01x01 - Mother and Son

[bunniefuu]

WOMAN: [BREATHING SHAKILY]

[GASPS]

[BREATHING SHAKILY]

[WHIMPERS]

[NURSE] Won't be long.

You'll have company.

It hurts.

I mean, I think it's time.

[NURSE] Hon, when it's
time, there won't be any doubt.

I'm... I'm really sweaty, ma'am.

[SNIFFLES]

I soaked my sheets.

[NURSE] I'll see if I can find someone.

[BABY CRIES IN DISTANCE]

_

[GROANING]

My God, hasn't anyone been in here?

I told that woman to
bring you a pitcher.

Oh.

Honey, you're burning up.

Mamie, your water broke!

I asked for a change.

[ALMA] Child, that means it's time.

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

No one told me.

- My daughter, Mamie Till...
- One moment.

My child's water broke. Just
how long do you suggest she wait?

This baby is breech.
We need to get it out now.

Let's get her under.

- Come this way.
- [MAMIE] No.

[DOCTOR] Take her.
We'll take good care of her.

ALMA: It's gonna be okay.

[DOCTOR] We're gonna try
to turn it around.

[HISSING]

[NURSE] Start at .

[MAMIE, MUFFLED]: .

... ...

[WOMAN] Nurse Judson to room three.

Nurse Judson to room three.

Mama?

Lay back. You'll tear
through your sutures.

Where's my baby?

He's in the nursery.

Recovering. Now, lay back.

- He?
- [ALMA] Mm-hmm.

[BABY COOS]

All this... it's because he was breech?

[DOCTOR] Yes.

His neck, right knee,
and wrist were constricted

by the umbilical cord,
which cut off circulation.

As a result, I'm afraid he'll struggle.

He may never walk on his own.

When discharged, we recommend

you move your son to an institution.

Mrs. Till?

I'd like some time with him, if I may.

We'll take him in a few minutes.

[COOING]

You just got here, and they
telling me I gotta give you up?

♪♪

[CHUCKLES]

I think I'll call him Emmett.

I'm so sorry.

There's nothing to be sorry about.

Sweetie, you heard what the doctor said.

What kind of life is he
gonna lead in an institution?

I'll bring him down here
every day if I have to...

every hour.

I want more for him, Mama.

I want him to be free.

Yes. [CHUCKLES]

♪ Black leaves on
the Mississippi River ♪

The seed of destruction of
these great seats of learning

for the colored race lies
in the end of segregation.

[TALMADGE] There's nothing in
the Constitution of the United States

that says anything about
education or schools.

[HAMER] Been bit by dogs!

Some of them being sh*t down!

You're not fightin'... going on
because there's nothing right.

♪ God made woman with an iron hand ♪

♪♪

♪ You better slow down, Daddy ♪

♪ You're traveling at breakneck speed ♪

♪ Yeah, slow down, baby ♪

♪ You're traveling at breakneck speed ♪

♪♪

♪ The rate you're going,
you can't survive my needs ♪

♪ Yes, the Lord, by God,
will last until the end ♪

[UNCLE MOSE] Looky
here, looky here. Oh, boy.

[ALMA] Okay. Is this enough for you?

- Oh.
- Okay.

[UNCLE MOSE] Oh, boy.

[MAMIE] Wipe your chin, Gene.
Try not to eat it all in one bite.

- [LAUGHTER]
- [EMMETT] Yeah.

We don't wanna be digging fish
bones out of your throat again.

Did you leave any
pepper in that grinder, boy?

- It's how I like it.
- It's how we like it.

Let me dig in and see if
this... Oh, wait, wait, wait.

Before I do that... I'm
sorry. I'm jumping the g*n.

Lord Father God, uh,

thank you for this meal
we are about to receive,

for the nourishment of our bodies.

- Amen.
- [TOGETHER] Amen.

[GENE] Tell you what, baby.
You want to scoop me up some?

[MAMIE] How many more, baby?

Ooh. Whoa, whoa!
That's got a kick to it.

[LAUGHTER]

Anybody teaching this
boy some skills he can use?

Now, Mose Wright, ain't
nothing wrong with a boy

who knows how to cook.

[LAUGHTER]

Living in the big city done took
some of the Delta out of you.

You know that, don't you?

Who's teaching him the essentials?

Hunting, farming, fishing?

Mama's been taking me
fishing ever since I could walk.

Gene took me and
Cousin Wheeler last time.

[MOUTHFUL] Sure did.

We got good fishing down
there at the Des Plaines River.

Fishing can't be that good.

Wheeler's coming down to
Mississippi with me next week

to test our waters down there.

- What now?
- [UNCLE MOSE] Oh, yeah.

He's gonna spend a couple
weeks with us here on the farm.

Your cousin Curtis... he's coming down,

oh, a week later by car.

You're welcome to join us.

Only thing I ask is that
you carry your weight

out there in the fields with my boys.

Mama, can I?

We have plans.

[EMMETT] Come on.

I can go to Omaha with
you and Gene any old time.

Please?

You know, if you're worried

about that political mess down there,

that ain't got nothing to do with us.

Is that right?

They're k*lling us down
there for registering to vote,

and you don't think that
has anything to do with you?

Politics at the dinner table, Gene?

[UNCLE MOSE] It's
terrible. All of it is terrible.

But that kind of trouble...

it don't find us out in East Money,

and me and mine, we
don't go looking for it.

That's what I meant. Mm-hmm.

[UTENSILS CLATTER]

Let Bobo come on down there with us.

Only thing he's gonna
have to worry about

is how many fish he's gonna catch

and how fast his Aunt
Lizzie's gonna fry 'em up.

- [LAUGHTER]
- I know he'd be in good hands.

- Then why can't I go?
- I don't know.

I guess I'm just not ready yet.

But, Mama, what if I am?

Please let me go with Uncle Mose.

Enough.

You heard your mama.

Just move on.

Now move on.

Hmm. Oo-wee. [CHUCKLES]

You keep cooking like this, Mamie,

and I might just marry ya.

Mm-hmm. You mean, you might just ask?

Better ask me first.

♪♪

[BOY] Hey, Bobo! You
coming down or what?

- May I be excused?
- Go on.

You can help clean up after.

♪♪

I've kissed some frogs.

He's protective.

[UNCLE MOSE] Well, he's
supposed to be. You his mama.

[EMMETT] One, two, three.

- ♪ Only ♪
- [BOY] ♪ Only you ♪

Wait, hold on. You sang lead last time.

Does it matter?

[EMMETT] Tonight it does.

Go ahead.

Okay.

One, two, three.

♪ Only you ♪

♪ Can make all this world seem right ♪

♪ Only you ♪

♪ Can make the darkness bright ♪

[CHUCKLES]

[BOYS] ♪ Only you and you alone ♪

♪ Can thrill me like you do ♪

♪ And fill my heart with love ♪

♪ For only you ♪

Boys don't have a
lick of rhythm, do they?

- Shh. [CHUCKLES]
- [BOYS] ♪ Only you ♪

♪ Can make all this change in me ♪

♪ For it's true ♪

You ruined that boy.

[BOYS] ♪ You are my destiny ♪

How he'll ever find a gal
that looks at him like you do...

[BOYS] ♪ When you hold my hand ♪

... is beyond me.

[BOYS] ♪ I understand ♪

♪ The magic that you do ♪

♪ You're my dream come true ♪

There's a lot of love in this house.

You sure there's room for more?

[BOYS]♪ O-Only you ♪

There's always room.

[BOYS] ♪ For it's true ♪

♪ You are... ♪

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS, LAUGHTER]

♪♪

You know, Gene is good to me,
and he really cares for you, too.

I think he's shown you just how
much he's cared this past year.

You're gonna make me ask, aren't you?

Y-You know I'm not shy.

And if I didn't like him, I'd say so.

You're protective.

With good reason.

I'm sorry you've had to be,

but you don't have to
protect me from Gene.

And you know what?

One day, you are gonna make
some lucky girl very happy.

I may be the only one who's said it, but

I'm sure not the only
one who sees it...

what a fine young man you're becoming.

Believe it.

I-If I'm such a fine young man,

w-why won't you let me go to Mississippi

so I can run the land and,
I dunno, see the stars?

- Please?
- [MAMIE] Emmett.

[EMMETT] I know.

Maybe next year.

[LAUGHTER ON TELEVISION]

You know, the day you were born...

I promised myself that I'd
prepare you for the world

so that when the time
came for me to let you go,

you'd be ready.

I sure as heck didn't know
what to think when I had you.

I didn't know a thing about life.

But I want more for you,
and I always have. So...

... you can go.

Really? You mean it?

Look, look, listen, but
Mississippi is not like Chicago.

- I know. I...
- No, you don't.

You were a little boy last
time you were down there.

White folks are gonna
treat you different now.

You're gonna have to
take low and play small.

It's not right.

It's just the way that it is.

- Do you understand?
- Yes, Mama.

I-I do. I-I swear it.

And don't worry. I'm gonna be just fine.

No, I'm gonna be more than fine.

I'm gonna have the time of my life.

And if I can find my cufflinks,

I'm gonna look sharp doing it.

Wait. Cufflinks?

Oh, I guess you can take
the boy out of the city...

[LAUGHS]

♪♪

I wish I could've known him a little,

before he went to w*r.

May he rest...

[MAMIE] Your father missed out.

It was, and it always will be, his loss.

Good night, Bo.

[EMMETT] Mama?

Gene's good people.

I like him just fine.

[ALMA] This here enough for you?

- Oh, that's plenty, uh-huh.
- Good.

Mm-hmm.

Oh. Thank you. Thank you.

And... And... And... And
thank you for the meal, hon.

I'm just sorry I got
the boy all riled up.

He can go.

But you have to watch over him.

Oh, he'll have anything he need,

right there in my backyard.

It'll be the closest thing to
summer camp he ever had.

Promise me.

- I promise.
- [MAMIE] All right, then.

I guess it's settled, Uncle Mose.

[ALMA LAUGHS]

♪♪

[WATER RUNS]

♪♪

[WHISPERS] I love you, Bo.

[KISSES]

["You Can't Stay Here" plays]

♪♪

♪ Step it up and go ♪

- [EMMETT] Hurry up, Mama.
- [MAMIE] I'm coming. I'm coming.

We packed those new
dungarees, didn't we?

- Yep.
- Okay. And your lunch?

What about cash? Do you have enough?

[EMMETT] I have everything I need.

Two tickets, please.

Look at this line. I
don't want to miss my...

Slow down. Take a breath.
Do what we practiced.

[BREATHING DEEPLY]

Train. I don't want to miss my train.

There you go.

Oh. Wait, wait. Let's focus.

Let's use this time to make
sure we're not forgetting anything.

When you're down there and
a white person approaches you,

- what do you do?
- [SIGHS]

I'm serious. I don't want
you getting too comfortable.

- I step off the sidewalk.
- And?

- Keep my eyes down.
- You keep your whole head down.

You kneel on the street if you have to.

- [TICKET TAKER] Next.
- We're up.

One round-trip ticket
to Winona, Mississippi.

Thank you.

[TICKET TAKER] Next!

Bo!

Get down here!

Aw, Mama. What now?

- You didn't kiss me goodbye.
- [EMMETT SIGHS]

You gotta let me go.

[MAMIE] Wait, what is this for?

Don't need to know what time
it is when I'm on vacation, do I?

- Bye!
- I love you, Bo!

- ♪ Step it up and go ♪
- [MAMIE] You be good now!

- But don't forget to write!
- ♪ Step it up and go ♪

♪ Step it up and go ♪

♪ Step it up and go ♪

♪ Step it up and go ♪

♪ Step it up and go ♪

♪ Step it up and go ♪

♪ Well, you can't stay here ♪

- ♪ I swear you gotta step it up and go ♪
- [TRAIN WHISTLE BLARES]

♪ Well, I've got a man
who's little and low ♪

♪ He used to love me,
but he don't no more ♪

Wheeler!

Bobo.

- Sorry.
- Five minutes later,

you would've been spending
the next two weeks in Omaha.

Well, I'm here, and I
don't want to miss a thing.

View's better over here.

Or maybe here.

Cool your heels.

Come on and sit... sit up here.

Come on.

Sit here with me.

Boy's got ants burrowed in his pants.

Oh, you ain't seen the worst of it yet.

You ready for the
longest ride of your life?

[LAUGHS]

♪♪

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Why we gotta change cars now?

So we can pass into Kentucky.

[MAN] Careful. Watch your step.

All the way down to the
end of the platform, please.

Down at Papa Mose's, it's just us.

On the farm, the boys, the lake.

We won't have nothing to
worry about but the bug bites.

You'll see.

Watch your step there, ma'am.

[STEAM HISSING]

[TRAIN HORN BLARES]

We gotta get you healthy for your trip.

He should be in Cairo by now.

Changing cars.

You remember the
fumes in that front car?

You sure it's just your
stomach that's upset?

He wouldn't want you
worrying yourself sick over him.

I just need a day.

You eat something when you can.

♪ When I was a little baby ♪

♪ My mother would
rock me in the cradle ♪

♪ In them old, old
cotton fields at home ♪

- ♪ When I was a little baby ♪
- _

I can't wait to go fishing.

I'm thinking about
rising before the sun.

Well, just remember,
you might b*at the sun up,

but you still got to be
out there in them fields

with the rest of us,
now you remember that.

I just thought we might
get a day to unwind?

[LAUGHS] Unwind?

You sure he's up for this, Daddy?

I don't want him slowing
down the rest of us.

I can keep up. Back
in my old neighborhood,

I ran deliveries for the
milkman in the dead of summer.

I'm not afraid of a
hard day's work at all.

[MAURICE] Oh, the milkman?

Hey, we might not...
can't keep up with him.

No, Southern boy.

[MAURICE] All right. We're gonna see.

♪ In them old cotton fields at home ♪

♪♪

How are you?

- Good to see you.
- Good to see you.

[UNCLE MOSE] Go grab my bag.

[EMMETT SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY]

[EMMETT] My bag.

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION]

[UNCLE MOSE] Close it.

♪♪

_

[UNCLE MOSE] Come on.
Keep moving your hands.

Come on.

♪♪

[SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY]

[CHICKEN CLUCKING]

♪♪

[UNCLE MOSE] What are you doing?

You ain't been out here but half a day.

I picked pounds this morning.

Well, are you bragging
or you apologizing?

It's the heat.

I haven't adjusted yet.

You been here four days now.

Maybe when I'm more...
situated, I'll catch up.

Then I'll be picking
cotton like the devil.

- Mm.
- [EMMETT] Come on.

I'm supposed to be
on vacation, aren't I?

Boys!

Ol' smooth talker here done
caught me on a good day.

Y'all are done for the
day if you... if you want.

- You mean it, Daddy?
- [UNCLE MOSE] Yeah.

I need that money.

[LAUGHS] Okay.

Y'all stay close, hear?

And, uh, Maurice?

No going into town.

Yes, sir.

You sure can talk.

You're welcome.

Hey, uh, whadd-ya say we hit the lake?

A nickel says I can hold my breath

longer than any of you turkeys.

Now that's a bet.

♪♪

[GASPS]

[GASPS, LAUGHS]

♪♪

- Where's Bobo?
- What? Where is he?

- [MAURICE] Bobo!
- Bobo!

[MAURICE] He know how to swim, don't he?

- Bobo!
- [EMMETT LAUGHS]

Geez! You never quit playing, do you?

We thought you done
drowned or something.

You're just sore 'cause you lost.

I sure am hungry.

Quit your yappin', money bags.

Let's go get something in town.

- Daddy said to stay close.
- Is you gonna tell him?

♪ My jelly roll is good ♪

♪ Ask any chick livin'
in your neighborhood ♪

♪ About my jelly ♪

This is the main drag, and
y'all only have one restaurant?

[MAURICE] Bryant's got snacks.

♪ And when you taste my jelly roll ♪

- Do that right there.
- Come on, boy.

[EMMETT] Nothing but guys.

You wouldn't know what to
do with a girl if you had one.

- I've had girls.
- Had them how?

You know, had dates with 'em.

I took a girl to the show once.

- When you were .
- How would you know?

You were living in Argo,
and your mama couldn't help

but tell the story every Sunday supper

about how you made the
poor girl pay her own way in.

I bought her popcorn.
Figured it was fair.

You a real ladies' man, ain't you?

Man, I'm starving. You guys coming?

[MAURICE] Right behind you.

Hey, y'all.

My cousin here is visiting from Chicago.

He wants to know
where all the girls are at.

Yeah. Don't you have any
pretty ladies down here?

Hey. I heard somethin' about
a plantation party this weekend.

- Oh, yeah?
- [BOY] Yeah.

If you're real antsy,

there's a pretty lady
working the register.

How pretty we talking?

Go on and see for yourself, Chicago.

Go on and tell us if they
make them that pretty up north.

He's fooling with you, Bobo.

He's talking about a white lady.

I've gone to school with white girls.

I'm not afraid to look at one.

Go on ahead. Ask for
a date while you're at it.

I dare you.

Just watch your tongue, Bo.

All right?

Any of y'all got a cigarette?

[DOOR SQUEAKS OPEN, CLOSED]

[CASH REGISTER DINGS]

[COIN CLATTERS]

Thank you, ma'am.

[OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYS]

♪♪

[WOMAN VOCALIZING]

♪♪

Come on, Bobo. Let's go.

So, Chicago, what's the story, man?

You taking her out or what?

I ain't think so.

[LAUGHTER]

I knew you ain't gonna do it.

Goodbye!

[MAURICE] Bobo!

♪♪

[EMMETT WOLF-WHISTLE]

[MAURICE] Boy, are you crazy?

♪♪

Hey, she's got a g*n!

[MAURICE] She got a g*n! Come on!

[WHEELER] Come on, y'all! Bobo, come on!

[MAURICE] Come on, y'all! Come on!

- [SIMEON] Hurry up, hurry up!
- [WHEELER] Come on.

[MAURICE] Let's go!

♪♪

- Come on, Maurice, hurry up!
- Let's go! Let's go!

[TIRES SQUEAL]

♪♪

Damn it! I told you to watch yourself.

There's gonna be hell to
pay if Papa Mose find out.

Please don't tell him.

Damn, Bobo.

Guys. Guys, hey...
Hey, someone's coming.

♪♪

[WHEELER] What the hell?
We're sitting ducks out here.

Not if you running!

[DOOR CLOSES]

♪♪

Where's Simeon?

[MAURICE] Simmy? Simmy?

♪♪

[DOOR CLOSES]

[ALMA] Mamie?

- Mamie, what on earth?
- I'm not going.

You said you needed
a day. You've had five.

The man's been waiting,
patiently, might I add.

You make him wait longer,
you're gonna find yourself alone.

If I knew for sure Bo
made it down there okay...

if I could just hear his voice...

You'd go?

- [EMMETT] Mama?
- Bo?

How are you?

[EMMETT] Is everything okay?

You scared the bejeezus
out of Aunt Lizzie.

[CHUCKLES]

Calling on her neighbors
to track me down like this.

Well, you know your grandma.
When she sets her mind to something...

But, uh, enough about all that.

Now that I have you, tell me everything.

Are you... Are you eating enough?

Are you helping out? You having fun?

- [MAMIE] Tell me.
- [EMMETT] Yeah.

Sure. Everything's just fine.

[MAMIE] Are you behaving yourself?

Mama, aren't you
supposed to be on vacation?

Well, yes.

I was.

[EMMETT] Then why aren't you?

I miss you.

I just wanted to know
if you needed anything.

Oh.

Well, if you're asking,

I guess I could use a little more money.

[MAMIE] Don't tell me you've gone
and spent what we gave you already.

The guys and I went
to the market last night.

And I couldn't just buy for myself.

[MAMIE] Well, that's real nice of you,

but I'm sorry to say that
the Bank of Mama is closed.

I won't bother you again.

I'll see you in a week or so.

Bye, Bo.

♪♪

Bo?

You still there?

[EMMETT] Yeah, yeah.

Uh, just check your mail, okay? Bye.

Bye.

[RECEIVER CLICKS, DIAL TONE]

Gene and I will leave on Sunday morning.

Hallelujah.

My work is done here.

Tell Gene he can thank me later.

- [DOOR OPENS, CLOSES, BELL DINGS]
- _

[DOOR OPENS]

[ROY] Carolyn.

- Carolyn.
- What is it, Roy?

- You okay?
- Whadd-ya mean?

I was sleeping just fine.

What happened Wednesday night?

I was out hauling shrimp,

busting my ass for you and the boys,

and then I come
home to a bunch of talk.

About you and some
big-mouthed n*gg*r from Chicago.

I been back three days,
and you ain't said a word.

It was nothing, Roy.

Didn't sound like nothing.

♪♪

What'd you do?

Make him think he could
come at you like that?

Don't... Don't you even
think it. I handled it.

Well, which is it, Carolyn?

Was it nothing?

Or was it something worth handling?

♪♪

[JAZZY MUSIC PLAYS]

♪♪

[EMMETT] Welcome to Mississippi,
Curtis. I hope you're hungry.

[CURTIS] After driving
all damn day in that car,

I'm about ready to
unwind, if ya catch me?

[WHEELER] I think we can find something.

Okay.

[CURTIS] Hey, miss.

How you doing?

Watch yourself.

Sorry, sir. Didn't see you coming.

You're Preacher's boy.

Yeah. There a problem?

♪ Home this morning ♪

♪ And my baby, she put me out ♪

Best start paying attention, Chicago.

♪ Man, she left me layin' ♪

♪ Got on my bended knees ♪

What is it? My pants? The shoes?

He didn't say nothing to Curtis or
Wheeler about being from Chicago.

It ain't about your looks, dummy.

He works for Roy Bryant.

That was his wife at the market.

People are talking.

What are people saying?

[MAURICE] Depends who you ask.

But I didn't do anything.

[EMMETT] "Dear Mama,
hope you had a nice trip.

I'm having a fine time.

[MAMIE AND EMMETT]
But I am out of money."

[SIGHS] It's just so typical of us.

I work myself up into a
frenzy to get him on the phone,

and what did I find in
my mailbox this morning,

but two letters.

One from Bo, and one
from my Aunt Lizzie,

who just went on and on bragging

about my "nice, obedient son."

You plan on doing this with Gene?

Mm!

What?

I thought y'all wanted to hear?

[TOGETHER] No!

- Girl!
- All right. All right.

I will shut up.

Whoo!

Hey!

[LAUGHTER]

[WOMAN] Play a tune, Pat.

Come on.

All right, whose deal?

[TOGETHER] Yours!

Okay, I'm coming.

["Hurts Me To My Heart" plays]

Ahh!

♪ I swear, it hurts me to my heart ♪

[WOMAN] Okay!

♪ To have to break this news to you ♪

[WOMEN CHEERING]

♪ I hate to say that we must part ♪

[CHEERING]

[MAN] Yes, sir!

[LAUGHTER]

♪♪

[CHUCKLES]

Hey.

Don't pay it no mind.

It's nothing but a bunch of rumors.

Listen, let's head back to Papa Mose's.

You know he's gonna
have us working first thing.

Whoa, whoa, whoa,
not... not on a Sunday.

Come on. It's my first night in town.

I want to do somethin'.

And didn't y'all say there
was a plantation party?

- [MAURICE] Yeah.
- Well, what are we waiting on?

[WHEELER] You up for it?

[SIGHS] Yeah. Let's get out of here.

Let's go.

Come on.

♪♪

[MILAM] All in.

Aw, hell.

[LAUGHTER]

You know, you bite your inner
cheek when you got a piss-poor hand?

Can you get me home?

When you gonna get yourself a car?

When you get yourself on a diet.

[LAUGHTER]

[LESLIE] Eh, stick
around. We just got started.

I gotta take a leak.

[WHISTLES]

This is just eating him
up real good, ain't it?

It'd be eating you up, too,

if one of 'em made ugly
remarks to your wife.

Hmm.

[INSECTS CHIRPING]

[EXHALES SHARPLY]

You know how n*gg*r*s operate.

And if word gets out
that we let this go,

it is not gonna stop with talking.

Next one might just
put his hands on her...

or my Juanita.

That boy's gotta answer for himself.

You don't think I know that?

- Been asking around.
- Uh-huh.

The hell you expect me to do?

Find him.

[BURPS] How in the
hell am I supposed to go

to service in the morning?

That's white lightning for you.

proof homemade whiskey.

I'm seeing triple.

[THUD]

What was that?

It sounded like a damn body.

- Quiet.
- [DOG YELPS]

Just a dang old dog.

Can't we just check on him?

For what?

I don't know for what.
It's the right thing to do.

You realize one of these days,
you're gonna have to catch

the same chicken you
been lovin' up on all week,

and my mama's gonna wring his neck

and chop his head clear off.

You know that, don't you?

Do you know how much
easier it would be for you

to eat a chicken

if you would just let a
chicken be a damn chicken?

Maurice, ease up on him, will ya?

♪♪

There's an order to
things down here, Bo.

The sooner you figure that out...

the better off you're gonna be.

[VEHICLE APPROACHES]

[ENGINE TURNS OFF]

[CAR DOORS OPEN, CLOSE]

[DOOR CREAKS OPEN, CLOSED]

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACH]

[BANGING ON DOOR]

[ROY] Preacher!

[BANGING CONTINUES]

- [UNCLE MOSE] Who's there?
- [ROY] Mr. Bryant.

I want to talk to you and that boy.

I'm Roy Bryant.

[MILAM] We want that boy from Chicago.

The one who did that
talking up in Money.

I... I...

That was my sister-in-law in the market.

I ain't gonna stand
for it. Turn the lights on.

[UNCLE MOSE] [STAMMERS]

Ain't but the one
bulb, and it's burnt out.

[MILAM] Mm-hmm.

You go back to bed.
We ain't gonna ask again.

Where is he?

[SIGHS]

Mm-hmm.

Oh, no, sir. Those are my grandsons.

No, he ain't the one you want, sir.

We got a full house tonight.

Come on.

Come on.

You stalling, Preacher?

- Sir, no, sir.
- Hmm?

No, no, sir. No, sir.

They come home... The boys,
they come home late tonight.

Ain't no telling where they ended up.

Come on.

Now!

You're fine.

The little one is mine, sir.

[MILAM] Go back to sleep.

This the one? From Chicago?

Yes, sir.

[MILAM] You the one done
the smart talk up at the market?

Yeah.

[MILAM] You say "yeah"
again, I'll blow your head off.

[UNCLE MOSE] Oh.

Now get dressed.

Nah, just the shoes.

[EMMETT] Yes, sir.

Where you taking him, sir?

Nowhere, if he ain't the right one.

Here. Come on.

[UNCLE MOSE] Sir, the boy... you
know, he ain't got good sense, sir.

He been sickly since he was a boy.

Sir, can't you just
take him out back and...

and whip him real good?

Ain't no need to carry
him off. He ain't but .

How old are you, Preacher?

[UNCLE MOSE] , sir.

Well, if you know
any of us here tonight,

you won't make it to .

[ELIZABETH] I'll pay for the damages.

[MILAM] You get back in
bed. I wanna hear the springs!

Please, Lord, don't take him, please!

♪♪

- This the right one?
- [WOMAN] Yeah.

[ELIZABETH] No! [SOBS]

I tried to wake him.

[UNCLE MOSE] They're
gonna bring him right back.

They gonna bring him right back.

[ELIZABETH] [SOBS]

♪♪

[SOBBING CONTINUES]

♪♪

[TELEPHONE RINGING]

[RINGING CONTINUES]

[SIGHS]

Hello?

[WILLIE MAE] [SOBBING]

Wait, who's there?

It's Willie Mae.

I don't know how to tell you this.

Um... Bo...

Bo?

What about him?

[WILLIE MAE] Some... Some men came,

and they got him last night.

And... [SOBS]

- [DIAL TONE]
- Willie Mae?

Willie Mae?!

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

♪♪