American Solitaire (2025) Movie Script
1
[AUDIO LOGO]
[OBJECTS CLATTER]
[SOMBER MUSIC]
DOMINIC: Careful.
That's it.
ATHENA: You the renter?
Yes, ma'am.
ATHENA: I was expecting
you this morning.
I'm late for an appointment.
My flight got delayed.
I apologize.
I should have called.
Door's open.
Keys are on the table.
Bedroom's down the
hall on the left.
I left some dinner
in the fridge.
Thank you, ma'am.
ATHENA: I'll be home late.
[GROANS]
[WINCES]
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
EMMETT: Is it true that
you got shot and died?
Do I look dead?
I mean, kind of.
[LAUGHS]
Comedians.
My uncle said you were dead
and they brought you back.
Well, that's what
the medics said.
AUGGIE: See anyone we
know on the other side?
Yeah.
Yeah, I saw Pico.
He was pissed.
Said you would
send him a pizza.
AUGGIE: [LAUGHS] Baby,
leave your uncle be.
Come set the table for supper.
I'm working on the garden.
Now, please.
Don't you even
think about it.
Jeez.
Oh.
He's a good kid.
Boy's growing like a weed.
My sister's doing a
great job with him.
Yeah.
When do you go back?
Tuesday.
SLINGER: Wish I
was going with you.
Are you sure?
You didn't get enough?
Nah, come on.
Never.
How's your son?
Haven't seen him yet.
Why not?
Just, you know,
needed a minute.
Didn't Holly bring
him to the airport?
No, not into all that stuff.
AUGGIE: Call your son, man.
I will.
Dude-- call him today.
Yeah, all right.
You want to come say
hi to the old man?
No.
All right.
[GROANS]
You OK?
Yeah.
All right.
See you later.
[CHEERING ON RADIO]
Hi, Dad.
You're here.
I thought you were
coming a little later.
I got a lift.
Well, come on.
Welcome home, Son.
Are you OK?
All healed up?
Yeah, I'm good.
Bet those fucking
towelheads had to think twice
before they messed with you.
[CHATTER ON RADIO]
SLINGER: I just came
by to get some stuff.
Not gonna to stay here?
SLINGER: No, I got a place.
You can stay here, you know.
I got the couch.
I'm good.
DOMINIC: Suit yourself.
How's my grandson?
He hasn't been by in a while.
He's fine.
Want to stay and
listen to the game?
Got somewhere to be?
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[HEART BEATS]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[SOMBER MUSIC]
Ah.
[STOPWATCH BEEPS]
[STOPWATCH BEEPS]
[STOPWATCH BEEPS]
Hey.
Settling in?
Yeah, thank you.
Can I join you?
SLINGER: Yeah.
[BIRDS TWITTERING]
[SIGHS]
Souvenir?
Would have preferred
a gold watch,
but you take what
they give you.
ATHENA: I gotta deal
with this mess back here.
Have we met before?
I don't think so.
Athena, huh?
Goddess of wisdom?
And of war.
AUGGIE: Where'd you serve?
Kandahar.
About six years ago.
SLINGER: Medic?
CST.
Put us with the Rangers.
Damn.
You?
Special Forces.
How long?
Long.
Do you have a firearm
in your possession
here on the property?
I do.
ATHENA: More than one?
Yes.
You'll keep them secured
properly in the garage.
Not my house.
Not a problem.
Thank you.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
SLINGER: My, um-- my kid
is going to come by later.
I hope that's OK.
Of course it is.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[DOOR CLOSES]
[SHOWER WATER PATTERING]
[DISTANT EXPLOSIONS]
[GUNFIRE ON VIDEO GAME]
[RAPID GUNFIRE]
You're good at this.
[CAR DOOR CLOSES]
Dad, Mom's here.
Hang on one second.
Dad.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
[RAPID GUNFIRE]
Oh.
Hi.
This is-- this is nice.
You made it seem,
um, not so great.
Yeah.
No, it's you know, temporary
till I get my own place.
Of course.
You seem to be moving around.
Are you-- are you
feeling all right or--
Progress.
JOHN: Come on.
We have to go.
HOLLY: OK.
He's got soccer practice, so--
Yeah, he told me.
HOLLY: Yeah.
He's still upset I won't
let him go out for football.
Told me that, too.
But you got time.
That's what I told him.
Now, just do your best.
That's what's important, right?
You do your best at, you know,
whatever-- whatever you do.
See you later, Dad.
Bye, Bud.
OK.
[UPBEAT MUSIC, CHATTER]
[CHATTER, LAUGHTER]
[OBJECTS SLIDE, CLATTER]
[OBJECTS CLATTER]
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
[GROANING]
[GROANING]
[SCREAMS]
[SLURPS]
How's that bed?
Yeah, it works.
Sleeping?
Some.
Dreaming?
Yeah, a little.
I heard you cry
out in the night.
Sorry.
It's OK.
You might want to pay
attention to your dreams.
You could learn something
if you pay attention.
That's all I'm saying.
They made me see a shrink
after my second tour.
[CHUCKLES]
What?
We call them therapists now.
Whatever.
I saw someone
when I came home.
SLINGER: Oh, yeah?
Every week for a few years.
Yeah.
The guy they made
me see, he told
me to write down my dreams.
ATHENA: And?
Honestly?
I think it's--
I think it's fucking bullshit.
Fucking bullshit?
SLINGER: Yeah.
They're just dreams.
Uh-huh.
I'll see you.
[WATER RUNNING]
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
There you are, my friend.
Get you your change.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Could I see the HK91?
Yeah.
Yeah, she's a beauty.
It's this small outfit at
Idaho, handmade, top notch.
Wow.
How much do they want for it?
$3,400.
- Get the fuck out.
- Ha!
Yeah, that's what I said.
People keep buying 'em up, man.
I can't keep 'em on the shelf.
The billet upper's
Teflon coated.
Handguard's carbon fiber.
And the bolt carrier
group's nickel boron finish.
It's fucking rad.
You tried it?
Oh, god, yeah.
I shoot all these, man.
I wouldn't take
that thing hunting,
but as far as competition
rifles go, nothing better.
I'll go ahead and knock 10% off
for you, 15 if you're service.
I'm good.
CLERK: Are you sure?
Yeah.
Thank you.
CLERK: Hey, hold on.
Don't go anywhere.
I got something
you might be into.
Check this out.
You ever seen Little Bighorn?
Yeah, you have.
Yeah.
Pretty, huh?
Certificate of authenticity.
This pair of Colt
peacemaker revolvers
were used in the filming
of Little Bighorn in 1951,
handled by actor Lloyd Bridges
as captain Philip Donlin.
Boom.
You can read the
whole provenance.
May I?
CLERK: Please.
They made 'em a little
heavier back then.
That's for sure.
[REVOLVER CLICKS]
Well, look at you.
I'll give you a great
price for these, man.
What?
[DOOR BELL JINGLES]
I'm good.
All right.
Hey, thanks for coming in.
Fucking salesman.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
SLINGER: Aug!
Hello?
Morning, Major.
What's-- what's going on?
Where's Sheila?
I don't think they're
ever going to get it.
What?
What'd you say?
They may never get it.
Nothing follows.
Yeah.
Come on, man, let's--
let's get out of here.
Put some clothes on.
Come on.
Yeah?
[SOMBER MUSIC]
Come on, man.
Let's go.
[GUNSHOT]
[GUNSHOT]
Something happen you
want to tell me about?
Look, man, I've been
home same as you,
and I'm still pretty fucked up.
You still want to go back?
No.
But yeah.
What the fuck kind
of answer is that?
How's Sheila doing?
Is she being cool
and supportive?
I got served.
Huh?
What?
I got served.
When?
She's already in Texas.
She's gone, man.
MAN 1: I think I love her.
[GIGGLING, CHATTER]
MAN 2: Yeah, dude.
MAN 3: She's a bitch.
MAN 1: It's awful.
[GUNSHOT]
Damn it.
MAN 3: Yo, bro, they
took my target out.
[CHATTER]
Those guys are
already walking out.
AUGGIE: Just fuck it.
Look, man, I, uh--
I've been going down to the VA.
They, uh-- they set
something up for me.
[BACKGROUND CHATTER]
What?
When I got home, you know,
someone to talk to, which
I did not want to do at first.
Fucking bugged the
shit out of me.
But after a while--
You trying to get me to
talk to a fucking shrink?
I'm not talking to
a fucking shrink.
All right.
Bro.
What?
Well, for one, they're
called therapists now.
AUGGIE: Are you
fucking kidding me?
I just made major.
You know what it took?
No, you don't.
Because you did not make major.
Steel, bro, in here--
focused, razor sharp.
[GUNSHOTS POPPING]
MAN 1: Oh, my God, man!
Holy shit!
[CHATTER]
All right, all right.
Hold on, bro, I gotta reload.
AUGGIE: Hey, hey!
Yo!
Point that downrange!
Downrange, you fucking idiot.
Stay in your
fucking lane, dude.
Your weapon is in
my fucking lane, dude.
All right, all right.
It's all right.
Must be a sale at Walmart.
It's cool.
It's not cool.
Let me ask you something.
How many officers
you see talking
to fucking therapists, huh?
I don't know.
No, you don't know.
How many Black
majors are in there
talking about their
fucking feelings, huh?
I'll give you a hint.
None.
Not one.
You're a veteran, Sling.
You know what that
word means, right?
You're out.
You're out, Sling!
I'm still in!
All right.
Great.
Aug-- hey, Aug.
I'm good.
All right.
I just--
I just need to take a walk.
I'm good.
[GUNSHOTS POPPING]
MAN 1: Holy shit.
Holy shit.
[LAUGHTER]
Oh, fuck.
Oh, shit.
[LAUGHTER]
[GUNSHOTS POPPING]
[FOREBODING MUSIC, CLOCK
TICKING]
[SCREAMS]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
[PHONE RINGING]
AUGGIE (ON RECORDING): Hello.
You reached Major
August Stillman.
Please leave a message.
[BEEP]
Hey, man.
You didn't leave yet, did you?
I was going to
come say goodbye.
I'll, uh-- I'll see
you in a minute.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
Auggie.
Aug?
Auggie?
Hey!
[SOMBER MUSIC]
Auggie?
Auggie.
No.
No, no, no, no, no.
Please, no.
Oh, Sling.
[SOBBING]
That's my baby.
My baby.
[SOBBING]
That was our first tour.
Was that in Iraq?
Afghanistan.
Is that where you got shot?
Yeah, but much later.
You ever kill anybody?
It's not something
I like to talk about.
My uncle would
never tell me either.
You know, he was
real proud of you.
Talked about you all the time.
He did?
Oh, yeah, man.
All the time.
What did he say?
He'd say you were a
good kid, a good head.
(WHISPERS) The smartest
one in the family.
[CHUCKLES]
Can I show you something?
Yeah.
What are you doing with that?
I need it for protection.
[SCOFFS]
And where did you get it?
Give me the gun.
Give it to me.
You cannot keep a loaded
firearm in this house.
You want your sister to find
this and put a hole in her head
by mistake?
Is that what you want?
No.
Is somebody threatening you?
What is this?
Is it-- are you in a gang?
No.
It's not like that.
Well, what's it like?
There's cliques.
They just-- you
don't even know.
I don't even know.
All right.
Ain't it my right
to defend myself?
A well-regulated militia being
necessary to the security
of a free state.
The right of the people
to keep and bear arms
shall not be infringed.
How do you know that?
EMMETT: I studied
the Black Panthers.
They armed themselves
back in the day to protect
their own from the police.
Right.
Well, it's-- it's
different now.
Is it?
Look, man, I am--
I'm not trying to
take away anybody's
Second Amendment rights.
But you got to be safe
with this shit, which
means you have to be smart.
You got to think about
your mom and your grandma.
You want to protect
yourself, I get that.
I totally understand that.
But you got to protect them
and their hearts from worry.
Do you understand me?
Do you understand me?
Yes, sir.
I'll think about
what to do with this.
DWAYNE: They're the US Army.
Don't they have people looking
into this kind of thing?
Is the army going to
do an investigation?
I'm sorry?
Will the army investigate?
How many officers of
August's rank commit suicide?
I'm not sure.
Well, somebody needs
to tell me something.
A man of his status
and reputation--
I just don't get it.
- Dwayne, take it down.
DWAYNE: No, I'm not
taking shit down.
- Hey.
- You served with him.
You know how racist the
motherfuckers are in the army.
You were the last one
that saw him alive.
What the fuck happened?
GRACE: Enough.
LORRAINE: Mama,
don't listen to him.
Doesn't make any sense.
What?
Auntie, he didn't
mean nothing.
He's just upset.
I am so sorry.
No, no, please.
It's OK.
I should go.
Call me if you need anything.
OK?
Anything.
Thank you.
I will pick you
up in the morning,
and we are going
to talk about this.
Well--
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
[FOOTSTEPS]
Who's there?
It's just me, Dad.
I thought it was
the Black kid--
the neighbor kid.
His name's Anthony.
Right.
Comes on Tuesdays
and Fridays.
What day is today?
- It's Saturday.
- No, it's not.
All day.
It can't be.
Why?
Goddamn it, that boy
didn't come yesterday.
Are you sure?
You talk to me like
I'm a child, Son.
Smokes?
[GROANS]
[DOGS BARKING]
Where have you been?
I told you, with
Auggie's family.
DOMINIC: Right.
Shame about your pal.
Couldn't cut it, I guess, hey?
Pressure got to him.
That's what happened?
What do you know about it?
DOMINIC: Pressure
can get to a man.
I seen it.
He was a good soldier.
DOMINIC: Plenty of good
soldiers can't hack it.
Way of the world.
I buried my share.
You take your insulin?
What time is it?
It's 2:00.
Shit.
I was supposed to
take it before lunch.
Oh, fuck.
I don't know
where the day goes.
Give me your smoke.
That goddamn bitch doctor
has me a new schedule.
How's your buddy's
family doing?
That's a tough one to swallow.
That's the most decent thing
that's come out of your mouth
since he died.
Don't get smart with me, boy.
You know, I thought after
all you've been through,
that attitude of yours
would've been worn down by now.
Somebody kicked it out of you.
Goddamn it, if you
don't come in here time
and again with some
smart ass bullshit.
What are you trying to prove,
that you're better than me?
Decent.
What the fuck you
know about decent?
[DOOR SLAMS]
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
[SCREAMS]
[GROANS]
[PUNCHES LANDING]
[SCREAMS]
[HYPERVENTILATING]
[SOBBING]
[BREATHING HEAVILY, MOANING]
You know why I
was gone so long?
Because you were
fighting for our country.
That's right.
So, hopefully,
you never have to.
You understand?
I think so.
Dad, who do you think
the greatest football
player in the world is?
I don't know.
Who do you think?
JOHN: I think it's Julio Jones.
SLINGER: Remind me.
Wide receiver
for the Falcons.
Right, right, right.
I want to be a wide receiver.
Yeah?
You got to be fast to
be a wide receiver.
I'm fast.
Touchdown!
SLINGER: Goddamn it.
Are you OK, Dad?
Ah, fuck.
JOHN: Can I help?
- Goddamn it.
Can I call Mom?
No, don't call
your fucking mom.
[GROANS]
JOHN: Dad.
My god.
JOHN: Dad.
Don't fucking touch me!
[GROANS]
Shit.
[GROANS]
[MOANING]
Fuck!
[GROANS, BREATHES HEAVILY]
[GROANS]
Mm.
Mm.
[BREATHING CALMS]
[BULLETS CLATTER ON FLOOR]
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
[OBJECTS CLATTER]
Slinger!
Hey, Slinger!
Slinger.
ATHENA: Hey, Slinger.
Ooh!
I'm sor-- I'm sorry.
Uh, OK.
I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to make
it into your room.
No, it's OK.
Just stay right there.
I'll be right back.
Ah, god.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Here.
Thank you.
What is all this?
Huh?
What's that?
That's Mahakala.
He's a protector-- a kind
of spiritual warrior.
Look.
They trained it in, right?
It's in your body
and your muscles,
trained to a hair trigger.
React.
Life or death, just react.
That's how they trained
me, down into my cells.
Extra, because I had to
prove myself as a woman.
I was a well-tuned machine.
Then I come home--
my muscles trained to
have their own memory--
survival memory, split
second reactivity.
And now I'm supposed to
just be in the neighborhood,
go to the store, have
dinner with the family.
And I thought--
I thought, how does that work?
Where's the switch?
They never showed me.
My sister had a baby girl.
Emma.
She was brand new to the
world, so tender and fragile.
I couldn't hold her.
I tried.
I couldn't hold my niece.
I lost my sense of tenderness.
They trained it out, Slinger.
They trained the violence
in and the tenderness out.
And to be a whole person
again, you gotta reverse it.
It is a brand new
kind of training.
[RAIN PATTERING]
You're 15, right?
I was 17 when I enlisted.
My dad had to sign for me.
When we got to Basic, we
were issued our weapons.
My first weapon was an M-16.
I still remember the
serial number, 5529364.
You see that AR-15
everybody's talking about?
Yeah.
Yeah, that's the
civilian equivalent.
It's a very deadly weapon
designed for one purpose.
You know what that is?
It's to kill people.
In combat.
To kill people in combat.
When we got to Basic, we
were issued our weapon
without any ammunition.
Not one round.
Weeks of rifle training,
learn to take it apart,
put it back together till
we could do it blindfolded.
Learned how to use the
weapon in the field
as a blunt instrument,
the bayonet to kill,
the butt to break jaws.
Ran dry firing
drills, dime drills,
where we had to balance
a dime on the barrel
as we pulled the trigger.
Weeks of training
with no ammunition.
So the minute that I
put a round in this,
I'm giving you a shortcut,
which I don't love.
Let's try this.
Take the weapon,
put it downrange.
Hold no, no.
A second.
Rule number one-- which end
does the bullet come out?
That's right.
So if anybody gets
hurt from this weapon,
it's going to be out of
that end right there.
So when we're around people,
what's the thing that we
can do to keep them safest?
Point that end
away from people.
SLINGER: That's good.
But it's not loaded, so--
Too many people have been
killed from unloaded weapons.
That's rule number two.
A weapon is always loaded.
Even when you know it's
not loaded, it is loaded.
Do not-- hey, do not
take this point lightly.
It happens in a flash and
somebody's fucking dead.
Let's try this again.
Take the weapon.
Point it downrange.
What's your finger doing?
It's on the trigger.
No.
Your finger is
only on the trigger
when you're about to fire.
OK, so put your finger
to the side over here.
You see them do it on TV.
You know what I'm
talking about.
That's rule number three.
Your finger is
only on the trigger
when you're about to fire.
That's right.
Bring your other hand up.
Grip it firm.
That's it.
Rule number four-- always
be aware of your target
and what is behind it.
Can you see what's behind it?
Yeah.
Good.
Bring the gun back up.
Let's talk about your
posture and your stance.
Try putting your
right foot back, left
one forward, just like that.
There we go.
Does that feel stable?
Yeah, more stable.
Take a deep breath,
in to your chest,
out through your mouth.
[EXHALES]
SLINGER: That's great.
Now close your eyes.
You want to shoot like a pro?
Close 'em.
[RAIN PATTERING]
That's good.
Feel your feet
planted on the ground.
In through your nose,
out through your mouth.
[EXHALES]
All that worry, all that
agitation, all that fear--
let it all go.
It's just you, your
weapon, and your target.
Want you open your eyes,
I want you to take aim.
[RAIN PATTERING]
And fire.
[GUN CLICKS]
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[PHONE LINE RINGING]
JOHN (ON PHONE): Hello?
Hey, Bud.
JOHN (ON PHONE): Hi.
What are you
doing up so late?
I was going to
leave you a message.
Um, I'm going to bed soon.
Well, uh, how you doing?
JOHN (ON PHONE): Fine.
- Yeah?
How was school today?
JOHN (ON PHONE): It was fine.
Your mom said you
made a new friend.
There's a kid down the block.
SLINGER (ON PHONE): Oh, yeah?
You like him?
He seems all right.
Does he like football?
JOHN (ON PHONE): I don't know.
Well, um--
I miss you, kiddo.
Me, too.
I better go.
Gotta brush my teeth.
Sure, sure, sure.
Well, I just wanted to
call and say good night--
and that we'll-- we'll
hang out again real soon.
OK?
I have to figure a few
things out for myself.
OK.
All right.
Good night, son.
JOHN (ON PHONE):
Good night, Dad.
[UPLIFTING PIANO MUSIC]
Good to the last drop.
[GROANS]
Shit.
[GROANS]
That is truly
disgusting looking.
[SIGHS]
Are you good?
Yeah.
You know, I think so.
Yeah.
Drive safe.
Got the kitchen to yourself.
I expect you to up your game
in there while I'm gone.
Don't burn the place down.
I'll try not to.
And thank you-- for everything.
I'll be back in a few months.
Call me if you need anything.
[CAR ENGINE STARTS]
[CELL PHONE VIBRATING]
Hello?
SLINGER (ON PHONE): Hey,
Lorraine, it's Slinger.
Who?
It's-- it's Slinger.
It's Auggie's friend.
Slinger, my goodness.
I am so sorry.
SLINGER (ON PHONE): That's OK.
I'm not--
SLINGER: No, it's all good.
It's all good.
I was just--
I'm calling to see
how everybody is.
LORRAINE: Well,
you know, it's--
it's hard.
SLINGER (ON PHONE): Yeah.
Day at a time.
SLINGER (ON PHONE): Yeah.
Ah.
How's Emmett doing?
I've been thinking about him.
LORRAINE (ON PHONE): I think
it's especially hard for him.
Yeah, well, is he there?
I'd love to talk to him.
Hello?
I'm here.
Uh, he's not home.
OK.
Well, if he-- you know, when he
gets home, if he could call me,
that would be--
I'd love to connect.
LORRAINE (ON
PHONE): I don't know
if I can get him to call you.
He's all clammed up.
He won't talk about it.
Well, if there's
anything I could do--
I could come by,
check in with him.
[UPLIFTING PIANO MUSIC]
That's it.
Line up that hole.
[DRILL WHIRRING]
Hey, man.
Want to help chop
some tomatoes?
No.
All right.
Well, I need help
washing the lettuce.
You want to wash the lettuce?
No.
OK.
Well, here.
Why don't you crush some
garlic for the garlic bread?
I'm good.
You have been here all day
and have not said a word.
Come on.
Come on.
What's going on with you?
What's up?
Come on, out with it.
What's going on with you?
Why are you coming down
on me all of a sudden?
You think that I'm
coming down on you?
EMMETT: I'm just sitting over
here minding my business.
And I'm just asking
you how you're doing.
Why are you raising
your voice if you're
just asking how I'm doing?
I'm cooking us
dinner, trying to have
a conversation with you,
asking you how you're doing.
What the fuck is up?
Nothing.
OK?
Nothing is up.
Nothing.
Come on, man.
I don't buy that.
Bro.
SLINGER: I'm not
your bro, Emmett.
Well, you're not
my uncle, either.
Shit.
Why did he do it?
It just doesn't make any sense.
No, it doesn't.
EMMETT: But why?
We'll never know.
Why do you think he did it?
Man, it doesn't
matter what I think.
It matters to me.
Nobody wants to talk about it.
It's like-- it's like we just
pretend it never happened.
It's bullshit.
SLINGER: You want to
know what I think?
I think that your uncle had
a pain buried so deep down
that he couldn't find it.
And the only way
that he thought
that he could get out of it--
was, you know.
EMMETT: Why would he do
that to Grandma, to my mom--
SLINGER: To you?
You know, I, um,
learned something
from my friend Athena.
She's kind of good
at this stuff.
And she said that when
somebody takes their own life,
it is better we don't use
the term "commit suicide."
People commit crimes.
Suicide is no crime.
So it is better that we use
the term "died by suicide."
Because they're the
victim, not the criminal.
You know, when you're--
when you're around
a lot of violence,
it just has a way of getting
in your head and staying there.
It's like-- it's like your
uncle got wounded, you know?
And that wound
turned to illness,
and that illness
is what killed him.
It's just a-- you
know, different way
to look at it, anyway.
I didn't-- I didn't
know he was sick.
Yeah, me neither.
I mean, nobody does because
you can't see it, you know?
That's the thing about trauma.
It's--
But why didn't
he say anything?
SLINGER: He would never
do anything to hurt you.
He was the one in pain.
He was the one who needed help.
You get it?
Yeah.
He shot himself, right?
Is that true?
[INHALES, EXHALES]
It just came up fast.
I should've-- I could
have taken his weapons.
I just didn't know he would--
You found him?
SLINGER: Where are you going?
I'm not hungry.
SLINGER (ON PHONE):
Well, you're going
to need a new water heater.
It's a good
thing you're handy.
I think that's a little
beyond my skill set.
Know a good plumber?
SLINGER (ON PHONE):
I might know a guy.
Well, if you call
your guy, you won't
have to take cold showers.
I'll see what I can do.
ATHENA (ON PHONE):
I'd appreciate that.
How's the job going?
ATHENA: Good.
Nice people.
Seem happy I'm here.
Yeah?
That's not a surprise.
And you?
How are you?
Are you there?
Yeah.
Yeah.
You?
Yeah.
I'd better go.
I, uh, got an
early day tomorrow.
Of course.
ATHENA (ON PHONE):
Bye, Slinger.
Bye, goddess.
Wow.
That's a lot of guns.
[CHUCKLES]
SLINGER: You know,
some are Auggie's.
EMMETT: Seriously?
Some are mine.
Some are my dad's.
Your uncle had some
quality weapons,
and your family asked
me to deal with them.
And I just-- I don't--
I don't know what to do.
Why don't you sell them?
To who?
No, I don't want
that on my head.
Can I see one?
Go ahead.
Is it loaded?
It's always loaded.
[GUN CLICKS]
Is this the one he used?
Um, no.
[SOBBING]
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[THUD]
REV. CLAY: When they
came for Jesus--
when the Roman soldiers
came for him and Peter drew
his sword to fight them
off to protect his Savior,
what happened?
What did Jesus say?
Jesus said, put your
sword back in its place.
Jesus tells Peter,
all who draw the sword
will die by the sword.
Matthew 26:52.
When Jesus says, love
thy neighbor as thyself,
he's not talking
about an ideal.
He's talking about a practice.
He's talking about an action.
He's talking about
actively loving each other.
43,000 gun-related deaths a
year on average in America--
it's a statistic.
That's 120 people a
day, 5 people an hour
are killed by firearms
in this country.
Over half of them are suicides.
22 US military veterans take
their own lives every day.
Statistics.
But look around you.
Go on.
Look at the person seated
on your left and right.
They are not statistics.
This moment here in this
community, you and me,
we are not statistics.
Your heart, and your heart,
and your heart, and yours,
and my heart together--
"Then they will
turn their swords
into plowshares and their
spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up
sword against nation.
They will no longer
learn how to make war."
Isaiah chapter 2, verse 4.
Where'd they come from?
Uh-- where did they
come from, Emmett?
A whole 'nother life.
What's your Christian
name, brother?
Oh, um, Alexander.
Is that funny?
Alexander?
SLINGER: Mm-hmm.
REV. CLAY: How'd
you get Slinger?
Oh, uh, long story.
There's power in names.
How about you, young man?
Do you know the
origin of your name?
Emmett Till.
REV. CLAY: That's who
you're named after?
Well, that's a heavy
burden to carry.
Yeah.
I'm used to it, though.
REV. CLAY: The origin of the
word Emmett in the Hebrew
Bible, ever looked at that?
EMMETT: No.
The Hebrew word
Emmett means truth.
Truth?
REV. CLAY: Mm-hmm.
Truth.
That's dope.
Thank you for
bringing these in.
It was brave of you.
Brave of you both.
Are you ready?
Yeah, I'm ready.
Let's do it.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[GRINDER WHIRRING]
[PAUL DURHAM,
"THE END OF NIGHT"]
When it's the
cold in the sun
We stand, we stand
Like a soldier at the front
We stand, we stand
until the end of night
We're coming home,
so leave a light on
May your hearts
never stumble
May your sense never break
May your belly never rumble
May your heart
never never ache
Beat those swords
into plowshares
Melt those guns into rakes
When your life is
sliding backwards
Best keep your awake
As you go down
That long forbidden
road we all go down
I hit this, Mama.
I hit this for you.
I hit this for Tomasa.
I hit this for cousin
Susie, and all the others
that died in that church.
I hit for gun
violence, gunfire.
[SOBBING]
For our daughters,
for our sons
We stand, we stand
For my brother in the hunt
We stand, we stand
until the end of night
We're coming home,
so keep the light on
May your hearts
never stumble
May your sense never break
May your belly never rumble
May your heart never ache
Beat those swords
into plowshares
Melt those guns into rakes
When your life is
sliding backwards
Best keep your
friends awake
As you go down
That long forbidden
road we all go down
Here at the end of night
I'm-- I'm-- here
at the end of night
I'm-- I'm--
I've been playing
a game of solitaire
And every day I lose
It's all a game for suckers
We all end up in the news
Buddy, if my
days are numbered
No more rifles to recoil
I'll pull my heart
up by the bootstraps
Pour myself into the
soil as I go down
That long forbidden
road we all go down
Here at the end of night
I'm-- I'm-- yeah, here
at the end of night
I'm-- I'm-- here
at the end of night
[AUDIO LOGO]
[OBJECTS CLATTER]
[SOMBER MUSIC]
DOMINIC: Careful.
That's it.
ATHENA: You the renter?
Yes, ma'am.
ATHENA: I was expecting
you this morning.
I'm late for an appointment.
My flight got delayed.
I apologize.
I should have called.
Door's open.
Keys are on the table.
Bedroom's down the
hall on the left.
I left some dinner
in the fridge.
Thank you, ma'am.
ATHENA: I'll be home late.
[GROANS]
[WINCES]
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
EMMETT: Is it true that
you got shot and died?
Do I look dead?
I mean, kind of.
[LAUGHS]
Comedians.
My uncle said you were dead
and they brought you back.
Well, that's what
the medics said.
AUGGIE: See anyone we
know on the other side?
Yeah.
Yeah, I saw Pico.
He was pissed.
Said you would
send him a pizza.
AUGGIE: [LAUGHS] Baby,
leave your uncle be.
Come set the table for supper.
I'm working on the garden.
Now, please.
Don't you even
think about it.
Jeez.
Oh.
He's a good kid.
Boy's growing like a weed.
My sister's doing a
great job with him.
Yeah.
When do you go back?
Tuesday.
SLINGER: Wish I
was going with you.
Are you sure?
You didn't get enough?
Nah, come on.
Never.
How's your son?
Haven't seen him yet.
Why not?
Just, you know,
needed a minute.
Didn't Holly bring
him to the airport?
No, not into all that stuff.
AUGGIE: Call your son, man.
I will.
Dude-- call him today.
Yeah, all right.
You want to come say
hi to the old man?
No.
All right.
[GROANS]
You OK?
Yeah.
All right.
See you later.
[CHEERING ON RADIO]
Hi, Dad.
You're here.
I thought you were
coming a little later.
I got a lift.
Well, come on.
Welcome home, Son.
Are you OK?
All healed up?
Yeah, I'm good.
Bet those fucking
towelheads had to think twice
before they messed with you.
[CHATTER ON RADIO]
SLINGER: I just came
by to get some stuff.
Not gonna to stay here?
SLINGER: No, I got a place.
You can stay here, you know.
I got the couch.
I'm good.
DOMINIC: Suit yourself.
How's my grandson?
He hasn't been by in a while.
He's fine.
Want to stay and
listen to the game?
Got somewhere to be?
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[HEART BEATS]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[SOMBER MUSIC]
Ah.
[STOPWATCH BEEPS]
[STOPWATCH BEEPS]
[STOPWATCH BEEPS]
Hey.
Settling in?
Yeah, thank you.
Can I join you?
SLINGER: Yeah.
[BIRDS TWITTERING]
[SIGHS]
Souvenir?
Would have preferred
a gold watch,
but you take what
they give you.
ATHENA: I gotta deal
with this mess back here.
Have we met before?
I don't think so.
Athena, huh?
Goddess of wisdom?
And of war.
AUGGIE: Where'd you serve?
Kandahar.
About six years ago.
SLINGER: Medic?
CST.
Put us with the Rangers.
Damn.
You?
Special Forces.
How long?
Long.
Do you have a firearm
in your possession
here on the property?
I do.
ATHENA: More than one?
Yes.
You'll keep them secured
properly in the garage.
Not my house.
Not a problem.
Thank you.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
SLINGER: My, um-- my kid
is going to come by later.
I hope that's OK.
Of course it is.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[DOOR CLOSES]
[SHOWER WATER PATTERING]
[DISTANT EXPLOSIONS]
[GUNFIRE ON VIDEO GAME]
[RAPID GUNFIRE]
You're good at this.
[CAR DOOR CLOSES]
Dad, Mom's here.
Hang on one second.
Dad.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
[RAPID GUNFIRE]
Oh.
Hi.
This is-- this is nice.
You made it seem,
um, not so great.
Yeah.
No, it's you know, temporary
till I get my own place.
Of course.
You seem to be moving around.
Are you-- are you
feeling all right or--
Progress.
JOHN: Come on.
We have to go.
HOLLY: OK.
He's got soccer practice, so--
Yeah, he told me.
HOLLY: Yeah.
He's still upset I won't
let him go out for football.
Told me that, too.
But you got time.
That's what I told him.
Now, just do your best.
That's what's important, right?
You do your best at, you know,
whatever-- whatever you do.
See you later, Dad.
Bye, Bud.
OK.
[UPBEAT MUSIC, CHATTER]
[CHATTER, LAUGHTER]
[OBJECTS SLIDE, CLATTER]
[OBJECTS CLATTER]
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
[GROANING]
[GROANING]
[SCREAMS]
[SLURPS]
How's that bed?
Yeah, it works.
Sleeping?
Some.
Dreaming?
Yeah, a little.
I heard you cry
out in the night.
Sorry.
It's OK.
You might want to pay
attention to your dreams.
You could learn something
if you pay attention.
That's all I'm saying.
They made me see a shrink
after my second tour.
[CHUCKLES]
What?
We call them therapists now.
Whatever.
I saw someone
when I came home.
SLINGER: Oh, yeah?
Every week for a few years.
Yeah.
The guy they made
me see, he told
me to write down my dreams.
ATHENA: And?
Honestly?
I think it's--
I think it's fucking bullshit.
Fucking bullshit?
SLINGER: Yeah.
They're just dreams.
Uh-huh.
I'll see you.
[WATER RUNNING]
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
There you are, my friend.
Get you your change.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Could I see the HK91?
Yeah.
Yeah, she's a beauty.
It's this small outfit at
Idaho, handmade, top notch.
Wow.
How much do they want for it?
$3,400.
- Get the fuck out.
- Ha!
Yeah, that's what I said.
People keep buying 'em up, man.
I can't keep 'em on the shelf.
The billet upper's
Teflon coated.
Handguard's carbon fiber.
And the bolt carrier
group's nickel boron finish.
It's fucking rad.
You tried it?
Oh, god, yeah.
I shoot all these, man.
I wouldn't take
that thing hunting,
but as far as competition
rifles go, nothing better.
I'll go ahead and knock 10% off
for you, 15 if you're service.
I'm good.
CLERK: Are you sure?
Yeah.
Thank you.
CLERK: Hey, hold on.
Don't go anywhere.
I got something
you might be into.
Check this out.
You ever seen Little Bighorn?
Yeah, you have.
Yeah.
Pretty, huh?
Certificate of authenticity.
This pair of Colt
peacemaker revolvers
were used in the filming
of Little Bighorn in 1951,
handled by actor Lloyd Bridges
as captain Philip Donlin.
Boom.
You can read the
whole provenance.
May I?
CLERK: Please.
They made 'em a little
heavier back then.
That's for sure.
[REVOLVER CLICKS]
Well, look at you.
I'll give you a great
price for these, man.
What?
[DOOR BELL JINGLES]
I'm good.
All right.
Hey, thanks for coming in.
Fucking salesman.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
SLINGER: Aug!
Hello?
Morning, Major.
What's-- what's going on?
Where's Sheila?
I don't think they're
ever going to get it.
What?
What'd you say?
They may never get it.
Nothing follows.
Yeah.
Come on, man, let's--
let's get out of here.
Put some clothes on.
Come on.
Yeah?
[SOMBER MUSIC]
Come on, man.
Let's go.
[GUNSHOT]
[GUNSHOT]
Something happen you
want to tell me about?
Look, man, I've been
home same as you,
and I'm still pretty fucked up.
You still want to go back?
No.
But yeah.
What the fuck kind
of answer is that?
How's Sheila doing?
Is she being cool
and supportive?
I got served.
Huh?
What?
I got served.
When?
She's already in Texas.
She's gone, man.
MAN 1: I think I love her.
[GIGGLING, CHATTER]
MAN 2: Yeah, dude.
MAN 3: She's a bitch.
MAN 1: It's awful.
[GUNSHOT]
Damn it.
MAN 3: Yo, bro, they
took my target out.
[CHATTER]
Those guys are
already walking out.
AUGGIE: Just fuck it.
Look, man, I, uh--
I've been going down to the VA.
They, uh-- they set
something up for me.
[BACKGROUND CHATTER]
What?
When I got home, you know,
someone to talk to, which
I did not want to do at first.
Fucking bugged the
shit out of me.
But after a while--
You trying to get me to
talk to a fucking shrink?
I'm not talking to
a fucking shrink.
All right.
Bro.
What?
Well, for one, they're
called therapists now.
AUGGIE: Are you
fucking kidding me?
I just made major.
You know what it took?
No, you don't.
Because you did not make major.
Steel, bro, in here--
focused, razor sharp.
[GUNSHOTS POPPING]
MAN 1: Oh, my God, man!
Holy shit!
[CHATTER]
All right, all right.
Hold on, bro, I gotta reload.
AUGGIE: Hey, hey!
Yo!
Point that downrange!
Downrange, you fucking idiot.
Stay in your
fucking lane, dude.
Your weapon is in
my fucking lane, dude.
All right, all right.
It's all right.
Must be a sale at Walmart.
It's cool.
It's not cool.
Let me ask you something.
How many officers
you see talking
to fucking therapists, huh?
I don't know.
No, you don't know.
How many Black
majors are in there
talking about their
fucking feelings, huh?
I'll give you a hint.
None.
Not one.
You're a veteran, Sling.
You know what that
word means, right?
You're out.
You're out, Sling!
I'm still in!
All right.
Great.
Aug-- hey, Aug.
I'm good.
All right.
I just--
I just need to take a walk.
I'm good.
[GUNSHOTS POPPING]
MAN 1: Holy shit.
Holy shit.
[LAUGHTER]
Oh, fuck.
Oh, shit.
[LAUGHTER]
[GUNSHOTS POPPING]
[FOREBODING MUSIC, CLOCK
TICKING]
[SCREAMS]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
[PHONE RINGING]
AUGGIE (ON RECORDING): Hello.
You reached Major
August Stillman.
Please leave a message.
[BEEP]
Hey, man.
You didn't leave yet, did you?
I was going to
come say goodbye.
I'll, uh-- I'll see
you in a minute.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
Auggie.
Aug?
Auggie?
Hey!
[SOMBER MUSIC]
Auggie?
Auggie.
No.
No, no, no, no, no.
Please, no.
Oh, Sling.
[SOBBING]
That's my baby.
My baby.
[SOBBING]
That was our first tour.
Was that in Iraq?
Afghanistan.
Is that where you got shot?
Yeah, but much later.
You ever kill anybody?
It's not something
I like to talk about.
My uncle would
never tell me either.
You know, he was
real proud of you.
Talked about you all the time.
He did?
Oh, yeah, man.
All the time.
What did he say?
He'd say you were a
good kid, a good head.
(WHISPERS) The smartest
one in the family.
[CHUCKLES]
Can I show you something?
Yeah.
What are you doing with that?
I need it for protection.
[SCOFFS]
And where did you get it?
Give me the gun.
Give it to me.
You cannot keep a loaded
firearm in this house.
You want your sister to find
this and put a hole in her head
by mistake?
Is that what you want?
No.
Is somebody threatening you?
What is this?
Is it-- are you in a gang?
No.
It's not like that.
Well, what's it like?
There's cliques.
They just-- you
don't even know.
I don't even know.
All right.
Ain't it my right
to defend myself?
A well-regulated militia being
necessary to the security
of a free state.
The right of the people
to keep and bear arms
shall not be infringed.
How do you know that?
EMMETT: I studied
the Black Panthers.
They armed themselves
back in the day to protect
their own from the police.
Right.
Well, it's-- it's
different now.
Is it?
Look, man, I am--
I'm not trying to
take away anybody's
Second Amendment rights.
But you got to be safe
with this shit, which
means you have to be smart.
You got to think about
your mom and your grandma.
You want to protect
yourself, I get that.
I totally understand that.
But you got to protect them
and their hearts from worry.
Do you understand me?
Do you understand me?
Yes, sir.
I'll think about
what to do with this.
DWAYNE: They're the US Army.
Don't they have people looking
into this kind of thing?
Is the army going to
do an investigation?
I'm sorry?
Will the army investigate?
How many officers of
August's rank commit suicide?
I'm not sure.
Well, somebody needs
to tell me something.
A man of his status
and reputation--
I just don't get it.
- Dwayne, take it down.
DWAYNE: No, I'm not
taking shit down.
- Hey.
- You served with him.
You know how racist the
motherfuckers are in the army.
You were the last one
that saw him alive.
What the fuck happened?
GRACE: Enough.
LORRAINE: Mama,
don't listen to him.
Doesn't make any sense.
What?
Auntie, he didn't
mean nothing.
He's just upset.
I am so sorry.
No, no, please.
It's OK.
I should go.
Call me if you need anything.
OK?
Anything.
Thank you.
I will pick you
up in the morning,
and we are going
to talk about this.
Well--
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
[FOOTSTEPS]
Who's there?
It's just me, Dad.
I thought it was
the Black kid--
the neighbor kid.
His name's Anthony.
Right.
Comes on Tuesdays
and Fridays.
What day is today?
- It's Saturday.
- No, it's not.
All day.
It can't be.
Why?
Goddamn it, that boy
didn't come yesterday.
Are you sure?
You talk to me like
I'm a child, Son.
Smokes?
[GROANS]
[DOGS BARKING]
Where have you been?
I told you, with
Auggie's family.
DOMINIC: Right.
Shame about your pal.
Couldn't cut it, I guess, hey?
Pressure got to him.
That's what happened?
What do you know about it?
DOMINIC: Pressure
can get to a man.
I seen it.
He was a good soldier.
DOMINIC: Plenty of good
soldiers can't hack it.
Way of the world.
I buried my share.
You take your insulin?
What time is it?
It's 2:00.
Shit.
I was supposed to
take it before lunch.
Oh, fuck.
I don't know
where the day goes.
Give me your smoke.
That goddamn bitch doctor
has me a new schedule.
How's your buddy's
family doing?
That's a tough one to swallow.
That's the most decent thing
that's come out of your mouth
since he died.
Don't get smart with me, boy.
You know, I thought after
all you've been through,
that attitude of yours
would've been worn down by now.
Somebody kicked it out of you.
Goddamn it, if you
don't come in here time
and again with some
smart ass bullshit.
What are you trying to prove,
that you're better than me?
Decent.
What the fuck you
know about decent?
[DOOR SLAMS]
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
[SCREAMS]
[GROANS]
[PUNCHES LANDING]
[SCREAMS]
[HYPERVENTILATING]
[SOBBING]
[BREATHING HEAVILY, MOANING]
You know why I
was gone so long?
Because you were
fighting for our country.
That's right.
So, hopefully,
you never have to.
You understand?
I think so.
Dad, who do you think
the greatest football
player in the world is?
I don't know.
Who do you think?
JOHN: I think it's Julio Jones.
SLINGER: Remind me.
Wide receiver
for the Falcons.
Right, right, right.
I want to be a wide receiver.
Yeah?
You got to be fast to
be a wide receiver.
I'm fast.
Touchdown!
SLINGER: Goddamn it.
Are you OK, Dad?
Ah, fuck.
JOHN: Can I help?
- Goddamn it.
Can I call Mom?
No, don't call
your fucking mom.
[GROANS]
JOHN: Dad.
My god.
JOHN: Dad.
Don't fucking touch me!
[GROANS]
Shit.
[GROANS]
[MOANING]
Fuck!
[GROANS, BREATHES HEAVILY]
[GROANS]
Mm.
Mm.
[BREATHING CALMS]
[BULLETS CLATTER ON FLOOR]
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
[OBJECTS CLATTER]
Slinger!
Hey, Slinger!
Slinger.
ATHENA: Hey, Slinger.
Ooh!
I'm sor-- I'm sorry.
Uh, OK.
I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to make
it into your room.
No, it's OK.
Just stay right there.
I'll be right back.
Ah, god.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Here.
Thank you.
What is all this?
Huh?
What's that?
That's Mahakala.
He's a protector-- a kind
of spiritual warrior.
Look.
They trained it in, right?
It's in your body
and your muscles,
trained to a hair trigger.
React.
Life or death, just react.
That's how they trained
me, down into my cells.
Extra, because I had to
prove myself as a woman.
I was a well-tuned machine.
Then I come home--
my muscles trained to
have their own memory--
survival memory, split
second reactivity.
And now I'm supposed to
just be in the neighborhood,
go to the store, have
dinner with the family.
And I thought--
I thought, how does that work?
Where's the switch?
They never showed me.
My sister had a baby girl.
Emma.
She was brand new to the
world, so tender and fragile.
I couldn't hold her.
I tried.
I couldn't hold my niece.
I lost my sense of tenderness.
They trained it out, Slinger.
They trained the violence
in and the tenderness out.
And to be a whole person
again, you gotta reverse it.
It is a brand new
kind of training.
[RAIN PATTERING]
You're 15, right?
I was 17 when I enlisted.
My dad had to sign for me.
When we got to Basic, we
were issued our weapons.
My first weapon was an M-16.
I still remember the
serial number, 5529364.
You see that AR-15
everybody's talking about?
Yeah.
Yeah, that's the
civilian equivalent.
It's a very deadly weapon
designed for one purpose.
You know what that is?
It's to kill people.
In combat.
To kill people in combat.
When we got to Basic, we
were issued our weapon
without any ammunition.
Not one round.
Weeks of rifle training,
learn to take it apart,
put it back together till
we could do it blindfolded.
Learned how to use the
weapon in the field
as a blunt instrument,
the bayonet to kill,
the butt to break jaws.
Ran dry firing
drills, dime drills,
where we had to balance
a dime on the barrel
as we pulled the trigger.
Weeks of training
with no ammunition.
So the minute that I
put a round in this,
I'm giving you a shortcut,
which I don't love.
Let's try this.
Take the weapon,
put it downrange.
Hold no, no.
A second.
Rule number one-- which end
does the bullet come out?
That's right.
So if anybody gets
hurt from this weapon,
it's going to be out of
that end right there.
So when we're around people,
what's the thing that we
can do to keep them safest?
Point that end
away from people.
SLINGER: That's good.
But it's not loaded, so--
Too many people have been
killed from unloaded weapons.
That's rule number two.
A weapon is always loaded.
Even when you know it's
not loaded, it is loaded.
Do not-- hey, do not
take this point lightly.
It happens in a flash and
somebody's fucking dead.
Let's try this again.
Take the weapon.
Point it downrange.
What's your finger doing?
It's on the trigger.
No.
Your finger is
only on the trigger
when you're about to fire.
OK, so put your finger
to the side over here.
You see them do it on TV.
You know what I'm
talking about.
That's rule number three.
Your finger is
only on the trigger
when you're about to fire.
That's right.
Bring your other hand up.
Grip it firm.
That's it.
Rule number four-- always
be aware of your target
and what is behind it.
Can you see what's behind it?
Yeah.
Good.
Bring the gun back up.
Let's talk about your
posture and your stance.
Try putting your
right foot back, left
one forward, just like that.
There we go.
Does that feel stable?
Yeah, more stable.
Take a deep breath,
in to your chest,
out through your mouth.
[EXHALES]
SLINGER: That's great.
Now close your eyes.
You want to shoot like a pro?
Close 'em.
[RAIN PATTERING]
That's good.
Feel your feet
planted on the ground.
In through your nose,
out through your mouth.
[EXHALES]
All that worry, all that
agitation, all that fear--
let it all go.
It's just you, your
weapon, and your target.
Want you open your eyes,
I want you to take aim.
[RAIN PATTERING]
And fire.
[GUN CLICKS]
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[PHONE LINE RINGING]
JOHN (ON PHONE): Hello?
Hey, Bud.
JOHN (ON PHONE): Hi.
What are you
doing up so late?
I was going to
leave you a message.
Um, I'm going to bed soon.
Well, uh, how you doing?
JOHN (ON PHONE): Fine.
- Yeah?
How was school today?
JOHN (ON PHONE): It was fine.
Your mom said you
made a new friend.
There's a kid down the block.
SLINGER (ON PHONE): Oh, yeah?
You like him?
He seems all right.
Does he like football?
JOHN (ON PHONE): I don't know.
Well, um--
I miss you, kiddo.
Me, too.
I better go.
Gotta brush my teeth.
Sure, sure, sure.
Well, I just wanted to
call and say good night--
and that we'll-- we'll
hang out again real soon.
OK?
I have to figure a few
things out for myself.
OK.
All right.
Good night, son.
JOHN (ON PHONE):
Good night, Dad.
[UPLIFTING PIANO MUSIC]
Good to the last drop.
[GROANS]
Shit.
[GROANS]
That is truly
disgusting looking.
[SIGHS]
Are you good?
Yeah.
You know, I think so.
Yeah.
Drive safe.
Got the kitchen to yourself.
I expect you to up your game
in there while I'm gone.
Don't burn the place down.
I'll try not to.
And thank you-- for everything.
I'll be back in a few months.
Call me if you need anything.
[CAR ENGINE STARTS]
[CELL PHONE VIBRATING]
Hello?
SLINGER (ON PHONE): Hey,
Lorraine, it's Slinger.
Who?
It's-- it's Slinger.
It's Auggie's friend.
Slinger, my goodness.
I am so sorry.
SLINGER (ON PHONE): That's OK.
I'm not--
SLINGER: No, it's all good.
It's all good.
I was just--
I'm calling to see
how everybody is.
LORRAINE: Well,
you know, it's--
it's hard.
SLINGER (ON PHONE): Yeah.
Day at a time.
SLINGER (ON PHONE): Yeah.
Ah.
How's Emmett doing?
I've been thinking about him.
LORRAINE (ON PHONE): I think
it's especially hard for him.
Yeah, well, is he there?
I'd love to talk to him.
Hello?
I'm here.
Uh, he's not home.
OK.
Well, if he-- you know, when he
gets home, if he could call me,
that would be--
I'd love to connect.
LORRAINE (ON
PHONE): I don't know
if I can get him to call you.
He's all clammed up.
He won't talk about it.
Well, if there's
anything I could do--
I could come by,
check in with him.
[UPLIFTING PIANO MUSIC]
That's it.
Line up that hole.
[DRILL WHIRRING]
Hey, man.
Want to help chop
some tomatoes?
No.
All right.
Well, I need help
washing the lettuce.
You want to wash the lettuce?
No.
OK.
Well, here.
Why don't you crush some
garlic for the garlic bread?
I'm good.
You have been here all day
and have not said a word.
Come on.
Come on.
What's going on with you?
What's up?
Come on, out with it.
What's going on with you?
Why are you coming down
on me all of a sudden?
You think that I'm
coming down on you?
EMMETT: I'm just sitting over
here minding my business.
And I'm just asking
you how you're doing.
Why are you raising
your voice if you're
just asking how I'm doing?
I'm cooking us
dinner, trying to have
a conversation with you,
asking you how you're doing.
What the fuck is up?
Nothing.
OK?
Nothing is up.
Nothing.
Come on, man.
I don't buy that.
Bro.
SLINGER: I'm not
your bro, Emmett.
Well, you're not
my uncle, either.
Shit.
Why did he do it?
It just doesn't make any sense.
No, it doesn't.
EMMETT: But why?
We'll never know.
Why do you think he did it?
Man, it doesn't
matter what I think.
It matters to me.
Nobody wants to talk about it.
It's like-- it's like we just
pretend it never happened.
It's bullshit.
SLINGER: You want to
know what I think?
I think that your uncle had
a pain buried so deep down
that he couldn't find it.
And the only way
that he thought
that he could get out of it--
was, you know.
EMMETT: Why would he do
that to Grandma, to my mom--
SLINGER: To you?
You know, I, um,
learned something
from my friend Athena.
She's kind of good
at this stuff.
And she said that when
somebody takes their own life,
it is better we don't use
the term "commit suicide."
People commit crimes.
Suicide is no crime.
So it is better that we use
the term "died by suicide."
Because they're the
victim, not the criminal.
You know, when you're--
when you're around
a lot of violence,
it just has a way of getting
in your head and staying there.
It's like-- it's like your
uncle got wounded, you know?
And that wound
turned to illness,
and that illness
is what killed him.
It's just a-- you
know, different way
to look at it, anyway.
I didn't-- I didn't
know he was sick.
Yeah, me neither.
I mean, nobody does because
you can't see it, you know?
That's the thing about trauma.
It's--
But why didn't
he say anything?
SLINGER: He would never
do anything to hurt you.
He was the one in pain.
He was the one who needed help.
You get it?
Yeah.
He shot himself, right?
Is that true?
[INHALES, EXHALES]
It just came up fast.
I should've-- I could
have taken his weapons.
I just didn't know he would--
You found him?
SLINGER: Where are you going?
I'm not hungry.
SLINGER (ON PHONE):
Well, you're going
to need a new water heater.
It's a good
thing you're handy.
I think that's a little
beyond my skill set.
Know a good plumber?
SLINGER (ON PHONE):
I might know a guy.
Well, if you call
your guy, you won't
have to take cold showers.
I'll see what I can do.
ATHENA (ON PHONE):
I'd appreciate that.
How's the job going?
ATHENA: Good.
Nice people.
Seem happy I'm here.
Yeah?
That's not a surprise.
And you?
How are you?
Are you there?
Yeah.
Yeah.
You?
Yeah.
I'd better go.
I, uh, got an
early day tomorrow.
Of course.
ATHENA (ON PHONE):
Bye, Slinger.
Bye, goddess.
Wow.
That's a lot of guns.
[CHUCKLES]
SLINGER: You know,
some are Auggie's.
EMMETT: Seriously?
Some are mine.
Some are my dad's.
Your uncle had some
quality weapons,
and your family asked
me to deal with them.
And I just-- I don't--
I don't know what to do.
Why don't you sell them?
To who?
No, I don't want
that on my head.
Can I see one?
Go ahead.
Is it loaded?
It's always loaded.
[GUN CLICKS]
Is this the one he used?
Um, no.
[SOBBING]
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[THUD]
REV. CLAY: When they
came for Jesus--
when the Roman soldiers
came for him and Peter drew
his sword to fight them
off to protect his Savior,
what happened?
What did Jesus say?
Jesus said, put your
sword back in its place.
Jesus tells Peter,
all who draw the sword
will die by the sword.
Matthew 26:52.
When Jesus says, love
thy neighbor as thyself,
he's not talking
about an ideal.
He's talking about a practice.
He's talking about an action.
He's talking about
actively loving each other.
43,000 gun-related deaths a
year on average in America--
it's a statistic.
That's 120 people a
day, 5 people an hour
are killed by firearms
in this country.
Over half of them are suicides.
22 US military veterans take
their own lives every day.
Statistics.
But look around you.
Go on.
Look at the person seated
on your left and right.
They are not statistics.
This moment here in this
community, you and me,
we are not statistics.
Your heart, and your heart,
and your heart, and yours,
and my heart together--
"Then they will
turn their swords
into plowshares and their
spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up
sword against nation.
They will no longer
learn how to make war."
Isaiah chapter 2, verse 4.
Where'd they come from?
Uh-- where did they
come from, Emmett?
A whole 'nother life.
What's your Christian
name, brother?
Oh, um, Alexander.
Is that funny?
Alexander?
SLINGER: Mm-hmm.
REV. CLAY: How'd
you get Slinger?
Oh, uh, long story.
There's power in names.
How about you, young man?
Do you know the
origin of your name?
Emmett Till.
REV. CLAY: That's who
you're named after?
Well, that's a heavy
burden to carry.
Yeah.
I'm used to it, though.
REV. CLAY: The origin of the
word Emmett in the Hebrew
Bible, ever looked at that?
EMMETT: No.
The Hebrew word
Emmett means truth.
Truth?
REV. CLAY: Mm-hmm.
Truth.
That's dope.
Thank you for
bringing these in.
It was brave of you.
Brave of you both.
Are you ready?
Yeah, I'm ready.
Let's do it.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[GRINDER WHIRRING]
[PAUL DURHAM,
"THE END OF NIGHT"]
When it's the
cold in the sun
We stand, we stand
Like a soldier at the front
We stand, we stand
until the end of night
We're coming home,
so leave a light on
May your hearts
never stumble
May your sense never break
May your belly never rumble
May your heart
never never ache
Beat those swords
into plowshares
Melt those guns into rakes
When your life is
sliding backwards
Best keep your awake
As you go down
That long forbidden
road we all go down
I hit this, Mama.
I hit this for you.
I hit this for Tomasa.
I hit this for cousin
Susie, and all the others
that died in that church.
I hit for gun
violence, gunfire.
[SOBBING]
For our daughters,
for our sons
We stand, we stand
For my brother in the hunt
We stand, we stand
until the end of night
We're coming home,
so keep the light on
May your hearts
never stumble
May your sense never break
May your belly never rumble
May your heart never ache
Beat those swords
into plowshares
Melt those guns into rakes
When your life is
sliding backwards
Best keep your
friends awake
As you go down
That long forbidden
road we all go down
Here at the end of night
I'm-- I'm-- here
at the end of night
I'm-- I'm--
I've been playing
a game of solitaire
And every day I lose
It's all a game for suckers
We all end up in the news
Buddy, if my
days are numbered
No more rifles to recoil
I'll pull my heart
up by the bootstraps
Pour myself into the
soil as I go down
That long forbidden
road we all go down
Here at the end of night
I'm-- I'm-- yeah, here
at the end of night
I'm-- I'm-- here
at the end of night