Ride (2024)

[bunniefuu]

(rosin rasping on rope)

(ground crunching under foot)

(emotional rock music plays)

(music intensifies)

(crowd cheering)

(announcer): Well, guys and

gals, we've got ourselves

a ride here in the cowboy

capital, Stephenville, Texas.

(cheering intensifies)

(buzzer honks)

Y'all came out for a son of a

legendary rider.

He's a rodeo Hall of Famer,

John Hawkins.

(crowd cheers loudly)

- All right.

(cheering fades)

(bull snorts)

(snouts crashes on gate)

(silent): Daddy!

- Wait!

(buzzer honks)

(inhales sharply)

(grunts softly)

(sniffs)

(sighs)

(water trickles)

(sniffs)

- Sign looks good.

- Yeah.

- She's gonna love it.

- Yeah.

Thanks.

(indistinct radio chatter)

(soft music)

- My man, Peanut.

- Mornin', fellas.

- How are you?

- Good! How y'all been?

- Ah, tryin' try to stay

outta trouble.

- How ya doin', sir.

- Hey Noah, how ya doin'?

Good buddy, how are you?

- I'm well, thank you.

- See ya again.

- You too, brother.

- Yes, sir.

All right, y'all hang in there,

don't work too hard.

- Oh, don't worry 'bout that.

(laughing)

- Same way?

- Anyway you go. You're the cow.

Oh!

(Noah laughs)

Oh, oh, oh, oh! Hey!

(both laugh)

I better get goin', son.

- You want me to come with ya?

- Uh-uh.

(John sighs)

Where's the secret to life?

- In the dirt.

- That's right.

In the dirt.

You work hard. I'll let you know

when she gets back. Okay?

- All right.

- I love ya.

- Love you, too.

(soft music continues)

- Hey, doc.

- Mornin', John.

- Look at that sleeping beauty.

(Dr. Kaller): John, I'd like

to all go talk in my office.

I'm so sorry.

We thought that it was just

a false alarm, too.

Virginia has multiple new tumors

and she's too young to face the

chemo needed this time around,

so I want her in a cell therapy

program up in Las Colinas.

It's brand new.

It's called CAR-T.

It's much easier on the body.

And technically,

they've got a spot.

- Huh. Technically?

Monica.

- Let's go see Dr. Kaller.

Get that exit paperwork started.

- Just did.

She can't go yet.

- Uh, okay. Uh...

...what are we looking at?

- She just told me--

(Virginia): Mommy?

- Hey. Hey, sweetheart.

(John): Superstar.

- How ya feelin'?

- Good. Um...

do I have to do any more tests

before we go home?

- Listen, I know it's early

but we have something important

to talk to you about.

- What?

(Virginia laughs)

- You left Pinky at home

all by himself.

- Yes!

- Now, what kind of cowgirl

leaves her unicorn at home?

- I was dreaming about unicorns

before Mom's snoring woke me up.

(John laughs)

- What? I never snore!

- Sweetheart, we have something

to talk to you about.

- What? Oh, oh, really?

Both of you?

Oh, my God, I can't be...

(John imitates snoring)

That is like the pot calling

the kettle black.

(John laughs)

(gate alarm buzzes)

(gate creaks open)

(Al): Smell different out here?

(sniffs)

(inmate): Hey, good luck, Pete!

- Come here.

- Grandpa.

(inmate): Go get 'em, Pete!

- You done with this sh*t, huh?

Let's get you home.

(door slams shut)

Well, your eyes are clean.

- Sober six months.

(John): Virgie's on Monica's

Texas Employee plan.

That's gonna cover about

half of it, won't it?

(Tanner): Insurance will uh,

cover part of this

but even if Virginia only does

one transmission round,

that's $160,000 you'll owe.

- You ain't gonna give me

a loan that big, right?

- You're still payin'

off the last two.

- Yeah, the one that you made

me take, thank you very much.

I'll be payin' that off

the rest of my life.

But look, I don't give a sh*t

about that.

I just need to fix

this right now.

- I'd give you the cash in

a duffle bag if I could.

- What about the house?

Oh, what can we re-file

that again?

- Look, I'm praying for ya.

We're gonna work this out.

For now, keep diggin'

for sellable assets.

- I appreciate ya, I do.

Sellable assets, thank you.

- Yeah.

(somber music plays)

(footsteps crunch away)

(tape zipping)

(rosin rasps on rope)

(John): What we gonna

do about it, huh?

What are we gonna do?

(crowd shouting)

(horn buzzes)

(crowd cheering)

(country music playing)

- Well, looky there, Doug,

it's old John Hawkins' boy.

He's fresh out the joint,

you know.

You reckon he can ride

Old Big Money?

(Doug): Doubt it.

- Come on, chicken hog.

Don't ride like Daddy did.

(bull crashes on gate)

That's a good boy, Big Money.

Buc him in the air.

(laughs)

Don't homestead in there, son.

He'll start leanin' on ya.

(bull crashes on gate)

See there?

- Gotta get his head up.

- That's as good as he gonna

get, cowboy.

Better take whatever shot you

get, chicken hog.

(Big Rowdy): You boys ready?

Let's go.

Let's buc a bull!

Big night, cowboy.

(bull grunts)

(Pete): Let's go!

(Rowdy): Open it!

- Let's go!

(handlers shouting)

- Whoa. Get him!

Get him out here!

(bull grunts)

- Pull!

- Hold on, you gunsel.

- That's a re-ride.

- That's up to the judges.

(crowd jeering)

Hey, relax, man! Nobody died.

This time.

(laughs)

- What'd you say?

- I said nobody died.

(men grunting)

(thudding blows)

(crowd cheering)

(wheezing)

- You gonna drink that?

(Tyler): Welcome home, welcome

home. You know what I mean?

(laughs)

Come on, man, I've been waitin'

for you to get your a*s out.

Eight seconds, baby.

(chuckles): Eight seconds.

(rap music plays in background)

You pay

or you put in work.

- There's this uh, this rodeo

comin' up.

Grand prize is 10 large.

You gimme a good fill up,

I pay you back with my winnings.

(Tyler laughs)

I'm good for it.

- Hey. Maybe the PBR will uh,

give you some kinda Dallas

high-rise, too.

(laughs)

Ana!

Ana, get your little a*s

out here and two more Oxys!

Dos!

Now, that's all worth

four grand.

So, I'll front you

and you pay me back with

your rodeo winnings.

But listen to me,

all your winnings.

Wooooo, hell yeah!

Now, let's party.

(laughs)

Now, don't k*ll yourself.

I need you now.

(table rattling)

(laughing echoes)

(church organ singing)

- Let's pass the basket

and get the church involved.

- Daddy, no.

It ain't their burden.

- Come on, don't do that.

- Don't do what?

Don't take responsibility

for my own kids?

- Well, what do you gotta raise?

(scoffs)

- Just $160,000.

- Good Lord.

- Yeah, Good Lord is right.

("Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"

plays on organ)

Hey.

(Melissa): I heard he's out.

Do y'all have a welcome home

party for him?

Must be nice.

- Um, Mrs. Dean,

if you wanna talk--

(spits)

(congregation gasps)

- My daughter is never coming

home.

Do you know what that's like?

- Mrs. Dean--

- I hope it eats him alive.

- Mrs. Dean,

now is not the place.

- Him and your whole family.

- This isn't the time--

- It's not fair.

(sobs)

- Mrs. Dean, it's okay.

- It's not fair.

- Right now's not the place

or the... Mrs. Dean, please.

- Don't touch me!

- I'm not tou--

- Get off of me.

- Dad.

- Come on, Mrs. Dean.

Come on. Let me walk you out.

(she sobs)

(John): You see, my daughter,

she's being

scheduled for the CAR-T therapy.

I was hoping I could get on some

kind of a payment plan with ya.

- Thank you, sir.

- Yes, ma'am,

I can hold.

(sighs)

Thank you for everything.

- I'll treat him good.

(John): Your cousin still work

for the state school board?

- Sure does, why?

- Well, for the past 12 years

I've been teachin' Future

Farmers of America

down at the high school

every spring.

And uh, you know, I heard that

you can access your pension

before you hit 20 if

the board'll okay it.

- It'll come in at a sh*t rate.

- I don't care about rates.

Just wanna help out my daughter.

- Gimme the paperwork and uh,

I'll put in a good word

with the board.

- I sure appreciate ya.

- Prayin' for you, John.

("Holy Road" by Bones

Owens plays)

Well, the mornin'

comes on fast

When you're just

above the water

So you wake up with a gasp

Well, the mornin'

Comes on slow

When you wake up

in your mansion

On the end of holy road

And I wonder as I sit

In the seat old Chevy

(Deputy Dickons laughs)

- Only in the Texas

can the Sheriff wear a church

dress to work

and still look like a badass.

Here.

- Thank you.

- Yeah.

Hey, d'ya hear about the peanuts

that got stuck in a bad

neighborhood?

They were a-salted.

(laughs)

- You really never quit, do you?

I gotta go to Las Colinas today.

- Hmm.

- The station's yours.

- What's in Las Colinas?

- Lookin' at a new place

for Ginny.

- I thought she was comin' home?

- So did I.

- Hey, what's goin' on?

- Well, she's got another

battle ahead. She just...

- She's strong. Like her mama.

- Thank you. That's sweet.

- Got you a coffee for the road.

- Ross got me one.

Look, I have been reading about

this California woman.

She had 32 tumors.

She did this CAR-T treatment

and now, she's in full

remission.

- Is he still planning

on running for sheriff?

- He's a good cop.

Knows how to take charge.

- Oh yeah, I saw that.

- You know what?

I think we should start

a conversation with Peter.

- I already called him.

- You're joking.

- No, it don't matter.

He didn't answer

the phone anyway.

- You were the one who decided

we shouldn't visit him.

- Well, he was only supposed

to be in there for a damn year,

he kept gettin' into a bunch

of sh*t so he made his bed.

- Yeah, we turned our back

on him.

(Virginia): No, I'm good.

- Jail break.

You're on a jail break!

- Dad's gonna be so mad at you.

(Al laughs)

- Hell, it won't be

the first time.

A month or two,

we'll be out here again.

- Hope so.

(hooves trotting)

(somber music plays)

(Al): Oh man, look at that.

(Virginia): Hmm.

- Thanks, guys.

(music continues)

- Pete.

- John here?

- Nah. It's just me.

(Noah): 'Ginia's gettin' so big,

man.

You should see her.

Sorry, I didn't mean

it like that.

Pete, how come you never

told me you were out?

- How come you didn't visit me

when I was in?

- You gonna start riding again?

- Competing this weekend.

- Nice.

You better than Dad yet?

- Bet your a*s.

(chuckles)

Why don't you come and find out?

- I'm there.

Can I bring my girlfriend?

- Got a girl?

- Yeah. Yeah, I do.

Yeah, she's... she's amazing.

She even got me to apply

for college and everything.

Virginia's cancer is back.

They're moving her

to Las Colinas.

I think Dad is freaking out

about money

and I know Ma's freaking

about Dad.

And man, I've been prayin'

on it but...

oh sh*t, I'm scared.

- I gotta go.

- Pete. Pete, hey man, come on!

Wait, hey, Pete!

Come on, I'm...

Man, I'm sorry! I'm sorry

I never came to visit you.

- Stop apologizing to me.

(tense music plays)

(engine starting)

(truck speeds away)

(thudding)

(Al): Hey, in my day,

the goal was to stay on.

Maybe you oughta try that.

- Load him up again, Paul, huh?

(Pete winces)

(Al): Hey, hey. Wait a minute,

wait a minute.

You're wobblier

than a two-peckered billy goat.

- You don't even know

what that means.

- It means that ride was sh*t.

(sighs)

Maybe I oughta get you a pony,

you could prance around on it.

- Goin' after Twister tomorrow.

- Twister's impossible to ride.

That rank old bull won't even

be in the draw.

- Can't make PBR ridin'

easy bulls, Al.

(Tyler): Tryin' to go pro

or win that cash?

Howdy.

(Pete): I ride the toughest bull

they got, we both win.

- PBR don't want no ex-cons.

What're you really tryin'

to prove?

(Al): Come on.

- Gonna win that money.

- Yeah, I know you will.

You better.

(foosball players clunking)

- What'd you do, rob a bank?

- Ah, you like horses?

- I do.

- I used to like 'em as well.

- Even the coffee's nicer here.

- Let's go ahead and max these

two out right here, okay?

And I got uh,

this is my debit card,

we just take it probably

for 500 on this thing.

I think I can go up to $1,500

on there.

That, for sure 12.

So, 18... 80...

- So, sir, the uh...

(clears throat)

...the first payment's $40,000.

- That's right and this is

the first payment

on the first payment.

That's the plan.

- Right, I-I mean, I'm just

saying that we...

we're gonna need

that first payment

before we transfer her

on Monday. In-in full.

First payment in full.

Is that gonna be a problem or--

- 40 grand?

- 40 grand.

- How's that supposed

to be a plan?

You expect me

to just walk around

with 40 grand cash

in my pocket?

- You don't have to pay in cash.

- No, but how's it a plan

if you're comin' in,

asking me to lay down $40,000

all in once.

(players clunking)

- I can get my manager

if you want.

- You sit there and you ask me

if that's...

Sit there and ask me

if that's a problem?

The hell kinda question is that?

- They told that you over the--

- Is that gonna be a problem?

- I mean...

- Hell yeah, it's a problem.

You're supposed to help me.

(clerk): They should have

told you over the phone.

(John): Yeah, well, I had a nice

conversation with Ellie,

45 minutes.

Actually, scratch that.

Actually, I was on hold for

40 minutes, we spoke for five.

(coffee burbling)

Thank you very much.

(clerk): If you want the tours

to the--

(John): Just have a nice day.

- You have yourself a good day.

If you wanna take the tour,

it's down the hall to the left.

(clears throat)

- Everything good?

- Oh, yeah. I love this place.

You all right?

- I'm good.

(Pete grunting)

- Can anybody hear me?

(emotional music)

(grunts)

(Virginia retches)

- Ginny? Baby?

Oh, my God, what--

(John): Noah!

- Baby, baby, no,

what's happening.

- Where's... Noah!

- Honey.

- Where the hell's Noah? Nurse!

- Dad.

- What're you doin'?

(Monica): Honey, it's okay.

It's okay, baby.

- You left her alone right here.

- She asked for ice.

- She was sick.

Why're you getting mad at me?

- Excuse me, ma'am, why is my

daughter left alone right here?

- John, please come down.

- I'm calm,

I'm just wanting to know.

- I just left, Dad.

- I'm sorry, okay?

(tractor rumbles)

(Al): It was three shots of Beam

for me in the morning.

I know.

I've been you.

Hell, I am you.

- Can you sign this uh,

AA sheet?

I need it for my parole.

- Still goin' after

Twister tonight?

- I don't know.

- Uh. Champs ain't made ridin'.

They're made in them few seconds

right after they fall.

- Grandpa?

Why didn't you tell me about

Las Colinas?

- There's a lot to carry on

your first week out.

(sighs)

Virginia has still got that

unicorn pillow you got her.

She loves that stupid thing.

(footsteps shuffle away)

(John): My sweet baby girl.

(indistinct background chatter)

(guitar strums softly)

Daddy was an outlaw

Rode from town to town

Robbing banks

and stagecoaches

Was the meanest man around

Run a buckskin horse

Carried a 45

12 proven men were

in his g*ng

To help keep him alive

Daddy ride

Ride

Ride

Daddy ride

Ride

Ride

Well there's

six feet of earth

Waiting on his soul

Nobody's ever beat

the devil to the door

What you do between

now and then

Well, that's the measure

of a man

Daddy, ride

Virgie, you ride

(electric guitar plays

"The Star-Spangled Banner")

(music intensifies)

(indistinct chatter)

(Star-Spangled Banner continues)

(anthem ends, crowd cheers)

(announcer): Now a little bit of

noise for Bones Owens,

ladies and gentlemen.

- That'll be you tomorrow night.

- Yeah, and about 10 people.

- Eleven.

(chuckles)

Oh, here we go.

Look at this guy.

Come on, get 'em, kid!

(announcer): Wow! Hot dang,

that was a nice ride.

(Noah): He's got a mullet.

(announcer): You're never

too young to cowboy.

- Oh man, I miss this.

- Hey, tea sippings over.

It's time.

(Pete blows out breath)

Full house. Yee haw.

I'm gettin' the shivers myself.

(announcer): Let's go!

(crowd cheering)

- Grandpa's wanting to get on--

(Tyler): Yo, Pete!

Good luck, brother.

- Hey! Get your mind in

the middle here.

You've gotta harness that bull

in ya.

Be the bull. Be the bull.

Let's ride!

(announcer): Tonight's events

are brought to you

by our proud sponsors,

Ringers Western Wear.

And bringin' the big bucks,

$10,000 on the line for bull

riding here tonight.

(crowd cheering)

(dramatic music plays)

(Tyler): Bring me my money, boy!

(announcer): Oh, and here comes

our next cowboy.

And here's a name we haven't

heard in a minute folks,

Peter Hawkins.

And he's up ridin' Heartbreak.

- Hey, there he is, there he is.

(wrangler): Here we go!

(Al): You ready?

(Pete): Yep.

- All right,

now let 'er rip, bull.

(glove scratching on rope)

(Pete grunting)

(Al): Ready?

(Pete): Yep.

- Be the bull.

(music intensifying)

Go for it, bull, let 'em rip!

Move, boys!

Yeah! Yeah!

Banking!

- Yeah, get me some, Pete!

(Al): Banking!

(Noah): Five, six, seven, eight!

(crowd cheers uproariously)

(Rowdy): Get outta the way.

- Yah.

(announcer): Welcome back

to the arena, Peter Hawkins.

Score of 94 points. That put

Peter Hawkins in first place.

- Woo!

- Two more.

- Two more!

- Two more.

- Two more!

- Woo!

(Al): Soak it up.

Take it. Earn it.

- My insurance has

signed off on the co-pay

but it says here the first

payment has to be made in full

before the transfer.

Is that right?

'Cause if they say

they're not gonna take her

then someone's a*s

is going to jail.

- You know, when I quit

cowboying,

I wasn't really that sad.

Bust your a*s every day,

come home sore and tired.

Sometimes you're so damn sweaty

you can barely peel your jeans

off. But I'll tell ya somethin'.

Every g*dd*mn morning when that

sun came up,

I knew what the hell

I was doin'.

My pension came through.

We can use that.

(man): Middle America feeds

America.

Yeah! So I'm thankin' y'all

for coming here tonight

and supporting my culture

and my heritage.

That's what y'all doin'.

Ya ain't just watching a rodeo.

Supporting the western

way of life.

God bless America!

(crowd cheering)

(dramatic rock music)

(announcer speaks indistinctly)

(crowd cheers)

(Al): Hey, buddy.

You gotta earn it.

- Every second.

(announcer): Get up on your feet

folks, we're on the semifinals.

Peter Hawkins is back

in the chutes riding Tempest.

(Pete): That good, Al.

(Al): You liking it?

- Yeah.

(Rowdy): You better get

his head up.

(Al): We'll get him up.

(bull crashes on gate)

(Peter groans)

(Pete): God dang it. I can't

handle him, Al.

(announcer): Uh-oh,

he's off to a rough one.

(Pete grunting)

(announcer): He's running

out of time in there.

(Pete): Rodeo clowns, take over.

- Let's go.

(Pete): Come on, boys.

Let's go. Let's go!

(somber music plays)

(bull grunting)

(crashes)

(announcer): Ouch! That was hard

to watch, folks.

It's gonna drop Peter all

the way down to fourth place.

(gate clangs)

- I can't breathe.

- I can't imagine your dad

doing this back in the day.

- They used to do it together.

Grandpa, too.

It's in the blood.

(grunts)

(Al): Hold still, damn it!

Come on, I'm done with this.

Stop it for a second!

(bottle clatters)

Now let me see it.

(grunting)

Ah, sh*t. Damn it! Hmm.

You got one more in ya?

Huh?

(Pete wheezing)

I know it hurts, pard.

One more. You bear down?

Get it done?

Okay. Clear you mind.

You're a bull rider.

This is what bull riders do.

Go for it.

(door slams shut)

(tense music)

(crowd cheers loudly)

(dramatic music)

(announcer): Well, that was

a nice ride.

Hank Stockton with an 88!

That will put Stockton

in first place.

Ladies and gentlemen,

just got word,

Peter Hawkins has one more

ride in him.

And get this, the nastiest

of the nasty,

Twister has been added

to the card.

We got ourselves a Texas-sized

showdown.

(hand rasping on glove)

- This is your world.

(poignant music)

(Pete): Ready?

(Al): I'm ready when

you are, buddy.

(Twister snorts)

Yeah, he's ready.

There ya go.

(glove scratching on rope)

All right. Got this?

It's all you now.

It's all you now.

Be one with the bull.

Be one with the bull.

(Pete breathing intensely)

(Twister snorts)

(poignant music continues)

(gate creaks open)

(crashes)

(Pete): All right, Virginia,

how many Cokes you gonna tell

Dad I got you tonight?

Just one, right?

(young Virginia giggles)

So, you have a favorite event?

Do you like bulls,

do you like horses?

(Virginia): I think I like

horses, maybe. Please?

- No, I ain't sayin' it.

You got it.

- I just always forget.

- What is it? What does Dad

always say? He says uh...

He was the meanest

man around

He was the meanest

man around

Daddy ride

(whiskey splashes)

Daddy ride

(car horn blares)

(Virginia): Peter!

(loud crash)

- Well, could you see heaven

or hell?

- I make eight?

- Nah.

You just won the whole

damn rodeo, though.

(crowd cheers uproariously)

(Tyler whoops)

Soak it up. Take it in.

This is for you, son.

You did this!

(announcer): Somebody slap me.

I think I'm still dreaming.

(despairing music

drowns out noise)

(announcer): Peter Hawkins

ridin' Twister

and notching 95 points.

Peter Hawkins takes home...

(music intensifies)

(crowd cheering and clapping)

(zipper closes)

- I know this isn't the life

you wanted.

- I never said that.

- You never say anything.

(phone rings)

(Tanner): You've reached Tanner

Bell, Texas Bank.

Leave a message.

(beep)

- Sorry for calling so late.

Um...

I'm just hoping that pension

could come through

so can you just gimme a call

back, please?

It's... whenever you can.

(Noah): Pete!

Hey, hey, that was awesome, man.

- You came.

- This is my girlfriend, Libby.

- Noah's told me

so much about ya.

- Y'all want a beer?

- Pfft. Is Troy Aikman the best

quarterback of all time?

Come on. Toss it here.

- Yeah. There ya go.

Cheers.

- Cheers, man.

- Cheers.

- Congrats, for real.

- Thanks for comin'.

(Tyler): Woo! Ha, ha!

My boy! Woo!

(laughing)

(Pete): Hey, man.

- Oh, come on, baby.

So, they give you a big,

fat check, huh?

- Uh.

Cash.

- Ooh!

Hey, this must be little bro.

Heard a lot about you.

I'm Tyler!

- I'm Noah.

- You k*lled it out there.

Represented, huh?

What is with the long faces?

Y'all acting like a couple wild

horses stuck in stables.

Come on, now.

How are we celebratin'?

Noah, does your fine lady

like to party?

(Pete): I'm gonna come

by tonight.

I get my cash,

I'm gonna come by.

We'll party. Right?

- That's right.

- Hell, yeah.

- All right.

- All right.

All right, cool.

Nice meetin' y'all. Ma'am.

- See ya later.

- You know, we should probably

get goin' too, Pete.

- Y'all can stay.

- Nice meetin' ya.

- Congratulations, Pete.

Congrats, bro.

Sorry 'bout that.

- You know, Peter, you,

you stand for everything Ringers

Western is all about.

Family, faith, and strong

American values.

- Helluva ride, man.

Ringers is proud to present you

with this $10,000 grand prize.

You earned it, cowboy.

- Proud of you, son.

Mighty proud.

Dang sure earned it, cowboy.

A great bull ride.

Don't spend that money

all in one place now.

(imitates crowd cheering)

(lights clunking off)

("Sometimes - Zinck"

by Bones Owens plays)

Sometimes it feels like

I'm stuck inside

the belly of a whale

Been gone so long that

I hardly even recognize

myself

Sometimes

Sometimes

Sometimes it feels like

God fell asleep while

he was makin' things

And I've been tryin' but

Can't seem to make

no sense of what it means

Sometimes

(fire crackling)

(Pete): 'Sup, boys?

(tense music)

- Figured I'd come to you.

(Pete grunting)

(Pete): Your money's gone.

- Come on.

- Let's go.

Do what you're gonna do.

Let's go.

(buttons rip)

(fire hissing)

Come on!

(skin sizzles)

(screams)

(Pete groaning)

(Monica): John? Hey, John.

- Hmm? Yeah.

You're back.

- Which one do you think

Virginia'd like best?

- What are you talkin' about?

- Which one?

- For what?

- For her funeral.

(inhales sharply)

(truck door clunks)

(breathes heavily)

(door creaks open)

- It's for Virginia.

Just pretend it didn't come

from me.

- Mm-hmm.

- Should be easy for ya.

- Ya think I'm stupid.

- Nah. Just a as*h*le.

- Where the hell'd you get

10 grand from, Pete? Huh?

Yeah, I figured you wouldn't

have anything to say about that.

- I learned from the best.

- Oh yeah, bullshit!

I never stole nothing

in my g*dd*mn life

and I didn't raise a thief.

- I just wanna help her.

- I don't need help raising

my daughter, Pete.

- Then take the money.

No matter what I do,

you're never gonna let me

be a part of this family.

- You don't frickin' get it,

do ya, Pete?

- What?

- You don't know how much money

I need to pull her through this.

And let me tell ya somethin',

even if I do figure it out...

(breathes heavily)

...she's gon' die.

- I'll get more.

- You ain't never gonna change.

You just gonna spend

your life out in this box?

(engine starts)

(truck rumbles away)

(sorrowful music)

(phone buzzing)

Hello?

- Hey, John.

- Tanner, give me some

good news.

(Tanner sighs)

Hey...

Tanner, I-I think you dropped

out there for a second.

Gimme some good news, come on.

- School board denied you.

- Well...

what'd the hell they say?

- They said uh,

maybe in a few years.

- What do you mean

in a few years?

We-we-we need this right now.

- I'm so sorry, John.

I'm... I'm sorry.

- I don't, I don't need

your sorrys right now.

We need a little bit of help,

okay? She's 11 years old.

What the hell am I supposed

to do now, Tanner?

- Prayin' for you, John.

- You-you prayin' for me?

- I'm so sorry, John.

I'm prayin'...

- Start prayin'

for your own a*s.

(Monica): Las Colinas called.

They're not takin' her.

(John): I'm tryin'

to fix that, okay?

- They're not taking her.

- I understand that.

I am trying to fix it.

- They're telling me

that we didn't pay.

Why? Why, why?

Because you said,

you said that your pension

came through.

You said you had it handled.

- I know that.

I'm trying to fix it, okay?

- Why would you hide something

like that from me, huh?

Why wouldn't you tell me,

like I'm some fool?

I am here!

- What?

- Right here.

- No, you're not here.

You don't stay here. You don't

sleep here. I never see you.

- So, you lie to me?

- I...

I'm the father of this family.

I gave up my life to be a dad,

just give me that.

- If she dies, it's your fault.

(car door opens and closes)

(melancholy music plays)

(Pete): John!

John!

John!

You're gonna take this money.

Even if I gotta jam it down

your throat,

you're gonna take this money.

- That money can't help me, son.

That ain't enough.

Hell, I ain't enough.

- Dad?

Let's go for a drive.

(rain pattering)

(John): Wanna tell me what

we're doin' here?

- Five minutes in that house,

Virginia lives.

- One minute inside that house

and you're goin' back to jail.

When you gonna figure sh*t out,

Pete?

- You still don't think

I figured it out?

Cowboy up, John.

- f*ck.

(ominous music)

(billiard ba*ls clatter)

- Ross.

- Boss.

Noah. You're lookin' slick,

buddy. Ha, ha.

- sh*t, come on.

- Did you know she was gonna

be here?

- She ain't here.

(ominous music continues)

(crowd cheers and claps)

- Pete, come on, let's just go.

- I'm Libby Browning, and I'm

from right here in Stephenville.

I love this town so much.

We're not perfect

but we're all heart.

Just good people.

Tryin' to do what's right,

no matter what it takes.

- Holy sh*t, get all of it.

Come on, come on, come on,

come on.

(Libby): And no matter how small

we might feel,

or how many times

we get beat down.

- There's more in the back.

- No, no, you come with me.

Come on.

- I just really believe

the worst situations in life

can be what bring us together.

(John): Pete!

- I'm right behind you.

(Libby starts playing

"I'll Rise")

Stand back, enjoy the show

Hand clap and watch 'em roll

Man, can't nobody

out there know

First round they

got him down

(John sobs)

Been pinned against

the ground

Paybacks are awful

now you know

There ain't no glory

in defeat

Don't you worry about me,

I'm fine

(truck rumbles, approaching)

Just when they think

they got me beat

I'll comin' back

another time

And I'll rise

I'll rise

(inaudible)

(g*nsh*t)

Just got the wind knocked

outta me

And I think I'm gonna

need a little time

'Cause paybacks

are hell these days

Writhing out on the stage

Won't make the same

mistake twice

There ain't no glory

in defeat

Don't you worry

about me I'm fine

Just when they think

they got me beat

I'll be coming back

another time

And I'll rise

I will rise

(glass shatters)

(music stops)

- Look what you make me do.

(g*n c*ck)

(rope swishes)

(grunting)

(groaning)

(groaning)

(Pete screams)

- P...Pete.

(gasping)

(Pete grunts)

Pete. He's... he's dead.

Pete, Pete.

(both breathe heavily)

(bell tolls)

(siren wails in distance)

(Libby and Noah laugh happily)

(Libby): Thank you so much.

(Monica): Good job, Libby.

So good.

- Thank you.

- Monica.

(Monica): Good job.

(Libby): Thank you.

- Monica.

- What's up?

- Shots fired.

They're askin' for ya on site.

(sighs)

- Okay.

(clears throat)

Good job, Libby. See ya later.

(ominous music)

(siren wails)

(Noah): I never heard

ya sing like that.

(Libby): Noah, we gotta get

outta here.

What's really stoppin'

you from leavin'?

(brush scrubbing harshly)

- My dad.

Yeah, he was a rodeo star.

(scrubbing continues)

A star.

He gave it all up

when he had Peter.

(scrubbing continues)

They just stopped cowboying

altogether when I came along.

(scrubbing continues)

Gave up the only two things

he really loved doing.

For us.

I don't wanna know what

he'd give up for Virginia.

(scrubbing continues)

- I figured you'd want her on

the first ambulance outta here.

She starts the program tomorrow.

- How? How?

- Just wouldn't take no for an

answer. I told ya I'd fix it.

- John yesterday,

the things I said--

- Don't worry about that.

Don't worry about that.

I know you're goin'

through a lot at work.

Is everything all right?

- Yeah, uh, yeah, just a-a B&E

gone wrong.

Possible homicide, too. But

there's this girl, a witness.

So, just a matter of time.

(sighs)

The Lord is finally turning

things around for us.

(ominous music)

(phone rings)

(Monica): This is Sheriff

Hawkins.

- Hi, this is Dr. Chase,

Las Colinas Oncology.

Now a good time, ma'am?

- Uh, yeah, yeah,

now's a good time.

- I'm looking forward

to meeting Virginia.

Bet she's quite a cutie.

- Huh, she sure is.

And uh, thank you for working

with us.

- Hey, don't thank me.

Thank your husband.

- He's somethin', isn't he?

- Oh yeah. When I heard

a father got his church

to raise that kinda cash

overnight, I mean,

I'm a man of science but today

I believe in miracles.

You must have quite the

community down there, huh?

- Uh, yeah, we sure do.

- I love it.

Well, I'm looking forward

to meeting you in person.

- Yeah. Thanks again.

(clears throat)

- That female witness

say anything yet?

- Not much.

- We get the name

of the homeowner?

- Tyler Harrah.

- Pete?

Pete? Wait a second.

Listen to me. We can't do this.

- We already did.

- Listen to me. They got

a g*dd*mn witness

that seen everything, okay?

- No body, no m*rder.

Secret's in the dirt, right?

- You're gonna hit limestone

three feet down right there.

There ain't a hole big enough

in Texas--

- Don't matter,

that girl ain't sayin' sh*t.

- I'm not gonna wait

around and find out, son.

(laughs)

- This guy...

this guy was a piece

of sh*t, John.

Not goin' back inside for him.

- This ain't about him, son.

All right? Listen to me.

Hey, look at me, look at me.

Look at me, this is about

us. All right?

This is about who we are. Now,

you don't gotta say nothin'.

You don't even have to say you

were there.

I'll take the whole rap

for this.

- First thing they'll do

is take the money back.

You wanna do the right thing?

You wanna be my dad now?

You dig Virginia's grave

instead.

(Ross): Now, I-I filed this

as a robbery, missing person.

But when there's this

much thunder.

- There's lightnin'.

- Sheriff...

I found this rodeo ticket.

I haven't filed it yet.

- Why not?

- I checked Tyler's file

and uh, he and Peter

were cellmates.

And Peter competed

in this rodeo.

How do you want me to handle it?

- Like a cop.

("Mama" by Bones Owens plays)

Mama

I'm all alone

Don't know which way to go

Now Mama

It's getting cold

Can't find my way back home

Hmm

Ooh, ooh, ooh

I feel fine

When I'm not

Losing my

(music intensifies)

(music stops abruptly)

- I've been havin'

these weird dreams.

All kinda stuff happens

but they...

...they seem to tell me

the same thing.

I'm runnin' outta time.

Shoulda come to visit you when

you was in jail.

Sorry 'bout that.

- Gotta get rid o' the truck.

(Monica): Ana, do you

recognize this man?

- That's Tyler.

- Hey.

Feelin' better, Anna?

- It's Ana.

- What about this man? You

ever see him at the house?

Take your time.

- No.

(Ross): You sure?

I mean, really look at it.

- She said no.

- This means he's never coming

back, right? Tyler?

(cries)

I wanna move back home.

I wanna move back home.

I'm really, really sorry.

- Got anyone you wanna call,

sweetheart?

- My dad.

- Okay. I'll give you a minute.

- I got a line on Tyler's

missing truck.

- Okay.

- Ranch owner mighta seen it.

- Where?

- At a ranch where Peter's

been workin'.

- Okay, well, I'll go with you.

- Mm.

It's probably better if

it's just me anyway, right?

(Ana): I'm sorry.

(brush scrapes on truck bed)

(Pete groans)

(pills rattle)

- Peter?

Peter?

Pete?

Pete?

Grandpa said I might

find you here.

(Pete breathing heavily)

Jesus man, what happened

to your face?

- Why are you here?

Why are you here right now?

- 'Cause I wasn't before.

(siren wails, approaching)

What? What?

(Pete): You tell Monica

you were comin' here?

- No! No!

- Did you?

- No, dude, what?

- Did you?!

- No. What is happening, Pete?

Talk to me!

- Just gotta get this truck

to disappear, all right?

Get outta my way.

(tarp rustles)

Stop. Stop.

- Then tell me how to help you.

- Go hide back there.

Get back there!

(car rumbles, approaching)

Hey, you wanna go to college,

right? Right?

- Yes!

- Then just go.

- Peter.

- How ya doin'?

- Mind jumpin' in the back

so we can chat?

- I got a choice?

- Ha, everyone has choices.

Shouldn't take long.

(door opens)

Appreciate ya.

(door closes)

(tense music)

(engine starts)

(tense music building)

What happened with your friend,

Tyler Harrah?

(Pete): You tell me,

you're the cop.

- How long you been out?

I talked to your neighbor.

He saw a truck matching Tyler's

goin' out to that old frontier

creek. Off the bosque.

And that poor girl.

She gonna sober up eventually.

- Then why ain't I cuffed?

- 'Cause the sheriff

is your mom.

I heard you put on quite a show

at the rodeo.

Lot can go wrong

in eight seconds, huh?

- Yeah? It's probably

how you came to be.

- You know, no matter how hard

you fight,

whether you make eight or not,

the bull always chucks ya

eventually. Always.

- I am a bull.

- Say, Peter,

when's the last time you went

an entire night without usin'?

(engine starts)

(Al sucks air)

- Atta girl.

Git up!

- It's a lotta horse

for an old drunk, innit? Ah.

- Gettin' her ready

for the veteran's program.

- Let me show ya how it's done.

- Come on.

(John clicks tongue)

(sucks lips)

Come on.

- Yep, keep it up right there.

- Whoa.

- Ha, ha, there it is.

- Oh, sweetheart.

- Break 'em gentle, they stay

gentle.

Ha, ha, I shoulda used

that on you.

(both laugh)

- Yeah. Yeah.

You know, when Virginia started

losing her hair, I...

I promised her it would

grow back.

- 'Cause you're bein'

a good dad.

- But I didn't know.

It was a lie.

You really think prayin's gonna

save her life, Daddy?

Like it did yours.

- I believe, son,

if you pray to God to dig you

out of a hole,

you should get up the next

morning and look for a shovel.

- Yep.

(truck rumbling)

(tense music)

(license plate clatters)

(car rumbles, approaching)

(engine cuts off)

(door opens and closes)

- You remember that one day

you were playing in the yard

with the boys

and that truck drove by goin'

like, 80?

By the time I got my bearings,

you were already on Roscoe,

galloping bareback after

that damn truck.

I always wondered

what would've happened

had you actually caught him.

- Am I talkin' to my wife

right now or to the Sheriff?

- I'm always your wife, John.

But I am not the only cop

in this town.

And everything is pointing

him to you.

And to some creek.

Where my son works.

The world put pressure on you,

John,

and I put on more.

(sighs heavily)

(John): Pete! Pete!

(rattlesnake hissing)

(emotional music)

- Can I get some water?

Y'all hear me?

(exhales deeply)

(lantern clicking)

Toes out.

(fist pounding)

(groans)

(Virginia): Peter,

where have you been?

You're my big brother.

I needed you.

- I need some water.

(Virginia sings)

Daddy was an outlaw

Rode from town to town

Robbin' banks

and stagecoaches

He was the meanest

man around

Daddy ride

Ride

Ride

(Monica): Peter.

Peter.

(hooves clopping)

Hey, Peter.

Peter.

Here's some water.

Just electrolytes, in case you

can't hold down the fluids.

I shoulda visited you.

(inhales deeply)

12 months became four years

and I...

I'm gonna have to live with

that for the rest of my life.

But I know you love your sister.

And I know you'd do anything

for her.

So, you gotta do

the right thing.

- I think I am.

- You know, the morning

after the crash,

they gave Virginia a CT scan.

Just to be safe.

That's when they spotted

a tumor.

Did you know that?

That's what gave her a fighting

chance.

- Really?

- Hmm.

I don't have enough

to charge you.

You're free to go.

- You ever hold an addict

overnight without water again,

you are fired.

- I have a job to do.

We both do, Monica.

- It's Sheriff.

- Oh, you're gonna

pull that sh*t?

- Don't test me.

- Or what?

(somber music plays)

(Pete): I'm gonna tell 'em it

was just me.

They can't take the money

back that way.

- Save her and give up you.

- Why not?

Hell, I'm already gone.

- I don't believe that.

Son,

you wanna be a bull rider,

you gotta know yourself.

You gotta be a good man

and you gotta be willing to look

into the g*dd*mn mirror,

whether you like it or not.

Now, I don't care if you're

a world champion bull rider.

But I want you to be a good man.

- Then lemme do this.

- Where is everyone?

- When I first heard about

Las Colinas,

I was so scared.

- Look, I can't imagine

how hard--

- Because...

...because if Ginny got better,

that meant I would really

have to look at my life,

at things with John.

What an ugly thing to think.

(solemn music plays)

- You know why they call

it the cowboy capital?

(Libby): Toughest cowboys

come from here.

- Stephenville's smack

in the middle of Texas.

It's just the most central place

for cowboys to base out of

so they can make it to all

their rodeos.

This place helped 'em

save on gas money.

- What're you doin'? Dad?

Where're we goin'?

- Should've done this

a long time ago.

- What're you doin'?

- Nothin' I need

to involve you in.

- Deputy?

- That rancher said Peter parked

by an old rock wall,

just off the creek.

I got my warrant.

I'm goin'.

- Hold on.

- What're you doin'?

(sighs)

- I'm goin' to work.

(Al): I was havin' these

vicious, vicious nightmares.

I was scared to just sleep.

I-I couldn't do anything.

I couldn't ride. I couldn't do

nothin' but drink.

And wait for the devil to come

after me every night.

- This is the only place

I'm takin' you.

- I was really,

really messed up.

So, sure enough, the next

rodeo would come along

and...

I... screwed up.

I fell off one I shoulda rode

and won the rodeo on.

Then uh...

I was headed for that bottle.

As I'm walkin' outta the back of

the chutes with my rigging bag,

some cowboys that knew me

and they knew I shoulda rode

that bull,

they asked me what was goin' on

with me.

I told them about the dreams.

And uh, they just dropped

their rigging bags,

put their arms around me,

and asked Jesus Christ to come

into my heart and into my life.

With them cowboys havin'

my back,

with me doin' my steps

every day,

I've slept like a baby

ever since.

(group): That's right.

That's right.

(car rumbles, approaching)

(poignant music)

(Al): Now, we got a one yearer

here, huh?

All right, Don,

good job, bud.

(group claps)

- I don't drink.

(Al): You don't drink.

Good man, Don.

We got any monthers?

(group claps)

(Ross): There. There's the wall.

(Al): How 'bout weekers?

Anybody got a week?

No?

- We got one day

right over there.

- Oh, man.

(Ross): There. There it is.

(panting)

Hey, keep your light on me.

This is it.

- One day.

(group claps)

It's the hardest day of all.

- Peter, I'm an addict.

(group): Hello, Peter.

Hey, Peter.

- I've let a lotta people down.

Let a lotta people

down in my life.

And I let myself down.

My family.

Had this uh...

car accident.

It k*lled somebody.

I k*lled somebody.

Mm-hmm.

My little sister

was in the car, too.

Spent four years in prison

for it

but that wasn't really

my sentence.

(snap clicks)

I don't sleep. I don't...

I don't have nightmares.

But that night plays in my head

like it's on a loop.

And it never stops.

Except when I'm high.

And when I'm ridin' bulls.

When that chute opens,

all my pain, all that...

emptiness,

just goes away.

(shovel clunking)

For eight seconds,

it's like all I gotta do

is hold on.

(tense music)

(shovel clangs on metal)

- Sheriff.

You gotta see this.

Come look.

Just come.

Take a look.

(lock box clunks)

This ain't right.

What is this?

- Rattlesnakes are still

poisonous after they're dead.

You have to bury the head away

from their body.

That's the old way.

(poignant music plays)

- Hey, John.

- What do you know about people

burying rattlesnake heads?

- Hell, I don't know.

Sounds like the old way to me.

- Yeah, that's what I keep

hearin'.

You know, I hope Virgina

makes it.

I always have, John.

- Careful backin' out.

I'll tell you whatever

you wanna know.

- Secret's in the dirt.

(music intensifies)

(announcer): ...ridin' bulls

in the cowboy capital,

Stephenville, Texas.

(crowd cheering)

(grunts)

(announcer continues

indistinctly)

- Peter!

Go kick butt.

- Yes, ma'am.

- Go get it, baby.

- Thanks, Mom.

- Hey, you ready?

- Yeah.

- Listen, I hear this son of a

g*n can get nasty in the chute

so I want you to use your head,

just get by him, all right?

(Al): Just keep your mind

in the middle, brother.

- Yeah.

- What's wrong?

- Nothin'.

(Al): All right.

Well, hey, what is it?

- Ain't never rode sober before.

- If you can ride stoned,

you can ride sober.

- Hey, we can leave right now.

Nobody's gonna give a sh*t.

- That's right.

- Or you can cowboy up.

(crowd cheers)

- Yeah, yeah! All right.

("I'll Rise" by Bones

Owens plays)

Let's go ride one.

(Al): Go for it now.

(Pete): Let's go for it!

(Al): That's it, brother.

Stand back, enjoy the show

Hand clap and watch 'em roll

Man, can't nobody

out there know

First round they

got him down

Been pinned against

the ground

Paybacks are awful

now you know

There ain't no glory

in defeat

Don't you worry

about me, I'm fine

Just when they think

they got me beat

I'll comin' back

another time

And I'll rise

And I'll rise

Stand back

and watch me breathe

Just got the wind

knocked outta me

And I think I'm gonna

need a little time

But paybacks are hell

these days

Writhing out on the stage

Won't make the same

mistake twice

There ain't no glory

in defeat

Don't you worry about

me I'm fine

Just when they think

they got me beat

I'll be coming back

another time

("Ride" performed by C. Thomas

Howell and Zia Carlock)

Daddy was an outlaw

Rode from town to town

Robbing banks

and stagecoaches

He was the meanest

man around

Rode a buckskin horse

Carried a 45

12 proven men were

in his g*ng

To help keep him alive

Daddy ride

Ride

Ride

Didn't know him very well

Sure know what he did

Some even say he was

quick as Holliday

And meaner than

Billy the Kid

Wanted in thirteen states

m*rder in the first degree

Said Daddy did it for

my mama and my sister

And for me

Daddy ride

Ride

Ride

Well there's six feet

of earth

Waitin' on his soul

Nobody's ever beat

the devil to the draw

What you do between

now and then

That's the measure of a man

You can run

But you can't hide

Ride

Daddy was an outlaw

Rode from town to town

Robbing banks

and stagecoaches

'Til Rob Ford shot him down

Mama told me he died

I didn't even cry

I just looked up

to the sky and said

Ride, Daddy, ride

Daddy ride

Ride

Ride