Original subtitles

- You little snake.

I ought a skin ya.

- Why, I didn't do nothin'.

- Damn right, you ain't.

You been sittin' on your dead buttock.

- No sir, Mr. Spoole.

I been workin', honestly.

- How come the rest of that field ain't cut?

- I was just needing a little break, that's all.

- A little break?

- Yes, sir.

- And you stretching it out a little, ain't ya?

Ain't ya?

- No, sir.

No, sir. - Don't you rile me, boy.

I'll eat your liver.

You hear that?

Them crows ain't takin' no break.

- I know, Mr. Spoole,

but I didn't think they was no problem.

Cause you got a scarecrow.

- What scarecrow?

- Hey pumpkin, you wanna give Mom a kiss?

How was school?

- Ech.

- Ech, why ech?

- Kids here suck.

- And Mrs. Corvus?

- Aunt Hildie?

- You don't mind staying with her after school?

- No, she's cool.

- So what did you and Mrs. Corvus,

Aunt Hildie, do?

- Made cookies.

Did some homework.

Played a game.

- A game, what game?

What game, Jeremy?

Just a game.

- Who's there?

Who's there?

Shrevie!

Listen boy, you can have your radio.

I got no need of it.

Okay, I'll pay ya what I owe ya!

I got it right here!

Shrevie?

- Help!

Help!

Help!

- Jeremy, get that please!

- Okay, just a minute!

- Who is it?

Jeremy?

- I don't know.

- Well, ask!

- I can't, they hung up!

- I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.

I heard someone calling.

Is anyone else here?

- I'm sorry, and you are?

- Scott Terry, Sheriff's Department investigator.

Looking around your place, out back here.

- For what?

- A farmhand, 30-ish, skinny, shaved head.

Little chin beard.

Goes by Shrevie Nick son.

- He's here?

- I guess not.

But we wanna talk to him, about your neighbor.

- Why?

- Most likely, he was the last person to see him alive.

- Don't you wanna get that?

How'd it go?

- Well, I got the mess cleaned up.

Hold damn thing's down in cold storage.

- Where?

- Tanner's beer cave.

- Anything on Shrevie?

- Hell no.

How 'bout you?

- No, nothin...

- Son of a bitch has gotta be hunkered down somewhere.

You check on the neighbor?

What's her name?

- Chris Rhymer. - Yeah, Rhymer.

- She doesn't know anything.

- Well, where is she from anyway?

- I don't know.

- Well, maybe somebody ought to find out.

- I wouldn't advise it.

- Why not? - The boss says so.

- Old devil, give him credit.

He's getting a little behind in his work.

You get it, Scotty Boy?

Getting a little be-hind in his work?

- You know, Layton,

if you were just half as smart as you think,

you'd be twice as smart as you are.

- Bubba, here, don't do that one, Bubba.

Let me show you this one.

- You always call me Bubba, don't you?

Jeremy?

Jeremy, are you all right?

What are you doing?

- Nothing.

- Who was in here with you?

- Nobody.

- No, I heard someone, who was it?

- I told you.

- Listen to me, there's a man out there.

Was he in here?

- I told you no.

- Jeremy, don't lie to me.

The police are looking for him, he is dangerous.

- Leave me alone.

- Honey, I know it's been hard for you.

- I hate it here.

- I know.

I know, I'm not exactly crazy about any either,

but we're here,

and we're gonna have to make the best of it, for a while.

'Kay?

- Aunt Hildie?

Aunt Hildie, I'm home!

Aunt Hildie?

Aunt Hildie, what's wrong?

- Problems.

- What kind?

- Just grown up problems.

Nothing for you to worry about.

- Aunt Hildie, please tell me.

- Well, this morning I went out to the cemetery.

Like I always do.

It's so peaceful out there.

Then I heard a voice, said the flowers I brung was nice.

Was they for my son?

"No," I said.

"A cousin on my Mama's side."

Told me most folks he knew wasn't so remindful

of their departed.

"Some things don't die," I said.

His name's Burkett, a lawyer.

Been getting Mr. Spoole's affairs in order for probate.

Then he showed me a little book he found

and said I was heavy in arrears

on my mortgage to Mr. Spoole.

And now with him suddenly murdered,

well, it was sure likely to raise some eyebrows

if it was to turn up in court.

"And you're thinking to maybe pick up where he left off?"

"Well," he said.

"Better me than a judge, wouldn't you say?"

Aunt Hildie's gonna lose her house.

- What?

Where will you go?

- I don't know.

Away.

- No.

Don't go, Aunt Hildie, please.

Don't leave me.

I'll go with you.

- What about your Mama?

She'd be worried sick.

- No, she won't.

She doesn't care about me.

I love you, Aunt Hildie, more than anyone.

- I know, baby, I know.

We'll think of something.

Jeremy, why don't you go tell your friend?

- Hey!

No!

- Just this?

- Yeah.

- That'll be 4.78.

- Mystery lady, from back East somewhere?

You kinda talk like it.

- Here's your change.

- Most folks never come to this dump.

They leave.

Why in hell did you?

- Hey, Layton.

You gonna take all day?

- Just being friendly.

By the way, you need anything,

you just call Layton Turney.

Any friend of the sheriff's a friend of mine.

- Come on in!

- Is he all right?

He's fine.

Just a little tuckered out, that's all.

I just made fresh coffee, want a cup?

- Yeah, sure.

Has Jeremy ever said anything to you about a friend?

- No one special, why?

- Last night when he was in his room, I heard him talking.

It's nothing.

He was probably talking in his sleep.

Young'uns do that, you know.

- I know, but there was another voice too.

- And did you see anyone?

- No, he was on the floor playing alone,

but I'm sure I heard someone.

- You never raised a young'un before, did ya?

- No.

- When young'uns are lonely, they make friends,

friends that you and I can't see.

Didn't you?

- Yeah, I guess I did,

but the other voice sounded different.

Like a man's, but...

I don't know, childish.

- And no one was there?

- No.

- You see?

- Jeremy!

Jeremy?

Jeremy, it's time to come in!

You haven't seen a little boy out here, have you?

Guess you couldn't tell me if you did.

You know what?

You look like I feel.

What?

Yeah, I know what you're doing out here.

What am I doing out here?

Well that's a...

that's a secret.

Tell you?

No, I couldn't, no way.

Yes, of course I wanna talk about it.

It's hard keeping it all to myself.

Really?

And how do I know I can trust you?

Anybody in there?

Okay, Mr. Straw Eyes, but you have to swear

on your word of honor that you're not gonna

tell a living soul.

- Sheriff's department.

Sheriff's department, open up!

- Hell, kick it in!

- What's all this ruckus?

What's the matter, can't you talk?

I asked what y'all are doing here.

- Looking for a killer.

- We're looking for a suspect, Ms. Corvus.

- And you think he's here, in my house?

- The dogs think so.

- Which dogs, them or you?

- We can get a warrant.

- You ain't gonna do nothin', Layton Turkey,

but stand there and shut up.

You all must be crazy.

You really think a widow woman like me

would let some lowlife like Shrevie Nick son in her house?

- How'd you know it was Shrevie Nick son?

- Everybody in Stubblefield County knows, you fool.

Now go on.

Get outta here and take this foolishness somewheres else.

Go on, get!

- We'll get you.

- Ms. Corvus, if you need any help, call me, all right?

- Don't you worry?

I got all the help I need.

- Fine.

Thanks.

- Where's your friend?

- Off nursing his pride.

Ms. Corvus took him apart this afternoon.

We thought we had our man cornered over at her place.

- Is she all right?

She's fine, believe me.

- You don't really think she would hide him?

- Her?

No, but the dogs sure were interested.

- Maybe he just passed by.

- Hey, who's Alison?

- What?

- Your charm there, it says Alison.

That.

It's just someone I used to know.

You really think he did it?

- Shrevie Nick son?

Most likely.

- You don't seem sure.

- No, but everyone else is.

- Seems hard to believe.

- Why, did you know him?

- He comes in here from time to time.

Buys beer.

Seems a little scattered, but harmless.

What is it?

- It's odd.

The old folks around here,

they used to tell stories of a series of deaths

that happened a long time ago.

- Murders?

- No one seems to know.

- Jeremy!

Your mama's here.

Aunt Hildie, I don't wanna go.

- I know baby, but you'll be back here tomorrow.

- You won't move away, will you?

- Course not.

Aunt Hildie is not going anywhere, not now.

Now go on, get, before your Ma comes and gets ya!

Well, look at what the cat dragged in.

All right, get your skinny butt down here.

Okay, maybe I'll let them laws know where you're at.

Let them dogs eat ya.

- No, you ain't.

- Why wouldn't I?

- 'Cause you know.

- Know what?

- I didn't do it.

- They thought ya did.

Why shouldn't I?

- 'Cause you know who did.

- Sure do.

A little no account weasel named Shrevie Nick son.

Then who?

- It ain't a who, it's a what.

Whatever you've been smoking

just eat up your pea brain?

- Not hardly.

I seen it.

- Seen what?

- Mr. Burkett hanged up on that rake.

- And why you telling me?

Why didn't you tell them laws who was just here?

'Cause they wouldn't believe it.

Especially coming from a no count trash like you.

- Yep, maybe so.

But they might believe a boy.

Yeah, that's right.

I heard it all.

I heard y'all down there, right through the ceiling.

Clear as a bell.

Little peckerwood knows everything, don't he?

- Olly, olly, oxen free!

Olly, olly, oxen free!

If you're out there, come to me!

- Bleh!

Hey, wait!

Hey, boy!

Where you at?

Here, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty!

I know you're in here.

Listen, boy, I don't wanna hurt you, okay?

I just need you to tell 'em the truth.

I didn't kill nobody and you know, okay?

Okay?

No, no, don't!

Please, please don't, no!

- Attention, all units.

Keep tech channel one open for emergency traffic.

- Good God, that smell.

- Yeah, he ain't no petunia.

- Here, give me that stick.

You sure that's Shrevie?

- Kinda looks like a roast hog, don't he?

- That's disgusting.

- Hurry up, pumpkin, the bus is gonna be here any minute.

- I'm hurrying!

- Thanks for the flowers, pumpkin.

They're lovely.

- What flowers?

- There are 9,520 bricks on the side of that building.

100 bricks across, 96 high, not counting the windows.

- Well, you won't have to count bricks anymore.

The court's granted your appeal.

You'll be out as soon as bail is set.

- Well, we still have the same problem.

- The witness?

Well, we know where she is.

You want me to send somebody?

- No, not from here.

It'll stand out.

Find someone down there, a local.

- You should've been a lawyer.

- Hi.

Can I help you, young lady?

Hi.

Yes, are these vine ripened?

- Yes, Ma'am.

Picked 'em myself.

So fresh, gotta slap 'em.

Okay, I'll take three nice ones.

A couple of cucumbers and a couple of bell peppers.

- Yes, Ma'am.

- Looks like you've been here a long time.

- All my life, and then some.

- Do you remember a series of deaths?

It was some years back.

- Where'd you hear that?

- A friend.

- What are you asking me for?

- He said the older folks knew.

- Well, I don't.

- But you were here, surely you remember something.

- Hilda Mae Corvus.

- What?

- Hilda Corvus.

Ask her.

- But wait!

Your money!

- I'm in the kitchen!

Come on back!

- Hi.

- You're early.

- I know.

- I was just getting a bite together for Jeremy.

He's so hungry when he gets here.

Can I get you anything?

No, thank you.

- Might as well.

The bus ain't due do for a while yet.

- I found a great little vegetable stand.

- Really?

- Yeah, Mr. Maples.

- Maples.

Lord, I bet he talked your ear off.

- He started to, but he stopped.

Why?

- I asked him about the unexplained deaths

from some years back.

- And did he say anything?

- No.

- Nothin'?

- Just your name.

- Me?

- Yeah.

- Whatever for?

- Maybe he thought you'd know.

- Let me tell you something folks around here know.

Mr. Maples, sweet as he is,

he has a drinking problem.

- Maybe that's it but...

I don't know.

I almost feel like he wanted to tell me something,

but he was afraid.

I doubt it.

Just people around here old enough

to remember don't speak of it.

It was all so terrible,

but it was nothing but a bunch of accidents.

That's all it was.

- Aunt Hildie!

- There's my boy!

I'm so proud of you.

You see, I knew you could!

- Yeah, but it was only cause of Paul.

I love you, Aunt Hildie.

- I know, sweet boy, I know.

Aunt Hildie loves you too.

- So after we talked, I went back to the courthouse

and go through some of the old case files.

- These are all farm accidents.

- Yeah.

Except one.

Mentally-handicapped guy thought

to have killed a young girl.

- What happened to him?

- He was chased down and shot by some of the locals.

- Justifiable homicide.

The claim was actually self-defense.

- Was he guilty?

- I don't know.

I can't find any of the inquest records.

And did find out though the girl's still alive.

- Sounds like a terrible mistake.

- Maybe.

You know, every one of those men though died within a week.

- How do you know?

- You're holding their files.

Why are you so interested in all of this?

- I wanna be sure we're safe

as long as we have to stay here.

- Have to, why do you have to?

Hey look, if you're in trouble, maybe I can help.

If you're worried about Shrevie Nick son, don't.

He's dead.

- What?

- We found him this morning.

- Is it all happening again?

- The policemen in me asks where are the facts.

- And the gut?

- How could it?

- Hey, where you been?

- Out.

- Investigatin'?

- Yeah, I bet.

- What's this?

- Coroner's report on Mr. Shrevie Nick son.

Self illumination.

- Immolation.

- Yeah, it means when a person--

- I know what it means, thanks.

- It means he cheated on sparky.

And I'm going home to have a beer.

- Good morning.

I'm surprised to see you out here.

This isn't a social call, is it?

- No.

I got a call from your handlers last night.

Van's got an appeal.

You're gonna have to go back and testify again.

- When?

- I don't know.

Fairly soon, I'd guess.

Is there anything I can do?

- No.

Well, Mr. Straw Eyes,

you're the only one I can trust to talk to,

and you've run out on me too.

- Look at the moon, Aunt Hildie.

What's wrong with it?

- Ain't nothing wrong with it, honey.

It's a blood moon.

- What's a blood moon?

- It's a warnin'...

Means death somewhere, close.

- Not for you, Aunt Hildie.

- Course not, honey.

You ought a know that.

- Just the bad people?

- Just the bad ones.

Don't you fret none.

It'll go back like it was.

When it's done.

- Come.

What?

- Accident report from the state police.

Found an open container in the back of Michael's truck.

About empty.

Been doing a little thinking, boss.

- Amazing.

- No, boss, really.

Four dead.

Bam, bam, bam!

Maybe New York or Los Angeles, but here?

And if you look real close,

there's something common in all of 'em.

The new resident.

Yeah,

Ms. Rhymer. - Off limits.

- But, boss. - Off limits.

- None of this happened till she got here.

- What part of off limits do you not understand?

Go do something useful.

- Jeremy?

Ms. Corvus?

- Good, yes.

Now put the string around the neck.

- Like that? - Yes, just like that.

Hi there.

I didn't hear you come up.

We got a big Halloween project going on.

Show your mama what you're doin'.

- Did you make this?

- Well, Aunt Hildie showed me, but I did most of it.

- What do you think?

- Well, it's.

It's unusual.

- I told you she wouldn't like it.

- No, it's just, I've not seen one before.

What is it?

- This guy.

- What kinda guy?

- Just a guy, made of corn husks.

His name is Bubba.

- Bubba, where'd you come up with that?

He told me.

- Okay, all right, come on.

It's time to go.

Mom.

- Come on, Jeremy.

I'm tired and I'm hungry.

- He can stay, it's all right.

- No, it's not.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you,

but we do have to go.

- I understand.

Jeremy, go get your things and run along with your Mama.

I'll see you later.

- I think we've got a good shot at it this time.

We've got a lot of challenges

to the evidence we didn't have before.

- Except the government witness.

- Witness, what witness?

- Get your things.

- What?

- Boss wants to see you.

- Now? - Right now.

- I've gotta let the owners know.

- There's no time, he's waiting.

- What's this?

- The meeting place.

- Hey, wait!

Where's the sheriff?

Sheriff Tutt?

Sheriff Tutt?

Sheriff Tutt.

- I lied.

Boss didn't send me.

Well, actually he did send me.

No, not my boss, your boss.

You know, he's very concerned about you.

Well, maybe not concerned.

More like, pissed.

I thought there's something funny when you showed up here.

I was right.

Shh.

Don't you move.

- I am so sorry.

I know I let you down.

If I had known,

I would have hung that son of a bitch myself.

- So you thought Layton was alone.

You didn't see anyone else?

- No, but I could hear.

There was someone moving above us.

They must've been waiting for him.

- Or looking out for you.

You know, I gotta tell ya.

I'm gonna be sad to see you go.

I never really got to know you.

- I know.

- So why are you leaving?

What's this all about?

- It's not a secret anymore.

I'm in the witness protection program.

Sheriff Tutt's the only one that knew.

- Witness protection?

Why?

- It's a long story.

I wanted to tell you.

I almost did, you were so easy to talk to.

- Well, you seemed interested in my work.

Not many people around here are.

Speaking of which,

I pulled this out of the archives.

- Who's this?

- That's Bubba Ritter.

- Bubba Ritter?

- Yeah, the guy I told you about.

The one who was shot by the vigilantes.

They found him in a scarecrow.

- In a what?

- A scarecrow, it's where he was hiding.

Does that mean something?

- I gotta go.

- Wait.

Is everything all right.

- I've gotta go get Jeremy.

- I'm coming.

I'm coming!

- My God. - Where's Jeremy?

- What's happened?

Who did this to you?

- It was Layton Turney.

- Turney, why?

- He was hired.

- What, I don't understand.

What's this?

- It's what I owe you.

- But that's not due ill the end of the month.

- I know, we're leaving.

- What?

- Relocating.

- No!

I mean, I'm surprised.

It's just so sudden.

- Jeremy!

Jeremy?

- You in some kind of trouble?

Any way I can help?

- Where is he?

- He's not here, the bus is late.

I don't understand any of this, but if you are in trouble,

why don't you let Jeremy stay here?

- I can't.

- Just for a little while, until you get packed.

Then you can come back by.

I'll pack up Jeremy and all his things.

Just till you're ready to go.

After what's happened, don't you think he'd be safer here?

You were right.

Everything you told me was true.

- Where did she go?

- Home.

To pack.

You're leaving.

- No!

No, Aunt Hildie, not again.

- I'm afraid you don't have any choice.

- What if I hide?

Yeah, I'll hide.

And then you could tell her I ran away.

- You really think she'll leave without you?

- Aunt Hildie, please.

I want to be here with you.

I love you, Aunt Hildie.

You're the only one I got.

- I know, baby, I know.

You know, maybe there is a way.

- Really?

- Maybe.

Jeremy, what would you be willing to do to fix this?

- Anything, Aunt Hildie.

Anything.

- I see you made it.

Why am I not surprised?

I had a strong gut feeling that hayseed

would screw things up.

It looks like you had quite a tussle with him.

What's the matter?

You're so quiet.

Don't be unsocial.

You talked to the Feds.

Well, talk to me.

- What do you want me to say?

- Whatever comes into your little old head.

Maybe start with "I'm sorry."

Or, "It was just a big mistake."

Or maybe, "They made me do it."

No, that wouldn't be the truth, would it?

- No.

- And you always tell the truth.

- Harold, try to understand.

- Nothing when it makes you a Judas.

- I did what I thought was right.

Spare me.

- I couldn't go on with it.

You were destroying people's lives.

Scamming every penny they had.

- That's so noble, Alison.

Or whatever your name is now.

Was it worth it?

Look what it cost.

Your marriage, your independence.

Even your looks.

You look so very seedy.

Washed out.

Just out of curiosity, what does your kid think?

I can imagine.

He hates your guts.

Well, when this is all over,

I'm sure they'll find a comfortable home for him.

Something stable, grounded.

Maybe you can take consolation in that?

We're not having much of a conversation.

- Would it do any good?

- Probably not.

It's getting late, Alison.

We've got business to take care of.

I'm sorry.

I wasn't able to finish it, not enough time.

I'm gonna need your help.

Don't look so surprised.

You've been digging this grave since you turned on me.

- Harold, please.

If you want me to beg, I am begging.

- Dig.

- For once, can't you have feelings

for someone other than yourself?

If not for me, at least Jeremy.

- Dig.

Stop!

- What is it? - Shh!

I thought I heard something.

Jeremy!

Jeremy!

Ms. Corvus, open up, please!

We have to go!

- Olly, Olly, oxen free!

Olly, Olly, oxen free!

If you're out there, come to me!

- Jeremy?

What is all this?

What are you doing out here?

- Waiting.

- Waiting?

Waiting for what?

Waiting for what, Jeremy?

- Well, look who's here.

You're late, we expected you earlier.

Get into another fracas, did ya?

- Yes, how did you know that?

- A little bird.

I guess you came for Jeremy.

- Jeremy, say goodbye to Ms. Corvus.

No, not again!

- Please, don't make this difficult.

- You hear what your mother's saying, Jeremy?

She wants you to leave.

I don't think he's in a hurry to leave.

- What is this?

What have you done to him?

- What have I done?

You should look in your own hog pen, honey.

I didn't bring no trouble down on him.

I didn't drag him all over Hell's half acre.

I didn't leave him with a stranger to look after him,

to love him.

Now the chickens are coming home to roost, honey.

Your chickens.

- You can believe whatever you want.

I've done the best that I could.

He's my son.

I love him, I'm not leaving here without him.

- Remember what I told you before?

Now's the time.

Go find your friend and tell him what to do.

Then we can be together for good.

- Jeremy, wait!

She doesn't care anything about you.

She's just using you to control that tortured soul.

- But he's my friend.

- He's a child, Jeremy.

A child, just like you.

- Go on, do like I told ya!

- You have a choice to make, son, just like I did.

To do what you think is right.

If he's really your friend, let him go.

Let him go, Jeremy.

So he can find peace.

- Wait, come back!

Where are you goin'?

You can't take him!

I need him!

He's mine!

He's mine!

It ain't over yet, not by a long shot.

You hear me?

You hear me!

Don't you worry.

I'm gonna find you another friend to play with,

someone to guide ya.

And then there'll be hell to pay.

No, stop it!

What are you doing, no!

No, let me go!

No!

- Scott, wait.

How's Ms. Rhymer?

- She's okay, they're leaving today.

Got her statement for you right here.

- You believe this?

- Do you?

- I'm asking you.

- I don't know, I'd like to.

- What do you figure folks around here

are gonna think about this?

- Kind of depends on what they want to think, I guess.

- Look, why don't you take another look at it.

Think about it a little.

Then maybe, you know, readjust it.

- Readjust it? - Just a little.

- Why?

- Why?

Because I want to be reelected, that's why.

Yeah.

- I love you, Mom