All language subtitles for When.We.Last.Spoke DRA 75 .2019.1080p.WEBRip.x264-RARBG

[whooshing]

["Cool Jerk" by The Capitols]

♪ Cool jerk

♪ Cool jerk

♪ Cool jerk

♪ Cool jerk

- Good morning.

Juliet Cranbourne on KOFF
a.m. radio in Fireside,

where no strangers are known.

We never take the last cookie.

We mind our children and
our neighbors' business.

Wow.

I just had to play
this song, y'all.

It was my little
sister's favorite.

♪ I'm the heaviest cat

♪ The heaviest cat
you ever did see ♪

♪ When you see me
walkin' down the street ♪

♪ Hey, hey, hey

I am feelin' emotionally
hijacked today, y'all,

but the good Lord never gives
you more than you can handle,

now does He?

Here I been thinkin'
that my life was full,

when in all actuality,

well, I just been busy,
which really just hides

what's really goin'
on, now doesn't it?

Like how hard it was for me,
losing Ruby two years ago and,

well now, with Walt's
sudden illness and all, I...

Havin' a moment
of introspection.

Or what the Greeks
like to call a--

- [Both] Omphaloskepsis.

- [Juliet] And to top it
off with it a Bing cherry,

my sister, Evangeline can't
bring herself to come home.

Now, don't that just beat all?

♪ Cool jerk

♪ Got you do it now

♪ Cool jerk

♪ Come on, people

- You girls know I'm
leavin' tomorrow.

- Yes, Daddy.

- Going to Vietnam
to serve our country.

- That's right.

Which means I need
you to be good.

Take care of your
momma while I'm gone.

- When you comin' home?

- [James] Soon as they let me.

I want you girls to know
I'll be thinkin' about you,

day and night.

- Are you gonna look for the
North Star while you're gone?

[chuckling]

- Yes, my little squirrel.

The North Star is
like God's lamppost,

shines so bright.

You see it?

- Yes.

There.

- Atta girl.

- I don't see nothin'.

- Hey baby girl.

Here.

Follow the constellation.

Follow it to the North
Star, right there.

- Now I see it.

- That a girl.

Now, anytime you
girls are missin' me,

I want you to look
up at the Big Dipper

and follow it to the North Star.

You'll know Daddy's gonna find
his way home to his girls.

I love you girls.

Come on.

[melancholy music]

- [Juliet] Evangeline,
it's my turn.

Let me on.

- [Evangeline] No,
push me higher.

- [Juliet] It's my turn.

- [Evangeline] Whiney baby.

I ain't done yet.

- [Juliet] Are too.

Just because Dad is
gone doesn't mean

you can do anything you want.

- [Evangeline] Stop!

- [Juliet] Then get off!

- [Evangeline] Stop, Juliet.

Stop.

- [Juliet] Can't make me.

- [Evangeline] Cut it out.

- [Juliet] No!

- [Evangeline] Stop!

- Sid?

Hey.

It's Margo Milford.

Remember me?

- [Evangeline] Stop,
I'm gettin' sick.

- [Juliet] I don't care.

- Yes, yes I did.

I married a wonderful man.

He's a helicopter pilot.

- [Evangeline] Cut it out!

- [Juliet] Rabbit, let me on.

- He's in Vietnam.

- [Evangeline] Stop!

You're makin' me sick.

- Is it my turn
now, smarty pants?

- Yes, we did.

We had two girls.

Two very different,

out of control girls.

[melancholy music]

Sid, listen.

I want to come back to New York.

This small town
life is killing me.

I don't know, just...

background singer?

Coffee shop?

[retching]

No.

Just me.

Really?

Oh, that'd be great.

Oh, Sid.

Thanks.

[melancholy music]

Girls.

Girls, come on.

[trunk thudding]

You're going to see
your grandparents.

Sounds like fun, huh?

- We're gonna go see Mamaw.

[tense music]

[lively music]

♪ Ever since she went away

♪ I been holdin'
tears back every day ♪

♪ So how long must I wait

♪ How far will go

♪ Oh now my baby
knows the score ♪

- Hat off in the house.

- I'm sorry.

What in tarnation?

♪ She don't know the
sacrifice I made ♪

♪ 'Cause she fell for me

♪ Ever since he
stole her heart ♪

♪ I can't stop myself

- This can't be good.

♪ Falling apart

♪ So how long must I wait

♪ How far will I go

Marguerite, what
brings you here?

- We need to talk.

- Are you all right, sweetie?

- Girls, hop out.

You're gonna spend a few
days with Mamaw and Popo.

- Oh well, how nice.

- Hey, how 'bout a
little sugar for Popo?

You want somethin'
cold to drink?

- [Juliet] Yeah.

- [Evangeline] Lemonade?

- [Walt] Yeah.

Come on.

- I don't understand.

- I can't do this anymore.

I need to get my singing
career back on track.

- And leave your girls?

Well, what about James?

Have you told him?

Wait.

You can't just leave without

sayin' goodbye to your children.

- Everything's here.

Clothes, shoes,
dolls, toothbrushes,

it's all here.

Girls.

I'll be back after I get
a few things sorted out.

- Don't go Mama, don't go.

- [Marguerite] I love
you, now be good,

be good for Mamaw and Popo.

- Don't go.

Promise we'll be good.

- We won't fight anymore.
- Don't go!

- We'll do just what you say.

- Listen.

You just behave.

Okay?

- Don't go.

[melancholy music]

Don't go, don't go.

- Let go of the car.

- [Evangeline] Take me with you.

- Come here, come on.

[engine rumbling]

- [Juliet] Evangeline.

- [Evangeline] Mama!

- [Walt] Evangeline!

- [Juliet] Evangeline.

- [Walt] Evangeline!

- Don't go!

Mama.

[footsteps thudding]

[melancholy music]

[weeping]

[phone ringing]

- [Evangeline On Machine]
Hello, you guessed it.

I'm not here.

Leave me a message.

If I like you, I
might call you back.

[beeping]

- Evangeline, I
know you're there.

Pick up.

Evangeline.

Call me.

[beeping]

[melancholy music]

The population of Fireside
has just dwindled.

Woody Davis, age 92 has
just changed his address

to the sweet by and by.

I imagine Woody is
playing checkers

with St. Peter
himself right now,

and for those of you
who are interested,

former Fireside resident
William Bartlett,

now world-famous
architect, has been sighted

at Densesky's lunch
counter havin' himself

a grilled cheese sandwich.

[chuckling]

Don't burn your chin on
that hot cheese, Willie.

[laughing]

[birds chirping]

- Mama's gonna be pleased seein'

that we're such a big help.

- I can set the table
and even make toast.

- You are like two
big, fluffy sponges

just soakin' everything up.

- She's gonna be home soon
and we'll surprise her

with our wealth of knowledge.

- Alright, here we go.

There you are.

- Oh Walt, could you
find a different box?

That one's just not fittin'.

- Well, it's the
only one big enough.

You want me to mail that
cake to Elvis today,

it's gonna have to do.

- It's not for us?

Ain't we havin' it after lunch?

- Sugar, I baked that
special for the King.

Peanut butter,
bananas and chocolate.

You just stay as
sweet as you are

and I'll make one for you, too.

- I'll tell ya what.

After lunch, maybe
we'll go into town

and get some ice cream.

- [Juliet] Yes.

[lively music]

- Hey Walt.

- Oh hey, Norman.

Selma, I'd like you
to meet my gran--

[stammering]

These are James' girls.

Ummm.

Mouthbreather here is
Evangeline A.K.A. Rabbit

and the one staring
at you real hard like

is Juliet, better
known as Squirrel.

- Well, it is a pleasure
to meet you both.

Such beauties.

Now tell me, Walt, what is
it that I can do for you?

- I got another
package to go to Elvis.

- Oh.

Well, is it goin' to Graceland
just like the last one?

- Yes, ma'am.

- Is it well packed?

- Yes, it's, I
packed it all myself.

- Oh, okay.

- Yes, we're just gonna yeah,

drop that off and we're gonna

head over to the lunch counter.

Come on girls.

Come on.

Let's go.

[chuckling]

[playful music]

- [Selma] Thank you.

Oh, you all right?

- Betcha five dollars
and an Eskimo pie

she's got a lot of boyfriends.

- 33.

Flavors, not boyfriends and
she can list 'em all by heart.

Brian, you wanna make that
three chocolates, please?

Make mine a double.

You see, she's got what's
called food memory.

She can tell you what she had

for lunch or dinner,
any time, any year.

Selma.

How 'bout April 15th, 1961.

- Tax day.

Let's see.

I had a tunafish
sandwich, a pickle,

one, no, two apples
and a glass of milk.

As a side note, pickles and milk

do not go too good together.

- What about

July 8th

1959.

- Lunch or dinner?

- Dinner.

- Pork chops, two of them,
fried, with applesauce,

a Waldorf salad,

thank you, Brian, ooh and
a sweet potato casserole

with little nuts on top
and those marshmallows.

It was to die for.

[clapping]

- Thank you, Brian.

[playful music]

There we go.

Mmm.

- [Ruby] Well?

- Well, she said a
airmail special delivery

should get there
sometime tomorrow.

Girls, let's get this
tea to the table.

That smells delicious.

- Well, it looks like you
two had a good time today.

And where is your
mustache, mister?

Mmm, chocolate fudge.

- He had two scoops.

- Hey, are you girls
settlin' in just fine here?

- [Both] Yes, sir.

- Well then, don't
rat me out to Mamaw.

She spent the better
part of the afternoon

gettin' this meal ready
and we need to be grateful,

even if we're not that hungry.

- Oh, stop.

[melancholy music]

Alright.

[groaning]

Let's see.

- Get 'em up here.

Lord, we thank You
for this day of life

and for these two girls
and their parents.

I thank You for my beloved
Ruby who spent the day

makin' this meal and we
ask You to bless this food

for the nourishment
of our bodies.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

- [All] Amen.

[blades whirring]

- [James] My two sweet peas.

I'm doin' well.

I miss you more than
you'll ever know.

[engine rumbling]

- [Sarge] Cranbourne.

What you doin' in there?

- Writin' my girls.

- Again?

Man, you keepin' the
postal service in business.

Look, you, me and the
helicopter's gonna win this war.

Then we can go home.

- Amen to that.

Let's go home, Sarge.

[helicopter engine zooming]

- [Sarge] Hey.

- [James] You're in fine
hands with Mamaw and Popo.

They're saints.

I wish I could be
there with you.

You girls are the brightest
spot of my everyday.

- Stop swinging so
fast, I'm gettin' sick.

- Well then, jump off.

I wanna finish readin' this.

- Will not.

He's my daddy, too.

- Well, I'll read
it if you pipe down.

- You girls are the bright
spot in my everyday.

Are you bein' good for Mamaw?

Are you helpin' with the chores?

You couldn't--

- [Juliet And James]
Be in a better place.

There's more love in
the Cranbourne house

than anywhere else on Earth.

You two be good.

Keep your eyes on
the North Star.

Every time I look in the
sky I'll think of you.

- I'll be home
before you know it.

Love, your daddy,
James Cranbourne.

[melancholy music]

[chicken clucking]

- Just push open the door.

There you go, go on in.

Don't let 'em out.

Now, do you girls know
what egg money is?

- [Both] No.

- We make a little extra for
spending on notions and such.

Here.

I made this special

for you.

Turn around.

There you go.

Okay, gimme this basket.

Now, come over here
and get the eggs.

Go around there.

Let's go see.

[chicken clucking]

Take a egg out.

Gentle.

Bring that over
here, hurry girls.

- Hi there.

You Miss Ruby Cranbourne?

- [Ruby] I am.

Girls, don't touch
this man's car.

- That's all right.

You were with the Jamboree
Sisters, fiddle player.

- You'd played the fiddle?

- Well, yes I did, but
that was a long time ago.

- Wow.

- Then this is your car, ma'am.

- Double wow.

- The King says if you
are Miss Ruby Cranbourne,

fiddle player and cake baker,

this Cadillac belongs to you.

- [Ruby] The King?

- [Man] Yes, ma'am.

- Oh yeah, The King.

It's a 1959 Coupe de Ville.

It's the same make and
model he got for his mama.

- All right.

Y'all have a good day.

Let's roll, Bobby.

- [Juliet] Mamaw,
can we sit in it?

[melancholy music]

- Oh!

Oh!

[horn honking]
Oh!

[laughing]

What?

Dear Ruby, thank you very much.

Elvis!

[laughing]

Oh, Elvis sent me a Cadillac!

Oh, Walt, Walt!

Oh, Walt!

Walt, come see!

Oh, Elvis sent me a
thank you Cadillac.

Oh!

- Well, well would
you look at that?

- He remembered me.

["Wheels On My Heels"
by Elvis Presley]

♪ Gotta do some livin'

♪ Got the wanderlust

♪ Better clear the highway

♪ 'Cause I'm gonna
move some dust ♪

♪ Oh I got wheels

♪ Wheels on my heels

♪ And I gotta keep rollin'

♪ Rollin' on

♪ Lots of pretty darlings

♪ Try to fence me in

♪ But I love 'em and leave 'em

♪ 'Cause the
tumbleweed's my kin ♪

♪ Oh I got wheels

♪ Wheels on my heels

♪ And I gotta keep rollin'

♪ Rollin' on

All right, girls.

Come on out, go around front.

- Ruby, girl.

How in the world did
you come by this?

- You wouldn't believe
me if I told you.

- Elvis gave it to her.

- Elvis, you say?

Now, that's the beatenist
thing I've ever seen.

- Well, Norman, you
want these eggs or not?

- Oh yeah, yes,
yes, yes, of course.

'Scuse me, I just never
had eggs delivered

by Cadillac before.

[chuckling]

All right, girls.

Time's a wastin'.

- I'll take five dozen.

- [Ruby] Oh good, here.

Take these for our customer.

- That is something

Now, you're not
gonna charge me more

because of the Cadillac, are ya?

[chuckling]

- This is the best day ever.

- [Ruby And Juliet] Be careful!

- Let's see what we got here.

There's one, there's
two, there's three.

I think that oughta do it.

- [Ruby] Great.

All right, here you go, girls.

Now, don't spend it all.

Try and hold some back.

Go on.

Go, go.

- This one's perfect for you.

- Lemme see.

I don't like it.

- This one.

- No, I don't like bows.

They got cowboy boots?

- Well, there are my
pretty new friends.

[playful music]

Do y'all want some help?

Here, whatcha got?

I'm pretty good at
budgeting and accessorizing.

- [Ruby] I see you've
met my granddaughters.

- Hey Ruby, I sure have.

Yeah, Walt introduced
me just the other day.

They are precious.

[playful music]

- Well, I have never
seen the two of them

so at a loss for words before.

- What'd you have for
dinner September 16th, 1964?

- Well, that was a Wednesday.

I had...

Fish sticks, cole slaw, corn
on the cob and a root beer.

- With a frosty mug?

- Oh, that mug was so frosty,
I wrote my name in the side.

[chuckling]

- Well, that is remarkable.

Come on, girls.

We have three more
stops to make.

- Well, if y'all need help
spending that pen money,

you just let me know, all right?

- Come on.

[playful music]

Go on.

Come on.

Go, hey.

Watch out.

[doorbell ringing]

- [Evangeline] Leave
it on the step.

- Registered mail.

You gotta sign for it.

- Thanks.

- [Mailwoman] Mmm hmm.

- [Juliet] Dear Evangeline.

I write this with great urgency.

Walt's health is failing and
I thought you'd wanna know.

I'm also sending you some
recent broadcasts from KOFF.

It's always good to keep up with

what's happenin' in Fireside.

Come home.

We miss you.

Juliet.

- Walt.

[melancholy music]

[engine rumbling]

[uptempo music]
♪ Oh yeah

♪ Ooh

- My daddy flies all
kinds of lifesaving

rescue missions
on his helicopter.

- He ain't no war hero.

- Is too.

- Is not.

And your mom's a
good-for-nothin'.

I heard she up and left you.

You ain't got nobody, orphan.

[thudding]

[chuckling]

- [Juliet] Hey!

Don't mess with my sister!

Ah!

[thudding]
[grunting]

- [William] Hey.

Leave her alone.

[hocking]
[spitting]

- What's it to ya, mama's boy?

- I'll tell ya what, big guy.

I got some jawbreakers right?

Let her go, and
you can have them.

- My sister can brag
all the livelong day

about our daddy if she wants to.

- Last chance.

- Thanks for nothin'.

Suckers.

- One day I'm gonna leave
Fireside far behind.

So I won't have to mess
with people like him.

- I can never, on
account of Ruby and Walt.

Break their hearts
if I were to leave.

And who would take care of
them one day when they're old?

- Juliet.

I'm gonna see the world.

- Well, we'll miss
you, William Bartlett.

That's for sure.

- Then he threw
me on the ground.

- Well, that young man
needs to learn some lessons.

- Uh, oh.

Speakin' of which,

Rabbit, you ask someone
to pass it to you.

- Mamaw, can you please
pass the cookies?

- [Evangeline] Show off.

[Walt laughing]

- Oh!

Mercy.

Look what is crawling on these.

Walt, take a look.

- Cookies.

- Put your glasses on.

- Uh oh.

- [Ruby] Uh huh.

- Which one of
you has head lice?

- Not me.

- You got cooties,
you got cooties.

- Oh.

Don't get so high and mighty.

You both do.

- Want me to shear 'em?

Yes or no?

- No.

- All right.

Now you girls have to
leave this on all day

and sleep in it.

- But Mamaw.

- Nope.

School nurse won't let
you go back to school

until you are lice free.

It is in the handbook.

- [Evangeline] My mama
wouldn't make me do that.

- Mama ain't here.

- [Evangeline] When
she comes home,

I'm tellin' on all of y'all.

- Well, you do that Evangeline,

but until then, I am in charge.

- It's not fair.

- Life isn't always fair.

I'm gonna go shear those sheep.

You let me know if I need
to add these two to the mix.

- You know what, girls?

I will let you in
on a little secret.

Mayonnaise is one first class
switch beauty conditioner.

- [Juliet] Really?

- Oh, sure.

It's what all the
movie stars use

to keep their hair
silky and shiny

like you see in the
television commercials.

- Like the Frosted Flakes girl?

- Just like her.

And who knows?

Maybe some Hollywood talent
agent will be passin'

through Fireside and he
will scoop you two up

and put you in one
of his TV shows.

All right, here we go.

[playful music]

Oh, it's not that bad.

- [Juliet] I have an idea.

[playful music]

[Record crackling]
["Cool Jerk" by The Capitols]

- Come on, let's dance.

Let's dance.

Do the Jerk.

♪ Cool jerk

♪ Cool jerk

♪ Cool jerk

♪ Cool jerk

♪ We know a cat who can
really do the cool jerk ♪

♪ We know a cat who can
really do the cool jerk ♪

♪ Well

♪ This cat you're
talkin' 'bout ♪

♪ I wonder who could it be

♪ 'Cause I know I'm
the heaviest cat ♪

♪ The heaviest cat
you ever did see ♪

♪ When you see me
walkin' down the street ♪

♪ Hey, hey, hey

♪ None of the fellas
want to speak ♪

♪ Hey, hey, hey

♪ On their faces they wear a
silly smirk 'cause they know ♪

♪ I'm the king of
the cool jerk ♪

♪ Whoo

♪ Cool jerk

♪ Cool jerk

♪ Cool jerk uh huh

♪ Ha, ha, ha

Hello, Mother Cranbourne.

Mel, how are you?

- Have you people
lost your minds?

What's on these girls' heads?

- Hellman's.

- Hellman's?

Whatever for?

- Head lice.

- Oh, for Pete's sake.

Why don't you just bob
'em close to the scalp?

- I'm not that mean.

- This place needs
my supervision

and my unfailing good judgment.

I believe,

I believe I'm gonna stay here

for the rest of my life.

- You can't leave her here.

- You got to take her off my
hands or Nadine will leave me.

- Well, I have these
two girls to raise.

Mel, we only have two bedrooms.

- Mama has congestive
heart failure.

She won't last more
than a couple of months.

- Oh, woman that mean,
she could live forever,

just outta spite.

I am not kiddin'.

Take her back.

- We've done our time.

Now it's up to you and Walt.

[uptempo music]

- I got cooties from y'all.

- Nuh uh.

We got 'em from you.

♪ Here we go

Juliet!

Help!

[thudding]

- [Juliet] Leave her alone!

- Hey!

You still pickin'
on little girls?

- [Bully] You're sweet
on her, ain't ya?

- Pick on somebody
your own size.

A fat goat,

'cause you already
smell like one.

- [All] Fight! Fight!
Fight! Fight! Fight!

[chanting]

- Say uncle.

- [Bully] Uncle!

- [Evangeline] It hurts.

- I know, I know.

Good heavens, there's Popo.

- [Evangeline] Shout for
him to come fetch us.

- He's busy.

Don't scratch your eyes
or you'll make it worse.

- Well, slowpoke,
what's he doin'?

- [Juliet] I was wrong.

It's not Walt.

- [Evangeline] Who is it, then?

- Just some man who
looks like Popo.

- [Evangeline] How
do you know for sure?

- 'Cause he ain't
actin' like him

and he's not nearly as handsome.

[children chattering]

[dishes clattering]

- An alien kidnapped
your mother.

- Smells like stinky
cheese and mothballs.

- Shh.

- I can hear you.

Do you hear them, George?

- Mama, you all right?

You see, Daddy's gone.

He's been dead
over some 40 years.

- I just saw him a minute ago.

He was polishing his shoe.

He was always so dapper.

George, why did you leave me?

- Where'd he go?

- Across the river.

- Mama.

[stammering]

I got that fence I'm gonna mend.

- Where's the broiling pan?

I gotta bake a chicken.

- You don't, Mother
Cranbourne, this is my kitchen.

Why don't you sit down and rest

and I'll do all the cookin'?

- I'm gonna do the cookin'.

Your cooking's not fit to eat.

From now on, I'm gonna
prepare all the meals.

[thudding]

- She is never
gonna be happy here.

- It's not her
nature to be happy.

Anywhere.

- This is the most ill-stocked
kitchen I've ever seen.

How do you ever get
a meal on the table?

- Mommy, Mommy, you and
Ruby try to get along here,

all right and girls, you behave.

I'm just gonna...

Oh, I love you.

- I'm cookin'
dinner, I'm gonna--

- Why don't you
just rest and don't,

you don't even have to,

don't,

[clattering]

Oh, Lord.

[laughing]

[rain pattering]
[thunder booming]

- [James] To my loving
family, things are good here.

They keep me pretty busy,
which helps time to pass.

[helicopter whirring]

[melancholy music]

[gunfire popping]

Army food leaves a
lot to be desired.

- And I sure do miss
Mamaw's good home cookin'.

- He wouldn't say
that if he knew

that witchie poo's tryin'
to take over the kitchen.

- But that's not all I miss.

I miss watching
you girls grow up

and I miss the beautiful sunsets

and I miss your mama.

I think about you all the time

and I love you
with all my heart.

Your daddy.

- You think Mama's
ever comin' back?

Did we do somethin' wrong?

- I don't know, Rabbit.

I don't know.

- Read me Daddy's letter again.

- To my loving family.

Things are good here.

They keep me pretty busy,
which helps the time pass.

Army food leaves a
lot to be desired

and I sure do miss
Mamaw's good home cookin'.

[owl hooting]

- Are just so many aren't there?

Now, you see that one?

Right out over there.

That's called the Big Dipper.

- Looks like a box with a tail.

- That's the handle,
and that's the cup.

- That's right.

Now, if you draw a
line from this star

over to this one over
here and then go up

just a little, you're
gonna find the North Star.

- Daddy says that if you
follow the North Star,

you'll never get lost.

- That's right.

Let's see if we can find it.

So start over that far end,

go across, go up and up and up,

there it is, there
it is, you see it?

Right just over
the hills, there.

- It's beautiful.

- My daddy see the North
Star from his helicopter?

- Well, he sure can.

I betcha he sees it every night.

- My mama can see it, too.

- [Walt] I'm sure she does,
just like you, sweetheart.

- So, if we're all looking
up at the sky every night,

can we all see the North Star?

- Yeah, sure we can.

Just each of us looks at
it a little different.

- If they can see
the North Star,

then they can never lose
their way back to us.

- You are two smart cookies.

- [Ruby] Speakin' of
which, I just took some

fresh out of the
oven, come on girls.

- [Walt] Ooh wee.

- [Juliet] Yes!

- I'll be right with ya.

[melancholy music]
[insects chirping]

[cartoon sounds]

[laughing]

You're sittin' too close, girls.

Gonna ruin your eyes.

- Popo!

- [Walt] I got somethin' for ya.

- New York City.

- Not much else to
note other than this.

Oh, and uh...

[gasping]
This.

- Oh good, my seed catalogs.

- Which means I better till
that garden of yours, huh?

- Well, what is it?

- It's from Mama.

Dear Juliet and Evangeline.

I have missed you both.

Here are the necklaces I
had made to let you know

I am thinking of you.

Remember that I love
you with all my heart.

Mind Ruby and Walt.

Do your best in school
and don't let the skeeters

bite you in the night.

Love, Mama.

We can wear these to one of
Mama's shows in New York.

- Is she comin' to get us?

- Didn't say.

But I'm hopin'.

- I'd rather have my mama
than this darned old necklace.

- Me, too.

[coughing]

- Oh, are you okay,
Mother Cranbourne?

- Unable are the loved to
die, for love is immortality.

- Huh?

- Emily Dickinson.

Child, you need to know
important worldly things

like great writers
and great literature.

- [Evangeline] If you say so.

- And never marry
any man named George.

He will leave you and
you will grow to love him

and hate him and miss
him at the same time.

[coughing]

- I aim to marry a man
named James, like my dad.

- Then, good choice.

James was the name of a king.

And you, Juliet?

- I won't marry at all.

- Well, then you'll
have the potential

to fulfill your destiny.

What are you burning, Ruby?

It stinks to high heaven.

I want to cook a
turkey for dinner.

[playful music]

- Girls, you keep an eye on
her and do not let her drive

and do not let
her near my stove.

That woman is gonna
drive me to drink.

And I don't partake.

[playful music]

- Do we have a baster?

[melancholy music]

What is that glorious sound?

- I think it's Mamaw.

- Pardon my sanity
in a world insane.

Emily Dickinson.

You girls really need to
learn your literature.

[melancholy music]

[engine grumbling]

[Walt groaning]

- What are you two up to?

- Mama sent us necklaces.

- Oh, that's lovely,

just like all the
young ladies wear.

[violin playing]

What's goin' on up there?

[snoring]

Here ya go.

Shh.

Oh, hearing your Mamaw
play again is like

hearing the angels sing.

- How'd she learn
to sound so good?

- Back in the day, she used
to play the Grand Old Opry.

- You mean, like, on the radio?

- Yep.

Shh, quiet now.

Just listen.

[violin music]

- The voice of
Fireside, KOFF radio

coming to you live with
500 watts of power.

Hey there stranger.

What brings you to the station?

You got a heifer to sell?

- No, I got nothin' to sell.

But I do have a
little favor to ask.

- [Ruby] What is
takin' Popo so long?

We have errands to run.

- Can we go inside?

Please?
- Yes, yes, open the door.

Walt.

[dog barks]

- Oh no, Miss Alma, your dog
just lit out for the hills.

- Little Bit got out?

Oh, Lord.

Walt you gotta help me find him.

My car's dead and
that dog is fast.

- We'll take the caddy.

- Ruby, you start playin'
your fiddle right over there--

[talking over each other]

But I didn't bring my fid--

- [Walt] Yes, you did.

- You're probably
the better reader.

Hot shot, you flip
this red switch

whenever Ruby starts
playin' and sunshine,

if you'll just read those
wire feeds if she stops, okay?

I don't want any dead
air on my station.

- Alma, Alma, it's been
years since I played

with my sisters.

I wouldn't know where to start.

I can't do--

- I knew that you
wouldn't come down here

if I told you the truth, so--

- Time's wastin'.

Come on, let's find my baby.

- Get in the car,
get in that car.

Just start out with
somethin' simple.

It'll all come back to ya.

Play for me.

Keys in the car?

- Yes.

- [Walt] Play.

- Walt!

You--

- [Alma] Come on!

- [Walt] I'm coming.

- [Ruby] Walter Cranbourne.

- [Alma] Little Bit!

[lively music]

- I'm itchin' to
hit that red switch.

- Doggone it, I have to tune up.

Juliet, read whatever's on
the papers in front of ya.

[violin tuning]

- Howdy.

Ummm..

This is...

Uh, Sunshine Cranbourne talkin'.

- Her name ain't
sunshine, nothin'.

It's Squirrel.

She ain't been sunshine
any day of her life.

[grunting]

- Give it!

Miss Alma's dog,
Little Big, has run off

into the streets of Fireside.

She's doggone.

- Get it?

[chuckling]

- If you find her, please
bring her back to the station.

- [Alma] Little Bit!

[engine zooming]

- [Juliet] Getting engaged?

The folks at the
Fireside Inn have--

- It's probably better
I'm not there, anyway.

Just make her nervous.

- [Alma] Little Bit!

- The lucky bride and
groom will be entitled

to a special V.I.P.
guest treatment,

fresh linens on
even numbered days

and hot sticky cinnamon
buns and coffee on odd ones.

- Now, here's Fireside's
own Ruby Cranbourne

and her fancy fiddle to play

some of your all-time favorites.

[lively violin music]

- Wait, wait, wait, is that--

no.

It's a rock.

- Do you wanna stop snoring?

Milton's flesh colored
geckos are trained

to sit on the nostrils
exerting just the right amount

of pressure to stop snoring.

My great-grandma could
use one for sure.

- [Evangeline] Why, she
snores so loud even the china

in the cupboard rattles.

- Well, if it isn't the
new voice of Fireside.

Look who I found run
into my front yard?

- Oh, Little Bit.

Miss Alma's gonna be
so happy to see you.

Miss Alma, Miss
Alma, come on back.

Little Bit's here full
of vinegar and spit.

[chuckling]

[dog whimpering]

[uptempo music]

♪ Hey baby

♪ Yeah

♪ Hey

♪ Ooh boy

♪ You got me runnin'

♪ Mmm

[phone ringing]

- Come on, pick up.

Can't be that mad at me.

Evangeline, pick up.

Pick up.

- [Evangeline On Machine] Hello.

You guessed it.

I'm not here.

Leave me a message.

If I like you, I
might call you back.

[beep]

- Evangeline.

Hey, it's important.

Okay, it's very, very important.

You need to call me back.

It's about Walt.

Call me, please.

Please.

[mellow jazzy music]

♪ Wow, wow, wow

♪ Are you watchin' me

♪ Watchin' me

You know how hard it is to say

I'm sorry?

- Sugar, go get me that sugar.

- [Juliet] Okay.

- There you go.

- I'm going to the beach.

Does anybody wanna
come along, hmm?

- Should we salute or something?

- That ain't legal to do
that to the American flag.

My teacher says--

- Shh, shh, Evangeline.

- I told George
I'd meet him there.

We're gonna build sand castles.

- Mamaw, she's at it again.

- Shh, shh.

- Is this normal for old people?

- Come with me,
Mother Cranbourne.

I'll help you.

Come on.

Sandcastles.

- Sandcastles

in the beach.

[water running]

- Ah, I think you'll enjoy this.

A nice day at the beach.

- Well, thank you dear.

How lovely.

Before you go, would
you mind putting

some suntan lotion on
me so I don't burn?

The sun burns my flesh.

[playful music]

[chuckling]

- [Ruby] What are
you doin', Rabbit?

- [Evangeline] Life-guardin'.

[playful music]

[water splashing]

Mamaw!

Mamaw!

- What is it?

[Itasca coughing]

Oh.

- She's done gone flushed
her panties down the toilet.

[knocking]

- Mother Cranbourne?

Do you need help?

- [Itasca] No.

[coughing]

- Come on, unlock
this door for me now.

- Make that hell no.

- You are floodin' my house.

Dear Lord, I don't know how
much more of this I can take.

Oh, go get me a plunger
and a mop and a bucket.

- [Juliet] Plunger's busted.

- What woman in her right
mind flushes her underwear

down the only
toilet in the house?

- I don't think she has
her right mind, Mama.

- Ugh.

I should just let Popo
clean up his mother's mess.

- Good thing we
left her nappin'.

She's liable to do much
worse than clog the toilet.

She could burn down--

- Oh, oh, oh, don't even say it.

[lively music]

Ah, Lord.

I look a fright.

I don't want anybody
to see me like this.

You girls run into the
hardware department

and get me a plunger, okay?

- Yes, ma'am.

- I will meet you up
front at the register.

Oh come on, car,
accelerate, accelerate.

["Dizzy" by Tommy Roe]

♪ Dizzy

♪ I'm so dizzy

♪ My head is spinnin'

♪ Like a whirlpool

♪ It never ends

♪ And it's you, girl

♪ Makin' it spin

♪ You're makin' me dizzy

♪ First time that
I saw you girl ♪

♪ I knew that I just
had to make you mine ♪

♪ But it's so hard
to talk to you ♪

[girls laughing]

- I see you brought
your helpers.

- Yeah, they go everywhere I go.

- We got a real problem.

- [Selma] I see.

- Mother Cranbourne flushed
her panties down the--

- Well, let me get
you rung up then.

I'm sure you're in
a real big hurry.

- You girls get to do
the dishes alone tonight.

- I'm sorry, Mamaw.

We were just having a good time.

- Mmm hmm.

Car.

Go.

You too.

Now.

Thank you.

- Thank you, Ruby.

- Mamaw, why you takin' care
of that crazy old woman anyway?

- Hey, show some respect.

She is your great-grandmother.

But, to answer your
question, I do it

because my conscience
won't allow me not to.

Like it or not,
Itasca is family.

- My conscience says I should
have a cherry popsicle.

- What's a conscience?

- It's a little voice
inside your head

that tells you the difference
between right and wrong.

- Well, how does it know?

- Well, it's just
a figure of speech.

Now,

do you want to know, really
know, why I help her?

- Yes, ma'am.

- No one should be
left without somebody

to take care of 'em.

That is why I am taking
care of Mother Cranbourne

and you two.

I don't think I been doin' a
very good job of it lately.

- No, Mamaw, you're
a blue ribbon.

Me and Evangeline
are the messes.

- Oh no, child.

The good Lord does
not make messes.

You two are perfect

and beautiful as mayflowers.

- Great grandmama, she
was beautiful, wasn't she?

- Yes.

- Bet you Mama's up in New York
singing 'til early mornin'.

- I know you girls
miss her a lot.

- Every day.

- Well, I promise you,

we are gonna love you through
this for better or worse.

Lately with Mother
Cranbourne, I haven't exactly

been at my better.

Everything has just been jumpin'
up and down on my nerves.

- We love you, Mamaw.

[melancholy music]

Have you ever thought
about what you'd do

if something happened to Popo?

- What on Earth would make
you ask such a question?

- Havin' no mom and
daddy, for one thing.

- I do not have an
answer for that.

I truly don't.

- George, is that you?

- No, Mother
Cranbourne, it's Ruby.

Are you okay?

- George, the boys
need shoes for school.

They've outgrown everything
and Walt has an earache.

He had to go to the doctor.

- Mother, everything
is gonna be okay.

- George, it's been ages
since I've seen you.

[melancholy music]

- Mamaw, why is she
always talkin' crazy

and talkin' about George?

- Oh, she misses him very much.

- No, she hates him very much.

- Well, she loved him dearly.

- She said she wouldn't even
swap sandwiches with that man,

and that he took a Greyhound
Bus across the river

into Kingdom Come and
left her without a penny.

She told me that.

- Honey, Kingdom Come is heaven.

George died and left
her broke and alone

to raise your Popo
and your Uncle Mel.

- All this time, I thought
she was just plum mad at him.

He couldn't help it, could he?

- The human heart doesn't
always make good sense.

In fact, not a lot of stuff in
this world makes good sense.

Mop.

- Hi.

- I've sent notes.

I've called, I've left messages.

I don't where she is.

- Well...

Evangeline's a free
and independent spirit.

Sometimes strangers
don't like to come home.

[melancholy music]

- I am gettin' closer,
Walter Cranbourne,

and in honor of you
and Mother Cranbourne,

a little Walt Whitman.

Afoot and lighthearted

I take on the road.

Healthy, free,

the world in front of me.

[melancholy music]

- [Juliet] Ruby used to
always say pay attention

to what's going on
around you in this life,

or you're liable to miss
something really important.

- All right, bedtime girls.

- [Evangeline] I
don't wanna go to bed.

- Oh, what Mamaw says, let's go.

[laughing]

- Again, again.

- You two have to
get some sleep.

You have school in the
mornin' and you have

your school pictures.

- Popo, will you
tuck me in forever?

- Cross my heart
and hope to die.

- Oh, you must
never wish for that.

- But if I may and if I might,
my heart is open for tonight.

Though my lips are sealed
and a promise is true,

I won't break my
word, my word to you.

- [Walt] That's real nice.

- [Ruby] Sleep,
sleep, sleep, sleep.

- [Walt] Get in
there snug as a bug.

[melancholy music]

- [Juliet] Goodnight.

- [Evangeline] Goodnight.

[chattering]
[bell ringing]

- [Walt] Hey, Selma.

- How you doin, Walt?

Girls.

- Girls, you get,
grab a seat there.

I'm gonna get some epoxy.

Put it on my tab.

- This is the best.

- Hiya, Dixie.

- What can I get for you two?

- Banana sundae for me.

- [Juliet] Double that.

[bell ringing]

- She's a commie.

Up to no good.

- You got a little...

- Better?

- Yeah.

- What's a commie?

- Shh.

- All right, there you go.

- Y'all wanna come to my
house for a sleepover?

You can be a part of
the Fireside Spy Club,

and I can tell you
more about her.

[playful music]

- We're in.

["L-O-V-E" by Nat King Cole]

♪ L

♪ Is for the way
you look at me ♪

♪ O

♪ Is for the only one I see

- You are the
prettiest girl I know.

- Pretty as Selma Davis?

- Who?

What that? Woman
over at Densesky's?

- Oh, you know
exactly who I mean.

- Oh, Okay, let me see.

♪ You adore

♪ Can love

♪ Is all that I
can give to you ♪

- You are the prettiest.

♪ Love

♪ Is more than just a game

- That just ain't normal.

- I don't think it's
their first time

kissin' like that, either.

Ugh.

- [Evangeline] Ewww, gross.

[laughing]

♪ Was made for me and you

- [Ruby] You two.

Get to bed, or, or...

- Popo will have
to kiss you again.

[laughing]

- Evangeline Cranbourne,
you are the aggrivatinest

child I believe I have ever met.

Come on, girls.

Get to bed.

Come on.

- Come on, girls.

Get in here, get in here.

♪ L

♪ Is for the way
you look at me ♪

♪ O

♪ Is for the only one I see

♪ V

♪ Is very, very extra--

All right, look.

I got an errand to do
at the post office here

before I drop you girls
off at your sleepover.

You just sit tight.

[lazy bluesy music]

- Did you see that?

She's a siren, that one is.

- What's a siren?

- An enchanting,
dangerous creature

that lures sailors and men.

- [Evangeline] Even Popo?

- They're up to no good
and no man can resist them.

Shush, here he comes.

- Looky here.

All the way from New York City.

- [Juliet] Did she send a note?

- It says, dear girls.

I miss you every day.

Since you're growing so much,
here's some new clothes.

I can picture you both
so beautiful and sweet.

Listen to Walt and Ruby
and do as you're told.

Love, Mama.

- Well, that was real nice.

'Specially the listenin' part.

All right, let's go.

I want you girls to be real good

for Dixie's folks, all right?

Mamaw will be here to
pick you up for church

first thing in the morning.

- [Juliet] We can
wear our new outfits.

- [Walt] Sure can.

Up we go.

- [Evangeline] My
first sleepover!

[chuckling]

- Come in, girls.

Dixie's upstairs
doin' God knows what.

Come on.

- [Walt] You be good, now.

- All right girls.

Want you to go to sleep,

not a peep outta ya, behave.

[mysterious music]

- [Dixie] Cotton-pickin'
communist.

- What's a communist?

- Well, I don't
know exactly, but,

I know she aint' like us.

She's a weirdo and that's
all I need to know.

- Miss Selma ain't weird.

- Oh yeah?

Why ain't she never
got remarried?

- [Juliet] Maybe she just
hasn't found Mr. Right yet.

- Well, I know
she's datin' a spy

that sneaks around
here at night.

I seen 'em on the
front porch smoochin'.

- Really?

- And I know she
codes secrets for him.

I found a bunch of shredded
paper in her garbage.

I got a lot goin' on upstairs.

You'd be amazed what I found
out goin' through her trash.

- Like what?

- Like a rolled up pair of
stockings without no runs.

And then there was a hairnet.

- Ms. Selma wouldn't get
caught dead in a hairnet.

Every body knows that.

- Communist spies are devious.

They live to fool people.

- What do communists
do, besides throwing out

perfectly good
hose and hairnets?

- That's what we know.

What we don't know is what
they do behind closed doors.

Man your battle stations.

[tense music]

- Popo?

- Time to drape some commies.

["I'm Into Something
Good" by Herman's Hermits]

He's done left and
she's off to bed.

Time to strike while
the iron's hot.

- [Evangeline] What
does that mean?

- I don't know.

I heard it in a movie once.

♪ Woke up this
mornin' feelin' fine ♪

♪ There's somethin'
special on my mind ♪

♪ Last night I met a new girl

♪ In the neighborhood

♪ Oh yeah

♪ Oooooo

♪ Somethin' tells me I'm
into something good ♪

♪ Somethin' tells me I'm
into something good ♪

♪ She's the kind of
girl who's not too shy ♪

♪ And I can tell

♪ I'm her kinda guy

♪ She danced close to me

♪ Like I hoped she would

♪ She danced with me
like I hoped she would ♪

♪ Oooo

♪ Somethin' tells me I'm
into something good ♪

♪ Somethin' tells me
I'm into something ♪

♪ Ah

♪ We only danced for
a minute or two ♪

This just ain't finished.

- What are we gonna do?

We ran out of supplies.

- We've got to wet it down.

♪ She's everything
I been dreamin' of ♪

♪ She's everything
I been dreamin' of ♪

♪ I walked her home
and she held my hand ♪

♪ I knew it couldn't be
just a one night stand ♪

♪ So I asked to
see her next week ♪

♪ And she told me I could

♪ I asked to see her and
she told me I could ♪

♪ Oooo

♪ Somethin' tells me I'm
into something good ♪

♪ Somethin' tells me
I'm into something ♪

- They simply do not make
children the way they used to.

[door thudding]
- Get up now!

- You two, grounded for a month.

You are gonna clean
every scrap of paper

and finish before Miss
Selma gets home from church.

- [Evangeline] Can we eat first?

- No.

You have used up your
quota for misbehavin'

for about a month.

- Why isn't Dixie helpin' us?

This is all her--

- I am not raisin' that child.

I am raisin' you two.

Go.

Clean.

Rake.

Now.

♪ Something good

♪ Oh yeah

♪ Something good

♪ Somethin' tells me I'm
into something good ♪

♪ Something good

- Done.

- Good.

Your next chore will be to
watch your great-grandmother.

- Do we have to?

- Yes, you will read her stories

and keep her outta my
hair the rest of the day.

I am gonna go work in my garden

and I don't wanna think
about anything else.

- [Evangeline] This
is a nell of a hess.

- Excuse me, young lady.

I will wash your
mouth out with soap.

Now, get going.

Let's go.

Go on.

[melancholy music]

[knocking]

- [Itasca] Come in, George.

- [Ruby] I thought you
might like some company.

Go on, girls.

Girls.

- I have so much to tell you.

Go to that drawer.

Go on.

Open it.

[melancholy music]

Bring it here, dear.

Both of you.

I won't bite, come here!

Oh.

There's your grandfather,

and your great grandfather.

Aren't they handsome?

- That's Popo?

- Walter Cranbourne, age 4.

- [Juliet] Who's that?

- That's me!

- You were a dancer?

- Oh, for years.

I danced at the Mariinsky
Theater in St. Petersburg.

I traveled all across
Europe, performing.

I was having the time
of my life, and then...

One night in Chicago.

There was a man
in the second row.

Tall, and smart and I was,

I was completely swept away.

Such a gentleman, my George.

I so love to dance.

- Me, too.

- Oh no, child.

You must remain upright.

Tilt your head, like this.

And your hand like this.

I wish I could teach you.

- I have an idea.

["Flower Duet Lakmé"
by Léo Delibes]

♪ Sous le dôme épais
o le blanc jasmin ♪

♪ la rose s'assemble,

♪ Sur la rive en fleurs,

♪ riant au matin,

♪ Viens, descendons ensemble.

♪ Doucement glissons;

♪ De son flot charmant

♪ Suivons le courant fuyant;

♪ Dans l'onde frémissante,

♪ Dans l'onde frémissante,

♪ Sous le dôme épais
o le blanc jasmin ♪

♪ Sous le dôme épais
o le blanc jasmin ♪

♪ Ah! descendons ensemble!

♪ Ah! descendons ensemble!

♪ Ah! descendons ensemble!

- If I could shellac
a few hours of my life

and press 'em in a
memory book for eternity,

this would have been the one.

Sometimes, in our minds,

the past is better
than the present.

Speakin' of the past,
let's all welcome

Willy William Bartlett home.

He was last spotted at
the VFW playin' a game

of Texas Hold 'Em
with Norman Densesky.

Ladies, let's give the
town's most eligible bachelor

a real Fireside welcome.

Let's all bake him a cake or pie

and make him feel real special.

[engine zooming]

[melancholy music]

- Moon and star.

You are very far.

But were no one
farther than you.

Emily Dickinson

I see you, North Star.

I've looked at you and
followed you my whole life.

And...

You don't bring
people back home.

[giggling]

- Say chubby bunny.

- Chubby bunny.

Say fat rabbit.

- Fat rabbit.

[gunfire popping]

- [James] Come on.

[grunting]

[laughing]

[melancholy music]

[gunfire popping]

- [Juliet] Say chubby bunny.

[yelling]
[gunfire popping]

Where'd you go, Rabbit?

[yelling]
[gunfire popping]

[giggling]

[yelling]
[gunfire popping]

[excited mumbling]

- [Juliet] Look, come here.

- [Evangeline] What?

I got one.

[excited mumbling]
[dramatic music]

[gunfire popping]

[grunting]

- Isn't she beautiful?

- Yeah.

- I'm gonna let her go, now.

[gunfire popping]

- [Sarge] Stay with me.

Stay with me.

Oh, you better not,
you better not!

Cranbourne!

[melancholy music]

- Now, she's free.

[engine rumbling]

[tense music]

[doors thudding]

- Walt.

- [Officer] Mr.
Walter Cranbourne?

I regret to inform
you that your son,

Lieutenant James
Nelson Cranbourne

is reported as
killed in action in

Qu?ng Tr? Province, Vietnam.

On the behalf of the
Secretary of Defense...

[tense music]
[mumbling]

[somber music]

- Those men were
talking about Daddy.

- Daddy's gone to heaven.

- [Evangeline] He's never
comin' back to get us?

Ever?

- No, Evangeline, he's
never coming back.

[melancholy music]

[melancholy music]

[church bell tolling]

- I can't read it.

Just tell me.

[melancholy music]

- Let's see.

It is with this Seargent
Colvert, James was, when...

he was bushwhacked trying
to medivac the wounded.

- He was always
hardheaded and brave.

- Fallen soldier
when he was shot.

He didn't lose
consciousness and he never,

he never moaned or
complained about the pain.

- He never complained
about anything.

- Says here, the only sound
they heard was gunfire, and

helicopters blades whirring
like 1,000 birds' wings.

- He always loved
birds, even crows.

- And that night he uh,

after helpin' this soldier and
others who were wounded, he,

he died.

[melancholy music]

I gotta tend to the cows.

- Can I come, too?

- Not this time, Rabbit.

[melancholy music]

[weeping]

[tapping]

Ah, God.

Why!

Why, why, why!

[crashing]

[dramatic somber music]

Why, why!?

[yelling] Why are
You doing this to me!

Why?

Have I not done everything
that You have asked of me?

Done everything in my power
to hold this family together.

These children need
to have their father!

Why?

Why!

Why?

[weeping]

Why?

Why James?

[melancholy music]

- What's a hero?

- Somebody who does
something brave

that could get them killed.

- Popo said Daddy was a hero.

- Daddy's gone to heaven.

Do you understand?

He's never coming back.

[melancholy music]

- Do you think Mama
will ever come back?

- I don't know.

We can hope.

Don't you worry, Rabbit.

I'll protect you.

I'll always be here for you.

- [Evangeline] Popo.

Why do you have to go?

- I'm gonna get on a airplane.

I gotta visit somebody.

I'll be back real
soon, I promise.

Hey, hey.

- Don't leave.

- Take care of her,
take care of her.

- [Evangeline] Don't go.

- I'll see ya on Sunday.

[door thudding]

[engine revving]

[sexy jazzy music]

[knocking]

- Hello.

[gasping]

- Oh my gosh, how are you?

You 'bout just
scared me to death.

- I'm sorry, I tried
knockin' several times, but,

there's a couple layers of
glass between you and me.

It's good to be home, here.

- It's been a long time.

- Too long.

I wanted to see you.

And I have 42 pies,
minus this one.

Got any ideas?

- Just might.

[sexy jazzy music]

[click]

We're having a bake sale
here at KOFF radio today

for the Fireside
Ladies Auxiliary,

so come on by and say
hello to William Bartlett

and get yourself a fresh
baked, homemade pie

and for a great cause.

Welcome back to the
Fireside Poetry Hour.

I was readin' Emily
Dickinson in honor

of our beloved Ruby,
who passed away

and is dearly missed.

Because I could
not stop for death,

he kindly stopped for me.

The carriage held but just
ourselves in immortality.

- [Both] We slowly
drove, he knew no haste,

- [Juliet] And I
put away my labor

and my leisure, too--

- Ruby.

- [Juliet] With his civility.

- I miss Popo.

- I know honey, I do too.

- [Both girls] One, two, three.

[thunder booming]

- Ooh, sounds like the good Lord

and his bowling league
are at it again.

I don't know how
Mother Cranbourne

is sleeping through this.

Juliet, go check on
her, will you please?

[lightning cracking]
[thunder booming]

Uh oh.

No electricity means no phone.

[melancholy music]

Mother Cranbourne.

Girls, leave the room.

Your great-grandmother
has passed.

I better call the Sheriff.

- Mamaw, you just said
the phone ain't workin'.

- Oh, cheese and crackers.

- Don't worry Mamaw.

I'll vouch for you.

You didn't do anything.

You were with us the whole day.

- Oh.

- [Evangeline] What's
gonna happen to her?

- She's gonna be
with her George.

- And our daddy?

- And your daddy.

All right, come on girls.

Gotta go.

Gotta go get the
sheriff, let's go.

Go on.

[melancholy music]

[wipers squeaking]

[thunder booming]

I cannot think of a worse
time for Walt to be gone.

There oughta be an
11th commandment.

Thy shalt not leave
thy dyin' mother

with her daughter-in-law.

- Mamaw, isn't there
a commandment about

not stealing your
neighbor's husband?

- Excuse me?

- Mamaw, Popo ain't home
'cause he's probably

with that Selma woman.

- What are you talking about?

- We saw 'em together
the other night,

when we were at Dixie's.

They was kissin' all over
one another on the porch.

- [Juliet] Evangeline!

- If you ever say
such a thing again,

I will tan your hides.

[thunder booming]

- [Juliet] She's sorry.

Ain't ya?

- Sorry.

- I should say so.

- [Juliet] Maybe while
we're here, we can do

a missing persons
report for Popo.

- [Evangeline] Or mostly if
he's with Miss Selma Davis.

[laughing]

- The customer came right back
in with that [mumbling] on.

[suspenseful music]

- [Juliet] See what you've done?

Now we're gonna have to get sent

to an orphanage
home thanks to you.

- He has not been
with that woman.

He will be home any minute.

He probably just
missed his flight.

- [Evangeline] Missed
it goin' and comin'.

- Who took the
sweetness outta you two?

- [Juliet] Don't worry, Mamaw.

If Popo doesn't come back,

you'll find yourself
a new husband.

[gasping]

[screaming]

- [Evangeline] You killed her!

- Mamaw!

- [Norman] That's Ruby!

- [Juliet] Mamaw!

Help!

- [Evangeline] Somebody!

[dramatic music]
Help!

- [Norman] Ruby.

- [Selma] Girls, what happened?

- [Evangeline] She fell
and busted her head.

- Mamaw!

- [Selma] Honey,
you've gotta take her

to the hospital right now.

- [Norman] I got you, Ruby girl.

- [Evangeline] What's
gonna happen to her?

- [Norman] Get around
here guys, give me a hand.

- [Evangeline] Is she okay?

- Mamaw!

- You're a good man, Norman.

I'ma take the girls
and go and find Walt.

- [Norman] All right,
you be careful, honey.

[dramatic music]

[wipers squeaking]

- Are you two-timing
on my Mamaw?

[chuckling]

- Are you runnin' a
fever, sugar britches?

Who's been feedin' you
all that gobbledygook?

- We saw you from
Dixie's window.

You and Popo was kissin'.

That's why we rolled your yard.

- Girls, the man you saw me
with, that's Mr. Densesky.

Norman and I have been
together over a year now.

In fact, we're
engaged to be engaged,

whatever that means.

Oh.

- Careful.

We already have one of us dead.

- Girls, your grandma,
she's gonna be just fine.

She bumped her head real hard,

but she'll bounce back.

- I ain't talkin' 'bout Mamaw.

Talking 'bout Mother Cranbourne.

She up and died on us.

- Yeah, she croaked.

- That's why we were on our
way to the sheriff's office.

[engine zooming]

- [Walt] Selma.
- [Evangeline] Popo.

- Where's Ruby?

Nurse says that she's
resting comfortably,

but they're gonna keep her
overnight for observation.

- Oh, thank God.

Walt, I'm sorry about your mama.

- Oh, yeah well.

We did all we could.

She's uh...

She looks real peaceful.

The coroner and the sheriff,
they're on the way here,

but I really need to get
over to the hospital.

I gotta visit my Ruby.

- Well, I'll stay.

- [Walt] Thank you.

- Did you find Marguerite?

- Oh well.

You know, we're at the
airport and darndest thing,

she set her bags down and
then she just ran off.

I went to the city.

I sat outside her apartment,

better part of 24 hours
and she never showed up.

- [Selma] How could she do
that to those sweet girls?

- Oh, darned if I know.

[stammering]

I told her James had been killed

and she cried for a
spell, which I expected.

Then I told her that
Juliet and Evangeline,

they were doin'
real good, but they,

they'd sure be a lot better
off if they had their mama.

She acted right ashamed.

I thought she would do
the right thing, and then,

[stammering]

I just guess she couldn't.

[melancholy music]

- Those poor girls.

You want me to make
another special package

to send from Marguerite?

- Oh.

Oh, I'd so appreciate that.

These girls have
been through so much.

Last thing they
need to hear is that

their mama don't want 'em.

Thank you.

Squirrel, how long you
been standin' here?

Where's Rabbit?

We will not speak a word
this, do you understand?

It'd only break her heart.

It's gonna be our secret.

Oh my, it's been a
whopper of a day.

Rabbit, come on,
let's put a move on.

Let's put our smiles
on and get down

to the hospital and
pay your Mamaw a visit.

[melancholy music]

[church bell tolling]

[gentle organ music]

- She crossed the
river, all right.

- Someone turned
on her light switch

right before she died.

- I think I'm gonna miss her.

- Well, she is with her George.

- Selma, I'm sorry we
toilet papered your yard.

We were wrong.

- Was fun, though.

I'm sorry.

- Considering the confusion
around Norman and me,

apology accepted.

After all, forgiveness and the
Lord's house go hand in hand.

- She looks beautiful, Selma.

- Scotch tape can do miraculous
wonders for crow's feet.

- Is there anything
you can't do?

- I can't take care of a
demanding mother-in-law

with dementia, raise two
girls, play the fiddle,

grow prize tomatoes and
heaven knows what else.

I'm proud to have you as
a friend, Ruby Cranbourne.

[gentle organ music]

- Hi.

- [Juliet] Hi.

Is it okay if I
sit here, with you?

- Sure, I'd like that.

- I'm sorry about
your great-grandma.

Juliet, I want you to know that

you mean the world to me.

You're a very special girl.

- I hate beets.

[engine zooming]

- [Juliet] Ruby's love for me
and Evangeline was steadfast,

and I wish I could say the
same about me and my sister.

- What?

What, true confessions
on the radio?

- [Juliet] She
blames me for so much

of what went wrong in our past.

- Juliet Cranbourne, you will
not do this to me in public.

- [Juliet] And, well
it all came to a head.

It was a horrific,
knock-down, drag-out,

full-blown argument.

That's when we last spoke.

Walt and Ruby were
the salt of the earth

and they had a marriage
that had been tested

and polished to a sheen.

I mean, we were not
your typical family.

We were an eccentric
great-grandmother who danced

into her final days
and two difficult,

challenging girls who
had been orphaned twice

and we fought a lot.

But this, this the biggest

[yelling]
fight we've ever had.

We haven't spoken
in a very long time.

- [Evangeline] Believe
me, you're gonna be

hearing from me real soon.

- [Juliet] I need to
ask y'all to please

send Evangeline a note
tellin' her to come home.

Imagine 5,000 notes
all from Fireside.

What in blue blazes?

- You're bein' pre-empted.

- Good to see you, too.

- Nuh uh, do not give me that.

I am not the guilty party here.

Now tell me, what is
going on with Walt?

- I tried to tell you,

[mellow music]

but you wouldn't
pick up your phone.

- Well, I have been drivin'
for three days to get here.

- There's this thing
called an airplane.

- Flyin' throws my inner
clock's timin' off.

You know that.

- Well, you shoulda called.

- You should have called.

- I did!

I promise and hope my eyeballs
fall out if I'm lyin'.

- Yeah well, your track
record isn't so good.

- Oh, I never lied to you.

- You did, too.

- I did not.

- My entire life.

- I Just,

withheld some information.

- Yes.

Withheld.

Tell me what is
goin' on with Popo?

- Why don't you come
home and find out?

Well, he has his
good days and bad.

- Well, look who's
returned from the dead.

- Probably not the best
choice of words, Dixie.

- It's been years since
I've seen you, Evangeline.

You still wearing
them pink bloomers?

- Dixie's been a godsend.

She's Walt's hospice nurse.

- Thought I'd finally get
myself a legit career.

Didn't know I'd
end up likin' it.

Come on.

[melancholy music]

- How is he today?

- [Dixie] He's restin' okay.

He hasn't eaten
much today, though.

Walt, you got company.

Walt?

[melancholy music]

- Awww.

Hey.

Ah, it's good to
see you, Rabbit.

[weeping]

- Popo, I am sorry

that I been gone for so long.

- Shh.

- Does it hurt?

- Hurtin's all I got
since I lost Ruby.

- God, I missed you.

- I'm glad you're here.

I uh...

There's somethin' that I
need you to do together.

- Are there snakes?

- No, just a bunch
of old, old stuff.

[melancholy music]

- [Evangeline] I don't
know how you can stand it.

This place is full
of sad memories.

- [Juliet] Well, if you
lived here, you'd understand.

- Well, I don't and I don't.

- Well, this is your home, too.

- Not any more.

- Well.

Found this.

- You know I will
never forgive you

for having hidden
somethin' so important

from me for so many years.

- I know, it was a mistake.

- Oh, well your mistake
has screwed up my life.

If I'd known the truth,
I could have just

dealt with it and moved on.

- I was tryin' to protect you.

I did what I thought was right.

- Yeah, well you
were dead wrong.

- [Juliet] Get over it, Rabbit.

Move on.

- [Evangeline] What, I
can't even talk to you.

[chuckling]

- Those two always
did fight like cats

and dogs, didn't they?

- Yeah, but they'll work it out.

They always do.

[melancholy music]

- [Juliet] I'm...

- It was all a farce.

A game just played with my mind.

- It was done outta love.

You miss her.

- God, you know, there is this

great big hole inside where...

Something I can't really
recall used to be.

But you know, if I would
have known the truth,

I could have dealt with it.

If I would have
known what happened

with Mama and Walt in New York,

I could have just dealt with it

and I would be over this by now.

- I knew and I'm not over it.

There's just some things
you don't ever get over.

But you choose to move on.

- I...

I was never

thinkin' of comin' home.

[melancholy music]

But I had to 'cause of Walt.

Walt.

- [Juliet] I'm glad you did.

- Walt.

- You know how bad
he's been wantin' us

to get up here and

do this whatever
it is we're doin'?

- Scavenger hunt.

- Yep.

Well, look at there.

Last thing on his
list, right here.

- Oh yeah.

I haven't seen these
things in years.

They may not be worth
much, but to me,

they're everything.

[melancholy music]

You don't open that, you...

I want you to stick in the
glove box of the caddy.

Save it for another day.

Hey, Squirrel, you
wanna get that package

wrapped behind you?

Now, what's that postmark say?

- It says September, 1967.

- They said they lost
it, imagine that.

Misplaced for over 30 years.

They said it dropped
down behind the counter

then they built
a wall around it.

It showed up here just
after I lost Ruby.

Had it almost a year now, but...

I couldn't bring
myself to open it up.

Help yourself.

[melancholy music]

- [James] May 30th, 1967.

Dear Juliet and Evangeline,

you girls get this, that
means I've gone on ahead.

Help your grandparents
as much as possible,

but have fun, too, and
most of all, don't fight.

- I don't know what to say
about your mother bein' gone.

She has broken
all of our hearts.

For your own sake's,
forgive her and move on.

You've got to forgive
people before you can

get over the hurt.

Remember that and when
you get to heaven,

I'll build a house
with a porch swing.

Don't try to get there early.

There's plenty of time.

Most important of all,
remember I love you both.

Always, Daddy.

Ohh!

- [Evangeline] Wow.

- That's Ruby's work.

- She's still here with us.

- What's she tryin' to say?

- I think she wants
you two to get along.

Forgive your mother.

Forgive me.

But most of all,
forgive each other.

- You mean, she can
hear what I been saying

about Juliet all these years?

[laughing]

Cheese and crackers.

- I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

I never meant to hide
the truth from you.

- You were easy to blame.

- What we did, what was done,

was outta love, nothin' more.

- Welcome home, little sister.

[melancholy music]

The Rabbit came home.

One of the biggest myths
of the town of Fireside

is Ruby's 1959 pink Cadillac.

Some say that Elvis
gave it to her,

but others, they say
it was all Walt's idea.

[melancholy music]

- One bill of sale
for one gently used

1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville

to a very sneaky Mr.
Walter Cranbourne.

[laughing]

- This family, it's
full of secrets!

Whenever I get into
a little bit of a,

a situation, I just ask myself,

what's the course of my life?

What's the most important thing?

What's my North Star?

And I guess I'd
have to say truth

and love.

My North Star continues
to guide me in life,

by its light and what I
learned from Walt and Ruby.

- [All] To Walt and Ruby.

- [Juliet] I know they are
surely dancin' in heaven.

And someday, I'll
join them, too,

but first, I have a date
with William Bartlett.

[chuckling]

[melancholy music]

["Swing Low Sweet Chariot"]
♪ Swing low

♪ Swing low sweet chariot

♪ Coming for to carry me home

♪ I looked all over Jordan

♪ And what did I see

♪ Coming for to carry me home

♪ A band of angels
coming after me ♪

♪ Coming for to carry me home

♪ Swing low

♪ Swing low sweet chariot

♪ Coming for to carry me home

♪ Swing low

♪ Swing low sweet chariot

♪ Coming for to carry me home

♪ If you get there

♪ Before I do

♪ Coming for to carry me home

♪ Tell all my friends

♪ That I'm coming, too

♪ Coming for to carry me home

♪ Swing low

♪ Swing low sweet chariot

♪ Coming for to carry me home

♪ Swing low

♪ Swing low sweet chariot

♪ Coming for to carry me home

♪ Coming for to carry me home

["Boy From Memphis"
by Warren Bennett]

[whooshing]