(whimsical instrumental music)
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(gentle instrumental music)
♪ You were on your own ♪
♪ Trying to survive ♪
♪ Living in danger ♪ (pages rustling)
♪ Looking for an answer up above ♪
♪ We were strangers ♪
♪ Now we gotta take a chance on love ♪
♪ Gotta take a chance on love ♪ - Did you see her outfit?
- (laughs) Yes.
- Total trailer trash.
- They live down by the highway in, like, the worst area.
- You know, I don't even know why
people like that go to school?
You know they're just gonna end up in jail,
or working at some donut shop, or somethin'.
(Lydia laughs)
- I hear her mother is a cleaning woman.
- [Lydia's Friend] Hey, does she do windows?
(both girls laughing)
(dials on phone beeping)
(phone trilling)
- Yes, 1103, please.
Hello? - Jo Ann?
- Hi, sweetheart.
- [Paul] So did you get it?
- Yeah.
Closed the book deal last night.
- I'm so proud of you. (laughing in the distance)
Hello? (laughing continues)
Hello? - What?
I'm sorry.
I was just thinkin'.
- What's the matter, Jo Ann? (Jo Ann sighs)
- I think I'm gonna go back after all.
- [Paul] Yeah, okay.
- Yeah, I think it's important
for all of us.
Lydia, your dad wants to talk to you.
♪ For an answer from above ♪ (footsteps softly pattering)
(pages rustling lightly)
- [Lydia] Dad says I have to go with you on this trip?
- That's right.
- Why can't I just stay here?
- No, there's something I need to show you,
something you need to see.
- It's my summer vacation!
- Go pack. - But mom?
- Do it.
(Lydia scoffs)
(gentle instrumental music)
(car engine rumbles)
(gentle instrumental music continues)
(car engine softly roars)
(gentle instrumental music continues)
(rain pattering) (birds chirping)
(gentle instrumental music continues)
- [Lydia] Where are we?
(rain continues pattering)
- This is where I grew up.
- (scoffs) You're kidding, right?
- No.
(rain continues pattering)
(door clatters open)
(rain continues pattering)
- Why don't you ever talk about this place?
I mean, I've never even seen a picture before.
- Look like a kinda place you'd wanna remember?
- Yeah, but it wasn't as bad this, was it?
(rain pattering) (crow cawing)
Was it?
- I was born in this room.
(Marie yells painfully) - Push!
(thunder crashing) (Marie sobbing)
- Mommy, get it out! - No.
Push, Marie, come on now.
(Marie groans) Come on!
Push, baby!
(Marie yells indistinctly)
- Mom, help! - More!
You're doin' fine.
Come on!
(Marie wincing painfully) Just listen to me, push.
Keep pushing! (Marie yells out painfully)
- I can't do it no more. - You can do it, come on!
- I don't want to. (both females sobbing)
(Grandma speaks indistinctly) - Please, mama!
Help!
(baby softly fussing)
- [Hank] Now I got two babies to feed.
- [Grandma] It's a girl.
- Don't matter to me.
Gonna tell us who the father is?
- I told you, Daddy, I don't know.
- The Foley's never had no bastard children,
and ain't about to start.
(Marie screams) (baby crying)
- Hank, what are you planning to do?
- Gotta find a buyer for anything.
- You can't sell a baby, Hank!
- Just watch me. (baby wailing)
You just take care of our Bobby.
It's the only baby that's gonna be in this house.
(baby wailing)
(door creaks closed)
(footsteps unevenly clomping)
(baby crying)
(melancholic instrumental music)
(baby continues crying) (truck door clatters open)
(baby continues crying)
(jar lid clatters)
(truck door slams shut)
(baby continues crying) (thunder rumbling)
(truck engine rumbling)
(baby wailing)
(Marie softly sobbing)
(baby gently fussing)
(truck engine rumbling)
(melancholic instrumental music continues)
Damn!
(truck engine rumbling) (tires skidding)
- What's he doin'?
(gearshift grinds)
(truck engine rumbling)
Well, (sighs) here we go.
(truck engine rumbling)
(car engine rumbling)
(baby gently fussing)
(truck engine rumbling)
(car engine roaring)
(truck door clatters open)
(baby crying) (thunder rumbling)
(Hank groans)
(melancholic instrumental music)
(truck door slams shut)
(baby crying loudly) (thunder crashing)
(truck engine rumbling) (gravel crunching)
(thunder crashing)
(truck engine continues rumbling)
(baby softly fussing)
- Whole load, had to dump the entire batch.
- I don't care about the liquor,
but you can't just leave a baby by the side of the road!
- What was I supposed to do?
(baby gently fussing)
Hell's that? (door clatters open)
(footsteps clomping) (baby gently fussing)
(door slams shut)
- [Grandma] There's a note.
- What's it say?
- "God is watchin' and so am I."
What did I tell you?
- [Hank] That can't be.
- Hank, if you go to jail-
- I'm not going to jail, woman!
The cops would've been here already.
(baby gently fussing) Better give it back
to Marie for now.
- Come on, baby.
(baby gently fussing) Come on.
It's okay.
Come on into this room.
(footsteps departing)
(melancholic instrumental music)
- [Marie] What do you has on your neck?
(melancholic instrumental music continues)
- [Young Bobby] That's all I get?
I need more food than this.
- [Young Jo Ann] Sorry, but you didn't make enough money.
- [Young Bobby] I still gotta eat.
A grown man's gotta eat, woman!
- [Young Jo Ann] Bobby, I don't like being your wife.
Let's play a different game.
- No woman's gonna tell me what game I'm gonna play,
you understand?
- Don't sound the same comin' outta you
as it does comin' outta grandpa.
- It will.
(footsteps shuffling)
(crow cawing in the distance)
(footsteps clomping)
- They got to be in school, Hank.
It's the law.
- You know us Foley's, simple folk.
What they gonna learn there,
they ain't gonna learn here?
- How to read?
School starts at eight,
and make sure they're on time.
- Yes, sir, we'll surely do it.
- It might be all right.
(footsteps softly pattering) (crow cawing)
- Just put a lot of uppity ideas in their heads.
- Don't you want him to be something more
than a bootlegger for the rest of his life?
- What, you think I chose this?
I like to live like this?
- No, Hank, but Bobby needs his chance.
(car engine roars) - All right.
They start tomorrow.
Don't need the sheriff snoopin' around here.
♪ Here we go to Kokomo ♪
♪ It's the place that you should know ♪
♪ All the streets are paved in gold ♪
♪ Way down here in Kokomo ♪
♪ Well, you've got to get there soon ♪
♪ It's fun to live amongst... ♪ - Jo Ann!
What are you doin' here?
- I wanna see what you're doin', Mama.
- What is it look like I'm doin'?
- You're sittin' close to Karl.
- We're about to be dancin'.
(Karl speaks indistinctly)
♪ Kokomo ♪ Okay, then.
Jo Ann, come on, we'll dance!
Step on it. (feet clomp)
- [Marie] Well, don't get his shoes dirty.
♪ Here we go to Kokomo ♪ Soldiers are supposed
to have clean shoes.
- It's all right.
- Are we going to Kokomo?
- We sure are.
- [Young Jo Ann] Good, I hope it's far away.
- Oh, it is, and it's beautiful there.
- Don't be puttin' ideas into her head!
Jo Ann, there ain't no such place as Kokomo.
- Yes, there is,
and the three of us are gonna go there.
- Karl, now she's gonna be talkin' about Kokomo
every second of every minute.
- [Young Jo Ann] No, I won't!
- Don't lie to a soldier.
He'll arrest you.
- Will you?
- [Karl] Well, not while I'm dancin' with you.
Come on! ♪ Kokomo ♪
(Young Jo Ann giggles) ♪ Here we go ♪
(Young Jo Ann continues giggling)
♪ Kokomo ♪ (Karl hums)
♪ Here we go ♪ (Young Jo Ann giggles)
(Karl laughs)
(egg sizzling)
(cup clanks)
(footsteps clomping)
- Please, Mama, don't make me go.
- We'll get in trouble if you don't.
(egg continues sizzling)
- [Young Jo Ann] What's the matter?
- [Grandma] He's going to school,
and you're goin' with him.
- School?
- You know what school is, don't ya?
- Yes, Grandpa.
- And make sure nothin' happens to Bobby.
- Here, take my lucky rabbit's foot.
If you get scared,
take the foot, spin three times, and make a wish.
- Lord have mercy, woman!
They'll think he's an idiot.
- Well, it don't matter if it makes him feel better.
(Grandma groans) (smooching)
- All right, all right, let the boy go.
It ain't like he's goin' off to war.
- [Grandma] You won't let nothin' happen to him,
will you, darlin'?
- No, ma'am.
- [Grandma] Go on, go on!
(footsteps clomping)
(bell tolling)
(children chattering indistinctly)
- Foleys.
Well, my name is Mrs. Kenny.
What is your first name?
- Jo Ann. - She stays with me.
- Girls in one door, boys in the other,
that's the rules.
- She can get in trouble if she don't.
- Wait! - Big trouble.
- I gotta make sure nothin' happens to him.
- Nothin' is gonna happen to him.
- But...
(children chattering indistinctly)
I can't let him outta my sight.
Jo Ann and Bobby, please stand.
And Class, I wanna introduce you to two new students,
Joanne and Bobby Foley.
- I can't go to this school.
- And why is that?
- Because me, and my mom, and Karl are going to Kokomo.
- Oh, you are?
- That's right, so I have to go to the school there.
- Well, where is Kokomo?
- Far away.
- Do you wanna show us where it is on the map of the world?
- No.
- If you show me where Kokomo is,
I'll know that you don't need to learn,
and I'll let you go home.
Hmm? (footsteps clomping)
Now, you show us where Kokomo is.
(faint indistinct whispering)
(pointer taps)
Are you sure that's Kokomo?
Well, Ms. Foley,
you seem to have a few things left to learn,
because you have not pointed to Kokomo.
You've pointed to China.
(children all laughing)
Now, Jo Ann.
(children continue laughing)
Now, Class, be quiet.
Shh.
Class!
(footsteps pattering)
(gentle instrumental music)
(footsteps softly pattering)
(footsteps clomping)
- Well, why'd you let them take me away?
- I couldn't help it, Bobby.
They was all bigger than me.
- I hate it there.
- So do I.
Please don't tell Grandma and Grandpa that I let them
take you away from me.
- I'll think about it.
(birds chirping)
(bushes rustling) - Don't, Bobby!
The birds are pretty!
- Shut up, Jo Ann.
I can do what I want.
Jo Ann, wait for me!
You want me to tell?
(horse whinnies in the distance)
(hooves clomping) (Too Tall speaks faintly)
(cart clattering) - Whoa now.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
(horse hooves clomping)
Well, now, children.
Y'all waitin' on us?
What do you think, old horsey?
Can we give 'em a ride?
Y'all want a ride?
- Up there?
- Right up here.
Right here.
- Well, okay.
- (groans) That's right, big step.
There you come (groans).
All right.
What's your name?
- I'm Jo Ann.
This is Bobby.
- I'm her uncle.
- Hmm, uncle, huh?
Okay, old horsey, let's go home.
(hose snorts) Easy now, come on.
Go along.
Yeah. - Come on, horse.
You're too slow.
- Hey, hey, hey.
Don't shout at old horsey.
He's doin' us a favor.
- Hey was mean to the birds too.
Throwin' rocks at 'em.
- My pa says, "Horses ain't doin' us no favors".
"They're supposed to do their work,
or they don't eat."
(rock thuds) - Hey, hey, hey!
Whoa, whoa, whoa! (horse neighing)
Now, I'm gonna draw the line with you right now, boy.
I ain't gonna let you ride nowhere with me anymore
until you learn how.
Now, get down.
- Who the hell do you think you are telling me what to do?
- Well, I don't like having to tell anybody what to do,
but I think the best thing for you is to get on home.
So get down!
(feet clomping)
- You ain't nothing but a crab in the pitch nigga.
- Well, how'd you get so mean in so short a time?
- Jo Ann, get off that wagon,
and come home with me.
Jo Ann!
You be that way now, Jo Ann, but you've gotta come home.
- Come on horsey.
Get up!
(wagon clattering)
(gentle instrumental music)
Honey?
Look what I got with me (chuckles).
- Howdy.
(Too Tall groans in satisfaction)
(Too Tall slurping)
Good and cold, huh?
(Honey laughing) (Too Tall grunts)
Here you go, child.
Here, take it.
(Jo Ann softly slurping)
I ain't heard no thank you.
- Maybe you'd best be gettin' on home?
Your people probably waitin' supper for you.
(footsteps softly pattering)
- What is she doing?
Too Tall, look like you done found yourself
a good, little helper along the roadside.
- Well, maybe that's her way of saying thank you?
- Maybe.
- You gonna be in a lot of trouble
if you don't get on home.
- No more trouble for me.
Me and my momma are going to Kokomo.
- Kokomo?
- Kokomo.
- [Too Tall] All right (chuckles).
(chickens clucking) (footsteps clomping)
- Where's Jo Ann?
- She didn't stay with you?
- No, sir, she didn't.
She let them take me away at school,
and she didn't even care.
- Where is she now?
- With the old, broken down junk man.
- She's what?
What is the matter with you?
You let her stay there?
- He chase me away.
She stuck with him, not me.
It's not my fault, Pa!
- Get inside!
(footsteps clomping)
(door creaking gently)
- You do good work,
and I want you to have these two pennies, hmm?
So there!
And I appreciate the help that you gave me.
- [Young Jo Ann] Maybe you should keep them?
- Oh, no, baby.
They's yours.
Now, we's going in and eat supper now,
and you'd best do the same.
All right?
Go on home now.
Go on.
Go on!
(footsteps clomping) (door softly creaking)
(train horn blaring in the distance)
Too Tall? - Hmm?
- I'm worried about that child.
She just about the strangest tyke I ever done come across.
- Yeah, I don't know if she's all that strange.
A little scared, maybe.
She is quiet, though.
- She too quiet for me.
I know somethin' wrong with that child.
It's hangin' over her like a cloud.
- [Too Tall] Now, you're just fussin'
'cause she didn't take you right off.
- Nah, that ain't it.
There's somethin' wrong when a child is too quiet.
And I tell you somethin' else,
I ain't never seen that child smile,
and I know somethin' wrong
when a child don't smile back at me.
- [Too Tall] Lord, Honey.
Well, all I know, is she's as nice as she can be,
- Yeah. - And one of the best,
little workers I've ever seen.
(door clicks open)
(gentle instrumental music) (door creaking)
(door thuds shut) (lock clanking)
(gentle instrumental music continues)
(Jo Ann blows loudly)
(gentle instrumental music continues)
(dish clanks) (food slopping)
(dish continues clanking)
- Momma, make sure Jo Ann gets somethin' to eat.
- Where are you goin'?
- [Marie] I'm goin' where I'm goin'.
- [Grandma] Jo Ann, come on over to the table.
Your momma wants you to eat.
- She don't wanna eat with us.
She wants to eat with them niggers,
don't you, Jo Ann?
- What?
- Yeah, that's right.
Bobby told me the whole thing.
Now, you didn't look out for him, did you?
- I tried.
- Uh-huh.
Well, let me show you what happens
when people don't do what I tell 'em.
(suspenseful dramatic music)
(Young Jo Ann gasping) (feet shuffling)
(door clatters open)
(Young Jo Ann groans) (grass rustling)
(food plops)
Now, you eat with the dogs tonight,
and maybe next time, you try a little harder.
- But Grandpa, I'm starvin'.
- Well, you best not let the dogs run off with your dinner.
(dogs panting) (suspenseful dramatic music)
(dog growling)
(insects chittering) (footsteps softly pattering)
(gentle instrumental music)
(footsteps continue softly pattering)
(Too Tall grunts)
(gentle instrumental music continues)
(tomato crunching) (Young Jo Ann slurping)
(Too Tall grunts) (Young Jo Ann coughing)
- [Too Tall] What is it?
- There's somebody in the garden.
- Shall I get my rifle?
- No, no.
Come here, look at this.
- [Too Tall] She must be starvin'.
- Let me go out here and see what I can do.
(door creaks open)
- Wait, child!
Don't run off!
Ain't nobody here gonna hurt ya!
Come on back!
Come inside!
(footsteps softly departing)
(somber instrumental music)
(birds chirping)
(rooster crowing in the distance)
(door creaks open)
(Young Jo Ann moans)
(door creaks shut)
- You all right?
- I guess.
- Were you out here all night?
(utensil clanks)
- Yessum.
- You listen to your grandma now.
You gotta stay clear of your grandpa for awhile.
You do that, and things will get better, I promise.
- Am I gonna have to sleep
out here all night? - No, hun.
I'll get that worked out,
but you gotta help me.
You gotta be on your best behavior, all right?
- All right.
Grandma, how come Grandpa hates me so much?
- Oh, he don't hate ya, little bug.
He's just got a bad tamper.
It won't last.
You do as I say, and we'll all be fine.
- Thanks for breakfast.
- Our secret.
Now, on the way home from school,
I want you to stop by the preacher's house,
and get a dozen eggs from his wife.
- [Young Jo Ann] Okay.
(birds chirping) (door creaks open)
(truck engine rumbling)
(Young Jo Ann hums) ♪ Kokomo ♪
(Ms. Evelyn groans)
- Hello, little Foley.
- Grandma sent me for a dozen eggs.
- That right?
Does she know she hadn't paid me
for the last three dozen she got?
- If I go back with no eggs-
- You'll get a whoopin'.
- Yes, ma'am.
- You like flowers?
- I do.
- Flowers is how God laughs.
- Really?
- It's true.
I'll get the eggs for ya,
and you pick a flower, take it with ya.
- Thank you, ma'am.
(Ms. Evelyn chuckles)
(gentle instrumental music)
(eggs softly clattering)
(bag rustling)
(egg softly thuds)
(Young Jo Ann sighs)
(bag rustling)
(door creaks open)
- Oh, those are real nice eggs,
and a flower too.
Is they for me?
- Well, I took some tomatoes from your garden last night,
and I'm sorry.
I wanted to pay you back.
- Oh, ain't no need for that.
Come on inside,
and we'll make somethin' real nice for us to eat.
It's all right, sit down.
Sit on down.
We gonna make us somethin' good out these eggs.
(cup clangs) - I'm not hungry.
- Well, you look hungry.
- If I tell people I'm hungry,
I'll get in trouble.
- Well, you don't have to tell me you're hungry,
just tell me how much you like the biscuits.
Now...
Now, tale this right here, (egg clanging)
(egg shell cracking)
(egg clanging)
and I want you to stir this
(egg shell thuds)
till it's nice and smooth.
(bowl clanging)
Oh, no, darlin'.
No, wait, sweetheart.
No, sweetheart.
You got to hold the bowl in one hand,
and take the spoon in the other hand.
You don't have to stir hard,
just make it nice and smooth.
See how smooth it's gettin'?
You're doin' a good job there.
(door creaks open)
- Well!
Looks like we got us a guest.
- That's right!
- We're makin' biscuits.
- (chuckles) You are?
- Come on in, Too Tall.
We gonna have us a tea party.
- Oh, sounds good to me.
- [Honey] You's a good cook, huh, baby?
When you and your momma goin' to Kokomo?
- Oh, I think pretty soon.
- Well, I reckon you won't mind goin'?
- I reckon not.
- Well, now, listen to me baby.
When you get there,
I want you to remember to listen and learn.
Listen to everything.
You got good, sharp ears,
so you ain't gonna have no trouble at all
teachin' yourself to learn.
You just listen and learn from everything you see.
And if you got a problem,
you talk to somebody got some sense,
and then you think about it.
You think about it,
and you decide what you wanna do.
It's best to make your own mistakes in this life,
because then, if you do make a mess,
it's your mess.
You understand what I'm saying to you?
Come on, let's go in the house.
- [Marie] They're telling you lies about me, Karl!
- No, I heard it from fellas in the barracks that I trust.
- You'd believe anybody before you'd believe me.
- But this is no joke, Marie!
- You don't understand.
- [Karl] This is real trouble!
- No, please!
Please don't go.
Please believe me before you believe them!
(car door slams shut)
- I tried to shut my eyes to a lot, Marie.
I wanted to take you away from all this.
I tried to convince myself
that it was only your family that was trash,
but the truth is, you're no different!
- Then go!
Go, damn you!
Get out!
You think you're the only man in the world?
- No, that's the trouble, Marie.
I know I'm not.
And I know you take money
to do what you're supposed to do for love.
- Yeah, what do you know about love?
You talk about it real good,
but you don't know anything!
Get out!
- [Karl] Fine.
(car door slams shut)
(gearshift grinding)
(car engine rumbling)
- Don't worry about him, Jo Ann.
- I liked him.
- (scoffs) You can't like nobody like him.
He sees somethin' wrong in everything.
He don't care how people gotta get by!
He just cares how it looks.
(somber instrumental music)
Well, survivin' ain't always pretty,
no matter how much makeup you put on it.
- Guess we ain't goin' to Kokomo?
- Nope, I reckon we ain't.
(Young Jo Ann sobs)
(somber instrumental music continues)
- So you ain't goin' to Kokomo, huh?
Well, that ain't the worst thing.
What letter's that?
- A "B"?
- Right.
Now, you make it.
(chickens clucking) (rooster crowing)
(chickens continue clucking)
Very good!
Now, you see how easy that is?
- Out here it's easy,
but in school with everybody watchin',
expecting you to get it wrong, I forget.
- Well, the next time,
you take that piece of chalk just like it's this stick,
and you look at that blackboard just like it's this dirt,
and you think about old Honey,
and you'll get it, (Young Jo Ann sighs)
because you's right smart.
I can tell that about you.
You's right smart!
Yeah, she is too.
- Jo Ann?
(children laughing) Class!
Now, we are all here to learn.
Now, we need to do what we can to help Jo Ann.
Go ahead.
(soft triumphant music)
(bottle clanking)
(car horn blares in the distance)
(footsteps approaching)
- Are you goin' to The Joint?
- Well, now, just 'cause I've put on makeup
don't mean I'm goin' to The Joint.
- Ain't makeup what you put on
before you're goin' out to have a good time?
(tool clatters)
- I ain't doin' nothin' bad,
if that's what you're worried about.
- If it ain't bad, then why can't you tell me?
- 'Cause what I do outside this house belongs to me,
just to me.
It's like I ain't a Foley anymore.
I pretend I've got a big, fine house and shiny, new car.
That's the life I want.
And I go out, and I live it,
even if it's just for a little while.
It's like a secret.
Don't you got a secret?
- Maybe.
- Jo Ann, you've got a secret?
- No, Mama.
(car horn blares in the distance)
(footsteps departing)
(truck engine rumbling) (truck door clatters open)
(truck door slams shut)
(truck engine rumbling)
- Won't be long before you'll be goin' with them.
- Says who?
- Says Pa.
- So it don't mean nothin'.
- Nothin' but money.
I saw you sneaking back the junk man's farm.
- No, you didn't.
- Yeah, I did, and I'm gonna tell Pa.
- I'll say it's a lie.
- He'll believe me before you.
- Bobby, please don't tell him.
- What will you give me if I don't?
- I'll give you money.
- You ain't got no money.
- Yes, I do.
Just promise!
- Go and get your money.
- Promise?
- I promise.
(door creaks open)
(door thuds shut)
- Remember, you promised.
- [Young Bobby] For now.
(footsteps departing)
- [Honey] Listen, don't you hear 'em calling?
- [Young Jo Ann] Who?
- [Honey] These tomatoes is talkin' to us.
- [Young Jo Ann] What are they sayin', Honey?
- They sayin', we's ready.
Come on and get us.
They sayin', where's that little gal and that old man
that been waitin' and watchin' for us,
so they can pick us?
Well, we's ripe,
why don't they come on and pick us?
- But don't it hurt 'em, Honey,
to be picked up and eaten like that?
- (laughs) No, child.
That's they place in this world.
You see, God made 'em to be eat up.
He made 'em to be food for his children.
You see, everything God makes has a place and a time.
You see, that's why we has to use up
all the stuff he done sent us, you see?
Mm-hmm, sure as God makes you,
he got a job in mind for you.
Don't even bother if he don't,
'cause God don't like no waste,
and he don't like no wastefulness.
Makes him sad.
Makes him cry like a baby.
- God cries?
- Oh, sure he does, child.
Ain't nothin' wrong with a few tears.
Sometimes...
Sometimes them tears,
they help pass the pain away.
- Get off!
Stop!
- Say, "Uncle", white trash!
- I is no white trash.
(fist whooshing) (Bobby groaning)
(footsteps pattering)
- Get off of him!
(bully thuds) (children laughing)
Who you callin' white trash?
- Nobody!
(blows thudding) - Say you're sorry!
- All right, all right, nobody's white trash!
- Say you're sorry like you mean it!
(blows thudding) - Ow!
I'm sorry!
(children chattering indistinctly)
(Young Jo Ann pants)
- Bobby?
(footsteps softly pattering) (birds chirping)
(door creaks open)
(door thuds shut)
(Young Jo Ann screams)
- Now, I told you look out for Bobby.
- I did.
- Then how'd he get a black eye?
- It wasn't my fault, Grandpa!
The bully was whoopin' him before I got there,
and then I laid into him.
- Is that right?
- I whooped the stuffin' out of him.
Just ask Bobby.
- Did you make him cry?
- Almost.
- Well, you're a tough little squirt, aint ya?
- I'm a Foley.
- Well, that's right, you are,
and you proved it today, didn't ya?
Good for you, Jo Ann.
Good for you.
I'm thinkin' of goin' down to the river later,
do some fishin'.
You wanna come along?
- Sure.
- What about me?
- Well, you can stay here with the women folk.
(door creaks open)
(door slams shut)
(water lapping)
Here, let me.
- It's squirming. - I know.
That's what makes 'em so delicious
to the fish, I mean.
- Grandpa, how long have you
been comin' down here to go fishin'?
- Oh, lordy, since I was as young as you, I guess.
- You were little like me?
- Well, it's hard to believe, I know,
but your grandpa was always a crooked leg moonshiner.
There was a day,
a day when the world was at my feet.
I could have been anything.
Foleys were respected in this county.
It's true.
And Papa died,
and I had my accident at the cotton gin,
and things went bad after that.
- But it'll get better.
- You sound like your grandma.
She's made me believe it too.
But the older you get, the more you realize,
that day came and went.
(water lapping)
Now, don't just sit there.
If you're gonna fish, fish.
(water continues lapping)
(gentle instrumental music)
(metal clanking) (rope thudding)
- Now, I ain't got time to keep turnin' this rope
when you ain't even jumping.
- Look, Honey, don't hurry me.
I have to get this just right.
- Don't make the girl do what she don't wanna do, Honey.
- Will you butt out of this, Two Tall?
- It's no so easy to butt out
when I'm sittin' right here watchin'.
- Now, Jo Ann, this rope is all your troubles,
and they gonna keep comin' around,
so you gonna to have to learn how to jump over 'em,
so they won't trip you.
Now, come on, you gotta do it!
A man's gotta help himself.
- We gotta help ourselves too, Honey.
Us women.
- Child, (chuckles) we's all the same in God's eyes,
men and womens.
- Girls too, Honey?
- (laughs) Girls to.
- Cows too, Honey?
- Yes, cows too (laughs).
- Roosters too?
- Yeah, roosters too.
I'm scared of your rooster.
- Oh, he ain't nothin' but some old fluff and feathers.
(feet clomping)
Look how she jumpin', Too Tall.
And you told me,
"Don't make her do somethin' she don't wanna do".
Sometimes I'd like to put a stamp on your butt,
and mail you off somewhere,
but where would we find a box big enough to fit him in?
(both laughing) - Help me!
(Too Tall laughing) - Yeah.
(Too Tall continues laughing)
(chickens clucking) (feed thudding)
- You old rooster, do you hear me?
You scare this child,
you gonna end up in my stew pot,
(feathers fluttering)
and I ain't playin'.
Now, these hens may be bowin' down to ya,
but you mess with this child,
you'll be sittin' on my dinner table.
He ain't gonna bother you.
(feathers fluttering) (Jo Ann screams)
- Honey! (Honey speaks indistinctly)
Dammit, Honey, you scared me!
Wait!
He tried to kill me!
- Oh, baby. - Honey, you lied to me!
You said it was fine! - Oh, I'm just gonna hold you
until the bad comes outta you. - Let go of me!
- Help us, Father. - Let go!
Let go of me.
He's trying to kill me.
Why didn't you protect me, Honey?
- Oh, my baby. (Young Jo Ann wails)
You my baby.
I ain't gonna let nothin' happen to you.
- (sobs) That rooster wants to kill me, Honey.
What am I supposed
to do about that? - Now, listen.
Now, you just don't look him in the eye.
You act like he ain't even there.
- But he's there.
He's there all the time.
- What?
Who?
Who's there all the time, baby?
Tell Honey.
Who?
(Young Jo Ann sobs) (baby chicks chirping)
You feeling all right, baby?
- Yeah.
- Now, you just remember,
ain't nothing gonna happen to you as long as Honey's here,
and don't you forget it.
(gentle instrumental music)
- No, I won't.
You always make things better, Honey.
- I'm glad, baby.
- You're the nicest nigger I met.
- You better go on now.
- What?
What's wrong? - Just go on!
Your folks are waitin' on you!
Go on!
- Honey, what's wrong? - Just go home!
(somber instrumental music) - But I...
(footsteps departing)
(somber instrumental music continues)
- What's the matter?
- I must be outta my mind.
I can't help no white girl just wanders up the road.
- Jo Ann?
- I don't want her in here no more, you hear me?
- Honey? (hands thud)
- I don't want her in here no more!
(dramatic instrumental music)
(door slams shut)
(tool squeaking)
Too Tall, give me a pin.
- Where are they?
- [Honey] They're right there.
- (groans) I'll try.
Right where?
- There, there, right there!
I declare, you must be blind.
(basket clatters)
- What's the matter?
- Nothin, except you useless.
(pins clattering)
What?
- You're thinking about Jo Ann.
- I can't get her off my mind.
- There may be things you can't change
no matter how hard you try.
The well's she gotta draw from is polluted.
The Foleys, they used to control this whole county.
Now, look at 'em.
Something's wrong over there.
Somethin' bad.
- I know it ain't right,
that's what got me worried about her.
She ain't got nobody but me,
and if I turn away from her,
what's she gonna do then?
- There's gonna come a time
when you won't be there to rescue her.
She gonna have to do it all by herself.
(feed softly rustling)
(chickens clucking)
- Are you still mad at me?
- I ain't mad at ya, child.
- But the other day,
I said somethin' that made you mad?
- You hurt me.
- How did I hurt you?
I didn't hit you or scratch you.
- You called me a nigger.
- So?
- That word...
That word is used to hurt folk like me.
There's a lot of words that folk use to hurt ya.
If you remembers, you, yourself, got in a fight at school,
'cause somebody called Bobby white trash.
Them words hurt you, didn't they?
- Yeah.
- That's what I mean.
- I didn't wanna hurt you, Honey.
I wanted to make you feel good.
- I figured as much,
but it still hurt.
- I'm sorry.
I won't ever do it again.
I promise.
(gentle instrumental music)
- I believe you, child.
(gentle instrumental music continues)
Don't worry.
We's is still good friends.
(liquid sloshing)
(utensil tings)
- I want you to get Jo Ann ready.
She's goin' with us.
- She'll be 14 in a week.
Can't it wait?
- No, it can't.
We've been feeding her for 14 years,
her turn to give a little.
And Bobby's goin' too.
- Another generation of the Foley's.
- That's right!
Learnin' the family business.
Not a thing wrong with it.
(door creaks)
(crow cawing)
(footsteps pattering)
- I ain't never been out of the county before,
- Yeah, well, Bristol ain't much.
- That'll be your first lesson.
Never try nothing in your own backyard where they know ya.
- What is it exactly we're gonna do?
- Oh, you'll see, son.
You'll see.
(truck doors slam shut)
(car engine rumbling)
Okay, Bobby, you come with me.
Jo Anne, you stay here and you watch the door,
and when your mama comes out, you pay attention.
Whatever happens, don't make a sound, you here?
- [Teenage Jo Ann] All right.
(truck door slams shut)
(footsteps departing)
♪ You were always on my mind ♪
(distant laughing)
♪ You are the one ♪
♪ I know it's you ♪ - Come on.
Give me a little kiss there now.
(female laughing) (indistinct chattering)
(door clatters open)
- [Male] Watch your step, Miss Marie.
The car's just over here.
(blows thudding) (Male groans)
- [Marie] Get in the truck!
(footsteps pattering)
- Did they hurt him? (truck doors slam shut)
- Just his pride.
- [Teenage Jo Ann] Well, that ain't right.
- [Hank] How much you got there, Bobby?
- 82, plus a watch.
- Oooh-wee, I do love a payday.
(footsteps pattering)
(truck door slams shut)
(truck engine rumbling)
(dough squashing)
- Want nothin' you could do.
- Your granddaddy's skatin' on thin ice.
- And you with him.
- Why me?
- If the police had a come,
your whole family be eatin' bread and water right now.
- Jail food.
- I don't wanna go to no jail.
- Well, then the next time they fixin' to go,
you got to use the smarts God gave you,
(oven door thuds) and get out of it.
- Yeah.
Oh, no!
Didn't you say that every woman needs
an apron to keep her dress clean while she works?
- Apron around her waist,
and a song in her heart.
- Well, ain't I a woman in need of an apron?
- You know, it don't seem right fittin'
seein' as all the work you do around here
you ain't got no apron.
- Wouldn't take much for Honey
to put together a apron for you.
- So I'm gonna get my own apron?
When, soon?
- Don't you go rushin' me.
An apron ain't made in a day.
You just have to wait.
- Wait don't do nothin'.
Now, didn't you say that wait broke wagon, now?
- (chuckles) Well, dear Jesus.
Do you see her blessin' me out in my own kitchen?
Well, one of these days, when the notion come over me,
you gonna have an apron of your very own,
but 'till then, you gonna have to make do with what you got.
- She's full of fuss and feathers,
like a old setty hen.
Gonna sew her fingers to the bone making you that apron,
and pester me to put up a peg for ya to hang it out.
(all laughing)
- You know, he's right, baby.
(Honey and Too Tall continue laughing)
(children yelling indistinctly in the distance)
- [Teacher] Jo Ann, you wrote this?
- Yes, ma'am.
- This is one of the best compositions I have ever read.
Now, the people in here, they're really your neighbors?
- No, I made that part up.
(gentle instrumental music)
- Hey, Bobby.
How's school?
- I hate it.
- What's that?
- It's about Jo Ann.
- What'd the hell she do this time?
- She in trouble? (paper rustling)
(gasps) Oh, my god!
She is gonna receive an award at graduation
for her composition!
- What about Bobby?
Say anything about Bobby gettin' an award?
- No Foley's never done nothin' like this.
- It'd be better if Bobby was to get it.
- Well, he ain't.
It's my girl that done it.
She gonna be the smartest Foley there ever was.
- No Foley ever made no money out of bein' smart.
(both laughing)
- [Marie] I'm really proud of you, honey.
- Thanks, Mama.
- Maybe when you grow up, you can be a doctor,
or a lawyer, or somethin' like that!
- Maybe a teacher?
- Oh, a teacher's good.
Nothin' but smart, huh? - Maybe.
Yeah.
(Marie laughs)
- Get her ready.
We're going to The Joint.
- No, The Joint, Pa?
She don't even know anything about that.
She ain't never really been with a man.
- Well, it's time she started.
Tonight's just gonna be a looksie.
- What if I don't want to?
- Now, you do what I tell you,
or you'll be wearin' my slap.
And don't think you can smart mouth me
just 'cause you some kinda fancy pants school girl.
You understand?
- Yes, sir.
(footsteps departing)
(insects chirping)
- [Male] Well, well, look at what we got here.
(both males chuckling)
- Ma'am. - Ma'am.
- Now, Jo Ann, you stay here.
I'm gonna send some boys out to have a look at ya.
You don't let 'em touch you now, you hear?
Okay?
(distant laughter)
(footsteps departing)
(upbeat music plays indistinctly in the background)
♪ Early in the morning ♪
♪ I haven't slept at all ♪
♪ I've been sittin' on a barstool ♪
(indistinct chattering) (soldier coughs)
- [Bar Patron] We was just about drinkin' all day.
(indistinct chattering continues)
(card deck shuffling)
- Hi.
- So what you doin' out here all alone?
- I was about to ask you the same thing.
- I'm too young to go in.
- Yeah, I can see that now.
- And you?
- Well, I drove some friends here.
We're all waitin' to get shipped out,
and some of us needed to blow off some steam.
They get a little drunk, and I get 'em home.
- You're a good friend.
I think that that's about the most important thing
a person can be.
- You do?
What makes you think that?
- Well... (door creaks open)
Oh.
(footsteps departing)
- What's the matter? - Just pretend like
I'm not here.
- Hey, soldier?
I'm lookin' Jo Ann.
Know her? - No, sir.
- You're a fine boy, doing duty and all.
Keep it up.
- [Paul] Jo Ann!
The coast is clear!
- So what's your name?
- I'm Paul.
- Thanks, Paul.
- No problem.
(Honey hums soulful tune)
♪ Oh, Lord ♪
(Honey continues humming)
♪ Oh, Lord ♪
(birds chirping) (pen scratching)
(door creaks open)
- You excited about graduation?
- Sure am.
(pen cap clanks)
- Oh, I can't believe it! (Marie giggles)
It's the most beautiful dress I ever seen!
- [Marie] I made it for ya.
- [Teenage Jo Ann] When?
I never saw you workin' on it.
- When you was at school.
Well, here, put it on.
Hey, you're gonna wrinkle it!
You comin', Mama?
To the graduation?
- You want me to come?
- Yeah.
- Sure, I'll be there. (Teenage Jo Ann chuckles)
I wish things would have been different, Jo Ann,
but, well, they ain't.
(somber instrumental music)
(indistinct chattering)
(somber instrumental music continues)
(footsteps softly pattering)
(indistinct chattering continues)
- Look at her.
Over there.
(indistinct chattering)
(somber instrumental music)
(flower softly thuds) - And the Composition Award
goes to Miss Jo Ann Foley.
(speaks faintly)
Congratulations, Jo Ann.
(audience applauding)
(door creaks open)
(door slams shut)
- How'd it go?
Is that your award?
Sorry I couldn't come.
Somethin' came up.
Now, don't get all in a mood.
I made you that dress, didn't I?
So you'd be the prettiest girl in school.
- You said you'd be there,
but you lied,
just like you always lie.
(somber instrumental music)
(footsteps clomping)
(door slams shut)
(paper clatters)
(fabric ripping)
(Teenage Jo Ann softly sobs)
(fabric continues ripping)
(birds chirping) (gentle instrumental music)
(footsteps clomping)
(gentle instrumental music continues)
- [Honey] I ain't never seen nothin' like it.
(Honey and Too Tall laughing)
You are some kinda smart girl!
- And it all started with letters in the dirt
out by the chicken coop.
(Honey chuckles) - That's right.
- Well, we got a little somethin' for ya.
- [Teenage Jo Ann] What is it?
- A surprise.
- [Teenage Jo Ann] Let me see!
Come on! - Hmm?
- [Teenage Jo Ann] Let me see!
Let me see!
- Here.
- Oh, Honey!
I knew'd it!
I knew you was gonna make that apron for me!
Oh, and look at these flowers,
and these pockets.
I could fit a loaf of bread in these pockets.
And my name.
Honey, my name. - Mm-hmm.
- That's right, your name.
- [Teenage Jo Ann] This is the greatest gift ever, Honey.
- That's exactly how I feel about you, baby.
And look a there, look a there.
Too Tall done put a peg up there for you.
Go on. (Teenage Jo Ann laughs)
- [Teenage Jo Ann] Thank you, Too Tall.
- No problem, no problem.
- [Teenage Jo Ann] I'm gonna keep my apron right here.
- Till you get a home of your own.
- I wished that this was my home.
- Baby.
Well, come on, y'all.
We gotta go.
We don't wanna be late.
Where is my pocketbook?
- The quartet is singing today,
and she don't wanna miss any of that.
- I ain't never been to church before.
- Then you's in for a double treat,
because them boys can really sing.
(quartet harmonizing) ♪ Whoo-whoo ♪
♪ The gospel train is coming ♪
♪ It's coming around the bend ♪
♪ If you wanna get to heaven ♪
♪ Better get on board, my friend ♪
♪ Whoo-Whoo, she's coming ♪
♪ Cha-Cha, she's coming ♪
♪ The gospel train, she's coming ♪
♪ It's time to get on board ♪
♪ Now Jesus, he's the engineer ♪
♪ Disciples built the track ♪
♪ Saint Peter is the conductor ♪
♪ And there's no turning back ♪
♪ Whoo-Whoo, she's coming ♪
♪ Cha-Cha, she's coming ♪
♪ The gospel train, she's coming ♪
♪ It's time to get on board ♪
♪ The gospel train, she's coming ♪
♪ You can hear that whistle blow ♪
♪ The gospel train is coming ♪
♪ Time to bring your ticket too ♪
♪ Whoo-Whoo, she's coming ♪
♪ Cha-Cha, she's coming ♪
♪ The gospel train, she's coming ♪
♪ It's time to get on board ♪
♪ Got a one-way ticket in my hand ♪
♪ A smile upon my face ♪
♪ You need not miss me, Mother ♪
♪ In that big ol' heavenly place ♪
♪ Whoo-Whoo, she's coming ♪
♪ Cha-Cha, she's coming ♪
♪ The gospel train, she's coming ♪
♪ It's time to get on board ♪
♪ The gospel train, she's coming ♪
♪ I hear her ring that bell ♪
♪ Two toots if you're a Christian ♪
♪ And for a sinner, it means hell ♪
♪ Whoo-Whoo, she's coming ♪
♪ Cha-Cha, she's coming ♪
♪ The gospel train, she's coming ♪
♪ It's time to get on board ♪
♪ Whoo-Whoo, she's coming ♪
♪ Cha-Cha, she's coming ♪
♪ The gospel train is coming and it's time to get on board ♪
♪ Rocks of ages ♪
♪ Why don't you clear for me ♪
♪ Lord, let me hide myself in thee ♪
♪ And let the water ♪
♪ The water and the blood ♪
♪ From thy wound inside which flowed ♪
♪ Be of sin, Lord ♪
♪ Be of sin ♪
♪ A double cure ♪
♪ Please save me from wrath, Lord ♪
♪ And make me pure ♪
- Never, ever feel that you are alone.
God knows.
God understands!
And never think that Jesus has ever left ya.
Not for one second! - No!
- And now, how do you know,
and how do I know, that Jesus,
Jesus understands my trouble?
- Tell us, Dr. Joe! - Tell us!
- Just take a look inside of your bulletins.
Take a good look inside.
Now, that is a man that understands suffering!
(interposing voices) That is a man,
that in his last days on Earth,
felt abandoned by everybody,
even God himself!
- Praise the Lord. (interposing voices)
- My God...
My God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Now, I don't know about you,
but I've said that a few times.
- Praise God! - Amen!
- Said that, and a whole lot more.
- [Both] Daddy!
- [Female Child] Daddy!
- Daddy! - Daddy!
- It'll be all right, yes, uh-huh.
I'll shoot you.
Come over here, old girl.
- You liked that music this morning, huh?
- I sure did.
(Honey chuckles)
- Let me show you somethin'.
(door creaks shut)
(dog barks in the distance)
- [Teenage Jo Ann] What's this?
- It's a hymnal.
Every song we sang this morning is in this here book.
- Even "Rock of Ages"?
- Page 32.
- That's right. - Mm-hmm.
- You already know now how to figure out the words,
and if you's a good girl,
maybe Miss Evelyn here will teach you how to read the notes.
- You'd do that?
- Surely.
- 'Cause every woman needs a song in her heart...
- [Both] And an apron in her kitchen.
- That's right (laughs)!
- Now I got the song and the apron.
- Jo Ann, why don't you run outside
and see how Two Tall's doing with that barbecue?
- [Teenage Jo Ann] All right.
(door creaks) (Ms. Evelyn chuckles)
(Ms. Evelyn sighs loudly)
- [Honey] She's somethin' else, ain't she?
(Honey laughs) - Mmm, she sure is.
Thank you.
You're awful attached to her.
- [Honey] Well, now, that's the truth.
- You think that's such a good idea?
- What do you mean?
- I know it's been tough on you
all these years since you lost the baby,
but don't you think you should
think this through a little more?
- Losin' my baby in childbirth
didn't have nothin' to do with Jo Ann!
- I don't mean to rile ya.
- I ain't riled!
- But she's white.
And a Foley on top of that.
- You think I don't know that?
- I'm sure you do.
But sooner or later,
there's gonna be a price to pay
for you takin' her in like this,
and it'll be high.
(dish clanks)
(Teenage Jo Ann hums mellow tune)
(gentle instrumental music)
- It's for you. (Teenage Jo Ann gasps)
- Grandpa.
- Put it on.
We're going to The Joint.
- Where's Mama?
- We don't need your mama.
- I don't want to.
- Oh, come on.
It'll be fun.
Just you and me.
I'll teach you to play pool.
- I don't like The Joint, Grandpa,
and I don't wanna go there.
- Now, I bought the dress.
I spent good money!
- I like it.
It's nice, but I- - Don't backtalk me!
Now, put it on, and let's go.
- I won't!
- Don't raise your
voice to me! (hand slapping)
(Teenage Jo Ann groans)
(Teenage Jo Ann pants) (feet clomping)
Get back here!
(feet shuffling)
(blow thudding) (Hank groans)
(feet shuffling)
(hand slapping) (Teenage Jo Ann yells out)
Think you're better than me, do ya?
(Teenage Jo Ann groans) Huh?
- [Teenage Jo Ann] No!
(feet shuffling)
(metal clanking) (Teenage Jo Ann grunts)
- Ow! (tool clatters)
Ow. (footsteps departing)
Jo Ann!
(intense dramatic music) (door creaks open)
- [Teenage Jo Ann] Stay away from me!
(footsteps clomping)
(Hank mumbles indistinctly)
(intense dramatic music continues)
- Honey got a crush on that quartet, boy!
Believe me (laughs).
- Just hush up, Too Tall.
(all laughing)
(dramatic instrumental music)
- [Teenage Jo Ann] Honey!
Honey!
- [Honey] Wait one minute.
Did you hear somethin'?
- Honey.
Honey!
- I did hear somethin'.
- [Teenage Jo Ann] Honey!
Honey!
- Oh, look what they done to my baby!
Oh, honey.
Oh, my darlin'.
It's like you ain't payin' no attention at all.
Just drop a child anywhere.
Oh, darlin'.
This is it.
This is all of it.
We got to take her away from them.
I ain't gonna let them keep beatin' this child like this!
I ain't gonna stand for it!
I just ain't gonna stand for it!
(door creaks shut)
(somber instrumental music)
(Too Tall grunts)
(somber instrumental music continues)
Oh, my. (clock ticking loudly)
(somber instrumental music)
(door clatters)
I ain't gonna take that child back.
- They're trash!
And that's the truth of it!
- But they're white.
- That don't make 'em right.
- But it does.
You know that you!
- You try and keep that child,
they're gonna take everything you have,
everything you ever worked for.
- You could start trouble for all of us.
- Y'all thinkin' about yourselves.
You ain't thinkin' about the child.
- We have to think about everybody.
Now, what's it gonna mean
when a poor black woman
go into a courtroom with a white child, and say,
"I know better than her folks".
"I'm gonna keep her."
- They don't even want that child!
- And they never did!
- [Too Tall] We are the ones who love her!
- You're gonna set white against black in this county.
That little girl's gonna be in the center,
and she is gonna get torn to pieces.
- I think Dr. Joe is telling us
that we'd do more good staying in the background
and helping her when we can.
- And we'll be standing in the back
when they lower her in her grave, Too Tall.
- Honey, it's the only choice that we have.
- I can't send her back! - Honey.
- I can't send her back! - Honey, Honey!
(Honey sobs) Honey.
(clock ticking loudly)
(Honey hums a soulful tune)
- You have such a pretty voice.
- Oh, I'm sorry, baby.
I didn't mean to wake you up.
- Will you teach me to sing like that?
- I surely will.
- You look sad.
- Some things even old Honey can't make better.
- Like what?
- I got to take you back to them wicked folks of yours
for the second time.
- What do you mean?
- Did you ever wonder
where that little cross you wear really came from?
(necklace jingles) - Yeah.
- When you was born,
I heard you cryin'.
(baby wailing)
And then I seen him lay somethin' down
by the side of the road.
Too Tall didn't want me stickin' my nose in it,
but I knew somethin' was wrong.
(Honey softly chuckles)
I can't tell you what happened when I looked in that sack.
You was lookin' at me just like you knowed me,
and my heart burst open,
and the stars fell out.
I didn't know what to do with you, so I took you home,
and that's when I gave you that little cross,
and I gave you a bath, and I wrapped you up.
And Too Tall, he just worried me talkin' 'bout,
you can't keep her!
You can't keep her!
He was right then,
and he's right now.
I'm gonna have to take you back.
- But what if I don't wanna go back?
- Oh, baby, we don't get no choice.
You stay out here,
sooner or later, somebody gonna come out here
and bring Too Tall and me a mess of trouble.
I gotta take you back.
But this time,
we gotta be smarter than your grandpa.
You think we can do that?
- Sure.
- We may not have his strength,
but we got the brains to beat him, baby.
We can beat him.
We can beat it. (somber instrumental music)
We're just gonna see about this.
I'm not gonna let him do you like this.
We gonna fix this now!
(somber instrumental music continues)
(Hank groans)
(somber instrumental music continues)
- Well, well.
(door creaks open)
- What happened?
- I found this child wanderin' around in the woods.
She says she belongs here.
Somethin' bad done happened to her,
but she won't say what it is.
- Come on in the house, Jo Ann.
We'll fix you up.
- Must be some kind of a vicious animal
to treat a child like this!
- Thank you for your kindness.
- Least I could do.
- I'm glad that you've been there.
- It's a shame!
It's a dirty shame what you're doing to that child!
- Now, that is enough, nigga woman!
You get along now!
- Yes, sir, Mr. Hank Foley!
Look like to me,
you done had some of that same stuff
that happened to that girl.
I bet the sheriff find that pretty peculiar.
- I don't think the sheriff would believe
a thing you say, nigger woman.
- Well, I'm just an old woman.
But when you live long as me,
you sees things,
like a man layin' a newborn baby by the side of the road
in the middle of the night!
It's a thing you'll never forget!
And I tell ya somethin' else, Mr. Hank Foley.
I ain't gonna be still,
and let no more babies be hurt no more!
(dramatic instrumental music)
(door creaks open)
(door thuds shut)
He done made me mad, now, Lord.
He's mean.
He's evil spirited.
He just beat that child.
I know vengeance is yours,
but when are you gonna start?
(dramatic instrumental music continues)
- I'm sorry, Jo Ann.
I'm really sorry.
- Did Grandpa take me the night I was born?
(insects chirping)
- When you come out of me,
Mama was real happy for a second.
She said, "It's a girl, it's a girl!"
And then he come in.
When you come home,
I swore I wouldn't let nothin' else
happen to you in the world,
but I messed up.
I messed up many times.
You're better off without me.
You're better off with that junk nigger woman.
- Her name's Honey.
- Honey, that's a nice name.
- She's gonna teach me how to sing.
- Is that right?
Well, you get some sleep now.
It's been a hard day.
(Marie blows loudly)
(patrons laughing) (indistinct chattering)
(uptempo music plays in the background)
- Whatever I want. (bar patron coughing)
(uptempo music continues playing)
(Marie laughs)
- Come on. - Come on, baby.
- [Soldier] Gotcha!
(intense dramatic music) (blows thudding)
(Hank groans)
Come on!
(door clatters open)
(soldier yells) (blows thudding)
(door slams shut)
(blows continue thudding)
(truck engine sputtering)
(blows continue thudding)
(truck engine rumbling)
(soldiers yelling indistinctly)
(blows thudding)
(intense dramatic music continues)
(truck engine roars)
- Son of a bitch!
- [Grandma] You can't leave, Hank.
What am I gonna do?
Who's gonna run the business?
- [Hank] Well, Bobby would have to.
- [Grandma] And Marie goes too?
- [Hank] There's no other way.
If we can get across the state line,
everything will be all right.
Just give me some money.
Get the money!
(objects clattering)
(metal chest clangs)
Give her some too.
- [Grandma] Why?
- [Hank] We can't travel together.
That's exactly what they'll be lookin' for!
- Well, you can't leave us empty handed.
(money rustling)
- [Marie] You'll look after Jo Ann, won't ya?
- [Grandma] Surely.
Lord have mercy, this is bad.
(footsteps clomping)
- Mama, are you leaving?
(drawer clatters open) - Hush, I got no choice.
- Well, can't I come with ya?
- No, it's too dangerous.
I'll send for you as soon as I can.
- How?
- Jo Ann, don't worry about every little thing.
I'll go to New York.
I'll get a job there sewin'.
(objects clattering)
They pay really good there.
Maybe I'll get married.
But I'll send for you as soon as I can, I promise.
- But Mama, what am I gonna do?
- Bobby will be taking you to The Joint
or some other places,
and you act like you like those men.
(suitcase lid clicks shut)
There's no harm in that.
Some of 'em are really nice.
- But Mama, I can't!
- Yes, you can!
That's just the way it is, Jo Ann!
(footsteps departing)
- Yeah, well maybe for you,
but not for me.
- Jo Ann, you do what you're told,
and everything will turn out all right.
- Has everything turned out all right for you?
(melancholic instrumental music)
I hope I never see you again!
(door creaks) Ever!
(melancholic instrumental music continues)
(door slams shut)
(birds chirping) (rooster crows)
- [Honey] Mmm, mmm, mmm, sure do smell good.
(Too Tall laughs)
- [Teenage Jo Ann] I might've baked 'em too long.
- I'll be sure to let you know if that's the case.
- What's the matter, child?
Why you cloud up like that all of a sudden?
- My mama took off.
- Well, why didn't you tell us about it right off?
- You know how she is, Honey?
She talk when she get ready to talk,
and not a second before.
- It's gonna get worse over there.
I have to make the money my mama would've made.
- Well, what if you just don't go?
Don't go to The Joint.
- I guess I could try that for a while.
Grandma and Bobby are already losin' patience with me.
We got no other way to make money.
- Well, what if you hide out over here with us?
- They'd find me.
They always find me.
I just can't get away from those Foleys.
- I hate to say this,
but what kind of mother would leave her child
in the middle of all that?
- Now, you just wait a minute, Too Tall.
Her mama tried.
Her mama was in the middle of that mess
over there too, you know?
- I'll never been that kind of mother.
- What kind of mother are you gonna be, little darling?
- (laughs) I'm gonna be a mother
just like you've been to me, Honey.
And I'd be just like you.
- Let's eat this biscuits now.
We don't want 'em to get cold.
(Teenage Jo Ann laughs)
(gentle instrumental music) (pen scratching)
(footsteps clomping)
- Where is she?
- She says she ain't comin'.
(footsteps clomping)
- He's waitin' for you.
- I'm not going, Grandma.
- You gotta understand somethin'.
Sometimes a woman's gotta do things she doesn't like
in order to get by,
in order to make it to the next day,
because tomorrow, the thing you've been waitin'
your whole life for may happen.
But if you don't make it through today,
then tomorrow won't be there.
- But I don't want to.
- I'm not giving you a choice, Jo Ann.
If you don't go, we don't eat.
- Isn't there anything else we can do?
- If there was,
don't you think we would have done it by now?
(footsteps departing)
(gentle instrumental music)
(necklace clanging)
- That's right. - Like you said, Pa.
♪ Too many women ♪
♪ So little time ♪
- Yeah. ♪ I'm still tryin' ♪
♪ To meet someone new ♪ (indistinct chattering)
- Now, just do as I say.
- Right.
♪ Sometimes I meet them at the dance hall ♪
- Hey!
Jo Ann? - Hi.
You remember?
- Oh, yeah, sure.
- So what you doin' here?
I thought you said, "This wasn't your kinda place?"
- Oh, well, it isn't,
but I thought you might be here.
(Teenage Jo Ann giggles)
- You still driving your buddies?
- Oh, yeah.
But I just got discharged,
so this will be my last trip out this way.
- Hey there, soldier.
How are you holdin' up?
- Fine.
- Paul this is Bobby, my uncle.
- Is Paul your boyfriend?
- Shut up, Bobby!
- All right, I see how it is.
I'll be waitin' outside when you're was ready to go.
See ya, soldier boy.
- [Paul] Yeah, just don't spill your root beer
on your way out there, junior.
♪ Too many women, so little time ♪
- Your uncle?
- He's harmless.
♪ Too many women ♪
(insects chirping)
- [Teenage Jo Ann] So did you like being in the Army?
- No, not really.
Saw a lot of terrible things.
- Like what?
- Friends getting killed.
People's lives ruined.
You know, the first time we met,
I wondered if I'd ever see you again.
- Me too. - Yeah?
(softly smooching)
(dramatic instrumental music)
- Bobby, get outta here!
Leave us be!
- Jo Ann!
That's not the way.
You're my own kind.
- Blood don't make you my own kind!
I've known Paul 10 minutes,
and he's better than you could ever be.
(Bobby groans)
(both grunting and groaning)
Bobby, get off of him!
Stop it!
Get off!
(knife clanks)
(Paul groans)
(Paul wincing painfully) Oh, my god.
- Ow (exhales loudly)!
(Paul wincing painfully)
(dramatic instrumental music continues)
- [Teenage Jo Ann] Can you move?
(Paul breathes heavily)
- Yeah.
- [Teenage Jo Ann] I know someone who can help.
(Paul groans)
(dramatic instrumental music continues)
(Bobby softly sobs)
- There now.
You feel any better?
- Yes, ma'am.
Thank you.
- I knew somethin' like this was gonna happen.
- I don't wanna curse the family,
but the Foley's ain't nothing but bad.
- I can't take it anymore.
I mean it.
I gotta get out.
- Do you really mean that?
- I do.
If I stay there, it'll ruin me.
What am I gonna do, Honey?
(footsteps clomping)
(box softly thuds)
- [Honey] Y'all take this here.
- Honey?
- Oh, I can't take that.
- Yes, you can.
You's gonna get us baby outta trouble here.
We got some friends,
me and Two Tall, in Swanee,
and I'm gonna call him,
and tell him that y'all is on the way.
They got some good schools there.
(chair clatters)
I done been saving these here.
These is your school books.
You take 'em up there,
and show 'em how smart you is.
- Come on.
Let's get you a new shirt.
Maybe I got somethin' that'll fit ya.
- I probably won't be seeing ya for a long time,
but I know, one day,
I'm gonna look down that road,
and I'm gonna say,
"Can this be that little child I took in?"
I know you're gonna be so pretty,
and a lady too.
Listen to me now.
God looks past all that pretty.
You got to be pretty,
but you knows that thing, don't you, baby?
- But Honey,
what if the Lord reaches down,
and takes you and Too Tall from me before I can come back?
- Well, if that'd be the case,
I will just sit down on the banks of the River of Jordan,
and I will tell Peter, I can't go,
'cause I got to wait on that little child
that ain't here yet.
- It'll be all right, Honey.
You'll see.
Now, don't you cry, because I love you.
I love you all to pieces, Honey.
(gentle instrumental music)
(Honey sobs)
(door creaks open) (insects chirping)
(footsteps pattering)
- Baby?
Look up, and you'll see me and old Too Tall
smilin' down at ya.
- Some day, Honey,
I'm gonna walk down that path, like I always do,
and you're gonna see what a good thing you've done for me.
And you're gonna see
that I turned out just how you wanted me to.
- I know I will, baby.
I know I will.
(gentle instrumental music)
(sobs) You got to go now.
Go on.
(gentle instrumental music continues)
(car engine rumbles)
Her apron.
She forgot her apron.
- Oh.
- I wanted her to have her apron,
and a fine home, and a peg.
(Honey sobs)
(Teenage Jo Ann sobs)
(necklace clanks)
- [Lydia] Did your mother ever come back?
- [Jo Ann] No.
Didn't really matter, though.
My real mother lived down this path.
- [Lydia] (gasps) I can't believe
you never told me any of this.
- You never asked.
(Jo Ann sighs)
I never saw much point of it until now.
You said something earlier
about someone you know,
someone who has less than you have.
- You heard that?
- You need to know, that everything that you have,
everything that you enjoy,
was built on the hard work of the people who lived here.
People didn't have your opportunities,
your choices,
but still, they found a way to make it work.
(birds chirping)
(gentle instrumental music)
(door creaks open) - Jo Ann?
- Elizabeth?
(door creaks) (Jo Ann laughs)
How are you?
- Oh, I'm fine.
Fine.
So you're here to start work on your book?
- I sure am. (Elizabeth chuckles)
Oh, this is my daughter, Lydia.
Lydia, this is Elizabeth.
She's the daughter of Evelyn and Dr. Joe.
- Nice to meet you.
- The pleasure's all mine.
(door creaks open) Well.
- [Jo Ann] Paul?
What are you doin' here?
- Well, I thought you might need me.
- (exhales loudly) Always.
(smooching)
(door creaks)
(door thuds shut)
- [Elizabeth] Mm-hmm.
They sure did love them some tea, didn't they?
- They did.
- I have something for you, Jo Ann.
Here it is.
- Thank you.
- [Elizabeth] You take care of yourself.
(door creaks open)
(door thuds shut)
(paper rattling)
(gentle instrumental music)
- It's my apron.
- [Lydia] Looks like a lot of love went into it.
- That's true.
(gentle instrumental music continues)
A lot of love.
(paper rattling)
(gentle instrumental music continues)
(pages rustling)
(choir sings indistinctly)
♪ Let me hide myself in thee ♪
♪ Whoa-Oh ♪
♪ Let the water ♪
♪ And the blood ♪ ♪ And the blood ♪
♪ From thy wound ♪
♪ Inside which flowed ♪
♪ Be of sin, Lord ♪ ♪ Be of sin ♪
♪ A double cure ♪ ♪ A double cure, yeah ♪
♪ Save from wrath ♪
♪ And make me pure ♪
(gentle instrumental music)
(whimsical tones)