Runaway (2001) - full transcript
Dan and King are small-time Triad members in Hong Kong. After an incident in which their practical joke ends up losing their Boss a huge sum of money, AND in which they steal hundreds of thousands of HK dollars from a rival boss, the two are forced to flee to Phuket, Thailand (because the alternate hideout, China, would be "too boring"). They live the high life in Thailand with their stolen money, partying and falling for two local girls. Soon, the two comically inept Triad bosses come after them, the two girls turn out to be a mute assassin and the girlfriend of one of the Bosses, they escape from organ-harvesting Thais, in typical HK screwball fashion.
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( crickets chirping )
His name is Son Joshua
and my hand is on him.
There's a white boy
being born
right this minute
this night.
( baby cryin )
His name is Luke.
( crying continues )
Shh, shh, shh.
They are bound together.
Bound?
Together,
they will make change.
My hand is on them,
both of them.
Woman:
Luke!
Sonny's coming
up the road!
Luke, do you hear me?!
Brought some sardines
and soda crackers.
Good.
I like soda crackers.
So we're all set then?
I guess.
You're not going
to back out, are you?
No.
Good.
We're going now.
Okay. Fine.
Hey, Sonny.
Hey.
How's your mother and Remona?
They doing all right?
Good.
They're fine.
Now don't you let him
keep you up all night
with his stories.
I'm used
to his stories.
Bye.
Bye.
( crickets chirpin )
Hey...
What are you doing?
Sit down.
What for?
Sit down.
I'll show you.
All right,
now hold your arms up.
Hey...
It's got to look like
we were kidnapped
and dragged off.
Kidnapped?
Sure. That's part of my plan.
There.
Looks just like something
an escaped convict would do.
Hadn't I better drag you, now?
No. They could've picked me up
and carried me.
You're the one
that had to be dragged.
Now, come on.
It's getting late.
I don't know about this, Luke.
I never run away before.
Well, I did,
a hundred times.
And you got found
a hundred times, too.
All those other times--
they was just practice.
This is the real thing.
That's why I asked you
to come with me.
I don't know...
What about Atlanta?
And New Orleans?
Remember what you said?
Any place is
better than here.
I found this here
the other day.
It's a perfect way
to get us downriver.
You mean,
we're going to steal it?
It's not stealing.
We're just going to take it
for a while, that's all.
I don't know, Luke.
Look at this bone.
Yeah, I bet
it's from a bear.
Or a cow maybe.
Now make up your mind.
You coming with me
or you want
to stay here?
I want to go with you.
Well, come on, then.
So what do we have
here, Hugh?
Two boys gone missing.
Ma'am.
It's Luke, Sheriff,
and Reba's boy.
It's my boy, Sonny.
When they didn't come back
this morning, I...
Come back? From where?
This is the way
I found it
when I came to fetch
them for breakfast.
I knew he was going
to run away again.
Again?
We don't know that, Troy.
That Luke, he got a bit
of rabbit in him.
Must've run off
at least a dozen
times I know of.
We thought he was over it,
Sheriff.
Sonny never run off.
Not once.
Luke, is running away
always this easy?
Nah. I don't usually go
in a boat.
Okay, this group,
take the woods
to the east
and this group,
the fields to the south.
Everybody grab a map.
We're going
to have to cover
every square inch
around here.
I'll take one of those.
Isn't that kind
of a waste
of a good map?
They got a right to look.
There's two boys lost
out there
and one of them
is his nephew.
Okay, let's get
a move on.
( both laughing )
Luke...
how we going to live
when we get to wherever
we're going?
Well, I thought we could kind
of live like Robin Hood.
You know, take what we need.
People will try to kill us
if we do that.
Nobody gonna kill us.
My daddy got killed.
But... he wasn't taking anything
from anybody.
Pegleg done it.
Your daddy sure was nice.
( knocking on door )
Woman:
Come on in.
Hello, Amy.
Have you seen Jule?
I need him
over at the farm.
Well, he's out
with the rest of 'em
looking for Luke and Sonny.
You gonna help look?
Ain't that what we got
a sheriff for?
Sonny:
We're moving a lot faster
than a while back.
We sure are.
( water roaring )
You hear that? What is that?
Paddle, Sonny!
We better get back to shore!
We're going too fast!
Get to paddling
and come on, get over here, now!
We got to turn it around!
My paddle!
It's too strong.
We're gonna go over!
Sonny!
Sonny!
( gruntin )
Come on...
( gruntin )
Come on, Sonny.
No sign yet
but don't worry,
we're going to keep looking.
We'll find them.
Well, come on.
You men must be starving.
Thank you.
( dog whines )
Help!
Somebody, please help us!
Come on, Sonny.
Don't you go
dying on me.
Frank:
...and this time
we'll start south
of the railroad tracks
right along
the old creekbed.
You take your
group first...
I found this
in Luke's room.
They're on the river.
Look. It's even got
the pages here.
( motor revving )
Frank:
Luke?
Sonny?
Sheriff!
Come on, Sheriff, hurry.
Get him in the
boat, quick.
Luke, you all right?
Yeah, but Sonny's hurt
real bad.
I see.
Here we go.
Sonny going to
be just fine.
I'm sure he is.
Just keep
an eye on him.
If you need me,
have Mrs. Winter
give me a call.
Thank you, Doctor.
Remona, Cecily.
Don't worry now.
He'll come around.
Frank:
Hey, Doc, how's he doing?
He's in a coma.
He probably hit his head
on the side of the boat.
Could be bad.
We'll see how it goes
the next couple days.
Thank you, Doctor.
Sheriff.
Hey, Doc...
I got a question for you.
Do you have any idea...
What kind
of bone this is?
It's a femur.
Leg bone.
Hip to the knee.
That's human?
Sure is.
Where'd you get it?
It just turned up.
Well, there's a lot more
of him to turn up
if that's all you got.
Sheriff.
How you doing, Troy?
Luke around?
Yes, sir.
I'll get him.
Luke.
Sheriff's come to get you.
Come to take you
to jail, I hope.
Morning, Luke.
Let's you and me
take a little walk.
What do you say?
Let's you and me
take a little walk.
Is it Sonny?
Is he...?
He's still asleep
as far as I know.
Listen, when I found
you boys
there was a bone
next to your blanket.
You had that a while,
have you?
No, we just found
it yesterday.
Really?
Whereabouts?
It was over by
Carnes' old mill
near where we
found the boat.
You remember exactly
where you found it?
Mrs. Carnes?
Yes.
I'm Frank Richards.
Oh, sure, I remember you.
It's been a few years.
I believe so.
Since just before
you got married to...
Jim. He passed, you know.
Four years ago.
I heard.
You have my sympathies, ma'am.
I-I-I'm sorry.
Could I offer you
some iced tea?
I have some already made.
Thank you, yeah.
Appreciate it.
Please.
Sorry to bother
you like this.
I've just been down
to your old sawmill.
The mill?
Why on earth for?
Yesterday we had
two boys run away.
Oh, yes, I heard.
Amy Winter called me.
But you found them.
Yes.
She said that the colored boy
was injured.
Is he...?
He's still in a coma.
Oh, my.
Anyway, they passed
through your property
by the mill,
and they found a bone.
A human bone.
And I just found
the rest of the body.
Body?
Whose body?
Don't know.
Looks like it's been there
a long time, though.
And I was wondering
if you had any ideas...
No, certainly not.
Why, that mill's just been
sitting empty
since Jim got sick.
Anybody could have
come along and...
I understand.
And Jim, before he died
he never said anything...?
No. Of course not.
You think Jim knew
a body was buried there?
I don't think anything yet,
ma'am.
Just wondering.
I don't mean to upset you,
ma'am.
It is upsetting.
A body buried on my property--
it is very upsetting.
Of course.
I'm sorry.
Well, I better get going.
Thank you for tea.
Pegleg? You think
it's connected to him?
Only unsolved murders
we got around here
that I know of.
And that was
years ago.
Thank you, Meg.
I remember hearing
about it though.
Three victims, right?
Yeah, three of them.
Abducted, never
seen again.
That supposed to be him?
That Pegleg?
All the witnesses
described him the same way.
He was a man
wearing a leather hood.
And he had a limp.
Sheriff Logan ever
have a suspect?
( chuckles )
Well, you remember Logan.
Yeah, I remember Logan.
Had a peculiar
sense of justice.
Let me see that.
Hey, you know who one
of the last victims was?
Who?
Yeah.
Rody Monroe.
Sonny's dad?
Mm-hmm.
Now wouldn't
that be something?
Him finding the bone and all.
( sobbing )
It's R...
it's Rody's shirt, all right.
He was wearing it
the night he was taken.
I'm sorry to bring you
news like this, Mrs. Monroe.
We can have us
a funeral now.
You know, it never
seemed right
to have a funeral
when there
weren't no body.
I just pray Sonny
wakes up for it.
I hope so, too.
( sobbing )
( sighs )
Don't walk in here.
It's wet.
What are you
doing that for?
Where's Remona?
She's down sitting
with Sonny.
Reba, too.
Well, what for?
That's not going
to make him wake up.
See, why you always
let them get away
with that?
And where is Jule?
That fence ain't
anywhere near fixed.
Reba sent Jule for help.
What, to fix a fence?
Help for Sonny.
Ah.
All righty.
No...
No.
I want you to
go down there
and I want you
to tell Remona
to come up here.
Here, see
you know, you're worse
than they are.
At least they don't suck
on a bottle all day.
( door slams )
I never picked up
just bones before.
Pug, you just go on out there
and collect the body
and prepare it
for a funeral.
After all this time,
dig up a skeleton
bury it again
somewhere else.
I'd say let
sleeping dogs lie.
Just do it.
Woman:
Excuse me, Mr. Holly.
We have a few questions
about Monica's burial.
Of course, Mrs. James,
how can I be of assistance?
How are you doing
today, Cecily?
All right, I guess.
I know it's been a while,
but do you remember anything
about the night
that Pegleg took your father?
Not really.
The police report
said that you were there.
I was in the other room,
with Sonny.
How about your sister,
Remona?
Did she see him?
Mm-hmm.
How about your father?
Did he have any enemies
or owe people money?
No, he was saving
his money.
So we wouldn't have to work
for Harlan Davis anymore.
How's Sonny?
He's just the same.
Cecily?
You have work to do.
Yes, sir.
( brakes squeal )
This here is Luke.
Oh, I know him.
He carries the sign.
The change is coming soon.
Luke and Sonny
will make it together.
Remona:
Mama! Mama!
What is it?
He opened his eyes.
Sonny's awake!
Oh!
Morning, Sheriff.
Morning.
Do you have a moment?
Certainly,
yes, please.
Here.
What can I do for you?
It's about that body.
Amy tells me you think
it was Rody Monroe.
Yes.
Terrible thing.
I remember the day
Rody disappeared.
Jim was in the hospital.
I distinctly remember
visiting Jim in the hospital
the day that it happened.
I just thought
you should know that.
I see.
Thank you, but I-I don't
want you to think
that I was suggesting
that Jim might be involved.
Rody was buried
on Jim's property.
You wouldn't be much
of a sheriff
if you didn't wonder about that.
Thank you for
coming down.
It's turning into another
hot one out there.
We don't even have
a cold drink to
offer you.
Hugh, we should
have some cold
drinks in here.
We are failing
in our hospitality.
Oh, you want me
to run down and get some?
Oh, I really should be going.
Uh, well, you know what?
I could use
a cold drink, myself.
Why don't we just
go on down to Keeler's?
All right.
Got some work to do?
Police officer
in New York.
My, that must have
been exciting.
Sometimes, a little
too exciting.
Mighty fortunate
to have a sheriff
with your experience.
And your war record--
it's really very impressive.
I-I just... feel
fortunate to be
back home
have a good job.
Must seem awfully
quiet here.
Well, that's what
I came back for.
That, and the pecan pie,
of course.
Well, I understand that.
I really do.
I often cook up things
we had when I was young.
Just simple things.
Reminds me of...
oh, I don't know
happier days, I guess.
Before I left for the war,
this seemed to be
just about the happiest
place in the world.
And now?
It's still pretty nice.
But I've been away
for quite some time.
Some things that
I took for granted
don't seem quite
so agreeable now.
I hope you're not talking
about the pecan pie.
No, that's still
as good as ever.
I'm going to be, uh
coming out your way
again, soon.
Well, you have to call ahead.
I'll be sure to have
a big pitcher of iced tea
all made up.
Thank you.
Don't mean to bother you
but we do still have to dig
through the rest
of those sawdust piles.
Oh.
Well, there are two victims
still missing.
And you think
they're buried there?
It makes sense
to look.
It would just take a day or so.
Well, I really better
be going.
Leave you to your work.
Bet you a nickel I can
shoot this sweet potato
off your head.
Just like William tell.
You told me that story before.
It's an apple he shot.
Well, apples aren't big
enough this time of year.
Besides, this potato's flat.
It'll sit on your head
just like a hat.
Not my head it won't.
If I'm going to be William Tell
you have to be the son.
Forget it.
I don't want you
shooting at me.
You see that scarecrow?
Put this on his head.
See?
That could have
been my head.
Sheriff!
Luke's trying
to kill me again.
Is that right, Luke?
I-I was wasn't
really going to do it.
I was just playing
with him.
Now, Luke, you got
to watch out, okay
'cause sometimes
your playing around
can get people hurt.
Sonny, is your mom home?
She's...
She's with Jule--
buying a suit
to bury his daddy in.
Why do you want
my mama?
Just want to ask her
a couple questions
about the night
your daddy was taken.
Do you remember
anything about that?
Not really.
I remember Mama and
Remona hollering.
I was out back.
Where's Remona now?
She's up at the house
working for Mr. Davis.
Tell me what you
remember about
that night.
Remona:
He just came busting
through the door
hit my daddy on the head
with some kind of hammer
and carried him off.
But you couldn't
see his face?
He had a hood on.
But I could see his skin.
It was darker than mine.
And he had a limp?
It was Pegleg, I know that.
Is there anything else
you can remember?
Any detail that maybe
you haven't
told everyone else?
Now I see why nothing's
getting done around here.
Just checking on
a few things, ma'am.
Harlan won't like you
bothering her
when she's supposed
to be working.
Just doing my job.
And now she's going
to have to put in extra time.
Wasn't her fault, Mrs. Davis.
She knows if the sheriff
asks questions
she's supposed to answer.
And she knows when
she's got work to do
she's supposed to do it.
( men chattin )
Say, Frank
he was by
a little bit ago.
Said you were looking
to investigate
the Pegleg murders.
That's right.
That's old news, isn't it?
Well, I don't know.
Ben, what do you think?
Three unsolved murders
still news?
Wasting your time
looking for Pegleg.
That's right, Sheriff.
This is a nice
peaceful community.
Why resurrect
all that Pegleg stuff?
( sighs )
Harlan:
You just get out of here!
( sobbing )
Mr. Harlan...
he just come at me.
He didn't say one word.
He just kept hitting me
and hitting me.
It's all right.
You'll be fine.
Nothing's broke.
Come on.
Harlan Davis hit Remona!
You're arresting me
for disciplining
my own employee?
I'm arresting you
for assault and battery
on a minor.
Yeah, well...
I might have to add resisting
arrest to that charge, too.
If I resist,
you ain't going
to be arresting me.
You're right, Harlan.
You resist and Pug Holly
will be coming up here
to collect your body.
Hugh, if he doesn't drop
that pitchfork
in the next
three seconds
just go on ahead and shoot him.
Wha...?
Well, he's in jail.
At least for tonight anyway.
Thanks to our Luke here.
Finally stopped
making up stories
and did something.
Amy:
Not just any old thing.
The right thing.
Most people around here
wouldn't see anything wrong.
It's the way
they were brought up.
I swear, sometimes I feel
we're going backwards,
not forward.
Nobody wants to deal with it,
not really.
Deal with what?
A sorry mess is what it is.
Always has been.
But me and Sonny,
we'll always be friends.
It's the livestock.
They have to be fed
before he gets home.
I'll do it.
Well, he wants you
to fix that fence.
I'll do that, too.
Stay here
with Remona.
Tea leaves in a compress--
it eases the pain.
( door shuts )
Man:
There he is.
( man laugh )
There he is.
All right!
Did you find another one,
sheriff?
Two.
Well, well.
You think they're
Pegleg's work?
Looks that way.
You know what
I heard about
the first one?
Reba bought a new suit
to put on the skeleton.
Suit?
A good one, too.
Imagine that.
Dressing a skeleton
up in a suit.
Dear friends, our brother
Rody Monroe has returned.
He's returned to his family.
He's returned to his community.
And now we return his remains
back into the hands of the Lord.
The sadness of this occasion
only magnified by the fact
that everyone that knew Rody
knows that this was a good man--
a churchgoing, god-fearing man
who worked hard
to provide for his family.
Worked hard to take care
of his wife and children.
Now, the circumstances
surrounding his death
might be unsettling
and yes, they might cause some
to be angry...
Thank you, Reverend.
We'll all rest better now.
Miss Monroe?
I just want to let you know
that I'm still trying to find
whoever killed your husband.
Hey, wait up.
Where are you going?
Nowhere.
Never seen most of
these folks before.
You never been
to this church before.
No, I guess not.
Look, I'm, I'm sorry
about your daddy.
We found him.
I'm not sorry about that.
What?
Come on. What is it?
What's wrong?
Luke, we friends, ain't we?
Of course, we are.
My mama's going to be mad.
She said not to tell anybody.
Tell anybody what?
About Mr. Harlan and Remona.
What about 'em?
She's carrying his baby.
What? You, you mean he...?
He forced her.
She told me last night.
What are you going to do?
There's nothing to do.
You can get the sheriff.
Yeah. He'd go
after old Harlan.
No. My mama says
white folks ain't never
going to help us.
That we shouldn't tell 'em
anything.
Do you believe that?
I don't know.
I'm telling you, ain't I?
Look, you've got
to do something.
You can't just let Harlan
get away with that.
My mama says that's
just the way things are.
But it's not right!
Remember what
Conjure Woman said?
She said we're supposed
to change things.
I got to get back.
( sighs )
I just felt
I needed to tell you.
It's a very serious crime, Luke.
You did right
to tell me.
Come on, Avery.
You're the county
prosecutor.
He forced that girl.
Her word against his.
No jury in this area
would ever convict him.
You know that.
What if there was corroboration?
Somebody to back
up her story?
You think you're going
to find a witness?
You're a vet, Avery.
What did we fight for?
A better world?
The world right here
is no better
than it ever was.
Harlan Davis can commit
any manner of atrocity
against this poor girl
and you're telling me
that there's not a thing
that we can do.
If there's no evidence,
there's no case, Frank
and no reason to cause trouble.
Right. Sheriff Logan's law.
I think it's time
we repeal that law, Avery.
Put it six feet under,
right alongside Logan.
Our new sheriff?
( chuckles )
I think he's just trying
to make a name for himself
at the expense
of my little brother here.
He's trying
to impress somebody.
He ain't impressing me.
We all with you, Harlan.
We know that
little gal's a liar.
That's right.
You must think I'm crazy
putting up all this fruit.
No, ma'am.
Not if you enjoy it.
I do.
Jim could never
understand that.
He thought I could
just buy canned fruit
at the store.
I heard he could be
a contrary sort
of fellow.
Jim?
He was a charmer, though,
when I first met him.
But, yes, he could be
hard on some people.
At the mill, there was
always trouble.
Here, let me help you.
Thank you.
You've done this
before?
Once or twice.
You're saying there
was trouble at the mill?
Oh, you know, the usual.
Jim would fire people.
They'd get pretty upset.
Such as?
Well, once this colored man
came by the house at night
insisted on talking to Jim.
Jim went outside
to talk to him.
I heard arguing,
angry voices.
He seemed pretty mad
about something.
It must have been
something pretty bad.
Because after that
Jim took to sleeping
with a shotgun by the bed.
When was that?
I don't remember exactly.
Was it before or after
the Pegleg killings?
Do you
remember that?
Uh... it was before.
But just a little while before.
Yes, that same summer.
Might be a connection.
I never thought of that.
But you're right.
Why, that man could have been
Pegleg, couldn't he?
He might have put those bodies
out at the mill
to get back at Jim in some way.
Where did you hide
that bottle?
You don't even care.
You don't care about me.
You don't care what
people are saying.
Nobody believes it
anyway.
What difference
does it make?
I know what
I believe.
I believe her.
I believe every word.
You?
You don't know nothing about it.
I know this is
the last time
you've humiliated me.
I'm not going to put up
with your sick ways anymore.
I'm going to tell
everyone...
Ah.
( glass shattering )
( screaming )
I can get a deputy
out here if you like.
I can take care
of myself, thank you.
I guess you can.
I just... I don't get it.
Why would he come here?
Why now?
I have no idea.
Maybe he was just
trying to frighten you.
Well, he succeeded at that.
So that you wouldn't
reveal something.
I've told you
I don't know anything.
Maybe it's something
you don't even know
that you know.
I know that a man
broke into my house
about scared me to death
and I know it has something to
do with those bodies you dug up.
That's all I know, Sheriff.
( door bangs )
Ma'am.
Mrs. Carnes?
What is it?
Ma'am, I just want
to apologize to you.
I know it must seem like
all I do is treat you
like you're some kind
of a suspect.
I don't mean
to do that.
None of this is your fault
in any way.
Well, I'm glad
to hear you say that.
Somehow I seem to be...
rubbing everybody the wrong way.
Everybody in town seems to be
slamming the door in my face
one way or another.
Well, maybe it's because
you've been away.
Been through a war.
Seen how other folks live.
Take folks a little while
to understand that.
Just got to give them time.
Well, I hope I get that time.
( bangs loudl )
I wasn't slamming the door
in your face, Sheriff.
I was just trying to keep
the flies out.
"Pegleg back!
White woman attacked."
That's just a bit
inflammatory,
don't you think, Ben?
You're the one that wanted
the case reopened.
I don't recall
seeing any headline
about Harlan Davis
assaulting a girl.
That is an
unproved allegation.
Printing something like that
would upset
the entire community.
Especially the colored.
Now you wouldn't like that,
would you, Sheriff?
What I want
is to find someone
that's going to back up
Remona's story
so I can put Harlan Davis
in jail where he belongs.
I think you got your priorities
all twisted, Sheriff.
With Pegleg back in town
and going after
white folks
you got yourself a real
problem on your hands.
You know what, Ben?
I'm starting
to think you're right.
Frank:
Hey, Coy?
You got a minute?
Well, I was just on
my way to the bank.
It'll just take a minute.
You and Harlan Davis...
you're friends, right?
I no longer keep company
with Harlan Davis.
But you used
to be friends?
Wasted time, Sheriff.
Shamefully wasted time.
Now, if you'll excuse me,
I've got to get to the bank.
You know anything about
Harlan and Remona Monroe?
Why would I know
anything about that?
Did he say I did?
No, no, just wondering.
I-I told you...
our paths have not
crossed in some time.
Not since I quit drinking
and I'd just as soon
keep it that way.
Don't you go telling him
I talked to you.
Why? You afraid of Harlan?
No.
Of course not.
I told you I don't even
know him anymore.
But based on
your previous
knowledge of the man,
do you think it's possible
that he might have done
what Remona said?
Harlan Davis is the most
despicable man I ever met.
I'm prepared
to believe that.
Anything specific?
I have a dim recollection
of that whole period.
I-I don't know anything
about Harlan Davis
and any girl.
Wait, y-you mean back then,
when you were drinking?
I'm saying I don't know
anything about Harlan
and any girl,
now or any other time.
Okay, Coy.
Frank:
I know how you feel
about this...
but if Remona
doesn't testify
how are we going
to convict Harlan?
I don't know.
It's the only way
to see justice done.
If we can send
Harlan to jail
maybe things like this
will never happen again.
Y-you have to believe me.
I-I'm, I'm trying.
( sighs )
Cecily.
Can I talk to you outside?
How long you been
living in town now?
Four years maybe.
Why?
But before then,
when you were...
living at
home there...
you worked for Harlan
and Alice Davis, didn't you?
Up at their house?
Didn't you?
Yes.
What were you
then, 16, 17?
Like what Remona
is right now?
Wouldn't you
like to see
Harlan Davis
go to jail?
Cecily:
It doesn't matter
what I'd like.
All that matters is
the safety of my family.
If Harlan was in prison
your family would be safe.
He's not the only
white man around here.
You have no idea what it means
to be a black girl
in the South.
( sighs )
What is, what is this?
This ain't dinner, uh-uh.
I want hot biscuits
with my dinner.
I want gravy.
Now you just... walk
back to that stove
and you fix me
a proper meal.
I wouldn't feed
this slop to a hog.
Could have sworn I just did.
( sighin )
Oh!
You thought
you just did.
You thought you just did.
Uncle Jule,
you better come out here.
Reba:
We don't work for you
on Sunday.
Now you know that.
Harlan:
Yeah, well, Miss Alice ain't
feeling well, and we need
somebody to come up to our house
and cook for us.
W-well, you tell
Miss Alice
I'll bring her
something...
after we done
had our supper.
No, no, no. I'm hungry now.
So why don't you just bring
a piece of that chicken there
up to the house
and cook it for me?
Please, Mr. Harlan,
why don't you just go
on home and let us be?
Now you get yourself
or one of your gals
up to my house.
Where are them gals anyway?
Hey, Remona!
Get down here!
We don't want no trouble,
Mr. Harlan.
Well, there ain't
going to be none
if Remona come and cook for me.
Ha-ha! There you are.
Come on, honey.
Just come on, honey.
Come on.
No, you go on back
to your room, Remona.
Hey, I told you that
she was going to come up
and cook at my place.
Don't you hit my mama!
You... what are you going
to do about it?
( grunts )
Please, Mr. Harlan,
just go on home.
As soon as I have my dinner.
All right.
I'll fix you something.
Well, okay.
All right, good.
That's all I'm asking.
That's all I'm asking.
And me, and me and Remona,
we're going to help you, too.
Me and you, we'll
cook up a stew, we do.
You like stew, don't you?
I-I seen you eat stew.
Tell me you
don't like it.
Me and you...
are going to cook up a stew.
And you and me...
how happy we'll be!
You leave her alone.
Well, I'll be.
Are you going to shoot me,
Sonny?
If I got to, I will.
You'd never do it.
I will if you make me!
Mr. Harlan...
just go!
Well, you know, shoot!
I don't guess a piece
of fried chicken's
worth getting shot over, is it?
( sighs )
I'll see you, Remona.
I'll be going now.
Jule:
He pointed that shotgun
right at his belly.
Stared him down...
cool as can be.
Why, Mr. Harlan practically run
back up to his place.
He done it now
just like his daddy.
That's right, Ezra.
Rody never wasn't
scared of nobody.
Mm-mm.
No.
( metal scraping )
( scraping continues )
( humming )
( knocking at door )
Sonny ain't here right now.
Oh, that's okay.
I can wait.
I don't want you waiting.
It's not right.
Not anymore.
What's not right?
You and him.
Did he say that?
I'm saying that.
But...
but we're friends.
Now I want you
to listen to me.
Look where you
live, child.
You and him
can't be friends.
Can't you see that?
I know that you
didn't mean no harm
about Remona...
and your mama has
always been kind to us.
But it's better
for everybody
if we just stay
with our own from now on.
What are you going to do
with that thing?
You stay away from my sisters.
What are you going to do
if I don't?
What you going to do, Sonny?
( gunshot )
You didn't see anyone?
No.
You have any idea
who might have done this?
No.
What are you wasting
time for, Sheriff?
It was Pegleg.
You ought to be out
looking for him right now!
Now, Mason, we don't
know who did this, okay?
We have to collect
some facts here.
Sheriff!
What is it, Luke?
Did you catch him yet?
Um, Pegleg.
Not yet.
It was Pegleg who did it,
wasn't it?
Maybe, Luke,
I don't know.
But whoever it was,
don't you worry.
We're going
to catch him.
But it must have been Pegleg,
though, don't you think?
Luke, we're a little
busy right now, okay?
I'm sorry.
Anyway, that's
not all of it.
County prosecutor
left you an urgent message
said he needs
to see you right away.
Apparently, Jule Monroe
was going around town
yesterday afternoon
bragging about how Sonny
threatened Harlan with a gun.
Can I go with you?
Please, Sheriff,
it's real important.
No, Luke, okay?
I want you to go
home and stay calm.
You and everybody
else in this county.
Jule:
Mr. Harlan was drunk.
Sonny just meant
to scare him off.
Sonny got Mr. Harlan
to go on home
and then we sat down
to a nice dinner.
And that's all
there was to it.
You didn't follow Harlan
up to his house?
No, sir.
You didn't shoot him?
No.
What kind of gun was it?
It was a shot...
Just my old shotgun.
It been fired recently?
Uh, no, sir.
Not in some time.
You mind if I take a look at it?
You sure you put it
underneath there?
I'm sure.
Somebody must've took it.
Frank:
Sonny's just a kid, Avery.
Kid or no kid,
he had motive,
opportunity...
And you believe he did it?
I'm just a prosecutor.
It's up to the jury to decide
whether or not he did.
Come on, Avery, you know what
juries are like around here.
This kind of situation...
We have an explosive case here,
Frank.
The sooner we act on this,
the better.
Now you got to bring him in.
How's your father doing?
I haven't seen him around
in a while.
My father?
He's fine.
Glad to hear it.
I always liked him.
He's a good man.
And an excellent lawyer.
He was the best.
Till I came along.
( sobbin ):
No...
No!
Why you taking my baby?!
He ain't done nothing!
Hope you're right, Reba.
But I have to do this.
I'll make sure he's protected.
You have my word.
( sobbing ):
Why they taking my baby?!
Sonny!
It's gonna be all right,
baby!
It's gonna be all right!
Sonny!
Oh, why they taking my baby...
Man:
We just can't have
the prosecutor's own father
representing the defendant.
As a prosecuting attorney
of this county
for over 30 years
I believe I have
the qualifications...
I'm not talking
about qualification.
I'm talking about you going up
against your son.
I agree, Your Honor.
This is not suitable.
There is no rule against
a retired district attorney
appearing for the defendant...
I still don't like it.
As I recall,
the law of this state
it is not up
to the presiding judge
or the prosecuting attorney
to determine who
is the defense counsel.
Now, the defendant's own mama
has asked me to
represent her son.
And gentlemen
that is exactly â–ˆ
what I intend to do.
That true?
Yes, sir.
Man:
'Cause of death was
a shotgun blast
right in the chest.
He couldn't have been more
than six...
seven feet away...
Your Honor...
the witness's gesture
is extremely prejudicial.
I...
The witness was not there.
He could not possibly know
who pulled the trigger.
The jury will disregard
the gesture.
Now, can you tell us
what kind of shotgun pellets
you found in the body?
Sure can.
12-gauge standard
bird shot.
I was just telling the boys
how Sonny kept Mr. Harlan
from bothering us.
By pointing a gun
at him?
Yes.
And threatening to use it?
Yes.
And that was your shotgun
he was pointing at Harlan Davis.
The same gun that is
now nowhere to be found.
What kind
of shotgun was that?
12-gauge.
And what kind
of ammunition
did you use in this
shotgun of yours?
Oh, just regular ammunition.
Isn't it true that your shotgun
was loaded with 12-gauge
standard bird shot ammunition?
Yes, sir.
( gallery murmuring )
( banging gavel )
( murmuring continue )
( banging continues )
Well, it was
a little after 4:00.
I got home, got out of the car
and noticed that the barn door
was wide open.
I went to close it
and... found my husband
shot to death.
And what did
you do then?
I... ran into the house
and called the Sheriff,
of course.
Thank you, Mrs. Davis.
That'll be all.
Your Honor, I have
just a couple of questions
for Mrs. Davis.
Mrs. Davis.
( chuckles nervousl )
About your husband...
would you describe him
as a kindly man?
No. I-I'm not sure...
No, I understand.
Let me put it
a different way.
Was he well-liked
in the community?
Let me put it this way.
Did your husband
have a temper?
What do you mean?
I mean, isn't it true
he was a, a violent
and abusive man?
Your Honor...!
And a mark
of that abuse
has been seen
on your face...
( banging gavel )
many, many times,
ma'am.
In fact, there's
a trace of it right now.
This is out of order
and offensive
to the witness.
Your Honor...
my apologies to Mrs. Davis.
Just simply trying
to demonstrate
there are many, many people
in this community...
have a good reason to shoot
Harlan Davis.
I have nothing further to say.
Hello, Mrs. Carnes.
Hello, Sheriff.
Give you a hand
with that?
No, thank you.
I'm fine.
I'm headed over
to a coffee shop
to get something to eat.
You care to join me?
I'm afraid I can't.
Amy asked me
to accompany her
on an errand.
We're going to help
Alice dispose of
Harlan's effects.
She seemed anxious
to get it done in a hurry.
I can understand
that, given...
What he was like.
I'll say.
You knew him, did you?
Hardly.
He used to come around
sometimes to see Jim.
A drinking buddy.
That's what Jim called him.
Here I am.
Let me get
the door for you.
You take a number
of your meals
at the coffee shop,
don't you?
Uh, quite a few, yes.
Well, I was wondering
if you might enjoy
a nice home-cooked
meal sometime.
Yes. I certainly would.
All right then.
Ma'am.
Luke:
Sheriff!
What is it, Luke?
It's about Mrs. Davis.
What she said
this morning.
She didn't come home
and find the barn open.
She was there all along.
How do you know this, Luke?
Well, I...
It was... it was just obvious
she was lying.
I know she was.
Luke, if you're going
to accuse folks of lying
it's best to have some proof,
okay?
( sighs )
Evelyn:
What are you going to do
with all this?
Alice:
Get rid of it.
Get rid of all of it.
One pair
of bloodstained gloves.
( crowd murmuring )
One bloodstained hammer.
One jar of theatrical makeup
to blacken
one's face.
And one...
leather hood with
the eyeholes cut out.
I submit that this evidence
conclusively proves
that Harlan Davis was Pegleg.
No!
Justice was done.
This does not exonerate
the defendant.
Thank you for coming.
My pleasure.
Coffee?
Coffee?
Thank you.
I'm sorry I don't
have much else
to offer you right now.
That'd be fine.
We've had quite a day.
Yes.
Certainly cleared up
a few things.
But not everything.
It's been
so frustrating
trying to get
people to talk.
I don't know, maybe I've gone
about it the wrong way.
I know I've upset you.
I'm sure sorry about that.
Appreciate it.
Thank you.
Maybe I'm not going to find out
why Harlan killed
those men
and buried them
at the mill.
Maybe it's not even
important anyway.
No, it is important.
I didn't want to
make the connection,
but I should have
when I heard about Remona.
Remona?
What connection?
I hardly knew Jim
when I married him.
I was young... he seemed so
successful, so charming.
I didn't know him at all.
It came out gradually--
the meanness, the drinking.
You just learn to live with it.
But I was not prepared
for... the other.
I came home one day
and I heard them
in the basement.
Jim and Coy and Harlan.
Jim and his friends
liked to go down
in the cool
and play cards and drink.
I heard them bragging.
Jim... crowing about
all the girls
he'd been with...
and he was planning to be with.
It was like a contest, you see
with Harlan and Jim and Coy
and others, too.
I don't know.
( voice breaking ):
I should have said something.
But I was so ashamed.
To have been married
to a man like that.
I'm still so ashamed.
Anyway, I think that's why
those men were killed--
because they knew
what Harlan and
Jim were doing.
And I think now that...
Jim knew Harlan
killed those men.
And I think
it was that knowledge
that gave him the cancer.
Come on in, ladies.
They're expecting y'all.
Frank.
Thank you.
Please come on in.
Thank you for coming.
Please, sit.
We've asked you here
because we want to talk
to you about something.
We want you two younger ladies
to testify.
Frank:
We want you to talk
about Harlan.
About what he
did to you.
Both of you.
No.
I don't want that.
None of it.
It don't have nothing
to do with Sonny.
True. Not directly.
But this entire trial
should be about Harlan
not about Sonny.
Ain't there
some other way?
I am tired
of my babies
being hurt.
I agree.
But we have to expose
what's been going on here.
Put an end to it.
Avery:
We can't force
you girls to do this.
We wouldn't
do that.
Too much of that's
been done already.
But... we are asking you.
Sheriff.
You said you needed proof
about Mrs. Davis.
That's right.
Well, I have proof.
She was lying.
You said that
before, Luke.
Well, yeah, but I didn't
tell you how I know.
I was there.
There where?
I was on
the road
near Sonny's.
I heard the shot.
I looked up
to the Davis house
and the car was there
under the tree.
She didn't come home later.
She was already there.
Are you sure about this, Luke?
You're not making this up,
are you?
No.
This is very important,
Luke, okay?
I need to know exactly
what you saw.
I saw her car.
It was there by the barn.
You see anything else?
Nothing.
Avery:
You were how old
at that time?
Sixteen.
What'd you do?
I told my mama
and my daddy.
And I told them
about the other
girls, too.
Other girls?
Yes. Mr. Harlan,
Mr. Jim, Mr. Coy--
They all
bragged about
being with other girls.
What's the relevance
of this testimony?
Avery:
Your Honor, I will
show you the point
just as...
All right, proceed.
( snifflin )
What happened after
you told your parents?
Then my daddy went
to Mr. Harlan
and insisted
that he stop.
But he didn't.
Then my daddy told
Sheriff Logan.
What'd the sheriff do?
Nothing.
Then what happened?
Then Pegleg killed my daddy.
And those other men too
I was telling you about.
They were all related
to the other girls.
A father or brother--
and each one of them
tried to get Mr. Harlan
to stop.
That's why they were killed.
And when Harlan Davis
began assaulting you
over a year ago,
you didn't tell anyone.
Not even your mama?
No, sir.
Why not?
What good
would it do?
I knew if I said anything
somebody going to get killed.
Maybe my mama.
Only way for you to protect
yourself and your family--
shield them from
any further violence
was for you to suffer
your humiliations in silence
is that correct?
Yes, sir.
Your Honor, there is enough
guilt in this town to go around
but none of it belongs
to Sonny Monroe.
I move this case
be dismissed immediately
for lack of any
credible evidence
against the defendant.
Your Honor...
What about
my brother's murder?
Judge:
You be quiet.
I'm tired
of all these diversions.
And you, sir
I want to know
right now
if the prosecution
has any evidence at all?
Do you have the missing gun?
We have the fact
that it's missing.
I'm dismissing this case
right now
and ordering the release
of the accused.
Your Honor, I wish
you wouldn't do that.
Sonny's safe in jail.
Can't we just keep him there
until everyone calms down?
You want to keep
him in jail, fine.
But if you do not
come up with
any additional
evidence
implicating him by 6:00
this evening, he's going free.
( banging gavel )
All right, all right.
He killed my brother
Harlan Davis!
My brother!
Guy killed him!
Shot his shotgun!
Man:
Knock the door down!
( men shoutin )
I'll let you talk to him, Luke,
on one condition:
That you tell me everything
that you saw, okay?
Somebody's life
may depend on this.
Just, just let me talk
to him first, please?
I haven't told
about you, Sonny.
Not anyone.
But now you've got to.
You've got to tell
the sheriff.
Why should I trust him?
You heard what happened
when Cecily told Sheriff Logan.
He killed my daddy.
And now they're going
to try to kill me
one way or another.
He's not Logan, Sonny.
You've got
to trust somebody.
I trust you, Luke.
Well, all right, then.
That's a start.
So when nobody answered the door
I went over to the barn.
Harlan come at me
and grabbed the gun
right out of my hands.
Frank:
You didn't see anyone
else out there?
No, Harlan scared me
so I ran over
to the side
of the barn
and then I heard
a shot, so I ran.
He was running, all right.
Did you see any cars
parked up there?
Miss Davis' car was
parked under a tree.
It was there. I saw it.
You said you knocked
on the door of the house
before you went to the barn.
Yeah, but nobody answered.
She was there.
I know she was.
We both saw
the car.
You believe me, don't you?
We better let the judge
hear all this.
We better step on it.
Come on.
Let's go.
Hand him over, Sheriff,
or we'll come get him.
Not going to be easy
getting him
through this crowd.
Maybe not
but that's my job.
Our job.
You ready?
Stay close.
You going someplace?
That's right, Mason.
I'm going to take
this young man home
and then I'm going
to go and arrest
your brother's murderer.
Now step aside.
Sonny.
If the kid didn't do it,
who did it?
Coy? Was it Coy?
Did you see the way he ran
out of the courtroom?
If it was Coy,
I'm going to get him.
I'll kill him
with my bare hands!
I'll get him with my bare hands!
I'll kill him!
Sonny? Sonny!
Oh, Sonny, oh, baby!
Oh, baby! Oh!
Oh, Sonny!
Sonny.
You take care.
Thank you, Sheriff.
( laugh )
( laughs )
Go ahead, Mrs. Davis.
I heard a noise and woke up
and I saw Sonny leave the barn
so I went out there,
and Harlan...
he started talking about Remona
again the way he did.
Made me sick.
He told me to mind
my own business
and then he come at me
and that gun was lying
right there at my feet.
It was self-defense.
You, you'll get a trial...
and a fair one, I promise you.
Tell me, what did you do
with the gun?
I dropped it right there.
I know I did.
I don't know
what happened to it.
Okay.
You have to come with me,
Mrs. Davis.
So, you want
to come over
to my house?
I can't. I got chores.
Anyway, I'll see you
later, then?
Sure thing.
All right.
We found you
and we found your killer.
I can't ask for more.
Woman:
Change has started
and we will all ask for more.
It won't be easy.
We'll have to accept
some things we don't like
things that hurt...
but...
we will ask for more.
Even Joshua will
ask your permission
to leave home
and you will let him.
( sighs )
Something wrong, Sheriff?
No. No, I'm just wondering
which I'd like more:
another piece
of that pecan pie
or to just sit here
and enjoy the night air
with you.
I don't see any reason
why you can't have
both, Sheriff.
You calling me "Sheriff"
makes it feel
like I'm here
on police business.
Are you here
on police business?
No, ma'am.
I don't believe I am.
Well...
Oh, I'm so glad
you all came around.
You're good boys.
Let me show you
something.
Here is the gun
that everyone
is looking for.
And now,
I'm going to get rid of it
for once and for all.
You won't be
needing it.
I mean,
guns won't help you
make the change you got to make.
It's going to take hard work.
My mama says it's time
for me to leave.
Well, that's right.
Do you know
what you're going to do?
You're going to leave here.
You're going to go up
to the highway.
You're going
to catch a ride
to Atlanta.
And that's just the first
of many stops
you will make
in your life.
You have far to go.
You are going to make
a difference.
And so will you.
You will make
a difference.
Am I going with him?
No.
No, but your life will have
as much purpose as his.
No, you're going
to stay here awhile
and make change
right in this town.
Come here, boys.
You have hard work
ahead of you.
It's going to be hard.
But you're going to come
through.
My hand is on you.
It's been on you
since you were born.
So go.
Go. Go quickly.
Go on. Shoo.
Go.
Make change.
( vehicle approachin )
Come on, darling,
get in.
Looks like my ride.
Luke, when you saw me
running down from Harlan's
why didn't you
tell anybody?
Tell me
the truth, Luke.
You thought I shot him,
didn't you?
Well... no.
I-I didn't.
We're bound, Sonny.
Like Conjure Woman said...
we're bound together.
Yeah, Luke, we are.
I'll see you again, Sonny.
( engine starts )
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