Raising Flagg (2006) - full transcript

- Me and Gus been playing

checkers every Tuesday,

must be 20 years now.

Of course we been playing one kind of game

or another since we were kids.

But now it's checkers.

Most folks think I'm

crazy to keep playing him.

It's not that he's smarter

than me or a better player,

he's just got this way

of wearing you down.

- That's quite a move flag,

you've been cooking that

one up for quite a while haven't you?

- Take your medicine Gus all

the stalling in the world

isn't gonna help you now.

- Shoot.

Oh well.

- Maybe it was cocky way

he took those checkers

off the board, maybe it

was the way he wrote down

my losing, I don't know.

All I know is my whole trouble

with Gus started right after

that game.

- Okay that's 1,278.65.

I suppose you wanna let it ride.

- Where'd that piece come from?

- I put it there three moves

ago, I guess you weren't

looking very close.

- No I was looking very closely,

I'm sure it wasn't there.

- Just like you're sure I

took your shovel last week.

- Found the shit didn't you Flagg?

- I ain't playing no game

of checkers where the pieces

move by themselves.

♫ I think I hear the train here coming

♫ Coming down to Caribeo way

♫ Go my ticket in my hand, I've

always been a traveling man

♫ That trains coming, today's the day

♫ Don't remind me but I'm leaving

♫ Doesn't really matter in the end

♫ All the money that I wasted

♫ The whiskey that I've tasted

♫ it still comes down

to who you call a friend

♫ Well come with the

boy down to the station

♫ Did need farewell as I go

♫ Don't you shed a tear as

the train rolls down the line

♫ I'm on my way to glory don't you know

♫ Come with the boys down to the station

♫ Did need farewell as I go ♫

- Hey pull it around.

Pull it around.

♫ I'm on my way to glory don't you know ♫

- Ada.

Ada!

Ada.

- Good morning Ed.

- Ada.

- Well I think

she's just after his money.

Hm.

What makes you think that?

- Hey Gus.

- Hi Ada.

- I don't think

this is about this woman

or how she treats your daddy,

I think you're mad at him

for the way he treated you

and your mama.

This is Anne Marie no PhD

just common sense Purdy.

And I'm talking with Paula.

- 12 dollars.

- Having a

little sex with daddy maybe?

My daddy's riding around in

his wheelchair having sex.

- Where'd she get that stuff?

- Not from me.

- At 95 you should

be able to live with whoever

you want don't you think darling?

- She's always been real good

at figuring these things out.

At least for other people.

Flagg was gonna fix

that fence this morning.

- He was up half the night

fixing the Campbell's pump.

- Morning Flagg.

- Flagg.

- You know what woke me up this morning?

- Your zest for life.

- No it was the sound of sheep

pissing on my pump house.

- I always said you had

remarkable hearing for your age.

- I can't have sheep

pissing on my pump house

polluting my water.

- I've known you since you

fell off the turnip truck

Flagg Purdy and this

ain't about sheep piss.

- You never told me you

were gonna bring sheep in

over there.

- Well I guess forgot to mention

that since it's my pastor

and my well I figure I

can graze elephants there

if I want.

- Well Purdy's have been

using that well since you were

a gleam in your daddy's one good eye.

Purdy's have always used that well.

- And I never charged you for it.

- That's right Flagg.

- And I told you how I felt

about listening to that radio

program didn't I?

- Flagg lets talk it over come on.

- No talking about it.

I will not have the sheep over there.

- I think you know better than

to come in here demanding.

- I'm not demanding anything

I'm telling you if you keep

your sheep over there I'm gonna sue you.

- You're gonna what?

- I'm gonna sue you.

- Now you don't mean that Flagg.

- You mule headed flat lander.

- You can compliment all you like.

I ain't gonna tolerate it.

- Okay, okay you go ahead

and sue and in the mean time

you get off my property.

- You ask me you're both

sounding like a couple

of puffed up roosters.

- And you can forget about

checkers next week too.

Yes sir, forget about it.

He's spreading something

out there I know he is.

We ain't gonna get away with

it if you don't take 'em

away, we're gonna have

lamb stew all winter.

- How doing Flagg?

- I been better.

- When you think you'll be

around to clear that brush?

- Well I just canceled a

fence job so I can be over

almost anytime.

- Well I hope so.

You know what they say.

Time waits for no man.

- Nice sheep Flagg.

- These are the no luck

generation of deaf children.

- I heard that.

- Que dijo?

- Not importante.

Come on.

- If I let him get away with

it he will be grazing elephants

out there.

Spoke to cousin Dale

about a lawyer in town.

I hate to bring the law into

it but we have no choice.

- Well you could make amends.

- Why can't he make amends for a change?

Why is it always me?

He's the one that started it.

- Be the one to finish it.

- No, it's too late.

He said some things he

shouldn't have said.

And besides, there is a

principal at stake here.

- What principal is that?

- Well I forget.

But we gotta protect our rights Ada honey.

Otherwise people'll be

walking all over poor folk.

- Seems to me Gus is pretty

much poor folks like us.

- There you go, protecting him again.

- It don't seem right to sue a friend.

Goodnight.

- He's been getting his way

since he was three years old.

Time somebody taught him

not to be so stubborn.

- Well it'll take

a little while for people

to know that I'm back in town but...

No, no, no, there's plenty

of legal work in a town

this size.

With all the lawyers and

judges spouting their opinions

on TV, everybody's ready to

sue with a drop of a hat.

Listen I gotta go, somebody just came in.

I love you too Mom.

Okay, okay.

Bye bye.

Mr and Mrs. Purdy.

What can I do for you?

- We know each other?

- I used to hang out with Travis.

- Oh of course.

How are Scooter?

- Please sit down.

- You the fella that

took Travis joy riding in

the sheriff's car?

- Yeah.

That was quite a thing.

- Sheriff didn't think so.

- Well he got over it.

- And now you're a lawyer.

- If you think my criminal

background's gonna get

in the way of me giving

you good legal council,

I'll be happy to recommend

another lawyer in town.

- Well my cousin Dale said...

- I just opened so I'd be cheap.

- Yeah.

- What seems to be the problem?

- Well this got this neighbor,

owns the general store

and he over charges people.

So they have a choice of either

shopping with him or going

all the way into town.

- Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

Now you've been friends with

Gus for a long time right?

- Yes sir until he started

polluting our drinking water

with sheep piss.

- Sheep piss?

- Sheep piss.

- Exactly how's

he been doing that Mr. Purdy?

- Well the way I see it,

he's been spreading special

treats around my pump house.

And when the sheep come

to eat the treats...

- That makes the...

- Exactly.

I have never seen sheep piss

so much in my entire life.

- Mr. Purdy I'm gonna

give you a fair assessment

of your case.

But what I'm gonna need

from you are the facts.

Not colored by your anger with Gus.

Mrs. Purdy you gonna be

a party to this case?

- Well I am worried about

our drinking water too.

I know you gotta get

this off your mind Flagg

and I will stand by you.

But I don't believe in suing.

So I won't be in on the party.

- What are you doing there you

running up our bill already?

- I can't run up your

bill until you hire me.

- Well I can't hire you

till I know you ain't been

in trouble with the law since you was 13.

- Are we counting parking tickets?

- Good luck Gus.

Ain't a nicer man in the county.

- We're with you Gus.

- I can't wait to get

the details on this one.

- Here comes the trouble maker now.

- Poor Ada having to go through all this.

- Hell I'd do the same

thing if somebody messed

with our water.

- I don't think you can park here Flagg.

- Oh yeah you can.

If it's your case you can.

- You wouldn't wanna

wade your 10 bucks on his

chances would you?

- What are you giving odds?

- Morning Ada.

- Good morning.

- Lynette hi.

- Mama wait.

- Hey Papa.

- Hey sweetheart.

- I just want

you to know I'm right back

here okay.

- Good, good.

- All right good luck Papa.

- I don't need to luck sweetheart,

I got the law on my side.

- Ladies and gentlemen.

For the past 30 years, the

Purdy family's been getting

their drinking water from the well.

It's currently owned by

their neighbor, Mr. Gus Falk.

Now in our state if the Purdy's

have been using the well

without comment or objection from Mr. Falk

for at least 10 years

which is the case here.

Well then they have the right

to continue getting clean,

uncontaminated drinking

water from the well.

- Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.

My opponent has stated

his case very clearly.

There's just one problem.

He has no case.

Now it's true that Mr. Falk

never objected to the Purdy's

use of the well.

However, on at least one

occasion, he granted Mr. Purdy

specific permission to use

the well in exchange for

Mr. Purdy building a

pump house over the well.

Now it's through that

permissive use, that Mr. Falk

retains ownership of the

well, without interference

from Mr. Purdy.

- Mr. Purdy has Mr. Falk ever

talked to you about the well

that you draw your water from?

- Yes he did.

- What?

- Yes he did.

- Are you sure Mr. Purdy?

- Yeah I'm sure I told

him to keep his sheep away

from my pump house.

- I mean before that.

- No I don't recall he ever

talked to me before that.

- You mean before the sheep

started grazing near the well.

- It ain't the grazing I'm

concerned about it's the pissing.

- Mr. Purdy could you

please use some other word

to describe, perhaps

urination would be better.

- Sure judge I'll be happy to.

You see, the urination

is what causes the piss

to pollute the drinking water.

- I understand that Mr. Purdy.

- And I'll tell you something

else, he's got 20 acres

of land for them sheep to urinate on,

so how come they're always

pissing in my pump house?

- I'm sure that they don't

make a decision to go...

- I'll tell you why.

Diarrhetic treats and he's

the one that's doing it.

- Objection your honor,

there's no evidence to

substantiate...

- Sustained.

- Mr. Purdy, do you remember

when you built that pump house

for Mr. Falk?

- I don't recall maybe 10 years ago.

- Well let me refresh your memory.

It was 14 years ago this summer.

- 10, 14 what difference does it make?

- And do you recall the

conversation you had with Mr. Falk

why you were building the pump house.

- Now how in the world am I

gonna remember a coversation

I had 14 years ago.

- Mr. Purdy would you

please be more responsive

to the questions.

- Okay judge.

Oh I don't.

- Mr. Falk thanked you for

building that pump house

since it improved the

value of his property.

Mr. Purdy.

- Mr. Purdy.

- Sorry judge, I don't remember any stuff.

Don't pay no mind.

They'll come around once

they see we're in the right.

- So you gonna come to

Jenny's volleyball with us?

- You haven't been to

a game all year Flagg.

- Could be good you know,

to kind of keep your mind

off of all this stuff.

- I don't need to take

my mind off nothing.

- Well never mind

I don't really care anyway.

Just so you know your

lawyer's gonna cost a lot more

than digging a new well wood.

This is so embarrassing.

- You gonna let your daughter talk to me?

- Well she's your daughter too.

You get half the blame.

- When your toilet backs

up on Christmas Eve you'll

be singing a different tune.

- When Flagg was

building that pump house

I told that since it would add

the the value of my property

I'd continue not charging him for water.

He couldn't get that

through his thick skull.

- It would get through all

right if you ever said it.

- Mr. Reed please control your client.

- I'm sorry your honor.

- Say objection.

- Well I can't object to his recollection.

- Why not everybody objects to mine.

- Quiet down.

- Mr. Falk has there ever

been a written agreement

about the Purdy's use of the well.

- I never saw one.

- You ever use the well yourself?

- I never needed to but

I'm planning to use it

one of these days, when I

put up some mobile homes

on the land.

- Mobile homes.

- Mr Purdy.

- Well, we really have a

dilemma here then don't we?

I mean it all boils

down to Mr. Purdy's word

against yours.

- That ain't exactly true.

- Who are you?

- Ed Mclvor I thought I

might as well put in my two

cents here.

- What do you

know about this case?

- And you say you were

present when Mr. Falk

and Mr. Purdy discussed

the pump house Mr. Purdy

was going to build on

the adjacent property.

- Gus told Flagg he'd count the pump house

as payment for the water, that's all.

All this fuss over nothing.

Until the poker game.

- What poker game?

- The one we used to play

every Wednesday night

until Gus and Flagg got in a fight.

Ain't played since.

- Well what does this

got to do with the well?

- Flagg called Gus a cheater, Gus got mad

and said he couldn't

use the water anymore.

- I didn't mean that.

I was mad.

- Mr. Falk sit down.

Will you and Mr. Purdy

stop jumping up and down

like this is a kangaroo court.

- When was this poker game?

- 11 years ago.

- Did Mr. Purdy stop using the well?

- He don't know Flagg

very well does he Bill.

- Why didn't you come

forward with this information

before now?

- How'd I know you needed

it, the only reason

I come down to the courthouse

no one around to talk to.

Everyone's here wasting their time.

- Thank you Mr. Mclvor.

No further questions.

- Mr. Reed?

- No, no questions your honor.

- Wasn't me.

- Ladies and gentlemen of

the jury have you reached

a verdict?

- We have your honor.

- Although I strongly

disagree with the verdict.

Unfortunately in this case

we must follow the law.

The jury finds that the Purdy's

have used the well without

Mr. Falk's permission

for at least 10 years.

And therefore have the right

to continue getting clean

water from that well.

- Order, this trial is not over.

Quiet down now.

- She said quiet.

- Yes.

- What about the piss?

- Mr. Purdy I have had

just about enough from you.

- Your honor I apologize you are right.

But he does have a point.

- Yes, yes I know.

To protect the plaintiff's

right to use the well

for domestic water purposes,

I will allow him to protect

the area within 10 feet

of the well with a fence.

Court is adjourned, ladies

and gentleman thank you

for your service, you are excused.

Hey, hey, hey!

Hey where are you going?

Hey, hey!

Hey, hey wait.

Won't start?

- Nope, won't start.

- Change the gas since last summer?

- No, I didn't.

- You know old gas is gonna

clog up the carburetor.

I can flush it out and drain for you.

- Oh that's okay Flagg,

I'll do it myself okay.

Thanks for coming by.

- Tractor working?

- Okay Flagg.

- You got about four feet of

fence knocked out in front.

Want me to take care of that?

- Nope, I got it Flagg, thank you.

- Okay.

- Okay Flagg.

- Sorry Flagg I couldn't wait no more.

Ray's getting real nervous

about not seeing him coming.

- Seen who coming?

- Feds.

FBI, CIA, DEA.

- Yeah right.

Okay well I'll see you next week.

- About that you know Scott

and Ernie aren't too keen

on your whole bow and arrow thing.

We're taking AK47's.

- Well I'll stick with my

bow and arrow that way I give

them a fighting chance.

- No you know, I think we're

just gonna be more without you.

- This wouldn't have

anything to do with my win

in the court case would it?

- My daddy says you stole Gus's well.

- Well your daddy's wrong boy.

You boys are going to

need a doctor when they

get through burning up poison oak.

- Did you touch that with your hands?

Did you touch that with...

Boys!

Get away from there.

- Oh I'm real glad you liked them.

I'm happy with the brown.

- I gotta go.

- See ya.

You finished the Durban's already?

- Boys are doing it.

- Oh well I guess you can't blame 'em.

It's been nearly a month.

- You'd think they was Gus's

relatives the way you were

siding with them.

What'd Rachel want?

- Oh she just came by to say hello.

- Guess she's got more

important things to do

than talk to me.

- No she was late for a...

meet.

- I'm sorry Ada.

But people don't think

it's right for me to have

the Purdy name in my store.

- I'd never thought I'd see

the day you'd hide behind

the neighbors Gus Falk.

- It's nothing against you personally Ada.

- I hear the Millers

wanna build a car port.

- They already got somebody.

There isn't any work for me anywhere.

I don't know how we're gonna get by.

- Well something's bound

to turn up sweetheart.

- Yeah when I'm dead and buried.

- What happened?

- Some kids at school were

saying bad things about

Mr. Purdy.

- They'll forget about

it in a few days Jen.

- No they won't.

Why did he have to do this?

- It's just his way.

He's got his principals.

- I don't really care about

his stupid principals.

I'm not going back to that school.

- What's wrong with that school?

Now what did I say?

- Oh it's what the kids

at school are saying.

- It ain't the kids

Ada it's their parents.

I never took anything in my

life that didn't belong to me.

- Well I know that Flagg.

But people see it differently.

- Well I can't be responsible

for what people think.

Get.

Get the hell out of here.

Lie down!

- Just wants to be near you Flagg.

- What's that sign for?

- Gus won't sell my eggs anymore.

- He can't do that.

- Well he done it.

- I'm...

- Now we had enough of that.

- No I won't stand for that.

- Now where are you going?

- I'm going to the supermarket in town.

I'm gonna buy a lot of

groceries and I'm gonna drive

past his place real slow.

- There's Jenny's old man.

- Yeah you think

he paid for the groceries?

- No, no he probably stole them too.

What, what?

- Yeah.

Can't believe she has

an old man like that.

- Hop in Ed.

- My legs are doing just fine.

- No come on let me give you a ride.

It's the least I can do.

You helped me win the case.

- If I knew what I was

doing I'd never done it.

- I have a right to clean water.

- I ain't denying your right.

I don't like the way you

went about getting it.

- I did what I thought was right Ed.

- Flagg, you're a mean,

stubborn, self righteous man.

Just like your Pa, only worse.

- I'm not like my father.

I'm not like my father.

- What happened?

- Talk about it later.

Now what did I do?

I can't say anything right.

- She was worried about you.

- Can't do a damn thing,

can't say a damn thing.

Doesn't piss somebody off.

- Now you go get out of those wet things

you'll catch your death a cold.

Fix you a cup of hot tea.

- Tea ain't gonna help me none.

- It's passed 10 o'clock Flagg.

Brought you some coffee.

You want me to fry you up some sausages?

Coffee's there if you want it.

- It's come Ada.

- What's come?

- The coldness in my legs.

It comes to all the Purdy's near the end.

- They don't feel cold.

- They're cold on the inside.

- Now I'll get the hot water bottle.

- Ada, call the children.

- What for?

I wanna say goodbye.

- I think maybe you got a little cold.

- I need to see them.

- Okay I'll start calling.

- Ada, I'm sorry I ain't

been a better husband to you.

- I knew what I was getting

when I married you Flagg Purdy.

All right then you go for you

and for you, thanks so much.

You know I'll be exclusively

selling eggs from right here

so I do appreciate you coming out.

Okay thanks Linda.

See you next week.

- Hi.

- More trouble at school?

- No, teacher meetings.

- Well there's some water

heating on the stove,

would you take the hot

water bottle into your Pa.

- He's still in bed?

Hi.

- What are you doing home?

Did you quit school?

- No, why would I do that?

- Well I know the kids have

been giving you a hard time.

- Thanks.

But, I took care of them.

- I'm sorry I missed your game Jenny.

- It's okay we got killed anyways.

- Don't matter I should,

I should have been there anyway.

- Well you know what

basketball seasons coming up

and I think they're gonna start me

so, you can come to one of those games.

- I won't be here.

This is for you

So you're not late for your games.

- Your Timex.

Thanks Papa.

- Well it's his way

of saying he loves you.

- He could just say it.

- He's feeling a little

down because the trial.

- But he won.

- Well.

- This is so stupid.

- You wanna help me call

your brothers and sisters?

He wants to see them.

- I'll call Anne Marie.

- He didn't say nothing about Anne Marie.

My darlings.

Hi.

Hi.

You've been minding your

Ma and Pa not fighting?

- Yeah.

- Well then there just might

be some ginger bread cookies

on the kitchen table for you.

Travis Jr.

You ain't bringing no worms

into my kitchen are you?

Thank you.

- Wash your hands before you...

- Hey Travis.

Look at you.

How beautiful grandma.

You are so beautiful.

Well I'll get the sleeping

bags for the children.

- Oh don't trouble yourself

I'm driving back tonight.

We don't want Porter and

Travis Jr. to miss school.

- Yeah and I'm gonna

stay with Tammy's folks.

- Well I'm glad you came.

The way you sounded on

the phone I wasn't sure

you'd come.

- Well, he thought about it some more.

- How are your chickens mama?

- Fine.

- How's Flagg?

- I don't know what the big

deal is if it's just a cold.

- Well he's acting like

he's about to meet his maker.

- Well it isn't like he

asks you to come everyday.

Is Eldon coming?

- He should be coming later.

- Oh great, we haven't

seen him in a long time.

Isn't that great Travis?

- Yeah.

Hey mama we passed Flagg's

truck on the way in.

Can I fix the flat while I'm here?

- Oh that'll be fine Travis.

Say hi to grnadpa.

- Hello everybody.

- Hi grandpa.

- Thank you, thank you.

Watch your knee.

Watch your knee on grandpa.

Thank you dear.

Thank you.

Oh look is that for me?

To Grandpa.

Look at that.

I don't know what it is

but I like it very much.

Let me see the baby.

- Here she is.

- Let me see the baby.

I'm sorry I'm not gonna get

to see you grow up Brittanya.

- Flagg you're gonna see

all the children grow up.

- Are you taking your nap grandpa?

- No grandpa's dying Porter.

You gonna remember grandpa when he's gone?

- Mhm.

- Yeah.

- I remember when you yelled at daddy.

- Grandpa was just kidding sweetheart.

- Where you going grandpa?

- You ask your Pa to tell you Travis Jr.

- Now Flagg don't be

giving them any money.

- No, no now I can give

my grandchildren something

to hold to.

- Share that with your

brother and your sister.

- Hey share.

- Share it you hear me.

- You're supposed to share.

Give me!

Give me!

- Hey, hey okay come on.

- I'll see you before you head for home.

- Now don't forget

your grandpa now hear.

I'm okay.

Sit Travis.

We may not have another chance to talk.

- Ma told me that Scooter

Reed was back in town.

- Yeah he did a pretty

good job on the trial too.

Just haven't gotten his bill yet.

- I guess you can wake up

one morning and know you're

gonna die.

I just never heard of it before.

- Purdy's ain't like other people.

- You're the master or

understatement Flagg.

- Yeah.

Travis, I want you to

have my outboard motor.

- Well that's nice of you

Flagg but I don't have a boat.

- You don't have a boat?

- No.

- How do you fish?

- Well I ain't been fishing

since I was Travis Jr.'s age.

- Well what are you doing

with all them worms then?

- Well they're not bait worms Flagg,

they're compost and

garbage in the fertilizer.

- You compost garbage for a living?

- I sell the worms that do that.

Here.

- I'll be damned.

I didn't know you were

helping the environment.

- There's a lot of things you

don't know about me Flagg.

- Yeah.

Like what?

Travis, take that board,

buy yourself a boat

and take the kids out

fishing while you can.

- It's amazing the insights

grandparents get about kids

'cause I would have given

anything to have you take

me fishing when I was their age.

- I don't remember you ever asking.

- None of the other kids had to ask.

And their Pa's were working.

- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...

- You can buy my coffin Travis,

make sure it's worm proof.

- Well she got a bunch of money from

her third or fourth divorce.

I don't know.

And of course I get an

appointment to show her a house.

She shows up dressed to

the nine, pointing out

all the stops just trying to

impress me with her money.

You know the beamer, the mint coat.

The silicon bazoomies out to here.

- What?

Beverly Baker?

No way she was flat as a pancake.

- More like five day old roadkill.

Honk, honk.

So I'm shocked...

- He's pissed because I wouldn't

take his outboard motor.

- You're still eating dairy aren't ya?

I can smell it.

- You're still

raiding worm farmers slightly

below people who sell their

owns homes aren't you?

- Ooo good one.

- I'll call you back.

Oh my god.

- Hello Jenny.

- I'm doing my homework.

- Mama.

Get, get in there.

- Jeez already.

- That is one hell of a

mistake you and papa had.

- Whatever he gives you, you take.

- Hi papa.

- Hi dear.

- Here's a fresh one for you.

- Thank you.

Derek wanted to come but

he's working days now so.

- Oh, maybe you two can

start having a family of

your own now that you're

sleeping in the same bed

at the same time.

- You find that funny?

- No.

I just can't stop thinking

about silicon bazoomies.

- I'm on my deathbed

and you're making jokes.

- Oh papa you're not on your

deathbed you're just feeling

sorry for yourself.

- Rachel.

- Now that your sister's

a big developer she thinks

she can insult me.

- I'm not a developer.

- Your selling houses on

prime farmland graden sprawl,

what do you call it.

- You know if you would just

take the time to find out

what it is that I do you

would know that I'm...

- You're the final one to talk!

You didn't even come to the courthouse!

- Oh and watch you make

a fool of yourself.

You know if you were

just reasonable with Gus.

- I will not hear that name in my house.

- Linette, I'm gonna go talk

to Gus, about helping Gus

build those mobile homes that

Gus is putting up next door.

- Papa, papa, breath, breath, breath.

- Sweetheart, go get mama's

jewelry box over there.

You'll be laughing on the

other side of your face

when I'm lying out there in

a pine box six feet under.

Here sweetheart, I want you to have it.

- Papa these are mama's.

- That's okay I bought 'em for her.

- No, no I don't

feel right about that.

- No, no it's all right dear.

They're not real anyway.

If you don't want 'em

save 'em for your children

when you have 'em.

Here, here.

Give these to her.

- I'm out of here.

- Papa, breath, breath. breath.

- I'm all right now.

- Looks like the cold

went right to his brain.

Time we had a litte talk.

- Yoohoo, I've brought my

famous funeral casserole.

- I'm sure Flagg will

appreciate the thought Melinda.

- That'll kill him for sure.

- I figured with all the

youngins coming for the funeral.

- Anne Marie's not coming.

- Oh, I didn't think Anne

Marie was gonna be here.

- Sure you did.

- I'll tell Flagg you brought it.

- Well, I'll be going then.

- Ada, who you

gabbling with out there?

- Oh it's Melinda.

She brought you her famous casserole.

- Well send her in so I can thank her.

- Well hi there.

Linda says you both wanna buy some eggs.

- How many would you like?

Oh that's my son.

I gotta greet him.

Hello.

There you are.

How was your trip?

- Long.

- Look at your and your stuff.

Oh good to see you.

- Hey.

How's the spiritual real estate game.

- Don't knock it I bet my

congregations bigger than yours.

- Yeah I bet it is.

Hey there.

- How are you.

It's good to see you.

- Hows Derek?

- Oh he's fine.

He wanted to come but

he had to work today so.

- Oh ah, I'm gonna be

right back with your eggs.

Come with me a minute Eldon.

- So hows pop?

- I know better.

I've been telling the

others it's just a cold but,

I'm beginning to think it's

got more to do with the trial.

- How so?

- Well I think he knows it

was a mistake to sue Gus,

and he can't find a way out

of it because of his pride.

- No wonder you fell

in love with them mama.

These are beautiful.

- Fertilized eggs are supposed

to be lower in cholesterol

and I figure the market'll brew.

Strictly organic.

- Hey did you do something

new to your hair?

- I cut it a bit.

- Well it looks nice.

Hey Travis.

What do robbins do before breakfast?

- I don't know, what?

- Warm ups.

Ha!

All right I keep telling

the to give it up

but they just keep coming

up with more worm jokes.

- Whatever.

- Hows the new church?

- Well we're raising the

money for the walls while

the good lord lays the

foundation and I guess it's just

my job to make sure

everybody knows he's keeping

his end of the bargain.

- Well you can't count me

in for a contribution bro.

- Okay.

- As long as you'll take a credit card.

- Oh yeah we'll max you out.

- I hope you can help

papa Eldon I really do.

- Well I'll try but,

you know how he is about

being ministered to.

- About the same as the rest of us.

- So tell me reverend, what's

god's cost for new square

foot construction?

- Well, that's a

very complicated question.

I don't know.

- Square footage.

- Oh, mama that's your set.

- He insisted I take them Ada.

I didn't want to upset him.

- Sorry.

Mama he can't give away your stuff.

- I reckon he can give

away anything he wants to

in his own house.

- Except it ain't just his house.

- He's giving away

everything they own Eldon,

including mama's things.

- Mama I think you better get

all your things out of there.

- You know why don't we

just move him out of there

and give those sheep

something else to piss on.

- Will you talk to him son?

He listens to you.

- It's good to see you son.

- It's good to see you too papa.

- I can't keep a thing down.

- It came on kind of a sudden didn't it?

- Yeah well, can't predict these things.

- That's true.

But I never would of been

predicting that you'd be giving

away all your things and mama's.

- I want people to think

kind of me after I go.

- Yeah see I told them that had to be it.

That it couldn't be that

you were seeking salvation.

- Who was saying that?

Who said I'm not seeking salvation?

- You know just...

folks, you know how they are.

- Yes I do I know how people are.

I know how they are.

You didn't know my pa did you son?

- No he was pretty ill when

he died but I do remember

being afraid of him.

- Yeah he did that to people.

- Sang to him on his Bible

thumping, his temper.

You know nobody showed up at his funeral.

Not even family.

Just me and ma.

Hurt my ma real bad.

- You're afraid the same

thing will happen to you.

You're nothing like your pa.

- No.

- You know that trial

might have been a mistake

but it's not too late to change that.

- I don't know what good that'll do.

- You might be surprised.

You can start by getting out of this bed.

- This is a good place that

I need to wait for the end.

Whoa.

Here son.

Here, here.

Here this is for the church building fund.

I'd like you to say a few words over me.

When my time comes.

- Don't they have

pills for this kind of thing?

- Ther you go

lets slip some prozac into

his hot water bottle.

- I think we should call Anne Marie.

- Forget it.

- Oh you don't know what it

was like between her and papa.

- Like when she told him

she was marrying Jurvis.

- Oh god I thought the

roof would come off.

I mean a used car

salesman for a son in law.

- Yeah they're worse than developers.

- I thought things would get

better after her divorce.

- Why should she bother with us?

She's a big star.

The perfect talk show host.

Full of opinions and a big mouth.

- You have a nice thing to

say about everyone don't

you Rachel?

- Oh come on Travis it

wouldn't hurt her to drive

two hours to see mom

every once in a while.

- Well she does call.

- I don't really care what you guys say,

mama I know she can help.

- Oh my lord.

Oh god.

- I'm outta here.

- Who is it?

- Wait Rachel I'm going with you.

- Now don't be rude.

- Who is it?

- Aunt Edith.

- It's your uncle Ben's widow.

She hasn't been here since

before you were born.

- God what a family.

- You'll get used to it honey.

- Hello Purdy's.

- Hello Edith.

It's been a long time.

- I heard my brother in laws dying.

I guess there's some justice

in the world after all.

- Oh no Edith.

- If you're gonna start

with your nasty comments,

you can just march

yourself out here they way

you come in.

- I'm sorry Ada, you never

did appreciate my humor.

I'm here to pay my respects.

- How'd you find out?

- Nothing the Purdy's do in

this county I don't hear about.

Lets see now, this is...

- Linette.

- You moving back to town Eldon?

- I wasn't planning on it.

- I thought you might.

'Cause praying for Flagg

is a full time job.

Well Travis, I'm

surprised to see you here.

- You're not the only one aunt Edith.

- He is part of the family Edith.

- You come to sell the house Rachel?

- Hello?

- Is that because she never

could stand the smell of pigs.

Now, now who's this one here?

- It's our youngest, Jenny.

- She must have your jeans Ada.

You sure are growing up in

the right places sweetheart.

- You know what aunt

Edith, I have to be going.

So you take care now.

- I come visit once in 20

years, you can't stick around

for a few minutes.

- No, I'm sorry.

I'm late for the doctor

so I gotta get going.

So, bye bye.

- Flagg ain't got nothing

that's catching does he?

- We're not sure.

- We ain't been that

close of a family child.

I gotta tell you.

I sure miss having family.

So, where is the old coop?

You look like hell.

- Come to cheer me up did you?

- I could

recommend a good mortician.

Remember what your pa always said

We all gotta go sometime.

And the sins of the father

shall be visited upon the sun.

I brought you some of Ben's things.

Maybe they'll comfort you in the end.

- You should of told me his

time had come so I could

of made my peace with him.

- There's only one way

to find peace Flagg.

Right in all your wrongs.

- So you're taking Spanish

now I take it here.

- Yes.

- Do you have...

- I hate it.

- Do you have Mrs. Walsh?

Oh my god, can you tell me how to say

I know I want a beer

because I'm gonna sneak into

a bar very soon.

- It's mamacita.

- Egg money?

- Egg money.

- He gave it to me.

- What the heck is she talking about?

- But you can't let

her take your bed mama.

- Giving away the bed

is like giving up on us

being together.

- But do you remember when

I had to watch that TV show,

for biology class remember.

It had the live birth.

- I won't

tolerate that kind of thing in

my house.

- And he took

the TV and he threw it

in the crack.

- Oh it's still down

there I saw it this morning

on my walk.

It is.

- You could see the

rabbit ears sticking out.

- Do you remember that time

when Travis failed health?

That one semester, and papa

goes down to the school

and he says, you can't fail my son!

You can't fail my son, he's healthy!

He's never been sick a day in his life!

- Yeah.

- Do you think we

should be laughing like this

with him laying in there?

- Oh please.

- Travis, you didn't happen

to see Jenny downtown

did you?

- No I was hanging out with

Scooter doing some catching up.

Why?

- She's usually home by now.

- Well please let me know

if you hear from her Lupe.

And could you call Jeff, okay then thanks.

She wasn't at practice.

Lupe thinks she went some

place with her friend Jeff.

- I'm gonna call the sheriff.

- No, no.

Travis, lets go look for her.

- Well that's a good idea.

Why don't you two go along and I will keep

the supper warm.

- Well I'll go with you.

- No, no, no.

Rach let me and Eldon do it.

- Oh.

- She come home yet?

- No.

Boys went looking for her.

- She run off because of me Ada.

- Now don't out that on yourself too.

- I heard them laughing out there.

They're all gonna be happy when I'm gone.

- They were just having fun.

They were remembering

when they was growing up.

There is no one of them

that wouldn't do anything

they could to make you well.

- Eldon says I have to forgive myself.

- Well Eldon's pretty

smart about such things.

- What goods a preacher

that tells you what to do

but don't tell you how to do it.

Boil them duds Ada honey.

You cold?

- Oh I was just a little chilly so.

- Mama, telephone.

- Hello?

- Hi mama, don't

worry Jenny's here with me.

- Oh thank goodness.

- She just

popped in at the station

and surprised me.

She got a ride from one of her friends.

- Oh I guess I should have known.

She's been talking about

nothing but you helping papa.

- How are you doing?

- Well to tell you the

truth, I'm worried about him.

- Really?

Well I'm gonna put Jenny on

the early train tomorrow.

- Why don't you come with her?

Maybe she's right, maybe you can help.

- Oh having me

there would probably sink

him completely.

- Well won't you think

about it Anne Marie?

- No I think I've been

through all this with Jenny.

I got my show in the morning.

But I love you mama.

- I love you too.

Bye.

- Is she coming?

- I'm so going to

live like this one day.

But maybe in San Francisco or LA.

- One of the ambitious Purdy's.

- Well I'm definitely going

to get out of there like

you did.

- Well you'll do it a lot

better way than I did.

If I have anything to say about it.

- Was it hard, with Jurvis I mean.

- There are easier ways to grow up.

- What is that?

- It's sushi.

- Okay.

Mmm.

It's good.

So Anne Marie, why don't you come home?

I mean, are you really

still that mad at papa?

- Well I think I'm over that.

I'm not really sure how he would react.

- Well I think that you

should know even though papa

doesn't let us to listen

to your show in the house,

mostly all of us do anyway.

And I know that you can

change things I mean

I listen to you on your show.

If you came home, I

hear you helping people

every single day on your show.

- You know that that's not my own family.

- Yeah but if you just talk to him.

I know I don't really know

what went on between you guys

but I really do believe

that he respects you.

- That doesn't mean that he

wants me to come back home.

- So you're not even gonna try.

- You really love him a lot don't you?

- I don't even know anymore.

I mean he won't listen to

a thing any of us have to

tell him.

Not that he really ever has anyway.

But like I've never seen him

do anything like this before.

I mean he will not get out of bed.

And it's not like I really

do want him to die either.

- He's not going to die.

- You don't know that

you haven't seen him.

- You want this or should

I pack it up for the worms?

- I won't tell the worms if you don't.

Thank you mama.

- Mama.

- Anne Marie.

Oh you came.

- Oh how are you?

- Oh well I'm a little tired.

- Yeah?

- And I can't sleep any

place but my own bed.

Well at least it used to be my own bed.

- Are you wearing all of your clothes?

- Well yes I am.

It's s long story.

- Well you look gorgeous

no matter what you got on.

- Guys come inside it's freezing.

- Oh my gosh look at you here.

- Hey mama, Jenny said you

haven't called the doctor yet,

how come?

- Oh well I tried but you know your pa.

Why should I spend good

money for some doctor

to tell me what I already know.

- Hey stranger.

- Hi Mr. Ponytail.

- Ada, is that Jenny?

- She'll be right in.

- Okay.

I might as well,

get it over with.

Thank you.

Okay.

- Nobody told me you were coming.

- Well I didn't know I was

myself until this morning.

- And why'd you run off

why'd you do a fool thing

like that?

- I can visit my sister if I want to.

- Not without telling us so.

- Well there wasn't time.

- You scared me and mama half to death.

Don't run off when I'm talking to you!

- She's glad to see you too.

Well I'm happy to see her but

she shouldn't have done that.

She shouldn't have run off

without telling anybody.

- Well maybe you could get

her a pager so you could

keep track of her.

- Yeah that's all we need,

teenagers with pagers.

As if those cellular

phones wasn't bad enough.

- Hey that's

a good idea you could get

her one as a Christmas gift.

Or you could just you know

hire a private detective

to keep track of her.

- Well you haven't changed a bit have you?

Still as contrary as ever.

- The fact that I'm here

should tell you that I have

changed quite a lot.

- Well it took my dying

to get you here didn't it?

- Yes.

- I was right about Jurvis wasn't I?

- I don't know how I've

been able to live my life

without your advice.

- Yeah.

- He has a lot of problems

but he's a good man.

We were just, too young

to get married and I was

too anxious to get away from here.

- Well there's a lot more

to be said on that subject

isn't there?

- Great to see you too papa.

- He gets me so mad.

- You have to learn to stand up for him.

You know instead of

running away like I did.

That's something that

would help you and help

everybody else around here too.

- Ada, I'd like my hot water bottle.

- You know slavery was

abolished in 1863 mama.

- Jenny's right mama.

- Maybe should I ignore

him, see if that makes him

feel better.

- Well that's not what she means mama.

- Well, I know what she means.

You just ain't used to seeing

him sick like this Jen.

And till we can figure out a

better way I'm gonna be a slave

or whatever else it takes

to show him I love him.

- Well while you're showing

him that you love him

could you just take

off some of the clothes

'cause I feel really, really

hot just looking at you.

- Well where am I gonna put 'em?

- Well you can put everything in my car.

- Come in.

- Andrea, Sarah!

Hi!

- Ada.

What's all that ruckus out there?

- It's Anne Marie's friends

and they're here to see her

not you.

- Has everybody in this family gone crazy?

- Well I'm not

exactly sure why you all

asked me here because I

don't think there's anything

wrong with him really.

- That's about the only thing

I've ever agreed with you on.

- Rach, Rach, Rachel.

Rach you would have died.

- Jenny gave it to him head on.

They're Anne Marie's friends

they're here to see her

not you!

- Who told you to do that?

- Nobody told me.

- You sure Anne Marie

didn't tell you to do it.

- Yeah I'm sure.

- She did exactly the right thing.

I mean she stood up to him

instead of walking away

into your own eggshells.

- What makes you the expert?

- If he gets all riled up

he'll just get out of this

funk, this.

- Can't I just put Rachel

in there with him for five

minutes.

- Wait can I say something.

You know that new age

psycho babble may work

on your radio show.

But it's not gonna do diddly swat for him.

- You know can we just now get into...

- He's dying.

He's dying.

Let him go in peace.

- Oh my god.

Travis.

Don't even say that.

- He's not dying.

- He's just depressed.

- Are there any more cookies?

- You could have the rest of this one.

- No these aren't right

for you blood type.

- Oh well thank god the cookies are right

for my blood type.

- You know stirring up his anger might not

be a bad idea.

- When he does get angry

he does get moving.

- Gus.

- What's that sweetheart?

- If you wanna get him mad.

I mean god forbid anybody

mentions the G word around here.

- Oh wow.

- God how beautiful it is

out here when it snows.

- Okay come on, lets keep moving.

- Papa.

- Hello dear.

- Here you go.

- Thank you.

- You're welcome.

Can I get you anything else?

- No I'm fine.

Where's ma?

- She went for a walk with

Rachel and Anne Marie.

- Can I maybe get you

some tea or something?

- I won't have it.

- No.

- You're the only one of

my children that cares

whether I live or die.

- Or no that is not true papa.

It's just not.

We all care.

- Well I feel it from you.

I don't feel it from nobody else.

Things are gonna better for you Linette.

I know they will.

- I know.

I always have hope.

- Okay.

You didn't have to prove anything to us.

We can see what great shape you're in.

- I don't have to prove anything to you.

- Are you still mad about Jurvis?

- I could of had Jurivs

anytime I wanted him.

- There was nothing

going on between you two

so why are you making such

a big deal out of it still?

- Who told you there was nothing going on?

- He told me, he only took you out once.

- Yeah.

It's just that you were too

afraid to tell me that you

were gonna go out with him, it was easier

for you to run away.

Just like it's easier for you

to deal with everybody elses

problems instead of dealing with your own.

- Okay so this is not about

Jurvis, this is about how

I live my life.

- Look, if you think I'm jealous

of you, you can forget it

because I have been in the

million dollar sales club

for three years.

- Rachel.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry that I ran away and

I didn't tell you about him.

I thought if I came home I

could maybe clear things up.

But...

- Well it wasn't really a date.

We just parked behind the

high school and made out.

- Oh.

Guess what I heard about Jurvis?

- Remember how I ate these?

No more.

- You loved them.

- Very bad area.

- Hey Jackson you want one of those?

How about this one?

No?

Okay.

Okay get grape.

Hi Rachel it's good to see you.

- Gus.

- Yeah.

Anne Marie.

- Hi.

- Hi Anne Marie I really

enjoy your show I listen

to it.

- Oh thanks, it's good to see you.

- You too, Anne Marie yeah.

Ada, I've been thinking a

lot about this whole thing

and what I did troubles

me it just isn't right.

I'd be glad to sell your eggs again.

- Well thank you Gus.

I'll think on it.

- How's Flagg?

- No better.

- I'd come over and pay my

respects if i didn't think

it would make things worse.

- Now isn't that an interesting idea.

I walked right into that one.

- Mama, I thought you'd

be happy that Gus would

sell your eggs again.

You sure could use the money.

- Well I've been doing some

figuring and I made more money

last week than I do in a

month selling through Gus.

I don't think I need a middle man anymore.

- Oh you fox.

- What are you doing mama?

What's going on?

- Hi Linette.

- Hi Gus.

- He's in the bedroom.

- Is he sleeping?

- I don't know.

- What's he doing here?

- It's a long story.

Never even played checkers this long.

- Travis, Eldon, it's good to see you.

Nice fence Flagg put up by the pump house.

Could use some paint though.

Sure is a nice day.

I'll see you tomorrow.

- What?

- Yeah that's what we'd like to know.

- Yeah what's Gus so happy about?

- We came to an understanding.

- What kind of understanding?

- I gave him back the rights.

His lawyers drawing up the papers.

- Lord mercy.

- After all that time

and money you're just...

- What are you getting so upset about?

It's a good deal.

He's gonna drill us a new well.

- I don't believe this.

- Yeah I should have never gone

to court in the first place.

We just put things back the way they were.

- You're missing the point Flagg.

Those rights belong to both of us.

Well I'm sorry I can't do anything right.

But you won't have to put

up with it much longer.

- Poor papa.

Must be hard to be rejected by everybody.

- Well it is.

- And it must feel terrible

to feel like you're dying

and no one understands you.

I know what you're doing.

- Even though you've been a good husband

and a good father.

- I'm not gonna fall for it.

- And we all see that the

husband and the father that

took care of all of us

and had to support us all.

- That was hard.

- I know that.

The rest of the family knows that.

We love, we support you,

we understand that you've

been a good husband even though at times

you've been difficult to

live with but we love you.

- I don't need to hear no

radio program psychology lady.

- Do you know that we all love you papa?

- No.

- We wouldn't all be here

if we didn't love you.

That's why we're all here.

We're here 'cause we love

you and we worry about you.

- I don't wanna talk about it right now.

- Why don't you just

get up out of that bed.

- I'm not getting out of the bed.

- Come on.

- I'm dying.

- But daddy what I'm trying

to say is you can get

out of the bed...

- I'm dying.

- All right lets go.

- So, what do we do now?

- Well I don't rightly know.

I'm afraid your pa'll just

up and die out of pure

stubbornness.

- What will you do then mama?

- Since you're all grown,

the only thing I've known

is taking care of him and Jenny.

And my chickens.

It's pretty sad ain't it?

Well,

he'll be wanting his hot

water bottle about now.

- Papa's not the only

one who needs to get out

of the house.

- Mommy.

- What's that?

- Hey mama.

Excuse me I'll take this.

- Now what are you doing?

- Thank you very much.

- Now will you tell me

what this is all about?

- Okay shh.

- Okay Linette.

Linette.

- Tada.

- Whoa.

- Beautiful mama.

- Mama where are the gingerbread cookies?

- Mamacita.

- What's going on?

- Oh not bad

for such short notice Travis.

Mama, this gentleman insists on taking you

out for a date this evening.

- My mama taught me

never to go out on a date

unless I know exactly where I'm going.

- I know your date and

I know what he's driving

and I strongly recommend

that you take some

tab money.

- We're going dancing mama.

Come on,

- Dude green means go, red means stop.

- Ada, where you going?

What's going on?

- This is brilliant.

- Oh thank you but I wish

you didn't have to be high

to tell me.

- Grass is very natural.

- What's going on?

Where you going?

- Mama I haven't had

such a serious date in years.

- Thank you for doing this.

And for coming to see your pa.

I know it wasn't easy for you.

- I'm glad I came mama.

- Travis, would

you mind taking a little

side trip.

Well it's been so long since

I did anything like this,

I don't know how to act.

- Just act natural.

Everybody will handle the rest.

♫ Well come with the

boys down to the station

♫ Did need farewell as I go

♫ Don't you shed a tear as

the train rolls down the line

♫ I'm on my way to glory don't you know ♫

- Why Ada, it is so good to see you.

Hello Travis.

- Hello Mrs. Cooper.

- What's going on with Flagg?

- Well it's hard to tell.

But this is my date tonight.

- Where's your ma?

- She went out for a while.

- She went out?

- Yeah she, went out with Travis.

- Went out with Travis?

Where'd they go?

- There's a dance tonight at The Grange.

- A dance at The Grange, she

went to a dance at The Grange?

What she do a damn foolish

thing like that for?

- Why, 'cause she felt like

she'd been cooped up here

much lately.

- Well it was good enough for

her to be cooped up before

I was dying.

- Yeah but, all that's

changing now isn't it?

- I suppose she'll be doing

a lot of that kind of thing

then huh.

Dancing carried on.

- Yeah I see all the

time in my line of work.

How quickly widows become free spirits.

- You don't suppose she's

found somebody else already

do you?

- Well she is a mighty fine looking woman.

- Yes.

Yes, that's a problem isn't it?

That is the problem.

♫ I'm on my way to glory don't you know ♫

- Can I have the first dance?

- You'll have to wait your turn Foster.

♫ Since I walked down that road

♫ And I still don't know why

♫ I was a young man

♫ I didn't know ♫

- We're not careful we'll be

an item in tomorrow's paper.

This brings back a lot of memories.

The school dances.

Hayrides.

And hikes to the falls.

I know, I know, I know.

It's not right to...

To pry on you in those days.

But it really struck me

when you came without Flagg.

- Felt strange to me too.

- Well, whatever happens

you won't ever have to worry

about anything.

I'll always look after you.

- I don't need anybody to

look after me Gus Falk.

Now if you really cared about

me you would do something

to support Flagg.

- You think this is

about him being jealous?

- He's always believed that

there's still something

between you and me.

- I sure would not mention

that we were dancing

together tonight.

- Flagg.

Flagg?

You want some tea?

- How was the dance?

- Fine.

Gwen and Foster said to say hello.

And Gus.

We even danced.

One dance.

- He couldn't wait till I

was gone before he started

to pounce.

- Now don't get yourself

all worked up over nothing.

- You never even thought

about dancing until

Anne Marie got here.

- I wasn't thinking about a lot of things.

- Next thing she'll be

taking you to chippendales.

- Don't go blaming anything on Anne Marie.

She only come to make

amends with you and you

didn't exactly welcome it.

- I heard what she said.

- She wants you to accept

her no matter what mistakes

she made.

That's all any of our

kids ever wanted from you.

- Kids should know how I

feel about them by now.

- Sometimes it's hard to tell for sure.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself.

- Ada?

I wanna show you something.

My pa wrote this to my mom

when they just got married.

He wrote it before I was born.

Read it out loud.

- Dear little wife of mine,

Here I am sitting in my

cold room thinking of what

I am missing at home.

- He was driving for a long

distance hauler at the time.

- My beautiful little

wife has a world of plans

that I'm doing everything

I can to help come true.

When we were single I thought

I was in love with you.

But at that time I didn't

know what love was compared

to how much I love you now.

The X's I put on the bottom

of this letter are kisses

for you.

Save all your love for

your lonesome husband.

So lonesome sweetheart.

Love Hugh

- I didn't know the man

that wrote that letter.

The man I knew couldn't write such things.

- The man who wrote this

was filled with love.

He might have been angry

and confused but he was

still a decent man and he loved you.

- I have a hard time believing that.

- Well you keep trying.

Papa's having trouble forgiving himself.

You think forgiving his

pa would do just as well?

- It's not really a

question of who he forgives,

it's the forgiving that counts you know.

Letting go of his anger.

- The whole thing hinges on forgiveness.

Forgiveness is like a key

that opens a door in the heart

and when that door is

open then the lord can...

Sorry.

- No that's okay Eldon

you're absolutely right.

- Well I wanna hear from you Eldon.

- You know it's funny

how a little water can

start something so complicated.

- What?

Mama?

What is it?

- I'll be right back.

- Ada.

Ada what's going on?

What's going on?

What the hell are you doing woman!

- I'm just seeing how

firm the mattress is.

- Ada.

Ada!

Ada.

Ada.

- Don't waste your breath.

I think she went over to Gus's place.

- What are you doing?

- I just wanna see where

it'll best fit in my bedroom.

- Well it don't fit no where

'cause it ain't going no where!

- That's what I get for trusting you!

This time they're gonna

throw you in the slammer!

- Now what's got into you?

- You know damn well

what's gotten into me.

- See I thought we settled

this yesterday when you

were on your death bed.

- That was before you turned my water off!

- Turned your water off,

Andy have I been out of this

store today?

- We've been putting up

stock all day Mr. Purdy.

- Well then you hired somebody to do it!

- Why would I do a fool

thing like that when you gave

the water rights back to me?

Andy why don't you go and

chop me some fire wood

will you?

Okay.

Doggonit Flagg.

You haven't learned a thing

from all this have you?

Now Ada and I were dancing last night.

That's not what this is about is it?

- No.

- I respected Ada's decision

when she decided to marry you.

And that has not changed.

She loves you Flagg.

Now, you go home and I'm

sure you'll figure out

what happened to your water.

I'm sure it's the breaker.

- You're right.

- Sure I'm right I mean that breakers old.

- No I mean about me

not learning anything.

- I'm sorry.

I was wrong.

You have learned something.

You apologized to me

yesterday for what you did

and today just now you listened to me.

Pa you were hopping mad I

know how hard that is for you.

- Well it's hard for you too.

- Yeah it's hard for me too.

I'll tell you what.

I think maybe I've been

too set on beating you

at whatever we do.

- Well I'm glad to hear

you finally admit it.

- I will try to change that.

- Okay.

I will too.

- So checkers tomorrow?

- Yeah.

Usual time.

- No Porter

grandpa's not dead yet.

Porter give the phone back to mommy.

Okay sweetheart.

I'll talk to you later.

Love you, bye.

Amy can't get here until tomorrow.

So its it okay if I stay here tonight?

- Hey, your welcome.

Guys.

Mama has something she

wants to tell everyone.

About your eggs.

- Oh well.

I spoke to the manager at

the supermarket in town

about not selling organic

eggs and so next week

there will be Purdy Eggs in their cooler.

- Hey way to go mama.

- You guys, he's coming.

- Glad you're up and about.

- Well there's a lot of work to do.

Not gonna have time for a lot of dancing.

- Well dancing's exactly

what you need Flagg Purdy.

- Yeah.

- Everynight.

- What time's that show of yours on?

9:00 AM Monday through Friday.

AM610.

- I'll try to watch it.

- You done good papa.

- Thanks for your help Eldon.

- I did very little.

You did hard work, and

thank you for giving me

the inspiration for this weeks ceremony.

- Is the road to forgiveness

paved with gifts.

- Send me a tape.

I'm gonna bring the outboard

over one of these days

and we're gonna take the kids out fishing.

- Okay pop.

- Okay.

- Papa.

I'm really glad you're up.

- A lot of fuss over nothing.

- Papa.

- Yeah?

- There's a little gift on the

kitchen table from all of us.

- Oh okay.

Well I don't know what I

learned from the whole thing.

What that checkers game or that

forgiving business had to do

with it.

But it really doesn't matter much.

What does matter is we got through it.

And even with all our

differences, we're still a family.

You know it's not easy to

get your wife and children

to change.

But laying in bed like

that sure seemed to help.

Maybe I learned that.