they've asked me to negotiate a peace treaty.
Do l know you?
l don't think so, sir.
You're the postman.
Aren't you?
lnside!
" U.S. Mail. "
" the Restored United States of America. "
Do these people really believe that shit?!
Who are you, really?
l'm a United States postman. . .
. . .authorized by Order 41 7 of the Restored Congress.
l was at the Battle of Georgetown. l watched the White House burn down.
Do not try to sell me. . .
. . .on any Restored United States!
the new capital is based in Minneapolis. . .
. . .inside the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome.
You know where the Vikings used to play?
You're funny.
What are the terms?
they'll open the gates, give double the usual. . .
. . .just. . .
. . .don't hurt anybody.
this was all a misunderstanding.
l appreciate your offer, Mr. Postman.
But the fact is that you're in no position to negotiate.
these people made it through the bugs and the riots. . .
. . .and the 3-year winters, but they're not going to survive you.
Fire at will!
Law Six:
Justice can be. . .
. . .dictated!
Kill him, and kill the Restored United States with him.
ln accordance with Law 8. . .
. . .and by the authority of Emergency Order 46. . .
. . .you are hereby--
Get her!
Go on, get him!
We can't stop now.
What are you. . .?
Oh, God!
Come on down.
Don't move.
lf you had a bullet, you'd use it.
Come on.
l don't think l ever had water soup before.
Maybe next time we could try it with a little sand.
Dirt.
Maybe a twig garnish.
You used to think l was funny.
they killed Michael.
l'm sorry.
How sorry are you?
What?
What's that supposed to mean?
What's with you?
You have the mark of 8 on you.
Mark doesn't mean--
You're a liar.
You were with Bethlehem.
Does that make you one of them?
Don't make me use this.
Winds come up.
/ts getting colder too.
Must be another storm.
Anything else?
l didn't mean for you to. . . .
Your legs are going to rot off if you don't try to walk.
-l'm hurt. -You're lazy!
Lazy?
l got a hole in my stomach. . .
. . .and l'm weak.
the 2 big meals around here are snow and grass. . .
. . .and we're running out of grass.
What're you doing?
Give me a break!
l'm going to check the pass.
Why are you in such a hurry?
l could think of worse places.
Or l could think of worse company.
Perfect!
Help!
Please!
Quick!
God, help me!
l told you that's all there was.
that's why you should have it.
l knew you could walk.
You're weird.
Know that?
We walked on the moon once, Abby.
So?
What good is that now?
Obviously you've forgotten. . .
. . .tang and. . .
. . .microwave ovens and. . . .
Your face looks pretty.
l mean. . .
. . .not so bruised.
Look. . .
. . .there's something you'd better know.
You're going to find out soon enough.
l'm pregnant.
lt's Michael's baby.
You're just the body father.
How do you know it's mine. . .
. . .not Bethlehem's?
He tried with me almost every night.
He couldn't do it. . .
. . .so he beat me.
Said it was my fault.
l'm sorry, Abby.
What is it?
What's wrong?
ls it the baby?
the pass is clear.
What happened?
Good, you got our stuff out.
Of course.
What?
l don't understand.
l set the fire.
Did you think we'd stay here forever?
No.
l'd appreciate it if you'd walk with me to find someplace safe for the baby. . .
. . .then we can split up.
You shaved.
Looks nice.
You're really weird!
You know that?
You ever heard of St. Rose, Abby?
l've heard people talk.
l've heard lots of names. . .
. . .Bliss, Hesperia, and New Eden.
Sheriff Briscoe says it's a fantasy.
He's wrong.
St. Rose is out there. . .
. . .and l'm going to find it.
But you're the Postman.
l'm nobody, Abby.
this is what l hate.
Strangers.
Do you say hi, or do you blow their heads off?
Do they want to share what they got or take what you have?
lf they want to take, how far are you willing to go to stop them?
All right, that's far enough.
We don't want any trouble.
Me neither, mister.
What are you?
Carrier 1 8. . .
. . .U.S. Postal Service.
Got any mail?
that's impossible.
Ain't you heard of the Postman?
No.
tell us.
He's only the greatest man who ever lived.
He crossed the wasteland. . .
. . .shook his fist at the enemy. . .
. . .and spit in the eye of General Bethlehem himself.
He's back east with President Starkey right now.
Who told you all this?
Postmaster Ford Lincoln Mercury.
He's in direct contact with the restored Congress.
Direct contact?!
l don't believe this!
Carrier camp!
Gather around, everybody!
Come on, gather around. Got another letter here.
lt came in last night.
-What's all this? -the Postman sent Ford another letter.
He's going to read it.
" Hello, all postal carriers.
l'm here in Minneapolis with President Starkey. . .
. . .but my thoughts are with you.
Remember. . .
. . .nothing worth doing can be done overnight.
Keep your chins up and do your best not to get shot.
Signed. . .
. . .the Postman" !
His letters are always kind of short.
Hold on! there's a P.S.
Does anybody know what P.S. stands for?
-Holy shit! -that would be H.S., Eddie.
No, l saw him once when l lived in Pineview.
lt's the Postman.
Guess you want to talk about this.
l found him!
" Minneapolis" ?
" P.S. Ford knows what to do" ?
What is this?
What is all this? What the hell--
l lied!
l told people you were in direct contact with me.
-Why? -Because l didn't want it to end.
Look. . .
. . .l don't know how long l can stay. l mean. . .
. . .President Starkey. . .
. . .he's going to send word for me one day and then l'll have to move on.
Do you understand?
But you'll stay until he sends word, right?
Don't do that. Hands down.
You're staying till President Starkey sends word, right?
Yes!
Until he sends word. Right.
Could you say a few words just so they know it's really you?
lt's me.
Coming down.
We bring all the mail here first.
We sort it.
We group it. then it goes out.
So far, we got 30 routes.
You spelled " tyranny" wrong.
Boy!
He's smart.
From the swift completion. . .
. . .of their appointed rounds.
Congratulations. You are now U.S. postal carriers.
How old are you?
l'm 68, sir.
Can l ask you a question?
Can you ride?
No.
Can't walk too good either.
So why are you here?
l know stuff.
Where did you get that?
1 970.
A girl with eyes as big as saucers. . .
. . .did me in a little town called Saigon.
Ford wants me to have his place.
Said it's the best.
l'm on the other side.
l got plenty of room here.
So much for the uniform theory.
He was captured on the Oregon border.
Who the hell are you?
Carrier 1 2.
United States Postal Service.
l want the camp struck at dawn.
We'll be moving north!
You spelled " tyranny" wrong.
l wish they'd stop saluting.
Just stay safe.
Remember. . .
. . .the mailman's more important than the mail.
Boy, he's smart.
When l was a kid we used to turn our hat around backwards.
thought it was cool.
Jesus Christ!
Damn!
l missed him.
What's the name of this town?
We never named it.
l officially declare. . .
. . .Postal Station Number 1 0. . .
. . .in Elvis, Oregon. . .
. . .open for business.
From now on you got to get your mail down there, okay?
this one doesn't work.
Read it again.
Are you sure?
Yes.
" Dearest Mom: What a miracle to hear from you. "
Stuff is getting better.
Stuff is getting better every day.
l don't know who you are. . .
. . .but l do know l was wrong about you.
Got a letter for you too, Sheriff.
lt's from my sister.
thought she was dead.
You thought wrong.
Would you like to dance?
Well, they say that you can never
Never go back home
And if youre bound to wander
Youre bound to be alone
You say / got no right
To feel what / feel
When / look into your eyes
Want to dance?
But that / dream of you
Most every night
Comes as no surprise
Well, /ve been Out on this road for so long
Far and wide
Do / roam
But something in your smile tells me
/m almost home
/ was lost in the dark
All alone
Till the light
/n your eyes showed me
/ was almost
Home is where the heart is
And my heart goes with you
/ would travel till the end of time
/f thats what / have to do
Just to spend one night
Till your sweet love light
Come down
Shining down on me
Hello.
Who do you talk to?
Not a soul in 7 years of trying. . .
. . .but l will.
Want some?
No, thanks.
Don't let the kids see that.
You go ahead, take a look.
l was an aerospace engineer.
l helped design the Galileo Space Station.
No shit?
No shit.
l dream it's orbiting the Earth forever. . .
. . .with a dozen human skeletons. . .
. . .all grinning at each other. . .
. . .laughing at us down here.
-What is it? -lt's tony.
He's overdue.
that makes 5.
All on southern routes.
Just children.
You bring me children.
l want a man.
We got births and. . .
. . .deaths.
Got weather. Mostly gossip.
there's nothing here.
Nothing?
Everything. . .
. . .is here.
Am l the only one who sees that?!
What?
A military man, especially a commander. . .
. . .should keep a journal.
After he's gone, it's the only real defense. . .
. . .against the slander that later arises.
tell me about the other stuff you know.
Shit!
Get rid of the bodies.
l don't want these people blamed for what we did.
Neither snow, nor rain, nor gloom of night...
... through bandits hell, through firefight...
... through flood and plague we cannot fail...
...no Holnist trash will stop the mail.
You are now U.S. Postal Carriers.
they changed the oath.
Ford's idea.
Figures.
they don't think to ask who they're replacing. . .
. . .or why.
Sir?
lt'd be an honor if l could shake your hand.
Do l know you?
l don't think so.
Good luck, then.
Nice kid.
He'll probably be dead in a week.
Now that is not your fault.
You're exhausted. You need rest. there's food--
-Where are you going? -Route 22.
You're grounded. Get off the horse.
You know the rule.
What rule?
22, it's too far south. Get off the horse.
But they're waiting on--
Get off the goddamn horse!
l'll tie him off to this one.
You can't keep doing this!
-Doing what? -Riding all the routes.
You're not saving anybody.
Did l ever tell you how l got to be a postman?
l don't know if you'd laugh or cry.
What is it?
Watch out!
We got fire! Move!
-" Postage due. " -Elvis patrol.
You want a war?
You want a war?!
l'll give you. . .
. . .a war!
l was. . .
. . .born for it!
You murderers!
You think you can ride?!
then today's your lucky day!
Bethlehem says...
...hes headed north.
Hes going to kill 1 0 people in every town...
... then burn it to the ground for what you did.
He said that Pineviews on his way.
He'd wait there for you, but not for long.
l was so scared, sir.
l thought they were going to kill me too.
See?
We're too late. l told you.
What're you going to do?
l'm going to stop this.
You can't.
Get out of the way, Ford. All of you!
they'll kill you!
Hold him!
Stop it!
-You're hurting him! -l'm not!
Yes, you are!
l'm not! l'm not hurting him.
this is all my doing. l went against your orders.
You told me to bury the dead Holnists, but l sent them Bethlehem.
Why?
Bethlehem has to know we won't stop!
Goddamn it, Ford!
those people are dying because of us!
they're dying because of what we did.
they're not! they're dying because of Bethlehem. . .
. . .because this is a shitty world! lf we're going to change it. . .
. . .then someone might have to die.
lf l could make it be me down there, l would, but l can't!
No! Please!
-You, out here! -Hold her!
Please!
He's out there somewhere.
Watching.
l can feel it.
You feel it too, don't you?
lt didn't have to end like this, Sheriff!
He knew where l'd be if he wanted to face me like a man!
lnstead he's hiding. . .
. . .like a rabbit!
So much for your Postman!
Lieutenant!
Ready!
We don't even know their names.
We know their names.
l think that's my dad.
Aim!
Ride, Postman!
Ride!
You hear me?!
l said, " Ride! "
Fire!
My God, what have l done?
What Ford did was wrong!
But it doesn't change anything. . .
. . .for any of us, does it?
ls this everybody?
the rest are on the overdue list.
then this is everybody.
Got a letter from the President.
" Greetings, all carriers. "
Greetings, President Starkey!
" l've been in contact with the Postman.
And l've received all the reports.
l'm proud of you all.
ln dark days, in a weary world. . .
. . .you gave everything and asked for nothing.
You beat back despair and replaced it with hope.
For that, your country can never repay you.
But the price is too high. . .
. . .and l won't see any more of my bravest die.
lt is my duty to hereby disband. . .
. . .the Postal Service of the Restored United States.
You are to burn your uniforms. . .
. . .and the Postman is to return to Minneapolis at once.
thank you.
And God bless you all.
the President. "
the President never wrote that letter.
lf he could've, that's what he would have said.
Who's the other letter to?
Bethlehem.
-l'm taking it to him in the morning. -What's it say?
-Mail's private, you know that. -What does it say?
lt says it's over.
lt says we quit.
lt says you quit!
What about the oath?
tell me something, Ford.
How much mail can a dead postman deliver?
lt's over.
then l'll take it.
l can't trust you.
lf this is the end. . .
. . .if this is the last piece of mail that ever gets delivered. . .
. . .l'll take it.
Whoever delivers this letter, Ford, probably dies for it.
l'm still a postman!
You owe it to me.
l owe it to me.
/ts not Fords fault.
Hes not like you. He doesn t have your memories. None of them do.
This is all they have.
-lt's the only decent thing they know. -What?
Being a postman?
lt's all bullshit, Abby.
All of it.
l took the uniform off a skeleton to stay warm.
l made up the rest to stay fed.
there is no. . .
. . .Restored United States.
l figured it was something like that.
l'm going to St. Rose.
l'm taking you with me.
l've already packed your horse.
l know you don't want to hear it. . .
. . .but that's my child inside you.
l want to see it born somewhere safe.
l thought l recognized you.
General Bethlehem said you should be on your knees when l do this.
l don't give a damn what that asshole said.
the general is a great man!
the general is a fucking lunatic.
You want to see a man?
that's a man.
You ready?
Yes.
You're a better man than Bethlehem.
l've seen it.
To Bethlehem.
This letter is my testimony...
... to the fact that there is no...
...Restored United States...
. . .and there is no postal service. "
He expects me to believe this?
lt's true.
l was there. He disbanded the carriers. . .
. . .and rode west.
traitor!
then l've won.
Bring the one we found yesterday. they can die together.
You traitor! You're a traitor!
that one's the second-in-command.
Why doesn't that surprise me?
l was thinking, sir. . .
. . .he might be more valuable to us as a prisoner.
You were supposed to kill him. . .
. . .weren't you?
l couldn't get close enough.
Who are you?
My name's Clark.
Postal Carrier for the Restored Republic of California.
Who are you?
Postmaster Ford Lincoln Mercury.
lt's an honor.
Wait!
Wait a minute. Hold your fire.
You two don't know each other?
this'll never be over.
lt'll go on.
Except l'll be fighting a goddamn ghost.
-Should we fire, sir? -No, goddamn it!
l won't fight a ghost.
Tabula...
...rasa...
. . .gentlemen.
A clean slate.
l want all mail carriers hunted down.
l want the Postman found.
l want him dealt with.
Colonel, organize the scouts.
You said he rode west?
And this is his second-in-command?
Yes, sir!
l'll keep you to bargain with. the Postman is weak that way.
Set your rifle on the ground!
Set it on the ground.
What? this old thing?
lt isn't even loaded.
Where are we?
You're in Bridge City. . .
. . .where we don't allow guns.
the sentry said you were coming.
l know you. You're. . .
. . .famous.
l was once. . .
. . .sort of. . .
. . .kind of.
Not anymore.
Looking to cross?
We will be.
Right now we'd appreciate some food.
Okay.
there are some kids behind us.
How many?
3.
3. Okay.
Come on in, guys!
l know you're out there.
-Wait. Just wait. -What did he want?
Hold on. He says. . .
. . .he's looking for the Postman.
there's no such thing anymore.
the man on the horse says there is.
He thinks he's here.
And he's coming back with friends.
What's a postman?
You never heard of a postman?
Are you the Postman?
Yeah.
l heard of you, man.
You're famous.
Yeah, l guess l am.
And all of a sudden, l'm not. . .
. . .wearing the right clothes.
Man, you're going to love this!
Open that second chute, bro!
You have a gift, Postman.
l saw it back in Pineview.
You've given us all back what we'd forgotten.
You made Mrs. March feel like she could see again.
You made Ford feel like he was part of the world.
You give out hope like it was. . .
. . .candy in your pocket.
Remember this?
l remember.
l always like to think that you left it on purpose.
this is hard for me.
Michael was the best man l ever knew.
l never thought there'd be another man l could love the way l loved him.
l couldn't see it for so long.
And now you're leaving.
And l'm afraid.
l'm afraid you'll never find your St. Rose.
lt's not important.
l'm afraid you'll never see your baby.
l need full power, man! this dude's got a long way to go!
this thing's working perfect, man!
A lot higher than it looks, huh?
You nearly went.
Get in.
there's 3 good-sized towns up ahead. . .
. . .with enough people to help you if you can convince them to come.
Don't tell anybody. . .
. . .l like to ride this damn thing just for the hell of it.
Being a city official has its perks, you know?
trust me, man. this'll get you there a lot faster.
How do l stop?
Quit worrying about the little things.
Good luck, and Godspeed.
Reporting for duty, sir!
-Know what to do? -Talk to the people.
Tell them its important.
Tell them we can make a difference.
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more...
...or close the wall with our dead!
/n peace, nothing so becomes a man as modesty and humility.
But when the blast of war blows in our ears...
... then imitate the action of the tiger.
Summon up the blood. Disguise fair nature with rage...
...and lend the eye a terrible aspect.
-Who are they? -l don't know.
Looks like mostly women and young people to me.
How many?
lt's an army.
At last. . .
. . .someone with courage enough to bring the fight to me.
Reckoning, gentlemen!
they're an eager-looking bunch!
Morale is a dangerous thing.
Bring up the prisoner!
We'll show them how this game is played.
Stay here.
ls he surrendering?
God, l hope not.
My little shipping clerk.
Mr. copy-machine salesman.
We're both a couple of frauds.
So be it.
But great men are made by other great men.
Patton had Rommel.
Grant had Lee.
But l get you.
You're no general.
You're not even a good painter.
trying to goad me into a fight?
lt'd be great if wars were fought just by the assholes who started them.
We could settle this right here. . .
. . .you and me.
Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way.
But it does in your army.
l invoke Law Seven. . .
. . .of the Laws of Eight!
" Any man may challenge for leadership of the clan" !
l challenge you.
You're not a Holnist. You're not a member. You don't have the right.
l have every right!
l invoke Law Seven.
Where. . .?
l challenge. . .
. . .for leadership of the clan!
Where do l know you from?
" Cry havoc. . .
. . .and let slip the dogs of war"
You remember that?
Shakespeare.
the one who didn't want to fight.
l should have found a way to kill you then, but you seemed so strong.
Law Seven. . .
. . .it is!
this war is settled here!
l studied people.
l know your problem.
Do you know. . .
. . .why you can't fight?
Because you have nothing to fight for.
You don't care about anything.
You don't value anything.
You don't believe in anything!
And that's what makes me better.
l believe. . .
. . .in the United States.
lt doesn't have to be this way.
We don't have to kill each other.
" Law three:
Mercy. . .
. . .is for the weak. "
Ford, don't!
" Law Eight:
there's only one penalty. . .
. . .and that penalty is death. "
He isn't worth it.
l'm the head of the clan now!
there are going to be new laws!
Law One:
No more killing.
there's going to be peace!
How about it, Ford Lincoln Mercury?
Be a leader, Ford.
Law Eight:
Live. . .
. . .and let live.
Your daddy wrote to tell you. . .
. . .he'll be here as soon as he can. . .
. . .and that he loves you very much.
Mail's slow.
l'm going to have to see about that.
Your daughter.
Her name is Hope.
My father saw how fragile we are...
. . .and how quickly we fell into the hands of tyranny.
He saw that ordinary men. . .
. . .could reach deep within themselves and find courage.
He saw that if we began to communicate as a nation. . .
. . .we could become strong again. . .
. . .united.
But he never did see St. Rose.
He said. . .
. . .there was too much to be done.
He'd made a promise.
And in keeping it, he traded one dream for another.
With no regrets.
And so, in honor of my father. . . .
that was me.
Subtitled by GELULA & CO., lNC.
the United States doesn't exist!
l'm giving you a chance at a life that means something.
Redemption is within your grasp.
You are required to show yourself.
But l'm not with these people. l'm just passing through.
l can see it in your eyes. You are a dangerous man.
Kill him!
You just head back the way you came. We don't give charity.
l'm a representative of the United States Government authorized. . .
. . .by the Restored Congress to reestablish communication route.
What's that mean in English?
lt means l'm your postman.
You are nothing but a drifter who found a bag of mail.
l have a feeling about you.
l know you'll do what's right.
Who's responsible. . .
. . .for that?
A man came through with mail.
Said he was a postman. Said that the government had been restored back east.
What government?
the United States Government!
How about you? Do you have a letter?
l don't have anybody to write to.
l took the uniform off a skeleton to stay warm.
there is no Restored United States.
You gave them back their memories. You've given us what we've forgotten.
You have a gift, Postman.
You give out hope like it's. . .
. . .candy in your pocket.
l want all mail carriers hunted down.
-You've got to stay out of sight! -l'm a postman!
l want the Postman found.
l want him dealt with.
How much mail can a dead postman deliver?
We're not going to stop!
Somebody might have to die!
You can't keep doing this. You're not saving anybody.
Did l ever tell you how l got to be a postman?
l don't know if you'd laugh or cry.
Do you hear me, Postman?!
l said, " Ride! "
You want a war?! l'll give you. . .
. . .a war!
there used to be a postman. . .
. . .for every street in America.
they wore uniforms and hats. . .
. . .just like this one.
Getting a letter. . .
. . .made you feel like you were part of something bigger than yourself.
l don't think we ever really understood. . .
. . .what they meant to us until they were gone.