Callie & Son (1981) - full transcript

My name's Kimball Smythe.

But you don't need
to know about me yet.

In fact,
I wasn't even there
that hot afternoon

30 years ago in a Texas town

on the backside of nowhere.

Still, I came to
know a few pertinent
bits and pieces

about the beginning,

and about this woman
who would dominate and
change so many lives.

Her name was
Callie Lord, then,
and she was young

and somebody,
as they used to say,
had done her wrong,

quite wrong.



Funny thing is, in
the best tradition of
melodramatic literature,

the tale would one day
end right here,

where it all started.

Oh...

Oh. Oh, my baby.

Oh, my... It's gonna be
just fine.

Callie never even
got to hold her baby.

It was a boy.

The day after he was born,
a lawyer out of Amarillo

drove into town to
collect the merchandise.

Now, listen carefully,
Miss Lord.

This first paper's called
the Act of Relinquishment.

"I, Callie Martha Lord,

"do hereby relinquish
and surrender
said below described



"white male,
Caucasian infant for
permanent adoption."

I've been thinking
about this, Mr. Lawrence.

Been thinking a whole lot,
and have changed my mind.

I'm afraid that's
quite impossible,
Miss Lord.

My clients have
already paid out
$245 on prenatal care.

You back out now, Callie,
and they're gonna have to
file on you for fraud.

Criminal fraud.

That's felony.

I don't wanna cause
anybody any trouble.

It's just that
baby is my flesh,
he's my son.

I'll pay you back all the money.

It's too late now.

You're a Christian girl,
aren't you, Callie? Hmm.

Never been in trouble before?

Well, then, you'd probably get

a 10-year suspended sentence.

Likely as not,
they'll put that baby
in an orphan home.

If I sign it, could I
just hold my baby
for one minute?

That wouldn't be right.

It'll just be
too hard after that.

What,
are they good people?

Fine Christian family.

Nurse.

Please witness
that I am
formally handing

to Callie Martha Lord

the cashier's check
from the Republic Northstar

National Bank, Dallas, Texas,

in a sum of $2,000

for services rendered.

Callie never
told anybody the name
of her baby's father.

She buried the past
the day she left
Chillicothe.

With an ache in her heart
and $2,000 in her pocket,

she bought a bus
ticket to Dallas.

The last thing she did
was call her mama,

whose blessing
was goodbye and
good riddance.

It's a buck fifty
a week.

Payable every
Friday afternoon
at 5:30 p.m., sharp.

One minute late,
and I call the sheriff.

You'll find your stuff
out on the side walk.

I expect
Christian behavior
in my home.

No profanity, no noise,

no electric hair curlings.

Lights out at 10:00.
Don't waste hot water.

And no men.
I repeat, no men

allowed upstairs, ever.

You hear me?

Hey!
I'm Jeannie.

I'll be right next door
if you need me, okay?

Yuck! The old bat gave you
the Black Hole of Calcutta.

Listen, why don't you
come over to my place?

I got a red silk pillow
I could loan you.

Lord knows it'll be a start.

Come on.Okay.

Oh, I didn't
get your name. Callie Lord.

Nice to know you,
Callie Lord.
I'm Jeannie Everly.

"No cooking,
no electric hair curling,

"lights out at 10:00,
don't waste hot water,"
which I did.

"And no men.
Repeat, no men allowed
upstairs, ever."

Shoot.

What does that old bat
know about men.

She ain't had one
since the Indian.

Flat feet on a waitress
are worse than
a flat chest on a stripper.

My toes are killing me.

Hey, you got a job?

No, but I sure could use one.

Listen, that was just
between you and me, okay,

'cause I don't really
know for sure, but...

There may be a job
opening down at the cafe
where I work.

There's this old gal
named Ruthie.

She thinks
she's fixing to quit,
found a husband.

Lord knows she's ugly.
I don't how she ever
managed matrimony.

Thanks, but, uh,
I think I'll probably just
look around a bit more.

Well, excuse me!
Didn't mean to twist
your arm or anything, hon.

No, there's nothing wrong
with being a waitress.

It's just that I kinda

had a little something
more in mind, that's all.

Sure. Come on, sit.

It's hot, now.

As soon as my husband
gets back from Korea,

we're gonna move out to a farm.

You married? Oh, yeah, twice.

Well...
More like one-and-a-half, actually.

The first didn't last out
the weekend.

They were about
the best 15 at the time.

Oh, this tune.
Come here, I wanna
show you a new step.

Oh, you probably
know it, anyway.
Come on, count.

I don't know what to do.

Don't they dance
where you come from?

Not really.

What's a little ol' thing like
you doing in Dallas, anyway?

Oh, wait, wait.
Well, let me guess.

You wouldn't be
running away now,
would you?

Hey, come here.

Come on here,
I want to do something
about that hair of yours.

Come here.

I don't want to hurt
your feelings or nothing,

but you look like
a runner up
to Miss Turner Green.

Hey, you know,

when I was a little girl,
my mama used to
do this for me.

She had sit me down

and she'd say,
"Now, Jeannie Louise,

"before you go to bed tonight,

"I want you to
count your blessings.

"You'll probably be surprised
just how well off you are."

Miss Callie,
you don't have anything
to worry about.

I mean, you...
You got a new town.

Got a new place to live.
Got a new friend.

And you got a new hairdo.

Wow.

Well, I guess
all we need now is
to find you a job

and a real rich fellow
with a heart condition.

I'm really grateful to you.

You know, you've got
more than most people
have on their plates.

You don't have anything
to worry about, hon,

not the way you look.

Well, hoopsie do.

Oh, come on, hon,
you'll see, it's not
gonna be so bad.

Hey, listen. If anybody
has busy hands,
you just say no.

They keep it up,
you come and tell
Aunt Jeannie,

and she'll pour hot coffee
down their red necks.

That's a safe one to start with.

Comes in here every morning,

he never says a word to you.

He doesn't take
anything but coffee,

but he leaves a quarter tip.

I think his name's
Mr. Bordeaux.

Works for
the newspaper
or something.

Good luck.

Good morning,
Mr. Bordeaux.Morning.

How'd you make out?

I got about $6, I think.

Six bucks? That is
semi-sensational.

Hey, you wanna go
over to the Silver Spur
tonight and celebrate?

I've met me a man there once.

Said he's a real life
lion tamer.

Well, I don't think so.

I've kinda got
plans already, thanks.

Sure. It's fine.

I got me a baby boy.
He's almost one.

Quite a bronco, too.
He's already walking.

I bet he's adorable.

I don't believe this.

It seems like
you could have
told me before 6:15.

I just got here?

I just...
Drop the curtain.

But don't make a reservation!

Well, damn...

Damn, damn!

There's trash,
and then there's trash.

Another hot night
between the pages, huh?

Yeah. Yeah.

You ain't gonna find
a husband in there.

I ain't looking for one.

What are
you looking for?

I don't know.
Maybe I could be
a better person.

Learn a few things.

Well, I prescribe,
personally, a little fun.

Hey.

Have I ever asked you
a favor before, ever?

No.

Well, get ready,
'cause here's
the first night.

I want you to get that
widely sought after
behind of yours

right out of that bed
and come have
a double date with me.

Oh, no, listen,
I got two genuine old men.

They're gonna take us
to a real fancy restaurant

with real expensive
nice wines, soft music,

candle light,
la-di-da-do-da-di.
Come on. Come on.

Thanks.
I don't think so.

Well, what's the matter
with you, hon?
Don't you like men?

Well, I don't dislike them.

Well, you haven't had
three dates in the last year.

Jeannie, I don't
even know what to
say to a guy.

The best word's no.

Well, you could just...

You could just
sort of smile a lot

and make them think
you're mysterious.

I'd rather read.

You won't do it for yourself,
would you do it for me?

Jeannie... Oh, please.

Oh, pretty, please.

All right.
All right.

Oh!

Whoo! Come on,
let's get out of here.

Bye. Whoo!

I'm sorry, hon.

Well, sometimes
in the oil business,
you just hit a dry hole.

Oh, that's for sure. That guy was
such a creep.

Did you see that old fusspot?

Hey, look,
it's for you.Yeah.

Yeah.

Listen, can we go
over to your room?
I'd like to...

I don't wanna be alone.

Sure.

Are you all right?

Aren't you gonna open it?

I've never got
one of these things before.

Well, open it.

I can't.

You read it to me.

Please.

Well?

I can't, Jeannie. Read it.

"We regret to inform you

"that your husband,
Corporal William P. Everly

"was killed in action
in heavy fighting
at the 38th parallel.

"President Truman
and the nation extend
their deepest sympathies.

"Carl Tipper,
U.S. Department of Defense."

Jeannie, I'm so sorry.

You know the funny thing?

I remember
what Billy looked like.

I can't remember how he felt.

We were only together
a couple of weeks.

But I loved him.

That Korean war
wouldn't finish, you know.

He promised me
he'd only be gone
a couple of months and...

He said he was gonna come back

and we were gonna buy a farm.

What can I do?

It's shameful not to remember

what your own husband felt like.

Could I...

Could I borrow a Kleenex?

Yeah. Maybe a glass
of water.

Here you go.

I found one in your drawer?

You want me to call a doctor
or a preacher or anything? No, no.

No, this is gonna do.

Number two's finished,
and now I'll look for
number three, that's all.

Jeannie... Well, it's true.

When I find him, he'll be

climbing telephone poles
or fixing washing machines,
or selling cars.

He won't be any
better or any worse
than the rest.

Are you sure... One thing's for sure,
he's that guy.

There's no law that says
you've gotta settle.

Oh, sure, there is,
it's Jeannie's law.

You get what's coming to you.

Hey.

You got a kid
stashed away some place?

Kid? No.

Well, I know you ain't pregnant.

Well, of course, I'm not.

What are all of
them baby clothes
doing in the drawer?

Oh, it's for my nephew.

I got me a little nephew,
and he's just, you know,
he's real cute.

Look, I don't want to be nosy.

Do you want to talk about it?

No, thank you.

Now, look, Callie,
I know something's
hurting you.

Hey, tell Aunt Jeannie.

Get my mind off that telegram.

There's nothing left
to tell...

And besides,
you'd probably
hate me, anyway.

Oh, honey.

Hey, you.
We're best friends.

Warts and all, remember?

There's nothing you could do

to make me
hate you. Nothing.

It's just I didn't know
what to do.

And I couldn't keep
my baby, so I had to
give him away.

Oh.

Oh.

Lawyers.

What they say is
about as important
as cow chips.

I just wanna see my little boy,

to make sure he's all right,
and I don't know
how to do that.

Well, I might know somebody.

Well,
Jeannie had a friend

who bowled every Friday night

with a private eye
named Clyde Deacon.

Now, he specialized
in what was
euphemistically termed

divorce evidence.

But the feeling was
he might help Callie
find her baby son.

Clyde Deacon alas
did not turn out
to be a savior.

But I'm getting
ahead of the story.

You have no idea
how hard they make
these things.

To protect the child, mainly.

I see.

Was the adoption
legal or black market?

I don't know.
The lawyer had
all these papers.

Did you get copies? No, uh-uh.

That's what I figured.

Well, is it possible? Nothing's impossible.

It'll take time and money.

There'll be a lot of
hands to shake.

I'll pay whatever you say.

It's just I can't
go on much long

without at least
seeing my little boy.

Oh, well,
500 ought to get
the ball rolling.

$500?

In cash.

You see,
somebody might wanna
trace this later on.

Anything else on your mind?

Only my baby.

You're right determined.

For a waitress.

Mr. Deacon, I don't
intend to be a waitress
all my life.

Ta-da! Oh, my Lord.

I hope you can stand
this much beauty
on one person.

Jeannie.

I look like a damn sheep dog.

Well, Mamie Eisenhower.Cute.

It is not cute.

Did you know that
a court reporter can make
$500 a month easy.

Hello?
Yes, this is her.

Hi...

How soon do you need it?

Um, of course
I want you to
keep trying.

Okay. Bye.

Who was that?

It was Deacon.
He needs $200 more.

For what?

I thought you gave him $950?

He's real close, Jeannie.

He traced the family
from Texarkana to Shreveport.

Counsel pleaded...

The prosecution used
three peremptory strikes.

Yes, Callie. Uh, could you repeat
that last part, please?

They don't repeat testimony
in a courtroom, Miss Lord.

Yes, ma'am.

Nobody home.

Deacon had skipped.

Callie was taken once again.

She vowed this was
the last time,

that she'd never
forget Clyde Deacon.

Sorry, I'm late.

Let the record show

the deposition of
Mr. Randall Bordeaux, Jr.

Was taken at 2:00 p.m.,
April 15, 1953.

Present were Ralph Heynard,

attorney for the plaintiff,
Samuel Ripkin,

and Horace Johnston,
counselor for Mr. Bordeaux.

What is
your name, miss? Callie Lord.

And Callie Lord
adjuring the court's
reporting company.

This deposition

is in the matter of
a civil liable suit

brought against
Mr. Randall Bordeaux.

The membership committee
and I just don't...

Good night. Good night.

Oh, excuse me, miss.

Ah, well, see you later.
Okay, thank you very much.

I... I didn't get a chance
to thank you for staying
so late up there

through all that nonsense.

Oh, it's all right.
No, I enjoyed it.

You handled things
quiet beautifully, too,
I think.

Oh, thank you.

Well, can I give you
a lift or...

No, I just thought
I'd go find myself
a real cup of coffee.

I think it's time. Well,

I could use
a cup of coffee myself.

Black with two sugars, I think.

Good Lord.
Miss... Miss Lord?

I did not make the connection.

People said Callie
set her cap that night

for the most eligible
bachelor in Dallas.

Wrong. Just men and women
discovering a lot in common.

It seems that love
always happens

when you're not out
looking for it.

Ah, miss those old people.

Don't you have
any family here? No.

Newspaper.
Newspaper's my family.

My mother, my wife,
my child, my friend.

And my enemy.

Do you mind if I say...

I think you're remarkable.

You know, you can say that
as often as you like.

I would like to say that

you handled yourself very well.

You held your temper
in that room today.

I mean, I know
I'm not supposed
to take sides, but...

That libel suit
is as leaky as
grandma's milk.

Now, if I was you,
I'd turn right round

and sue the behinds
of those people.

I may do that, Callie Lord.

Callie Lord.
I like that name...

And the person it belongs to.

Might I see that
person again sometime?

If you like.

Here's
where I come in.

And what a night it was.

Social Dallas was out in force,

bejeweled, bedecked
and hell-bent
on scrutinizing

the commoner who'd
married a prince.

I can't say I blame Randall
for wanting to show her off.

Just sorry I didn't
meet her first.

Whatever.

It seemed that fate
had finally dealt Callie
a good card.

Hi.Hi.

You take my breath away. Why, thank... Oh.

I wish we hadn't
even invited
anybody else.

So do I.

Hi, how are you?
Good to see you.

Evening, how are you?

Howdy, how you doing?
Good to see you.

Randall, this is
my good friend, Jeannie.

Oh, sure,
I remember Jeannie.
How are ya?

Yeah. Welcome to
our home. Thank you.

I think you did very well
for yourself, Mr. Bordeaux.

Oh, it's Randall,
but I quite agree
with you.

All of them books you read.
I knew I should have
got me a library card.

Howdy, Randall. Oh, Senator,
how are you?

Senator and Mrs. Houseman,
I want you to meet
my wife Callie.

Darling? Hmm.

Will the groom
allow the bride
a little recess?

Yeah. Sure, don't
be gone too long.

Okay. Thank you.

Well,
you certainly do look
lovely, Mrs. Bordeaux.

Thank you. Did you buy that
frock in Chillicothe?

Hello.

Evening, ma'am.

I gather you have
the same tolerance

for these tribal rites as I do.

I just needed
a little air, Mr...

We haven't met yet.

My name's Kimball Smythe,

and I'm neither rich nor famous,

but fairly civilized, anyway.

I teach Political Science
at SMU.

That's nice,
Mr. Smythe.

I guess I, uh,
best be getting back
to Randall now.

You don't
seem too anxious
to go back inside.

Tell me.
Have these old crocodiles
been snapping at you?

Little more than I expected.

Isn't exactly the most
popular marriage
in Dallas this year.

Mmm-hmm. Well,
you better come with me.

I'll give you a little
food for thought.

Please observe,
right in front of us there.

That painted gourd
squash, the one
with the cherry on top,

Miss Cara Peabody.

Now, believe it or not,
she was once the most

celebrated hooker in East Texas.

They say,
that on one memorable
weekend in 1937,

she entertained 53 customers,

one of whom struck oil
on Monday morning,

gave her $50,000
and a wedding ring
as tribute.

Oh, and right through there,
you might observe
that rare species

ad Ludie England,
arbiter of all that's
rich and beauteous.

Yes, and she makes me
feel like I should use
the servant's entrance.

Listen, she's formally
known as Blanche Guberman.

Guberman...

Yep. Yeah.
Old Blanche ran a horse...

She shot and killed
two lovers, for which
she escaped punishment

by pleading self-defense.

Both men and my dad
got bullets in their back.

Now, that was
30 years ago, which is
an absolute miracle,

because she told me,
personally, she's only 28.

No.

No, it is a fact. Thank you very much.

You have made your point.

Wait a minute, Professor.
How'd you get in here?

Hi.Uh-oh. Uh-oh.

Always the back fence.

I have to ease my way
into these major events.

This character tell you
he's about my oldest friend? No.

'Cause anything he tells you,
it's best to disbelief.

I speak only the truth,
just like everything is
printed in your newspaper.

Congratulations, Randy.

I think you got the gold cup.

Thank you.

Have I told you lately
how much I love you?

Hmm.

How proud I am of you?

Not since midnight.

That was 10 minutes ago.

Oh. Mmm.

Oh!

You two kissed?
Just adorable!

I've never been

to a better wedding party,
and I've had three.

Jeannie,
where's number three,
by the way?

Oh, he ran off with some heifer.

Oh.

Why is it every man
I marry has 15 cents
in his pocket,

eight outstanding
traffic tickets,

and the charm of a Bremer bull.

Wish we'd met 10 years ago.
I'd have qualified
on all counts.

Good lord, Willie Chips.

Where is the party?
Where did everybody go?

You old pea-picker.

Ladies, I'd like to
present this former
Dallas roughneck,

who is now the proud
owner of 255

gas and oil wells
right outside of
Weatherford.

Uh, uh, uh, 257.
Got lucky this morning.

Is that real oil or snake oil?

Well, hoop-dee-doo.

Did you see the way
she put the heel, huh?

Do you wanna go with this
three column article about
Mamie at Gettysburg?

No, No. I think
we should use something
of a more local nature.

You know, we still have,
what, 12 stamp photographers?

Hi.Hey, darling.
Why didn't you call?

Gentlemen, you all know my wife.

Oh, please be seated.

May I speak to you?

Uh, well, yeah, uh...

It's kind of private.

All right, darling, what...
Excuse me, boys.
I'll be right back.

Sure this can't
wait about an hour?
We're on a deadline here.

No, I can't wait
one more minute.

I just came from
the doctor and he told me
I am thoroughly pregnant.

You're what? I'm growin' our baby.

Are you sure? Yes!

Congratulations, boss.
You want that on page one?

Hey, ladies, where do you want
this thing?

Oh, my God. Look who's here. Okay,
put him right over there.

They'd have been cheaper
if we would've
bought a real one.

You get all weird,
number four.
You give me a kiss.

Hold it, fast one.
Just one minute.
One minute.

That's my dumpling.

One thing's for sure,
that kid will
never be spoiled.

Oh, no.

Look at here.
Look at here.

Willie, you shouldn't have.

You know, I got him
a Davy Crockett outfit
on order.

Oh, thank you.
Thank you.

Hey, you want me
to put these diapers
in this drawer here?

You okay, honey?

Just a little gas pain.

Oh.

Callie!

Honey!

Willie!
Call an ambulance!

Honey!

Dr. Melwood says
you're a lot better today.

In fact, he said,
two or three more weeks
and you'll be good as new.

He also said
you are not eating.
You've got to start eating.

Now, if you don't
like the food here,

I'll just call
the Petroleum Club and
have them send a tray over.

Would you like that?

Hmm?

It's God's will.
He's paying me back.

Darling, wait a minute,
I don't even want you
to think like that.

It's not anybody's will.

But it is.

He waited for just the right moment
to punish me. No, no. Listen, listen.

Listen to me a minute, okay?

I got a great idea.

Soon as the doctor
says it's okay,

why don't you and me
just take a trip together,
alone?

Did the doctor tell you
I can't ever have a baby
again, ever?

I don't care.

As long as we're together.

Nothing's ever gonna
grow inside me again.

I should've
told you this
a long time ago.

This ain't
the first baby
I've lost.

What do you mean?

Was it a boy?

Randall, tell me.
Was he well-formed? Callie, Callie.

We promised we wouldn't
ever talk about that,
yesterday, remember?

The first one was.
He was a fine boy.

He was beautiful.

He was healthy.

And, uh...

I just sold him.

Like a basket of vegetables,
here's the money
and here's the baby.

What are you talking about?

Oh! Why?
Why did God wait so long?

He waited
till just now
to punish me.

Oh, it's so...

Thank you, sir.

Good evening.

Okay. Easy, darling.
Come on, let me
give me you a hand.

Welcome home,
Mrs. Bordeaux.

Not many people
knew how sick Callie was.

She stayed three months
in the hospital,

and at least twice,
the doctor said she was
dying of internal bleeding.

But it was grief, shame.

The day Randall
brought her home,
she was pale and lost.

She didn't know
he had a surprise waiting.

He worked his tail off
to keep Callie
alive and sane.

Randal turned Texas
upside down, and this is
what he wrought.

I told you I wanted
this room closed
and locked forever.

Just trust me, okay.

Whose child is this?

I think you know, don't you?

How'd you find him?

It wasn't easy.

Well, go on.
Introduce yourself.

Honey.

You know who I am?

Is it really him?

Of course, it is.
Can't you tell?

Well, I can't believe it.

Yeah.

And you can believe this, too.

They named him Randolph.

He answers to Randy.

Randy?

My name is Callie.

And I'm your mama.

And I love you more
than you'll ever know.

Could I, maybe,
have a little kiss?

Just one little
teeny, tiny kiss
right here?

Please.

Oh!

I'm so sorry I left you.

And I'll never do it again.

And you listen to me.
I promise you, I will
never leave you again, ever.

'Cause I love you.

I love you so much.
I've got all the love
in the world for you, baby.

I really do.

And you're gonna see it.

Oh, my God!

Whoo!

Randy? Mmm?

Happy birthday, boy.

Come on. It's time
to get into your
own bed now, come on.

Here we go.

Come here, boy.

Hi.

Hey.

How're you doing?

Fine. How're you doing?

Good.Mmm.

How was your flight? Long.

We had to land in Memphis.

How was the President?

You know,
he's very impressive.

Did he mention anything
about our Bay of Pigs
editorial?

I think the word
"Judas" came up
a couple of times, yeah.

Oh, dear. Don't worry
about it, though.

I didn't tell him
who came up with the line
"Fools rush in."

Listen, darling.

I don't know

exactly how to say this.

I don't wanna blow it
out of proportion, but...

I think...

I think Randy's too big
to be sleeping in here now.

Well, he couldn't sleep.

His stomach hurt. He ate
too much birthday cake.

You do remember
today was his birthday,
don't you?

Yes.

Just wanted to get
his little book,

climb up in bed with mama
and read for a while.

Is there anything
wrong with that?

Let's talk about it tomorrow.

Why, what's there to talk about?

All right.

This is what I think.

Randy's not developing properly.

His grades are terrible.

I think you and he would benefit

if we went ahead and
sent him to that prep school
up in Connecticut.

I can't believe
you still want to exile
a 12-year-old child

2,000 miles away from home.

What do you mean, "exile"?

You know, there's just
a slight possibility

he might learn
something up there.

Randy is a bright boy,

he has simply not been
challenged properly,
that's all.

He never will be
as long as you
keep protecting him.

Oh, now protecting my son
is a maternal felony?

All right, let me use
another word, then.

As long as you
keep smothering him.

I'll be the judge of that.

What? I said, "I'll be
the judge of that."

Callie, you know...

You're a wonderful mother,

but he's my boy, too.

He's not yours, he's mine.

Who found him?

Who bore him?

Okay.

You're the mother.
I'm the father.

Let's just leave it at that.

All right.

You know, you keep whipping me,

I'm going to take up golf.

I don't have
to take this kind of
abuse, you know?

You've never played better
in your life. What?

You nearly got a game there.

Fifteen-love, in...

Please!

Listen...

You called Ted Sorensen?

Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah.

I suggested to him that
the President just
skip us on this trip.

He can.

Jack's growled
so long, so loud
about oil and steel.

You've got to come down here,
show people there's
no blood on his fangs.

I hope he brings Jackie
with him as a diversion.

You heard what happened to
Adlai Stevenson the
other day, didn't you?

Yeah.

Some of our local patriots
whacked him over the head
with one of those, uh...

"Get out of the UN"
picket signs.

Yeah.

Number of nuts always
bound to fall out of
the tree in Dallas.

How's Callie?

She's good.

Randy's her whole life.

Yeah, but she's so smart,
I wish she'd get interested
in something else.

Yeah, for a self-educated
woman, she amazes me.

Knows her politics.Yeah.

Listen, why don't you
try to find her a job
on the newspaper?

Election year's coming up.

That's terrific, except that...

Problem is,
it's a package deal, see?
Callie and Son.

Indeed, they were
a package deal.

A veritable corporation.

Callie and Son.

She's bound and determined
that Randy had it in him
to write like Hemingway.

Callie crossed that
narrow line between
possession and obsession.

She never even noticed,
the harder she squeezed,

the more her son was
slipping away from her.

Yeah, are you watching?

Now listen, darling, we've
got to be at the trademark
by 12:15, sharp.

Well, we have to
be seated before
Jack and Jackie get there.

Yeah.

Well, listen, tell Randy he's
gonna get a chance to shake
hands with the President.

Okay?

What?

Darling, it doesn't
make any difference
what you wear.

You're going to
look great no matter
what you put on.

Yeah, okay.

All right, I'll see
you there, okay?
I love you, bye-bye.

All set? Thank you.

Cheering and yelling
going on down the way,

as they approach the car.

Secret Service
right along with
the President, of course.

President passes
right in front of
a Dallas police officer,

right in front of
our cameras now.

Somebody patted his shoulder.

Mrs. Kennedy coming
along behind him,
grinning all the while.

President saying,
"Thank you very much,"

if I maybe be permitted
to read a Presidential
lip movement.

And, uh...

I talked to Horace today.

Another lawsuit,
my goodness.

No, I decided to sell the paper.

Why?

Honey, the economy's
picking up...

it doesn't have anything
to do with dollars and cents.

But why, then?

The Post Dispatch has been
in your family over 100 years.

Maybe it's just because...

Life right now
is so unsettled.
I don't know.

But I think
when they shot
Jack Kennedy...

He was so young
and vital, and...

I haven't been
able to shake that.

Darling, I love you so much.

And I love our son.

I just think
it's time for us to
get off this treadmill

and find some time
for ourselves.

Maybe raise
a few head of cattle,
and Randy loves the land.

He's always loved the land.

Well, that's very
touching, darling,
but, uh...

I understand your concern,

but you and I have, both,
devoted ourselves to Randy
taking over the paper someday.

Now, if you sell it,

you're gonna strip
our son of his inheritance.
Is that your plan?

Plan?

How can you
plan anything in
this day and age,

with all the lunatics
running around the world?

Darling...

You'll get over this depression.

I want you to
promise me something.

I want you to promise
you won't make any decisions

until you get over
the pain of Kennedy's death.

And after that,
Randy and I will back you
in whatever you want.

Okay?

Please.

Okay.

I love you.

I'm here to see the city editor.

Is he expecting you? Yes.

I'm a little early.
I'll just go on in.

Sir, it's better
to wait out here.
I will announce you.

Which one of you
bastards wrote this?

Who gave you
the right to print
lies about me, huh?

Another madman,
another gun.

Three more lives lost
to the legions of lunatics

with grievances
and trigger fingers.

Randall died before he hit
the City Room floor.

We gave him a big funeral.

Bishops, eulogies,
tears, the works.

In the '60s, we were
getting it down pat.

Callie took his death
a lot harder than
I would have expected.

I never realized how much
she loved my best friend.

I wonder if Randall knew.

I hope he did.

Samuel says you
got to eat, Mama.

I miss him, too, Mama.

I know you do, darling.

I know you do.

What are we going to do, Mama?

It's going to be all right.

It's going to be fine.

I promise you that.

I promise you that.

Good morning.

May I have a chair
for my son, please?

Mrs. Bordeaux, there are
no words to describe

our profound sense
of loss and waste...

Thank you.
Please continue.

Uh...

As you know, Mr. Bordeaux
turned down a recent offer
to sell his newspaper.

Yes, we shared all decisions.

It, uh, then became
his intention to...

Turn ownership of
the Dallas Post Dispatch
over to its employees.

Uh, he was fairly
well along in the formation
of this plan when, uh...

Please go on.

Well, perhaps,
Horace Johnston can better
explain these documents.

Mrs. Bordeaux,
as, uh,

your late husband's
personal counsel, and
with all due respect,

these documents represent
the transfer of ownership

from your
late husband's estate
to an employee committee.

All vested employees
of this newspaper
will become owners.

We propose to offer
the generous sum of $11
and 75 cents per share.

Excuse me.
Excuse me.

Gentlemen...

I hope there has not been
a misunderstanding.

The Dallas Post Dispatch
was founded by my late
husband's great-grandfather.

It has been owned
and edited by a Bordeaux
for four generations.

And thus, it will continue.
My son will one day
be the fifth.

I want this run,
tomorrow, page one.
All editions.

It is an announcement that
Mrs. Randall Bordeaux

is accepting the editorship
of the Dallas Post Dispatch.

And she is assuring
our readership

that this great newspaper's
tradition and integrity

will not only be continued,
but infused with new vitality.

Tomorrow morning,
at 7:00 a.m., I will be taking
over my husband's desk.

And at 7:15,
I will expect to have
the regular news meeting.

Mrs. Bordeaux, I...

I know how grieved you are
over Randall's tragic passing.

But I cannot believe
you'd go against his wishes.

Mr. Donohue,

I believe that
since I am the widow
of Randall Bordeaux,

and that since I slept
next to him every night
for the past 12 years,

I am in a better position
to express my husband's
wishes than you.

Now, if you find fault
with the new editor
of this paper,

I feel certain that
your resignation
will be accepted.

Yes.

Fine.

Any more questions?

Here's what I mean.

This lead goes
on forever.
It is endless.

A speech by the President
of the chamber of commerce

is worth
two graphs, maximum.
It is boring.

Yet, back here on page 27,

I found a little, tiny item.

And it's a hell of
a story about a farmer
who shot his wife.

He shot his wife's lover
and the horse that
fella rode in on.

Now that, my friends, is page 1.

I want... No, correction,

I demand that every word
in this paper be bright
and interesting.

Because if it bores you,
Lord knows,

it's gonna bore
the people right to sleep.
Don't you think?

To the surprise
of just about everyone
but me,

Callie became one hell
of a newspaper woman.

She slapped new paint
on the old lay

and circulation
went up to 22%
the first year.

There's just
two things in her life,
the paper and Randy.

She earned power,
and she used it in 1968.

She's voted one of
the 10 most admired
women in America.

But she went to bed alone.

Callie, darling, it's Ludie.

Oh, the paper
looks wonderful,
so fascinating.

But I haven't read
a word about the
Hollyhock Ball.

It's such a good cause.

The Society page
seems bereft without it.

Oh, Ludie,
you're absolutely right.

The debutantes
are the very soul
of Society page,

however, we don't have
a society page anymore.

It's called Today's Woman.

And this afternoon,
we are featuring
a black woman.

She makes patchwork quilts

and she sells them
for $1,000 a piece
to boutiques.

She also gives
half of her money to
Martin Luther King.

Isn't that something?
Toodle-loo.

Trash, absolute trash.

I knew it the minute
I laid eyes on her.

There's not much left,
just the routine stuff.

It was kind of commissioned
as J. Peace

We have recommendations.
Do you wanna use the space?

Well, I want this paper
to present a choice,

whatever position on the ballot.

Okay,
"Justice of the Peace,"
page six.

That's a horse race,
you can take your pick,

we'd like C.R. Deacon.

That wouldn't be
Clyde Deacon, would it?

Ma'am? Clyde Deacon?

I don't...
I don't know.

Well, check to see if he's
a former private detective.

If he is, turn him
inside out and use Rosen.

Excuse me, ma'am,
you want me to take our best
man off the governor's race

and have him check out
of JP county.

You heard me correctly.

If there's one thing this
paper does stand for, it's
justice across the board.

Hi, baby.
Sorry I missed our dinner.
Did Samuel fix you a tray?

We put out two
extra dishes tonight,

and they sold out
just like that.

I've never seen
anything like it.

And I suspect that
you've been smoking.

It ain't your basic
filter tip, Mom.

You want to try some?

I suggest you read
page one of the Night Final.

Judge Bricker just gave
two boys 30 years

in the State Penitentiary
for marijuana possession.

Yeah, I read page one
of the Night Final.

Interesting social notes
from all over.

Did you happen to read that
bitty little item about
Bobby Kennedy getting shot

to death in LA?

Do not be facetious with me.

Oh, I wouldn't
dream of it, Mama.

I'm real pragmatic.

I figured I got
two choices, I can go get
my butt blown off in Vietnam,

or I can stop a bullet
right here at home.

Baby, you have
plenty of options...

And don't call me "baby"!

I'm 18 years old!

You have plenty of options.

Now Kimball is fixing it up,
so you can go to the
University of Texas.

They have an excellent
Journalism department there.

I haven't got the grades,
Mama, and you know it.

Besides, what if
I don't want to go?

What if me
and Pete decide..."Pete and I," please?

Whatever.

What if we decide to split?

I don't know,
maybe bum around Europe.

Well, it's impossible.

You go to college,
or you get drafted.

Mama, I don't know who I am.

You are the heir
to a great newspaper,
that's who you are.

And I have been
working 18 hours a day

trying to keep that
paper going for you.

Mama, please, give me some room.

I have never made
a decision in my life.

I'm worried about your attitude.

It is rather poor.

Yeah, but it's my own, Mama.
At least let me have my own
damn attitude.

I want you to be happy.

Mama, I'm not ambitious.

I... I can't fulfill
your dreams!

And I want you to realize
your potential, Randall.

Mama, you want
to know the truth?

I don't give a diddly-squat.

Randall... Oh, go fight
the war, Mama.

Go write some patriotic
editorials about the need
to protect San Francisco

from Viet Cong invasion. That's enough.

Go on, Mama, you go
sell them papers. Come on,
Mama, kick some butt.

Enough!

All right, this is
all we could dig up
on Clyde Deacon.

His detective business
went broke, and he went
to law school nights.

Got a good reputation
in his neighborhood.

Only black mark we can
find is that the IRS
has been investigating

the last couple of years,
no income tax done.

Fine. Develop
the story and run it.

Uh, respectfully,
ma'am, I'm being audited
for 1967, too.

It's not a capital offense.

I don't want any man
sitting on the bench

who cheats on his taxes
or goes bankrupt.

Excuse me, gentlemen.

Hi!

I'm sorry, I know we're
already late for dinner.

There's a little girl
outside from Channel 9,

she wants to do
a real quick interview
before we leave.

I'm afraid my Vietnam
editorial kicked up
quite a dust storm.

Congratulations.
I'm surprised the
White House hasn't called.

They have. Twice.

Oh!

Well, then, Mrs. Bordeaux,
why did your newspaper make
such an abrupt about-face

and come out against further
U.S. involvement in Vietnam?

My words speak for themselves.

I did sign the editorial.

You do have a 18-year-old
son of draft age, Mrs. Bordeaux.

Did that affect your decision?

I don't think so.

Randy is a fine young man,
and he would willingly
serve his country if needed.

Thank you. This is Susan Moore
talking to Callie Lord Bordeaux.

Well, you handled that
television girl pretty good.

I thought she's
kind of pushy.

Well, she's ambitious.
They all are.

When's Randy leaving for Austin?

Next week.
And thank you again
for all you did.

You signed the check?

A little chilly in here,
don't you think?

You know, somewhere
between the salad and
that drink, I lost you.

I'm sorry.

Well, anything wrong?

No, I'm just a little
worried about Randy.

Hmm.

Every mother in America
is worried about Randy.

Looks like we've got
new rules for the game
of parenting.

Well, I guess
I ought to be going.

I've got a 8:00 a.m.
meeting with...

Look, in all of your reading,

did you ever come
across Freud's definition
of maturity?

No.

Well, it's someone who works
and loves productively.

Well, what's wrong with 50%?

Thank you for dinner.

What do I have to do?

You know, I've tried
my tweedy intellectual number,

my Southern gallant act,

my devoted companion
impression...

I'm afraid that
didn't work, either.

Kimball, please
don't wait for me.

Please.

Why don't you
just be honest
with yourself, Callie?

You're as lonely as I am.

How many times do you
wake up at night?

I don't have time
in my life for anyone else.

You can't go to bed
with the newspaper, Callie.

Or Randy.

That's beneath you.

You're right. It is.

So I'll just say it
straight out.

I love you.

I've always loved you.

Always will.

Please don't waste
your love on a woman
who can't accept it.

Good night.

Yeah?

- It's Mr. Deacon again.
- He says it's urgent.

I don't want to
talk to him. Ever.

Now just make some excuse
or hang up. Just hang up.

Callie!

Are you all right?
I came as soon as I could.

How did this happen?

I don't understand.
He was fine last night.

And then he got up this
morning and he went down
to have coffee,

and listen to
the livestock report
like he always does.

And then I came downstairs
and he poured me a cup.

And then, he started
to hand it to me

and his hands started
shaking like this, and
his body started shaking,

and he dropped the cup
out of his hand.

And then he just looked at me,

and he didn't say anything.

He just looked at me with
all this love in his eyes.

I don't understand.

What did the doctor say?

He's not gonna make it.

His heart is worn out.

I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.

His heart is worn out.

Come here.

Why...

Honey.

Callie's come to see us.

Hi, there, Willie Chips.
What the hell do you
think you're doing?

Who's gonna
take me to
Avalon this year?

What, honey?

I love you, Willie Chips.

I love you.

I've got
a proposition
for you, Mama.

Oh, all right.

I was thinking,
now that I graduated,

how'd it be,
if I moved on out
here to the ranch,

maybe ran a few cattle?

Is that why
you lured me out here?

Well, the answer is no.

Why? Why not? I'm 21.

Well, honey,
you're running away from
your responsibilities.

Well, they're your
responsibilities, Mama.

You've been writing
my script for me

ever since I fell
off my horse, on my
sixth birthday party.

Right here
at this ranch,
remember?

I need you at the paper, Randy.

You don't need me
to shine light on
your life, Mama.

You're a damn star.

No. The answer is no.

I got a compromise for you.

What?

Compromise,
the best LBJ tradition.

I give you one year
out of my life.

I work my butt
off for the paper.

But if I don't fit the glove,

I come on back here?

You're on.

Hmm.

Race you back.Fine.

Winner take all? You got it.

- All right.
- Hey!

If you want to
know who won that race,
it was Randy.

Callie's horse
spotted a jack rabbit,

reared up, and Callie got
tossed on her buckskins.

Randy collected his mama,
and was ever so proud
to carry her home,

behind him, so to speak.

This is real sweet
of you, Callie. I'm glad
you made me come.

I haven't been out
of the house for months.

Well, you look wonderful.

Oh, yeah, well,
merry widow.Uh-huh.

Ain't what it's cracked up
to be, kid.

Two merry widows, thank you.

All dressed up,
but no place to go.

Anybody new
in your life? Shoot, no.

Well, I was looking
at the pool man

with carnal interest
the other day.

But I don't
think he has a
grandmother fetish.

I do admire your
resilience, woman.

My what?

The way you bounce back.

Oh.
It's called bluff.Yeah.

Well, it's a valuable
tool. Don't talk dirty.

Will you stop it.

Listen,

this is not exactly
a mission of mercy.

I didn't think so, Pinocchio.

I've got a proposition for you.

Oh, good,
I could use one.

I'm gonna drop
the syndicated column
down at the paper.

They're getting silly
and they're just asking
for too much money.

I'm not gonna go for it.

How would you
like to take over
the Broken Hearts department.

Me?

I can't even speak
the King's English,

much less write it.
Don't be silly.

Jeannie,
it doesn't matter... No.

We've editors to
fix your grammar.

What I want is your wit
and your common sense.

Oh.

What kind of
letters will I have
to be answering.

Divorce, adultery,
death, rotten kids.
That sort of thing.

Oh, that.
I thought you meant
serious problems.

Okay.

Yeah? I'll try. You're on.

Why not? I think it's great.

Hey.

flatbed truck turned over,

scattered all over
a soybean field.

Yeah, all right.

Just... Just leave
it, kid. Okay?

Junior just wrote
the world's worst obit.

You got any new ideas?

Uh...

Give him that shopping
center nonsense.

Nobody could screw that up.

Please, God, let this
keep the little prince
off our backs...

Funny, the way
the right thing happens
at the wrong time.

That shopping center
nonsense might have
won the little prince

both maturity and
severance from his mama.

He wrote an article
that finally lived up to
Callie's expectation.

But this time,
he wasn't supposed to.

I wonder if she really
wanted him to succeed.

Mama.

You look like
the Waco Tornado.
What happened?

You know that place
where Daddy and I used
to go camping out

in the old Elkins Ranch.

All right, well, some
outfit called North Tex

tends to pave over
the last beautiful place
in this part of Texas.

Now, it's inadequate financing,

one of the partners
has Vegas connections.

And I think, I can't prove it,

but I think
that somebody
down in City Hall

got paid off to buy the permit.

Now, I spent three weeks
digging all this out.

And another two weeks
writing the first

and only story I have
ever believed in.

And I might just as well
blow my nose with it,
somebody shot it down.

Honey, sit down.

I read your article,
it's excellent.

Sit for a minute.

Really, Mama?
You think so?

I think, it is
first grade. Um...

I'm very proud of you.

Feet, please.

But a newspaper
has certain
responsibilities, Randy.

One of which
is to promote
the city's growth,

to create new jobs
broaden the tax base.

Well, what's your point, Mama?

Can't our paper help
keep one lousy place
for your pizza parlors?

I think we ought to
explore this later.

It's just a little too complex.

Why? I'm capable of
understanding something
complex. Try me.

Randy, I said later, please.

I think you have
no intention of
running my story.

Not for the time being.

All right.
I'm not gonna work
for your piss-ant paper.

Good bye, Mama.

Action Group, Bordeaux here.

A happy New Year
to you, too, Mama.

No. No plans, though.
Just gonna watch
Cotton Bowl on the tube.

All right.

Yes, ma'am,
it has been a long time.

Yes, ma'am.

I've been hearing
some wonderful things
about your organization.

The way you should.

Judge Haran just
granted us an injunction
against North Tex.

That story you wouldn't
run in your paper
paid off.

Well, you must be proud.

Yeah, it's okay.

Frustrating.

How so?

M-O-N-E-Y.
Lack thereof.

Would you like a loan
against your trust fund?

No, ma'am.

Thought I'd fly
solo for a while.

Right.

How's your life?

You, uh, have
any new friends?
Maybe a special girl?

How's yours?
How's Kimball?

I'm married to the paper,
you know that.

Besides, I can't
exactly deny
the mirror these days.

Oh, now, come on, Mama.

I'd say you're a pretty
dynamite-looking chick.

But, to you, as a vernacular.

Well, thank you, I think.

Well, happy New Year, everybody.

Happy New Year to you, too.

Happy New Year, Randy.

It's real good
to see mother
and son

supping together
the first day
of the new year.

Thanks, Smythe.
Listen, have a little
dinner with him.

Black-eyed peas for good luck.

Yuck! Disgusting food.

Then have
a glass of champagne.

No, thanks. But I'll
have just a touch
of brandy, Samuel.

You know.

Kimball, I'm glad
you stopped by.

I had the most
delicious idea
coming to my mind.

Aren't you trying to
find someone to run
for the unexpired portion

of Homer Wiggins'
legislative term?

Uh, well,
that's certainly
is a novel idea.

Now, who are you all
taking about?

Oh, someone
who might just break every
precedent in Austin

and actually speak
for the people.

Oh, you're not being serious.

I'm only 22,
I don't even have
a law degree.

Well, that's old enough.

We got too many
self-serving lawyers
down there, anyway.

I know less
about politics than
I do about grand opera.

Same thing.

Sing loud.
Everybody else goes
to sleep, anyway.

Besides, it's a safe seat.

Wha... What, no.
Wait a minute.

This is...
This is crazy.
I mean, I...

Well, wouldn't
it seem just a
little hypocritical,

me, running a silk
stocking district?

Darling, I don't care what
your lifestyle is now,

your name is still Bordeaux.

It doesn't matter
where you come from.

It's what you do
when you get
to State Capital.

But, Mama, I'd be
wasting my time.

I mean,
lobbyists have Austin
and...

Don't you have
the courage to try?

Where can you
best serve your beliefs?
In the store front office,

or right in that
chamber where
those laws are made?

I'd vote for you.

Well, that's one vote.

I do believe
this is where
the ladies leave

and the gentlemen
solve the problems
of the world.

Excuse me.

She set us up.

Uh, yeah, I believe she did,

state representative Bordeaux.

That's the last time
she's gonna do it.

If I win.

Excuse me.
Excuse me.

Hey, Mama. I heard you up
there playing cheerleader
for me.

Wasn't he wonderful?

Proudest moment
of my life, Randy.

Oh, thank you, Mama.
I want to introduce... Judge.

Callie. May I
shake your boy's hand. - Yeah.

Wonderful speech.

Oh, thank you so much. You remember
Ted Clairmont, don't you, honey?

Yes, yes. My daughter, Martha.

How do you do? She just passed the bar.

The state bar, that is.

Well, congratulations. Thank you.

I would be so proud
to introduce you to
some of my friends.

Oh, some more.
Thank you, of course.
Excuse me. Excuse me.

They make an attractive pair.

Your Honor is
as usual, perceptive.

And timely.

You have any idea
what it is like,

to sit at your own
wedding rehearsal dinner,

all by yourself?

Come on, Martha.
Just a...
You'll feel better.

I've already call the police.

Probably just had a little
car trouble coming out
from Austin.

But he could've called.

I could just die.

Yes. Mama?

Randy, where are you?
Are you all right?
We've been worried sick.

Guess what?
I've got a surprise
for you.

I'm married!

You what?

I'm married, Mama.

About an hour ago,
on the way to Laredo.

Oh! I love her, Mama.

You will, too.
Here, Mama. Here.

Mama, hi.

This is your new daughter.

Sue Lynn Hatcher...
I mean, Bordeaux.

Oh, God. I just
love you and Randy,
and everybody.

Oh, I can't wait
to see my new mama.

Mmm. Wanna watch
a little TV?

Uh, no.

Like my new dress, honey?

I got it on sale.
It was $49.95.

It was marked down from $110.

Yeah, it's real nice, Sue Lynn.

Don't you think,
maybe it's a little

overstated for
a politician's wife?

Little music wouldn't
disturb your concentration,
would it, honey?

Randy.

Randy.

I don't suppose you wanna
wrinkle up the sheets
a little, would you, honey?

No, sugar.
I got to finish this.

Oh, no. It's just
been a long time.

You're sitting all...

hot and sexy
in those blue jeans.

I'm sorry, Sue Lynn.

I told you,
I'm under a lot
of pressure.

Can you answer me one question?

Mmm. Why did you marry me?

What?

Honey, I can't cook.

I can't write a speech.
I can't even buy
the right clothes.

One thing I used to
be able to do good was
make men like me.

Even that don't
even seem to be
working anymore.

Well, that's working,
Sue Lynn. Men sure do
like to look at you.

You don't.

Now, why do
I have to look?
I won the prize.

Come here. Come here.

Sugar.

I married you 'cause I love you.

Okay?

Okay.

Maybe tomorrow night
I'll make us this supper

I cut out of Cosmopolitan
magazine.

Okay? That'd be just fine.

I can't tomorrow night.
We gotta go to
Mama's, remember?

I told you John Connelly
is coming over?

Why don't you just let me know,

if you'd like to get
together just one time

between now and
legislative adjournment?
Okay?

Where is she? Over yonder
at number 8.

She's okay.
She hit him
with a bottle.

Claims he got rough.

Who was the man? Been shacked up
since last night.

You know who he was? Some old cowboy.

Sue Lynn turned
him every way but loose.

He ran off in his boots
and his long johns.

Thank you very much
for handling this, and
I do not forget a favor.

Yes, ma'am. Good night.

Get dressed.
I'm taking you home.

Yes, ma'am.

I'm sorry, Mama.

I am not your mama.

Mama, I know I did wrong.

Mama, please don't
tell Randy. Please.

Hurry up.

I love him, Mama.
I really do.

Yes, I can see that.

Five years passed.

Somehow, someway,
Randy and Sue Lynn
stayed married.

But all of us knew
the difference between
public smiles

and private pain.

I feel like I was grabbing.

I mean, I would
like to go to
Washington, someday.

But, I'm only in my
third term in Austin.

Randy, come here, darling.
Listen to me for a minute.

A plum is about to
fall off the tree,

and It'd be
foolish of you
not to catch it.

As a congressman,
you could ally with Nader,

You could build
a national power base.

Callie.

One throne at a time, all right?

Let the boy decide for himself.

We ran a little private poll.

Your recognition factor is 72%.

That's downright phenomenal.

Besides, ever since Watergate,

the country is hungry
for attractive politicians
with clean shirts.

And you're clean, son.
Now, that's as clear as
a diamond in the hog water.

There ain't no skeletons
in the closet, are there? - No, sir.

The other side
will poke like a germ
under a microscope.

Senator, my son's life
speaks for itself.

Just remember what
old Sam Reverend said to
the aspiring politician.

"Never get caught in bed
with a dead woman
or a live man."

Tomorrow is
a school-day, gentlemen.

I think we ought to
let the candidate...

and his wife discuss
things together.

Bye, Randy. Good night.

Bye...

Good to see you, young man.

Thank you very much, sir.

Whoo!

Come on, sugar.
I'm hungry.

So what do you think, sugar?

You wanna travel to
Washington, D.C.?

Whatever you want, honey.
It's just fine with me.

Honey, there's something
I've been wanting
to talk to you about.

Fire away.

Oh, it's nothing. Wait.

Oh. Hey, hey.

It's not nothing.
What is this?
Spit it out.

Well, I was just
thinking about what
that man said,

you know, about
how they check you
out and everything.

Mmm-hmm.

It's true, huh? Sure it is.

That may make you?

Up one side and down the other.

Why?

Well,

it was a long time ago,
and they probably...

Sue Lynn, what you
talking about?

Well, I got this problem, see,

and I need $5,000 to fix it.

$5,000?

Fix what?

It was way before we
got married, sweetheart.
I didn't even...

I didn't even know you then.

My God.

Who are they?

Uh...

One of them is a district judge,

and I think
the other one
is his bailiff.

Sweetheart, will you
just help me this time?

Please, honey. We'll talk about this
at home.

Honey, can't we just...

Can't we just
pay them and then just
forget about it?

Good night, Mr. Randy,
Miss Sue Lynn.

Are you kidding?
It's only the beginning,

and I gotta pay
to some bitch-type...

Don't say that, please.

All right, Sue Lynn.

I want some answers.
I want some
straight answers!

Randy, I told you,
I was just having
a little fun.

Fun?

My wife and two men
in a cheap motel!

Randy.

What more do you want me to do?

I said I was sorry.

Goddamn! I should've
known this.

I should've known
you're just a scandal
waiting to happen!

You knew I wasn't a sweetheart.

And you asked me to get married.

You seduced me!

Well, they better
write a new book in
the Bible, honey,

'cause that's
a certified miracle.

You only sleep with
me once a year for
which I believe

you must get your
mama's permission.

You hit me!

You are
damn right I hit you!

I'll hit you
a hell of
a lot more, too!

They all came.
When Callie blew her horn,
people danced.

The barbeque dove
hunt hoe down
speechifying rally

for Randy really
wasn't necessary.
He didn't need the vote.

Callie wanted to
show off her boy.

And none of us knew
that this was the
beginning of the end.

Jeannie, let me know
just as soon as Vice
President Mondale gets here.

Oh, I forgot.
His office called.

He's not gonna be able to come.

What? Oh, just listen.

He sends his best,
and so does Jimmy and Rose.

All right.
Well, listen.
Tell Samuel,

please don't let
anybody go off
on their own.

Those doves will wait
'till I get there.

Would you stop worrying?
Honey, it's in the bag.

I knew this was
gonna happen!
I knew it!

I don't understand.
He promised he'd
give us the negative.

Yeah, well, just
who in hell is he?

I don't know!
It's just some
post office box.

Well, here's a new entry
for the candidate's guidebook.
Be sure and hold back

$25,000 to buy your
wife's dirty linen.

I don't
give a damn about
the U.S. Congress.

All I want is a husband.

Yeah, well, that's
just great. You tell me how
I'm gonna persuade Mama

to write me a check for $25,000.

- Oh, are you kidding?
- Your mama can buy you

the Trinity River
if you asked her.

Lord, Sue Lynn.

Your timing is
just beautiful,
you know that?

I got 200 of the most
important people in
North Texas out there,

waiting to make
contributions to
my campaign.

Now, what am I
gonna do? Wrap all of
my wife's porno pictures?

Hey, honey.
I'm sorry.

I wouldn't do
anything to hurt you.

Maybe, I'll just go away.

Now, how do I even know
there's a blackmailer?

Maybe you're just skimming
a little cream off the top
for yourself, huh?

A little private jelly bean jar.

Just don't take it
any further, Randy, okay?

I'll handle it in some way.

I tried to change
for you, Randy.

You know,
everybody's done something
they're ashamed of.

I loved you.
I still do, honey.

I think, maybe
your mama was right.

I'm just not
good enough for you.

Hush, now.

Hush.

Hush, now.

I love you.

You're still my little girl.

Oh, baby!
It's gonna be all right.

It's all right.

I'll have a vodka martini.

Double.

No, you don't
have to bother
with that...

All right!

Hi! I just want to
welcome all you
good friends

to this little jamboree
we have here today.

Now, after I'm finished,

y'all can
go out and shoot
every single dove

in North Texas if you like.

Now, in the meantime...

In the meantime,
where's the man of
the hour. Randy?

Here I am. Oh, hi.

Come on up here, Randy.

How about
this youngster, huh?

Oh!

Now, listen.

Even if I wasn't his mama,

I would vouch for him,
and I'd vote for him.

And I would be ever so proud.

So, I would like you
all to say hello

to the next U.S. Congressman
for the 24th District.

Okay, now, listen,
you all have been here before
so go on out.

Don't everybody
go at the same time,
all right?

Have fun.
Go on out
and have fun.

Hey, Randy,
hold up. You got
a phone call.

They want you back
at the house, Randy.

Something about The Today Show.

Thank you. I'll just walk, anyway.

Oh, I'm sorry, sweetheart.
I'll be back in a minute.

Give me that old
shot gun of yours.

I'm gonna
get me some doves.

Well, you just be
careful now, you hear?

You keep the safety on.

Oh, hell, Randy.

I've been shooting
Pearl beer cans off
of Daddy's fence

since I was five.

Yeah, now, you be careful.

Okay.

Bye.

Hello!

Hello?

Good Lord, Jeannie.

How many karats is that thing?

I don't know.

I just told
Cartier's to make it
knuckle to knuckle.

Randy! Randy!

Come on over here and cool off.

You got everybody's
vote, anyway.

Ah, no, ma'am.
I can't do that.

We've still got
an hour of good
shooting light left.

Oh, Mama.

You scared
the doodley squat
out of me.

Sorry. Have any luck?

Hell! Next time
I want birds, I'll go buy
them at the supermarket.

You got a cold beer on you?

No.

Kinda glad we ran
into each other, though.

I've been wanting
to have a little
private talk with you.

Girl talk?

I know you're very
proud of Randy,
aren't you?

Yeah.

They say
there is no limit
to his potential,

and I know
he's gonna go
to Washington

and turn that town inside out.

Yeah.

Randy's wonderful, ain't he?

I also know that there's been

some problems
between the two of you.

Mama, that's our problem, okay?

Of course.

But, we are both grown women.

And it's time we faced the fact

that a discordant marriage

is not attractive, politically.

I feel a zinger
coming now, Mama.

Why don't you
just hit me
with it?

All right.

I will be entirely candid.

I think you and Randy

would be much happier
apart, divorced.

And I will make it
more than worth
your while.

You should clear this
with Randy boy.

I told you,
this is between
you and me.

Mama, I don't
know a whole lot
about politics,

but ain't it worse
for somebody
to be divorced

than somebody
who's trying to work out
marital problems?

And besides, you know,
you're forgetting one
important item.

Randy and I
love each other
very much.

Oh, I wish I could believe that.

Oh, come on, Mama,
you don't wanna
believe it!

And do you think
I'd stay married
to that man

and his mama
if I didn't love him?

That's enough. You hate me!

You always have.
You hate me 'cause
I married up!

I caught me
a rich one just like
you, huh, Mama?

You watch your mouth.

And you've done your best
to turn a good man... Shut your mouth!

Into a mama's boy!

I should have known better
than to try and deal with
a person of your level.

Face it, Mama,
you want to sleep
with him.

Well, I got news for you.

He ain't that good!

No!

Hey, Sue Lynn!

Sue Lynn?

Thank you,
Mr. Bordeaux.

And we'll keep you posted.

It's all right, honey.

Are you all right?

Mrs. Bordeaux,
may I see you
a moment, please?

Yeah.

Go on.
I'll be right back.

Sit down, please,
Mrs. Bordeaux.

Thank you.

Can you tell me anything

about your
daughter-in-law's
state of mind?

I don't know
exactly what
you mean.

Well, the way
she's been acting lately,

her health, something she
might have said.

She's been a little
depressed, I suppose.

Depressed?

Well, the pressure of a campaign

is enough to wear anybody out.

And she wasn't
particularly fond
of politics.

She had headaches.

With all due respect
to you, ma'am,

did she have any enemies?

Someone that might
have wanted her dead?

No, no, no.
Certainly not.

We are talking about
an accident here, aren't we?

Probably. Stray shot
kind of thing.

You know,
people fall down,
their shotguns go off.

You just go on home now,
Mrs. Bordeaux.

If anything
should come to mind,
give me a call.

Of course.

Detective Hart,
I'd like you to know

how very pleased
I am it's you that's
checking into this matter.

See, my police reporters
speak very highly of you.

Thank you kindly, ma'am.

Thank you.

Come on, Bubba.
It's almost midnight.

You read the damn file 18 times.

Interesting case.

Very interesting case.

Hell, you ain't gonna
make anything out of
some old gal

blowing herself away.

You ever see
such a cast
of characters?

Papers are all over it.

The damn
New York Times
called me today.

You can't make bricks
without straw.

Stand for accidental death
and let it go at that.

Or suicide.

Women don't
shoot themselves in
the face, Tanner.

Don't you know that? Yeah, how come?

It's true.
You ask any coroner.

If a gal's gonna check out,

she'll aim at her boobs,
she'd never mess up her face.

Assumption is,
she wants to look her best
when she's laid out.

Tell you.

I wouldn't want the voters

to think
we're whitewashing a murder

just 'cause
everybody involved
eats high off the hog.

Now, the dead wife

of an almost
United States
congressman

deserves special handling,
don't you think?

The grand jury
probe into Sue Lynn's death,

sold papers in a way
Callie never intended.

Now one of the readers
was an old dog with
one bite left in his jaws.

Clyde Deacon had been
waiting for an opportunity
like this.

The Dallas Post Dispatch
will not tolerate...

Mama? Hi!

Did you hear the news?

The grand jury handed down
a murder one indictment
on Sue Lynn's death.

Murder?

It's ridiculous. Who?

Yours truly, Mama.

You're little boy.

Oh...

No. No.

It couldn't be.

No, they couldn't.
They couldn't.

Don't you worry about it.
Mama'll take care of it.

Mama will take care of it...

Mr. Cotham, why have you
come from New York

to take this case?

Because the distinguished
Callie Bordeaux asked me.

Hey, is it true
that your fee is
one million dollars?

There cannot be
a price on an
innocent man's life.

What is your defense?

The oldest one
in the world, innocence.

I represent an innocent man

who is charged
with an accidental death.

Well, sir,
how long do you think
this trial will last?

If the judge grants
our first motion,
about five minutes.

Ladies and gentlemen...

Ladies and gentlemen,

I recognize the box office
appeal of this matter.

But I remind you

that no sound
of any kind
will be tolerated.

And I will not hesitate
to eject anyone,

no matter what the pedigree.

Mr. Cotham,
your motion to dismiss
will be overruled.

Mr. Wrench?

Your Honor,

ladies and gentlemen
of the jury,

the State of Texas

will prove three facts.

One,

that Sue Lynn Hatcher Bordeaux,

age 24,

was brutally murdered.

Objection, Your Honor.

Can Mr. Wrench
restrain the use
of lurid adjectives?

Particularly since
it has not even
been proved

that a murder was committed.

Sustained.

Please continue.

Number two,

that it

was committed

by her husband,

State Representative,
Randall Bordeaux III.

Number three,

that the defendant

had both motivation

and ability

to perpetrate
this capital offense.

Objection.

Did the prosecutor
misspeak himself

with the use of the word,
"capital offense"?

No, Your Honor.

The State believes
this crime fits
the categories

under the Texas
revised criminal code

for which
the death penalty
is appropriate.

And we will so prove.

Officer Curry,

you have described yourself

as a forensic firearms examiner

for the Dallas
Police Department.

Now, I ask you, if you, uh,

me, or a young woman,

inexperienced with shotguns,

was to drop this weapon,

could it discharge
and shoot you
in the face?

Not very likely.

I tested it 30 to 40 times.

Under the exact conditions,
it did not malfunction,
it did not discharge.

Well, could
some person out there
in the field that day,

say, from about,
oh, 20 feet away,

have shot
Mrs. Bordeaux
by mistake?

No, sir.

Not by the size
of the hole
on her forehead.

Did you or
did you not make
the sworn statement,

"Mr. Randy told
Miss Sue Lynn

"that this was
only the beginning.

"He'd have to
keep paying that
son of a bitch

"or else kill him."

End quote.

I recollect something like that.

That's all, Your Honor.

The witness is unable to testify

as to who was in the apartment,

making these
melodramatic remarks.

It could have been
a house guest,

it could have been burglars.

Oh, no, sir.

It was Representative Bordeaux.

Well, I've heard him speak.

I voted for him.

- I don't want a mistrial.
- I want an acquittal.

I feel you must
bear down on
the blackmail angle.

That's the logical killer.

It would help if we could prove

there really was a blackmailer.

You have a canceled
check for $5,000.

Ah, but you made that
out to Randy and marked
it "personal loan."

Well, what was I
supposed to put down?

Blackmail expense?

We may not even
need the blackmail.

I think this case could be won

on character witnesses alone.

There are plenty
of people from the
White House on down

that would testify
on his behalf.

Of course.

And Sue Lynn's reputation,
once established,

will give the jury
a veritable festival
of potential assassins.

Is that necessary? Mmm-hmm.

It's going well.

Is it?

Jeannie sent you some cookies.

I had to give them
to the guard first,
though.

Tell her thank you.

Are you all right?

I'm confused.

I keep thinking
I'm gonna wake up.

It is a bad dream,
and it'll be over soon.
I promise you that.

Randy,
it's my feeling

that the jury must be
told the full extent of
Sue Lynn's reputation.

She's not on trial.

A woman with shadows in her life

might attract
any number of
potential enemies.

Hon, I had to, uh,

clean up a mess
one night at
a motel when

Sue Lynn and some cowboy...

I didn't want you
to know because...

She told me about it.

She was mortified.

She only did it
'cause I wasn't paying
any attention to her.

The jury has got to know, Randy.

No, they don't!

I won't have it!

She's dead.
Now, you leave her alone.

She got us into this, Randall.

Did she, Mama?

I'm tired, and my head hurts.

I love you.

That's a given, Mama.

Mrs. Chips,
where are you employed?

The Post-Dispatch.

Then it would be correct to say

that you are in the pay
of Callie Lord Bordeaux?

I don't work for the money,
if that's what you mean.

Callie has been
a close friend of mine
for the past 30 years.

I see.

Now,

on the day of
that mysterious
telephone call,

you saw Randy
come out of the house.

Yes, sir. He made sure
you saw him.

I wouldn't know about that.

Randy made sure

you saw him
walk right by you,
didn't he?

I saw him,
but what he had on
his mind, I don't know.

Well, if a man
were establishing
an alibi,

he'd make sure
you saw him,
wouldn't he?

Objection!

Sustained.

After he made sure
you saw him,
then what'd he do?

He went back into the field.

He did?

Did he say anything?

I don't remember.

Mrs. Chips,

I remind you that
you are testifying
under oath,

subject to the
penalties of perjury.

I ask you one more time,

did he say anything
before he went into
the field?

He said, "There's
another good hour
of shooting light left."

Well, if he was
gonna kill somebody,

he wouldn't
have said that,
now would he?

Mrs. Bordeaux,

we all know
what an ordeal
this has been,

and I appreciate
your willingness
to testify.

Well, I want
the truth to
come out.

The truth!

The truth is sometimes

slipperier than
a greased pig,
isn't that so?

I've never
had any trouble
holding on to it.

Isn't it the truth,
Mrs. Bordeaux,

that you were opposed

to your son's marriage
to Sue Lynn?

They eloped.
I had nothing
to say about it.

Isn't it the truth
that you thought
Sue Lynn was scandal,

a millstone around
your son's political neck?

No.

Isn't it the truth
that you hated
your daughter-in-law?

Certainly not.

Isn't it the truth
that Randy Bordeaux

killed his wife
in order to please
his mama?

That is a lie.

That is a lie!

That's all,
Mrs. Bordeaux.

Your Honor,
the defense calls
Randall Bordeaux III.

When did
you first learn of

this blackmail
being perpetrated
against your wife?

Well, that's what
we were arguing about
the night of July 8th,

when all those people
overheard us.

And did you
pay the $5,000?

Yes.

I borrowed it from my mother,

but I didn't tell her
the reason.

Why didn't you
report this extortion
to the police?

I don't know.

I suppose

out of love for my wife,

not wanting
to drag her
into headlines.

Now, Mr. Bordeaux,
may I remind you that
you are under oath,

subject to the
penalties of perjury.

Did you kill Sue Lynn Bordeaux?

No.

Absolutely not.

I loved her,

as best I could.

Thank you.

Mr. Bordeaux,
just who is this
alleged blackmailer?

I told you,
I don't know
his name.

Who paid the $5,000?

I assume
my wife did.
She told me so.

And then, on the morning
of the day she was...

On the morning
of the day
she was shot,

she told me
the blackmailer wanted
another $25,000.

Another $25,000.

Did you pay it?

No.Why not?

There wasn't any need, bec...

Because?

Because my wife was killed.

Your Honor, may we mark this as

State exhibit number 27?

Is this the material
you told me about?

Yes, Your Honor.

Mr. Cotham,
you are aware
of this document?

Mr. Bordeaux,

I show you an insurance policy

taken out on your wife,

Mrs. Sue Lynn
Hatcher Bordeaux

by the Wayfair Insurance Company

with a face value of $100,000.

I'm aware of that.

You took it out on your wife.

Yeah, well, sir, I did.

We were traveling
by plane so much,
you know, campaigning...

And you are aware

that it has a double
indemnity clause

paying $200,000

to the beneficiary in
the event of the insured's
accidental death?

No, I was not aware of that.

Who's the beneficiary? I am.

Well, then had your wife's death

been ruled accidental,

you would have pocketed
a quick and easy 200 grand.

Not a small sum

for a politician
in need of
campaign fund.

Look, I don't
need any $200,000!
My family has...

Go ahead, finish it.
Your family has?

Your family has?

My family has money.

Yes, they do.

But $200,000 wouldn't
hurt if a man,

a politically ambitious rich man

needed a slush fund
to pay off an alleged
blackmailer, would it?

Objection,
Your Honor!

The jury will disregard
the last question.

You know better
than that, Mr. Wrench.

I'm sorry, Your Honor.
It just...

It slipped out. I...

Oh, that's all,
Mr. Bordeaux.

Uh...

Come in.
Come in, please.

Thank you for
receiving me
so late, Mr. Wrench.

No. No, it's all right.
Listen. I'm sorry the place
is such a mess.

I just haven't
had time. Just sit
down right over here.

I was just trying to
get a present
for my daughter.

It's her birthday...

Sit down, please. This is not
an impulsive act.

I wouldn't come in
running over here in
the middle of the night.

I'm on a mission of madness.

I see that.

I want you to know
who really killed
my daughter-in-law.

And who might that be?

I did. Randy had
nothing to do with it.

Well, it doesn't surprise me

that you would
try anything to
save your son.

Don't be condescending, Wrench.

This is difficult
enough to confess.

I wouldn't
think of it. Go on.

That day, um,

I heard Randy
and Sue Lynn
from my room.

They were quarreling
about the blackmailer's
latest demands, $25,000.

And naturally, I saw
the potential for scandal.

And, um...

Well, during the hunt,
the dove hunt, I ran into
Sue Lynn in the woods

and, uh, we had
angry words, and...

Uh, I really
thought she was
gonna shoot me.

I mean, she was drunk.
The autopsy already
show that.

And, uh, it just all
happened so quickly.
I mean, I...

I grabbed the rifle
from her, and I had
my hands on the barrel.

And it just went off.

And then, uh,

I saw her head in
the blood and everything.
And so, I ran away.

And I tried to
convince myself that
it was, um, an accident.

Accident?

Her death was
about as accidental
as Pearl Harbor.

Now, you best go home
where you belong.

Wait a minute.
Did you hear what I said?

Do you think
I could make
all that up?

Well...

You make a mighty fine
living out of stories.

Why don't you
print it in the paper?

What if I'm telling
you the truth?

What if you have
the wrong person on trial?

I mean, what if... What if jackasses fly?

Now, if I thought
I was prosecuting
the wrong person,

I'd resign tomorrow
and cut weed.

What can I do to
make you believe me?

Ms. Bordeaux, nobody
is going to believe...

If what you say is true,
then why weren't your
fingerprints on the rifle.

I was wearing gloves that day.

And why were Randy's everywhere?

Because it's his rifle! Exactly!

It's his rifle,
it's his wife, and we
know his motivation.

And you have none. What?

You are another mother
trying to save her son.
I can appreciate that.

But it's late now,
and I have been
very patient.

I have a great many... Damn it, Wrench,
listen to me.

I am not without power.

And someday, you may need me.

Well...

I'll overlook that.

Listen, you're talking bribe,

and then, we might have
another case to try.

Now, let's say good night.
Enough lives have
already been wasted.

Mr. Deacon.

When defendant
Randy Bordeaux
telephoned you,

what did he say?

Well, uh...

Best I can recollect,
he wanted to hire me to

find somebody supposedly
blackmailing his wife.

Did he say
who that was? No, sir.

In fact, he didn't
make much sense.

He was yelling
and cussing, and...

He was so riled up,
I could barely make out
what he really wanted.

He kept talking about
his problem and how
he had to get rid of it.

What was his problem?

His wife.

I think he wanted
someone to kill her.

"Vengeance is mine,"
said the Lord.

Now, Randall Bordeaux...

Randall Bordeaux
decided to play God.

He tried Sue Lynn,
in his own private court,

where he was both
accuser and prosecutor,

judge and jury,

and he found her guilty.

And he sentenced her to death

with a shotgun,

from a distance of
less than five feet.

He carried that sentence out.

Now, I don't want vengeance.

I don't even want
an eye for an eye,
or a tooth for a tooth.

What I want you to do...

What I want you to do
is something very easy,
something very simple.

All I want you to do
is dispense justice.

Justice.

Magnificent, majestic,

wonderful American justice.

Somebody... Somebody
wrote about it once,
about a year or two ago.

I'm... I'm gonna read
to you what somebody
wrote about it.

Then I'm gonna go sit down.

I got it right over here.

"We're shocked by
the blood that spills
in our cities.

"We are stunned by
too many verdicts

"that send violent men
back into the streets
they stained.

"Not only here, not only
in the state of Texas, but
in the capital of our country.

"Punishments have
been lenient, lapse,
often nothing at all.

"Power and influence

"must not be a reason
to deny justice.

"Unless all men are equal
in the eyes of the law,

"in the courts, in the juries,

"then our house folds,
and darkness will come."

The author of these

inspiring words...
I mean, someone who
says it far better than I...

Thank you, ma'am.

Thank you for making my case.

Callie Lord Bordeaux.

The jury is still out
in the Randy Bordeaux
murder trial.

Nine men and three women
have been deliberating
64 hours.

And the feeling is, they may
be hopelessly dead-locked.

Turn it off. This is Susan Moore,
Channel 9.

Now that's a good sign, Callie.

With them being out 64 hours...

Well, that means
the jury's fixing
to vote an acquittal.

No need to grease
the skid, Jeannie.

You know something?

Sledge ought to
prosecute Clyde Deacon
for perjury.

They have to free him.

Oh, honey, they will.

There is some justice
left in this cracked,
old world of ours.

He shouldn't even be on trial.

I know, Callie.

I know.

Jeannie, it's burning
a hole in me,
and I can't get it out.

I tried to talk... Hon. Hon, I know.

And I'm here. You don't know.

I don't know what, Callie?

I never thought
it would go this far.

Mr. Bordeaux,
would you please rise?

"We, the jury,
find the defendant,
Randall Bordeaux III,

"guilty of the charge
of first degree murder."

Your Honor,
we demand that
the jury be polled!

Mama!

There's been a mistake.
There's been a mistake!

You can't take him!

No. No, no, don't touch him!
Don't touch him, please.
He's mine!

Mama! He's mine!

Mama!

Let him go, please!
It's not his fault!

Don't take my baby!

What time is it?

Um, just a little
bit after 2:00.

I'll fix you
some tea, okay? Mmm.

I'm gonna call Austin again.

He never called me back.

I'm sorry, Callie.

I can't do it.

I've searched my soul.
My prayers are with you.

And Randy.

Mrs. Bordeaux, the President
has asked me to extend his respects to you.

But, uh, there's nothing
he can do. It's a matter
for the State of Texas.

Hon...

It's his decision.

He won't sign another appeal.
It's dragged on long enough.

He wants
the sentence
carried out.

God, no.

We can delay this indefinitely.

Yes.

And that's just what
Randy doesn't want.

He's quite a man, you know that?

It takes a whole lot
more courage to die
than just

go on living on
the installment plan.

I'm going to...

Callie.

What?

He asked me to
tell you, "Don't."

What?

He said, "Don't."

I'll be downstairs.

No!

No! My baby!

There have been
361 executions in Texas
since 1924.

Electric chairs
are no longer used.

5:00 p.m.
on the day before
the execution,

a prisoner is
served the last meal
of his choice.

He then showers
and dresses in the clothes
he'll be buried in.

Assistant Warden reads
court order requiring
execution before sunrise.

The prisoner is taken
to a hospital room

where a certified
medical doctor will insert
an intravenous tube.

Enough Sodium Pentothal is dripped
into the tube to cause instantaneous death.

I wish you hadn't come.

I know.

I had to know,
are you all right?

I'm fine.

Just fine.

Except, they took
my guitar away.

Afraid I might hang
myself with a string.

Randy...

Sit down, Mama.
Sit down.

Listen to me.

Cotham is in Washington.

He seems to think
that he might
grant us a stay.

There's a thousand
things we can do.

I'll pass.

I'm ready today.
I might not be,
60 days from now.

Please. We haven't
begun to exhaust
the possibilities.

The best I could
hope for would be
commutation to life.

Look around.

I think I'd rather
take my chances
on the other side.

I've always tried to
do what I thought
was best for you.

Mama, I know that.

I know that.
Now cheer up.

The world knows
I walked by.
I had a good run.

Irony is,

there's a lot of people
I'd like to kill.

I'm getting popped off
for someone I didn't.

Someone I loved.

I can't let this
happen without telling
you something.

Hush.
Hush, now. I know.

I know... You know what?

I do know, Mama.

I guess I've
always known.

What?

Oh, my God. No...

Do you hate me?

It's too late for that.

It's Liberation Day
for both of us.

Forgive me.

Forgive me, please.

Of course...
Of course, I do.
Of course.

Do you love me?

Please love me.

Mama.

I love you.

I have always loved you.

Oh, baby...

Sure you all can
handle him from here?

Oh, I hope so.
Thank you very much.

Now, you folks
have a happy life.

I hope we will.
Thank you.

Here.
He's all yours.

Fine boy.
100% perfect.

We watched Callie
and son drive away.

When the limo
was just a little
blackened speck,

Jeannie whispered,

"Maybe she'll do
better this time."

And I said, "We'll see, hon.

"We'll see."