Charms for the Easy Life (2002) - full transcript

Woman:
I WASN'T A WITNESS
TO THE EARLY PART OF
MY GRANDMOTHER'S LIFE.

BUT THIS IS HOW
I IMAGINE IT BEING.

MY MOTHER WAS THE ONLY CHILD

OF THE FAMOUS
MISS CHARLIE KATE,

MY GRANDMOTHER,
KNOWN FOR HER EXPERTISE

IN HERBAL CONCOCTIONS,
MIDWIFERY,

GENERAL ALL-AROUND HEALING.

CHARLIE KATE DID
NOT WANT TO LEAVE
THE PLACE OF HER YOUTH,

BUT THERE WAS NO ONE LEFT THAT
DESIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION.

THOSE THAT WERE IN
NEED COMMITTED SUICIDE

INSTEAD OF PAYING A NICKEL.



SHE TRIED PRACTICING FOR FREE,

BUT NO ONE
UNDERSTOOD THAT CONCEPT.

MY GRANDMOTHER'S FAMILY
WAS NOT LEAVING POOR.

SHE HAD CURED THE
RICHEST MAN IN THE
COUNTY OF SYPHILIS,

AND IN EXCHANGE
FOR HIS HEALTH,

HE PROMISED TO RE-
MEMBER HER IN HIS WILL.

NOT A YEAR LATER,

HE WALKED IN FRONT
OF A CHICKEN TRUCK
AND FELL OVER DEAD.

HE KEPT HIS WORD. MY
GRANDMOTHER INHERITED
A PACKARD TOURING CAR.

SHE HAD TO TAKE HER
FAMILY IN SEARCH OF A PLACE

WHERE PEOPLE WOULD
APPRECIATE HER KNOW-HOW.

THE OPPORTUNITY
CAME MUCH QUICKER
THAN SHE HAD IMAGINED.

Charlie:
STOP THE CAR.

STOP THE CAR.



Men:

Man:

HURRY.

YOU'RE LUCKY
THAT ROPE WAS
RIDING SO HIGH
ON YOUR NECK, SIR.

KEPT IT FROM
BEING SNAPPED.

CAN YOU SPEAK?

BREATHE EASY.
THAT'S IT.

CAN YOU SAY
YOUR NAME?

I NEVER HAD
ONE I LIKED.

ALL I CARES TO KNOW IS...
I'M SITTING HERE ALIVE.

WELL, I'M GLAD
WE WERE PASSING
BY IN TIME,
FOR YOUR SAKE.

WHO SHOULD I
SAY SAVED ME?

MISS CHARLIE KATE
WOULD BE FINE.

CHARLIE KATE.
THERE'S A
NAME I LIKE.

THANK YOU. I
CHOSE IT MYSELF.

HE'S ALL RIGHT
NOW, CHARLIE,
WE CAN GO.

MISS CHARLIE KATE,
YOU HAVE THE HANDS

OF A HEALER.
I'M GETTING A NUDGE

FROM SOMEBODY
UP TOP TO GIVE
YOU SOMETHING.

IT NEEDS PASSING
ON... ANYWAY.

THIS HERE
IS THE FOOT

OF A WHITE
GRAVEYARD RABBIT,

CAUGHT UNDER A
FULL MOON BY A
CROSS-EYED
NEGRO WOMAN.

IT BRINGS THE EASY LIFE
TO THOSE THAT CARRY IT.

YOU OUGHT TO HAVE IT.

WOULD YOU SAY BEING
LYNCHED WAS EASY?

I'M BREATHING, AIN'T I?

HMMM.

MISS CHARLIE...

HAVE YOURSELF
AN EASY LIFE.

DEPENDING ON WHAT
YOU CALL EASY.

YOU OUGHT TO THROW THAT
OLD CHARM AWAY, CHARLIE.

NO TELLING WHAT
SORT OF CRITTERS
IT'S CARRYING.

Woman:
MY GRANDMOTHER HAD
SUSPECTED FOR A LONG TIME

THAT SHE'D MARRIED AN IDIOT.

THAT CONFIRMED
ALL HER SUSPICIONS.

WHAT I OUGHT TO DO

IS MAKE A CHAIN FOR IT.

WHO WAS
THAT MAN?

Man:
NO ONE
YOU NEED

TO THINK OF.

Narrator:
MY GRANDFATHER DIDN'T
HAVE THE STRENGTH

TO WATCH HIS WIFE
BECOME BETTER AND
BETTER AT WHAT SHE LOVED.

LATER ON HE LEFT
THE WAY SAD MEN LEAVE.

HE DIDN'T COME HOME
FROM WORK ONE DAY.

CHARLIE KATE CHOSE
WAKE COUNTY TO BESTOW
HER HEALING.

GOOD DAY.

WAKE COUNTY SUITED MY
GRANDMOTHER JUST FINE.

IT WAS A PLACE WHERE
JUST ABOUT EVERY EAR
LISTENED TO HER

AND EVERY MOUTH
SHUT UP WHEN SHE
WAS SPEAKING.

THAT IS ALL EXCEPT
FOR MY MOTHER,

WHO WAS BUSY TALKING
HERSELF INTO MARRYING
THE FIRST IDIOT SHE MET.

IT RAN IN THE FAMILY.

DESPITE MY GRANDMOTHER'S
WARNINGS ABOUT THE DOWNFALL
OF LOVING A MAN SO RICH

THAT HE NEVER HAD TO
WORK A DAY IN HIS LIFE,

MY MOTHER BECAME A MRS.

AND MY GRANDMOTHER
PRETENDED THAT SHE
DIDN'T HAVE A SON-IN-LAW.

OH, MOTHER! ARE
YOU AT LEAST COMING
TO THE RECEPTION?

I'D RATHER DIE.

BESIDES, I
HAVE BUSINESS
TO CONDUCT.

I'M SORRY, DARLING.
IT'S ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE BEEN
PUTTING IN
SEWAGE LINES ALL
OVER THIS CITY.

BUT NOT WHERE
I LIVE OVER ON
BEALE STREET.

EVEN THOUGH YOU'VE
BEEN PETITIONED.

NOW, I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE
UP FOR RE-ELECTION.

I'M SURE PEOPLE

WOULD LOVE TO KNOW
THAT YOU WOULD RATHER

THEY WALKED IN
THEIR OWN WASTE

THAN INTO A CLEAN FUTURE.

MISS CHARLIE, I THOUGHT
THAT BEALE STREET WAS A
COLORED NEIGHBORHOOD.

I DIDN'T KNOW...

DID YOU KNOW BEALE
STREET WAS WHITE?

NOW IF I'D KNOWN
IT TO BE A WHITE
AREA, MISS CHARLIE,

WE WOULD'VE PUT
IN A SEWER SYS...

WELL THAT IS DISGUSTING.

IT SHOULDN'T MAKE
ANY DIFFERENCE

AND THE FACT THAT
IT DOES IS CRIMINAL.

JUST GET IT DONE!

MISS CHARLIE KATE!

MISS CHARLIE KATE?

MA'AM? MA'AM?
DO YOU PULL
TEETH TOO?

I HAVE GOT A
TOOTH THAT IS
CAUSING ME
SUCH BOTHER.

OPEN YOUR MOUTH.

Narrator:
SEWAGE LINES WERE
INSTALLED IMMEDIATELY.

THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS
THAT NO ONE KNEW HOW
TO USE THE THINGS.

Crowd:

WHAT YOU ALL
LOOKING AT?

WHAT? DON'T ANY
OF YOU KNOW HOW?

NO, MA'AM.

WON'T YOUR
INNARDS FALL OUT?

WHAT IF YOU
CAN'T GET UP?

DOES IT HURT?

NO. COME ON IN,
I'LL SHOW YOU HOW.

COME ON.

SUE, COME ON.

Man:
BE CAREFUL, SUE.

JUST SLIP UP
YOUR SKIRT AND
SIT RIGHT THERE.

THERE.

THAT'S NOT SO
HARD, IS IT?

NO, IT'S ALL
RIGHT, IT'S
JUST FINE.

Narrator:
SO MY GRANDMOTHER
TRAINED THE NEIGHBOR
HOOD TO FLUSH

AND ADDED A TRUCKLOAD OF
PATIENTS TO HER PRACTICE.

BUT HER MOST IMPORTANT
PATIENT WAS MY MOTHER.

I DON'T SEE WHY WE
CAN'T GO INSIDE, MOMMA.

HE'S NOT
EVEN HOME.

YEAH, WELL HE
WOULDN'T BE.

I ASSUME HE'S OUT WITH
ONE OF HIS GIRLFRIENDS.

TAKE THAT SOUND
AS TO MEAN A YES?

OH, CAN'T WE GO
IN THE HOUSE?

NOT TILL HE'S DEAD.

YOUR HUSBAND
IS, THAT SHOULD
BE ENOUGH.

YOU DON'T KNOW THAT.

YOU'RE ALL RIGHT,
HONEY, YOU'RE
DOING FINE.

ALL RIGHT,
HEAD'S COMING.

THIS IS...

NOW THIS IS
THE ONE, ALL
RIGHT, HONEY.

OH, YEAH.

PUSH!

YEAH. AH!

YOU... YOU'VE GIVEN
THE WORLD A BABY GIRL.

OH, SHE'S
A BIG BABY.

LET ME SEE HER,
LET ME SEE HER.
JUST HOLD ON.

WHILE I GET
THIS UMBILICAL...

HURRY, MOMMA.
I CAN'T WAIT.

ALL RIGHT,
HERE WE COME.
OH, YES. YES.

OH-H, HO-HO!

A BEAUTIFUL
BABY GIRL.

OH, YES. OH,
YOU JUST GO
TO YOUR MOMMA.

AWW. HELLO,
MY DARLING.

WHAT ARE
YOU GOING
TO CALL HER?

MARGARET.

MARGARET. I LIKE THAT.

OH, SEE. HE WAS
GOOD FOR SOMETHING,
WASN'T HE, MOMMA?

I'LL TAKE THAT
SILENCE AS A YES.

YOU KNOW,
I THINK

THIS CALLS FOR A LITTLE
OF MY DANDELION WINE...

TO CELEBRATE.

COME ON, MARGARET!

OKAY, YOU
KEEP UP NOW.

SOPHIA! TIME
IS TICKING.

HOW COME WE HAVE
TO GO SEE SO MANY
DEAD PEOPLE?

WELL, WE SHOULD ALL
SEE DEAD PEOPLE AT
SOME POINT, MARGARET,

BECAUSE WE'RE
ALL GOING TO BE
DEAD SOME DAY.

HOW COME YOU
WEAR THAT ALL
THE TIME?

BECAUSE MY MOTHER
DID AND HER MOTHER
DID BEFORE HER.

AND THESE SHOES
ARE MY MOTHER'S TOO.

I WEAR THEM FOR
THE SAME REASON.

ALL RIGHT.

AFTERNOON, CHARLIE.

OFF TO MIDWIFE TODAY?

I'LL INFORM THE MORGUE.

THAT'S MISS CHARLIE KATE TO YOU
AND IT'S ANOTHER SUICIDE.

I'M ASSUMING IT'S
ONE OF YOUR PATIENTS.

MY PATIENTS FEAR OUR LORD
TOO MUCH TO KILL THEMSELVES.

WELL, THEY OUGHT TO
FEAR YOU INSTEAD.

MAYBE THEY'D
ENJOY BETTER HEALTH.

AND YOU SHOULD
TRY MEDICAL SCHOOL.

WHY DOESN'T
HE LIKE YOU?

BECAUSE I'M BETTER THAN HE IS
AND MEN HATE IT

WHEN YOU'RE
BETTER THAN
THEY ARE.

AND THEY
LEAVE YOU.

DO YOU THINK
I'LL BE A DOCTOR
SOME DAY?

HONEY, YOU'LL
BE WHAT YOU
WANT TO BE.

AS LONG AS YOU
DON'T READ THAT
TRASH YOUR
MOMMA READS,

YOU'LL JUST
BE FINE.

WHAT SHOULD
I READ?

WELL, AT
LEAST TWO
BOOKS A WEEK.

ONE FICTION,
ONE NON-FICTION.

IF YOU DO THAT,
I'M SATISFIED

YOU'LL KNOW JUST
ABOUT EVERYTHING.

WHO KILLED
THEMSELVES
TODAY?

A COUSIN.

SLASHED HER
WRISTS OVER
RUDOLPH VALENTINO.

ANOTHER HOPELESS
ROMANTIC LIKE
YOURSELF.

HOW COME YOU'RE
HOPELESS, MOMMA?

BECAUSE SHE
MARRIED
YOUR FATHER.

AND HE HAS TOO
MANY GIRLFRIENDS?

FUNNY HOW EVERYONE
NOTICES BUT YOU.

YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S
ONE TO TALK, MARGARET.

SHE DROVE YOUR
GRANDFATHER SO MAD,

HE DECIDED JUST NOT
TO COME HOME ONE DAY.

YOU DON'T KNOW THAT.

HE COULD HAVE BEEN
IN A FATAL ACCIDENT

AND NOT BEEN
ABLE TO GET HOME.

OH, MOTHER.

WELL, I ALWAYS
WAS A GREAT FOOL
ABOUT THAT MAN.

BUT THAT DOESN'T
MEAN YOU HAVE TO
REPEAT MY MISTAKES.

THERE'S DADDY
RIGHT OVER THERE.

Margaret:
THAT'S ONE OF
HIS GIRLFRIENDS,

THE ONE HE
LIKES BEST.

Charlie Kate:
WELL, YOU WASTED
YOUR BRAIN
ON THAT ONE.

Margaret:
AS I GREW OLDER,

I SPENT MOST OF MY
TIME AT MY GRANDMOTHER'S.

SHE LET ME HELP WITH
THE HERBS AND SOMETIMES
EVEN WITH THE PATIENTS.

THE NAME OF MY GRANDFATHER
NEVER CROSSED HER LIPS.

BUT HIS PRESENCE WAS
ALWAYS FELT IN HER HOME.

FOR A WOMAN THAT
PREACHED THE ART OF
GETTING OVER MEN,

I'M NOT SURE THAT SHE
FOLLOWED HER OWN ADVICE.

Franklin Roosevelt:

Margaret:
GRANDMA?

THERE'S A FEW
MORE OUT THERE.

WELL, THEY'VE
BEEN WAITING
FOR HEALTH

LONG BEFORE
I GOT HERE,

I GUESS THEY'LL
WAIT A COUPLE
MORE MINUTES.

Roosevelt:
I HOPE THE UNITED STATES...

OH, MARGARET,
TURN THAT NUMB-
SKULL OFF.

THE LAST THING WE
SHOULD BE IS NEUTRAL.

IF I HAD MY WAY,
HITLER WOULD HAVE LEPROSY

AND A BAD CASE
OF POISON IVY.

THANK YOU FOR
HELPING OUT
TODAY, HONEY.

YOU'RE GETTING
VERY GOOD.

I AM?
YEAH.

AND MAYBE IT'LL
BE WHAT YOU DO
EVENTUALLY.

OH, I HOPE SO.

GRANDMA, HOW COME
YOU STILL KEEP
HIS CLOTHES?

WELL, THERE'S
NO REASON TO
THROW THEM AWAY.

YOU GO ON HOME
NOW, HONEY,
BEFORE YOU GIVE
YOUR MOTHER

SOMETHING ELSE
TO WORRY ABOUT.

MAYBE YOUR
FATHER WILL
ACTUALLY BE THERE.

GOOD NIGHT.
GOOD NIGHT, HONEY.

SHE WAS ALWAYS
CRAZY ABOUT HIM,

BUT SHE SAID
HE WAS A NITWIT.

WHY'D SHE MARRY
HIM, THEN?

AS THE STORY GOES,
HE SANG TO HER

AND SHE DIDN'T FIND HIM
TOO ANNOYING WHEN HE DID.

I WONDER IF
I WILL EVER
UNDERSTAND HER.

MY MOTHER IS A
MYSTERY, MARGARET.

YOU SHOULD KNOW
THAT BY NOW.

IT'LL ONLY HURT
YOUR BRAIN TO TRY
TO FIGURE HER OUT.

DO YOU MISS HIM?

OH, I DON'T KNOW.

DOESN'T EVERY GIRL
MISS HER DADDY?

YES.

YOU HAVE A FATHER.

IF YOU SAY SO.

YOU'RE STARTING TO SOUND
EXACTLY LIKE YOUR GRANDMOTHER,

AND, FRANKLY,
THAT FRIGHTENS ME.

NOW...

HOW DOES THIS LOOK?

BUT YOU'RE NOT EVEN
GOING ANYWHERE.

HAVEN'T YOU EVER HEARD
OF DRESSING UP?

SOMETIMES I WONDER
WHOSE CHILD YOU ARE.

YOU LOOK FINE.

I AM FAR FROM FINE.

HEY.

SOPH...
HEY!

SOPHIA, COME ON.

HEY.

WHY IS THIS IN
YOUR PANTS INSTEAD
OF ON YOUR FINGER?

IT UPSETS HER
TO SEE IT.

MA'AM.

MOTHER.

IS HE DEAD
ALREADY?

IS HE SICK?

WELL, HIS FACIAL
CAPILLARIES ARE
EXPLODING DAILY.

IT'S A SURE SIGN
OF SOMETHING
UGLY TO COME.

WELL COULDN'T
YOU JUST HURRY
THINGS ALONG?

SOPHIA!

JUST HAVE SOME PATIENCE. YOU'RE
GOING TO HAVE YOUR FREEDOM.

HE'S SPENT ENOUGH
TIME IN OUR LIVES.

MAY I BORROW THIS?

CERTAINLY.

THANK YOU.

Margaret:
MY GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS SAID,
"I DO NOT PERFORM VOODOO,

I DO NOT EVEN DABBLE."

MY MOTHER WAS OF A
DIFFERENT PERSUASION.

HE'S GONE.

GO START THE COFFEE.
I'LL CALL MOTHER.

OKAY.

HE NEVER EVEN REMEMBERED
OUR BIRTHDAYS.

NOW HE'LL REALLY
HAVE AN EXCUSE.

GRANDMA...

I THOUGHT YOU SAID
YOU'D NEVER SET FOOT
IN OUR HOUSE.

HE'S DEAD.

WHERE'S THE BODY?

UP THERE.

WHY DO WE DO
THIS AGAIN?

BECAUSE MY MOTHER
DID AND HER MOTHER
DID BEFORE HER.

THAT'S HER ANSWER
FOR EVERYTHING.

WELL, IT'S GOOD
ENOUGH FOR
EVERYTHING.

WHAT'S TAKING
THEM SO LONG?

HIS DIAGNOSIS IS GOING
TO BE THE SAME AS HERS.

YOUR FATHER'S FAMILY
WANTED A CERTIFIED CORONER.

CERTIFIED.

I'LL GIVE THEM
A CERTIFICATE.

THEIR SON WAS A NITWIT.

WELL, IT WAS AS
MISS CHARLIE KATE STATED.

IT WAS A CEREBRAL
HEMORRHAGE.

WHAT'S THAT DO TO YOU?

LET HIM TELL YOU, HONEY.

I'LL GO UP
AND CLEAN
THE BODY.

Sophia:
SO...

WHAT'S A CEREBRAL
HEMORRHAGE LIKE?

OH, UM... I'M NOT
SURE YOU'D LIKE TO
KNOW THAT, MA'AM.

ESPECIALLY WITH A
YOUNG LADY PRESENT.

OH, SHE CAN
HANDLE HERSELF.

AND I WOULDN'T
HAVE ASKED IF I
DIDN'T WANT TO KNOW.

WELL, UH...

I-IT STARTS WITH A
VERY BAD HEADACHE.

HOW BAD, EXACTLY?

WELL, SO BAD THAT
HE WOULD HAVE WOKEN
UP FROM IT.

HE-- HE WOULD'VE
LOOKED AROUND.

NOT KNOWING WHERE HE WAS,
NOT BEING ABLE TO SPEAK.

WELL, H-HIS BODY WOULD
HAVE BECOME RIGID.

HIS HEAD WOULD
HAVE JERKED BACK,
ARCHING HIS BACK.

AND THEN WITH HIS ARMS
AND LEGS OUT STRAIGHT,

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OH, UH, I, UH, I
AM SORRY, MA'AM.

DON'T BE. I'M NOT.

WE HAVE THE HOUSE
TO OURSELVES NOW.

I SHOULD BE GOING.

Margaret:
MY MOTHER WAS WRONG.

WE DIDN'T HAVE THE
HOUSE TO OURSELVES.

MY GRANDMOTHER MOVED
IN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.

DOES THAT--

MM!

NOT ONLY DID MY
GRANDMOTHER DECIDE
TO MOVE IN WITH US,

BUT HER THRIVING
MEDICAL PRACTICE
CAME ALONG WITH HER.

I'M FINE.
LET'S GO.

RIGHT HERE.

SHE SAYS HER
LOVER LEFT HER.

OH.

WHAT'S YOUR
NAME, HONEY?

PEARL.
PEARL.

WELL, PEARL,
DID HE LEAVE YOU
FOR A PRETTIER,
SMARTER GIRL?

SHE WASN'T SMARTER.

MM-HMM.

AN HERBAL SACHET?

YEAH.

PEARL, YOU JUST REST
YOURSELF THERE A
MINUTE, WILL YOU?

YOU GOT TO GET
SOME HUMOR BACK.

DEPRESSION IS
TERRIBLE FOR
THE COMPLEXION.

AND YOU DON'T
HAVE ANYTHING

TO BE
DEPRESSED ABOUT.
SIT UP STRAIGHT.

I'M NOT ONE OF
YOUR PATIENTS, MOTHER.

WELL YOU SHOULDN'T BE.

YOU SHOULD BE OUT HELPING
THEM, LIKE MARGARET.

IT'S NOT ME. IT
NEVER HAS BEEN.

I'M SICK OF ALL
THIS HEALING.

IT'S ALMOST 1940. I WANT
TO DO SOMETHING EXCITING.

MAKE YOURSELF A CUP
OF MUSHROOM TEA.

NOW...

PEARL, YOU PUT THIS
UNDER YOUR PILLOW.

AND YOU SLEEP
ON IT SEVEN
NIGHTS IN A ROW.

Pearl:
BUT WHAT IF
IT DOESN'T WORK?

WELL, THEN, YOU JUST
GET OVER HIM, HONEY.

I'M GOING TO
THE PICTURES.

SEE A COMEDY.

* YOU MUST GO YOUR WAY

* AND I MUST GO MINE

* BUT NOW THAT OUR
LOVE DREAMS *

* HAVE ENDED

* WHAT'LL I DO

* WHEN YOU ARE FAR AWAY

* AND I AM BLUE

* WHAT'LL I DO?

* WHAT'LL I DO

* WHEN I AM WOND'RING WHO *

* IS KISSING YOU

* WHAT'LL I DO?

Margaret:
WHO IS THAT?

IT'S MY FATHER.

MOTHER, YOU'RE NOT
GOING WITH HIM.

I CAN'T TALK NOW.
TAXI'S WAITING.

THINK ABOUT WHAT
YOU'RE DOING, MOTHER.

WHERE HAS HE BEEN
ALL THIS TIME?

I DON'T KNOW,
BUT HE'S HERE NOW.

THAT'S WHAT
I DO KNOW.

WHY?
HERE TO DO WHAT?

WHEN YOU HAVE A
GREAT PRACTICE,
WHEN YOU'RE HAPPY.

WHAT DOES HE WANT?

I DON'T KNOW, HONEY.

I JUST HAVE
TO FIND OUT.

DON'T EVEN EYE HIM,
MARGARET.

HE'S NOT WORTH
THE ATTENTION.

WHERE'S SHE GOING?

GOD ONLY KNOWS.

WHAT ON EARTH
HAS SHE DONE?

HELLO?

Charlie Kate:
MARGARET? MARGARET?

YOU DON'T HAVE TO YELL,
MOTHER.

IT'S A TELEPHONE.

WHERE ARE YOU?

Charlie Kate:
THE SIR WALTER HOTEL.
COME GET ME.

WE'LL BE RIGHT THERE.

DON'T STARE AT ME.
TAKE ME HOME.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.

- WHAT HAPPENED?
- NONE OF YOURS EITHER.

MOTHER, FOR GOD'S SAKE.

YOU DISAPPEAR
FOR TWO DAYS.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT
TO DO WITH OURSELVES.

IF IT'LL KEEP YOU QUIET,
I'LL TELL YOU.

THAT WOULD BE NICE.

HE'S HAD ANOTHER WOMAN
ALL THESE YEARS.

NOW SHE'S DEAD AND HE WANTS
HIS OLD LIFE BACK.

I DECIDED NOT
TO GIVE IT TO HIM.

YOU SATISFIED?

CAN WE GO NOW?

GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING.

HOW YOU FEELING?

ALL RIGHT.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

ALL RIGHT.

WILL YOU STOP RUNNING
AROUND THE SUBJECT?

YOU AND YOUR MOTHER.

SOMETIMES I THINK YOU
MIGHT ACTUALLY BE
LIKE HERE.

WHICH, FRANKLY,
FRIGHTENS ME TO DEATH.

IT'S BEEN MONTHS.

I'M FINE.
STOP ASKING.

NOW THAT'S PROBABLY
SOMEBODY WHO ISN'T FINE
AND NEEDS TO BE.

HELLO?

DID HE PURGE?

ALL RIGHT.

WHO WAS THAT?

YOU ALL RIGHT?

I'M FINE.

YOUR FATHER'S DEAD.

HOW IS SHE?

WELL, HE WAS
HER FATHER.

BOUND TO
BE A SHOCK.

AND SHE'S OF
A WEAKER NATURE
THAN YOU OR I.

I DON'T KNOW

WHAT I'M SO
UPSET ABOUT.

I DIDN'T EVEN
KNOW THE MAN.

DID HE PURGE?

YES.

WHAT'S IT MEAN TO PURGE?

WHEN SOMEONE
FOAMS AT THE
MOUTH UPON DYING,

IT INDICATES A
GREAT BACK JAM OF
TRUTHS AND DESIRES

AND WISHES THAT
THEY NEVER SPOKE.

PURGING SPILLS
IT OUT OF THEM.

LIKE A DEAD MAN
SAYING HE'S SORRY.

YES.

DID MY FATHER
PURGE?

YES.

WELL SUPPOSE HE HADN'T?

WELL, WE WOULD
HAVE SOLD HIS BODY

TO THE MEDICAL SCHOOL
AT CHAPEL HILL,

THEY WOULD HAVE
DONE WHAT WAS BEST.

WELL, MOTHER,
WHAT DO YOU PLAN
TO DO WITH YOURSELF

NOW THAT YOU'RE
OFFICIALLY A WIDOW?

YOU THINK I WANT
ANOTHER MAN?

I WOULD RATHER
TAKE A POISON PILL

THAN TAKE
ANOTHER MAN.

WE SHOULD GO SEE
A PICTURE SHOW.

IT'D BE A GREAT WAY
TO END THE '30s.

OH, I CAN THINK OF
A THOUSAND BETTER
THINGS TO DO.

- Margaret: WHAT'S PLAYING?
- "GONE WITH THE WIND".

I WANT TO
SEE IT AGAIN.

ME TOO.

LET'S GET DRESSED
UP AND GO.

I DON'T KNOW WHY
THEY MADE THE PICTURE.

THE BOOK WAS ATROCIOUS.

IF I DON'T LIKE
IT, I'M LEAVING.

YOU'RE GOING TO WALK
OUT OF HERE STUPIDER
THAN WHEN YOU WENT IN

IF YOU KEEP
WATCHING THIS.

IT'S RIDICULOUS.

YOU LEAVE HALFWAY
THROUGH EVERY
PICTURE WE SEE.

NOW I'M NOT
GOING ANYWHERE.

INTERMISSION'S
ALMOST OVER.

I'M GOING TO
WATCH THE REST
OF THE PICTURE.

YOU DO WHAT
YOU PLEASE.

SUIT YOURSELF.

I'D LIKE A REFUND
FOR THIS SILLY
PIECE OF HOT AIR

THEY'RE CALLING
A PICTURE.

YOU DIDN'T LIKE IT?

DO I SOUND LIKE
I LIKED IT?

GEE, YOU'RE
THE FIRST ONE.

WELL, I'M THE
FIRST ONE AT A
LOT OF THINGS.

JUST GIVE ME
MY MONEY, PLEASE.

MARGARET!

I THOUGHT
YOU'D COME TO
YOUR SENSES.

I WANTED TO KEEP
YOU COMPANY.

WAIT TILL YOU SEE
WHAT I HAVE HERE.

WHAT?

"THE YEARLING"!

YOU SNEAK. WHEN'D
YOU GET THIS?

OH, I SUSPECTED
WE MIGHT WANT IT.

COME ON, WE
GOT TWO HOURS.

WHERE'S MY GLASSES?

I CAN'T STAND
THIS BOOK.

NOTHING HAPPENS.

YOU JUST LEFT A PICTURE WHERE
EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD HAPPENS

AND YOU HATE
THIS 'CAUSE
NOT ENOUGH DOES?

WELL WE BOTH
KNOW THE DEER DIES.

OH, HERE THEY COME.
WE CAN GO HOME NOW.

THIS IS MY MOTHER,
MISS CHARLIE KATE.

AND THIS IS MY
DAUGHTER, MARGARET.

THIS IS RICHARD.
WE MET DURING
INTERMISSION.

WHERE WERE YOU TWO?

FEEDING OUR BRAINS.

HELLO.

HOW DO YOU
DO, MARGARET?

PLEASURE TO
MEET YOU.

MISS CHARLIE KATE.
PLEASURE.

SOPHIA WAS
GRACIOUS ENOUGH
TO SIT WITH ME

FOR THE REMAINDER
OF THE PICTURE.

DID YOU
LIKE IT?

OH YES,
VERY MUCH.

NICE TO MEET
YOU. WE'VE GOT
TO GO NOW.

IT WAS LOVELY
TO MEET YOU.

LOVELY TO MEET
YOU, MARGARET.

AND YOU, TOO,
MISS CHARLIE KATE.

I'LL SEE YOU
SOON. RICHARD.

I DON'T SEE WHAT
THERE IS TO BE SO
UPSET ABOUT, MOTHER.

RICHARD BAINES IS
A CHARMING MAN.

WELL AT LEAST YOU
KNOW HIS LAST NAME.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU
KNOW ABOUT HIM?

IS HE HIDING
OUT FROM SOME
WIFE SOMEWHERE?

HE'S GONE TO
THE MOVIES ALONE,
YOU REALIZE.

IN THE
AFTERNOON.

AND HE LIKED
IT TO BOOT.

IT WAS A WONDER-
FUL PICTURE.

IF YOU HAD A
ROMANTIC BONE
IN YOUR BODY

YOU MIGHT
UNDERSTAND.

I DON'T NEED A
ROMANTIC BONE

TO KNOW THAT MEN
BRING TROUBLE.

ESPECIALLY MEN
THAT YOU DON'T
KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT.

NOW JUST WHAT DOES
HE DO FOR A LIVING?

YOU SEE? THAT
SILENCE TELLS ME
YOU DON'T KNOW.

THAT IS NOT VERY
WISE, SOPHIA.

I KNOW THAT
I LIKE HIM.

I KNOW THAT I'VE
BEEN WAITING FOR
SOMETHING EXCITING

THAT DOESN'T CONSIST OF THE SICK
AND DYING FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE.

YOU CLAIM TO KNOW
EVERYTHING, MOTHER.

WELL IF YOU KNEW YOUR
OWN DAUGHTER,

YOU MIGHT SEE THAT SHE'S
ACTUALLY LONELY.

YOU'LL GET
OVER THAT.

AND I'VE INVITED
HIM FOR DINNER,
IF YOU CARE TO KNOW.

WELL, YOU NEED
A TRAFFIC COP IN HERE.

ALL RIGHT, SOPHIA.

WHY ISN'T HE MARRIED?

WHAT'S WRONG
WITH HIM?

IF YOU MUST KNOW,
HE'S BEEN DIVORCED
FOR TWO YEARS.

YOU DIDN'T KNOW
THAT YESTERDAY.

I SPOKE WITH
HIM ON THE TELE-
PHONE, MISS NOSY.

THERE ARE NO
SECRETS IN
THIS HOUSE.

WELL, WHAT IF
WE GO TO WAR?

HE'S NOT TOO OLD
TO SERVE, YOU KNOW.

HE HAS FLAT FEET.

WELL JUST REMEMBER
THAT WE CAN HANG
OUR OWN PICTURES

AND DO OUR OWN
HEAVY LIFTING.

WE EVEN TOOK
APART A GRAND-
FATHER CLOCK.

WHAT ARE YOU SAYING,
MOTHER? THAT A MAN
IS COMPLETELY USELESS?

Charlie Kate:
NO. JUST NOT
NECESSARY.

AND IF YOU COULD
POPULATE THE WORLD,

EVERYONE WOULD BE A WOMAN
AND BE JUST LIKE YOURSELF.

WELL IF I COULD
CHANGE YOUR BIRTHDAY,

I'D MEET YOU ON
THE OTHER SIDE OF 50

WHEN YOU'RE OVER ALL
IS FOOLISHNESS.

WELL, I AM NOT 50,
MOTHER, AND I AM NOT YOU.

I HAPPEN TO BE YOUR
DAUGHTER WHO IS A
DIFFERENT PERSON

FROM HER MOTHER
ALTOGETHER.

AND TONIGHT I
AM HAVING DINNER

WITH AN EXTREMELY HAND-
SOME MAN WHO YOU WOULD
GET ALONG WITH JUST FINE

IF YOU WOULD GIVE
HIM HALF A CHANCE.

WELL I WON'T BE
HERE TO SEE HIM.

I HAVE A BABY TO DELIVER.

THAT AWFUL
FLOUNDER WOMAN'S
HAVING HER SIXTH.

WHAT PERFECT TIMING.

YOU MUST HAVE PAID HER.

HAVE FUN.

I WILL.

ENTERTAIN HIM.

WELL, WHAT ARE
YOU GOING TO DO?

Richard:
GOOD EVENING,
MARGARET.

GOOD EVENING,
MR. BAINES.

OH! THOSE ROSES
ARE LOVELY.

OH! AND CHOCOLATE-
COVERED CHERRIES.
MOTHER'S FAVORITE.

Richard:
WHERE IS THAT
LOVELY MOTHER
OF YOURS?

OH, SHE'S COMING.

SHE'LL BE
ALONG ANY MINUTE.

THANK YOU.

YOUR MOTHER TELLS
ME YOU'RE ABOUT
TO GRADUATE.

SO WHAT DO YOU
PLAN ON DOING
AFTER HIGH SCHOOL,
MARGARET?

SOMETHING IN THE
FIELD OF MEDICINE.

AH. TAKING AFTER
YOUR GRANDMOTHER.

SOMEONE HAS TO.

BUT I LOVE IT.

SO, WHAT DO YOU
DO, MR. BAINES?

I PRACTICE LAW.

Margaret:
A LAWYER.

DO YOU
LIKE IT?

Richard:
MOST DAYS,
YES I DO.

HELLO, MR. BAINES.

HELLO.

SOPHIA.

OH, HOW LOVELY.
ARE THESE FOR ME?

ABSOLUTELY.

WHY THANK YOU.

I HOPE MARGARET'S
BEEN KEEPING YOU
WELL LOOKED AFTER.

MARGARET,
DARLING, WOULD
YOU POUR ME ONE?

THANK YOU.

I'LL GET DINNER.

MARGARET TELLS
ME SHE'S GOING
INTO MEDICINE.

MM. TAKES AFTER MY MOTHER.

I CAN'T STOMACH IT MYSELF.

THE BLOOD. CAN'T EVEN
PULL OUT A SPLINTER.

NEITHER CAN I.

I'D MUCH RATHER GO
TO THE PICTURES.

HMM. OR THE THEATRE.

- READ A GOOD BOOK.
- GET TIPSY.

MM. GIGGLE.

HOW WAS IT?

DEVINE.
JUST LIKE THE COMPANY.

AW, I KNOW
YOU'RE LYING...

BUT I'LL ACCEPT
THE COMPLIMENT.

NO, I'M NOT LYING
AT ALL.

I DON'T USUALLY COOK.

IT WAS DELICIOUS.

WE'VE NEVER HAD
A MEAL LIKE THIS.

WELL, WE'VE NEVER
HAD A MAN LIKE THIS.

I LIKE HIM.

I MORE THAN
LIKE HIM.

Charlie Kate:
YOU GOING TO LET
ME IN THE HOUSE?

WHERE WERE YOU,
HIDING IN THE BUSHES?

MR. BAINES IS
SO CHARMING.

WOULD YOU GET ME
MY BRANDY, HONEY?

WELL? AREN'T YOU EVEN GOING
TO ASK HOW OUR DINNER WAS?

I CAN TELL FROM
YOUR FLUSHED
FACE HOW IT WENT.

WHEN'S HE
COMING BACK?

SATURDAY.

HERE YOU
GO, GRANDMA.

THANK YOU, HONEY.
I GOT TO GO TO BED.

WHERE'S HE
TAKING YOU
THIS TIME?

UP TO MY
UNCLE'S, I GUESS.

I WASN'T TALKING
TO YOU, DARLING.
I WAS TALKING

TO SOMEONE WHO NEEDS MORE
MEDICAL ATTENTION THAN YOU DO.

WE'RE GOING TO
HIS MOTHER'S.

HE'S PACKING
HER UP TO COME
LIVE WITH HIM.

OH, A MAN THAT
LIVES WITH HIS MOTHER.

WELL, WHAT
A THING TO
STRIVE FOR.

I LIVE WITH MINE.

JUST MY POINT.

NOW. YOU TAKE
HALF A WINE
GLASS FULL

EVERY FOUR HOURS,
YOU HEAR?

THANK YOU, MISS CHARLIE.

MM-HM.

OH, THAT'S COMING
ALONG NICELY.

ITALY?

YELLOW.

THESE ARE VERY EFFECTIVE.

ALLIES
AND NAZIS.

OKAY, I'M GOING
TO PUT THIS OVER
IN GERMANY.

AND ENGLAND.

YOU'RE GOING TO
NEED A LOT MORE OF
THOSE, I'M AFRAID.

I NEED TO TAKE YOU TO
THE MIDDLETON PLANTATION
IN CHARLESTON.

MM. WHY IS
THAT, DARLING?

BECAUSE THERE'S A
GRAND OAK TREE THERE

THAT YOU WOULD
LOOK DIVINE
STANDING NEXT TO.

OH, YOU'RE JUST
TRYING TO SPOIL ME.

WELL YOU SHOULD
BE SPOILED.

LOOK AT YOU.
MM.

HE'S SO GIDDY
YOU'D THINK
HE'S DRUNK.

HE'S IN LOVE.

HOW CAN YOU
BE SO SURE?

IT'S BEEN A YEAR.

HAS IT?

MOTHER'S IN LOVE
WITH HIM, TOO.

OH, DON'T TALK
SUCH NONSENSE.

GRANDMA, THIS
ARTICLE SAYS
THE TROOPS

ARE MASSED ALONG
THE RUSSIAN BORDER.

THE GERMAN INVASION
COULD HAPPEN AS SOON
AS NEXT MONTH.

UH-OH.

HAVE YOU TWO HEARD
A WORD I'VE SAID?

YES, AND IT SOUNDS
AS IF HIS MOTHER

SHOULD BE ONE
OF MY PATIENTS.

OH, SHE'S NOT SO BAD.

SHE'S JUST PARTIAL
TO FERNS. YOU SHOULD
HAVE SEEN HER.

ANGELS HAIR FERN,
VERY PRETTY.

BOSTON FERN,
ALSO VERY PRETTY.

LADY FERN ALSO
VERY, VERY PRETTY.

WHAT'S HER PROBLEM?
DEMENTIA?

WELL, SHE WAS WALKING
AROUND HER NEIGHBORHOOD

STEALING PEOPLE'S FERNS
AND TALKING TO HERSELF, SO...

SOUND LIKE A
LUNATIC TO ME.

THAT'S INHERITABLE,
YOU KNOW.

DON'T START,
MOTHER.

WELL I JUST DON'T
TRUST A MAN

WHO HAS YOU HELP
WITH HIS MOTHER

WITHOUT A RING
ON YOUR FINGER.

I HAVE EVERY
REASON TO BELIEVE

THAT I WILL BE
MRS. RICHARD BAINES.

I'M HAVING THE TIME
OF MY LIFE, MOTHER.

YOU JUST CAN'T
HANDLE IT.

I CAN HANDLE
ANYTHING.

ALL I WANT IS FOR YOU
GIRLS TO BE HAPPY.

I HAVE
PICTURES

TO PROVE I AM.

WHAT DO YOU THINK
OF YOUR MOTHER'S
GIRLISHNESS, MARGARET?

I'M NOT SAYING ANYTHING.

Sophia:
NOW YOU SHOULD
START DATING TOO.

BEFORE ALL THE BOYS ARE DEAD
OR SNATCHED UP BY OTHER GIRLS.

YOU CAN WORK WITH
ME AT THE RED CROSS.

SHE'S FINE RIGHT
WHERE SHE IS.

AT LEAST SHE'S
FEEDING HER BRAIN.

FEEDING IT FOR
COLLEGE, I HOPE.

I HAVEN'T HEARD ONE
WORD ON THAT SUBJECT.

YOU'LL HEAR WHEN
SHE'S READY.

ARE WE FORGETTING
WHOSE DAUGHTER SHE IS?

DON'T START.

WHOSE SIDE ARE
YOU ON ANYWAY?

SEEMS I HAVE A
DAUGHTER WHO LIVES
IN HER LITERATURE

AND A MOTHER
WHO ONLY CARES
ABOUT ME

HELPING WITH
HER INVALIDS.

I JUST DON'T
WANT THIS SILLY
ROMANCE OF YOURS

TO INTERFERE
WITH YOUR WORK.

IT'S ALWAYS WORK
WITH YOU TWO.

CAN'T YOU THINK
ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE?

WHAT ELSE IS THERE
TO THINK ABOUT?

Margaret:
KEEP THIS
WRAPPED TIGHT.

MAKE SURE HE
LAYS OFF OF IT.

COME BACK AND SEE
MISS CHARLIE KATE
IN A WEEK. ALL RIGHT?

HOW'S THE WIFE,
ROY? SHE DEAD YET?

GETTING THERE.
THEM DROPS
YOU GOT HER

GOT HER HOLDING ON
A LITTLE LONGER.

MAYBE YOU CAN
LOOK AT ME,
MISS CHARLIE?

I WENT TO THAT REAL DOCTOR
AND HE PRESCRIBED ME SOMETHING

THAT MADE ME THROW
MY INSIDES UP FOR A WEEK.

YOU KEPT
TAKING IT?

THE BOTTLE
SAID TO.

MAYBE IT'S TIME YOU
STOPPED LISTENING
TO BOTTLES

AND THAT
REAL DOCTOR.

ALL RIGHT NOW. YOU
KEEP THAT EAR WARM,

YOU SLEEP ON IT. COME
BACK AND SEE ME IN
THE MORNING, YOU HEAR?

WHAT'S HAPPENED?

I JUST CAME
FROM DOWNTOWN.

THERE'S A BABY WITH
A REAL BAD FEVER

AT THE LAST HOUSE
ON OLD MILL ROAD.

A LITTLE
BLIND BABY.

THE NEIGHBORS
WERE CALLING
FOR HELP.

WE'LL FOLLOW YOU.

ARE YOU JUST
GOING TO
SIT THERE?

MOTHER, I HAVE
A DATE TONIGHT.

THERE ARE MORE
IMPORTANT THINGS
TO THINK ABOUT

THAN SEEING
YOUR SWEETHEART.

YOU SHOULD HAVE
THAT TATTOOED.

WHEW!
OH, GOOD GOD.

Charlie Kate:
IT SMELLS LIKE
SATAN IN HERE!

YOU NEED SOME
PARENTING LESSONS,
YOUNG WOMAN.

WHAT KIND OF A
HOUSE ARE YOU
KEEPING HERE?

HELLO THERE,
SWEETHEART.

HOW ARE YOU
FEELING?

NOT SO GOOD?

DON'T YOU
WORRY.

WE'RE GOING TO GET
YOU ALL FIXED UP.

SHE'S PRETTY HOT.
BETTER GET SOME
COLD WATER.

YOU GOT A PUMP?

OUT BACK.

ALL RIGHT, TAKE THE
BUCKET OUT THERE

AND GET AS COLD
WATER AS YOU CAN.

SOPHIA...

GET SOME CLOTHS.
ANY KIND. YOU KNOW,
THEY CAN BE RAGS,

ANYTHING, DOESN'T
MATTER. WE JUST
GOT TO COOL HER
DOWN FAST.

WHERE'S THE FATHER?

DRUNK.

DRUNK IS NOT A PLACE.
WHERE'S THE FATHER?

I DON'T KNOW.

MARGARET,
HURRY UP.

SOPHIA, WE NEED
THOSE CLOTHS.

I CAN'T STAND THIS.

OH, YOU CAN STAND
ANYTHING. JUST DON'T
THINK ABOUT IT.

OH, MARGARET,
COME ON. BATHE HER
DOWN WITH YOUR HANDS

UNTIL SOPHIA
FINDS SOMETHING.

DID SHE GET HOLD
OF ANY MEDICINE, ANY DRUGS?

Mother:
I DON'T KNOW.

Charlie Kate:
SHE GOT ANY
ALLERGIES?

I DON'T KNOW.

WELL WHAT DO
YOU KNOW, WOMAN?

DON'T BE PARTICULAR, SOPHIA.
JUST GET ANYTHING.

WAS THE CHILD
BORN BLIND?

NO, MA'AM.

Charlie Kate:
HOW DID SHE
GET BLINDED?

THE DOCTOR.

THE REAL ONE.

THE DOCTOR?

HE CAUGHT HER COMING OUT

AND SORT OF SPILLED
SOMETHING ON HER

THAT I THOUGHT MAYBE
HE SHOULDN'T HAVE.

OH MY GOD.

SOPHIA, GET THAT CLOTH.

DID HE SAY ANY-
THING TO YOU?
YES, MA'AM.

HE SAID, "DAMN
IT ALL TO HELL!"

Margaret:
IS THIS
ALL RIGHT?

YES. JUST SOAK
IT AND WRAP IT
AROUND HER.

Margaret:
LET'S GET THIS
AROUND YOU.

IT'S GOING
TO FEEL NICE.

SHH, SHH.

IT'S OKAY.
SHH, SHH, SHH.

SOPHIA! OH MY GOD.

SOPHIA?

HONEY, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?

MOTHER...

TELL RICHARD
I'M DEAD.

I CAN'T GO TO
THE PICTURES.

DON'T YOU WORRY, HONEY.

MARGARET, HAND THE
BABY TO HER MOTHER.

THEN GET THE CAR
AND DRIVE HOME

AND CATCH MR. BAINES
BEFORE HE STARTS OUT.

I'LL TAKE YOUR MOTHER
DOWN TO THE ROAD JUST
AS SOON AS SHE'S ABLE.

WE'LL FLAG A CAR.

GO ON, HONEY,
DON'T MISS HIM.

I'M SORRY, MOMMA.

IT'S ALL RIGHT,
SWEETHEART.

I'LL GET YOU HOME.

I'M GOING TO COME BACK

WITH FOOD FOR
YOU AND GRUEL
FOR YOUR CHILD.

YOU KEEP HER COOL
AND CLOSE TO YOU
TILL I GET BACK.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT
SHE FEELS YOUR TOUCH.

IT'S CATCHING.

THIS IS YOUR
CHILD, WOMAN.

IT SHOULDN'T MATTER IN
THE SLIGHTEST IF YOU
HAD TO DIE TO SAVE HER.

I'LL DO IT.

Richard:
OH, MY DARLING.

YOU LOOK
SO PALE.

ARE YOU
ALL RIGHT?

SHE'S THE ONE WHO
FAINTED, NOT ME.

THANK YOU FOR
GIVING US A RIDE.

OH, OH, HERE.

GIVE IT
ALL TO HIM.

SHE'S PRICELESS.

WELL, YOU BETTER TAKE IT

BEFORE HE
CHANGES HIS MIND.

GOLLY,
MISS CHARLIE.

HOW CAN I
THANK YOU?

YOU COULD GIVE ME A
RIDE BACK. I DON'T
FEEL UP TO DRIVING.

YOU'RE GOING
BACK RIGHT NOW?

YEAH, MR. BAINES
HAS GOT HER,

AND I GOT TO GET
BACK TO THAT BABY.

NO TELLING WHAT
THAT MOTHER'S DOING.

SHOULD I COME
WITH YOU?

NO, HONEY, YOU
STAY HERE FOR
YOUR MOTHER.

I'LL BE BACK SHORTLY.

I GOT EVERY-
THING READY.

OH, THAT LOOKS
NICE. THANK YOU.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

BETTER.
HOW'S THE BABY?

LIVING.

COME ON, RICHARD.
UP YOU GO.

YOU ALL RIGHT,
DARLING?

SHE'S JUST FINE.

I'M GONNA HAVE
A LITTLE BRANDY.

COME ON,
I'LL POUR ONE FOR YOU.

MY MOTHER SEEMS
TO HAVE LOST HER REASON.

YOU SHOULD TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

WELL, IF YOU'RE FEELING
ALL RIGHT, I WILL.

GO ON, DARLING.
I'M FINE.

SEE WHAT SHE LOOKS LIKE
WHEN SHE'S NICE.

WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO HER?

YOU KNOW, MAMA...

YOU LOOKED DEAD THERE
LYING ON THE FLOOR.

AND I THINK SHE REALIZED
SHE COULD LOSE YOU.

MOTHER, WHERE
ARE YOU GOING?

I'M GOING TO PAY THAT
REAL DOCTOR A VISIT.

OH-H-H-H!

NOT WITHOUT
ME, YOU'RE NOT.

MARGARET?

THOUGHT YOU DIDN'T
LIKE WORKING.

Sophia:
I WOULDN'T MISS
THIS FOR THE WORLD.

WELL WHAT'S
GOING ON?

SHE'S GOING TO SEE
THE REAL DOCTOR.

NOT WITHOUT
ME, SHE'S NOT.

WELL COME ON, THEN.

TELL THAT IMBECILE THAT
MISS CHARLIE KATE WOULD
LIKE A WORD WITH HIM.

HE'S WITH A
PATIENT RIGHT
NOW. ARE YOU ILL?

NO, BUT HE'S
GOING TO BE
IF HE DOESN'T
GET OUT HERE.

MISS?

IF YOU DON'T WANT
THAT TO COVER YOUR HEAD,

YOU GET A HOT ONION
AND YOU HOLD IT TO IT.

AND KEEP HOLDING
IT TO IT.

THAT LOOKS
FIERCE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT
THIS HOODLUM'S BEEN
DOING TO YOU.

WHO ARE YOU
CALLING A HOODLUM?

YOU!

YOU ARE A MISERABLE,
DRUNKEN THUG.

AND A COWARD
TO BOOT.

YOU OUGHT TO BE
RUN OUT OF TOWN.

YOU COULD KINDLY
LOWER YOUR VOICE
IN MY OFFICE, CHARLIE.

THAT'S MISS
CHARLIE KATE
TO YOU

AND I DON'T HAVE
TIME TO PLAY GAMES.

I'M FAR TOO TIRED
FROM SITTING
UP ALL NIGHT

WITH THAT CHILD
THAT YOU BLINDED.

YOU'RE TALKING NONSENSE.

THAT NONSENSE HAS
A NAME, DOCTOR.

MEREDITH BARNES.
THE CHILD YOU
BLINDED AT BIRTH.

AND WHO HAS NOW
LIVED NOT TO SEE
HER THIRD BIRTHDAY.

CALL THE POLICE.

I'M A POLICE OFFICER.

WELL, ARREST
THIS WOMAN.

WELL, SHE'S SAYING
YOU BLINDED A BABY.

I DID NO SUCH THING!

SHE WORKS WITH HERBS.

WHAT ARE YOU
HERE FOR?

ARTHRITIS.

HE GIVE
YOU THIS?
YES.

THIS CAUSES CHEST
PAIN AND HAIR LOSS.

YOU NEED TO RECTIFY
SOME OF THE DAMAGE
YOU'VE DONE, DOCTOR.

YOU CAN START BY GIVING
YOUR WRITTEN PERMISSION
FOR MY PATIENTS

TO BE ABLE TO
TAKE THEIR PRE-
SCRIPTIONS

TO THE
HAYES PHARMACY,
SEEING AS HOW

I WRITE THE
ACCURATE ONES.

YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

IF I HAD MY WAY,
I'D HAVE YOU SHOT.

Patients:

LET'S GO,
GIRLS.

IS THIS REALLY
FOR ARTHRITIS?

OH, GO CLIMB A HILL.

MISS CHARLIE? SHE
CAUGHT ALL THREE OF
MY BABIES FOR FREE.

GOT RID OF
MY BED FLEAS.

CURED ME OF
A FLAKY HEAD
FOR TEN CENTS.

TEN CENTS.
YOU DON'T SAY.
MM-HMM.

"MISS CHARLIE KATE'S
FATHER SHOT HIMSELF

AFTER HIS WIFE
GAVE BIRTH TO
TWIN BABY GIRLS.

SHE WAS RAISED BY
HER MOTHER..."
I KNOW
ABOUT THAT.

WHAT ELSE DOES
IT SAY ABOUT
THE DOCTOR?

SO FOR THOSE OF YOU
IN NEED OF A DOCTOR,

YOU MIGHT
CONSIDER
THE REAL ONE:

MISS CHARLIE KATE
ON THE HILL ABOVE
BERRY STREET.

YOU CAN TELL
HER HOUSE

BY THE LINES
OF PEOPLE

WAITING TO BE HEALED.

WHO WROTE THAT?

MRS. ANNA HAWKINS.

YOU HAVE A FAN.

IF SHE'S SUCH A FAN,
YOU'D THINK SHE'D BE
ONE OF MY PATIENTS.

HOW DOES SHE KNOW
SO MUCH ABOUT ME?

ALL THAT GANG
OF YOURS OUT
THERE, I'M SURE.

POSTMAN JUST DELIVERED
SOME MORE POSSIBILITIES.

BRYN MAWR, RADCLIFFE...

GOUCHER.

WHICH WOULD YOU
LIKE TO ATTEND?

WITH YOUR GRADES
AND THE FACT THAT
YOU'RE VALEDICTORIAN,

YOU CAN PROBABLY
HAVE YOUR PICK.

I'M NOT SURE IF I
EVEN WANT TO GO.

DON'T BE SILLY.
PICK AT LEAST ONE.

IF I HAD TO MAKE
THE DECISION TODAY,

I'D STAY AT HOME

AND NOT
GO AT ALL.

MARGARET, YOU CANNOT
JUST STAY AT HOME.

I AM LIKE MY MOTHER
IN ONE SENSE IN
THAT I BELIEVE

YOU DON'T HAVE
A LIFE WITHOUT
YOUR BRAIN

AND YOU HAVE NO BRAIN
UNLESS YOU USE IT.

WHY DON'T YOU
WANT TO GO?

I DON'T
KNOW. I...

I JUST DON'T.

BUT I DON'T SEE
WHY I HAVE TO.

MARGARET, YOU HAVE
TO LIVE YOUR LIFE.

MOTHER, WHAT
ARE YOU DOING?

I WANT TO READ
YOU SOMETHING.

"DEAR MISS CHARLIE KATE,
I DON'T KNOW

HOW EVER TO
THANK YOU

FOR MAKING MY
EDUCATION POSSIBLE.

YOU WERE RIGHT.
WHAT A FINE THING
IT IS FINALLY

NOT TO BE THE ONLY
ONE, BUT ONE OF MANY.

SINCERELY, CHARLES NUTTER."

THERE YOU GO BRINGING
CHARLES NUTTER INTO THIS.

CHARLES NUTTER.
THAT'S THE...

THAT'S THE MAN
YOUR MOTHER SHOULD
HAVE MARRIED.

ACCORDING TO HER.

HE WAS HAND-PICKED.
IT DIDN'T MATTER
WHAT I THOUGHT.

WELL WHAT DID YOU
KNOW? YOU ONLY
LIKED THE IDIOTS.

I DIDN'T PUT HIM
THROUGH SCHOOL FOR
MY OWN ENTERTAINMENT.

NOW, MARGARET,

IF YOU GO
TO COLLEGE,

YOU'LL BE EXPOSED
TO A GREAT MANY GIRLS
JUST LIKE YOURSELF.

AND THAT CAN BE
VERY ENJOYABLE.

ON THE
OTHER HAND,

IF YOU GO SOMEPLACE
YOU DON'T WANT TO GO,

YOU'LL BE MISERABLE,
YOU WON'T LEARN A DROP.

HER STUBBORN
NATURE WILL SURELY
TAKE OVER IN YOU.

YOU'D JUST BE
WASTING OUR MONEY.

I UNDERSTAND YOU
TWO ARE IN CAHOOTS.

FINE. GO AHEAD.

STAY AT YOUR GRAND-
MOTHER'S FEET

WHILE ALL THE OTHER GIRLS
SNATCH UP THE DECENT MEN

AND LEAVE YOU
IN THE TRENCHES.

WHAT'S THAT GOT TO
DO WITH COLLEGE?

WHERE ELSE ARE YOU
GOING TO MEET A MAN?

WELL, SHE'S ABOUT
TO GRADUATE

AND HASN'T GONE
ON ONE DATE.

DOESN'T EVEN OWN A
DECENT PARTY DRESS

AND THE ONLY PHONE
CALLS SHE GETS ARE
FROM THAT SCHOOL NURSE

ASKING HER
MEDICAL QUESTIONS.

Charlie Kate:
SHE KNOWS MORE
THAN THAT SCHOOL NURSE

WITH HER HANDS
TIED BEHIND HER.

NOW MARGARET WILL
MEET THE MAN FOR HER
WHEN SHE NEEDS TO.

I DON'T KNOW HOW.

Sophia:
WHERE ARE
YOU GOING?

TO WORK ON MY SPEECH. I'M
VALEDICTORIAN, REMEMBER?

AND NO, I DON'T HAVE
A DRESS OR A DATE
FOR THE OCCASION.

SOPHIA, SHE'S NOT A
LITTLE GIRL ANY MORE.

SHE CAN MAKE HER
OWN DECISIONS.

YOU DIDN'T LET ME
MAKE MY OWN DECISIONS.

WELL, YOU NEVER MADE
THE RIGHT ONES.

HOW'S YOUR SPEECH COMING?

UM, IT IS WHAT IT IS.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

CIAFFA'S DRESS SHOP.

I THOUGHT THAT'S
WHERE YOU WENT.

DO YOU LIKE IT?

UH, I LOVE IT!

THANK YOU.

MM.

TOO BAD I DON'T
HAVE A SOCIAL LIFE
TO GO WITH IT.

HOGWASH.

DON'T YOU LET ANY
OF THAT NONSENSE

TAKE AWAY
FROM YOUR DAY.

HERE. YOU CAN GIVE
THAT BACK TO ME

AFTER YOU GRADUATE.

OH, MY GOSH.

WELL...

IS YOUR CONSCIENCE
FINALLY SPEAKING TO YOU?

IT WAS SILVER
NITRATE, MISS
CHARLIE KATE.

I-I'M AN IMBECILE.

I SPILLED SILVER
NITRATE IN THAT
POOR BABY'S EYES.

COME ON.

Charlie Kate:
ALL RIGHT.

WHAT DO YOU
PLAN ON DOING
ABOUT IT?

WELL, I'VE BEEN
LIVING WITH THIS
FOR SO LONG THAT...

I'LL DO
ANYTHING TO
HELP YOU.

I'M NOT THE ONE
THAT NEEDS HELP

AND YOU'RE GOING
TO BE LIVING WITH
MANY MORE FAILINGS

IF YOU KEEP
THAT UP.

I'M SO SORRY, BUT THERE'S
NOTHING FOR ME TO DO.

I'VE TRIED
EVERYTHING.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT TO DO,
IF YOU'RE WILLING TO LISTEN.

ANYTHING.

ENROLL MEREDITH

IN THE MOOREHEAD
SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND.

SEE TO IT THAT HER
MOTHER IS SET UP
WITH AN ACCOUNT

AT THE NEAREST
GENERAL STORE

TO BE PAID BY
YOU INDEFINITELY.

THAT OUGHT TO
KEEP YOU BUSY.

I'VE... I'VE ALREADY SENT
WORD TO THE HAYES PHARMACY.

YOU CAN GET YOUR
PRESCRIPTIONS FILLED.

GOOD.

I GUESS YOU'LL NEED IT
WITH ALL THESE PATIENTS.

DOESN'T SEEM LIKE
I HAVE ANY LEFT.

DO YOU MIND SO MUCH
IF I... I JUST, UH,
RESTED HERE A MINUTE?

TAKE ALL THE
TIME YOU NEED.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

WAS SUDDENLY AND
DELIBERATELY ATTACKED

BY NAVAL AND AIR FORCES
OF THE EMPIRE OF JAPAN.

THE UNITED STATES WAS AT PEACE
WITH THAT NATION

AND, AT THE SOLICITATION...

CAN'T WE
TURN THAT OFF?

SOPHIA.

I'VE BEEN FIGHTING
WITH THOSE IGNORANT
JUNIOR-LEAGUERS ALL DAY

TRYING TO GET MY
BANDAGE QUOTA FILLED.

ISN'T THERE ANYTHING ELSE
TO THINK OF BUT WAR?

I THINK IT'S
A PERFECTLY FIT
THING TO THINK ABOUT

NOW THAT WE'RE IN IT.

MAYBE WE SHOULD GO
TO THE PICTURES OR SOMETHING.

YOU REALLY SHOULDN'T MISS
"CITIZEN KANE."

AND, MARGARET,
I KNOW WE'VE TALKED
ABOUT THIS,

BUT EVERY GIRL YOUR AGE IS
EITHER MARRIED OR JUST MARRIED

OR AT LEAST LOOKING
TO BE MARRIED.

YOU'RE MISSING ALL THE MEN
COOPING YOURSELF UP IN HERE
ALL DAY.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO
TAKE THE FACT

THAT RICHARD
HASN'T PROPOSED YET
OUT ON MARGARET.

OH, DON'T BRING IT UP.
IT'S WORRYING ME TO TEARS.

I'M SAYING YES TO
EVERYTHING HE SAYS.

DON'T WAIT UP.

DON'T WORRY.

MARGARET, TURN
THAT RADIO BACK ON.

GENERAL LEE WOULD'VE
TAKEN CARE OF THIS BY NOW.

YES, I KNOW WHERE THAT IS.

ALL RIGHT. GOODBYE.

MORNING.
GOOD MORNING.

HE POSE ANY
QUESTIONS
LAST NIGHT?

OH, DON'T MAKE
ME CRY, MOTHER.
IT'S TOO EARLY.

WHO WAS THAT
ON THE PHONE?

THAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE
PERSON, CHARLES NUTTER.

OH, BROTHER.

DOCTOR CHARLES NUTTER.

HE'S BEEN APPOINTED
ADMINISTRATOR OF
THE VETERANS HOSPITAL

HERE IN
WAKE COUNTY.

HOW NICE.

HE'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU
PLANNED FOR HIM TO BE.

I DIDN'T GET
EVERYTHING I
PLANNED FOR.

HE'S MARRIED.

MARRIED TO A
TEACHER. SHE'S
HELPING HIM OUT

DOWN THERE AT
THE HOSPITAL.

SO SHOULD YOU.

MIGHT GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO DO
BESIDES WORRY ABOUT THE WAR.

I MIGHT DO THAT.

Margaret:
MORNING.

MORNING, HONEY.

YOU MIGHT DO WHAT?

VOLUNTEER AT
CHARLES NUTTER'S HOSPITAL.

HE PROMISED ME
A C GASOLINE CARD

IF I DO IT.

MOMMA, SENATOR'S
WIVES ARE SCRATCHING
EACH OTHERS EYES OUT

OVER C CARDS.
YOU SHOULD
TAKE IT!

WELL, IF YOU INSIST,
I'LL CALL HIM.

Margaret:
YOU'RE GOING
TO VOLUNTEER?

MM-HMM.
SO ARE YOU.

I TOLD HIM I WAS GOING TO BRING
MY GRANDDAUGHTER WITH ME.

YOU KNOW, IT GIVES
US SOMETHING TO DO.

YOU ARE SUCH
A SNEAK.

WELL, I HAVE TO
ENTERTAIN MYSELF SOMEHOW.

HE'S ASSIGNING YOU
TO READ AND WRITE

FOR THE MEN
WHO ARE UNABLE
TO DO SO

FOR WHAT-
EVER REASON.

MAYBE YOU'LL
MEET SOMEONE.

THAT'S NOT WHY
WE'RE GOING.

WANT SOME GARLIC TOAST?

THAT'S HIM.

WELL, WHY DIDN'T
MOTHER LIKE HIM?

BECAUSE HE
WAS WONDERFUL.

CHARLES.
MISS CHARLIE KATE.

HOW GRAND!
OH, DON'T BE
SLOBBERING OVER ME.

THIS IS MY GRAND-
DAUGHTER, MARGARET.

HELLO, MARGARET.

I'VE HEARD SUCH AN
AWFUL LOT ABOUT YOU

FROM MISS CHARLIE
KATE'S LETTERS.

HOW DO YOU DO?

PERFECTLY WELL NOW THAT
THE TWO OF YOU ARE HERE.

PARDON ME FOR
JUST A MINUTE.

Charlie Kate:
WHAT DO YOU
THINK?

I'M DEVASTATED
HE'S NOT MY FATHER.

MM-HM.

MISS CHARLIE KATE,
MARGARET, THIS IS
MY WIFE, LOUISE.

HELLO, LOUISE.

MISS CHARLIE KATE,
MARGARET.

HELLO.
YOU'VE GOT A
FINE MAN HERE.

ALL THANKS TO YOU.

OH, NONSENSE.
I'M GLAD TO SEE
YOU ALL SO HAPPY.

MARGARET, ARE
YOU READY?

SHALL I TAKE YOUR
COAT TO MY OFFICE?

OH, THANK YOU
VERY MUCH.

MISS CHARLIE KATE,
I'D LIKE YOU TO
MEET SOMEONE.

YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S
A SPLENDID WOMAN.

YOU'RE VERY
FORTUNATE.

Margaret:
DO THEY ALWAYS...

OH. YOU'LL GET
USED TO IT.

JUST KEEP IN MIND, THEY'VE ALL
HAD LIMITED EXPOSURE TO WOMEN.

IT'S BEST NOT TO
GET TOO INVOLVED
IN THEIR AFFAIRS.

SOME OF OUR
VOLUNTEERS HAVE
GONE... WELL,

OVERBOARD IN
THEIR ATTENTIONS.

UH, WE'RE STARTING
OUT WITH JUST
A FEW TODAY

TO GET YOU
COMFORTABLE.

NEXT ONE'S ROOM 233.

YOU'LL FIND ALL
THEIR INFORMATION
ON THEIR CARDS.

I SEE YOU'RE PREPARED.

IF YOU NEED MORE
PAPER OR PENCILS

THEY'RE IN EACH
NIGHT STAND DRAWER.

GOOD LUCK.
THANK YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY
NAME IS MARGARET...

JUST READ THE
GODDAMN LETTER.

YOU CAN WATCH
YOUR TONE WITH ME.

JUST READ THE
GODDAMN LETTER.

"DEAR TAD,

I WANTED TO
DROP YOU A NOTE
TO TELL YOU

THAT I JUST
DON'T THINK..."

READ IT!

"I JUST DON'T
THINK I SHOULD

CONTINUE TO WAIT.

I'M NOT GOING
TO BE 18 FOREVER

AND YOU KNOW
HOW FULL OF FUN
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN.

EVERYONE AT
WOOLWORTH'S
SAYS SO.

PLEASE DON'T THINK IT
HAS ANYTHING TO DO
WITH YOUR INJURIES.

I'LL SEND BACK THE
FRIENDSHIP BRACELET

AS SOON AS I
CAN FIND A
BOX FOR IT.

SINCERELY, ARLENE."

GET THE HELL
OUT OF HERE.

OOH!

Sophia:
WAS HE A NICE
YOUNG MAN?

NOT PARTICULARLY.

WELL, NOT
UNDER THOSE
CIRCUMSTANCES.

DID YOU GIVE HIM
YOUR NAME AT LEAST?

MOTHER...

I KNOW EXACTLY
WHAT TO SAY
TO THIS GIRL.

DEAR ARLENE,

IT IS A SORRY
GIRL WHO SPITS
ON ONE FALLEN.

THE REST OF YOUR
LIFE WILL BE HOPELESS.

WORTHLESS.

LIKE YOURSELF.

HMM.

MAY YOUR CHILDREN
INHERIT YOUR
HUSBAND'S SCOLIOSIS,

HIS CLUB FEET,
RECESSED TESTICLES

OR WHATEVER
ELSE IT WAS

THAT KEPT HIM OUT
OF THE FIGHTING.

AS FOR THE BRACELET...

HOLD ON, HOLD ON.
WAIT A MINUTE.

THROW OFF THE FIRST
BRIDGE YOU COME TO.

AS FOR MY
HANDS AND ARMS,

I'M GLAD THEY'RE
NOT AROUND YOU.

THANKS FOR NOTHING.

TAD.

ALL RIGHT,
WHO'S NEXT?

LET'S DO
MISSISSIPPI.

AH, THE ONE WHO THINKS
FAULKNER IS THE SPAWN
OF SATAN?

UH-OH.

IT'S THE POSTMAN
COME TO ARREST US.

DON'T BE SILLY.
IT'S JUST RICHARD.

WOULD YOU GET
THE DOOR, MARGARET?

RICHARD?

IN THIS STORM?

THE BRIDGE WILL FLOOD.
HE'LL NEVER GET
OUT OF HERE.

MM.

HOW WAS THAT AWFUL
GUEST BED, DARLING?

YOU OUGHTA ACT IN THOSE
PICTURES YOU SEE.

YOU READY, DARLING?

MM.

READY FOR WHAT?

WE'VE DECIDED
WE'RE BORED.

WE'RE GOING
TO THE WOODS.

THE WOODS?
YOU'LL FREEZE TO DEATH.

OH, I DON'T THINK SO.
I HAVE A LITTLE SURPRISE.

WE'LL TAKE OUR CHANCES.

MAYBE HE'S GONNA PROPOSE.

WELL, I DON'T KNOW.

GET YOUR COAT.
THIS DOESN'T LOOK SO GOOD.

Margaret:
WHAT?

YEAH, COME ON.

ALL RIGHT.

I LOVE IT!

Margaret:
I'VE NEVER SEEN HER
THAT HAPPY.

COME ON,
LET'S LEAVE 'EM ALONE.

MAYBE WE'LL SET OUT
SOME BRANDY AND CAKES.

OKAY.

YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO
BE ASLEEP AT THIS HOUR.

MR. TOM HAWKINS
THE THIRD.

I'LL JUST WAIT.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH
HIM? WHY'S HE
STILL SLEEPING?

I DON'T KNOW.

THOMAS HAWKINS THE THIRD.

WELL, THIRD OR
NOT, HE STILL
NEEDS TO GET UP.

WELL, LET'S
LEAVE HIM ALONE

IF HE'S SO TIRED.
WAKE UP, SON.

STAY UP ALL
NIGHT, SLEEP
ALL DAY,

HOW DO YOU EXPECT
TO GET WELL?

WHAT TIME IS IT?

TIME FOR YOU TO BE AWAKE.

COULD YOU GET ME
SOME ORANGE JUICE
AND DRY TOAST?

THAT WOULD BE
SWELL OF YOU.

I DIDN'T COME
HERE TO BE SWELL.

WILL YOU DO IT
FOR ME, THEN?

SHE DIDN'T
COME HERE TO
BE SWELL EITHER.

WAKE UP, WRITE
YOUR MOTHER.

THAT'D BE SWELL.

SHE JUST LIVES
ACROSS TOWN.

A BOY SHOULD WRITE
HIS MOTHER, EVEN IF
SHE LIVES NEXT DOOR.

WHY DON'T YOU WRITE
MY MOTHER, THEN?

I'LL DO IT IF
IT'LL GET YOU UP.

I'LL TELL HER
HER SON'S LAZING
AROUND A VETERAN'S
HOSPITAL

INSTEAD OF
GETTING UP,
TRYING TO
EXERCISE.

WELL, GO ON,
DO IT.

TELL HER TOM'S
ASSING OFF AGAIN,

SEND IT TO ANNA HAWKINS,
CARE OF THE "HERALD".

THAT'S JUST
WHAT I'LL DO.

WHERE DID SHE GO?

PROBABLY TO GET
AN EXTRA CHAIR

SO SHE'LL BE
MORE COMFORTABLE.

DO ALL THESE
HACKING PATIENTS

PUT YOU IN
THE MIND OF
HANS CASTORP?

"MAGIC MOUNTAIN"
IS NOT EXACTLY

WHAT I'D CALL
LIGHT READING
TO RECUPERATE BY.

WELL, HAVE YOU READ IT?

UH, NOT IN GERMAN.

WHO ARE YOU TWO?

OH, I'M MARGARET AND
THAT WAS MY GRAND-
MOTHER YOU JUST MET,

MISS CHARLIE KATE.

AH. WELL THAT'S JUST SWELL.

MY MOTHER'S HERO
HERE TO TORTURE ME.

YOUR MOTHER'S HERO?

WELL, MISS CHARLIE KATE
SCORED ALL SORTS OF
POINTS WITH MY MOTHER.

FIRST, HAVING THAT
SEWER SYSTEM PUT IN.

THEN PUTTING OUR NEIGHBOR,

THAT DOCTOR,
OUT OF BUSINESS.

HE WAS YOUR NEIGHBOR?

IT'S ALL SHE
EVER TALKS ABOUT.

HOW'D YOUR
MOTHER KNOW ABOUT
SUCH THINGS?

SHE KNOWS
EVERYTHING.

SHE WRITES FOR
THE NEWSPAPER.

SHE'S WRITTEN
PIECES ON YOU.

OH, YOU SHOULD WRITE
THAT IN THE LETTER,
THAT WE MET.

MAYBE SHE'LL LOOSEN
UP ON ME A BIT.

ALL RIGHT,
START TALKING.

DON'T WORRY
THAT MARGARET
CAN'T KEEP UP.

SHE'LL GET THE
GIST OF IT,

AND SHE'LL TYPE
IT UP LATER.

I THOUGHT YOU
WERE WRITING IT.

MARGARET WILL
DO JUST FINE.
START TALKING.

WELL...

DEAR MOM.

GUESS WHO'S WRITING
THIS LETTER FOR ME?

MISS CHARLIE KATE'S
GRANDDAUGHTER.

THE DOCTOR HERSELF
WAS SITTING RIGHT HERE.

SHE SEEMS
VERY MEAN.

YOU TWO WOULD REALLY
GET ALONG SWELL.

WELL, HER GRAND-
DAUGHTER DOESN'T APPEAR

TO BE THAT MEAN,

THOUGH SHE DID SIT HERE
AND STARE A HOLE THROUGH ME

WHILE MY EYES
WERE CLOSED.

WHICH I DIDN'T
MIND SO MUCH.

I'LL TELL YOU,

THERE'D BE NOTHING
BETTER THAN A LITTLE
MORPHINE RIGHT NOW.

MY BACK HURTS
LIKE THE DEVIL.

I WOULDN'T MIND SOME OF
THOSE OATMEAL COOKIES TOO.

LOVE YOUR SON, TOM.

THERE. HOW WAS THAT?

SATISFACTORY.

WELL, THANK YOU.

NOW I WAS WONDERING
IF I COULD

TALK TO YOUR
GRANDDAUGHTER
PRIVATELY?

I'M NOT A FAN
OF PRIVACY.

I DESPISE NOT
KNOWING WHAT
PEOPLE ARE SAYING.

ALL RIGHT, THEN.

I WAS GOING TO ASK
YOUR GRANDDAUGHTER

IF I COULD GIVE HER
A CALL SOMETIME.

THAT'D BE FINE.

ANY TIME BEFORE
10:00 O'CLOCK. IF SOMEBODY
CALLS AFTER 10:00 O'CLOCK,

I THINK SOMEONE'S
DEAD IN A DITCH.

WE'RE IN THE BOOK.
COME ON, MARGARET.

GOODBYE, MARGARET.

BYE.

YOU KNOW, MARGARET,
THAT BOY IS INTELLIGENT.

YOU CAN SEE HE'S NOT
IMPRESSED WITH HIS
OWN GOOD LOOKS.

AND HE'S PROBABLY
TIRED OF THOSE
GIDDY-TYPE GIRLS

AT THE COUNTRY CLUB.

BUT HE WAS VERY IMPRESSED
WITH YOU STARING AT HIM.

WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST
YANK ME AWAY FROM HIM

LIKE YOU DID MOTHER
FROM MR. BAINES?

WELL, I DIDN'T KNOW
A THING ABOUT MR. BAINES

WHEN SOPHIE MET HIM,
'CEPT SHE WAS JUST
SLOBBERING ALL OVER HIM.

COME ON, LET'S
SIT DOWN A MINUTE.

YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS WONDER
ABOUT HER JUDGMENT.

BUT I KNOW EVERYTHING
I NEED TO KNOW

ABOUT THE HAWKINS BOY.

HE'S NOT GONNA
LEAVE YOU ALONE.

NO, NOT SINCE SATAN
TACKLED EVE

HAS ANYBODY GONE AFTER
SOMEBODY AS HARD

AS HE'S GONNA
GO AFTER YOU.

YOU'RE GONNA MARRY
THAT BOY, MARK MY WORDS.

DO YOU THINK HE KNOWS
ALL THIS?

WELL, HE MAY NOT KNOW
ALL OF IT,

BUT HE KNOWS ENOUGH.

I BET HE RINGS YOU
TONIGHT.

WELL, I CAN'T WAIT
TO TELL MOTHER.

OH, I'D KEEP SILENT
ABOUT THIS.

I THINK IT'D KILL HER
IF YOU GOT ENGAGED
BEFORE SHE DID.

OKAY.

"EYES WATCHED TIRES,

EARS LISTENED TO
CLATTERING MOTORS,

AND MINDS
STRUGGLED WITH OIL,
WITH GASOLINE,

WITH THE THINNING
RUBBER BETWEEN
AIR AND ROAD.

A BROKEN GEAR
WAS A TRAGEDY."

LORD, HE
CAN WRITE.

IF A MAN COULD
TALK TO ME LIKE
STEINBECK WRITES...

YOU'D TELL
HIM TO STUFF
A SOCK IN IT.

PROBABLY.

RICHARD NEVER
CALLS AT THIS HOUR.

I'LL GET IT.

HELLO?

Tom:
Is this the lovely
granddaughter?

OH, WHAT'S HER NAME?
AH, YES. MARGARET.

HI.

CONGRATULATIONS ON
GETTING OUT OF BED.

WELL I CREDIT MY RISE
TO YOUR GRANDMOTHER.

YOU TELL HER SHE
DID A SWELL JOB.

I WILL.

So when you coming
back to see me?

I HAVE THIS
UNCONTROLLABLE URGE

TO DICTATE MANY
MORE LETTERS.

I'LL BE, UM, I'LL BE SERVING
PUNCH AT THE HOLIDAY PARTY
TOMORROW NIGHT.

WELL, THAT'S JUST SWELL.

MAYBE I CAN
DANCE WITH YOU,

if you don't touch
me too hard.

MAYBE.

THANK YOU
FOR CALLING.

WHO IS THAT
SHE'S TALKING TO?

IS THAT NURSE
STILL CALLING HER
WITH QUESTIONS?

WAS THAT THE
SCHOOL NURSE?

JUST SOME CONCERNS
ABOUT MEDICATION.

OH, AT THIS HOUR.

YOU'D THINK SOMEONE
FELL IN A DITCH.

ALL RIGHT.
WHERE WERE WE?

HELLO, YOU TWO.

HELLO, LOUISE.

ARE WE TOO LATE FOR
OUR PUNCH DUTY?

OH, NO.
NO, TAKE YOUR TIME.

ENJOY YOURSELVES.

HOW'S
THE HAWKINS BOY?

OH, MUCH BETTER.

HE'S SURE TO MAKE
AN APPEARANCE.

I CAUGHT HIM EARLIER
TRYING TO BRIBE AN ORDERLY

TO HAVE THE LAUNDRY PRESS
HIS DRESS UNIFORM.

JUST LIKE HIM.

I'M GONNA SERVE PUNCH.

LOUISE, ALL DONE.

OH.
EXCUSE ME.

SURE.

EXCUSE ME.

HELLO,
MS. CHARLIE KATE.

DR. TRIMBLE.

YOU KNOW, I HEARD
THAT JUST LAST WEEK

THERE WAS A MAN OUT IN
CALIFORNIA

ARRESTED FOR OPERATING
ON PEOPLE WITHOUT A LICENSE.

IF YOU INTEND THAT AS
A MORAL LESSON FOR ME,

YOU'RE WASTING
YOUR BREATH.

NO, I JUST MENTIONED IT
TO BE HUMOROUS.

CHARLIE.

GOOD EVENING,
MISS CHARLIE KATE.

TWO, PLEASE.

WELL, GOD, DON'T
YOU LOOK BORED.

I'M NOT BORED.

HI, MARGARET.

HI.

ARE YOU READY
FOR A DANCE?

WELL, I CAN'T. I
HAVE TO SERVE PUNCH. I...

I'LL TAKE
OVER HERE.

EVENING,
MISS CHARLIE.

TOM.

THANK YOU.

ARE YOU SURE
YOUR BACK'S FINE?

WELL, DON'T IT
LOOK ALL RIGHT?

I THINK I LOOK KIND
OF DIGNIFIED LIKE THIS.

YES, YOU
DO ACTUALLY.

OH, I'M SORRY.

IT STILL MUST BE
A LITTLE TENDER.

WHY DON'T WE
STOP FOR A WHILE?

ARE YOU
ALL RIGHT?

YEAH.

MAYBE WE SHOULD
WAIT FOR A SLOW ONE.

OR DO YOU
WANT TO QUIT?

NO. KEEP GOING.

BUT ARE YOU SURE?
YEAH.

SO HOW COME YOU'RE
NOT IN COLLEGE?

I DIDN'T WANT
TO LEAVE HOME.

EVERYBODY'S
GOT TO LEAVE
HOME SOME TIME.

DID YOU HEAR
THE NEWS...
DO YOU
THINK THAT...

I'M SORRY.

WHAT NEWS?

ABOUT MY
DISCHARGE.

I'VE GOT TWO
DAYS LEFT.
REALLY?

MY MEDICAL
EVALUATIONS
CAME THROUGH
THIS MORNING.

I STILL HAVE
SOME SHRAPNEL
LODGED IN MY BACK,

SO I'M NOT
GOING BACK TO
ACTIVE DUTY.

BUT I'M GOING
TO ASHEVILLE
FOR A WHILE.

I'M STAYING AT THE
GROVE PARK INN,

WHERE SOME GERMAN
PRISONERS HAVE
BEEN TAKEN.

I'M REPLACING THE
TRANSLATOR THERE
FOR THREE WEEKS.

HOW DID YOU
BECOME SO PRO-
FICIENT IN GERMAN?

WHY, I STUDIED
LANGUAGES AT
WASHINGTON AND LEE.

BUT I'M COMING
BACK TO TOWN

TO WORK IN THE
RECRUITMENT CENTRE.

GREAT.

WHAT ABOUT YOU, MARGARET?
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BE DOING

FOR THE NEXT
THREE WEEKS?

WELL, I'M GOING
TO SIT AT HOME
AND READ.

AND PLOT TROOP
MOVEMENTS. WRITE
LETTERS FOR PATIENTS.

HOPEFULLY SOMEONE
WILL BREAK A LEG
OR SOMETHING

TO GIVE MY GRAND-
MOTHER AND ME
SOME EXCITEMENT.

YOU LEFT OUT
WRITING ME.

AND I'LL WRITE YOU.

OH, MY LORD.

THE HEAD'S BEEN IN A BUCKET
IN THE CELLAR THE WHOLE TIME.

HUH.

OH, IT SEEMS LIKE A BOY
I DELIVERED GETS KILLED
EVERY DAY.

I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW
SOME OF THEM WERE
GROWN UP.

I'M JUST THANKFUL
FOR RICHARD'S FLAT FEET.

MM-HMM.

EXCUSE ME.

I THINK IT'S A HARD
THING FOR HER, WRITING
FOR ALL THESE BOYS.

MM.

Tom:
DEAR MARGARET, MY PARENTS ARE
GIVING A DINNER PARTY,

AND I HESITATE TO ASK THIS
BECAUSE IT MAY SOUND LIKE

I'M USING YOU
TO GET TO YOUR GRANDMOTHER,

BUT IF SHE COULD COME,
THAT WOULD BE SWELL.

I SUSPECT MY MOTHER'S
ONLY THROWING THE PARTY
TO MEET HER ANYWAY.

OH, AND BY THE WAY,
MY DAD OWNS CIAFFA'S
DRESS SHOP.

DON'T LET ME INSULT YOU
BY SOUNDING CHEAP,

BUT YOU CAN GET
A HUGE DISCOUNT ON
ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE.

WELL, YOU'D BETTER GET SOME
REST, MARGARET,

BECAUSE WHEN I
GET BACK FROM ASHEVILLE,
I HAVE PLANS FOR YOU.

BEST WISHES ALWAYS,
TOM HAWKINS III.

Charlie Kate:
WELL?

HERE, LET ME READ.

I DON'T THINK
I CAN WAIT THREE WEEKS.

BETTER THAN
A LIFETIME.

Margaret:
ALL OF ME WANTED
TO JUMP ON THE NEXT
TRAIN TO ASHEVILLE.

BUT I DID WHAT MY
GRANDMOTHER DID,

AND WHAT HER MOTHER
DID BEFORE HER. I
CONTINUED TO WORK.

BEING IN LOVE MADE
WORK SOMEHOW SWEETER.

WELL, SOPHIA!

DID YOU LEAVE
ANYTHING FOR
US TO DO?

OH, I COULDN'T WAIT.
I-I HAD TO BE BUSY
DOING SOMETHING.

I FINISHED ALL
THE CHRISTMAS
CARDS, TOO.

THIS ONE ALWAYS GOES

ON THE
RIGHT SIDE.

OH, YOU ALWAYS HAVE
TO DO EVERYTHING
YOUR OWN WAY, DON'T YOU?

FROM SAVING
PEOPLE'S LIVES

TO RE-ORGANIZING
A DAMN CHRISTMAS TREE.

THERE.

Sophia:
THE TWO OF YOU.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE
I FIT ANY MORE.

MARGARET,

WHO ARE YOU
WRITING TO?

OH, UM, JUST
TO ONE OF
THE PATIENTS.

DON'T YOU TYPE THEM?

NOT ALWAYS.

YOU SEEM SO DISTRACTED.
WHAT IS GOING ON?

YOU LOOK LIKE YOU GET
NO SLEEP, THE TWO OF
YOU ARE CONSTANTLY

WHISPERING
TO EACH OTHER.

YOU BOUGHT NEW
CLOTHES, YOU'RE
DOING YOUR HAIR.

IS THIS ABOUT THE
SCHOOLS? ARE YOU TWO

IN CAHOOTS ABOUT
THE SCHOOLS?

I AM PERFECTLY
CAPABLE OF
ADVISING HER

ABOUT WHEN AND
WHERE TO GO.

OH, DON'T GET YOUR
KNICKERS IN A TWIST, SOPHIA.

CHRISTMAS IS
A PERFECT TIME

TO RECEIVE A PROPOSAL.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT
TO DO WITH MYSELF.

HOW SHOULD I SIGN IT?

WHAT NUMBER IS IT?

THE SEVENTH.

"YOUR FRIEND."

"MRS. HILLHOPPER
SHOT HER HUSBAND
YESTERDAY

FOR DEALING HER
A BAD BRIDGE HAND."

"CHURCHILL CALLS
MUSSOLINI A HYENA.

MUSSOLINI CALLS
HIM ONE BACK."

ARE YOU TWO GOING TO
HELP ME WRAP PRESENTS
OR JUST SIT THERE?

YOU'RE A HYENA.

WELL SO ARE YOU!

SANTA WANTS YOU
TO COME INTO MY ROOM.

YOU DON'T HAVE
TO HIDE IT.

I'VE KNOWN ABOUT
SANTA FOR YEARS.

WELL, HE'S STILL
COMING, ISN'T HE?

WHEN'S RICHARD
GETTING HERE?

IN LESS THAN
AN HOUR. HE'S
GETTING HIS MOTHER.

BETTER WATER
THE FERNS.

HELLO?

OH, HI.

WHAT?

Y-YOU DON'T HAVE TO WHISPER.

AR... ARE YOU SURE?

WHAT DID SHE SAY?

I-I DON'T KNOW, BUT
THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

AND I'M SURE YOU'LL
KEEP IT TO YOURSELF.

I THINK THIS WOULD
BE LOVELY ON HER.

UH-HUH.

MARGARET!
NO PEEKING.

WE HAVE TO GET ALL THIS FINISHED
BEFORE RICHARD GETS HERE.

Charlie Kate:
OH, RICHARD THIS,
RICHARD THAT.

WHAT'S THE MATTER?

THE LADY DOWN AT
THE SIR WALTER
HOTEL JUST CALLED.

WHAT?

WELL, SHE CALLED AND...

MARGARET, GET YOURSELF
TOGETHER AND TELL US
WHAT'S THE MATTER

OR COME BACK
WHEN YOU CAN.

ALL RIGHT.
THERE'S A LADY THERE

WHO'S CALLING HERSELF

MRS. RICHARD BAINES.

SHE CHECKED IN TODAY
AND SHE'S PLANNING ON
STAYING FOR TWO WEEKS.

HELLO?

ANYBODY HOME?

WATCH YOUR STEP
NOW, MOTHER.
YES.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU.

AND TO THE OTHER
ONE YOU'VE GOT

STASHED AT THE
SIR WALTER.

WHAT?
WAIT FOR ME
IN THE KITCHEN

WHILE I GET YOUR
MOTHER SITUATED.

IN THE KITCHEN.

I'M SO HAPPY
TO SEE YOU,
MRS. BAINES.

I'M GLAD YOU
COULD COME
VISIT US.

OF COURSE
YOU ARE.

I'M JUST GOING
TO TAKE YOU
RIGHT IN HERE.

MARGARET?
COME ON DOWN,
HELP ME.

I'M PUTTING
YOU IN MY
FAVORITE CHAIR.

Mrs. Baines:
AH, HOW NICE.

I'LL HANG UP
YOUR COAT FOR YOU.

THANK YOU.

OH, MARGARET.
MRS. BAINES,
THIS IS MARGARET.

THIS IS MY
GRANDDAUGHTER.

HELLO, NICE
TO MEET YOU.

OH, IT'S GOOD
TO MEET YOU.

SHE'S GOING TO
DRAG OVER THAT
FERN BY YOU.

OH, GOOD.

YOU ENJOY YOURSELF.

THANK YOU.

WELL...
HERE YOU GO.

IT'S SO HEALTHY.

IT'S JUST
FLOURISHING.

WHAT DID YOU
MEAN ABOUT THE
SIR WALTER?

WHO'S STAYING THERE?

YOU MEAN TO TELL ME

YOU DON'T KNOW
WHO'S AT THE HOTEL?

NO, BUT I BELIEVE
YOU'RE ABOUT TO TELL ME.

SOPHIA?

COME TELL MR. BAINES
WHO'S AT THE HOTEL.

Charlie Kate:
COME ON, SOPHIA,
TELL HIM.

MRS. RICHARD BAINES.

SHE'S PLANNING TO
STAY FOR TWO WEEKS.

WE'RE DIVORCED, SOPHIA.
YOU KNOW THAT.

I DIDN'T KNOW
SHE WAS HERE.

HOW COULD YOU NOT KNOW?

I HAD NO IDEA.

THAT'S RIDICULOUS.

NO WOMAN WOULD SHOW
UP ON CHRISTMAS EVE

FLAGGING HER EX-HUSBAND'S NAME
AROUND WITHOUT HIM KNOWING.

YES, SHE WOULD.
SHE'S BEEN HAVING
SOME PROBLEMS LATELY.

HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?

BECAUSE I SPOKE
TO HER RECENTLY.

I DIDN'T INVITE HER HERE.

NOW, SHE CALLED ME.

AFTER SHE RECEIVED NEWS

OF HER BROTHER'S
DEATH IN ITALY,

SHE WAS VERY UPSET. HER FATHER
DIED EARLY IN THE YEAR.

HER MOTHER DIED
THE YEAR BEFORE.

THIS WAS HER FIRST
CHRISTMAS ALONE.

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT
SHE WOULD COME HERE.

CAN I TALK TO SOPHIA ALONE?

THERE IS NO ALONE
IN THIS HOUSE.

I JUST WANT TO
EXPLAIN THINGS.

MAYBE I SHOULD GO
TO THE HOTEL OR CALL?
I DON'T KNOW.

ARE YOU STILL IN LOVE
WITH HER?

SOPHIA, DON'T
BE RIDICULOUS. I...

YOU'RE THE ONE THAT'S
BEING RIDICULOUS.

JUST TELL ME THIS.

DO YOU WANT SOPHIA
OR DON'T YOU?

WITH ALL MY HEART.
I WAS PLANNING...

THAT SETTLES
IT, THEN.

IT'S AGAINST THE
RULES TO HAVE TWO.

GO START THE CAR AND
I'LL GO GET MY COAT.

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

TO THE HOTEL.

I'LL SIT IN THE CAR
WHILE YOU GO UP

AND SEND THAT WOMAN
BACK WHERE SHE BELONGS.

BUT IT'S CHRISTMAS.

DO YOU REALIZE WHAT
GALL IT TAKES FOR
A WOMAN TO DO THIS?

I WOULDN'T EVEN DO THAT.

THIS WOMAN IS TRYING
TO GET YOU BACK

AND THE FACT THAT
YOU ARE NOT REMARRIED
JUST MAKES IT WORSE.

NO.

NOW, YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME
IF YOU DON'T WANT TO.

OH, I WANT TO.

I'VE FINISH THINGS
OFF MYSELF AT THE
SIR WALTER.

I WANT SOME COOKIES.

WELL, I DON'T
BELIEVE WE
HAVE ANY.

WELL, IF YOU INTEND
FOR ME TO STAY HERE,

YOU BETTER FIND
ME SOME COOKIES.

EXCUSE ME.
OH.

SOPHIA!

WHAT HAPPENED?

WE'LL FIND OUT.

STOP THAT,
DO YOUR OWN.

YOURS IS BETTER.

THAT'S BECAUSE
I'M AN ARTISTE.

I'M MAKING A
FERN HERE.

WELL?

RICHARD AND I
ARE DRIVING TO
SOUTH CAROLINA

TONIGHT TO
BE MARRIED.

THEN WE'RE GOING
TO GO TO THE COAST
FOR A WEEK.

THERE'S NOTHING
TO DO THERE IN
THE WINTER,

BUT WE'RE
GOING ANYWAY.

WHOSE IDEA
WAS THIS?

WE DECIDED TOGETHER.

I WAS PLANNING
ON PROPOSING
IN THE MORNING

AND THEN HAVING
THE SERVICE
IN THE SPRING,

BUT WE DECIDED
IT WAS BEST TO
GO AHEAD NOW.

DO YOU MIND
LOOKING AFTER
RICHARD'S MOTHER

UNTIL HER NURSE
STARTS BACK?

NO, WE ALREADY ARE.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, MOMMA.

BYE, Y'ALL.
BYE-BYE.

IT'S TO YOU
FROM RICHARD.

WELL, LET
HER OPEN IT.

Mrs. Baines:
OOH!

HERE YOU GO.

OH, IT'S SO
BEAUTIFUL.

AH HA!

WHAT IS IT?

THAT'S THE FREEMAN
BIOGRAPHY OF
ROBERT E. LEE.

ALL THREE VOLUMES.

I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED THIS.

BLESS HIS HEART.

I'M LOOKING
FOR A MARGARET.

OH! YES.
THAT'S ME.

GOT A BOX HERE
FOR YOU FROM A
TOM HAWKINS THE THIRD.

OH, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY
MUCH. OH, WAIT!

UM...

THANK YOU.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Tom:
I COULDN'T DECIDE,

SO I'M GIVING YOU
ALL OF MY ARTIFACTS.

I THREW IN SOME STOCKINGS
FOR GOOD MEASURE.

YOURS TRULY, TOM.

GRANDMA!

WHAT IS IT?

HE'S, UM, HE'S
GIVEN ME ALL
HIS TREASURES.

BLESS HIM.

WHAT WILL I EVER
GIVE HIM IN RETURN?

GIVE HIM THIS.

NO, Y-YOU CAN'T
GIVE ME THIS.

I JUST DID.

Margaret:
HI!

THAT BOY LIKES HER.

I THINK HE DOES.

HELLO, TOM.

HOW ARE YOU?

HI, MISS CHARLIE KATE.

THIS IS MRS. BAINES.

MAYBE WE COULD
DROP HER OFF ON
OUR WAY TO DINNER?

HER NURSE
IS BACK NOW.

SHE'S A SWEETHEART.

I'M GOING TO
SEND YOU BACK

WITH A GREAT BIG
BATCH OF COOKIES,
MRS. BAINES.

OH!

WELL, ANYTHING
YOU'D LIKE,
MISS CHARLIE.

THANK YOU.

I MISSED YOU.

I HAVE SOME-
THING FOR YOU.

WHAT IS IT?

IT'S A CHARM
FOR THE EASY LIFE.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BRING
THE EASY LIFE TO THOSE
THAT CARRY IT.

WELL IT'S
WORKING SO FAR.

DOES THIS MEAN
SHE ACCEPTS ME?

MEANS MORE
THAN THAT.

YES, GARLIC.
THERE'S NO-
THING LIKE IT!

I HAVE TWO PIECES
OF GARLIC TOAST

FOR BREAKFAST
EVERY DAY
OF MY LIFE.

FOR BREAKFAST?

MM. IT CLEANSES
THE BLOOD IS
WHAT IT DOES.

DON'T STARE AT
HER, SWEETHEART.

THEY'LL BE PART
OF THE FAMILY SOON.

YOU'LL HAVE HER
ALL THE TIME.

YOU SHOULD LET MISS
CHARLIE KATE DO THE CARVING,
DARLING.

I SUSPECT SHE'S BETTER
WITH KNIVES THAN
ANYONE HERE.

WELL, I'VE CERTAINLY DONE
MORE COMPLICATED SURGERY
WITH DULLER ONES.

YOU REMEMBER THAT WOMAN
FROM WILMINGTON, MARGARET?

SHE LOPPED OFF HER FINGER
WITH A BREAD KNIFE,
SILLY THING.

BLED LIKE A HEATHEN.

I HAD TO DO THE SURGERY
RIGHT THERE ON THE
KITCHEN TABLE.

COULDA REATTACHED
IT, TOO,

IF IT HADN'T BEEN
FOR THAT SERRATED EDGE.

UH, COULD I HAVE ANOTHER
PIECE OF HAM THERE,

IF YOU'RE STILL
CARVING?

WHY SURE.

SHARP, NOT SERRATED.

THAT'S GOOD.

HERE'S TO MISS
CHARLIE KATE.

WELL...

AND HERE'S TO MARGARET.

AND DON'T FORGET
ABOUT CHRISTMAS.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.

WELL, I GUESS
I'D BETTER LET
YOU GO IN NOW.

IF YOU HAVE TO.

YOU'D BETTER CHECK
IN ON THE DOCTOR.

SHE DIDN'T SEEM
HER USUAL MEAN
SELF TONIGHT.

WELL, SHE DOESN'T
HAVE ANYTHING TO
BE MEAN ABOUT.

BOTH HER GIRLS
ARE HAPPY.

YOU ALL RIGHT?

AH. INDIGESTION.

TOO MUCH OF
A GOOD TIME.

WHY DON'T I MAKE YOU
SOME GINGER ROOT TEA?

THAT'D BE REAL
NICE. THANK YOU.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

I'M MOVING. KEEPS
THE JUICES FLOWING.

WELL, YOU SCARED ME.
I THOUGHT YOU PASSED
OUT OR SOMETHING

NO, I'M JUST
MARCHING.

I'LL GET YOUR TEA.

THANK YOU.

HERE'S YOUR
GINGER ROOT.

THANK YOU.

ARE YOU PLANNING ON
DOING THIS ALL NIGHT?

UNLESS I FALL
ASLEEP STANDING UP.

WELL, I'LL
STAY WITH YOU.

NO.
I WANT TO.

MARGARET,
GO TO BED.

SEE YOU IN
THE MORNING.

ALL RIGHT,
HONEY. NIGHT.

NIGHT!

MARGARET?

THAT IS A SPLENDID
FAMILY THAT YOU'RE
GOING TO BE A PART OF.

Margaret:
I USUALLY HEARD
HER IN THE MORNING.

GRINDING HER GARLIC,
MAKING HER TEA.

SCRUBBING HER
MOTHER'S OLD SHOES.

BUT THAT MORNING I
DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING.

GRANDMA?

GRANDMA?

OPERATOR? OPERATOR?

GET ME THE ATLANTIS
AT MYRTLE BEACH. HELLO?

WELL W-WHY CAN'T YOU?

THERE HAS TO BE A LINE,
THEY CAN'T ALL BE BUSY!

WELL, I KNOW
IT'S CHRISTMAS.

PLEASE! I NEED A LINE.

I NEED MRS. RICHARD BAINES.

NO, I CAN'T WAIT!

Margaret:
THEN I REALIZED I KNEW
EXACTLY WHAT TO DO.

IT WAS AS IF SHE
THERE THERE TALKING
ME THROUGH IT.

AS IF SHE WERE TELLING
ME WHAT TO DO, MAKING
IT EASY FOR ME,

AS THAT VOICE WOULD
CONTINUE TO MAKE IT
EASY IN FUTURE YEARS

WHEN I BECAME
A REAL DOCTOR.

Margaret:
MY GRANDMOTHER,
MISS CHARLIE KATE,

DIDN'T PURGE WHEN SHE DIED.

SHE'D ALWAYS SAID EVERYTHING
THAT WAS ON HER MIND

AND NEVER REGRETTED
A WORD OF IT.

I DID WHAT SHE HAD DONE.

AND WHAT HER MOTHER
HAD DONE,

AND WHAT HER MOTHER
BEFORE HER HAD DONE.