All language subtitles for Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil 1997

# Skylark #

# Have you anything
to say to me? #

# Can you tell me
where my love can be? #

# Is there a meadow
in the mist #

# Where someone's waiting
to be kissed? #

# Skylark #

# I don't know
if you can find these things #

# But my heart
is riding on your wings #

# So if you find them anywhere #

# Won't you lead me there? #

Quit eyeballin' me, Flavis.

I knew you when you was a
two-bit hustler on bull street.

Shhhhhh!

Excuse me... you know where
a fellow could get a cab?

Yeah, he just left.

You can call the company,

but I'd just wait on him
to come back...

Unless you want to take a ride.

Goin' to Jones street?

I'll get you there.

Put your stuff in there.

To your right,
the pirates' house,

built in 1794.

All the ne'er-do-Wells
and scalawags

divided up their Booty there.

Sherman stayed
in the Green-Meldrim house

to rest up after his fiery march
through Atlanta.

Oh, he was gonna burn
Savannah, too,

but the locals drowned him

in Chatham Artillery Punch
and fancy parties

till he decided to spare
our fair city.

Forsyth Park,
ladies and gentlemen.

Hey.

You lookin' for somethin'?

No.

Mr. Kelso?
Are you Mr. Kelso?

Yes.

I'm Loreen Baxter.
Welcome to Savannah.

Town & country
is my favorite magazine.

Oh, my land!
Where are my manners?

What can I get you to drink?

Anything cold would be great.

Mr. Williams
restored this home...

one of the many he saved
from the wreckin' ball.

The carriage house is reserved
for Jim's clients,

and guests such as yourself.

He's here.

Oh, welcome, Mr. Kelsey.

Oh, I'm sorry...
Mr. Kelso.

John Kelso.

Ah, yes, I'm Betty Harty.

Sonny's been expecting you.

Uh, I'm here to see
Jim Williams.

Sonny is Jim's attorney.

Well, hell!

Come on in, coach.

John Kelso.

Welcome
to "the old curiosity shop."

You take a seat.
I'll be right with you.

Uh-huh. Oh?

Mm-hmm.

Oh.

Oh, well, you let me know.

How was your trip?

Fine, fine. Mr. Williams said
he was gonna meet me here.

Well, he will be right along.

We have a little business
to attend to first.

Confidentiality agreement...
just boilerplate stuff...

Plus a paragraph outlinin'
Jim's editorial privileges.

Uh, town & country flew me down

to write a 500-word story
on a Christmas party.

It's a literary postcard.
Are you serious about this?

It's not just any party.

Have you talked
to the magazine about this?

Well, I'd rather have your word
than some New York lawyer.

Uh, well, be that as it may,

uh, I'm not gonna sign that.

Damn! How come?

It's just a little old
party write-up.

All the more reason
not to compromise my ethics.

It's a slippery slope.

As a professional,
I'm sure you understand.

Promise to be fair?

Yes, of course.

Jim...

This is John Kelso.

Hello.

Let's take a walk,
shall we, sport?

Sure.

We'll go around Forsyth Park.

Um...
Would y'all mind?

Oh, not at all, Betty.

Come on.

Did you sign Sonny's papers?

Actually, no.

Good for you.

Sonny's overly protective
of my interests.

You walkin' the dog,
Mr. Glover?

Yes, sir... Patrick do love
his morning walk.

Would you mind?

Could I please have
my picture made with Uga?

Yeah.
Great.

Thanks.

All right. Smile.

Thanks.
Dang good dog.

Thank you very much.
You're welcome.

Thank you for asking.

No matter what you and I ever do
in our lives, Mr. Kelso,

neither of us will ever be
as famous as Uga.

He's the university mascot
of the Georgia bulldogs.

Is that right?
Mm-hmm.

Now, I know I'm gonna regret
asking this,

but that man said
he was walking a dog?

Mm-hmm.

What dog?

Well, Mr. Glover
was the law-firm Porter.

Mr. Bowen left instructions
in his will

that Mr. Glover
should continue to be paid

$15 every week for walking
Patrick, his Labrador.

So... Where's Patrick?

Oh, Patrick went on
to his great reward

about two years
after Mr. Bowen, about 1974.

The dog's dead?

Mm-hmm, quite.

Why d-doesn't Mr. Glover
walk Uga?

Well, then who'd walk Patrick?

I see.

There it is.
This is your house?

Mm-hmm, built
by general Hugh Mercer in 1860,

but he never lived
in this house.

His great-grandson
was Johnny Mercer.

The songwriter?

Mm-hmm, Savannah's own.

What's your favorite
of his tunes?

Well, my mother was always
partial to "fools rush in."

Your mother?

Yeah.
Indeed.

Well, I would love to take you
in and give you the grand tour,

but they're still settin' up
for the party tonight.

I thought the party
was tomorrow night.

Well, there are two parties.

Tonight is for bachelors...
gentlemen only.

Would you like to come?

I'd like to cover it.

Oh, well, sorry, it's private.

Reporters aren't allowed.

Would you like to see my shop?

It's back here
in the carriage house.

Sure.

Now, this house is one of
the largest houses in Savannah.

It covers an entire block.

Right in here...

this is where we do
all of our restorations.

This landscape...
it's a stubbs.

Very good.

My father was a dealer.

It's called "Newmarket Heath,
with a rubbing-down house."

It's a recent purchase

that I will unveil
at tomorrow night's event.

It's an odd piece.

Yes, the impasto
is interesting.

Where's your black light?

It's an overpaint.

Very good, sport.

Had it x-rayed yet?

Nope.

Then how will you know
what it's obscuring?

Oh, I rather enjoy not knowing.

Just a minute!

Who is it?

Mandy.

Who?

Mandy.

I don't believe I know a Mandy.

Well, of course not...
you won't open the damn door.

Hi. Nice to meet ya.

Hi.

Y'all got some ice?

Sure, help yourself.

Joe Odom's fridge
is on the blink,

and plus, at present,
we don't have electricity.

Thirsty?

Me?
No. No, not really.

Well...

If you're thirsty,
a drink'll cure it,

and if you're not,
a drink'll prevent it.

Prevention is better
than a cure.

Put on some pants, John Kelso.

Sure, just let me get a pair.

Okay.

This is our newest addition
to the Odom house.

Yeah?

And as you can see,

Joe's gettin' creative
with our electrical dilemma.

Anyway,
we'll try the green wire.

Now, I've done this before,
and I ain't been killed yet,

but there's a first time
for everything.

We done it!

Ain't a problem!

Joe Odom?

The one, the only.

Hey, where's my libation?
Hold these, please.

Now, to Savannah electric
and power!

And let's not forget
our friends,

the... Whoever!

Here's to ya!

All right, inside.

Honey, that's a tough job.

You're talkin' to the lady,
hello!

Have you met Mr. Kelso,
our newest addition to Savannah?

Jerry Spence.

Hello, how are you?

I'm charmed now.
How are you?

I'm pretty good, pretty good...
enjoying the party.

I wonder if he goes
to my church.

I wonder.
We'll find out.

# ...see, all night long,
haulin' in great big cans #

# I hope one day soon #

# She'll let me
be her hefty man #

# In the dumpster
we'll be makin' love #

# In the dumpster
beneath the stars above #

# In the dumpster
I smell paradise #

# Don't have to ask her twice #

# 'Cause all I'm thinkin' of #

# Is me and that trash girl
makin' that dumpster love #

Do you like that?

It's strong.

Yeah, strong and good...

Chatham Artillery Punch.

What's in it?

3 parts fruit,
7 parts liquor...

whatever's available
on both counts.

Great party.
This is a great house.

Mmm, yeah, the fellow
that owns this place

is in New York for a year...

asked me to look in on it
for him,

you know, water the plants.

You're squatting?

Whoo! Hey, now,
that's a vicious word!

You're not a lawyer, are you?

No, no, no, no, no.

Good, 'cause they're
the scum of the earth, lawyers,

and I should know,

bein' an ex-barrister myself.

Ex?

Mm-hmm, ceremoniously disbarred
nigh two years ago...

had a little canon snafu.

What do you do now?

Me and Mandy...
we're gonna open a piano bar.

I'd say you already have one.

Looks that way,
doesn't it? Hmm.

Oh, wait a minute...
hold the music!

Looky there!

Look at this!

Jerry Spence...

You have outdone yourself
again.

That is a coif definitely
befittin' your stature

as the future
ex-Mrs. Joe Odom.

Keep dreamin', darlin'.

Come on, Jerry.

She's one beautiful woman.

You two engaged?

Not yet.

Well, it's getting kind of late.
I gotta get up in a few hours,

so I'm gonna hit the road.
Nice to meet you, Joe.

Hit the...
no, wait a minute.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Joe's rule number 2...

if you have to leave a party,
you always take a traveler.

I can live with that one.
Nice to meet you.

All right, then.

Hey, there.

Hey.

Better to be on the edge
of a party, don't you think?

Yeah.

Well, thank you
for inviting me.

Any time...
Every time.

Hey...

Earlier...
how'd you know my name?

Welcome to Savannah.

Mr. John Kelso?

Yeah.

This is for you.
Thank you.

I'm not here right now.

Leave a message.
I'll get right back to you.

Mr. Kelso?
Yes.

Oh. I'm Lucille Wright.

I cater Mr. Williams' parties.
Nice to meet you.

He should be down shortly.

Would you like me to show you
what we're gonna serve?

Of course.
Yes, come in.

Uh, lots of fresh vegetables,

hot bread,

jumbo shrimp,

and... oh, let's see,

this is smoked ham and Turkey.

Oh, both.

Great big fruit platter,

and this is
a wonderful crab dish.

Is it a bisque?

Jeff Braswell.

John Kelso.

I shoot Jim's parties.

Great, great. Let's get a shot
of the whole spread...

town & country
loves its pretty pictures.

And pumpkin cornbread.

Mr. Williams insists

on low-country cookin'
for his parties.

Oh, you're gonna have fun
tonight.

Indeed he is, Lucille.

Good fit... 44 long.

I have an eye
for framin' things.

Welcome to Mercer house,
Mr. Kelso.

Thank you.

Lucille, you have outdone
yourself again this year.

Well, thank you.

Evenin', Sonny.

Jim.

Ha ha, hello, Claire.

Good to see you.

Hey...

I'm glad to see you.
Merry Christmas to you.

Merry Christmas.

Hey, hey, hey. How are you?
Good to see you.

I'm so happy you're back.
Mm-hmm.

Emma?

Did you watch my drink for me?

Or did you try to steal it
from me?

No.
Ha ha.

Senator, how are you?

Doin' great.

Good to see you.
Merry Christmas to you.

Merry Christmas to you.
So happy to have you here.

Hey.
Look at you.

Merry Christmas to you.

Merry Christmas. Good to see y'all.
Welcome to Mercer house.

I think we have quite a party
goin' tonight.

Oh, look at that niece of mine.

Hello.

Hey. How are you?

John Kelso.
Yeah, John.

Oh. Good to see you.
Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.
Happy to have you here.

Oh, darlin', don't you look
so pretty tonight!

I have one
just like that at home.

I see our emerald bird
has arrived.

Darling, good to see you.

Oh, handsome as ever.

How are you, dear?

I'm just fine.
Harry! Oh, my God!

Oh, it's lovely to see you.

Jim, now, who is that
magnificent creature?

Well, that is Serena Dawes.

You look gorgeous as ever!

Yes, well, I try.

A celebrated beauty in her day.

When her tycoon husband died,

she moved back to Savannah
and created a...

well, a sort of a museum
to herself in her boudoir.

Come here.
I'll introduce you.

Who are these people?

Serena, how lovely
to see you out of bed.

Why, Jim, I'd get out of bed
for you anytime.

Oh! Harry was just about
to show us

the latest addition
to his arsenal.

Oh, my God!

You know what that is?
That is a.25.

My late husband blew his brains
out with one of those.

So did mine!
What?

I was fixin' myself a drink,
and "gunsmoke" was on TV,

and I heard a shot.

I thought it was part
of the show

till I walked in,
and there was Lyman bleedin',

sprawled in his favorite chair.

You know, everyone knew
our marriage was a disaster.

If I'd so much
as touched that gun,

they'd have charged me
with murder!

Yes, well, one day...

...I will shoot a man!
Yes, I will!

I may start with you!
Or you!

Ooh-ho!

Is that loaded?
Oh, yeah.

Ooh!

Which conversation
shall we join?

The one least likely
to involve gunfire.

Oh, excuse me for a moment.

Well, that's from Napoleon's
coronation carriage.

You have a most
impressive collection.

Oh, no, no, no, Mr. Kelso,
look around...

it's not a collection,
it's my home.

Fabergé?

Mm-hmm,
I'm a minor enthusiast.

Minor? Three eggs,
a jewelry box,

and, I believe,
the gold-leaf album.

Nicholas himself would be lucky
to have so much fabergé.

Yes, well...

Wouldn't he?

I'll admit to that.

Would you care to see something
a little more... Unusual?

That'd be very nice.

Mm-hmm.

Hello, mother darlin'.

You enjoyin' yourself
this evenin'?

I'm havin'
a wonderful time, dear.

John Kelso.
Mr. Kelso.

He's a writer, mother.

Oh!

This is what we call
the ballroom.

Wow!

Is this the prized relic?

Well, it's a very rare relic.

This is the dagger
that Prince Yusupov used

to murder Rasputin.

He sliced off
his cock and balls with it.

True story...

And deliciously evil,
don't you think?

Delicious.

German Luger?

Mm-hmm. Be careful...
it's loaded.

We've had burglaries.

Everybody's got loaded guns
around here.

So tell me, Jim, has your family
always collected?

Well, that's a very genteel way

of asking
if I come from old money.

Do you?

No.

I was born in Gordon, Georgia,
a little town outside of Macon.

My father was a barber
and sometime housebuilder.

My mother was a secretary.

What money I have
is about 11 years old.

So, yes, I am nouveau riche,

but then, it's the "riche"
that counts, now, isn't it?

There's only two things
that interest me...

work, and those trappings
of aristocracy

that I find worthwhile...

the very things
they're forced to sell

when the money runs out...
And it always runs out.

And then all they're left with
is their lovely manners.

Fuck you, goddamn bitch!

Wouldn't even let me
in the fuckin' house!

I had to come in
the servants' entrance!

Will you excuse me
for a minute?

Billy, I thought we agreed
you'd stay away tonight.

Don't give me
that drag-ass shit, Jim!

I got stood up tonight,
and I'm pissed off!

Give me $20.

You get paid on Friday
like everyone else.

What do you need $20 now for?

Give me $20.

I need it to get fucked up
is what.

Well, I'd say you've
accomplished that, sport.

Give me the money!

I ain't even close to gettin'
fucked up the way I want to be!

No, I'm not gonna give you
money for liquor

or marijuana cigarettes
or whatever else you...

Fuck you, Jim!

You don't give me warnings...
I give 'em to you, remember,

'cause I can back mine up!

And you, you piece of shit!

You better watch yourself!

Fuck you.

Uh, that's Billy Hanson.

He works part time in the shop,

and can, on occasion,
be a very colorful character.

Well, I don't know
who hates me more...

the Atwells or their dogs.

Loren Atwell's
been upset with me

ever since I had him removed
from the museum board.

Well...

There's only one way
to remedy this.

Thank you, senator.

It was a hell of a bash, Jim.

You've outdone yourself.

Delightful, delightful.
We thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you for coming.

Thank you for havin' us.

This...
you have my book!

You seem surprised.

Well, it didn't exactly
fly off the bookshelves.

What a coincidence that
I'd be assigned to this story,

and you'd have read
my only book.

There are no coincidences.

Have you ever written
for town & country before?

No.

You requested me?

They've been wantin' to cover
my Christmas party for years,

and my acceptance
of their offer this year

was contingent on one thing...

your participation.

Thank you for that.

No, thank you.

Now sit back, relax,
enjoy your Brandy,

and tell me
your life story, John Kelso.

It's gettin' late,
and I have an early flight,

so maybe I can take a raincheck
on that...

Next Christmas.

If you make the cut.

Well, we'll hope for the best.

Well, I-I can't wait
to see the article,

and I certainly hope
that you have enough

for your 500-word essay.

Believe me, I could use 10,000.

Thank you for everything, Jim.
I'll show myself out.

Oh, and, sport...

...I really did like
your book.

Thank you.

Such a beautiful jacket...

I believe
that's an endangered species.

Look at that 14-karat-gold dress
and Tony Manero.

Who's hungry?

Want some punch, baby?

Oh, you're such a good pony!

What are you doin'
gettin that horse drunk?

Hey, Joe...

What happened?

Oh, that Jim Williams
went and shot somebody.

Canapé?

What?

Mm-hmm, he sure did.

Those lights ain't part
of the Christmas display.

For real?

Yes, sir, he did...
he shot somebody.

Look at that man go.

I believe I'm startin'
to like that yankee.

What's that sayin'...
"curiosity killed the yankee"?

I think that's it.

Uh, well, he was drunker
when he got back,

and, uh, I'll tell you,
when he's been drinkin',

he's got, like, another
personality altogether.

He'd already smashed some things
upstairs earlier in the evenin',

and he must have gone
to some drive-in "B" movie

with throats bein' slashed
and that sort of thing,

and no doubt it had an effect,

because I have never seen him
that angry.

He and I got into an argument.

He... he destroyed

this beautiful, priceless
antique clock in the hallway.

If you'd like to spike that up,

there's a bar right there
in the livin' room.

No, thank you,
I'm still on duty, Mr. Williams.

Yes, I-I know that.

I'm sorry.
This is very upsetting.

How much longer
is this all gonna take?

Hey, Jeff,
what are you doin' here?

I work for the city, too.
I got that film from the party.

I'll get it to you.

Great, great.

He yelled at me.

He came into the office,

and he stood there
and he yelled,

"I might be leavin' tomorrow,

but goddamn it,
you're leavin' tonight!"

And he fired at me twice,

and I pulled the Luger
from my desk, and I fired back.

And I tell you,
if it had happened to you,

you would have done
exactly what I did.

I have never been
so scared in my life.

If I had not shot at Billy,
I have no doubt

it'd be my obituary
you'd be readin' in the papers.

What the hell
are you doin' here?

Jesus Christ!
Frank...

My client has nothin' to say.

Sonny.

Jim.

I can't believe you would do
this without callin' me!

How long have we known
each other?

Is this entrapment, Frank?

What the hell is goin' on?!

We'll wrap it up indoors
as soon as we can.

Sorry, but I'm not
gonna have time

to process this film for you.

John?

Jim told me you heard
Hanson threaten him.

Yeah.

No-good street hustler.

I told Jim he was dangerous.

Darlin',
forget about town & country.

Yeah, I know
I've only been here three days

and it's just a shooting,
but give it time.

Okay?
This place is fantastic.

It's like "gone with the wind"
on mescaline.

I-I know you're my agent.
Listen to me.

They walk imaginary pets
here, garland,

on a fucking leash, all right?

And they're all heavily armed
and drunk.

New York is boring.
I'll call you later.

Finley Largent's
up for re-election,

so he'll try his damnedest
to get this thing to trial.

He won't take
my damn phone calls,

so we'll just have to use
the back door.

I'll be back.

Thanks for comin' over, coach.

Sonny.

Jim's in the office.

Jim and I had a talk

about something
we would like to run by you.

You want me to kill the story.

Uh-huh.
Done.

Great, great!

Why?

Actually, I was...

Considering writing a book.

Sweet Jesus!
A book about what?

Self-defense...
happens all the time.

Then why are you worried
about the D.A.?

I...Overheard in the lobby.

We're a small town.

We defend ourselves...
our reputations...

against the outside world.

Word gets around

some new yorker's
tryin' to make us look bad,

you're gonna find Savannahians
can get pretty tight-lipped.

If there's a trial,
will you call me as a witness?

You threatenin' me?

Absolutely not.

You perjure yourself,

you'll find yourself
in jail, bubba.

I wouldn't do it.

My point is, when it comes
to this, I'm at ground zero.

If there's nothing worth
writing, you got no worries.

That's what I get paid for.
I will not permit this.

Well...

I don't need
anyone's permission.

Not really.

Then why are you soliciting it?

You need my permission,

my help, my acquiescence,
or you don't have a story.

Not really.

And we both know that.

So, would the river flow
both ways?

Meaning?

Would you share
whatever information you garner

with me and Sonny?

Yes... But it won't change
what I write.

And you don't get to see
a word of it

until it's published.

So... Who would be
the main character

in this book?

You written up
cases like this before?

A few of them in New York
for esquire, yeah.

So, what do you think?

What do I think?

Well, if you're worried
about the D.A.,

grand juries read papers.

Proper spin control
could make a big difference.

What the hell
are you talkin' about?

You said Hanson
was a street hustler, right?

Did he have a record?
Take drugs, deal drugs, pimp?

Who are his friends?

That's the kind of spin
that can influence a grand jury.

Get your investigators.
Hit the streets.

Every P.I. In town's
an off-duty cop.

Besides, why would we need
a P.I.

When we got ourselves
a hotshot New York writer?

Fill in all the gaps.

Take care, bubba.

Yeah.

Yes?
Hi.

Are you the flower man?

I'm John Kelso. I'm a writer,
and I wanted to ask you...

honey, if you're not the flower
man, then just leave me be.

The lady's in mourning,
and I haven't received

a flower or a rose or anything
to show for it.

Just please leave me be.

I just know that...

uh...

Miss Deveau, I... I know
Billy Hanson used to live here.

I wanted to ask you
a few questions.

If it's an inappropriate time,
you know, I'll come back later.

Honey, I can't believe

that you're runnin' around,
ringin' on my doorbell.

Where are you from?
Where are your manners?

Just leave me be.

My condolences.
I'll c...

...come back another time
or...

I apologize for the, uh, delay.

Why, thank you.

They're lovely...

they're absolutely lovely.

I'd love to ask you
a few questions,

if you have a minute.

Is this your car?

Yeah?
How about a ride home?

Sure.

Mm-hmm.

Oh.

Thank you.

What I want to know is,

what is a white boy like you
doing

driving a big old brother's
jived-ass heap

like this shit here?

I just bought this thing,
actually.

I kind of like it.
It's not a bad car.

No, it's not bad, and I didn't
mean to hurt your...

did I hurt your feelings?

I'm sorry. I didn't mean
to hurt your feelings.

I can't help it.
I just call things out.

I just call it out as I see it.

I just can't help it.
I just do that.

But there's one thing
you don't have to worry about.

What's that?

Ain't nobody damn sure gonna try
to steal this piece of shit.

That's for sure.

Well, just practicing up

till I can save enough money
to get my rolls.

Now, Chablis is a pretty name.
It's unusual.

Why, thank you.

Yeah, I got it
off a wine bottle.

It's a show name.

You're an actress?

No, I'm not an actress.
I'm a showgirl.

I work at the pickup
on congress.

Hmm.

I lip-sync, I emcee,
I dance.

You know, shit like that.

The person you're seeing now

is just little old
simple Chablis,

but in the evenings,
when I put on my gowns

and my makeup and my jewelry
and my perfume,

I become the lady Chablis.

You are just so cute.

A cool white wine
for a cool black girl.

Oh, and you're
full of flattery, too.

Hoo! It's gettin' hot
up in here, honey.

My shots are kickin' in!

Hoo!
Excuse me?

Yes, honey, my shots.
Um, never mind that.

Let me ask... what did you want
to talk to me about?

Billy Hanson.

No, Billy's dead.

Case closed.

Was he your boyfriend?

Billy... my boyfriend?

Were you two lovers?

No, hell no.

Billy was way too trashy
for me, honey.

I'm a lady.

However, he did date
my roommate Corinne for a while.

The two of those
had some wild times together.

Mmm.

Mmm, those are beautiful.

So, tell me more about Corinne.

Corinne's like a lot of girls.

She found herself attracted
to the wrong type of man.

Billy was not
the right type of man.

She thought
she could change him,

but there was no way of changing
that evil son of a bitch.

I'd love to speak to Corinne.

I'd like to speak to her, too,

but she skipped town,
owin' me two months' rent.

And Billy said
that he would pay for it,

but now he's...
you know, he's...

He's...
but you know, I'm...

thank you.

But, you know, it's like
my mama always said.

Two tears in a bucket.

Motherfuck it.

I have to remember that one.

No, don't remember that one.
That's off the record.

All right. All right.

Okay.

I'm gonna get your door
for you.

Thank you, hon.

In the phone book,
you were listed as "F. Deveau."

What's the "f" stand for?

The "f" stands for "Frank,"
hon.

That's me.

Huhhh.

She's a he?
Correct.

You're shittin' me.

Nope.
If this thing heats up,

I think you're gonna
want to talk to her, Sonny.

Proper folks
don't discuss such things.

She paints a pretty rotten
picture of Billy Hanson.

Let me tell you a story, coach.

There was a judge here
years ago.

His oldest boy
was messin' around

with a gangster's girlfriend.

Mm-hmm.

One morning, they found him

lyin' under the porch,

his privates
tucked into his lapel.

Dead men tell no tales.

Next day, headline read...

"fall from porch
proves fatal."

Some fall.
What's your point?

Savin' face in the light
of unpleasant circumstances...

it's the Savannah way.

I'll try and track down
that real girl.

Corinne, you said?

Corinne.

Well, I got to skedaddle.

Doin' Christmas
at Tybee Island.

We got all sorts of folks
comin'.

Have a great Christmas, Sonny.

You too, John.

See you later.
Bye, now.

Merry Christmas.

He's got 'em on a string.

Luther's not eatin'.

No.

Check, please.

What's the matter,
you didn't like it?

No, they were very good.
They were excellent.

What was in the vial?

Well, he says
it's enough poison

to kill everybody
in the county.

Oh. Hmm.

If he eats
and it's a good day...

Fine.

If he doesn't eat...

well, let's
just put it this way...

if I were you, I wouldn't drink
the water today.

Where does he put the poison?

In the water-supply system.

Is that true?
Do you believe that?

I've lived here
a long time, honey.

I believe most anything
about anybody.

Where are we going, Jim?

Patience, dear boy.

I think it's time you meet

the most important member
of my defense team.

We goin' to the cemetery?

Not Bonaventure.

The colored cemetery's
down the road.

Well...

Looks like we got the garden
all to ourselves tonight.

John, meet Minerva.

How do you do?

You tryin' to work me, boy?

Put that hand back
in your pocket.

I feel sorry for ya.

Oh, do tell, Minerva.

He think nobody love him.

That's silly.
We've never met.

You got a hole in you.

Too many questions.

Don't know whether to feel
this way or that

without answers.

Well...

...there ain't no answers.

You come a long way
to find that out, didn't you?

Now we got to get to work.
You bring the money?

Yeah.

Put it on the grave.

Kiss it first,
so it come back to you.

You bring the shiny dimes?

Bury 'em.

He's workin' hard
agin you, James.

Who, Dr. buzzard?

No. No.

The boy... the dead boy.

Oh, Billy. Well,
that doesn't surprise us.

Dr. buzzard?

Don't got much dead time left.

Dead time?

Lasts an hour...

half-hour before midnight
till half past.

Half-hour before midnight,
for workin' good.

Half-hour after,
for evil.

And we're gonna need
a little of both tonight.

You got the bottle of water?

Ain't been through no pipe?

Give it to me.

We got to make him
loosen up on James.

I need Shango...

And a little Ogoun.

Come.

Come!

Tell me somethin' about him.

He tried to kill me?

No, before then...
something good.

Your kind words take root.

Loa will come back
to bless you.

Something that made him happy?

Yes.

His Camaro...

he loved his Camaro.

He wouldn't let anyone near it.

That car was his pride and joy.

Keep talkin'.
It's workin'. It's workin'.

He, um, spray-painted it
flat black.

Oh, you should've seen him.

He spent hours on that car,
fixin' it, cleanin' it.

He painted racing stripes on it

and all kinds of other things.

He was very creative.

That's something most people
didn't know about Billy...

he was an artist.

Ah, just now, when you
was sayin' them things,

I felt him ease off.

He heard you say you love him.

No, that...
that's preposterous.

He tried to kill me.

He was workin' agin you,
James, and now I know why.

He wants you to tell
the whole world you hated him.

And maybe they'd think

you hate him enough
to kill him!

If you do that, you go to jail,

and he know that.

Most important thing...

you got to beg
that boy's forgiveness

each and every day!

Time for evil.

Quick, quick!
Tell me his name.

Finley Largent.

When you get home,

write his name seven times
on a piece of paper.

Connect all the names into one.

Dot no I's, cross no T's.

Fold it twice
and put it in your pocket.

Get a picture.

Sew up the mouth
with dove's blood.

Blacken the eyes.

Now, go. I got work.

Boy...

Take these words to heart...

to understand the living...

You got to commune
with the dead.

Now go...

And don't you dare look back.

Uh, Jim...

On the grave, who...
who is Dr. buzzard?

Well, Minerva was married
to Dr. buzzard,

who was the foremost
voodoo practitioner

in Buford county.

You may not know it,

but you are
deep in voodoo country.

I don't give much stock
to the hocus-pocus of it,

but I do believe

in the spiritual force
behind it.

The, um, shiny dimes were easy,

but the virgin water
was a trick or two.

How do you know

she wouldn't know the difference
if it was tap water?

Not by lookin' or taste,
but she would have known

in an instant,
just lookin' at my face.

I think
the, uh, photo doctorin'

is gonna be good therapy.

What about the pleas
for daily forgiveness?

No, I don't think
that's gonna be happening...

definitely not.

All right. You have a good time.
Thank you.

Hey!
Hi.

Hey, you.
How are you?

How you doin'?
Good.

You work here?

What you see is what you get.

Nothing wrong with that.
Gee, thanks.

Hi.

Those are nice.

So, you want to send
some flowers?

Yeah. Yeah, I think so.
I don't know, though.

It's kind of complicated,
you know.

For whom?

What's she like?

I don't know her
that well yet, actually.

Roses are her favorite?

A bit presumptuous.

How about... Poinsettias?

Yeah, but perennials might give
the wrong impression.

Too long-term?

Yeah, it's hard to say.

Hmm. This is complicated.

Yeah.

How about petunias?

They're pretty
without being presumptuous.

They smell nice.

In three days,
you just throw 'em out.

Sound like
what you're lookin' for?

Sorry,
we're all out of petunias.

Mm-hmm. Come on,
get up, Louis, get up.

Get on up.

Whoa!
Afternoon, yankee John.

Joe!

That sounds like
a dead battery.

Yeah.

Oh, uh, woman that owns
the tour company

rear-ended me...

So to speak.

So, where are we headed?

How about a little
live entertainment?

Well, all right.

Get off, Louis.
That's a good horse.

Hey, bitch.

Hey, bitch!
Hey, bitch! Hey, bitch!

Oh, come on, let the house
say it like you mean it.

Let the house say,
"hey, bitch."

Hey, bitch!

Yes, I am a bitch
and proud of it, honey.

Whoo, mama is just sweatin'.

I'm puttin' a sweatin' down
in front of you white folks.

But then again,
I want y'all to know

how hard a girl is workin'
for you, baby.

Excuse me, darlin'.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Oh, my God.

"Oh, my God" nothing, honey.

"Oh, my empress"
is what you should say.

Y'all been neckin' since
I walked out on stage, honey.

Look,
an ivory soap-usin' girl, huh?

Love them kind of bitches, baby.

Either he got
some good old stuff, girl,

or you're horny as hell.

Whoo-hoo!

If this your boyfriend,
your husband?

Husband.

What does Mr. man do
for a livin'?

He's a doctor.

He's a doctor?

Girl, you better go use
some nails, honey,

because if he's a gynecologist,
he is mine.

I'm serious, honey.

He is mine. A doctor?

Go get your nails, honey,

'cause I'm gonna take him away
from you.

Look at him just blushin'.
You're so cute!

You want to give me a physical?

Huh? I have nothing to hide.

You better have
American express, baby.

Whoo! But you know what?

That's okay about him.
Because you know what?

The doll has already got
some white boy

runnin' after her good old,
good old stuff, baby.

Spotlight...
shine the spotlight over there.

You see that fine white male?
Yeah, that one, right there.

Baby, he has been
runnin' the doll

all around Savannah,
tryin' to get some, honey.

First day I met him, honey,
he brought the girl roses.

But then again,
as you well know, honey,

ain't nothin' too good
for the doll.

Ain't nothin' too good
for the lady, honey.

I am serious about that.

If I catch any of you bitches

near him, honey,
I want you to know

you're gonna have to deal
with the lady Chablis,

the doll, the grand empress,
and my motherfuckin' ice pick.

So keep your hands off
of that one, okay?

Hello!

Hey, hon.

How are you, doll?

I'm fine.
Who is that handsome man?

Joe Odom.

Very pleased to meet you.

My pleasure.
We met before.

We... we slept together
one night.

Baby, you're gonna have to
narrow it down for the doll

a little bit more,

because there are certain nights
I cannot remember.

That's another tale
for another time.

My ice cubes are gettin'
a little bit dry.

I'll leave you two alone.
Ma'am.

Thank you, sir.

I will talk to you later,
you sentimental gentleman, you.

Hurry back.

Don't let him hurry back.

I need to spend some time
with you.

How are you?

I'm fine, honey.
Still hidin' my candy.

You want me to unwrap it
for you?

No, you don't have to show
me your candy. You sure?

Not now... I mean, not ever.
It's a small little wrapper.

Like a little tootsie roll
wrapper.

No. Some people
don't need to see candy.

Okay.
Okay, that's fine.

Oh, but I got something
to tell you.

I have something to tell you.

I have boyfriend number four.

Really?

Yes. A tall, blond hunk
of a hunk of man.

He's a mechanic, and he works
over there on Abercorn street.

I know where that is.

Treats me like a queen.

No pun intended...
none whatsoever.

But you must promise me,
if you should ever meet him...

which I doubt you will...

you must never tell my "T."
He has no idea.

Your "T"?

You know what I'm talkin' about.
My "T," my truth. Oh.

The hide-my-candy thing.

He doesn't know,
so you mustn't say anything

if you should ever meet him,
okay?

Promise me you won't.

Don't you think
he's gonna find out?

When I'm ready for him
to find out, he'll find out.

Just like when I was ready
for you to find out...

but I wasn't looking
for your candy.

No. But you was kind of like
smellin' for it.

I did not smell your candy.
Well, why are you here?

I want to interview you.

And I enjoyed your show.

Well, thank you.
You still want to interview me?

Yes, very much so.

Sonny! Sonny!

Hey, Sonny! What happened?

Grand jury's indicted...
murder one.

They're tryin'
to put our friend away for life.

Your honor, the community

that put us both
in the positions we now hold

would be less than pleased
with an order

allowing a wealthy defendant

in a first-degree murder case
bail.

And they'd be right.

All right, gentlemen,

I have listened carefully
to these arguments.

Mr. Williams is charged
with a very violent crime.

And, Mr. Seiler,
I can't grant bail

under these circumstances...

...but I will put this case
on a fast track

for a speedy trial.

That's all.

That's a dead stop.

Well, sport,

looks like there might be a book
in this, after all.

Does he have any idea
how serious this is?

You know it and I know it,

and after tonight,
damn hell, so will he.

What is it?

You told Sonny
that I heard Billy threaten you

the night you shot him.

Yes.

I heard you threaten him, too.
If I'm called to testify...

I didn't threaten Billy,
I warned him.

He had a history of violence,
he was drunk and high,

and while trespassing,
he profanely demanded money

and brandished
a broken bottle in my face.

Is that not
your recollection as well?

More or less.

Well, then your testimony
can only help me.

What was it
between the two of you, Jim?

We can turn this off.

I don't mind that.

Was it just sex?

Tell me about the nature
of the relationship.

Billy and I had a bond.

That's not something

that they're
ever going to understand.

They'll just see the sex

and the age difference.

But Billy was going to make
something of himself.

Great things, great people...

Can come
from humble beginnings.

He needed what I gave him...

...and I needed
what he gave me.

Now, do you wish
to pass judgment on that?

No.

I'm innocent, John.

It's important
that you believe that.

Do you believe that?

Yes, I do.

I'm having trouble

getting anyone to talk to me
out there, Jim.

I'll make some arrangements.

Oh, and tomorrow when you come,

can you bring the Sotheby's
and christie's catalogs?

They serve dinner here
at 7:00,

so that's when we'll make
our calls.

Okay.

Our calls?

Hello?

Yes, accept the charges,
operator.

Jim, how are you?

All right, sport,

let's give this a try,
shall we?

All right, let's see
if we can get this to work.

All right, it's ringing.

Hello, uh, Jim Williams calling

for a Geza Von Habsburg.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hello?

Uh, Geza...

James!
How nice of you to call.

Uh, would you be interested
in my Maximilian desk?

Someone please ask him
to be quiet!

It sounds like your dog
doesn't want to sell.

What's his breed?

Uh, that's, uh,
Russian wolfhound.

Sounds
more like a Shar-pei.

Uh, no, no,
that's my, uh, Yorkie.

Will someone please
put the dogs in the garden?!

I'll take care
of the dogs for you.

Now, uh, Geza, you know
I'll want top dollar.

As always.

Shut up!

Shut up!

Shut up!

Hello.

Hi.

Excuse me. Is this
the married women's card club?

Yes.

Is anybody gonna ring
the doorbell?

Oh, heavens no.

We have very strict rules.

The door opens
precisely at 4:00.

Well...

You all look lovely.

Actually, Jim suggested
that I introduce you around.

But if we could just keep that
between us...

Sure, sure.
Good.

Why?
Just a minute.

Everything all right, ladies?

Good.

Jim was a true friend to me
over these years.

But most of these ladies
are still trying to decide

how they'll respond
to this current... Predicament.

You know, the incident.

If you'll excuse me, I have
work to do in the kitchen.

But if you'd like to take a seat...
I don't play bridge.

Oh, I don't mean play.
Men aren't allowed.

Especially single men.

But, uh, you could sit down
and wait,

and I'll be right back.

Thank you.

Isn't is the same as murder.

What's the trump?

Fifth clubs.

It was a crime passionnel,
a lovers' quarrel.

That may be, but I gather

it's going to be rather sticky
for Jim.

Really?

There was no gunpowder
on that boy's hands.

That means he couldn't have
fired the gun, as Jim claims.

Good lord.

And the location
of the bullet wounds.

Seems to be at odds

with Mr. Williams' scenario
of self-defense.

How so?

One entered the chest.

The second bullet
hit the boy in the back.

And the third...
well, the third bullet...

What do you think's
gonna happen to Jim?

Well, it's difficult to say.

Those who are happy

that Billy
is no longer burnin' rubber

through the squares

are the exact people
who think that Jim picked

a very unseemly way
to exit the closet...

If you will.

With a bang.

Ha ha ha!

Literally!

And then...
There are the others.

Tell me about the others.

Well, honey, there's bound to be
a certain resentment

about Jim havin' killed
that boy...

that boy in particular, I mean.

Why?
Well...

Billy was a very accomplished
hustler, mm-hmm...

by all accounts,
very good at his trade...

And very much appreciated
by both men and women.

The trouble is,

he hadn't finished
makin' the rounds, no.

Billy Hanson was known to be
a good time, but...

A good time not yet had by all.

Mm-hmm.

They're sayin'
that Jim Williams

killed the best piece of ass
in Savannah.

Is that true?

Well, I don't know.
Jerry, you know a little bit

about ass in Savannah.
What do you think?

Credit card.

Good gossip's hard currency
in this town.

Folks just payin' their bills.

When the chips are down,
they'll be there for Jim.

Everything will be
just fine... trust me.

I'd rather hear
your legal strategies.

Well, our game plan's
still percolatin'.

Come on.
I thought we had a deal.

I've shared every bit
of information I've come across.

Come along here.

Now, don't mind us.

Trial date...

Big game...
three weeks from now.

It's a shootout.

Both teams
got one silver bullet.

Gunshot residue test...
that's their silver bullet.

No gunshot residue
on Billy's hands

means he didn't fire...

means Jim killed him
in cold blood,

mocked up the whole scene.

How do you plan
to counter that?

Gunshot residue test
is unreliable.

Hell, it's not even admissible
in some jurisdictions.

Finley's got Doc Poe.

We will counter
with cutting-edge science

with an expert
we got from up north.

They say the scene
was contrived, yes?

What do you say?

That's our silver bullet...

shoddy police work.

Take a look at this.

Jesus!

That's me!

Just like you said.

Ground zero...

cops should never have
let you in.

I kind of let myself in
through the back gate.

That's...

well, they shouldn't have
let you get in.

# happy together #

# Unhappy together #

# And won't it be fine? #

# Days may be cloudy or sunny #

# We're in or we're out
of the money #

# But I'm with you always #

# Come rain or shi-i-i-i-ne #

Hey, you're good!
I didn't even know you sang!

You never asked.

How you doin'?
Good. How are you?

Hey, Joe.

You guys got another set?

No, me and Joe
are just sittin' in. Why?

Want to get
a cup of coffee with me?

Business or pleasure?

Well, normally
there wouldn't be a problem,

seein' as the general rule is
rich people get off.

The problem is, though,
they're usually straight.

See? So it's
a volatile issue. Yeah?

I'm not crazy.

No, neither is Sonny.

Jim's friends knew he was gay.

Secretly they congratulated
themselves

on bein' so Cosmopolitan.

But if they knew

he was completely open
with his sexuality,

they would've shunned him.

Maybe the jury will, too.

You think?
Yeah.

You know that no one's
ever gonna really know

what happened that night.

Jim's told his story
a thousand times...

never wavered once.

You're quite the advocate.

What happened to "stick around,
keep my eyes and ears open,

stay objective"?

Oh, objectively speaking,
it's starting to look

like they're gonna hang a guy
for his sexuality.

Somethin' that would never
happen in New York, right?

Well, you said it, not me.

You know, you don't seem
like you're from here.

I was born here,
didn't like it, moved away,

figured out the part
I didn't like was me.

So I worked on that
and then moved back.

Yeah. I got my first kiss
right here.

Sammy Jenks...
Gave him a black eye.

You did?
How hard?

Wow!

That's what love will do.

You know, Kelso,
I'm havin' trouble picturin'

what kind of woman
you'd take the trouble to marry.

Oh, yeah?
Yeah.

First-love situation.

We got married a week
after graduating college,

if you can believe that.

So, what happened?

You want to hear my sob story?

Yeah.

Well, I think she thought
she was marrying Norman mailer.

Yeah, I think she thought
I'd be famous.

And after the book
was published,

she'd wake up
at the crack of dawn on Sunday,

make coffee, cross her fingers,

and she'd look
in that Sunday times,

and she was sure
it was gonna be a bestseller.

And then one Sunday,
she didn't wake up early,

didn't make any coffee,
she didn't cross her fingers...

And I knew.

She left you
'cause your book wasn't a hit?

I don't know, Kelso,

that seems
pretty shallow to me.

Well...

So, what about you
and Joe Odom?

Well, me and Joe...
We're just friends.

You know, we have
a real musical relationship.

We're kind of like
the Steve and Eydie of Savannah.

Oh, my God, and it's quiet.

It's too quiet.

Well, Joe will be playin'
at that bar until dawn.

Well, I should probably go.

In case you were wonderin',

this is the perfect time
for a kiss.

Sammy Jenks warned me
about you.

Good night.

Ladies and gentlemen,

you constitute our jury
for this trial.

This trial's expected to last
several days.

I'm gonna let you go home
for the evening,

instruct you to be back
in the morning at 9:30,

and report to your jury room.

If anybody tries to approach you
about this case,

I want to you report it to me
the first thing in the morning.

You're excused for the evening.

Mr. Driggers,
let me speak to you.

Luther, listen,

this is a courtroom.

Don't bring those flies
back in here tomorrow.

And leave that vial of water
or whatever that stuff is

at home tomorrow.

Sam...

You know
when we were in Georgia,

I know how you hated my bugs.

And you know how I love them.

We're no longer
at the university.

This is a courtroom.

Now, I'm telling you

to leave all that foolishness
at home tomorrow.

Do you understand that?

I do take umbrage.

But I'll do it.

Now, what is this story

with the guy
with the horsefly epaulets?

Oh, Luther diggers.
He's a genius.

He developed
a no-bug strip.

The company he worked for
took the credit and the money.

Now he just wanders around town

with a bottle of poison in his pocket.
Of course he does.

Yeah, says someday he's gonna
put it in the water supply,

do us all in.

Why do you want him
on the jury?

We're the defense team, coach.
We need all the nuts we can get.

What about Largent?

Finley's up
for re-election.

If he strikes Luther,

he might just upset him enough
to... You know.

Well, I'll be back in
on Sunday.

You got a murder trial starting
in three days.

Where are you going?

Home opener against Bama.
Betty, Henry.

Go, dogs!

Is he really leaving?

Oh, yeah.
Better say a prayer.

All right, Mr. Largent,

the state has
the burden of proof,

and you have the opening.

Your honor.

Thank you and good morning,
your honor.

Ladies and gentlemen
of the jury.

The state of Georgia
stands ready

and is most anxious to proceed.

Your honor.

If the court pleases...

The philosopher Thomas Hobbes
is quoted as saying

that life is nasty, brutish...

And short.

And surely it must have seemed
so to Billy Hanson...

As he lay wounded,

his blood and his life
oozing out

onto Jim Williams' Persian rug.

It's important for you to know

that the defendant
in this case...

...by the end of this trial,

I believe that,
when faced with the evidence,

you will render the verdict
that is fair and just...

guilty of first-degree murder.

Thank you.

All right, Mr. Seiler,

we've been going
for some time now.

Would you prefer to make
your opening statement

after recess?

I would prefer
to address the jury now,

your honor.

What I have to say
won't take long.

I apologize if I look tired,

if my eyes are red,

if my complexion is sallow,

but I came by it honestly...

Because I have not had
much sleep lately.

For while my bed is soft...

My client's is not.

And while I'm surrounded
by my lovin' family,

Jim Williams...

My friend, my client...

Is locked up in a room

full of thieves,
murderers, and rapists.

Oh, yeah.

You're the ones I want.

You're the ones I trust.

Because although it is
Jim Williams

on trial here today,

when I look
at the circumstances,

I think to myself,

"there,
but for the grace of God,

go you or I."

Know why?

Because I guaran-damn-tee...

someone comes into my home,
and they shoot at me,

I will shoot back!

And I will shoot back
again and again and again

until I'm sure
that they're dead...

until I'm sure that my home
and my family are safe!

And then...

Old Finley here, my friend,

would be prosecutin' me!

I'd be the one on trial,

and my life would be in the
hands of good folks like you...

He is way out of bounds.

He didn't object once
during ours.

We'd look like assholes.

...and fancy words...

folks who would not be
prejudiced...

Who would not judge a man
by the color of his skin

or the amount of money
that he makes.

I will say the simple fact
of the matter is

Jim Williams...
Murdered no one.

How did you think it went?
Because I was very pleased.

Sonny has a certain style,
a flair, doesn't he?

A certain flair?

From what I've seen,

that man could weave horse shit
into Egyptian cotton.

Pleasantly surprised.

Oh, John Kelso,
I hope you understand...

That I consider you my friend.

Yes.

The lack of gunshot residue
in the hand,

plus the other things
I mentioned,

led me to the conclusion
that the scene was contrived.

Mm-hmm.

Thank you, detective Boone.

No further questions.

Detective...

I would like to revisit
some of the things you said

just then in direct.

You testified that there was
blood on Hanson's hand.

Is that correct?

Yes.

There was blood in the palm
of the victim's hand.

And that's important

because if Hanson
had been holding the gun,

there'd be no blood.

Mm-hmm.

But you never saw the blood
on the victim's hand, did you?

No.

The blood was noted
in the autopsy report.

I didn't turn him over
when I bagged him.

I believe you also testified

that you believe the final shot
was fired from above the victim.

Is that correct?

I concluded that the shot came

from someone
standing over the victim...

execution style.

A coup de grâce.

A coup de grâce?

Will you tell the jury,
please...

did you find Jim's prints
on Billy's gun?

The, uh, the Luger handle
has a textured surface.

Is the answer "no," detective?

Yes,
the answer was "no."

"Yes,
the answer is 'no.'"

state's 22, your honor.

Who's this handsome fella here?

That's me.

Uh-huh.

Uh-huh.

Who's this?

That's that reporter fella
from up north...

the one that's workin'
with Williams.

Uh, I don't know how he got in.

And this?

A young officer...
Name escapes me.

That's understandable.

I mean, you'd need a program

to keep track
of everyone in that room.

Objection!

Counsel's testifyin'.

Strike that.

I would much rather have
the detective tell us.

How many people
was in that room, detective?

Seven.

No, eight.

"Seven... no, eight,"
and a pussycat.

You read the funny papers,
detective?

Not often.

Well, in the funny papers,

they sometimes have
this little competition

where you have to find an animal
hidden in an illustration.

I love to play it
with my grandson.

You know that game?

Well...

We're gonna play
"where's Shelton?"

Your honor, I don't know

what Mr. Seiler is tryin'
to prove with all of this,

but I...

Finley, we can all play.

Shelton Williams
is the defendant's tabby cat.

Now, detective...

Let's play
"where's Shelton?"

I'll give you a clue.

Take a look at the rug.

Mm-hmm.
Is the answer "yes"?

Yes.

State's 22, your honor.

Tabby cat.

Detective, is Shelton Williams
on your payroll?

Well, I've heard...

I've heard
tell of cat burglars.

Is this a cat detective
we have here?

Don't be ridiculous.

I'll tell you
what's ridiculous...

you sayin' that the scene
of the crime was secure!

That's what's ridiculous!

Seven... no, eight people
and a pussycat

walkin' all around that room...

...you call that secure?!

Um, we hung around a lot.

Billy had a car and he'd give me
a ride sometimes.

Mr. Tucker...

Do you, of your own knowledge,

know anything
of the relationship

that existed between
Billy Hanson and Jim Williams?

Objection!

Objection, your honor!

Let me see you gentlemen
over here just a minute.

What's this about?

Your honor, if this boy says
what I think he's gonna say,

you can't ask the jury
to ignore that.

You can't let a skunk
go in the box

and then tell them
they didn't smell it!

Our intention
with Mr. Tucker

is to show that the victim
was afraid of the defendant.

In order to do that,

he has to describe
the nature of the relationship.

Your intention
is to paint Jim Williams pink

and then rely on some prejudice
in the jury.

Besides which, whatever he says
will be secondhand.

It would be hearsay.

He asked the witness
if he knew of his own knowledge.

If he knows, it's not hearsay.

I'm gonna allow it,

but I'm gonna grant you the same
latitude when it's your turn.

Objection's overruled.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Tucker,
the question was...

do you, of your own knowledge,

know anything
of the relationship

that existed between
Billy Hanson and the defendant?

Yes, sir.

Jimmy would give Billy money
when he needed it.

He, uh, bought him
a car and clothes

for goin' to bed with him.

To sleep with him...

to, uh, have sex with him?

Yes, sir.

Now, did Billy
and, uh, Jim Williams

ever have any disagreements...
if you know?

Oh, all the time.

Jim would be pissed off
at Billy

for one thing or another.

He was real jealous of Billy.

And, uh, what feelings, if any,

did Billy have
about the defendant?

Well, Jim's
a rich and powerful man.

Billy was a little afraid
of him, I guess.

Thank you, Mr. Tucker.

Mr. Tucker...

You tell me... how well
did you know Billy Hanson?

Uh, what... what kind
of friends were you?

Yes, sir.

He was about my best friend
in the world.

We saw each other all the time.

There's nothin'
he wouldn't do for me.

And nothin'
you wouldn't do for him?

Look, if you're tryin' to say
I'm lyin', I'm not.

Now, take it easy, young man.

Everything
I'm sayin' here is true.

Of course it is.

There's no reason
for it not to be.

That's all we're after here
is the truth.

Now, how well
did you know Jim Williams?

I mean, you never did
meet him, did you?

Well, not shakin' hands
or nothin',

but I stood next to him
in the emergency room

when, uh, Billy O.D.'D.

Billy Hanson
overdosed on drugs?

When was this?

Uh, about a month
before Jim killed him.

So, Jim Williams took
Billy Hanson to the hospital?

He saved his life!

I mean, if he wanted him dead,

w-why would he do that?

I-I don't know.

Um, I guess, uh...

Mr. Tucker...

Did you ever have sex
with Billy?

No. No, sir.

Are you, yourself,
a homosexual?

Objection!

Relevance?

Mr. Largent,
you opened that door.

What's good for the goose
is good for the gander.

I'm gonna let it in.

Thank you, your honor.

Would you like me to repeat
the question, George?

I could have the court reporter
read it out.

No, sir, I ain't no fairy!

Okay?

Look, uh...

I-I had some experiences,

but... I'm out of it now.

Out of it?

Yes, sir.

Mm-hmm. Would you care to
explain to the jury

what you mean by that...
"out of it"?

It's wrong.
The Bible says so.

The Bible also says
it's wrong to lie, doesn't it?

Now, how long
have you been out of it?

Um...

Almost three weeks.

Congratulations, George.

Good for you.

No further questions,
your honor.

Please!

Chablis, it's a subpoena!

They'll hold you in contempt!

I don't give a damn
if it's an invitation from God.

You tell them if they fuck
with the doll,

I'll turn state's evidence.

You got that off the television.
Whatever, John.

They're gonna hold you
in contempt if you don't go.

I been held in contempt before.
That does not scare me.

Besides,
a man's life's at stake.

What do I have to do
with that man's life? Nothing.

Absolutely noth...
wait a minute.

I'll tell you what.
I'll make you a deal.

All right.
What kind of deal?

What kind of deal?

Wait, John. Be patient.

I'll tell you what.

You bring me a truckload
of good-lookin' boys

to see my show tonight,
and I'll think about it.

I'd love to, Chablis,
but I can't.

I got to go to some cotillion.

A cotillion? How boring!

What cotillion
are you going to, hon?

The Alpha phi.

The black people's ball?

You're goin'
to the black people's ball?

Yeah.

Oh, John, John, John...

No. No.
Absolutely not.

Please take me.
I'll be on my best behavior.

Yeah.

I promise, John.
Please take me. Come on!

No, I can't!

I won't shake my ass. I won't cuss.
Chablis, I can...

I won't do anything.
Please take me.

These girls
are debutantes, Chablis.

So what does that mean...

I can't clientele with
these uptown, black-ass people?

No, but debs are...
they're carefully scrutinized.

Oh, please!

And...

For the most part...

you know, not many of them
hide their candy.

Very few of them
have been caught shoplifting...

you know, not many.

Well, you know what?

These bitches
must do it damn good then,

if they haven't
gotten caught yet.

See, I imagine they do
a lot of volunteer work, Frank.

Stay out of bars,
go to churches...

those kind of ladies.

First of all, don't you ever
call me Frank again,

and... Are these black girls
we're talkin' about?

Uh-huh.

If these are black girls,
they must be some ugly bitches.

Take me. Please?
Come on, John, take me.

Cut it out.

Please take me?

Yeah, New York.

It's good to have you here.

Thank you, sir.

You know,
this is our 40th year.

It's lovely.

Thank you, sir.

You know, I do believe

that we've almost caught
the white cotillion.

Congratulations.

Good evening.

Excuse me, sir,
is this spot taken?

No, ma'am.

Oh, please don't call me ma'am.

My name's Chablis.
What's yours?

Phillip... I'm an escort.

An escort?

You work
for one of those services?

I'm escorting my sister.

Please don't tell me you're
doin' it with your sister.

No. But George, my sister's
boyfriend, decided not to come.

So I kind of got roped into it.

Let me ask you somethin'.

You ever been arrested?

No!

Oh, come on.

Well, once me and a couple
of guys had a few drinks,

and I got a ticket
for disturbing the peace.

Disturbin' the peace?

Phillip, I got a piece
you can disturb, hon.

Nice.

I've been admiring your gown.

Why, thank you very much.
This little old thing?

It's very glamorous.

Thank you very much.

Of whom are you a guest?

I'm here with my cousin.

My cousin...

Lavella.

Lavella!

Oh, she's a lovely girl.

Oh, I think so, too.
She's always wanted this.

We've talked about this
since we were kids.

She didn't ever thought
she'd get it.

Oh, she had nothing
to worry about.

You know what, hon?
I told her the same thing.

I said if Vanessa Williams

can pull one over
on the miss America committee,

then her little whoring around
in Atlanta, Georgia,

was not going to mean anything

to a little steering committee
in Savannah.

And she got it,
and I'm so happy for her.

Would you mind
watching my purse?

'Cause I think Phillip and I are
gonna go disturb the peace.

What you think, hon?

Let's go disturb some peace.
Come on.

Jesus.

Would you excuse me
for one moment?

Can you share the love?
Okay?

You have a hell of a lot of
nerve bustin' in here like this.

I got plenty of nerve
to do anything I want to do.

How far are you gonna take this?
I'm just starting.

Well, then I'm going to leave

because I don't intend
on insulting these people

any more than I have to.

Behave yourself.

Whoo!

Come on. Let's go.

Good night.

Stop pushin' me.
I'm goin'.

Ooh!

Bartender, can I please have
two apple schnapps?

I think you better
make those doubles.

So, John, tell me...

you mad at me, hon?

Are you mad?
Are you?

We're still friends.

I hope so. Then I got
to tell you somethin'.

You are so sexy
when you're mad.

Behave yourself.

Stop tellin' me what to do.

I want to propose a toast.

From my top...

To your bottom...

From your bottom to my top...

From my middle
to your middle...

Be good, John, and
I just might give you a little.

Just behave yourself.

Oh, stop tellin' me
what to do, hon.

Besides, your star witness
is testifyin'.

Since when?

Since I thought about it,

and I realized
how nice you've been to me.

You know what?

You've treated me
like a perfect lady.

You've even made me feel
so very special.

You know, people can be
so mean sometimes...

But not you.

I want to ask you something.

What?

John, do you think
I'm beautiful?

Um... Yes, I think
you're very pretty.

Pretty? I'm just
not your type, huh?

Chablis,
are you testifying for me?

Of course I am.

Do you think I give a shit
about miss Jim Williams?

I don't even know that bitch...
never even met her.

Well, listen, you should know
that on cross-examination

they're gonna be
pretty rough on you...

on your background,
your arrests, your livelihood.

John, I have nothing to hide,

and I'm not ashamed of anything
I've ever done.

I'm just saying you should know
that you taking the stand

is gonna be a blanket indictment
of Billy Hanson.

So, let me get this right now.

So, what you're saying

is because Billy hung out
with a drag queen,

he deserved to die?

It's fucked up, but yeah.

Yeah, that's fucked up.

Maybe you shouldn't testify.

Oh, John, how sweet!
You really care.

Good, 'cause guess what?
I'm testifyin'.

I am testifyin'.

You see, those folks think
they're usin' the doll,

but the doll's
usin' them right back.

I'm gonna use their courtroom
as my comin' out par-Ty!

See, John, you know who I am.

I am the lady Chablis.

Hear me roar.

Look out.

Besides, I've already bought
a new ensemble.

Really? Is it nice?

Oh, you'll see, hon.

Listen to me.

We got to get out of here
because these people invited me,

and I think it's really rude of
you to bust in on me like this.

I would never do that to you.

Lavella's mother
is about to have a seizure.

Somebody put a spoon
in her damn mouth, then,

because I'm not leavin'.

Just stop it. You're leaving
with me right now.

I am not.
I'll buy you a drink.

Buy me a drink?
Outside of here.

Buy me a diamond.

I'll buy you a diamond.

Give me some.
I'm not giving you shit.

Oh, come on!

I-I'm straight.

So am I.
Straight to my house. Let's go.

Ohh.

Raise your right hand.

Do you solemnly swear the
evidence you're about to give

is the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth

so help you God?

I do.

Now, miss Deveau,

I'm gonna ask you a question,

and I want you
to answer the jury

so that, uh,
they can understand.

Yes, and what is that?

You'd like for me
to explain my "T"?

Your... your...
your "T"?

Yeah, my "T."

Yeah, I would like you
to explain your "T,"

and I would like you to do that

in as plain of language
as you possibly can

for our friends here.

I will try my best
to explain to you jurors.

I could throw words and labels
at all of you,

but you seem like nice people.

So I'm gonna be open
and honest.

I have a man's toolbox.

But everything else about me
is pure lady.

I love to dress
in women's clothes.

I love to go shopping.

I love to have my nails done.

And I love men.

Any questions?

And, by the way, ma'am,

I hope you don't mind
my saying,

blue is definitely not
your color.

Okay, okay, okay, gals,
you're both pretty, now.

What I want to know now...

and I want you
to tell the jury...

is how you and Billy Hanson
first met.

Billy hit on me
one night at the cl...

oh, strike that your honor!

Billy and I clienteled.

Clienteled?

Will you explained to the jury
what "clienteled" means?

We socialized together
for a little while

until he met
my roommate Corinne.

Corinne?

Now, are you tellin' me

that Corinne and Billy Hanson
were intimate?

Yes.

Hot and intimate.

Will you tell the jury,
miss Deveau,

did Billy Hanson use drugs?

Yes, Billy, uh, did pills,
smoked pot,

a little coke.

He sold drugs.

He'd stay with us sometimes.

So, sometimes we had stash
around the house.

Um, Mrs. Chablis...

miss.

Of course, miss Chablis.

Do you yourself take drugs?

I smoke a little pot.

You see,
I'm a mellow kind of girl.

I understand.

Now, tell me, if you know,
what effect, if any,

these drugs had
on the relationship

between your friend Corinne
and Billy Hanson?

Oh, now, when Billy got high,
he could be very, very hostile.

Hostile?

Hostile when he was high.

Would you explain to the jury
what you mean by hostile?

Oh, I can do
more than that, hon.

Let me show you something.

You must see this.
Look at my driver's license.

Wait just a minute!

Objection!

This isn't proper.

Now you be quiet.
I'll handle this.

Just a minute.
That's not proper procedure.

Mr. sheriff?

Pick up this item, please.

My eye... he hit me.

I looked like that dog
from "little rascals."

Members of the jury,

I'm gonna instruct you
to disregard this outburst.

Pay no attention
to that picture.

Why, your honor?

It's the truth.
I'm not lying.

Your honor,
the people has to...

and you be quiet!

Now, we got to get this thing
under control.

You sit down, Mr. Deveau.

Miss Deveau...
I'm a single girl, your honor.

Miss Deveau... whatever.

Have a seat.

Okay. Please don't get
too huffy.

Now, you listen to me.

I'm in charge
of this courtroom, not you.

And here's the way it works...

these lawyers
are gonna ask you questions...

look at me!...

and you answer 'em.

If I tell you to stop,
you stop.

If I tell you to sit, you sit.

And I don't want you

to communicate directly
with that jury.

Don't produce any more items.

Don't show any photographs.
Now, do you understand that?

Uh, yes, your honor,
I understand.

I think so.

Hey, this is rice.

They threw in some gumbo.

I got your cigarettes.

Ah! Thank you.

So, how are we coming
with our character witnesses?

Well, I thought
we would limit it to three

because we don't need
too much fawnin' in the court.

Well, why not?

John, you tell him how many of my
friends are linin' up to defend me.

I suggest Wanda Gevits.

She has a commanding
vocal presence.

She, um, declined, Jim,

along with some others.

Declined?

Mm-hmm.

They clamored
for my friendship,

hoping and praying
for invitations to my parties.

Where were
their judgments then?

Well, I hope Wanda understands

this definitely puts her
in the "out" box

for my Christmas party.

I don't think we have to worry
about character witnesses.

They got theirs.
We got ours.

When do I take the stand?

Last.

Good. They'll have heard
all the theories.

We'll finish them
with the truth.

I'm looking forward to this.
Do you know why?

Because it's important
not that I'm just acquitted,

but that everyone knows
I'm innocent.

I refuse to live in a world
where whispers become fact.

Guilty men murmur.

The innocent
shout to the rafters.

Hear, hear.

Jim, we may need you
to come clean

about the relationship
with Billy.

Your sexuality, Jim.

Finley's takin'
this whole thing

in a direction
we didn't count on...

his own private witch hunt.

It's going to destroy mother.

Jim, she was in court.

She heard George Tucker.

Let's face it.
She already knows.

Not from me, she doesn't.

What if she wasn't in court?

What's the matter, Sonny?
Gunpowder?

Damn gunshot-residue test.

Your expert witness covered it.

He said the tests
are unreliable.

The jury thinks
that's a cop-out.

Every one of them knows
Doc Poe.

Why are they gonna listen
to some egghead from up north?

No offense, though.

No, none taken, none taken.

He said the gunpowder's
easily wiped off.

Maybe when they were handling
the body, they...

Boone says he bagged them.

Doc Poe says they were bagged

when he performed the autopsy.

When did they get wiped off?

I don't know.

Do you remember
when you told me

that dead men tell no tales?

See, I think that
that may be true,

but it does not apply here.

I mean, look around.

Every picture
on every wall in this town

is of someone who's gone.

Every story here begins
with someone who's dead.

The only living
national treasure you have

is your own slathering mutt.

You writin' your book?

What the hell
are you talkin' about, coach?

Billy Hanson may not be talkin',
but his hands are.

Billy Hanson's hands?

I got to go.

Where you goin'?

To understand the living...

You got to commune
with the dead.

I need Shango.

Now, go,

and don't you dare look back.

Huh! I hope you can communicate
with someone, John.

Hey, Mandy, you feel
like goin' for a walk?

Where are you headed?

I don't know.

I was thinking about
maybe stoppin' by the morgue.

What are you,
a necrophiliac or somethin'?

I thought we agreed you wouldn't
talk about my ex-wife.

How long you been at the bar?

Long enough.
Come on. It'll be fun.

Why do you want to go
to the morgue?

If I could answer that question,
I wouldn't have to go.

Well, the morgue's closed.

And trust me, by tomorrow,

this won't seem like
such a good idea.

Precisely the reason
why I want to go tonight.

I'll break in if I have to.
I don't care.

I'll pretend I'm dead.
Come on.

You sure you want to do this?

I think so. Yeah.

Well, there is a back way...

a hallway
off the emergency room...

but, of course,
it's off-limits.

How would you know that?

I candy-striped one summer.

We create a distraction...

we?

Well, you create
the distraction,

and I'll just slip in
and check it out.

Oh.

No, you'll get lost.

All right, it's a 3-man job.
Where's Joe?

Perfect castin', but
he's out of town till tomorrow.

He is?
Mm-hmm.

All right, who do we know
who can cause a commotion?

Ohh! Ohh-ho-ho!

Hello! Nurse!
Oh! Oh!

Get her in the chair!
Oh, please help!

What's wrong with her?

Her stomach, I think!

I think my water broke.

Girl, I'm pregnant!
Something's wrong!

I don't know what...
please, help!

What's wrong?

Let's get her up on the table.

Please help me!
Ow! Wait, baby.

Okay. Here we are.

Commune away.

Is this where it hurts?

Oh, doctor, wait.
Wait, wait, wait.

Is this where it hurts?

No, I think you need to go
just a little bit lower.

I've never been in a morgue.

So, what are we lookin' for?

Uh... I don't know.

I was thinking about
the bagging of the hands...

something special.

Oh, look...
Teddy Lipscomb!

Excuse me?
You know this guy?

Yeah.
He's my dad's dentist.

Oh, man.

Hmm.

Cardiac arrest.
Yeah, right.

A medical term
for dying in the arms

of a 25-year-old
cocktail waitress.

Poor guy.

Remind me never
to get sick in Savannah.

See? He's wearing
a hospital I.D. Bracelet.

Your supposed to get well
in hospitals,

but not in this city.

Well, the morgue doesn't have
its own ramp,

so all DOA's come through
the emergency room.

So, technically,
they'd have to be admitted.

They're all wearing
those bracelets.

You know, it's like
bureaucratic red tape.

I told you
I candy-striped, right?

Yeah, you did.
That's like volunteer work?

Yeah, cute little striped
outfit, short skirt.

Girl scouts.

Is this where it hurts?

Almost.
Just a tad bit...

This? This?

That's the spot.
I love you. I love you.

Oh, Dr. feelgood,
that's the spot.

You got it.

You wouldn't take a bag off
to put an I.D. Bracelet on,

would you?

Yeah, probably.

Maybe?
Yeah.

The pleasure's
been all mine, doctor.

Yes, a pleasure.

How you doin', mom?

Excuse me, nurse,
I have a question for you.

Were you on duty the night
Billy Hanson's body came in?

Yes, I was.
Where did you come from?

How'd you get back there?

Back door. I was lo...
I was with the sick lady.

I have a question for you.
Hanson's hands were bagged.

Somebody had to put
the I.D. Bracelet on.

Would you have to
take the bag off

to slide the bracelet on
by any chance?

No, no.
They snap on.

They snap on.

Thank you.
Mm-hmm.

Of course, it was easier with
him 'cause I bagged him after.

Excuse me?

Well, Doc Poe called
from the crime scene

and said
if they weren't bagged there,

that I was to bag the hands
when he came in.

You bagged the hands?

Yes, I wrote it up.

It's right over there
on the admission sheet.

May I see that?

Hold on, hold on. I want to let Sonny tell you.
He'll be here any minute.

Well, before Sonny gets here,
while we're waitin',

I'd like to run somethin'
by you, John...

Fire away.

...about that night.

What do you got?

The evening started out
as I've always said...

the argument, the shouting...

You let me down,
just like everyone else.

My mama let me down.

She hates me
because I look like my daddy!

What are you yelling about?

I'm yelling about you!

Who are you to talk to me,
livin' in this grandeur and all!

And someday you could do it
if you took responsibility!

Bullshit! And you know it!

If you don't like it,

why don't you just
get the hell out?!

Don't you...
get the hell out!

This is about to go through
that there paintin'!

Big threats.
They don't mean a hell of a lot.

I'll stop payin' the goddamn
insurance on your Camaro.

See how you like that.
You want to leave here,

you can do it tomorrow mornin'
for all I care.

...the damaged clock...

God damn it!

Walk through my house
and ruin my furniture!

...Billy pointing
the Luger...

I may be leaving tomorrow,

but, God damn it...

...but here's
the difference...

when he went
to pull the trigger...

You're leavin' tonight.

...nothing happened...
the gun was on safety.

And as he fumbled
to take the safety off,

I grabbed my own gun...

...and I shot him.

He fell dead.

He... he never fired?

No.

I thought, "God damn it!
What have you done?"

It explains why there's
no powder on Billy's hands.

Now, when I sit on that stand,

and I tell this to the jury,

Largent's case will crumble.

I don't see
how you figure that, Jim.

If you tell that story,

you're admitting
that you lied...

lied to everyone...

the police, the press...

everyone.

Yes.

Of course.

I'd rather be convicted of lying
than of murder.

So...

Hey, coach, we got it!

Just keep your seat.
You're gonna need it.

Sonny, I need to tell you
somethin' first.

Now, me first.

Now, you know
that gunshot-residue test?

What I have to say has direct
bearing on the gunshot...

can I get this out?

We got 'em
by the gonads, jimbo.

Detective Boone lied.

Doc Poe called
the admitting nurse at Chandler

and told her to bag the hands
if they were not already,

which she did...
Right here in this document.

Any number of people
could have handled that body

between the scene of the crime
and the hospital,

which explains
how the powder got rubbed off.

There it is...

The death knell

to Finley Largent's
precious gunshot-residue test.

Well... Your turn.

What did you want to say, Jim?

Hmm?

Oh, it's not important.

Take a look here.

We got 'em, jimbo.

Goin' somewhere, coach?

What's his story?

Detective,
you're still under oath.

Frank, are you absolutely sure

that you bagged Billy Hanson's
hands at Mercer house?

Yes.

Mm-hmm.

I have no further questions,
your honor.

Redirect, Mr. Largent?

Um...

No, your honor.

All right.
Detective, you're excused.

You're still under subpoena.
Thank you very much.

Defense calls
Sara Warren, R.N.

You won't find her
in your notes.

She's not on your list, Finley.

Sara Warren
is a direct rebuttal

to the testimony
of detective Boone.

She is, in fact,
an admitting nurse

at Chandler emergency room.

Mr. Williams,
will you describe the nature

of your relationship
with the deceased?

I first met Billy Hanson
when he came around to the house

and said
that he wanted the job.

So, I hired him in the workshop
to refinish furniture.

He had some talent,
and I wanted to encourage him.

Now, during this time,
I also developed hypoglycemia.

I blacked out at times.
I don't eat very well.

The doctor told me
that it was not good

for me to be alone
when this condition occurs,

so Billy would stay over
and take care of me

when I wasn't feeling well.

He did not live at Mercer house
as has been stated.

Jim...

Was that the full extent
of your relationship

with Billy Hanson?

No.

No, over time,

it evolved
into something less formal.

We became intimate.

Now, Billy could be
very charming.

He had his girlfriends,
and I had mine.

But to me,

sex is
a perfectly natural thing.

Didn't bother me.
Didn't bother him.

It was just an occasional
natural occurrence

between consenting adults.

Jim...

Would you describe to the jury

events that occurred
in your house

after the party?

Well, by the time
Billy got back to the house,

he was quite high.

And we got into an argument
about a planned trip to London.

I was going to an auction,

and Billy was going
to accompany me

because of my condition.

But he insisted on wanting
to take marijuana cigarettes.

I do not approve of drugs,
and I told him he could not go.

He became verbally abusive,

and I ordered Billy
out of the house.

He went into the hallway.

The argument continued out there
for a while.

And then he knocked over
a clock.

I went into the office
to call the police,

and he followed me in there
with the gun in his hand.

He said...

and I'll never forget this
as long as I live...

he said,
"I might leave tomorrow,

but, God damn it,
you're leavin' tonight!"

And the second I saw that Luger,
I got out of the way.

I reached into the drawer
for my own weapon,

and as I came up,

the first shot
I felt breeze by my shoulder.

And I fired.

I don't remember
how many times.

It was horrible.

Well, Savannahians,

our paths cross
from time to time,

greet each other,

smile here, nod there.

But even if we don't know
each other,

we have one thing in common...

this beautiful place
where we all live.

And as one Savannahian
to twelve,

I'd like to thank you...

For your civic pride,

for your diligence,

and here in this courtroom,
for your rapt attention.

I watched you takin' notes.

Now, the prosecution here
started this whole thing

with quotin' someone
by the name of Hobbes.

I don't know who that is.

But I do know
who Perry Mason is.

Y'all watch "Perry Mason"?

Well, I do.

And I got to thinkin'

if some TV writer
was to come to Perry Mason

and say, "here you are,
Mr. Raymond burr.

Here's a story like this."

You know what I think he'd say?

I think old Raymond would say,

"That's not a very good story.

"I wouldn't have to be
a very good lawyer

to get that man off,
now, would I?"

He'd be right.

Because by all the evidence,

Jim Williams
is an innocent man.

Now, I'm not Perry Mason.

I'm not some TV lawyer.

So I got to scratch and tear
at the prosecution's case,

tryin' to whittle it
down to nothin'.

And darned
if I don't think I have.

Because the fabrication
of the prosecution's case

just comes tumblin'
all down into pieces

when you consider

how detective Boone
has consistently lied

about baggin' the hands.

Now, does that surprise you...

that a detective would lie?

Well, of course he will.

He's not a bad man.

But how else is he gonna play
the cards

that have been dealt to him
from a pack of lies?

Now, if Jim Williams
is guilty of anythin'...

He's guilty of bad association.

But that's
not what he's on trial for.

Now, if you don't like,

or if you don't
cotton to his lifestyle,

just think about this...

we deal with these people
all the time...

some good...

Some bad.

They're a part
of our community.

And you can't judge a man
for that.

This is God's world.

Let God be the judge of that.

And let you good folks
be the judge of this.

Come on, now.

Let this man go home.

He's had enough.

Thank you.

Mr. foreman, has the jury
reached a verdict?

Yes, we have, your honor.

Is it unanimous?

Yes.

Hand it to the sheriff, please.

Pick that up.

Hand it to me.

Give it back to him.

The defendant
and attorneys rise, please.

Publish the verdict.

We, the jury,
find the defendant...

Not guilty.

Yes!

Members of the jury,
this concludes your work.

You've rendered a great service
to Savannah

and the Chatham County.

I'm gonna dismiss you now
with the thanks of the court.

Fantastic.

Congratulations, Jim.

Thank you, John.

Goodbye.

Yes, bless you.

God bless.

Hey, boy.

What do you got?

Come on down.

We got to go visit the boy.

We got to make him
quit workin' James.

The trial's over, Minerva.

Billy can't do anything
to James now.

Why I come to you?

Because you out of everybody
know it ain't over yet.

I know,

the boy know,

and you know
justice ain't been done yet.

I'll come down for a minute.

I don't know about this.

That's exactly
why you come this far.

Billy always loved wild Turkey.

He ain't happy here.

Ain't what he thought it'd be.

If you ain't in heaven yet,

you want to get there,
don't you, boy?

Well, the only way
you gonna get up

is if you quit playin'
with James.

I have influence with the dead.

They can lift you up.

Nobody else
can do that for you...

nobody.

Don't you laugh at me!

You think you had a harsh life!

You got no idea!

Never had no bills to pay,

no children to feed,

no house to clean!

You had it easy.

Well, you can just lay there.

Where's Jim?

Thanks for droppin' by.

Hello, Jim.

Oh, I've, uh, finished
my Christmas party list.

And, uh...

You made the cut.

Well, I'm honored,
but I won't be here, Jim.

Oh? Many
will be disappointed.

So, obviously you've decided
to stay in town, Jim.

Mm-hmm, yes.

Living here pisses off
all the right people.

What can I do for you?

Oh, I have something for you.

Yusupov's dagger
may have seemed more useful

given your chosen profession,

but the painting
somehow seemed appropriate.

I hope you will accept it

as an expression
of my gratitude.

"Newmarket Heath,"
the overpaint.

Thank you.

I'll have it...
I'll have it sent along.

Well, I don't want to keep you
from your party, Jim.

But, Jim, one more question...

you know, for the book...

do you want to tell me
what really happened that night?

Sport...

Truth, like art,

is in the eye of the beholder.

You believe what you choose,

and I'll believe what I know.

Good luck, Jim.

Oh, you think you can?!

Bull!

Tell you what, Jimmy...

Hey...

Why don't you come in?

I never enter the office
on Sunday...

bad juju.

Huh.

Well, I still got
a lot of questions.

You know all you need to know.

One thing...

don't commune
so long with the dead

you forget the livin'.

What's this?

I love you, boy,
but I ain't the only one.

You know that, don't you?

How long's your lease?

Six months.

Welcome to Savannah.

You hungry?
Yeah.

Come on.
Let's go, girl.

Yep, that's it.

Uh-oh.

Hi. Now, you two know

you're not going anywhere
without a chaperon.

I cooked
my Chablis' famous chicken.

Let's go have a picnic.

And guess what, John?
What?

You get your choice
of breast or thigh.

What's it called...
the chicken?

Chablis' kickin' chicken.

Still walkin' the dog,
Mr. Glover?

Yes, sir.

Patrick do like
his morning walk.

Well, Patrick is walkin'
kind of fast this mornin',

isn't he?

Yeah.

# Skylark #

# Have you anything
to say to me? #

# Can you tell me
where my love can be? #

# Is there a meadow
in the mist? #

# Where someone's waiting
to be kissed? #

# Skylark #

# Have you seen
a valley green with spring #

# Where my heart
can go a-journeying #

# Over the shadows
and the rain #

# To a blossom-covered Lane? #

# And in your lonely flight #

# Haven't you heard
the music in the night #

# Wonderful music #

# Faint as a Will-O'-the-Wisp #

# Crazy as a loon #

# Sad as a gypsy
serenading the moon #

# Skylark #

# I don't know
if you can find these things #

# But my heart is riding
on your wings #

# So if you see them anywhere #

# Won't you lead me there? #

# Skylark #

# I don't know
if you can find these things #

# But my heart is riding
on your wings #

# So if you see them anywhere #

# Won't you lead me there? # #

# Someday
we'll be close together #

# Wait and see #

# Oh, by the way #

# This time the dream's on me #

# You'll take my hand #

# And you'll look at me
adoringly #

# But as things stand #

# This time the dream's on me #

# It would be fun #

# To be certain
that I'm the one #

# To know that I at least #

# Supply the shoulder
you cry on #

# To see you through #

# Till you're everything
you ought to be #

# It can't be true but #

# This time the dream's on me #