Little Sweetheart (1989) - full transcript

How you doing?

(INAUDIBLE)

(CAR DOOR CLOSES)

(CAR ENGINE STARTING)

(ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)

Off. Outta here.

Oh, come on.
I was watching!

When ain't you
watching? Paying
customers only.

(ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)
Y'all forgettin' it's
the Lord's time. Shit.

That's devil music.
Little girls shouldn't
be watchin' that.

Go home.
MAN ON TV: ...life and
death matter with them.



They were driven
to their knees.

They acknowledged their sins
and they confessed.

And they said, "Moses,
we've sinned against God."

We'll see you later.

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

Go away!

Let me in!

(KICKING DOOR)
I'll tell if you
don't let me in.

What have you
got to tell about?

About Miss Marissa.

RICHARD: What about
Miss Marissa?

What about
Miss Marissa?

Here's your popsicle.
Mommy sent it.

I saw you.
When?



The other morning,
two days ago.

Where?

I can't remember.

In your room.

So? She cleans
the house for us,

she's got to be
in there sometimes.

She didn't have
any clothes on.

Of course she did.

She didn't.

I was taking
photographs.

If I'm going to be
a photographic artist,

there's nothing
wrong with that.

Stop that!

I saw you this morning,
you didn't have any lights on.

You can't take photographs
in the dark, without
any lights on.

Put that down!

I can take pictures.
Can I see the prints?

No.
Has Mommy
seen the prints?

She doesn't
like Marissa.

You wouldn't tell her.
You wouldn't dare.

Are your hands clean?

Something terrible
is going to happen
to you some day

because you can't
shut up about anything.

I don't think
she's pretty at all.
She's a bit fat.

She ought to be
on a diet.

No, she shouldn't.

She's hairy.
At least Mommy
shaves hers off.

If you say anything
to anybody...

I wouldn't if we were friends,
and friends always
lend friends money.

Go buy yourself a Coke.

Two Cokes.

Four Cokes. Bitch!
Hope your teeth rot!

Investigators still
have no identity,

cause of death or other
clues about what may
have happened.

FEMALE REPORTER:
Sheriff's investigators
say the missing parts

including the torso, head,
hands and feet are crucial
in identifying...

Why are you watching that?

That's not for children.

Then why do they
put it on?

They put it on because
it's the news.

Find something more
suitable for children.

I don't want a party.

No party? Why not?

Uncle David's coming.
He's got a great big
present for you.

Don't you want
a present?

Not from Uncle David.

But, darling, why not?

Because he's not my daddy.

Well, of course
he's not Daddy.

(SIGHING)

The shrimp are so fresh.
We're very lucky.

You know, your daddy
used to love to buy them
right off the boats.

Thelma, Uncle David
has been very kind
to Mommy.

And she doesn't know
what she would've done
without him.

Honey.

Daddy is dead,

and he's not going
to come back to us.

Now we have to
get used to that.

Please?

MR. HARRISON:
Now, you just get
your basket, honey.

(CAR DOOR CLOSING)
I'll get the big bag.
Come on upstairs.

MRS. HARRISON: Elizabeth,
Daddy'll get that bag.

Come on. Let's go.
I'm hungry.

MR. HARRISON: It's hot.

You okay?
Yeah.

Hi, there!
Hi.

What's your name?
Thelma.

Where are you from?

Over there.
Oh, great.

Neighbors. I like that.
I'm Harry. Harry Harrison.

Honey. Looks like
we've got ourselves
a new pal.

This is Elizabeth.
That's Thelma.

Why don't you
take her on upstairs
and give her a Coke?

That's if somebody
remembered to turn
the ice box on.

(SIGHS) Come on,
the sun is shining.
You're going to be buddies.

What's it like here?

(SIGHING)

That bad, huh?

This is Station WLIZ,
with me, Liz Harrison
speaking,

all the way from
1:00 till 3:00.

Be hap now.

You going to
show me around?

I'm nine tomorrow.

I'm nine now.

I'm having a party.

Am I invited?

If you want.

Hey, you nitwit.
Ouch!

Don't saw the wings.
You saw the garage.

I see the garage
but I don't saw
the garage.

You are murdering
the king's English.

You saw one side and
Larry will saw the other.

Oh, I see. I saw.

(SCREAMING)

I was watching!
BARKEEPER:
You ain't paying.

(MAN SCREAMING ON TV)

(MUTES TV)
THELMA: She was waiting.

She wants a Coke.

Can I charge it?
I left my money.

Who's your friend?

Elizabeth.

Got any plastic?
A Benjie? A hundred
dollar bill?

Well then, why don't you
take your butt on outta here?
Fresh air's free.

There you go,
a dozen on the half.
Great.

Best in the Gulf.

Two hours ago them oysters
were swimming at the bottom
of the ocean.

Oysters don't swim.

Mine do!

Now, if there's
anything else y'all need,
just give me a shout.

ROBERT: Oh, yeah,
hang on a sec.

Sandcastle. Would you
know where that is?

Uh, it's a rental, right?
Uh-huh.

Didn't the real estate
agent give you no map?

Well, yes.
He gave me this.

That's on the plantation,
right? What you do, you
go down here,

about half a mile,
past them boats, then you
zigzag and you'll find it.

Just ask them girls.

(CHUCKLES)

Hi.
Hi.

Two hours ago,

these little fellows
were swimming along at
the bottom of the sea.

Oysters don't swim!

One thing's for sure,

they didn't swim fast
enough or they wouldn't
have been caught.

They're loaded
with cholesterol.

Make you have
a heart attack.

Mmm, really.

And where did you
get that information?

My daddy.

Goes jogging
every day, does he?

He's dead.
She told me.

Oh, Jesus!

Oh, I'm sorry.

A big mouth,
talk too much.
I am sorry.

How old are you?
Almost 10.

Liar! She said she'd
be nine tomorrow!

Nine tomorrow,
then 10.

She's going to
have a party.
You can come.

Well, if we're around,
that would be terrific.

I bet you'll get
lots of presents.

Tell me, what would be your
favorite, if you had the
whole world to choose from?

A camera.
(LAUGHING) A cam...

You're English.
Got it in one.

Do you know
the Queen?

Well, I haven't seen her
for a long time.

I've been working over
here in your country.
Robert.

Uh, don't you think
we ought to find out
where we're going?

Yes.

Well, are you two
going to show us
where Sandcastle is?

Right, we'll be
friends then.

(EXHALES)

Hey! How y'all doing?
What's happening?

BARKEEPER:
Hey, Little Billy.

Can't wait all day.

This way.
He's pretty good.

It's easy.

You're a hard lady
to satisfy, kid.

I'm not kid,
I'm Thelma.

Okay, Thelma.

ELIZABETH: We saw it
on the Soul Train.

THELMA: So did I.

ROBERT: You kids watch
TV all the time?

THELMA: I'm studying.

ROBERT: Ah, yes,
photography. Right?

THELMA: Yep.

ELIZABETH: I'm studying, too.
I'm going to be
a TV star.

DOROTHEA:
Oh, really? Me, too.

They're the oyster boats.
They catch oysters.

The bigger boats
are the shrimpers.
They catch shrimp.

(LAUGHING)

They're only supposed
to go out for a day.

Sometimes
they stay out longer.

Yeah. Why's that?

'Cause they're liars.
So they can jack up
the price.

My mom says
they cheat.

I'm sure your mother
wouldn't say that.

She can say
whatever she likes.

We turn left here.

No, we don't.

Says so on the map.

THELMA: Then the map's wrong.

(SIGHS) Well, thank you.

Okay, kid.
You're the pilot.

You said you were
going to call me
Thelma, not kid.

(CHUCKLES) Thelma.

(SIGHS) So,
this is Sandcastle.

You got the keys?

The agent gave
them to you.
Mmm-mmm.

Are you on vacation, too?

Well, kind of.
Just ambling down south
to see my wife's mother.

We thought we'd sneak
a few days to ourselves.

ELIZABETH:
How far have you come?

Oh, far enough, kid.

My name is Elizabeth.

(CHUCKLES) Yes,
I know. Sorry.

Look, if you two want
to wait till I've got
the luggage upstairs,

I'll give you
a lift home.

No, thank you.

Okay. Well,
thanks, again.

You have a good birthday.

(BIRD CHIRPING)

This is Station LIZ
and this is me,
Liz Harrison speaking.

He's nice.

He's a flake.

He bought you a Coke.

And they're not married.

How do you know?

She hasn't got
a wedding ring.

She has lots of rings.

A wedding ring is gold
and you wear it
on a special finger.

She's his mistress.

What's that?

Someone you do it with
when it's not right.

Stupid.

(FROG CROAKING)

ELIZABETH: (WHISPERING)
Come on. Go for it.

(PANTING)

Come on.

(WHISPERING)
I'm coming.

What if we get caught?

We won't.

(SHUSHING)

Shh! Get down.

(SIGHS)

THELMA: Come on.

But keep down.

My knee. It's broken.

(DOOR OPENING)

Crawl backwards.

(EXCLAIMS IN PAIN)

THELMA: Run.

ELIZABETH: Ouch! My leg.

Come on.
He'll catch us.

(FOOTSTEPS PATTERING)

(ALL CLAPPING)

Thank you,
thank you, friends.

I just want to say
how happy Judith and I
are to see you here,

and, of course, Thelma,
our little birthday lady.

Of course, speaking
for myself, I don't look
forward to birthdays anymore.

(PEOPLE LAUGH)
But when you're
nine years old

and as pretty
as Thelma, well...

On this special day,
and with great affection,

we toast the birthday girl
for her near perfection.
Thelma.

ALL: * Happy birthday to you

* Happy birthday to you

* Happy birthday, dear Thelma

* Happy birthday to you

(ALL CHEERING)

(WHISTLING)

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

UNCLE DAVID:
All in one breath now.

Yay!
Did you make a wish?

Don't tell us what it was.

Then happy days,
let's cut the cake.

Elizabeth here will
help you pass it round.

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

He knows.

I'm scared.

Don't have to be.

Why?

Because it's my birthday
and not yours.

Hi, Robert.

My birthday cake.
Thank you.

Is that my present?

Could be.

You're a couple
of little nasties,
aren't you?

You sneak up on a guy
in the middle of the night

and then when
he calls you,
you run away.

We didn't think
you knew.

With your footprints
all over the place?

I'd be pretty
dumb not to.

We came to see you.

Yes, I gathered that.

When we got there,
you were talking
to Dorothea.

Oh, and you didn't
want to interrupt.

Tell me.
What was I saying?

We couldn't hear.

She's not your wife,
is she?

I thought you said
you couldn't hear
anything?

We couldn't.
We couldn't.

Come on. Come on.

Now.

(SOFTLY)
I'm only going to
tell you this once.

I lied to you.
Now, that's not very
friendly, I agree.

But she's not my wife,
she's my partner.

Like Cagney and Lacey?

Well, kind of.

A spy?
Uh, no.

I'm a reporter,
and I'm on to
a very big story.

Now, these men,
and they talk in
a foreign language,

so you can guess
who they are,

are trying to steal
the secrets for a new bomb.

Now, they don't know
that I'm on to them.
And if they did...

(IMITATING KNIFE CHOPPING)

So, I've got to trust you.

As friends of mine.
As silent partners.

Not a word to anybody,
not your moms, not your
daddies, nobody!

Now, just as long
as we understand
each other. Okay?

Okay.

Well, no gentleman comes
to visit a young lady
on her birthday

without bringing
a present. So...

I hope it's what you wanted.
Have fun.

And thank your mother
for the invitation.
She's a lovely lady,

but, unfortunately,
I can't stay. Duty calls.

Mmm. And remember...

(SHUSHING)

I feel awful.

He shouldn't have told us
they were married
when they're not.

It's so the spies
won't know who they are.

You're stupid.
No, I'm not.
You are.

What is it?

Don't you know?

Wow!

It's a bribe.
So we won't tell.

MAN ON RADIO: I don't know
what the story is with him.

It's not a bad
morning outside.

We have partly cloudy skies,
75 degrees...

Hello, Dorothea?

Oh, it's you. Robert!

I wanted to say thank you
for the camera.

It's magic.

Great. I'm glad
you like it.

Yes, pet.

Well, if it isn't
the little lady,
10 next birthday.

You do look funny,
all that soap
on your face.

Well, it's the price
you have to pay

if young ladies come
to visit gentlemen at
this time in the morning.

My daddy used an electric.

Well, there you go.
You see,

some of us have to use
good old-fashioned
soap and water.

Now you're here,
do you want a Coke?

I came to say thank you
for the camera.

That's all right.
You snap away.

Show your friends when
you're back at school.

It's a boarding school,
I don't have any friends.

Oh, I can't
believe that.

They don't like me
at school.

(LAUGHS) Really? Why do
you suppose that is?

I guess I'm just too clever.
They don't like clever people.

Can I take
your picture?
No! Robert!

No, no, no, no!
Not like this!

With soap
all over my face.

What would
the fans say?

I didn't mean to
upset you, Robert.

No, of course not.
We're friends,
aren't we?

I was hoping
you'd show me how
to use the camera.

It's got instructions.
You read the instructions.
What time is it?

Hey, what am I doing
hanging around? I've got
to get down to the bank.

Now, you shoo, shoo,
Miss Thelma. And you,
Miss Dotty.

We've got to get into
the fast lane. Now,
you have a nice day.

Why don't you go?

I just came to say
thank you.

Well, you've said it.
Goodbye.

I just wanted to take
Robert's picture.

Robert's got
enough pictures
taken by me.

So long, kid.
Thelma.

Thelma!

Bye, Robert.

ROBERT: Bye!

See that brat,
she's jealous.

ROBERT: Of us?
Don't be ridiculous.

Why aren't you shaving
in the bathroom?

(SIGHS) Once a slob,
always a slob.

So, what do you
want to do?

Move. Go someplace else.

There is
no place else.

We can't move on every time
you get spooked.

(SIGHING)

Hell, we could've chosen
a worse place.
The ocean, the beach,

you, me.

Nothing to do, except
waste our time nicely

until the systems
have worked their
way through.

Come on.

When they find out,
then the bank will charge
the insurance company.

And the
insurance company?

I don't think they're
so short of money that

they're going to worry
about me and you.

And your wife?

With the house,
life insurance,
the car?

You've got to be kidding.

She's going to think
that you've got the
bad end of the bargain.

If I were Thelma's age,
I'd be jealous, too.

(CHUCKLES)

I'm glad
you belong to me.

My daddy told me
to drag me toes.

It scares away
the stingray.

My daddy wants to
live here all the
time, like you do.

We don't live here.
We don't live anywhere.

You have to
live somewhere.

Why?
Because you have
to pay taxes.

Only if you're stupid.

My daddy does.

My daddy doesn't.

He doesn't do anything.

If we went to
the same school,

you could have me
as your best friend.

I guess so.

(GIGGLING)

What is it?
Shh!

(ROBERT AND DOROTHEA
CHATTERING)

ELIZABETH: Where are
they going?

Maybe something's
happening.

Gosh! Wish we
had your camera.

(ROBERT AND DOROTHEA MOANING)

(CAMERA CLICKS)

(CAMERA WHIRRING)

Have you seen it before,
I mean, people
really doing it?

I have. Sometimes.
At night, on cable,
when they're not home.

But not like that,
not with everybody
watching.

I know about it
properly from school.

But isn't she awful
with all those awful
sounds?

And Robert!
Don't do that.
It's a waste!

You could've got
a dime on that.

I'll say I lost it.

I don't like him
doing that with her.

I would never do it.
Not with everybody
watching.

I bet even the fishermen
could see her.

She's awful.

BOTH: Flakey!

(BOTH LAUGHING)

I only took some pictures.
There's nothing wicked
about taking pictures.

If it was wicked,
they shouldn't have
been doing it!

I want them!

Only if you promise
not to tell anyone

that I developed
and printed them.
Do you promise?

They're mine.

If you say anything
about anything to anyone,

I'll say
you're lying again.

I'll say I didn't do it
and I've never
even seen them.

I'll say I did it.
I'll say...
Don't be stupid!

You couldn't do them.
You don't know anything
about photography.

I do.

Yeah. And mice
can paint pictures.

Here, you can clean
the boat shed,

and you might need this
in case your eyes pop out.

Very funny.

ELIZABETH: What are you
going to do with them?

I think we should send
them to the papers and
have them printed.

Then everybody'll know.
Then they'll be sorry.

I think they should
pay us a lot of money
not to tell.

You're not going to
stand there and tell
them, are you?

I'd melt in pieces.

We could send them one,
put it in their mailbox,
then they'd know.

(SLOW ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)

THELMA: And we could write
them a note saying
they had to pay us,

with words cut out
of a newspaper.

I've seen kidnappers do it.

ELIZABETH: How are we
going to get the money?

They could leave
it somewhere,

and we could get it
when they've gone.

Hi, hon.
Hi.

How's the coffee?
Hot.

Got pancakes.

Anything?

No. Circulars,
send a coupon,
win a prize.

(SIGHING)

I was wondering

whether to drive in
and speed up
the arrangements

about the cash.

Alone?

Yeah. Well,
the two of us together,
there's always a risk.

Honey, I'm not your wife.
What is it?

Here.

Better have a look.

Read it.

Read it.

"Leave $100
in dollar bills
in an envelope

"in your car by
the pharmacy..."
They can't spell. Jesus.

They're not very greedy
either, $100.

"...at 3:00 today.
Do not watch. Or else."
Oh, my God.

Well, what are
you going to do?

(SHOUTING) Robert,
what are you going to do?

Don't get hysterical.
I need to think.

What's to think about?
It's that little brat.

(EXCLAIMS)

And you had to
give her a camera.

Now you're
being ridiculous.

Me! You were the one
who had to give her
a camera.

It's a holiday town.
Everyone's got cameras.

And you gave her one.

Yes! To get her
off our backs!

Why didn't you just
tell her to get lost?

Afraid she might
stop loving you?
Dotty.

Dotty, Dotty.
She's nine years old!

And kids of nine don't
think like that! Oh, no.

Kids of nine are holy,
innocent little lambs!

Shut up!

Either say something helpful,
or don't say it.

They're professional blowups
done by an expert,
not by a kid of nine!

(GUNS COCKING)
MAN ON TV: Aim!

ELIZABETH: How do you
know they're not out?

Because they wouldn't
leave the windows open.

Then how do you know
he's read it?

Because I saw him on
the verandah earlier,

and I could tell
he'd read it.

I expect they don't care.

I was watching!

You're always watching.
He probably tore it up.

He'd have to be
pretending then.

MAN ON TV:
You poor
son of a bitch.

(GUNS FIRING)

I doubt he'll leave us
the money.

At least he just won't
leave it and go away.

He'll see us.

Stay at home, then.

No. I'm gonna come.

(CAR HONKING)

What are you two up to?

We're going shopping.

What for?
Just to look.

You better get
in the back.

(CAR ENGINE STARTING)

Don't you get bored,
just looking? You
don't mind the heat?

I like it.

Well, you kids
want a Coke?

No, thank you,
Robert.

We're going shopping.

Well, suit yourselves.

Thanks for the ride.

Yes. Thank you.

(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

What's he going
in there for?

So he can watch.
He's got to wait
till 3:00.

What are we gonna
do about it?

Wait till 3:00.

MAN ON RADIO: Well,
that's all for me today.

But I'm going
to hand you over to my buddy,
Rock-a-badu, Rock-a-bye Rick

keeping you company
from 3:00 to 5:00.

I'm outta here into
that gorgeous sunshine.

Stay tuned and stay cool.

All yours, my buddy.

Hi.

I've lost Thelma,
Robert.

She's my friend.

Can I sit down?
It's really hot.

(SIGHS) Yes, but one
side or the other.

You're a better door
than a window.

I'm looking for something.
Well, sit down.

No, not there,
over there.

Would you like
another Scotch?

Uh, no.
A Coke for the lady.

Wow! Oh, gee!
(GRUNTING) For Christ's
sake, cut it out!

Sit down!

Everything is closed.

Then I lost her.
Have you seen her,
Robert?

Thelma, she's my friend.

No, I haven't seen her.
Would you leave
the curtain alone?

Of course.

There you go.

(SIGHING)

Yes, thank you.
Excuse me, please.
You're welcome.

I've gotta pay.

No, I'll pay.

(GRUNTS)

Jesus!

I'm sorry, Robert.

Ah, it's all right.
It'll dry.

I guess it's the heat.

Here's your friend.

(PANTING) I was over there.
I shouted,
but you didn't hear.

What?
That man.

(STAMMERS) He was
looking in your car.

The black kid. Right.

ROBERT: Hey! Hey! Yes, you.

Stop! Come here!

BOTH: Yeah!

(DOG BARKING)

(PANTING)

Hey! Hey,
is this the guy?

No, Robert.
Hey, man, what'd I do?

You ran!
Well, so did you, man.

(BOTH PANTING)

Sorry. Would you please
buy yourself a drink?

No, man.
You drink it yourself.
You need it more than me.

You saw him.
What was he like?

Thin.
Uh-huh.

And he went to the car.
Then what?
He bent down.

He closed the door.
And I shouted for you.

And he ran? Right.

Was it important?
Yes. It could be.

You got it?

(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)

What are you going
to do with yours?

Buy something.

What?

A present. A radio.
Like Little Billy's.

Then I can play my tapes.

I'm going to invest mine.

I'll ask my daddy.

You can't.
You can't tell anybody.

ELIZABETH: If I spend it,
then we have to give them
the negative back.

That's what
you're supposed to do.

They pay and you've spent it,
you're supposed
to give it back.

I don't care
what you're supposed to do.

You're supposed to do
what you want to do.

(LAUGHING) We've got them.
The negatives.

Would you believe for
a hundred lousy bucks?

We've got them.
We've won!

No.
Oh, yes, yes,
yes, yes, yes!

(IMITATING FRENCH ACCENT)
What will he do
without the negatives?

And I look at these negatives
and I say to myself,
"Eh, what a sexy couple."

Burn them.
Yes.

(BOTH LAUGHING)

(CAR ENGINE STARTING)

(GRUNTS)

(GRUNTS)

(WHISPERING) Come on.
(WHISPERING) I am.

(SHUSHING)

Good God!
She hasn't even
made the bed!

THELMA: You can't wear that.

Yes, I can.
It's fashion.

It's backwards.

It's supposed to be
that way, stupid.

Besides,
you can't wear them.

They'll find
your fingerprints.

No, they won't.

Neat!

What are you looking for?

To see
if they're gangsters.

If they were,
they'd kill us.
And it'd be your fault.

If you do that,
they're gonna
be real mad.

God, what do they drink
that stuff for?

(GASPING)
It's Robert and Dorothea.

They've stolen money.
Lots of it.

Where?
From a bank.

"Robert Burger
and a mysterious lady

"thought to be traveling
with him..."

It says that no one
knows where they are.

(CAMERA CLICKING)

What did you do
that for?

Evidence.

And so they won't know
we've seen it.

I think we should
tell the sheriff.
I mean, we ought to.

Uh-uh.
Why not?

'Cause he'll take
the reward and cheat us.

How much?

A lot.

I told you.

Is it loaded?

(THELMA SIGHS)

You're not going
to keep it, are you?

It's dangerous.

Only if you don't
know how to use it.

You don't know
how to use it.

Sure I do. You just
point it at someone
and pull the trigger.

Easy.

You couldn't really
kill anybody.

Well, I could.

Just point it at someone,

and pull the trigger,
and see all the blood
and guts and stuff?

If you hated somebody
or wanted something...

I think you're...
No, I'm not!

(GASPS) Stop it, Deputy.
Stop it! Stop it!

Why?
'Cause you're scaring me.

Anyway,
you shouldn't be scared.
Only babies are scared.

You'd be scared, too.

You'd be scared
if Robert knew
you'd got his money.

You'd be scared
if he knew
you'd got his gun.

You wouldn't tell him.

I might.

Would you?

It's not loaded.

How do you know?

All right.
I promise I won't tell.

I promise!

I don't like you.
Friends shouldn't
scare other friends.

Other friends
shouldn't make them.

They're coming back!

What do we do?
Hide.

Where?

There!

My glasses!

(ELIZABETH EXCLAIMS
IN DISGUST)

ROBERT: What the...

I'll suffocate.

ROBERT: I don't believe this!

Dotty, come here!

Didn't I tell you
to close the windows?

What is the point of locking
all the doors when the bloody
windows are wide open?

Didn't I tell you
to do that?
Don't holler at me!

If it's that
black bastard with
the big smile...

You don't know that.
I don't need to know!

Look at the window.
What a bloody invitation!

You can't just
say it's him.

Well, whoever it is,
he's gone.

What's more, he knows that
we can't go to the police.

Well, what?

Take a look around,
see what he's taken.

My jewelry.
Oh, God.

It's all here.

Then what the hell
has he taken?

(WHISPERING)
Let's go, please.

(GROANS)

I'm suffocating.
I can't breathe.

I can't help it,
I'll scream.

(WHISPERING)
If you scream,
I'll shoot you.

The gun,
have you seen it?
The ammunition.

He didn't touch the bonds.
Probably didn't know
what they were.

The newspaper
with the pictures!

What? You've still got that?
Get rid of it, burn it.

Let's see if we can start
moving the bonds now.

I said now.
Don't start clearing up!

This time I'll close
the bloody window.

(CAR DOOR CLOSING)

(CAR DRIVING AWAY)

They're going.
Come on.

I don't want to.
I hate you.

ELIZABETH: Ouch!

(SOBBING) I hate you.
You're not my friend.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

(SCREAMS)

MRS. DAVIES: Darling,
isn't it time to turn that
off and get some sleep?

Darling?

MRS. HARRISON:
Come on, honey,
she's waiting for you.

Honey, for me?

Richie's finished
the new pictures.

You're not my friend.

Yes, I am.
Because we've been doing
lots of stuff together.

No, we haven't.

Do your mom and dad know
about what's going on?

How could they know
unless somebody tells them?

You wouldn't.

I'm not planning to.

I'd kill you.

You wouldn't.
You don't have a gun.

I'd get somebody
to do it for me.

Somebody you couldn't see.
Like a hit man.

You don't know any.

Yes, I do.

I'm going to tell them
about you.

I'm going to give
Bob his money back
and say I'm sorry.

Then they'll say
it was just because
I was a silly girl.

Never mind
as long as I've
learned my lesson.

In fact I'm going to
tell them everything.

About you?
Or about me, too?

They'll know I didn't
do it all by myself.

You could say
it was just somebody.

They'd know it was you
even if I didn't say a name.

Okay.

I think we should both go.

We could take them
these new pictures, too.

After supper.
We'll both go.

Except, Mom doesn't
want me out late.

Well, we can go tomorrow,
instead of going swimming.
Okay?

Now we know for certain
that he knows.

Funny kind of relief.

What does he say?

Not a thing. No note.
Doesn't say anything.

Hey. Hey.
What does he want?

That's what he wants.

He wants you
to have hysterics.

He wants me to
eat my heart out.

(SHOUTING) But why?
Why? Why? Why? Why?

Hey, babe, babe.
Hey, come on. Come on.

(CRYING)

Hey, hey.

Calm down. Calm down.
Calm down, honey.

It's all right.
It's all right.

It's not going to
be long, hmm?

There's a babe.
There's a babe.

Come on. Huh? Huh?

(SOBBING)

I'm going to
take a shower.

We'll talk about this later.

Robert! Robert, stop.

If we're going to have
a fight, let's have it.

I've tried.
Honest to God,
I've tried.

Me, too.
But you were there,
you heard it yourself.

Three more days.

Robert!

Hey, hang on a sec.
I locked that window.

Did you open it?

That means someone
was hiding in here.

Got out the same way
that they came in.

He must have been
as thin as a match.

All of a sudden,
I think I know
who it is.

ELIZABETH:
You got the pictures?

THELMA: In my purse.

How about
your sunglasses?

In my purse.

Do you keep everything
in your purse?

Do you really think
we should tell him?

Pee Wee Herman would.

Then we could be
friends again.

Like Little House
on the Prairie.

When the girls' father
comes back
and they forgive him.

I don't really
want to tell Robert.

I wish we hadn't done it
in the first place.

They started it.
They shouldn't have
done what they did.

Can I see the pictures,
please?

ELIZABETH: I wanna see
the pictures again.

For the last time.

You're going to tell them
everything, aren't you?

Yes, but I don't want to.

Why are you going to,
if you don't want to?

Because I have to.

We don't have to.

But I want to.
That's what we said.

I want the pictures,
they're mine.

If I'm going to tell,
I have to show them.

Yes, I guess so.

Think they'll be up yet?

They might be.

ELIZABETH: All right.
This is Station
WLIZ, let's do it.

No! We're not going
to tell them!

But you said.

I never was going
to tell them.

But you said
you were going to
tell them about me.

Stop joking around, Thelma.
Put the gun down.

Please?

We're friends.

No, we're not,
you said so.

I didn't mean it.

I won't tell.

Don't shoot me,
it might hurt.
Please? Please?

It's your fault
for making me.

(GUN FIRES)

(CRYING)

(GUN FIRES)

(CRYING)

(GROANS)

Oh, God.

(GUN FIRES)

I didn't hear you come in.
Have you seen Richard?

Mr. Burger was over
looking for him.

What for?

I didn't ask.

It's none of my business,
and I don't think
it's any of yours.

You really got
that shirt very dirty.
I want you to take it off.

Don't be late.

This is Station WLIZ,
and this is me.

Yes, Thelma, what is it?

My mom wanted me to tell you
that she hasn't seen Richard.

When I see him, do you
want me to tell him
to come and see you?

Yeah. Tell him
to come running.

Aren't you and him
friends anymore?

Just tell him to come.

Is Elizabeth here?
She said she was
coming to see you.

Well, she didn't.
Now, look, I'm very busy.

I think she's lost.

She'll turn up.
Just tell your brother.

Richard's gone off, too.

It never occurs to them
that they might
be upsetting people.

At least
he's nearly an adult.
She's a child of nine.

Look, we don't know that
anything's happened yet.

I'm sure
there's some perfectly
reasonable explanation.

Now, you were
playing together.

Didn't she say
where she was going?

She said she was
going to see Robert.

Did she say
what she was going
to see him for?

Could she have gone
somewhere with him?
For a ride?

Did she say, "Goodbye,"
or "I'll see you later?"

Can you remember
exactly where you
were when she left?

Can you show me?
Would you mind? It might
just spark something off.

Oh, no, of course not.
Thelma will help you.

Do you think my wife
could stay with you,

just for a while,
till we get back?
She's a bit distraught.

Not unreasonably.

What did she want
to see me for?
Do you know?

How long has
she been gone?

Since this morning.

So, what are you
going to do now?

Wait another hour, and
then call in the police.

There's not much else
I can do. I have no idea
where to look.

She could be anywhere.

Yes, I suppose so.

Get dressed.

Was that the boy?
What did he say?

Just move it.
We're getting out.

They're bringing
in the police.
Get your clothes on.

ROBERT: You moving?

Oh, Jesus, Dotty!

(GIGGLES)

Come on. Come on.
We've no time. We've no time.
Come on. Come on, baby.

There's a girl.
Come on, sweetheart.

Oh, no, you don't!
Come on.

Come on, then.
Are you going
to get ready?

Yeah,
I'm going to get ready.
Five minutes?

What?
I love you.

(LAUGHING)

(YELPS)

Now why did I think
that screwing you
would sweeten my life?

Because it did.

Say it again.
Say you love me.

I love you.

You're not mad at me?

No, I'm not mad at you.

Just mad.

We're both mad.

(CHUCKLES)

(POLICE SIREN WAILING)

Could you hold on,
just a minute, please?

My lady's not very well.
We were just going
to see the doctor.

Well, the sheriff wants to
have a word with all of us.

We're just on our way
to see the doc.

What doctor's that?

Well, we thought
we'd check it out.
Blue Cross, or whatever.

There's a child missing,
sir.

I appreciate
your predicament,

but the sooner we can
ask some questions,

the sooner we're gonna get
some answers and
everybody's gonna be happy.

Certainly,
if there's a child missing.

That's what
we're gonna find out.

So, if you'll just
turn your vehicle around,

my deputy there
will back up and
give you some room.

I do appreciate it.

Thank you.

(CAR ENGINE STARTING)

(CHATTERING ON POLICE RADIO)

(CHATTERING ON POLICE RADIO)

We're making inquiries
about a little girl.

Thelma?

Elizabeth Harrison.

Have you seen her today?

No, I've been
out all day.

Where?

Walking.

All day?
Didn't you find it a mite hot?

Yeah, I guess so.

Yeah, it was hot.
I was sweating.

Who'd you see
on this walking?

No one.

No one?

Seems to me,
if a person goes out
walking all day,

he sees someone,
like Elizabeth?

No, I already told you.
I haven't seen
Elizabeth all day.

But you saw someone.
Now, who was it?

I can't tell you.

Richard!

We're all very worried
about Elizabeth.
Help the sheriff.

Please.

Do you know that you're
the only one who can't
account for himself all day?

Richard, tell him!

Okay. You want
to know who it was?

I was with Marissa, okay?

Who?

She used to work for us.

And now she works
for someone else.

I went to see her
because she said

she was having my baby.

That's ridiculous!

Please, ma'am.
I'm just trying to find out
where he was all day.

Yes, but you see,
he doesn't understand
that by lying...

Lying? I'm not lying!

If you weren't so blind,
so involved with yourself

and your Uncle David this,
your Uncle David that.

Thelma knew.
I thought everybody knew.

About a baby?

No. That was just her
way of shutting it down,
of finishing with me.

Richard!

Anyway, it wasn't true.

Can she back up
your story?

Yes.

If you mean,
can she tell you
I was with her, yes.

Okay.

You tell me where
I can find her
and that'll be that.

(SIREN WAILING)

Mr. Burger called.
He said he wanted
to talk to you.

What about?

I don't know.
He didn't say.

Well, then it can't be
that important, can it?

Richard, I've called
Uncle David and
asked him to come back.

I can't manage
by myself anymore.

(SIGHING)

You could've asked me.

(CAR DOOR CLOSING)

Hi, Uncle David.

Hey, Thelma.
How's my girl?

Great.

Honey, Uncle David
wants to talk to you.

You see, hon,

something serious
might have happened
to Elizabeth,

and your mother and I
would never forgive
ourselves if...

Nearly everybody
in this whole world
is kind and good,

just as you see them.

But some people
are not so good.

So we don't want you to
go anywhere by yourself

until Elizabeth's
been found. Okay?

Yes, Uncle David.
Suppose they never
find her?

The police always
find people.

Maybe not always
right away.

Okay, now you promise me.

Promise Uncle David.

Okay, Uncle David.
I promise.

MRS. DAVIES: Good.

Do you need that?

You're going to leave me?

I'm getting ready to go.

DOROTHEA: Without me?

Babe. Why are you
doing this to us?

I got us into this.
I'll get us out of it.

You can't.

They're looking
for the car.

We'll walk.

We can't leave the pictures.
You can't get them tonight.

Jesus, Dotty, it took us
one year and 15 days
to plot this,

to get away from the crap.

Just because some
little kid goes missing,

I'm not going
to let ourselves
get trapped in it.

If you're thinking of
leaving without me...

(SCOFFS)

Go to bed, Dotty.

(DOGS BARKING)

(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)

Better come in.

Sit down.

Do you want a drink?

Uh, Scotch please.
No, Scotch.

Do you have
any rye?
Rye. Sit down.

(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)

Now, you little shit,

I want those photographs back
and if you open your mouth,

I'll make sure that you
never open it again.
You clear?

You're hurting...

Yes, and if I wanted to,
I could break your wrist.

Please, I don't know what
you're talking about, sir.

You broke in here!

I've never been
here before.

Don't lie!

Right. We'll see
if we can refresh
your memory.

You've seen this before?

Where? Where?

Somebody gave it to me.

Yes, people bring you film
and you process it.

Who?

I don't know.

My sister.

(GROANS)

Your sister?

Yes. You gave her
the camera
for her birthday.

She got me to show her
how to use it.

She gave me some
other pictures, too,
of you and your...

Look, I didn't know
until I developed them.

I didn't know she'd taken
pictures like that.

She's a nine-year-old kid.

Nine-year-old kids
aren't into blackmail.

Thelma is.
She always blackmails me.

What a little sweetheart.

Who taught her all this?

(SIGHS)

Some people are
just born that way.

Oh, no.

No, people are not
born that way.

When my father died,

it upset me.

But not Thelma.

She just

sat around.

Just the same as always.
Just watching TV,
all day long.

Why didn't you
tell your mother?

She's like Thelma.
She doesn't listen.

Thelma.
Dotty said it all.

So simple.

What about the story
in the papers?

That's just the press.

Look, I want those pictures.
Can you get them for me?

Well, do you think
you could persuade
Thelma to come here?

Look. I didn't hurt
the other kid. I don't
know anything about her.

I just want those pictures
and to give her a damn good
frightening.

I'll try.

REPORTER ON TV:
In the worst case,

a team member could
get wounded or killed
entering a structure.

TEAM MEMBER: We require
the smallest man on
our team to be able

to get the larger man
on our team out.

Harrison said
they're bringing in dogs.

No one's ever
going to find her.

They don't even know
if she's lost, do they?

I want to see you.
In my room.

...primary concern would
be getting him out
and getting him aid.

Excuse me, Uncle David.

Keep an eye on her.

The police don't want her
going anywhere alone.

Mr. Burger wants
to see you.

I don't want
to see him.

He wants the pictures
that you took.

I didn't take any pictures.
Elizabeth took them.

You're lying!
You lie about everything.

I'm not lying.

Somebody ought to get rid
of you. We'd all be a lot
better off without you.

You just want
Mom to yourself.

Are you going to
give him the pictures?

I don't have them!

(SIGHS) Then he'll have
to go to the police.

It's not my fault!
I'm not a liar!

And I'll have to tell them
everything that I know.

This is my room. Get out!

(DOG WHINING)

Oh, son of a bitch.

Just keep searching.

We found these with
the little girl's clothes.

They're kind of intimate,
don't you think?

How do you reckon
she got them?

Thelma, the other girl,

took them with a camera
that I gave to her
for her birthday.

Her brother printed them.

She was using them
to blackmail me.

A kid of nine?
Yeah, I didn't
believe it either,

until her brother told me.

Look, ask...

Why have they come back?

You want to sit down,
ma'am?

Sit down, dear.

Oh, Jesus.
Is that all?

You expecting
something more?

(STAMMERING) No, it's...

We hadn't seen them all,
just the ones she sent.

Is that why you killed her?

Robert?

Elizabeth. They found her
clothes buried in the wood.

Jesus.

What about that black kid
I saw in your car?

Little Billy?
There's a funny thing.

Every time something goes
wrong in this town,
somebody blames Little Billy,

and I got to pull him in
and let him go.

Now, you were telling me?

Well, it was
both the girls.

They wanted $100,
and I was intrigued to
know who sent the notes.

I paid them.

You still got the note?

I burned it.

(SIGHS)

You got a gun?

Yes. A Charter Arms
.38 police special.

Can I see it?

(SIGHS) It was stolen.

We were broken into
two days ago.

You reported it?

No, I know who stole it.

Her brother told me.
This morning,
he told me everything.

Okay. You can kiss
the lady goodbye.

Hey. Hey, it's all right.
It's all right, hon.
I'll be back.

Richard will tell them
everything.

Just because we were
photographed on the beach
with our pants down

hardly makes it a crime!

Not in this state.

Then why are you
taking him in?

Homicide, ma'am.

That Charter Arms
.38 police special,
we found it this morning,

buried with these photographs,
wrapped up in that
little girl's clothes.

There was a lot
of blood around.

You stupid bastard,
it was stolen!

(GROANING)

I don't mind no man showing
off his tail, ma'am,
not even in the daylight.

But I can't abide
child killers.

She's lying!
She's laughing at you!

Now why would she do that?
Just to cause some trouble?

(YELLING)

You're a mite perkier
in the flesh than you are
in these photographs.

I reckon we'll just take
you along, for now.

Just in case.

Hi. I just want to
ask you some questions.

It's going to be all right,
darling. Mommy's going
to be right here.

Okay.

You know what we think
happened to your friend.

I'm very sorry.

Now, your friend, Elizabeth,
she had some photographs
in an envelope.

Do you know
how she got them?

I took them.

Why?

Because we saw them
near the beach.

But why take photos?

'Cause she made me.
She did. Elizabeth.

How did she make you?

She twisted my arm.

Like this. She hurt me.

What happened then?

She stopped twisting my arm.

After you got the photographs
then what did you do?

She sent one to Robert.
She asked for money.

And she collected
the money?

We both did. She made me.
She said she was going
to hurt me.

What did she do with it?
The money.

She kept it.

All of it?

She didn't give you
any of it?

Except for $10 for
the other pictures.

What other pictures?

About Robert and Dorothea,
stealing,

in the newspaper.

Richie said he wouldn't do
the pictures unless
we paid for the chemicals.

Have you still got
those other pictures?
About them stealing?

I expect Richie's got them.

That's fine.
Then we'll get
them from him.

The last time
you saw Elizabeth,

where was she headed?

To Robert's.
What for?

To get more money.

But you didn't go with her?

I didn't want to.

Didn't she say that
she'd twist your arm?

Yes.
Well?

I ran away.
She didn't catch me.

And that was the last time
that you saw her?

You're a lucky girl.
We could be looking
for two bodies.

We'll have you bring her
down later to make
a formal statement.

What pictures was the sheriff
talking about?

Thelma, I'm asking you.

You believe me,
Uncle David.

Of course I do.
Of course Uncle David
believes you.

You heard
what the sheriff said.
I mean, it might have been...

But it wasn't.

Can I get
some ice cream?

No, no, not now.

Let her go.

I think we all need a change.
Get back to the city.
Forget about all this.

(SIGHS)

Thank you, Uncle David.

Okay, bye.

What's happening?
Got to call in later.

Any time?
Nope.

Well, let's go then, huh?

(ROBERT BREATHING HEAVILY)

Damn!

(LAUGHING)

See him?

Where is the
son of a bitch?

Hear you all been
making the news.

Ah, you keep it.
You be a good girl now.
Have a nice day.

Bullshit! Just get off
your butts and find him!

The son of a bitch
and bank clerk.

Are you talking to me?
I don't want to know nothing.
You just get him back inside.

(LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY)

You'll be laughing now, lady,
but he'd better show up or
he gets his head blowed off.

Thelma! Thelma!

Come on. Come on,
quickly. Quickly.

ROBERT:
It'll have to be quick.
I haven't much time.

Now,

why did you do it, Thelma?

That's all I want
to know, kid. Why?

I gave you the camera.
God knows you had
a good time with it.

I thought we were friends.
Weren't we?

So what did I do?
What? You don't like me?

Or you don't like
Dotty? What?

You ruin a man's life.
You can't get pleasure
out of that.

Why ruin the one
last shot I had?

Maybe you think
it's all a game?

Oh, no, it's real life
out there.

They'll shoot me, Thelma.
I don't get to walk home.

Let me get rid of that.
No.

Yes, but... Look, look.
You understand?

Yes, I think you do.
Come on, look.

We're going to walk
out of here together,
with our hands up,

and we're going to tell them
that you took the gun

and that somebody
stole it from you.

We don't know who.
We're going to
tell them the truth.

Look, me, too.

I'm going to tell them
that I took a little
money from the bank.

Well, who was going
to notice it?

It was meant to buy
a little sunshine
for Dotty and me.

If I'd had a little girl
like you then perhaps
I would never have done it.

Maybe I would've
stayed at home.

Look, we've both been bad,
you and me.

So let's both make
things right. Yes?

Tell them what you did,
I'll tell them what I did.
Sound fair?

Look, all the sheriff has
to do is talk to you.

Hey! Maybe they'll find
fingerprints on the gun.

Maybe they'll find out
who stole it.

(SCREAMING)

(SCREAMING CONTINUES)

What the hell's
happening out there?

Son of a bitch!

No, no! No, no!
Back! No!

Hey!

(SIREN WAILING)

(GUN FIRES)

No!

(CRYING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

(SIREN WAILING)

Well, I heard
the kid screaming,
and he ran at me.

Well, looks like you
just saved the county
the cost of a trial.

(CHATTERING ON POLICE RADIO)

And some dude lawyer
collecting his fee.

What do you reckon
happened to the money
he stole?

Sure as hell won't be
coming to you or me.
Come on, lady.

Come on out of there.
I want to put you
in this other car.

Right over here.

Put her in there.

You reckon the DA'll
let her go free?

Free as she'll ever be.

(SIREN WAILING)

OFFICER: Okay, folks,
come on. The show's over.