Dorothea (2025) Movie Script
1
[logo beats]
[logo gasps]
[music]
Where am I?
-Hey, hey, it's all right,
Dorothea.
I'm here.
Oh, Patty,
I had the most awful dream.
What was it?
My father,
he's coming to take me soon.
I can feel it.
Did you do it?
Want the truth?
Yes.
Tell the whole world the truth?
Is that what you want?
[sigh]
Hell, why not?
One word that's been the scourge
of feminine existence...
since the beginning of time.
No.
No, stop!
No!
[screams]
-No...no.
-You're coming with me.
So I can keep an eye on you.
[screams]
[dragging]
[screams]
[gasp]
[gasp]
[laughter]
[laughter]
Please, Axel!
-Fucking whore.
-[coughing]
[sobbing]
Are you gonna keep fucking
all those, men?
You're a...
[lighter]
Filthy fucking whore.
OH...FUCK YOU!
That's right.
[laugh]
[snores]
[sobbing]
Stop.
Axel.
Please.
[music]
[chuckles]
[music]
Dorothea?
[thud]
[song] "Mad Dog" by Zephyr
Went to a party party on
Tuesday night
The girls were twistin Twistin
the night away
It may sound funny it may
sound weird but
My little girl, she wasn't there
for me, for me, for me...
for me
I was a mad dog,
mad dog I couldn't see
I was a mad dog,
mad dog I couldn't see
I couldn't believe
I was a mad dog,
mad dog they should've shot me.
But I'm all right now...
whoa whoa yeah
My girl was dancing,
dancing across the floor
oh...she looks, so sweet
She was so happy happy with
her new amour
The eyes of love were oh so
clear, but my little girl...
she wasn't there for me. For me,
for me, for me
for....me
I was a mad dog mad dog I
couldn't see
I was a mad dog mad dog I
couldn't believe
I was a mad dog,
mad dog they should've shot me.
But I'm all right now...
whoa whoa yeah
[howl]
But I'm all right now
[Dorothea VO] Near threw my back
out dragging the big lug.
But, anything worth while,
usually involves a little pain.
[thud]
[Dorothea grunts]
[Dorothea VO] I think,
if it were a Woolrich or Cain
novel that gave me the notion.
[Dorothea VO] I think,
if it were a Woolrich or Cain
novel that gave me the notion.
Can't recall which at
the moment...
...only that it stuck, like
a burning ember within my head.
[water running]
Is this the hospital?
Oh, God. I think it's his heart.
My husband...
...he's in the shower.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I was making his breakfast,
and I heard a crash.
No. I can't get in.
The door is locked.
But he won't answer.
No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
It's 4840 Whitsett.
Please hurry.
[phone receiver clicks]
It was that easy.
Worked like a charm.
No one suspected a thing.
[music]
[water running]
[coughing]
Dorothea, you're bleeding.
Come here.
-Water.
-Come here.
Better?
-Yes, thank you.
-Patty.
Queenie's out of the hole.
She'll be looking to get ya.
[music sting]
Any suggestions?
Don't let her get you alone.
Okay, thanks, Beth.
See ya.
-[sigh]
Trouble?
[sigh] Queenie,
the resident bull dyke.
She tried to make me her bitch.
I told the warden...
...and she gave her 30 days
in solitaire.
[chuckles]
When I first got here...
one of them lezzies,
tried to pop my cherry.
[laugh]
I told her, "Sweetie,
the whole pie is long gone,
but you're welcome to what
crumbs is left."
[chuckles]
-[laugh]
Times were better then.
Weren't all puppy dogs and
rainbows back when...
Even on the day,
supposed to be the happiest day
of a woman's life.
[Dorothea VO]
County Courthouse, 1966.
[Dorothea VO] My handsome,
third husband, Roberto Puente.
He was nineteen years my junior.
Sure, I robbed the cradle,
can you blame me, look at him.
[Mariachi music]
[yells]
[Spanish]
Woo!
-[sings in Spanish]
[Mariachi music]
-[sings in Spanish]
[Dorothea VO] Plus,
he was from a good family
that owned property throughout
California,
and just between you and me,
gave me my first orgasm.
Life was looking up, right?
Ha! Wrong.
[film burning]
Our marriage was short.
-Easy, baby.
-Fuck her. You said you were
going to leave her divorce her.
Shh!
I am.
Gotta be quiet, though.
-Hurry.
[music]
Zephyr's "Someone Like You"
Clouds are much whiter since
you came my way
Colors are brighter,
[door slams]
so are things that I say...
I've been lonely, I've been blue
Lookin' for someone,
Someone like you
But, it's hard to find what
you're looking for!
[radio song clicks off]
[Dorothea] It's over?
What do you mean it's over?
You're not getting it.
-[yelling in Spanish]
-Yeah, right,
you speak some English.
-Fuck you!
Is that good enough
English for you?
-No, it's not, what I do?
I didn't do anything!
-Fucking pute!
-Where are you going?
Adios, Dorothea!
-What? I didn't do anything!
Oh! Oh!
Is that her? You cheatin' pig!
I can't believe you're
doing this!
Bye-bye, Granny.
[radio clicks on]
[music]
Zephyr's "Someone Like You"
I've been lonely, I've been
blue...Lookin' for someone
Good riddance.
[Dorothea VO] Though my next
husband, Pedro Montalvo weren't
no better.
[Dorothea VO] Mean as the day is
long and twice as drunk.
[Dorothea VO] Two months of
living hell that I won't relive.
-I was good for something.
Tell him I got you probation
for those 34 counts
of treasury fraud.
Helped?
You bet your lily white
gringo ass, honey.
Just because the judge took
lenience on me,
after I told him how you beat
the shit out of me,
and ran off with all my money.
Your money?
[shh]
[wall creaking]
Stop.
Vaya con dios.
-Cut it out.
Parada. Parada.
[music]
[creaking]
[music]
-Oh, sorry to bother you.
I'm here about the room
for rent.
Who should I talk to?
-She's...
Oh, she's down there in the hat.
- Oh, great. Thank you.
[snap]
Dorothea?
-Yes?
The man on the porch told me
that you were out here.
-Oh, that's Chief.
Excuse me?
We call him Chief.
He's our resident handyman.
I see.
Um. Well,
my name is Ruth Monroe.
And I'm here about the room
for rent.
Is it still available?
I believe it is.
Ah, where are my manners.
Dorothea Puente.
Pleasure to meet you.
-Let's go take a look a see at
the room, shall we?
-Splendid.
-Chief!
Good job getting that old shed
out of the garden.
-Oh, thank you, ma'am.
Don't forget to dig a flower bed
in its place.
Ah...ugh.
Today?
Yep. I'll be planting tonight.
Alright, then. You got it.
[music]
[TV commercial]
-Hey, Dorothea, we need to talk.
[mouths words] "Be nice"
Malcolm, I would like you to
meet Ruth Monroe.
Any relation to Marilyn?
-[giggles]
[TV] "Game show theme"
Wait, it's back on.
Excuse me?
Say Charles, dipshit.
[TV] "Charles Nelson Reilly "
-This way.
That was the living room.
Kitchen is that a way.
Refrigerator is shared.
I cook a large dinner
for tenants every,
which is ready by 6 p.m.
-Oh, that's nice.
-Currently we have four
residents...
all are retired, quiet,
well-mannered gentlemen.
Don't even know they're here
most of the time.
Malcolm can be a bit
of a curmudgeon,
but his heart is in
the right place.
Just don't change a channel when
he's watching Match Game.
Oh, I'm not much of a TV person.
I prefer to read.
Me too.
It's a beautiful home with
a nice warm energy to it.
Thank you.
The key is respect. Respect
yourself, your home, others.
That creates that warm
environment.
I like that.
And it's close to the hospital.
Here we are. Oh,
do you work there?
No, my husband is under
care there.
Oh.
Get some fresh air in here.
This room gets the best
sunlight.
[squeaks]
Nice firm mattress. Hardly used.
What is that smell?
Oh, it's a sewer pipe down
the street that sometimes clogs.
Neighbors complain that it's
the fish and mulch I use to
fertilize my garden,
but they are wrong.
It's them old ground pipes.
Ah, I've spoken with the city
they should have it repaired
this week.
[chuckles]
Oh, you said your husband was in
the hospital.
Nothing serious, I hope.
I'm afraid it's terminal.
[sigh]
Stage four cancer of the brain.
Oh, that's dreadful.
[sigh]
Losing someone you care about
is never easy.
Especially when they're
taken away early.
-So the rent is a hundred
a week, correct?
That's right.
I'll take it.
[sigh]
Marvelous.
When would you like to move in?
Now, if possible.
Um. I can pay four hundred
for the month to simplify it.
-Oh, well, there would also be
a security deposit required,
in case of damage or...
Of course. Um. Four hundred,
eight hundred total?
That works.
You see, um...we sold our home,
to pay my husband's medical
expenses, and escrow closed.
I've been staying in a motel
ever since.
You don't have to explain, Ruth.
Hard time's come upon us all.
It's hope that keeps us going.
Oh.
I'm sorry.
It's all just so overwhelming.
Look at the bright side.
You now have a roof over
your head.
And a new friend.
Thank you, Dorothea.
Come on now.
Let's go get your keys.
[music]
[fizz]
[cutting pills]
[music]
[digging]
Chief!
Oh.
I'm sorry, Miss Dorothea.
I didn't even see you there.
It's okay.
How's it coming along?
Ah.
Pretty good.
You think this is probably deep
enough by now?
I'd say another foot
wide and deep.
All right. You say so.
[chuckles]
Ya, know.
I tell you,
I...I always thought...
the flowerbed should only be
about a foot or two deep.
That's before I met you.
Oh no.
They gotta be deep
for the fertilizer.
And can't forget about
the roots.
Plants need to eat and drink
just like us, Chief.
Yeah, well, I reckon so.
Ugh!
Speaking of drink...
I brought you this...for doing
such good work.
Oh!
[chuckles]
Now that is very kind of you.
[chuckles]
Miss Dorothea, I haven't had
a drop for a month now.
Not since you've got me this job
and let me stay here.
You know, I'm being good.
I'm trying to do the straight
and narrow.
Yeah, know.
That's why it's important
for you to think of this as a...
a reward for your efforts.
The Lord knows it's hard to stay
straight and narrow.
Oh, tell me, I know.
[digging]
[sinister music]
[digging]
That's good enough.
Yeah?
Oh!
Oh!
Whoa!
[chuckles]
[chuckles]
Sorry.
It's like...
Almost like I'm already soused.
[chuckles]
Shh, the neighbors.
Oh, sorry.
-[chuckles]
Just sit back, relax...
and take a long, hard swig.
You earned it, my boy.
My boy?
My momma always used to
call me my boy.
[music]
[gulp]
[cough]
Oh...
...the good stuff, just for you.
[giggles]
Oh, yeah.
[chuckle]
Oh, shit!
[laugh]
-No cussing.
Oh...ugh.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean...
By the way, ah. What was old
Malcolm was talking to
you about?
Oh, oh, Malcolm.
Yeah, he was a,
just asking about you.
What about me?
[cap screws on bottle]
Well...
He would wondering, if I thought
you might be stealing from him.
Mmmm.
He said the two of you got
drunk...and he blacked out...
and then when he woke up,
his money,
coins, ugh...
and, ugh...maybe...papers.
Oh, and his mother's wedding
ring was gone.
So...
Is that so?
Yeah.
Oh, oh...
and if anybody else in the house
was a getting Social Security
checks turned over to you.
And what did you tell him?
Well...
I told him you helped me...
by turning over my
Social Security checks to you
through the government.
Yeah.
That's good, Chief.
That's cause...
You know...
[coughing]
[coughing]
Oh, excuse me.
So you can look out for my
needs, you know, like you do.
You know, Miss Dorothea,
I guess I don't...
I don't really feel so good.
I can't...
I can't even move my legs.
You won't meet them where
you're going.
[sinister music]
Ow!
Ow!
Ow!
Ah!
Ow!
What the hell?
Ow!
Ow!
[retching] Ow! Ow!
-Loose lips sink ships.
Ow! Ow!
My...boy.
Ow!
Ow!
Ow!
Ah!
[digging]
Ugh!
Ugh...ha!
Ow!
Ugh!
Ow! Ow! Ow!
[digging]
Ah!
Ow!
Ow!
Aw!
[gagging]
[gagging]
[retching]
UGH!
Ow!
Ow!
Oh, ow.
[music]
[hissing]
[music]
[ominous music]
[knocking]
Ruth?
Are you awake?
-Yes.
-I was doing some gardening and
saw your light on.
-You and Chief like to
work late.
- Yes, it's cooler at night.
Why are you up so late?
- Oh, I woke up feeling a little
under the weather.
- Would you like me to bring you
some Tylenol?
Or I have some Codeine?
I always find that nips
a cold in the bud.
- Oh no, I'm highly allergic to
Codeine, but thank you.
- How about some warm milk?
- If it's no bother.
- Oh, it's no bother.
No bother at all.
- Thank you.
[music]
[rapid boiling]
[music]
[music]
Ruth?
-Yes?
-Your warm milk is here
at the door.
-Oh, you are a lifesaver,
Dorothea.
Thank you so much for your
kindness.
-Goodnight.
Sleep tight.
Don't let the bedbugs bite.
[music]
[cough]
[foreboding music]
[slap]
[Malcolm VO] Dear Dorothea,
I have given you every
opportunity to resolve the
matter of my missing belongings.
After speaking with Chief,
I feel I have the proof needed
to hold you accountable.
As you may have noticed,
I've vacated your property...
-Jesus H. Crackers.
[Malcolm VO]...along with my
personal possessions.
Except for the items that
you stole.
I will be going to the proper
authorities to get my beloved
belongings back...
Ah..a...and to put you in JAIL!
Signed, Malcolm. P.S. I left
the keys in the mailbox, period.
FUCK YOU, exclamation point.
[music]
Help!
[crying]
What is it, Dorothea?
Oh, God.
[Spanish] Should I call
for the ambulance?
-Yeah. Yeah.
-[Spanish] I will! I will!
When did she move in?
Last night...
I knew she was upset about her
husband, but I...I...
I had no idea she would take
her own life.
[crying]
They bought it.
And why wouldn't they?
The police checked with
the hospital,
knew the husband was on his
death bed, and that...
ah...Ruth here was distraught.
She was a mess.
And I'm just a kindly
grandmother that let her in.
[crying]
-[Spanish] They're coming!
[crying]
Come on, Dorothea.
Let's get you away from this.
Come on.
Let's go.
-Some coffee in you will
do you good.
-[Spanish] Yes. Yes, coffee.
[speaking Spanish]
[speaking Spanish]
[door creaks]
[Dorothea VO] But, a dark cloud
was on the horizon
in the form of that walking
pile of shit.
Oh, excuse my French.
Malcolm McKenzie.
And about a month later upon
a midnight dreary, while I
pondered, weak and weary,
over many a quaint and curious
volume of forgotten lore.
Suddenly there was a tapping,
as of some one gently rapping,
rapping at my front door.
And no friends,
it wasn't my sweet Lenore.
[knocking]
Dorothea Puente?
Yes, Officer.
Mr. McKenzie and Miss Osborne
here have filed a complaint
against you for felony theft.
[Judge VO] Dorothea Helen
Puente, I hereby sentence you to
five years in state prison.
[gavel slams]
-Not so bad.
If I mind my P's and Q's,
I should be out in half of that.
I had Ricardo to look after the
house, collect rent, pay bills.
Oh, and I found a nice pen pal,
Everson Theadore Gillmouth
of Coos Bay, Oregon.
[Dorothea VO] Ahoy Captain,
may I come aboard?
Your ad has intrigued me.
I am also a widow in search
of companionship
I run a boarding house in
Sacramento,
where I have a beautiful garden,
that I'd love to show
you one day.
I've enclosed a photo myself and
my roses, hopefully you find one
of them attractive.
P. S. I must confess...I am
currently incarcerated on three
counts...
[overlapping dialogue]
-[Everson VO] Dear Dorothea,
what a joy hearing from a fellow
gardener.
A beautiful one at that.
And the roses ain't half
bad either.
I am impressed with your honesty
and your past mistakes are just
that, in the past.
I did time myself in my youth
and know how hard it can be for
people to give a fair shake...
once they hear the word, ex-con.
Well, you have a clean slate in
my book, lovely lady.
[Dorothea VO] After almost three
years of two to three love
letters a week,
[Dorothea VO] and a phone call
once a month, we became an item.
Maybe having gardening and dead
spouses in common was the key.
I didn't mention that I get sea
sick in the bathtub.
Speaking of key,
I had him get in touch with
Ricardo to move into my house.
Even signed him onto my bank
account to cover any repairs to
the house.
-Wait.
You put a guy you never met onto
your bank account?
Yeah. Stupid, I know.
Oh.
But he looked so handsome
in that photo.
Like Lee Majors.
Lee Majors?
Sorry, please continue.
1985 came.
So did my release.
And for the first time...
I can't remember when,
I slathered on the face paint.
Even got one of the new
girls to help me.
The Cyndi Lauper look,
she called it,
whoever the heck that was...
really dolled me up.
Why not?
I was about to come face to face
with the man of my dreams.
Had to look hip.
[song] "My Hill" by Robert Miano
You got ears, I got ears.
Ears are made to listen.
Ears are made to listen.
Lips are made for kissing.
Dorothea?
Is that you?
It's you, baby. Come here.
Come over here.
[laugh]
I need love. This how you're
gonna get your thrill
Oh my God, you look amazing.
Look at you.
[laughs]
Oh!
Oh!
Oh, I can't believe it,
here we are.
Come on, your chaiot awaits you.
Here, get in, baby.
-Thank you.
-We're having fun today.
-Uh-huh.
-Oh yeah.
Come on, rock and roll.
Here we go.
All right.
All right.
Get this bucket going.
-Yeah.
[car starter hesitates]
[engine roars to life]
[song] "My Hill" by Robert Miano
Start livin' it up,
livin' it up, livin' it up
How's it feel to breathe in all
that free fresh air?
Amazing.
[song continues on radio]
I think we stop off in Los
Angeles before we head to Vegas.
Las Vegas?
We'll get married by one of them
Elvis impersonators.
Then a little gambling.
And a lot of nookie.
When we get back,
we'll have a honeymoon
voyage...on the SS Dorothea.
You bought it?
Just a down payment.
How can you afford this?
Don't worry.
We'll sell that old boarding
house of yours.
Realtor says, we can get
a pretty good price...
Calls it, a seller's market.
You okay?
[sigh]
[glovebox button clicks]
You can never be too careful.
What's wrong, honey?
Take me home.
What about Vegas?
Home, now!
Alright, alright, alright.
[radio clicks, song ends]
Fucking hate country music.
Alright.
Alright.
[music]
Let's see now.
Did I miss the turn off?
[music]
Ugh!
No!
Dorothea, don't be so upset.
Ricardo?
Ricardo!
Where is everybody?
I threw them a couple of bucks
and kicked them the hell out.
Realtor says,
that's the way to go.
Where you going, darling?
I hope you're going to
the bedroom.
Cuz I'm horney as hell.
Oh, God, look at this shit.
Oh, my God.
Ah!
I found your stash, darling.
And low and behold.
[chuckles]
What have you done?
I used that money as a down
payment for our boat.
Just go back and get my
money back now.
There's no refunds, sweetheart.
But I made a great deal.
A fantastic deal.
A great deal.
Go and get my money back now.
No, you'll see.
We're going to Bali.
Bali and Fiji and Bora Bora.
Yeah.
Yeah.
This is our future, honey.
You have no future.
[music]
Ugh!
[bones cracking]
[music]
[thud]
Help me.
Dorothea?
Help me, please.
I can't move.
Of course not.
Your neck is broken.
[gasping]
[coughing]
Help me.
[coughing]
Dorothea?
Help me.
[moaning]
Help me.
None of that, thief.
[gagging]
Ain't love grand...
[knocking]
Coming.
[sighs]
-Hola.
Oh.
[sighs]
English?
[moaning sound]
I hurry.
[music]
[music]
Please!
Hush.
You brought this on yourself.
[grunting]
[grunting]
Now, tie it up.
Voila.
Now to get the rest a your junk?
[music swells]
[grunting]
[monaing]
[monaing]
[grunting]
[grunting]
[song] "Lover Man" by
Robert Miano
Come on baby
Let me take you by the hand
[springs squeak]
Come on sugar,
let me take you by the hand
[tires on gravel]
You for me, let me be all your
own lover, lover, lover man
Come on baby, lover man,
lover man Mmmmm, baby...
[song ends]
[door slams]
[groaning]
[music]
[whimpering inside coffin]
[grunting]
[sigh]
Bon Voyage, darling.
[music]
[music]
[music]
- Here.
-Good.
[music]
[door slams]
- Hey, good day, mates.
Hurricane Billy at your service.
Have a seat, ma'am.
Tidying up a bit around here,
giving it an old makeover.
[desk creaks]
What's this?
Old Everson, yep.
Why, your Dorothea.
Yep.
See, there was a terrible
mistake...
and I would like my
money returned.
Ma'am, your husband got a ripper
deal on this boat.
He's not my husband.
Well, alrighty.
But clearly on the receipt,
my policy says.
See, Everson used my money,
20,000 to be exact,
without my knowledge or consent.
Seeing that the boat has not
exchanged hands,
I was hoping you could make an
exception in this case and
return my funds.
Now, if you want to go after
Everson for a breach
of contract...
then, that would be just fine.
You just got out of prison,
didn't you?
Excuse me.
Yeah.
Old Everson got a big mouth,
don't he?
Yeah.
He told me you just did a three
year stint out of five
for check fraud.
That has nothing to do
with this.
Oh, but it does.
Yeah, it has everything to
do with it.
See, I think your parole officer
might be interested to know
that you got
$20,000 in cash floating around
that you haven't paid in
restitution to your victims.
Victims?
So take your receipt,
be on your way.
Please, please, please,
Mr. Hurricane.
Mr. Hurricane.
Your boat'll be ready in a week.
I'm just a widow
grandmother that...
Oh, don't turn the waterworks
on me, lady.
Nah, cry all day.
And if you brought that wetback
for strong arming you better
have another think too.
No.
He's a patsy.
Patsy?
Hear that, fella,
you're a patsy.
He don't speak English.
And the term wetback, coming
from a funny talk in gringo,
has me itching to put a has me
itching to put a bullet between
your eyes.
Easy.
Now, give me my money.
Nice and slow.
Dorothea.
Nothing to get excited
about you.
Just relax, lady, relax.
Your money's right here in
the top drawer.
Nice and slow.
- Right here's your cash.
Take it.
[gunshot]
- No.
$50,000 dollars.
No.
[gunshot]
[song] "Count On Me"
by G Tom Mac
I never know where you've
been all night
I don't question all those
things you hide
who's there to blame baby
there's no fight
ain't no sense in making
this a crime
girl you don't have to use me
nah cause you can always
Count on me if it's just some
time to pass
Count on me if it's just some
time to pass
Count on me cause it ain't
something that will last-yeah!
You never lie baby
you're just talk
when you ain't got no one
left at all
What's on your mind when you
when you break that hard
When you ain't got no one
left at all
Yeah you'll come back here to me
Cause you can always
[Dorothea VO] That was that.
You know, I can still taste that
cigarette.
Probably the best smoke
of my life.
It's the little things in this
world that make it...make it all
worthwhile.
[chuckles]
The cab ride home on the other
hand...twenty dollars.
Highway fuckin' robbery.
Excuse my French.
[song] "Count On Me"
by G Tom Mac
Count on me when you're weary
down on your own
Count on me when you can't find
your way home...yeah
[glass shatters]
[fire roars]
[explosion]
[Dorothea VO] Ashes to ashes,
the Phoenix is rising.
Jesus H. Crackers.
Some a the sweetest words ever
put to paper bout yours truly
was going up in smoke
and at my hands to boot.
What am I complaining about,
what's done is done, oh,
back to the phoenix rising.
I started doing charity work.
In addition to donating my time,
that Aussie's money went to good
Hispanic causes
like the Mexican Chamber of
Commerce, in my name of course.
[music]
Running low on cash,
I started renting rooms again
to the less fortunate denizens
of Sacramento.
Wonderful dinners where everyone
cleans their plates and drinks
their drinks.
[silverware clatters]
I'm Alvaro Bert Montoya,
51 years old, and I'm gonna die
by the hands of Dorothea Puente.
[soup slup]
I'm Betty Mae Palmer,
77 years old, and I'm gonna die
at the hands of Dorothea Puente.
I'm Leona Carpenter, I'm 78
years old, and I'm gonna die
at the hands of Dorothea Puente.
[soup slurp]
I'm Vera Fay Martin,
64 years old, and I'm gonna die
at the hands of Dorothea Puente.
[sipping]
I'm James Gallop, 67 years old,
and I'm gonna die at the hands
of Dorothea Puente.
My name is Benjamin Fink.
I'm 55 years old.
And I'm gonna die at the hands
of Dorothea Puente.
I'm Dorothy Miller,
64 years old.
I'm going to die at the hands
of Dorothea Puente.
[sigh]
I moved back in to dig
the graves.
I mean the flower beds,
right Dorothea?
Does everyone enjoying
their soup?
[silverware clatter]
[sigh]
-You know what would be great?
There was a little meat.
-That would be nice.
Unfortunately with the price
of food, it's just impossible.
Here we go again.
Is there something wrong with
spaghetti marinara?
-Marinara, like as in no meat.
-Yep.
-Yeah, there's something
wrong with it.
-With the checks you're
collecting from us,
our socials...
and our disabilities,
we should be having filet mignon
every night.
-Shit, yeah.
Betty, what have I said about
that type of language in this
house let alone at
the dinner table.
-I am so sorry, Dorothea.
Now, who else is upset about our
current system?
A raise of hands, please.
Ricardo.
If you could finish digging
those flower beds, thank you.
Now?
Yes.
-But I haven't even
finished my soup.
-I'll keep that and a plate
of pasta warm in the oven just
for you.
[silverware clatter]
Excuse me.
[chair drag across floor]
Now let's have a discussion.
Your checks are for more than
the roof over and pillows under
your heads...
and the food in your bellies.
They're also to keep the booze,
drugs, and other social maladies
from reinfecting you.
Keeping us asleep and drugging
our wine shouldn't be expensive.
Gooble gobble.
[LAUGH]
-One of us.
One of us.
-Cheers.
-She gets it.
-Skoal!
-One of us.
One of us.
[LAUGH]
One of us.
-Skoal!
-I...I have one.
May the hinges of friendship
never rust and the wings of love
never drop a feather.
-Amen!
-Here. Here.
-Cheers.
-God, it's not a fucking
prayer, Vera.
-Well, It's nice.
Bert?
Bert.
Have you been taking your
schizophrenia medication?
And what the fuck do you
know about it?
[silverware clatter]
Maybe you should go to your room
if you an't manage
a civil tongue.
Maybe you should make me.
[murmuring]
-Let's relax.
We all know there needs to be
a change around here,
starting with a voice on how our
money is being spent.
I feel like we can handle this
diplomatically with a vote...
on how things should be run
here on in.
-Yeah.
-Yeah, I agree.
-I...I cheers to that.
[Dorothea VO] I knew then that I
had a Simn Bolvar in my midst.
-More wine?
[Dorothea VO] Turning
the peasants against me.
[Dorothea VO] Well, this empire
won't go without a fight, bitch.
Excuse my French.
Keep a happy face.
[Dorothea VO] All is fine.
[Dorothea VO] Make them think
that I'm listening to their
grievances.
[Dorothea VO] A benevolent
leader.
[suspensful music]
[door creaks]
[suspensful music]
[floor creaks]
Dorothea?
[gasps]
Like lambs to the slaughter.
[scream]
[gasps]
[whimpering]
It'll be a beautiful day.
Maybe.
My check come in?
Is that it there?
Suppose you all want to change
our arrangement?
I just want my check.
I told the others to sleep on it
and decide in the morning
how they want to handle
their own affairs.
Fair enough.
Thank you.
[foot steps]
Where are you headed?
The doctors.
Would you mind picking up some
more Dalmane?
You already out?
Yes, we go through it to keep
you all clean and sober.
Fine.
This is the last time.
Yes.
The last time.
[Dorothea VO] Go around looking
for something, once you find it,
you worry about losing it.
[Dorothea VO] Well,
I say once you find that
something slipping away,
[Dorothea VO] wipe it out and
look for something new...
Ricardo!
What is it?
I want three more beds dug
along the fence.
And then, pick up the rose
bushes, I ordered from
Hammer Nursery.
And uh, place them in front
of the beds.
bien. Okay.
[curses in Spanish]
[coughs]
[song] "Talking Bout Girls"
by G Tom Mac
[tenants clamoring]
[Dorothea VO] Suddenly,
they appeared before me.
I heared nothing from their
frothing lips.
[Dorothea VO] ...but I knew
they wanted their checks.
[Dorothea VO] So that they could
drink it, drink it all up.
[Dorothea VO] Drink up every
stinkin' penny.
[Dorothea VO] I had to keep
moving in fear of vomiting upon
them from the thought of it.
[Dorothea VO] I swallowed back
the bile, to expel the words...
[record scratch]
Have a drink on me!
[tenants clamoring]
[song] "Talking Bout Girls"
by G Tom Mac
Talkin' bout girls gets you
wrapped in confusion
Talkin bout girls don't they
have the solution
[tenant's drunken banter]
Talkin bout girls
When your one in a million
My sisters getting out of hand
my mamas out of control
My old man's sneakin' into porno
flicks and whorin' round
I could care less I could get
pissed off just like anyone
[LAUGHTER]
But I'm makin' money hustlin'
pool and I'm just hangin' round
Talkin' bout girls some are
there when you need them
[LAUGHTER]
Talkin' bout girls I've been
searchin' and searchin'
Talkin' bout girls yeah you're
nothin' without 'em
[LAUGHTER]
I could care less I could get
pissed off just like anyone
But I'm makin' money hustlin'
pool and I'm just hangin' round
Talkin' bout girls some are
there when you need them
Talkin' bout girls I've been
searchin' and searchin'
Talkin' bout girls yeah you're
nothin' without 'em
[LAUGHTER]
Tallkin' bout girls go watch
your double feature dad Dugh..
Oh behind these lenses ain't
the bad guy that ya think I am
[Dorothea VO] All day long,
I heard them talking, yelling,
getting blind drunk.
[music]
[Dorothea VO] I sat and waited
and waited. As they went silent,
a calmness swept over me.
[Dorothea VO] My head cleared
and I prepared for her arrival.
[music swells]
[poison fizz]
[KNOCKING]
Yes?
I got it.
Oh, please, come in.
Oh, it's late...I...
Have a drink.
[sigh]
Okay, just one.
[whiskey filling glass]
Thank you.
[cap screwing on]
Mmmmm.
Oh, that's good.
What's up with that?
Oh, a little spring cleaning.
Oh...
In October?
[LAUGH]
Oh, damn.
It's hitting me really hard.
I feel, I feel woosey.
Oh.
I lied about the spring
cleaning, Dorothy.
What?
The tarp, the blankets.
I'm gonna wrap you up and bury
you in the backyard.
God.
Oh, God.
I can't move.
Ha. I coated your glass with
enough...ah...
Dalmane and florazepin to knock
out a whole platoon.
Oh, you didn't have any left.
I lied.
Oh, don't, don't, don't do this.
Shh.
You're dead.
You just don't know it yet.
Oh, no.
Oh, don't.
Shh.
-No.
Oh, oh.
Shh.
This'll help you sleep.
[eerie music]
[Dorothea VO] Ingrates.
Not one of them defending me.
Ganging up like a pack of dogs.
Not a kind word among them
for me, the one that bettered
their miserable lives.
[rotary phone dials]
[rotary phone dials]
Judy.
Hi.
It's, it's Bert Montoya.
Yeah.
I, I know it's late.
I know what time it is.
Well, Judy, okay, listen.
Um...
You said I could call you if
there was trouble.
And, um. Well, I need you to get
me out of here.
The house.
Dorothea's house.
It's her.
There's something wrong with.
Hello?
Hello?
[receiver clicks]
[suspense music]
Dorothea?
[foot steps]
Dorothea?
Hey.
[metal CRACK]
[gagging]
You know there are no phone
calls after 10 PM, Bert.
[gagging]
You took a bad fall, Bert.
[gibberish]
This'll help with your pain.
[Bert whimpering]
No!
No!
[muffled gags]
[Dorothea VO] The shovel knocked
more than his teeth
loose...[laugh]
[Dorothea VO] As his eyes rolled
upon my face,
two and two finally added up fer
'ol Bert and he knew this were
the end...
[tape peeling]
[tape ripping]
Judy, Judy, Judy.
[telephone ringing]
Okay.
[telephone ringing]
Hello.
-Hello. Um.
May I speak to Bert?
-Who is this?
-I apologize.
I'm in social work with
Judy Mois.
Bert called me late last night.
I'm worried that something--
-He moved out.
Went back to Mexico to see
his family.
-Did he--
I knew there would be trouble
the moment I hung up on that
nosy slut.
I imagined her running to
the police.
[door clangs shut]
May I help you?
Yes, I would like to report
a missing person.
Has it been 24 hours since you
last seen a heard from
the individual?
No, but, he called me last
night, he sounded scared.
Okay, I'm gonna stop you right
there, ma'am.
You have to wait at least 24
hours before you can file
a police report.
My name is Judy Mois.
I'm a social worker and
identification.
Okay.
I'm sorry,
there's not much I can do.
Unless it's been 24 hours,
you have to--
I placed Mr. Montoya at
Dorothea Puente's boarding
house, 1426 F Street.
I'm afraid something
happened to him.
See, he hates his family.
He would never move back there.
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
Yes?
I'm Detective John Cabrera.
Did you just say
Dorothea Puente?
Do you know her?
Yes.
As a matter of fact, I do.
[TV static]
Dorothy and Bert have moved out.
When?
Last night.
They didn't even say goodbye?
They told me to say goodbye to
you all for them.
Oh, Leona.
Leona, you can have Dorothy's
room now, if you like.
Get you off that sofa and into
a room all your own.
How's that sound?
-Really?
-Wait, where did they go?
Bert went to Mexico.
Dorothy didn't say--
She told me the that she was
going she was going to go to
the doctor, I think.
That's great. Thank you, Ben.
-Did she speak to you about
our checks?
It was all sorted out.
Anyone that wants their check,
just come to my room,
and we'll figure out what is
owed, and work it all out.
May I move into there now?
Of course.
Oh, my gosh.
[Betty clears throat]
Here's the key back to
the liquor cabinet.
-Great booze.
Better than that wine.
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
[music]
[static and intermittent TV
reception sounds]
[music]
Dorothea!
Over here.
I didn't mean to startle you.
I'm Detective John Cabrera.
Of course, I remember.
But no uniform.
You've been promoted.
Last year.
-Congratulations.
Thank you.
And you remember--
-Judy.
Yes.
Pleasure to see you again.
Sorry if I was short with you on
the phone this morning.
I'm a night owl,
and your call woke me.
That's okay.
Water under the bridge.
Where are my manners?
Would you like to come inside?
Sure. If it's no bother.
-It's no bother.
-Actually,
we're looking for Bert Montoya.
He moved out last night.
Went back to Mexico to see
his family.
Um. The problem with that is he
didn't get on well with
his family.
I...I...I didn't know
about that.
Did he leave a phone number
or an address?
No, but he did say that he would
call once he got settled.
Really?
Might have some fresh lemonade
on the ready.
Come on inside.
-That sounds lovely.
Where is Bert's room?
-Room number one.
The door should be unlocked.
Feel free to chat with
the residents.
I'll go get the refreshments.
Okay.
-Hi.
-Hi.
Well, hello there.
Hey.
Yes?
Are you a real policeman?
A detective.
[laughs]
And who are you?
I am Betty Mae Palmer.
Well, hello there,
Betty Mae Palmer.
Hello to you.
Who are your friends?
This is James.
This is Benjamin.
Hi.
Leona.
Hi, Leona.
Hi.
This is Vera.
Hi.
Hello, Vera.
And that's Ricardo.
Hey, Ricardo.
He's a real detective.
-Like Columbo.
-Well, sort of.
I'm sorry.
I'm looking for information on
your roommate, Bert.
Do any of you know how to
contact him?
Sorry.
No.
-Refreshments, everybody.
Hey, can I use your phone?
Right this way.
[music]
Hi.
Anyone know where Bert went?
No.
No.
-You his social worker?
Yes.
Well, I wish I had a social
worker to look like you.
Never mind him.
He just had a brain
tumor removed.
Oh, I'm sorry.
You want to see my scar?
-Yes.
Yes, I'll be right there.
I'm sorry I'm going to
have to leave.
Duty calls.
Nothing serious, I hope.
It appears that a fisherman
found a body in a box by
the riverbank.
Really?
Yeah. The life of a detective
never at all moment.
[laughs]
Judy, we got to go.
Oh, would you like a sandwich
for the road?
Ah, no, thank you.
I ate it earlier.
If you hear anything about Bert,
please let us know.
[Dorothea VO] Haughty bitch,
sobbing for that schizophrenic,
derelict scum.
If Bert were still kicking,
prolly rape her eight ways from
Sunday given half a chance.
[laughs]
She should thank her stars fer
me instead a stickin' her snout
where it don't belong.
Of course,
the moment I hear anything.
-Thank you.
All right. Bye-bye.
Bye.
Okay.
[Dorothea VO] My head was
swimming with the grim task
at hand.
[Dorothea VO] Suspect too much
sun didn't help the situation.
[music]
[Dorothea VO] Fast or slow,
they all was about to go.
[Dorothea VO] My mind raced on
where to bury 'em all.
[Dorothea VO] But,
one task at a time.
[Dorothea VO] Through the years,
I learnt to savor the moment...
[Dorothea VO] and I were
savoring this.
[Dorothea VO] As they all drank
their last drink,
the life drained from their eyes
and all they had ever been
was gone.
[thud]
Thank you.
[giggle]
[sighs]
[Dorothea VO] Though, Betty's
identification would live on
with yours truly's photograph.
[music]
I had her ID, so I continued to
collect her military benefits.
Took the extra precaution.
[rolling thunder]
Remove all identifying parts.
[rolling thunder]
Then as before, wrapping
the bodies, digging the graves,
the lye, the dirt,
and the beautiful roses.
[thunder]
[sighs]
[sighs]
In time,
all just faded memories.
[rolling thunder]
[music]
[thunder]
Oh, it's really cozy.
I think it might be perfect
for me to get back on my feet.
But...
to be honest, all the other
houses I've been at so far just
really made me depressed.
We'll have none of that
here, Eugene.
Plus, I'll help you get the most
out of your Social Security
benefits and Medicare.
Doctors are prescribing
wonderful medicines these days,
like um, Amatripoline,
Nortripoline, Florazepan.
They'll help keep those
blue days away.
[giggles]
-Excuse me.
Dorothea, that Judy lady is on
the phone again.
Donald, please show Eugene
room number one.
I think he'll like
that one best.
Brenda's room?
Yes, her parole was revoked,
remember.
Oh, yeah. Come on, Eugene.
It's Eugene's room now.
Thank you, Dorothea.
Hello, Judy. How are you?
-Any news on Bert?
Yes. His brother-in-law called
just the other day.
I gave him your number.
He hasn't called you yet?
-Someone named Michael Obergon
left a message
saying that he picked up Bert
from your house and took him
to Utah.
Well, then that's that.
Case solved.
Hello?
-I'm afraid not, Miss Puente.
Bert doesn't have
a brother-in-law,
and the man that just
answered your phone
sounded a lot like the man who
left the message.
-That's preposterous.
-I'll be contacting
the police again.
-Fine. Do what you have to do.
Before I knew it,
they would all be here.
And it would all be over.
[music]
[police muttering]
-Well, I think we'd better
get started.
Detective, I can't bear to watch
you dig up my precious roses.
Would you mind if I go down to
the corner coffee shop and wait
till you finish?
Yeah, I think that
should be fine.
Thank you. Bye-bye.
[music]
Alright, come on. Let's go.
-Okie-dokie.
[digging]
[metal clang]
Hit a root?
-I don't know.
It's in there good,
whatever it is.
-Hope it's not a gas line.
-Oh, fuck.
-Is that a leg bone?
Kowalski!
[song on radio] "Lover Man"
by Zephyr
[Dorothea VO] I knew it wouldn't
be long before they tracked down
the cab
I took from the coffee shop...
to a truck stop in Stockton.
Hitched a ride on this here rig
bound for the City of Angels...
in exchange for a spit and tug
every hundred miles.
Heard on the radio that them
cock sucking parasites,
excuse my French.
[moans]
News reporters,
were already there...
[orgasmic scream]
and I was long gone.
[sigh]
[song on jukebox] "Seventh Moon"
by Zephyr
Here you go.
-Thanks.
Here you go, honey.
-My pleasure.
Thank you, Mr. Willgues.
Call me Charles.
And I owe you a thanks
for the wonderful advice you
gave me
on increasing my benefits.
[laughs]
Why don't you come back to my
motel and show me how grateful
you are.
Donna, I like the way you think.
[laughs]
Let's go.
[song on jukebox] "Seventh Moon"
by Zephyr
Dancing on streams of madness
Dancing on streams of madness
[song fades out]
I swear this has never
happened before.
It's okay.
Too much booze is all.
Yeah.
Just because you can't cut
the mustard don't mean you can't
lick the jar.
I hate to repeat myself, but...
I like the way you think.
[Laughter]
[Dorothea moaning]
[TV news report] But they
believe it's a former tenant
of this boarding home,
one of the eight elderly people
who lived here and was recently
reported missing.
The woman believed responsible
for the deaths is 71-year-old
Dorothea Montavo-Puentes,
who had a previous record
of stealing from the elderly
after doping them.
Holy shit.
Authorities now suspect the
woman killed at least five...
of the tenants and continued to
cash their social
security checks.
She was seen at the boarding
house early yesterday,
hours after the first body was
found in the backyard.
[TV news report] Police today
tried to defend their actions
-Charles, did you say something?
...of questioning Puentes,
but not arresting her.
Do you think it was a mistake
for you guys not to follow her?
-No ma'am. She was free to go.
I have no more right to follow
her than I have a right to
follow you.
You have to understand that.
Nobody wants her in jail worse
than I do, people, but I'm going
to follow the laws.
[Knocking]
LAPD!
I never killed anyone.
Checks I cashed, yes.
I used to be a very good person.
[tender music]
What took you so long, John?
Let's go home.
[music]
[Dorothea VO] My trial began on
February 9, 1993.
[Dorothea VO] I was charged with
nine counts of murder.
[Dorothea VO] Ha, what a joke!
Maybe a female judge or some
women my age on the jury would
have helped.
[Dorothea VO] ...
and don't get me started on
the fuckin' lawyers...
[Dorothea VO] excuse my French.
[Dorothea VO] Here we go.
Have you reached the verdict?
Yes, Your Honor.
If you please.
We the jury,
find Dorothea Puente, guilty.
Yep. I was convicted on three
counts of murder.
Benjamin Fink, Leona Carpenter,
and Dorothy Miller.
The jury, after deliberating
for 35 days, remained deadlocked
on six cases.
Ruth Monroe, Everson Theodore
Gilmouth, Betty Mae Palmer,
James Gallop, Vera Faye Martin,
and Alviro Bert Montoya.
That's right, old Bert,
the schizophrenic bastard that
got me into this pickle.
At least I was spared
the death penalty.
Sentenced to life imprisonment
without the possibility
of parole.
[coughing]
Dorothea, are you okay?
[coughing]
Guard!
Guard, get a doctor in here.
Dorothea?
-Did you get everything?
Yes, yes, it's amazing.
It's Pulitzer.
-Feel ike a weight has
been lifted.
Thank you.
Guard!
-What?
-She's dying.
-Medic!
Dorothea.
Dorothea.
Hey. Hey.
-Get her out of here.
-Alright, come on.
[Dorothea gasping]
-Is she going to be alright?
-Nothing. Start CPR, now.
Try again.
We're losing her.
-Move it.
-Hey, can't I please
stay with her?
[gasps]
Where are we going?
Queenie. I didn't mean to...UGH!
[rapid stabs]
[screaming]
[grunting]
[stabs]
[screaming]
Open up.
Done.
[music]
[gasping]
[somber music]
[Doctor] She looks happy.
[Dorothea VO] Sure,
I was happy and why not.
[Dorothea VO] I lived my life on
my own terms, good or bad.
[Dorothea VO] MINE.
[music]
[logo beats]
[logo gasps]
[music]
Where am I?
-Hey, hey, it's all right,
Dorothea.
I'm here.
Oh, Patty,
I had the most awful dream.
What was it?
My father,
he's coming to take me soon.
I can feel it.
Did you do it?
Want the truth?
Yes.
Tell the whole world the truth?
Is that what you want?
[sigh]
Hell, why not?
One word that's been the scourge
of feminine existence...
since the beginning of time.
No.
No, stop!
No!
[screams]
-No...no.
-You're coming with me.
So I can keep an eye on you.
[screams]
[dragging]
[screams]
[gasp]
[gasp]
[laughter]
[laughter]
Please, Axel!
-Fucking whore.
-[coughing]
[sobbing]
Are you gonna keep fucking
all those, men?
You're a...
[lighter]
Filthy fucking whore.
OH...FUCK YOU!
That's right.
[laugh]
[snores]
[sobbing]
Stop.
Axel.
Please.
[music]
[chuckles]
[music]
Dorothea?
[thud]
[song] "Mad Dog" by Zephyr
Went to a party party on
Tuesday night
The girls were twistin Twistin
the night away
It may sound funny it may
sound weird but
My little girl, she wasn't there
for me, for me, for me...
for me
I was a mad dog,
mad dog I couldn't see
I was a mad dog,
mad dog I couldn't see
I couldn't believe
I was a mad dog,
mad dog they should've shot me.
But I'm all right now...
whoa whoa yeah
My girl was dancing,
dancing across the floor
oh...she looks, so sweet
She was so happy happy with
her new amour
The eyes of love were oh so
clear, but my little girl...
she wasn't there for me. For me,
for me, for me
for....me
I was a mad dog mad dog I
couldn't see
I was a mad dog mad dog I
couldn't believe
I was a mad dog,
mad dog they should've shot me.
But I'm all right now...
whoa whoa yeah
[howl]
But I'm all right now
[Dorothea VO] Near threw my back
out dragging the big lug.
But, anything worth while,
usually involves a little pain.
[thud]
[Dorothea grunts]
[Dorothea VO] I think,
if it were a Woolrich or Cain
novel that gave me the notion.
[Dorothea VO] I think,
if it were a Woolrich or Cain
novel that gave me the notion.
Can't recall which at
the moment...
...only that it stuck, like
a burning ember within my head.
[water running]
Is this the hospital?
Oh, God. I think it's his heart.
My husband...
...he's in the shower.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I was making his breakfast,
and I heard a crash.
No. I can't get in.
The door is locked.
But he won't answer.
No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
It's 4840 Whitsett.
Please hurry.
[phone receiver clicks]
It was that easy.
Worked like a charm.
No one suspected a thing.
[music]
[water running]
[coughing]
Dorothea, you're bleeding.
Come here.
-Water.
-Come here.
Better?
-Yes, thank you.
-Patty.
Queenie's out of the hole.
She'll be looking to get ya.
[music sting]
Any suggestions?
Don't let her get you alone.
Okay, thanks, Beth.
See ya.
-[sigh]
Trouble?
[sigh] Queenie,
the resident bull dyke.
She tried to make me her bitch.
I told the warden...
...and she gave her 30 days
in solitaire.
[chuckles]
When I first got here...
one of them lezzies,
tried to pop my cherry.
[laugh]
I told her, "Sweetie,
the whole pie is long gone,
but you're welcome to what
crumbs is left."
[chuckles]
-[laugh]
Times were better then.
Weren't all puppy dogs and
rainbows back when...
Even on the day,
supposed to be the happiest day
of a woman's life.
[Dorothea VO]
County Courthouse, 1966.
[Dorothea VO] My handsome,
third husband, Roberto Puente.
He was nineteen years my junior.
Sure, I robbed the cradle,
can you blame me, look at him.
[Mariachi music]
[yells]
[Spanish]
Woo!
-[sings in Spanish]
[Mariachi music]
-[sings in Spanish]
[Dorothea VO] Plus,
he was from a good family
that owned property throughout
California,
and just between you and me,
gave me my first orgasm.
Life was looking up, right?
Ha! Wrong.
[film burning]
Our marriage was short.
-Easy, baby.
-Fuck her. You said you were
going to leave her divorce her.
Shh!
I am.
Gotta be quiet, though.
-Hurry.
[music]
Zephyr's "Someone Like You"
Clouds are much whiter since
you came my way
Colors are brighter,
[door slams]
so are things that I say...
I've been lonely, I've been blue
Lookin' for someone,
Someone like you
But, it's hard to find what
you're looking for!
[radio song clicks off]
[Dorothea] It's over?
What do you mean it's over?
You're not getting it.
-[yelling in Spanish]
-Yeah, right,
you speak some English.
-Fuck you!
Is that good enough
English for you?
-No, it's not, what I do?
I didn't do anything!
-Fucking pute!
-Where are you going?
Adios, Dorothea!
-What? I didn't do anything!
Oh! Oh!
Is that her? You cheatin' pig!
I can't believe you're
doing this!
Bye-bye, Granny.
[radio clicks on]
[music]
Zephyr's "Someone Like You"
I've been lonely, I've been
blue...Lookin' for someone
Good riddance.
[Dorothea VO] Though my next
husband, Pedro Montalvo weren't
no better.
[Dorothea VO] Mean as the day is
long and twice as drunk.
[Dorothea VO] Two months of
living hell that I won't relive.
-I was good for something.
Tell him I got you probation
for those 34 counts
of treasury fraud.
Helped?
You bet your lily white
gringo ass, honey.
Just because the judge took
lenience on me,
after I told him how you beat
the shit out of me,
and ran off with all my money.
Your money?
[shh]
[wall creaking]
Stop.
Vaya con dios.
-Cut it out.
Parada. Parada.
[music]
[creaking]
[music]
-Oh, sorry to bother you.
I'm here about the room
for rent.
Who should I talk to?
-She's...
Oh, she's down there in the hat.
- Oh, great. Thank you.
[snap]
Dorothea?
-Yes?
The man on the porch told me
that you were out here.
-Oh, that's Chief.
Excuse me?
We call him Chief.
He's our resident handyman.
I see.
Um. Well,
my name is Ruth Monroe.
And I'm here about the room
for rent.
Is it still available?
I believe it is.
Ah, where are my manners.
Dorothea Puente.
Pleasure to meet you.
-Let's go take a look a see at
the room, shall we?
-Splendid.
-Chief!
Good job getting that old shed
out of the garden.
-Oh, thank you, ma'am.
Don't forget to dig a flower bed
in its place.
Ah...ugh.
Today?
Yep. I'll be planting tonight.
Alright, then. You got it.
[music]
[TV commercial]
-Hey, Dorothea, we need to talk.
[mouths words] "Be nice"
Malcolm, I would like you to
meet Ruth Monroe.
Any relation to Marilyn?
-[giggles]
[TV] "Game show theme"
Wait, it's back on.
Excuse me?
Say Charles, dipshit.
[TV] "Charles Nelson Reilly "
-This way.
That was the living room.
Kitchen is that a way.
Refrigerator is shared.
I cook a large dinner
for tenants every,
which is ready by 6 p.m.
-Oh, that's nice.
-Currently we have four
residents...
all are retired, quiet,
well-mannered gentlemen.
Don't even know they're here
most of the time.
Malcolm can be a bit
of a curmudgeon,
but his heart is in
the right place.
Just don't change a channel when
he's watching Match Game.
Oh, I'm not much of a TV person.
I prefer to read.
Me too.
It's a beautiful home with
a nice warm energy to it.
Thank you.
The key is respect. Respect
yourself, your home, others.
That creates that warm
environment.
I like that.
And it's close to the hospital.
Here we are. Oh,
do you work there?
No, my husband is under
care there.
Oh.
Get some fresh air in here.
This room gets the best
sunlight.
[squeaks]
Nice firm mattress. Hardly used.
What is that smell?
Oh, it's a sewer pipe down
the street that sometimes clogs.
Neighbors complain that it's
the fish and mulch I use to
fertilize my garden,
but they are wrong.
It's them old ground pipes.
Ah, I've spoken with the city
they should have it repaired
this week.
[chuckles]
Oh, you said your husband was in
the hospital.
Nothing serious, I hope.
I'm afraid it's terminal.
[sigh]
Stage four cancer of the brain.
Oh, that's dreadful.
[sigh]
Losing someone you care about
is never easy.
Especially when they're
taken away early.
-So the rent is a hundred
a week, correct?
That's right.
I'll take it.
[sigh]
Marvelous.
When would you like to move in?
Now, if possible.
Um. I can pay four hundred
for the month to simplify it.
-Oh, well, there would also be
a security deposit required,
in case of damage or...
Of course. Um. Four hundred,
eight hundred total?
That works.
You see, um...we sold our home,
to pay my husband's medical
expenses, and escrow closed.
I've been staying in a motel
ever since.
You don't have to explain, Ruth.
Hard time's come upon us all.
It's hope that keeps us going.
Oh.
I'm sorry.
It's all just so overwhelming.
Look at the bright side.
You now have a roof over
your head.
And a new friend.
Thank you, Dorothea.
Come on now.
Let's go get your keys.
[music]
[fizz]
[cutting pills]
[music]
[digging]
Chief!
Oh.
I'm sorry, Miss Dorothea.
I didn't even see you there.
It's okay.
How's it coming along?
Ah.
Pretty good.
You think this is probably deep
enough by now?
I'd say another foot
wide and deep.
All right. You say so.
[chuckles]
Ya, know.
I tell you,
I...I always thought...
the flowerbed should only be
about a foot or two deep.
That's before I met you.
Oh no.
They gotta be deep
for the fertilizer.
And can't forget about
the roots.
Plants need to eat and drink
just like us, Chief.
Yeah, well, I reckon so.
Ugh!
Speaking of drink...
I brought you this...for doing
such good work.
Oh!
[chuckles]
Now that is very kind of you.
[chuckles]
Miss Dorothea, I haven't had
a drop for a month now.
Not since you've got me this job
and let me stay here.
You know, I'm being good.
I'm trying to do the straight
and narrow.
Yeah, know.
That's why it's important
for you to think of this as a...
a reward for your efforts.
The Lord knows it's hard to stay
straight and narrow.
Oh, tell me, I know.
[digging]
[sinister music]
[digging]
That's good enough.
Yeah?
Oh!
Oh!
Whoa!
[chuckles]
[chuckles]
Sorry.
It's like...
Almost like I'm already soused.
[chuckles]
Shh, the neighbors.
Oh, sorry.
-[chuckles]
Just sit back, relax...
and take a long, hard swig.
You earned it, my boy.
My boy?
My momma always used to
call me my boy.
[music]
[gulp]
[cough]
Oh...
...the good stuff, just for you.
[giggles]
Oh, yeah.
[chuckle]
Oh, shit!
[laugh]
-No cussing.
Oh...ugh.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean...
By the way, ah. What was old
Malcolm was talking to
you about?
Oh, oh, Malcolm.
Yeah, he was a,
just asking about you.
What about me?
[cap screws on bottle]
Well...
He would wondering, if I thought
you might be stealing from him.
Mmmm.
He said the two of you got
drunk...and he blacked out...
and then when he woke up,
his money,
coins, ugh...
and, ugh...maybe...papers.
Oh, and his mother's wedding
ring was gone.
So...
Is that so?
Yeah.
Oh, oh...
and if anybody else in the house
was a getting Social Security
checks turned over to you.
And what did you tell him?
Well...
I told him you helped me...
by turning over my
Social Security checks to you
through the government.
Yeah.
That's good, Chief.
That's cause...
You know...
[coughing]
[coughing]
Oh, excuse me.
So you can look out for my
needs, you know, like you do.
You know, Miss Dorothea,
I guess I don't...
I don't really feel so good.
I can't...
I can't even move my legs.
You won't meet them where
you're going.
[sinister music]
Ow!
Ow!
Ow!
Ah!
Ow!
What the hell?
Ow!
Ow!
[retching] Ow! Ow!
-Loose lips sink ships.
Ow! Ow!
My...boy.
Ow!
Ow!
Ow!
Ah!
[digging]
Ugh!
Ugh...ha!
Ow!
Ugh!
Ow! Ow! Ow!
[digging]
Ah!
Ow!
Ow!
Aw!
[gagging]
[gagging]
[retching]
UGH!
Ow!
Ow!
Oh, ow.
[music]
[hissing]
[music]
[ominous music]
[knocking]
Ruth?
Are you awake?
-Yes.
-I was doing some gardening and
saw your light on.
-You and Chief like to
work late.
- Yes, it's cooler at night.
Why are you up so late?
- Oh, I woke up feeling a little
under the weather.
- Would you like me to bring you
some Tylenol?
Or I have some Codeine?
I always find that nips
a cold in the bud.
- Oh no, I'm highly allergic to
Codeine, but thank you.
- How about some warm milk?
- If it's no bother.
- Oh, it's no bother.
No bother at all.
- Thank you.
[music]
[rapid boiling]
[music]
[music]
Ruth?
-Yes?
-Your warm milk is here
at the door.
-Oh, you are a lifesaver,
Dorothea.
Thank you so much for your
kindness.
-Goodnight.
Sleep tight.
Don't let the bedbugs bite.
[music]
[cough]
[foreboding music]
[slap]
[Malcolm VO] Dear Dorothea,
I have given you every
opportunity to resolve the
matter of my missing belongings.
After speaking with Chief,
I feel I have the proof needed
to hold you accountable.
As you may have noticed,
I've vacated your property...
-Jesus H. Crackers.
[Malcolm VO]...along with my
personal possessions.
Except for the items that
you stole.
I will be going to the proper
authorities to get my beloved
belongings back...
Ah..a...and to put you in JAIL!
Signed, Malcolm. P.S. I left
the keys in the mailbox, period.
FUCK YOU, exclamation point.
[music]
Help!
[crying]
What is it, Dorothea?
Oh, God.
[Spanish] Should I call
for the ambulance?
-Yeah. Yeah.
-[Spanish] I will! I will!
When did she move in?
Last night...
I knew she was upset about her
husband, but I...I...
I had no idea she would take
her own life.
[crying]
They bought it.
And why wouldn't they?
The police checked with
the hospital,
knew the husband was on his
death bed, and that...
ah...Ruth here was distraught.
She was a mess.
And I'm just a kindly
grandmother that let her in.
[crying]
-[Spanish] They're coming!
[crying]
Come on, Dorothea.
Let's get you away from this.
Come on.
Let's go.
-Some coffee in you will
do you good.
-[Spanish] Yes. Yes, coffee.
[speaking Spanish]
[speaking Spanish]
[door creaks]
[Dorothea VO] But, a dark cloud
was on the horizon
in the form of that walking
pile of shit.
Oh, excuse my French.
Malcolm McKenzie.
And about a month later upon
a midnight dreary, while I
pondered, weak and weary,
over many a quaint and curious
volume of forgotten lore.
Suddenly there was a tapping,
as of some one gently rapping,
rapping at my front door.
And no friends,
it wasn't my sweet Lenore.
[knocking]
Dorothea Puente?
Yes, Officer.
Mr. McKenzie and Miss Osborne
here have filed a complaint
against you for felony theft.
[Judge VO] Dorothea Helen
Puente, I hereby sentence you to
five years in state prison.
[gavel slams]
-Not so bad.
If I mind my P's and Q's,
I should be out in half of that.
I had Ricardo to look after the
house, collect rent, pay bills.
Oh, and I found a nice pen pal,
Everson Theadore Gillmouth
of Coos Bay, Oregon.
[Dorothea VO] Ahoy Captain,
may I come aboard?
Your ad has intrigued me.
I am also a widow in search
of companionship
I run a boarding house in
Sacramento,
where I have a beautiful garden,
that I'd love to show
you one day.
I've enclosed a photo myself and
my roses, hopefully you find one
of them attractive.
P. S. I must confess...I am
currently incarcerated on three
counts...
[overlapping dialogue]
-[Everson VO] Dear Dorothea,
what a joy hearing from a fellow
gardener.
A beautiful one at that.
And the roses ain't half
bad either.
I am impressed with your honesty
and your past mistakes are just
that, in the past.
I did time myself in my youth
and know how hard it can be for
people to give a fair shake...
once they hear the word, ex-con.
Well, you have a clean slate in
my book, lovely lady.
[Dorothea VO] After almost three
years of two to three love
letters a week,
[Dorothea VO] and a phone call
once a month, we became an item.
Maybe having gardening and dead
spouses in common was the key.
I didn't mention that I get sea
sick in the bathtub.
Speaking of key,
I had him get in touch with
Ricardo to move into my house.
Even signed him onto my bank
account to cover any repairs to
the house.
-Wait.
You put a guy you never met onto
your bank account?
Yeah. Stupid, I know.
Oh.
But he looked so handsome
in that photo.
Like Lee Majors.
Lee Majors?
Sorry, please continue.
1985 came.
So did my release.
And for the first time...
I can't remember when,
I slathered on the face paint.
Even got one of the new
girls to help me.
The Cyndi Lauper look,
she called it,
whoever the heck that was...
really dolled me up.
Why not?
I was about to come face to face
with the man of my dreams.
Had to look hip.
[song] "My Hill" by Robert Miano
You got ears, I got ears.
Ears are made to listen.
Ears are made to listen.
Lips are made for kissing.
Dorothea?
Is that you?
It's you, baby. Come here.
Come over here.
[laugh]
I need love. This how you're
gonna get your thrill
Oh my God, you look amazing.
Look at you.
[laughs]
Oh!
Oh!
Oh, I can't believe it,
here we are.
Come on, your chaiot awaits you.
Here, get in, baby.
-Thank you.
-We're having fun today.
-Uh-huh.
-Oh yeah.
Come on, rock and roll.
Here we go.
All right.
All right.
Get this bucket going.
-Yeah.
[car starter hesitates]
[engine roars to life]
[song] "My Hill" by Robert Miano
Start livin' it up,
livin' it up, livin' it up
How's it feel to breathe in all
that free fresh air?
Amazing.
[song continues on radio]
I think we stop off in Los
Angeles before we head to Vegas.
Las Vegas?
We'll get married by one of them
Elvis impersonators.
Then a little gambling.
And a lot of nookie.
When we get back,
we'll have a honeymoon
voyage...on the SS Dorothea.
You bought it?
Just a down payment.
How can you afford this?
Don't worry.
We'll sell that old boarding
house of yours.
Realtor says, we can get
a pretty good price...
Calls it, a seller's market.
You okay?
[sigh]
[glovebox button clicks]
You can never be too careful.
What's wrong, honey?
Take me home.
What about Vegas?
Home, now!
Alright, alright, alright.
[radio clicks, song ends]
Fucking hate country music.
Alright.
Alright.
[music]
Let's see now.
Did I miss the turn off?
[music]
Ugh!
No!
Dorothea, don't be so upset.
Ricardo?
Ricardo!
Where is everybody?
I threw them a couple of bucks
and kicked them the hell out.
Realtor says,
that's the way to go.
Where you going, darling?
I hope you're going to
the bedroom.
Cuz I'm horney as hell.
Oh, God, look at this shit.
Oh, my God.
Ah!
I found your stash, darling.
And low and behold.
[chuckles]
What have you done?
I used that money as a down
payment for our boat.
Just go back and get my
money back now.
There's no refunds, sweetheart.
But I made a great deal.
A fantastic deal.
A great deal.
Go and get my money back now.
No, you'll see.
We're going to Bali.
Bali and Fiji and Bora Bora.
Yeah.
Yeah.
This is our future, honey.
You have no future.
[music]
Ugh!
[bones cracking]
[music]
[thud]
Help me.
Dorothea?
Help me, please.
I can't move.
Of course not.
Your neck is broken.
[gasping]
[coughing]
Help me.
[coughing]
Dorothea?
Help me.
[moaning]
Help me.
None of that, thief.
[gagging]
Ain't love grand...
[knocking]
Coming.
[sighs]
-Hola.
Oh.
[sighs]
English?
[moaning sound]
I hurry.
[music]
[music]
Please!
Hush.
You brought this on yourself.
[grunting]
[grunting]
Now, tie it up.
Voila.
Now to get the rest a your junk?
[music swells]
[grunting]
[monaing]
[monaing]
[grunting]
[grunting]
[song] "Lover Man" by
Robert Miano
Come on baby
Let me take you by the hand
[springs squeak]
Come on sugar,
let me take you by the hand
[tires on gravel]
You for me, let me be all your
own lover, lover, lover man
Come on baby, lover man,
lover man Mmmmm, baby...
[song ends]
[door slams]
[groaning]
[music]
[whimpering inside coffin]
[grunting]
[sigh]
Bon Voyage, darling.
[music]
[music]
[music]
- Here.
-Good.
[music]
[door slams]
- Hey, good day, mates.
Hurricane Billy at your service.
Have a seat, ma'am.
Tidying up a bit around here,
giving it an old makeover.
[desk creaks]
What's this?
Old Everson, yep.
Why, your Dorothea.
Yep.
See, there was a terrible
mistake...
and I would like my
money returned.
Ma'am, your husband got a ripper
deal on this boat.
He's not my husband.
Well, alrighty.
But clearly on the receipt,
my policy says.
See, Everson used my money,
20,000 to be exact,
without my knowledge or consent.
Seeing that the boat has not
exchanged hands,
I was hoping you could make an
exception in this case and
return my funds.
Now, if you want to go after
Everson for a breach
of contract...
then, that would be just fine.
You just got out of prison,
didn't you?
Excuse me.
Yeah.
Old Everson got a big mouth,
don't he?
Yeah.
He told me you just did a three
year stint out of five
for check fraud.
That has nothing to do
with this.
Oh, but it does.
Yeah, it has everything to
do with it.
See, I think your parole officer
might be interested to know
that you got
$20,000 in cash floating around
that you haven't paid in
restitution to your victims.
Victims?
So take your receipt,
be on your way.
Please, please, please,
Mr. Hurricane.
Mr. Hurricane.
Your boat'll be ready in a week.
I'm just a widow
grandmother that...
Oh, don't turn the waterworks
on me, lady.
Nah, cry all day.
And if you brought that wetback
for strong arming you better
have another think too.
No.
He's a patsy.
Patsy?
Hear that, fella,
you're a patsy.
He don't speak English.
And the term wetback, coming
from a funny talk in gringo,
has me itching to put a has me
itching to put a bullet between
your eyes.
Easy.
Now, give me my money.
Nice and slow.
Dorothea.
Nothing to get excited
about you.
Just relax, lady, relax.
Your money's right here in
the top drawer.
Nice and slow.
- Right here's your cash.
Take it.
[gunshot]
- No.
$50,000 dollars.
No.
[gunshot]
[song] "Count On Me"
by G Tom Mac
I never know where you've
been all night
I don't question all those
things you hide
who's there to blame baby
there's no fight
ain't no sense in making
this a crime
girl you don't have to use me
nah cause you can always
Count on me if it's just some
time to pass
Count on me if it's just some
time to pass
Count on me cause it ain't
something that will last-yeah!
You never lie baby
you're just talk
when you ain't got no one
left at all
What's on your mind when you
when you break that hard
When you ain't got no one
left at all
Yeah you'll come back here to me
Cause you can always
[Dorothea VO] That was that.
You know, I can still taste that
cigarette.
Probably the best smoke
of my life.
It's the little things in this
world that make it...make it all
worthwhile.
[chuckles]
The cab ride home on the other
hand...twenty dollars.
Highway fuckin' robbery.
Excuse my French.
[song] "Count On Me"
by G Tom Mac
Count on me when you're weary
down on your own
Count on me when you can't find
your way home...yeah
[glass shatters]
[fire roars]
[explosion]
[Dorothea VO] Ashes to ashes,
the Phoenix is rising.
Jesus H. Crackers.
Some a the sweetest words ever
put to paper bout yours truly
was going up in smoke
and at my hands to boot.
What am I complaining about,
what's done is done, oh,
back to the phoenix rising.
I started doing charity work.
In addition to donating my time,
that Aussie's money went to good
Hispanic causes
like the Mexican Chamber of
Commerce, in my name of course.
[music]
Running low on cash,
I started renting rooms again
to the less fortunate denizens
of Sacramento.
Wonderful dinners where everyone
cleans their plates and drinks
their drinks.
[silverware clatters]
I'm Alvaro Bert Montoya,
51 years old, and I'm gonna die
by the hands of Dorothea Puente.
[soup slup]
I'm Betty Mae Palmer,
77 years old, and I'm gonna die
at the hands of Dorothea Puente.
I'm Leona Carpenter, I'm 78
years old, and I'm gonna die
at the hands of Dorothea Puente.
[soup slurp]
I'm Vera Fay Martin,
64 years old, and I'm gonna die
at the hands of Dorothea Puente.
[sipping]
I'm James Gallop, 67 years old,
and I'm gonna die at the hands
of Dorothea Puente.
My name is Benjamin Fink.
I'm 55 years old.
And I'm gonna die at the hands
of Dorothea Puente.
I'm Dorothy Miller,
64 years old.
I'm going to die at the hands
of Dorothea Puente.
[sigh]
I moved back in to dig
the graves.
I mean the flower beds,
right Dorothea?
Does everyone enjoying
their soup?
[silverware clatter]
[sigh]
-You know what would be great?
There was a little meat.
-That would be nice.
Unfortunately with the price
of food, it's just impossible.
Here we go again.
Is there something wrong with
spaghetti marinara?
-Marinara, like as in no meat.
-Yep.
-Yeah, there's something
wrong with it.
-With the checks you're
collecting from us,
our socials...
and our disabilities,
we should be having filet mignon
every night.
-Shit, yeah.
Betty, what have I said about
that type of language in this
house let alone at
the dinner table.
-I am so sorry, Dorothea.
Now, who else is upset about our
current system?
A raise of hands, please.
Ricardo.
If you could finish digging
those flower beds, thank you.
Now?
Yes.
-But I haven't even
finished my soup.
-I'll keep that and a plate
of pasta warm in the oven just
for you.
[silverware clatter]
Excuse me.
[chair drag across floor]
Now let's have a discussion.
Your checks are for more than
the roof over and pillows under
your heads...
and the food in your bellies.
They're also to keep the booze,
drugs, and other social maladies
from reinfecting you.
Keeping us asleep and drugging
our wine shouldn't be expensive.
Gooble gobble.
[LAUGH]
-One of us.
One of us.
-Cheers.
-She gets it.
-Skoal!
-One of us.
One of us.
[LAUGH]
One of us.
-Skoal!
-I...I have one.
May the hinges of friendship
never rust and the wings of love
never drop a feather.
-Amen!
-Here. Here.
-Cheers.
-God, it's not a fucking
prayer, Vera.
-Well, It's nice.
Bert?
Bert.
Have you been taking your
schizophrenia medication?
And what the fuck do you
know about it?
[silverware clatter]
Maybe you should go to your room
if you an't manage
a civil tongue.
Maybe you should make me.
[murmuring]
-Let's relax.
We all know there needs to be
a change around here,
starting with a voice on how our
money is being spent.
I feel like we can handle this
diplomatically with a vote...
on how things should be run
here on in.
-Yeah.
-Yeah, I agree.
-I...I cheers to that.
[Dorothea VO] I knew then that I
had a Simn Bolvar in my midst.
-More wine?
[Dorothea VO] Turning
the peasants against me.
[Dorothea VO] Well, this empire
won't go without a fight, bitch.
Excuse my French.
Keep a happy face.
[Dorothea VO] All is fine.
[Dorothea VO] Make them think
that I'm listening to their
grievances.
[Dorothea VO] A benevolent
leader.
[suspensful music]
[door creaks]
[suspensful music]
[floor creaks]
Dorothea?
[gasps]
Like lambs to the slaughter.
[scream]
[gasps]
[whimpering]
It'll be a beautiful day.
Maybe.
My check come in?
Is that it there?
Suppose you all want to change
our arrangement?
I just want my check.
I told the others to sleep on it
and decide in the morning
how they want to handle
their own affairs.
Fair enough.
Thank you.
[foot steps]
Where are you headed?
The doctors.
Would you mind picking up some
more Dalmane?
You already out?
Yes, we go through it to keep
you all clean and sober.
Fine.
This is the last time.
Yes.
The last time.
[Dorothea VO] Go around looking
for something, once you find it,
you worry about losing it.
[Dorothea VO] Well,
I say once you find that
something slipping away,
[Dorothea VO] wipe it out and
look for something new...
Ricardo!
What is it?
I want three more beds dug
along the fence.
And then, pick up the rose
bushes, I ordered from
Hammer Nursery.
And uh, place them in front
of the beds.
bien. Okay.
[curses in Spanish]
[coughs]
[song] "Talking Bout Girls"
by G Tom Mac
[tenants clamoring]
[Dorothea VO] Suddenly,
they appeared before me.
I heared nothing from their
frothing lips.
[Dorothea VO] ...but I knew
they wanted their checks.
[Dorothea VO] So that they could
drink it, drink it all up.
[Dorothea VO] Drink up every
stinkin' penny.
[Dorothea VO] I had to keep
moving in fear of vomiting upon
them from the thought of it.
[Dorothea VO] I swallowed back
the bile, to expel the words...
[record scratch]
Have a drink on me!
[tenants clamoring]
[song] "Talking Bout Girls"
by G Tom Mac
Talkin' bout girls gets you
wrapped in confusion
Talkin bout girls don't they
have the solution
[tenant's drunken banter]
Talkin bout girls
When your one in a million
My sisters getting out of hand
my mamas out of control
My old man's sneakin' into porno
flicks and whorin' round
I could care less I could get
pissed off just like anyone
[LAUGHTER]
But I'm makin' money hustlin'
pool and I'm just hangin' round
Talkin' bout girls some are
there when you need them
[LAUGHTER]
Talkin' bout girls I've been
searchin' and searchin'
Talkin' bout girls yeah you're
nothin' without 'em
[LAUGHTER]
I could care less I could get
pissed off just like anyone
But I'm makin' money hustlin'
pool and I'm just hangin' round
Talkin' bout girls some are
there when you need them
Talkin' bout girls I've been
searchin' and searchin'
Talkin' bout girls yeah you're
nothin' without 'em
[LAUGHTER]
Tallkin' bout girls go watch
your double feature dad Dugh..
Oh behind these lenses ain't
the bad guy that ya think I am
[Dorothea VO] All day long,
I heard them talking, yelling,
getting blind drunk.
[music]
[Dorothea VO] I sat and waited
and waited. As they went silent,
a calmness swept over me.
[Dorothea VO] My head cleared
and I prepared for her arrival.
[music swells]
[poison fizz]
[KNOCKING]
Yes?
I got it.
Oh, please, come in.
Oh, it's late...I...
Have a drink.
[sigh]
Okay, just one.
[whiskey filling glass]
Thank you.
[cap screwing on]
Mmmmm.
Oh, that's good.
What's up with that?
Oh, a little spring cleaning.
Oh...
In October?
[LAUGH]
Oh, damn.
It's hitting me really hard.
I feel, I feel woosey.
Oh.
I lied about the spring
cleaning, Dorothy.
What?
The tarp, the blankets.
I'm gonna wrap you up and bury
you in the backyard.
God.
Oh, God.
I can't move.
Ha. I coated your glass with
enough...ah...
Dalmane and florazepin to knock
out a whole platoon.
Oh, you didn't have any left.
I lied.
Oh, don't, don't, don't do this.
Shh.
You're dead.
You just don't know it yet.
Oh, no.
Oh, don't.
Shh.
-No.
Oh, oh.
Shh.
This'll help you sleep.
[eerie music]
[Dorothea VO] Ingrates.
Not one of them defending me.
Ganging up like a pack of dogs.
Not a kind word among them
for me, the one that bettered
their miserable lives.
[rotary phone dials]
[rotary phone dials]
Judy.
Hi.
It's, it's Bert Montoya.
Yeah.
I, I know it's late.
I know what time it is.
Well, Judy, okay, listen.
Um...
You said I could call you if
there was trouble.
And, um. Well, I need you to get
me out of here.
The house.
Dorothea's house.
It's her.
There's something wrong with.
Hello?
Hello?
[receiver clicks]
[suspense music]
Dorothea?
[foot steps]
Dorothea?
Hey.
[metal CRACK]
[gagging]
You know there are no phone
calls after 10 PM, Bert.
[gagging]
You took a bad fall, Bert.
[gibberish]
This'll help with your pain.
[Bert whimpering]
No!
No!
[muffled gags]
[Dorothea VO] The shovel knocked
more than his teeth
loose...[laugh]
[Dorothea VO] As his eyes rolled
upon my face,
two and two finally added up fer
'ol Bert and he knew this were
the end...
[tape peeling]
[tape ripping]
Judy, Judy, Judy.
[telephone ringing]
Okay.
[telephone ringing]
Hello.
-Hello. Um.
May I speak to Bert?
-Who is this?
-I apologize.
I'm in social work with
Judy Mois.
Bert called me late last night.
I'm worried that something--
-He moved out.
Went back to Mexico to see
his family.
-Did he--
I knew there would be trouble
the moment I hung up on that
nosy slut.
I imagined her running to
the police.
[door clangs shut]
May I help you?
Yes, I would like to report
a missing person.
Has it been 24 hours since you
last seen a heard from
the individual?
No, but, he called me last
night, he sounded scared.
Okay, I'm gonna stop you right
there, ma'am.
You have to wait at least 24
hours before you can file
a police report.
My name is Judy Mois.
I'm a social worker and
identification.
Okay.
I'm sorry,
there's not much I can do.
Unless it's been 24 hours,
you have to--
I placed Mr. Montoya at
Dorothea Puente's boarding
house, 1426 F Street.
I'm afraid something
happened to him.
See, he hates his family.
He would never move back there.
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
Yes?
I'm Detective John Cabrera.
Did you just say
Dorothea Puente?
Do you know her?
Yes.
As a matter of fact, I do.
[TV static]
Dorothy and Bert have moved out.
When?
Last night.
They didn't even say goodbye?
They told me to say goodbye to
you all for them.
Oh, Leona.
Leona, you can have Dorothy's
room now, if you like.
Get you off that sofa and into
a room all your own.
How's that sound?
-Really?
-Wait, where did they go?
Bert went to Mexico.
Dorothy didn't say--
She told me the that she was
going she was going to go to
the doctor, I think.
That's great. Thank you, Ben.
-Did she speak to you about
our checks?
It was all sorted out.
Anyone that wants their check,
just come to my room,
and we'll figure out what is
owed, and work it all out.
May I move into there now?
Of course.
Oh, my gosh.
[Betty clears throat]
Here's the key back to
the liquor cabinet.
-Great booze.
Better than that wine.
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
[music]
[static and intermittent TV
reception sounds]
[music]
Dorothea!
Over here.
I didn't mean to startle you.
I'm Detective John Cabrera.
Of course, I remember.
But no uniform.
You've been promoted.
Last year.
-Congratulations.
Thank you.
And you remember--
-Judy.
Yes.
Pleasure to see you again.
Sorry if I was short with you on
the phone this morning.
I'm a night owl,
and your call woke me.
That's okay.
Water under the bridge.
Where are my manners?
Would you like to come inside?
Sure. If it's no bother.
-It's no bother.
-Actually,
we're looking for Bert Montoya.
He moved out last night.
Went back to Mexico to see
his family.
Um. The problem with that is he
didn't get on well with
his family.
I...I...I didn't know
about that.
Did he leave a phone number
or an address?
No, but he did say that he would
call once he got settled.
Really?
Might have some fresh lemonade
on the ready.
Come on inside.
-That sounds lovely.
Where is Bert's room?
-Room number one.
The door should be unlocked.
Feel free to chat with
the residents.
I'll go get the refreshments.
Okay.
-Hi.
-Hi.
Well, hello there.
Hey.
Yes?
Are you a real policeman?
A detective.
[laughs]
And who are you?
I am Betty Mae Palmer.
Well, hello there,
Betty Mae Palmer.
Hello to you.
Who are your friends?
This is James.
This is Benjamin.
Hi.
Leona.
Hi, Leona.
Hi.
This is Vera.
Hi.
Hello, Vera.
And that's Ricardo.
Hey, Ricardo.
He's a real detective.
-Like Columbo.
-Well, sort of.
I'm sorry.
I'm looking for information on
your roommate, Bert.
Do any of you know how to
contact him?
Sorry.
No.
-Refreshments, everybody.
Hey, can I use your phone?
Right this way.
[music]
Hi.
Anyone know where Bert went?
No.
No.
-You his social worker?
Yes.
Well, I wish I had a social
worker to look like you.
Never mind him.
He just had a brain
tumor removed.
Oh, I'm sorry.
You want to see my scar?
-Yes.
Yes, I'll be right there.
I'm sorry I'm going to
have to leave.
Duty calls.
Nothing serious, I hope.
It appears that a fisherman
found a body in a box by
the riverbank.
Really?
Yeah. The life of a detective
never at all moment.
[laughs]
Judy, we got to go.
Oh, would you like a sandwich
for the road?
Ah, no, thank you.
I ate it earlier.
If you hear anything about Bert,
please let us know.
[Dorothea VO] Haughty bitch,
sobbing for that schizophrenic,
derelict scum.
If Bert were still kicking,
prolly rape her eight ways from
Sunday given half a chance.
[laughs]
She should thank her stars fer
me instead a stickin' her snout
where it don't belong.
Of course,
the moment I hear anything.
-Thank you.
All right. Bye-bye.
Bye.
Okay.
[Dorothea VO] My head was
swimming with the grim task
at hand.
[Dorothea VO] Suspect too much
sun didn't help the situation.
[music]
[Dorothea VO] Fast or slow,
they all was about to go.
[Dorothea VO] My mind raced on
where to bury 'em all.
[Dorothea VO] But,
one task at a time.
[Dorothea VO] Through the years,
I learnt to savor the moment...
[Dorothea VO] and I were
savoring this.
[Dorothea VO] As they all drank
their last drink,
the life drained from their eyes
and all they had ever been
was gone.
[thud]
Thank you.
[giggle]
[sighs]
[Dorothea VO] Though, Betty's
identification would live on
with yours truly's photograph.
[music]
I had her ID, so I continued to
collect her military benefits.
Took the extra precaution.
[rolling thunder]
Remove all identifying parts.
[rolling thunder]
Then as before, wrapping
the bodies, digging the graves,
the lye, the dirt,
and the beautiful roses.
[thunder]
[sighs]
[sighs]
In time,
all just faded memories.
[rolling thunder]
[music]
[thunder]
Oh, it's really cozy.
I think it might be perfect
for me to get back on my feet.
But...
to be honest, all the other
houses I've been at so far just
really made me depressed.
We'll have none of that
here, Eugene.
Plus, I'll help you get the most
out of your Social Security
benefits and Medicare.
Doctors are prescribing
wonderful medicines these days,
like um, Amatripoline,
Nortripoline, Florazepan.
They'll help keep those
blue days away.
[giggles]
-Excuse me.
Dorothea, that Judy lady is on
the phone again.
Donald, please show Eugene
room number one.
I think he'll like
that one best.
Brenda's room?
Yes, her parole was revoked,
remember.
Oh, yeah. Come on, Eugene.
It's Eugene's room now.
Thank you, Dorothea.
Hello, Judy. How are you?
-Any news on Bert?
Yes. His brother-in-law called
just the other day.
I gave him your number.
He hasn't called you yet?
-Someone named Michael Obergon
left a message
saying that he picked up Bert
from your house and took him
to Utah.
Well, then that's that.
Case solved.
Hello?
-I'm afraid not, Miss Puente.
Bert doesn't have
a brother-in-law,
and the man that just
answered your phone
sounded a lot like the man who
left the message.
-That's preposterous.
-I'll be contacting
the police again.
-Fine. Do what you have to do.
Before I knew it,
they would all be here.
And it would all be over.
[music]
[police muttering]
-Well, I think we'd better
get started.
Detective, I can't bear to watch
you dig up my precious roses.
Would you mind if I go down to
the corner coffee shop and wait
till you finish?
Yeah, I think that
should be fine.
Thank you. Bye-bye.
[music]
Alright, come on. Let's go.
-Okie-dokie.
[digging]
[metal clang]
Hit a root?
-I don't know.
It's in there good,
whatever it is.
-Hope it's not a gas line.
-Oh, fuck.
-Is that a leg bone?
Kowalski!
[song on radio] "Lover Man"
by Zephyr
[Dorothea VO] I knew it wouldn't
be long before they tracked down
the cab
I took from the coffee shop...
to a truck stop in Stockton.
Hitched a ride on this here rig
bound for the City of Angels...
in exchange for a spit and tug
every hundred miles.
Heard on the radio that them
cock sucking parasites,
excuse my French.
[moans]
News reporters,
were already there...
[orgasmic scream]
and I was long gone.
[sigh]
[song on jukebox] "Seventh Moon"
by Zephyr
Here you go.
-Thanks.
Here you go, honey.
-My pleasure.
Thank you, Mr. Willgues.
Call me Charles.
And I owe you a thanks
for the wonderful advice you
gave me
on increasing my benefits.
[laughs]
Why don't you come back to my
motel and show me how grateful
you are.
Donna, I like the way you think.
[laughs]
Let's go.
[song on jukebox] "Seventh Moon"
by Zephyr
Dancing on streams of madness
Dancing on streams of madness
[song fades out]
I swear this has never
happened before.
It's okay.
Too much booze is all.
Yeah.
Just because you can't cut
the mustard don't mean you can't
lick the jar.
I hate to repeat myself, but...
I like the way you think.
[Laughter]
[Dorothea moaning]
[TV news report] But they
believe it's a former tenant
of this boarding home,
one of the eight elderly people
who lived here and was recently
reported missing.
The woman believed responsible
for the deaths is 71-year-old
Dorothea Montavo-Puentes,
who had a previous record
of stealing from the elderly
after doping them.
Holy shit.
Authorities now suspect the
woman killed at least five...
of the tenants and continued to
cash their social
security checks.
She was seen at the boarding
house early yesterday,
hours after the first body was
found in the backyard.
[TV news report] Police today
tried to defend their actions
-Charles, did you say something?
...of questioning Puentes,
but not arresting her.
Do you think it was a mistake
for you guys not to follow her?
-No ma'am. She was free to go.
I have no more right to follow
her than I have a right to
follow you.
You have to understand that.
Nobody wants her in jail worse
than I do, people, but I'm going
to follow the laws.
[Knocking]
LAPD!
I never killed anyone.
Checks I cashed, yes.
I used to be a very good person.
[tender music]
What took you so long, John?
Let's go home.
[music]
[Dorothea VO] My trial began on
February 9, 1993.
[Dorothea VO] I was charged with
nine counts of murder.
[Dorothea VO] Ha, what a joke!
Maybe a female judge or some
women my age on the jury would
have helped.
[Dorothea VO] ...
and don't get me started on
the fuckin' lawyers...
[Dorothea VO] excuse my French.
[Dorothea VO] Here we go.
Have you reached the verdict?
Yes, Your Honor.
If you please.
We the jury,
find Dorothea Puente, guilty.
Yep. I was convicted on three
counts of murder.
Benjamin Fink, Leona Carpenter,
and Dorothy Miller.
The jury, after deliberating
for 35 days, remained deadlocked
on six cases.
Ruth Monroe, Everson Theodore
Gilmouth, Betty Mae Palmer,
James Gallop, Vera Faye Martin,
and Alviro Bert Montoya.
That's right, old Bert,
the schizophrenic bastard that
got me into this pickle.
At least I was spared
the death penalty.
Sentenced to life imprisonment
without the possibility
of parole.
[coughing]
Dorothea, are you okay?
[coughing]
Guard!
Guard, get a doctor in here.
Dorothea?
-Did you get everything?
Yes, yes, it's amazing.
It's Pulitzer.
-Feel ike a weight has
been lifted.
Thank you.
Guard!
-What?
-She's dying.
-Medic!
Dorothea.
Dorothea.
Hey. Hey.
-Get her out of here.
-Alright, come on.
[Dorothea gasping]
-Is she going to be alright?
-Nothing. Start CPR, now.
Try again.
We're losing her.
-Move it.
-Hey, can't I please
stay with her?
[gasps]
Where are we going?
Queenie. I didn't mean to...UGH!
[rapid stabs]
[screaming]
[grunting]
[stabs]
[screaming]
Open up.
Done.
[music]
[gasping]
[somber music]
[Doctor] She looks happy.
[Dorothea VO] Sure,
I was happy and why not.
[Dorothea VO] I lived my life on
my own terms, good or bad.
[Dorothea VO] MINE.
[music]