Mending Fences (2009) - full transcript

- At this hour,

we're following
a breaking news story

from the Los Angeles area.

Local state
and federal authorities

have raided
a pharmaceutical firm

accused of manufacturing
and distributing

a multitude of counterfeit
vitamins and supplements.

This raid, of course,
comes as the culmination

of a year-long investigation

begun by ccnn's
own senior correspondent

Kelly farraday.



Kelly, what can you tell US?

- Thank you, Gary.

I'm Kelly farraday,
live in woodland hills,

where moments ago,
police raided

this innocent-looking
office building

in a seemingly quiet
suburban industrial park

and uncovered what may be

the largest case of
counterfeit...

- Hey, Ruth.
Your daughter's on TV.

-...supplements
in California history.

I'm standing
in front of the facility

which,
until just this morning,

was still manufacturing thesebogus vitamins and supplements,

many of which have already
ended up on store shelves



across the country,

meaning they could be in your
medicine cabinet right now.

As you can see,

police are now escorting
the alleged ringleaders

of this operation
from the corporate offices

of duncroft pharmaceuticals,

a once-reputable nutritional
supplement manufacturer.

- Doesn't your mom
look pretty on TV?

- With me now is detective
Jim barton of the LAPD...

- That's my mom.
She's a rottweiler.

With mascara.

- If it were not foryour persistent investigation,

this bustwouldn't have happened today.

- Can you hand me
a hoof pick, Ruth?

-...most frightening
aspects of this story

is, of course, that many of usmay have already been taking

these counterfeit supplementsfor over a year

without realizing it.

- What makes a counterfeit ring
like this so dangerous

is that none of the items
produced here

have ever been inspected
nor approved by the fda.

- So you have no idea
what you're getting.

- That's right, Kelly.

- Well, today we can only hope

that by bringing
these criminals to justice

the public can breathe
a little easier

knowing that these
counterfeit supplements

will no longer be produced.
- Thank you, dear.

- As more detailsare released, stay tuned to ccnn

and continue to check ourweb site for more information

regarding the duncroft
pharmaceuticals recall.

Thank you again, detective,
for your time.

In woodland hills,
I'm Kelly farraday.

Today's the big day?

Kelly farraday,
anchorwoman, ccnn.

You look great.

You do, you look fine.- You just said I look great.

- It's about time Robert
put you behind the anchor desk.

- Not so bad
for an ex-husband, right?

- Shut up and get in there.
The suspense is killing me.

It's your day, Kelly.
Own it.

- Hello, Joan.
- Hello, Kelly.

Robert and I
need to speak with you.

- Where is he?

Is that...Miss Ohio?

- I believe it's Iowa.

- Robert!

Kelly.

You're back.

- Yeah.
So...

Here we all are.
Who's first?

- I don't know
how to say this.

- Yes, you do.
- Kelly,

we've decided to go
in a different direction.

- You mean younger.
- I never said that.

Based on the results
of a recent market survey,

we feel she'll significantly
help our ratings.

- Come on, Robert.
Miss Ohio?

- Iowa.
- Whatever.

- C-Can we talk
in private, please?

So...let's start again,
shall we?

How's kamilla?
- Same as always.

Mad at the world,
especially mad at you.

- Do you think you could
give her a hug for me?

- Why don't you do it
yourself?

Last weekend was yours.
You didn't show up.

- And I sent her an email.

- If you want a relationship
with your daughter,

you're gonna have to do
better than an email.

Robert, I can't believe
you're gonna have that bimbo

as an anchor!

You've already announcedthat I'm gonna be made anchor.

You sent out
a press release.

- I'll send out
another press release.

And don't worry...
you'll be well-compensated.

- She is not a journalist.- Kelly, this is not a debate.

The decision has
been made.

- Then I quit.

- Your decision.

- You know, I'm deep intothe whole "I hate dad" thing.

But don't you...
- hey, honey.

Here's the new ground rules.

We're not gonna talk about
dad again for another...

Year...maybe two.

I still can't believehe made that bimbo the anchor.

- Mom, Rebecca is not a bimbo.
She's a Harvard graduate.

- Honey, don't say that.I need to make her the enemy.

It's a process.

- Kamilla.

- Mom, why don't you go
wait in the car?

I'll just be a sec.
- I'm gonna wait in the car.

Hey...

You look...Amazing.

- Good one, dad.

I haven't seen her
like this in a while.

- Sorry about last weekend.
- I don't care about that.

I've gotten used to you
disappointing me.

- Ouch.

- But how could you
do this to mom?

She made this network.

- Kamilla, she quit, okay?

She made a business decision.I made a business decision.

Don't turn it
into something personal.

- You were married.

Everything is personal, dad.
Why can't you learn that?

- Could I get a hug?

- Don't change the subject.

- Who is it?

- My name's Walt.I work for your grandma Ruth.

I'm an old friend
of your mother's.

- Is that a piece of straw
in your mouth?

- Cows pee on that,
you know.

- Is your mother here?

- Mom!

Hey.

Hey.

You've done well
for yourself.

- Worked hard for it.

- Kamilla's what,
she's 13 now?

14?
- 14.

Walt...

You could have called.

- It's important.

And I need to speak
to you in person.

- Is it my mother?
What happened?

- Nothing's happened.
- Then...What is it?

- You know Ruth
would kill me

if she knew
I was even here, right?

She don't see so good
anymore.

And doc Thorne
says it's bad.

It's gonna get worse.

She may lose her sight
all the way.

- Nevada, the silver state.
Yay.

- Okay, honey, we'll be therein about an hour.

Try to have
a good attitude, honey.

- So what's the plan
with grandma?

- I don't know.
- Selling the ranch?

- I don't know.

But I don't see
any other options.

- Think she'll move and come
live with US in L.A.?

- I doubt it.
She likes the country.

- So when do we get to town?
- This is it.

This is main street.

Let's stop and get
a cup of coffee, kamilla.

- You sure you have room enough
for US all to come over?

Absolutely.

Let me know
if I can make anything.

- Well, everybody's kinda
bringing something, so...

- Okay.

- Kelly?
- Hank bedlam.

My goodness!
Hello!

- What
a pleasant surprise!

You look great!You haven't changed one iota.

- Then you need
a stronger prescription.

- Hank, this is
my daughter kamilla.

Kamilla, this is Hank.

He was my journalism professorin college.

- I was your mother's
first boss

before she went all...
Network on US.

- It's true.
He was a tough editor.

Taught me everything I know
about journalism.

- She exaggerates.
- Yeah, I know.

- So you still at
the college?

- No. Retired.

Now I just run my ranch,
try to run the paper,

and...try to keep
my grandson outta trouble.

Come on over here.

I want you to meet
my friend Kelly,

and this is her daughter
kamilla.

- It's nice to meet you,
Chuck.

- His dad's national guard
regiment

was just called up, so...

He and his mom are stayin'
with me on the ranch.

You goin' intothe newspaper business, Chuck?

- Hey, Chuck, why don't you
show kamilla

the sights of our town
while I catch up with Kelly?

Sounds like a good idea.

Why don't you go?

- Let's go.

They're excited.

- I'm going to be a doctor.

A brain surgeon.

I mean...We're talking
the brain here.

So...

So you ever like...
Speak?

- Yep. When I've got
something to say.

- And you don't have
anything to say?

And you don't think
that's rude?

Well, you have to say something.- Why?

- 'Cause I'm not from here.- Yeah, that's kinda obvious.

- What do you mean by that?

- The whole goth look...
it's so five years ago.

- And the whole cowboy look...

It's so two centuries ago.

- Rationing water.
It's that serious?

- It sure is.

- And Sam is the mayor.

Sam the car salesman.
- The same.

I know, hard to believe.

So tell me, what do you
think of the paper?

- I love it, Hank.

It's really great.
Congratulations.

- Speak of the devil.
Here comes the mayor now.

Your honor!

- It's a mighty fine day

when Kelly farraday honors
her hometown with a visit.

Hi there, welcome.
- Thanks, Sam.

It's been a while.

Let me introduce
sheriff west,

outstanding
new officer of the law...

Even if he is my nephew.

- Nice to meet you.
Seen you on TV.

- I was just telling Kelly
about the water rationing.

- Tough times,
tough decisions.

The drought's hit this town
pretty hard.

But things'll change
by this time next year.

Prosper, Nevada
will have its own casino.

- Casino?
- Yeah, isn't that exciting?

Casino, condos, fashion mall...the works.

- Wow.

- Well, if you'll excuse US,

I got an eclair
with my name on it.

See ya.

Kamilla, don't mentionthat Walt came to L.A., okay?

- Don't worry.
I won't say a thing.

- Hey, grandma!

- Kamilla!

Hello, kamilla!
My goodness!

You've grown like ragweed.

- That better be a compliment.

- Hello, Kelly.
- Hi, mom.

- What are you doing here?
- There's a greeting.

What if I just wanna
come for a visit?

- You haven't come for a visitin a long time.

Thank god I make the effort

to come to L.A.
every once in a while.

- That Kelly
and little kamilla?

- Hey, Walt.
- Hey.

- Nice to see you.
- Good to see you.

- I don't think we've met.

- We have,
but you were only three.

Walt Mitchell,
your grandma's right hand.

- Walt and your mother
used to be sweethearts.

Really?

- We dated back in high school.

- It's beautiful here.

He's so pretty.

- Big Ben's
a little bit ornery.

- Careful, honey.

- She is glad to see you.

- Yeah. I can tell.

So how you feeling, mom?

- Fine. But don't letanyone swindle you into thinking

that growing old is fun.

- And how's the ranch?
- Why do you ask?

- Well...the drought.

- We've had droughts before,
but this one's killin' US.

- The ranch is fine.
- No, it's not, Ruth.

- Walt, eat your lunch.

The Millers sold the farm.

- The Millers?

They've been here
for generations.

- Well, they left.
Last month.

They sold to that
cowboy casino group.

The dunfield farm
went last week.

Now, that's a shame.

I'm not selling, no matter
who packs up and runs.

- Why don't we take
a ride after lunch?

- Sure.

- I can't believe it.
Where did all the water go?

We used to go swimming
here, remember?

- Yeah. All the Wells
around here are drying up,

including ours.

You see what I mean?

The hay,
everything's looking puny.

We just don't have
enough water.

We can't irrigate it all.

I called the guy in prosper
to come check out our well,

maybe dig it deeper.

That's all I know to do.

- We need to be pragmatic.

With my mom's eyesight

and everything else
that's going on around here,

maybe the offer
from the casino group is...

Just the right thing
at the right time.

- You know, I came to see youin L.A. for your help,

not to just give up
and sell out.

- You're letting emotion
get in the way

of thinking aboutwhat's practical and rational.

- Rational?

- I don't see how
digging a deeper well

can solve
all of our problems.

- How about four generations
of tradition,

this family's roots...does that mean nothing to you?

- Mom, I just want to...

- if you think
you can just show up here

after all these years

and talk me into
selling this place,

you've got
another thing coming.

- Mom...i know about
your eyesight.

- Walter, I'm disappointed
in you.

As for you, young lady,

you can get back
in your fancy car

and go back to your fancy lifeand leave US the heck alone.

- Get your stuff.
We're leaving.

- You know, mom,

someday you're gonna
have to forgive her.

- For what?

- I don't know.

You're the one
that's so angry.

Grandma!

- Let me help you.
It's okay.

What happened?
- I missed a step.

I'm not selling this ranch
under any circumstances.

Is that clear?

- Yes.

Okay. Let's save the ranch.

- So...what's the plan?

- I have no idea.
- Well...

It's a start.

- Getting all settled in?

- Yeah.

So this used to be your room?

- Yeah.

My dad made this for me
for my fifth birthday.

- Hey, mom...Listen.

- These sounds used to help mesleep at night.

Maybe they'll do
the same for you.

- You'll figure
something out, mom.

You think so?

Kamilla,
he's reaching out to you.

- So?

- He's your father.He's the only one you've got.

- It's pretty much
the way he left it.

Your father wanted you
to have this ranch.

- Can we please not go
into that again?

I left to pursue a career.

- You may find this
hard to believe,

but you're in my thoughts
every day.

- Thanks.

- See you at breakfast.

- Here we go.
Blueberry pancakes.

- Hey.
- Kelly.

Blueberry pancakes.
Your favorite.

There you are.

Well, dig in.

- So I made a list
of all the things

that need to be fixed, replaced,and changed around here

to make the ranch
look like new again.

- I can't afford it.
- I can, mom.

So please let me
do this for you.

Fine.

Give US a makeover
if that's what makes you happy.

But don't expect pancakes
every morning.

- Okay.

So...barn needs
a fresh coat of paint,

and all the old fences
need to be replaced.

- No argument there.
First things first, though.

We gotta get some water
on this ranch.

A water engineer will be hereat 10:00 to test the well.

- Okay.
- Okay.

- See, you gotta have more.
- More what...more water?

- Yeah, and more gallons
per minute.

You're down to under
10 gallons per minute.

That's no good.

- Can a water table dry up?
Is that possible?

- The unconfined aquifer?
I don't think so.

We could always go deeper.

- That's gonna get expensive
real quick.

- 200 a foot.

- Where could all the water
be going?

- Well, it could be as simple

as a seismic shift
in the bedrock.

- A drought's temporary.

Loss of water source
is permanent.

- Well, for now, we start
trucking in water.

- Hey, grandma.

- Hi, honey.
Come on in.

- What's going on out here?
- A quilting bee.

Ladies, this is my
granddaughter, kamilla.

14 going on 40.
- Nice to meet you.

- Smart as a whip,
and sassy as they come.

Just like my grandma.

So what are these quilts
for anyway?

- To raffle off
at the street dance.

Every year, about this time.

- Yes. We raise money
for the auxiliary.

We gals have been doing this
for a long time.

- Can I watch?

- We'd love it.
Yes, get a chair.

- You know, those casino people
came by again yesterday.

No, not you too.

- We've had to sell
farm equipment

just to make ends meet.

I've never seen my husband
so depressed.

- That's terrible.
- Tell me about it.

We're thinking of...
Taking the offer.

The family farm is dead.

Come on, Sam!

- You've been way too slowto respond on this water crisis.

Delays, denials...
that's your story, Sam.

That makes you
partly responsible

for this whole thing.

- All right, Walt, before
you get too carried away,

we have installed
monitoring devices,

and we are conducting analysison various untapped resources.

Sam...Sam,

I would just like
to go on record

that we should not
and cannot

sell out to this
cowboy casino group.

- Ruth hanson,
can I just say again,

this meeting tonight
is not about the casino.

- This meeting is about US,
Sam, US as a community,

what we are, what we do,
what will become of US.

A town as small as this,

we become almost
like from the same family.

- You're absolutely right.
- Thank you.

Sam, without our crops,
we have nothing.

So let's focus on the cropsgetting the proper irrigation.

- That's why I've instituted
the water rationing.

- But why are the farmers
doing all the rationing?

Why don't the guys
at the fire station

stop watering down
their truck?

- I agree...I mean, we all
need to cut back...everybody.

- And you have to stop
watering all your cars

at your dealership.

What I would likeis for this year's barn dance

to be a rally
against the casino.

What do you say?

- That's not what we're hereto talk about tonight, people.

We're here to talk about
the water.

- You think she'd wanna
go for a ride?

- She's not a mind reader.

So you may have to actually
ask her.

- Hey, kamilla, you wanna
go for a ride tomorrow?

- Um...

Sure.

- Is 10:00 okay?
- Yeah.

- Kelly,
what a pleasant surprise.

- Hi, doc Thorne.
It's nice to see you.

When did you go into politics?

- A while back.
Better than bingo.

Hey, why did those people
at that L.A. TV station

let you get away?
What a bunch of idiots.

- Yeah, they are a bunch
of idiots, aren't they?

- This is my daughter.
This is kamilla.

Kamilla, this is doc Thorne.

He's the man who brought me
into this world.

- He's my doctor too.

Even though we're both
older than Moses.

- Hey, hey.

It's a pleasure
meeting you, kamilla.

Taking your eye
medication, Ruth?

- Sure. When I'm in the mood.

Come on, kamilla.
Doctors are so bossy.

- I know.
She gets worse with age.

- I heard that.

- Hey.
- Hey.

Thank you.
- For what?

- For being here.
With my mom.

All these years,
knowing that you were here

made me feel less...Guilty.

Because I knew that you were
taking really good care of her.

Thank you.
- You're welcome.

- I thought...
Maybe if we sold the place

you would feel more...
Free.

- No.

It's not some job
I have, Kelly.

It's my life.

- Yeah.

- Guess I'll call it
a night.

- Yeah.

Sorry.

- No, it's just that
being here

is pushing all sorts
of emotional buttons for me.

So if we could just...

- I understand.
- Good night.

- Good night.

- Is that my mom...
Building a fence?

You bet.

She and your grandpa built
plenty of fences way back then.

- Can't believe the beauty
queen used to be a tomboy.

- Yes...
She could rope a steer

better than your grandpa.

- I wish I had met him.

How did he die?

Mom won't even talk about it.- A heart attack.

But your grandpa was...
A good man.

- And who's this?
Is that you?

That's...

That's, um...

You know, I'm so tired.

Could we look at this
sometime later?

- Grandma, what can you see?

- I see a beautiful,
strong girl

full of promise.

- I'm serious, grandma.

I mean, what do you
actually see?

- What I see...

It comes and it goes.

Sometimes it's foggy...
And out of focus.

At times,
all I see is shadows.

- Are you scared?
- I'd be a fool if I wasn't.

- How can I help?
- You are helping.

- Howdy.
- You're late.

You said you'd be here
at 10:00.

It's half-past,
and I'm busy.

- Hey, I'm only doing this

because my grandpa
put me up to it.

Wanna go for a ride or not?

- I don't know
how to ride a horse.

- So you too scared to learn?

Come on,
you'll ride, I'll lead.

- Lose the toothpick.

- Need a hand?
- I can manage, cowpoke.

No laughing.

- Put your foot in there.
Got it?

Hold on to this.

Sit tight, all right?

You okay?

- Okay?
I'm in love!

Whoa...

Listen, we just met
and...

- With riding the horse,
doofus.

- Right.
Sure.

- Like the view?

- Yeah. It's nice.

So where are we?

- Township land.

- What is that?

- I don't know.

Never seen it before.
Let's check it out.

- Are you sure you wanna
get that open?

Looks like a sewer.

- This isn't as easy
as it looks.

- Who said you're making it
look easy?

What do you see?

- Just a big hole
with a big pipe.

There's a ladder.
- Let's check it out.

- Are you crazy?

You're really
going down there?

- Watch me.

- Wanted to make sure
you're okay and all.

Thanks...

Since I went
down first and all.

- A flashlight.

That's one big, long pipe.
I wonder where it goes.

- Only one way to find out.

- Hey, where you going?
- This way.

You coming?
- Nah.

Why would I wanna go down
some old, dirty tunnel?

- What are you afraid of?

- Well, your grandma,
for one thing.

You're fixing to be quite
a piece of work yourself.

- You are a charmer.

Smooth.

- Now what are you
afraid of?

- I don't know.

Snakes...nuclear war...

You.

- You got nothin' to be
afraid of with me.

- Okay then.
- Come on, stud.

Let's go.

- Hey, grandma.
- Hi!

- Hey, where have
you two been?

- Chuck took me riding.

- Where'd you go?
- Just along the property line.

Where your line
meets the county's.

- Did you have fun?
- Well, the cave was cool.

- Cave?
- It was more like a tunnel.

- You need to be getting ready.
- Ready? For what?

- For the barn dance.
- I need to get ready.

I'll see you guys later?
- All right.

You can show me
the tunnel tomorrow.

Now, go on.
Go get ready.

- Looks like kamilla's
got a cowboy of her own.

- Mom, they're just kids.

- Yes, they are.

So were you and Walt.

- I hit it!

What'd I win?

Why, thank you!
Good luck!

Hey, don't burn my ribs!

Look what I won, ladies.

- Hey, wild bill!

Mayor.

Best things happen
when you're dancing.

- One, two-two.
- Quit messing me up.

- Keep up.

Remember how much fun

we used to have dancing
when we were kids?

- And what are we now?
- Older.

Wiser, hopefully.

- Speak for yourself
on that one.

- Not me.
Bessie, you take him.

- I'll try.

- Look what I won for you,
Ruth.

- Aw! Thank you.

- Let's tear it up, bessie.

Bummer.

- Your turn.
- No way, I can't shoot.

- Come on.

- I can't do it.

- Hold it like this.
Follow the sight.

Now, come on,
I thought all you hansons

were supposed
to be good shots.

Got a winner!

- So what you're saying

is what we had back then
wasn't...Wise.

- Are we having
the same conversation here?

What are you talking about?

- US.
- Is there an US?

- May I...Cut in?

- No. You can't.

- Sorry, Walt.

- You got a lotta nerve
showing your face here, Sam.

That's a whole lotta nerve,
wouldn't you say?

- Walt.
- Excuse me?

- How'd you get reelected,
anyway?

How'd you do that?

- I think the good people
of prosper, Nevada

know who's lookin' out
for 'em, that's how.

The casino's
lookin' out for 'em.

Why don't you let me give youa free character analysis,

Mr. Mayor.
- Go ahead.

- Maybe you should
call it a night.

- It's okay.
We were just leaving.

Come on, Walt.

- I got my gun in the car.

- Just drop me off
at the bunkhouse.

- Sam don't care about
the people in this town.

Sam wants money...
And he will ruin the town,

and he'll sell 'em out.

And unfortunately,i care about the people here.

- It matters to me.
- I know. It matters to me too.

- No, it don't.

- Things can't always
stay the same, Walt.

- That's a real shame.

I...I'm sorry.

- So what happenedbetween you and Walt last night?

- Nothing.
- Nothing?

I know when nothing happens,
and that was not nothing.

- You don't know
what you're talking about.

- Morning.

- Morning.

- What?

- Nothing.
- Nothing.

- Okay...

- Well?

- The pipes and pump
were recently installed.

And the storm tunnel.

The bottleneck appears
to be diverting water

from the unconfined aquifer.
- What's that?

- The water's
just beneath the surface.

The confined aquifer
is further below,

beneath harder rock.

- So diverting water...
Where?

- I'm not sure.

- What do you mean
by diverting water?

- Stealing water.

This is why our Wells
are running dry.

- Who owns this land?
- It's township land.

The land being held in escrowfor the casino.

- I'll tell you what.

She looks brand-new,
doesn't she?

- Well, aren't you
just a ray of sunshine?

- Morning, Sam.
- Morning.

- Nice setup you have here.
- Aw, it's only temporary.

We're gonna be building
a big new auto mall

next to the new casino.

Great.I'm sorry about Walt last night.

- Aw, no apology's necessary.

Can't please everyone.

The important thing is to servethe will of the people, right?

- Right.

- I just want you
to get this, 'cause this...

- On that note...

I thought you should know.

I think someoneis stealing the town's water.

- Stealing water?
- Yeah.

I know that sounds strange...
- what makes you say that?

- Have you been out
to township road 5 lately?

- No. Why?

- There's a hole in
the ground

with a pumping system
and pipes, headed due west.

- Really?

- Isn't that the landyou're selling to the casino?

- Well, yeah.
Norris properties.

You're not
accusing them of...

- I'm not saying
it's them, Sam.

But someone
is diverting the water.

- Well,
I'll look into it.

- Yeah.

- I wouldn't ring any alarm
bells if I were you, Kelly.

No one wants to jeopardize
this casino deal...

Dash the hopes
and dreams of this town.

- Maybe you could just delay

the close of escrow
on the land sale

until this water business
is figured out.

- I'm the mayor, sweetheart,
not god.

But I'll look into it.
You have my word on that.

And, hey, if I don't see ya
before you go back to L.A.,

you have a safe trip?

- Thanks.

See you, Sam.

- Wanna know something?

Now that I'm here,
I don't wanna leave.

It's funny, 'cause...

I didn't even wanna come herein the first place.

So are we friends?

My name's kamilla.

- I'll take that.
- All right, man, thank you.

- So...i have a story
for your paper.

- Only if you write it.

- Okay.

It's about the casino.

- That's a touchy subject
around here.

- Tell me about it.

I think the casino is diverting
water from the town.

- That's quite an accusation.- I know.

- You have any proof?

- Maybe.

- This paper supported
the casino deal.

It was good news
for the whole town.

I didn't exactly wina popularity contest doin' it,

particularly withthe old-timers like your mom.

What's the connection

between the casino
and diverting the water?

- I don't know.I know that it's being diverted.

- Seems like
an extreme measure

to get US to give up farming fora casino, don't you think?

- Maybe.

Maybe not.
Who's against the casino?

The farmers
and the ranchers.

Tough times,
tough decisions.

Isn't that what Sam said?

- We have to expose
who's ever behind this

before that public land
turns private.

- Yeah.

- Let's keep this
under wraps for a while.

And you need to get
more evidence

before we can go to press.

Thanks, Robert.
- See you tomorrow, Hank.

- Hal, dressing on the side.

Grandma?

...every day...

I see less and less.

I can't see.

- Hey.
- Hey.

- I got everything togetherfor tomorrow's fence mending.

Water truck will be here
first thing in the morning.

- That's great.
- And about last night...

I am sorry.
I was outta line.

- It's okay.

Forget about it.

- I'm glad you're here.

- We've got a lotta work to doto get this place back on track.

- Amen.

Good night.
- Good night.

- Good morning.

- Morning.

- What?

- What happened
to the vampire look?

- I'm getting close
to nature here, so I just...

what?

Great.

- All right. Put it up.
- All right.

- Nail?
- Here.

Um...there you go.

- Okay, hold it tight.

Can't pick it up enough...

- I got it.

- Thank you.
Want me to hold it for you?

- I got it.
- Okay.

- Anybody need coffee?

- Here.
- All right, got it?

Here we go.

- Got it?
Just like that.

- Yeah, I think I got it.
- Get your balance.

- Come on.

- Heels down, heels down.

Go wider.

Put your hands down.
Hand down.

- She's doin' good.

- Thank you.

- For what?

- Payin' for the fence,
trucking all the water in.

Means a lot to your mom.

And to me too.

- You're welcome.

- After we're done
with these,

I want to make one
with pictures of you,

grandpa, mom, and me.

Like a photo quilt.

- How are we gonna getphotos on these pieces of cloth?

- Don't worry.
I'm all over that.

- How's the riding?

- It's going good.

I got big Ben up to a lope.

- And Chuck?

That's going good too.

- He lopes, does he?

No, he doesn't lope, grandma.

- I don't know.

- Hey, doc Thorne.

Your office told me
I might find you here.

- That's right.
My well-deserved break.

Every morning,
10:00 A.M. sharp.

Call it tradition.

- Can I join you?

- Absolutely, sit down.

I have a question for you.

It's about the town council.

- I hope
I've got the answer.

- What is the procedure

for the transfer
of township land

to a private company
or individual?

- The sale has to be carried
unanimously by the council.

- So you voted to approve
the sale of the land

to the casino?

- Well, no, i...
I missed a few meetings,

my wife being sick and all.

But you know something,
I'm not against it.

I've been to Reno.
I like the slots.

- Do you think I could see
a copy of the town's bylaws?

And maybe minutes
of the council meetings?

- You'll find those
in the records room

of the county clerk's office.- Okay.

- You know something?

I remember the day
you were born.

32 hours of labor.

I told Ruth, "this one is gonna
be a basket of trouble."

- True enough.

Thanks for the chat.
Enjoy your break.

- Thank you.
I will.

- Hi.

Hello.

What may I do for you?

- County clerk's office?
- Yes.

- Um, I would like to see
a copy of the town's bylaws.

Please.

And also,
if I could look through

town council
meeting minutes.

- Okay, just one minute.

There's one.

- Now, Kelly,
I am eating my lunch.

So if you don't mind...
- no, I don't mind.

I just have
a question for you.

How can the sale
of township land proceed

when it was not unanimouslyapproved by the town council?

- Boy, you sure do
like to play

that pedal on the organ,
don't you?

- I'm freelancing on a piece
for the prosper post.

- I thought you were only
in town for a week.

- Well, I can't exactly
leave town

when the water crisis
isn't resolved, can I?

- And what
does this land deal

have to do
with the water crisis?

- I don't know.
You tell me.

- Look, this land deal

got the majority approval
of council,

and that's all that...- bylaw number 15, section b.

The approval
needs to be unanimous.

Your sister bessie
and doc beatty

weren't even present.

And Floyd Smithers
voted against the sale.

- As mayor, I can make
executive decisions

for the good of the town.

- Well, for the good
of the town,

you need to addressthis water diversion issue...

Before escrow closes.

- Well, I will give it
some serious thought.

And you can quote me
on that.

Now, if you don't mind,

I would like to finish
my lunch in peace.

- Enjoy.

- Will do.

Hey.

- Hey.

- Sure taking a liking
to big Ben there.

- Yeah, I love brushing him.

It's...therapeutic.

- For you or for him?

- What's in the bag?

- Blanket, sandwiches.

Stuff for a real cool
picnic.

- You wanna go?

- Yeah.

- I really like the way

you and kamilla
are getting along.

- Of course.
She's my granddaughter.

- You and me?

- When your daddy died,
I needed you.

One moment, he was gone,

and the next moment,
so were you.

- Mom...I'm here now.

- And we're up here
because...

- You'll see.
Stop complaining.

- Who's complaining?
It was just a question.

- Ta-da!

The view...This is whati want to show you from here.

The view.

It's the best view
of the town,

the valley, and the hills.

- It's beautiful, Chuck.

Really.

My dad used to be judge
at the national pageant.

That's where
he met my mom.

Miss California.

And then, four years ago,he was at some other pageant,

and that's where he met
miss Iowa.

- Sorry.

- It's okay.

I don't think my parents

were meant to be together
forever.

You know,
some people just aren't.

- Peanut butter, jelly,
or both?

- Both, of course.

Thank you.

You know what?

You just might
have potential.

- Potential for what?

- Forget it.

- There's my grandma's place.

And there's
your grandma's ranch.

You know,
back in cowboy days,

these robbers held up
a stagecoach here,

figuring it'd be easy.

You know, small town,
no one around.

But they didn't figure
on the sheriff.

- He took on the robbers?

- Shetook on the robbers.

- The sheriff was a "she"?

- Yep. There was a big
shootout, and the robbers fled.

She chased them
all the way into those hills

and brought them to justice.

Only when she had them cuffeddid she realize

she'd caught some big fish.

See, those boys
were part of the James gang.

- Wow.
What was her name?

- Helen Barnes.

Your grandma Ruth's
great, great grandmother.

- No way.

- Yes, way.
My grandpa told me.

He knows everything
about this town.

- Well, I feel like
I'm a part of history.

What was that?

- Let's go.

You've taken enough
of my time already.

- You know, we don't have
to be sneaking around.

I've got a reputation
in this town.

You know, we could have
met in my office.

- See, that's how stupid
you can be.

- Now, I told you
to wait till

the end of escrow
to start...

- I have a timetable.

This deal goes south,

you can forget about
getting reelected.

- Are you threatening me?

- Nip this thing
in the bud, Sam.

You have a lot at stake.

We don't want
some newspaper story

turning the tide
in your town, now, do we?

- I'm on it.

- I've never been
big fan of Sam's.

But he's a politician,
not a crook.

- Ruth, Sam would steal
a hot stove

and go back for the smoke.

- Chuck and I saw him andsome other guy arguing today.

- About what?

- I couldn't make it out,
but it sounded like

the other guy
was threatening him.

- Hey, grandma.

- Hi, honey.

- What are you reading?

- Quilting book.

- Fun.

You sure do
have a lot of guns.

- Most of them belonged

to your great,
great grandmother.

You think I'm crazy?

I couldn't
hold a candle to her.

- Can I hold this one?

- Sure. Careful.

- Is it loaded?

- No, not for almost
100 years.

- Grandma Barnes
must have been something.

- You can say that again.

Heh, she loved this town.

She loved the people.

That doesn't mean much
anymore.

- But she saved this town.

Chuck told me.

- That was a long time ago.

Wonder who that could be.

Hello.

What?

No.

Honey, go get your mother.

Hank.

I'm so sorry.

- Yeah. Me too.

- Sheriff...who do you think
could have done this?

- I sure don't know.

- This'll be the first...

Deadline I've missed
in 15 years.

- They just trashed the placefor no reason.

- Hank...you'll make
your deadline.

- Really?
- Yeah.

What newspaperman said,

"if you can tell in your gut
that something's not right,

get back out there
and keep digging"?

We'll set up an office
at the house.

- Grandma?

Hi, honey.

- Hi.

- Wanna take a shot?

- Me?

- Well, do you or don't you?

- I'm probably terrible.

- Maybe.
Only one way to find out.

Okay, now, take your...

take your finger
off the trigger

and pull the hammer back
with your thumb.

Try it.

- I can't do it.

- Yes, you can.

I can do it,
and I can't see.

Here we go.

All right?

Wait a minute,
don't pull that back yet.

All set?

Just line it up
and follow your nose.

Hey...not bad
for an L.A. girl.

- Did you know
there's actually a term now

called water rustlers?

You mean like cattle rustlers?

- Yeah.

It's happening more and more.

In some states...
It's a crime,

but it's difficult
to prosecute.

And in other states,

there's not even
any laws on the books.

- How about this state?

- Well, it's a misdemeanor
to divert water

from a township's pipes,

but not from
the aquifer underground.

- Well, then,
it's not a crime.

- No...but someonemust have official permission

to dig or drill for a well
on county property.

- I'm sure Norris
got Sam's okay.

I mean, if I were buying
a piece of property,

I'd want to test for water.

Wouldn't you?

Then again,

we are dealing with
mayor Sam.

- Yeah.

Right.

Jack Norris, Jr.

"Cowboy.
Corporate raider.

"Accused of manipulating
the power grid

to artificially inflate
energy prices in the '90s."

- He beat that rap.
- Yeah.

Did you know,
if this land sale goes through,

this is his fourth casino
in five years?

- You don't wanna get on thewrong side of this guy, Kelly.

He's your best friend
till you cross him.

Kind of like Ruth hanson.

- Hi.
- Hey.

- Can I have a coffee,
regular, to go, please?

Mayor.

Some advice:

You might wanna be
more discreet

about the nature
of your relationship

with Mr. Morris.
- Relationship?

- Everyone's talking about
the argument the two of you

had out by the old
water tower yesterday.

- The gossip in this town
is often more ridiculous

than it is reliable.

- Have a nice day.

- You too, dear.

- Why are you dragging me
out here?

- We got too many people
snooping around.

I'm putting that fence up
around that hole.

Too many trespassers.

So, we closed the deal
on the Robinson ranch here

and the coil ranch,

and the paperwork will be doneon this one later today.

- And that's the only
piece of land now

that's still
standing in my way?

- The hanson ranch.

- I don't think
my mom's gonna sell.

It's quite the fence.

Barbed wire.

- Well, it keeps
coyotes out.

And the trespassers.

I do hate vandalism.

- Kelly.
- Sam.

Funny meeting you here.
Small world.

- Small town.

- Kelly Grant,

you're even prettier
in person.

Let me introduce myself.

- You're Jack Norris, Jr.

- It's an honor.

Aren't you,

jumping the gun a little
here on the fence?

Escrow hasn't
even closed yet.

- Well, it's going to,
on Friday.

A couple days.

- What's this?

- Just checking
the groundwater.

See how far it goes.

It's all right.
I got the mayor's okay.

- Haven't you heard?

We're running out of water.
The aquifer's drying up.

- Well, that just means
we gotta go a little deeper,

doesn't it?

- Is that all you're doing?

Kelly got some crazy rumor

that you and I
were fighting yesterday.

- Sam...you're
an elected official.

Can't you at least
pretend to be neutral?

Your consulting
with Mr. Norris

could be construed
as a conflict of interest.

- Well, my interests
are solely

for the good
of the community.

- I'm sure.

I was hoping you could
make some time for me

to do a sit-down interview.

I'm doing a story
for the prosper post.

- Isn't that the paper
whose office was destroyed?

- Yeah, that's the one.

Paper hasn't missed a deadlinein 15 years.

- Well, I like your spirit.

I'm gonna make
some time for you.

I'll let you know.
- Thank you.

Um...

Any news on that
water diversion business?

I'm still waiting

on the report
from the engineer.

You know, you can buildall the fences you want,

Mr. Norris...

But I think there's gonna
be some red faces

when this deal
gets shot down

at the town council meeting.

- I never liked her.

Check it out, grandma.

Big Ben actually likes me.

- I have a present for you.

- Grandma.

- You like it?

- Yeah.

- Here, I'll take that
for you.

You earned it.

- How does it look?

- Great.

How about you and I
go for a ride?

- Really?

- Yeah, let's go.

I got something
I wanna show you.

Here we go.

- Is that Latin?

- Sure is.

"De mortius nil nisi bonum."

You know what that means?
- Course not, grandma.

- Don't speak ill
of the dead.

That was your grandpa's idea.

- Who's Carl?

- Carl was our son.

- I never knew
you had a son.

- He was stillborn.

That's why your mother
was so precious to US.

I'll let you in
on a little secret.

Your grandfather

made me promise
on his deathbed

that I would never
sell this ranch.

Really?

With god's hand guiding me
and a lot of elbow grease,

I was able
to keep my promise so far.

I bet grandpa's
real proud of you.

I hope so.

I feel him here,
watching over the place.

He's with me all the time.

- Well, I'm here too.

And I'll help you.
I promise.

I would love nothing more

than for you to take over
this ranch as your own.

- Me too, grandma.

Ho.

- What's wrong, grandma?
- Nothing.

Just,
something in my eye.

It'll be okay.

We better get back.

It sure feels like rain.

- The reins!
- Whoa, whoa, stop!

- Pull...kamilla!

- Stop! Aah!

My god.

My...my god.

Kamilla.

Kamilla.

Kamilla! Kamilla!

My god.

Why did I...

Kamilla!

Kelly...kelly, it's me.

- Over...over here!

Over here!

- Mom. Mom!- Thank goodness they're here.

- My gosh.
Kamilla.

- You're gonna be okay.
- You'll be okay.

- Mom?

Baby.

- I'll get her up.

- Let's get her home.
- I got her.

Y'all get the door.
I got her.

You'll be okay.
It's all good.

- Honey.

- I'm sorry.

- Mom,
don't beat yourself up.

If it weren't for you
being there,

I don't know what
would have happened.

- If it weren't for me,

she wouldn't have been there
in the first place.

- Where were you going?

- I wanted her to connect
with her grandpa.

Kelly...

I need to tell you
something.

When kamilla fell,

I couldn't see.

I couldn't see
a darn thing.

- Well, pretty good news.

A slight concussion,
bruising.

A bit shook up, but otherwiseshe'll be all right.

...thanks, doc.

Can I go see her?
- Absolutely.

Kamilla is going to be
all right.

But your mother...

It started
with her night vision.

And then her
peripheral vision.

And now...
It's not getting any better.

Think you better
come see me.

- I'll be in the office
in the morning.

Thank you.

- Yeah.

- Hey.

- Hey.

- It's a long night.

- Remember the other night

we were talking about
turning back the clock?

- Actually...

You were the one who used
that expression, not me.

- Well...

- Well, the specialist
sent over the results

of your latest test, Ruth.

I'm afraid there's been
further degeneration.

I could have
told you that.

- Are there any treatments
we should be considering?

- Yes, there are treatments,
but they're risky.

And I'd recommend
using a cane.

- I hate canes.

- Well...my father
made this one.

And, you can have it.

As a gift.

Fine.

I'll use it as a weapon.

- Well, come and see me
in a week or so.

Then we'll see what's next.

- Thank you.

Hello.

...it's you again.

Well, how can I help you?

- I would like to see a map

of the water table
for the central valley.

- In all the years
I've been here,

no one asked me for that

until this month.

Heh, and now,

you're the second.

- Who was the first?

Sam.

The mayor.

- Right.

- Ms. Hanson.

You walkin' with a cane now?

- Well, it's not
a white cane yet.

I can still see
right through you, Sam.

- You don't know what
you're up against here.

That casino's gonna
save this town.

- There will be no town
if the farms don't survive.

Sorry.

- Hi, is Kelly here?

- I don't know
where she is.

- Robert farraday.

- Yeah, I know
who you are.

I know exactly
who you are.

- I got some phone calls
to make.

I'll just,
wait by the car.

- You're gonna
slow that car down

while you're
on this ranch, right?

- Robert.

- Kelly.

Ruth.

Sorry about that.

I'm still getting used
to this thing.

- What are you doing here?

- I wanted to do this
in person.

- Do what?

- Make you my new anchor.

- What happened
to miss Iowa?

- She's...not an anchor.

Let's just
leave it at that.

What do you say?

- I'll think about it.

Hey, um...

There's a guy.

Jack Norris, Jr.

He's buying up
all the land around here

and wants to build
a casino.

- I'll check.

What about
the anchor position?

- Why don't you spend

some quality time
with your daughter?

- Dad?

What are you doing here?

- Came to see you.

You ch-changed your hair.

- I'm going natural.
- Looks great.

That's...that's the truth.

- Thanks.

This is Chuck.

- Chuck.

- My...boyfriend.

- Boyfriend?

- This is my dad.

I stopped taking his calls,

but since he's, you know,

the only dad I've got,

I'm thinking...
Maybe I'll forgive him.

- Dad, this is big Ben.
My buddy.

- Hey, Ben.

- Go on, you can pet him.

- No, i...
I'm good, thanks.

Come on.

You telling me you've never
been on a horse?

You scared?

- Okay, so here's some more
info on Jack Norris.

He's the ceo of a company
called Neptune.

- Which is a major investor
in the casino project.

- Neptune specializes
in the importation of water.

Runs pipelines to Canada

and is developing technology

for the desalination
of seawater.

- Well, the...Water shortage
in California is so bad,

long beach is building
desalination plants.

- And some companies
are now selling water

to other cities and towns.

- Well, who would do that?

- Jack Norris
is selling our water.

- Hank, good news.

I sold a couple of ads
for you.

Longhorn coffee shop,
full page.

Floyd's gas station,
half a page.

- Wow, thanks!

How did you do that?

- On the phone,
with my quilting ladies.

One's married to Billy,

and the other one's
dating Floyd.

- Ruth hanson, I think
we just found you a new job.

Manager of our
advertising department.

- Well, you can talk to kellyabout my commission.

- Okay.

We need to go...

If we're gonna
meet with Norris.

All right, see you
at the council meeting.

- Kelly.

Kelly, hold up.

Whoa.
Stop, foal. Stop.

Me and this horse,
we are one.

- Yep.

- I also got the information
on Norris.

Now, his casino group,
Norris properties,

has an investor company
called Neptune resources

of which he's also ceo.

- Yeah, we just
found all that out.

- And did you also find out

he cut a deal
with the mayor of bixford,

who happens to be
his brother?

- Bixford...
that's 20 miles from here.

They had to shut down
one of their mills

because of the drought.

- That's where
our water's going.

- What water?

- I'll tell you later.
Thank you.

- What do you think
he's gonna say?

- I have no idea.

- You want me to come along?

- No.

I can handle him.

- So you come out here
to say, "get off my land"?

- That's one way
of saying it.

- Ms. Farraday,

every casino
Norris properties has built

has improved
the local economy

by leaps and bounds.

I can get you
all the statistics.

- I would appreciate that.

- Same could happen
with town of prosper.

And that's why
the majority of folks,

including the major
of this town,

support the casino.

It's a win-win situation.

- What does Neptune
have to do

with casino construction?

- Well, they're
digging our Wells,

handling all
the plumbing infrastructure

and the engineering.

- Stealing our water?

- That is quite
an accusation.

- Statement of fact.

- Is water
part of the public trust,

or is it privately owned?

That is a debate I welcome.

Our time is up.

Thank you so much
for comin' out.

- Okay.

Let's head back
to township road 5.

I wanna get some photos
of those pipes and pumps

for the newspaper.

Let's see how far
the pipes go,

and then we can...
what?

- I love you.

I just had to say it.

So there.

And you don't
have to say anything.

I just had to say it.

Nice.

Slant drilling.

Right into our well.

- Got it.

- Okay.

Wow.

- How far do you think
these pipes go?

- I'd say all the way
to bixford.

- Whoa.
- Whoa.

- Look at this.

- Yeah.

This stuff looks brand-new.

Here we go.

You go.

- Okay.

- Look at this place.

What do you think this is?

- I don't know.

- Hold that.

There's somebody out there.

Hey!

- Walt...do you hear that?

- Yeah.

- What the...

- Is it opening?

- It's...stuck!

Hey!

- How do we turn this off?!

- Hey!

- Looks like this
is the only other way out!

- You're right!

I gotta climb that pole.

- Aah!

- Now what are we gonna do?

- Well...

We gotta wait.

We're gonna float...

To that hatch.

- Change is coming.

Progress...it's inevitable.

But change
is not something to fear.

Change is something
to embrace!

My casino project
is a mammoth venture.

It's my life's work,

and I do not
approach it lightly.

And, yes,
it's gonna cause change.

It's change for this town,

change for each
and every one of you.

But with that change
will come prosperity,

where before,
there was none.

And with that change
will come opportunity

for each and every
one of you,

and that, my friends,
is not a gamble.

That...
Is my personal guarantee.

- Grab it!

- Walt...

- Yeah?

- I love you too.

- Yeah.

I know.

Okay.

Okay.

Hyuh!

- Now, tonight,
I ask this council

to reiterate its confidence
in our collective

and auspicious future

by giving its unanimous
approval to this deal.

I ask you to think
of Norris properties

as your partner...

- what about Neptune?

- Kelly?
- Mom?

- Well, as you know, Neptune
is another firm of mine

investing
in Norris properties,

infrastructure, engineering.

- Engineering?
That's for sure.

Engineering the water
right out from under US.

Ms. Farraday...

- Kelly, you can't just
come in here...

- this man
is the reason our farms

and our businesses
are failing.

- Do I have
to have you removed?

- You lay a hand
on my daughter,

and I'll kick your bottom.

- Quiet down, everybody.

Kelly, you'll
have your chance to speak

once Mr. Norris is finished.

Mr. Norris,
will you please continue?

- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

I'll leave you with this.

If you're not interested
in progress,

I know
the people of bixford

would welcome
this opportunity

for growth and prosperity.

Thank you for your time.

I trust you will
make the right decision.

- Now, Kelly.

- Mr. Norris is right
about bixford...

His brother
being the mayor and all.

But e truth
is that bixford needs water.

And our town's water table

is the linchpin
to this casino deal.

Mr. Norris's company Neptune

has already begun diverting
prosper's water to bixford.

And that is the reason
why our Wells are drying up.

Mr. Norris is a criminal,

a-and if we agree
to his casino,

then we are playing
right into his hand

and undermining
our own community.

- All right, now, Kelly,
that's quite an accusation.

- Ms. Farraday, this
is character assassination.

- Yeah, I think we've heard
just about enough from you.

- Grandma!

- I am a blind lady
with a gun.

You just need to sit there,
be quiet,

and listen to what
my daughter has to say.

- It's all true.

Mr. Norris has been
stealing our water

in order to drive US
out of our homes

and make way
for his casino.

And I have the photos

and the wet clothes
to prove it.

And you can read all about itin tomorrow's post.

Coming back to prosper
has made me realize

how important it is to preserve
this town's way of life.

My mother's
great grandmother,

the indomitable
sheriff Helen Barnes,

once saved this town
from thieves.

And I ask you all to save
this town once again.

And I ask the council

to rescind this land deal
with Mr. Norris.

And if we don't...

Tomorrow, escrow will close.

And our town of prosper,
as we know it...

Will be history.

Mr. Norris, I know
that you're a litigious man,

but I guarantee you,
the people of prosper

will hold you
personally responsible

for the losses
that they have incurred

as a result
of your stealing their water

for your own personal gain.

- I wouldn't have it
any other way.

Ms. Farraday, well played.

- They're all rotten.

- This is our lives.
This is our town.

- And there's one more thing.

Does this council
realize that...

Our mayor...
Sam bridgewater...

Is on the payroll
at Neptune?

Sam has been going along
with the casino deal

and knowingly assistingin the diversion of our water.

- I can explain.

- Shut up, Sam.

- In light of these
new developments,

I move that we...
Table this motion.

And thereby nullify
this transaction

with Norris properties.

All those in favor.

Aye!

- It's unanimous.
The motion carries.

The casino deal is dead.

- This meeting
is adjourned.

- Sorry I'm late.

Did I miss anything?

It didn't go so well.

- Well, grandma Ruth got
you out branding cattle yet?

Not yet.

- No? She can do it.
I'm not kidding.

- Yeah.
- She's a strong woman.

I know.

- Hey. Ready to give you
an answer.

- And?
- No.

- Can I ask why?

- Rediscovering
what I left behind.

And the best thing to ever
happen to me... and kamilla.

We belong here, to take care
of the ranch and my mother.

- Okay.

Every second weekend.

- I promise.

- And you'll take my calls.

- Yeah,
I'll take your calls.

- You promise?
- I promise.

- I love you.
- I love you too, dad.

- Be good.

- You too.

- Yobe good.

- Bye, dad!

- Bye!

- I'm gonna go tell grandma.
- Okay.

- So you gonna
take that job?

- What do you think?

There you are.

Beautiful night.

I was so proud of you
tonight.

Your father
would have been proud too.

- Think so?

- I know so.

- I miss him.

Still.

- Yeah.

Me too.

- I'm really glad I came.

- I love you.

- I love you too, mom.