Junebug

This film contains very strong language.

HOLLERIN'

Nice to see you.

I think it's gonna go really well.

There are a lot of good people. Let's just point them out.

I'm gonna mingle. I'll see you later, good luck. Thank you.

So now we're onto the third of three pieces by Zeppelin tonight.

I believe this to be the best one, at least the most interesting and unusual.

This is what the press will call the hedgehunter painting, or sometimes a flu-bug painting.

These were made during a very brief period between incarcerations

and when public health records first indicated a diagnosis of autism.

This painting, lot number 21, is entitled, My True Love, True, True, True.

Let's start the bidding for this amazing work at 7,000.

Ladies and gentlemen, do I have 7,000 for this? Thank you, ma'am.

Can I have 7,500 for a good cause? 7,500 Bernadette has on the phone.

Do I have 8,000? 8,000 in the back row, sir, with the hat.

You like this one?

8,500 - come on people, I know there's money in this crowd.

Thank you, sir. 9,000 for this beautiful...

It makes me happy.

Thank you very much sir, 9,000. 9,500...

I'm gonna buy the UFO.

9,500 Bernadette has on the phone. Do I have 10,000?

# It's a bright, it's a light

# It's a so out of sight It's a feeling all right Morning, noon or night

# It's the best thing in life that you don't have to got

# It's a funny funny feeling down in your heart

# It's a neat, it's a treat It's a something that's sweet

# It's the one thing in life that will never be beat

# It's a once that's inside you that loses the key

# That's a funny, funny feeling down in your heart

# It's a lo-o-ove It's a lo-o-ove

# It's a lo-o-ove

# It's the funny, funny feeling down in your heart

# Let it into your heart

# And you'll feel this funny feeling

# Let it in and together we'll join in... #

Where did you come from?

Pfafftown, North Carolina.

Mr Wark.

Hello?

A tweeleree repeatin' rifle.

I don't guess you ever heard of that before, have you?

No sir, I haven't.

Well, I reckon you never have because it come to me in a vision.

Now here I couldn't finish Lee's cock on the front, so I painted around on the back.

That's General Lee's cock?

Yeah.

Now this t'other one over here...

Man, he is really great.

I'm serious. We just saw it. This stuff, it's excellent.

And when people hear his ideas...

OK, can I talk to him? Let me talk to him.

Well, we're outside right now. I'm standing outside.

He has tons of stuff and I'm telling you, it's gonna bowl people over.

OK, don't crowd him.

I've heard he's really shy. Can you email me some pictures?

-Madeleine, this is Bill Mooney. You remember me?

-Oh, of course I do.

I wanna put my two cents in that I agree that Wark is much better for you than Micheaux would be.

And I think that you should come down here yourself maybe

because I think it would make a big difference.

Oh... OK. Erm...

You are so great.

Really. Let me think about it and I'll call you back. OK. Bye.

He says he thinks it would make a difference if I went down there.

Is this the battle of Antietam?

Which one?

Oh, yeah.

I recognise the cornfields.

I love all the dog heads

and computers and all the scrotums.

"Away on the sea, I fear life goes for me.

"Viewing sea spray and white caps astern.

"Oh, a stout heart my love, pray God grants to me.

"And a promise of my safe return." You know who wrote that?

Who wrote that?

Glory.

You don't know her, do you?

I've never heard of her. Tell me.

It's because she come to me in a dream. I dreamed that.

And I put it in the mouth of a nigger slave right there in that picture getting captured.

Bless his heart.

Who is that out there?

Oh, that's my husband George. You met him.

He got a nice face.

Oh, he's from here.

His family live not too far away.

The Johnstens. Have you heard of them?

I see a face and it sticks in my head, and I paint it.

I'll paint your legs if you want.

Put them in a painting,

cos you got purty legs.

You ever heard that before?

Yeah.

I bet you have.

I'm not kidding, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.

Yeah, I'll give him a day and then I'm gonna call.

Make sure that you, um...

overnight the Cheerwine - cheer like cheerleader - today.

I want him to have it immediately. It's his favourite soda pop.

It's regional, you can only get it down here.

George says you can only get it down here, so do that. OK. Bye.

-If this happens, oh my God!

-It will.

Oh, I think I'm in love!

It will! Woh!

I'm gonna make her a bird.

Where are the cigarettes?

On the fridge. Where? Right there.

I can't find them. Then we're out.

Found 'em. I told you they were right there.

Found the cigarettes. You got any matches?

No. >

Well, can I use your lighter?

Perhaps?

Thanks. Don't mention it.

Oh, for...! Are you too busy to help out?

You're too busy with them coming any minute, and I know I can't even ask you what's new...

Holy cow...

Did you eat all the rest of my eggs?

What did you do with my eggs?

-Stuffed 'em up my butt. How come every time I read the paper you bother me?

-I'm back.

You've got your own room to go to.

With all her shit in there? Where have you been?

-Gone.

-Did you go to the store?

-Yeah.

-Did you remember to get my bandages?

-No. I forgot.

-I figured you would.

-- No cigarettes. - And no eggs.

-Where's Ashley?

How should I know?

What?

Have you met her?

Is she thin?

How could I have met her, Ashley? Use your head.

I bet she is thin.

I bet she's prettier than I am too. I'm gonna hate her. I can't wait.

Oh, did you know that I lost two more pounds?

Yesterday, all I had to eat was a hot dog with a little bit of mustard and no bun.

I think you can tell that I've lost some weight.

Johnny, look. It's got all these exercises you can do during your pregnancy.

It's like 14 exercises that you can do after you give birth to flatten your stomach.

Isn't that great? Hey, are you making them for them?

Yes.

Don't mess! Go sit or something.

I can't! I'm too excited! Ashley...

What's she like? Sit down.

Have you thought of anything, huh?

Cos I know if we have a little boy that we'll name him Johnny,

but if we have a little girl we could name her Johnny too but just spell it with an 'i'. What do you think?

I think it's stupid.

Well, so are you.

You're stupid too.

Johnny, Ashley, Pat, Eugene...

Peg.

Peg. What did I say?

What did I say?

I'll be fine, right?

I'll be fine.

Was that a car door?

-I think they're here.

-They're here! They're here!

Oh, Lord... Oh, Lord, dammit.

Look at this mess. Are you coming? You haven't seen your brother in three years.

You'd think you'd want to know what's going on with him and welcome him home!

Come on, Eugene, George is here.

George is here.

Hi! You're here, you're here, you're here, right where we live! Hi! Look at you! You're here!

You're about to burst.

I know! I wrote you about it. You're so thin.

-Hiya, Momma.

-Oh darlin', good to see you.

Mr Johnsten.

Hi.

Oh, wow! You're so beautiful!

-..And cheese, just for you.

-Hi, Pat.

-Hi.

-How do you do?

Hey, come on! Do you diet?

-No, I run. And swim.

-Yeah?

-SMASH

-Oh!

-What was that?

-I smashed your birdie.

-Oh, no...

-Ashley!

We can replace it, can't we replace it?

-What a clanger, Ashley.

-It wasn't...

I'll pick it up. No, wait a minute.

You go on upstairs now and I'll see if we've got anything to feed you after I clean up Ashley's mess.

You've still got three left.

No wonder he's thin. She sure don't look like she can cook.

I love her.

Johnny?

I'm Madeleine.

I married George.

You got any cigarettes?

What? No.

Oh, sorry! I don't smoke.

Has George got any?

Oh, George doesn't smoke.

He give it up?

I can tell you're brothers. You're just as handsome.

He give up being an asshole yet?

-Madeleine? >

-What was that?

I'd swim too but I wouldn't be caught dead in a bathing suit like this. I'm about to have a baby.

-No!

-I am too! Any day now.

But I got this exercise book and I'm trying to lose weight cos Johnny hates it when I'm heavy.

I can't stand it either. Do you have any kids?

Oh, no, no.

You ever been married before? When did you and George get married?

It'll be exactly six months tomorrow.

I'll be damned.

I know. I actually find it hard to believe myself.

-How's Johnny?

-Good.

He's still working at Replacements Limited?

Still there.

Back living here.

It's good you come down here.

I want to know everything there is to know about you.

-I want you to tell us every little thing.

-God, that would be so boring.

-Not to me.

What makes you tick?

All we got's dry cereal for you.

-That's fine, Pat. Can I do anything to help?

-Uh-uh.

-Nobody messes in my kitchen.

-Oh, OK.

Oh Pat, your little ceramic thing, it really...

Are you wearing any make-up? Cos you could wear more if you wanted to, you're so tall. I'm fair.

Were you born in Chicago? I was born right here. I've lived here my whole life.

My favourite animal's the meerkat.

Do you know what they are? They're so cute. I've got this little charm braclet with meerkats on it.

Did you have lots of boyfriends?

Did you ever try out for cheerleading or anything? I tried out but I didn't make it.

I was born in Japan.

You were not!

My father was in the diplomatic service. Then we moved to Africa.

And then to Washington DC for a short while and then back to Africa. And then to Chicago.

Wow! What kind of things did you like to do when you were a little girl, like what type of things?

-Oh, reading and horseback riding.

-At the same time?

-No, I never tried it at the same time.

Do you have any brothers or sisters?

I have a half-brother but he's gone now, so that's why this is pretty much my family.

Children are the most important thing.

They're so important.

Can you still have kids?

Ashley!

Now George wrote that you own a art museum or something.

Oh, yes. An outsider gallery - self taught artists. That's my cellphone.

I'll just call back.

And that's why we're here really.

Have you heard of this artist from Pinnacle, David Wark?

Wark?

He lives about half an hour away. Most people haven't heard of him yet but...

Anyway, we drove down to meet him for the gallery.

I wouldn't think you'd have to come all the way down here from Chicago to find a good artist.

And I insisted to George...

If you get him talking, he just seems to go off on these ideas

and gets confused with his own personal history and that of the world.

Momma Peg does arts and crafts.

Oh, that's great.

Oh, and George told me that you do woodworking, Mr Johnsten?

Just call him Eugene, that's his name.

Eugene.

Come on, I wanna show you your room.

Oh no, it's OK. I like to carry things.

It's good for me.

I bet you went to college, huh?

I want to go to college.

Here's y'all's room. It's the nusery.

Oh, you'll love this. Pa made that cradle, Johnny helped him.

They made this?

Yeah. Here's the bathroom and we're gonna share that because my bedroom's right through here.

So if you get lonely at night and you wanna talk, you can just...knock on the wall.

And then I'll know that it's you, and I can come out and we can talk and...

Shouldn't I tell Pat about her thing? I should replace it.

No, don't worry about it.

She's got lots of them.

And I want her to like you.

And Madeleine...

-you keep calling her Pat. Her name's Peg.

-Oh fuck!

Erm...

-I'll let you alone right now.

-OK.

-I wanna hear all about how you and George met and everything. Was it love at first sight?

-..Yeah.

Really?

Yeah, I saw him at the gallery and a week later we were married.

I love that.

It's so...

fucking cool, Madeleine.

Can I help you unpack?

Well, there you are. We thought we'd lost you, George.

Look at you.

You just light up a room.

Hey, man.

Hey.

Where you goin'?

I'm late. Some of us do real work.

-Where's Madeleine?

-Sit down, it's breakfast.

Get me the CliffsNotes for Huckleberry Finn. Let's go to the mall.

-Oh, I love that book! Don't you love it?

-No, I'm getting the CliffsNotes.

It's for his GED. He didn't graduate high school.

We just loved each other too much to wait.

-Ashley! Do you ever stop it? No.

-See you later.

How are you gettin' to work?

Norman's givin' me a ride. If he ever fucking gets here! >

Let's go to the mall now, let's do.

You'll love the mall, it's got like a thousand fountains

and it's got this Fudge Factory and it's got a Nike store and a Barnes & Noble...

CAR HORN TOOTS Johnny Johnsten!

Johnny Johnsten! Johnny Johnsten!

Johnny Johnsten! Goddammit, Johnny Johnsten!

Who's got their Panther Pride?

Countdown, boys. Johnny, 200 more days.

Panther Pride!

Next year, I guaran-goddamn-tee it,

they're at least going to go to the fucking Super Bowl again, guaran-goddam-tee it.

I'm serious.

I will not get a girlfriend ever, I'm sick of it, goddammit.

Tarra, are you in love?

Yes, I'm in love now.

His name is Keith.

Why don't you ever bring him around here?

No, he's a professional football player.

- Shut up. What position? - Full-back.

I worked with this one guy that liked to go deer-hunting, he got a tick stuck on his anus.

He thought it was a haemorrhoid, he kept putting Preparation H on it.

He had his wife look at it and she screamed, "Oh my God, it's a tick!"

He pulled it off and stomped it and it wouldn't even crush because the Preparation H made it so soft.

I don't know what love is, dude.

My neighbours are just driving me up the wall, they're in love,

but they're fighting over, fuckin', a goddamn mini dish. Get her a mini dish!

This is the best fucking job I ever had. Shut the fuck up.

I tell you what, though, you should come over the house, man, I got the Super Bowl on tape.

I always feel like they're going to win. If I watch it on tape, I feel like they're going to pull it out.

But they never do. They never do.

Let's do it now.

-Here?

-Yeah.

Don't you like cinnamon fizz?

We can play beauty parlour.

Why hello, Miss Madeleine.

You called about...

Cinnamon fizz.

Don't you just love the way that sounds?

I suddenly have the urge to drink this.

Oh, that could be hormonal. Pica.

Do you feel like you want to eat dirt or clay as well?

No, yuck, what do you think I am?

No, yuck.

What did you say that was? Pica?

-Yes, you might need iron or something. Do you take supplements?

-No.

-I bet that's why George married you.

-Why?

-Ah.

-Oh, what's wrong?

Nothing, the head is just on my nerves.

I'm fine...

I'm fine.

I'm fine.

What are you going to name it?

Junebug.

I mean, his real name will be Johnny, but we're calling him Junebug.

And if it's a little girl we'll christen her Junebug Johnsten.

Can you just see a little baby named Junebug!

So you don't know what you're having?

A baby.

No, I meant a boy or girl.

Oh, that.

Erm, I don't know, I don't want to know. I want to be surprised.

I don't care just so long as it's healthy and it looks like Johnny.

What does he want?

I don't know if he wants a baby right now

but I know just as soon as he sees him he's going to fall in love, he's just going through a phase.

I read in one of my books that that can happen.

How long has he been like that?

Two years.

But I know, as soon as he sees that baby, he's going to snap out of it.

I think. Yep.

What do YOU think?

I don't know him.

I wish I could grow my nails out like this, I'm always biting on mine.

I do too.

These are wrapped.

-You are kidding me! These are fake?

-Yeah, I used to bite my own ones. George doesn't even know.

I even bite my toenails.

You do not.

I do too.

I didn't think anybody else did that!

Ashley, what are you doing to her?

Cinnamon fizz, do you like it?

It's way past your nap time, Ashley.

I'm not finished with her yet.

She's a grown-up, she can finish her own fingernails.

Let me have that, please, I don't want that on my carpet. Go on.

Oh, can I bum one of those?

For later.

Ta. Don't tell George.

DOOR SLAMS

How was your day?

When's dinner?

SPEECH COVERED BY MUSIC

Oh God, don't stop, don't stop.

Don't stop that. Do what you do.

Shhh.

Oh, hey.

Don't talk to me because I'm working out.

- Did you not go? - No.

George wanted to take us to a fancy dinner tonight after the shower but we've got that church thing.

Hey, why don't you ask George if he can help you fix it?

-When did he call there?

-This morning. It was his sister who's a lawyer.

-Did you know he had a sister who's also a lawyer?

-What, a real lawyer?

I don't know, maybe. She's definitely negotiating something with somebody in New York.

OK, what gallery?

It sounds like it could be Mark Lane.

Right, of course, she thinks because they're in New York.

Yeah, she's influenced by their high-falutin' talking.

Wait, did she sign anything?

I've no idea. Probably not, I doubt it. I highly doubt it.

OK, I can deal with this.

OK. Are you having fun?

It's fine. You know what, I've got to go.

-OK, darling, bye.

-OK, bye.

I think it's time for a game, ladies. The "how big is your belly?" game.

You know you love it.

It fits!

-This is Madeleine, this is my new sister.

-Hello, nice to meet you.

Did you do that? I did. You can make anything!

Do you have children?

No.

'Best kept secret. We carry a wide range...'

'The reason people like meerkats...'

'..Have got two eyes looking at you...'

Ashley! Ashley!

'The reproducing individuals when they're young.

'Only the offspring of the alpha female are allowed to live.

'The others, if they happen to get pregnant accidentally,

'try to sneak their young in with the newborn of the alpha female.

-'They live in social groups in which non-reproducing individuals contribute to the welfare of...'

-Oh!

Look at these! Thank you so much, it's just too much.

What's this?

-That's a baby spoon.

-Oh yeah!

-That looks like it should be in a museum.

-Who's that from?

I don't know. It says that it's sterling.

Hush, who gave this little ol' spoon?

George and me.

That's so nice. Thank you so much, thank you.

I just love it, thank you so much.

It means so much that you're here with me. It does.

That can go in the dishwasher.

-Thank you.

-OK.

That baby's gonna grow up thinking he's royalty!

Or she.

< SHOUTING

Hold on a second.

Hold on, sorry.

-Why are you screaming?

-This fucking tape won't work!

-Did you use a tape already used? Maybe the tab thing is pushed in.

-No, I did that. I pushed it in.

No, you push it in if you don't want to tape something, that's why it didn't work. Here, let me help you.

No! Don't! Just go...! Fuck it!

Forget it. Fuck it. Go on.

God loves you just the way you are but he loves you too much to let you stay that way.

DOORBELL

Lucille.

These people got the wrong house.

You know what, we're just having a little thing for Ashley.

Her friends, it's kind of last minute.

We want that woman who's been courting my brother's pictures, is she here?

We're having my baby shower, you should come on in. Who have you got with you?

Madeleine?

No, y'all come on in. Sure, come on in and I'll, erm...

Hi, I'm Madeleine. We've tried to call you all day, how did you find us?

A room full of ladies, did you do this for me?

-That's my sister.

-How do you do?

I think it's that retarded artist that Madeleine wants.

I can tell you they aren't the right gallery for him, they won't take care of him.

He sounds pretty good on the phone. Of course he never came himself.

Right! That's why I came down here, because I love your brother's work. I love it.

-They said you came down here because your husband lives here.

-Who said that?

-The New York people.

-No, it's just a coincidence.

-And they said

-that you was small potatoes.

-That's right.

Ma'am, honestly, I can make your brother money.

If that's what you want.

I just want to say thank you for this day, >

and for the blessings of this party and for my friends and all my presents,

which I love, and for the gift of life growing inside me.

-Help me to be a good Christian mother and to raise a child to praise your name, Jesus. Amen.

-Amen.

-Amen.

..From a beam of light on high

for those who suffered April 15th 1865, the Battle of Benville,

who saw the Satan chairman victorious on North Carolina ground.

For ever, we will honour their risen souls.

INDECIPHERABLE

Amen.

MUFFLED VOICES

Why don't you put them on the end?

-By the coffee?

-Yeah, by the coffee.

-How are you?

-I've been great.

-Yeah, have you been good?

My wife, Madeleine. This is Mary.

We were kind of in school together, a couple of years apart.

-George Johnsten, you can't hide from me. Get up here.

-How are you doing?

-You remember Emily?

-Hi, how are you?

-Nice to see you. Pastor, this is my wife, Madeleine. This is Bud.

You're so young!

It is nice to meet you!

-Hi.

-BABY CRIES

Will we see you tomorrow morning, Mrs Johnsten?

That's you, darlin'.

-Oh, me?

-You don't know who you are.

-No!

Eugene, I'm going to pray with your family real quick, and then I got to get this show on the road, all right?

Lord, I just thank you for this fellowship tonight

and for the safe return of George to his home flock.

I pray, Lord, that you will bless his marriage to Madeleine,

that it will be a... spirit-filled union.

That they would see the impermanence of this world.

Banish the devil and all evildoers from their door,

no matter where they are in your kingdom, Lord.

Praise you, Jesus. Amen.

ALL: Amen. You ready for that song?

-Uh-oh.

-Come on.

-It's kind of a big room...

Oh, it's good. Come on.

Right, everybody! Y'all knew that we had a treat when you heard that George Johnsten was back in town.

Now, don't tell a lie. Who of y'all thought he was going to get out of here without giving us a hymn?

This wasn't my idea.

Now, I know you're a little rusty, so I'm going to get Eddie McGhee.

Come on, Eddie. Bring your son up here.

Come on up here, and we'll help this man out.

-You remember the number, don't you?

-I think I need the book.

It's...(283).

Thank you.

This one here, he's 16. His voice just broke. He's singing bass.

# Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling

# Calling for you and for me

# See on the portals

# H's waiting and watching

# Watching for you and for me

-# Come home

-Come home

-# Come home

-Come home

# Ye who are weary, come home

# Earnestly, tenderly

# Jesus is calling

# Calling all sinner, come home

# Oh, for the wonderful love he has promised

# Promised for you and for me

# Though we have sinned He has mercy and pardon

# Pardon for you and for me

-# Come home

-Come home

-# Come home

-Come home

# Ye who are weary, come home

# Earnestly, tenderly

# Jesus is calling

# Calling all sinner, come home. #

-I don't think I'd ever go back to Baltimore.

-Mm-hm.

-This is just so much more peaceful.

-Yeah.

-Oh, Mama Peg made it. She makes most of my maternity stuff.

-It's so beautiful, such lovely work.

-It's not much, but I'm kind of proud of it. Do you sew?

-I can't do anything with my hands.

-You don't have to, you're smart.

-George knew that when he married you.

Hey, why doesn't Madeleine help you with your report? She'd be good at it.

It wouldn't take much. Y'all could do it tonight.

Sure, I can help you.

-Hey. You ready to skedaddle?

-I bet you'd get an A.

We could do that.

Hi, sweetie, we're gonna go home.

Come on! You need an engraved invitation or what?

-You coming to bed?

-Not now.

I'm looking for something.

My Phillips head.

Peg?

Peg?

No, it's me, Ashley.

There's some Zingers on the shelf.

Oh, I'm just getting a carrot.

Dolly would be a nice name.

I turned the light on and everything.

Are you gonna go?

She's really smart, and she wants to help you.

We'll wait up for you, OK?

-He's ready for you.

-OK.

Oh, you look so pretty.

You smell good, too, all baby powder and shampooey.

I'm gonna go to bed.

OK.

Good night.

-Good night.

-Thank you.

OK.

So, what do we do?

Write a paper.

They don't believe you've read it unless you can write a paper on it, so...write a paper.

-Have you read any of it?

-Yeah.

Yeah, I looked through it.

Did you think it was funny?

No, I thought it was long.

OK.

-What?

-Nothing.

-What?

What?

You smell like George.

OK.

How about I help you with some of the themes?

OK, how about you help me with some of the themes?

OK.

OK, um...oh.

How about escape?

Um...Huck and Jim are constantly managing to just wriggle out of one situation before...

Who's Jim?

The black man, the slave. You know, travelling down the Mississippi.

Oh, yeah.

OK, um...oh, well,

their relationship is, well...Huck's...

gradual sort of...

-love affair with this slave is a major theme...

-Wait a minute.

-They fall in love with each other?

-No, not love affair. I'm not talking about a romance.

Two people can love each other and it's not really...

It's...it's more...respect.

Huck comes to see this slave as a real person, a whole person,

like himself, and that's a new insight.

THEY CONTINUE TALKING

Just read the first chapter.

I don't have to. It's why I got this.

You're right. This thing tells you everything

that I could have told you, so...I don't even know what I'm doing here.

Do you?

You know...

it's been hard lately around here.

What do you mean?

Just...just...with everything.

You know?

Oh, did you not want to have children?

I would have gone to Washington DC in 12th grade. You know?

VOICES CONTINUE

You come sailing in here, "Help out poor Johnny", some shit.

-None of us needs shit from you.

-Johnny, Johnny...

-Fuck! Fuck!

Johnny, stop!

Stop. Oh, God, sorry.

Darling, I'm trying to help you.

I wasn't laughing at you. I wasn't laughing at you.

I didn't come here to upset you, OK?

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

OK? Shh. Sorry.

What are you doing?

Hey.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Oh, God!

Johnny...it's so sweet, almost. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

You think I'm a fucking idiot?

-No, I'm with George...

-Ever since you got here, you been playing me!

-No...

-Don't tell me you didn't mean anything by it. I know it when I see it. I'm not stupid.

Johnny, you completely misunderstood me. I was helping you. Sweetheart...

Oh, shut up, you bitch! Fuck!

Where do you think George come from, anyway? He's no better than us.

And neither are you. All right?

Fooling around!

I see it. I'm not stupid.

I don't know what George ain't giving you, but you want some.

# Oh, he taught me

# To love him

# He promised love... #

SINGING CONTINUES

# ..He called me his blossom

# He called me his flower

# A blossom to cheer him through life's weary hour

# But now he has gone

# And left me alone... #

Where would I be... if I was a screwdriver?

HE RESUMES SINGING

# Oh, the land of a cloudless day

# Oh, the land of an uncloudy day

# Oh, they tell me of a home where no storm clouds fly

# Oh, they tell me of an uncloudy day. #

You may be seated.

Y'all, when was the last time you were so filled up with the Holy Spirit that people mocked you

and said, "That person must be drunk. That person must be filled with new wine"?

I have to confess that that time for me may have been never...

Well, I don't like that she was just helping him out.

I don't think anybody ever taught her how to do.

-Do what?

-Do right!

Don't be dumb.

I like her.

She means well.

-George likes her.

-She don't know George.

She loves him.

What do they have in common?

-He loves her.

-And she's up all hours with Johnny?

I don't like it.

I want you to say something to her.

Are you listening to me?

I mean, you know, don't be stupid, but just find out if she and George are happy.

And tell her Johnny and Ashley are real happy.

We don't need some stranger coming in here, messing things up.

She ain't a stranger. She's family.

She's still strange.

She's older, she's too pretty, and she's too smart.

-That's a deadly combination.

-Hi.

Speak of the devil.

So, how was church?

-Where's George?

-Gas.

Oh, he left again?

Eugene says that you and Johnny stayed up late last night.

Oh, yeah, I was helping him with his paper, kind of.

Talking?

I guess that's the way you do things in Chicago.

What, stay up late?

Yeah. You know, talking.

-Remember when we used to go honky-tonking at the Grange?

-Be quiet, Eugene.

-Stayed up till all hours.

-Oh, Eugene, nobody's listening to you.

Eugene, sit up straight.

Remember what I said.

-She's a very strong personality, isn't she?

-That's just her way.

She's not like that inside.

She hides herself.

Like most.

What are you looking for?

Oh, nothing.

My screwdriver, I guess.

It's nothing.

How long have you been woodworking for? I'd so love to see you...

Agh!

Hey!

Hey! Y'all, I think this is it!

-Hey! Oh, hi. We're getting really close. I knew I should have washed my hair this morning.

-What can I do?

-Hey, Ashley.

-Could you cut my toenails?

-Sure. I'll get my scissors.

They've been coming all morning. I've been timing 'em. Johnny!

-Where are you going?

-Bringing the car up front. Don't just stand there. Go get the car.

-Have you any of that nail polish left?

-I have clippers.

-What's going on?

-Your baby, that's all. Where have you been?

-It's OK, just relax, honey.

-What do you want me to do?

-Why don't you get the car?

-Your daddy's got it.

-OK, I need my little suitcase.

-Let me do something important.

-Call the doctor.

-Lord have mercy, what do you think I'm doing?

The line is busy. Just get her little suitcase.

I just can't seem to find...

How can every line at the hospital be busy?

What if we had an emergency?

It's all right, it's fun!

It's fun. Just think, after all of this, I get to bring home a baby too.

-It's better than Christmas!

-Get up.

-I got it!

-Could you grab my flowery flops, please?

Got it. Where are they?

-They're in there.

-But where?

By my side of the bed.

-What?

-Shoes!

Brown!

-Stop!

-You stay here. When George gets home, tell him to come to the hospital. He'll be a help.

-OK.

-Pop it! Pop the trunk!

-I'm trying.

We'll keep you posted, OK? You OK?

-Yeah.

-Ashley, you're the one having the baby.

-I know!

-Come on, let's go.

I don't want your water breaking. I had that upholstery cleaned.

Ah!

-Can you get in?

-Yeah.

-Watch your head.

-I hope it's a big baby. I want one that's 40lbs.

Will you ride with your wife?

-For heaven's sakes.

-Hey, sweetie. Oh.

-Is everybody in?

-What do you think?

We buckling up?

Will you drive, Eugene?

-Look!

-You'll be getting one of your own soon enough.

PHONE RINGS Hello?

Bernadette, oh, thank God.

-We've been trying to call. I don't want to be the one to tell you this.

-What?

-David Wark isn't going with us.

-No! What? Why?

His lawyer or his sister called yesterday and said they want to show in New York.

Oh, shit. But I just saw them. He was here. He ate cake.

He went home with all the balloons.

Yeah, he said he enjoyed the party. Did you throw him a party?

No, it was... Never mind.

What else did they say?

They offered him something he wanted.

-I don't know what it was. You have to talk to Tommy.

-No, no, no.

Don't let anyone call him.

Um...I'm gonna go back there.

And I'll see him. He likes me.

We have a thing.

And...I'm just gonna tell him how much I love him and...

We're not gonna lose him.

-We're not gonna lose him. OK?

-OK.

-OK.

-OK.

-Love you.

-Yeah. Love you, too. Bye.

-Bye.

No cigarettes in this house...

-Are you are allergic to any medications?

-No.

-Are you taking any medications?

-No...aaagh!

-How many children do you have?

-Where have you been, Timbuktu?

I'm sorry, you can't smoke in here. This is a non-smoking facility.

Hey, wait a second. Come back!

Can I get you anything?

My husband just walked out.

He went to smoke a cigarette. He'll be back.

-We have to go. Come on, we have to go.

-Why? Are you smoking?

-No. Give me the keys. Hurry.

-I'll drive.

-I'll drive, you're too slow.

-Ashley's gone into labour. They've all gone to the hospital.

-What?

What?

It means something.

-What?

-Family.

Can I just drop you off, George? Please! I don't know why you don't understand how much it means to me!

Do you want me to lose him? Cos I will. They won't take care of him, you know that. He's why we're here!

-We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him.

-I know.

-YOU need to be there, but I just don't think it's my place.

-I think it is.

OK.

I'll leave you. We're closer to him now.

I'll leave you there and go back to the hospital.

Really?

-Are you sure?

-Mm-hmm.

If that's what you want.

If that's what you think is right.

-Hey.

-Hey.

It's as if I have this personal, spiritual connection to what you do, you know?

Ever since I was a child, I've been drawn to things from the South.

It's as if I recognise something.

It's as if every painting is...is like my child, my own child.

It's not just a...commodity, you know? These other dealers,

they would just treat you like a commodity.

They would never understand your vision and your mission and...

I believe, Mr Wark, I love your work more than Mark Lane does.

I'm a collaborator with God.

This life here is just a saddening wail of tears.

I've got no great wish to tarry here, and I'm ready to ascend any time.

But my job here is to make the invisible visible.

I want to help you. I want to give you the opportunity to do just that.

-I can.

-Right there, that's my nigger land uprising series.

Poor old nigger slaves were rising up against evil oppressors.

I never could draw a coloured face. I've never known one personally.

I just look in the mirror and I put my own in there. Or... somebody I like.

There's a surprise in there. Look at them faces.

George! Hubby!

His face stuck with me and I put him in a painting.

I want you to tell him that he's helping me get my message to the world.

-You could reach the whole of Europe with me.

-Sissy says New York.

OK, well if New York's the obstacle, I can absolutely guarantee you that we would show in New York.

-We work with Mimi Steinberg there.

-Jew?

-What?

Jewish, that lady?

Um...

That wouldn't be what we want to do.

Mark Lane is Jewish.

What?

Nothing.

I...I would be your representative, personally, to the whole world.

You would only deal with me. Whatever you want, I would get it for you.

A Barker's fruit basket.

You can get me one of those.

I had one when I was a kid.

Don't know if they still make 'em or not.

You get that, and the deal's yours.

That's all you want?

You promised to join me and God's angels in my quest. You've done that.

And you believe in Jesus Christ as your personal saviour.

I believe in you.

I look in your eyes, and I view your soul,

clear as spring water.

I can see that you're good

and that you strive for righteousness.

So you get me a fruit basket with a lot of navel oranges in it, and the deal's yours.

I'll make my mark on your paper.

Where?

There.

Thank you.

SPEECH INDISTINCT

George is staying.

George, darling?

-Why don't you leave your cellphone on? I've been trying to reach you.

-Um...

-I got him back.

-It's the most bizarre thing. All he wanted was a fruit basket.

-That's good for you.

I know.

-Hey, have you heard of a...?

-Listen.

We lost him.

George, what happened?

She didn't want the foetal monitor, and it came fast and...

-I have to come to the hospital.

-Well, you could have...

What?

Nothing to do now.

-Will you come and get me?

-No.

I'm gonna stay with Ashley.

I guess you could... you could take a cab.

Bluebird cab.

I'm gonna get back to her now.

Got acid reflux?

Don't you want some?

OK.

It's funny how you're gone all the time, but you're always here when I need you. Ain't that funny?

Is Madeleine all right?

-She's on her way home.

-To Chicago?

No. No, here.

Did she ask about me? Is she too old to have babies?

Wait a second. That's none of my business. You don't have to answer that.

Is she?

No.

No, I don't think she is.

We haven't really talked about it.

Well, you'd better.

For a relationship to work out.

That's what they say, anyway.

I hate hospitals.

But it really wasn't all that scary, all the needles and stuff. It's not that bad.

Tell you what the scariest thing is to me.

The scariest thing to me is Johnny. It is.

He didn't say nothing.

Not one word.

I don't know what it is.

I think he really did want it, too.

A boy.

You know how I know?

Cos I heard him tell your pa to paint the cradle brown.

You wouldn't put a baby girl in a brown cradle.

You just...you just wouldn't.

I don't know what he's thinking.

It's not my fault!

Of course not.

And all that time and all that stuff I got, it was all for nothing!

And those fucking doctors, they think they know everything, but they don't know anything!

They don't know anything.

I don't understand!

I don't understand, why would God let this happen? Why would he?

I just...I just wanted...something good to come out of all of this.

I mean it.

I really mean it.

Bet I'm real pretty right now.

Boy, these things really make you think, huh?

-You know what?

-Mmm?

I'm craving some nuts.

HE LAUGHS

I am, too, and they won't give me any!

-You want me to see if I can get you some peanuts?

-Would you?

You always know what I need.

You know, all I want in the whole world is for Johnny to love me like he did in high school.

You held him, didn't you?

Oh, he was beautiful.

He was perfect.

Yeah, he was.

He was blue.

You'll come back and see me tomorrow, won't you? And can't you all stay for the service?

-Well, we want to. I have to figure out whether...

-I know.

You've got stuff you've got to get back to, I know. But you'll be there in spirit.

I will.

I know.

I can't understand it.

You make me feel better about things than anybody else, and you don't even do anything!

Oh, I love you.

-I'm so happy that you and Madeleine are my family.

-And you, too.

Bye.

-Hey, send her my love, OK?

-Yeah.

Thank you so much, I'm sorry to get you out of bed.

Oh, well...

I'll call you soon, I'm really happy.

I'm just so sorry for your family's loss.

Piece of shit.

I wanna sell it.

George...

I'm sorry.

We're going home tomorrow.

We are?

But I haven't seen Ashley.

I took care of it.

-But I wanna tell her why I didn't...

-There's nothing to do.

So...we're going.

-Darling, what happened?

-Don't...don't touch it.

George...

-Mayonnaise?

-What?

-Do you want mayonnaise on there?

-Oh, no, I don't.

-Does George eat mayonnaise?

-Yes!

Eat it with a spoon.

-You'll tell Ashley that I...

-Sure.

-And I promise I'll write.

I-I got it.

She'll like that.

But don't worry about Ashley - she's a firecracker.

-You looking forward to the drive?

-Erm...

You and George play car games?

Well, you know, like, name the Presidents,

and count billboards, stuff like that. We used to love that.

Watch out, though, he's a cheat.

Where's George?

-You need any help?

-All done.

Hey, you got another one of those?

Don't tell Madeleine.

Guess she's gonna stay around.

I hope so. I guess she'll find out all my faults sooner or later.

Well...

She's got lovely hands.

I'll give her that.

But you don't have a thing wrong with you, George.

Not a thing.

You OK?

Oh, wait a second...

Look what I found.

Hey!

I just remembered, I woke up this morning, and I rolled over, and I saw it lying under there,

but I was half asleep so... I was just sitting in the kitchen and I remembered. It's so strange.

I have done some screwing in here, I guess.

I never saw any of your woodworking.

Yeah, well...

it'll hold till next time, I guess.

Thank you.

Hi.

Fine.

I know.

Just cos I want to.

I was waiting till after you got up. How are you this morning?

-What's that?

-A little bird.

Yeah...I know you're sorry.

It's OK.

Right here.

Hey, er...

I was thinking, what...

what do you think about maybe sometime later we could...

..we could try again, or what?

ASHLEY SPEAKS EXCITEDLY

I'm so fuckin' glad we're outta here.

# It's a bright It's a light

# It's a so outta sight It's a feeling all right Morning noon or night

# It's the best thing in life that you don't have to buy

# It's a funny funny feeling down in your heart

# It's a lo-o-ove

# It's a lo-o-ove

# It's a lo-o-ove

# It's the funny funny feeling down in your heart

# Let it in

# To your heart and you'll feel this funny feeling

# Let it in

# And together we'll join in harmour love

# Let it in

# For the beat of your heart will keep the rhythm

# Let it smile

# On the outside and sing in harmour love

# Oh, Joe!

# It's a pin It's a friend It's a how have you been

# It's a I'm looking forward to seeing you again

# It's a laugh It's a grin It's a let it begin

# With that funny funny feeling down in your heart

# It's a walk through the park It's a kiss in the dark

# It's a vow made by two that they never will part

# It's a spark that you feel from the moment it starts

# Known as that funny funny feeling down in your heart... #