Fargo (2014–…): Season 4, Episode 8 - The Nadir - full transcript

Dessie:
Election day?

Josto:
I think it's romantic.

An election day wedding?

It'll be a nice distraction
for daddio,

what with him having to wait
for the dead to vote.

Isn't that right, mayor gillis?

Oh, sugar bear,
you think of everything.

I was thinking of
maybe a June wedding.

After.

Why wait?

Maybe we lose the election,



and I got to rethink, are you
the right man for my dessie?

(laughs):
Oh, daddy.

You're a four-alarm fire
sometimes.

We're hopelessly in love.
Can't you see?

(laughter)

(chuckles)

as hopeless as two turtle doves.

And now that I'm all that stands

between you and a lifetime
playing dogcatcher, I say,

let's go ahead and get
this american dream started.

(snaps fingers)

grazie.

(laughs)

(muffled grunting)



(grunting continues)

(soft music playing)

(exhales)

you like being a nurse?

Mm-hmm.

Well, I don't just like it.

It's-it's my calling.

Slick.

Oh, by the by,
I'm getting married in March.

What?

It's just business.

Shouldn't affect this.

"this"?

Didn't you say
you were in the hospital tons

when you were a kid?

Yeah. Yes. I mean, yeah.

My dear mommy, she was...

I was always quite sickly,
and she was...

Such a saint.

God bless her,
she'd keep my spirits up.

She'd put on little plays
with my dollies,

have me rolling in the aisle.

And she was very close
with the doctors.

That's why I got
such excellent care.

Slick.

What was wrong with you?

Oh, it was a...

It was a kind of malaise.

"failure to thrive"

is what I heard the doctors say
more than once.

(sniffs)
I could barely keep food down.

Sounds rough.

Course, I had it worse.

Are you really getting married?

Oh, sure.
It's been on the books forever.

-Mm-hmm.
-My pop arranged it.

Do you love her?

(josto laughs)

wait. Seriously?

She...

Sh-sh...

She knits.

I knit.

What kind of saint?

-Huh?
-You said your mom was a saint.

What kind, I'm asking.

You know how, like, jude was
the patron saint of lost causes,

uh, anastasia of sirmium
was the patron saint

of weavers, healers, martyrs
and, for some reason, exorcists.

(sighs) she was just
the patron saint of me.

She cared for your sweet
oraetta patiently,

without tiring, always making me
her special juice.

Speaking of special juice...

(door opens)

(liquid splashing)

woman:
St. Thecla's hospital,
may I help you?

Ah, hello. This is, uh...

M-mabel harvard.

I-I wanted to call
to check in on my dear brother.

Fell into a coma
three days past, poor boy.

"on the way out" is what I...

Sorry?

When you say h-he made a full
recovery, what-what do you...

(woman speaking indistinctly)

ah, that's...

A joyous day that...

And is, uh... Is he, uh...

Wh-what-what r...
What room is he in?

I-I-I should visit.

Woman:
I'm sorry, who did you say
you were again?

His sister, like I said.

(toilet flushes)

uh, well, n-never you mind.

-Thank you for your time.
-(hangs up)

what are you doing?

I want to tell you a secret.

That's... No, you don't
have to do that.

Remember how I said my dad
gave me to another family

when I was a kid?

-No. You never...
-It was a power share.

But here's the thing:

The devil is an irishman.

I know because I lived with him
for three years.

And he did things to me.

♪ ♪

-things you should
never do to a child.
-(shushes)

(whispers):
I don't want to hear about this.

I know, I know.
It's tough stuff.

But I like you, minnesota.
You get me.

-(sighs)
-and you shared
all that business

about your failing to thrive.

I'm saying I love you. I think.

Get out!

(chuckles)

come on, beautiful.
Don't do this to yourself.

No, I am serious. You...

You get the... You get the...
Fuck out of my house!

You make me sick!
Do you hear me?

That's love!

What it feels like.
Believe me, I know.

I almost puked in your commode
just thinking about saying this.

Slow your roll, toots.

Romeo's beginning to feel
a little rejected here.

(scoffs) well, I hope
you have fun at your wedding.

I'm afraid oraetta mayflower's
busy that day.

I see, that's what this is.

I swear,
you women and your jealousies.

Don't be here when I get back!

Dames.

♪ ♪

(tires squealing)

♪ ♪

(indistinct chatter)

what's this, now?

♪ ♪

(whispers):
Nothing.

I spent...

(muffled):
Wait, wait, wait, wait,

wait, wait, wait, wait.

(chuckles)

(grunts)

(gasping weakly)

(gaetano grunts)

(gaetano speaking italian)

(men laughing)

(exhales)

who murdered the child
to have me killed.

What?

(chuckles)

you murdered the child...

...To have me killed.

I'm so proud of you.
(laughing)

my brother.

Oh, he...

He's clever, our enemy.

The mulignane.

Yeah.
When he let me go, I think,

why does he do this? Hmm?

But then I-I sit here.

Waiting to kill you.

And I realized

he wants me to do this.

To murder my brother
and take over this family.

Because I'm the lion, but...

...You're the snake.
(chuckles)

I'm the what?

What is happening right now?

I think I'm-I'm still dreaming.

(chuckles)
no.

Hey, hey, no.

Now, um...

Yeah.

I...

(sighs)
I apologize, brother,

because I think you're weak.

But now I know what's true.

(chuckles)

I accept

this oath of poison,

knowing that from now on

no men will judge you...

...But that you will
judge yourself.

And if you ever betray me

or this family...

I swear.

Come here.

(gaetano laughs)

(grunts)

(all cheering, clamoring)

gaetano:
Come on, come on.

(men clapping)

tell me.

It didn't work.

They're a team now,
the brothers.

So, what do we do?

Fargo.

(doorbell rings)

we're closed.

I'm here to see my son.

You know who I am.

Of course.

Please, come in.

I've been here before.

Maybe... Five years past.

Friend of the family.

Cancer.

Y'all had a real nice service.

We take our role here
very serious.

-(chuckles)
-as the shepherd to the sheep.

Got anything stronger?

(soft chuckle)
thurman keeps a bottle

on the top shelf--
whiskey, I think.

That'd do.

I can't help you.

What?

You're going to pour me a drink,
and we're gonna get to talking.

How we grew up
on the same street,

know the same people,
and then...

You're gonna ask me for help.

And I want to go ahead
and let you know up front

that's not going to happen.

This is our home.

Been in my husband's family
since the century's turn.

People come to my husband,

looking for money

at the end of their rope, and...

They all think the same thing.

"I've got nothing left to lose."

but...

...There's always lower
you can go.

My youngest son was killed.

W-we can't know his plans.

All we can do is have faith.

(quiet laugh)

amen.

Does your eldest know?

You have daughters also,
I think.

Two.

Mrs. Cannon,
we have made mistakes,

my thurman and me.

Lord knows we're not
the angels we try to be.

And we're not looking
for charity.

Just the opportunity
to make things right.

I told you...

My girl turned
17 years old this week,

with dreams
that take my breath away.

It can't be that she falls
because...

I was too stubborn or weak
to ask for help.

We will make it right,
whatever it takes,

if we get a fair shake.

I wonder if you would
hold the service.

It would be my honor.

("le petit homme" by edith piaf
playing, with singing in french)

♪ ♪

what are you studying there?

Uh...

French.

Ooh la la.

Oh... Excuse you?

You got some pretty decent
tunes here.

Those are my dad's.

Most of it's a little
off the cob.

This one ain't half bad.

You like jazz?

Enough.

Who's your favorite horn player?

Mm...

Louis armstrong.

Everybody says louis.

What about dizzy?

Or there's this new cat,
charlie parker.

Everybody calls him bird.

It's a new sound-- no structure.

Just... Go where
the music takes you.

I like structure.

Yeah, I would've guessed that.

(quiet laugh)

how come you know
so much about music?

I'm a horn player.

Trumpet.

Then why you lugging boxes?

Oh, that?

That's just an experience.

Everything in life's
an experience,

from climbing a mountain
to scrubbing a toilet.

You climbed a mountain?

No, but I've scrubbed
a few toilets.

(dibrell clears throat)

your mama's here for you.

Poor boy.

You keep your distance from him.

You hear me?

-I didn't do anything.
-He's your captor.

Not your friend.

And you can't afford
to make mistakes.

♪ ♪

(sighs)

(fingers tapping on desk)

(stammering)

n-nurse tapley,
might I have a word?

-I'm on rounds.
-O-of course, it's just,

I heard dr. Harvard took a turn
for the worse, poor soul.

And I can't seem to find
the room number

-in-in-in-in the ledger.
-He's been transferred.

-"transferred"?
-To a hospital specializing
in the treatment of poisons.

(stammers) to the, uh....

Attempted murder,
the authorities think.

-No.
-I kid you not.

I saw the test results myself--
positive for strychnine.

So, given the attempt prior

resulting in the shooting death
of mrs. Will,

the authorities thought it best
to transfer dr. Harvard

out of state until he can make
a full recovery

and offer evidence
on his assailant.

Geez.

♪ ♪

(muttering)

(object clatters)

(objects clattering)

(huffs)

(coughing)

♪ ♪

ethelrida:
Dear dr. Harvard,

I've worked alongside
oraetta mayflower

for many years now

and felt that I should bring
certain actions of hers

to your attention.

In the last year, many
of nurse mayflower's patients

have died under
mysterious circumstances.

After each death,

mrs. Mayflower
has made it a habit

to attend their funerals.

She has also been known
to steal personal items

from her patients
after their death.

Not to mention...

I have it upon good authority

that she has pilfered
an abundance

of potent narcotics
from the hospitals

at which she has
been stationed.

Dead patients,
misappropriated personal items,

stolen medication.

I suppose you have
to ask yourself,

is this the kind of nurse
you trust

around patients
in your fine establishment?

I'm gonna change my clothes
and splash my face.

I'll be right here.

(sighs)

(sniffs)

(car door opens)

nope.

You're in the wrong
neighborhood, slim.

You need to turn your ass around
and hop on back to your ride.

Don't worry.
I got no wares to sell.

Oh.

I got me one of those, too.

Makes a pretty sound
when it fires.

Kind of like...
Chinese new year.

But maybe instead
of the six-shooter,

you'd rather see my badge.

I keep it real shiny.

U.S. Marshal.

Backed by the power
of the mighty american eagle.

And if that old raptor
could talk, he'd say, "son,

"stand aside now,
for there's no power on earth

that can keep a u.S. Lawman
from the execution of his duty."

you want me to say
all that again?

(footsteps approaching)

just gonna fix myself a drink.

-Would you like a drink?
-Thank you, no.

For the lord is my shepherd,
and as a wise man once said,

"alcohol is your friend--
with a knife."

my family's someplace safe.

Not even you can find 'em.

I'm not looking for your family.

Is it still Thursday?

These days feel like
they're running together.

I know what you mean.

I came to your fair city
to do a simple job

what feels like ages ago,
and yet... (sighs)

here's me still,
bamboozled at every turn.

I told those ladies
no harm would come to them.

That makes me accountable.

Should I tell you
what I've learned

about the criminal mindset?

By definition, the criminal
rejects accountability,

as their identity is based
on getting away with things.

Similarly, the criminal-- you--

rejects morality and ethics,
for if there is a larger right,

then the criminal himself
is always wrong.

And you don't strike me
as the type of man

thinks himself wrong.

Rarely.

So there goes morality
out the window.

But into that vacuum,
what should rush but a code.

A system of rules,

mostly having to do
with loyalty.

And this way,
the criminal detaches himself

from the civilian world.

And yet, here I am.

Family man.
Community leader.

Deacon in the church.

(laughs): Oh, the criminal
is capable of being

all of those things.

But it's a ruse.

For though you claim to share
the values of your...

Wife or preacher,

the lord knows it's a disguise.

Ask me how I know for certain.

How do you know for certain?

Would a family man trade
his youngest son to his enemy

in exchange for power
and monetary gain?

You need to leave.

And so we circle back,
inevitably,

to your original statement--

to wit, I'm accountable
for those ladies,

murderers both,
thieves and cheats.

But now, since we both know

the criminal is capable
of love and loyalty

only when it suits
his own self-interest,

I've come to make
the following point.

It don't.

Not no more.

(takes deep breath)

in summation, boy,

if you could sacrifice
your youngest,

like isaac in the holy book,

well, then giving up
two strangers

to keep the might of the federal
government off your back...

Well, now, that should be
as facile as breathing.

(laughing)

(loy laughing)

(smacks lips)
I like you.

(chuckles)

we mormons are
very friendly people.

No.

Pretty unfriendly, really.

But it's the way
you're unfriendly,

like you're doing me a favor.

They're on a 10:00 train
to philadelphia.

You didn't hear it from me.

Deafy:
Hmm. See?

I knew we could figure
this thing out

if we just...
Put our minds to it.

You want my advice?

When you cross the state line,
don't come back.

It ain't safe for you
in missouri no more.

You boys have a nice day.

Deafy:
On my signal, alpha team will

enter through the main doors.

Beta team will penetrate

-through the rear.
-(men chuckling)

someone want
to let me in on the joke?

Fine. It's the 10:00
to philadelphia, track three.

Remember, these subjects

are to be considered armed
and extremely dangerous.

Any questions?

Then let us bow our heads
for psalm 91:3.

"surely he will save you
from the fowler's snare and...

"from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you
with his feathers."

amen.

Others:
Amen.

Dismissed.

(indistinct chatter)

if it's copacetic with you,
I-I want in.

Look, I've been thinking
about what you said.

I just want to be a cop again.

No bullshit.
All-in.

Sure, partner.

Just tell me one thing.

Who was on the phone?

And before you lie,

just know I ain't been fooled
by man or beast

since hitler was still giving
speeches in beer halls.

It was loy cannon.

Go on.

He wants me to make sure
you get those girls.

Doesn't want them
coming back on him.

Get how?

Just...

To make sure they're caught.

Or killed.

Okay, then.

Now, what was it you were saying

about being a cop again?

I...

This is... This isn't a choice.

I got a condition.

When I was a kid,

the teachers said
"oversensitive."

the army shrink told me
I-I worried too much, which...

How can you worry too much
when you're at war?

Those things you called me--

twitchy, touched--

I been hearing that
my whole life.

All I know is I-I feel better
when I'm in charge,

when I got the power.

That's why I joined the force.

You know,
because cops have power.

So, now I'm on the street.
I'm the boss.

Except, turns out,
being a cop's real risky.

Risky makes me nervous.

So I m...
I make a deal with the street.

I take a few bucks,
I-I look the other way.

Less risk,
but also less power.

So here comes
that feeling again.

Like I'm...

I'm drowning on-on dry land.

You know what worries me?

Dying with one boot on,

caught short.

That's a petty death.

So, let me throw you a rope.

You want to die like a man,

you got to live like a man.

I'm ready.

Giddyup.

(indistinct conversations)

(indistinct announcements
over p.A.)

I want to get some sweets.

That sweet tooth's gonna
kill you one of these days.

I'll wrestle you a lollipop.

Go on, then, shake a leg.

What'll it be, sir?

Give me five of them clarks,

three bit-o-honeys
and a couple abba-zabbas.

♪ ♪

hallowed be thy name.

Five little, six little, four
little, five little, six...

Cheer up, palomino.

-(muttering)
-in times like these,
my mind goes back

to the wisest words
I ever heard.

And forgive me for the blueness

of the final stanza,
but here it is.

"behold the amazing pelican,

"whose beak can hold more
than his belly can.

"he can hold in his beak
enough food for a week.

I'll be damned
if I know how the hell he can."

geronimo.

-(car door closes)
-six little, seven...

(car doors closing)

(muttering)

stupid. Stupid.

(indistinct announcements
over p.A.)

(indistinct conversations)

(laughs)

(both chuckle)

mm.

I'm liable to miss this place.

I's just gettin' accustomed.

(chuckles)
you and me both.

Mm.
Hittin' them eyeties

was some of the most fun
I ever had.

-(chuckles)
-barrel of monkeys.

(laughs)

our objective
is to bring 'em in alive.

But if they engage,

drop 'em where they stand.

Let's go.

Zelmare:
Rattler's almost here.

♪ ♪

(baby crying in distance)

(rapid footsteps)

(door opens, closes)

(wheels squeaking)

(indistinct announcement
over p.A.)

♪ ♪

(gun cocks)

♪ ♪

(gun cocks)

come get it, dirty coppers!

-(gunfire continuing)
-(people screaming)

just go. Go.

Go. Just go.

Go. Go. Go!

Go! Go! Go!
(grunts)

-(shouting, screaming)
-(gunfire in distance)

(sirens wailing in distance)

(panting)

(grunts)

(grunts, panting)

one little, two little,
three little...

Four little,
five little...

Six...

Jesus.

Ten...

One little,
two little...

Five, six...

Ten little indians.
Ten...

Seven...

Ten little...

♪ ♪

(gunfire in distance)

(rapid gunfire in distance)

deafy (in distance):
Drop your weapons!

Drop 'em now, ladies!

(guns clatter)

over here, I got 'em.

They ran out of bullets.

Attaboy, weff.

Come on.
I need you.

Cuff 'em.

(grunts)

(distorted wail)

(screams)

(grunts, panting)

(grunting)

♪ ♪

four little, five little...

Four little, five little...

♪ ♪

(crow caws)

(indistinct conversation)

josto!

Drink.

(chuckles)

I sent him after milligan
and the kid.

Huh?

Antoon was supposed
to shoot the kid,

but... Milligan shot him first,

took the kid,
and they flew the coop.

So calamita's
gonna run 'em down.

So you tell our enemy
his son is dead?

(laughs)

uh, how you know irish
doesn't run straight to him?

(laughing)

mwah.

Josto...

The python.

(grunts, laughs)

no, come here.

Come here, come here.

-Ah. Proud of you.
-(door opens)

chianna:
Boys! Come inside.

-It's freezing out.
-In a minute, ma.
-Ah.

-No, come now,
before you catch a cold.
-Mm.

We're not little boys anymore.

We don't catch cold.

Ah.

Such disrespect, huh?

And me, just a poor old woman
who loves her sons.

Oh, mom, you know,
we love you.

We're talking about business.
(speaks italian)

-money.
-Mwah. Come in.

-Mwah.
-Come on.

(laughs)

(water flowing)

(speaking indistinctly)

(muttering in italian)

let's go!

(gunfire continuing)

(gaetano shouting in italian)

(growls)

(shouts)

(grunts)

(grunts)

josto!

Gaetano!

-You okay?
-Yeah.

Are you okay?

(maxia screams)

(screams)

(crying)

♪ ♪