The Sugarland Express (1974) - full transcript
Lou-Jean, a blonde woman, tells her husband, who is imprisoned, to escape. They plan to kidnap their own child, who was placed with foster parents. The escape is partly successful, they take a hostage, who is a policeman and are pursued through to Texas...
(BIRDS SQUAWKING)
(KIDS TALKING INDISTINCTLY)
Oh, haven't seen
you here before.
That's 'cause I ain't been here before.
It's my first time.
Who'd y'all come to see?
Clovis Poplin.
I'm his legal wife, Lou Jean.
Hmm. Poplin, Poplin.
Let's see.
He just came from
the penitentiary.
Hmm. Here we go. So he did.
It's here on my flimsy.
Let's see what we got here, honey.
Some nice goodies in here?
Oh, let's see.
Well, what's this?
That's Texas Gold Stamps
from the market. Gimme.
- Oh.
- Gimme.
Okay, there's some more.
Okay. What we got in this one?
All right, Mrs. Poplin.
You just have yourself a real nice visit.
I think the JCs are
gonna have lemonade.
I didn't come
for the drinkin'.
No, of course you didn't.
You are permitted a display of familial
affection, including bodily contact,
as long as it doesn't outrage
the public decency.
Does that mean we can kiss?
If you so desire.
All right, then.
Oh, Lou!
Ain't you somethin'?
- Clovis.
- Ain't you somethin'?
Ain't you somethin'?
- Clovis.
- Ain't you somethin'?
Aren't you somethin'?
What's the matter, honey?
Goin' shy on me?
I come with the bad news.
I'm leavin' you.
What kinda junk
are you talkin'?
We are no longer man and wife.
That's what I've
come to tell you.
I'm leaving you.
I suppose that's why
you brought your lunch?
This don't mean nothin'.
I'm already on my way.
(BABY CRYING)
Don't you notice nothin'?
Don't you notice anything?
You've gone blonde.
You've gone blonde before.
Clovis Poplin, have you
forgotten your own son?
(SIGHS)
No, I ain't.
Why didn't you bring him?
There's kids
allowed here, Lou Jean.
They got candy
for 'em and pop.
I'm not behind bars in despair.
You can bring him next time.
You can bring him every week.
That's what I come to tell ya.
Welfare's come and taken
Baby Langston forever.
They're gonna keep
him in that foster home!
What for?
Why are they doin' that?
Well, how am I
supposed to know?
I got out of women's facility
three weeks ago,
and I went down to
Welfare to get him back,
and they made up some story,
that child board made up some story.
They had me fill out
a statement of propriety
and take it down to the county courthouse,
but it was closed.
And then that man on
the first floor said to me
that I should take it down
to the hall of records,
which I did, but then nobody knew
what I was talkin' about.
And then I remembered what you said
about the telephone.
So I called the man up,
I got him on the line,
and that didn't
do no good neither
because he said that
the man at the first place
should've already
sent it to my address.
But that didn't do no good
'cause I'd already moved by that time.
(BABY CRYING)
I want my baby back.
Now, are you gonna
help me or not?
Well, where's he now?
Over in Sugarland.
But now that they got him,
I just bet you those Methodists
are gettin' ready
to move out of state.
And I wanna know if
you're gonna help.
Well, sure I am. Sure I am.
Sure I am.
Two for us and half-fare
for Baby Langston.
I spent $65. We're goin' to Los Angeles
so you can go white collar.
Bus tickets?
Well, a workin' father
is what that boy needs.
Lou Jean,
who ever gave you $65?
I got to go to the bathroom.
Lou Jean. Lou Jean?
Honey, you gotta go next door.
This here's the men's room.
Prove it.
(MOANS)
You saved $65 all on your own?
Oh, Clovis.
Oh, Lord,
how I've missed you.
I can't wait no longer.
You waited a whole year,
can't you wait another four months?
I can't.
This is an emergency.
Say, isn't this my shirt?
Baby, when I leave today,
you're comin' with me.
Shoot!
You got two pairs of pants on!
I know.
I got it all planned out.
You're leavin' today.
Mmm.
I love you so much.
I can't. I only got
four more months.
No, you're leavin' today.
- Mmm.
- I can't.
I love you. Yes, you are.
I love you too.
Yes. You're leavin' today.
I can't.
Yes, baby. Please.
I can't.
Come today. Today.
- I love you.
- No!
If you don't,
this is our last time.
Clovis?
Jesus Christ,
have you lost your brains?
Hubie,
you're gonna screw me up.
Nobody breaks out of pre-release!
That's just stupid!
If I don't,
she's gonna run off.
Thought you said your old lady was
in the jute mill.
Oh, no. She's done her time
and she's out on her own.
Yeah, well, I'm gonna call a guard
for your own good.
Hey, this is stupid!
Hubie! Hubie.
(WHISPERING) Look, you don't
understand, Hubie.
They took my boy,
Baby Langston.
What the hell are
you talkin' about, boy?
Uh, guard!
(MOANS)
Ain't nobody gonna fuss
over four little old months.
Bye, honey.
We won't see him for another week.
I sure am gonna miss him.
MAN: You might, but I'm not
gonna miss him any.
WOMAN:
Oh, Pa, don't talk like that.
- Scoot on in, Mama.
- Pardon me.
You Hubie's mom?
Yes, I am.
And still proud of it,
no matter what
his circumstances
may be right now.
Well, he's a caution,
which is why
we came to see him.
Isn't it, honey?
Sure am.
Hey, uh, where y'all headed?
New Frankfurt.
Well, that's jus'
where we're goin'!
Listen, we lost our ride.
Do you mind awfully?
- You say you're a friend of Hubie's?
- Sure am.
That boy over there.
He ain't no damn good.
Never was no good.
Pa, stop talkin' like that!
And I don't think he ever will be any good.
I don't know.
I tried my best to
make a man out of him
but it look like I
failed somewhere.
Scoot in the seat back there.
?ndale, ?ndale, young fella.
?ndale.
Yes, sir.
(MOTOR CHUGS)
No smokin'.
Officer,
I think you're a mean man.
Buster, haven't I seen you
somewhere before?
You probably have.
I think I picked peas with you
out on the pea farm one time...
- No.
- Before you got that hogleg on.
No, I think I
drove you in before.
Sure do.
I think I took
you in DWI before.
Aw, you never done.
I never was drunk in my life.
What?
I never was drunk in my life!
What are you tryin' to do,
make a liar out of me?
(CARS HONKING)
MAN: You son of a bitch!
Ya ever do some
time in prison, son?
Sir?
You heard me.
Well, just a little.
Yes, I did.
It's all right by me.
You served your time
and squared yourself
with the authority.
What was it you went up for?
I don't know, I think
they said it was larceny.
Say, sir,
is this car runnin' right?
She run pretty nice.
(IMPATIENT HONKING)
You look like a pea
picker to me anyway.
To tell you the truth,
you just look like a pea picker to me.
Is your name Buster Danials?
Well, it was before I married.
(IMPATIENT HONKING)
Ooh. What kind of larceny?
We were bustin' coin boxes
in the washaterias.
It's awful hot.
You think you could go
a little faster so's
to cool the car off?
As long as you
squared yourself
with the authorities,
you're all right by me.
Yes, sir.
That all right with you, Mama?
(MOTOR CHUGGING)
(HONKING)
(HONKING)
(POLICE SIREN BLARING)
Pa, you've bought it.
I can see it.
Man, you got yourself
a real violator, huh?
You ain't gonna be
sick in the car, are you?
Why, no!
You know I'm not, man.
Good. Don't let me
find that seat wet, neither.
Well, thank you, sir.
Mr. Nocker, sir,
you were goin' less than
25 miles an hour
on the open highway.
Not only is that a violation,
but you could
be a dangerous
hazard to other drivers.
I'm just amused.
I've been an upright,
and responsible citizen all my life,
and I've been
drivin' all my life.
I'm not gonna cite you, sir,
but I am gonna give you a written warnin'.
That'll be okay.
That'll be just fine.
I'd like to take a look at your safety
sticker, if you don't mind.
Sure. It's plastered right on
the inside of that windshield.
Didn't I tell you, Pa?
Didn't I tell you?
CLOVIS: He's comin' over.
Honey, I gotta get out,
give myself up...
No, it's too late!
Oh, they're gonna be mad.
It's all my fault.
I'm gonna get
another year, sure as hell.
Baby, you willin'
to go to the end?
What you talkin' about?
Do you love me?
Oh, baby,
we're in real trouble!
Oh, shit! Our car's stole.
You folks stay put.
(MOTOR CHUGGING)
(SIREN BLARING)
No, no, no. Uh-uh.
Okay, let me drive.
Lou Jean, let me drive!
- 2311, Houston.
- DISPATCHER: Come in.
Got a 10-80
headin' west on 90.
Officer,
I'm just an old farm boy.
And I haven't
done anything wrong.
Green Buick,
1956 Texas license.
Boy Ocean William
four zero four.
Let me drive, Lou Jean, right now!
Let me drive!
Let me out of here!
I'll walk to jail, if you want me to!
Please let me out of here.
You know how it is.
Lou, watch it!
Keep to the right!
Hey, Officer.
You know it's
illegal to make a turn
right in
the middle of the highway?
You violated the law.
- Jesus!
- Hey!
(SIREN BLARING)
(DANIALS MUTTERING)
Keep to
the right of the truck.
(TRUCK HONKING)
Keep to the right of the...
Open your eyes!
Keep to
the right of the truck!
Open your... God damn it!
(HONKING)
Oh, God bless me, my wife,
my son John, his wife...
(SIREN BLARING)
(WAILING STOPS)
DANIALS:
God bless me, my Lord.
No more.
Oh, my Lord, my Lord.
2311, Houston.
DISPATCHER: Houston, 231 1.
Okay. Pursued vehicle done 10-50 major.
Wrecked in woods.
Need
an ambulance and a wrecker
on Airline road
three miles north of 90.
Ten-four, 231 1.
Received. Getting 6580.
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
Just shut up and
sit where ya are.
I'm right here.
I'm all here.
Lady?
Lady?
LOU JEAN: Help me out.
Can you move
your toes and fingers, lady?
LOU JEAN: Am I bleedin'?
Do you have double vision?
I don't know.
Does it hurt when you...
All right.
Now you let me know if it hurts
and I'll stop.
There. Okay?
I ain't never shot a man.
Friend,
you wanna give that back?
You got no idea
what's goin' to happen to you.
- What do we do now?
- I don't know.
If y'all don't give that back voluntarily,
you've committed a felony.
Now, all right.
(GUN CLICKS)
Now, stick 'em...
Reach for your... Get...
Just get your goddamn
hands in the air.
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
(DOGS BARKING)
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
I never gave you no lip.
Get on outta here!
God bless you!
Now stop. Stop!
Now get in that car.
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
Now, you listen, mister.
So far,
it's grand theft auto,
speedin',
drivin' to endanger,
you've got resistin' arrest,
threatenin' an officer,
hinderin' an officer in the performance
of his duty,
illegal possession of firearms,
and assault.
But if I get in that car,
you got kidnappin'. That's federal.
(GUN FIRING)
(LOU JEAN SCREAMS)
(DOGS BARKING)
Now,
Jean, get in the back seat.
Come on. Come on.
Come on, move it or lose it.
LOU JEAN: What are you
doing? You piece of shit!
CLOVIS: Turn them lights off!
All right, now let's go.
That's better.
You know we are kidnappers?
And he's a state trooper.
I don't know what
you're yellin' at.
Now, I got it all worked out.
Now look, you're gonna
take us to Sugarland.
Yes, ma'am.
All right. You take
the 59 through Rosenberg,
where
the intersection Y's off.
98 goes to the left.
I'm in big trouble and I don't care
if I live or die.
So drive or I'll shoot you.
Shut up!
(SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE)
And then we're
goin' to Rodrigo.
That's where
the bus dropped me off.
Now we're almost there.
(SIREN WAILING)
Then we goin' to Honda,
then to Sugarland and the Rio Grande.
We're in real trouble.
All right now, everything's
gonna be just fine. Now just get down.
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
DISPATCHER: Attention
ambulance and wreckers.
I need one
ambulance and one wrecker.
No shit, Lucky. I was
rollin' with a patrolman
down there when
the call came in.
I was here right
from the start.
Hey, you fellas flip for it.
Listen here, Ernest,
now I have seen it all.
Looks like ol' 2311's
in the ambulance business.
What's the trouble, Wade?
I'm first on the scene,
got no victims.
I'd say your man owes me $40.
Hey, Billy,
what's happening, buddy?
Hi, Ernest.
How ya doing, fella?
Well, we don't know where they are
but we know who they are.
What you got there?
Run a S and W on this.
Come back to Alvin T. Nocker,
RFD 4, New Frankfurt.
- Can I have this?
- Yes.
Guess get on
the horn to Bastrop County.
Good idea.
I figure this old dude's been here all day.
Don't you, Ernie?
Motor's still warm.
(GRUNTS)
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
2322, Houston.
DISPATCHER: Houston.
2322, go ahead.
You got any word
on what hospital
2311 is
transportin' his 10-50s to?
We have a 10-50, no confirmation.
Are you on the scene?
Yeah, I'm here, Lamar.
Well, look, uh, call the hospitals, will ya,
and see if he's on his way.
I wanna check out
the area north and south.
Ten-four.
Every time we start somewhere,
you go to pick something to fuss about.
I wish you would just hush,
Pa. Just hush.
I'm just tired of
listening to you.
My feet hurt and I'm
tired of standing here. Just hush!
We can sit down
and rest your feet a little bit.
What will I sit on?
Just... Where...
You think I'm gonna
sit on this bag...
Then sit on your fist
and lean back on your thumb.
What's the story?
We just had our car
taken by an ex-con.
Claimed he was a working man.
Was it a green Buick?
Seafoam green, 1956.
Roadmaster, B-O-W 404.
Stole!
Is your name Alvin T. Nocker
of New Frankfurt?
Oh, yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Now you're talking.
You just stay put.
MAN: 2311, this is Houston.
2311, this is Houston.
2311, this is Houston.
Give me a ten-four.
You got a confirmation for me?
2311, this is Houston.
231 1.
Houston. Pierce?
WOMAN: This is Pierce.
Go ahead, Houston.
MAN: Pierce, can you
attempt to raise 231 1?
WOMAN: Ten-four.
- I'm gonna smash that radio.
- Hey, now wait.
I'd rather you held back on that.
They'll dock my pay.
Come on. Kick it, Clo.
I hate that goddamn thing.
Please, mister, don't smash my radio.
I can shut it off if you want.
Well,
turn that sucker off, then!
All right.
I'm shutting it off.
(SWITCHES RADIO OFF)
DISPATCHER: Airline Road,
three miles north...
LOU JEAN: Just lay back.
We're not gonna hurt you.
Now you get us to Sugarland
and everything'll be fine.
(CAR HONKING)
LOU JEAN: Shit! Get...
You get on outta here!
(BRAKES SCREECHING)
ATTORNEY: All right, sir.
On the day in question,
how long had your man here
been with the highway patrol?
TANNER: It was three years,
unless I'm mistaken.
ATTORNEY:
And during that three years,
had it ever come
to your attention
that he was having
difficulty with his vision?
Any reasons to
have his eyes examined?
TANNER: No, sir.
Don't you and
the other highway patrolmen
have to have regular
physical examinations
and examinations of your eyes?
TANNER: Yes, sir.
My men and all highway
patrol personnel
undergo a thorough medical
examination every year.
Excuse me a moment, gentlemen.
- Captain Tanner.
- Yes, sir.
If you would, Your Honor.
Gentlemen, we have an emergency.
May I see counsel in chambers?
We stand adjourned.
All rise!
Your Honor, may I have the court's
attention? May it please the court...
May it please the court?
Your Honor?
2590 to Houston.
This is Captain Tanner.
Believe our man is hijacked.
Repeat, hijacked.
Have all units stay off the A channel
as much as possible.
There's no need of them
knowing what we're talking about.
I want a roadblock on 90 and Alternate
at the Lavaca County line.
DISPATCHER: The name of the patrolman
is Maxwell Slide.
He's been in uniform nine months,
but he's a good boy.
We can't count on him
to act in his own best interest.
So,
in the event of a face-off,
I want you to
keep your shirts on.
WOMAN: (ON RADIO)...are armed.
Do not attempt to act with force.
I see lights. A whole bunch!
CLOVIS: Put that shotgun on this officer
here so he knows where you're at.
SLIDE: That's my captain.
Don't shoot!
That's Captain Tanner.
You want to get us all killed.
I'll put you on the radio.
LOU JEAN: Yes, tell him to get out of here.
We never hurt nobody.
2311 to 2590.
Go ahead, 231 1.
We got a 10-32 in here.
Says drop off or he'll shoot.
They hurt you any, Maxwell?
I'm sorry about this, Captain.
I had no idea they were 96s.
What you talking, 32, 96?
You trying to code me out?
No, sir.
It is merely verbal shorthand.
10-32 is a man with a gun.
10-96 is your mental subject.
How do you work this thing?
If you wish to talk,
press the button.
We ain't no mental subjects!
I've done some dumb things,
but I ain't a goddamn mental subject!
What's your name, son?
My name's Clovis Poplin,
and this here's my old lady, Lou Jean.
Well, what are you doing
with our man in there?
He's just taking us to Sugarland
to get my boy Langston.
You sure got a strange notion
on how to hitchhike.
Y'all stay back,
there's no need to worry.
Now you get your cars back there.
Quit following us!
I've got a job to do.
I can't have old boys
commandeering my patrol cars.
What would the taxpayers say?
Get on back there
or I'll shoot him in the head!
Now you take it easy there
and think about what you're doing.
No one's gonna get hurt.
Do you hear me?
We'll get you out
of this, Maxwell.
We've got a bad hombre here.
We're gonna have to
lift that roadblock.
Houston, you let 'em all know to back off
and let that boy through.
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
Here they come.
Get that car out of the hole!
Hit it, Roy! Hit it!
I couldn't see a damn thing!
We'd better phone it in.
Hello.
Here, doggie.
Doggie want more?
Hey, boy.
Piece steak.
A piece steak.
Baby? Baby Langston?
Let's go inside and play.
(CRYING) Mommy! Mommy!
Please, baby.
Mommy'll get you.
Mommy!
(ENGINE STALLING)
(BRAKES SCREECHING)
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
You're lying!
I'm sorry, sir.
I'm awful sorry, sir.
You had
the whole thing planned.
From beginning to end,
you had the whole thing planned.
Don't tell me you didn't have it planned!
I can see you had it planned!
You're dead wrong, sir.
Don't tell me you didn't!
You get us going!
Ma'am, we're out of gas.
There's no filling station
anywhere nears here.
Now, why don't you
surrender yourselves
and this
thing'll end peaceful.
(ECHOING) Captain Tanner?
This is...
You're on the outside speaker.
Captain Tanner, this is Clovis
Poplin speaking.
I wanna talk to you.
(BELL RINGING)
LOU JEAN: Hey, look, they do Gold Stamps.
I want some Gold Stamps.
CLOVIS: Come on, Jean,
you don't need no stamps.
Fill 'er up?
Ethyl.
That oil needs checking.
- Honey?
- What?
Now if you wanna run do something,
now'll be the time to do it.
No, not me.
I know you, Lou.
Run and do what you have to.
I don't have anything to do!
Shall we go, if you please?
All right.
How are y'all today?
You want me to check that oil?
Oil's okay.
...that will assist in the apprehension.
LOU JEAN: (WHISPERING)
I want some Gold Stamps. I want lots.
CLOVIS: He's comin'. Be quiet.
That'll be $7.90, please, sir.
And what in the world
is going on around here?
Oh, I'm sorry,
we can't accept these here.
Better talk to the captain.
Captain who? The captain?
Wait! Come back here!
Hold it!
(BELL RINGING)
Hold it, hold it!
Hold on just a minute!
This ain't no
contract station.
We can't accept
your Green Card.
Talk to the captain.
- Talk to the captain.
- You the captain?
We can't accept
them credit cards here.
Hey, are you the captain?
And if you ain't, would you please
tell me where he is?
- Your name, sir.
- Oh, uh...
Fred Mengers. Fred Mengers.
I own this station right here.
Do you know you just served gas
to an escaped felon?
Oh, you mean they
were in that police car?
Yes, sir.
Well, I sure did, yes, sir.
I'm from right
here in Kildare,
and I seen
the whole thing happen.
(TIRES SQUEALING)
(CHANGING STATIONS)
There.
REPORTER (ON RADIO)
The fugitives have been identified
as Clovis Michael Poplin, 25,
a convict from Crowley,
and Lou Jean
Sparrow Poplin, 25,
an unemployed
beautician from Sayers.
The name of the patrolman
has not been released
pending
notification of next of kin.
The hijackers stated
to Captain Harlin Tanner
that their
purpose was to protest
the action of
the Child Welfare Board
which last week refused to return custody
of their son to Mrs. Poplin,
who has a criminal record.
The boy has been living
with foster parents in Sugarland.
The KKOK mobile command unit
is on its way for a live report.
This has been a KKOK news KO.
ANNOUNCER: (ON RADIO) This is the big
country. It's great country.
But sometimes it can
get mighty hot and dry.
Out here, men grow
the mightiest thirsts on earth,
and it takes a lot to cut it.
That's why Lone Star
is one of the world's finest...
What they're saying
is I'm an unfit mother.
You broke out of pre-release?
Oh, shut up and
mind your own business!
You broke your husband
out of pre-release?
What, you're assuming an awful lot
for a man your size.
Who said,
"Unemployed beautician"?
You been taking
money from Donnie Hyatt?
No, I quit.
You got $65.
You ain't never seen work.
What you been doing three weeks?
You've been runnin' around?
- I have not!
- You're lying.
- I am not lying.
- Don't lie to me!
Don't you call me no liar!
Donnie Hyatt and Bill Fails
ain't running around.
That's just beering.
SLIDE: Suspicions
of marital infidelity
are, more often
than not, groundless.
However, the disputes ensuing
are highly destructive.
What do you know?
Why'd you have to come along anyway in your
damn police car?
This whole
thing's your own fault.
- Now, lady.
- His fault? It's your fault!
Clovis Poplin, if you were half as
good-looking as Donnie Hyatt,
I still wouldn't
quit no job for you.
Not after this
mess you got me in.
I've stopped more
marital disputes
than you ever have.
I've been trained for it.
We're not just
chasing speeders all day.
I wish you'd mind
your own goddamn business.
What you wanna hang around
Donnie Hyatt and Bill Fails for?
They're just idiots.
Jean, they're gonna call you promiscuous,
they're gonna call you unfit.
In the three years we've been married,
I haven't even had the urge.
And I am not promiscuous
and I am not unfit, neither!
Pull over here at that ARCO station.
I wanna talk to that man.
Well, I'll be doggoned.
REPORTER: (ON RADIO)
A spokesman for the highway patrol
in our
neighboring state of Texas
admitted
earlier this afternoon
that their
roadblock has been licked.
Now your bayou-country newshounds have
learned that the hijackers,
a man and his wife...
Admire it while you got it.
'Cause next time around,
it's propane and super-slow.
...are especially
well-equipped to give
the police officers
a run for their money.
Texas highway patrol vehicles,
like ours in the state of
Louisiana, boast
high-performance engines...
Hey, Pete,
these things ready to roll?
They're ready when you are.
Say, you been following the fun?
Texas highway patrol's
got their hijacker on the radio.
OFFICER:
Oh, the hell you say.
It's no lie!
I believe they're gonna
talk him out of it.
Where'd they be
about this time?
Outside of Kildare,
Texas, going west.
What say we just
poke on up there?
That's over three hours away.
Just about
the break-in period.
LOU JEAN: "Has 3-D animal pets.
Featherweight, plastic."
(MUMBLING)
"Nod-Away standard crib.
"Four positions, adjustable spring,
teething rail.
"Sixteen and a quarter books."
Honey, we could get that.
And "Happy Hoppers push toy
encourages walking activity.1-3 years.
"Colored disk moves, makes popping...
S-N-D." What does that mean?
And we've got uh,
"Animal Shop crib mobile,
"one and a quarter books."
And, um...
Nod-Away play yard,
for one book, and. um...
We've got, um, honey?
Honey?
I got somethin' to tell ya.
Promise you won't be mad?
Honey?
I got to pee-pee.
"All-around bumper pad,
one and a half books."
Honey?
Honey! I gotta pee! Shit!
We gotta have
ourselves a little talk.
We gotta quit this runnin' around
and start runnin'.
Wha...what? You want me to go pee
in the back seat of the car?
All this
stoppin' and startin'.
We're ain't never
gonna get Langston.
Everything's gonna be fine.
Just fine.
We're in real trouble.
Lou Jean Sparrow Poplin
has two shopliftings
and a conviction
on petty larceny,
for which she
did eight months.
Clovis Michael Poplin
has four petty larcenies,
two illegal entries
and a conviction on burglary.
He has four months left
on a one-year sentence.
You sure there's no
armed robbery or assault?
No, sir.
Did they ever
make use of firearms?
Sure didn't.
Ah, shoot. They're nothin'
but a couple of kids.
Hold it!
You! You in the cab there!
Unhook that thing, get out of here.
Sit down! Sit down!
(CAR DOOR CLOSING)
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
Come on!
Gonna drive away with her pants down?
That's a nice try.
God, you're not
dealing with a blind man.
Will you turn around
and sit down? Sit down!
Hold it! Hold it!
(BEE BUZZING)
Now, I just might
see what happens
if I shoot a load of buckshot
in that commode!
I said,
I just might see what happens
if I put another
hole in that thing!
It's only me.
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
You gonna let him
get away with that, Captain?
(CHUCKLES)
Well, I don't know. They thought their
way out of a toilet.
This old boy's some doer.
They sure are messin' all over us,
I know that.
You got any better ideas?
Yes, sir. I sure in hell do.
- Hello.
- ALL: Howdy, ma'am.
Of course, I know why you're here,
but I have nothing to say.
We'd just like to see
the child, Mrs. Looby.
Well, of course,
the child board says
that the child is
ours to keep now,
and we love him very much,
and I'm his mother.
We understand that.
How old is the little boy?
Uh...
Oh, he was two in January.
We sure would like
to interview him.
Oh, well...
Uh... Vern?
Vern?
Langston, do you
know where your papa is?
REPORTER 2: Who's your mama?
REPORTER 1: Could you wave goodbye
to your real mama and papa?
- Can you say papa?
- Are you happy?
Do they treat
you all right here?
He's our boy now.
We give him a good home.
And he has all the love
that he'll ever need right here.
All the love, Baby Langston.
(BABY WAILS)
Oh, no, no, baby.
Back! Back up!
Back up, get closer to this thing.
I can't reach over there.
Now move back,
get...move over here.
Get closer to this thing.
I can't reach it.
All right, stop!
We're the Poplins.
Anybody home?
POLICEMAN: Come on, go home!
Get out of here!
- Captain?
- Yeah.
This is Mark Fenno.
- Hi, Captain.
- Howdy.
That's Logan Waters.
- Howdy, Captain.
- How are you, sir?
They're Rangers.
They think they can
drop that old boy, Captain.
What've you got there?
I got a 7mm Magnum,
four-power scope, Mauser action.
I'll be shootin'
a 148-grain bullet.
At 300 yards, hit a dime.
Can you guarantee
Slide won't be hit?
At this distance?
Oh, absolutely.
Well, how will I know
they'll be killed outright?
If it's the spasm
shots you're worried about,
I figure to hit
the boy in the brain
in the medulla
and cut his motors.
What about the girl?
Same thing, Captain.
She'll be dead before
the sound gets there.
Sure you don't want none?
Well, maybe just one piece.
A small piece though.
I'm not that hungry.
- Give the man a breast, Lou.
- Wing or something...
Clovis!
Could I have some
more honey, please?
Want another napkin?
I just wanna
tell you I love you.
This ain't too bad.
(CHUCKLES)
Hey, he's got a wishbone!
Come on, Lou.
Come on.
I won.
The kid.
I don't know.
I can't tell the boy from a doorpost.
And we've lost our light.
How you gonna score
through that glass?
Captain,
the glass will be no problem.
Don't put that stuff on me.
Give me a number.
I'd say it's better than 90%.
(DOGS BARKING IN THE DISTANCE)
I'm gonna have to
say no to you boys.
Captain,
that's a pretty good number.
I mean,
uh, we won't get a whole
lot of chances as
good as this one.
It's not good enough.
It's a long way
from here to Sugarland.
There's lots of possibles
we haven't tried yet.
I've been on
the force 18 years,
and it's been my good fortune
not to have killed anyone in that time.
That's the way
I'd like to keep it.
Wouldn't you know it?
How do you like it?
MAN: (ON RADIO)
Got me a flat spot between 85 and 90.
Not me.
Say uh...how far to Binney?
Oh, about five or 10 minutes.
I don't know.
We didn't pass that cutoff,
now, did we?
I don't think so.
(SINGING) Oh, Louisiana gals,
come and listen to my noise
Don't ever marry
them Texican boys
If you do, your rations'll be
Johnny cake and devil's food
and sassafras tea
Johnny cake and devil's food
and sassafras tea
(SINGING CONTINUES)
(TIRES SCREECHING)
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTERING)
Hey, how about telling me
what you got in mind?
Hold your butter, partner.
I'm gonna 76 'em like you never saw.
That's a great idea,
that's just terrific!
That's perfect!
That's just great!
Think you can
do it without me?
TANNER: You know my
mind on the matter.
At least you ought to by now.
If your butt ain't sore,
I don't mind tellin' you, mine is!
Aren't you tired?
No, I ain't.
I don't see why we can't
reach some kind of an understanding.
Do you trust me?
I'm not sayin' I do and
I'm not sayin' I don't.
You talkin' about
not chargin' me?
That I can't do, Clovis.
But what I can do
is make it easier on Mrs. Poplin.
If she's worried
about her baby,
I personally can
arrange a hearing
with the Department
of Public Welfare,
so she can tell her
side of the story.
CLOVIS:
I appreciate that, Captain.
You're a man of honor,
and you're tryin' your best.
Don't think I don't see that.
But we got other plans.
Well, what are your other plans?
I'd like to know.
CLOVIS: We got a secret plan.
Look out!
(TIRES SCREECHING)
Keep after 'em! Come on!
Hubert, get after 'em!
(SIRENS WAILING)
What's in the road?
FEMALE DISPATCHER: Houston, can you advise
if you can release some of our units?
We need them back at home.
You crazy son of a bitch!
You tried to rack us up!
I goddamn sure
as hell didn't!
I been to drivin' school. And the proof
is you're livin' and squawkin'.
Oh, they're gonna be so mad.
I really don't care.
Gimme some gum and I'll drive all night.
Don't stop for nothin'.
Then don't call me
no son of a bitch!
Clovis, honey, don't.
It don't do no good runnin' from a tornado.
Who else is out there, Ernie?
The Lord only knows, Captain.
Well, call 'em all in.
All except highway patrol out of Region 2.
If I can't call him by his first name,
I don't want him out there.
Yes, sir.
I want a helicopter.
A helicopter
with a searchlight.
And I want some kind of a spot
to hem these old boys up.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
Come on now.
Move on down here.
That's it.
You're good. Real fine.
(CAR HONKING)
(HONKING CONTINUES)
Where the hell
they all comin' from?
(SIREN WAILS)
(CARS HONKING)
Have you heard
anything from our unit?
No, sir.
They are still out there?
Yes, sir.
In fact, the whole state of Texas
is on APB alert.
The whole state
of Texas is here.
We got lawmen from Dallas,
up from Austin.
If they was all dentists,
we could call this a damn convention.
Has the chopper come
up with anything yet?
Nothin'. Just a couple
of kids hole-punchin'
back of the schoolyard,
that's all.
Have you located
this old boy's folks?
Both mother and father dead.
Do we know
the girl's maiden name?
Sparrow.
(HELICOPTER APPROACHING)
SLIDE: (WAILING) Help!
Clovis Poplin!
Somebody help me!
Hey, help!
I don't believe it.
Man, these cuffs hurt!
Are you Mr. Sparrow?
Okay. This way.
That's some ride, huh?
TANNER: Mr. Sparrow,
your influence might persuade your daughter
and her husband to
give themselves up.
Otherwise, I fear not only
for the safety of our man
but, frankly,
for their lives as well.
Now do you understand
why I have to say that?
Yes, sir.
All right, sir.
Whenever you're ready,
you just press this black button down here.
And talk in
a normal tone of voice.
When you're ready, just...
Talk in
a normal tone of voice.
Yes, sir, and press...
Press this button and talk in
a normal tone of voice.
That's right.
Now you want me to go ahead?
Yes, sir. And then just say
whatever you think's right.
Lou Jean? Lou Jean?
Lou Jean!
This is your daddy. They brought me down
here in a helicopter
that I might say a word,
and I'm gonna.
It's a good thing
your poor mother
is not alive to see
what has become of you.
Lou Jean, you're no good!
And I always knew...
(STATIC)
If this man gave me a gun,
I'd go down there and shoot you
and shoot that
trash you married.
God'll get you. (STATIC)
(CAR DOOR OPENING)
Hi, there.
Here, take this.
Put this around ya.
It'll make you feel better.
You tired?
I sure am.
It's not every day I
hitch a ride like this.
(STATIC ON RADIO)
Hey, you're not
altogether bad-lookin'.
You married?
No.
Got a girl?
Of course I do.
I bet she's nice.
- Well, good night.
- Lou Jean...
Yeah?
Could you turn off
the police radio?
Why, sure.
Great.
(SWITCHES RADIO OFF)
- Lou Jean...
- Yeah?
I know you're all right
and a good woman at heart,
even though, uh, you might have
took a wrong turn in life.
Well, thank you, I'm sure.
Prison made a woman out of me.
Night.
(CAR DOOR CLOSING)
Jean? (KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Got a gas stove.
God damn! (CHUCKLES)
(CLOVIS CHUCKLES)
(LOU JEAN CHUCKLES)
(LAUGHING)
Hey, we got
a free movie next door.
Oh, Lou, honey.
If Baby Langston was here,
we'd be a real family.
What if we don't get the baby?
Of course
we're gonna get him!
That's why you stole
that old police car, ain't it?
I guess it is.
You guess it is?
I guess you're right.
Come here.
Did you miss me?
Every day.
I like to hear
you tell me that.
I missed all that sweet talk.
I wish we could get drunk.
We always used to
get drunk together.
You're fun drunk.
Except when you're throwin' up
in the back of Bill Fails' Chevelle.
Jean,
I mean every word of this.
You're my wife and I love you,
even if we don't get the baby.
Wish we had sound.
I'll be your sound.
Come on. Come on.
(MIMICS ROADRUNNER)
(LOU JEAN GIGGLES)
(MIMICS STEAMING)
(BOTH LAUGHING)
(LOU JEAN LAUGHS)
LOU JEAN: Oh, no! (LAUGHS)
(THUD)
(SNEEZES)
(CLATTERING)
Oh, boy, that kid!
How many times
have I told him!
(CLATTERING)
What are you
doin' in that outfit?
We're not goin'
to the mountains.
Oh, yeah.
Just a precaution.
See and be seen.
There'll gonna be
a lot of clowns out there
with firearms
and itchy fingers.
I don't want to get shot.
Well, Patty, you trying
to be a reserve officer like your old man?
Nah, I want 'er full time.
You'll make it.
- Did you bring the coffee?
- Black and hot.
Great.
Did you do that?
I had to.
You're in real trouble.
Thank you.
Jean, you decent?
Propane. Nice.
Y'all decent?
I'm gonna go pick one out.
Don't you guys get to dawdling.
(WATER RUNNING)
Does that old
razor belong to you?
Sure do. Wanna use it?
Yeah, when you're done.
(FLUSHING)
How much money you make
on the highway patrol?
Not a whole lot,
let me tell ya.
Yeah? How much is that?
$620 a month.
But I take home
a whole lot less.
(ELECTRIC RAZOR BUZZING)
So, I didn't mean what I said.
What was that?
About callin' you a son of a bitch.
I didn't mean that.
And you ain't no
mental subject, neither.
I've been thinkin' about
gettin' on the highway patrol.
(WHIRRING STOPS)
They won't take a man with a record.
I think it's a state law.
Hmm.
LOU JEAN: Honey, I found a...
...blue Cutlass.
Oh, I love it!
(RAZOR WHIRRING)
Honey?
Just supposin' that
I were to tell you
that this is
the end of the line.
Just supposin' I told you
I wasn't gonna go no further.
What?
Just supposin'!
Now, you may kill me,
but if you don't come to your senses
and throw it down,
they're gonna kill you.
Well, supposin' I
was worried about that.
Which I'm not!
And supposin' I was
to give myself up.
How many years' do you figure
they'd give me for breakin' out?
Now, I couldn't tell you,
but it might go real easy
bein' as how you're a regular fella
and all.
Well, I am a regular fella!
I never shot a man.
There you go!
That's a major point with the law.
Make you mighty happy,
I bet ya.
(LAUGHS) Hell, yes.
It'd make everybody happy!
LOU JEAN: Well, where are you two?
It's already sunup.
Not Lou Jean.
It wouldn't make her happy.
Man, they'd lock me up
from now to Moses.
Take away my boy for good.
They'll change his name.
All right, stand up.
Stand up!
Nobody move.
I made up my mind.
We're gonna take this one.
It's the best one on the lot.
Don't let that
squelch fool you.
We're not
the only ones out here.
Maybe they already caught 'em.
No way.
I had my home
set on all night.
Wasn't anything on
the APB about it.
(CHUCKLES) You all
know what I think about the Airborne.
Dad, they're in Big John's!
After you get
the insulation scraped off,
you bring it from your hot line
to your coil over here.
Make sure you don't get
your fingers on the metal.
I need somethin' to
short over the starter.
What about your badge?
Yeah, that'll work.
You got water in the gas line.
You all been running
lights and appliances all night?
- LOU JEAN: No.
- CLOVIS: Yeah.
Battery's outside.
Which one do you want?
I'll take that redhead.
(LOU JEAN SCREAMS)
Come back!
There! There!
Come back!
Come back here!
Come back here!
That must be them, all right!
(BOTH LAUGHING)
(GUNS FIRING)
(GLASS BREAKING)
(SCREAMS)
(SCREAMS)
(SCREAMS)
Hold it!
Maxwell, come back!
Wait! Come back!
Wait a minute!
You son of a bitch!
Make 'em stop!
(GUN COCKING)
Stop!
Hold your fire!
This is Patrolman Slide,
Texas Department of Public Safety.
How do you work
this goddamn thing?
(SQUEALS)
SLIDE: No!
Lou Jean, turn it around!
(SHRIEKS)
LOU JEAN: Captain Tanner!
Captain Tanner! They're shootin' at us!
This is Captain Tanner.
Where are you located?
We got 'em! Big John's used car lot,
Military Drive!
Hey, we got 'em!
They're at Big John's used car,
Military and San Pedro!
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
(SIRENS WAILING)
(GUNS FIRING)
Hit anything yet?
(YELLING)
Boy, wait till they
see what we found.
Drop those weapons!
Move a finger and
I'll blow it off.
But, sir,
we've captured the fugitives.
- Keep 'em here, Jessup.
- Yes, sir.
CLOVIS: (OVER LOUDSPEAKER)
Captain Tanner!
Captain Tanner!
You're gonna kill your man!
I'll pull my trigger,
I'm gonna shoot his head.
Now, it's him for my baby.
That's my deal.
Clovis, I see you.
That's my deal.
Now, what kind of a deal
are you talkin' about?
We keep right on to Sugarland,
no roadblocks, and no snipers,
and no nothin'.
Once we get my baby,
I'll let your man go.
Now, are you listenin'?
'Cause he's gonna tell you somethin'.
This is
Patrolman Maxwell Slide.
I suppose y'all might want
to end it right here and now.
If that's your thinkin',
sir, it's fine by me.
Y'all come on in.
Just tell everyone I told you that.
Let's all back off
a step or two, men.
There's no need for
hasty talk around here.
All right, Clovis.
You got yourself a deal.
Sounds like a fair proposition to me
and I'm gonna abide by it.
No more runnin' off, no more speedin',
and no more guns.
Now, what do you say to that?
CLOVIS: I want your
personal word of honor.
Do I got it?
Yeah, you got it.
Did you hear that, honey?
We're gonna get the baby.
Captain Tanner, I do believe
you're a good man.
Captain?
Yeah?
You ain't really gonna let 'em
take that baby, are you?
I don't see how we can.
Well, uh...
Do you want me
to go somewheres?
Yeah.
Go find those two old boys
that was with you.
What's their names?
Fenno and Waters.
Yeah, Fenno and Waters.
Find them, take the chopper,
and get on over to the foster home.
Yes, sir.
(KEYS JINGLING)
I'm real sorry, Captain.
Yeah.
Don't let me see
you around here again.
- But, Captain...
- Shut up!
These boys ain't no reserves.
They ain't been on the active list
for more than a year.
Is that right?
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
Take that with you!
Arrest 'em, Jessup.
Yes, sir!
(BELL TOLLING)
(DOGS BARKING)
(BABY BABBLING)
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
You're not gonna
take him away, are you?
No, ma'am. Just gonna make sure
he'll be safe, that's all.
(SINGING) When my blue moon
turns to gold again
When the rainbow
turns the clouds away
When my blue moon
turns to gold again
I'll be back within
your arms again
I'm sittin' too
far from the wheel.
No, sir, that's
the way it's supposed to be.
Simply place your hands
at 10 and two o'clock.
Like this?
That's just about okay.
Now, when negotiatin' a turn,
shuffle the wheel through your fingers,
rather than to go
across hand over hand.
That way you got both hands
on the wheel at all times.
(SINGING WITH ABANDON)
CLOVIS: That's pretty neat.
Hey, have you ever seen
a picture of Baby Langston?
Ain't he sweet?
Yeah. Fine-lookin' boy.
I took that picture.
It's a fine-lookin' picture.
This here's my ma and pa,
Horace and Mavorene Slide.
Hey, you got your pa's eyes.
Who's that they're
standin' next to?
My bull. I was in the FFA.
Who's that, your girlfriend?
No, that's my old girlfriend,
Donna. I still got the cycle.
What's that?
No, no.
Gimme that! That's mine!
What's that? Is that you?
Is that you? Is that you?
Yeah.
(LOU JEAN SQUEALS)
Looks just like you.
I bet you're gonna get a big promotion
when this thing's over.
You're gonna be
Lieutenant Slide.
That'll be the day.
(CARS HONKING)
Hey, looky up there!
CLOVIS: Now,
what do you think of that?
(HONKING CONTINUES)
(CROWD APPLAUDING)
Could I have that? Could you bring
that here to me?
You got to count to 10.
One,
two, three, four, five, six,
seven, eight, nine, ten.
Ew! God!
- Let me see.
- Nuh-ah!
Hey, could you do me a favor?
Anything you want, child.
Could you get me
some hair spray?
Some hair spray
and a set of rollers.
You wait right here.
Now, you just wait right here.
And could you bring some pins also,
and some other junk?
You just wait.
And could you bring me
some lipstick, pink, frosted?
You wait now.
Here you go.
Maxwell Slide,
there's my picture.
That's an old mug shot of me.
Ew, I look like
shit in that picture.
You look more like
a convict than I do.
It's Patrol Academy.
It's worse than jail.
It's your baby.
Don't let no one
take him away from you.
I'm not gonna.
Thank you, and I wanna thank you
for everything you've done.
- Sure.
- I appreciate it.
Y'all take care now.
Bye!
CROWD: Bye!
(CHEERING)
(HONKING)
Now there's another town
between here and Sugarland.
I don't want any
more rubberneckin'.
You two go around to
Rodrigo and make sure
the local man's got
the streets cleared.
If he tells you it's the 4th of July,
you advise him otherwise.
- Do you understand?
- Yes, sir.
(CARS HONKING)
Wanna set up some sandbags?
We won't need 'em.
We're gonna need
a little more room in here.
Get that chair out
just a little bit.
Can you gimme some breeze?
Ma'am, are you
expecting a delivery of
diapers, or milk, or newspapers,
anything like that?
No.
Are there any
neighbors or kinfolk who
might get it into
their minds to pay a visit?
No.
We could get a head shot
from there.
We better plan to shoot
on this side of that post.
Okay, let me check.
Take a heart shot
right at the top.
Excuse me, ma'am.
That looks all right.
- You think that's gonna work?
- It'll work.
You all right, sir?
Officer,
I know you're not gonna
let me shoot
the son of a bitch,
but at least you
can use my rifle.
(HUMMING)
I don't know how
this is gonna look.
You should
always wash it first.
(CONTINUES HUMMING)
Christ!
(COUGHING)
How ya'll doing?
Could I ask y'all some questions?
Hey, y'all be careful.
How they treatin' you,
Mr. Slide?
They've been all right.
When you gonna
make your escape?
I'm not gonna escape.
I'm too busy talkin' the man out of it.
Yeah, he's talkin' see,
but I ain't listenin'.
Hell, you ain't.
I've practically got him rehabilitated.
I wouldn't go that far.
I feel I'm just being reasonable.
TANNER: You in the rig there.
You've got one second to get out of there.
I wanna say that I appreciate
what Captain Tanner's done...
What would you two
charge for an exclusive,
in-depth interview
exclusive with my station?
Cash money?
Hey, don't nobody
want to ask me nothin'?
(SIREN WAILING)
Okay. Now,
we're not gonna talk to any
more reporters till
we decide on our deal.
Right.
Whatever you think's fair.
That's right. Okay.
TANNER: All right.
I've been advised we got innocent civilians
all over
the streets of Rodrigo.
I can't let you go on in.
I want you to
pull over and stop
so's we don't have
an accident or worse.
Pull over and sit
while I find a way around that town.
What's he thinkin' of?
So what if there's people?
I wanna see the people!
I like the people. I wanna see 'em.
And I bet ya $10
the people are gonna wanna see us.
Now let's take a vote.
Everybody who wants
to go through say "aye."
Raise your hand.
I raise my hand. Aye.
Y'all go on in if
you have a mind to.
Come on! If you're in favor,
raise your hand and say "aye."
Aye.
Captain Tanner, this is 2311.
Go ahead.
We all decided
to go on through.
Thank y'all for
makin' it unanimous.
(WHISTLING)
(CHEERING)
(BAND PLAYING I'VE BEEN WORKING
ON THE RAILROAD)
Hey, honey,
look at all these people. Hi!
Hi, Lou Jean.
Hi. Hi, everybody!
Here's my wallet with money.
God bless you.
LOU JEAN: Hi, honey,
look at all these people.
Get off! Get off there!
(HONKING)
Hi! How are ya?
How are ya?
Look at this old thing! Hey!
Officer Slide, we're with you.
I appreciate that.
I appreciate it, sir.
- What's this for my baby?
- Diapers?
Diapers for my baby?
Oh, my God!
Would you have
him now for a pet?
LOU JEAN: Oh, my baby!
(HONKING)
- Quit that!
- Thank you, honey.
(SQUEALS)
(FAIRGROUND MUSIC)
Do you believe
in God, brother?
Yes, ma'am. I sure do.
Courtesy of
Schleicher's Hardware.
Take care of that boy.
I know you love him.
And this is from my daughter.
Oh, thank you!
Honey, when we
pick up Baby Langston,
no more of this
sportin' around.
And I mean it. We're going to settle
down just like real folks.
Hi!
(SQUEALS) He's peeing on me!
He's peeing on me!
Can you believe this?
Y'all take this thing, okay?
(HONKS HORN CONTINUOUSLY)
- 84... 185.
- 85, 86.
87, 88.
89, 90.
- 94... 196.
- 95, 96.
- 197,198.
- 197,198.
- 99, 100.
- 99, 100.
- 200.
- 200.
- 201... 203.
- 201, 202.
- 204, 205, 206, 207.
- 204, 205, 206, 207.
(CAMERAS CLICKING)
Out of the way, folks, please.
Take off!
Okay, folks.
That's it. Let's go home.
Hey, what's up?
Where are they taking them?
Well, for reasons of safety,
we're transferring them
over to the courthouse.
That's where
we'll make a transfer.
Transfer'll be made
at the courthouse?
That's right. Right out front.
Harvey, what you doin' over here
from Houston?
Well,
if you're gonna stick around,
you might as
well do it inside.
I knew it. They done
Terrible Ted the same way.
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
(BAND MUSIC PLAYING)
Remember back
in the car lot...
Hey, listen, we're gonna keep this
newspaper. I hope you don't mind.
Could you sign somethin'
real nice right there?
Listen, this here's my card.
Maxwell Slide, phone and address.
I sure would like my
car back after all this.
Honey, come on. Let's go.
Well, Captain, looks like
we made it in one piece.
Looks that way, son.
You still want your baby?
You still want your patrolman?
Listen to me, Clovis.
We've come a long way together
and you know my intentions
have never been other than decent.
Now whether you realize it or not,
I know what's best for you.
So I'm asking you, please
get out of that car and get into mine
and let me take you home.
I know I gave you
my word and all,
but I'm still
a duly constituted
peace officer of
the state of Texas.
What he's saying is,
he might not be able to keep his word.
I'm happy with
the deal we made.
All right.
Your child, Langston Poplin, is in the
foster home with his foster parents.
You just go on over there
and they'll give him to you.
LOU JEAN: You tell them I know where it is!
Let's go!
Okay,
now, hold on a minute here.
We gotta get somethin'
straight here, Captain.
Go ahead.
I want 15 minutes
while I go in and get my boy.
You got it.
And I wanna go in private.
Y'all hang right back here.
All right. We're not movin'.
I'll just park here
so no one gets by me.
That's real fine.
There's nothin' else I can think of.
I guess it's goodbye.
Come on, Jean.
Clovis,
if you don't mind my asking,
what's your plans after
you pick up Baby Langston?
I guess I can tell you now.
We're only a few
miles from Mexico.
Jean's got
a cousin in Mexico City.
We're all gonna go
down and live with her.
LOU JEAN: There it is!
There it is!
CLOVIS: Yeah, I see it.
I see it.
Don't stop!
What was that?
What are you doin'?
That was it! Do you hear me?
(INSISTENT HONKING)
Stop that car!
It's all wrong! Just look round you,
for Christ's sake.
You heard what
the captain said.
I'm beggin' ya,
hand me back my gun,
and in the name
of God, let's quit.
Now you open your door
and you step out real easy.
Then we'll go get my boy.
Clovis... He's not in there.
Ain't no way in the world
I'm goin' up that path.
Oh, God.
It's true. He ain't in there.
Baby Langston! Baby Langston!
SLIDE:
We need to get outta here.
Baby Langston!
Baby Langston!
CLOVIS: They took him away, baby.
They took him away.
I hear him.
He's cryin' for his mama.
Sit down. Just sit down!
Jean... Jean,
honey, they took him away.
What's the matter with you?
You get out there!
You go get him!
You lied to me. Go get him!
I can't do that!
- You promised!
- I can't...
Get out there and get him!
I'm gonna get him.
No!
- Yes!
- No!
Lou Jean, get down.
I'll take the girl.
Get down. Get yourself down!
Clovis!
Damn that banister.
God damn.
The tree's in the way, Fenno.
- No, he's goin' back.
- He's goin' back?
Yeah. I can get him easy
but it won't be clean.
Take that goddamn window out!
Don't hit Slide!
(SIRENS WAILING)
MAN: Yee-ha!
(BABY SQUEALS)
You okay?
Yeah, I'm all okay.
What'd they mean,
pullin' a stunt like that?
Y'all better pull over.
Pull over.
Pull over and
let me look at you.
How about all them crazy kids?
Do you have a match?
Take me home now.
(CRIES OUT)
(LOU JEAN SCREAMS)
Do you have a match?
My wife's so loud.
(LOU JEAN CONTINUES SCREAMING)
(SIREN APPROACHING)
(ENGINE HISSING)
(MOANS QUIETLY)
I suppose you'll
be wantin' that.
He took my gun
but he wasn't gonna use it.
(KIDS TALKING INDISTINCTLY)
Oh, haven't seen
you here before.
That's 'cause I ain't been here before.
It's my first time.
Who'd y'all come to see?
Clovis Poplin.
I'm his legal wife, Lou Jean.
Hmm. Poplin, Poplin.
Let's see.
He just came from
the penitentiary.
Hmm. Here we go. So he did.
It's here on my flimsy.
Let's see what we got here, honey.
Some nice goodies in here?
Oh, let's see.
Well, what's this?
That's Texas Gold Stamps
from the market. Gimme.
- Oh.
- Gimme.
Okay, there's some more.
Okay. What we got in this one?
All right, Mrs. Poplin.
You just have yourself a real nice visit.
I think the JCs are
gonna have lemonade.
I didn't come
for the drinkin'.
No, of course you didn't.
You are permitted a display of familial
affection, including bodily contact,
as long as it doesn't outrage
the public decency.
Does that mean we can kiss?
If you so desire.
All right, then.
Oh, Lou!
Ain't you somethin'?
- Clovis.
- Ain't you somethin'?
Ain't you somethin'?
- Clovis.
- Ain't you somethin'?
Aren't you somethin'?
What's the matter, honey?
Goin' shy on me?
I come with the bad news.
I'm leavin' you.
What kinda junk
are you talkin'?
We are no longer man and wife.
That's what I've
come to tell you.
I'm leaving you.
I suppose that's why
you brought your lunch?
This don't mean nothin'.
I'm already on my way.
(BABY CRYING)
Don't you notice nothin'?
Don't you notice anything?
You've gone blonde.
You've gone blonde before.
Clovis Poplin, have you
forgotten your own son?
(SIGHS)
No, I ain't.
Why didn't you bring him?
There's kids
allowed here, Lou Jean.
They got candy
for 'em and pop.
I'm not behind bars in despair.
You can bring him next time.
You can bring him every week.
That's what I come to tell ya.
Welfare's come and taken
Baby Langston forever.
They're gonna keep
him in that foster home!
What for?
Why are they doin' that?
Well, how am I
supposed to know?
I got out of women's facility
three weeks ago,
and I went down to
Welfare to get him back,
and they made up some story,
that child board made up some story.
They had me fill out
a statement of propriety
and take it down to the county courthouse,
but it was closed.
And then that man on
the first floor said to me
that I should take it down
to the hall of records,
which I did, but then nobody knew
what I was talkin' about.
And then I remembered what you said
about the telephone.
So I called the man up,
I got him on the line,
and that didn't
do no good neither
because he said that
the man at the first place
should've already
sent it to my address.
But that didn't do no good
'cause I'd already moved by that time.
(BABY CRYING)
I want my baby back.
Now, are you gonna
help me or not?
Well, where's he now?
Over in Sugarland.
But now that they got him,
I just bet you those Methodists
are gettin' ready
to move out of state.
And I wanna know if
you're gonna help.
Well, sure I am. Sure I am.
Sure I am.
Two for us and half-fare
for Baby Langston.
I spent $65. We're goin' to Los Angeles
so you can go white collar.
Bus tickets?
Well, a workin' father
is what that boy needs.
Lou Jean,
who ever gave you $65?
I got to go to the bathroom.
Lou Jean. Lou Jean?
Honey, you gotta go next door.
This here's the men's room.
Prove it.
(MOANS)
You saved $65 all on your own?
Oh, Clovis.
Oh, Lord,
how I've missed you.
I can't wait no longer.
You waited a whole year,
can't you wait another four months?
I can't.
This is an emergency.
Say, isn't this my shirt?
Baby, when I leave today,
you're comin' with me.
Shoot!
You got two pairs of pants on!
I know.
I got it all planned out.
You're leavin' today.
Mmm.
I love you so much.
I can't. I only got
four more months.
No, you're leavin' today.
- Mmm.
- I can't.
I love you. Yes, you are.
I love you too.
Yes. You're leavin' today.
I can't.
Yes, baby. Please.
I can't.
Come today. Today.
- I love you.
- No!
If you don't,
this is our last time.
Clovis?
Jesus Christ,
have you lost your brains?
Hubie,
you're gonna screw me up.
Nobody breaks out of pre-release!
That's just stupid!
If I don't,
she's gonna run off.
Thought you said your old lady was
in the jute mill.
Oh, no. She's done her time
and she's out on her own.
Yeah, well, I'm gonna call a guard
for your own good.
Hey, this is stupid!
Hubie! Hubie.
(WHISPERING) Look, you don't
understand, Hubie.
They took my boy,
Baby Langston.
What the hell are
you talkin' about, boy?
Uh, guard!
(MOANS)
Ain't nobody gonna fuss
over four little old months.
Bye, honey.
We won't see him for another week.
I sure am gonna miss him.
MAN: You might, but I'm not
gonna miss him any.
WOMAN:
Oh, Pa, don't talk like that.
- Scoot on in, Mama.
- Pardon me.
You Hubie's mom?
Yes, I am.
And still proud of it,
no matter what
his circumstances
may be right now.
Well, he's a caution,
which is why
we came to see him.
Isn't it, honey?
Sure am.
Hey, uh, where y'all headed?
New Frankfurt.
Well, that's jus'
where we're goin'!
Listen, we lost our ride.
Do you mind awfully?
- You say you're a friend of Hubie's?
- Sure am.
That boy over there.
He ain't no damn good.
Never was no good.
Pa, stop talkin' like that!
And I don't think he ever will be any good.
I don't know.
I tried my best to
make a man out of him
but it look like I
failed somewhere.
Scoot in the seat back there.
?ndale, ?ndale, young fella.
?ndale.
Yes, sir.
(MOTOR CHUGS)
No smokin'.
Officer,
I think you're a mean man.
Buster, haven't I seen you
somewhere before?
You probably have.
I think I picked peas with you
out on the pea farm one time...
- No.
- Before you got that hogleg on.
No, I think I
drove you in before.
Sure do.
I think I took
you in DWI before.
Aw, you never done.
I never was drunk in my life.
What?
I never was drunk in my life!
What are you tryin' to do,
make a liar out of me?
(CARS HONKING)
MAN: You son of a bitch!
Ya ever do some
time in prison, son?
Sir?
You heard me.
Well, just a little.
Yes, I did.
It's all right by me.
You served your time
and squared yourself
with the authority.
What was it you went up for?
I don't know, I think
they said it was larceny.
Say, sir,
is this car runnin' right?
She run pretty nice.
(IMPATIENT HONKING)
You look like a pea
picker to me anyway.
To tell you the truth,
you just look like a pea picker to me.
Is your name Buster Danials?
Well, it was before I married.
(IMPATIENT HONKING)
Ooh. What kind of larceny?
We were bustin' coin boxes
in the washaterias.
It's awful hot.
You think you could go
a little faster so's
to cool the car off?
As long as you
squared yourself
with the authorities,
you're all right by me.
Yes, sir.
That all right with you, Mama?
(MOTOR CHUGGING)
(HONKING)
(HONKING)
(POLICE SIREN BLARING)
Pa, you've bought it.
I can see it.
Man, you got yourself
a real violator, huh?
You ain't gonna be
sick in the car, are you?
Why, no!
You know I'm not, man.
Good. Don't let me
find that seat wet, neither.
Well, thank you, sir.
Mr. Nocker, sir,
you were goin' less than
25 miles an hour
on the open highway.
Not only is that a violation,
but you could
be a dangerous
hazard to other drivers.
I'm just amused.
I've been an upright,
and responsible citizen all my life,
and I've been
drivin' all my life.
I'm not gonna cite you, sir,
but I am gonna give you a written warnin'.
That'll be okay.
That'll be just fine.
I'd like to take a look at your safety
sticker, if you don't mind.
Sure. It's plastered right on
the inside of that windshield.
Didn't I tell you, Pa?
Didn't I tell you?
CLOVIS: He's comin' over.
Honey, I gotta get out,
give myself up...
No, it's too late!
Oh, they're gonna be mad.
It's all my fault.
I'm gonna get
another year, sure as hell.
Baby, you willin'
to go to the end?
What you talkin' about?
Do you love me?
Oh, baby,
we're in real trouble!
Oh, shit! Our car's stole.
You folks stay put.
(MOTOR CHUGGING)
(SIREN BLARING)
No, no, no. Uh-uh.
Okay, let me drive.
Lou Jean, let me drive!
- 2311, Houston.
- DISPATCHER: Come in.
Got a 10-80
headin' west on 90.
Officer,
I'm just an old farm boy.
And I haven't
done anything wrong.
Green Buick,
1956 Texas license.
Boy Ocean William
four zero four.
Let me drive, Lou Jean, right now!
Let me drive!
Let me out of here!
I'll walk to jail, if you want me to!
Please let me out of here.
You know how it is.
Lou, watch it!
Keep to the right!
Hey, Officer.
You know it's
illegal to make a turn
right in
the middle of the highway?
You violated the law.
- Jesus!
- Hey!
(SIREN BLARING)
(DANIALS MUTTERING)
Keep to
the right of the truck.
(TRUCK HONKING)
Keep to the right of the...
Open your eyes!
Keep to
the right of the truck!
Open your... God damn it!
(HONKING)
Oh, God bless me, my wife,
my son John, his wife...
(SIREN BLARING)
(WAILING STOPS)
DANIALS:
God bless me, my Lord.
No more.
Oh, my Lord, my Lord.
2311, Houston.
DISPATCHER: Houston, 231 1.
Okay. Pursued vehicle done 10-50 major.
Wrecked in woods.
Need
an ambulance and a wrecker
on Airline road
three miles north of 90.
Ten-four, 231 1.
Received. Getting 6580.
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
Just shut up and
sit where ya are.
I'm right here.
I'm all here.
Lady?
Lady?
LOU JEAN: Help me out.
Can you move
your toes and fingers, lady?
LOU JEAN: Am I bleedin'?
Do you have double vision?
I don't know.
Does it hurt when you...
All right.
Now you let me know if it hurts
and I'll stop.
There. Okay?
I ain't never shot a man.
Friend,
you wanna give that back?
You got no idea
what's goin' to happen to you.
- What do we do now?
- I don't know.
If y'all don't give that back voluntarily,
you've committed a felony.
Now, all right.
(GUN CLICKS)
Now, stick 'em...
Reach for your... Get...
Just get your goddamn
hands in the air.
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
(DOGS BARKING)
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
I never gave you no lip.
Get on outta here!
God bless you!
Now stop. Stop!
Now get in that car.
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
Now, you listen, mister.
So far,
it's grand theft auto,
speedin',
drivin' to endanger,
you've got resistin' arrest,
threatenin' an officer,
hinderin' an officer in the performance
of his duty,
illegal possession of firearms,
and assault.
But if I get in that car,
you got kidnappin'. That's federal.
(GUN FIRING)
(LOU JEAN SCREAMS)
(DOGS BARKING)
Now,
Jean, get in the back seat.
Come on. Come on.
Come on, move it or lose it.
LOU JEAN: What are you
doing? You piece of shit!
CLOVIS: Turn them lights off!
All right, now let's go.
That's better.
You know we are kidnappers?
And he's a state trooper.
I don't know what
you're yellin' at.
Now, I got it all worked out.
Now look, you're gonna
take us to Sugarland.
Yes, ma'am.
All right. You take
the 59 through Rosenberg,
where
the intersection Y's off.
98 goes to the left.
I'm in big trouble and I don't care
if I live or die.
So drive or I'll shoot you.
Shut up!
(SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE)
And then we're
goin' to Rodrigo.
That's where
the bus dropped me off.
Now we're almost there.
(SIREN WAILING)
Then we goin' to Honda,
then to Sugarland and the Rio Grande.
We're in real trouble.
All right now, everything's
gonna be just fine. Now just get down.
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
DISPATCHER: Attention
ambulance and wreckers.
I need one
ambulance and one wrecker.
No shit, Lucky. I was
rollin' with a patrolman
down there when
the call came in.
I was here right
from the start.
Hey, you fellas flip for it.
Listen here, Ernest,
now I have seen it all.
Looks like ol' 2311's
in the ambulance business.
What's the trouble, Wade?
I'm first on the scene,
got no victims.
I'd say your man owes me $40.
Hey, Billy,
what's happening, buddy?
Hi, Ernest.
How ya doing, fella?
Well, we don't know where they are
but we know who they are.
What you got there?
Run a S and W on this.
Come back to Alvin T. Nocker,
RFD 4, New Frankfurt.
- Can I have this?
- Yes.
Guess get on
the horn to Bastrop County.
Good idea.
I figure this old dude's been here all day.
Don't you, Ernie?
Motor's still warm.
(GRUNTS)
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
2322, Houston.
DISPATCHER: Houston.
2322, go ahead.
You got any word
on what hospital
2311 is
transportin' his 10-50s to?
We have a 10-50, no confirmation.
Are you on the scene?
Yeah, I'm here, Lamar.
Well, look, uh, call the hospitals, will ya,
and see if he's on his way.
I wanna check out
the area north and south.
Ten-four.
Every time we start somewhere,
you go to pick something to fuss about.
I wish you would just hush,
Pa. Just hush.
I'm just tired of
listening to you.
My feet hurt and I'm
tired of standing here. Just hush!
We can sit down
and rest your feet a little bit.
What will I sit on?
Just... Where...
You think I'm gonna
sit on this bag...
Then sit on your fist
and lean back on your thumb.
What's the story?
We just had our car
taken by an ex-con.
Claimed he was a working man.
Was it a green Buick?
Seafoam green, 1956.
Roadmaster, B-O-W 404.
Stole!
Is your name Alvin T. Nocker
of New Frankfurt?
Oh, yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Now you're talking.
You just stay put.
MAN: 2311, this is Houston.
2311, this is Houston.
2311, this is Houston.
Give me a ten-four.
You got a confirmation for me?
2311, this is Houston.
231 1.
Houston. Pierce?
WOMAN: This is Pierce.
Go ahead, Houston.
MAN: Pierce, can you
attempt to raise 231 1?
WOMAN: Ten-four.
- I'm gonna smash that radio.
- Hey, now wait.
I'd rather you held back on that.
They'll dock my pay.
Come on. Kick it, Clo.
I hate that goddamn thing.
Please, mister, don't smash my radio.
I can shut it off if you want.
Well,
turn that sucker off, then!
All right.
I'm shutting it off.
(SWITCHES RADIO OFF)
DISPATCHER: Airline Road,
three miles north...
LOU JEAN: Just lay back.
We're not gonna hurt you.
Now you get us to Sugarland
and everything'll be fine.
(CAR HONKING)
LOU JEAN: Shit! Get...
You get on outta here!
(BRAKES SCREECHING)
ATTORNEY: All right, sir.
On the day in question,
how long had your man here
been with the highway patrol?
TANNER: It was three years,
unless I'm mistaken.
ATTORNEY:
And during that three years,
had it ever come
to your attention
that he was having
difficulty with his vision?
Any reasons to
have his eyes examined?
TANNER: No, sir.
Don't you and
the other highway patrolmen
have to have regular
physical examinations
and examinations of your eyes?
TANNER: Yes, sir.
My men and all highway
patrol personnel
undergo a thorough medical
examination every year.
Excuse me a moment, gentlemen.
- Captain Tanner.
- Yes, sir.
If you would, Your Honor.
Gentlemen, we have an emergency.
May I see counsel in chambers?
We stand adjourned.
All rise!
Your Honor, may I have the court's
attention? May it please the court...
May it please the court?
Your Honor?
2590 to Houston.
This is Captain Tanner.
Believe our man is hijacked.
Repeat, hijacked.
Have all units stay off the A channel
as much as possible.
There's no need of them
knowing what we're talking about.
I want a roadblock on 90 and Alternate
at the Lavaca County line.
DISPATCHER: The name of the patrolman
is Maxwell Slide.
He's been in uniform nine months,
but he's a good boy.
We can't count on him
to act in his own best interest.
So,
in the event of a face-off,
I want you to
keep your shirts on.
WOMAN: (ON RADIO)...are armed.
Do not attempt to act with force.
I see lights. A whole bunch!
CLOVIS: Put that shotgun on this officer
here so he knows where you're at.
SLIDE: That's my captain.
Don't shoot!
That's Captain Tanner.
You want to get us all killed.
I'll put you on the radio.
LOU JEAN: Yes, tell him to get out of here.
We never hurt nobody.
2311 to 2590.
Go ahead, 231 1.
We got a 10-32 in here.
Says drop off or he'll shoot.
They hurt you any, Maxwell?
I'm sorry about this, Captain.
I had no idea they were 96s.
What you talking, 32, 96?
You trying to code me out?
No, sir.
It is merely verbal shorthand.
10-32 is a man with a gun.
10-96 is your mental subject.
How do you work this thing?
If you wish to talk,
press the button.
We ain't no mental subjects!
I've done some dumb things,
but I ain't a goddamn mental subject!
What's your name, son?
My name's Clovis Poplin,
and this here's my old lady, Lou Jean.
Well, what are you doing
with our man in there?
He's just taking us to Sugarland
to get my boy Langston.
You sure got a strange notion
on how to hitchhike.
Y'all stay back,
there's no need to worry.
Now you get your cars back there.
Quit following us!
I've got a job to do.
I can't have old boys
commandeering my patrol cars.
What would the taxpayers say?
Get on back there
or I'll shoot him in the head!
Now you take it easy there
and think about what you're doing.
No one's gonna get hurt.
Do you hear me?
We'll get you out
of this, Maxwell.
We've got a bad hombre here.
We're gonna have to
lift that roadblock.
Houston, you let 'em all know to back off
and let that boy through.
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
Here they come.
Get that car out of the hole!
Hit it, Roy! Hit it!
I couldn't see a damn thing!
We'd better phone it in.
Hello.
Here, doggie.
Doggie want more?
Hey, boy.
Piece steak.
A piece steak.
Baby? Baby Langston?
Let's go inside and play.
(CRYING) Mommy! Mommy!
Please, baby.
Mommy'll get you.
Mommy!
(ENGINE STALLING)
(BRAKES SCREECHING)
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
You're lying!
I'm sorry, sir.
I'm awful sorry, sir.
You had
the whole thing planned.
From beginning to end,
you had the whole thing planned.
Don't tell me you didn't have it planned!
I can see you had it planned!
You're dead wrong, sir.
Don't tell me you didn't!
You get us going!
Ma'am, we're out of gas.
There's no filling station
anywhere nears here.
Now, why don't you
surrender yourselves
and this
thing'll end peaceful.
(ECHOING) Captain Tanner?
This is...
You're on the outside speaker.
Captain Tanner, this is Clovis
Poplin speaking.
I wanna talk to you.
(BELL RINGING)
LOU JEAN: Hey, look, they do Gold Stamps.
I want some Gold Stamps.
CLOVIS: Come on, Jean,
you don't need no stamps.
Fill 'er up?
Ethyl.
That oil needs checking.
- Honey?
- What?
Now if you wanna run do something,
now'll be the time to do it.
No, not me.
I know you, Lou.
Run and do what you have to.
I don't have anything to do!
Shall we go, if you please?
All right.
How are y'all today?
You want me to check that oil?
Oil's okay.
...that will assist in the apprehension.
LOU JEAN: (WHISPERING)
I want some Gold Stamps. I want lots.
CLOVIS: He's comin'. Be quiet.
That'll be $7.90, please, sir.
And what in the world
is going on around here?
Oh, I'm sorry,
we can't accept these here.
Better talk to the captain.
Captain who? The captain?
Wait! Come back here!
Hold it!
(BELL RINGING)
Hold it, hold it!
Hold on just a minute!
This ain't no
contract station.
We can't accept
your Green Card.
Talk to the captain.
- Talk to the captain.
- You the captain?
We can't accept
them credit cards here.
Hey, are you the captain?
And if you ain't, would you please
tell me where he is?
- Your name, sir.
- Oh, uh...
Fred Mengers. Fred Mengers.
I own this station right here.
Do you know you just served gas
to an escaped felon?
Oh, you mean they
were in that police car?
Yes, sir.
Well, I sure did, yes, sir.
I'm from right
here in Kildare,
and I seen
the whole thing happen.
(TIRES SQUEALING)
(CHANGING STATIONS)
There.
REPORTER (ON RADIO)
The fugitives have been identified
as Clovis Michael Poplin, 25,
a convict from Crowley,
and Lou Jean
Sparrow Poplin, 25,
an unemployed
beautician from Sayers.
The name of the patrolman
has not been released
pending
notification of next of kin.
The hijackers stated
to Captain Harlin Tanner
that their
purpose was to protest
the action of
the Child Welfare Board
which last week refused to return custody
of their son to Mrs. Poplin,
who has a criminal record.
The boy has been living
with foster parents in Sugarland.
The KKOK mobile command unit
is on its way for a live report.
This has been a KKOK news KO.
ANNOUNCER: (ON RADIO) This is the big
country. It's great country.
But sometimes it can
get mighty hot and dry.
Out here, men grow
the mightiest thirsts on earth,
and it takes a lot to cut it.
That's why Lone Star
is one of the world's finest...
What they're saying
is I'm an unfit mother.
You broke out of pre-release?
Oh, shut up and
mind your own business!
You broke your husband
out of pre-release?
What, you're assuming an awful lot
for a man your size.
Who said,
"Unemployed beautician"?
You been taking
money from Donnie Hyatt?
No, I quit.
You got $65.
You ain't never seen work.
What you been doing three weeks?
You've been runnin' around?
- I have not!
- You're lying.
- I am not lying.
- Don't lie to me!
Don't you call me no liar!
Donnie Hyatt and Bill Fails
ain't running around.
That's just beering.
SLIDE: Suspicions
of marital infidelity
are, more often
than not, groundless.
However, the disputes ensuing
are highly destructive.
What do you know?
Why'd you have to come along anyway in your
damn police car?
This whole
thing's your own fault.
- Now, lady.
- His fault? It's your fault!
Clovis Poplin, if you were half as
good-looking as Donnie Hyatt,
I still wouldn't
quit no job for you.
Not after this
mess you got me in.
I've stopped more
marital disputes
than you ever have.
I've been trained for it.
We're not just
chasing speeders all day.
I wish you'd mind
your own goddamn business.
What you wanna hang around
Donnie Hyatt and Bill Fails for?
They're just idiots.
Jean, they're gonna call you promiscuous,
they're gonna call you unfit.
In the three years we've been married,
I haven't even had the urge.
And I am not promiscuous
and I am not unfit, neither!
Pull over here at that ARCO station.
I wanna talk to that man.
Well, I'll be doggoned.
REPORTER: (ON RADIO)
A spokesman for the highway patrol
in our
neighboring state of Texas
admitted
earlier this afternoon
that their
roadblock has been licked.
Now your bayou-country newshounds have
learned that the hijackers,
a man and his wife...
Admire it while you got it.
'Cause next time around,
it's propane and super-slow.
...are especially
well-equipped to give
the police officers
a run for their money.
Texas highway patrol vehicles,
like ours in the state of
Louisiana, boast
high-performance engines...
Hey, Pete,
these things ready to roll?
They're ready when you are.
Say, you been following the fun?
Texas highway patrol's
got their hijacker on the radio.
OFFICER:
Oh, the hell you say.
It's no lie!
I believe they're gonna
talk him out of it.
Where'd they be
about this time?
Outside of Kildare,
Texas, going west.
What say we just
poke on up there?
That's over three hours away.
Just about
the break-in period.
LOU JEAN: "Has 3-D animal pets.
Featherweight, plastic."
(MUMBLING)
"Nod-Away standard crib.
"Four positions, adjustable spring,
teething rail.
"Sixteen and a quarter books."
Honey, we could get that.
And "Happy Hoppers push toy
encourages walking activity.1-3 years.
"Colored disk moves, makes popping...
S-N-D." What does that mean?
And we've got uh,
"Animal Shop crib mobile,
"one and a quarter books."
And, um...
Nod-Away play yard,
for one book, and. um...
We've got, um, honey?
Honey?
I got somethin' to tell ya.
Promise you won't be mad?
Honey?
I got to pee-pee.
"All-around bumper pad,
one and a half books."
Honey?
Honey! I gotta pee! Shit!
We gotta have
ourselves a little talk.
We gotta quit this runnin' around
and start runnin'.
Wha...what? You want me to go pee
in the back seat of the car?
All this
stoppin' and startin'.
We're ain't never
gonna get Langston.
Everything's gonna be fine.
Just fine.
We're in real trouble.
Lou Jean Sparrow Poplin
has two shopliftings
and a conviction
on petty larceny,
for which she
did eight months.
Clovis Michael Poplin
has four petty larcenies,
two illegal entries
and a conviction on burglary.
He has four months left
on a one-year sentence.
You sure there's no
armed robbery or assault?
No, sir.
Did they ever
make use of firearms?
Sure didn't.
Ah, shoot. They're nothin'
but a couple of kids.
Hold it!
You! You in the cab there!
Unhook that thing, get out of here.
Sit down! Sit down!
(CAR DOOR CLOSING)
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
Come on!
Gonna drive away with her pants down?
That's a nice try.
God, you're not
dealing with a blind man.
Will you turn around
and sit down? Sit down!
Hold it! Hold it!
(BEE BUZZING)
Now, I just might
see what happens
if I shoot a load of buckshot
in that commode!
I said,
I just might see what happens
if I put another
hole in that thing!
It's only me.
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
You gonna let him
get away with that, Captain?
(CHUCKLES)
Well, I don't know. They thought their
way out of a toilet.
This old boy's some doer.
They sure are messin' all over us,
I know that.
You got any better ideas?
Yes, sir. I sure in hell do.
- Hello.
- ALL: Howdy, ma'am.
Of course, I know why you're here,
but I have nothing to say.
We'd just like to see
the child, Mrs. Looby.
Well, of course,
the child board says
that the child is
ours to keep now,
and we love him very much,
and I'm his mother.
We understand that.
How old is the little boy?
Uh...
Oh, he was two in January.
We sure would like
to interview him.
Oh, well...
Uh... Vern?
Vern?
Langston, do you
know where your papa is?
REPORTER 2: Who's your mama?
REPORTER 1: Could you wave goodbye
to your real mama and papa?
- Can you say papa?
- Are you happy?
Do they treat
you all right here?
He's our boy now.
We give him a good home.
And he has all the love
that he'll ever need right here.
All the love, Baby Langston.
(BABY WAILS)
Oh, no, no, baby.
Back! Back up!
Back up, get closer to this thing.
I can't reach over there.
Now move back,
get...move over here.
Get closer to this thing.
I can't reach it.
All right, stop!
We're the Poplins.
Anybody home?
POLICEMAN: Come on, go home!
Get out of here!
- Captain?
- Yeah.
This is Mark Fenno.
- Hi, Captain.
- Howdy.
That's Logan Waters.
- Howdy, Captain.
- How are you, sir?
They're Rangers.
They think they can
drop that old boy, Captain.
What've you got there?
I got a 7mm Magnum,
four-power scope, Mauser action.
I'll be shootin'
a 148-grain bullet.
At 300 yards, hit a dime.
Can you guarantee
Slide won't be hit?
At this distance?
Oh, absolutely.
Well, how will I know
they'll be killed outright?
If it's the spasm
shots you're worried about,
I figure to hit
the boy in the brain
in the medulla
and cut his motors.
What about the girl?
Same thing, Captain.
She'll be dead before
the sound gets there.
Sure you don't want none?
Well, maybe just one piece.
A small piece though.
I'm not that hungry.
- Give the man a breast, Lou.
- Wing or something...
Clovis!
Could I have some
more honey, please?
Want another napkin?
I just wanna
tell you I love you.
This ain't too bad.
(CHUCKLES)
Hey, he's got a wishbone!
Come on, Lou.
Come on.
I won.
The kid.
I don't know.
I can't tell the boy from a doorpost.
And we've lost our light.
How you gonna score
through that glass?
Captain,
the glass will be no problem.
Don't put that stuff on me.
Give me a number.
I'd say it's better than 90%.
(DOGS BARKING IN THE DISTANCE)
I'm gonna have to
say no to you boys.
Captain,
that's a pretty good number.
I mean,
uh, we won't get a whole
lot of chances as
good as this one.
It's not good enough.
It's a long way
from here to Sugarland.
There's lots of possibles
we haven't tried yet.
I've been on
the force 18 years,
and it's been my good fortune
not to have killed anyone in that time.
That's the way
I'd like to keep it.
Wouldn't you know it?
How do you like it?
MAN: (ON RADIO)
Got me a flat spot between 85 and 90.
Not me.
Say uh...how far to Binney?
Oh, about five or 10 minutes.
I don't know.
We didn't pass that cutoff,
now, did we?
I don't think so.
(SINGING) Oh, Louisiana gals,
come and listen to my noise
Don't ever marry
them Texican boys
If you do, your rations'll be
Johnny cake and devil's food
and sassafras tea
Johnny cake and devil's food
and sassafras tea
(SINGING CONTINUES)
(TIRES SCREECHING)
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTERING)
Hey, how about telling me
what you got in mind?
Hold your butter, partner.
I'm gonna 76 'em like you never saw.
That's a great idea,
that's just terrific!
That's perfect!
That's just great!
Think you can
do it without me?
TANNER: You know my
mind on the matter.
At least you ought to by now.
If your butt ain't sore,
I don't mind tellin' you, mine is!
Aren't you tired?
No, I ain't.
I don't see why we can't
reach some kind of an understanding.
Do you trust me?
I'm not sayin' I do and
I'm not sayin' I don't.
You talkin' about
not chargin' me?
That I can't do, Clovis.
But what I can do
is make it easier on Mrs. Poplin.
If she's worried
about her baby,
I personally can
arrange a hearing
with the Department
of Public Welfare,
so she can tell her
side of the story.
CLOVIS:
I appreciate that, Captain.
You're a man of honor,
and you're tryin' your best.
Don't think I don't see that.
But we got other plans.
Well, what are your other plans?
I'd like to know.
CLOVIS: We got a secret plan.
Look out!
(TIRES SCREECHING)
Keep after 'em! Come on!
Hubert, get after 'em!
(SIRENS WAILING)
What's in the road?
FEMALE DISPATCHER: Houston, can you advise
if you can release some of our units?
We need them back at home.
You crazy son of a bitch!
You tried to rack us up!
I goddamn sure
as hell didn't!
I been to drivin' school. And the proof
is you're livin' and squawkin'.
Oh, they're gonna be so mad.
I really don't care.
Gimme some gum and I'll drive all night.
Don't stop for nothin'.
Then don't call me
no son of a bitch!
Clovis, honey, don't.
It don't do no good runnin' from a tornado.
Who else is out there, Ernie?
The Lord only knows, Captain.
Well, call 'em all in.
All except highway patrol out of Region 2.
If I can't call him by his first name,
I don't want him out there.
Yes, sir.
I want a helicopter.
A helicopter
with a searchlight.
And I want some kind of a spot
to hem these old boys up.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
Come on now.
Move on down here.
That's it.
You're good. Real fine.
(CAR HONKING)
(HONKING CONTINUES)
Where the hell
they all comin' from?
(SIREN WAILS)
(CARS HONKING)
Have you heard
anything from our unit?
No, sir.
They are still out there?
Yes, sir.
In fact, the whole state of Texas
is on APB alert.
The whole state
of Texas is here.
We got lawmen from Dallas,
up from Austin.
If they was all dentists,
we could call this a damn convention.
Has the chopper come
up with anything yet?
Nothin'. Just a couple
of kids hole-punchin'
back of the schoolyard,
that's all.
Have you located
this old boy's folks?
Both mother and father dead.
Do we know
the girl's maiden name?
Sparrow.
(HELICOPTER APPROACHING)
SLIDE: (WAILING) Help!
Clovis Poplin!
Somebody help me!
Hey, help!
I don't believe it.
Man, these cuffs hurt!
Are you Mr. Sparrow?
Okay. This way.
That's some ride, huh?
TANNER: Mr. Sparrow,
your influence might persuade your daughter
and her husband to
give themselves up.
Otherwise, I fear not only
for the safety of our man
but, frankly,
for their lives as well.
Now do you understand
why I have to say that?
Yes, sir.
All right, sir.
Whenever you're ready,
you just press this black button down here.
And talk in
a normal tone of voice.
When you're ready, just...
Talk in
a normal tone of voice.
Yes, sir, and press...
Press this button and talk in
a normal tone of voice.
That's right.
Now you want me to go ahead?
Yes, sir. And then just say
whatever you think's right.
Lou Jean? Lou Jean?
Lou Jean!
This is your daddy. They brought me down
here in a helicopter
that I might say a word,
and I'm gonna.
It's a good thing
your poor mother
is not alive to see
what has become of you.
Lou Jean, you're no good!
And I always knew...
(STATIC)
If this man gave me a gun,
I'd go down there and shoot you
and shoot that
trash you married.
God'll get you. (STATIC)
(CAR DOOR OPENING)
Hi, there.
Here, take this.
Put this around ya.
It'll make you feel better.
You tired?
I sure am.
It's not every day I
hitch a ride like this.
(STATIC ON RADIO)
Hey, you're not
altogether bad-lookin'.
You married?
No.
Got a girl?
Of course I do.
I bet she's nice.
- Well, good night.
- Lou Jean...
Yeah?
Could you turn off
the police radio?
Why, sure.
Great.
(SWITCHES RADIO OFF)
- Lou Jean...
- Yeah?
I know you're all right
and a good woman at heart,
even though, uh, you might have
took a wrong turn in life.
Well, thank you, I'm sure.
Prison made a woman out of me.
Night.
(CAR DOOR CLOSING)
Jean? (KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Got a gas stove.
God damn! (CHUCKLES)
(CLOVIS CHUCKLES)
(LOU JEAN CHUCKLES)
(LAUGHING)
Hey, we got
a free movie next door.
Oh, Lou, honey.
If Baby Langston was here,
we'd be a real family.
What if we don't get the baby?
Of course
we're gonna get him!
That's why you stole
that old police car, ain't it?
I guess it is.
You guess it is?
I guess you're right.
Come here.
Did you miss me?
Every day.
I like to hear
you tell me that.
I missed all that sweet talk.
I wish we could get drunk.
We always used to
get drunk together.
You're fun drunk.
Except when you're throwin' up
in the back of Bill Fails' Chevelle.
Jean,
I mean every word of this.
You're my wife and I love you,
even if we don't get the baby.
Wish we had sound.
I'll be your sound.
Come on. Come on.
(MIMICS ROADRUNNER)
(LOU JEAN GIGGLES)
(MIMICS STEAMING)
(BOTH LAUGHING)
(LOU JEAN LAUGHS)
LOU JEAN: Oh, no! (LAUGHS)
(THUD)
(SNEEZES)
(CLATTERING)
Oh, boy, that kid!
How many times
have I told him!
(CLATTERING)
What are you
doin' in that outfit?
We're not goin'
to the mountains.
Oh, yeah.
Just a precaution.
See and be seen.
There'll gonna be
a lot of clowns out there
with firearms
and itchy fingers.
I don't want to get shot.
Well, Patty, you trying
to be a reserve officer like your old man?
Nah, I want 'er full time.
You'll make it.
- Did you bring the coffee?
- Black and hot.
Great.
Did you do that?
I had to.
You're in real trouble.
Thank you.
Jean, you decent?
Propane. Nice.
Y'all decent?
I'm gonna go pick one out.
Don't you guys get to dawdling.
(WATER RUNNING)
Does that old
razor belong to you?
Sure do. Wanna use it?
Yeah, when you're done.
(FLUSHING)
How much money you make
on the highway patrol?
Not a whole lot,
let me tell ya.
Yeah? How much is that?
$620 a month.
But I take home
a whole lot less.
(ELECTRIC RAZOR BUZZING)
So, I didn't mean what I said.
What was that?
About callin' you a son of a bitch.
I didn't mean that.
And you ain't no
mental subject, neither.
I've been thinkin' about
gettin' on the highway patrol.
(WHIRRING STOPS)
They won't take a man with a record.
I think it's a state law.
Hmm.
LOU JEAN: Honey, I found a...
...blue Cutlass.
Oh, I love it!
(RAZOR WHIRRING)
Honey?
Just supposin' that
I were to tell you
that this is
the end of the line.
Just supposin' I told you
I wasn't gonna go no further.
What?
Just supposin'!
Now, you may kill me,
but if you don't come to your senses
and throw it down,
they're gonna kill you.
Well, supposin' I
was worried about that.
Which I'm not!
And supposin' I was
to give myself up.
How many years' do you figure
they'd give me for breakin' out?
Now, I couldn't tell you,
but it might go real easy
bein' as how you're a regular fella
and all.
Well, I am a regular fella!
I never shot a man.
There you go!
That's a major point with the law.
Make you mighty happy,
I bet ya.
(LAUGHS) Hell, yes.
It'd make everybody happy!
LOU JEAN: Well, where are you two?
It's already sunup.
Not Lou Jean.
It wouldn't make her happy.
Man, they'd lock me up
from now to Moses.
Take away my boy for good.
They'll change his name.
All right, stand up.
Stand up!
Nobody move.
I made up my mind.
We're gonna take this one.
It's the best one on the lot.
Don't let that
squelch fool you.
We're not
the only ones out here.
Maybe they already caught 'em.
No way.
I had my home
set on all night.
Wasn't anything on
the APB about it.
(CHUCKLES) You all
know what I think about the Airborne.
Dad, they're in Big John's!
After you get
the insulation scraped off,
you bring it from your hot line
to your coil over here.
Make sure you don't get
your fingers on the metal.
I need somethin' to
short over the starter.
What about your badge?
Yeah, that'll work.
You got water in the gas line.
You all been running
lights and appliances all night?
- LOU JEAN: No.
- CLOVIS: Yeah.
Battery's outside.
Which one do you want?
I'll take that redhead.
(LOU JEAN SCREAMS)
Come back!
There! There!
Come back!
Come back here!
Come back here!
That must be them, all right!
(BOTH LAUGHING)
(GUNS FIRING)
(GLASS BREAKING)
(SCREAMS)
(SCREAMS)
(SCREAMS)
Hold it!
Maxwell, come back!
Wait! Come back!
Wait a minute!
You son of a bitch!
Make 'em stop!
(GUN COCKING)
Stop!
Hold your fire!
This is Patrolman Slide,
Texas Department of Public Safety.
How do you work
this goddamn thing?
(SQUEALS)
SLIDE: No!
Lou Jean, turn it around!
(SHRIEKS)
LOU JEAN: Captain Tanner!
Captain Tanner! They're shootin' at us!
This is Captain Tanner.
Where are you located?
We got 'em! Big John's used car lot,
Military Drive!
Hey, we got 'em!
They're at Big John's used car,
Military and San Pedro!
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
(SIRENS WAILING)
(GUNS FIRING)
Hit anything yet?
(YELLING)
Boy, wait till they
see what we found.
Drop those weapons!
Move a finger and
I'll blow it off.
But, sir,
we've captured the fugitives.
- Keep 'em here, Jessup.
- Yes, sir.
CLOVIS: (OVER LOUDSPEAKER)
Captain Tanner!
Captain Tanner!
You're gonna kill your man!
I'll pull my trigger,
I'm gonna shoot his head.
Now, it's him for my baby.
That's my deal.
Clovis, I see you.
That's my deal.
Now, what kind of a deal
are you talkin' about?
We keep right on to Sugarland,
no roadblocks, and no snipers,
and no nothin'.
Once we get my baby,
I'll let your man go.
Now, are you listenin'?
'Cause he's gonna tell you somethin'.
This is
Patrolman Maxwell Slide.
I suppose y'all might want
to end it right here and now.
If that's your thinkin',
sir, it's fine by me.
Y'all come on in.
Just tell everyone I told you that.
Let's all back off
a step or two, men.
There's no need for
hasty talk around here.
All right, Clovis.
You got yourself a deal.
Sounds like a fair proposition to me
and I'm gonna abide by it.
No more runnin' off, no more speedin',
and no more guns.
Now, what do you say to that?
CLOVIS: I want your
personal word of honor.
Do I got it?
Yeah, you got it.
Did you hear that, honey?
We're gonna get the baby.
Captain Tanner, I do believe
you're a good man.
Captain?
Yeah?
You ain't really gonna let 'em
take that baby, are you?
I don't see how we can.
Well, uh...
Do you want me
to go somewheres?
Yeah.
Go find those two old boys
that was with you.
What's their names?
Fenno and Waters.
Yeah, Fenno and Waters.
Find them, take the chopper,
and get on over to the foster home.
Yes, sir.
(KEYS JINGLING)
I'm real sorry, Captain.
Yeah.
Don't let me see
you around here again.
- But, Captain...
- Shut up!
These boys ain't no reserves.
They ain't been on the active list
for more than a year.
Is that right?
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
Take that with you!
Arrest 'em, Jessup.
Yes, sir!
(BELL TOLLING)
(DOGS BARKING)
(BABY BABBLING)
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
You're not gonna
take him away, are you?
No, ma'am. Just gonna make sure
he'll be safe, that's all.
(SINGING) When my blue moon
turns to gold again
When the rainbow
turns the clouds away
When my blue moon
turns to gold again
I'll be back within
your arms again
I'm sittin' too
far from the wheel.
No, sir, that's
the way it's supposed to be.
Simply place your hands
at 10 and two o'clock.
Like this?
That's just about okay.
Now, when negotiatin' a turn,
shuffle the wheel through your fingers,
rather than to go
across hand over hand.
That way you got both hands
on the wheel at all times.
(SINGING WITH ABANDON)
CLOVIS: That's pretty neat.
Hey, have you ever seen
a picture of Baby Langston?
Ain't he sweet?
Yeah. Fine-lookin' boy.
I took that picture.
It's a fine-lookin' picture.
This here's my ma and pa,
Horace and Mavorene Slide.
Hey, you got your pa's eyes.
Who's that they're
standin' next to?
My bull. I was in the FFA.
Who's that, your girlfriend?
No, that's my old girlfriend,
Donna. I still got the cycle.
What's that?
No, no.
Gimme that! That's mine!
What's that? Is that you?
Is that you? Is that you?
Yeah.
(LOU JEAN SQUEALS)
Looks just like you.
I bet you're gonna get a big promotion
when this thing's over.
You're gonna be
Lieutenant Slide.
That'll be the day.
(CARS HONKING)
Hey, looky up there!
CLOVIS: Now,
what do you think of that?
(HONKING CONTINUES)
(CROWD APPLAUDING)
Could I have that? Could you bring
that here to me?
You got to count to 10.
One,
two, three, four, five, six,
seven, eight, nine, ten.
Ew! God!
- Let me see.
- Nuh-ah!
Hey, could you do me a favor?
Anything you want, child.
Could you get me
some hair spray?
Some hair spray
and a set of rollers.
You wait right here.
Now, you just wait right here.
And could you bring some pins also,
and some other junk?
You just wait.
And could you bring me
some lipstick, pink, frosted?
You wait now.
Here you go.
Maxwell Slide,
there's my picture.
That's an old mug shot of me.
Ew, I look like
shit in that picture.
You look more like
a convict than I do.
It's Patrol Academy.
It's worse than jail.
It's your baby.
Don't let no one
take him away from you.
I'm not gonna.
Thank you, and I wanna thank you
for everything you've done.
- Sure.
- I appreciate it.
Y'all take care now.
Bye!
CROWD: Bye!
(CHEERING)
(HONKING)
Now there's another town
between here and Sugarland.
I don't want any
more rubberneckin'.
You two go around to
Rodrigo and make sure
the local man's got
the streets cleared.
If he tells you it's the 4th of July,
you advise him otherwise.
- Do you understand?
- Yes, sir.
(CARS HONKING)
Wanna set up some sandbags?
We won't need 'em.
We're gonna need
a little more room in here.
Get that chair out
just a little bit.
Can you gimme some breeze?
Ma'am, are you
expecting a delivery of
diapers, or milk, or newspapers,
anything like that?
No.
Are there any
neighbors or kinfolk who
might get it into
their minds to pay a visit?
No.
We could get a head shot
from there.
We better plan to shoot
on this side of that post.
Okay, let me check.
Take a heart shot
right at the top.
Excuse me, ma'am.
That looks all right.
- You think that's gonna work?
- It'll work.
You all right, sir?
Officer,
I know you're not gonna
let me shoot
the son of a bitch,
but at least you
can use my rifle.
(HUMMING)
I don't know how
this is gonna look.
You should
always wash it first.
(CONTINUES HUMMING)
Christ!
(COUGHING)
How ya'll doing?
Could I ask y'all some questions?
Hey, y'all be careful.
How they treatin' you,
Mr. Slide?
They've been all right.
When you gonna
make your escape?
I'm not gonna escape.
I'm too busy talkin' the man out of it.
Yeah, he's talkin' see,
but I ain't listenin'.
Hell, you ain't.
I've practically got him rehabilitated.
I wouldn't go that far.
I feel I'm just being reasonable.
TANNER: You in the rig there.
You've got one second to get out of there.
I wanna say that I appreciate
what Captain Tanner's done...
What would you two
charge for an exclusive,
in-depth interview
exclusive with my station?
Cash money?
Hey, don't nobody
want to ask me nothin'?
(SIREN WAILING)
Okay. Now,
we're not gonna talk to any
more reporters till
we decide on our deal.
Right.
Whatever you think's fair.
That's right. Okay.
TANNER: All right.
I've been advised we got innocent civilians
all over
the streets of Rodrigo.
I can't let you go on in.
I want you to
pull over and stop
so's we don't have
an accident or worse.
Pull over and sit
while I find a way around that town.
What's he thinkin' of?
So what if there's people?
I wanna see the people!
I like the people. I wanna see 'em.
And I bet ya $10
the people are gonna wanna see us.
Now let's take a vote.
Everybody who wants
to go through say "aye."
Raise your hand.
I raise my hand. Aye.
Y'all go on in if
you have a mind to.
Come on! If you're in favor,
raise your hand and say "aye."
Aye.
Captain Tanner, this is 2311.
Go ahead.
We all decided
to go on through.
Thank y'all for
makin' it unanimous.
(WHISTLING)
(CHEERING)
(BAND PLAYING I'VE BEEN WORKING
ON THE RAILROAD)
Hey, honey,
look at all these people. Hi!
Hi, Lou Jean.
Hi. Hi, everybody!
Here's my wallet with money.
God bless you.
LOU JEAN: Hi, honey,
look at all these people.
Get off! Get off there!
(HONKING)
Hi! How are ya?
How are ya?
Look at this old thing! Hey!
Officer Slide, we're with you.
I appreciate that.
I appreciate it, sir.
- What's this for my baby?
- Diapers?
Diapers for my baby?
Oh, my God!
Would you have
him now for a pet?
LOU JEAN: Oh, my baby!
(HONKING)
- Quit that!
- Thank you, honey.
(SQUEALS)
(FAIRGROUND MUSIC)
Do you believe
in God, brother?
Yes, ma'am. I sure do.
Courtesy of
Schleicher's Hardware.
Take care of that boy.
I know you love him.
And this is from my daughter.
Oh, thank you!
Honey, when we
pick up Baby Langston,
no more of this
sportin' around.
And I mean it. We're going to settle
down just like real folks.
Hi!
(SQUEALS) He's peeing on me!
He's peeing on me!
Can you believe this?
Y'all take this thing, okay?
(HONKS HORN CONTINUOUSLY)
- 84... 185.
- 85, 86.
87, 88.
89, 90.
- 94... 196.
- 95, 96.
- 197,198.
- 197,198.
- 99, 100.
- 99, 100.
- 200.
- 200.
- 201... 203.
- 201, 202.
- 204, 205, 206, 207.
- 204, 205, 206, 207.
(CAMERAS CLICKING)
Out of the way, folks, please.
Take off!
Okay, folks.
That's it. Let's go home.
Hey, what's up?
Where are they taking them?
Well, for reasons of safety,
we're transferring them
over to the courthouse.
That's where
we'll make a transfer.
Transfer'll be made
at the courthouse?
That's right. Right out front.
Harvey, what you doin' over here
from Houston?
Well,
if you're gonna stick around,
you might as
well do it inside.
I knew it. They done
Terrible Ted the same way.
(INDISTINCT TALKING
OVER POLICE RADIO)
(BAND MUSIC PLAYING)
Remember back
in the car lot...
Hey, listen, we're gonna keep this
newspaper. I hope you don't mind.
Could you sign somethin'
real nice right there?
Listen, this here's my card.
Maxwell Slide, phone and address.
I sure would like my
car back after all this.
Honey, come on. Let's go.
Well, Captain, looks like
we made it in one piece.
Looks that way, son.
You still want your baby?
You still want your patrolman?
Listen to me, Clovis.
We've come a long way together
and you know my intentions
have never been other than decent.
Now whether you realize it or not,
I know what's best for you.
So I'm asking you, please
get out of that car and get into mine
and let me take you home.
I know I gave you
my word and all,
but I'm still
a duly constituted
peace officer of
the state of Texas.
What he's saying is,
he might not be able to keep his word.
I'm happy with
the deal we made.
All right.
Your child, Langston Poplin, is in the
foster home with his foster parents.
You just go on over there
and they'll give him to you.
LOU JEAN: You tell them I know where it is!
Let's go!
Okay,
now, hold on a minute here.
We gotta get somethin'
straight here, Captain.
Go ahead.
I want 15 minutes
while I go in and get my boy.
You got it.
And I wanna go in private.
Y'all hang right back here.
All right. We're not movin'.
I'll just park here
so no one gets by me.
That's real fine.
There's nothin' else I can think of.
I guess it's goodbye.
Come on, Jean.
Clovis,
if you don't mind my asking,
what's your plans after
you pick up Baby Langston?
I guess I can tell you now.
We're only a few
miles from Mexico.
Jean's got
a cousin in Mexico City.
We're all gonna go
down and live with her.
LOU JEAN: There it is!
There it is!
CLOVIS: Yeah, I see it.
I see it.
Don't stop!
What was that?
What are you doin'?
That was it! Do you hear me?
(INSISTENT HONKING)
Stop that car!
It's all wrong! Just look round you,
for Christ's sake.
You heard what
the captain said.
I'm beggin' ya,
hand me back my gun,
and in the name
of God, let's quit.
Now you open your door
and you step out real easy.
Then we'll go get my boy.
Clovis... He's not in there.
Ain't no way in the world
I'm goin' up that path.
Oh, God.
It's true. He ain't in there.
Baby Langston! Baby Langston!
SLIDE:
We need to get outta here.
Baby Langston!
Baby Langston!
CLOVIS: They took him away, baby.
They took him away.
I hear him.
He's cryin' for his mama.
Sit down. Just sit down!
Jean... Jean,
honey, they took him away.
What's the matter with you?
You get out there!
You go get him!
You lied to me. Go get him!
I can't do that!
- You promised!
- I can't...
Get out there and get him!
I'm gonna get him.
No!
- Yes!
- No!
Lou Jean, get down.
I'll take the girl.
Get down. Get yourself down!
Clovis!
Damn that banister.
God damn.
The tree's in the way, Fenno.
- No, he's goin' back.
- He's goin' back?
Yeah. I can get him easy
but it won't be clean.
Take that goddamn window out!
Don't hit Slide!
(SIRENS WAILING)
MAN: Yee-ha!
(BABY SQUEALS)
You okay?
Yeah, I'm all okay.
What'd they mean,
pullin' a stunt like that?
Y'all better pull over.
Pull over.
Pull over and
let me look at you.
How about all them crazy kids?
Do you have a match?
Take me home now.
(CRIES OUT)
(LOU JEAN SCREAMS)
Do you have a match?
My wife's so loud.
(LOU JEAN CONTINUES SCREAMING)
(SIREN APPROACHING)
(ENGINE HISSING)
(MOANS QUIETLY)
I suppose you'll
be wantin' that.
He took my gun
but he wasn't gonna use it.