MAN: It was early in September 1952.
The Cardinals were five games behind the Dodgers,
and the season looked hopeless.
The cotton, however, was waist-high,
and my father and pappy could be heard whispering words
that were seldom spoken:
"It could be a good crop."
Highway 135 ran straight and flat
through the farm country of the Arkansas Delta.
On both sides, as far as I could see,
the fields were white with cotton.
Pappy, my grandfather, drove 37 miles per hour.
His theory was that every automobile had a speed
at which it ran most efficiently,
and through some vaguely defined method,
he had determined that his old truck should go 37.
On the nose.
It was time for the harvest-- a wonderful season for me,
because they turned out school for two months.
For my grandfather, though, it was a time of endless worry.
In Pappy's opinion, this was the best spot
in the county to catch the hill people.
I wasn't so sure.
We'd been trying to hire some for a week with no results.
(brakes screech)
Howdy.
Good afternoon.
My name's Spruill.
Eli Chandler.
Nice to meet you.
Y'all lookin' for work?
Yep.
Where you from?
Eureka Springs.
Well, I'm looking for field hands.
How much you paying?
$1.60 a hundred.
Fella wants to give us $1.60.
I think we should take it.
You think?
Uh, what kind of cotton?
Stoneville. Bolls are ready.
Be easy to pick.
Well, we made $1.60 last year.
This the same.
Well, we was kinda hoping
to make a little more...
What's your name?
Luke.
Sorry, can't help you.
What's yours?
Tally.
How old are you?
Ten.
How old are you?
Seventeen.
How long you been riding that trailer?
Day and a half.
This is Trot.
He ain't right.
Nice to meet you, Trot.
(indistinct conversation)
Your penmanship's getting better, Luke.
Where's your grandfather?
Across the street, checking on the Mexicans.
You all using hill people, too?
Yep. Just found us some.
Buenos dias, senor.
Buenos dias.
Last year, Juan taught me some Mexican.
Eli's worried about paying them too much.
Your grandfather worries about everything.
(sighs): He's a farmer.
Are you going to be a farmer?
No, ma'am.
Baseball player.
For the Cardinals?
Of course.
Here's my truck.
(speaking Spanish)
Buenos dias, senor.
I thought you told them to set up behind the barn.
I did.
They set up right on my baseball field.
Well, finally got the Mexicans.
Seven of them.
Yes, ma'am.
MAN: That's good.
What are those people doing in our front yard?
I asked them to set up behind the barn.
I don't know why they pickedthatspot.
Can you ask them to move?
I cannot. They pack up, they'll leave.
You know how the hill people are.
Segue me, muchachos.
(sheep bleating)
Go on out into the fields
and tell your dad supper's almost ready.
(sheep bleating, chickens clucking)
(guitar picking slow Spanish melody)
It is... is very nice. Very clean. Thanks.
It is, isn't it?
Oh.
(laughs)
The garden's full, and I'll...
bring you a basket every other day.
Y'all don't have to pay for it.
It's just... part of the deal.
Gracias, senora.
ADULT LUKE: As I rode back from the fields, holding on to my father,
his shirt and overalls were soaked with sweat,
but his arms were like steel.
My mother was waiting for us by the water pump.
She had grown up in a house full of girls,
and had been raised in part by a couple of old, prissy aunts.
I think they had bathed more than farm people,
and her passion for cleanliness had rubbed off on my father.
I got a complete scrubbing every Saturday afternoon,
whether I needed it or not.
(sighs)
...picking cotton or something?
(giggling)
You're all dirty.
RADIO REPORTER: ...subcommittee ended
a 17-month investigation of mismanagement and scandal
in the Justice Department, reporting the elimination
of most of the conditions it had been investigating.
Meanwhile...
No Cardinals game. Rained out.
Right.
Nothing to worry about.
It's all the way up in St. Louis.
Shh-shh-shh-shh-shh...
...adjourned again, still tightly deadlocked.
They will meet again September 12.
In related news, Chinese troops hit Bunker Hill
east of Pan Mun Jom in two small feeler actions,
as nine other enemy groups
probed along the Eighth Army Front.
Ricky's all right.
He'll be home before you know it.
...Chinese troops stormed the hill.
No bad news.
...were killed in this action. Meanwhile, northwest of...
If our luck holds out, we can expect what,
to break even this year?
That's the goal.
Breaking even's not a bad thing.
We don't want for anything.
What about the debt
you and your daddy are carrying from previous years?
We owe $2,000 to the gin for '51.
We owe the John Deere dealer in Jonesboro for parts.
Co-op for seed and supplies, and Watson's for groceries.
I know the situation.
Someday it'll be different.
I'll own my own land, free and clear.
And how different will it be, Jesse?
Howdy. How you doing?
Okay.
I'm getting myself a Cardinals jacket.
Oh, yeah?
Uh, Car-Cardinal red.
It's shiny.
Costs $7.50.
In ten days, I'll have picked enough to get it.
That's real nice.
JESSE: Luke!
Yeah?
What are you doing?
I-I had to take a pee.
Keep up now!
Yes, sir.
Cinquenta-dos.
No piedras.
Fifty-two.
All right! Lunch!
Probably heat got him.
TALLY: Thank you.
(engine chugging)
(men speaking Spanish)
Luke...
We'd like you to stay with Trot, up here at the house,
for the rest of the afternoon.
And if he takes a turn for the worse, y'all just come out
to the lower 40, and fetch one of the Spruills.
Well... what about my Cardinal jacket?
There's 80 acres of cotton out there...
I guess we could save you a little bit.
(engine chugging)
(gears grinding)
Trot... are you okay?
I guess.
Does Tally like baseball?
(men speaking Spanish)
(laughing)
Ball.
(Trot coughs)
Picked 300 pounds...
then the heat got me.
Fetch me some water, boy.
Sir?
Fetch me some water.
Cold water, boy... from the house.
And hurry. I've been working all day-- you ain't.
Give me another glass.
(belches)
You got anything to eat?
Do you?
Um, no.
You mean no, sir...
don't you, boy?
No, sir.
You farm people are right uppity, you know that?
Think you're better than us hill folk because you have this land,
'cause you pay us to work it.
We're just one notch above them wetbacks, ain't we, boy?
Just a bunch a hillbillies.
Ain't that right, boy?
We got a house nicer than yours, boy.
A lot nicer.
It's bigger.
Got a long front porch.
And you know what else it's got?
You ain't gonna believe this,
but our house has got paint on it.
White paint.
You ever see
paint, boy?
Why don't you sodbusters paint your houses?
Stop it, Hank!
(laughs)
(crickets chirping)
(baseball game on radio)
Stan up?
No, ma'am. Slaughter.
That's a deep fly ball to right center!
It might be out of here... No!
It's off the center field screen.
One run, two runs will score!
And here comes Stanky!
They're waving him in
for number three.
The throw to the plate. He slides...
He's safe! Stanky is safe,
and Slaughter will make it
safely into third.
TALLY: Be right back, Pa.
Holy cow! This game is tied.
Life from the Cardinals.
What a play! Through seven innings...
Howie Pollet was having
a great night, showing the Cardinals
why they should've never traded him.
(guitar strumming, men singing in Spanish)
Trot told me about what Hank said...
what he did.
You tell your daddy?
Didn't tell no one.
You scared?
No.
My Pappy would take a stick to Hank.
He's got a mean streak, my granddaddy has.
Why, then?
Because...
(long, heavy sigh)
because if... Pappy punishes Hank,
you folks will pack up
and move down the road to another farm.
We'll be left shorthanded.
That's why.
You're smarter than I thought.
Well, if it means anything...
I'm sorry about what Hank done and said.
RADIO ANNOUNCER: So after their three-run outburst...
Mama?
Mm-hmm?
Ever think of painting the house?
Foolishness.
It costs too much.
Luke, someday we'll have a house
with indoor plumbing, and...
shrubs around the porch,
and with paint on the boards.
Maybe even brick.
(crying)
JESSE: 12:00. Quittin' time!
On Saturdays, we pick a half day.
Just a half day today.
¿Comprende?
We can go to the movies.
I understand.
I don't need a movie.
I need all the work I can get.
On Saturdays, you work a half day.
Sundays, we don't work at all.
We observe the Sabbath.
On Saturdays, we work half day.
ADULT LUKE: Town on a Saturday afternoon was very busy.
All the farmers and all their families
were loading up on supplies, talking weather,
and trading gossip.
Hey,buenos dias.
Okay, so, five cents for the matinee,
five cents for a Double Cola,
three cents for popcorn.
That there is an advance
against your pickin' earnings.
You got to pay that back.
Yes, ma'am.
Bye.
Bye, Mom.
KATHLEEN: Bye.
(banjo playing)
There's a fight behind the Co-op!
Come on! Get out of my way!
(yelling)
Oh, get up!
I'll bet it's the Sisco brothers.
Told ya.
Who's that?
Don't know. Probably a hillbilly.
Get up and fight, hillbilly!
Come on, Jerry, come on!
Let's go!
Let's go! Come on!
That ain't fair! Fight like a man!
(shouting)
Hey, you stupid hillbilly!
Let go of my brother!
(grunting and shouting)
(crowd quiets)
Anybody want more?
Come on!
Come on an' get you some!
(groans, coughs)
Come on. Y'all don't need to see this.
(thud)
(thunder rumbles)
I awoke to the sound of rain
and the tin roof sang under the torrents.
My thoughts were on the fight.
I wanted to tell my father,
but then I did not want to be a witness.
GRAN: Luke!
Pappy says the rain's
going to stop in time for church.
What you want for breakfast?
Biscuits.
Then I'll make some biscuits.
I had a dream last night about Ricky.
A good dream?
Yes, very good.
I dreamed the war suddenly ended.
They forgot to tell us.
We were all sitting out here on the porch one night,
and out there on that road
we saw a man running toward us.
And it was Ricky.
I wish I could have a dream like that.
Well, I think the Lord is telling us something.
Uncle Ricky coming home?
Yes.
Maybe not right away, but...
the war will be ended soon.
And we'll look up and we'll see him
walking across the yard there.
Gran? Uh-huh?
I pray for Uncle Ricky every night.
Oh...
(organ music playing)
Hello, Stick.
You working on a Sunday?
Crime don't seem to respect the Sabbath.
One of them Sisco boys is dead.
PAPPY: Murder?
STICK: Good folks get murdered.
White trash like the Siscos get killed.
I still got to investigate.
I'm going to need to come out and speak to one of your hands.
You'll have to wait till after church.
Some folks go to church.
I'm on duty.
Had a big fight yesterday in town.
Couple of local boys got into it
with a fellow from the hills.
One of them died this morning.
Fractured skull.
Ain't none of us. We're peaceful folk.
Is that so?
Y'all go into town yesterday?
We did.
You got a boy named Hank?
Maybe.
Don't play games with me.
I ask you a question, you give me a straight answer.
Got a big jail over in Jonesboro
with a lot of room.
I'm Hank Spruill.
Did you go into town yesterday
and get in a fight behind the Co-op?
Nope. I stopped the fight.
Couple fellas was beating up on a boy from the hills.
I stopped it.
You use a piece of wood?
Didn't need to.
I asked you a question.
Did you use a piece of wood?
Nope.
They had a two-by-four.
I guess I'd better take you in.
Whoa.
If he goes, we go.
Aw, slow down, Stick.
You and I both know
the Siscos ain't good for nothin'.
They fight often, they fight dirty.
Seems to me they just picked on the wrong fella.
I got a body, Eli. You understand?
He was just breaking up a fight.
I heard after the fight was over,
he picked up a piece of wood and beat the boys.
Now I know two against one ain't fair,
and I know it's the Siscos,
but I ain't sure one of them had to get killed.
I didn't kill nobody.
I broke up a fight.
And there was three of them, not two.
Ain't a court in this country
convict three against one.
That's if he's telling the truth.
He's going to need witnesses.
Little Chandler saw it.
Come here, Luke.
You see the fight?
Yes, sir.
What were you doing there?
I heard there was a fight,
so I took off and watched it.
Tell me what you saw.
And tell the truth.
My boy don't lie.
Jerry Sisco was fighting some man from the hills
when Mr. Hank stepped in
and helped the man from the hills.
The first hill man, he left.
I think he was hurt pretty bad.
Then, all of a sudden,
Bobby Sisco charged from the crowd
and attacked Mr. Hank.
It was three against one, just like Mr. Hank said.
That settles it.
Who used the two-by-four?
Tell him, boy.
One of them Sisco boys picked up that stick of wood, didn't he?
(breathing hard)
Didn't he, boy?
You watch yourself, boy.
Stick, you're scaring my boy to death.
There must be a lot of people
who saw this fight.
What say we go bedevil them.
I'm going to keep asking around.
And I might be back.
Luke, why didn't you tell us about that fight?
I was scared, I guess.
Scared? Scared of what?
Scared of getting caught behind the Co-op
watching a fight.
Uh, Luke, I'm not too worried about you watching a fight.
But keeping secrets can get you into trouble.
You should've told us what you saw.
I saw a fight.
Never knew Jerry Sisco was going to die.
And you told Stick Powers the truth?
Yes, sir.
One of them Sisco boys picked up that stick of wood
or was it Hank Spruill?
Well...
to be honest, Dad, things happened so fast.
There was bodies falling and flying everywhere.
Hank was throwing those boys around
like they were little toys.
The crowd was moving and hollering.
Then I saw the stick of wood.
Luke, honey, little boys who keep secrets from their parents
can get in big trouble.
You can tell us anything.
Yes, ma'am.
Supper in an hour, okay?
Okay.
"Dear Mom and Dad
"and Jessie and Kathleen and Luke,
"I hope all is well at home.
"I never thought I'd miss cotton picking,
"but I sure wish I was home right now.
I miss everything..."
(sighs heavily)
"...the farm, the fried chicken, the Cardinals.
"Anyway, I'm doing fine over here.
"Things are quiet.
"We're not on the front anymore.
"My unit is five miles back,
"and nobody is shooting at us
"and we're not shooting at anybody.
"I really think I'll be home soon.
"I got your last batch of letters,
"and they mean a lot to me.
"So keep writing. Got to run.
Love to all, Ricky."
(screen door closes)
We won't be going to town Saturday.
Why not?
Because I say so.
You ain't afraid of the Siscos, are you?
Be best if the Spruills
stay out of town for a while.
I discussed it with Mr. Spruill,
and we decided it'd be best to stay put on Saturday.
Even the Mexicans.
Hey.
I ain't afraid of nobody, son.
Don't you sass me.
I don't see why I got to do this,
if we're not going to town.
I'll do it.
(clears throat)
I'm going to Pop and Pearl's for a few things.
You want to go, Luke?
No, sir.
Buy you a cola.
No, thanks.
Hey...
no need to be just as stubborn as he is.
(gasps)
(laughs)
(laughing)
(yells): Oh!
After five days of endless labor and heat,
and without the prospect of going to town,
we all got together and played baseball.
Cowboy pitched for the Mexicans,
and was surprisingly good.
He struck me out easily.
I was humiliated, especially in front of Tally.
MAN: Come on now, girl! Get a hit on him.
Give it a whack, Tally. He ain't no pitcher.
Oh! That's all right.
Let's go, Tally, give it a ride.
(cheering)
Good contact. That's the game.
When Tally got a hit,
my humiliation, enormous, grew even greater.
MIGUEL: Foul! Strike two.
TALLY: Come on, Hank!
Hank wasn't having any better luck than me against Cowboy,
and when he struck out, I was glad my father was around.
Don't throw the bat.
If you can't be a sport, then don't play.
It was now Hank's turn to pitch to Cowboy.
He reached back for all the juice he could find,
and hurled a fastball directly at him.
(grunts)
(laughing)
Hey! Hey!
Hey. Hey.
Put it down!
Fight like a man.
Nobody's fighting you.
Miguel, get him back to the barn.
Come on, Hank.
I'm going to kill that boy.
You've killed enough.
All right, come on, Hank. Let's go. Come on.
I'm going to kill him.
(muttering in Spanish)
Stay away from the barn, Hank.
MAN: I gonna to talk to him. Come on home.
(whispers in Spanish)
TALLY: Psst!
Will you do me a favor, Luke?
Your grandma told my mom
there's a creek close by we can bathe in.
Do you know where it is?
Silers' Creek.
About a half-mile that way.
Are there any snakes?
Maybe a little water snake or two-- no cottonmouth.
Well... will you go with me?
Why?
I don't know.
Make sure nobody sees me.
Are you scared?
Maybe, a little.
I'm real sorry about Hank.
He's always causing trouble.
Did you see the fight?
The one in town? No.
Was it awful?
Yeah, pretty bad.
He beat those boys so bad.
He beat them long after the fight was over.
Now, you tell me the truth, Luke.
Did he pick up that stick first?
Happened real fast.
Has he ever killed anyone before?
Not that I know of.
He went up north once...
and he got into some trouble up there...
but we never knew what happened.
That's the best spot.
How deep is it?
About here.
Well, you go on back up by the trail,
and make sure nobody's looking, okay?
Okay.
Go on.
Okay!
And, Luke...
no peeking, okay?
Course not.
Luke!
Yeah?
Is everything clear?
Yep.
Thanks, Luke.
I feel so much better.
You saw me, didn't you, Luke?
Yes.
That's okay. I'm not mad.
You're not?
No.
I guess it's only natural, you know...
for boys to look at girls.
(turns off engine)
Someone's coming!
(honks horn)
Hey, everybody.
Look who's back.
Jimmy Dale?
Why, it's Jimmy Dale!
Dang, Jimmy! We haven't seen you in ages.
How you doing?
Hey, folks, this here's my bride, Stacy.
She's from Michigan.
Now, this here's my Uncle Eli,
and, uh... his son, my cousin Jess,
and that there is Gran,
and Kathleen, Jess's wife,
and Kathleen's boy, Luke.
I brung Stacy down to meet all the relatives.
I'm so pleased to meet you.
Some car, Jimmy.
Yep, it's brand-new.
Got it last week.
Me and Stacy got married a month ago, and, uh,
it's our wedding present.
"Stacy and I got married;" not "me and Stacy."
ELI: What is it?
'52?
No, no, it's '53.
Newest thing on the road.
Built it myself.
You don't say.
Yeah, Buick lets us custom-order our own cars,
and then they, uh, you get to watch them
when they come down the line.
I put the dashboard in this one.
How much did it cost?
KATHLEEN: Luke!
$2,700. It's no secret.
Every dealer in the country knows how much they cost.
Hill people?
Yeah... Eureka Springs.
Why do they live like that?
How else could they live?
Can't you provide housing for them?
Anyway, um... (clears throat)
Buick will let us finance the cars for 24 months.
Here's some sweet tea.
Tea with ice-- whew!
None for me.
Thank you.
Do you have any hot tea?
We don't drink hot tea around here.
Well, up in Michigan, we don't drink it with ice.
This ain't Michigan.
Would you like to see my garden, Stacy?
Yeah, that's a great idea.
Go on, sweetheart. Uh, Kathleen's got
just about the prettiest garden in Arkansas.
GRAN: I'll go with you.
Where in Pete's sake did you find her, Jimmy Dale?
She's a sweet girl, Eli.
Sh-yeah.
She is a Yankee.
Yankees ain't so bad.
Hell, they were smart enough to avoid cotton.
They-They make good money, and they build good schools.
Stacy's family lives in a real nice house with, uh...
indoor plumbing and a telephone and television.
How's Luther?
He's doing real well.
I got him on at the plant.
He's making $3 an hour, 40 hours a week.
Luther ain't never seen so much money.
He was picking cotton for other people around here,
making what, a thousand bucks a year?
Now he makes $6,000 a year, plus a bonus and retirement.
$6,000?
Yes, sir.
Luke, go check on your mama.
Go on.
(sighs)
Where's the clutch?
Ain't got no clutch; it's a automatic.
Yeah.
I think I inherited it.
We seem to have a lot of green thumbs in my family.
We get almost everything we eat out of here.
It's amazing how much
can provide for the wintertime, too.
It's-it's really incredible, actually.
GRAN: Oh, look what you found.
(screams)
Jimmy Dale! Snake! Jimmy Dale!
Oh, my gosh!
It's just a green one.
Don't they have snakes up in Michigan?
Gracias.
De nada.
Oh...
Oh, dear!
I'll make some hot tea.
I'll... help you.
Luke, you watch after Stacy.
I've never ridden in a car.
We have a truck.
How old are you?
Ten years old.
You're ten, and you've never ridden in a car?
You ever seen a television?
In the catalogues.
Ever use a telephone?
No, ma'am.
Unbelievable.
Do you go to school?
Yes, ma'am.
Well, thank heavens.
I just can't believe how backward you people are.
Here we are.
Jimmy Dale!
If we don't get going, we're going to be late.
Oh, that's right.
Um, she has to go to the bathroom.
Oh... come with me.
(gasps)
You don't have indoor plumbing?!
Uh, well, this is it.
(whines and whimpers)
I'll give you some privacy.
(whimpers)
(Stacy gasps)
Miss Stacy, it's me, Luke.
I'm occupied!
Well, um, don't come out right now.
There's a big black snake out here.
Oh, my! Oh, my! Oh!
Shh! Be quiet!
Otherwise he'll know that you're in there.
Do something!
I can't. He's big and he bites.
Get Jimmy Dale.
Okay, but-but don't come out.
He's right by the door.
(wailing)
(honks horn)
Getting in some practice, Luke?
Yes, sir.
You be careful you don't bother the Mexicans.
And keep an eye out for them big, biting black snakes.
That was a good one, Luke.
Served her right.
(laughing)
You little dickens.
Come with me to the Latchers.
The Latchers were a family of sharecroppers
who lived no more than a mile from our house.
Their rundown shack contained a horde of little Latchers.
They had no electricity.
Mom's delivery was one part kindness and one part gossip.
Hello, Mrs. Chandler.
Oh, I'm glad you're here.
It's... it's Libby.
She's about to have the baby.
A baby?
Yes. She's in labor.
Well, we better get the doctor.
Oh, no, we can't do that.
No one can know about this; no one.
We've got to keep it quiet.
We're so ashamed.
She won't tell us who the father is
and right now, I don't care.
If the doctor comes, the whole county will know.
We got to keep this quiet, Mrs. Chandler, please.
Can you promise me?
I'll get Gran. She's done this many times.
Please do.
And hurry.
I'll back in half an hour.
(starts engine)
(mooing)
GRAN: We have to get these in the truck, Miguel.
KATHLEEN: Miguel, please tell Jesse to watch Luke.
Si, senora.
Mom and Gran were up to something,
but I didn't know what.
I saw Tally over at the water pump
and decided we could figure it out together.
Luke... what are you doing?
Promise you won't tell?
Promise.
RADIO ANNOUNCER: And storm clouds gathering in the northern part of the state
moving at a south-southeasterly direction, so we can see...
(girl crying and groaning)
Mama!
(girl panting)
(girl crying and groaning)
(grunting, screaming)
KATHLEEN: Mr. Latcher, you got those towels?
Here you go, ma'am.
Thank you.
GRAN: Breathe. Breathe.
Okay, we're ready?
Water!
Push now, push. Push. Push.
GRAN: There it is!
Good, good.
Good girl.
You're doing fine, honey.
Only a couple more now.
Good girl. Rest now, rest.
(girl panting)
Wait, wait, wait... wait till I tell you.
Okay now, push. Push!
GRAN: Push, push.
(girl screaming)
GRAN: It's coming.
It's coming. It's doing great.
Good. Good girl.
It's a boy!
(baby crying)
Here's your baby.
Congratulations.
LUKE: Ma, better come and see this.
Mmm, still fresh.
Someone's paintin' our house.
You know, I bet it's Trot.
He's the only one who has the time
and he's here by the house all day
with nothing to do.
Wonder why he'd do such a thing?
Where'd he get the paint?
It's a mystery.
(wind whistling)
(roaring)
Everybody in the house!
Kath! Kath! Get him!
Luke, come on.
Let's go!
(all shouting)
Hurry, Luke!
Hurry!
Tornados were common in our part of Arkansas
and I'd heard many stories about them.
We watched the funnel in muted fascination,
and as suddenly as it appeared,
it was gone.
(distant thump)
After three days of peace and hard work,
I was awakened in the middle of the night.
I crept toward my window
and peered through the darkness.
(thump)
And there was Hank, still angry and determined
to torment Cowboy and the other Mexicans.
(thunder rumbles)
COWBOY (half-whispers): Me gustas mucho.
I like you very much.
TALLY: Me gustas mucho.
(giggles)
COWBOY: Tu tambien.
What does that mean?
You, too.
(both giggling)
Eres muy bonita.
What does that mean?
You are very beautiful.
(giggling)
You think I'm beautiful?
Quieres ser mi novia?
(Tally giggles)
COWBOY: Sweetheart?
Mom?
Mm-hmm?
There's something I need to tell you.
What is it?
I think Tally and Cowboy like each other.
Oh, really?
Now, how do you know this?
I caught them in the cotton patch.
What were they doing?
I don't know.
But they were together.
Do you think they were kissing?
Probably.
Oh, well.
I'll talk to your father about it.
Hi, girls.
Hi, Mrs. Chandler.
MRS. LATCHER: Hi, Mrs. Chandler. Hi, Luke.
Hey!
Howdy.
Thank you very much.
Oh, you're welcome.
Mrs. Chandler.
How's the baby?
Oh, he's fine.
Good.
I-I guess you want to see him.
Yes, I would.
Luke?
Howdy, Percy.
We're going to whoop your behind, Luke.
Why?
'Cause you're a Chandler,
and your Ricky did that to Libby.
It wasn'tmyfault.
(grunts)
Stop!
What in the world?!
Elijah!
Luke, are you all right, honey?
Cut me a switch!
What do you mean, beating up on a little boy like that?
He ain't done nothing!
I want you to watch this.
No, Darla, we're leaving.
What was that all about?
For what Ricky did to Libby.
We don't know that for sure.
(switch whipping, boys yelling)
♪Ay ay ay-ay♪
♪Canta y no llores♪
♪Porque cantando se alegran...♪
Si, Senor...
You're not going to believe what happened.
Three of them jumped Luke, the little criminals.
We're taking food over, and they pull a stunt like this.
Three. You didn't run away, did you?
No, he did not.
He was kicking and clawing just as much as they were.
Hey, you land a good punch?
They were all crying when I left.
HANK: You say there were three of them, huh?
Well, good for you, boy. It'll make you tough.
GRAN: Well, I think it's broken.
You okay, Luke?
Yep.
Come on.
Let's get you out of those muddy clothes.
Aw, no. Come on, champ.
Come on over there.
Yeah!
All right.
Yeah!
(cheering)
(chanting): iViva Luke! iViva Luke!
iViva Luke! iViva Luke!
(sheep bleating)
Where you going?
I don't know.
Just walking.
Going to the creek?
You'd like that, wouldn't you?
(giggles)
Not this time.
I'm-I'm not bathing.
It's just to sit on.
(cow mooing)
(hammering)
Jesse, how much did Hank pick today?
Under 200.
I'd say 190.
He was picking 400 a week ago.
I've got a good mind to drive into town tomorrow.
Find Stick Powers, tell him I'm done with the boy.
Mexicans are saying
somebody's still throwing rocks
at the barn at night.
Well, it seems to me, the thing to do
is tell Mr. Spruill that Stick is coming after Hank.
Let the boy sneak away at night.
He'll be gone. That's all that matters.
Mr. Spruill will be thankful
you kept him from gettin' arrested.
Pappy, we done passed the Co-op.
Mr. Watson wants to see you.
(cheering)
Hey, Luke, come here.
I want to show you something, boy.
(indistinct voices)
Come on!
It's the World Series.
ANNOUNCER: I don't have to tell you...
Game Three, Dodgers at Yankee Stadium.
...what a big game this is for these crosstown rivals.
Who you pullin' for?
I don't know.
Dodgers, I guess.
You always got to pull for the National League.
Here's the windup... and the pitch.
Wow, he got under all of that one...
Hey!
Farther...
Yeah! Yeah!
It's drifting back, back...
Yes, home run.
That's right.
(cheering)
I'll be danged.
Had some heavy rains up in North County last night.
Six inches or more.
Ain't no tellin' when they're gonna be able
to get a wagon in them fields.
My cousin in Oklahoma got flooded out.
We ain't had a flood in October in 20 years.
Hey, Luke.
Hey, Tally.
I just saw the World Series... on a television.
I'm going to have a television of my own someday.
What's the paint for?
Oh, nothing.
(snickering)
Let's go, Luke.
JESSE: Stick tells me he's coming out here to take Hank.
Well, I'll talk to him.
All right.
Probably be better if he heads out.
All right.
Well, like I say, I'll talk to him.
How'd he take it?
Well, they need the money.
They say that old Sheriff Stick's coming to get you.
I ain't afraid of that dumb sheriff.
But you don't want to get arrested.
I didn't do nothing.
The Chandlers want you to leave.
Aw, I got more money in my pocket
than them sodbusters will ever have.
Just go on back home now, son.
Let things cool down.
Go on. I'll deal with this.
All right, I'll leave.
(giggling)
What's going on here?
None of your business, Hank.
Go home.
You heard him.
Get on out of here,
or I'll tell Ma and Pa what you're doing.
Go home.
Come on up here, brown skin.
I'm fixin' to teach you something.
Now I'm going to settle your hash once and for all.
You like my sister,Mexicano?
Huh?
(grunts)
You're a slippery little wetback, ain't ya?
(yells)
(switchblade clicking)
(groans)
(yells)
Come here.
Shh.
Silence.
You been to the river?
Then where have you been?
You speak one word of this to anyone,
and I will kill your mother.
Understand?!
No matter-- you tell them next year,
you tell them when I'm gone,
I will come back, and I will kill your mother.
JESSE: You okay, Luke?
Didn't eat enough to feed a bird.
Just tired.
Tonight you go to bed early, okay?
(sighs)
Any reason the truck would be gone?
Say what?
The truck's gone.
I left it right here.
MR. SPRUILL: Tally!
Where was the key?
On the radio,
same as always.
We lost Tally.
I can't find her no place.
Could she drive a truck?
No, she can't. What?
Don't suppose Hank took it.
Hank would not steal your truck.
Hank's halfway home by now.
We better go check the barn for Cowboy.
Morning, Miguel.
Senor.
Is there a problem?
Si, senor,a little problem.
What is it?
Cowboy is gone.
Must be contagious.
You think he took her?
I don't know what to think.
He took my baby?
We need to get the law into this.
I'm going to go unhook the truck
from the tent.
Jesse will go with you.
Go on, son.
No, Luke, honey.
It's not your place.
When the weather didn't let up, Pappy got concerned
that the rain would swell the river.
We'd be flooded out.
But there was a secret part of me
that prayed the riverwouldrise
and wash everything away.
We'll check it later.
Found it in the bus station
over in Jonesboro.
Where's the key?
Under the seat.
And it had a full tank of gas.
I don't know if it had a full one when it left here,
but it's full now.
It was half empty.
They must have just borrowed it.
That's the way I see it.
You still want to press charges?
I guess not.
Did anybody see 'em?
They bought two tickets to Chicago.
When the bus got loaded,
they both got on and sat together.
MR. SPRUILL: What time the bus leave?
6:00 this morning.
Found this on the front seat.
It's a note from Tally to y'all.
I ain't read it.
Ain't none of my business, ma'am,
but if there's any useful information, I need to know.
She says she ain't comin' home.
She says she and Cowboy are gettin' married.
Gonna live up north
where they can find good jobs and such.
They going to stay in Chicago?
Don't say.
Just says up north.
Well, thanks, Stick, for bringing the truck back.
Much obliged.
Oh, ain't nothing.
Say, Eli.
Where's that big one-- Hank?
He took off for home.
Well, I'm going to call the sheriff
up in Eureka Springs.
I ain't through with him, you know.
When I find him,
I'm going to put him in the jail in Jonesboro,
and we're going to have us that trial.
Yeah, you do that, Stick.
Although there were occasional clear days,
the news was somber and threatening.
Heavy rains had hit Clay County north of us.
The creeks and streams were flooded up there
and poured into the river.
The water was rising.
JESSE: Well, the ground's too soft.
Cotton's too wet.
Guess they've had enough.
Over here.
It's for you.
Tally bought it.
Thanks.
How am I doing?
Ah, it's beautiful, Luke.
Just go slow and take your time.
And don't fall.
I'm not gonna fall.
We picked near 1,100 pounds between us.
The rains start to drive the prices up.
Yeah, a few more dry days, we're clear.
(thunder rumbling)
(speaking Spanish)
JESSE: Luke, Luke, Luke, Luke, come on.
The rains had forced us all
to kill long hours in and around the house.
Even on days when the sun tried to break through the clouds,
the cotton was too wet and the ground was too soft.
The Mexicans were delighted to have something to do,
and we all attacked the unpainted house
with a vengeance.
Pappy, if I told you a secret,
would you promise not to tell anybody else?
Let's try it out.
Hank is dead.
Cowboy killed him.
With that knife of his.
I saw it all.
Hank saw Cowboy and Tally together.
(sighs)
Tally see this, too?
No, sir.
Cowboy sent her away.
They fought at the bridge.
Hank landed in the middle of the river,
and he never came back up.
You should have told me then.
I just couldn't.
Cowboy see you?
What are we gonna do, Pappy?
(sighs)
Killed their son and stole their daughter. My, oh, my.
Are we gonna tell anybody?
Nope, I don't think so.
Nothing we can say is gonna bring that boy back,
and tellin' folks will just...
make a fuss none of us need.
Well, what about Mr. and Mrs. Spruill?
It'll only hurt them if they knew.
We ain't tellin' nobody.
Just be our secret--
one we'll take to our graves, just you and me.
But you done right telling me.
Don't you worry none. I'll handle this.
Hey, don't worry.
I'll handle it.
It's over the banks.
(sighs)
It's floodin'.
Four cans of paint coming right up.
That's not enough.
That'll do for now.
That'll be, uh, ten dollars plus tax of 36 cents.
Well, looks like I just brought ten with me.
I'll bring in the tax next time.
Well, sure, Jesse.
Let me go talk to Riggs.
You help Mr. Watson put this paint in the truck.
I'll be back in a few minutes.
How much is two gallons?
$2.50 a gallon.
Total of five dollars.
Here's five.
You pick cotton for that money?
Yes, sir.
Does your daddy know you're buying paint?
Not yet.
What are y'all painting out there?
Our house.
But why're you doing that?
'Cause it ain't never been painted before.
Plus 18 cents for tax, you got that?
How much does my daddy owe you for tax?
36 cents.
Take it from this.
All right.
(cash register rings)
It's a very good job, Luke.
How much paint is left?
None. It's all gone.
How much do you need to paint the front?
Reckon four or five gallons.
I don't want you to spend your own money on paint.
It'smymoney.
Y'all said I could spend it on whatever I wanted.
What about your jacket?
Maybe Santa Claus will bring me one.
(laughing): Oh, maybe so.
You ready for some lunch?
Yep.
All right.
Backwaters trickling across the main road into the back forty.
(sighs)
Miguel...
tragueme todos muchachos.
Muchachos.
PAPPY: Todos hombres, aqui.
PAPPY: Marque lina para agua, por favor.
MIGUEL: Una fila marquando donde termina la agua.
It's here.
Two inches of it.
Cotton's wet.
The sun breaks, we maybe can get a hundred pounds each.
Jesse, go on into town, check on the Co-op,
see if there's another farm
where the Mexicans might get work.
GRAN: This cotton's soaking wet.
They're not gonna get 50 pounds.
It's a waste of time.
LUKE: Can I go to town?
KATHLEEN: Well, yeah.
We need more paint.
GRAN: What foolishness, spending good money on house paint
when we're losing another crop!
Can't leave the house half-and-half.
We've got to finish the job.
No mas trabajo aqui.
Lo siento.
Si, senor.
(thunder rolling)
I have a secret for you.
Can you keep a secret?
Sure.
Your daddy and I are thinking about going up north.
What about me?
Why, you're going, too.
What about Pappy and Gran?
They're gonna be okay.
It's gonna be exciting, Luke. Trust me.
It'll be an adventure.
Okay?
Get in that bed.
Night.
Reckon it's safe?
(sighs)
I sure hope so.
♪ How they run ♪
♪ When they hear the fella's gun ♪
♪ Because the Western folks all know ♪
♪ He's a highfalutin', scootin', shootin' ♪
♪ Son of a gun from Arizona ♪
♪ Ragtime Cowboy... ♪
JACKIE: Hey, Jesse.
Jackie.
How you doing?
♪ Ragtime, talk about your Ragtime... ♪
Now, Little Chandler, what could possibly bring you here?
Ice cream.
A sundae for the boy, Cindy.
Y'all pickin' out there?
Well, creek came over last night.
Moved more than half a mile before sunrise.
Lower forty's gone.
Yeah, all the creeks are backing up.
Just... putting a lot of pressure on the St. Francis.
You know someone who needs any Mexicans?
I got six of them now with nothing to do.
Ready to go home.
Yeah, I think Riggs might know some farmers
up north of Blytheville.
They might take 'em.
Thanks, Jackie.
Mm-hmm.
I had another dream last night that Ricky came home.
It was windy,
and he was standing out in the road in the wind,
and he made it just in time for Christmas.
(knocking on door)
Mr. Latcher.
LATCHER: Excuse me, ma'am, I need to speak to Mr. Chandler.
Oh, he's in the barn. What is it?
We've been flooded out.
Water's up past the porch and in the house.
Can you help us?
We ain't got no place to go.
Of course we can help.
You folks can stay here.
The loft is clean. The Mexicans just left.
You'll have a warm bed and plenty of food.
Let's get a move on.
We'll get the loft ready.
Come on. Let's go get dry.
Come on, honey.
Now, after you get dressed, you run down to the kitchen
and get something to eat.
They ain't much, but they're dry.
Some of them have been in the family for generations.
(baby crying)
What's his name?
Don't have one yet.
When's Ricky coming home?
I don't know.
(crying continues)
Shh...
(crying)
Did you say good-bye to the Mexicans?
Yes, ma'am.
Does that mean we're done pickin' cotton?
Sure looks like it.
Why does our land flood so quick?
Because... it's low and...
close to the river.
It's just not very good land, Luke.
That's one reason why we're leaving here.
How long we gonna be up north?
Not long.
We'll stay until we save some money.
When we come back, what are we going to do?
Well...
we're not gonna farm.
We'll get a job in Memphis or Little Rock,
and we'll buy us a house
with a television
and a telephone.
And we'll have a nice car in the driveway,
and you can play baseball
on a team that has real uniforms.
How does that sound to you?
Sounds pretty good.
(cow moos in distance)
We'll always come back and visit Pappy and Gran and Ricky, but...
it'll be a new life, Luke.
PAPPY: The crop loans can be rolled over
till next spring.
The other bills can be put off, too.
I hate the thought of riding those I owe, but...
How do we get through the winter?
We got plenty of food, but...
what about gasoline and...
electricity and oil for the truck?
Well...
about a third of the crop is still out there
standing in water.
Weather breaks, we might be able to salvage a bit of it.
That'll get us some money.
The gin'll take most of that.
Jimmy Dale...
is holding a job for me at the Buick plant.
But he can't wait long.
Jobs are tight right now, so...
we need to get on up there.
He says I can make as much as $200 a week.
We'll send home as much as we can.
But we got to leave... day after tomorrow.
Eat your food, son.
You'll be leaving tomorrow.
Yes, sir.
Should be coming back soon.
Yes, sir.
Been thinking more about Hank and Cowboy.
Let's leave it be like we agreed.
Can't nothing good come from telling nobody.
It's our secret.
Deal?
Deal.
Don't forget about your pappy up there, you hear?
I won't.
MAN (over radio): Bugle-blowing, Chinese Communist troops
hurled 14 separate attacks at United Nations forces...
(baby crying) Oh, come here.
Shh, shh, shh.
Meanwhile, Allied fliers swarmed low
along western and central sectors on the front,
in close-support forays.
They reported knocking out close to 50 Communist bunkers
and killing 58 of the enemy.
Elsewhere, surface...
Luke, I've written Ricky a letter
telling him all about the baby.
Do you have his address?
Yeah, I got it.
Do you have an envelope?
Sure.
Could you mail my letter for me?
Please, Luke. I don't think Ricky knows about the baby.
I guess I can mail it.
Thank you, Luke.
(baby continues crying)
(sniffles)
Don't come back here talkin' like a Yankee.
We're gonna be fine.
I know.
(crying): I'm just going to miss you so much.
Good job, Luke.
You done a good job.
Just wish we'd finished.
Yeah.
I figure... another gallon?
Yes, sir.
That's about right.
I'll get it done this winter.
Thanks, Pappy.
When y'all come home, it'll be finished.
I'd like that.
Let's shake on it.
When we pulled away, Gran was standing
by the front porch, wiping her face.
My father told me not to cry,
but I couldn't help it.
My heart ached.
But at the same time,
I knew our adventure was just beginning.
And I hoped when I returned one day,
my Uncle Ricky would be coming home, too,
just like in Gran's dreams.
We would be a complete family again.