The Scare Hole (2004) - full transcript
Set entirely at a run-down roadside diner in Arizona, called The Armadillo Cafe, a shady tourist, named Sarah, stops for a rest at the deserted place run by a wary young woman, named Billie, and her dysfunctional and deranged family whom include her psychotic, alcoholic mother Let and her two sons; the retarded Wyatte and the crazed cowboy Jesse whom tie up and hold Sarah hostage when she begins asking too many questions about their pasts and is subjected to their mind games and physical and mental torture to find out her connection to the family and dark secrets they hold.
Daddy, what are you doing?
You're hurting me.
Daddy, no.
No, no.
You're hurting me.
You're hurting me.
No, Daddy.
Hello.
Is—is anybody here?
Are you still open?
More or less.
It was raining so hard,
| could barely see your place
from the highway.
It's a bad storm.
| started to fall asleep
while | was driving.
There's no coffee,
on account of the storm
knocked the power out.
I don't drink coffee.
| have a weak bladder.
Well, there's really not much
in the way of food either.
Do you mind if | just sit
and rest awhile?
Suit yourself.
Where'd all this stuff
come from?
Some of it, we found.
Some of it was given to us.
Most of it's just junk.
Must be interesting,
living in a place like this.
Yeah, you seen
one roadside attraction,
seen them all.
These are just things
to bring the tourists.
You wouldn't want to live here.
Believe me.
I don't know.
| think
there's something special
about living in the desert.
There is nothing special
about the desert.
There's mystery in it.
When | was driving,
| could see it in the land,
in the shapes and in the colors.
| could smell it in the air,
and | could hear it in the sound
the wind was making.
| can't explain it,
but it was a feeling
like I'd been here before,
like | was coming home
after being away
for along time.
I'm making you nervous,
aren't [?
A little.
I'm sorry.
| always do that
when | meet new people.
| get nervous,
and then | say things
that don't make sense.
| wouldn't worry about it.
It'll pass.
Where you from, anyway?
Albuquerque.
And what do you do
down in Albuquerque?
I'm married.
My husband's a minister.
| went out with a preacher once.
He was...
Baptist, | think.
My husband's
an Apostle of Divine Light.
Ooh, never heard of them.
It's a very small church.
Is this thing real?
Couldn't advertise it
if it wasn't.
It has a—
has a strange smell about it.
Hey, you always been
in Albuquerque?
Mostly.
That where your family from?
| never had a family.
Everybody's got a family.
| grew up at an orphanage.
What, no brothers or sisters?
None that | know of.
I'm gonna get you a drink.
I don't drink.
Storms like this put me
right on the edge too.
| think it's
mainly the lightning.
You know, | saw this picture,
once, in a magazine,
cowboy out riding his horse,
lightning bolt fried him
right in the saddle.
Well, look at that.
Some poor fool's out there
working after all.
Come on, drink up.
It'll calm your nerves.
Oh.
I'm not nervous anymore.
| just think that | need
someone to talk to.
Sure as hell know
what you mean about that.
I swear, some of these nights,
it is so damn lonely out here,
| just want to scream.
It's probably
none of my business,
but | think you made a mistake.
And how's that?
You should be
closer to the road.
| could barely see your place
from the highway.
Yeah, well, when my folks
built this place,
the interstate
was nothing but sand,
and that blacktop out there,
well, that's old 66,
the most famous highway
in America.
They say back then it was jammed
with diesel rigs and Greyhounds,
college students, tourists,
Indians all rubbing shoulders
and bending bumpers together.
Man, it must have been hopping.
Now, Jesse—he's my brother.
He wants to sell the place
and grow sugar beet seeds.
Do you—do you know
anything about that?
I've eaten sunflower seeds,
but I've never had
a sugar beet seed.
You don't eat them.
You grow them to seed.
Why would you do that?
For the seeds.
Oh.
Well, what do you
use the seed for?
Oh, Jesus.
Okay, you plant them
so then you can grow them
and get sugar beets.
Where the hell do you think
the seeds come from, huh?
You think they just fall down
from the sky?
Never really thought about it.
Yeah, well,
it's a good money crop.
Good for our imaginary bus fare.
Your what?
My dream-
you know, to get out
of this shithole.
See, | have this idea
of getting all dressed up,
you know, like those girls
that you see in TV shows?
Get my hair all done,
wearing a fancy dress,
and a brand-new pair of shoes-
leather ones,
blue suede.
Robin-egg blue.
| like robin-egg blue.
Yeah?
Yeah.
You see, I'd use
my old suitcase, right?
Except it would be
filled with money,
my share of the profit,
you know, and, oh,
I'd say so long to all
the good memories of this place,
which would take about a second,
and then I'd go down to Winslow,
bus depot,
and buy myself a ticket.
And where would you go?
I'd go to California,
you know, and I'd live
right by that big ocean
that I've heard so much about.
You know?
Sure.
You can do anything you want
in a dream.
Damn it.
Thank you.
| knew that.
Are you going
to plant your crop this year?
Not likely.
When are you going to plant it?
Never.
Why not?
We ain't got the money
for the goddamn land.
What about selling the café
like you said?
No one would pay a lousy nickel
for this place.
What about some kind of a loan?
Nobody is that stupid.
I'd loan it to you.
Yeah.
You probably would.
Besides, it's all
just a dream, anyway.
Let would never sell this place,
not in a million years.
Who's Let?
My mother.
Leticia May.
Oh.
But if your business is so bad,
why wouldn't she want to leave?
It's the way the armadillo
wants her to live.
The what?
The armadillo.
No joke.
You know how some people
believe in their rabbit's feet
or their silver dollar?
For her,
it's that damn armadillo.
Like a good-luck charm.
More like
one of them psychic things.
You gotta understand
something about Let.
She comes from a long line
of Texas dirt farmers,
and they ain't normal
like you and me.
Hell, when she was 16,
she was working in this diner
up in Farwell,
and that's when she met
my father.
He was a feed salesman
from Clovis,
and when she ran off with him,
everyone, they just
couldn't believe it.
First night out, she did
give up the goods
in the backseat,
and when she went down
by the side of the road,
you know, to freshen up,
that's when she found
the armadillo.
Was it alive?
Barely.
She even wrapped the thing
in her wedding dress
just to keep it warm.
And then she made him
stop all on the highway
to catch beetle bugs,
you know, to feed it.
Next day, they landed in Gallup,
and while he was out
hovering over a cold beer
in some bar,
that armadillo, it just started
puking its guts out,
and then it rolled up
like a tater bug.
And old Let-
she caused such a commotion
back at the hotel,
they politely asked her
to hit the road.
And they ended up here-
asleep in the car
the next morning.
Right about then
is when the armadillo-
well, it just snapped right out
of whatever it was ailing it-
straightened out.
Let took that as a good omen,
and she decided
that this is where
the armadillo
wanted her to live.
How strange.
Have you ever seen
an armadillo before?
Just in pictures.
That critter,
it was our bread and butter
for quite some time.
It was just like
one of the family until-
Until what?
Goddamn, it's wet out there.
Whose car's out front?
You got some gall.
Seems to me like we had
a date last night,
and it seems to me
like | got stood up.
| was here like always,
right on time.
Oh, that's a damn lie.
- That is not a damn lie.
- | was here.
| was here all night.
The hell you were.
Oh.
Are you calling me a liar now?
I'm saying | was here at 2:00,
just like always.
| never saw you.
Maybe that's because
you were having a drink
with Melvin Tillis
at the Wigwam last night.
Oh, and who told you that?
- Your mother, that's who.
- Let?
Uh-uh, Let was here
all night long.
Not when | damn near
run her down on the highway.
She jumped into my headlights
like a jackrabbit.
Good thing | know
how to handle the cruiser,
or you'd still be picking her
out of the grill.
Yeah, and what was Let
doing on the highway?
Who the hell cares?
All ll know is, she told me
you were with Tillis.
Damn her.
| wasn't.
| was here.
| was here.
You weren't with Tillis
last night?
| would not be caught dead
with Melvin Tillis.
You mean to tell me
you were here all night
waiting for me?
And | finally went to bed
once the sun come up.
Goddamn that crazy old
Texas dirt farmer.
| told you
you shouldn't listen to her.
| told you that a million times.
| couldn't help it.
| got all twisted up inside.
My mind went crazy when | heard
about you and Tillis.
| just took my broken heart
and drove it home.
It was pounding so hard
when | crawled into bed,
you could almost hear it.
| hope it didn't wake your wife.
Oh, come on, Billie, you know
she don't mean nothing.
No, no, no, no.
| don't want to hear you say it.
Oh.
| forgot | had a customer.
| can see that.
Honey, what's your name?
Sarah.
Sarah, this is Temple.
He's the sheriff.
Deputy sheriff.
Temp, relax, she's not even
from around here.
Do you want some coffee?
You certainly look
like you could use some.
Sure, maybe a little eye-opener
is in order.
Mm-hmm.
Do you want some, honey?
What?
Coffee; do you want some?
It's probably hot by now.
No.
Oh, that's right.
| forgot about
your whole bladder thing.
How long
was your electricity out?
Mm, | don't know.
Maybe like an hour
or something like that.
| passed some county trucks
working on the lines
near Joseph City.
The big one coming off the res'
was down,
sparks big as my fist
shooting all across the highway.
Bad storm.
The old Hopi
hangs out around Rio Station,
he said he saw a worse one in '92,
but | don't remember it.
That your car out front, Miss?
What?
That your car,
the one with Nevada plates?
Nevada?
Yes, it is.
Why?
No reason.
You on vacation?
Business?
It was a personal matter-
family.
Hmm.
| thought you told me
you didn't have any family.
| have an aunt.
What's her name?
Name?
Name.
Mine's Billie.
Yours is Sarah.
What's her name?
It's Anna.
Albuquerque Anna.
What the hell does that mean?
Whatever | want it to mean.
You're getting
more like Let every day.
Let has nothing to do with this.
- Look, all I meant was-
- I know what you meant.
| really should be going.
Well, you ain't going nowhere.
Why not?
There's flash flood warnings
up everywhere.
Maybe in a couple of hours
if the rain lets up.
Till then, you'll be safer
to stay here, right, Billie?
What?
| said, this young lady
will be safe here till the rain
lets up, won't she?
Sure.
Maybe you can get Billie
to fix you something hot to eat.
Where are your brothers?
| didn't see their lights on
in their place round back.
They're out.
Out where?
Whyatte's with Let.
And Jesse?
Who the hell knows.
If it wouldn't be
too much trouble,
do you mind
if | use your rest room?
Down the hallway.
First door on your right.
Nice meeting you, Miss.
Nice meeting you, Sheriff.
Deputy sheriff.
You're responsible.
You know what I'm talking about?
There ain't gonna be
any trouble.
Your brothers get back
before she's gone,
you make damn sure
nothing happens.
There will be no trouble.
It wasn't even their fault
the last time.
So you want to get off work?
If you want.
I'll honk my horn.
I'll be listening.
Maybe I'll even flash
my red lights
and give you a real treat.
Well-
then you do know how | like
when you flash your red light.
It drives your mother crazy.
Let is crazy.
Hey, Temp-
Listen, what | said earlier,
you know, about your wife-
Forget it.
No, | promised you
that | wouldn't say anything,
and | won't.
See you when | get off work.
You hungry?
Not really.
'Cause if you are hungry,
| can fix you something to eat.
If it's a bother, then-
It's no bother.
What do you want?
What do you recommend?
It's all right there
on the menu.
The hot turkey sandwich
looks good.
We're all out of that.
What about
chicken-fried steak?
We are all out of that too.
What do you recommend?
Corn bread.
Well, and stew.
I'll have that.
Now, we got two kinds.
We got lamb and beef.
What do you want?
Lamb.
Oh.
We're out of lamb.
Why are you doing this?
Doing what?
You're trying to aggravate me.
Well, that's just you
being paranoid.
I'm not paranoid.
Says you.
| don't understand you.
One minute, we're having
a pleasant conversation
about your family.
Now, you just forget
what | told you about my family.
It's none of
your goddamn business.
| know you think | lied to you.
| don't want to hear it.
Whatever your problem is,
it's yours,
and don't bring it in here
with your lies.
Understood?
Where the hell you been?
You said you were going
to be here a couple days ago.
- Thank you.
- Yeah.
Who's that?
It's a customer.
What's she doing here?
She's eating supper.
What's she eating?
What the hell you care
what she's eating?
| don't like her looks.
Well, so what?
She looks like a Mormon.
If she's a missionary,
I will not do business
here tonight.
She's not.
How do you know?
Trust me; is this the owl!?
Did | say I'd get you an owl?
You did.
Well, then that's
what it must be.
What'd we agree on?
$50.
$50!
It's a steal at $50.
That's bullshit, Jackie,
and you know it.
You told me you would
stuff and mount it for $25.
When did | say that?
Week ago, Friday.
And where was |?
Your ass was sitting
on that very same stool.
| must have been drunk.
You know how us Indians get
when we drink.
You're not Indian, Jackie.
You're from Mississippi.
My father is.
Red House?
He's your stepfather.
My mama is part Ute.
Uh-huh, and if she
had a nosebleed,
she'd lose every drop
of Indian blood in her.
Now, you want this
on your credit?
Cash.
Let's got
a neat way of forgetting
when it comes to my credit.
| cannot wait
for Let to see this.
She's already seen it.
What do you mean,
she's already seen it?
| showed it to her and Wyatte
a little while ago.
And where'd you see them?
At the Wigwam.
What were they doing
at the Wigwam?
Drinking, mostly.
Damn it, she promised me
she was going to the movies.
| have to go get them.
You need to give me a lift.
|l can't.
| gotta pick up Tito
in 20 minutes.
We're driving to Phoenix
to see Marilyn Manson.
I'm gonna be 30 minutes.
Well, | can't wait a half hour.
What the hell
do you want me to do?
They got the truck.
God knows where Jesse might be.
| could drive you in my car.
Sure, they'd just love
to meet you.
No.
Why not?
I don't mind.
Really, | don't.
Because-
because | promised Temp
that | would
keep you here
until the rain let up.
You know,
when | left the Wigwam,
your mother was asking
all around
if your father
had been in tonight.
Okay.
Damn it.
| can't leave here with nobody
to look after the place,
so why don't you stay here for me
and let me use your car for a bit?
Well-
| swear.
Okay, | won't bring it back
any worse for the wear.
You promise you'll be careful?
| promise.
Look, if you want more stew,
it's back there on the stove,
okay, and if anyone comes by,
you just tell them we're closed.
If you want
anything else at all,
it's yours, on the house.
That goes for you,
not her.
She wants something-
she pays for it.
Okay.
What you eating?
Beef stew.
Would you like some?
Not hungry.
It's really good.
Meat tastes different,
has a sweet flavor to it.
Yeah, well, it's not beef.
It's gopher meat.
Nobody can tell the difference,
except when it starts to go bad.
Then it tastes sweet.
You're making this up,
aren't you?
| hate missionaries.
They are all over the place
around here,
multiplying like rabbits.
I'm not a missionary.
Well, what are you, then?
I'm just a tourist.
Pilgrim of the highway, is it?
Vacation time, money to burn.
What brings you here, tourist?
A souvenir of the natives?
A picture postcard
for some envious devil
left behind in the office?
Maybe some refuge
from the storm?
Some mystical answers
from the oracle of the desert?
The late, great
roadside attraction?
Is that thing really real?
Shit, yeah, it's really real.
Bad turn of luck
and the nature of the desert
fashioned this monstrosity.
Where'd they get it?
My father, Red House,
found it when he was hunting
after some floods.
Fucking townies think
it's an old cowhand
disappeared off a nearby ranch.
Other people say
it's a prospector
ran out of dreams one day.
There is no place
like the desert.
It'll let you live off it
for a while,
and then one day,
it just severs the friendship
and swallows you up whole.
What are you looking for,
tourist?
Nothing.
| just stopped to rest.
You won't get any rest here.
This is a strange house.
You can see it in their eyes,
the way they look at you.
It's in their blood.
Trouble follows them around
like a stray dog.
What kind of trouble?
The worst kind.
You don't believe me, do you?
It's just going to make it
all the more interesting for you
in the long run.
If you're looking
to frighten me,
it's not working.
This place,
it's a burial ground.
Only, the people who live here,
they don't know
they're dead yet.
You got off real easy
with Billie.
Take my advice.
Do not wait for the others
to come home.
The cooking is done,
and | eat alone.
| don't know
what you expect to find,
but this isn't any kind of place
to satisfy a hunger.
If | were you,
I'd get out of here
first chance | got.
Come on. Come on.
Come on. Come on.
Son of a bitch!
Should have put some fucking gas
in your car!
Got any money?
"Anna Lee Meyers"?
One false move,
and I'll put your brains
in orbit.
Now, you just move on over there
and sit your ass in that chair.
How tight do you want me
to make it?
| can make it real tight.
Well, don't squeeze the life
out of her,
but | don't want her popping
no surprises on us.
She won't go nowhere.
| took the 4-H regionals
two years in a row.
| would have made it
all the way to the state finals,
except Let wouldn't let me go
to Dallas.
Everybody said
| would have won it, though.
- Shut up.
- Well, they did.
What the hell is going on
in my house?
| wasn't doing anything.
| was just waiting.
She was waiting.
I heard her.
Don't you take
that tone of voice with me.
And stop eating that shit.
It'll rot your teeth.
If you want to eat something,
eat some jerky.
But jerky makes my gums bleed.
I've told you a million times
that nobody likes a whiner.
- Waiting for what?
- My car.
Your car.
Where's your car?
- | lent it to Billie.
- Who?
Billie, the woman
who works here,
your daughter.
She's no kin to me.
Is too.
- Is not.
- Is too.
Is not.
"Like mother, like daughter,”
that's what Jesse always said.
Don't you ever say that again.
If | had known
what she was gonna be,
I'd never have had her,
or | would have never had
any of you.
M-maybe so,
but it's too late now.
Why don't you go make
some hot tea?
Don't want no tea.
It's not for you.
It's for me.
If it wouldn't be
too much trouble,
could you untie me?
Not till | get
to the bottom of this.
Please, please.
These ropes are cutting off
my circulation.
Well, if you wouldn't squirm
like a gopher in a trap,
you'd be fine.
And where are you off to?
Check the hives.
Speak up.
How am | supposed to hear you
if you mumble all the time?
I-I'm going check to hives.
Now, a boy should not
raise his voice in anger.
- I didn't.
You know,
| can take a lot of things,
but this kind of disrespect
from my own flesh and blood
I will not tolerate.
You got it all wrong.
No, | don't got it wrong.
You was yelling
right to my face.
He was purposely yelling at me.
| don't think he meant
any disrespect.
Well, ain't that something?
Where do you get off
telling me
what you think he meant?
And who the hell
asked you, anyway?
Come on, Let.
She didn't do nothing.
| may look like
some dumb country hick,
but | got your number,
sure enough.
| don't know
what you're talking about.
You do not fool me
for one second.
| can see what's
going on in there.
| seen the way you been
eyeballing that boy.
There you sit,
the perfect picture
of innocence,
hiding like a viper in paradise,
waiting-
waiting for that perfect moment
of temptation,
waiting till | am long gone,
and he can be all yours.
That's crazy.
God knows it's not your fault.
It's just the sin of paradise.
It's the weakness in men
that blinds the innocent lambs
to the way of the flesh,
and only a woman knows
that warm aching feeling
deep inside.
- Am | right?
- No.
And she'll do anything
to get rid of it.
You can do it for her.
That's why she's here.
She's in cahoots with Billie.
Are you okay, Let?
They're in this together
to get back at me.
As long as | live,
until the day | die,
| will never know what happened.
| wanted boys,
innocent baby boys.
Are you okay, Let?
Please, untie me.
Shut up!
Can't you see she's sick?
Y-y-y-you
won't tell her nothing?
| won't tell her nothing.
You promise?
| promised.
I'm—
| love you.
You know that, don't you?
You know that.
Yeah, | know that.
| mean, sometimes,
| might do things,
and | might ask you to do things
that don't seem right,
but-but you've got
to understand-
you've got to understand
it's for your own good,
like when | had to purge
the evil from this house.
You know that, right?
Y-y-yeah.
Wyatte?
Yeah?
Can you feel my heartbeat?
Y-yeah.
It beats slow-
very, very slow.
It beats like that
'cause it's a mother's heart.
It beats different
than her heart.
Did you know that?
N-n-no.
Do you know why
it beats different?
Because her heart
beats with passion and not love.
Her heart is full of desire.
And that's why it beats
wild and fast.
Do you understand
what I'm talking about?
I-l guess so.
Have you ever felt
another woman's heartbeat?
no.
Would you like to?
Would you like to do it?
| guess.
| want you to know
what the heartbeat of a viper
sounds like.
Trust me.
It's okay.
Just touch her
where her heart is.
There.
Can you feel it?
Do you know
what I'm talking about now?
Mm-hmm.
There's nothing
you can do about it.
It's a weakness, and there's
nothing you can do about it.
And that's why
God gave you a mother
to watch over and protect you.
Now you go on outside
like you were gonna
and check on them hives.
I
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Yeah, sure, you are.
Go on, get out!
It's for your own good, Wyatte.
You'll thank me one day!
Sure as hell will.
His father tended them hives.
There ain't no more bees,
just some dried out old combs,
but he just keeps checking them,
like he thinks
they're still there.
| do not understand
that boy no more.
| think he must be crazy.
Where is Billie?
What?
She went into town.
Well, that—
that's not like Billie
to run off and leave the café
w-w-with nobody to run it.
| mean, how did she get there?
Me and Wyatte had the truck.
| lent her my car.
Will you please untie me?
| wonder who she went to see.
She went to find you!
Now, damn it, untie me!
That's Billie's problem.
She ain't never there
when | need her.
Ma'am?
Ma'am.
Wryatte!
Ma'am, can you hear me?
Wryatte!
Wryatte!
Wryatte!
What's wrong?
Something happened to her.
- What did you do to her?
- I didn't-
| didn't do anything.
One minute,
she was just sitting there,
and then next thing | knew,
she passed out.
She just signed out.
- That's all.
- She what?
She does this
when the bottle goes dry.
Just passes out like that?
Yeah.
That happened one night
when we were coming home
from church.
She drove right off
into Bud's Creek,
broke her arm,
and punched Jesse's head
right through the window.
Where are you taking her?
To bed.
Shouldn't you call a doctor?
Wyatte.
Whryatte, I'm—I'm sorry
| screamed like that.
For a minute-
for a minute there, I-
I thought-
I thought she was-she was-
Y-you want some tea?
No.
No, thank you.
How about some pie?
Please, take these ropes off me.
|l can't.
Why not?
When Let wants to let you go,
then she'll say so.
What she said before, about me,
you don't really believe that,
do you?
|-l guess not.
And—and what happened,
it wasn't your fault.
It wasn't Let's fault either.
It wasn't anybody's fault.
Things like that happen.
But now it's all done and over,
and everybody's friends.
We are friends.
Aren't we?
I-l guess so.
Then we should trust each other,
shouldn't we?
I'll untie you when Let says so.
What about your father?
What is he gonna think
when he comes home
and—and finds me like this?
He don't care what we do.
He don't care about nothing
except them hives.
It ain't my fault
they got foul brood.
Even Let said so.
The combs got all black
and started stinking
like a dead animal,
and when the wind shifted,
| could smell them
coming through my window,
and | could hear them bees
popping at the screen,
trying to get in.
But | could hear Let screaming.
| wanted to tell her
about the bees,
but | couldn't move my legs,
like | was asleep,
but | could still see.
Then | must have fallen asleep,
'cause all I remember
was the sound of hailstones
coming down on the roof.
It was so loud,
| couldn't hear myself think.
By the time | got out there,
the combs was all busted up.
| was scared
they was going to swarm,
but they still sick.
They just laid there
in little balls,
drowning in the mud.
So | picked them up
and put them back in the boxes,
but after a while,
my hands were getting numb
from all the stings.
The ones that was still alive,
| could feel them
moving around on me,
and | could smell the rotten,
stinking wax.
But it wasn't my fault.
Even Let said so.
Wyatte.
Wyatte.
Whryatte, | want to talk
to your father.
You want to see my scare hole?
We dug it in case of tornadoes,
but we don't get many tornadoes
in Arizona.
They're mostly in places
like Texas.
Where is he?
He's here.
He's here?
Now?
He was lost in the desert
along time,
but then they found him
and brought him back.
What are you talking about?
Who found him?
| can't remember.
| think maybe it was the Indian.
The hell is going on here?
Nothing, honest, Jesse.
We wasn't doing nothing.
We was just talking
about things.
But | didn't tell her nothing.
Just talking about what?
Nothing important.
- Just—just things.
- Come on, Jesse.
Cut the boy a little slack.
He's just having himself
some fun.
What'd you catch, there?
He's cute, Jesse.
- What's his name?
- How about it, cowboy?
What's your name?
W-Wyatte.
What did he say?
Wyatte.
His name's Wyatte.
| knew a boy in junior high
named Wyatte.
We used to call him
Harry High Pants
"cause he wore his pants
so high.
Honey, is this some sort of game
you and the cowboy play
on a regular basis?
This isn't what you think.
|—I don't even know this boy.
Well, you were planning
on getting to know him
a whole lot better, weren't you?
I'm married;
my husband's a minister.
Does your brother always
tie up the customers, Jesse?
Why don't you ask him?
Well, what about it?
L-Let made me do it.
Who's Let?
Do you remember the time
that cowboy tied me up?
| met this shitkicker
at a rodeo dance,
had my eye on him all night,
waiting for him to make his move,
you know, shifting my pose
and pretending not to notice, all that.
Stop it.
Anyway, just as
| was about to give up,
he comes stumbling over
like he's checking out flies
on the ceiling or something
and asks me if | want
to ride his horse.
Tell him what you said.
Go on, tell them.
It was funny.
Really, it was.
| looked him
straight in the eye...
and | told him
| only ride bareback.
Oh, before you could spit,
the two of us were
rolling around in some hay bales
behind the rodeo grounds,
and that is when he said
that he wanted
to throw some rope on me.
What kind of rope?
| don't know;
who the hell cares?
Now, this really is
the best part.
Okay, so the next thing | know,
he saddles up this pony,
and he locks me
in one of the chutes.
Now, I'm thinking
the whole thing is weird,
but he made it sound like
so much fun, you know,
he really got me going.
So when the chute broke open,
there | was
like some dumb old calf,
running with the wind
in my bare butt.
| hit the dirt so hard,
| almost broke my hip,
and the next thing | knew,
my legs and arms
were in a pigging string.
Well, you know,
it only stands to reason
that you brand a calf
after you catch it,
and since the only branding iron
| was counting on
was hanging
between that cowboy's legs,
| figured that the best
was yet to come, right?
Wrong!
That brain-damaged asshole
rode around the arena
like he just won
all-around cowboy, you know?
Then him and the goddamn horse
took off,
leapt over a fence,
and disappeared into the night.
It took me damn near an hour
to get out of those ropes,
almost froze my ass off.
Where's Billie?
| lent her my car
to go into town.
Who's Billie?
Where's Let?
Sh-sh-she's here.
What you gawking at?
These ropes are cutting off
my circulation.
My arms are going numb.
So what?
So | want to be untied.
You're just going
to have to sit there
until | figure out
what the hell is going on.
Nothing's going on, Jesse.
| swear we was just talking.
| didn't say nothing.
What the hell is that gun
doing on the table, huh?
Let had it.
Well, didn't | tell you not to
let her play with it, huh?
Nothing happened except Let
drank too much and passed out,
so | put her to bed
like you told me to.
Did you touch her?
No.
Did you touch her?
Did you touch her?
No, we was just talking
about things, that's all.
About the house, maybe?
Do you—you think maybe
I should untie her?
Do you want—want me to do that?
No.
You sure know how to pick them,
Bevvers.
Out of all them cowboys
in that bar,
you gotta pick the one
with the burr up his ass.
| thought he looked cute.
Would you please
untie these ropes?
They really are
starting to hurt.
Honey, I'm just here
to drink a little whiskey, okay?
| don't know you,
and | don't know
what this is all about,
so don't get me involved.
| won't leave.
|l can't.
My car's not even here.
All right, listen, I'll tell you
what | will do, okay?
When Jesse comes back,
1 will ask him to untie you.
This your pistola, cowboy?
It's my daddy's.
Please don't point that at me.
It ain't gonna go off.
Leroy used to have
one like this.
- You remember that gun he had?
- | don't think so.
We used to live near
the state work farm in Safford.
He kept one
in case a prisoner escaped.
| don't remember him
having a gun in the house.
Sure, you do.
He got it after he saw
that movie about them prisoners
that escaped and killed
that family in Kansas.
- What movie?
- You know.
It scared the shit out of me.
Do you like movies?
How about pornos?
| saw one once
with this guy Scooter Hobbs,
and Christ Almighty,
was it something.
This girl was taking on three
at the same damn time,
one in her mouth,
one in her snatch,
and one up her name and address.
| remember that gun now.
Didn't he shoot someone
in the leg one time by accident?
Shot himself in the leg
that time he got drunk
at the J.C. dance.
| remember all that now.
Say, where's your hubby anyway?
How come he ain't with you?
He's in Texas
on a crusade.
You got kids?
No.
Not having kids is smart.
That way, you keep your shape.
Men got a funny way
of losing interest
once a woman's tits
start to hang.
I've seen it plenty of times
with my friends, you know.
They work their butts off
taking care of the house
and their kids,
and then, one day,
the bastard runs off
with some young waitress
who's got big, firm tits.
He wouldn't do that.
Honey, don't kid yourself.
Well, at least this way,
you still got your figure.
Ain't that bad either.
You do heed some work-
But, well,
you just don't got anything
that grabs them by the balls.
Okay,
take your hair, for instance.
Oh, honey, it feels like straw.
What do you wash it with, Ajax?
And your eyes—I| mean,
have you ever thought
about wearing eye shadow?
| mean, you would have some
fine eyes if you ever
did something with them.
Some girls don't got
no bone structure at all.
My sister doesn't,
do you, Bevvers?
Not that you would notice.
Hell, a woman's best friend
is her makeup.
You know, that's what | do
first thing every morning is,
| set myself an image, you know?
No image, no attitude,
and believe me,
that is what the boys
are looking for:
attitude and firm tits.
You know, a little eye shadow,
some lipstick,
you could be a hell
of a heartbreaker.
Ain't that right, Jesse?
The cowboy's got a hell of a way
with words, ain't he?
Please.
What do you say, Jesse?
What do you say we unloosen
these ropes around her
before she freaks out?
No.
Come on, it ain't right.
Besides, she seems
harmless enough to me.
| said no.
Sorry, honey, | tried.
You can't do this.
It's my house.
| can do anything | want
in my house.
The got some good old music
on that juke.
Now, that is a good idea;
let's play some music.
L-Let's asleep.
| thought you said
she passed out.
She is.
Well, then, what the hell?
She won't know the difference.
If she wakes up,
we'll turn it off,
but your brother
promised us a party,
and a party just ain't a party
without some music.
Come on, cowboy,
this is a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity,
and from the looks of things,
this might be the only chance
you ever get.
What is the matter?
Don't you like us?
| like you a lot.
Well, then fire up the jukebox.
| ain't got any quarters.
You don't have to have quarters,
"cause I rigged it
so | can listen to it
any time | want for free,
didn't |, Jesse?
Well, ain't that ingenious?
Come on, before Bevvers and me
pack up our fannies
and head for greener pastures.
Come on, baby, come on.
| don't know how to dance.
Well, now, why don't
that surprise me?
Come on.
Come on, honey.
Ow.
Baby, ouch!
You know, if you tried dancing
a little bit more on the floor
and less on my feet,
| think that we both
might have a good time.
Well, what did you do that for?
Party's over.
Who are you talking to?
You and your brain-dead sister.
What did you just say?
Get out.
Well, you son of a bitch.
They—they weren't
doing nothing.
They was just trying
to have a good time.
You know what?
Forget it, cowboy,
because | think
that your brother
has found himself
some new plans.
Get out!
Come on, Carol Ann.
I'm getting the creeps.
We're going.
Don't leave me here!
Let's go.
You sure know how
to pick them, Bevvers.
Maybe you can
come back tomorrow
and we can dance some more.
| wouldn't hold my breath.
Hey, thanks a heap, stud.
It was a ball.
Take care, honey.
Please, please, don't go!
Please!
You can't just leave me here!
Please, come back!
Get in the scare hole.
No.
I'm not gonna ask you again.
What?
You stay in there
Tl tell you.
| don't want to see you.
| don't want to hear
a peep out of you.
Do you understand me, boy?
Billie's gonna be home soon.
"Billie's gonna be home soon."
Her friend the sheriff
is coming back.
Her friend the sheriff
is coming back.
Stop copying me.
What are you doing?
Staring at the back
of your head.
Does it bother you?
It's making me nervous,
you just standing there.
Who are you?
| told you.
| don't believe you.
Others might buy
your little story,
but | ain't stupid like that.
It's just bullshit.
But they—they ain't here
right now.
It's just you and me.
And your mother.
Your mother's here.
You didn't eat your supper.
I wasn't hungry.
| bet you're hungry now.
No, no, not really.
You look hungry to me.
Actually, my stomach feels
a little queasy.
You know, when we were kids,
my dad made us eat everything
whether we liked it or not.
He never was much of a cook.
| mean, | didn't know
what good food was
until | joined the Army.
| remember one Sunday supper,
he slapped this mess
in front of me.
| told him—I said,
"I'm not going to eat that."
And for a minute,
| thought | got away with it,
and then a fit of anger
came across him,
and he hit me square in the mouth,
shattered three of my teeth.
| couldn't help myself.
|—with the blood in my mouth,
| just gagged,
and I just-
| puked all over my plate.
But he didn't care.
He just mixed it all together
and made me eat every last drop.
Come here.
Come here.
You know, Wyatte,
he's a good boy,
but he's mixed up.
He tells all kinds of stories
that just ain't right.
Is that what
he was doing tonight?
He wasn't.
Swapping secrets?
Telling you all kinds
of crazy things about us?
That's not what we were doing.
You sure?
| swear to you.
What happened to your hand?
I cut it.
On a little piece of glass?
What are you doing?
What does it look like
I'm doing?
That's my purse.
Yeah, | could have
figured that out all by myself.
What are you gonna do with it?
I'm gonna find out
who you really are.
That purse
is my private property!
Sarah.
Sarah.
It says here your name's Sarah.
Don't you know when you go
into someone's house, Sarah,
you have to act polite?
Didn't anyone ever
teach you that?
Turn around.
Turn around.
Turn around!
There's two kinds of people
who travel the desert:
those on the run
and those up to no good.
| stopped by Rio Station
this evening,
and—and we got to talking,
and he told me
some stranger come around,
snooping, asking all kinds
of questions
about the café
and the people who own it.
| got to wondering.
| said, "Who could that be?"
And he said it was a lady
with auburn hair
just like yours.
You're wasting your time
with Wyatte.
He's just a mixed-up boy.
You want to swap secrets...
I'm your man.
| don't know
what you're talking about.
| never asked any questions.
I-1 never stopped
at a gas station.
As soon as your sister gets back
with my car, I'm leaving.
| swear it.
What makes you think Billie
ain't God knows where by now?
She don't give a hoot in hell
about this place.
She's always been dreaming
about ways to get out of here.
Ever since she was
a little girl,
she'd sit by the highway
and watch the Greyhounds go by.
That bitch was right.
You don't look half bad
with a little color.
No.
Please.
Please, don't do that.
And why not?
You scare me.
There ain't nothing
to be scared of, huh?
Tell me something.
What's it like to be married
to a man of the cloth, huh?
Man like that able to take care
of a woman like you?
You seem like the kind of woman
who needs more than
that kind of man can handle.
Is that what you're doing?
You're looking
for something different?
Jesse!
You've had
something different...
just one time?
Just one time.
But you've thought about it,
though, ain't you?
You like to dance?
No.
No?
Come on.
Bet you just float
on that dance floor, huh?
Pretty little dress like that.
That's just a body
that's made for dancing, there.
Yeah.
| ain't asking.
I'm telling.
Jesse!
Please, don't hurt her!
Please, don't.
Don't.
Yeah.
Come on, come on,
we're just gonna
get to know each other
a little better
until Billie comes back.
- Just-
- No, no, please.
Please, don't do this.
Jesse!
Come here, yeah.
Pick up where my-
my little brother left off?
No!
Oh, no!
No!
What do you think about that?
Think about it all the time.
Where is it?
Where is it?
Give me back that envelope
from my purse!
Where is it?
Give it back to me!
That is mine!
Billie don't allow loaded guns
in the house.
Get out.
No.
Get out of the truck!
No!
Okay.
Help me!
Come here.
Wryatte!
Wyatte. Wyatte.
Wyatte. Wyatte.
Help me.
Help me, please.
Please, let me in.
He's gonna kill me.
Please, let me in with you.
Please.
|l can't.
You have to let me in,
goddamn it, Wyatte.
He's gonna kill me.
Oh, oh, God.
| heard the sheriff say
that you'd all be in trouble
if this happened again.
You know what he was
talking about, don't you?
Please, Wyatte.
Your sister's gonna be
really, really mad
if you don't help me.
Please, Wyatte.
Whyatte, please.
Please.
Please.
Let go of me!
Jesse!
Stop!
Don't hurt her, Jesse!
No, Jesse.
Jesse!
- Billie.
- Get away from her.
She knows.
Whyatte told her everything!
I did not!
| didn't tell her nothing!
Let her go.
Put the knife away, Jesse.
No.
No, she's lying
when she says | told you.
- Jesse, you are drunk.
- No.
You don't even know
what you're doing.
Now, just give me the knife
before you do something stupid.
- No, | didn't!
- Shut up!
- Just give it to me!
- Help me!
- I didn't tell her.
- Just give it to me.
She knows, Billie.
She knows about the mummy.
She'll tell someone.
I won't.
| swear.
- See?
Wyatte, Wyatte
told her everything.
She's been asking questions
all around town.
Please, give me the knife
before you hurt someone.
She's got money.
She's got a lot of money.
We could take it,
and we could go.
We could get out of here
like you always wanted!
And go where?
Where would we go?
Just get on the Greyhound,
Billie; we could just go!
And what happens
when it's gone?
What's gone?
The money, you fucking dumb-ass.
What happens when it's gone,
when it's run out?
It's not gonna run out.
We could buy a farm.
We could—we could plant
sugar beet seeds.
Give me the goddamn knife,
Jesse.
No, she knows about the mummy.
She's got to disappear.
Are you out of your mind?
Why not?
Other people do it all the time.
She knows what we did, Billie.
Then do it, you chicken shit.
No!
Do you think that we can
just crawl out of here
by splattering her blood
all over the desert,
then be my guest.
Go on, do it.
Do it!
Think killing's so fucking easy?
Then why don't you
show me the guts
that you didn't have that night.
- Do it.
- Shut up!
- Do it! Fucking do it!
- Shut up! Shut up!
Do it!
- Shut up! Shut up!
- Do it!
Do it!
Do it!
- Do it.
- Shut up!
Do it.
Fucking do it.
It wasn't my fault.
| couldn't stop him.
We should have all been boys!
But you had to come along
and fuck it all up!
It wasn't my fault.
It wasn't my fault!
It wasn't my fault!
Billie.
Go on, and get out of here...
before he changes his mind
and comes back.
Billie.
| didn't tell her nothing,
| promise.
|-l promise.
It's okay.
Whyatte, why don't you just
go on out and go to bed?
I'm sorry.
I'm—I'm—I'm sorry.
You're Anna Meyers' girl,
aren't you?
| couldn't put my finger on it
until | saw her name
on the registration in the car.
You look a lot like her.
You knew my mother.
Everybody knew her.
She was my father's whore.
No offense.
It's okay.
It's not like we were close.
Factis, I didn't-
I didn't know she existed
till three weeks ago.
Vegas lawyer tracked me down
through the orphanage.
She died last April...
Left me her car,
money,
and a letter.
After all this time,
| find out who my parents are
in a three-page letter
from a dead woman.
Strange, don't you think?
What do you want?
I'm not sure.
After | read the letter,
| started thinking about him,
whether he was
still alive or not,
if he still lived
where she said he lived.
The whole way here,
| kept wondering
what it was gonna be like,
how | was gonna react to him,
what his family was like.
What | said before,
| meant it.
| promise | won't tell anyone.
But | want to know
what happened.
Some things
are better left alone.
Please.
And then | swear
| will never bother you again.
It happened on the night
of my 12th birthday.
| was wearing this nightgown
that Let got me.
It was yellow
with little daisies
down the front.
She had left Jesse and |
to go look for my father.
He came stumbling home
around midnight,
drunker than usual.
| still remember
the sweet smell of whiskey...
And the tobacco
that he used to chew.
Nobody's taking care
of my damn hives.
There was a musky odor,
rainwater, sweat,
and a woman's cheap perfume.
They used to fight about that.
We have to help him.
We can't.
Just leave him be.
He was crashing around
in the dark like a crazy man,
knocking things over
and cursing up a blue streak
about his damn beehives.
| thought he might
hurt himself,
so | came out to help him...
and that's when he turned on me.
Ow, Daddy!
Stop it; you're hurting me!
He was so far gone,
he did not know it was me,
Just stop it!
Stop hurting me!
But there was a look in his eye
that | had never seen before.
And it was so dark,
and everything was moving
in slow motion.
You're hurting me!
Get in the scare hole, boy!
- | don't want to!
- Jesse, help!
Please, hurry!
| said,
get in the goddamn scare hole!
Get in the hole
before | do some damage, boy!
Our father used to make us
go to the scare hole for punishment.
Jesse, please!
He made Jesse go there
that night.
Jesse, help me, please!
Sometimes, | think maybe that
he was hurt more than any of us.
He doesn't know what he's doing.
| need help.
'Cause there were the years
he just went cold and empty,
like something just sucked
the life right out of him.
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God!
Oh, my God!
The ringing in my ears
was so loud...
I didn't even
hear the gun go off.
| just felt something warm
running down my neck.
And when he rolled...
off of me, | saw the blood...
coming out of a hole
in the back of his head.
And then Let
did the strangest thing.
She walked up to the cage
that we had the armadillo in,
and she emptied the rest
of the gun into it.
Jesse and | buried him
out in the dunes.
We just told everybody
that he run off,
and nobody suspected
or cared one way or the other.
It wasn't until years later
the Indian found an arm
sticking out of the sand,
and he knew that Let
was looking for attractions.
So he brought it here.
She paid $100 for it.
I'm sorry.
Don't be.
Curses, like chickens,
come home to roost.
How do you live with it?
| can't change anything.
You could leave
if you wanted to.
That road outside goes forever
in both directions.
They're my family.
No.
No, you're not like her
or your brothers.
Brother.
Jesse's my brother.
Wyatte's my son.
Besides, where would | go?
Every place is the same.
It's just lonely people
living tired lives
trying to dream a little,
and sooner or later,
they all die.
It's all the same.
No, no, | don't believe that.
Good for you.
Would you mind if | wrote you
every once in a while?
Suit yourself.
Would you mind
if | told people | had a sister?
You all right?
| will be as soon as
my head stops pounding.
It wouldn't pound
if you didn't go out drinking.
What time is it?
It's a little after 2:00.
What day is it?
June 21st.
It's your Aunt Tess' birthday.
| don't have an Aunt Tess.
No, sure, you do.
She—she lived on the boardwalk
in Galveston.
You mean that woman
with a lizard on a string
used to crawl up
around her shoulder?
That's the one.
Yeah, | thought her name
was Greta.
She was a taxi dancer.
Her stage name was Greta.
She only came out here
to visit once,
and then she never came back.
| wonder what happened
to that lizard.
Jesse fed it to the armadillo.
You don't remember that?
Would you tell that jackass
to turn off those lights?
It's bad for business.
Would you relax?
| had a dream tonight.
| dreamed that Jesse
was fighting
with the angel of death,
and she was holding
the armadillo in her arms,
and it was biting her neck,
and the more it bit her,
the tighter she squeezed
until | gota gun
and shot it dead.
It was just a dream.
It was just a bad dream.
Where are you off to
at this time of night?
I don't know.
Somewhere.
He's got himself a wife.
| know, Let.
She's pretty.
I've seen her.
She's better-looking
than you are.
So what?
Well, so | think you should know
so you don't get your hopes up.
| don't have any hopes.
Billie.
What is it now?
Where is everybody?
Where is Jesse?
Out somewhere.
He isn't run off, has he?
He's not in trouble again,
is he?
He's not in trouble.
He'll be back
whenever he feels like it.
What about Wyatte?
He's asleep in his room.
He's not as strong
as he should be.
The older he gets, the more
| have to watch over him.
| think he's soft in the melon.
He's stronger than you think.
Maybe.
Good night.
What about your father?
Turn the damn lights off.
What's wrong?
Nothing.
What do you want to do?
Just take me someplace.
And tell me you love me.
Did you ever see
a prettier face?
Jesse.
There you go.
Good boy.
Now you're going.
That's it.
Now get on that horse
and ride it.
Go on. Go on.
Go on. Get going.
This is a strange house.
You can see it in their eyes.
All right.
It's in their blood.
Trouble follows them around
like a stray dog.
Nobody's taking care
of my damn hives.
Stop it! You're hurting me!
Please!
Then do it, you chickenshit.
- Please!
- No, | don't want to!
No, he's hurting me!
| don't want to go in!
Blood all over the desert?
- Keep talking that-
- Don't hurt her!
Do it!
Get in that goddamn scare hole!
| don't have any hopes.
It wasn't my fault!
Jesse, help me, please!
He's hurting me!
Jesse, please, help me!
- Daddy, no.
- Don't let him do this to me.
No, no, please.
Look what he's doing to me.
Help!
Help!
Get away!
Get away from her,
you son of a bitch!
Please help, someone.
Get away from her,
you motherfucking
son of a bitch!
I'm going to kill you!
You're hurting me.
Daddy, no.
No, no.
You're hurting me.
You're hurting me.
No, Daddy.
Hello.
Is—is anybody here?
Are you still open?
More or less.
It was raining so hard,
| could barely see your place
from the highway.
It's a bad storm.
| started to fall asleep
while | was driving.
There's no coffee,
on account of the storm
knocked the power out.
I don't drink coffee.
| have a weak bladder.
Well, there's really not much
in the way of food either.
Do you mind if | just sit
and rest awhile?
Suit yourself.
Where'd all this stuff
come from?
Some of it, we found.
Some of it was given to us.
Most of it's just junk.
Must be interesting,
living in a place like this.
Yeah, you seen
one roadside attraction,
seen them all.
These are just things
to bring the tourists.
You wouldn't want to live here.
Believe me.
I don't know.
| think
there's something special
about living in the desert.
There is nothing special
about the desert.
There's mystery in it.
When | was driving,
| could see it in the land,
in the shapes and in the colors.
| could smell it in the air,
and | could hear it in the sound
the wind was making.
| can't explain it,
but it was a feeling
like I'd been here before,
like | was coming home
after being away
for along time.
I'm making you nervous,
aren't [?
A little.
I'm sorry.
| always do that
when | meet new people.
| get nervous,
and then | say things
that don't make sense.
| wouldn't worry about it.
It'll pass.
Where you from, anyway?
Albuquerque.
And what do you do
down in Albuquerque?
I'm married.
My husband's a minister.
| went out with a preacher once.
He was...
Baptist, | think.
My husband's
an Apostle of Divine Light.
Ooh, never heard of them.
It's a very small church.
Is this thing real?
Couldn't advertise it
if it wasn't.
It has a—
has a strange smell about it.
Hey, you always been
in Albuquerque?
Mostly.
That where your family from?
| never had a family.
Everybody's got a family.
| grew up at an orphanage.
What, no brothers or sisters?
None that | know of.
I'm gonna get you a drink.
I don't drink.
Storms like this put me
right on the edge too.
| think it's
mainly the lightning.
You know, | saw this picture,
once, in a magazine,
cowboy out riding his horse,
lightning bolt fried him
right in the saddle.
Well, look at that.
Some poor fool's out there
working after all.
Come on, drink up.
It'll calm your nerves.
Oh.
I'm not nervous anymore.
| just think that | need
someone to talk to.
Sure as hell know
what you mean about that.
I swear, some of these nights,
it is so damn lonely out here,
| just want to scream.
It's probably
none of my business,
but | think you made a mistake.
And how's that?
You should be
closer to the road.
| could barely see your place
from the highway.
Yeah, well, when my folks
built this place,
the interstate
was nothing but sand,
and that blacktop out there,
well, that's old 66,
the most famous highway
in America.
They say back then it was jammed
with diesel rigs and Greyhounds,
college students, tourists,
Indians all rubbing shoulders
and bending bumpers together.
Man, it must have been hopping.
Now, Jesse—he's my brother.
He wants to sell the place
and grow sugar beet seeds.
Do you—do you know
anything about that?
I've eaten sunflower seeds,
but I've never had
a sugar beet seed.
You don't eat them.
You grow them to seed.
Why would you do that?
For the seeds.
Oh.
Well, what do you
use the seed for?
Oh, Jesus.
Okay, you plant them
so then you can grow them
and get sugar beets.
Where the hell do you think
the seeds come from, huh?
You think they just fall down
from the sky?
Never really thought about it.
Yeah, well,
it's a good money crop.
Good for our imaginary bus fare.
Your what?
My dream-
you know, to get out
of this shithole.
See, | have this idea
of getting all dressed up,
you know, like those girls
that you see in TV shows?
Get my hair all done,
wearing a fancy dress,
and a brand-new pair of shoes-
leather ones,
blue suede.
Robin-egg blue.
| like robin-egg blue.
Yeah?
Yeah.
You see, I'd use
my old suitcase, right?
Except it would be
filled with money,
my share of the profit,
you know, and, oh,
I'd say so long to all
the good memories of this place,
which would take about a second,
and then I'd go down to Winslow,
bus depot,
and buy myself a ticket.
And where would you go?
I'd go to California,
you know, and I'd live
right by that big ocean
that I've heard so much about.
You know?
Sure.
You can do anything you want
in a dream.
Damn it.
Thank you.
| knew that.
Are you going
to plant your crop this year?
Not likely.
When are you going to plant it?
Never.
Why not?
We ain't got the money
for the goddamn land.
What about selling the café
like you said?
No one would pay a lousy nickel
for this place.
What about some kind of a loan?
Nobody is that stupid.
I'd loan it to you.
Yeah.
You probably would.
Besides, it's all
just a dream, anyway.
Let would never sell this place,
not in a million years.
Who's Let?
My mother.
Leticia May.
Oh.
But if your business is so bad,
why wouldn't she want to leave?
It's the way the armadillo
wants her to live.
The what?
The armadillo.
No joke.
You know how some people
believe in their rabbit's feet
or their silver dollar?
For her,
it's that damn armadillo.
Like a good-luck charm.
More like
one of them psychic things.
You gotta understand
something about Let.
She comes from a long line
of Texas dirt farmers,
and they ain't normal
like you and me.
Hell, when she was 16,
she was working in this diner
up in Farwell,
and that's when she met
my father.
He was a feed salesman
from Clovis,
and when she ran off with him,
everyone, they just
couldn't believe it.
First night out, she did
give up the goods
in the backseat,
and when she went down
by the side of the road,
you know, to freshen up,
that's when she found
the armadillo.
Was it alive?
Barely.
She even wrapped the thing
in her wedding dress
just to keep it warm.
And then she made him
stop all on the highway
to catch beetle bugs,
you know, to feed it.
Next day, they landed in Gallup,
and while he was out
hovering over a cold beer
in some bar,
that armadillo, it just started
puking its guts out,
and then it rolled up
like a tater bug.
And old Let-
she caused such a commotion
back at the hotel,
they politely asked her
to hit the road.
And they ended up here-
asleep in the car
the next morning.
Right about then
is when the armadillo-
well, it just snapped right out
of whatever it was ailing it-
straightened out.
Let took that as a good omen,
and she decided
that this is where
the armadillo
wanted her to live.
How strange.
Have you ever seen
an armadillo before?
Just in pictures.
That critter,
it was our bread and butter
for quite some time.
It was just like
one of the family until-
Until what?
Goddamn, it's wet out there.
Whose car's out front?
You got some gall.
Seems to me like we had
a date last night,
and it seems to me
like | got stood up.
| was here like always,
right on time.
Oh, that's a damn lie.
- That is not a damn lie.
- | was here.
| was here all night.
The hell you were.
Oh.
Are you calling me a liar now?
I'm saying | was here at 2:00,
just like always.
| never saw you.
Maybe that's because
you were having a drink
with Melvin Tillis
at the Wigwam last night.
Oh, and who told you that?
- Your mother, that's who.
- Let?
Uh-uh, Let was here
all night long.
Not when | damn near
run her down on the highway.
She jumped into my headlights
like a jackrabbit.
Good thing | know
how to handle the cruiser,
or you'd still be picking her
out of the grill.
Yeah, and what was Let
doing on the highway?
Who the hell cares?
All ll know is, she told me
you were with Tillis.
Damn her.
| wasn't.
| was here.
| was here.
You weren't with Tillis
last night?
| would not be caught dead
with Melvin Tillis.
You mean to tell me
you were here all night
waiting for me?
And | finally went to bed
once the sun come up.
Goddamn that crazy old
Texas dirt farmer.
| told you
you shouldn't listen to her.
| told you that a million times.
| couldn't help it.
| got all twisted up inside.
My mind went crazy when | heard
about you and Tillis.
| just took my broken heart
and drove it home.
It was pounding so hard
when | crawled into bed,
you could almost hear it.
| hope it didn't wake your wife.
Oh, come on, Billie, you know
she don't mean nothing.
No, no, no, no.
| don't want to hear you say it.
Oh.
| forgot | had a customer.
| can see that.
Honey, what's your name?
Sarah.
Sarah, this is Temple.
He's the sheriff.
Deputy sheriff.
Temp, relax, she's not even
from around here.
Do you want some coffee?
You certainly look
like you could use some.
Sure, maybe a little eye-opener
is in order.
Mm-hmm.
Do you want some, honey?
What?
Coffee; do you want some?
It's probably hot by now.
No.
Oh, that's right.
| forgot about
your whole bladder thing.
How long
was your electricity out?
Mm, | don't know.
Maybe like an hour
or something like that.
| passed some county trucks
working on the lines
near Joseph City.
The big one coming off the res'
was down,
sparks big as my fist
shooting all across the highway.
Bad storm.
The old Hopi
hangs out around Rio Station,
he said he saw a worse one in '92,
but | don't remember it.
That your car out front, Miss?
What?
That your car,
the one with Nevada plates?
Nevada?
Yes, it is.
Why?
No reason.
You on vacation?
Business?
It was a personal matter-
family.
Hmm.
| thought you told me
you didn't have any family.
| have an aunt.
What's her name?
Name?
Name.
Mine's Billie.
Yours is Sarah.
What's her name?
It's Anna.
Albuquerque Anna.
What the hell does that mean?
Whatever | want it to mean.
You're getting
more like Let every day.
Let has nothing to do with this.
- Look, all I meant was-
- I know what you meant.
| really should be going.
Well, you ain't going nowhere.
Why not?
There's flash flood warnings
up everywhere.
Maybe in a couple of hours
if the rain lets up.
Till then, you'll be safer
to stay here, right, Billie?
What?
| said, this young lady
will be safe here till the rain
lets up, won't she?
Sure.
Maybe you can get Billie
to fix you something hot to eat.
Where are your brothers?
| didn't see their lights on
in their place round back.
They're out.
Out where?
Whyatte's with Let.
And Jesse?
Who the hell knows.
If it wouldn't be
too much trouble,
do you mind
if | use your rest room?
Down the hallway.
First door on your right.
Nice meeting you, Miss.
Nice meeting you, Sheriff.
Deputy sheriff.
You're responsible.
You know what I'm talking about?
There ain't gonna be
any trouble.
Your brothers get back
before she's gone,
you make damn sure
nothing happens.
There will be no trouble.
It wasn't even their fault
the last time.
So you want to get off work?
If you want.
I'll honk my horn.
I'll be listening.
Maybe I'll even flash
my red lights
and give you a real treat.
Well-
then you do know how | like
when you flash your red light.
It drives your mother crazy.
Let is crazy.
Hey, Temp-
Listen, what | said earlier,
you know, about your wife-
Forget it.
No, | promised you
that | wouldn't say anything,
and | won't.
See you when | get off work.
You hungry?
Not really.
'Cause if you are hungry,
| can fix you something to eat.
If it's a bother, then-
It's no bother.
What do you want?
What do you recommend?
It's all right there
on the menu.
The hot turkey sandwich
looks good.
We're all out of that.
What about
chicken-fried steak?
We are all out of that too.
What do you recommend?
Corn bread.
Well, and stew.
I'll have that.
Now, we got two kinds.
We got lamb and beef.
What do you want?
Lamb.
Oh.
We're out of lamb.
Why are you doing this?
Doing what?
You're trying to aggravate me.
Well, that's just you
being paranoid.
I'm not paranoid.
Says you.
| don't understand you.
One minute, we're having
a pleasant conversation
about your family.
Now, you just forget
what | told you about my family.
It's none of
your goddamn business.
| know you think | lied to you.
| don't want to hear it.
Whatever your problem is,
it's yours,
and don't bring it in here
with your lies.
Understood?
Where the hell you been?
You said you were going
to be here a couple days ago.
- Thank you.
- Yeah.
Who's that?
It's a customer.
What's she doing here?
She's eating supper.
What's she eating?
What the hell you care
what she's eating?
| don't like her looks.
Well, so what?
She looks like a Mormon.
If she's a missionary,
I will not do business
here tonight.
She's not.
How do you know?
Trust me; is this the owl!?
Did | say I'd get you an owl?
You did.
Well, then that's
what it must be.
What'd we agree on?
$50.
$50!
It's a steal at $50.
That's bullshit, Jackie,
and you know it.
You told me you would
stuff and mount it for $25.
When did | say that?
Week ago, Friday.
And where was |?
Your ass was sitting
on that very same stool.
| must have been drunk.
You know how us Indians get
when we drink.
You're not Indian, Jackie.
You're from Mississippi.
My father is.
Red House?
He's your stepfather.
My mama is part Ute.
Uh-huh, and if she
had a nosebleed,
she'd lose every drop
of Indian blood in her.
Now, you want this
on your credit?
Cash.
Let's got
a neat way of forgetting
when it comes to my credit.
| cannot wait
for Let to see this.
She's already seen it.
What do you mean,
she's already seen it?
| showed it to her and Wyatte
a little while ago.
And where'd you see them?
At the Wigwam.
What were they doing
at the Wigwam?
Drinking, mostly.
Damn it, she promised me
she was going to the movies.
| have to go get them.
You need to give me a lift.
|l can't.
| gotta pick up Tito
in 20 minutes.
We're driving to Phoenix
to see Marilyn Manson.
I'm gonna be 30 minutes.
Well, | can't wait a half hour.
What the hell
do you want me to do?
They got the truck.
God knows where Jesse might be.
| could drive you in my car.
Sure, they'd just love
to meet you.
No.
Why not?
I don't mind.
Really, | don't.
Because-
because | promised Temp
that | would
keep you here
until the rain let up.
You know,
when | left the Wigwam,
your mother was asking
all around
if your father
had been in tonight.
Okay.
Damn it.
| can't leave here with nobody
to look after the place,
so why don't you stay here for me
and let me use your car for a bit?
Well-
| swear.
Okay, | won't bring it back
any worse for the wear.
You promise you'll be careful?
| promise.
Look, if you want more stew,
it's back there on the stove,
okay, and if anyone comes by,
you just tell them we're closed.
If you want
anything else at all,
it's yours, on the house.
That goes for you,
not her.
She wants something-
she pays for it.
Okay.
What you eating?
Beef stew.
Would you like some?
Not hungry.
It's really good.
Meat tastes different,
has a sweet flavor to it.
Yeah, well, it's not beef.
It's gopher meat.
Nobody can tell the difference,
except when it starts to go bad.
Then it tastes sweet.
You're making this up,
aren't you?
| hate missionaries.
They are all over the place
around here,
multiplying like rabbits.
I'm not a missionary.
Well, what are you, then?
I'm just a tourist.
Pilgrim of the highway, is it?
Vacation time, money to burn.
What brings you here, tourist?
A souvenir of the natives?
A picture postcard
for some envious devil
left behind in the office?
Maybe some refuge
from the storm?
Some mystical answers
from the oracle of the desert?
The late, great
roadside attraction?
Is that thing really real?
Shit, yeah, it's really real.
Bad turn of luck
and the nature of the desert
fashioned this monstrosity.
Where'd they get it?
My father, Red House,
found it when he was hunting
after some floods.
Fucking townies think
it's an old cowhand
disappeared off a nearby ranch.
Other people say
it's a prospector
ran out of dreams one day.
There is no place
like the desert.
It'll let you live off it
for a while,
and then one day,
it just severs the friendship
and swallows you up whole.
What are you looking for,
tourist?
Nothing.
| just stopped to rest.
You won't get any rest here.
This is a strange house.
You can see it in their eyes,
the way they look at you.
It's in their blood.
Trouble follows them around
like a stray dog.
What kind of trouble?
The worst kind.
You don't believe me, do you?
It's just going to make it
all the more interesting for you
in the long run.
If you're looking
to frighten me,
it's not working.
This place,
it's a burial ground.
Only, the people who live here,
they don't know
they're dead yet.
You got off real easy
with Billie.
Take my advice.
Do not wait for the others
to come home.
The cooking is done,
and | eat alone.
| don't know
what you expect to find,
but this isn't any kind of place
to satisfy a hunger.
If | were you,
I'd get out of here
first chance | got.
Come on. Come on.
Come on. Come on.
Son of a bitch!
Should have put some fucking gas
in your car!
Got any money?
"Anna Lee Meyers"?
One false move,
and I'll put your brains
in orbit.
Now, you just move on over there
and sit your ass in that chair.
How tight do you want me
to make it?
| can make it real tight.
Well, don't squeeze the life
out of her,
but | don't want her popping
no surprises on us.
She won't go nowhere.
| took the 4-H regionals
two years in a row.
| would have made it
all the way to the state finals,
except Let wouldn't let me go
to Dallas.
Everybody said
| would have won it, though.
- Shut up.
- Well, they did.
What the hell is going on
in my house?
| wasn't doing anything.
| was just waiting.
She was waiting.
I heard her.
Don't you take
that tone of voice with me.
And stop eating that shit.
It'll rot your teeth.
If you want to eat something,
eat some jerky.
But jerky makes my gums bleed.
I've told you a million times
that nobody likes a whiner.
- Waiting for what?
- My car.
Your car.
Where's your car?
- | lent it to Billie.
- Who?
Billie, the woman
who works here,
your daughter.
She's no kin to me.
Is too.
- Is not.
- Is too.
Is not.
"Like mother, like daughter,”
that's what Jesse always said.
Don't you ever say that again.
If | had known
what she was gonna be,
I'd never have had her,
or | would have never had
any of you.
M-maybe so,
but it's too late now.
Why don't you go make
some hot tea?
Don't want no tea.
It's not for you.
It's for me.
If it wouldn't be
too much trouble,
could you untie me?
Not till | get
to the bottom of this.
Please, please.
These ropes are cutting off
my circulation.
Well, if you wouldn't squirm
like a gopher in a trap,
you'd be fine.
And where are you off to?
Check the hives.
Speak up.
How am | supposed to hear you
if you mumble all the time?
I-I'm going check to hives.
Now, a boy should not
raise his voice in anger.
- I didn't.
You know,
| can take a lot of things,
but this kind of disrespect
from my own flesh and blood
I will not tolerate.
You got it all wrong.
No, | don't got it wrong.
You was yelling
right to my face.
He was purposely yelling at me.
| don't think he meant
any disrespect.
Well, ain't that something?
Where do you get off
telling me
what you think he meant?
And who the hell
asked you, anyway?
Come on, Let.
She didn't do nothing.
| may look like
some dumb country hick,
but | got your number,
sure enough.
| don't know
what you're talking about.
You do not fool me
for one second.
| can see what's
going on in there.
| seen the way you been
eyeballing that boy.
There you sit,
the perfect picture
of innocence,
hiding like a viper in paradise,
waiting-
waiting for that perfect moment
of temptation,
waiting till | am long gone,
and he can be all yours.
That's crazy.
God knows it's not your fault.
It's just the sin of paradise.
It's the weakness in men
that blinds the innocent lambs
to the way of the flesh,
and only a woman knows
that warm aching feeling
deep inside.
- Am | right?
- No.
And she'll do anything
to get rid of it.
You can do it for her.
That's why she's here.
She's in cahoots with Billie.
Are you okay, Let?
They're in this together
to get back at me.
As long as | live,
until the day | die,
| will never know what happened.
| wanted boys,
innocent baby boys.
Are you okay, Let?
Please, untie me.
Shut up!
Can't you see she's sick?
Y-y-y-you
won't tell her nothing?
| won't tell her nothing.
You promise?
| promised.
I'm—
| love you.
You know that, don't you?
You know that.
Yeah, | know that.
| mean, sometimes,
| might do things,
and | might ask you to do things
that don't seem right,
but-but you've got
to understand-
you've got to understand
it's for your own good,
like when | had to purge
the evil from this house.
You know that, right?
Y-y-yeah.
Wyatte?
Yeah?
Can you feel my heartbeat?
Y-yeah.
It beats slow-
very, very slow.
It beats like that
'cause it's a mother's heart.
It beats different
than her heart.
Did you know that?
N-n-no.
Do you know why
it beats different?
Because her heart
beats with passion and not love.
Her heart is full of desire.
And that's why it beats
wild and fast.
Do you understand
what I'm talking about?
I-l guess so.
Have you ever felt
another woman's heartbeat?
no.
Would you like to?
Would you like to do it?
| guess.
| want you to know
what the heartbeat of a viper
sounds like.
Trust me.
It's okay.
Just touch her
where her heart is.
There.
Can you feel it?
Do you know
what I'm talking about now?
Mm-hmm.
There's nothing
you can do about it.
It's a weakness, and there's
nothing you can do about it.
And that's why
God gave you a mother
to watch over and protect you.
Now you go on outside
like you were gonna
and check on them hives.
I
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Yeah, sure, you are.
Go on, get out!
It's for your own good, Wyatte.
You'll thank me one day!
Sure as hell will.
His father tended them hives.
There ain't no more bees,
just some dried out old combs,
but he just keeps checking them,
like he thinks
they're still there.
| do not understand
that boy no more.
| think he must be crazy.
Where is Billie?
What?
She went into town.
Well, that—
that's not like Billie
to run off and leave the café
w-w-with nobody to run it.
| mean, how did she get there?
Me and Wyatte had the truck.
| lent her my car.
Will you please untie me?
| wonder who she went to see.
She went to find you!
Now, damn it, untie me!
That's Billie's problem.
She ain't never there
when | need her.
Ma'am?
Ma'am.
Wryatte!
Ma'am, can you hear me?
Wryatte!
Wryatte!
Wryatte!
What's wrong?
Something happened to her.
- What did you do to her?
- I didn't-
| didn't do anything.
One minute,
she was just sitting there,
and then next thing | knew,
she passed out.
She just signed out.
- That's all.
- She what?
She does this
when the bottle goes dry.
Just passes out like that?
Yeah.
That happened one night
when we were coming home
from church.
She drove right off
into Bud's Creek,
broke her arm,
and punched Jesse's head
right through the window.
Where are you taking her?
To bed.
Shouldn't you call a doctor?
Wyatte.
Whryatte, I'm—I'm sorry
| screamed like that.
For a minute-
for a minute there, I-
I thought-
I thought she was-she was-
Y-you want some tea?
No.
No, thank you.
How about some pie?
Please, take these ropes off me.
|l can't.
Why not?
When Let wants to let you go,
then she'll say so.
What she said before, about me,
you don't really believe that,
do you?
|-l guess not.
And—and what happened,
it wasn't your fault.
It wasn't Let's fault either.
It wasn't anybody's fault.
Things like that happen.
But now it's all done and over,
and everybody's friends.
We are friends.
Aren't we?
I-l guess so.
Then we should trust each other,
shouldn't we?
I'll untie you when Let says so.
What about your father?
What is he gonna think
when he comes home
and—and finds me like this?
He don't care what we do.
He don't care about nothing
except them hives.
It ain't my fault
they got foul brood.
Even Let said so.
The combs got all black
and started stinking
like a dead animal,
and when the wind shifted,
| could smell them
coming through my window,
and | could hear them bees
popping at the screen,
trying to get in.
But | could hear Let screaming.
| wanted to tell her
about the bees,
but | couldn't move my legs,
like | was asleep,
but | could still see.
Then | must have fallen asleep,
'cause all I remember
was the sound of hailstones
coming down on the roof.
It was so loud,
| couldn't hear myself think.
By the time | got out there,
the combs was all busted up.
| was scared
they was going to swarm,
but they still sick.
They just laid there
in little balls,
drowning in the mud.
So | picked them up
and put them back in the boxes,
but after a while,
my hands were getting numb
from all the stings.
The ones that was still alive,
| could feel them
moving around on me,
and | could smell the rotten,
stinking wax.
But it wasn't my fault.
Even Let said so.
Wyatte.
Wyatte.
Whryatte, | want to talk
to your father.
You want to see my scare hole?
We dug it in case of tornadoes,
but we don't get many tornadoes
in Arizona.
They're mostly in places
like Texas.
Where is he?
He's here.
He's here?
Now?
He was lost in the desert
along time,
but then they found him
and brought him back.
What are you talking about?
Who found him?
| can't remember.
| think maybe it was the Indian.
The hell is going on here?
Nothing, honest, Jesse.
We wasn't doing nothing.
We was just talking
about things.
But | didn't tell her nothing.
Just talking about what?
Nothing important.
- Just—just things.
- Come on, Jesse.
Cut the boy a little slack.
He's just having himself
some fun.
What'd you catch, there?
He's cute, Jesse.
- What's his name?
- How about it, cowboy?
What's your name?
W-Wyatte.
What did he say?
Wyatte.
His name's Wyatte.
| knew a boy in junior high
named Wyatte.
We used to call him
Harry High Pants
"cause he wore his pants
so high.
Honey, is this some sort of game
you and the cowboy play
on a regular basis?
This isn't what you think.
|—I don't even know this boy.
Well, you were planning
on getting to know him
a whole lot better, weren't you?
I'm married;
my husband's a minister.
Does your brother always
tie up the customers, Jesse?
Why don't you ask him?
Well, what about it?
L-Let made me do it.
Who's Let?
Do you remember the time
that cowboy tied me up?
| met this shitkicker
at a rodeo dance,
had my eye on him all night,
waiting for him to make his move,
you know, shifting my pose
and pretending not to notice, all that.
Stop it.
Anyway, just as
| was about to give up,
he comes stumbling over
like he's checking out flies
on the ceiling or something
and asks me if | want
to ride his horse.
Tell him what you said.
Go on, tell them.
It was funny.
Really, it was.
| looked him
straight in the eye...
and | told him
| only ride bareback.
Oh, before you could spit,
the two of us were
rolling around in some hay bales
behind the rodeo grounds,
and that is when he said
that he wanted
to throw some rope on me.
What kind of rope?
| don't know;
who the hell cares?
Now, this really is
the best part.
Okay, so the next thing | know,
he saddles up this pony,
and he locks me
in one of the chutes.
Now, I'm thinking
the whole thing is weird,
but he made it sound like
so much fun, you know,
he really got me going.
So when the chute broke open,
there | was
like some dumb old calf,
running with the wind
in my bare butt.
| hit the dirt so hard,
| almost broke my hip,
and the next thing | knew,
my legs and arms
were in a pigging string.
Well, you know,
it only stands to reason
that you brand a calf
after you catch it,
and since the only branding iron
| was counting on
was hanging
between that cowboy's legs,
| figured that the best
was yet to come, right?
Wrong!
That brain-damaged asshole
rode around the arena
like he just won
all-around cowboy, you know?
Then him and the goddamn horse
took off,
leapt over a fence,
and disappeared into the night.
It took me damn near an hour
to get out of those ropes,
almost froze my ass off.
Where's Billie?
| lent her my car
to go into town.
Who's Billie?
Where's Let?
Sh-sh-she's here.
What you gawking at?
These ropes are cutting off
my circulation.
My arms are going numb.
So what?
So | want to be untied.
You're just going
to have to sit there
until | figure out
what the hell is going on.
Nothing's going on, Jesse.
| swear we was just talking.
| didn't say nothing.
What the hell is that gun
doing on the table, huh?
Let had it.
Well, didn't | tell you not to
let her play with it, huh?
Nothing happened except Let
drank too much and passed out,
so | put her to bed
like you told me to.
Did you touch her?
No.
Did you touch her?
Did you touch her?
No, we was just talking
about things, that's all.
About the house, maybe?
Do you—you think maybe
I should untie her?
Do you want—want me to do that?
No.
You sure know how to pick them,
Bevvers.
Out of all them cowboys
in that bar,
you gotta pick the one
with the burr up his ass.
| thought he looked cute.
Would you please
untie these ropes?
They really are
starting to hurt.
Honey, I'm just here
to drink a little whiskey, okay?
| don't know you,
and | don't know
what this is all about,
so don't get me involved.
| won't leave.
|l can't.
My car's not even here.
All right, listen, I'll tell you
what | will do, okay?
When Jesse comes back,
1 will ask him to untie you.
This your pistola, cowboy?
It's my daddy's.
Please don't point that at me.
It ain't gonna go off.
Leroy used to have
one like this.
- You remember that gun he had?
- | don't think so.
We used to live near
the state work farm in Safford.
He kept one
in case a prisoner escaped.
| don't remember him
having a gun in the house.
Sure, you do.
He got it after he saw
that movie about them prisoners
that escaped and killed
that family in Kansas.
- What movie?
- You know.
It scared the shit out of me.
Do you like movies?
How about pornos?
| saw one once
with this guy Scooter Hobbs,
and Christ Almighty,
was it something.
This girl was taking on three
at the same damn time,
one in her mouth,
one in her snatch,
and one up her name and address.
| remember that gun now.
Didn't he shoot someone
in the leg one time by accident?
Shot himself in the leg
that time he got drunk
at the J.C. dance.
| remember all that now.
Say, where's your hubby anyway?
How come he ain't with you?
He's in Texas
on a crusade.
You got kids?
No.
Not having kids is smart.
That way, you keep your shape.
Men got a funny way
of losing interest
once a woman's tits
start to hang.
I've seen it plenty of times
with my friends, you know.
They work their butts off
taking care of the house
and their kids,
and then, one day,
the bastard runs off
with some young waitress
who's got big, firm tits.
He wouldn't do that.
Honey, don't kid yourself.
Well, at least this way,
you still got your figure.
Ain't that bad either.
You do heed some work-
But, well,
you just don't got anything
that grabs them by the balls.
Okay,
take your hair, for instance.
Oh, honey, it feels like straw.
What do you wash it with, Ajax?
And your eyes—I| mean,
have you ever thought
about wearing eye shadow?
| mean, you would have some
fine eyes if you ever
did something with them.
Some girls don't got
no bone structure at all.
My sister doesn't,
do you, Bevvers?
Not that you would notice.
Hell, a woman's best friend
is her makeup.
You know, that's what | do
first thing every morning is,
| set myself an image, you know?
No image, no attitude,
and believe me,
that is what the boys
are looking for:
attitude and firm tits.
You know, a little eye shadow,
some lipstick,
you could be a hell
of a heartbreaker.
Ain't that right, Jesse?
The cowboy's got a hell of a way
with words, ain't he?
Please.
What do you say, Jesse?
What do you say we unloosen
these ropes around her
before she freaks out?
No.
Come on, it ain't right.
Besides, she seems
harmless enough to me.
| said no.
Sorry, honey, | tried.
You can't do this.
It's my house.
| can do anything | want
in my house.
The got some good old music
on that juke.
Now, that is a good idea;
let's play some music.
L-Let's asleep.
| thought you said
she passed out.
She is.
Well, then, what the hell?
She won't know the difference.
If she wakes up,
we'll turn it off,
but your brother
promised us a party,
and a party just ain't a party
without some music.
Come on, cowboy,
this is a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity,
and from the looks of things,
this might be the only chance
you ever get.
What is the matter?
Don't you like us?
| like you a lot.
Well, then fire up the jukebox.
| ain't got any quarters.
You don't have to have quarters,
"cause I rigged it
so | can listen to it
any time | want for free,
didn't |, Jesse?
Well, ain't that ingenious?
Come on, before Bevvers and me
pack up our fannies
and head for greener pastures.
Come on, baby, come on.
| don't know how to dance.
Well, now, why don't
that surprise me?
Come on.
Come on, honey.
Ow.
Baby, ouch!
You know, if you tried dancing
a little bit more on the floor
and less on my feet,
| think that we both
might have a good time.
Well, what did you do that for?
Party's over.
Who are you talking to?
You and your brain-dead sister.
What did you just say?
Get out.
Well, you son of a bitch.
They—they weren't
doing nothing.
They was just trying
to have a good time.
You know what?
Forget it, cowboy,
because | think
that your brother
has found himself
some new plans.
Get out!
Come on, Carol Ann.
I'm getting the creeps.
We're going.
Don't leave me here!
Let's go.
You sure know how
to pick them, Bevvers.
Maybe you can
come back tomorrow
and we can dance some more.
| wouldn't hold my breath.
Hey, thanks a heap, stud.
It was a ball.
Take care, honey.
Please, please, don't go!
Please!
You can't just leave me here!
Please, come back!
Get in the scare hole.
No.
I'm not gonna ask you again.
What?
You stay in there
Tl tell you.
| don't want to see you.
| don't want to hear
a peep out of you.
Do you understand me, boy?
Billie's gonna be home soon.
"Billie's gonna be home soon."
Her friend the sheriff
is coming back.
Her friend the sheriff
is coming back.
Stop copying me.
What are you doing?
Staring at the back
of your head.
Does it bother you?
It's making me nervous,
you just standing there.
Who are you?
| told you.
| don't believe you.
Others might buy
your little story,
but | ain't stupid like that.
It's just bullshit.
But they—they ain't here
right now.
It's just you and me.
And your mother.
Your mother's here.
You didn't eat your supper.
I wasn't hungry.
| bet you're hungry now.
No, no, not really.
You look hungry to me.
Actually, my stomach feels
a little queasy.
You know, when we were kids,
my dad made us eat everything
whether we liked it or not.
He never was much of a cook.
| mean, | didn't know
what good food was
until | joined the Army.
| remember one Sunday supper,
he slapped this mess
in front of me.
| told him—I said,
"I'm not going to eat that."
And for a minute,
| thought | got away with it,
and then a fit of anger
came across him,
and he hit me square in the mouth,
shattered three of my teeth.
| couldn't help myself.
|—with the blood in my mouth,
| just gagged,
and I just-
| puked all over my plate.
But he didn't care.
He just mixed it all together
and made me eat every last drop.
Come here.
Come here.
You know, Wyatte,
he's a good boy,
but he's mixed up.
He tells all kinds of stories
that just ain't right.
Is that what
he was doing tonight?
He wasn't.
Swapping secrets?
Telling you all kinds
of crazy things about us?
That's not what we were doing.
You sure?
| swear to you.
What happened to your hand?
I cut it.
On a little piece of glass?
What are you doing?
What does it look like
I'm doing?
That's my purse.
Yeah, | could have
figured that out all by myself.
What are you gonna do with it?
I'm gonna find out
who you really are.
That purse
is my private property!
Sarah.
Sarah.
It says here your name's Sarah.
Don't you know when you go
into someone's house, Sarah,
you have to act polite?
Didn't anyone ever
teach you that?
Turn around.
Turn around.
Turn around!
There's two kinds of people
who travel the desert:
those on the run
and those up to no good.
| stopped by Rio Station
this evening,
and—and we got to talking,
and he told me
some stranger come around,
snooping, asking all kinds
of questions
about the café
and the people who own it.
| got to wondering.
| said, "Who could that be?"
And he said it was a lady
with auburn hair
just like yours.
You're wasting your time
with Wyatte.
He's just a mixed-up boy.
You want to swap secrets...
I'm your man.
| don't know
what you're talking about.
| never asked any questions.
I-1 never stopped
at a gas station.
As soon as your sister gets back
with my car, I'm leaving.
| swear it.
What makes you think Billie
ain't God knows where by now?
She don't give a hoot in hell
about this place.
She's always been dreaming
about ways to get out of here.
Ever since she was
a little girl,
she'd sit by the highway
and watch the Greyhounds go by.
That bitch was right.
You don't look half bad
with a little color.
No.
Please.
Please, don't do that.
And why not?
You scare me.
There ain't nothing
to be scared of, huh?
Tell me something.
What's it like to be married
to a man of the cloth, huh?
Man like that able to take care
of a woman like you?
You seem like the kind of woman
who needs more than
that kind of man can handle.
Is that what you're doing?
You're looking
for something different?
Jesse!
You've had
something different...
just one time?
Just one time.
But you've thought about it,
though, ain't you?
You like to dance?
No.
No?
Come on.
Bet you just float
on that dance floor, huh?
Pretty little dress like that.
That's just a body
that's made for dancing, there.
Yeah.
| ain't asking.
I'm telling.
Jesse!
Please, don't hurt her!
Please, don't.
Don't.
Yeah.
Come on, come on,
we're just gonna
get to know each other
a little better
until Billie comes back.
- Just-
- No, no, please.
Please, don't do this.
Jesse!
Come here, yeah.
Pick up where my-
my little brother left off?
No!
Oh, no!
No!
What do you think about that?
Think about it all the time.
Where is it?
Where is it?
Give me back that envelope
from my purse!
Where is it?
Give it back to me!
That is mine!
Billie don't allow loaded guns
in the house.
Get out.
No.
Get out of the truck!
No!
Okay.
Help me!
Come here.
Wryatte!
Wyatte. Wyatte.
Wyatte. Wyatte.
Help me.
Help me, please.
Please, let me in.
He's gonna kill me.
Please, let me in with you.
Please.
|l can't.
You have to let me in,
goddamn it, Wyatte.
He's gonna kill me.
Oh, oh, God.
| heard the sheriff say
that you'd all be in trouble
if this happened again.
You know what he was
talking about, don't you?
Please, Wyatte.
Your sister's gonna be
really, really mad
if you don't help me.
Please, Wyatte.
Whyatte, please.
Please.
Please.
Let go of me!
Jesse!
Stop!
Don't hurt her, Jesse!
No, Jesse.
Jesse!
- Billie.
- Get away from her.
She knows.
Whyatte told her everything!
I did not!
| didn't tell her nothing!
Let her go.
Put the knife away, Jesse.
No.
No, she's lying
when she says | told you.
- Jesse, you are drunk.
- No.
You don't even know
what you're doing.
Now, just give me the knife
before you do something stupid.
- No, | didn't!
- Shut up!
- Just give it to me!
- Help me!
- I didn't tell her.
- Just give it to me.
She knows, Billie.
She knows about the mummy.
She'll tell someone.
I won't.
| swear.
- See?
Wyatte, Wyatte
told her everything.
She's been asking questions
all around town.
Please, give me the knife
before you hurt someone.
She's got money.
She's got a lot of money.
We could take it,
and we could go.
We could get out of here
like you always wanted!
And go where?
Where would we go?
Just get on the Greyhound,
Billie; we could just go!
And what happens
when it's gone?
What's gone?
The money, you fucking dumb-ass.
What happens when it's gone,
when it's run out?
It's not gonna run out.
We could buy a farm.
We could—we could plant
sugar beet seeds.
Give me the goddamn knife,
Jesse.
No, she knows about the mummy.
She's got to disappear.
Are you out of your mind?
Why not?
Other people do it all the time.
She knows what we did, Billie.
Then do it, you chicken shit.
No!
Do you think that we can
just crawl out of here
by splattering her blood
all over the desert,
then be my guest.
Go on, do it.
Do it!
Think killing's so fucking easy?
Then why don't you
show me the guts
that you didn't have that night.
- Do it.
- Shut up!
- Do it! Fucking do it!
- Shut up! Shut up!
Do it!
- Shut up! Shut up!
- Do it!
Do it!
Do it!
- Do it.
- Shut up!
Do it.
Fucking do it.
It wasn't my fault.
| couldn't stop him.
We should have all been boys!
But you had to come along
and fuck it all up!
It wasn't my fault.
It wasn't my fault!
It wasn't my fault!
Billie.
Go on, and get out of here...
before he changes his mind
and comes back.
Billie.
| didn't tell her nothing,
| promise.
|-l promise.
It's okay.
Whyatte, why don't you just
go on out and go to bed?
I'm sorry.
I'm—I'm—I'm sorry.
You're Anna Meyers' girl,
aren't you?
| couldn't put my finger on it
until | saw her name
on the registration in the car.
You look a lot like her.
You knew my mother.
Everybody knew her.
She was my father's whore.
No offense.
It's okay.
It's not like we were close.
Factis, I didn't-
I didn't know she existed
till three weeks ago.
Vegas lawyer tracked me down
through the orphanage.
She died last April...
Left me her car,
money,
and a letter.
After all this time,
| find out who my parents are
in a three-page letter
from a dead woman.
Strange, don't you think?
What do you want?
I'm not sure.
After | read the letter,
| started thinking about him,
whether he was
still alive or not,
if he still lived
where she said he lived.
The whole way here,
| kept wondering
what it was gonna be like,
how | was gonna react to him,
what his family was like.
What | said before,
| meant it.
| promise | won't tell anyone.
But | want to know
what happened.
Some things
are better left alone.
Please.
And then | swear
| will never bother you again.
It happened on the night
of my 12th birthday.
| was wearing this nightgown
that Let got me.
It was yellow
with little daisies
down the front.
She had left Jesse and |
to go look for my father.
He came stumbling home
around midnight,
drunker than usual.
| still remember
the sweet smell of whiskey...
And the tobacco
that he used to chew.
Nobody's taking care
of my damn hives.
There was a musky odor,
rainwater, sweat,
and a woman's cheap perfume.
They used to fight about that.
We have to help him.
We can't.
Just leave him be.
He was crashing around
in the dark like a crazy man,
knocking things over
and cursing up a blue streak
about his damn beehives.
| thought he might
hurt himself,
so | came out to help him...
and that's when he turned on me.
Ow, Daddy!
Stop it; you're hurting me!
He was so far gone,
he did not know it was me,
Just stop it!
Stop hurting me!
But there was a look in his eye
that | had never seen before.
And it was so dark,
and everything was moving
in slow motion.
You're hurting me!
Get in the scare hole, boy!
- | don't want to!
- Jesse, help!
Please, hurry!
| said,
get in the goddamn scare hole!
Get in the hole
before | do some damage, boy!
Our father used to make us
go to the scare hole for punishment.
Jesse, please!
He made Jesse go there
that night.
Jesse, help me, please!
Sometimes, | think maybe that
he was hurt more than any of us.
He doesn't know what he's doing.
| need help.
'Cause there were the years
he just went cold and empty,
like something just sucked
the life right out of him.
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God!
Oh, my God!
The ringing in my ears
was so loud...
I didn't even
hear the gun go off.
| just felt something warm
running down my neck.
And when he rolled...
off of me, | saw the blood...
coming out of a hole
in the back of his head.
And then Let
did the strangest thing.
She walked up to the cage
that we had the armadillo in,
and she emptied the rest
of the gun into it.
Jesse and | buried him
out in the dunes.
We just told everybody
that he run off,
and nobody suspected
or cared one way or the other.
It wasn't until years later
the Indian found an arm
sticking out of the sand,
and he knew that Let
was looking for attractions.
So he brought it here.
She paid $100 for it.
I'm sorry.
Don't be.
Curses, like chickens,
come home to roost.
How do you live with it?
| can't change anything.
You could leave
if you wanted to.
That road outside goes forever
in both directions.
They're my family.
No.
No, you're not like her
or your brothers.
Brother.
Jesse's my brother.
Wyatte's my son.
Besides, where would | go?
Every place is the same.
It's just lonely people
living tired lives
trying to dream a little,
and sooner or later,
they all die.
It's all the same.
No, no, | don't believe that.
Good for you.
Would you mind if | wrote you
every once in a while?
Suit yourself.
Would you mind
if | told people | had a sister?
You all right?
| will be as soon as
my head stops pounding.
It wouldn't pound
if you didn't go out drinking.
What time is it?
It's a little after 2:00.
What day is it?
June 21st.
It's your Aunt Tess' birthday.
| don't have an Aunt Tess.
No, sure, you do.
She—she lived on the boardwalk
in Galveston.
You mean that woman
with a lizard on a string
used to crawl up
around her shoulder?
That's the one.
Yeah, | thought her name
was Greta.
She was a taxi dancer.
Her stage name was Greta.
She only came out here
to visit once,
and then she never came back.
| wonder what happened
to that lizard.
Jesse fed it to the armadillo.
You don't remember that?
Would you tell that jackass
to turn off those lights?
It's bad for business.
Would you relax?
| had a dream tonight.
| dreamed that Jesse
was fighting
with the angel of death,
and she was holding
the armadillo in her arms,
and it was biting her neck,
and the more it bit her,
the tighter she squeezed
until | gota gun
and shot it dead.
It was just a dream.
It was just a bad dream.
Where are you off to
at this time of night?
I don't know.
Somewhere.
He's got himself a wife.
| know, Let.
She's pretty.
I've seen her.
She's better-looking
than you are.
So what?
Well, so | think you should know
so you don't get your hopes up.
| don't have any hopes.
Billie.
What is it now?
Where is everybody?
Where is Jesse?
Out somewhere.
He isn't run off, has he?
He's not in trouble again,
is he?
He's not in trouble.
He'll be back
whenever he feels like it.
What about Wyatte?
He's asleep in his room.
He's not as strong
as he should be.
The older he gets, the more
| have to watch over him.
| think he's soft in the melon.
He's stronger than you think.
Maybe.
Good night.
What about your father?
Turn the damn lights off.
What's wrong?
Nothing.
What do you want to do?
Just take me someplace.
And tell me you love me.
Did you ever see
a prettier face?
Jesse.
There you go.
Good boy.
Now you're going.
That's it.
Now get on that horse
and ride it.
Go on. Go on.
Go on. Get going.
This is a strange house.
You can see it in their eyes.
All right.
It's in their blood.
Trouble follows them around
like a stray dog.
Nobody's taking care
of my damn hives.
Stop it! You're hurting me!
Please!
Then do it, you chickenshit.
- Please!
- No, | don't want to!
No, he's hurting me!
| don't want to go in!
Blood all over the desert?
- Keep talking that-
- Don't hurt her!
Do it!
Get in that goddamn scare hole!
| don't have any hopes.
It wasn't my fault!
Jesse, help me, please!
He's hurting me!
Jesse, please, help me!
- Daddy, no.
- Don't let him do this to me.
No, no, please.
Look what he's doing to me.
Help!
Help!
Get away!
Get away from her,
you son of a bitch!
Please help, someone.
Get away from her,
you motherfucking
son of a bitch!
I'm going to kill you!