All language subtitles for This World, Then the Fireworks

Narrator: Nothing really
happens for a reason.

It just happens.

[moaning]

[skyrockets whistling]

Narrator: Take when
Carol and I were kids.

On the night
of her fourth birthday...

Narrator: Mom made us
birthday cake with our dinner.

It was early summer.
The air was balmy.

Carol and I were twins,

and the resemblance was
indeed strong at that age.

Narrator: What was it that drew
mom to that window?

I think she must have
suspected dad's high jinx,

the way she grabbed us
and tore out of the house.

[skyrockets whistling]

[firecracker explodes]

Narrator: We crossed
the street hand-in-hand.

It was an evening
of great beauty.

[firecracker explodes]

[firecracker explodes]

What the hell's
going on here?

Please...

Yeah, Lou,
don't do it.

Aah!

[woman screaming]

Narrator: It was funny.

It was funnier than
Charlie Chaplin or Krazy Kat.

The man on the floor didn't have
hardly any head at all,

and dad and the woman,
they were naked.

Dad went
to the electric chair,

and the woman
committed suicide.

Mom was scarred for life,

but they were naked
and it was funny.

Narrator: It was so funny,
I remember--

I remember that night well.

Narrator:
The years went by.

Carol and I did what we said
we were going to do

back when we were kids.

We chose to marry someone
that no one else wanted--

Someone scorned
and shamed, cast aside.

Your favorite, honey.

Pot roast.

Your son got
his report card today.

Yeah?

A "B" in deportment.

That's great.

Yeah, pa.

I gotta fly.

I don't like it
when you go out this late

to cover stories.

The city never sleeps.

A reporter's gotta go
where the news is.

I'm gonna be into
something really big.

It's dangerous what
you're up to, isn't it?

I'll be careful, all right?
I'll be all right.

I love you so much.

Take care of your mom
for me.

I will, pa.

Narrator: The way I played it,

the reporter racket
was a life-or-death gamble.

When I hit Chicago
I had big plans

on getting all the way
to the top.

[playing blues music]

Hey, Marty.

Have a cigarette.

Thanks.

Nailing C.C. Casper,

the top cop
in Chicago.

Tell me that doesn't
make your heart

beat fast, Marty.

You got names,
dates and places

for dope and
prostitution payoffs,

and your sources are solid?

I know the drill, Marty.

I had your column
for five years, remember?

You know
better than anyone.

I can't go to print
until you go on tape

in front of McCalister
and the newspaper's lawyers.

I'm gonna make you
famous, Marty.

They'll be naming
streets after you.

Gonna make a movie
about you

starring
Marlon Brando.

Not unless it's a musical.

All right, here's your end.

Liquid morphine,
the kind doctors use.

Administered judiciously,
this'll last you quite a while.

You're too hungry, Joseph.

Pump too much of this pure,
it'll bury you.

Do I look like I’m
in school, Marty?

You give me
what I need,

I give you
what you need

and vice versa.

We're all gonna get fat
off this one, Joe.

Now, if you'll excuse me,

I've got to go to confession.

Don't get lost.

Hey, joey.

Hey, hey, hey!

Chief C.C. Casper
sends his regards.

I don't know
any C.C. Casper.

Aw, come on, fellas.

Ohh!

Supposed to be
another guy here.

Marty somebody.

Ask him.

[gasping]

Where's Marty?

In the head.

Marty: You run into
a lot of jams in this life,

but what you don't want is some
trigger-happy Chicago cops

trying to put your lights out.

Where'd he go?

Go that way.

Marty: Three years of work
in Chicago up in smoke

in one night.

The dirty cops
and the corrupt politicians

who ran the city weren't ready
to let a reporter get away

with blowing the lid off
their entire operation.

Marty: Now I had to spring
for safe territory,

and in a hurry.

Next pit stop
is Wichita, Kansas.

If you gotta take
a leak, do it now.

Marty: I headed
for California,

where mom and my sister
Carol had landed.

Carol's marriage to a rich
lowlife, William Wharton II,

hadn't worked out so well.

Now she was looking
after mom.

Mom had stopped moving
for a while.

Not because
she was content,

but because she was
too tired to go on.

The cab fare
came to 95 cents.

I had a total
of $2.00 in my pocket,

which I gave
to the cab driver.

[dog barking]

It did not matter
about being broke.

Carol and I
were together again

after three long years,

the longest
we'd been separated.

Nothing else
seemed to matter.

Marty.

Come in.

Come in.

Well...

Let me look at you.

You can look at me, Ma.

You can look at me
till the cows come home.

I don't believe it.

You're just handsomer
than you used to be.

You don't look a day
older yourself, Ma.

Where is Carol?

Where is that redheaded
sister of mine?

I made you breakfast.

She's still in bed,
isn't she?

I've got it all ready.

Which room is hers?

Well, but...

Well, why don't you
eat your breakfast first?

'Cause I know you must be
tired and hungry.

Listen,
I’ve got it special.

I made everything

just the way
you like it.

Mom.

She's at the top
of the stairs

next to the bathroom.

Marty.

Now, this time,

now, you and Carol

aren't going to get
into trouble.

Trouble?

That's a little unfair, mom.

What made you think

that we'd have gotten
into any trouble?

Now you listen to me.

I want you to get a job.

You could do it.
I know you can.

There's three papers
in town.

You just--
with your expertise

and your experience
and talent and...

Looks.

Ma, you're...

You're gonna get me
blushing again,

aren't you?

And I want you

to bring your family
out right away, too.

Why don't we just stop
right here, OK?

Let's just stop
right here, mother.

Just to set up
your own household.

Mother,
I’m a big boy now.

You will do it,
won't you?

Marty.

You won't stay here a day
longer than you have to.

I know you don't
mean that, mother.

It almost sounds
as though

I'm not welcome
here, though.

Marty: I looked at her
with genuine sorrow.

It's rather sad, you know,
when one's own mother fears

or even dislikes him.

It was almost unbearable.

I say this as one who's done
a great deal of bearing.

It's just that I got old.

And I can't take the trouble
so good anymore like I used to.

As if you ever could.

Marty: Any time
I was away from her,

it felt too long.

Especially
when I saw her again.

Was she asleep

or was she
playing possum?

Mr. Martin Lakewood.

Mrs. Carol
Lakewood Wharton.

Sister.

Brother.

[Carol laughing]

"once upon a time
there was a little boy,

there was
a little girl..."

I tell you, this Monroe dame
sure gets a lot of ink.

No wonder
I can't make a buck.

Guys all expect girls
to have tits a mile wide.

She's ruining it
for all of us.

Mom: Marty, Carol,
breakfast.

God damn her anyway.

I'm gonna slap the hell
out of her in a minute.

I will, Marty.

I'm sorry.
I'm not laughing at you.

Marty: I had reason to know
her threats were not idle.

Still, I was amused.

It was so incongruous to me.

Such words from such
a sweet-faced doll.

Maybe I’m losing
my sense of humor.

If I sleep with
one more sailor,

I'll start saluting.

So, Marty, what is this
beef in Chicago about?

Mom saw the clippings
that you sent.

She went on a rampage.

I had the good fortune
to ferret out

some smelly
figurative bodies

to identify the officeholders
responsible for them

and the bigwigs who ran
the whole Sheboygan.

Will you give me
a ciga--

Then it turned out
that no one was ready

to back my play.

The voters and my editor

and the people
who ran things

all thought it was
just plain peachy

to let those dirty thieves
keep their jobs.

I know, sweetie.

You try
lighting a candle

while everyone else
is cursing the darkness.

How'd you let yourself
get into such hot water?

Marty: It was a question
I couldn't answer.

Had I subconsciously
wanted the heat?

Had I brought about
my own downfall?

Maybe time would take
care of her and me, too.

Unless, of course,
we changed,

but how could we do that?

Marty.

Marty:
from the time we were kids,

carol and I couldn't stay
out of trouble.

The kids we grew up with
were cousins and second cousins

and friends of cousins.

They all called us
strange and different.

Hey, Carol!

Hey!

Hey, cousin Lyle.

Marty: And they were right.
We were.

We felt
each other's feelings,

we thought each other's
thoughts.

We didn't care
what anyone thought of us

and that was unforgivable.

For that,
we had to be punished.

Tim, you all set?

Yeah.

Come on, help me, guys.

Let go!

Marty!

Stop that!

Carol: Marty!

Marty!

Marty!

Marty!

Marty!

Marty!
Get off of me!

Let go of me!

Let go of me!

Marty!

Kill 'em!

Get 'em!

Marty: And there was
something wrong, of course:

The deepest, darkest crime
two people could ever commit.

We loved each other.
It was a lesson

I was ever trying
to hammer home to sis.

You may be wrong
and exist comfortably

in a world of righteousness,

but you may not be right

and live
in a world of error--

The kind of world
that we seemed to live in.

The growing sense
of injustice

would just be
too much to bear.

You know how
you and me look

on those things,
Carol.

What we endured was
something normal for us,

for those
particular times

and those particular
situations.

It's just
what happened.

We weren't
mistreated.

Here, Marty,
I want you to take this.

I insist.

I know you're broke,

so you take what you
need out of that,

and you send the rest
to Glenda and Junior.

You said
things were tough.

There's well over
three centuries here.

So?

$300 isn't a lot of money.

Not when you've been around
the guys I’ve been around.

So there's that alimony
that stiff pays you.

You can make the rent
off of that.

Did you say mom's doctor
bills were getting high?

Jesus, what are you,
an auditor all of a sudden?

Such a fuss over
a couple hundred dollars.

Baby, don't keep me
in the dark.

Give me
the straight dope.

You see, Marty, I have been
saving up for something.

Um, just a couple dollars
at a time.

Why didn't you say so?

Because I know you.

I know that if you knew
that I needed--

That I wanted the money
for myself, that--

Marty: I saw something
in her face I didn't like.

Baby, what is it
you want?

Marty: I couldn't
analyze the expression

or say why
it troubled me.

A mink. But I don't have
to have that, Marty.

Anyway,
now that you're here,

we're gonna be rolling
in the money soon.

Right?

Yeah.

See?

So, you satisfied now, huh?

Yeah, I’m satisfied.

You still haven't
leveled with me

on how you're
making it

with the local
syndicate, though.

Oh, these guys are
such a laughable crew,

you could hardly believe it.

Marty: She told me how
she staked out some turf

in the local
cocktail lounge

when they sent some joy boy
around to give her the arm.

I'll have a Rob Roy,
please.

Ahem. You're sorta cute.

You're not.

What's your name,
sweetcheeks?

Who's asking?

Name's Lloyd.

I run this joint for
the McCloud outfit.

Lloyd, huh?

Lloyd, why don't you
run home to mama

and have her make you
some hot milk?

You can't sell that
pretty ass of yours

around this town
without us taking a cut.

[sizzle]

Aah!

Lloyd, the next time McCloud
wants to talk to me,

have him see me in person.

[gagging]

Oh, what's that?

He says he'll buy
my drink for me.

[gagging]

Carol: So the two big guns,

mcCloud
and his partner Galloway,

they come out to the house.

And I fixed them both
a nice, big drink.

Can you imagine?

They gulped it down
like little lambs.

[laughs]

[sighs]

I do believe they've never
heard of chloral hydrate.

Carol: It took
the highway patrol

A whole week to find them.

One of them died,

and one of them
had to be committed

to the insane asylum.

Couldn't have happened
to a nicer pair of guys.

And since then...

Nobody seems
to muscle me anymore.

That's my sis.

That's my sweet
little sister.

Ha ha!

Marty: I went to work
the following day

on the first paper
I applied to.

I had no difficulty
about it.

Not since I was a child,
a very small child,

have I had any difficulty
in getting work.

It would be strange
if I did.

Personably
and in intelligence,

I'm a generous cut
above the average.

I must admit to this,
as immodest as it seems.

When I choose to,

I can be exceedingly
ingratiating.

And to top it off,

there was my childhood training
by earnest teachers.

One gets work readily

when the penalty for failure
was a clubbing.

You learn not to take no
for an answer.

It was the best
and biggest paper in town,

which is not to say,
of course,

that it was either
very good or very big.

Most of the other staffers
were fair,

about average, I suppose.

They'd been getting by nicely
until I came along.

But then there I was--

A real newspaperman,
a towering beacon of ability,

and by comparison,

these average people
looked like submoronic dolts.

Marty: Whenever I cared to,

and when I had an amusing
objective in mind,

I've always advanced
in my work.

But I set an all-time record
on the paper.

I was assistant city editor
at the end of the first week.

Two weeks later,
I made city editor.

Marty:
Carol, on the other hand,

had a different experience
of employment.

Being sorely undernourished
and frequently raped,

she had little energy,
time, or appetite

for normal endeavors.

[horn honks]

Marty: While I was
going up the ladder,

sis was doing her level best
to make change.

Man: Now.

Marty: My rise at the sentinel
did not bring joy to all.

In fact,
the city room was a mess.

All the staffers were jumpy.

The news editor
had resigned.

The chief copy editor
had reverted to alcoholism.

The publisher no longer made
his face to shine upon them.

He griped at everyone,
except me.

No one could do anything
to please him,

except me.

Mr. Griffith
wants to see you.

Yes.

Griffith:
uh, have a seat, Marty.

Thanks, Mr. Griffith.

You know, I, uh, canned,
uh, Samuelson.

The managing editor.
Yeah, I heard about that.

Seemed like an OK Joe.

I guess you had
your reasons.

The job is yours,
if you want it.

Gee.

You're getting
$75 a week.

Well, that goes up.

$82.50.

Samuelson always
treated me square.

He was a bum.

He couldn't turn
this rag around.

You can.

You know it.
I know it.

Start today.

I quit.

What?

You're sick of paying
Samuelson $112.50

To do his job?

Looking for the next patsy
to hang this rag on?

No, thanks.

If you were half smart,
you'd have talked to me

before you gave Samuelson
the knife, but you're not.

Are you crazy?

Not crazy enough to keep
eating your shit.

You can't just
walk out on me--

Yes! Yes! I can!

I have a guideline
for my behavior!

And you, sir,

you have violated
commandment one-minus!

What the hell are you
talking about?

It is the commandment that
has never been written down

because every goddamn fool's
supposed to know it!

Yea, verily...

It is the pointed moral
of all happening

from the beginning
of creation to wit.

Take not advantage
of thy neighbor

with his pants down,

for to each man,
there comes this season!

And in my house,
there are many mansions!

And in those mansions,

there are many men
longer-donged than thyself.

Get out!

Get--get--get out!

Get out!

Get out! Get out!

Get out! Get out!
Get out!

Marty: I'd like to say
I walked out on that dog prick

because he was
a wicked old man.

The truth: It was
his being certain about me

and my motives
that I objected to.

The minute anybody
thinks they have me,

thinks they know
what makes me tick,

I have to take 'em down.

Nobody knows me.

I do what I do,

and that's it.

But the world
hadn't changed.

I still
had to turn a buck.

Carol's luck
was running bad.

There was no prize chump
in the offing.

But what the hell,
I thought.

We were bound to get a break
before too long.

In point of fact,

opportunity was walking
right in my direction.

Well, it if isn't
Alice Blueclothes.

Boo, pretty Alice.

Please let go of me.

I don't think so.

What's the matter?
Don't you like me?

Let go of me, or I’ll
fix you, you see?

Oh, come on. We haven't even
had our waltz yet, Alice.

Or would you prefer
a square dance?

We could ask these nice people
to join in right with us.

Are you gonna
lay off me, or what?

You're so nice to the touch,
I don't think I am.

Besides, what are you
gonna do about it?

Police officer.
You're under arrest.

I will go,
willingly, gladly.

Lock me up in some cool,
dark place,

use handcuffs,
but you know what?

You're gonna have to
put 'em on yourself.

OK. All right, mister,

I should take you in,
but I’m off duty,

and I got better ways
to spend my free time.

Is this your car, Alice?

You know,
it matches your blush.

Shut up! If you don't
promise to behave yourself,

I'll take you in anyway.

The body matches
your lines, too.

[sighs]

Are you blond all over
or just where it shows?

[horn honks]

[horn honks]

Would you just
please go away?

Sure, I will, Alice.

Say it like you mean it,
and I will.

I'll go away, and you'll never
see me again. Scout's honor.

[horn honks]

Do you--
do you want--ahem.

We could--

What is it, dear?
Spit it out.

We could go somewhere,
for a drink.

I'm afraid not.

As a matter of fact,
I wouldn't think of it.

I know something of your city,
and I know that cops on duty--

No. I told you
I’m not on duty.

And I’m not sure
I believe you.

And I know something else.

Local lady cops
have to be single.

Marriage is grounds
for immediate dismissal.

And one would
also be dismissed,

naturally and quite promptly,

if her behavior was slightly
less than circumspect.

I mean, she can't sleep around
as other women may.

One hint of scandal,
and she'd be caught.

But guy cops,
they can fuck all they want

or anyone they want.

What's a lady to do?

I mean, what is she to do

if her womanly desires
were, shall we say,

A little more extreme
than normal ones?

If she was highly sexed,

loaded with all
the right equipment,

just aching
for a little action,

what then?

I'm sorry, you're
gonna have to speak up.

We could go to my place.

Yeah. I'd like
to see your house.

I hate taking women
to hotels.

No. No, no. I meant
we could go to my place

and have dinner, and
we could talk, and...

It's right on the beach.

We could swim
if you want.

I'd love to do all
those things. Really.

That would be fantastic.
We can do all that after.

I mean,
we'll go to bed first,

and then if you're
not too tired,

you can make supper.

We can take a walk
on the beach.

Heck, we could even talk.

You don't like
the sound of that?

That's all right.

I can take a walk
up this block,

meet half a dozen women

who'd like the sound
of what I just proposed.

I know you could.

I say we just
forget it, huh?

Oh, but afterwards,

you wouldn't respect me.

I couldn't
respect myself.

You'd think
I was terrible.

You are so wrong.

Marty: I really
didn't care, you know.

At least,
I cared very little.

She was a cop.

Of course, there was a cop
that dad had killed.

I wasn't sure that I cared
to do anything about that.

Wait, sir.

Mister, wait up.

Just wait up, OK?

Don't you go away.

I want you to come home
with me right now.

Oh, should I?

Yes. Just come home
with me right now.

Come now.

I don't know. I mean,
what'll you think of me?

You'll think
I’m terrible.

You just better come home
with me right now,

or I’ll do it right here.

Marty: Her name was Archer,
Lois Archer.

She was 28.

She told me she'd been
with the police department

for five years--

three as a secretary,
two as a street cop.

That paid more.

She thought
it would be exciting,

but she wasn't
the cop type.

She was staying with it
because jobs

and good jobs
were hard to get out here.

People came for the climate

and were willing to work
for next to nothing to remain.

She had a brother
overseas in the army.

He and she owned
a house, jointly.

That's all I was able
to find out about her

and all I needed to know.

Woman: ♪ I ♪

♪ Reach for you ♪

♪ Like I’d reach
for a star ♪

♪ Worshiping you ♪

♪ From afar ♪

♪ Living with my ♪

♪ Silent love ♪

You have very pretty
skin, Lois--

A lovely blush.

Not as extensive as
my wife's, of course,

but you don't have
her area.

[laughs]

You are so crazy, honey.

You and your
400-pound wife.

She probably weighs
more than that now.

She gets bigger
all the time.

Elephantiasis.

It's not fat.

It's growth.

Her head probably weighs
more than all of you.

[laughs]

Sure, I’ll bet.

I can just see you
marrying a wife like that.

Who else would have
married her?

Isn't she entitled
to marriage,

to all the things that
could have been given to her?

I suppose it would've
been better

to put her to sleep
at birth like our first kid.

Yeah, sure.

Had to be done.

What kinder thing can you do
to a helpless mongoloid?

[chuckles]

And the one you have--

I suppose
he doesn't have

all of his parts, right?

He's my kid, isn't he?

He's bound to have
something missing.

Marty, Marty, Marty.

Do you know what
I’m going to do to you?

No, that's not
the point, really.

It's not what
you're going to do to me.

It's what I’m going
to do to you.

Marty: Except for the vague
sense of uneasiness

of something left undone,

I felt quite happy.

I had Carol.

We were brought
together again.

I had Lois.

At least, I would have her
for a while.

Oh, I love that.

[laughs]

That's the best.

I know. Listen,
the house,

it's on the outskirts
of town.

It's not as pricey
as it would be in town,

but some people may go
for that ocean view.

Hmm. Sounds like
a very nice place.

I tell you, doll,
this brother angle

presents a bit
of a problem.

I don't know,
I get the impression

he's a pretty tough
customer.

She gets nervous

every time she mentions
his name.

I got it all
worked out, though.

Marty: The place is worth
about thirty grand.

She cables him,
says she's got an offer.

He signs the deed.

I stop his clock,

force Lois to sell, and
we're thirty grand richer.

The whole thing
will take about a month.

Marty, you like
this one, don't you?

You like her, huh?

I like everyone,

except, of course,
your ex-husband

william Wharton II,

who I owe a visit.

Who I owe some pain.

Aw, jeez, it's almost noon.

I've got to get over to
Claire’s and put in my time.

You know,
am I off my rocker,

or have you put on
a couple of pounds?

Ohh.

Marty, you nut.

No, it looks good on you.

A little too much
of mom's feed bag.

That's a very nice thing
to say to a girl.

Say that to your cop,
and she'll pinch you.

Oh, the extra ounces
look good on you, kid.

See you.

Stay out
of trouble.

Marty: Just for a laugh,

and since I had
no office to go to,

no clock to punch,

I figured I’d watch sis ply
her chosen trade.

As it turned out, it was
a damn good thing I did.

The fat pig in white

had private dick
written all over him.

Somebody wanted
to do my sister harm,

and I had a pretty good idea
who it was.

[person typing]

[wheezing]

[person typing]

[coughs]

[wheezes]

Mr. Krutz.

How do you do?

My name is
Marty Grosvenor.

Do I know you?

Our manager's secretary
didn't call

and tell you I was going
to pay you a call?

No, nobody called.

I'm Mr. Wharton II's
west coast representative.

He told me to come down
and check with you.

Oh, well, that's just swell.

Uh, please, sit down.

I was just on the case
just this morning

trailing Mrs. Wharton.

[coughs]

Tell me--
aren't you fellas

just rushing things
just a little bit here?

How's that?

Well, I’ve only been
on the case four days,

and I’ve already
sent in two reports.

Four days?

Wharton, he likes to put
the squeeze on, doesn't he?

And don't I know it.

Ha!

Well, I don't mean
to criticize.

The wages are fine,
but, you know--

No. Criticize
all you want.

You got every right to,
Mr. Krutz.

I don't mean that man
ill will,

but, personally,
that man is a bastard.

I mean, this case
is fact to that point.

You know, you've got
something there,

mr., uh, Grosvenor.

I know all about this case,

even if not much of it
got into the papers.

You know what I mean?

That guy Wharton
was as lowdown as they get.

I mean, he was a washed-up,
worn-out punk,

pimping for a living.

And so, somehow,

this--this swell
little dame

carol Lakewood,

she decides to marry him.

Never will figure
that one out.

And she starts to get him
back on his feet.

Well, there's nothing
he's any good at,

so she supports
both of them.

What time she ain't knocking
herself out on a job,

she's working
to build him up--

Nursing him, waiting on him
hand and foot,

I mean, actually making
something out of nothing.

You know what
I’m talking about?

And she does so good at it

that his big bucks
hoity-toity family back east,

they decide
to take him back.

So how does he thank her?

He turns around

and gives her a great big
dose of syphilis,

and then, divorces her
for having it.

Well, she was too young.
She couldn't put up a fight.

[passes gas]

Well, I see you know
all the facts,

don't you, Mr. Krutz?

You are well-grounded
in this case.

Well, yeah, sure.

It's my business.

Know what I mean?

[laughs]

Well, what about your boss,

mr. Grosvenor?

Naturally, I’m glad to have
the job--tickled pink--

But why does he
want it done?

All this trouble just
to save himself a few bucks?

How can he do it?

I wonder.

How can you do it?

Say what?

Tailing an innocent girl
for a filthy slug

just to make a buck.

Aw, what the hell.
It's my job.

I mean, you know,
if I didn't do it,

somebody else would, huh?

Am I right, mister, uh--
what'd you say your name was?

Would somebody else
do it?

I mean, how the hell
can you be so sure?

Have you ever considered
the potential

in a crusade
for not doing something

that someone else would do
just because you wouldn't?

You simmer down here,
mister.

I'm afraid I don't like
your tone.

I'm afraid that
you have sinned!

You've violated section "a"
of commandment one-minus.

Yea!

Verily!

Say, you can't blame me
for all this!

Yea, verily,
so sayeth the lord,

"better the blind man
who pisses through a window,

than the knowing servant
who opens it for him."

Put it there, Krutz.

Oh, dear.

Oh, dear.

Oh, dear, dear!

[panting]

Oh, dear, dear, dear.

Oh, dear.

Aah!

Yes!

Yes!

Aah!

Aah!

Aah!

Aah!

Aah!

Aah!

[groans]

Uhh...

[groans]

[gurgles]

I'm very upset with you,
Marty.

Why's that, mom?

You know what you've done.

You know all the wrong
things you do

that you just can't seem
to stop doing.

Out with it, mom.
What's on your mind?

Why don't you
spit it out?

I'm shocked.

You'll get over it,
Ma, I promise.

You quit your job
at the sentinel--

Just up and quit.

I didn't want
to upset you, Ma.

It just happened.

Mother: You just don't want
to amount to anything, do you?

Neither one of you do.

Do everything
you can not to.

Well, all I can say is--

Before you go
any further...

OK, before you say
another word...

I would like you
to establish

your qualifications
for saying it.

How do you mean?

Well, I can't make it
any plainer, Ma.

I don't want to be more
pointed about this, but...

Let's just face facts here.

Why should Carol and I
concern ourselves

even in the slightest

with what you think
about anything we do?

Why should we
listen to you?

Why should anyone?

I did the very best I could
raising you kids.

I couldn't help it if--

We have a long list
of all the things

you couldn't help, mother.

Carol and I,
we've never blamed you,

and we're never going to.

Now, we can just sit here,
and we can enjoy our meal

and have a pleasant evening
here at the old homestead,

only you've got
to play fair with us.

We don't criticize you,

so why don't you just keep
your mouth shut

and forget all about
this unpleasant chitchat?

[coughs]

[sets down
silverware]

I don't feel like
eating.

[clears throat]

I think I’ll have
to lie down.

Marty: Mom?

[mother
stumbles]

Are you OK?
Carol, give me a hand.

Carol, can you
give me a hand?

Carol?

Carol!

Sure.

Mother:
I can't get my breath.

[coughs]

Marty: Take it easy.
You just need to rest.

How's that stuff
coming, Carol?

It's coming right up.

This is just the ticket
for what ails you, mom.

[breathing heavily]

There you go, mom.
You like this stuff, right?

Sure, I do.

Feeling better, mom?

Yeah, a little bit.

Just don't do
anything else.

Ahem.

[closes door]

Marty: Blindness, honey.

It's the first step
towards sudden brain death.

It's a death
for our time--

A death for people
too stupid to appreciate

something
more complicated,

worthy of
contemporary attitudes

like "let's drop the bomb
on Moscow."

And "the poor are better off
and happier being poor."

I swear to god,
it's my profoundest wish.

I'd like to kill someone
really worthwhile.

Yeah.

I feel sorry
for old Mr. Krutz.

I wish I could've
had him in bed with me.

They're always so happy
that way.

Under the circumstances,

I think a little extra
alimony's out of the question.

[laughs]

You know...

I hate you going over
to Claire’s.

Right now, it's--

You shouldn't have to.

Don't worry about me,
sweetie.

I feel just fine.

Besides, I need
my own racket.

Got to work to keep up
my self-respect.

Don't wear yourself out.
It's not necessary.

This other matter,
I’m getting close.

This house deal,

I think I’m going
to swing that real soon.

Have you decided what
you're going to do with Lois

at the windups?

Call me psychic,

but I don't think I’m going
to have to decide.

The fitting thing
will be done,

but I’ll have
nothing to do with it.

It's going to be
a matter of grace.

Whatever you say,
sweetie.

It's all right by me.

[car approaches]

That's her.

See you.

Marty: Hey.

What's your sister
doing tonight?

She's got a date.

Move over.

Marty: On the drive
to the beach,

lois was pouting
and peevish.

I could hear the wheels
spinning with irritation

in that cop's mind of hers.

I could have let it go,
but what the hell.

What's bugging you, Lois?

Nothing.

Pig's eye.
What's eating you?

It's just the way
that Carol of yours lives--

That house,

the slinky dresses
she sashays around town in.

You'd think
she was royalty.

Well, that's how she is.

She'd die if it had
to be any other way.

Stop talking nonsense
and just tell me this, Marty.

Just tell me why I should be
given this pressure from you

all the time
about selling my house

when you could just as well
ask that fine sister of yours

to help us go away.

Wait. Now, you...

You want me
to ask for money

for us to live on

from my sister?

Really? That's...

[gasps]

That's my proposal,
Lois. I'm sorry.

Let's hear
your response.

You bastard.

I'm sorry.

How about that?

How about that, Lois?

No, Marty, please.

Is that better?
Stop.

It'll show,
and I have to work.

Show? My sloe-eyed slut!

My copulating cop!

How about that, Lois?
Is that better?

How about that, huh?
How about that, Lois?

Is that all right?
Is that better?

How about that, Lois?
How about that?

[pants]

Harder, Marty.

Harder.

Lois.

I'm trying to help you
see things clearly here.

No, no, no,
don't talk, darling.

No. You know
what I’m thinking?

I think I’m going
to walk up the highway

and get myself a cab
and get out of here.

Don't you dare.

You want me to do this?

You want it?

Like that?
Like that?

I'm thinking maybe I ought
to leave you out here--

Let the kids who play jacks
see you in the morning.

What do you think of that?

Do whatever you want.

Are you sure?

What else is there?

Truer words were
never spoken, babe.

Come on.

[moaning]

Marty: The next morning,

she phoned in
to the department

and reported herself sick
and was given the day off,

so I kept on
staying.

[laughs]

It was a pretty wild day.

A sweetly wild day--

A perfect commingling
of sweetness and wildness.

We stripped every damn
picture in the house

from the walls.

[laughs]

It was the most hideous kind
of crap, those pictures--

Cute stuff,
dime store junk.

[laughs]

[laughs]

[laughs]

Marty: We dug up a couple
of her brother's rifles

and lugged the lot
down to the beach.

[laughs]

[gunshot]

[gunshot]

[laughs]

[gunshot]

Marty: Then we ate
and drank some more

and had another bath.

[laughs]

Marty: She made herself
into a pretty peacock.

[laughs]

Marty: We said nothing
about money all day.

We were afraid of spoiling
that sweet wildness,

so we still did not
speak of money.

Marty...

I don't want you
slaving away

over any old newspaper.

I want us to be all alone--

Away...

Off somewhere by ourselves.

Well, let's see, then.

We could...

Run a dairy.

None of this mechanized
stuff they got these days--

All natural, pure milk.

I'm going to pinch you
in a minute, smarty.

Well, I could finish
writing my book.

We could get
pretty rich off that.

You're writing
a book, honey?

Mmm.

Tell me about it.

No, I couldn't.

No, really,
it's nothing.

It's...

Just my solution
to the deficit crisis--

You know, a treatise on
taxation sort of thing.

All right, I call it my
cornucopia of constipation

or the Martin Lakewood
bowel movement single tax.

[laughs]
oh.

Crazy.

Yeah, doll, it's
simple but beautiful.

I do away with all taxes on
food and other necessities,

and the only levy

would be
on bowel movements.

What do you think?

It's really a sensible plan.

A workable concept,

as the boys in Washington
like to call it.

You know, it's possibly
the most equitable

and just plan
ever invented.

Listen.

The less money a man
has, the less he eats.

The less he eats,
the less he shits.

The less he shits,
well...

The less are his taxes.

Mm-hmm.

And what if he doesn't have
any money at all?

Well, what does he
do now?

Oh, very funny,
Marty. Ha ha.

No. Who's kidding?

If it's right to let
a man starve to death,

it must be equally right

to let him die
of constipation.

It's not equally right.

It's more right,
god damn it.

[laughing]

This way, at least
he's got a choice--

A little control over
his own destiny.

Enough of this
unwarranted intrusion

by government
bureaucrats.

[laughing]

What, you can
deny him food,

but you can't keep him
from holding his bowels?

Where is the fairness
in that?

People have got
to learn about...

Responsibility.
What's so funny?

People have got to learn
about responsibility.

I think the bowel
movement tax

leads into
that direction.

What is
so goddamn funny?

Ahem.

It's just a joke.

It's about the oldest joke
in the goddamn world.

Do you love me, Marty?

Do you love me
very much?

Marty: We'd been
on this line before--

I imagine
almost every man has--

And I gave her the reply
she wanted.

You know
something, Lois?

I'm afraid I do.

Do you love me
more than anyone?

Do you love me more
than you love your sister?

Well...

What do you got
to bring her up for?

Do you, baby?

Just tell me.

What?

Just say it.

I told you.
They're different.

They're completely
different.

They're two different things.

One's a glass of milk,
one's a highball.

Ohh.

Both satisfying
in their own ways,

but they're
completely different.

They're just
two different drinks.

They're two different
kinds of love.

They're not comparable,
these two, Lois.

Why do you have
to go do that?

Why'd you have
to do that?

That--that's so stupid.

What, do you want
to get smacked?

You talk so mean to me
sometimes, Marty.

I don't go off

about you and
your brother, do I,

in his cute uniform

and all this
other bullshit,

but you love him,
don't you?

And I honor that,
you know.

You probably love him
more than anyone else.

I do not!
I only love you!

I love you more than
I love anyone else

in the whole world,

and I want to hear

the exact same thing
back from you!

You're going to have
to wait a long time

to hear something
like that, Lois.

Let it go.

Marty: One ring,
and she stopped.

It was Carol's signal.

I waited
for the next ring.

That's funny.

Lois waited for whatever
she was waiting for.

It just stopped.

Ow!

What did you
pull my hair for?

Carol: Is that you,
Marty?

Marty: It was Carol.

She spoke rapidly,

her voice pitched
just above a whisper.

Marty: I'll get back
as soon as I can.

Lois understands.

I'm sorry
I pulled your hair.

Is that it?

My mom just had
a mild heart attack.

Look, she's had them before.
It's nothing serious,

but Carol thinks
I ought to be there.

I think I ought
to be there!

So, that's what
Carol thinks?

Yeah!

You can just call
yourself a cab,

because you are not
using my car

to go run off
to your little Carol!

I see the way you two
sniff around each other.

You want to know
what I think is going on?

Huh, Marty?

Do you want to know
what I think is going on

between you and
your stupid little Carol?

Do you?
Do you want to know?

Do you want to know?

Shut up.

Hi. Can you please
send a taxi

to 175433 Wildwood Road

as fast as you can?

What? Come on,
let's hear it!

What's in that tiny mind
of yours, Lois?

Come on! Come on!

I think
you're fucking her!

I think you're fucking
that little tramp!

I think
you're fucking her

morning, noon,
and night!

Oh!

Oh, my god!

[crying]

Oh, my god,
what am I saying?

I am so sorry.

I'm so sorry.

I'm...

Baby, I’m sorry.

You know, I’m sorry
I could do something

to make you say
such a thing to me.

Please forgive me.

Please forgive me.

[breathes heavily]

Y-you can
take my car, OK?

OK?

Thanks.

Would you do that, baby?

You come back,

because I got
such a need for you.

[crying]

Shh.

I'll be back soon.

Marty:
I took her car, naturally.

She insisted on it.

Carol?

Carol?

You got him, doll.

He's not gonna hurt you,

he's not gonna hurt
anyone ever again.

I didn't get him, Marty.

Well, he's dead.

At least you could
have called me.

It kind of makes a fella
feel inadequate--

Taking care of business

without letting
a fella know.

I didn't do it, Marty.

It just... I don't know,
it just happened.

It just...
It just happened.

What? What happened?

Come on,
you can tell me.

Carol: I was coming out
of the gin joint downtown.

And he came up to me.

He was in from out of town,
so I brought him here.

It was so weird.

Marty: What was, baby?

What was weird?

COME ON,

yoU CAN TELL ME.
I STARTED TO GET

A LITTLE STIMULATED.

[MAN MOANING]
[CAROL MOANING]

Yeah, well,
he's a big guy.

It happens.

And all of a sudden,

everything that ever
happened to us

with mom and pop and that
lady across the street

and her husband and that look
the guy had on his face

when dad shot him...

Woman: Aah!

It all just came back to me.

Woman: Aah!

[gunshot]

[moaning]

And all of a sudden,
I looked down,

and the guy
is, like, shaking

as though
he's electrocuted,

and the next thing I know,
there's blood coming out

of his eyes and his ears
and his mouth.

[panting]

[crying hysterically]

Marty, look at the guy.
He's a bloody mess.

Well, I got to
hand it to you, dear.

You're probably
the first hooker

in recorded history

to induce seizures
and cerebral hemorrhage.

Oh, Marty.

Oh, babe.

Who was he?

His name was
Barnett Gibons.

He sold life insurance.

You're kidding, right?

No.

Marty, it's not funny.

Just another wreck
by the side of the road.

Just hang in there, kiddo.

It's all gonna be fine.

Is it, Marty?

Yeah. I said so, didn't I?

Of course it is.

I'm gonna be sick.

[retching]

Easy, babe.
You're so jumpy.

I never saw it
get to you like that.

They never went
that way before.

They all gotta go somehow,
don't they?

We all do.

It was all written down
more than a million years ago

by a... very funny god.

You know, in the beginning,
there was nothing.

Then he spoke, and that's
when all the shit started.

We're just pawns, kid.

You know, players...
Playing a part.

God had to do something
to amuse himself,

so he dreamt us up.

I hope he got a good laugh,
don't you, babe?

The things you say,
Marty.

You awake?

How's your sister?

Forget about her.

What time is it?

Forget about all that.
I'm your alarm clock.

You wake up,
you cable your brother.

You tell him
you got a buyer.

You tell him he's
gotta fly down here

to sign the deed.

Next time I see you,

you better show me
a copy of that cable

with the right date
on it.

Otherwise,
we're washed up.

Marty:
I got away fast, pleased.

She was certain to relent.

She had to.

Marty?

Marty?

Marty?

[door opens]

Hey. Is it bad?

It's really bad, Marty.

I can't get him
out of my head.

Don't. Don't think.

It was the way
it was meant to be.

Don't remember.
That's the best way.

You'll see it that way.

But this thing,
it'll go away, right?

This thing in my head?

They always do,
don't they?

But this one's
really bad, Marty.

This one,
it's really bad.

You know,
in the daytime,

those night things,
they just go away.

And in the nighttime,
the day things go.

Just remember that.

Yeah.

Remember that, and it'll
all be all right.

Yeah. That's good, Marty.
Tell me a story.

Once upon a time,
there was a...

A little boy
and a little girl.

You all right?

The little girl
was her mother, and...

The little boy
was her father.

[door opens]

And the little girl
was...

Yes, mom?

I'm sorry. I hope we
didn't wake you up, mom.

Ahh.

I'll bet you do,
just bet you do.

Of course we do.

We tried to be
as quiet as we could.

Carol couldn't sleep.

I came in
to tell her a story.

I know--I know what
you were doing!

Ha! Same thing you've been
doing all along, you filth!

You scum!

No wonder they all
hated you.

They knew
what you were up to.

You didn't fool them! They
could see right through you!

They should have
killed you both.

They should have just
smothered you in your cribs.

You both should have been
strangled at birth! You!

They should have killed you
in your bed!

[squeals]
my babies.

You're rotten.
You're rotten.

You're both rotten!

You don't know anything!

What are you saying?!

What is she saying?!

Carol: You're making
Marty upset, mom.

You're making Marty upset.

I'll do a lot worse
than that, a lot worse.

Get out of here.

Don't you talk to me
like that, you devil.

Go to your room.

Don't you try
to tell me, Carol!

I'm your mother!

You go to your room!

Go to your room, mom.

Devil girl!

Go to your room.

I didn't mean it.
I'm sorry.

Oh, you meant it.

No, I didn't.

You mean it.

No, I didn't.

You go to
your goddamn room.

Don't you forget,
I’m your mother.

Are you?

Were you?

It's time for you to go
to sleep now, mama.

No.

Marty! Oh, Carol.

It's time for you
to go to sleep, mama.

Carol.

This will make you feel
a whole lot better.

Carol, please.

This will be good
for you, Ma.

It's just what you need.

Here you go, mama.

That's right.

Drink it all down, mama,
like a good girl.

Yes.

This one will make you feel
a whole lot better.

I feel--I feel better.

Thank you, Carol.

My little girl.

Marty:
figuratively, at least,

most people do die
of over sedation.

Fumbling about fearfully,

blindly they grasp
the sweet-smelling potions

handed down to them,
never look at the label,

and suddenly,
they're dead.

They die, natural deaths.

Everyone knew Mrs. Lakewood
had a weak heart.

Yes.

I told her that stuff
was dangerous, doctor,

but she kept
going on and on,

"the pain, the pain."

It seems
she passed on quietly.

That's a blessing.

Yes, it is, doctor.

Thank you, Martin.

That's probably
the undertaker.

Shady grove funeral parlor.
You Mr. Lakewood?

Yeah. My mom's upstairs.

I'll be running along.

I'll file the "death
by natural causes" forms

with the county coroner.

Try not to drop her.

Don't, Marty.

Don't what?

Don't pretend
that it doesn't hurt

to see her like this.

I know you like to play

the big old tough,
rough guy,

but deep down, you're
just a sentimental slob.

[telephone rings]

[ring]

[ring]

[ring]

Hello?

Lois: It's me.

I'm really mad
at you, Marty,

about the way you treated me
the other night.

[clicking]

Hello?

Marty?

Marty, we've got some kind
of a bad connection.

Marty...

Marty, something's wrong.
You're scaring me.

What's happening?

Bad wires.

Marty, please,
just talk to me

and tell me what's
going on with you.

Marty?

Marty?

Yes, who is this?

This is Lois.

Yes, Martin's mentioned you

many times to me before.

I'm his sister.

Is there
something wrong?

Um, yes. Well, you see,

our mother passed away
last night,

and Martin's taking it
particularly hard.

I'm... I’m so sorry.

You see, he and mom
were so close.

Yes, I know.

Will you please tell him
that I’m thinking of him?

Yes, of course.
I'll tell him.

Can you also tell him
that I will do that thing

that he asked me to do?

Yes, I’ll tell him.

You'll be sure to do
the thing that he wanted,

just like he asked.

Well, it looks like
you and me.

When wasn't it
ever you and me?

♪ The thrill is gone ♪

♪ The thrill is gone ♪

♪ I can see it
in your eyes ♪

♪ I can hear it
in your sighs ♪

♪ Feel your touch
and realize ♪

♪ The thrill ♪

♪ Is gone ♪

♪ The nights are cold ♪

♪ For love is old ♪

♪ Love was grand... ♪

Carol: Marty, darling,

I was starting to tell you
about where I’m going

and what I have to do,
but I thought better of it.

You would only worry,
and there really is no need to,

because I’m going to be
perfectly all right.

♪ Now it don't
appeal to you ♪

♪ The thrill ♪

♪ Is gone ♪

Carol: I'm in a little bit
of trouble,

but I know
how to handle it.

I'll be back with you
just as soon as I can,

but I won't be able to
be there for the funeral.

Don't you go either
if it bothers you.

And don't feel bad about
what happened to mom.

Certain things happen

because they're supposed
to happen that way.

And tell me a story
tonight, darling.

I'll be listening.

[singing]

♪ The thrill is gone ♪

Minister: Mrs. Lakewood
was a wonderful woman.

She was a wonderful
Christian woman.

She was a wonderful wife.

She was a wonderful mother
to her two children.

Beloved of everyone,

renowned for her generosity,

she will be sorely
missed by everyone

in this community.

Marty:
I went to the funeral,

but I couldn't stay
all the way through.

Just as they started to
lower mom into the dirt,

I, well, let's just say
I didn't feel so well.

So I took a stroll

through the city
of wonderful people.

It was a crowded city.

Neighbor elbowed
against neighbor,

yet no one felt
the need for room.

They dwelt peacefully,
side by side,

content with what
they had because...

They were all so wonderful.

Marty Lakewood?

Who's asking?

Lieutenant Harris.

Is that your mother,
Mrs. Eleanor Lakewood,

being laid to rest
over there?

Yeah, that's my mom.

And your sister is
Mrs. Carol Lakewood Wharton?

It's a nice badge
you got there, lieutenant,

but what's this all about?

It's about murder.

Mr. J. Krutz--

Private investigator

working for
a Mr. J.J. Wharton

of Boston.

Never laid eyes on him.
Who'd he kill?

Harris: Show him
the other photo, captain.

This is what getting stabbed
in the brain looks like.

Not a pretty picture.

Hmm. How about this?

Who's he, another dead
private investigator?

Not a private
investigator.

Just an ace
insurance salesman.

So what's he got to do
with Krutz or me?

Look, fellas, I’m sorry.

I listen to quiz shows, too,

but I think I missed
the million-dollar question.

What people like Krutz
and Gibons and you

have in common is her.

What, my kid sister?

That beef was for shoplifting
in New Orleans.

Well, it doesn't
do her justice.

You ought to see her
in the flesh.

People who see your sister,
like Krutz and Gibons,

they die or they disappear.

People die and disappear
all the time.

It doesn't mean she had
anything to do with it.

What is she--god?

She was here
as of noon yesterday,

the doctor told us that,

but she didn't
go to the funeral.

She was upset.

Was Krutz tailing her?

I don't know. She didn't
say anything about it.

You were seen yakking it up,
talking to her in town.

She's my sister.
We're close. We talk.

We love each other. Is there
something wrong with that?

Not a thing.

Your sister's a hooker.

It's my understanding

that one of Jesus Christ’s
best pals was a hooker.

I didn't grill my sister
on where she makes her money

or where she spends
her free time,

because I thought it was
in bad taste, lieutenant.

Tell me...

Where is the bitch?

I don't know.

I don't understand.
You're all brotherly love,

but you don't know
where your sister was

on the day of
your mother's burial.

No, I don't know.
I swear to god, I don't know!

Bring in a stack of bibles,
I’ll swear on that!

I'll swear on the freckle
on the tip of your dick,

if you can find it!

Stop shouting.

Do you want to know
what happened,

do you want to know
the trouble

that your lovely sister
is in up to her neck?

At last, a reason for me
being here. Please.

A couple of nights ago,

she picked up
this guy Gibons

outside of
Claire’s cocktails.

Krutz over here
was tailing her,

and we're almost certain

that she got Gibons
to knock Krutz off.

You think she ran away
with Gibons?

We just
weren't sure.

You can't prove my sister
knew either of these guys!

For all you know, Gibons...

Killed Krutz
in some jealous rage

and tried to pin it
on my sister.

If you knew
the types of guys

my sister had to deal with
through her life,

you wouldn't be
so quick to judge her.

Do you mean any of what
you're saying, Lakewood?

Every last word, captain.

'Cause if you do,

you'll contact us
if she contacts you?

Of course I will.
I want her name

cleared out of this mess
as soon as possible.

But you got to do one thing.

Let's hear it.

You can't watch me,
and you can't tail me.

'Cause if she did
do something wrong

or if she's scared 'cause
she knows someone who did,

then she's looking for a tail,
and she won't contact me.

She's gonna wait
till it's safe.

All right, Lakewood,
you win. No tail.

But if your sister
gets in touch,

and you don't let us
get to talk to her,

we're gonna have
to hammer you.

You got that?

Every last word.

[slow music
playing on radio]

[telephone rings]

Lois: Hello?

Yes?

Yes, this is Martin
Lakewood’s residence.

Yeah.

Uh, Marty, can you talk?

It's--it's, um...

It's some doctor
in--in Mexico.

It's about Carol,
darling.

Baby, I’m so sorry.

[water dripping]

[flies buzzing]

[people speaking Spanish]

Señor. Señor Lakewood.

Five months pregnant?

I don't know.

She--she tell me she's
barely three months.

She... she no show.
She's so small.

Yeah, well, if you were
any type of a real doctor,

you would know,
wouldn't you?

I am so sorry, señor.

I tried to do
my very best.

It doesn't really matter,
does it?

You got
the wrong number, pal.

You're talking
to the wrong party.

Wait, wait!

Wait for what?

What should I do?

I don't care what you do.

I don't know
what your grift is,

but I know there's some kind
of racket going on here.

If you don't leave me alone,

I'm going to get
the authorities on you so fast,

it's going to make
your greasy head spin.

Abortion's illegal
in Mexico, too, you know.

Last time I looked,
it was a catholic country.

Señor, it has been
almost four days.

Please, the weather,
she's so hot.

And the smell...

Throw it in the ocean,
throw it in a garbage dump,

throw it in the alley

so the little dogs
can piss on it, OK?

You got the wrong party,
pal.

But, señor, she's--
she's your family.

That hunk of meat you got
on your table there

is not my sister.

That's not
my sister Carol.

I know exactly
where my sister is.

Please don't call
here again. Adios.

[muttering]

It's so tough...

Your sister
and your mother--

Unh!

Don't ever, ever
feel sorry for me!

Ever!

Ever!

[sobbing]

Oh.

I'm sorry.

Marty: I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

[retching]

Let's go out
to my house, Marty.

You need to get away.

Marty: I seemed to be
falling into the darkness

that claimed my sister.

If Carol was lost,
then so was I.

Carol: Marty!

[crying]

Oh!

Oh!

[Marty crying]

[sobs]

Lois, don't cry. Oh, god,
don't cry. Don't--

It can't be fixed.

Oh, Marty...

How you must hate me.

I never hated anyone.

There aren't enough
tears for this sorrow.

Oh, Marty.

I want to tell you
something about my dad.

What's he got
to do with it?

No, honey, don't tell me
one of those crazy stories

about your past
and your family.

Yeah. It's just a story.
It's not true.

Let's just call it--
call it a story.

All right then,
if you have to.

He must have known sleeping
with another man's wife,

I mean, a cop's wife,

would be more trouble
than it's worth.

[stairs creaking softly]

Now, tell me
the truth, Marty.

You don't think
I’m awful, do you?

That brother of mine,
he's just--

He's just nothing.

It takes all kinds
to make up the world.

He's always been
so slow and stodgy.

Bet he moves fast now.

Told him I got offered
$30,000 for this house.

Yeah, that number will make
him move fast all right.

What the hell
is going on here?

Don't do it!

Captain miles Archer.

United State Marine Corps.

Stationed Hawaii.

A wedding photo.

You take
a nice photo, Lois.

Woman: Precinct.
Can I help you?

Police? This is patrolwoman
Archer calling from home

at 175433 Wildwood Road.

There's been
a--a tragic accident.

A man's been shot.

It was my husband.

I was at home
with an acquaintance

and we heard a sound.
We thought it was a prowler.

I shot at a shadow.

I wasn't expecting a visit
from my husband.

Would you please
send a coroner right away?

It's gonna be all right,
Marty.

Marty: Lois' pals
down at headquarters

kept the heat off us.

Things went pretty smoothly
after that.

Realtor: The Farrells
are lovely people.

Your house will be
in good hands.

There you go.

And there you are.

Marty: These are the things
that happened.

Maybe they could have
turned out differently,

but why think about that?

This is the game
that changes as you play it.

God made it that way.

He rigged it.
We take the hits.

I love you, Lois.

Move over.

Marty:
soon there would come night,

the lawn would be bright
in the moonlight.

The little girl would come
trudging across the grass.

It seemed
I could see her coming now.

She would be frightened
because she was alone,

and then
she would not be alone.

We were going away together.

We were
all going away together.

♪ You don't know ♪

♪ What love is ♪

♪ Until you've learned ♪

♪ The meaning of the word ♪

♪ Until you've loved ♪

♪ A love you've had to lose ♪

♪ You don't know ♪

♪ What love is ♪