Clem?
Turn down that thing, will ya? You're gonna wake Scotty.
- What's that? - The RCA.
- Scotty's got school tomorrow. - All right.
Say, you haven't seen my glasses, have you?
On the table next to the clock.
Yes, you're such a pretty girl, aren't you?
- No, they're not here. - Try the washroom.
What's gotten into Jack?
Anderson's bitch must be in heat again.
I'll go run her up the road.
What is it, Jack? That old bitch doggin' you again?
Lulu, is that you out there?
You go on home, now, you hear? Go on. Get.
What the devil?
Still dead?
I don't understand it.
County ran a new wire just last month.
You can drive him into town in the mornin'.
He looks like he could use a good night's rest anyway.
You get anything more out of him?
No. He just keeps saying he's lost.
Scotty, what are you doing down here?
You don't know this here boy, do you, son?
- Hush. - I'll put him in the barn. Come on.
Come on.
You get out.
Why don't we go upstairs and run you a bath?
Didn't your mama think to give you a haircut?
Now, what is this?
My God. Who'd do such a thing to a boy?
They're supposed to be asleep.
You always know they're supposed to be asleep.
Somebody else in this house beside that baby?
Somebody else in this house?
Boy, I am your father...
and you answer your father.
Is there somebody else in this house?
Is this one as smart as the other one?
Afraid so.
How come they're all named Betty?
Well, now, that is a good Question.
Maybe they're not as smart as we think.
Here.
Stick with the jukebox.
My bird's fryin' her ass out there in the hot sun, Theodore.
Yeah, well, County Health's gonna fry my ass if I put her back inside.
- I serve food here, Arlis. - So to speak.
And by the way, some 14-year-old kid...
bought a pack of cigarettes out of your machine there...
and his parents are threatening to sue me.
- You want me to take it out? - Hell, no.
I'm just tellin' you what I'm up against.
Your mangy chicken's the least of my problems.
You should have heard the stink over the rubbers last week.
Do we have to have a prophylactic machine in the ladies' toilet?
We are doing 2-to-1 compared to the men's room.
I know, Arlis, but this ain't Abilene.
We're a small town. We got small-town values.
- Am I right, Cindy? - Amen.
Like I said, you just missed him.
We were preparing to close the casket.
Well, it's probably best.
I was sort of the black sheep of the family.
Well, as they say, "In death, all is forgiven."
That's a nice sentiment. I'll have to remember that.
Exactly what relation are you?
It's complicated.
Would you mind giving us a moment alone?
Of course.
The book is here if you care to sign.
Thank you.
God bless, whoever you are.
You know, my face breaks out about two days after you leave town.
Every time, like some goddamn teenaged girl.
- It's the chocolate. - I know. I just can't help myself.
How come you don't have those cheese and peanut butter crackers anymore?
They pick up pinworms in the heat.
Pinworms? Jesus.
Too bad. My kids love those things.
You want a carton of Kools for Nathan?
No. He's Quit. Again.
Jesus. I never get used to these chickens.
- About twenty-five. - Twenty... Twenty-five late?
Lay it down.
You heard about Lou Jamison?
I heard his widow was lookin' to unload his machines.
Was. Pudge Riley got to her Friday last.
He get the Remingtons?
Two dozen electro-slots.
Says he's got a buyer for 'em in Oklahoma.
All I know is Lou Jamison's widow is sittin'...
on all the Texaco stations in Benson County...
and most of the Dairy Queens, with no machines.
I don't want Benson County.
But Arlis, I had to drive through Benson to get here.
- Why not expand a little? - I'm big enough.
- I don't need Benson. - But Arlis...
Just make a note about the machines, Elliot.
Say, Arlis, I almost forgot.
There was a fella askin' about you over in Woodlake.
- Denny Harris? - No. Just some fella.
Said he knew you from way back.
I figured he must've worked for you sometime.
- Why is that? - He had one of our dimes.
You know, the blue juke dimes?
- You get a name? - He didn't offer. I didn't ask.
Said he wanted to look you up. Anyway, I stayed vague.
You did right.
I'll see you on the 7th.
Looks like I'm gonna be stretchin' felt in the mornin'.
You're gonna be stretchin' your luck if you're thinkin' about take-out...
anytime soon.
It is a slight feverish tonight.
Just wait till that damn cake pops its lid.
Unless that little pastry inside comes with a bicycle pump...
and two sisters, there ain't gonna be a farm animal safe tonight.
Go! Go! Go! Go!
Three, two, one!
Christ Almighty.
Just put her in my pickup.
- Lookin' good. - Here's to ya, honey!
Feel like knockin' a few sins off your ledger, Arlis?
You want me to find out if she's got a home.
And take her there.
What's the damage?
Well, put it this way.
Feed this girl a cucumber, it'd come out pickles.
Jesus.
I figure the bed's one of those vibratin' numbers...
so that explains the Quarters.
Nobody could possibly fancy pretzel twists that much...
so I figured you won some kind of weird contest.
As for the condoms, well, either you got a yen...
for cheerleading squads, or we had the night of all nights.
Whatever. There's an explanation.
As for the blue chicken, I need a little help with that one.
- You passed out. - Who wouldn't?
The coins just need to be papered for the bank.
The condoms and the twists are inventory.
The chicken's Brainy Betty.
I take it Betty's one of the exotics?
She plays tic-tac-toe.
What makes her so brainy?
She wins nine times out of ten.
You want some coffee?
You got a machine for that too?
Half a dozen in the next three counties.
But given the circumstances of your immediate past...
I would suggest the real bean.
You wouldn't happen to have a pair of chinos and a belt, would ya?
"Boo-boo"?
Story of my life.
Wait. Don't forget Lorraine.
Peek's Beauty Academy, right outside Red Grove...
near Green Gene's Pickle Factory.
Buy a burger around here, chances are it's Green Gene's under the bun.
Anyway...
seein' as the beauty academy was next door to the pickle factory...
we always had plenty of people to practice on.
So one day I'm doin' this tint job on this lady...
and my instructor comes over and is giving me...
The collar picked up a little perfume...
so if you got a suspicious wife, I'd run some soap through it.
I don't need to worry about that.
Headin' home?
I don't think so. I got a girlfriend up in Bayview.
That oughta be enough for now.
- You got a coat? - Yeah.
- Money? - Sure.
Well, thanks for the eggs.
Everything.
Thanks for the company.
It must get lonely on the road sometimes.
Like anything else, you're born to it.
Well, you're a born listener, that's for sure.
Depends on who's talkin'.
- What's your name? - Kay.
All right, Kay. You girls watch yourselves.
- You're sure this is no trouble? - No use you waitin' seven hours...
on a bus to Bayview when I can get you there in two.
I just hate to take ya too far off the beaten path.
There's a man I can see on the way, if you don't mind a detour or two.
- It's greased. - Huh?
The wristband.
By the way, I get those novelties straight from Korea.
I can do you ten on the dollar, as many as you want.
Bayview's a little south for you, ain't it, Arlis?
Who said anything about Bayview?
'55, '56, somewhere in there.
Eisenhower days.
- '57. - Whatever.
- How'd you know about Bayview? - Reese Davies.
- Who's Reese Davies? - A moron.
Used to own a movie theater down that way.
At least, his father did, till he died.
Reese ran it into the ground in about 18 months.
I had a couple of cigarette machines in the lobby from his old man's day.
Then when the theater went south, Reese tried to claim 'em as assets.
It's his wife. Reese's.
Ugly as sin, ain't it?
Maybe some music'll take the bite out of it.
Keep going. Sometimes you can pick up K-MOO drivin' south.
Or here. Big Lake's got a station plays George Jones most afternoons.
You like George Jones?
You spend much time out this way?
Who? Me? No.
Like I said, my girlfriend...
There's no girlfriend. It's just me.
See, if I hadn't have gotten my money stolen...
I wouldn't have been jumpin' out of the cake, and we never would've met.
And you wouldn't be wastin' time drivin' me back to Bayview.
I'm sorry I lied.
That's all right.
It's just...
I'm really not myself right now.
That's all right.
And I'm married.
That's all right too.
America's number-one shop-at-home television service...
bringing you 24 hours of savings, fun and excitement every day.
Jesus. Will you look at this.
Two days.
Think if I'd been gone a week.
If you’re just joining us, you're not too late.
Don't worry. We're alone. It's always on.
Reese goes through a picture tube every six months.
I make it a rule not to trespass...
especially in a man's house I don't know.
Well, believe me, it's more my house than it is his.
Drop that anywhere. I'll be right back.
You're welcome to a beer if you can find one.
- I oughta be pushin' off. - What's that?
I said, "I left my smokes in the truck."
What the hell?
Afternoon, Mr. Davies.
I'm Earl Logan, Ned Foster's man.
Is that your truck?
Yeah. I mean...
Well, I was wondering if we could get you to move it.
See, it sure would make our job a whole lot easier.
And I need you to sign here 'fore we can start. Watch your finger.
Son of a bitch.
Son of a bitch!
They're...
Hello? Hubie?
This is Kay Davies. Does my husband happen to be there?
Don't lie to me, Hubie!
Shit!
What the hell is that in the driveway?
I think that they're lookin' for your husband.
Well, they're not the only ones.
Can I help you?
Ma'am, I need the gentleman's signature so we can begin.
You're not takin' my furniture.
Ma'am, I'm not emotionally involved.
Well, I am!
Christ!
"Boo-boo"?
Since it looks like I'm not needed here anymore...
Hey, Darlene. You haven't by any chance seen Reese, have you?
You have.
Really?
Who are you?
Never mind, Darlene. Here he is.
Sorry to bother you.
This don't look like a good time for introductions, so I'm gonna...
Where'd you put that duffel?
There.
I understand all about schedules.
Just give me a minute to get my ducks in line.
Quack, Quack.
Jesus, Kay, where in the hell have you been?
Just what in the hell are you wearin'?
And just who in the hell is this?
You're askin' me Questions?
Exactly what the hell is that truck doin' outside?
Well, if you'd been here, Kay, maybe I wouldn't have to explain it to ya.
I'm gone two days, and you sell the furniture?
Well, if it makes you feel better, I sold it two weeks ago.
Well, shit, Reese, that makes me feel a whole lot better.
Look, I don't wanna talk about no goddamn chest of drawers, anyway.
I wanna know who in the hell this man is.
None of your fuckin' business.
Hell, no. He's in my house with my woman.
- Are you cheatin' with my wife? - Actually, I just...
That's right, Reese. Not two hours ago...
we were sweatin' over each other in the back room of the Shady 8 Motel.
He don't mind it in the mornin'.
And guess what, Reese. I haven't showered...
or brushed my teeth.
Actually, I just gave her a ride...
in the truck.
Now, you listen to me, darlin'.
There are two men on our front lawn, and they got a job to do.
Now, I'm gonna open that door, and you're gonna let 'em do it.
Ain't that right?
Fuck you.
Go for it, Slick.
You got yourself a real lionheart, Kay.
Fuck my pretty wife now.
Fuck this.
- That's my gun. - Very good, Reese.
It's your gun, in my hand, pointed at you. Get the picture?
Christ, Kay, you don't even know how to use that thing.
I got a pretty good idea.
Now, Reese, darlin', I suggest you take your sorry ass outside...
and tell the gentlemen on the lawn that the deal is off.
I can't do that.
- Christ, Kay! - Trust me, Reese.
That clock ain't the only thing runnin' out of time.
I took money. I shook hands, Kay. The deal is done.
How much?
Seven hundred dollars.
- Where is it? - You know them bills we had to pay!
Shit, Reese, you haven't paid a bill in three years. Where is it?
Kay, I just told you.
For God's sake, Kay.
All right. It's gone. I lost it.
Poker?
Mostly.
You sell that too?
The piano?
Hell, no. I bought you that for your birthday, Kay.
- All right then. We'll take it. - Take it?
You got room in the truck there, Arlan?
- Wait just a second here. - It's Arlis.
You don't even know his name?
For Christ's sake, Kay, what in the hell has happened to you?
Excuse me. Who's holding the gun here?
You are.
So I guess I can call anybody any damn thing I damn well please.
Am I right?
That's right.
Sorry.
Back there. Your name. Mixing it up.
That's a horrible thing to do to a person.
You were close enough.
It's just I have a habit of doin' it when I get nervous.
I got so mad at a boss of mine one time, I was screamin' at him...
a full three minutes 'fore I realized I was callin' him Leroy...
and his name was Ed.
Not even close.
It sort of took the sting out of it.
Scary sometimes.
What's that?
Moments.
Little split-seconds of time where you find yourself capable...
of things you would never even think of doing normally.
Like back there, holdin' that gun.
There was a moment when my finger twitched.
Not so you could see. More like inside, under the skin.
Some crazy little muscle.
And I could've done it. I could've shot him right in the face.
My whole life would've changed in one tiny little second.
It's not in your blood.
Ain't that a kick?
Yeah, it's a real tickler.
You mind tellin' me what you got in here?
Seven years of bad luck, at least what's left.
Well, thank God the furniture's spoken for.
Believe me, sooner or later, he'd have slapped a price tag on my ass.
To hell with him. He's just taillights to me now.
Not that he didn't leave a few dents behind.
Let me see.
You take a hell of a punch.
Practice makes perfect.
We'll get you some ice.
Arlis, you're tellin'me this now?
I've been settin'here all afternoon.
I've been settin'here for three hours waitin'for you to call.
Rosie, I told ya, something's come up.
Something's come up, huh? Well, I know what's come up.
You got another woman over there with you, don't you?
- Don't you, Arlis? - Rosie, listen to me.
You know what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna go to town, go into a bar...
and pick up the first man I see.
I'm gonna pick up the first two men I see.
I don't think that's such a good idea, do you, Rosie?
You know what, Arlis? I don't care.
Are you still there, or did you hang up on me?
No, I'm still here.
You're sort of an odd fellow, you know that?
You don't ask many Questions... personal, I mean.
I figure people share what they want to.
No sense crowdin' 'em.
Women must love you.
Put that on your face once you're out.
You mind grabbin' me another one of these?
- Ever been married? - Nope.
Ever been in love?
- Am I crowdin' you? - No.
- I've never been in love. - Me either.
What about your husband?
Hell, no. I mean, you saw his hair, right?
Besides, he's no different than any of the others.
I was 13 when the first one pulled my blue jeans off...
and ever since, they seem to pass me off, one to another...
my whole life.
Like they're all members of the same club or something.
You know, you look good without that hat.
But you're gonna bald.
See how high your peaks are? That's from wearin' the hat all day.
You have to let your scalp breathe.
Besides, you shouldn't hide your head. You got a nice shape.
I'll keep that in mind.
It's not 'cause of that, is it? The tattoo?
I bet that was one crazy night.
No more than any other.
Well, whatever. Nothin' to feel shy about.
You hardly notice it's there.
Come on. Let's go for a little walk, okay?
Why can't you sleep?
The night air usually calms her.
This stuff is awful. You sure you asked for Cover Girl?
Yes, I asked. They were out.
Well, my skin does not take to this.
How I could forget my beauty bag, I do not know.
Probably wouldn't fit in the suitcase.
How do you abide this seat?
Ten more miles, my ass'll be flat as a pancake.
Seats take breakin' in.
All right. I get the message.
I'm not usually like this. If we'd met under normal circumstances...
you'd probably like me.
Most people do, or I guess they do.
I didn't say I didn't like you. Hell, I like you.
It's just that there's been a whole lot of...
activity in the past couple of days.
I go from one town to the next, you understand?
I see the same faces. I hear the same talk.
I sleep in the same beds. I eat the same food.
Then I start all over again. I like it that way.
I don't like walkin' into people's houses I don't know.
I don't like guns comin' out of nowhere.
I don't like lookin' over my shoulder for angry husbands.
I don't like surprises, period.
You really like me?
What's not to like?
Arlis, that stew of yours...
has got to where it's nothin' but potatoes and carrots.
I don't make it, Kyle; I just stock it.
Hell, Homer and I are about the only ones who buy the damn stuff.
We get up to our elbows in John Deere, we got no choice.
I can go back to the chili if you want.
Shit, no.
We work close enough Quarters in that pit as it is.
All I need is Homer's ass in my face after two cans of that.
Now, I could stand a little of that in my face.
She'd steal you blind.
So old Sam found you, did she?
- Came right up. - Yeah, she knows the truck.
Here. Introduce yourself.
You like that, don't you?
Better than that scratch old Charley feeds you.
- She'll follow you all day now. - What happened to her throat?
She ran herself through a fence couple of years back...
tore herself up pretty good.
- Hey, girl. - But you're still here, ain't ya?
You ride?
Once or twice. County fairs, stuff like that.
You?
Once or twice.
I bet you can't swim neither.
That?
Beginner's luck.
Well, there was a cowboy a while back who showed me a thing or two.
Comin' in?
I'm fine.
Suit yourself.
So who showed you about horses?
When I was about 12, 13, I worked at a little horse farm like this.
I shoveled stalls during the day, got a roof over my head at night.
Well, where was your mother?
She died.
How 'bout your father?
Long story.
He still alive?
You ask all your cowboys this many Questions?
Why don't you come on in here and cool off?
We gotta go.
I don't wanna go.
Storm's comin'.
There's no storm.
I can feel it.
How come some of them are blue?
- Those dimes? - They're juke dimes.
Juke dimes?
What's that?
I give the boss man a roll of these, he'll start up a jukebox.
You play your own jukebox?
That don't make sense.
People don't make sense.
Man walks into a place with a jukebox, right?
Nine times out of ten, if that box isn't already playin'...
he'll be shy about startin' it up or won't even know it's there.
But you get it goin' for him...
nine times out of ten, he'll keep it goin'...
with his own money.
Trick of the trade.
How come you paint 'em blue?
This keeps 'em separate from the boss man's money, that's all.
You go east...
Billy Breckins paints his green.
Drop down two counties...
Buddy Clarke, his are red.
Me, I'm just partial to blue.
You could use a trim.
I got a man in Blackwell does me every third Wednesday of the month.
I could do ya.
A couple of snips here.
Couple there.
I think your hands are a couple of beers past steady.
Yeah, I'd do you better blind than you been gettin'.
Your man in Blackwell doesn't understand your head.
Besides, I'm not drunk.
I know exactly what I'm doin'.
Looks like you were right...
about that storm.
What?
Nothing.
What? Did you say something?
Is there somebody out there?
Shit!
Maybe it's Reese come.
Jesus.
Oh, thank God.
I'm sorry to bother you, but the night man's gone to bed...
and I'm having some trouble with my car.
You try the bell?
- The bell? - For the night man.
Sure, but no one came.
And no one along here would open their door to me.
- You're the only one. - What's wrong with your car?
Hell if I know.
I am lost when it comes to anything mechanical.
But you look like you might know something about motors.
Am I right?
- You got the keys? - Inside.
- You got it in gear. - What?
You got it in gear.
Well, damn.
You'd follow a mouse into the mouth of a snake...
wouldn't you, Junior?
He's hurt bad.
Hurt bad?
Honey, I cut my lip worse than this when I'm whistlin'.
See, it's just that I can't fix it myself...
and my sweet pea there, she don't know how.
How long has it been, boy?
Well, long time...
no see.
Ugly little bastards, ain't they?
How's it look?
I've seen worse.
Yeah, I guess my whole life's back there.
A good portion of yours too, huh, son?
Be glad it's just bird seed chasing you this time.
Not like that night in Kilgore, huh?
Hell, come winter...
it get cold enough...
the pinch'll get somethin' fierce.
Sometimes you can't get it all out.
Sometimes you got to carry it with you.
Now, don't get me wrong. You was always a good boy.
You always did what you was told.
Well, most of the time.
I managed to raise the night man, and I have a key...
Shit!
Shouldn't we get a doctor?
Little darlin', I don't believe there's a pill peddler alive...
got a better touch than my boy here.
And best of all, he don't ask no Questions.
Practice makes perfect.
You got an injured man here, boy.
Easy, easy.
That's nice.
That's nice, that smell.
You've got the smell of love on you, boy.
Tell me...
does she taste as good?
Come here, boy. Get your father's boots off.
That's the least a son can do...
till he's ready to wear them himself.
Get yourself out of those clothes before you catch a chill.
Don't worry yourself.
I never caught anything in my life.
Everybody catches something.
Not me.
Well, I broke a finger once...
but I don't figure that counts.
Shit.
This is too fucking weird.
Wish I could say the same.
I'm always catching a cold.
Had one just last month.
I'm sorry to hear it.
You can't sleep in those. Find yourself something of mine.
I'll hang yours up to dry.
Come on.
What's your name?
Ginnie.
With a J or a G?
You plannin' on writin' me a letter?
All right, keep it a mystery. It's a nice name either way.
Yeah, well...
I'm not a nice girl.
But I'll bet that you are, aren't you?
I'd like to think so.
And the guy who did that to your face...
did he think you were nice?
Not at the time.
But you stay with him anyway, don't you?
Who, Arlis?
He didn't do this to me. He's not like that at all.
Don't kid yourself.
Eventually, they are all like that...
evil.
But once you know that...
you can turn it back against 'em.
Use it.
Arlis doesn't have an evil bone in his body.
But...
What?
I don't know. I get the feeling...
he's been close to it, felt the heat of it.