Parker,

you kill Lula Peak or not?

No sir.

All rise.

The Gordon County Court is now in

session. Honorable Alden P. Murdoch

presiding.

All be seated.

State of Georgia versus William Parker.

Sister General Edward Sloum. Would you

begin your opening statement? I promise

through indisputable evidence to show

the jury beyond a glimmer of a doubt

that Will Parker

coldbloodedly

and with malice of forethought murdered

Lula Peak.

I asked him to come into town and report

to me in accordance with the terms of

his parole.

And what was he on parole for, sir?

Objection. My client's past record has

no bearing on this trial.

Overruled.

Answer the question, sheriff.

For seconddegree murder of a prostitute

in Lraange, Texas.

When you apprehended Mr. Parker, did he

admit to you that he had been with Lulu

Leak the night she was murdered?

At first, he denied it, but I caught him

in a lie.

Well, what was he trying to hide?

Objection.

I don't know.

Conjure stained.

And the uh cause of death was

strangulation. Is that right, doctor?

Yes, sir.

Dr. Mobridge, as county medical

examiner, can you describe for us Miss

Peak's condition at the time of her

death?

Miss Peak was found face down in a prone

position in the alley by the back door

of the library. She was holding a blue

handkerchief in her hand.

Dr. Moage,

is this the handkerchief? Yes, I believe

it is.

Your honor, I would very much like to

enter this into the evidence.

Dr. Mobridge, were there any signs of a

violent struggle? Was Miss Peak marked

in any way?

There were individual bruises on her

neck caused by the fingers of human

hands, probably a man's.

When you conducted your autopsy on Lula

Peak, what else did you find?

That the deceas was two months pregnant.

Thank you, doctor.

Your witness,

Dr. Bulbridgeidge,

is there any way in God's creation to

determine who may have sired a two-month

old fetus?

No, sir.

So, in fact, it could have been any man

Jack in this car. Correct.

Yes, sir. That's correct.

No further questions?

To appease the court, your honor, I'd

like to reserve the right to continue my

cross- examination of this witness

leader.

So noted. Dr. Mobidge, you must step

down.

Mrs. Beasley.

Miss Beasley.

Oh, I beg you pardon. Miss Beasley, Will

Parker was under your employee at the

Whitney Public Library, was he not?

Yes, he was.

And was he working on the night of

February the 9th when Lula Peak was

murdered?

Yes. Isn't it true, Miss Beasley, that

Mr. Parker and Miss Peak met several

times in the library over several

months?

Well, Mr. Parker was there and and she

would come in.

Did they speak?

Yes.

Did you ever overhear their

conversations?

No.

Would you characterize their meetings as

friendly?

Well, Mr. Parker is a polite man.

Miss Beasley, when was the last time you

saw Lula Peak?

Well,

was it the night of her murder?

Yes.

And where was that? Where did you see

her?

I passed her on the sidewalk.

And when was that, Miss Beasley?

When I was leaving the library.

Thank you, Miss Beasley.

Your witness.

Miss Beasley.

Didn't Will Parker in fact reject the

advances of Luna Peep? Objection. The

witness has already testified that she

never heard what was said.

Sustained.

Didn't he find her relentless flirtation

a nuisance?

Objection.

Sustained.

No further questions.

Your honor, I have one last question I

would like to ask Miss Beasley.

With the permission of the defense

council,

you may.

M. Beasley.

Did you ever see Will Parker with a

handkerchief like this?

Well, it's a very common sort of

handkerchief.

Please, Miss Beasley, answer the

question. Yes or no?

Yes.

And did you see it on his person the day

Lula Peak was murdered?

Well, I'm not sure.

You're not sure, Miss Beasley?

Or you don't want to say?

Objection. Prosecution has attempted to

intimidate the witness.

Sustain. Your honor, I have no further

questions.

Are you asleep?

No.

Children love this horrible.

Oh, I'm glad.

I don't think they ever want to leave.

Mrs. Marshes

boys built a real nice

such fine boys.

I miss my babies.

I know you do.

It's best you stay with me.

I'm scared.

I'm really scared.

Mrs. Miriam Goautier. I'm a nurse and

receptionist to Dr. Kendall.

Mrs. Gotaier, you just heard Dr. Kendall

testify that on February 1st, he

diagnosed Lula Peak pregnant. Now, were

you working at the doctor's office that

day? Yes, I was.

And did you talk with Lula Peak?

Yes, I did.

Mrs. Gautier, what was the gist of that

conversation?

I asked Miss Peak for her address for

billing purposes.

I see. And did she give it to you?

No, sir. She didn't.

Why not?

Because she advised me to send the bill

to that jailhouse son of a [ __ ] over in

Whitney.

Order.

Order.

that jailhouse son of a [ __ ] over in

Whitney.

Thank you very much, Mrs. Goldie. I have

no further questions, your honor.

Was Miss Peak's bill ever paid, Miss

Goldier?

No.

Why?

Because I didn't know where to send it.

Mr. Goldier,

you must step down, Miss Goldier.

Your honor, the prosecution rests at

this time.

Mr. Collins,

the defense calls Eleanor Parker to the

state.

Get it?

Put your left hand on the Bible. You

raise your right hand.

You swear to tell the truth, the whole

truth, nothing but the truth. So help

you God.

I do.

How long have you known Will Parker?

Ellie,

he walked onto my place 10 months ago.

How long you been married to?

Three months.

Have you been happy?

Yes. Yes, I have.

Kindest man I've ever met.

He's a good father,

good husband.

When he came home the night of February

9th, did you notice anything unusual

about his behavior?

No,

he was worried some is all

worried.

Well, he was worried if if he joined the

service, I wouldn't bring the kids to

town for school.

Why would you worry about that?

Cuz everybody knows I don't come to

town.

But you'd come to town for Will Parker.

Yes.

Why?

Cuz I love him.

When he came home the night of February

9th, did you notice any bruises on his

body?

No.

Any sign of a struggle, a fight with a

woman?

No.

Any scratches on his face? Any lipstick

on his clothes? Did he smell of dance

store perfume?

No, sir. He didn't.

What were you doing just before Sheriff

Goodlo came to arrest him?

It's on the porch cutting his hair.

So until the sheriff came, you were

happily encounced in the wonder of

harmonious domesticity.

Yes, we were.

your witness.

Mrs. Parker, you say your husband was a

a good husband?

Yes.

What was the nature of your conjugal

relations with him?

Objection overrun.

Answer the question.

Wonderful.

Wonderful.

Made me happy.

Mrs. Parker, how many other men have you

known that intimately?

One,

your first husband.

Yes.

Well, now is that really saying a lot?

The only man you've ever known other

than Will Parker was Glendon Dinsmore,

the ice delivery man.

Glendon Dinsmer was a good man and a

good father.

Will Parker's the best man I've ever

known.

I see.

Did you make Will Parker happy?

I hope so.

A man whose tastes run to want women in

[ __ ] You made this man happy?

Mrs. Parker, isn't it true that you were

pregnant for the first two months of

your marriage to Will Parker with the

child of your first husband?

Yes.

And did you have relations with him

during that time?

No.

Well, wasn't he frustrated by this?

Objection. Drawing conclusions.

Overruled.

He said it was rough on him.

Mrs. Parker,

under the circumstances,

mightn't a man seek another avenue to

find comfort for his conjugal needs?

He might, but he didn't.

How can we be sure? How can we be sure

Will Parker even consummated his

marriage with you at all? I mean, a man

who's only accustomed to the taste of

ladies of the night living on a farm

with a woman pregnant with another man's

baby. And you tell us you made him

happy. How do we know this union was

consummated? Hell, how do we know you

even slept in the same damn bed with

Will Park? That's true.

cuz I'm carrying his child.

Order.

Are you sure?

Sure as I'm sitting here.

Have you told this to the sheriff?

Sheriff didn't ask. Didn't that? No, I

didn't.

Well, gentlemen,

you've been real helpful.

Thank you.

Now enjoy that honey now, right?

Mr. McCree, you've been retired now how

many years?

15 years.

Must get kind of boring sitting around

for 15 years doing nothing.

Doing nothing. Well, Sunny, I'll have

you know me and my brother organized the

civilian patrol and we're out there

every night enforcing the curfew and

watching out for Japanese planes. Ain't

we Nat? We sure are.

Order.

Vince Councel will instruct his witness

to direct his answer to the court, not

to the gallery.

Yes, your

Norris. Let's talk if we may, about your

very important job.

Do you ever see Lulu coming and going

with any men?

That's a good one, ain't it, Matt?

Sure is.

Mr. McGreedy. Never seen Luna Pete gumid

going with Will Parker. Well,

I've seen her try.

Well, she didn't have no manifing

[Music]

through the past several weeks and

months. You ever notice anything

particular going on around Lula Peak's

place?

Well, not recent.

Last fall, I seen a car parked regular

behind our house.

Did you know whose car it was?

We're not for certain. I only seen the

front end.

Can you tell us what kind of car it was?

A Ford.

Ford. Can you describe its color?

Um, look black to me.

Did you see the license plate?

Well, not so good. It was dark.

Well, come now, Mr. McCriedy. If you

could make out the Ford insignia, surely

you could read the license plate.

I think it was uh P V

6 something like

Did you see that car parked at Lula

Peak's house the night she was murdered?

Nope.

Thank you, Mr. McCree.

Uh, one other thing, Mr. Critic,

on the night of the murder, did you

notice anything unusual going on near

Lulip Peak's place or in town for that

matter?

Nope. Can't say I did or just

what, Mr.

Just Elroy and Holly parked off Main

Street down in a case of beer.

But I can't say that's unusual.

I will have in his car.

Your witness.

No questions.

You may step down.

Uh, your honor, the defense recalls

Sheriff Reese Good Low to the stage.

Jeff Goodllo, what kind of car you

drive? Ford.

I'm sorry. I didn't quite get that.

A Ford.

Is it black? Is the license number PV6

something or other?

Well, everybody in town knows the

license plate is PV6 something or other.

How many people I have to talk to here

in Whitney who may have seen you enter

or leave Luna Peak's house sometime or

another? How many?

I submit that Lula Peak wanted you to

pay for her examination when she was

pregnant.

I submit that when she told nurse

Goldier to send the bill over to that

jail house son of a [ __ ] and witness,

she wasn't referring to Will Parker, the

ex-convict.

She was referring to the keeper of the

jail house.

You are that jailhouse son of a [ __ ]

Reese, aren't you?

Lulu Peak

was having your child, wasn't you?

Yeah,

[Applause]

this way.

That's what she said.

But I didn't kill her.

No, I don't believe you did.

No more than I believe that Will Parker

did.

No further questions, your honor.

Mr. Slo,

no questions.

You must dip down, sheriff. Your honor,

Dr. Mulbridge is still under oath. Can

he respond to a question from where he

sits?

The witness, may I answer?

Dr. Mobridge, you testified earlier that

death was caused by strangulation made

by a man's hands.

Yes, sir.

How many finger bruises were there on

the neck of Luna Peak?

How many finger bruises? Why?

I would have to check my records on

that.

Of course, but could there have been

nine fingers?

Well, it is possible.

There could have been nine. Yes or no?

I object, your honor. The defense is

attempting to lead the witness.

I withdraw the question, your honor,

and ask that Roy Moody be called to the

stand.

I didn't do it. But it wasn't me. We we

we was drunk and she she came flying out

of the library all mean and we just want

to have some fun with her and she

started to fight us but it wasn't me to

choke her to death. Harley did it

without

[Music]

Mr. Parker. You are released. This case

is dismissed.

[Applause]

Oh, you did it, El.

We did it.

Congratulations to all of our ladies.

Thank you, Mr. Collins.

I

Mr. Parker, is it true you were once

fired from the mill by Harley Overmire?

Uh, yes.

Because of your prison record.

Yes.

Is it true Elroy cut his finger off to

avoid the grab? I wouldn't know.

What about the future? Mr. Parker's had

a long day.

Mr. Collins, I don't know how to thank

you properly.

Well, thank your wife. She's the one who

rounded up the witnesses and saved your

hive.

Well,

congratulations.

Sally

in a horse's ass.

Can we go home?

[Music]

I love you.

[Music]

say

when this baby's born, can we have a

doctor this time?

Maybe,

maybe not.

[Music]

Hallelujah.

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

[Music]