The Stepdaughter (2000) - full transcript

See you guys later.

See ya.

Susan: There are over
270 million people

in this country,

35 million
in California alone.

That's why it's taken
so long, Cheryl Ann.

That's why it's been like
trying to find

a needle in a haystack,

and they could have
been anywhere,

but we did it.

After all this time
we found them,



and now we're finally
gonna make things right.

Beer.

♪ I got too many people
taking up my time ♪

♪ I just can't
make love to you ♪

♪ now, she's
a mean little mama ♪

♪ from her top
to her bottom ♪

♪ wearing $300 shoes

♪ she drives
a beat-up truck ♪

♪ and my heart goes pop

♪ when she talks about
the things we used to do ♪

♪ that was yesterday

♪ now we're all grown up

♪ and we see each other
if we can ♪

♪ now I ain't gonna
have to tell her ♪



♪ just how much I love her

♪ and I want to be
her one and only ♪

♪ rockabilly fella

♪ she's a sight
for sore eyes ♪

♪ when I get a chance
to see her ♪

♪ when she calls,
I'm never home ♪

♪ I'm a hard-working man

♪ trying to make myself
a living ♪

♪ but I'm innocent working

♪ 'cause, baby, I'm alone

♪ and when she told me
that she loved me ♪

♪ yeah,
I got so doggone happy ♪

♪ that I went and told
my mom and dad ♪

♪ that's the last time
I seen her ♪

♪ let me tell you people

♪ that I'm going right
out of my head ♪

Hi.

♪ 'Cause I ain't
got time for love ♪

I was just
sitting over there,

and I was thinking...

Now you're
standing over here.

Yeah, right.

I was just thinking
that maybe I...

That maybe you'd
like to buy me a beer.

Anything you want.

There, so...
What do you think?

Heh heh!
Hey, good-lookin'.

You ever go riding?

Sometimes.

I got just
the filly for you.

I can ride
anything you got.

Whew!

There you were,

like one of them angels
in a museum painting.

Boy, you sure are
a pretty one.

Had a feeling about tonight.

Yeah?

You know.

Something special's
gonna happen.

Something real special.

I know...

'Cause I had that
exact same feeling.

You a real cowboy, will?

Yes, ma'am.

I want to do
something bad, will.

Something really,
really bad.

Mmm.

I can feel
your heart, will,

right here.

It's racing.

I think that you
want me to be bad.

Mm-hmm.

Say it.

I want you to be bad.

If I'm really,
really bad, will...

And if I say I'm sorry...

I hope you'll forgive me.

Don't hide from me,
Karen mills!

You're a bad,
wicked little girl!

But you're gonna be
good from now on.

Know why?

'Cause I've got Cheryl Ann,

and I just might rip her
pretty little head off!

Mine!

Fucking asshole!

It's all right,
Cheryl Ann.

Dad, there's somebody
here at the door.

I know. No, hold on.
Hold on, son.

See who it is.

Hi. I am so sorry.

I've had a car accident.

Can I please use your phone?

Oh, well,
please, come in.

Please, please.

Thank you.

You ok? What...What...

Oh, yeah.

I'm all right.
Thank you.

Well, here.
Put this down.

Oh, thanks.

What happened?

Oh. I was
on the freeway,

and I got off
to get some food.

I got lost,

and this deer jumps
out in front of me.

I swerved
to avoid it,

and my car ends up
in the ditch,

and I am so, so
sorry for imposing.

Oh, no.
Don't worry about that.

I'm Jesse Conner.

Uh, Susan Heller.

Susan,
this is my son buddy.

Nice to meet ya.

Would you like a glass
of water or anything?

Uh...

Jesse: Buddy,
get her a glass of water.

Buddy: Ok.

Jesse: Ok.

Susan: Thank you.
I am so sorry.

Jesse: No, please.
Don't worry about it.

Jesse: Do you have any
idea where the car is?

Susan: Just a mile
or so up the road.

Hi, honey.

Hi. I saw the lights,
and I heard all the dogs.

Dad.

Uh, Susan Heller, right?

Yeah.
Susan,

this is my daughter Linda.
Linda, Susan.

She just had an accident
up the road.

Oh, no!

Dad, mom's up.

Oh, yeah
um, Susan, excuse me.

Uh, my wife's been

a little under
the weather lately, so...

That means she's been
feeling kind of sick,

but she's getting better,
right, dad?

Yes, she is.
She's gonna be fine, son.

Fine.

Uh, if
I could just...

Use the phone
to call a cab...

A cab? Well,
they stop running at 7:00.

Oh.

Uh, listen, it's
gonna be a lot easier

to find your car
in the morning

than it is
in the middle of the night,

and we have
a fine guest room here.

You're welcome to use it.

No, no, no.
I couldn't impose.

Please, just say yes.

Yes.

All right.
Well, here it is.

So, uh, where were
you headed, Susan?

Oh, outside
of San Diego.

I was working horses
up in vallejo

and, uh, needed
a change of scenery.

Oh, you work
horses, huh?

Mm-hmm.
About 7 years.

Great!

Well, ok.

Listen, uh,
we'll get your car

taken care of
in the morning,

uh, first thing, ok?

Thank you,
Mr. Conner.

Uh, Jesse.

Thank you, Jesse.

Great. Ok.
Sleep tight.

Ok.

We're gonna fit
right in, Cheryl Ann.

Right in,
just like I promised,

and they don't
suspect a thing.

Why did you come?

You don't belong here.

Yes, I do!

Nobody wants you.

Aah!

You're better off dead.

Please! Please!
Please, don't! Please!

Please, don't! Please!

Buddy: Susan?

Please, don't.

Please, don't.

Susan?

No!

Get away from me!

No, it's me!
It's buddy!

It's ok.

Susan, you ok?

Come here.
Come here.

Come here.

Come here.

Oh, my god!

You--you ok?

I just...

Yeah. I just had
a horrible nightmare.

I had one
of those once.

I don't know.

It must be
the strange bed.

Uhh!
Ok.

Thank you for
coming to my rescue.

Nightmares, they...

They can be scarier

than real life
sometimes.

Huh?

They sure can, buddy.

Do you want
a glass of water?

Uh-uh. I'm ok.
You go to bed.

Good night.

Jesse: Couple of holes
in the radiator.

Well, it doesn't really
look all that serious.

We ought to get this
thing fixed in no time.

Great!

Susan, meet our
resident mechanic.

I'm also
Jesse's trainer.

Name's Paris.
France?

Texas.
Ah!

Sheriff Tom!

Excuse me.

Buddy: Sheriff Tom! Hey!

How you doin',
buddy?

Buddy: Yes!
Good to see ya.

Uhh!
How you been?

Good.

Why don't you
give me a second

with your dad
real quick, hmm?

Here.
Come in here.

Yeah?

Ha ha!

What's up, huh?

I don't know how

I'm gonna sugar-coat
this, Jesse.

Will's dead.

He was murdered
last night.

My god, wh-wh-wh...
How'd it happen? What...

Do you think she'll live?

Paris: When a car
overheats like this,

it's most likely
a hole in the radiator,

but you can never
tell for sure.

You know what
I'd like to do?

What's that?

Take her to the barn,

stretch out on my back,

and take a good long
hard look underneath.

You know, I'm sure,
in the right hands,

she'll be just fine.

Well, I can't wait
to tell her the good news.

Found him down there
in a hotel room.

Los Angeles.

Oh, man. God, how am I
gonna tell the kid?

Jesus.

Paris: I don't mean to
sound hard-hearted, Jesse,

but this...

This thing with will
leaves us a hand short.

The timing couldn't
have been worse.

Tell me about it.

I warned will
about going

to those
kind of places.

Will gave me this.

He told me if
I was ever in trouble,

I should just blow
on this real hard,

and he--he'd come running.

Oh, buddy, I know will
was your best friend

and you miss him
real bad right now,

but you're gonna find
a new best friend

to come running.

Yeah?

Yeah.

Jesse: The girl says
she works horses.

You're thinking
of hiring her?

You like that idea,
do you? Huh?

Well, like you say,
girl works horses.

Get her unhitched,
buddy.

Ok.

Uh, listen, you
mentioned last night

that you, uh,
had experience

working with horses,
right?

Yeah.

Jesse: Well,

as you know, we're
a little short-handed

and, uh...

If that's a job offer,
the answer's yes.

Jesse: All right.
Well,

I'm gonna go on
over to the office,

and when
you finish here,

come on over, ok?

Yeah.

What do we
got here, buddy?

Ok, Jeff. Just let us
know when you can.

Linda: Ok.

Hey, dad.

Did you hear about will?

Yeah.
Tom gitlin was here

about 10 minutes
after Paris left.

Can't believe it.

Been checking around,

trying to find
a replacement.

Jeff Artemis,
he's a maybe.

I offered the girl the job.

You what?

Well,
I don't understand.

We lost a man,
and I replaced him.

What's the problem?

The problem is

that we were supposed
to be a team here.

Here I am,

trying to repair
the damage ned did,

with no end
in sight, dad.

Ned bunning was
my accountant for 28 years.

Ned was sick.
He did not do the job.

Honey, he was
my best friend.

What was I
supposed to do?

You didn't even
check her out,

did you, dad?

That's right.

You know what
your problem is?

Hmm?
Hmm.

You've been reading

too many of those
detective stories,

you know?

Lighten up a little, ok?

God.

And you'll be
fortunate enough

to be working with me
most of the time.

How lucky
can a girl get?

Susan, Linda's
got some papers

for you to sign
back in the office,

soon as you can,

right up there.

You wanted to see me?

I've got an application
for you to fill out.

Um, your dad
seemed upset.

That wasn't because
of me, was it?

No. Of course not.

You can start
tomorrow, Susan.

Take the day
to settle in.

Ok.

When am I gonna get
to meet your mom?

Well, sometimes,
when her hip is hurting,

she likes to
keep to herself.

Says her medicine makes
her feel kind of wacky.

So, this used
to be Linda's room.

Now it's Susan's.

Um, if it's
ok with you,

I want
to be alone

and put away
my things.

Ok. I'll see you
at lunch.

Bye!

Bye.

Did you hear
what he said?

This is Susan's room.

I think I'm gonna go see

what the rest of
our castle looks like.

That's Victoria.

She is a bird of paradise.
Isn't she gorgeous?

Yeah.

I'm Susan Heller.

Yes, I know.

I'm Maggie.

That was me last night
in the hall

skulking around
like Ophelia's ghost.

Certain painkillers
bring out the dramatic in me.

You're quite
a looker, Susan.

Thank you.

Watch out for Paris.

My plants remind me of

what a big and exciting
place our planet is.

You have the whole world
right here, Maggie.

It's the closest
I'll ever get to seeing it.

Don't ever listen to a man

when he tells you
he's going to retire

from what he loves.

If you want
to do something,

really need to...

Just do it.

Otherwise
you'll be like...

Anyway.

End of lecture.

So no matter
what it is, Maggie?

Yes, no matter
what it is.

I promise.

Good.

Come on.
I'll show you the rest.

Ok.

Man: Yeah, I'll
get right on it

this afternoon,
Jesse.

Mom, do you
spell vallejo

with one "l" or 2?

2, I think.

Jesse: 2, absolutely.

Mm-hmm. 2.

I thought so.

You spelled it
with one "l"

on your
job application.

I figured I was wrong,
but I guess not.

Oh.

I'm gonna have to be
more careful next time.

So what kind of stock
are you workin' up there?

Pretty much the same
as you have here.

A lot of
ranchers up north

are starting to switch
over to standard breds.

I would really
love to work

with trotters
and pacers someday.

Are you guys
thinking

of bringing them
down here?

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

What do you
think, Maggie?

I think it's
your call, Jesse.

So do you have a lot
of family up north, Susan?

No, I lost my family
in a car accident.

They'd just dropped me off
at summer camp. I was 8.

Well, that's terrible.

Sorry.

The sheriff's here.

Probably about will,
I suppose.

Susan, can I show you
somethin'?

What?

Mom, may I please
be excused from the table?

Yes, dear.

Thanks.
It's a secret.

Excuse me.

Maggie, pass me
that juice.

She seems to know what
she's talking about.

Is, uh, somethin'
botherin' you about her?

I don't know.

You've got friends
up north. Ask around.

Well, you know me,

never could say no
to a pretty lady.

Susan: What are you
gonna show me, buddy?

It's a secret,
best friends' secret.

You know, Susan, I'm...

I've been thinking.

About what?

Best friends.

I was--i was thinkin'
maybe, um...

Y-you would wanna
be my new best friend?

It's a really easy job.

I'd like that.

Yeah?

Yeah.

Ok.

Girls are slow.

Come on!

Ah!

Ow. Damn it.

Ah.

Ok.

Ok, now,
watch your head.

Ok.

Oh, buddy,
this is so cool.

You like it?

Yeah.

Yeah?

Wait.

There's more.

Ok.

Whoo...

Let's make a wish.

Ok.

I think it goes to China.

So who else knows
about this?

Maybe some people in China.

Jesse: 2 words?

Uh-uh.

2 syllables?

Uh, second word!
Second word.

Second word.
Sounds like.

Sounds like...Uh,
you're throwing something.

You're fishing.

Fishing.
You're reeling in.

You're,
uh, uh...

Line. Hook.

It's quite
the collection, huh?

Are these all whodunits?

Mostly.

Uh, walking
with...

Frustrated detective, huh?

Sort of.

Smile, Linda!

Buddy!
Smile!

Ok. Ha ha ha!

Thank you.

Are you gonna play
the next one, Susan?

Um...you know what?
Maybe later.

Smile.

Ha ha ha!

Jesse:
Dig the, uh...

Maggie: Gray?

The gray--gray?

Gray? Gray!

It's all gray.
It's all gray.

No! Get outta here!

Damn painkillers.

Yeah. Maggie said

they brought out
the dramatic in her.

Huh. She said that?

Mm-hmm. You know,

maybe she should
switch medication.

Something like dropadine
might work better for her.

She tried it.

You seem to know a lot
about the subject.

My mom was a nurse.

I thought you said
you lost your mom

when you were a child.

Yeah?

Dropadine didn't come out
until the last couple of years.

I, uh, um...

I must have
read it somewhere.

Now, listen, Linda,

I would really like
for us to be friends,

but I feel...

Well, that I have to
explain myself to you.

Am I interrupting
something here?

No.

Ah, Linda.

Susan!

Hold up.

What happened
back there?

Oh, it's no big deal.
Linda and I just had

a little communication
problem is all.

All right, we'll
work it out. Don't worry.

I'm gonna head on
back up to the house.

Thanks for
a wonderful evening.

I'll see you
tomorrow night.

Glad you
could join us.

I got a lot of work
to do tomorrow,

so see you
in the morning.

Good night.
Good night.

We've had people who
didn't like us before,

and we just have to learn
to get along with everybody,

even nosy Linda.

Well, buttercup's
lookin' good.

Yeah.
I like working her.

You ever run
into a guy in vallejo

by the name of Alan volke,

raises Tennessee walkers?

Yeah.

Well, Alan volke
raises thoroughbreds,

not Tennessee walkers.

You ever spent any time
in vallejo, you'd know that.

Oh, yeah. Alan volke,
thoroughbreds.

Why are you lyin'?

Uh...

Hmm?

My previous employer,

uh, was powerful
and vindictive,

and when he tried to
force himself on me,

well, he regretted it.

So that left a giant
hole in my resume.

Eh, I got creative.

But, uh, I did pass
through vallejo

with 2 elves
on my way south.

Hmm...

Ok, just
give me the saddle.

There you go.

By the way, Alan volke...

He raises quarter horses.

You know, it's not
that I don't like sex.

I just like to choose
who I have it with.

Hmm.

Mmm...

Hi.

Hey, Linda.

Oh.

Oh...

Damn deposit slips.

Last year's tax return...

"3.8 million gross."

"900,000 net."

Luis!

Why is big bill
in his stall?

I'm picking him
up now.

Ok.

You just saved me
a truckload

of pain
and humiliation.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

I was just about to call
an ex-boyfriend in L.A.

I'm still in love
with him,

and, unfortunately,

he was in love
with himself

and broke my heart.

I don't know what
I was thinking.

I owe you one.

Thanks.

I was talking
to will.

He told me
I wasn't dumb.

It just takes me
a little while

to think...
Things in my head.

Will told you that?

Mm-hmm. Today.

What else
did will say?

Well...

That we'll always
figure things out

together.

And I'll always
do the right thing.

Sounds like he's
pretty right to me.

Yeah?

I think it's time
you get to bed though.

That's what I think.

Thanks, Linda.

I'll see you
tomorrow, buddy.

I love you.

Sleep tight.

Ah, they need a bath.

Who named you?

Ok... let's see.

Aaaaaaah!

Is Paris working you
hard enough?

Mmm, I like
working hard.

Heh heh heh heh.

Dad, dad!
Dad, come on!

It's mom, come on!

Dr. Sussman
to the O.R., post-op.

Dr. Sussman to the O.R.,
post-op.

Don't you die
on me, old lady.

You think they're
gonna give her a shot?

Oh, I don't know,
buddy.

Shots hurt.

But they're for
your own good.

That's what mom
always tells me.

Mom? Mom,
are you all right?

Yeah.

Well, she's got
a few bruises,

but Dr. Miller says

the replacement's
doing just fine.

She's gonna be ok.

You hear that, Susan?

Mom's gonna be
a-ok.

Yeah,
that's great.

Oh, you had us
worried, Maggie.

Let's get her home,
what do you say?

So there's this guy and
he's wearing a bow tie,

and he wants
to buy an in.

Did they give you
a shot, mom?

I'll see you later.

Karen?

Mom, are you ok?

Paris told me
what happened.

I'm ok.

She never
should have been

on the damn ladder
in the first place.

Oh, mom. God.

Buddy, go get the door.

I got it.

You can't let your anger
control you, Karen.

That's why you're here.

Ow! My anger's
the only damn thing

they can't take away
from me.

Karen?

Code blue,
room 128.

See you back
at the ranch.

Code blue,
room 128.

See you at home.

Ok.

All right,
here we go.

Easy.

Susan, could you
help her, please?

Thank you.

Hey, can I help?

Uh, no, really, honey.

We got it all
under control. Thanks.

Susan's gonna put
mom to bed.

Night, buddy.

Thank you.

Are you
feeling better?

Yeah.

Susan, would you
be a dear

and get me
my moisturizer?

Yeah.
Thanks.

It's the big white jar
on the vanity there.

Give me your hand.

It was some night, huh?

We could do with
a little less excitement

around here.
Want some juice?

Yeah. Thank you.

It's been rough,
hasn't it,

since Maggie
broke her hip?

Well, between the drugs
and pain,

sometimes I hardly
recognize her.

So what happened, Jesse?

Well, she's going
through a spell.

You know how women get
when they get itchy

and they want to
go everywhere,

see everything?

I bought her a horse

to take her mind
off of it.

It's a beauty, too.
Big palomino.

And she fell?

Yeah.

First time
she rode him.

I'm really worried
about her.

She'll be fine.

You shouldn't worry.

Well, you know, now
she can't go anywhere.

You know,
bad things happen.

It's nobody's fault.

Life goes on.

Thank you.

Um...we really....

I ought to call it
a day.

What do you think?

Yeah.

Oh, he wanted to.

I know it.

He likes me.

He knows
I belong here.

He just
doesn't know why.

Luis needs buddy
today,

so why don't
we split things up?

Uh, you take mom
this morning,

I'll take her
this afternoon.

Paris says we ought
to be back

sometime between
1:30 and 2:00.

You know,
i--i can't.

I gotta fax '96-'97
to Sacramento by 2:00.

There's no way
I'm gonna be ready.

Oh, I'd love to stay
with Maggie.

Oh, great.
Problem solved.

Great. Hah.
Problem solved.

Well, who rained
on your parade?

Have you talked to your
friends up north yet?

Let me guess--Susan.

You didn't answer
my question.

I got some calls out,
nothing yet.

How's her work?

Well, she seems to know
her business.

Keep calling.

Love 'em, just never try
to understand 'em.

Listen, I am eternally
grateful to you.

Oh, I'm happy to do it.

Um, about last night...

Oh, look,
forget about it.

Nothing really
happened anyway,

so don't worry
about it, all right?

Good. Thank you.

See you later
this afternoon.

Ok.

Small, with
thick eyeglasses.

Woman: Oh, you must be
talking about calista Davis.

Calista Davis?

She's gone on
a 3-week vacation.

3-week vacation?
You're kidding.

Would you like
to leave word?

I'll just call back.
Thanks.

Hello,
calista Davis.

Calista on machine:
This is calista.

Leave a message.

Hi, uh... my name
is Linda Conner.

I need to discuss

a mutual acquaintance
with you.

Please, if you could
call me back,

it's important.

My number here is
555-0145.

Thank you.

Karen.

I had to make sure.

You look great.

You--you haven't
changed a bit.

You, uh,
you have no idea

how many times
I've thought about you.

So what are you
doing here?

Um, I, uh...

I--i called out to you
the other day,

at the hospital.

Didn't you hear me?

No.

Maggie on intercom:
Susan.

Um, this is
a bad time.

So I've got to go.

Susan? You there?

Who's Susan?

Um, will you just
give me a minute,

and I'll be
right back. Ok.

Maggie on intercom:
Susan, can you hear me?

Hello.

Hello.

I'll be there in
a minute, Maggie.

I haven't eaten
all morning.

I'm making lunch
right now.

I'll bring it to you
in, uh,

about 10 minutes,
ok?

Hmm. You know what?
Don't bother with that.

I feel like eating
in the kitchen

with you today, Susan.

Maggie,
I promised Jesse

I'd make sure
you stayed...

In bed.

Why is she
calling you Susan?

Because that's
who I am now.

Why are you always
poking your nose

in other people's lives?

Why don't you mind
your own business?

Calm--calm down,
Karen.

I--i didn't mean
to upset you.

Maggie on intercom:
Hello. Susan.

I'm your friend,
Karen.

I-I've always been
your friend.

Why are you
doing this to me?

I never asked you
to be my friend,

and I told you to
leave me alone back then.

Karen, no!

My glasses!

You won't be
needing those.

Maggie on intercom:
Susan.

You should have
listened.

Please...

Maggie: Susan.
Susan, where are you?

I'll be right there,
Maggie.

I have to clean up
something first.

Well, all right.
Just hurry.

Susan...

Susan, are you in here?

Why didn't you
answer me?

You're not supposed
to be up.

Well, I'm tired of staring
at the same 4 walls.

Is my lunch ready?

Um, I'm just about
to make you a sandwich.

But you're gonna
get me in trouble--

I know, but I'm hungry.

Oh, ok, but let's
get you back

in your room--

was somebody here?

No.

Could have sworn i--

Heard something.

Oh,
this is great.

Hello?

Hi, it's Linda.

Yeah. Uh, Maggie's up.

I just brought her
a sandwich.

Oh, I'm gonna be
a little late for lunch.

I'm running
a bit behind here.

Um, I tell you what.

Why don't I make you
a sandwich

and bring it down?

And then you can
just keep working.

Well, I don't want you going
out of your way or anything.

No, no, no, no,
it's no bother, really.

I insist.

Ok. Bye.

♪ They all ran after
the farmer's wife ♪

♪ she cut off their tails
with a carving knife ♪

♪ have you ever seen
such a sight in your life? ♪

♪ As three blind mice

Ha ha.

Luis gets real mad
at me

when I forget
my lunch.

He says,
"a man's gotta eat."

But I don't got
a lot of time.

It's a real rat race
out there.

A ham sandwich.

Can I have some
cranberry juice,

please, to drink?
Mm-hmm.

Thank you.

What does Linda like?

Diet coke.

Ok.

My mom.

She said I gotta
chew each bite

10 times
before I swallow.

One...

2...

3...

4...

5...

6...

7...8...

9...

7...

8...

Both: 9...

10.

1...2...

What are you
doing?

Oh, I was just
checking to make sure

that the intercom was on.

Oh.

Yeah.

3...

4...

5...

Listen, I...

Promised Linda that
I would make her a sandwich

and take it to her.

Could you do me a big favor
and do it for me?

Ok.

Ok.

Yeah? So Linda's
waiting.

So you better hurry.

Ok.
Ok?

Ok.

Bye.
Bye.

You should never
drop in on somebody...

Without calling first.

To exercise...

Hey, mom.

Hey.

Have you seen
Susan around?

Uh-uh.

Afternoon TV stinks.

You were supposed to be
taking care of Maggie.

Where have you been?

Oh, I was just
bringing

a little color
to Maggie's life.

So how are you
feeling, Maggie?

Mmm.

What you doing, son?

Lazy afternoons,

starlit Kentucky
nights, you and me.

Cheese.

I'll have a piece.

Oh, god,
I shouldn't,

but, uh, all
right, I will.

Linda?

No, thank you.

Anything you can
find out about her,

oh, I'd really
appreciate it.

No problem.

Linda...

You're probably
gonna say no,

but, uh, you want to
have dinner one night?

I'll give you an answer
on one condition--

you take off those
ridiculous sunglasses.

Well, what's the answer?

Not "yes" yet.

Ask me again later.

Susan really
worries me, Tom.

Well, just give me
a couple of days.

Hey, we just
got an invite

from Perry Hanks
down near louisville.

He says toward
the end of the month

he's gonna have some
real winners for us.

You wanna go?

Oh, I'll never be
finished by then.

I'd love to go.

Well, sure.
Uh, that'd be great.

I could use the company.

Hello?

It all checks out.

Susan is who
she says she is.

No, she isn't,
damn it.

She could have
faked an identity.

I mean, there are
books and web sites

that could tell her
how to do that.

Anything's possible.

Well, you
gave it your best shot.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

Listen, uh,
I was wondering

if maybe you wanted
to get together

to discuss
that dinner date

you talked about?

Ok.

Ok.

So I'll just, uh,
I'll talk to you later.

All right. Bye.

Bye.

Listen, bill tuft's got
a new breeding stock

over at his ranch.

We're gonna go over
on Tuesday

and take a look at it.
You want to come with us?

Oh, that's
my day off, Jesse.

I can't,
I made plans.

Ok. Have a good night.

Good night.

This Tuesday belongs
to us, Cheryl Ann.

It's the day our pain
finally stops.

I swear to you.

No one is taking
that away from us.

No one.

You sure you gonna be
ok, sweetheart?

Of course
I'm gonna be ok.

I feel like I'm
deserting the ship.

You got a day off.
Enjoy it.

It's the rules
of the ranch.

Come on, dad,
Paris is waiting.

All right, sweetie.
Bye-bye.

See you
this afternoon.

Ok.

I'm gonna be in
the office all morning,

so I'm just
a phone call away.

Please, would
everyone stop this?

I had a fall,
I'm a little black and blue.

I'm not an invalid.

Actually,
I'm looking forward

to having a nice hot bath

without the entire family
hovering over me.

Hovering?

Yes, dear. You do
hover sometimes.

I love you anyway.

I love you, too, mom.

Would you like me
to tidy up here before I go?

No, dear. I can
take care of it, thanks.

You sure?

I'm sure. Go, go.
Have fun.

Have a good day.
I will.

They lined us up
according to height.

Susan, I thought you left.

Everybody praying like
there was no tomorrow.

Dear sweet Jesus...

Please let
the smiling fat lady

and her skinny
husband pick me.

I promise I'll never be
a bad girl again

if only I can have
a real mommy and daddy

to love me.

What are you
talking about?

But they never
picked me.

The best
that I could have

was foster moms
and dads.

'Cause you see,
Maggie,

I was
a problem child.

And problem children
need special attention.

Let's not forget about
the foster mothers

who were convinced
that the foster kids

weren't good enough
to eat

with the rest
of the family.

And the foster dads,

who knew just what
the little girls wanted.

The social workers who
turned the other way.

Stay down!

Stop it!
You're scaring me.

Could you have any clue
what I'm talking about?

So let me paint you
a picture, Maggie.

It's a small,
red-brick hospital

on the outskirts
of Wichita.

She's in labor.

She's not married to
the father of the child,

and she never will be,

because he's dead.

Got himself killed
in Vietnam.

So she's agreed
to give the baby up.

I mean, could you
imagine a mother

giving up her own
flesh and blood?

And guess who
that girl is, Maggie?

Oh, my god.

Yeah, oh, my god!

You let them
take me away. Why?

Times were
different then.

My parents, they were
very, very religious.

They forced me to do it.
They forced me to give you up.

I wanted you very much.

Do you know--
do you know what it's like,

being completely alone,
do you know?

Do you know
what day today is?

Um, it's Tuesday, the...

Oh, that's right,
Maggie.

It's my birthday.

And we are
gonna celebrate.

What are you doing?

Oh, god, you have
to believe me.

I tried to find you,

but the records
were sealed.

Do you remember
what you named me?

Yes.

Then say it.

Karen.

Say, "happy
birthday, Karen."

Say it.

Happy birthday,
Karen!

Happy birthday, Karen.

Then I want you
to look at me...

So you can see

what the next
Mrs. Jesse Conner

looks like.

No!

Don't!

No. Karen!

Stop, stop!

Stop!

Don't. Don't!

Please, Karen.

I'm your mother.

Please don't.

I've waited for this

my entire life.

No!

Party's over, mom.

Hey, mom.
You in here?

She called this
her magic place.

And when I'm
missing her,

a lot...

This is where
I'm gonna be.

'Cause mom always said,

"we're all together
here on the ranch...

"And when something bad
happens to one of us,

it happens to all of us."

I miss you, mom.

And I love you.

Amen.

Amen.

I know it's hard to lose
your mom at any age, buddy,

but at least you had her
all these years.

Woman:
Nurses' station.

Linda: Yeah,
I'm calling to see

if calista Davis
will be in tonight.

Uh, yes, ma'am.

She's back
from vacation?

Yes. Her shift
starts at 8:00.

8:00?

Mm-hmm, 8:00.

Great. Thank you.

It's really important
that I talk to nurse Davis.

You see this face?

This is the face
of a tired woman.

They said she'd be back
from vacation today.

No call, no nothin',
and that ain't like her.

Maybe she found
the man of her dreams.

The night before
she went on vacation,

she thought
she recognized somebody.

She called her Karen.

Did she say anything
about that to you?

Yeah, really
shook her up.

Somebody from
a previous job,

she said.

What was
her previous job?

An institution.

Um, I don't remember.

Um, in L.A., I think.

Look, sweetie,
I really have to go.

Why don't you call
human resources

in the morning?

I don't know if you can
get anything from them,

but you can try.

Thank you.

Oh, my god.
It actually works.

Let's see...

"Carson correctional
facility."

Man:
Carson correctional.

Hi, um,
can you tell me

when I can speak
to someone

in administration?

They'll be here
at 8:00 tomorrow.

8 A.M.

Yes.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

There we go.

Giddyap.

Linda left
about an hour ago.

Where did she head
so early?

Oh, god.

Women are a mysterious
breed, Paris.

I've never been able
to figure 'em out.

It's fun trying, though.

You're, uh,

looking good there,
Mr. Commissioner.

Oh, well,
thank you very much.

Somebody's got
to keep an eye

on these politicians.

They'd zone us
out of existence

if they could.

Oh, I just got
off the phone

with Harry Hanks.

Oh, good.
Is Kentucky still on?

2 weeks from tomorrow.

I'm ready.

I'll see you later.

Woman: You're aware she
hasn't worked here in years?

Linda: She was last seen
talking to a woman

she called Karen,

a woman she identified
to a colleague

as having known when
she was employed here.

Any idea how many karens
have come through this place?

She'll be
in her early 30s.

Look, we have
623 inmates

and almost 150
in staff.

Yes, I remember
calista Davis.

No, I don't remember

if she had
a special relationship

with someone named Karen,

inmate or staff.

Maybe you could
check your files.

Are you kidding?

Channels, sweetie.
That's the way you do it.

You go
to the police,

you report
your aunt missing,

you tell 'em all
about this Karen.

Then they may
or may not come here

and look through
my records.

Now, if you'll
excuse me.

Psst.

Nurse Davis,

s-she took an interest.

She cared about
what happened to us.

She tried to help
Karen mills.

Karen mills?

What was she
in here for?

She claimed
her stepfather was--

was doing things to her.

So one night, while he was
sleeping off a drunk,

she torched the house...

Burned him to a crisp.

Is this--
is this Karen mills?

I don't know.
I--i can't tell.

I'm not sure.

Sorry.

This Karen of yours.

Does she have a doll

with one of those
pull rings in the back?

You know, it said
the name Mary Ann, I think.

Thank you.

Conner residence.

Buddy, it's Linda.

Hi, Linda.

I want you
to do me a favor, ok?

Yep.

I want you
to take the phone

and go
into Susan's room.

What if her door's
closed?

It's ok, buddy.
It's a game.

Oh, it's like one of
those detective games?

That's right, and you're
Sherlock Holmes.

Ok, I'm going.

I'm inside, Watson.

Ok, Sherlock.

I want you to go
over to the closet.

There should be
a black duffel bag.

Do you see it?

Mm-hmm.

Ok...

I want you
to look inside

and see if there's
a doll with blond hair.

Ok.

Is it there?

Yeah.

Does she have a pull ring
on her back, buddy?

Uh-huh.

Pull it, buddy.
Pull the ring.

Doll: Hi, my name
is Cheryl Ann,

and I love you.

Hey, give me
my fucking doll!

They didn't
teach you

about privacy in
your moron school?

It wasn't
a moron school.

It was
a special school!

Hello?

Linda, is that you?

Buddy! I know I said
a terrible thing.

Man: Good afternoon,
city hall.

Linda: Could I speak
to someone in zoning, please?

Just a moment.

Second man: Zoning,
can I help you?

Yes, I'm looking
for Jesse Conner.

Is he still there?

No, ma'am,
they're gone.

Left about, oh,
5 minutes ago.

Do you know
where they went?

Did they go to lunch?

Oh, no, ma'am,
they just went.

Ok, thank you.

You're welcome.

Buddy?

Ollie-Ollie
oxen free?

Buddy?

Mm-mmm.

You seen buddy?

What are you doing?

I'm fantasizing.

Don't you want to know
what I'm fantasizing about?

Ok, Paris, please.

I just had a serious
misunderstanding

with buddy, and
I need to see him.

I'm fantasizing
about you and me...

In Kentucky.

So do you want sex
right here now

with the mud
and the horseshit?

I prefer a bed
with clean sheets,

but this will do.

Sweetheart...

I've been your friend
since the get-go.

I have backed you up.

I have lied
to Linda for you.

And now I get the feeling
that you're playing me.

I'm getting
real sick of it.

Yeah? Fuck you!

Buddy?

Buddy?

Are you in here?

Ok, I know that
you're mad at me,

and you should be.

Come on, buddy.

Best friends
talk things out.

They forgive
each other.

Oh, I forgive you.

What do you want?

I don't like
being dismissed.

This is a cozy little
place you got here.

It's buddy's.

Well...

Thank you, buddy.

I told you once,

I choose who
I have sex with.

Well, I was hoping
you'd choose me.

Hmm, you see,
you must have forgot.

You're the one
with something to lose.

Buddy?

You're a problem, Paris.

I got more problems
than I need right now.

We never stood a chance,
the two of us.

I think it has something
to do with your name.

I mean, Paris.
Give me a break.

Susan, Susan,

Susan, for god's sake,
help me, I'm slipping.

So just let go.

What?

Be much less painful.

For god's sake, help.

I swear to god I won't--

I won't tell anybody
anything.

J-just help me
out of here, please.

You know,

we're a lot alike.

Susan, come on. Don't
do this. You gotta--

I can't trust you.

Help me out of here.
God. God, don't, just--

just give me your--

aaaah!

What should I do, will?

Will?

Buddy!

Buddy!

You saw what Paris
tried to do to me!

Conrad, what are
you doing here?

Clogged drain
in your folks' tub.

Yeah, here's
the culprit.

You seen buddy?

Nope.

Buddy?

Just keep it together.
The eye on the doughnut.

Damn it, focus!

Buddy?

Buddy?

Buddy, are you in here?

Buddy?

If you're here,
come out.

Susan can't hurt you.

Susan: I don't
want to hurt him.

I caught him snooping
through my things,

and I lost it
for a second

and I said things
that I shouldn't have.

Yeah, he gets upset when
people call him a moron.

Where is he?

I don't know.

Linda, something terrible
just happened.

He tried to rape me--

Paris.

God, I was looking for buddy
up at our secret place

up in the hill
and...

Paris must have
followed me there.

Guess where
I just came from.

We fought and...

Oh, god,
I went crazy...

And I hit him,

and he fell, and poor buddy
saw the whole thing.

Carson correctional
institution.

Listen, Linda.
I can explain.

I was young,
I got into trouble,

and they put me
in there.

When I got out and people
found out where I'd been,

they wouldn't hire me.

So I changed my name.

Left Karen mills behind.

Yeah.

Quite a girl,
that Karen.

Heard she torched
her foster father.

That fire...
Was an accident.

You're gonna pack
your bags and leave.

So does Jesse
know about this?

In case you
haven't noticed,

your dad likes me.

Well, he doesn't know
the truth about--

did you ever use
my parents' bathroom?

No.

When you were taking
care of Maggie,

you never helped her
with her bath?

No. She wouldn't
let anybody help her.

You know that.

What are you
getting at?

How did this
get in the drain

of my parents'
bathtub?

You killed my mother.

Quicker...

And with more mercy
than when she killed me.

What are you
talking about?

Reality, Linda...

Reality.

You see this?

The horses, the stables?

It's as much mine
as it is yours,

and I've as much right
to be here as you do.

You're my sister, Linda.

Maggie was your mother?

In name only.

The state was
my real mother.

Now, you've ruined
everything, Linda.

I should have
done you first.

You know, when I first
found Conner ranch,

I thought
of burning it down.

But I've grown since
my days at Carson.

I've learned things
like anger management now.

And you people...

Just lived your picture-book
life up here.

Oh, god,
you're crazy.

You didn't know
my fucking name

till this morning!

Well,
here I am, sis.

Because of you,
I have no place to go.

Nowhere!

Good-bye, Linda.

Linda?

Are you ok?

Sh-sheriff Tom's
gonna be mad.

Come on,
come on.

You ok?

God almighty,
what happened?

It's a long story.

You'll never
believe it.

Susan--

Susan tried
to kill Linda.

What?

He saved my life.

Oh, baby.

God, if only
I'd listened to you,

maybe this wouldn't
have happened.

Are you ok?

Yeah, yeah.

Hey, hey-hey. Ahh.

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